March 11, 2018

Last week I told you about the visit from apostles and others to the temple.  There is already work being done.  One day we went to the temple and there was scaffolding up at the corner.  Another missionary asked the temple president what was going on and he said, "I don't know!  Know one told me anything about it!"  I guess the ecclesiastical side and business side of the church don't always get the same memos.  :)  Apparently the pieces of granite on the fascia that has cracks and chunks out are being replaced.  I hadn't noticed them until our surprise visit.  But when you really look, there are quite a few areas that would look better if they were replaced.

Monday I went for the CT scan of my sinuses and a follow-up visit with the ENT doctor.  It was interesting.  My nasal septum is REALLY  deviated and as we went deeper, one layer at a time, the sinus walls were thicker on each film.  He said it is a great breeding bed for infection, since the mucous can never really drain.  It is no wonder that I get repeated sinus infections and colds.  My allergies probably contribute to a depressed immune system (my assessment, not his).  I am on a strong sulfa based antibiotic for 10 days.  I see him in a couple of weeks.  I may have to have the "roto-rooter" (sp?) surgery to clear the sinuses out and that would straighten the septum up as well.  I will be happy to do it, if I can stop being sick!!

Tomorrow Spencer has an appointment regarding his MRI of his sinus.  I'm glad my referral was to someone close by.  I don't envy his trek to get there.

Currently he isn't teaching temple prep.  He is waiting for the bishopric to call more people to attend.  It is nice for me to have him attend Gospel Doctrine with me.

Just one final thought and I will close for this week.  This morning the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang the song "If the Savior Stood Beside Me".  It really struck a chord with me.  It gave me something to truly ponder about.  Perhaps the words will touch you as well.  I wish I could transmit the music in a blog.  The song was written by Sally DeFord. 

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example?  Would I live more righteously
If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more rev'rently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions? Would I choose more worthily
If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?

He is always near me though I do not see Him there,
And because He loves me dearly I am in His watchful care.
So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me.

What can I say except "Amen"

Love,
Jeanine

March 4, 2018

Last week I forgot something really interesting in the blog post.  During that week (about 10 days ago now) I walked out of the apartment building and saw about six men with suits, white shirts and ties looking up examining the exterior of the temple.  There was another man with a clipboard and hard hat taking notes.  It was obvious they were priesthood brethren.  But as I got closer I turned the corner I was much closer to them and realized that we had two apostles here--Elder Cook and Elder Renlund.  I didn't recognize the others.  They were were probably from the temple department of Physical Facilities in church headquarters.  The rumor mill was that they were examining the needs of this temple (especially roof, AC units, etc.) to determine if this temple will require extensive renovation in the future.  It seemed presumptuous to interrupt them and introduce myself, so I just smiled and continued to report for my shift.  But it was pretty cool to have two apostles here.

Last Monday was a beautiful day, so I went for a long walk in Central Park.  The trees weren't budding yet, but there were geese eating in the grass and swimming.  You could see the skyline easily with no leaves on the tree.  It was great.

 The playground was filled with children.                                           Once again, the pictures won't let me arrange them--so just scroll thru and enjoy!

Then, by the end of week we had a huge Nor'easter blow through.  In the tri-state area there were eight deaths--mostly from trees falling on people or cars.  Thousands were without power when lines were knocked down. 
We just had to brave the stiff winds and low chill factors.  Big change from the first of the week.

  However, on Saturday when I was in the Celestial Room, a member of the presidency and maintenance came in to examine one of the tall, stained glass windows.  They couldn't get it to close properly.  Apparently, the wind had blown it open during the night.  So it was just resting in place--not latched, until it can be fixed.

I'm still having major sinus issues and a cold that hits hard for a day or two and then goes back into hiding.

I did see a doctor and I'm getting more tests done to see if it is allergies or sinusitis.  Who knows?  I just want it to stop already!

