Ironbound, Cake Boss, Edison, and Departing Missionaries

Being here in New Jersey is totally like living in another country.  Every day we have experiences that are so different from home.  And, most the time, we are not seeking those experiences, they just happen.

Ironbound

This last week, Sister Young had some family here for a visit.  Her son-in-law, Ryan, had served here in the New Jersey Morristown Mission years ago.  He was called to speak the Portuguese language while here on his mission and he served the whole time in the Ironbound District in Newark.

The name "Ironbound" derives from the network of mostly raised railroad tracks that surrounds the neighborhood.  The neighborhood is near downtown Newark and is approximately four square miles. The residents are predominately Portuguese speaking.  We have driven by the neighborhood but never into the area.  Ryan wanted to take his family around to see some sites in New Jersey and then take them to lunch in the Ironbound area.  The sisters invited us to come along and we were excited to meet up with them for lunch.

The name of the restaurant is "Sabor Unido" and it may not look like much from outside but it has a five star rating.  The food was excellent!!!  I bravely ordered one of the lunch specials of the day, ox tail soup, and it was very tasty. You can also see Elder Hancock's meal of steak, french fries, and salad. He said it was wonderful!

Can you see all the bones?  The potato looking ingredient is yucca.

We took the above picture because we figured that our son, Joseph, who served in Brazil on his mission would be interested that we were drinking Guarana.


Cake Boss

For dessert, Ryan wanted to take his family to visit Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, NJ, site of the original Cake Boss bakery.  So again, we tagged along for the adventure.  For the record, neither Reed or I have seen a complete episode of "Cake Boss" on TLC, but we knew from others that while we were in New Jersey that we needed to visit the original bakery in Hoboken, so off we went.

Hoboken is along the Hudson River and sits between the Lincoln and the Holland Tunnel.  Hoboken is about a mile square and has about 50,000 people.

We were expecting the lines to possibly be out the door at the bakery, but thankfully it wasn't overly crowded the day we were there - but parking was no where to be found!  Here are some pictures that we took that day.

 

Buddy's sister, Maddalena, was there

Yes! The cupcakes and cannolis were excellent!!!

Normally our children don't say much about our photos or where we go and what we do - until we mentioned Cake Boss on our family Facebook page and then they were all a buzz with several comments, questions, and suggestions of sending some goodies home to them!

Menlo Park

OK, this is one of those blog posts that I am going to feel guilty about sending because it looks like that all we do is play.  We do play a lot, but lots of that goes with our assignment.

On June 20th as a "Father's Day" activity, we went to Menlo Park in Edison to visit the Edison Museum.  The town of Edison is fairly close to where we live.  Menlo Park is where Edison's first home and laboratory were built before moving to New York and then to East Orange, NJ. We were surprised to see that the Edison museum in Menlo Park is just a two room building of about 500 square feet.  The plan is to expand the museum to a 5,000 square foot building. The exhibits at this site are dedicated to the inventions that he created while in this area.  Presently, many of Edison's invention demonstrations are in storage.  Outside the museum is a tower being remodeled with a new "light bulb" on top.  The dedication of this new tower will be on Oct. 24th. Under the light bulb are speakers. After the dedication the bulb will be illuminated and through the speakers will be music representing the phonograph invented here.

Edison tower monument

We were able to see many of Edison's early inventions.  It was fascinating, especially to Elder Hancock.  He has many pictures that he could share, if interested. He posted this one below...

Audio recorder/player using wax cylinder

New Brunswick YSA/Missionaries Leaving

During the next three weeks, four of our young single adults in the New Brunswick Ward will be leaving for their missions.  Right now there is only one missionary serving from this ward.  This infusion of four leaving soon has brought great excitement to the ward.  This will be a great blessing not only to these four new missionaries and to those who they will serve, but it will greatly bless this ward and their families. The four missionaries are grouped on the right of this picture - two YM and two YW.

Front Row:  Casey Andino, Sister Hancock, Citlali Olivares, Issamar Burdie, Gladys Sarabia
Back Row:  Elder Hancock, Alex Manzano, Chris Rivera

On Sunday June 21st, we visited this ward.  This is a picture of us with the young adults from our Institute class.  The four on the right are the newly called missionaries. Chris (in the white shirt) leaves in just two days for the New York New York North Mission.  He reports directly to the mission home without going to the MTC.  Alex leaves next week.  He will be serving in the Japan Sapporo Mission.
Issamar (in front of Alex) also leaves next week and will serve in Washington Spokane Mission.  Gladys, in the light blue, will be leaving next and will serve in the Mexico Torreón Mission.  We will miss all of these great young adults but we can't complain as to their choices.  Missions are great!

