Can you believe that December is here?! I can't!! But the holiday festivities have started, so it must be true.The area from Columbus Circle/60th Street all the way to about 67th Street has a Winter's Eve Festival on Broadway. I reminds of some festivities on the Plaza at home--only on a larger scale. And sadly, it never mentions Christ or the Nativity. I love that Prescott, still has scripture reading and actual carols about Christ sung at the Courthouse lighting. There was a Christmas tree lighting with a musical program--including one of the original Monkees and lots of their music. Some things even started in the afternoon. During the afternoon, I went to one of the small theaters in the Lincoln Center and watched the Christmas classic movie "Christmas Story" as in "You'll shoot your eye out!" Or the sexy leg lamp. Then you'll remember the right movie.
They had free popcorn and yogurt as well. I had fun visiting with another lady before it started. It was a fun afternoon. Then in the evening Spencer went out with me. The sister missionaries went with us for the Tree lighting and some of the browsing. Then we split off. We watched a guy doing an ice sculpture right next to the temple door. Amazing talent!
Many restaurants had food booths set up, but the lines were way too long for us. There were musicians in many stores as well as on a bandstand in the little park across from the temple. We watched a Blue Grass band there for a while. I can't even describe some of "things" that were wandering around the street. It was a fun evening. The weather was crisp--we needed hats and gloves, but it wasn't frigid.When we got back to the apartment building we had our picture taken be the Christmas tree in the lobby.
During the week we worked in the temple during the day time. We have to get used to the earlier shift. For those who want to call us (hint, hint), here is the schedule:
Tuesday & Wednesday 10-5; Thursday 9-4; Friday 11-6; and Saturday 9-4.
Saturday evening there was Carolers on Columbus program in the Manhattan Ward next door. It was amazing. They had representation from through out the stake --and beyond. Franklin (from Sesame Street) was even there. The Primary children and youth from a Spanish ward in Harlem sang a great medley I couldn't get very many good pictures because the podium was in the way. The deaf branch signed a song while it was sung. I was really entertained by the ASL missionaries who signed all of the numbers during the evening. One sister was especially "bouncy" and fun. A couple of our temple workers did my favorite song for entertainment "Present Face" about trying to keep a positive face showing when you open a present you hate. They were hysterically funny. After the program there was free hot chocolate served out on the sidewalk. I'll just keep putting in the pictures and you can sort of figure out what goes with the different commentary.
I have just one more quick story before I close for tonight.
There are frequently panhandlers on the subway when we go to church. Some are questionable. But today a man came from another car into our car. It was really crowded and I saw his feet before I saw him. His toes on his left foot were sticking out of his socks and he had no shoes. His toes were swollen and discolored. It made me wince just to see them. His right foot was wrapped in a small blanket. In a loud voice he asked for help to buy shoes. He said, "My feet hurt so bad and I have no shoes. I've found a pair at Payless for $20 and I'm trying to get the money together to buy them." I was getting my wallet out to give him a couple of dollars. But a young man near us, took his shoes off and gave them to the man. It was so touching. He graciously thanked him and explained that someone in the previous car had also offered some--a size 14 pair, but his feet are a size 16, so it was unlikely anyone on the train had that size of a foot. He was a really tall guy and I don't doubt that he was being truthful. My heart was touched He offered to give him the shoes off of his feet. It was an amazing example of "Lighting the World".
I hope all of you are doing things to bring light and joy into the lives of others--and in that way you will be serving the Savior as well.
Love,
Jeanine
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