World Trade Center or Freedom Tower
On Monday, July 13th, we visited the Freedom Tower. The observation deck has just been opened to the public. The World Trade Center is the tallest building in the western hemisphere. The height of the building, with observation deck and antenna is 1,776 feet, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed. It is built next to the 911 Memorial in the Financial District of Manhattan. Even though it was a hazy day and the views from the top were not that clear, it was a great experience. Our favorite part was the 60 second ride to the top. As we rode the elevator, there was a movie displayed on the walls of the elevator and it showed how New York had grown through the ages.
Here is a video about the tour: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/observation-deck-wtc-freedom-tower-opens-29-article-1.2176323
You can barely see the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges here as they cross the East River.
Here is the view of the 911 Memorial as we left.
Palmyra
The following Friday, July 17th, we carpooled up to visit Palmyra and see the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Soon after we arrived, it began to rain. We hiked up the Hill Cumorah then took a tour of the visitor's center. In order to have a final "in-service meeting," Brother Bean took us to the Sacred Grove for a testimony meeting. What a special experience! Some in our group had never been to Palmyra or seen the pageant so we quickly went through the Smith home and cabin and the Grandin Press. We evidently timed our visits to these sites perfectly because all the crowd that was here for the pageant were probably at the Hill Cumorah at this time. We were taking our tours during the late afternoon and early evening and it was only our group on these tours.
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| Before testimony meeting in Sacred Grove |
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| Sister Toy, Natalie Bean, Sister Young, Stroud, Hancock and Pittson |
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| Looking out back door of the cabin towards the Sacred Grove |
Taking a groupie in the elevator at the Grandin Press.
Niagara Falls
As an added bonus, Brother Bean planned that we go to Niagara Falls the next day. It just so happened to be the Pittson's 46th Wedding Anniversary that day. How perfect is that!
Here is a picture that I got that included a rainbow!
Our group! The two on each end (Young, Toy and Pittsons) leave this next week.
Some of the group after a warm, humid, but enjoyable time together.
Summer Institutes
This summer our class lessons come from recent conference talks. Planning for and presenting these lessons take less time. We have been trying to make the summer Institute classes more fun by encouraging playing games, going out for ice cream, or just watching a movie after the lesson. Each of our classes have had a pizza night and watched the new movie called "MacFarland USA." We watch it in Spanish, of course.
I didn't take pictures of the movie nights, but here are a couple of good "groupies."
Perth Amboy and Elizabeth Group
Front Row: Sheila, Paulette, Berenise
Standing: Nefi, Hancock, Yatna, Jefrys, Raul, Loren
Front: Dorca, Shantal, Jennifer, Diego, Richard, Melquisedec
Back: Christian Fernando, Hancocks
From this week's lesson... by Elder Ballard
"We need your whole heart and soul. We need vibrant, thinking, passionate young adults who know how to listen and respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit as you make your way through the daily trials and temptations of being a young, contemporary Latter-day Saint. In other words, it’s time to raise the bar not only for missionaries but also for returned missionaries and for your entire generation. To that end, please ponder in your heart your answers to these questions:"
1. Do you search the scriptures regularly?
2. Do you kneel in prayer to talk with your Heavenly Father each morning and each night?
3. Do you fast and donate a fast offering each month—even if you are a poor, struggling student who can’t afford to donate much?
4. Do you think deeply about the Savior and His atoning sacrifice for you when you are asked to prepare, bless, pass, or partake of the sacrament?
5. Do you attend your meetings and strive to keep the Sabbath day holy?
6. Are you honest at home, school, church, and work?
7. Are you mentally and spiritually clean? Do you avoid viewing pornography or looking at websites, magazines, movies, or apps, including Tinder and Snapchat photos, that would embarrass you if your parents, Church leaders, or the Savior Himself saw you?
8. Are you careful with your time—avoiding inappropriate technology and social media, including video games, which can dull your spiritual sensitivity?
9. Is there anything in your life you need to change and fix, beginning tonight?
1. Do you search the scriptures regularly?
2. Do you kneel in prayer to talk with your Heavenly Father each morning and each night?
3. Do you fast and donate a fast offering each month—even if you are a poor, struggling student who can’t afford to donate much?
4. Do you think deeply about the Savior and His atoning sacrifice for you when you are asked to prepare, bless, pass, or partake of the sacrament?
5. Do you attend your meetings and strive to keep the Sabbath day holy?
6. Are you honest at home, school, church, and work?
7. Are you mentally and spiritually clean? Do you avoid viewing pornography or looking at websites, magazines, movies, or apps, including Tinder and Snapchat photos, that would embarrass you if your parents, Church leaders, or the Savior Himself saw you?
8. Are you careful with your time—avoiding inappropriate technology and social media, including video games, which can dull your spiritual sensitivity?
9. Is there anything in your life you need to change and fix, beginning tonight?
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