All is Well (Face, Vehicle, Faith) and Kosher

 On Monday, we drove to our dermatologist in Flushing to finally have the stitches removed from Olivia's minor surgery. The lab report was positive: all the cancer was removed. Her face is back to normal and has only a hairline scar which will eventually go away. I wish we had taken pictures of the entrances (yes, plural) to her office. You enter a kind of hole in the wall where you are greeted by a locked door. There are instructions as to how to enter, based on the purpose of your visit. We had to push a set of letters, an up arrow four times, and a * which apparently sent a signal to the office. They push a button that unlocks the door. From there you follow signs down a narrow set of stairs to a hallway in a basement past other office doors almost to the end of the hallway where there is an exit covered with caution flagging and a warning not to exit there. Entering her office was like coming into any modern medical office you may have entered elsewhere. Kind of fun, actually.

Sister Wang is our friend, fellow
worker, and our dermatologist.

On our way home, I noticed that the check engine light had come on. Years ago, I would have put a piece of black tape over it and continued to drive it until something serious happened. Today, it often means that something serious and mysterious has happened, so when we arrived at the apartment I parked it and we did not move it until I could get it to a mechanic. We didn't know any mechanics and didn't know anyone in this area who might. I did a lot of praying and researched "auto repair shops near me" and finally found someone who had great reviews, has been in business for a couple of generations, and had the ability to read the computer analysis. 

It looks like a half dozen other shops around our
area, but they were efficient and very competent.

It turned out that when I got the oil changed a week or so prior, I asked that they replace the air filter. In doing so, they left a rag in the housing and failed to clamp down the lid. That allowed too much air into the mix, so it was running lean. I had also asked him to check the brakes (good thing - they were very worn in the front) and rotate the tires. The car is now in good shape to drive to Las Vegas, then back to Idaho in February/March.

We were again invited to the annual luncheon at the Manhattan chapel with the American Jewish Committee and the representatives from the Church's media and public relations people. They gather each year. Several, if not most of the attendees from the AJC had attended the demonstration in Washington DC the day before. Some had friends and family members who were unable to attend because bus drivers refused to take them from the airport to the gathering because they were Jews. Almost 1,000 people were stranded and not allowed off the chartered planes because they don't have to go through TSA, and they had no transportation. Apparently, the rule with chartered airplanes is that you must go directly to the transportation from the plane. This luncheon was well attended with a very friendly atmosphere.

We were not given programs, so I have
forgotten most names. He is with the New
York Public Relations Department of the
Church and took charge of the event.

On the left is the former president of AJC and one
of the founders. She was very gracious in talking to
us. On the right is one of the speakers. She and her
husband are serving as missionaries in Washington
D.C. and deal directly with various embassies there.

The brother who conducted the meeting
told us that the food came cold and needed
to be warmed. "Someone told me," he said
"Kosher caterers always bring it cold."
All the Jews in the room laughed and said,
"It's true, it's true." It was very good, even
if it was a little cool.

Both speakers talked about the role of
women in their faith.

The speaker from the Jewish corner. She
announced that she was a Conservative 
Jew, which is not the same as Orthodox.

This is Guy (pronounced Ge - long e) Reis. He is
from Switzerland. He was born there because his
grandmother escaped the holocaust (her parents 
did not) and settled there after the war. A nice 
attorney who explained the difference between
Reformed Jews, Conservative Jews, Orthodox
Jews and a couple of others.

The Hills have been serving as the Public Relations
missionaries to the UN. He was the president of the Idaho Senate prior to retirement. We have
really enjoyed knowing them.

We are finally able to go back to the El Salvador Consulate after a month of their asking that we not have class. They have been trying to register as many of their countrymen as possible, so they don't have to come to the Consulate to vote in January. They have all been working double shifts and didn't have time for our lessons. El Salvador is allowing voting by internet for the first time.

It was the Consul General's birthday, so we were invited to share the cake with him and his staff. He insisted that they sing Happy Birthday in English. It was awful, but we were grateful for his support.

Ever the gentleman, he did not blow
out the candles, he waved them out
with his hand. 

As we entered we heard screaming
and laughing. A mouse had been
spotted in the kitchen area and they
gave the cleaning lady the task of 
dispatching it. It was still there
somewhere when we left.

We were privileged, once again, with a visit from our oldest grandchild who lives in Baltimore. Dallin was able to get a couple of days off from his work to visit and go with us to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. The women who own franchises or who are directors in a franchise of Singers Company were invited to be the opening entertainment. Our daughter-in-law, Camille (married to our son Micah) has owned several, but has sold all but the Provo, Utah group. She expected to be there, so we were able to get the friends and family discount. It turned out that she was unable to come out, but we already had tickets so we decided to keep them and see the show. 

