We're Coming Home...

...to thaw out.  See below...

Last weekend's Manhattan, NY, ABC Acuweather teletron across the street from our apartment!

 Our temple service in the Manhattan NY Temple these past 5+ months has been the highlight of our senior missionary services.   What a choice experience to serve with faithful temple missionaries, patrons and worldwide visitors--they will never be forgotten in this life! We look forward to serving with so many of them in the eternities, as this great Work goes forward infinity.   However, we will be honorably released March 14, 2016 (completed a 6 month mission) and return home that night. 

They say "life is what happens when you're looking the other way."  Steve's overall health has been good; however, after continual walking the streets of NYC and in the temple (no car was allowed), he contracted foot ulcers (diabetes' related) which hasn't subsided and if continued could prove very serious if not fully addressed.  Simply put, gravity and friction have exacerbated the foot problem, and both are required to fulfill the temple assignment. The temple responsibilities have been spiritually gratifying and fulfilling but physically arduous at times, much unlike other temples!  It is not for the faint of heart!   His health is foremost, and we hope to have his foot healed, so he can regain his prior lifestyle.  Today, Steve celebrated his 75th birthday.  We are so grateful that his life has been prolonged to bless many lives, primarily our beloved children, spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, encouragement, communication and gifts.  You are all loved and appreciated.  Hope to see you all soon.

Love to you all,

Elder Steve and Sister Lola Cook

DAYS 4-6 Continued:

 A few photos...

What would NYC be without mentioning the "Donald?" Yes, vestiges of his empire are everywhere!!

Croissants, croissants and more croissants!!

Carlo's--another 'foodie' dessert place we visited after "An American in Paris"

The Palace Theater, home of "An American in Paris"--best musical I've seen in years.

Palace Theater-100 year old theater on Broadway

Billboards atop skyscrapers on Time Square

Carrie an Lead Dancer

After broadway show, we visit Carlo's Famous Bakery

Carrie and lead dancer.

They "ate their hearts out" at Carlo's Bakery after show.

Girls bid farewell to New York, each other and us!!

Yes, we do!

DAYS 3-5:

My apology that the following photos are not in chronological order.  Blogger is frustrating (as I discovered after I began this blog and googled my concern which was verified by others) in that it doesn't allow one to insert photos chronologically as desired...so please enjoy the photos (many out of order) but with brief explanations.

Lincoln Square-Opera House--across the street from our apartment bldg and temple.

Time Square

Jen on 38th floor of 2 Lincoln Square

Girls attended the 9/11 Memorial on Monday while Steve and I worked 1/2 day preparing for 2 week shutdown of temple for cleaning.

Janie and Christy aboard the #1 (red line) headed southward.

Carrie has arrived!  Carrie and Jen aboard the #1.

Christy at Chelsey Market

Chelsey Market before it became a very popular "foodie" place, was  the Nabisco (Oreo cookie) factory 100 years ago!

Walking the streets of Time Square

38th floor of 2 Lincoln Square, Manhattan NY, looking Southtown toward East River

 Food, food and more food at Chelsey Market.  So many choices...so little time.
"Fusion" was the buzz word there-combing two ethnic dishes into one (such as a Japanese taco)!!

DAY 2: Sisters/Mom Retreat

Sunday, The Sabbath

Five girls getting ready for Church.

100 steps from apartment front door to door of Church.

There's Angel Moroni atop temple/church (in same building).

Front door of church.

Attended Manhattan 1st Ward (Carrie hasn't arrived as yet-snowed in-South Carolina); Walter Rane's beautiful paintings line the walls in church

Title of Liberty-Walter Rane's artistry

Lehi and family leaving Jerusalem

Day after blizzard, typical buried car in NYC

Walk across Central Park, looking southward

Daughters' Retreat...Jan 22-27, 2016-Days 1 and 2

After months of talking, planning and close calls, Janie, Christy, Carrie and Jennifer flew to LaGuardia Airport for 4-6 days of fun, frolic, food and blizzard!  Unfortunately, our four daughters-in-law couldn't come, and they were sorely missed!!  See below a few photos of our adventures.

DAY 1, 2:

Jen, Janie and Christy arrived Friday night, Jan 22.  Relaxing on pull-out blow-up mattress on queen size bed Saturday morning...only to awaken to the worst blizzard in NYC in almost 60 years.

We awakened to the worst blizzard to hit NY in 60 years. All traffic was curtailed to the point that Jennifer performed "snow angels" on busy 66th street (of course, with no traffic).  Crazy!

Temple work still goes on and Lola and Steve are off to temple duties.

A Realistic View of the Garment District in NYC

Yesterday, by assignment, I rode the bus to 37th street and 7th Avenue to attempt to locate some specialized sewing notions, in bulk, for the temple; shortly after arriving in NYC, the seamtress/mender, Sister Morris, became ill and I was asked to assist in mending temple clothing, at my convenience.  We wear many hats in the Manhattan temple!!!

Another adventure in the Big Apple.!!! The Garment District is quite a "sketchy" place...see photos below...

On the narrow, busy, crowded street, look that was atop one of the cabs!  The Church is very visible in this city, if only one has eyes to see!

Yet, right next to the cab with the Church logo was this one!

The garment district is not far from Times Square, about 6 block south, on 37th and 7th Avenue.  It is a hustling, bustling, fast-paced interesting few blocks.  Not pictured are several of the domestic fabric stores I visited...couldn't resist.   

While walking the streets searching for a reasonably-priced trimming store, look what I saw...a whole rack of beautiful cocktail dresses with Macy's tags (look closely), hot off the seamstress floor.  This area is quite interesting and busy.  These are the streets that beauty pageant contestants visit to find the "right dress!"  I've never seen so much glitz and glamour in fabrics in my life!!

A Backstage Tour of the Famous Metropolitach Opera House at Lincoln Center

 Mindie and Paul Rogers, fellow temple missionaries, serve as our illustrious "party-planners" par excellence; Monday, our "P" day,  many of us took a 2 hour backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera House (right across the street in Lincoln Center from our apartment)--what an incredible opportunity to view the scenery, costumes, costume shop, dressing rooms,rehearsal halls, workers, etc. behind the scenes of this famous opera hall (and right at our backdoor,

if you can afford it).  Pictured is a photo of the missionaries who attended.

After the Met Opera tour, we hopped a train to Harlem, 147th street in a very sketchy neighborhood but indulged in some of the best bar-b-que ever at Dinosaur Bar-b-que establishment.  Here you see a brisket sandwich topped with homemade slaw!  Yummy!  

Pictured are two tables of those who attended.