Ayushman Bhava: "May you live a long life"

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.  It was my first without my family but it was never-the-less a day of celebration and gratitude for our Savior's life.  I cherish the kind thoughts and gifts of love and support that I received from my family and my "family" of friends.

The week was full of preparation and activities.

At our senior couples FHE/dinner on Monday, we decorated and filled bags with gifts for those elders and sisters who didn't receive gifts/ packages from home.  Sister Prince takes care of the mail.  All mail comes through the office so she monitored the packages and recorded who received boxes.  That way she could tell who didn't receive. The bags were filled with toothpaste, toothbrush, candy, fruit, cake/brownie mixes, misc. goodies and stocking caps and ties for the elders and necklaces and scarves for the sisters.

Preparing gift bags for missionaries.

Wouldn't you know it, we have a Sister PRINCE and a Sister DUKE right here in QUEENS!!

Our FHE treat thanks to my brother, John Terry, the cook.
He sent me a huge box of homemade fudges of different flavors. We were all blessed by his talents.

Tuesday, Sister and Elder Duke escorted the missionaries on their 6, 12, or 18 month temple trip (The missionaries have the gift of going to the temple in Manhattan on the anniversary of their 6, 12, 18 months in the mission.) so that left Elder and Sister Prince to man the office.  I went over in the afternoon and helped Sister Prince with all of the mail. For the past 3 weeks or more, between all the carriers, there have been dozens of boxes delivered each day to put into the zones for dispersal.  That was almost a full time job especially this last week as Christmas drew near.

Tuesday evening I went with the Spanish speaking sisters, in a down pour, to a lesson.  They are teaching an English speaking lady from India.  The sister will be coming to my ward so the missionaries wanted her to meet me so she would have someone at church that she knows.  It was truly an experience I will embrace. We were drenched by the time we got there but Ruma, the investigator, was warm and inviting.  She didn't seem to mind that we were dripping on her hardwood floors.

Sisters Maddox and Jenkins on our way to teach a lesson.

On our way home, the water was over the curb and onto the side walk.
Even with umbrellas we were drenched head to toes.
By the way you should try walking down a crowded sidewalk
when everyone has umbrellas open. Quite a trick!!

Ruma was pleased, as was I, that I had come to her home.  She is a young mother with two boys. One looked to be 12 or a bit older and the other maybe 8 or 9.  She wants to be baptized but her husband says no.  The lesson was about the word of wisdom.  It was easy for her as she does not smoke nor drink.  She drinks herbal tea but not green nor black tea. 

As I left, she reached down and touched my feet.  I was a bit taken aback but she told me it was a custom in her country. We agreed to see each other at church.

When I got home, I Googled the custom of touching a person's feet in India.  "Feet are considered unclean and insulting in India, so it can be surprising to see a Hindu bending down to touch someone's feet with their hand. Why are they doing that?

Touching feet is one of the forms of pranam (there are others, ranging from the namaste/namaskar gesture of palms together to bowing with forehead touching the floor). You might even hear someone say, "Pranam!" as a greeting, especially to their guru.

A gesture of respect, foot touching is reserved for your elders (like your parents or grandparents) or someone worthy of respect (such as a priest, guru, or deity).

There is a saying, "Every time you bow, you receive a blessing" which comes from the fact that the person whose feet are being touched raises the right hand in a gesture of blessing, often saying something like, "Ayushman Bhava," which means, "May you live a long life."

Foot touching is not done despite feet being considered unclean - it's done because feet are generally considered unclean. It means that the person has walked this earth longer than you and gained such wisdom that you can benefit even from the dust their feet have picked up along the way."

After learning about this gesture, I was deeply touched.

Christmas Eve day we had a mission conference.  All 11 zones came to the chapel next door to my apt where the mission office is located so I didn't have far to go.  The day started with hot chocolate, muffins, juice, and clementines.  We had funny parodies of Christmas music with each zone preparing a number.  Our zone performed a medley of songs with the words changed to fit our mission. We weren't "gettin' nuttin' for Christmas cause President and Sister Reynolds were mad."  We sang Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.  Bet you can't guess who Rudolph was with antlers and all!  (They forgot to bring the red nose but no one seemed to mind.) We also sang a couple of other songs. It was fun.  With 11 zones, it took most of the morning to hear all of the "mashed up" versions of Christmas songs. 

