West Point

Culture and Foods in New Jersey

Things are so different in New Jersey, that even shopping for food can be a learning experience.  There are many different cultures here.  As we drive down the street, on one side of the street is a Peruvian restaurant, then on the other side of the street is a Columbian restaurant.  In mid New Jersey and especially in the area where we live, there is a huge Indian population.  We have seen huge Buddha statutes along the road and many of the women (and men) dress in their native dress. They have their own schools, markets, meat shops, bakeries and restaurants around the area. There are also lots of Orientals, Italians, and Jews.  There are some beautiful Jewish temples here.

In mid October, we noticed that lots in our apartment complex had Christmas lights along their patios or around their windows.  My first thought was that there were a lot of crazy people excited for Christmas to come.  What we found out though was that there is a Hindu celebration called "Diwali" which is a "festival of lights" celebrated in the autumn every year. The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

But, back to food.  This sign in a grocery store in Elizabeth tells the story for us.

Even in the Costco close to us, we see things we wouldn't see at home.

I believe that it is lamb in the freezer.

Seaweed

Pickled cabbage

I could add hundreds of photos if I wanted to.  There are lots of different items to purchase that don't sound appetizing to me at all.  In the main grocery stores near us there are complete isles dedicated to only Goya products.  But, we can't find chili beans or Ranch beans or certain spices for making chili etc.and it is hard to find El Pato or tortillas.  By now though, we know where we can find some of these things and we will survive.


Halloween

Since we bring refreshments to all of our classes, the week of Halloween I tried to be a little creative. I am not artsy when it comes to decorating, so I knew that whatever I did, it had to be simple.  This is what I did.  I just added eyes to my chocolate chip cookies and then I tried to make mummies.

This is what the boys in Perth Amboy did with my refreshments.

West Point

For our culture day experience this month, on November 3rd, Brother Bean and his wife Natalie, took us to West Point.  All of us CES missionaries and the Beans met at the Newark Chapel and then caravaned on a beautiful drive into New York. We drove through hills covered with trees and vegetation.  West Point is located 40 miles north of New York City and is right on the Hudson.

West Point's role in our nation's history dates back to the Revolutionary War, when both sides realized the strategic importance of the commanding plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. General George Washington considered West Point to be the most important strategic position in America.
Washington transferred his headquarters to West Point in 1779.  A 150-ton iron chain across the Hudson was used to control river traffic. Fortress West Point was never captured by the British.

The United States Military Academy was established at this location by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802.  Being accepted for admission to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point is an exceptional honor reserved for our nation’s most exceptional students. But it takes more than excellent grades to be accepted for admission. USMA also wants leaders who are physically fit and of outstanding character. Those who are selected to attend USMA receive a college education that is unparalleled in the world with tuition, room and board and expenses fully paid. To be accepted, one must be appointed by his or her congressman.

The Academy is BIG on character development.  I love the Cadet Honor Code:  A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. 

We had a personal tour of the grounds by Russ Way who is aCES Director and teaches Institute classes on campus.  There is so much history here and the Academy is filled with traditions!

A chapel just across from the museum.  I love the chapels out here.

             Hudson River view - Mormon Tabernacle Choir will perform here next 4th of July at this
                                                       spot on the USMA campus

The bend in the Hudson

Statute of Eisenhower with Patton in background

In the visitor's center

Can you see remains of the gun placement from the Revolutionary War?

These are 13 links of the 150 foot chain that went from raft to raft across the Hudson during the Revolutionary War.  The bend in the river would cause ships to slow down. The British never got past this point on the Hudson.

Cadets waiting to march inside the mess hall for lunch.  Can you see the fife and drummers on the right?  We watched ALL of them march in for lunch in a very orderly and timely manner.

Fife and Drummers

                                    
Statute of  George Washington

West Point is an officer training school for the Army.  All over campus one sees "Go Army Beat Navy"









Front Row:  Strouds and Pittsons
Middle Row:  Hancocks and Beans
Back Row:  Russ May, Shaz Kramer, Sisters Young and Toy

Fall Excursions

We have had a busy past two weeks.  There were two sight-seeing excursions: one with the CES missionaries and one with all the senior missionaries.  There was an all sisters conference, in-service meetings, a local broadcast with L.Tom Perry, plus our regular institute classes and family nights.  We have enjoyed lots of sunshine and even some rain.  Here are some of those highlights with lots of pictures to share.  Hope you have some time . . . this is a long post!

Statute of Liberty

On Monday, October 6, 2014, we were able to visit Ellis Island and the Statute of Liberty with the CES missionaries.  For this excursion we did not leave our mission boundaries.  Yes, the Statute of Liberty is in New Jersey!

