November December 2015

"The beginning of every New Year brings with it the opportunity to make a new start.  Part of the exhilaration that accompanies every January 1st is the optimism that starting over is possible and the knowledge that new beginnings can create new and successful outcomes".

As we look forward to 2016 we reflect on the past two months, filled with so many wonderful blessings, fun, busy, loving, wonderful times.  Most involving the celebration of a season of Thanksgiving and the birth of our Savior.

Church billboards Times Square, New York City

During November and December we taught Institute lessons from the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy from the Old Testament * prepared "after Institute" meals and treats * "played" with the other Senior Missionaries in New York City * taught more lessons, prepared more meals

Sheryle & Reed Hancock, Janet & Craig Keller, 

David & Marilyn Cherrington, Shaz Kramer, David Bean

* joined our Maplewood NJ YSA at a regional semi formal dance * attended an "all mission" Christmas party hosted by President and Sister Taggert * participated in the Messiah sing-along at the historic Princeton University chapel, Princeton University Campus

Princeton University Messiah Sing 

* met with our fellow CES Senior Missionaries for a special In-Service and lunch hosted by our CES Coordinator and his wife David and Natalie Bean * joined with the New Jersey Morristown Senior Missionaries and Manhattan Temple Presidency for an evening at the Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular

Love New York City at Christmas Time

* for FHE we huddled with six of our YSA members around an iPhone screen watching a Church Christmas video in a darkened Relief Society room * pizza * wonderful opportunity to attend a mission conference where we were taught by Elder David Evans of the Seventy.  Elder Evans was recently released as the executive director over the entire mission department in the Church

* accompanied a wonderful young lady to the Manhattan Temple as she prepared for her missionary calling to Oakland California

Ashley Hunte, California Oakland Spanish Speaking Mission

* prepared more treats, treat, and more treats  * more pizza * participated in inspiring and sometimes goofy Christmas YSA activities

                                                       

Human Hunger Hippo

(Two players are put on wheeled carts, pushed to the center of the floor, they capture as many balls as they can with their baskets then are pulled back by attached rope, to do it all over again.  Not for the faint of heart!)

* attended the Manhattan and Washington DC temples * sang Christmas carols * helped host a YSA Manhattan temple day trip for baptisms * hosted our YSA (and friends) bowling * prepared "linger longer" meals * inspired by our YSA Branch Christmas program.

One of the sweetest blessings of our calling is being within proximity to family.  We were able to travel to Alexandria Virginia and spend Thanksgiving and Christmas Day with Meredith, Dave, Sam and Lillian.

Most exciting of all ... we learned we are going to be grandparents for the 5th time    Meredith and baby boy are due July 4th!

Our New Jersey Morristown Mission Christmas will forever be a very special memory touched by the love and example of outstanding and valiant young adults.