HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLIE BEAN!!
SUCH a grand week this past week has been! We had Mission Conference on Tuesday, my BiRtHdAy on Wednesday, and General Conference on Saturday and Sunday! It WAS a wonderful week. Last P-Day, for my birthday, our District went out to Dinosaur Barbeque and celebrated by sightseeing and shopping around in Manhattan. I still can't get over this city- it's amazing. I've attached some pictures- the one of the big buildings and the congested traffic below is taken from our balcony where we live- on the 19th floor overlooking Lexington Avenue! That kind of traffic is normal for 8:30 in the morning. The other picture of the tall buildings is straight out my window!
SO much is happening right now! Elder Huerta Luna and Elder Mattei and I are busy and loving it. We just had 4 baptisms last week- so this past week we've been focusing on helping those recent converts and finding new people to help and teach. One of my favorite things we get to do as Missionaries is help with service opportunities. We were helping a couple move all of their things from one shelter to another nearly 45 blocks away and then up 5 flights of stairs without elevators. As we hauled and hauled things into their apartment, the wife began to cry and told us how grateful she was for our help, and that nobody else would have done that for them. It's truly a miracle to see the Gospel in action! G.I.A! We also get to go to a food pantry every Friday morning and transport and pack and bag fresh fruits and vegetables and canned goods and distribute them to the many people who depend on the pantries for food for them and their families.
I just LOVED General Conference! Ahhh! It was so great! We watched it on little televisions in the gym on the 4th floor of the Harlem Chapel! It's such a strange feeling to sit there and watch Conference about to start as Motab sings and the camera pans around Temple Square and the beautiful Utah mountains... talk about nostalgic! I always feel very close to home and sensitive to the Spirit during conference time. I have tried to explain it to people... to a Missionary (at least for me), Conference brings the same anticipation and giddy excitement that Christmas brings when you are not a missionary. To hear all the familiar voices of the Prophet and the Apostles and hear the beautiful music is so energizing. Because NY doesn't block out their news stations to broadcast it to every household in the State (hahah good old UT), many members go to the Chapel to see Conference. Spanish, English, French, Chinese, ASL- we're all here watchin! There is such a power and reverence that comes upon the Chapel at Conference- the messages shared by the leaders of the church span all cultures, languages, backgrounds and lifestyles- and we band together as a Faith to listen and learn. It's a powerful experience.
I feel so blessed to be finishing my Mission here in Harlem. WHAT an adventure I am having. I am seeing and learning and experiencing SO much- and I pray that I am able to make a difference in somebody's life here in these final months of my Mission. Onward and upward, then! :)
All is well! The Church is True!
Always and Forever,
B
