7/23/2017
Hello everyone!

The best news of this week is that Elder Jacob Dike safely arrived in Arkansas to start his mission.  He is serving in Branson--now does it get any better than that?!  That is almost as good as Manhattan. :)

Last Monday night we had our monthly FHE with the other temple missionaries.  We are saying good-bye to the Grimleys.  They are wonderful missionaries,  They will be returning to Lehi, UT.  A while back he served as Mission President in Tai Pai, Taiwan.  Sister Grimley is of Japanese descent.  Brother Grimley says in Taiwan he has the perfect situation--an American house, Chinese food and a Japanese wife.  Sister Grimley made origami swans for all of the sisters.  It was a fun evening.  I made a HUGE Caesar salad for 24 people.  They licked the bowl clean.

This has been a busy week in the temple.  It was the last week before maintenance closure, so everyone rushed to get there.  Friday night our ward scheduled a session.  They requested Spencer and I as the officiator and follower.  So we stayed for a double shift.  It was great.  That day I was able to participate with three new endowment sisters, two English and one Hispanic.  What a special experience.

Some "unique" personalities are starting to surface among temple workers/missionaries.  Life is definitely a growth experience and we are all mortal with our many foibles (including us!).  But we are trying to do our best and not react negativity.  I share this, so that our four missionary grandchildren can take comfort when they face similar challenges--grandpa and grandma are going thru some of the same "stuff".  But we take comfort in knowing that our covenant is with the Lord, not other people.  We are here to serve him and do his work.  We continue to serve with joy in our hearts.

Tomorrow we spend half of the day cleaning in the temple before we are "turned loose".  Missionaries are scattering in all directions--UT, AZ, ID, Germany and locations on the east coast.  We are going to the priesthood restoration site, Philadelphia temple, Gettysburg, and then the BEST PART.  We will spend a few days with the family of Jon and Marjon Brown in Virginia and then with the little family of Cassie (Crawford) and John Kidd.  I'm not sure if we will blog next Sunday.

I have mentioned that I am attending the Manhattan 1st Ward prior to going to Concourse Ward with Spencer.  I really enjoy it.  Those who have visited NYC understand that most everyone uses mass transportation.  It is interesting to see tourists arrive with the carry on luggage in tow.  Today one little boy obviously forgot his Sunday pants.  He had on a white shirt, bow tie and suit coat with summer play shorts and tennis shoes.  Very cute.  People arrive wearing every standard of clothing you can possible imagine.  Well, back to transportation.  We don't have street parking or an affordable parking garage.  BUT, we have very wide hallways for the strollers.  Last week I counted 22 strollers--most of them double so that two or more children could be transported.  Here is glance at the hallway.  The stroller parking continues around the corner and down another hallway.

You wouldn't see that in the Bradshaw Ward in Prescott where we have almost no little children.

Some of you are old to remember the original movie Ghost Busters.  It was filmed using some buildings right next to Central Park.  Do you recognize these buildings?

Now I will close out my part of this blog post with two more pieces of Walter Rane's beautiful artwork.

I hope you have been able to recognize the scripture sources for this artwork.

Love,
Jeanine

Now, from Spencer:

I have just a few thoughts to share this afternoon.  One is—I love to be a part of this great work called temple work.  Even though the 7+ hour shifts and getting changed at the temple and at home makes the day long and fatiguing, there are rewards.  We shouldn’t talk too much about the workings of the temple, but there are a couple of things I feel that I can say.  There is a closeness we feel to the Lord and towards our kindred dead.  We will always have a closeness with our kindred on the other side of the veil.  Another point is we see people who come with great needs and they are so blessed by being here.   A sister came by the recommend desk.  I asked her how she was and she said “So-so” and started crying.  I responded by telling her she was in the right place.  I then facilitated getting a wheel chair to help her.

There are a couple of highlights for me lately.   I continue to run into Brother Mortenson who is Adam in the “B” film.  He looks a little older and has lost weight.  He always gives me eye contact and smiles when we pass.  Yesterday I caught a glimpse of his wife.  She still looks as young as ever.  Only now she appears to be pregnant. In our previous conversation, Brother Mortenson mentioned about being a father.  Also, I was privileged to officiate a session with our ward of mostly Dominicans.  There was lots of good affirmation afterwards.