Outside the theater where moments later the security
guard was blessed with the miniature Leatherman
that I forgot to leave at home. Hope he finds it useful.

Elder and Sister Taylor got tickets for the same
day, so we could enjoy it together.

In a town of over 8 million people,
in an exceptionally crowded theater,
Bobbi Wakely approached us and asked
Olivia if she was related to the Dahls from
Ruby Valley, or Starr Valley Nevada. She
runs a Singers Company in Elko, but lives in
Ruby Valley. She had served in the Primary
In Wells when Olivia's sister Claudia
served there, too. "She just looked like a
Dahl," she said to my question.

This lady told us that she knew Camille
and that most people in Singers Company
know Camille. She is a legend there.

This woman came from the 
performance and sat in front
of us. It turns out that she not
only knows Camille, but grew up
with her family, in Merced, CA.

Following a very few rehearsals, they performed
exceptionally well.

No photos allowed during the Rockettes' performance.
The stage, the sides of the stage, next to the proscenium
arch, in other words every possible space was used.

One of many scenes on the ceiling.

The entire show was perfectly timed, executed with precision, and every kind of spectacle was employed. It was almost tiring just to experience it. It still includes a nativity scene with live sheep, camels, and a donkey. We were even given 3D glasses to wear during a film scene.

Prior to our going into the City for the show, we went to the transfers meeting where the new missionaries were informed who their training companions would be. It is always an inspiring meeting. This time there were 24 new missionaries, 10 of whom are awaiting visas or entry authorization. Most are going to Vietnam and Liberia. They will get good training in NYC to prepare them for their ultimate missions.

Elder Robertson was the dentist in Logandale, NV
who served Dallin's dad and uncle prior to their
missions. He is the vehicle coordinator here, now.

One of the new missionaries is Sister DeLeon from
Micronesia. She happened to be somewhere that the
missionaries were teaching when she was 7 years old.
She begged her parents to let her be baptized when she turned 8. They refused at first, but eventually allowed the missionaries to teach the family. She,
her mother and sister were baptized. She is ready to go to work.

We were glad to have Dallin with us when we finally got home, because we had a car full of luggage for the sisters in Brooklyn. The difference between elders' luggage and sisters' luggage, is that you can lift the elders' luggage. We got the luggage to the missionaries' apartments and allowed Dallin to impress them by carrying it up their stairs.

Sister Degn will eventually go to Vietnam,
but she will receive excellent training
from Sister Heaps, an exemplary missionary.

On Saturday, before he had to leave, we went to Grand Central Station so Dallin could see that building and get some good shots with his impressive camera. We then walked a few blocks to the New York City Library, which we had never seen, we were short on time, so we only saw a small portion. We will have to go back to see the rest of it.

Getting a shot of the domed ceiling. Grand Central
Station still has trains coming in and out, but the
tracks and platforms are off to the sides and down
the stairs.

Inside this iconic building. There are still the cages
where tickets could be purchased back in the day.

Outside GCS. The light wasn't right to 
get a good shot of the statuary on the roofs.
Behind is the famous Chrysler building.

NYC Library

The twin lions are on either side of the
stairways. They are named Patience and
Forbearance, according to the website.

One of the displays features Winnie
the Pooh.

Another features Benjamin Franklin.

Examples of very ancient writing on
various tablets and stone.

There is a large section dedicated to 
Charles Dickens.

Part of a rough draft of Washington's
farewell address.

We were finally able to meet with Lynbrook Stake Presidency Counselor De La Hoz and High Councilor Brother Craig on Sunday. We had hoped that they would have all the sign-up sheets from every unit that were collected on the last Sunday of October. They did not, but it provided us a great opportunity to explain how the groups are set up, the facilitators assigned or called, and the opportunity to not only raise the self reliance of the members of the stake, but serve as a retention tool. Pres. DLH was very excited at the prospect and now wants to take the facilitator training and wants every bishopric, elders' quorum president and Relief Society president to take the training, too. They will promote the classes and start after the Holidays, in January. We felt prayers were answered here.

President De La Hoz is a
wonderfully inspired leader.

We are enjoying very cool, autumnal weather, still. We feel blessed in so many ways as we witness God's hand in so much that we do and witness. We stay busy and we try, though I seem to fall short more often than my companion, to be examples of the believers, valiant servants, and humble followers of the Savior of us all. Jesus Christ is not only the reason for the season, but the reason for our very existence. All our best to all of you.