June 5, 2016

I think that I finally figured out how to do this blog so forgive me for not writing anything for a couple of weeks as I could not remember how to get into it. I guess I really am a senior.

These first two weeks in New York have been very enlightening and educational. I am beginning to be able to walk around and not get lost. I am starting to learn a few phrases in Spanish so that I can say something to those around me as we are in a non-English speaking area.

Most of the people are from the Dominican Republic and have had no need to learn English. Even going grocery shopping or asking for directions has been challenging.

On Monday, May 30th President and Sister Smith invited us to come to the mission home in Scarsdale to meet them along with the new missionaries joining us in our mission. We started our journey by bus until we got into Harlem and then we caught the train into Scarsdale where they pick us up.

New York New York North Mission Home in Scarsdale

Front Yard and entrance to the Mission Home

Diane and Golden on NY City North Train to Scarsdale

This was a very comfortable train unlike those in the New York subway. It was very quiet and had nice seats.

Golden just getting off the train in Scarsdale

 Diane and Golden in front of the mission home

President and Sister Smith with new missionaries at airport

We attended a testimony meeting and get-together at the mission home where we met our mission president, President David Smith and his family for the first time. We learned that Golden and Sister Smith's father, Duane Cardall, served as missionaries at the same time in the Netherlands Mission between 1964 and 1965, 51 years ago.

President and Sister Smith along with their office staff and Elder and Sister Gardner who were just ending their mission.

Mondays are our "P" day when we can do shopping, house cleaning, laundry, and site seeing activities which we have not done much of yet.

Diane in front of the stores in Inwood

Since most people walk all over, grocery shopping is done with personal carts.

Golden returning from grocery shopping

Currently, we have been assigned to work 20 hours a week rotating shifts with Elder (Tom) and Sister  (Liz) Hanson in the Family History Center. Here are pictures of the temple and the family history center in Manhattan. We were recently set apart as Manhattan Temple Ordinance Workers and serve there on Thursday mornings. The tower is where they house all of the temple and family history missionary couples. They are still struggling with contractual agreements on getting us approved for an apartment.

Travelling from our apartment in Innwood (in Upper Manhattan) to Manhattan Church Buildings is quite an adventure on the subway. It takes about 30 minutes each way. Our apartment is only 1/2 a block away from the subway station on Dyckman Street.

Dyckman Street Metro Station

For the most part, it is not too bad going Downtown to the family history center at corner of Columbus and 65th Street. Going back to our apartment is what I call bonding time with strangers, I would think very similar to a cattle car full of cows, and very hot.

The mission is interesting, educational, challenging, and full of surprises. The Family History Center is almost always busy with people from all over the world with unique situations keeping us on our toes. The other missionaries and temple workers have been great to work with and we are enjoying our time here so far. We miss you all so very much but look forward to a great reunion in a couple of years.