Monday night we had a temple missionary dinner at the apartment of President and Sister Bench.  It was to say good-bye to the Youngs, who have completed their mission.

Their replacements arrive next Friday.  They are transferring from the Washington, DC temple.

Hurrah for Israel--we will continue in our opportunity to serve!
Jeanine

Feb. 25, 2018

We have completed two months of 2018.  Time has moved right along at a rapid rate.  I guess that means I am busy and having fun!

I have been back in the grove of getting up each morning with the anticipation of serving in the temple.  What a blessing that is in my life.  There have been some very spiritual experiences that I can't really put out there on social media.  But my testimony has been strengthened by those who heard the rejoicing of sisters beyond the veil.

Next week we switch to the evening shift.  We will begin at 3:30 in the afternoon.  There is a new rotation beginning, so we will only be on evenings for one month at this time.  April and May we will be back on the day shift and then in June and July we will be on the evenings.  It is good rotation in that the two "teams" of missionaries will vary and we get to work closely with some of the other team members.  I will enjoy that.

The Lord has strengthened me to complete each shift during the last many weeks.  I had to rely on Him because my "natural" body is always fatigued.  But at least the cold symptoms are gone--even though the chronic sinus infection is still alive and strong.  Changing climates helped finish off the cold.  But the full sinuses make it hard to hear--my ears need to "pop"!  :-)

The weather here has been crazy this week!  On Wednesday it was a sunny 78 degrees! (broke the records)  Thursday it was in the upper 30s!  It has been drizzling the last several days.  I can't predict what season I will be in each morning when I get out of bed.  I open the blinds in the bedroom and look down on the street to see how people are dressed and whether or not they are using umbrellas so that I know how to dress for the day.  That is more reliable than the weather forecast.

I don't have any new pictures this week, since I just sent a ton of them on Tuesday.

I loved seeing the pictures Niki posted on Facebook about the cousins' party that was held at Chad and Ann Marie's home yesterday.  We truly have a remarkable family who love one another unconditionally.  I'm so glad people were able to be together and I would have loved to have been there.

Love,
Jeanine

Feb. 20, 2018 -- Two days late for my weekly review

Dear Ones,

What an emotional week.  I am replenished and depleted--by exactly the same events.  I flew to AZ last Thursday. Chad picked me up at the airport and took me to borrow Adam's car.  I was able to see Adam's kids -- the boys only briefly and a good visit with Elyott.  Being with them touches my heart.

Thursday evening Amy hosted a Brown family get together at her house.  I loved seeing lots of kids and grandkids.  The Mexican food was What a good looking group to hang out with.

Friday I drove to Prescott where I had to take care of taxes and get the oil changed in Spencer's truck for him.  The Schneiders went out of town so that it didn't get too crazy at the house.  We had the toy room with the double bunk beds, the family room floor and my bed.  Chad brought air mattresses and Nathan and Chad brought sleeping bags, so the sleeping arrangements worked out just fine.  We had some great times--and I didn't even think of taking pictures.

Saturday was the big day to celebrate Linda's wonderful life.  The viewing and funeral were at the Stake Center.  The burial was at the cemetery by our house and the family meal was back at the Ruth Street Building. Five of my six kids were there on Saturday.  There were 23 of Mom and Dad's 38 surviving grandchildren there.  All eight of our siblings were there.  We also had lots of cousins and friends. 

 Aunt Marilyn with Ann Marie and Rachel

Candi and Nathan--such good friends growing up together on our mountain--cousins forever!

 Chad with Tad--what memories!


Everyone immediately recognized Sarah as Janae's daughter!

 The eight siblings at the Ramada dedicated to Mom and Dad.  We are standing in order of birth:
John, Diane, Carl, Jeanine, Harold, Dennis, Merle and Ron.

I feel so blessed to have been a part of this great family!

Below is Judy Naegle, Jeanine, Vicki Jo Anderson and Jayne Lane.  We have aged well!!

