Birthday, Brooklyn, Door Bells, & Music

Next Tuesday is Transfer Day in the mission.  For a week afterward, it is a bit confusing for me because of all the changes happening. There are people (18 sisters and 3 elders) who will be going home and those who are coming (9 sisters and 6 elders). It is the “domino effect”. There will be new companionships, most of them moving to new areas with different phone numbers too. It takes a few days for the dust to settle and the new phone and address lists to be printed.  I have to take careful  notes with phone numbers attached so I can follow up and retrace my steps if I need to. I think I mentioned this previously, but it is difficult sometimes to hear the names of the missionaries when they call.  I can see the number on my phone and look for it on the phone list so I can see who it was who called.  Won’t be able to do that next week.  At least for 2-3 days.

I came a few days before the last transfer so that means I have been here for 7 weeks.

I have grown fond of several of the sisters who are going home.  I went to Corona, a predominately Hispanic area, on Monday to have street tacos with Sister Placheta who is leaving and her companion, Sister Maddox.  The area reminded me a little of Tijuana with vendors and fruit stands on the street.  It is more modern than Tijuana but still reminiscent.  My white hair was definitely out of place.

The street vendor selling tacos was not there Monday so we had "street tacos" in a restaurant.

Streets of Corona.

My first solo ride on the train! I had detailed texted instructions for getting to Corona.
Made it fine. Got lost coming home. The verbal instructions went in one ear and out the other.
I was half way to Manhattan when I realized I hadn't changed trains when I should have. OOPS!!

Tuesday I was treated royally.  Thank you to all of my family and friends who thought of me on my birthday.  The mission office staff called me and sang happy birthday and I had many other calls and remembrances come my way.  That evening, five of the senior couples treated me to dinner at a Peruvian restaurant. Sister Reynolds, wife of the mission president, joined us for a time before she had to leave for other obligations.

I had Peruvian fried rice with carne asada and a drink, chincha morada, made from blue corn.  Sounds strange but it was actually very tasty.  One of the couples brought carrot cake for dessert.

I was so spoiled on my birthday. I had flowers, phone calls, candy, cards, candy, 
pictures, candy, slippers, candy, oven mitt, and CANDY!!
Lots of love and hugs and good thoughts and candy.

My birthday dinner.

My birthday dinner group. Love these people!

Peruvian drink, chincha morada made from bluepurplish corn.
It had chunks of apple floating in it.

Wednesday I went to a zone meeting in Jamaica.  I love going to these different areas of the city and to learn about the history of the area.  It is a middle class neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens, with a population of 48% Black, 22% Hispanic, 19.9% White, 10/5% Asian, and 9.4% Other. (2010 Census)

It was settled under Dutch rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp.  Under British rule, Rustdorp became the “Town of Jamaica”.  It became the first incorporated village on Long Island in 1814.

The area has many government buildings and is a major commercial center.  JFK airport is in Jamaica as is the Aqueduct Racetrack.

I used Thursday to play catch-up on my paper work. As mentioned in previous posts,  I have reports due weekly to the mission president and to the area doctor who is an elder called to a 3 year mission.  I usually spend Saturday and sometimes even a little on Sunday to get them finished.  I decided this week to get my excel document report to the president started on Monday and then add to it as the calls come in.  I think I will like it.  It just takes longer each day to do my “charting” to record each missionary and their illness.  BTW, I was able to submit the reports Saturday evening so no work on Sunday. I like it!!

I started Friday morning at 7:10 (At least she waited until after my walk.) with a cut hand.  The sister cut the “web” of skin between her thumb and index finger.  Took 12 stitches at urgent care to get her back together.  Whenever I get a call from a missionary who needs to see a dr, I have to call SLC to get authorization to send them to a doctor or other facility. It is not hard, it just takes time.  I don’t mind but the waiting missionary may not feel the same way.  Although it is a short wait compared to the 45 minutes it would take her to subway/bus to the urgent care.

In the afternoon, I went to Brooklyn for another zone meeting. This one was in Dyker Heights.  I wished I'd had the time to drive around the area.  In its history, I read that the area was one of expensive homes in the 1800’s  and was an exclusive area in which to live and still be close to Manhattan.  The area where the chapel is seems now to be Chinese predominately, at least in the businesses.  In that zone there are Spanish, Chinese, and English speaking missionaries.