We arrived early to prepare hot chocolate. Elder and Sister Lilly beside me.

The senior couples helped with the luncheon. The main course was catered. Whew!! We served over 230 people: ham, scalloped potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad, rolls, and chocolate cake with either peppermint or vanilla ice cream.

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight... No snow in sight!!

After lunch, we had a guest speaker who is a stake patriarch in the area and then talks by Sister and President Reynolds.  President Reynolds presented the mission goals for 2016.

Someone airdropped this to me during the conference

That evening I went with the six Spanish speaking missionaries in our zone to dinner at a member's home in Jackson Heights.  Luckily it wasn't raining but it was warm (60 degrees) and the house was hot! That was an interesting experience. We arrived at 6:00 but dinner wasn't served until almost 8:00. They had a dance contest.  It was a laugh-filled evening.  The matron of the home didn't speak English.  Her daughter and the daughter's husband prepared dinner and provided the entertainment. We had pork, warm potato salad, and Puerto Rican rice.  Chocolate cake and a glass of milk was dessert.  As we were leaving, the rest of the guests began to arrive. I understand that they party all night.

My dinner companions(left to right):
Elders Pothier & Corzo, Sisters Jenkins & Maddox, Elders Messenger & Pena  

Boys will be boys!

The dance contest winners. The dance was performed riding a stick horse to some lively music.
An example of a horse was shown in video. It was a Paso Fino.
We were to dance as the horse had "danced" slapping our hip as we would a horse. Very silly.

We were visited by the Grinch.

We were very late getting home because of the late dinner so I was up until 1:30ish preparing the French toast strata for the Christmas morning brunch.  I didn't mind though.  I loved the experience at the Hispanic home.

Christmas morning Sister and Elder Duke, Sister and Elder Prince and I prepared brunch for the five sets of missionaries in our close area. I so enjoy having friends in my home.  That afternoon and evening I was able to FaceTime my family members.  What a wonderful day!

Looking out my bedroom window Christmas morning.

Christmas brunch.

Saturday morning I helped clean at our chapel. Our ward was assigned again.  The chapel was a mess because of the many festivities that were held there during the week. People clean up after themselves- sort of - not!  In the afternoon I did my laundry and reports.  A productive day.

This week as I have studied my scriptures, I thought more about my idea of the Light of Christ that I mentioned last blog.  I have re-thought my statement.  I no longer feel that the darkness the people of this continent experienced when Christ died was a result of His light leaving the earth with Christ's death. I think it could have been symbolic but it was only on this continent, not the entire world, that there was darkness.

I also chatted about this idea with a person whom I respect deeply and who has a greater knowledge of the scriptures than do I.  Samuel the Lamanite, in Helaman 14, prophesied of the birth of the Savior and also of His death. At His birth there would be "one day and a night and a day" of continual light and a new star in the heavens. Then speaking of mankind's need of the Atonement and resurrection, Samuel prophesied of the signs of Jesus' death, three days of darkness accompanied by storms and earthquakes.

These signs were "gifts" to the people to let them know assuredly that the Savior had come, had died, and was resurrected and that prophecies had been fulfilled.

I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and for the teachings of the prophets that can be found in this book.  I am grateful for the Savior and His gifts to me.  I am grateful for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for my membership in the church. I know without doubt that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He loves me and He loves you.

I am blessed to be here in this mission, to be with the missionaries and to have been able to share in the experiences of being with investigators and members. As Sister Maddox reminded me as we walked through the rain, I was getting a feel for what they experience frequently.  I've always appreciated what the missionaries do but this did truly give me a taste of real missionary life. To borrow from the phrase noted for the mail carriers that also applies to these great missionaries: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

I love you my family and friends.

My favorite Santa!  Love this man!

Many delis/markets have flower shops outside. A month ago, they set up this portable green house.
The store owner leaves a window open for heat.

Christmas tree sales, New York style.

It's Christmasy here in Rego Park

This week has been rather mundane.  No travels nor new sights to share.  However, life is never dull here in Rego Park, New York!

Wednesday was trainee/trainer meeting at the chapel next door.  Last one, 6 weeks ago, I called "orientation for new missionaries."  That was when I was still new to the program.  Now I have learned the proper name for the meeting.  See!  I am learning!!