Candi, Janae and Amy had many adventures growing up as the only girls in their age groups--surrounded by a bunch of boy cousins.


Judy and I will never tell our secrets--right Jude?!

 Aunt Pearl is truly the matriarch and we were so touched that she could still gird up her loins and join all of the family.  She is the only one of her generation still alive.  And we love being in her presence.

  More cousins I love--Lark Cyr, Kathy Palmer, myself and Vicki Jo.

 Kathy and Carl were widowed within a couple of months of each other.  I guess we have reached that stage of life.

 My mom and dad have 38 surviving grandchildren, after losing Shannon and Nick.
Twenty-three of them were together after the funeral.  There is a lot of love in this group.

 Jeanine, Vicki Jo and Tery.  Fun memories.





Below is a picture of me and five of my wonderful children. 
Order in picture:  Janae, Nathan, me, Adam, Chad, and Rachelle.
Jason sent his regrets for not being there.  We missed him.

I will end this blog post, by just saying that the trip was wonderful.  We had a tail wind on the return trip and I arrived in plenty of time to make it to the Downton Abbey Exhibition. 

 It was so interesting to see the "behind the scenes" stuff.

Not counting the Downton Abbey "staff" below, we had Kem and Pat Nixon, Fusako Miyashiro, me, Kathy Nabors, Ellen Shoenberger, Hazel and SK Tan, Lynn and DeAnna DeBry, and Luann and Delmar Gray.

I'm exhausted and need to go to bed. 
I loved seeing so many family members.  I don't seem to have access to the picture taken of our generation of cousins.  It is probably hiding somewhere in my computer.  But I'm signing off for tonight. 
Love,
Jeanine

February 11, 2018

This week everything has been overshadowed by the loss of my beautiful sister-in-law, Linda.

She was such a dear and wonderful friend to me in my life.  Over the years we shared many heartaches and many joyous happy times.  She was always there for me in any circumstance.  My children loved going to her house because they knew they were loved and welcome.  Heaven received a special angel when she left this painful mortality and returned to the joyous presence of those she loves on the other side of the veil.

I am grateful to have received permission to fly home to be with my family as we celebrate her life.  I will fly to AZ on Thursday and return here on Monday the 19th.  It is an extra bonus to be able to see children, grandchildren, siblings and cousins while I am there.  In years past we had impromptu family reunions at wedding receptions.  Now, we have entered the era where those receptions occur at funerals instead.  It is hard to realize that now I am part of the "older generation". I miss seeing the older generation of my youth--Grandma Tenney, Aunt Ruth Lamereaux, etc.  And the older generation for my children,  Mom and Dad, all of my aunts and uncles, (the "grandma-aunts" as Janae referred to her great-aunts--who were too numerous to keep the names straight) etc.  We are truly walking in the footsteps of giants.  I hope I am equal to the task.

This week for us has been pretty low-key.  We have focused on survival as our recuperation from persistent upper respiratory infections has sapped our energy and stamina.  We have worked diligently at the temple all week.  The first day was tough, since I hadn't been vertical for more than a few hours at a time and we suddenly had seven hour shifts everyday.  But we have managed to fulfill our assignments.  We still aren't completely well--but we are on our way!

Spencer continues to work hard on preparing lessons for his temple preparation class.  He is a good teacher and hopefully we will succeed in getting members of the ward to the temple.

From Spencer:
My tender mercy of the week.  On Feb. 16th we had one and a half hours in sealings.  The sealer ran out of family file cards.  I told him I had a handful of them.  I had done the research during the two week break.  He asked me to bring some of them "we may have time".  It turned out that those names were all we did for the next hour.  I was able to assist in the ordinances of relatives of my ancestors that in other circumstances may have taken weeks or months.  We find ourselves in situations where we can promote or perform ordinances because we are there in the temple.
What an opportunity it is!

We love you all,
Jeanine and Spencer

Feb 4, 2018

Well, as predicted we have minimal pictures this week--only one!