On my way home, I followed the river for a way looking across into Manhattan.  I noticed the Brooklyn Bridge particularly this time.  I think I have always been so focused on the buildings across the river that I’ve never really looked at the bridge from the Brooklyn side before.  It is a beautiful bridge.  It is not spectacular as some big metal, shiny, new bridges but stately in its solidity.

Looking at the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn.

I also found 10 cool facts about Brooklyn:

1. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883

2. The first roller coaster built as an amusement ride was invented by LaMarcus Thompson at Coney Island in 1884.

3. In August and September of 1776, the Battle Of Long Island (also called the Battle of Brooklyn) was fought in Kings County. It was the first major battle in the American Revolutionary War following the Declaration of Independence and the largest battle of the entire conflict.

4. Famous Celebrities born in brooklyn include Barabra Streisand, Mos Def, Larry King, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Mike Tyson, Richard Dreyfuss and Jay-Z to name a few.

5. Twizzlers candy was developed by the National Licorice Company in Brooklyn in 1845.

6. An Historic African American neighborhood located in what is now Bedford Stuyvesant is called Weeksville. Weeksville served as a refuge for many African-Americans who fled from Manhattan during the violent Draft Riot of 1863.  (Now I need to Google the “Draft Riot”.)

7. The Brooklyn based Topps company dumped 500 cases of their 1952 high series baseball cards into the ocean just off the Jersey shore in the early 60s? (current value would be well over $1 Billion)

8. Prospect Park makes up the largest green space in Brooklyn. This gem of a public space measures 585 Acres

9. Bay Ridge was the Brooklyn neighborhood that John Travolta whipped out his Saturday Night Fever dance moves.

10. Where did Brooklyn gets it name? Brooklyn is the anglicized form of the Dutch word Breuckelen and it is named after the municipality of Breukelen, in Utrecht province, in the Netherlands.

When the Dutch settled western Long Island they established a village near what are the present-day neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. They called it “Breukelen” after the town of Breukelen in Holland.

I tried to find a name so I could give credit to the person who posted these facts, but I couldn’t find it.  I found this info on Campus Edge BK.

Saturday morning after I got some of my “patients” cared for, I spent a couple of hours at the church next door helping to clean.  It really needed it.

A couple of elders than came and installed a door bell on the front door.  I could never hear people knock at the door so the senior couple over the housing sent a door bell my way.  They have tried to knock before and then had to send a text to tell me that they were at my front door because I couldn’t hear them.

Looking into the foyer from outside my front door. My door is to the right.
If someone was knocking on the outside door which is always locked,
I couldn't hear it before my new doorbell was installed.

In the afternoon/evening I went grocery shopping.  It was so crowded in the store and on the streets it took forever!! I later gave a couple of sisters a ride and I think they could have walked faster.  The traffic was at a crawl.

I think these orchids are beautiful. Don't you?

I was in crawling traffic Saturday afternoon so I was able to snap this picture,
through some tall grasses in a swampy area, of the sun setting.

I have some Tabernacle Choir and other CD’s that were given to me by dear friends before I left for my mission.  Music warms my soul and invites the Spirit and makes me feel closer to the Lord than any other thing except maybe prayer.  Music does speak to my soul.

I think that we sing in church and other meetings so often it becomes just the thing that we do.  Done without thought or meaning. Sunday morning I attended the Spanish ward that meets in the building next door to where I live.  Sisters Placheta and Maddox were singing the special number and they asked me to accompany them.  It was my blessing.

As I entered, I noticed that there was no prelude music. The hymns were accompanied on the piano.  No postlude either.  The spirit was strong though in the meeting.  The priesthood passed the sacrament with reverence and respect like I have never witnessed before.  The boys/men were all in long sleeved white shirts with dark pants and ties.  They stood erect with their left hands behind their backs as they passed the trays.  The room was silent except for a few children who made little noises.  I saw no one on their cell phones.