Since the Institute class is dissolving quickly we will be inviting the ones staying home to attend the English Institute classes or perhaps to ride along with us when we teach in other areas.

In the New Brunswick Ward, this is Obispo (Bishop) Sevilla with his children.  Bishop and Hermana Sevilla are from Honduras.  I have been teaching piano while here and Andrea Sevilla is my most dedicated student.  It is always a JOY to teach those who practice and really want to learn.

Last week's lesson quotes... (from Elder Oaks conference talk)

The parable of the sower ends with the Savior’s description of the seed that “fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit” in various measures (Matthew 13:8). How can we prepare ourselves to be that good ground and to have that good harvest?

Jesus explained that “the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). We have the seed of the gospel word. It is up to each of us to set the priorities and to do the things that make our soil good and our harvest plentiful. We must seek to be firmly rooted and converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Colossians 2:6–7). We achieve this conversion by praying, by scripture reading, by serving, and by regularly partaking of the sacrament to always have His Spirit to be with us. We must also seek that mighty change of heart (see Alma 5:12–14) that replaces evil desires and selfish concerns with the love of God and the desire to serve Him and His children.

Book of Mormon Translation and Priesthood Restoration Site

On June 8th we had the privilege of returning to the Susquehanna River where the Priesthood was restored.  Brother Bean and his wife Natalie and all the CES missionaries (Hancocks, Pittsons, Strouds, and Sisters Young and Toy) met up at the Ledgewood Chapel.  There we joined with President and Sister Bennion and all the temple missionaries.  We then drove about 2 1/2 hours to the borough of Oakland in Pennsylvania.  This area was once called Harmony, Pennsylvania and the Hale family in the early 1800's were prominent residents.

It was here that we know that the Book of Mormon was translated in about 85 days and the Aaronic Priesthood was restored in May 1829 and the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored soon after in the same area.  At this time the area is under construction.  Last year we visited the same area and today it is completely changed. To renovate this site the Church received permission to reroute Highway 171 (see section below) that separated the Smith and Hale homes. This has been a major undertaking.  A beautiful chapel is almost complete and there is an underpass beneath the highway to allow visitors to walk from the chapel to the "historic district." This site should be completed and open in the fall.

Here are some links to information about the project:
https://www.lds.org/church/news/progress-on-restoration-of-church-history-site-in-pennsylvania?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/church/news/film-developments-underway-for-priesthood-restoration-site?lang=eng

New Chapel under construction

View of Chapel coming up Hwy 171

Underpass for pedestrians

This last picture was posted for those of you that have already visited the site.  This shows where the original road was through the trees on the left (the telephone pole marks the path) and the now new road closer to the church.  Elder Murray (man with cane) was our guide through the construction.

 Joseph and Emma's home is being restored.

 Home to represent Hale home.

After our tour through the construction sites and a visit at the cemetery, we met down at the river's edge and were taught more about the events surrounding the restoration of the priesthood in 1829. Brother Craig Done, CES Coordinator from Penn State (and originally from Tucson) was our instructor.  He has done extensive research in this area and he willingly shared some of his findings with us.

David Bean, Craig Done, the NJ CES Missionaries and Manhattan Temple Missionaries

Story behind the rerouting of Hwy. 171

We went to the Oakland Township (formerly known as Harmony) in Pennsylvania to visit the site of the Priesthood Restoration on June 8th.  Last year we heard some of the story of how Hwy. 171 was approved to be rerouted. This year when we again heard this story, we decided that it needed to recorded.

This church site in Pennsylvania is the last to be restored.  The church has already restored Nauvoo, Kirtland, Palmyra and many points of interest in other areas.  Since the Smiths and the Hales lived in Harmony, there are now train tracks and a busy highway running through the property.  The church wanted to have the Hale home and the Smith home still located in their original locations, but in order to have many visitors visit these locations, it was felt that the road needed to be moved for the safety of the visitors.  The church approached Pennsylvania  Dept. of Transportation (PenDot) authorities several times and they were refused.  There was a member of that department that was very opposed to the project of moving the road.  The church tried a time or two more and this one member again strongly opposed this project wanted by the Mormons.

