Nestling in, Learning the Ropes and Jumping Over Hurdles...

Friday, September 18, 2015

After a rigorous three day training in the Salt Lake Temple and a 5 hour plane ride to NYC, we were greeted by President Steve Bennion who transported to our new home/apartment, 2 Lincoln Square, located right in the heart of upper-west midtown Manhattan. It only took us 1 1/4 hours to travel in busy, New York traffic.   That evening,  Elder and Sister Bench, second counselors in the Manhattan Temple Presidency, hosted the Grimley's and us to a scrumptious Italian dinner (within walking distance of our hotel.)  Our apartment is lovely and the bed was inviting.

After a short night of rest, we "hit the ground running," as we reported to the temple which is just a "few" step away.  Temple missionaries' work commitment schedule is at least seven hours, not including walking to the temple, dressing, etc. time.  The Manhattan Temple encompasses 4 floors, e.g. 1st floor-baptisty and dressing rooms; 4th floor-laundry, clothing issue, male and female dressing rooms, lunch room, etc.; 5th floor-initiatory, dressing rooms, endowment room, celestial room, etc.; 6th floor-sealing rooms and offices. The eight missionary couples and two single sisters, who are called as full-time missionaries, serve a period of no less than 12 months and no more than 23 months and comprise the bulk of ordinance workers. Sisters and brethren who live in this temple district are invited to serve in the temple, of course, but because of the multiple challenges of time, distance, expense (subways, tolls, parking fees, etc.) to get to and from the temple, the 'regular' workers are sparse and not always dependable.  The "locals" comprise the shift coordinators, however, we are the "worker bees."  Without exaggerating, the workload in this temple is relentless and exhausting!!  And oh...the laundry...the laundry...it is never-ending and seems to multiple by the minute!!  Flexibility is the key word!!  We literally run from "pillar to post" without stopping most days!! It is exhilarating work but not for the faint of heart!!  We come home at night exhausted but filled with sweet memories of the day.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

We attended stake conference held on the second floor of the Manhattan Temple bldg.  President David Buckner, Stake President of the Manhattan Stake and economics professor at Columbia University, gave a stirring talk reminding all that Christ wishes that ''men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will and bring to pass much righteousness...and that we should not hide our faith," live a life with confidence and courage, not hesitating."  He reminded us that we are on this earth to learn to become gods...to become Christlike.  He said that "obedience is not just to create order, but this earth life is our training ground."

 Life isn't fair.  No one nor entity will ever agree what is fair!  He said that his father always said that a 'fair is a place where they sell pigs with blue ribbons'!!  This is the generation that will take the gospel to the world; we are the people of the covenant; this is the greatest dispensation, that which fulfill all the hopes of the ancient prophets.  They literally say our day!  We are promised success like no other generation was promised. He then begged all "to move to NY and become people anxiously engaged in a good cause!"  As you can see, he was on fire and fired up the audience.  What a dynamic, powerful speaker!

Monday, September 21, 2015

 Rode the Subway to the MTA (Mass Transit Authority) in South Manhattan to purchase our senior subway card so we can ride 1/2 price (still not cheap).
Thanks to the Call's who assisted us all along the way.

Maybe we won't get lost if we read the signs on the subway walls!

The Call's tutor the Grimley's and us in the subway system.

Love the mixture of the old and new architecture in NYC

Before we boarded the subway back to mid-Manhattan, we saw "THE LADY" (Statue of Liberty) from afar. Hope to  grab a ferry to the island one day before we leave, just to say we were there. Ferrying to Ellis Island is another trip on my bucket list, as I wish to conduct research on ancestors that came through that port.  Of note, the Church has contributed millions of dollars in computers and research to assist all in genealogical research of our immigrant forefathers. 

In the afternoon, this was our first chance to purchase some serious groceries.  We walked downhill toward the Hudson River 1 1/2 miles to purchase $172 for groceries at this 'sketchy' grocery store; Steve was worried about the climb home, but a tender mercy occurred...an African man offered to drive us home, groceries and all, for only $5 (plus tip which we won't mention).  

Meet Yamin, our western African grocery driver.  He "praised" God all the way to our apartment (and us, too!.)
Whew...we made it through DAY 4!!