 

From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island was America's largest and most active immigration station, where over 12 million immigrants were processed. On average, the inspection process took approximately 3-7 hours. For the vast majority of immigrants, Ellis Island truly was an "Island of Hope" - the first stop on their way to new opportunities and experiences in America. (copied from nps.gov)

In this mission, some of the young sister missionaries get the opportunity to work on Ellis Island.  They provide service by volunteering in the American Family Immigration Center.  Here they help visitors find their ancestors that came into the country through Ellis Island.

Next stop was the Statute of Liberty.  We visited the museum there, and climbed the 215 steps up to the pedestal, then had lunch.

 The Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

 Elder and Sister Hancock on the pedestal of the Statute of Liberty with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

Lunch just under Lady Liberty

Before leaving Liberty State Park, Brother Bean and Shaz (our CES Director and his secretary) led us over to the "Empty Sky" New Jersey September 11th Memorial.  This was a memorial for those from NJ that lost their lives that day.

I noticed that when President and Sister Jeppson were here, that they would post pictures of leaving missionaries from this same location.  I took this picture and it looks as if these CES missionaries are a group of superheroes with some outside help.

50th World's Fair Anniversary

On Sunday, October 12th, there was a special Fireside celebrating the anniversary of the World's Fair.  Elder Perry was the keynote speaker and it was a local broadcast originating from the Lincoln Square Church building in Manhattan.  When Elder Perry arrived in New York many years ago his first thoughts were "How can anyone love New York?" (Our thoughts exactly.)  Now, he loves opportunities to return.  He lived here in 1964 and served on the World's Fair committee.  He has fond memories working in the Mormon Pavilion.  Elder Perry said the World’s Fair significantly helped the Church’s interfaith efforts.

Elder Perry still encourages us and all faiths to come together and set aside our differences. He asked us all to become acquainted with the website FaithCounts.net and share pictures and messages from there that we like.  This website is comprised of many faiths sharing messages of faith.


Fall Farms and Beautiful Countryside

Yesterday the senior missionaries went together to enjoy the fall colors before they are gone.  We visited two farms in north central Jersey: Riamede Farm and Hacklebarney Farm in Chester, NJ.  We were about 30 miles west of New York City.  We also visited some once beautiful gardens of the Cross Family Estate. This mansion and gardens are in Bernardsville which is along the headwaters of the Passaic River. This estate goes back to the early years of this century when wealthy people built grand country mansions as summer retreats. It was a great setting for taking pictures.

The "fun ones" ready for our outing

Elder Hancock peeking through the old wisteria vines.

We felt like we were on a photo shoot!

Water Tower that looks like a Rapunzel tower.

Fall has always been my favorite time of year!

As we traveled around this area, we stopped from time to time to take pictures of the beautiful trees all around with their vibrant colors.  This was the perfect fall activity!


Elizabeth's Primary Program/ Linger Longer

On Sunday, October 19th we attended the Elizabeth Spanish Ward to help out with their Primary program.  Every time we have attended the ward, Sister Hancock has been attending Primary as they are preparing for their program.  The Elizabeth Spanish Ward and the Elizabeth English Branch have their separate sacrament meetings, and separate Relief Society and Priesthood, but they combine their Primary and youth programs. They do not have any piano players here.  The ward depends on missionaries to play the piano.  Some are better than others.  If there is not someone to play the piano, they sing without accompaniment.  Some of the pianos have a "player function" but we haven't seen them use that in this ward.

The Primary started practicing weeks ago for the presentation. The program was written to be very simple.   The children though have a really hard time sitting still and cooperating and last month they only knew half the songs.

They had to read the words of the songs during practice.









Today when we arrived, they let the senior Primary sit in the choir seats and there was a roped off section on the side by the piano for the junior Primary.  The teachers do not sit with their classes, so Elder Hancock and I sat with the junior Primary.  They were all dressed in white, black, or blue.

We were pleasantly surprised that the junior Primary was very reverent and throughout the program they ALL were well behaved and reverent and said their parts and sang the songs perfectly.  I played the piano for them and was so proud of them.  The spirit was strong!  It was one of the best Primary programs that I've attended.

After sacrament meeting, Elder Hancock substitute taught the YSA Sunday School class.  He just gave part of the lesson that he had been teaching in Institute class all week.  None of our regular Institute attendees were in the class, so that worked out perfectly.

