A Merry Missionary Christmas Dinner and Songfest!

Last night, December  21, the Manhattan Temple presidency, all eight couples and our two single sister missionaries, plus two public affairs missionary couples gathered in the Bennion apartment for a lovely dinner.  The menu comprised baked ham, cheesy potatoes (made 4 recipes), Christmas strawberry salad (our family favorite), green bean casserole, homemade rolls topped off by a dessert of warm apple pudding cake with caramel sauce and whipped cream.  No calories here.  Steve and I definitely added a few calories to the scales.  Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

President Steve Bennion gave us a wonderful Christmas message, plus an update on our recent (last Saturday) quick visit by Elder Todd Christofferson, apostle, who made a very quick trip to our temple to seal his niece and fiance'.  President Bennion learned that President Thomas Monsen is still very mentally sharp concerning the issues of the Church but is in a wheelchair much of the time because of the diabetes affecting his feet. It was wonderful to hear "news" from home.

Afterwards, we gathered in the lobby of the 2 Lincoln Square (our "home") and caroled our hearts out!  We even had a looker-on join us in "Joy to the World!" What a wonderful evening of congeniality, conversation and reflection.

The Group!! I am hidden behind Steve.

Steve and Marj Bennion are to the left...Front foyer of our "home away from home"

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

From the Radio Center Rockettes to city lights, the festivities in this city are ongoing and endless, it seems.   Although so very far away from our family and dear friends, our hearts are full of joy as we celebrate the noble birth of our dear Savior who condescended to come to earth to be born in a lowly manger and then to pay the ultimate price for each and every individual.  May we never forget His sacrifice and serve Him with all our heart, might and strength.

Walking from the subway, here is a typical office building decor! 

Radio City Music Hall, home of the Rockets

Love this outdoor display of monumental Christmas bulbs resting in a water pond.

The city is array with endless bakeries and pastries!  

We attended a full production by the NY Philharmonic Orchestra (right across the street) of Handel's Messiah,  It was utterly magnificent; the soloists were magnificent as well as the chorus. What a thrill to stand and sing the Hallelujah chorus with fellow Christians and believers in the New York area. This was the best Christmas present EVER!

The sweetest Christmas surprise ever was opening a large envelope with individual Christmas messages written to us on the paper stockings.  Thank you, Trista, for organizing this thoughtful gift and for all our precious family.  

Here you see our small credenza as you enter our apartment with a outdated photo of our family,  silver plate (gift) of the Manhattan Temple, Christmas card from the First Presidency of the Salt Lake Temple, our poinsettia plant (substitute Christmas tree) and a cut-out of NYC ornament...all symbols of our hearts, love and devotion to all.

Christmas Message For All!

Elder Todd Christoffersen, apostle, recently penned in the December issue of the Ensign, "Be At Peace," pg. 28-31, that although it's always important to study the Atoning sacrifice of the Savior and all events that led up to that great event, and "the hope of what is coming, of what it will be like during the great Millennium and the celestial reign of Christ that follows...

"With all of that to come, though, I think it’s appropriate this time of year to just think about that baby in the manger. Don’t be too overwhelmed or occupied with what is to come; just think about that little baby. Take a quiet, peaceful moment to ponder the beginning of His life—the culmination of heavenly prophecy but the earthly beginning for Him.Take time to relax, be at peace, and see this little child in your mind. Do not be too concerned or overwhelmed with what is coming in His life or in yours. Instead, take a peaceful moment to contemplate perhaps the most serene moment in the history of the world—when all of heaven rejoiced with the message “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Let the Spirit Warm You

Some years ago I heard a radio interview featuring Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Anglican archbishop in South Africa. He had just published a book with his daughter about the reconciliation that had taken place in South Africa following apartheid.¹ Basically, the book’s message is that there is good in all people.

During the interview the host asked a perceptive, inspired question of Bishop Tutu: “Have you found that your relationship to God has changed as you’ve grown older?”

Bishop Tutu paused and then said, “Yes. I am learning to shut up more in the presence of God.”

He recalled that when he prayed in his earlier years, he did so with a list of requests and solicitudes. He would approach heaven with what he called “a kind of shopping list.” But now, he said, “I think [I am] trying to grow in just being there. Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter, you are just there in front of the fire, and you don’t have to be smart or anything. The fire warms you.”²

I think that is a lovely metaphor—just sit with the Lord and let Him warm you like a fire in winter. You don’t have to be perfect or the greatest person who ever graced the earth or the best of anything to be with Him.

I hope you will take time this Christmas season to sit for a few quiet moments and let the Savior’s Spirit warm you and reassure you of the worthiness of your service, of your offering, of your life. Sit quietly with that little baby and come away spiritually strengthened and better prepared for all that is going to come later. Let that moment be one of rest and refreshing and reassurance and renewal."

May we all reflect our love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through our service and our love for our fellow man this Christmas season and always.

Lola and Steve Cook

Christmas Season (and trappings) Is Alive and Well in NYC...

 BERGDORF GOODMAN:  They say, "if you have to ask, you can't afford it!" This store was truly was the epitome of lavishness, extravagance, brilliance and glitz introducing their version of Christmas. I couldn't contain myself from taking attached photos of the Bergdorf Goodman store windows, all a splendor with Swarovski crystals adorning each and every spectacle (believe me, that's what they were) in each window.  Enjoy...(yes, this is NYC and not another planet)!!!  UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

Reminded me of Mardi Gras costumes

Zeus all adored in real pearls (difficult to see in this photo)

Alligator made of Swarovski crystals, large and small

Each and every creature adorned in Swarvoski crystals

Building after building is alight with crystals aglow!

