We were asked to head up a Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 22 for all the senior missionaries this year. We met at the Princeton Church Building for dinner, then we took them to the Princeton Campus for a self guided tour and a stop at the Princeton Art museum. It was a cold day, so we didn't see the whole campus, but we did show them enough to get a feel for the history there.
From L to R: Vauses, Shaws, Roses, Hancocks, Strouds, Saunders, Fullmers, Gilchrists, Baileys, Toy, Young, Dunns, and Pittsons.
Princeton Chapel - beautiful building inside and out.
East Pyne building courtyard.
The next week for Thanksgiving, we joined with the sister missionaries (Sisters Young and Toy) at their apartment. They had invited three YSA men (Julian--Singapore, Lawrence--Sierra Leon, and Jonathan--California) that were far from home and family. We also invited our neighbor, Judi Laguer, who is originally from Puerto Rico. We all enjoyed a very nice traditional turkey dinner and then we all stayed and spent the rest of the day together watching the movie "Maleficent" and then playing some games.
Now that we are officially in the holiday season, it is already evident that we will be playing and partying more with the YSA's. On Black Friday, Institute class was not held. We went instead to the theater and watched "Big Hero 6" with some YSA's from Piscataway.
New York Magic
On Monday, December 1st, there was a "cluster meeting" for all those working in CES in New York and New Jersey. This "meeting" is the annual Christmas Social. We met in the Ambassador Room in the building where the Manhattan temple is. There was a nice lunch provided and then we each shared Christmas memories.
This was a beautiful day! We enjoyed very pleasant temperatures. Shaz and Mike Kramer and David and Natalie Bean took us on a walk through Central Park and then headed towards Fifth Avenue. Along the way, Shaz pointed out the "Plaza Hotel" where Kevin stayed in "Home Alone".
Elder Hancock didn't know to come in a white shirt and tie... thus the casual look...
The ice skating rink in Central Park
The Plaza Hotel
Fifth Avenue is the most expensive shopping street in the world! We walked along the street to see the holiday window displays. It was very festive. We walked by Gucci, Prada, the Trump Tower, Tiffany & Co., and others.
We stopped and went in to St. Patrick's Cathedral. There was signs of construction inside, but we enjoyed listening to a choir singing nonetheless.
Our whole purpose of walking down Fifth Avenue was to end up at Rockerfeller Center. Much to our dismay, the tree there had not yet been lit. The tree lighting was scheduled for two days later on Dec. 3rd. It was probably best that we missed it though because then we missed the crowds that come with it, and we were able to find a place to eat without a line. We found a restaurant right next to the skating rink. It was fun to watch the ice skaters.
Sights as we entered Rockerfeller Center
The climax for the day was going to the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. Their performance was at Radio City Music Hall. More senior missionaries from our mission and from NY joined with us for the show.
As we entered Radio City, they gave us each a Santa hat to wear and 3D glasses for part of the performance. This is what it looked like in the lobby.
The Rockettes were truly spectacular!!! Every part of the show was perfect including all the lighting and special affects.
Dancing rain deer...
Floating snowflake globes...
Rockettes video sample
At the end of this beautiful day as we walked to the subway . . . .
Classes
Some of our Institute classes are going well and even growing. But, in Eatontown and New Brunswick, the numbers have decreased due to the marriages of last month. The married couples can still attend Institute, but they don't come all the time. In New Brunswick, the students depend on rides to get to class. Paul and Liby (recently married couple) always picked everyone up for Institute each week. Now the group is struggling. Partly due to ride problems, and also due to Friday night conflicts of weddings, ward parties, Black Friday shopping, etc. on the same night. We are trying to sort these issues out.
In Eatontown (below) when no one shows up for class, we meet with the sisters and attend the English class. This photo was taken after class and Violeta and Wilfrido were in the building but had not attended class.
Back Row: Violeta and Wilfrido De Leon, Brother Swindler, Alex Courter
Front Row: Sisters Toy and Young, Emily Kerr (nanny from England) and Attorious
The Elizabeth class (below) is going well. A couple of students left prior to the picture taking. We attend the Sunday School class for the YSAs when we come to Elizabeth on Sundays so we know all the YSAs. More will be joining our class when fall semester is over.
Perth Amboy (below) keeps growing and we have older members that attend class also. Again, we know all the YSAs in this ward since we come here also on Sundays. We may change and have class on another night so more can attend. We celebrated Ezequiel's birthday this night. See the birthday hat? Ezequiel is home for a few months from his mission while he mends from knee surgery.
Left to Right: Sheila Arevalo, Benny Santos, Malfer Santos, Ezequiel and Mikey Vazquez.
From this week's lesson...
There are many ideas, attitudes, people, organizations, that can deceive. Perhaps not intentionally, never the less, if one is not very careful one can be deceived and led to think or do that which is not pleasing to the Lord. D&C 50 and 52 provide means to detect people or attitudes that are "...not of God..."
Also, as depicted in the image below, we can become trapped like a monkey who puts his hand into a tight place to grab a nut or fruit and then won't let go to escape. He is thus trapped and can not progress. We must learn to let go of sins, ideas, tendencies, attitudes, etc. in order to be free and progress.
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