I felt the spirit intensely.  I missed the prelude and postlude but with the little Spanish I studied in school and my years with Kay speaking Spanish nearly every day, I was able to join in singing the hymns. They are beautiful in Spanish.  I didn’t understand most of what was said but it was a rewarding and spiritual experience none-the-less.

May you feel the Spirit of the Lord around you as you listen to music that fills your soul with love.

I love you my family and friends.

I can't resist taking pictures of Manhattan in the mornings when I'm walking.
Love how the sun's reflection makes the skyscrapers golden.

In the mornings I leave the house at 6:30 to walk. One morning after a rain storm, I watched these pigeons taking a bath
in this puddle of gross, dirty water. They didn't seem to mind that it was windy and chilly and that the water was yuck!!
They were having fun splashing and flapping their wings. I think I saw smiles on their faces too.

I drove through an area of nicer stand alone homes in the Richmond area of Queens.

  

A different kind of garden.

There are even gardens in the city. This small back yards is used entirely for food garden.

This garden has chain link all around it. Even on top. I don't know if this one had it or not but
I've seen others where cucumbers and squash and other vine type plants grew on the chain link on top and sides.
Makes me wonder how the plants underneath get enough sun.

And did I mention CHOCOLATE!!

I'm still trying to learn how things work here, but it seems that there are zone training meetings about once a month.  I like to go to as many as I can because it gives me the opportunity to chat with and to get to know the missionaries a little better.  I also like to present a message concerning their health. I attended three zone meetings this week.

I chose to talk about how our health can affect every aspect of our lives from play, to work, to socialization, to being happy, to teaching the Gospel, etc. Illness is a reality of life, but in spite of that, our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy.  In 2 Nephi 2:25 it states that "Men are that they may have joy."

The Lord has affirmed this by providing us with revealed instructions concerning our health, which if followed, will increase both the length of our lives and our joy in it.  The most familiar of these scriptures is the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants.  We all know the Word of Wisdom as the should and should not of healthy living.

In my little talk, I go into it a little more and discuss some of the good things we should eat and how to be clean in both our bodies and our homes.  I talked about proper rest and exercise and taking advantage of modern technology that gives us medication and vaccines (Yes. I'm still pushing for flu vaccine injections.) to help us get healthy and to stay healthy.

In the 59th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, it says that the foods of the earth are "to be used, with judgment, not to excess."  So I talk a little about not over-eating and obesity.  On this particular matter, I think the lesson was addressed to the teacher.  I reviewed the points that will help maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle.

I think they liked it.  I ended with the Sister Petersen 6 food groups:

1.    Fruits and vegetables.
2.    Chocolate
3.    Dairy products and good quality protein
4.    Chocolate
5.    Whole grains
6.    And did I mention CHOCOLATE!!

They all know by now that I like chocolate.  I have teased everyone about the health benefits of dark chocolate such as it is a good source of magnesium and will elevate your mood and make you feel happy.  So whenever I see the elders that live in my neighborhood their first comment is always "Hello Sister Petersen.  I'm feeling a little low in magnesium today." I have spoiled them in that I try to have chocolate on hand, and I usually do, unless I myself, have been low on magnesium.

My cache of magnesium. It's not dark but it will do in a pinch.

I have had the usual number of calls and the missionaries who need my help this week but it is rewarding to me when I follow up with them and they express so much gratitude for my help.  Mostly they just need to know they are loved.  (I think I've said that before.)  I've acquired quite a number of grandchildren here.

One of the meetings I attended was in Flushing.  It is an area of ethnic diversity as is all of the city of New York.  The newest large group is Chinese and Oriental.  There are about 10 communities in the area where Chinese live.  I've been told that the Chinese area in Manhattan is declining and people are moving to Flushing.  I Googled that and found that Flushing has the largest Chinese population in the whole area.  In the 2013 census, Flushing had a Chinese population of 208,897.  Brooklyn had 195,750.  Manhattan had 97,461 with a total in the greater New York City area of 522,619.  I wish I had taken more time to explore the area and maybe eat there but I had other obligations waiting for me. Next time.