This was taken today when we went to church.  It was my first time out of the apartment for anything except one grocery shopping trip and one trip to the doctor and pharmacy.

We returned home last Monday evening and as I explained we were both dealing with cold symptoms.  Per the doctor, Spencer's had then triggered some asthma and lots of coughing.  He was put on an antibiotic, prednisone, and a pill to depress the cough reflux.  I saw a different doctor at the Urgent Care.  He put on cough syrup with codeine for bedtime, tussin pearls for cough during the day.  I didn't want an antibiotic unless it was really necessary because I had just completed one for a urinary tract infection.  I think I have to use antibiotics way too often.  I had to buy an over the counter cough syrup since the pearls did nothing for my cough.  Breathing the cold air outside really made our throats and chest hurt.  But Spencer was determined to go out.  He went to the pharmacy and grocery store a couple of times and to the gym several days.  I tried to stay in and keep warm and drink lots of water.  We also bought a vaporizer to help add some humidity to the air in the bedroom.

So much for week designated to visit 9/11 Memorial, Ellis Island and museums.  Sigh.  We will have to fit them in later. 

Since this is a shorter blog, I thought I would recap some of the main points made by President Nelson during his recent broadcast.

·  President Russell M Nelson, 17 January 2018

• Keep on the covenant path
• Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere.
• The end for which each of us strives is to be endowed with power in a house of the Lord, sealed as families, faithful to covenants made in a temple, that qualify us for the greatest gift of god that of eternal life
• The ordinances of the temple and the covenants you make there are key to strengthening your life, your marriage and family, and your ability to resist the attacks of the adversary.  
• Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.

  There was a lot of focus on the temple.  Or else I noticed it more because of the mission we are serving.  I am grateful to be here.
 
Just an FYI: our temple president spoke to the missionary department and has asked us to extend our mission.  There is a real need for our language skills in the temple.  Spencer is gung ho about staying as long as possible.  I have had to really pray to try to determine when the Lord feels would be the appropriate time for us to go home.  We will be meeting with President Bench this week.  Just don't be surprised if we stay until early 2019 instead of returning in November 2018.  We will keep you in the loop.  It still makes my heart a little heavy to think of it.  But it is a privilege to serve in the temple and this one is unique because of being so international. 

We love you all.  We know some of out family members are struggling in a variety of ways.  We truly believe you will be blessed because of our willingness to serve.  It is up to you to make choices that would be pleasing to the Lord.

Love,
Jeanine/Mom

January 30, 2018

Winter maintenance closure is on the wind down.  We had a great trip and we are now back to our

apartment.  We left last Monday about 11 AM and drove to Mosley, VA to visit Jon and Marjon.  What a great little family they have.  We had a really great FHE about President Nelson and we enjoyed scripture reading with the family every night.  That first evening Spencer was too tired to go to the gym/pool, but we all went on Tuesday.  It was fun to be in the pool again.  Very fun time with grandkids--I went down the slide and everything.  Spencer then went again with Jon on Wednesday.

Tuesday Marjon, Kayson, Kavan and I went to the school and had lunch with Brynlee.  It was fun to meet some of her friends and see the school that the three big kids attend.  I also spent a lot of time helping Spencer get back onto Family Search.  As missionaries we have to change our password to the church websites every 180 days.  In trying to change them, I goofed somewhere and we were both locked out.  I was able to reach someone at Global Services and with their help, and going thru a complicated process I was able to get us both squared away--again.  We will have to go thru this one more time before this mission is over.  Sigh.  It is an ordeal.  But, hey, I can handle it!

Spencer was then able to get back to finding names to take to the temple.  We worked as a team to keep it working correctly.  Wednesday during the day, Marjon and I and the two little ones went to downtown Richmond and visited the Civil War Museum and the Confederate White House.  It was  very informative and turned into a delightful day.  That afternoon we picked the kids up from school and went to see the movie "Coco".  It was a cute movie and had a great underlying message (sort of like the Spirit of Elijah).

