A View of Manhattan 1st Ward, Chinatown and 9/11 Memorial Museum

Attending the Manhattan 1st Ward is exciting, stimulating and one-of-a-kind! From the virtuoso organist Dwight Blazin, or a most kind Bishop Nixon, to the brilliantly prepared Sunday School, Relief Society and Primary teachers--we have never quite experienced such talented, gifted and original ward members. Although Steve and I are current ward members, we can't be "called" to a position (full-time missionaries), but the Bishop asked me to serve as Primary pianist and subsequently cleared this with President Steve Bennion. This I did last Sunday, and it was a rare and fun experience. For example, the Primary counselor announced she was going to read a book, a parable (with a strong moral) written by a Russian "Leo" to the junior primary; a 6 year-old Primary boy spoke out and said, "Leo Tolstoy?" These children are learned, brilliant and astute beyond their years! "Out of the mouth of babes...!"

This ward is full of young, bright and aspiring couples, many recent graduates from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, BYU, etc. and struggling with debt, new marriages, tiny apartments, and recent babies. See photos below. Some refer to many of the sisters as 'bankers' widows" or "law widows.' Their husbands are working long hours attempting to jumpstart their careers, and the sisters are raising the babies! Not that all the ward consist of young couples, but it appears there is a large majority. Anyway, take a look at three hallways of strollers lined up after church awaiting departure from church. We love the energy and creativity in this ward.

Monday is "P" Day. Sister Edna Fuller and I took the 'train' (better known as the sub) to Chinatown to do a little shopping. What fun! We met Sister Goo (full-time missionary serving with Elder Goo-a temple sealer and former mission presidents in Hong Kong) who escorted us on a short tour of the markets in China town; they live in an apartment there and serve in the a Chinese branch. See below.

Yes, these are live eels in a Chinese food market.

Anyone interested in shrimp? What a buy--only $6.00 per lb!

This market/fast food lunch counter was packed with people purchasing lunch/dinner.

Sister Good in market.

Outdoor markets line the street.

Sister Goo's favorite market.

Persimmons--purchased two to try--never eaten them before.

Delicious and unusual vegetable stands line Mott Street.

Cross streets of Mott and Hester are favorite shopping areas.

Sister Edna Fuller and I returned home from Chinatown just in time for Steve and me to return to Southtown to the 9/11 Memorial Museum. What a sobering experience. See below for some poignant scene and quotations.

Approaching Rector Street and the 9/11 Memorial Museum

Man polishing the copper relief, indirectly asking for money/tip.

Copper relief honoring the 300+ firemen who lost their lives saving others in the holocaust.

Photos of firemen lost lives.

Again, another sign honoring the city's "bravest."

2 large pools (in place of former North and South Towers) with names of murdered citizens etched in stone which bordering the pools.

Our visit happened to be the same day of the tragic and senseless slaughter of Parisian citizens. A France rally was being held on the north side of the North Pool.