Monday, December 16
Hello! Looking down upon the street, umbrella's ate being used today! Rain....
Ron and I both napped a little, been a busy Monday.... laundry, the little hall where the washer and dryer reside is empty. Last loads in the washer and dryer! Ron worked on ordering this morning, a few items that are needed. I made out grocery lists and food lists and I think food so much of the time! Talking food, I way over made a breakfast casserole this morning...but now there is a 9x9 in the freezer, waiting for just the right time!
Later afternoon, Ron and I will take the mission van and head to Clinton New Jersey to meet with Elmer and Mary Ellen at a diner/ restaurant. Elmer isn't calling it our orientation, just talking....we look forward to the drive and seeing new sights and being with Elmers. Roger and Elsie graciously invited the boys to their apartment for supper. They had planned to eat out, but do get a little tired of that.
It looks like I need to head back to last Wednesday....my day consisted of laundry, made and baked cinnamon rolls and a big batch of chili. Guys came home for a late lunch and raided the fridge! A little before 4, all of us left the house... Rogers included and headed to Lincoln hospital. We crammed ourselves into very crowded busses....ones attitude sometimes needs to be readjusted in the bus! We were invited to sing 3 songs at their tree lighting ceremony! We stood around for a long time and watched all the coming and goings of free toys being handed out, to kids. Then we were led to the windows overlooking the plaza where the Christmas tree was. It was rainy, so I guess that is why we weren't outside! We sang 3 songs, then on the count of 10, they lit the tree! Pictures followed....and then we could go home! Rogers and us bussed home and the boys walked, to avoid over crowded busses. Bible study in the evening, Dexter wrote the lesson, entitled The True Foundation. Clay's and Alistair joined us! Ip to our apartment for supper, Rogers, Alistair and Clay's joining us....it was chill and cinnamon rolls. The guys were juggling after supper and Clay decided to learn also!
Thursday, a day at home....Ron and I covered pretzels in the morning.....Kendon 's and Clay's were here by 4 or so. Christmas program evening!! Those 2 gals decorated, Elsie and I were busy with hot hamburger dip, making punch and arranging the heavy food laden table. Program started at 6, we had a very nice group attending....some from Lincoln hospital, locals who attend church, some from women's shelter & more. A very nice program, well rendered. The steal of the show was the flannel graph on the Christmas story, as told in My Bible friends. Refreshments in the basement, tables were all filled up and everyone had plenty to eat! A charcuterie board by Dana, veggies and dip from Kaitlyn, hot hamburger dip with chips and Christmas goodies. Cleanup after everyone was gone. When we were done cleaning, Rogers, Clay's, unit boys and us were in the back end of chapel just visiting and visiting.....
Friday was laundry and house cleaning day! In the afternoon, Rogers and us out into the city to scope out places to sing Christmas carols on Saturday.... home for awhile, before leaving again with the boys to go eat out. Place this time was Bill's Burgers and Bar..... some awesome good burgers. Headed to the Rockefeller center to gaze at the huge Christmas tree and also got to see some street performers! Roger, Elsie and Andre, a gal from Fairview OK, who now teaches at Little Falls NY came to Rockefeller also and we found each other!! Andre and Rogers daughter Julie taught together for several years. Once home, we went to Rogers and had popcorn, candy, kombucha, water....and we talked and laughed and talked some more.....and discussed Saturday....and talked some more. I think we seen 12:45, when we hit the pillow! Side note, Ron needed to move the van in the morning for street sweeping and he drove around and drove around... couldn't find a place. I finally messaged him to ask, if he was gonna come back home. He finally found a spot and later moved it when 10:30 rolled around. It's crazy at times!
Saturday, really my morning off, but I made a pan of bars first... after we slept till 8!! Then everyone was around, so Ron fried eggs and I made fruit smoothies....and we had brunch! Shippinsburg came shortly after 11, and they had early lunch as well. Clay's and Alistair joined us too. So we spent the afternoon caroling again..... having a great time!! They were enthused about handing out tracts, so Trevor went home for more! Back to the fellowship hall for a early supper of sloppy joes, chips, pickles and cheese. Bars and cookies for dessert. Cleanup, Clays came up, played Catan Settlers with the unit...Ron and I peeled potatoes for Sunday lunch and then crashed into our recliners....a GOOD day! Sang in Subway stations, Penn station, Hudson Yards and outside and inside at Grand Central... inside wasn't for long....we needed a permit! Cop lady wouldn't even let us finish our song....we walked out with a fading Joy to the World!!
Sunday....up, made baked oatmeal for breakfast, cooked potatoes and had them mashed and into crockpot by worship time. Ron and I didn't sing this morning. I held Thomas, Kendon s little 2 year old and Olivia say by Pops! Opening by Clay, thoughts by Kendon, Thomas and Trevor. Good old roast beef lunch, with tators and gravy, butter horns, green salad and dessert. In the afternoon, Rogers, Eric, a attendee, Andre, Kendon 's, Clay's, unit boys and us , walked and grabbed a subway to the Riverside church . The bells ring and now it is Christmas tunes, a very ancient old church. Across the street is the tomb of Ulysses Grant and his wife. In a huge building, which was locked. Rogers, Eric and Andre went off to do their own thing and unit boys went to a coffee shop and us others headed home Played with the children, visited, made supper, lazy tacos and apple slices. Elsie gave us her desserts.... prepped breakfast.....got late and once again said goodnight after 12.
Roger and 2 of the guys out on tract route today, home in 25 minutes, they say. Other 2 went to Lincoln.
Last load of laundry in the dryer, need showers and after awhile get on the road for Clinton New Jersey!
Tomorrow is a film shoot in front of our apartment and for several blocks, NO parking on the street! So when we come home this evening, we will need to park at BTM and walk home...a 27 minute walk or else catch the bus part way!!
NYC news and later....from the Mamas perspective! Love, Carol