The Dominicans that I know are mostly very dark black people.  They speak Spanish like anyone, but they are loud and dramatic and chop off words.  You have to be gifted to follow them.  There are two Dominican sealers in our temple on Saturdays.  They are so fun.  One man looks like he could play for the Saints football team.  He pronounces sealings with a roar.  When makes a check mark, he bounces the pencil on the table and starts again with authority.  One little sister went up to his desk and with her finger in front of her lips she tried to “shush” him.  He smiled and increased his volume!  Isn’t it wonderful that those people can be leaders like multi-generational people in the church?! 

Our lives here in mortality are short and time goes by fast.  I daily see the importance of our daily acts.

Spencer

July 16, 2017

The special thing about today is that Spencer and I have been married for 18 years.  We are getting to be old timers at this marriage thing.  :)

Last Monday we spent a day away from each other.  I went to the Mantuak Lighthouse with several other missionaries.  Spencer wasn't really interested so he stayed home, worked on his talk for Sacrament Meeting and did grocery shopping.

The train trip out to the tip of Long Island took about three hours.  But it was comfortable and fun.  The view from the top was beautiful and you could see forever.  The lighthouses have saved many lives.

This week there were less patrons in the temple on some of the days.  But we have a lot of our visitors from out of state stop by for baptisms.

Last evening I broke out in hives while we were shopping.  I hadn't eaten anything different, so I have no idea why.  But I had to head for home and left Spencer to deal with the groceries.  I took Benadryl, hopped in a cool shower to slow down the itch and the welts and applies a Rx Cortisone cream.  I was still itchy this morning, but the welts were gone.  I stayed home a slept all morning.

I felt bad to miss church because Spencer was speaking in Sacrament Meeting.  He says his talk was well received.  I'm glad.

Here is my gift to you for the week.  More scripture pictures.

I hope you are enjoying this pictures.  I wish you could see them in person.

Love,
Jeanine

This is CLEARLY from Spencer (please forgive him) :)

Dear friends and family,

For today my message is not going to be a spiritual one, but non-the-less, a real one.  Friday , before our shift which started at 11 AM, I took a package to the post office.  Well, there was a fruit and vegetable stand nearby so I went over to buy some things.  I had a sharp pain in my abdomen, but decided I’d be all right and so went on a block more to make a purchase at Lowes.  The pain increased, but I could put up with that long enough to buy a three way light bulb.  Well, you know, it takes a while to get checked out.  I was getting desperate and hurried back toward the apartment building, when the most awful thing was happening and was out of my control.  I think you can guess from that point on.  I didn’t look left or right and walked on in an awkward manner.   

When I got to the apartment building I went straight to the elevators.  There was on door open into which I jumped, only to find two well dressed women.  Up we went to the 6th floor.  Thank goodness I had a key ready to get into the apartment.  I headed straight into the bathroom peeling off my clothes.  You can imagine my stress.  

I did get cleaned up in time to make it to our 11 AM shift, without a minute to spare.

You may be disgusted with me.  However, it was a life experience to remember.  So I guess that makes it part of my mission experience.

Spencer

4th of July 2017--this is from Jeanine

We learned that there would be special events in Federal Hall for Independence Day.  What a great day it was.  I was surprised to see that the crowds were small--nothing like Frontier Days in Prescott. 

Federal Hall was where George Washington was first inaugurated.  There presentations be George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, a slave woman, and a Tory.  There was a militia group from King's College and a Fife and Drum Band.  In addition we were able to view all of the exhibits that are part of this National Park display.  We really enjoyed the day.  

Enjoy the pictures.  You can enlarge them by tapping on them.  

George Washington read the Declaration of Independence from the balcony.  Thomas Paine also read some of his Common Sense.  It was truly a day of history!

I was amazed to see the size of the flag displayed on Wall Street.  This is truly a beautiful sight.

We of course have visited Central Park more.  We learned that the official Manhattan weather is measured right here just a couple of blocks from us!  I'm including a plaque that shows weather extremes measured here.