Thursday, we went shopping at Walmart and the Costco.  Mid trip the phone switched us to a different Costco further away, so it was a lot longer than we were expecting.  But we were able to do some necessary shopping that was sorely needed.  After that we headed to Chapel Hill, NC to the home of Cassie and John Kidd.  We called when we were getting close and Rachel was sitting out on the front step to greet us.  Four year olds can certainly make you feel loved and appreciated.  I went with the family to their WIC appointment on Friday.  Spencer went to the YMCA both Friday and Saturday and also enjoyed just going to the store in a car.  :)  Rachel and I played lots of games of Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders.  I played some games with John and Cassie also (but now I forgot the the name of it).  David was quite responsive and came to sit on my lap frequently and gave me hugs by squeezing my throat.  Courtney is getting so big.  She wants to crawl and gets up on her knees, but can't quite figure out forward locomotion.

I loved it on Saturday when one of John's friends asked if I was Cassie's mom!  When she was little we would pretend I was her mom.  She loved "tricking" people at the store.  But then there were many years, I couldn't pass it off.  So this was a deja vu for me!

We attended church in their ward.  It starts at 1 PM,  Cassie and I had a nice visit during the 3rd hour when she has to take David out of the Nursery.  We sat on the floor with David and Courtney in an empty classroom.

Early Monday morning, we headed out and returned to Manhattan.  It rained for many hours during our drive.  We stopped twice to eat and that delayed us.  Then once again we had confusion after crossing the George Washington Bridge and trying to navigate the city.  After Spencer dropped me off (with all of our "stuff"--including shopping) he headed back to return the car.  He ended up on Amsterdam instead of Broadway (very easy to do at a 6-way intersection), so he came back.  By going together, we were able to find Avis where we were expecting it to be!

Unfortunately both Spencer and I have had a cough and sore throat.  I'm praying that grandkids don't get sick from having us visit.  That may cramp our style for the things we wanted to do this week.

So as you can see, this has been a great week.  It makes my letter longer than usual, but at least I had something new to report.  We miss our family.  We pray diligently for children who are struggling.  Our hurts heart for/with them.  We know first-hand the importance of staying close to the Lord and applying the atonement in our lives.

Love,
Jeanine/Grandma

January 21, 2017

Human nature is truly interesting.  The temple has been open five days a week since the 2nd week in
August.  But suddenly we were approaching our winter maintenance closure for two weeks.  The first part of this week was slow.  But Friday and Saturday were so busy I can't begin to describe them.  Why do people suddenly think, "Oh my goodness, the temple is closing for two weeks!  I have to go before it closes!"  I think it is a guilty conscience for procrastinating.  Or maybe they don't have the faith that we will really and truly open up again in two weeks.  Who knows?!   I'm so glad they come, but by saving it to the very end it creates a ton of laundry for the missionaries that has to be done before the closure.  We went back last night and worked for about 2 1/2 hours doing preliminary stuff to get it ready for cleaning and maintenance.  It is truly a privilege to work in the Lord's House in any capacity.  I loved providing the service and the camaraderie with the other missionaries.

Last Sunday night we had a missionary fireside with President Bean as the speaker.  The brother of his great-grandfather, Willard Bean, was called on a mission to live in the Smith family home in Palmyra in 1915 when there were great hostilities still against the Mormons (traditions of their fathers and all that).  He has a fascinating story.  I borrowed the book, "A Lamb and a Lion" referring to Willard and his wife.  It is by Rand H. Packer and is very interesting if any of you have access to it and want a quick read--this would fill the bill.

The weather has been warm the last couple of days--in the 50s.  It is supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow.  But we will be on the road.   We won't enjoy it here, but will enjoy it in points south of here.  We finally know what we are doing.  We are headed back to Virginia to visit Jon and Marjon and then on to NC to visit John and Cassie. 

