Morristown is the story of the Continental army struggling to survive. For two critical winters of the American Revolution, 1777 and 1779-80, General George Washington chose the Morristown area as the main Continental Army's winter encampment. Because of its strategic location, the area continually served as the military capital throughout the war. During the 1779-1780 Jockey Hollow encampment, over 10,000 soldiers endured the war's most severe winter. The men were starving and had little clothing. They built over 1,000 simple huts that housed twelve men each. Washington's leadership was evident as he held this ragged army together and continued to instill a hope for independence.
Near the museum stands the Ford Mansion. It was here that in December of 1779 that Mrs. Jacob Ford Jr., a widow with four young children, offered up her home to General and Mrs. Washington. With the commander in chief came servants, slaves, guards, and aides who assisted in the operation of headquarters. We toured the mansion.
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| Actually . . . this is the back view. |
This outing was the first activity for the Ross's (orange and red shirts) and the new sister companionship: Sisters Procter (pretty white hair) and Newton (blue flowered shirt).
Before we left the grounds of the headquarters I caught these three Institute instructors. As you can see, they have a message for all of us to "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil"!
After the museum and mansion tours, we went to the South Street Creamery for lunch.
Happenings with the YSAs
Even though this blog features a lot about our activities for the seniors and CES missionaries, our main focus while here is with our young adults. We are with some of them almost every night of the week. On Sundays we take turns visiting eight different wards or branches. Right now that includes: Passiac, Paterson, Union City, Newark, Elizabeth, Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, and occasionally the East Brunswick YSA branch. It is common for us to attend two wards on a Sunday.
On the weekend of June 28, we attended the Elizabeth Ward and stayed for the baptism of Henry Romero. He is 26 years old. Last year some missionaries gave him a pass along card and said "If you want to change your life, give us a call." Henry kept that card and a year later contacted the missionaries.
Henry is here standing by his good friend, Loren Romero who is also 26. Sisters Palmer and Ivie were the ones who taught him.
This past Sunday, July 5th, we made a visit to the New Brunswick ward to say goodbye to Gladys Sarabia before she leaves this week for her mission. It is in this ward that four of our YSAs are beginning their service as missionaries. Gladys was the first of the group in New Brunswick to receive her call, and the last to go. She will be serving in the Mexico Torreón Mission. Here is a picture of the Sarabia family. They also have a son, Roger, who is serving a mission now. Hermano Sarabia serves in the Bishopric.
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| Sarabia Family |
In Union City Institute on Friday night, we combined with Mario Martinez's Jersey City Institute and had a class together then enjoyed pizza and a movie. Afterwards this group ALWAYS wants to stay and play UNO.
Sitting: Juan Solano, Jose,Cedillo, Enrique Cuyuch, Penelope Gracia, Evelyn
Standing: Brother and Sister Martinez, Reed, Chris Quiles, Vincent, Diego Bohorquez, Carmen Incarroca, Emily Quiles
Little did we know that this would be our last class there. It has since been decided that Brother Martinez will continue there with the combined group and we have been assigned to split the Elizabeth and Perth Amboy class and have a class for each of those locations. We will miss associating with the Union City YSAs. They are a strong and fun group.
Fourth of July Activities
On July 1st, we were teaching class in Paterson when a fireworks show nearby started their festivities. We were about done with the lesson at that time and then afterwards we took our refreshments and went outside and enjoyed the show.
Sitting: Melquisedec Pérez, Secundino Anastacio, Diego Mendoza
Standing: Christian Jimenez, Shanty De la Cruz, Delfino Guzmán, Dorca Encarnacion
On the 4th of July, we decided to have the full New Jersey experience and join with the 140,000 (predicted not actual) others at Liberty State Park for the festivities there. Even though the fireworks were not to start until 9:20pm, we left mid afternoon to beat the rush and assure a spot where we wanted. As usual, Reed studies the map before we go anywhere and he found a place at the south end of the park where we could view not only the fireworks from the New Jersey side but also along the East River. We arrived near the park between 4 and 5 in the afternoon and we crawled along with the traffic of others who were trying to beat the rush. Families had come much earlier to spend the day. They brought their barbeques, tents, and activities and were all set. On the north side of the park (which is like 2 miles away) was a carnival and vendors, etc. We sat up our chairs directly across from the Statute of Liberty on Liberty Island.
It was a nice day to be out. We enjoyed taking a walk along the Hudson River walkway, watching a volleyball game, and visiting with others around us. We were some of the only white people around. But, we are getting used to being in the minority.
This is what it looked like as we arrived:
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| Hudson River Walkway |
As the sun started to go down, the lights came on at the statute and in the city.
We could see six firework displays in front of us, one on the Jersey side and the others on the New York side. There were also two firework shows happening behind us.
We didn't get a great picture, but over Reed's left shoulder where the small fireworks are is the Empire State building and the World Trade Center or Freedom Tower is the tall building further to the right. Both the Empire State Building and Freedom Tower were displaying red, white, and blue lights. It was very festive!
While relaxing and waiting for the fireworks to start, we talked with a family who had only been here in the USA for a month from Equador. Nice family of parents and three small children.
From this week's lesson... Quotes from Elder Bednar
As predicted by prophets, we live in a world of increasing commotion... “And in that day … the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them” (D&C 45:26). There is much to be fearful of...
But can we hush the fears that so easily and frequently beset us in our contemporary world? The answer to this question is an unequivocal yes. Three basic principles are central to receiving this blessing in our lives: (1) look to Christ, (2) build upon the foundation of Christ, and (3) press forward with faith in Christ.
Unlike worldly fear that creates alarm and anxiety, godly fear is a source of peace, assurance, and confidence.
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