 I also attended a meeting out in Terryville, a little more than an hour drive out onto Long Island.  The air was crisp and the sky blue.  The trees are still beautiful but I saw more bare branches than the last time I was there.  There are some Savers stores out there and I saw a Fresh Market.  Parking lots everywhere! Ok! No parking lot rant today.   I wanted to go to a Savers to see if I could find some inexpensive wall décor for my apt. I put the address into Joan (my GPS). and we went on our merry way.  She led me astray.  She took me to a bar!!  Don't know where that came from.  Since I didn't have time to find another store, I will have to save Savers for next time I'm on the island.

Since I know that I have ancestors from New York, I wondered if Terryville might have connections to my Terry family.  I couldn't find any history on Google that would confirm that but it was fun to think that perhaps it did.  I think there is a Terryville Museum so if I can arrange the time next time I go out there, I want to go to the museum and find out about the history of the area.

The zone leaders in Terryville did an amazing job of inviting the Spirit to the meeting.  They started it with a video about the Savior, the sacrament, and the atonement.  I was tearful, but then we sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic and that always makes me cry.  Needless to say, I had a difficult time with my presentation.  I left out the humor because I didn't want to destroy the Spirit there.  My testimony always grows when I am reminded of the love of the Savior, his atonement for my sins, sorrows, trials, illnesses, and all cares, and the importance of the sacrament in always remembering Him and wanting Him to be near to me.

How blessed we are to have the Gospel restored.  Having a living prophet and scriptures to teach and guide us is a wonderful gift from our loving Father in Heaven.

I love you my family and friends

My living room wall with my family pics. Loving it!!

This pic hangs over my computer. I love and miss these 12 beautiful people. They keep me company while I work.

 I miss Zupas. Had to make my own salad.

Two of my sweet missionaries.

Sister Hawkins by me and Sister Christensen taking the pic.

We pigged out at Smashburger.

Had lunch at Panera one day. Saw these bear claws and it reminded me of the trip that Jim took Kay and me on to Key West.
We stopped at every Panera we saw so Kay could get a bear claw. He wasn't eating much by then but he craved a bear claw.

I saw this worker in a grocery store. I have never seen dreads like this. It was all I could do to keep myself from going over and pulling on it. I asked a woman who helps in the mission about it and she said her husband had dreads that long before he joined the church.

 I saw this pic on the net. It is such a beautiful color. I could almost smell this rose. Had to share

Much of the iron work on houses around here is like this. It looks like stainless steel.
There is also a lot of black and white iron work but I like this stainless look.

This is a building in Richmond Hill that I like. It is interesting to me

Long Islsnd

One of our morning walks.

Rainy day in Rego Park.

I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded!

Missionary work brings me great joy!

Even though the work I do is not your "typical" missionary work, I find that interacting with the proselyting missionaries and hearing their stories makes me happy.  I can work behind the scenes to help the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ progress by helping maintain the health of the missionaries.

The sisters who live upstairs brought me a cupcake and shared a story with me.

Sister Hammarstrom loves cupcakes.  Almost every day they would walk by a bakery that displayed delicious looking cupcakes and other bakery items.  Sister Hammarstrom would say "I really want a cupcake."  But Sister Batsurri would answer that they didn't have time.  One day as they passed, the urge for a cupcake was overwhelming and Sister Hammarstrom told Sister Batsurri that they had to stop.  They went in and began to talk to the proprietor as they were selecting the cupcakes.  They asked her if she knew about Jesus Christ and if she would like to know more about Him and His church.  They have gone back now for two discussions and, of course, cupcakes.

My testimony grows each time I hear stories like this where the missionaries are led in one way or another to those who are receptive to hearing about the Gospel.

On Monday night the senior missionaries, 6 couples, came to family home evening and dinner. Fun evening of chatter and laughter.  I cooked way too much pulled pork so I made pulled pork chili and invited elders and sisters to dinner on Thursday evening.

Thursday night dinner crowd. I love it!!!

Wednesday morning, Sister Prince needed some office supplies and wanted to go to Costco,  I needed to pick up some pictures (prints).  I offered to drive but she likes to walk and so do I so the other office secretary, Sister Duke, came along with us on our walk to Costco.  When we came out it was pouring rain. Needless to say, we were soaked by the time we got back. It was a warm rain so we didn't get cold.  Sister Prince from Texas is always cold, so she wears a coat most of the time.  New Yorkers always wear coats and jackets.  I know something must be wrong with me because I am always too hot!