We called Jon this week to see if it would work for them.  He was so quick to say, "Absolutely!"  Then a few minutes later he called back.  We had the phone on speaker and so did he.  He said, "OK kids, here is the surprise I mentioned.  Grandpa and Grandma are coming to visit us next Monday night!"  The kids were cheering and yelling and so excited!  It is wonderful to feel their love coming right thru the air waves.  Then when I talked to Cassie, Rachel said she had "big plans" for when we are there.  I asked what the big plans were and she said, "Daddy is going to set your bed up and I'm going to make it.  Those are big plans!"  She is so cute and so excited.

We look forward to having the same type of response from Lucy and Charlotte sometime in the future.  Lucy always asks when she can see us, but it just hasn't worked out yet.

I don't have any pictures this week, so I will move right on to Spencer's note.

Love,
Jeanine/Grandma

Something happened the other day which I have reflected on since then (the past three weeks).  I had an appointment with a sinus specialist up in the Bronx.  He is part of a wonderful and very large facility.  They "mostly" accept Medicare for payment.  The volume of patients makes up the difference.  It can be three weeks to a month to get an appointment.

Jeanine and I went to the bus stop.  It was during the very frigid weather.  We waited for about 20 minutes and then when the bus came, it was crammed with people and she wouldn't stop.  We went to the next block to catch another bus and it didn't come.  It is about 1/2 mile across Central Park and I suggested that she go back home and I would try to hustle across the park to catch the right subway.  I started down the road but found it impossible to keep going because of the banks of snow from the road being plowed.  It covered the sidewalk and it was too icy to walk on.  It could have taken half a day to pass thru that.  Thinking that I could cross the road and find passage on the other side, I attempted to cross thru the traffic to get there.  It was the same on the other side.  A man in a delivery van honked at me (knowing full well what I was getting into).  He said he would take me, reminiscent of the experience in the 90s when unknown persons helped me get off the I-10 freeway.  He was headed toward Hunter College, exactly where I needed to catch the #6 subway.  He was so accommodating and pleasant in his service and would not accept money.  Because of that great favor I was able to get to the medical center in time for my appointment.  What were the chances at a given moment of real need that someone would stop in traffic and offer to take me across Central Park"?  That is what Elder Bednar called a tender mercy.  Would I be wise to say, "Boy that was good luck."?
Another learning experience happened when I had gone to the temple three hours early to work with Spanish speaking people.  I had had good experiences all day, pushing myself to facilitate the efforts of those people who were understaffed and inexperienced.  As I came back to the apartment I felt that I had gone the extra mile that day.  Then I received a phone call from my son, telling me of the extreme circumstances he was going thru.  I keep his family on the prayer roll and include them daily in our prayers.  I have faith that our work here will bless the lives of our family at home.  At that moment I asked myself how this could be.  I am still assured that in the scheme of things that the promise that our families will be blessed while we serve missions, will work for our good.

It takes more faith to continue to believe when the blessings are not immediate or obvious.  I feel strong in my witness that there are blessings, despite the challenges faced by our families while we are serving.

Spencer/Grandpa

January 14, 2018

We are well into the month and the new year now.  It hardly seems possible!

We just have one more week before the temple is closed for winter maintenance.  We are still up in the air about what we will do during the closure, but it will be nice to sleep more and have a break.

It has been another beautiful week of service in an international temple.  I helped three sisters this week who were from Brazil and spoke Portuguese, but they understood my Spanish without a problem.  :-)  It always makes you feel good inside when you can bless the lives of others in some small way.  I guess I shouldn't be so surprised with the diversity, but it continues to amaze me and touches my heart.

During this week I witnessed an ASL sealing and helped with a Mandarin Branch with baptisms.  Some of them do not speak English, so it was a little challenging giving them clothing and instructions.  But shortly a bilingual Sister appeared and helped facilitate everything.  The Lord always sends help at just the right time--after all--it is His house and His work.