I'll just include a couple of pictures from Belvedere Castle and grove just below it.

But the weather is still very unpredictable!  One day I went to the bank while the sky was clear.  Then a downpour started!  And as you can see I was soaked to the skin after just rushing home three blocks.

I promised to include a couple of pictures of Walter Rane's beautiful art work.  I will end with that and tell you that I know the scriptures he depicted are truly the word of God.  I have a testimony that the work we are engaged in is of eternal importance.

This is a realistic depiction of the 2000 Stripling Warriors--we read that they sustained serious injuries but their lives were preserved.  The Lord loved them and He loves each one of us!

Jeanine

Analyze our personalities

I think you will have fun if you analyze our personalities based on the following pictures taken at "Top of the Rock"!
The first one is of us sitting on a steel girder "above New York's skyline".  We are OK so far.

 Then we were instructed to "act like you are falling".  Hmm, which one of us rather "ho-hum" about it all? 

 

Finally, I was told to act like I was pushing him off.  I did it.  But look at Spencer's reaction (or should I say "non-reaction"?  Does he look bored with the whole process to you?

I'd say this is a great photo-op describing a lot about our personalities or outlook on life?  What do you think?

Sacrament Meeting was presided over by ...

Today we both attended Manhattan 1st Ward prior to going to Concourse Ward. We had heard rumors--and they were true! As we approached the door, church security was lined up on the sidewalk. The chapel was full 30 minutes ahead of time and most of the Cultural Hall. We all stood up when our "special visitor" entered and he smiled his infectious smile, blew us a kiss, and indicated we should sit. It was President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his wife.

The program was outlined and we heard from their grandson, their daughter and each of them. We had a beautiful vocal solo. The meeting was about one hour and 40 minutes, but no was complaining or leaving early. It was such a special Sacrament Meeting. All of the missionaries from the North Mission were there and had a mission picture taken with him afterwards. I can't begin to tell you how my heart quadrupled in my chest when he came in and tears flowed down my cheeks.

What a highlight!!

Now everything else well seem mundane, but I will at least make a picture report. Last Monday, June 26, 2017, we went to the "Top of the Rock"--the Rockefeller Center. It was an amazing 360 degree view. The pictures don't do it justice, but at least they prove that we were there. You will recognize some things like the Empire State Building.


That night we had a missionary FHE to welcome the Tans from Singapore and the Debrys from Utah. Elder Tan served as an Area 70 and Elder Debry was a mission president and then in the YM General Presidency for several years. They will be a great addition to our team!

Tuesday night after we worked our shift in the temple, President David Bean (a counselor in temple presidency) picked us up along with our neighbor, Kathy Nabors. He took us out to rural New Jersey where they have a home. His wife joined us and we went on a beautiful 3 mile hike along a scenic road. It was so very beautiful--especially to all three of us who are accustomed to the browns in AZ. Our objective was to see fireflies--and we saw many thousand of them. On our way back to the car it looked like Christmas tree lights were twinkling in the forest. Unfortunately the fireflies are too fast and unpredictable to get a picture. But these pictures show you this part of the Garden State.


We try to walk in Central Park as often as possible--the last few days have been too muggy (86% humidity on Saturday). We get various pictures of waterfalls, turtles, castles, bridges, etc.


I loved the fence in the first picture. It is still really confusing and sometimes we have a hard time finding our way home when we have been in the deep foliage or circling the lakes. One day after we hike thru the North Woods, I had to crash and rest before we finished the trek home.


I will wait until next week to continue sharing Brother Walter Rane's paintings. They deserve to not be cluttered in with our sight seeing.

It has been another great week in NYC!

