Harold and Roma NYC

THANKSGIVING IS OVER AND CHRISTMAS IS ON THE WAY

Hello Everyone,

It has been an event filled last 3 weeks and it is so cold outside that we couldn't (didn't want) go to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Call us wimpy if you will, but when it's 25 degrees outside and the wind is blowing 40 plus mph, it takes your resolve away. I settled for writing to our family and friends through our blog. We appreciate comments so respond as you feel inspired.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving at the home of Bp. and Sis. Bower, the bishop of the Kingston Ward. We had all the traditional goodies including Roma's sweet potato casserole and wonderful pies along with all the other traditional items. It was very good and the conversation was stimulating. The Bishop has been a member for about 10 years and before that he was a member of the Unifiction Church (You may remember Rev. Moon and the Moonie's). Their headquarters is just across the river from us and he and his wife had an arranged marriage in a very large ceremony at their large church. It is a long story and I will tell it sometime, but is far too long for this media. He is a great guy with a wonderful perspective on life and the gospel.

Sis. Farnsworth and I spoke in the Kingston Ward a couple of weeks ago and we are getting more acquainted as we spend time up there. It is a very fascinating area with much history. At the ward Christmas Dinner on Friday evening I sat next to an older gentleman who gave me a historical perspective of the area. It was fascinating. I learned that one of the early successful businessmen in the town's name was Farnsworth and that he had a large mansion on the water front. He directed me to the library where I might be able to find something of a history of this family. I am excited to start that adventure as I felt when we were travelling back that there may be relatives here in New York State as there is some references that I have seen in our geneology. This area is so deep in history and architecture. This area in 17-1800's has been a very prosperous area because of the Hudson River and its proximity to NYC. Beautiful big mansions and Churches everywhere. I hope I can find some heretofore names of family memebers to put into the family search files. We will look for some Wooley relatives as well. Many of the citizens of this country came through NYC so it is rich in Geneology information. One of the senior couples in our mission is just assigned to the NYC records at one of the city building where they copy records all day. I am not sure I would like it much but the couple doing it.

We taught a young female doctor of podiatry in the home of their doctor friend (a member and the elders quorum president). I think we were nervous and we tried to do too much. You get so anxious to help people come to understand the gospel, it hard not to go too fast. I hope we didn't scare her off as she is a great young woman and would make a great member. We will slow down a little bit and let her get to know us better before we try to explain the last days. We also taught a FHE lesson to a part member family to the children, but directed at the dad. We are trying to figure a time when we can go out for pizza before Christmas. He is a great guy also and a very family oriented father. Pray for us to have the Spirit when we teach and not to be too excited. It is so cool to meet people that are introduced to us by friends and family.

The senior couples in the mission have activities approximately once a quarter and we had a great time and adventure this past Wed. on our p-day. The mission had arranged for a show and dinner in NYC. We went to the Radio City Music Hall and watched the Christmas show with the Rockettes. I have seen it many times on TV, but the show is much more spectactular in such a beautiful theatre. NYC is all decked out in its Christmas finery. The lights and the decorations are so well done it is like a fantacy land. While we were in NYC we experienced one of those croud type events where the density of people is more than what it should be. There was people in your uncomfortable space and they had you complely surrounded. When the croud moved you move or you push them out of the way. It is an uncomfortable position if you don't like people in your space. It was the lighting of the Time Square Christmas Tree and there were people everywhere. We came down on the train to Grand Central Station then took the "1 train to the "S" train to 65th street and got off right in fron of the Temple and went to a very relaxing and small session at the temple. It is a highly functional building and very beautifully done on the inside. We walked down Broadway about 15 minutes and arrived at our restaurant and then walked around the corner to Radio City. When the show got over we hopped "1" subway to the "7" back to Grand Central to catch the MTC train back Poughkeepsie. All this was arrranged and directed by Sister Farnsworth who is very pleased with her ability to navigate around the city. We had a few moment of concern, but it all worked out and we made it home by 11:00PM after a fun and interesting day.