The weather has been crazy!!  We went thru a 14 day stretch where we didn't get above freezing and we were mostly single digit and low teens.  That is when Chad's family was here.  Then one day the temperature jumped 30 degrees and the next day 30 degrees more.  It was 63 on Friday.  There was concern in some communities about flooding because of the melting snow.  We have had rain and now the forecast is for it to be back in the 20-30s until next weekend when it warms up again.  That said, it is cold this morning.  It is 18 degrees outside and feels like 11.  We head out to church in that in just a little while.

Last Sunday it was only 16 degrees outside when we went to church and there was no heat in the chapel!  I don't know how cold it was inside, but it was so cold that by the time sacrament meeting was over you could hardly feel your feet.  Everyone kept winter coats, scarves, etc on during the meeting.  The counselor in the bishopric kept his beanie on his bald head until the meeting officially started.  Fortunately there was limited heat in the classroom for SS and the RS had full heat; so the rest of the meetings were much better.  I hope it is better today--but just in case it isn't, I'm wearing my winter boots. Last week I took off my coat, gloves and scarf to lead the music.  I quickly bundled up again.  But after the opening song, I kept my scarf on even while leading the music.  It was just too cold on my neck and shoulders.  People were faithful and stayed for the whole block.  That wouldn't have happened everywhere.  I was touched by their fortitude.

I bore my testimony and shared my experience about my almost tragedy when my clothes caught on fire during the week before.  I know that I was protected.  Many people commented and shared similar experiences of protection--not necessarily fire, but other types of challenges as well.  It was good to share with them and visit one on one.  I can understand them one on one, but the meetings are still a little challenging when the Dominicans start talking really, really fast.

We have appreciated your prayers.  We have prayed mightily for those we know are facing particular challenges.  We do grow when we face and overcome hardships.  It is just especially hard when we feel like we don't have any control.  We may not have control, but we always can make choices.  There is strength in staying close and listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

I only have one picture from this week.  Last night I went with Fusako Miyashiro (who doesn't ever want to be in a picture) and Kathy Nabors to see Shen Yun--a traditional Chinese Dance program.  There was a lot about the history and the variety of cultures.  They narrated before each number, and they helped us understand it better.

I love you all!  Please write to me at jeanine.spencer@gmail.com

Love,
Jeanine/Grandma

January 7, 2018

Wow, it is a new year!  Hard to believe in some ways.  Today I will share some highlights of the visit we enjoyed with Chad, Rachel and Scott.  They arrived on December 28th in the afternoon.  It was the BIG Christmas present for Rachel and Scott.  We have a hide-a-bed queen size couch, which Scott and Chad found to be A-OK and we had a twin bed mattress for Rachel, so everyone fit into the living room area.  We only have one bathroom, but that didn't even become a problem.  Of course, Spencer generally showers and shaves when he finishes exercising at the Y, so that decreased the need in the mornings. It was an easy flow in the apartment.

They packed more into the next week than I can even begin to describe.  I was so happy that we are currently working the day shift, because I was able to join them for four different shows in the evenings.  Spencer was happy to not be obligated to go to the shows.  :-)  So it was all good.  The shows I saw with them were: Elf, Anastasia, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Dear Even Hansen.  It was a great variety and mix of amazing music, slapstick humor, emotional renewal and everything in between.  They were very different and I loved all of them.  They saw a couple of others at matinee performances.

We visited Time Square on 12/31--but prior to the craziness of the ball drop.  Dikes went ice skating in Bryant Park.  Lucy (daughter of Jason and Chandra) had sent me "Flat Stanley" to take on adventures--so he joined us/them and is in lots of pictures.  On Monday, Chad wanted to choke Stanley (even after Stanley giving him a hug--see pictures below) because Scott was so great about taking pictures of him all the time.  But Stanley survived to enjoy another day!

