Something New

We worked in the temple on Wednesday and wanted to stay in Manhattan for a couple of hours before we headed off to teach our institute class at the US Merchant Marine Academy.  We thought about going to a museum close to the temple but since it was a relatively nice day (clear sky, 30 degrees and no wind) we decided, instead, to walk the 24 blocks from 66th street to Times Square.  Hurray!! We've been in New York for 2 months and finally made it there!!   

I felt like a full-fledged tourist, staring at the skyscrapers and taking pictures!

I really enjoy seeing all that goes on there, it's an exciting place to be and it really was a nice walk.  I hope to do it often!

So I have a story about M&M's world!!  7 1/2 years ago we made a trip to New York with Elder Bushman's siblings and stayed at Lake George.  For a day trip we went into the city and did several things, one of which was going into the M&M store.  I put my name in a big container for a drawing and WON, they notified me on my cell phone when we had gotten back to Lake George but we couldn't go back into the city so I asked if they would mail the $25 dollar gift certificate to our home which, surprisingly enough, they did.  Fast forward to a few months ago when I was going through a drawer and found the gift certificate and decided to put it in my purse since I knew by then we were coming to NY on our mission.  It didn't have an expiration date so I decided it was worth a try to redeem it and after talking to a manager they decided to honor it!!

So here's my loot!! A t-shirt, a light-weight blanket and a tote bag!!  I guess it pays to be a bit of a pack-rat.  If we hadn't been trying to be better about what we eat I would have gotten $25 worth of M&M's!!

I liked this picture at the USMMA.  The snow had melted a little in the sun, then refroze looking so glossy.

I couldn't resist posting this sweet Valentine picture of Evie, Vera and Penny!

I also couldn't resist sharing Alona's public announcement of her upcoming new addition of a baby boy in August. Matt is excited to have a little brother and we're all very excited for them and for us!! 

Today our Sunday meetings were cancelled because of record low temperatures and high wind.  There was more snow in other parts of Long Island but not so much here.  The Branch President asked if we would go to the church since we live close in case anyone showed up for church who didn't get the cancelation message.  We ended up having about 25 people show up, half of them were missionaries who live in the area.  We had the sacrament, a testimony meeting and then a question and answer session for Sunday School.  It was a really nice day!!

Our Blizzard!

Last week the weather forecasters were predicting a huge blizzard for New York City, Long Island, and all of New England.  They went so far as to call a travel ban when the worst of the storm was supposed to hit.  Monday, the 27th of Jan., was supposed to have snow showers all day, then by 11 PM that night the travel ban took effect.  This picture is Monday morning as the snow was beginning to stick.

The young missionaries were here most of the day, there were 4 Elders and 4 Sisters.  I didn't get a good picture of the sisters.  We did some eating, Elder Bushman led a couple of good gospel discussions and we played some games.

Transfers are this week and Elder Cobbley, in the blue hoodie, is headed home!

This is a little further along in the day on Monday.  The missionaries went home around 6 and were asked by the mission president to stay in.  Family Home Evening for the YSA's was cancelled as was our Tuesday night class in Terryville.

This is what we woke up to Tuesday morning!  We had about 18 inches by the time the snow stopped around 11 AM.  New York City didn't get hit too hard, but about where we are on Long Island was the dividing line between not as much and a lot more snow and, of course, New England really got clobbered. 

I think it looks really pretty, especially since we didn't have to go anywhere.  The travel ban had lifted around 8 AM but everything was closed so people were off the roads.  

We have a really good maintenance man who keeps things shoveled and on days like this he hires extra help but Elder Bushman and I couldn't stand it so we had to get out and do a little shoveling ourselves.  It felt good to do some physical work.

I don't suppose I'll ever do a selfie that I like but here's some snow documentation! The rest of the week we were able go to our normal classes.  Besides the Mon. FHE and Tues. class, we teach Wed., Thurs., and Fri. evenings and Saturday mornings.  AND we're busy with meetings all day on Sunday!!

So now it's one week later ... Groundhog day, Monday, the 2nd of Feb., and it's snowing again, on top of some rain that we had earlier in the day that had started to freeze.  FHE is cancelled again but we're supposed to be good to go tomorrow!  (I hope!)