Love,
Jeanine

June 25, 2017

From Spencer:

In the temple on Saturday I was assigned to help a young man who was there to be sealed to his young bride. My assignment was to guide him through a short veil. As I took him to the men’s locker room, I met his bishop (bishop of the Young Single Adult Ward). He introduced himself to me while the groom was dressing. I said, “Oh, this is how you downsize your ward. I get it.”  He said, “Yes, that’s the proper way to get it done.” As we sat waiting, I said to the bishop, "You have a striking resemblance to the person who portrays Adam in the “B” video. Could that be you?” He smiled very politely and said, “Yes that is me”. I told him we knew of them when the new film came out because the couple was from Mesa and Tempe and were known to various close acquaintances. Re member how it increased temple attendance for a couple of months? It was so well done and gave a new dimension to what we knew and grew to expect. I quizzed him about what he does her NY when he isn’t wearing the bishop hat. He politely said he was a father. I didn’t expect that and finally he acknowledged that he is an attorney here. It was interesting to me that he was in a session that I officiated the week before and I had noticed the similarity then as the session proceeded.

What a nice experience and one I’ll remember. I would have to say that there are special insights that come while you are doing what seems, at times, to be mundane tasks in the temple. [There really aren’t any, but sometimes it seems that way]

I’ve had an ear problem lately that has affected my balance. I didn’t know why the floor kept feeling like it was swaying. I felt like the building was moving. I said that to some associates here and they didn’t know what I was talking about. I felt dumb when I discovered it was my ear. But it is getting better now.

We trust that the Lord is blessing all of you in our absence.

From Jeanine:

I'll share a couple of interesting NY experiences not involving the temple. Earlier in the week I was headed up Broadway to do some grocery shopping. There was a cute little girl about 4-6 years old. She was several feet behind her family. She was all dressed up with a long gown and a tiara. I caught up and said, "Your dress is very beautiful and I love your tiara. You must be a princess." She acknowledged that she was. I asked what, type of princess she was and what was her name. She answered that her name was Leila, "and my middle name is ... and my last name is..." I just smiled and said "Well Princess Leila, you are very beautiful". About that time her mother called to her and I moved on. A few minutes later a nice looking man, probably in his 60's, came up to me and said, "I agreed with everything you said, and I wanted to say it, but I knew if I did I'd be arrested!" He's probably right, too. What a sad commentary on society.

Another commentary on society, today there were many "interesting" people on the subway. It was the Pride parade today. Many people were dressed in support of it. One man got on with a rainbow colored g-strap, and rainbow feathered wings and that was all he had on! A transvestite, who must have been 6'6" was all dolled up and looked rather beautiful. It was an interesting group to be in the middle of!

Occasionally people get on the subway and do entertainment and then pass a hat for donations. There were three darling African American young men. They had loud music and did the most amazing routines. I've never seen people so agile. One guy had joints like Adam Alexander. He did contortions and pole dancing and ended up sitting on the bar above our heads. Another one used the dance moves that Sheamus loves where you are sliding back on your feet. They did flips, contortions, acrobatics etc. I loved their show. There was a lot of diversity in the two ends of our car today!

There is a Brother Walter Rane in the Manhattan 1st ward who is an amazing artist. He has loaned the church his paintings to place in the chapel in the same building as the temple. I wish he would do a calendar. I took some pictures of his paintings. Of course they don't do them justice. I can't look at the one of Moroni finding his father, Mormon, dead in the battlefield without getting choked up.



I'll just include a couple of them this week. Hopefully you can read the title and the scripture reference on the frame. If not, just shoot me and email.



Today is a special day. Two of our grandsons spoke in church as they are leaving on their missions.
Jacob Dike enters the MTC this Wednesday on his way to Arkansas Bentonville mission. And Spencer Raymond leaves the next week to attend the MTC in Ghana in preparation for serving in Sierra Leon. I don't know about the spelling of either mission--but you get the idea. With Caleb Alexander in Taiwan and Ashley Judd in Oregon, and of course us in NYC, we will have six missionaries out from our family and we truly circle the globe.

We love you all!

June 19, 2017

Dear Family,

We’ve been here a full month tomorrow working at the Manhattan Temple has been a rich learning experience with lots of new expectations. Each temple has its methods of accomplishing the patron experience and we have to learn their procedures. The shift coordinators are local members as it should be. Some are limited in their experience as well as educational levels. Many are from Hispanic communities with different management skills. The temple patrons are about 50% Spanish speaking and there seems to be an effort to help them grow and develop.