Walking home from Costco in the rain. Sister Prince and Sister Duke.

One set of elders was in a car accident last week.  They were rear ended.  I didn't know about it until the elder over the cars asked me to call the father of one of the elders involved in the accident.  His son had communicated that he had headache and neck pain after the accident.  I called to check on the elders.  They both said they were ok.  The pain was only for one day.

Thursday, one of them called with severe sharp pain at the base of his skull.  He went to the ER last evening so I was up and by the phone until midnight when he was sent home with muscle relaxers and pain med. I thought for a time I would have to drive out on the island to Patchogue but he, the elder, told me he would be ok if I didn't go.  Wouldn't have minded but I really didn't want to drive out there in the night.  I would probably asked one of the senior couples to come with me.  I slept in a little Friday morning because I was up so late.  I worked with insurance stuff for the accident most of Friday morning.  Whew!  Think I'm done for now.  Still waiting for a call from the hospital to give them the info they need.  I'm learning a lot in this position.

Elder and Sister Prince will be going home in February.  Sister Prince wanted to see Le Miz and since Elder Prince had already seen it, she invited me to come along.  Saturday we went into Manhattan for the 2:00 matinee. We were a little early so we walked around doing a little sight-seeing. Cried through the play but enjoyed it none-the-less.

Times Square

Spicy chicken empanada from street vendor on Times Square.

Imperial Theater

Sister Prince. She is a small woman. Nine children.

Entrance into the theater.

Times Square at night.

The ball at the top that drops on New Year's Eve.

Just one of the street acts.

Saturday evening was Stake Conference.  Sunday, the session was unusual by any conference I have ever attended. One of the speakers was the chief of police in Island City.  He is a Christian, Catholic, and he was invited to come and talk about the importance of good relations with the police and the people of the cities.  It's all about being a true Christian, regardless of race, color, or creed. I was very impressed.

Waiting for the train to go to stake conference.

Police chief talking in Stake Conference.

There are many languages in the mission. Some talks today were in Spanish and some in English
but their were headsets for other languages too.

Sunday evening, Sister Batsurri from Mongolia, brought my dinner.  She had made Asian soup called Takturitan.  It had chicken, carrots, and potatoes in a spicy broth.  She served it over rice with a spoonful of mashed potatoes on top.  It was good.

I finished my weekly reports and I am set to start a new week.

As I said in the beginning, my responsibilities are not exactly the same as proselyting missionaries.  However, I do feel and pray for direction from the Lord in my work.  I value the direction of the Spirit in caring for and ministering to the missionaries.  I love these young people so full of enthusiasm and love of the Gospel and the Savior and the work they are doing.  It is contagious!  It brings me joy to see them recover from their aches and pains and to be able to carry on the work.  I see them going out doing the Lord's errand even when they don't feel 100%.  They have to call me when they aren't well enough to work and it amazes me that I have few of these calls.  They are dedicated and that makes me want to be dedicated in doing my part too. 

I get to advise on health care, both physical and mental, and I try to uplift the missionaries spiritually too.  I can't tell you how much I value the direction of the Spirit in my work. (I know I already said that but it is so true.) I pray daily that I will be sensitive to that guidance.  Often I will get a call and I will be able to remember things I've learned or heard in the past that makes it possible to advise and direct.  Things I don't think I would recall without the help of the Lord.  His direction has helped me to learn the protocols required for providing care:  Whom I must call and when in order to make appointments and insurance requirements work.  I value the way the church has organized the resources that make it possible for me to do this calling.

"…I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandedth them"  1 Nephi 3:7   The scripture is true.

Missionary work is so rewarding.  The harder I try to repay the Lord for his care and gifts and blessings, the deeper I am in his debt.

I love you my dear family and friends.

Park by my apt.

This tree in the park is so beautiful

The day you had snow

French macaroons- didn't get a cannoli nor cheesecake. Macaroons this week.
Had to have one before I could take the picture