After Sunday School, a Primary class was missing their teacher, so Elder Hancock volunteered me.  I wish I had counted the children.  There was about 12-20, but they were all wound up and wild.  The ages went from 5 to 9!  I, thankfully, received another helper, but honestly, the only thing that went well was letting them color.   It was crazy!  After the program they were all given candy and it was my responsibility to watch them until it was their turn to go have some cupcakes.  Yes. . . more sugar.
They do eat a lot in the meetings out here.

After the block we had a linger longer for the young single adults.  The purpose of  having linger longers is to possibly meet young single adults and invite them to join Institute.  We have been talking about not having more linger longers in Elizabeth because we felt like we knew all the YSA's now and there was not any new prospects.  Well, today, turned out to be a successful linger longer.  We met two young men for the first time and the Elders are working with a YSA that wants to get baptized.  We were very pleased.  Here is a picture of the group today (minus two that left before the picture was taken.)  Two of our regulars were not at church today.  It looks like the Elizabeth Institute will finally start growing!

Institute class.....
This week's lesson had several important points to it. It covered D&C 20 to 22. I would like to mention a few of these points that help us grow in testimony.

In D&C 20:17-18 we read: "By these [three] things we know that there is a God in heaven..."
The three things are demarked by the word "Amen" in the preceding verses. (see last word in verses 4, 12, and 16.)

20:1-4 point out that God formed the church on April 6, 1830. And that He called a prophet and ordained him and Oliver Cowdery as Apostles (special witnesses of Jesus Christ).

20:5-12 point out that God sent an angel (Moroni) who gave Joseph Smith commandments that inspired him. And gave him power from God to translate the Book of Mormon using the Urim and Thummim which had been prepared by God for such a purpose. And that the Book of Mormon contains the record of a fallen people (as warnings and teachings to all) as well as the gospel of Jesus Christ. That it is confirmed to others  (the 3 witnesses) by angels who witness to the world of the truth. These events and the book itself "prove" to the world that the scriptures are true and that God calls men to his work today as in times of old.

20:13-16 point out that all of these things will be used to judge the world. Those who believe and accept will have the promise of Eternal Life. Those who harden their hearts because of unbelief will be condemned by the same things.


Then a different topic is taught in 20:20... "But by the transgression of these [seven] holy laws man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen man." This state is called spiritual death. The seven holy laws are contained in verses 19 and 25 and are:

"And gave unto them commandments that they should [1] love and [2] serve him, the [3] only living and true God, and that he should be the [4] only being whom they should worship."

"That as many as would [5] believe and be [6] baptized in his holy name, and [7] endure in faith to the end, should be saved—"


A third topic to mention is found in D&C 21:1-4.

"BEHOLD, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ, Being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof, and to build it up unto the most holy faith..."
"Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith."

Here the Lord is making clear that He has established a prophet, given him power, commandments, and through him established the church. And the people should give heed to his words and commandments as if from God's own mouth.


We need all of these teachings and principles in our lives. It is clear to us that we are in the last days of the last days. True, no one knows when the Lord will return. But we know that he will return and when he does, all of mankind will know it. These verses above counsel us to prepare by study and application of the teachings of the prophets in the Book of Mormon and directly from current prophets and apostles. I sincerely hope and encourage you all to heed these counsels.

Love,
Dad/Reed

Beautiful October

Falling Fall

We have just experienced the nicest summer ever here in New Jersey.  The weather is still very mild but now and then we feel a nip in the air so we know seasons will be changing.  In fact, just last weekend we started to see some trees that had changed colors.  Fall has always been my favorite time of year, but this is the first time I will really experience a real fall.

We are finding though, that we need to ride around and take pictures quickly.  With the changing of colors, the leaves are starting to fall also.  The other day, we opened the door to go to the church and it sounded like it was raining outside, but the wind was blowing and leaves were swirling around all over.  It looked like it was raining leaves.

I love this area where we live. We don't have to go far off the busy roads but we are in the country.  There are many fall festivals advertised all around and pumpkin patches.  We went to this market since they were advertising fresh corn, but alas, corn season is over.

Meet the Mormons

This next weekend, on October 10th, the movie "Meet the Mormons" will be released to theaters.  This last week, all of us missionaries got to see a preview of the movie.  The mission president and his wife provided the showing at the East Brunswick building close to us.  This movie is entertaining and very well done.  At the present, there are no theaters here in New Jersey that are showing it.  Our closest theater is in New York City.  Some of our young single adults are already saying that we need to have that as an upcoming activity.  We though, would rather have the showing in this state rather than having to travel to another state. We are trying to encourage them to request the film.  The theaters need 400 requests before they will consider showing it.  We heard one of the branch presidents say to use one of two zipcodes when requesting so we'll have a better chance.
By the way, for those of you planning to see the movie . . . I'd advise that you take a tissue or two, especially if you have ever sent a missionary on a mission.