Tuesday I prepared the handouts and health kits so I would be ready for Wednesday. I wrapped some packages and sent them in the mail.

I received a box of lovingly made Christmas ornaments from my grandchildren and their mothers and aunts.  I had fun decorating my home with them. I look Christmasy here.

My grandchildren made these cute ornaments for my tree but my tree is about
16 inches tall so I decorated my living room with them.

Hand prints made into a wreath. Love these hand prints and the hands that made them.

My little tree given to me by a senior couple who thought I should have a tree.

I have made candied nuts and bought some Lindor chocolates at Costco so I can put together little goodie bags for some of the members and missionaries.

I've had a few interesting missionary cases this week:  rashes on various body parts, dog bite on the eyelid, bugs (lice and bedbugs), neck injury, and the usual colds and stomach viruses although things on the nursing front have been relatively light.  I think they are all excited about Christmas and have been working extra hard to share the new Church Christmas video, A Savior Is Born.  The missionaries have been showing it on the street, on the buses and subways, and anywhere the opportunity presents itself. They have been too busy to think about themselves and to be sick.  This is good on all counts!!

I've walked except for two days when it was raining and I try to exercise.  I'm so glad that no one can hear me nor see me down on the floor stretching and twisting and making grunting sounds. I even make myself giggle.  I'm not as flexible as I once was.  And that's an understatement!

I will miss being with my family and friends through the holidays.  I will miss serving at Grace Mary Manor Christmas morning and being with my children and grandchildren Christmas night watching them enjoy one another and laugh and play.

I will miss singing with a choir in church although I am singing with a choir here in Rego Park. It is just not the same somehow.  Being with the people you have known for many years is wonderful.  I am making new friends here and they are wonderful too but…

We will have an entire mission get-together on Christmas Eve day with skits, songs, and food. Promises to be entertaining.  (Report next week.) Christmas morning, Elder & Sister Prince and Elder & Sister Duke and I will have a brunch here at my apt for the five sets of missionaries in our immediate area.  (I will send pictures next week.)  My mission family is great and I love them all.

Saturday evening, I "crashed" the Spanish Ward Christmas party.  The sisters and elders were doing a skit titled "A Day in the Life of a Missionary. I went to watch them.  It was funny.  Two elders sat at a table and two elders behind them were their arms.  One of the sisters read a script.  It was hilarious.  I tried to take a video of it but it is not too good.  I was too far away.  Fun times and a good laugh.

Spanish Ward Christmas party.

Before I close, I want to share something with you. A few days ago, Katie told me about a presentation she is doing in Primary this Sunday.  She is giving the children a piece of gypsum as an ornament.  If you hold the gypsum up, you can see the light shining through it.  She will attach a card that reads: "This gypsum ornament can remind you that you have been given the Light of Christ. The Light of Christ helps you to know what is good and to do good.  It also helps to prepare you for the Holy Ghost.  You can keep the Light of Christ shining brightly through you by 'praying, studying the scriptures, fasting, serving, and obeying the commandments'. Elder Robert D. Hales"

Our conversation about her presentation caused me to want to know more about the Light of Christ. The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things.  Every person is born with the light of Christ within him or her.  The light of Christ serves as the person's conscience and natural moral guide. 

In the Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-12  I read:  "He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;   Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;   As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;   And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.   And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;   Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space-"

Today in my scripture study, I was reading in 3 Nephi 8 about what happened on this continent  after the crucifixion of Christ.  There were tempests, earthquakes, fires, whirlwinds, and physical upheavals. Cities and people were destroyed.  In verses 17 and 18 it says that the face of the whole earth became deformed and the rocks were rent in twain and found in broken fragments in seams and in cracks upon all the face of the land.  All of this wreckage took place in the space of three hours.  After this there was darkness on the face of the land. The darkness was thick insomuch that the people who were left could feel the vapor of darkness.  In verse 21: "And there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceedingly dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all."

In 3 Nephi 9, through the darkness, the voice of Christ proclaimed the destruction of many people and cities for their wickedness.  He proclaimed His divinity and invited the people to come unto Him and be saved.

This total darkness - no stars, moon, nor sun- lasted for three days.

I couldn't help but think today as I read these verses, that the Savior had died.  His light left the earth. He was resurrected in three days and then there was Light.  I had never thought of this before and I have never heard anyone mention this or if they have, it didn't register, but to me in my mind, it explains why there was total darkness.

