Miracles Large and Small

 The title comes from Fiddler on the Roof with the song, "Miracles of Miracles" and is so applicable to what we see all the time in this mission. We sometimes get so caught up in the immediate needs, demands, and challenges that we fail to take time to recognize the miracles, large and small, that are happening all around us. We see them all the time, and need to be better at recording it.

We both have felt well enough to resume our normal schedule this week, but the El Salvador Consulate texted and asked that we not come due to the increased demand on their staff running up to the presidential election that took place on Sunday. The current president was handily re-elected due to the increased calm the country is experiencing with the severe crack down on gangs. For us it means that we will be 7 lessons from completing the English Connect 2 classes. We are meeting with the head of the Church's Public Relations Department in New York City to discuss who will replace us, later this week.

We knew we needed to sell our house in Idaho in order to move back to northeastern Nevada as soon as we could. We learned that the wife of the couple who bought Hannah's house has a sister who is interested in our house, so they could live close to one another. We made contact and invited her and her husband to go through it at their leisure. They did so and made a cash offer, as is, for the amount we wanted. We are just setting up the title/escrow account now. We will have the month of March to take care of things and move out. No small miracle - we are very grateful.

Just before Christmas last year, we got a call asking us to visit a woman in The Bronx who was the non-member widow of a man who had joined the Church, but died before he could receive his endowment in the temple. We got the permission form for her to sign and made the trip, visiting the Kingsbridge1st Ward as part of the effort. She was reluctant at first, but Olivia warmed her up enough to say she would think about it and ask her kids. She agreed that we could come back.

Getting close to the end of our mission, we decided to make the trip again and to visit the new Bronx YSA Branch while we were there. We went well before church was to start, but she wasn't available, so we made arrangements to visit her after church. Both of us had made it a matter of fasting and prayed for success. When we got there, she was not dressed to receive visitors, but several grandchildren (all adults) were there. One, probably the oldest, came out and talked with us in the hall. He was very receptive, and remembered John Young, the missionary who had help teach his Grandpa. He took the form with an envelope upon which I wrote our address. Olivia was masterful at explaining the temple covenants and work for the dead. He also graciously accepted the plate of cookies with a big smile. Another miracle for which we have confidence.

Branch President Romero and his
family.

The branch was so typical of the Bronx units of the Church. The branch is quite small, the sacrament was passed by three men, two of which wore hoodies and jeans. There are very few women in the branch, it is almost all men who have been baptized not more than a few months. There were several friends attending for the first time and the missionaries are busy, working hard, and inspiring. The branch president is very qualified, and his counselors are anxious to do a good job. We were able to talk to a counselor afterward about self reliance. He has been a facilitator and is anxious to have members of his branch involved with the next group of classes.

The Lynbrook Stake was very successful with their self-reliance devotional in October, but have not been able to get anything started because of leadership issues. We have worked with the new stake specialist who has been frustrated with the lack of movement. We made that a matter of fasting, as well. Today, she contacted us asking if we could train 5 new facilitators! Another miracle. They usually come with a good deal of work, as this did.

The temple in Manhattan will close  on March 3rd for three years, so Elder and Sister Baer made arrangements for all the senior missionaries to attend a session on Saturday. Everyone was able to attend and then have lunch in the church that is housed in the same building. All the couples were there, except one - they are having some medical challenges. Another couple had to man the Family Search room, but were able to join us for a short time at lunch.

Arrangements were made for pizza from a shop
where one of the YSA members works.

She made sure we got plenty of Bishop's pizza. It is a combination pizza that is pure enough for a bishop!

L to R: Bringhursts, Baers, Petersons, Barnes, Wynes, Dittmans,
Fronks, Humphries, us, Robertsons, Aagards, Gudmansens,
Taylors, Elder Driggs (wife was in Family Search Center)

There is another couple who are temple missionaries until the temple closes. Their mission will change to MLS missionaries in one of the Manhattan wards for the duration of their call. They were the officiating pair for our temple session. Unfortunately, I don't remember their names. 

Outside the temple, likely for the last time. Taylors,
Barnes, us, and Robertsons.

The temple's closing is a big issue for so many. Transportation to Philadelphia or Hartford is not as available or as inexpensive. The missionaries are able to attend the baptism sessions with their new converts if ward members attend with them. That will continue by chartered bus, but it will be a greater challenge because of the time it takes to get there and back. With over 200 baptisms a month, the temple has been busy with the new members.

January 25th was all scheduled for our annual Burns Supper, where we celebrate the bard of Scotland, Robert Burns. Unfortunately, there was too much COVID going among us, so we delayed it until this month. It was a small affair, but Olivia pulled off a grand meal. Along with traditional Haggis (Olivia style), we enjoyed mince and tatties, peas, scones with lemon curd, short bread, trifle, and "scotch and soda" (cream soda mixed with lemonade). I recited "Address to the Haggis", Olivia piped in the haggis, Elder Barnes recited the Selkirk Grace, Sister Barnes gave the blessing on the food, and Elder and Sister Taylor gave the toasts to the lassies and laddies. Mostly, we just enjoyed each other's company. The best part of the affair is that there are always great leftovers!

Olivia took the picture prior to piping in the haggis.

Sister Taylor loved the trifle, and the 
"scotch and soda."

The desserts: trifle and shortbread.

We get so involved with missionaries and members when we visit a ward or branch, that we forget to take pictures. I'm sorry there is so much text without pictures at the beginning. Here are some random pictures:

By the time church was over and we made it to
the Whitestone Bridge, it was dark. We had never
seen the skyline with all the lights.

This little parade passes by our window every
morning. They are so cute Olivia has at least a 
dozen pictures of them.

Three of our Jewish neighbors on a 
Sabbath walk through Forest Park. 
Taking the scenic route from shul.