In 2011 Hurricane Sandy destroyed and damaged many homes, businesses and properties along the coast of New Jersey.  This member of PenDOT had a brother whose home along the coast was greatly damaged by the storm.  Members of the church -- donning their yellow "Helping Hands" shirts -- came to help those affected by the storm one of which was the home of this brother.  Service was freely given to the brother of the man from PenDOT.  When this man from PenDOT saw what the Mormons did for his brother, and at the encouragement of his brother, his heart was softened and he allowed the church to move forward with their plans for the road.  Another little miracle . . .

 Red line shows original road. Black line shows new road.

 Red dot show where this location is in Pennsylvania

Classes

This last week, Elder Hancock purchased a selfie stick.  We thought that we could use it from time to time since we are taking so many pictures.  Here are some "groupies" that we took in our classes.

 Newark Institute: Front Row: Ilan Castillo, Reina Arevalo, Jessica Penaloza, Melanie Penaloza, Theresa, Josephine Cuerra, Cinthia Montoya; Back Row: Elder and Sister Hancock, Marcos Dulanto

In Newark the class has more adults attending than young adults. The Bishop is very supportive and he continues to announce the class each week in their meetings.  The adults are welcome to attend but we explain that the class is to focus on the young adults.  The adults are asked to just listen and to not participate much.  Only two of the adults jumped in to join in this "groupie."

 Paterson Institute: Back Row: Nicolas Resendiz, Drakenny Jimenez, Christian Jimenez, Melquisedec Perez, Elder Hancock; Front Row: Shanty De la Cruz, Secundino Anastacio, Sister Hancock

 Elizabeth and Perth Amboy Insitute: Front Row: Ezequiel Vazquez, Jefrys Campusano, Nefi Contreras; Middle Row: Luis Gonzalez, Sheila Arevalo, Paulette Pinargote, Bernise Mendez; Back Row:  Hancocks
 

 Union City Institute (enjoying the ice cream drum sticks_:  Front Row: Juan Solano, Emily Quiles, Alan Castro, Enrique Cuyuch, Carmen  Incorroca, Chris Quiles (holding stick)
 Back Row: Jose Cedillo, Hancocks, Diego Bohorquez


Fort Hancock

For P-Day this last weekend, June 13, we decided to take a day trip and visit Fort Hancock.  Fort Hancock is a former U.S. Army fort located on Sandy Hook. To enter New York Harbor, ships need a deep channel. Until the 1900s, that meant sailing next to the shore of Sandy Hook. This gave the small peninsula a big role in the safety and defense of New York Harbor. Also, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse has been a beacon for guiding ships since 1764. It is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. Here on the map you can see where Sandy Hook is. The red star represents Fort Hancock.

Today the peninsula of Sandy Hook is owned by the federal government. The area is now part of the National Park Service. The day we visited was warm and the beaches, walkways, and bike paths were full with people.

Sandy Hook Lighthouse

Nine Gun Battery

Gun for battery

Buildings at the Fort

A view from the top of the lighthouse of Officers Row

Hancocks trying out the selfie stick

From this week's lesson... quotes from talk by Elder Packer

The Plan of Happiness
1. An important principle: the end of all activity in the Church is to see that a man and a woman with their children are happy at home, sealed together for time and for all eternity.
2. The power of procreation is not an incidental part of the plan; it is the plan of happiness; it is the key to happiness.
3. Our happiness in mortal life, our joy and exaltation are dependent upon how we respond to these persistent, compelling physical desires.
4. True love requires reserving until after marriage the sharing of that affection which unlocks those sacred powers in that fountain of life. It means avoiding situations where physical desire might take control.
5. When it comes to my wife, the mother of our children, I am without words. The feeling is so deep and the gratitude so powerful that I am left almost without expression. The greatest reward we have received in this life, and the life to come, is our children and our grandchildren.
6. Through His Atonement and the power of the priesthood, families which are begun in mortality can be together through the eternities. The Atonement, which can reclaim each one of us, bears no scars. That means that no matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, He has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that.

Yankee's

Sights from New Jersey

The beauty of this area never ever ceases to amaze us!  Everywhere we go, we have the camera in hand.  Yesterday, as we were coming home we decided to take a new road and found the Davidson Mill Pond that is only a couple of miles from where we live.  We never knew it was there!  There are beauties of the earth hidden all over this state!  I have seen reflection pictures and when we were driving by, we knew we had to stop and get a picture.