I am indeed grateful for the Light of Christ in my life and in all of our lives.  The Savior lives and loves us.  If we follow in His path and renew our covenants that we made at our baptism each Sunday as we partake of the Sacrament, we will be blessed as we serve each other, lift those who need lifting, and love everyone.

One of the senior couples who come to FHEdinner on Monday night's gave me this picture.

If you have a chance, you might watch this 3 part series of short videos called "Patterns of Light" in which Elder Bednar discusses how we receive and perceive light from God. It is worth it!

I pray that you will have the Light of Christ in your lives as you celebrate the day of His birth. I won't be with you in body but my heart and mind will be with you on this Christmas Day and always.

I love you my family and friends.

At Costco I saw this bag of chestnuts. 'Tis the season according to song.
I've never roasted nor tasted so thought I'd give it a try. Perhaps it is an acquired taste.
I think I'll just enjoy my chestnuts in music from now on.

All that glitters is not gold.

A different day. No gold. Just beautiful clouds.

Saturday, the coldest day since I've been here. Beautiful but windy.

"If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself."

I’ve been around the neighborhood again this week from Bensonhurst in Brooklyn to Riverhead on the east end of Long Island and to Manhattan.  Great week!

Tuesday in Bensonhurst was the last of the Mega-zone conferences.  I stayed for the entire conference and rotated to each of the four class/presentations given by President Reynolds, Sister Reynolds and each of the assistants to the president.  

Bensonhurst is an interesting area.  It was historically known as the Little Italy of Brooklyn.  Around 1989, an influx of immigrants from China and the former USSR began to arrive, changing the demographics.  As the Italian population aged, the number of Italians declined. There is now a large population of Chinese and the area has become home to Brooklyn’s China Town. 

In 1990 or 1991, I accompanied Kay when he brought Academy of Finance students from East and West High Schools to an exchange with a Brooklyn high school that was in the Bensonhurst area.  We went to the Stock Exchange and the Twin Towers and other areas of Manhattan that were of financial interest to the students.  We stayed in Brooklyn near the high school that hosted us.  We went to a pizza restaurant and I am thinking it was Lennys on 86^th Street. Lennys is still operating today.  It was featured in the opening scene of Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta. 

The chapel where the zone conference was held is located on 86^th Street.  If you have seen The French Connection with Gene Hackman, the famous car and subway chase scene took place along 86th Street. 

I had planned on driving down 86^th Street after the conference to look at Lenny’s but I ended up driving a couple of sisters home because they had packages that had been brought to them from the mission office.  It would have been difficult for them to take them on the train.  Another time when I am in Bensonhurst I will go to Lennys.

From Wikipedia:  “Bensonhurst has long been portrayed in film, art and literature; Thomas Wolfe mentions it in the 1930s in his short story, "Only The Dead Know Brooklyn", noted for being written entirely in "brooklynese". Later in the 1950s it was brought to fame by the television series The Honeymooners, and in the 1970s with Welcome Back Kotter, featuring a mixed-race cast, that was set in Bensonhurst.”

It was also on Tuesday that my big boy, Luther, was called home.  I know that he is enjoying his good health and times with Old Tillie and Kay and other canine friends. I admit it was a sad evening but I am happy for him in that now he can eat and play and be happy without pain.

My Luther and Tillie

Thursday, I went to Riverhead for a training meeting for Zone 11.  The zone leaders asked me if I would come and teach a class on nutrition.

About Riverhead and its history:  (I hope you don’t grow weary of my curiosity and interest in the places I visit and my constant referrals to Wikipedia.) European colonists purchased the 'Southold land' from the local Algonquian-speaking Native Americans and Shinnecock Indian Nation in 1649. An additional portion was purchased from Col. William Smith and divided among settlers in 1742.

The town of Riverhead was created in 1792 as part of new jurisdictions after the American Revolution.

The town of Riverhead is in Suffolk County, New York, on the north shore of Long Island. The population was 33,506 at the 2010 census. The town is on the mouth of the Peconic River, for which the town is named. Riverhead has been the county seat of Suffolk County since 1727. Riverhead contains the smaller hamlet of Riverhead, which includes the town's principal commercial downtown. Riverhead is located approximately 76 miles northeast of New York City and 166 miles southwest of Boston via the Orient Point–New London Ferry.  It would be fun to take this ferry some time.