On Saturdays we stay busy working with the non-English speakers. I am thrilled to use our talent to help them with our communication skills. It’s like being in Guatemala for a little while.
Today, Sunday, we attended our ward and I was able to teach the priesthood lesion. Our ward is predominately made up of a Black Spanish speaking people from the Dominican Republic. There are people from Central America and some from Ecuador and Peru.
The Bronx, where we meet, is considered by the church as a 3rd world country. They are very poor people. I’m not surprised that we were sent here to serve.

In the temple there is a sister who is from India. When she was baptized there were six members in the whole country (and two of those were a missionary couple). Now there are two stakes. She has a write-up of her conversion story which she shared with us. It should be printed in the Ensign magazine. Maybe we should send you the write up. [Note from Jeanine—I’m not sure I want to re-type six pages!] She truly seems to come from a miraculous background.

I hope that each of our combined family members find solutions to their problems and has joy in their journey. I’m thinking at age 75 that this mortal experience is brief, but, oh so necessary and that one day we can be together on the other side where we will continue to find our way. Oh, thank goodness for the Savior!

Spencer

PS [from Jeanine—I get to do this because I am the one typing!] When Spencer mentioned the number of non-English speakers, I wanted to share an example. One afternoon this week, in one session we had 11 sisters who spoke five different languages. In descending order, they were—English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean and French (from Haiti). That was interesting in name issue and at the veil!

Pictures are worth 1000 words

Finally you can see a good shot of Manhattanhenge, sometimes referred to as Manhattan Solstice. This was taken right on the street in front of our apartment.

Last Sunday we had a very different experience in Sunday School. The bishop came in and stopped the class (which was just getting started) and said we were taking a break for an expression of love. Then a brother on the front row dropped to one knee and proposed to his girlfriend and put a diamond on her finger. I haven't seen that happen before in Sunday School. And I'll bet you haven't seen it either!

Another interesting cultural difference--LOTS of people bring substantial snacks to church as well as water bottles. Our meetings are right at lunch time (11:30-2:30), but I've never seen so much food being shared on a Sunday. That is probably not a tradition in your wards either.

Last Monday on P-Day we took to Hop-On-Hop-Off bus around Manhattan. It was interesting and I'll include some pictures. I won't try to label them since I can't remember all of them! Carl and Linda--HELP! The one building that is built at an angle is truly tilted--and the building on the other side of that bridge tilts the opposite direction. Pretty fascinating architecture!



Wednesday night I joined a couple and two other sisters and went to a New York Philharmonic Concert in the park. The second half focused on music from West Side Story. That was really a lot of fun. Incidentally, West Side Story was filmed just a few blocks from here--but the slum has been torn down and other buildings are there now. Spencer was dealing with an earache and opted to stay home. I missed sharing it with him. It was really fun. We took our lawn chairs and had tickets for an area near the front. One of the temple workers gave us the tickets. We enjoyed it--but I wasn't prepared for the temperature to drop so much as the night progressed! We left about 10 PM since we had to work the next morning. We had a treat on the way home--a fireworks show in honor of Flag Day. It was beautiful and none of us knew it was going to happen.

This morning I went over to the Manhattan 1st Ward prior to us leaving for our meetings. I wanted to say hello to Jason and Deborah Breinholdt who were visiting (and planning to move here in a couple of months). I was hanging out in the foyer and in walked Jeff Flake (our senator from Arizona). He and his family were in town because they saw Hamilton last night. I greeting them and we chatted about Chad and Ann Marie's family (since they are in the same ward in Mesa) and also because Ann Marie's brother is married to Jeff's sister. That was a fun coincidence.

I'm toying with the idea of attending that sacrament meeting quite often. I'd finish in time to catch the subway to the Bronx. I miss hearing the gospel in English--besides it is really hard to understand the Spanish in Concourse Ward because they talk so fast!! I'm sort of lost a lot of the time.

We hope all of you are having a great Fathers' Day. We wish we were with some of you. I have been thinking a lot about what a great father I was blessed with. I'm also grateful for the father my children will have in the eternities.

I love my family and extended family in all directions! !

Jeanine