The explosion of blossoms has passed, but, that doesn't mean that there are not still some latecomers.  These two flower bushes are here in our apartment complex. If anyone knows what they are called, please let us know. Heavenly Father is very creative! Look at the wonderfully unique details in these flowers.

A week ago when we planned an early class in Union City (due to a wedding) we were able to get some pictures of the New York skyline as the sun was going down.  The church in Union City is only a couple of miles from where we took these pictures.

We would much rather be looking at the city from afar though, than be in the city.

 Yankee's Game

For our CES outing this month we went to a Yankees Game.  It was actually Memorial Day when we attended.  It seemed like it was an extra long ride on the subway to get to the stadium.  As we were on one subway we were entertained by these great singers singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."

It is common in the city, whether you are on a subway train or in the subway station or in Central Park or wherever, to see some entertainment and then the performers expect to receive tips, especially if you have taken their picture.  On another train that day some young men did some acrobatic moves using the bars.

In order to get into the complete spirit of going to a Yankee's game, we stopped before going into the stadium and bought a T-shirt. Elder Hancock bought a  Yankee's hat from someone in the subway after we got off.

 Of course, you have to have a hot dog . . .

And yes, we did "root, root, root for the home team."  They gave us quite a show!  We saw five home runs, and the ending score that day was 14 to 1.  They were playing the Kansas City Royals.

Here is a picture of our group.
(L to R) Sis. Young, Sis. Toy, Elder Pittson, Sis. Pittson, Elder Stroud, Shaz Kramer, Sis. Stroud, Sis. Hancock, Elder Hancock, Bro. Bean

Temple with YSAs

The highlight of these last two weeks, was being able to go to the temple with Issamar Burdie and Glayds Sarabia to get their endowments.  Both of these young ladies have mission calls and will be reporting to the MTC early in July.  They are both excited and prepared for their missions.

Issamar, Hancocks, Glayds

Hermano y hermana Sarabia, Gladys, Hermana Perez, Issamar, Stephanie Perez, Hermana Moreno, ?

In the same ward, New Brunswick Ward, there are two young men that recently received their mission calls also.  There is lots of excitement for missionary work right now in the ward.  The Sarabias have a son out in the mission field, so Gladys and her brother will not see each other for three years.  Stephanie Perez (in the pink skirt) just returned from her mission to Oregon.  I will get a picture of the four young adults that are leaving soon and put it in a future blog post.


Scotch Plains Stake Fireside

Every month the Scotch Plains Stake has a pot luck dinner and fireside for the young adults. They are well organized and follow the Handbook.  They have stake planning meetings with the leadership and young adult representatives.  It is working well!  We have three areas where we teach Institute in this stake:  Elizabeth, Perth Amboy, and Newark.  We are making sure that the young adults know about these special opportunities and if they don't have a ride, we help get them there.  This month, we were privileged to hear from the Manhattan Temple President, Steven Bennion, and his wife.

Kat Germosa, Nefi Contreras, Romney Campusano, Raul Hernandez, Jefrys Campusano

Kat is an investigator that came to our institute class at the invitation of one of our students. She liked what she heard, requested to view the video about Joseph Smith, and asked for a Book of Mormon. After a week, she said we could contact the sister missionaries to begin teaching her. She is scheduled for baptism on the 28th. We are excited for her. She is one of those "golden" investigators.

When we go in the chapel for the Fireside, some of the young adults need the English translated into Spanish. This group is from Elizabeth.  They sat off to the side so Marcos Dulanto (sitting on the same seat as Elder Hancock) can translate for Raul and the Campusano boys.

We meet in the Maplewood chapel for these firesides.  Maplewood has a large black population, but the blacks are English speakers.

From this week's lesson....

There are so many promises of blessings in Isaiah 58:6-11 regarding Fasting. Here are the principles to apply to receive those blessings.

Prepare: so that the time of fasting can have minimal interruptions and be a sacred time.
Purpose: choose any righteous desire - help with a decision, help to over come a problem, help for someone else.
Prayer: do often throughout the fast.
Scriptures: study, search, ponder the scriptures throughout the fast.
Meditate: think about your purpose, write down ideas, impressions, options during the fast.
Record: note in your journal your thoughts, ideas, results, etc. to help you and your family.
Offerings: an important part of the fast is a generous offering of financial help to others.

As we are generous with our fast offerings, we will be prospered temporally and spiritually.