Thursday was a beautiful day.  Partly cloudy but nice for the hour and a half drive each way.  It took a little longer coming back home at rush hour but that is ok.  The sunset was gorgeous.  Not quite a Utah sunset but I enjoyed it none-the-less.

Clouds are amazing.

Gas out into the Island is about 20-30 cents a gallon cheaper than in Queens.

Homeward bound from Riverhead.

Sunset

The temp as I drove home on Thursday evening about 530.

Saturday Sister Prince and I decided we would go to Manhattan to see the billboards and video-boards in Times Square and the tree and decorations in Rockefeller Plaza.   

Billboards and videoboards in Times Square.

Times Square

Christmas lights and the time in the morning.

Christmas lights, temperature, and a jogger in shorts in December!

Grooming the ice. "Jake, get off the ice!"

Me and Sister Prince.

Rockefeller Plaza

The tree

Front of Michael Kors store.

Since we were so close to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, we also went there.  Mass was in session so we could only look into the chapel.  

When I was in New York in March with Jim, the inside and outside of the cathedral was being cleaned.  There was scaffolding all around the building.  Now it is clean and beautiful with the marble almost white.  Before it looked gray.  I was told that the cleaning was finished just before the Pope came to visit.

St Patrick's Cathedral
"Roman Catholic cathedral church of the Archdiocese of New York, on 50th Street and 5th Avenue
in Manhattan. It was built by the architect James Renwick during the administration of Archbishop."

 

Doors of the cathedral.

Looking at Atlas across the street while standing on the steps of the cathedral.

Saks Fifth Avenue is decorated to the hilt!  Every window has a winter/Christmas-like scene in it mostly in white.  It was a fun excursion with Sister Prince.

 

Saks Fifth Avenue

 

Window displays

Inside the store.

This family was all dressed up and posing for someone to take their picture.
I thought the man's costume was funny so I took a pic too.

I came back to my apartment and finished my weekly reports.  Then Saturday evening was my ward’s Christmas dinner and party.  I didn’t get over to help set things up so I stayed after and did the dishes.

Cultural hall at the church Christmas party dinner.

 

Dinner was good- ham etc- but you can guess what was most important to me.

Cheese cake or plain cake. Not a difficult choice here!

The weeks are flying by. I turned in my 10th “weekly report” so I have been here over two months.  Seems like I’ve always been here but yet it still seems I just arrived yesterday.  Funny how time is with life.

As I was studying this week, I came across a poem and statement made by President Monson in April 1999.  I like the message.

“I met a stranger in the night, whose lamp had ceased to shine;

I paused and let him light his lamp from mine.

A tempest sprang up later on, and shook the world about,

And when the wind was gone, my lamp was out.

But back came to me the stranger—his lamp was glowing fine;

He held the precious flame and lighted mine. ¹⁰

 

Perhaps the moral of this poem is simply that if you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.”

I pray that I may always let my light shine that I may show the world about me that happiness and light come through the Savior Jesus Christ.  As we celebrate His birth, let’s remember that His life and resurrection are gifts to us and that without His Atonement, His birth would have been just the birth of another baby.  Let’s celebrate His birth and life and make this season a joyous one.

I love you my family and friends.

This came up when I opened my subway app before I got the app.
I'm sure you've noticed that on FB if you watch a video,
often a Christmas message from the Church comes up immediately after the video.
The Church is really pushing social media to spread the word.

Walked passed this beautiful building Saturday morning.

Difficult to see the building. I stepped out into the street to cross to the other side
just as a police car came down the street and turned on his flashing lights.
So... I didn't have time to walk to the corner, cross, and go back.
Therefore, you only get a sideward glimpse of the building.

Lettuce plants in a neighbor's little garden.

Misty but golden skyscrapers.

Went we walked passed this service station the first time on our early morning walk, a man who owns this cart had his shirt off and was shaving looking into a large convex mirror. I didn't dare take his picture. When we came back around the corner on our way home,  he was behind the building I assume dressing or finishing his daily cleaning out of sight. The large green box in the corner of the pic is a clothing drop off. My guess is that is where this homeless person may find "new" clothing. There are many homeless people on the streets. 

The temperature has been mild here. Almost balmy.