A cool museum.
Natural History Museum.
The Juillard School at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Theatre showing Twilight.
We, at the Temple.
Gray's Papaya hot dog place.
The George Washington Bridge!
The Manhattan Temple!
Our first attempt at a Christmas tree (it's a coat rack).
Eating a turkey leg a Dominican lady gave me. But as I went for a bite, all the meat fell off.
Hey Family! I love you kidz!
So, these last two weeks have been exciting! We went to the Temple and oh how lovely it was! We drove in with some members and the city was a bustle with humans, and vehicles, and people shouting, and cars honking. We drove past the Natural History Museum, and Julliard, and ABC, and Central Park! We didn't go through Times Square or near Rockefeller Center. Oh, and first we had to cross the George Washington Bridge, which cost a whopping $12 toll! And then parking was $35. This place is expensive! Anyway, then we walked up to the Temple, which sits right across from Juillard. Right when we walked in, all the noise ceased. And we had a lovely temple session. In one portion of it I was with a Japanese lady and a German lady, and then here I was, an American. To think that years ago we were all at war, and now here we are in the Temple together--just amazing! And one of our senior couples was working there, so it was really neat! When we left I couldn't believe the noise level. Police sirens, yelling, honking, etc. But it was fun to be in the bustle of things. And guess what? I got a New Ywark City Hwot Dwog! From Gray's Papaya--apparently a top spot for celebrities. It was really tasty!
It was sort of sad driving back from our adventure. But in 6 months, I'll get to be there again. And in the meantime, I'm doing some very important things.
Yesterday, we got a call that the seminary teacher was sick, so we taught seminary this morning! We woke up at 5, put on our faces and missionary attire, and booked it to the church. These youths are so dedicated and awesome. I think I love the youth the most in the church. They're just so swell! Anyway, we were reading in Exodus (which I hardly remember from when I was in seminary, so it was a little lacking...). But they had a good time and we both learned some things, so it was good.
Thanks so much Moimers for the advent boxes! Sister Barrett and I were freaking out. Right when we opened the packages we said, "We need a place for these gifts!" So we cleared off the coat rack and put some ties and scarves around it, and a hat on top to make it look like a Christmas tree. Then we opened up day #1, the Christmas tree. I can't thank you enough! Sister Barrett, every morning as I'm putting on my gym clothes says, "Sister! Sister! Can we open one now?" And we do and we love it. We (or my companion mostly) are almost done with the puzzle, and we love the robot stencils! We shared the tasty gingerbread cookies with the seminary class this morning. Thank you so much. Sister Barrett especially says thanks because she doesn't get packages often.
As far as the work goes, we are having some difficulties with one of the families we're teaching. One of the sons is super strong, but his step dad is not cool. It's been rough. But we do have an awesome kid, Shaq, who is basically baptized. He went with the youth to the Sacred Grove, and he's been to Church and to the young men's activities every week for about 6 or 7 weeks now. We have only just started meeting with him this week, since his parents gave him permission. He's already in Alma, and loves it! Ah, he's so amazing!
Well, I love you kids! Stay warm and safe and hug the dog for me, and the little ones!
Love you,
Sister Merg