PLAZA HOTEL:  As we continued walking, I was introduced to the famous Plaza Hotel, home to the rich and wealthy (permanent residents) plus local and international celebrities who wish to stay here.  Also, for those old enough to remember, it was the "set" for many Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, etc. movies.  Enjoy the photos below...

Cold "P" Day in NYC-Plaza Hotel in background.

Front of hotel

Looking across plaza from hotel

Christmas tree adorned in white lights

Encased glass of Cary Grant momentos of a film

Even the long hallway was adorned with Christmas wreaths

ROCKEFELLER CENTER:  Continuing our walk southtown (that's 'south' in NYC), we walked past St. Patrick's Cathedral where the Pope visited last month, to Rockefeller Center to view the newly lit Christmas tree (lighted the night before)--wasn't as beautiful as Temple Square in SLC!  Ice skaters, shoppers, tourists crowded the plaza overlooking the skaters.

St. Paul's Cathedral-largest one in the US

Ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center

THE TREE at Rockefeller Center

We Gather Together To Ask the Lord's Blessing...

Many of the Manhattan Temple Missionaries (several couples had family in town so were not present) gathered at President Steve and Matron Marj Bennion's lovely apartment for a collaborative Thanksgiving dinner at 3:00 pm.  Marj prepared the turkey and gravy, and we all prepared hot rolls, salads, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, broccoli salad, candied yams, and pies galore (pecan, pumpkin and lemon meringue).   

A special couple and dear friends of Steve and Marj Bennion, Elder Clifford Herbertsen and his wife,  joined us from England.  He is a member of the Third  Quorum of Seventies and oversees several missions in the UK.  What an interesting couple. As a postlude to the dinner, Clifford spoke for over an hour recounting the "early days" of missionary work in the UK, of his father who was one of the "pioneers" and the present growth there. It was fascinating and reminded me of the "early days" in Texas of which my parents played such in integral part in building the kingdom.  Contrasting the growth in the UK and Texas, we have become so aware of the growth in the NY area the past 50-75 years and love hearing the tales recounted of the old-timers who work in the temple and love to  reminisce.  President Steve Bennion is the consommate individual to brings out the "best" in these elderly brethren and makes them continue to feel appreciated and utilized.  What a wonderful place and time to be a part of!  THE CHURCH IS ALIVE AND WELL!!

Herbertsens, Bennions, Fullers, Cooks, Roberts, Buchanans, Grimleys and Kathy Thompson and Janice Wilson. 

Steve Bennion and Steve Cook to the left.

Elder Fuller, Sistesr Herbertsen and Lola.

Steve, Marj and Janice Wilson.

A few Photos of Our First, Real Live Macy's Parade, Thanksgiving Day

It was a beautiful, brisk (but not too cold) Thanksgiving Day in NYC.  We had front row seats (facing west) on West Central Park Blvd., just down the street from our apartment bldg.  There were about 38 in total of NY temple missionaries, some of their family members, and other full-time missionaries working in NY.  I'll attempt to identify some of the photos. The male temple missionaries fared the early hours to set up chairs and roped off our "territory" about 4:00 am and the second shift followed at 6:30 am until 8:00.  All the rest of us gathered at that time, nestled in with muffins, hot chocolate, etc. preparing for the BIG EVENT.   Enjoy a little of the world's largest and mosts famous parade.  It's real!! 

We  snapped an early AM photo of 65th street (out our bedroom window about 6:00 am before the parade began.  You will see ABC TV window with a rolling telethon of the daily weather and occurrence around the world.  All the trees in this area are lighted and alive anticipating Christmas.  We're in the spirit!

Looking north toward the ABC TV studio across the street early "T" Day

On 65th west and Central Park, the street was swarming with police,  police dogs, paddy wagons, helicopters, etc. preparing for any incident.  Luckily, nothing occurred!

Police with machine guns!!  We were well protected.

The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade officially passed by our seats at 9:15 AM. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Gobble...gobble.  

McDonald Mobile

Looking southeast in the early dawn before the parade.

Helium balloons everywhere-here you see the Koolaid man1

So fascinating to see multiple men/women walking the 4-5 miles on stilts!

Ninja Turtles float

President Steve Bennion, Elder Rogers and Elder Hawkins, fellow temple missionaries

Police Honor Guard received a loud applause!

Yes, there are police on horseback in the city.

Flamenco dancers-hispanic representation

Looking north as the parade traveled south toward 32nd street/Macy's

Another brave soul on stilts.

A group from mainland China.

This group of "Stompers" were hilarious with quite the 'moves'!

A KFC float with "Utah" on its float.

Group of jump ropers who "jumproped from 72nd street to 32nd. They are  in incredible shape, to say the least.

Paddington bear.

To move these helium balloons, it required from 20 to 40 men/women walking and manipulating them.  Quite a feat.

More stilts.

All the world loves a parade!

Top notch high school band from Indiana.

"Build a Bear" float

Another man on stilts-simply amazing!

Who is this young people?

A Scottish bagpiper band represented.

Lots of participants dressed in fun costumes having more fun than they deserved!

Pillsbury Dough Boy

Group across the street brought bags and bags of white confetti (which looked like snow) and had fun throwing it on the policemen (who seemed to enjoy the attention and fun).

I know this one!  The "Elf on the Shelf!"

Snoopy and Peanuts

Snoopy!!

More stilted men dressed as Christmas trees.

Santa Claus finally appeared on the Hallmark Channel float.

"Believe, "believe" balloons dawned the last float!  Yes, we BELIEVE!