The Ronkonkoma Express

The Chelsea Hotel

Took the train to Penn Station today where we visited Madison Square Garden, Manhattan Mall (Gimbels), Macy's (an entire level - just purses), and the 86th floor of the Empire State building. Then we walked south into Chelsea proper to see where Sid Vicious killed Nancy Spungen, not to mention the numerous books, plays, films, music and lives that have been made there. What a history this place has. It is currently in its second year of remodel.

Much of Chelsea is quaintly old-world. We enjoyed the tree-lined walks, but decided to save the High Line Park for a later visit, returning to Penn Station. It was rush hour so there was a travel up-charge. I purchased our "peak" one-ways back to Farmingdale Station. That particular line is named Ronkonkoma after the city at its terminus. I got the right tickets, the right line and the right track and was feeling a smug confidence as we boarded. "This is the train to Ronkonkoma?" I asked two young passengers near the door. "Yes it is," they responded. After we sat down, the train began to move, I heard the loudspeaker announce the first stop: "Wyandanch."

Moroni in Manhattan

When President Hinckley announced a "New York" temple during a 2002 regional conference, attendees mistakenly assumed he was talking about an area 22 miles north of the upper west side. But the Manhattan temple was dedicated two years later. White Plains is still waiting.

Branch attendees with sister missionaries

Our first temple sighting was on July 4th. One month later we are escorting a group of young adults back via the Queensboro Bridge and Central Park. The temple has its own parking. It is not free, but offers a significant patron discount.

Following Plainview Branch custom, we first strolled around the park, watching vendors, horse-buggies, pedicarts, cyclists and pedestrians. I thought I saw Lennie Brisco crime scenes around every corner. 

Eventually we came upon the Strawberry Fields memorial.

The "Imagine" mosaic offered an abrupt contrast to our religious purposes. The Dakota, scene of Mr. Lennon's murder, is immediately across the street. Both are situated only a few blocks from the temple - a place of spiritual hope for those beyond the veil.  I studied the mosaic and remembered a part of the song:



Ayrton "Gary" Ferreria dos Santos Jr.

The "Mayor" of Strawberry Fields

"Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
. . . .
And no religion too"

 

 

 

__________________

The entrance is unassuming, but Manhattan's high-rise temple offers a sharp spiritual divide. 

As a "stacked" temple there is an economc use of space. Unique sound-proofing is incorporated into the design. Door hardware displays a Statue of Liberty motif. I appreciated the paintings near the font commemorating baptisms in the Jordan and Susquehanna rivers. We hope to return soon. The temple president offered to buy lunch next time if the youth each bring a family name.

We're in!

81 Secatogue

Apartment 44






August 1st - Moved in to our new apartment. The Hawkes picked this one out months ago, but left for home before the lease was signed. They were tired of the traffic noise coming off Fulton Street at the prior location. This one is probably the best Senior Couple apartment on Long Island. This time we are able to fully unpack.
It is walking distance to the Old Bethpage Park and has easy access to the Long Island Railway through a private gate.

The Secatogue were indigenous people living to the east, now Bay Shore, where we teach our Friday evening class.

View from our balcony looking toward Main Street



Train Station through front window

Even though we teach five to six days each week, CES is less than half of our responsibilities. One of our instructors at the MTC joked that CES stands for "cooking every second." Humorous, but accurate. Stefanie is using all of her temple recipes and culinary training. Classroom and kitchen aside, we chauffeur, transport, coach, counsel, network, and do a fair amount of proselyting with the young missionaries. We enjoy large autonomy to follow spiritual inclinations. We particularly appreciate our conversations with investigators and less-active members. We will probably pick up a weekly shift in the Manhattan temple.

In our first interview with President Calderwood we asked for his vision of our mission role. He said that we should support the members in any way necessary to the work of salvation. We value this trust in us.

We have maps, a wall, post it notes and markers. We have committed young missionaries in our district, and . . .

we have a plan.

Plainview Stake Young Single Adults