Chad and kids didn't let the frigid weather slow them down.  They even walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and the Highline Park walkway.  Both are on my list for warm weather--way too exposed to the wind chill for me at this time of year.

I used a gift card from Crawfords to download "Ticket to Ride" on my iPad and we played that on New Year's Eve.  We enjoyed snacks at another missionary apartment and Scott thought it was the best party he had been to--just visiting, eating, laughing and fun--and no teenage insecurities! We went up to roof of the building at midnight and watched the fireworks that were in Central Park.  Our view was perfect!

On Tuesday, January 2nd they visited the temple.  Scott was the first priest EVER to be the baptizer in the Manhattan temple.  The new policy only came into effect on January 1st and the temple was closed that day.  He baptized both Chad and Rachel for a lot of Spencer's family file names.  It was such a sacred experience.  Spencer and I were both assigned to the baptistry, so we were able to be a part of this very special day.

Scott had a couple of other good experiences.  One night while we were out, he noticed this homeless guy on the sidewalk and he went over and took the hand warmers out of his own gloves and gave them to this very cold man.  The next morning on the subway going up to the Bronx to attend church, he got in a conversation with two men on the subway and gave them a Book of Mormon.  My heart was touched by both events.

 Sorry the picture placement is so random.  Does anyone know of a good tutorial on placing pictures on blogspot?  I've tried finding one...  but as you can see, my success is very sporadic.

 Chad's family had a real adventure trying to get home when all of the flights were cancelled out of NYC.  What would have been a six hour flight took them 19 hours of traveling by train, car and plane.  They traveled all night of the 4th and arrived home the afternoon of the 5th.  The only flight they could find flew out of Philadelphia.  They got to Trenton, NJ by train and then had to take Uber to the Philly airport.  That is their story to tell--and one well worth hearing.

We had a farewell dinner for the Mumfords in President and Sister Bench's apartment.  They will be sorely missed!  He was not only a temple missionary, but also a sealer in the temple.  They were in charge of arranging all of the activities for us as well.  It is taking three of us to assume the assignments they fulfilled so proficiently.

Our apartment seems empty right now, but our hearts are full.  We have been so very blessed.  Just a side note to my burn post.  When we did laundry yesterday, we discovered that my brown pants were scorched and the fabric came apart in the wash.  No wonder I continued feeling hot on my hip.  I still had on those pants throughout the evening.  But with brown leggings under them and the brown of the scorch mark, none of us realized they had been affected by my fire experience.  But once again--no marks of burns on my garments or skin.  Wow.  I feel very humbled.

Happy New Year to all of you.  We love you so much.  Keep the prayers coming our way!!
Jeanine

PS We just returned from church--the heat wasn't working and the chapel was freezing!  It was only 16 degrees outside.  The bishop even kept his beanie on his head.  I was leading the music and my nose started running from breathing the cold air.  I was sniffing to the music to keep it from dripping.  Such is life in the Bronx.
Dear Family and those who read our blog,
Everywhere we go we hear good wishes for a happy new year.  Let me bear my firm belief that our prospects for a happiness is dependent upon our choices.  Happiness only comes through our service to family, to church and to our fellowman.  It also comes through keeping our covenants, ie partaking of the sacrament, fulfilling moral responsibilities and preparing for and participating in the temple.  Those who cannot attend the temple can participate in FamilySearch and prepare names for the temple.  There is no work that can be as spiritually uplifting and refining as this great work.  This is how we can have a Happy New Year.

Our understanding of life and its trials will be brought into focus and we will feel impressions that will come from heaven including from our kindred dead.  Without our temple worship we can only know of them thru our limited reasoning.  Thru temple worship we come to feel of their reality.  We will experience the turning of the hearts of the children to their fathers and fathers to their children and that is happiness.  We have taken about 150 names to the temple and have seen all available ordinances completed.

Let us all commit to improving our lives in that area and be recipients of true happiness during this year.

Dad/Spencer