Perth Amboy Building

Since we know that there will be some remodeling done to the Perth Amboy Church building, we thought that we should document the building as it is now.  Honestly, we don't have any idea of the history of this building, we just know it is small and needs some help.  The building is close to the downtown and the train and bus stations are just behind it.  Many of the members walk to church.  Downstairs is the main meeting area, the kitchen, the baptistry and the Bishop's and clerk's office.  Upstairs is everything else.  This picture was taken about 6:00pm.  You can see that it is starting to get dark earlier and earlier. Before long, we will be traveling in the dark to get to classes.

The door we enter from the parking lot

Elder Hancock getting ready for class

Sewing Again

This passed week, I started taking in some mending for the missionaries.  Last week when we were in Elizabeth, Elder Hancock was visiting with Elder León.  His suit pocket had got caught on a door handle and was ripped really bad. Elder Hancock brought him to me and asked if it could be repaired.  We took the suit coat and another elder's pants home and this week, and Sister Toy and I worked on the repairs. I was very pleased (and surprised) that the suit coat looks as good as it does.  Like me, Sister Toy graduated from BYU in Clothing and Textiles.  We both like to sew and it is nice to have a partner to work with on hard cases. Before coming on this mission I hoped to be of service with sewing and music. Now the word is out so I imagine little by little we will get some projects.  Also, I found out that there was a sewing machine in the mission that was not being used, so we picked that up a few days ago. I won't have to go to Sister Toy's apartment to use her machine.  Can you tell that I am excited?

Also this week, we started working on the wedding dress for Violeta Mendez.  We don't want the word out (especially in working with young single adults) that we make wedding dresses.  That could get out of hand quickly.  This is actually my first wedding dress.  Sister Toy has made many dresses.  She asked me to cut the dress out and I truly felt the responsibility especially in cutting the lace.  Elder Hancock's parting words to me that morning were "Measure twice, cut once" and believe me we did.

Conference Weekend

We have five young single adults (3 Spanish speakers and 2 English) that went to Utah this week to attend conference for the first time. We have been so excited for them.  We have many great memories of attending conference.

One of our Institute groups liked the idea of watching the Saturday conference sessions together and having a potluck in between. At the East Brunswick Stake center the sessions are broadcast in Spanish in the Relief Society room and in English in the chapel. They decided that we all need to stay together, so we watched conference in English.  Only the missionaries, our group, and a few families were there. It was really nice to have this experience with them.  Sister Oliveres made us some homemade tacos that were wonderful. There was enough food to serve the missionaries also, but not all of them joined with us.

Because we are on the East coast and need to wait for the live showing, the first session of conference started at noon, the afternoon session at 4:00pm and the Priesthood session at 8:00pm. Here are pictures of our group with the missionaries.

 During the afternoon session, Elder Hancock shared "Halloween candy" with all.

Sweet September

 Doctrine and Covenants

Our course of study in our Institute classes is the Doctrine and Covenants.  The last couple of weeks we have been studying Joseph Smith History.  I love learning about the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He was truly an instrument in the hands of the Lord in restoring the Lord's church to the earth in these last days.

H

I especially love that we are able to reflect on the events that happened in September (exactly this time of year) as Moroni taught and instructed Joseph.  Then in September 1927, Joseph finally was able to receive the plates. There are recorded events of Moroni appearing at least 22 times. His unique experiences and callings provided the perfect tutor for a young prophet in training, Joseph Smith. For example, we read in Ether 1:2 that Moroni translated the ancient Jaredite history using the Urim and Thummin. Moroni wrote the book of Ether from that but he also wrote the sealed portion from the same translated record. Who better then to teach Joseph how to use the Urim and Thummin and how to translate. There are many other qualities that uniquely qualified Moroni as the young prophet's tutor and trainer. We ought to be thankful for both Joseph and Moroni for what came forth through their efforts.

Because of Joseph's and his family's many sacrifices and diligence, we have the Book of Mormon.  What a blessing it is to us and to all those who accept it!


Lunch at "The Vu"

Every two weeks we have an in-service meeting with our CES Director and all the CES missionaries. After in-service on September 10, Brother Bean and Shaz (his secretary) wanted us to experience having lunch at The Vu.  This restaurant is part of a Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jersey City.  The restaurant sits right on the Hudson River and has windows all around.  It is a beautiful setting.  In one direction one can see Ellis Island and the Statute of Liberty, but the main view is the skyline of the Financial District across the river.

