Short and Sick

 Well, last week we enjoyed a visit from Olivia's sister and niece. On Monday we got them to the airport and did what we needed to do on a P day. On Tuesday, we had a Richmond Hill District Council meeting, which is usually held on Wednesdays. Wednesday, however, was scheduled for the Christmas zone meeting for our district. For the previous few days, I had a little runny nose, but didn't think much of it since it's winter, we have been exposed to the cold weather and have been outdoors a lot. After the district council meeting, however, I noticed that I was feeling a bit ill. I said to Olivia,  "I think I'm coming down with a cold." 

"You'd better not," she replied, "I really want to go to the zone conference tomorrow."

"I think I'll be alright."

I was wrong. I was down for the count for the next four days. On Saturday, I was feeling quite a bit better, so we were certain we would be able to go into Manhattan on Sunday and keep our commitment to care for the Giving Machines on Christmas. 

I did feel well enough to go into the City on Christmas day. We planned on attending sacrament meeting in the Manhattan 1st Ward at 10:30, and taking a lunch with us to eat after the meeting, then take care of the machines. Trying to take a lunch with us on the subway didn't really seem like a good idea, so we looked for a later sacrament meeting. What a blessing, the Manhattan YSA meets at Noon, perfect. We had been informed that because so many YSA go home for Christmas, the YSA wards all meet together in the Manhattan church building.

We bundled up and went to the bus stop about 5 minutes early to catch the bus to the subway station. The bus never came. I guess, without any passengers, it rushed through and we missed it. We continued to wait in bitter cold, for the next bus. We knew that we would get to the station very near the time that the train would arrive, so we rushed from the bus down the stairs to the entrance. Olivia got right in, but I had to run my Metro Card through several times before I was allowed in. 

Olivia, assuming I was right behind her, immediately climbed into the train, which had just pulled up. I tried to race down more stairs and get to the train. I got there in time to see her pounding on the door that would not open, then waved as the train passed out of sight. The next train came just minutes later, but it went to a different set of stops, so when communication was available, we texted each other to figure out where to meet. We finally agreed to meet at the Columbus Circle station, from which we would walk to the church building. When I arrived there, I found that I actually got there before she could because of the differences in stops. I also realized that there are several ways to get up to the surface from there, so I texted her to just meet at the church.

It worked, and we got there just minutes from each other. As we entered, hundreds of people were coming out, as the first meeting had just finished. We finally made our way to the chapel and saw lots of people leaving, but no one seemed to be entering. Olivia asked a member of the bishopric if there was another meeting at noon. There was not; the YSA ward met with the 1st Ward at 10:30. We were so disappointed not to be able to take the sacrament, or hear the talks and music of the day.

We made our way back to the front of the building where two of the Giving Machines are located. We were supposed to open and restock it if needed, then clean the glass. We decided that one of the machines had enough blocks in the bin that it would be good to refill it. The key is kept inside the building, but the glass cleaner bottle is kept behind the machines, frozen solid. 

Several people bought polio vaccines,
ducks, and warm blankets. I pull out 
the drawer and Olivia put the blocks back
into the spiral conveyers. Yes, it was cold.

Not able to clean the glass (not that it needed it, not too much business on Christmas day), we made our way back to the subway and down to Rockefeller Center. Luckily, the machines are kept underground inside the hallways where various restaurants, a few shops, and several subway stops are located. It is a nice place, just down the stairs from the huge Christmas tree - very good access location. Not enough had been purchased that morning, so we decided to make a contribution of our own. As we did, an oriental family saw us and went to the other machine out of curiosity. We couldn't be certain, but we think it motivated them to make a contribution.

It was warm enough here to uncover our heads.

Some of the items available. A whole
row of Jewish items such as a Seder 
meal, and Hanukah Celebration. There
were also meals for people in the 
performing arts. There really are 
starving artists, I guess. New York!

We caught the subway back, but got up to the surface just in time to see the bus that would carry us home, drive away. Rather than waiting for the next bus in the shade of a high-rise building with the wind whipping our legs and faces, we decided to walk home. Even though it was windy, the sun was shining and we would keep limber by walking fast. We did beat the next bus, so we felt vindicated. We also felt like this was the least Christmassy Christmas either of us could remember.

A pretty little park provided a shortcut to our 
street.

Then, we had a little Christmas miracle. We started preparing for the visit of our little district of elders. With only two companionships, and us, Richmond Hill is the smallest district in the mission. The missionaries had eaten with members the day before, because those members celebrate on Christmas Eve. For a couple of the missionaries, this was their first Christmas away from home. They were animated, gracious and grateful. They appreciated the little details of preparation that Olivia had made. They are faithful, hard-working and genuinely enthusiastic about the work in which they are involved. 

Christmas returned.

Elders Harris, Christiansen, Truman, and Young
are ready for dessert. Elder Christiansen brought
the banana cream pie.

Olivia made a special pie for Elder
Christiansen's birthday

Figuring out Christmas songs such as "Diminutive
Percussionist Lad" or "Exuberation to this Orb." I
think they enjoyed it almost as much as I did 
watching them try to decipher all 33 names.

Despite the unusual Christmas day, this season has been one of beautiful music and a renewal of understanding the great atonement of Jesus Christ. We have been mostly house bound this week, and while reading, or listening to something of any length, put me to sleep, we were able to listen to talks from General Conference, special Christmas addresses, and to hear and bear testimony of the mission Christ fulfilled. 

In the countdown to the new year, we are setting our sights to overcome more challenges, achieve higher goals and live more pure, consecrated lives. We love you and are pleased that from time to time you find the time to visit this humble blog. As they say in Scotland on the final day of the year, "Happy Hogmanay."