Hancocks, Young, Toy, Strouds, Pittsons

Cooking Help

A local sister who also teaches Institute classes, Jan, brought some zucchini from her garden to share with the rest of us at our in-service meeting.  It has been put to good use since we all provide refreshments at all our classes.  This zucchini made lots of zucchini bread!  I actually shared this zucchini with the Sister senior missionaries.  It was enough for both of us.  They don't call New Jersey the Garden State for nothing!

Perth Amboy News

We are just starting to get acquainted in Perth Amboy.  Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay," referring to Raritan Bay. This city has about 50,000 people, seventy five percent are Spanish speakers. We had a linger-longer there last month and have only had three Institute classes so far.  We have consistently had three (not always the same three) in attendance each week.  There are quite a number of young single adults here. One of the young men said that he would be coming straight to class from work, so I told them that I'd have dinner for them each week. It was decided to meet early at 6:30pm but we may have to meet later.  We are still discussing that.


We have been attending Sunday meetings there every week for the last three weeks so we can reach out and encourage the young adults to attend.  During Sunday School/Relief Society time, I've helped out in the Primary.  There is no one in the whole branch to play the piano.  So, I play the piano for Primary singing time.  I was very impressed my first week there.  The children know all the songs well and they sing with their whole heart and soul.  All that they have had for accompaniment is a CD.  But, they have done very well.

On Sunday, September 14, the Perth Amboy Branch was organized into a ward.  The Wednesday before this Sunday, a member of the presidency asked me if I'd play the organ for this special day.
Usually they have a young woman sit at the organ/piano and select the hymn number for the song to be played and then the player piano plays itself.

I've also been helping with the music in Primary in the Elizabeth Ward when we attend there.  Many of these Spanish branches and wards have few resources and rely on missionaries with music experience to help out.


CES Broadcast

On the evening of September 14, our New Brunswick Institute decided that they wanted to get together to see the CES Broadcast.  Elder Christofferson was the speaker.  Out here the broadcast starts late, at 8:00pm.  They usually advertise that the broadcast will be happening, but to view it on their own in their own homes.  Over the last couple of months, we have realized that many do not have internet access in their homes.  So, when this group decided that it would be fun to view it together, we were all for it.  We decided to have a potluck as well that night and we had great success.

 

Trips to New York City

We have had many trips to New York in the past two weeks. Last weekend our young single adults as well as all the youth in the East Brunswick Stake went to the temple to do baptisms.  We went along to support and help out.  Afterwards we followed a group of our YSA's that wanted to explore Strands Bookstore near Union Square. Strands is known for having 18 miles of books!


A few days later, September 15, Brother Bean took us CES missionaries on a bus tour of lower Manhattan.  We rode a top of a double decker bus. Since it was the week just before Elder Hancock's birthday, he was given a birthday hat to wear for a little while.  Thankfully, he didn't wear it the whole time. After the bus tour we quickly walked through the fashion district looking for a place to eat.  Look below how the shoppers get lunch. It was like being at a fair along the street, but there was hardly any place to sit down. Then, Brother Bean said we needed to try some NY roasted nuts.

My funnest trip into the city was Saturday, Sept. 20, when us Senior CES Sisters went along with a young single adult and her mother to shop for material for her wedding dress.

This cute couple from our Eatontown class got engaged last month and plan to get married in the Washington D.C. Temple in November and we have permission to attend!

Violeta Mendez, Wilfrido DeLeon, and Elder Hancock

Violeta has been out dress shopping with her mother and there are no modest wedding dresses to be found. Another option was to order a dress online but that was really pricey. As it has turned out, Sister Toy and I are making her wedding dress.  Sister Toy has made a dozen or so wedding dresses and she knows what she is doing.  I am learning from her and enjoying the tutoring.  Both Sister Toy and I graduated in Clothing and Textiles from BYU and we both enjoy sewing.  We made a sample dress last week and now are ready to try it out using real lace and nice fabric.  When we went into the city we shopped in the garment district where there are warehouses of very nice fabrics as well as little shops with better prices and good selections.  Violeta found what she wanted quickly.  It was really interesting to me to see how shopping for fabrics are done in New York.  Space is at a premium and bolts of fabric are stacked high along the walls and everywhere.  They use ladders to get down what you want to look at.  Then, there are no cutting tables.  They just use a yard stick and wrap fabric around the yard stick to measure.

She will be so beautiful in the dress made from this material! But we can't show the groom these pictures!

We are excited to be helping Violeta with her dress.  She is paying for all her own wedding expenses, a little different than what happened with our daughters.  I'll post the end results later.