Ok, ok so the storm is over and the sun is shining today so everyone can stop stressing out, haha! JK, I know you are all aware that everything is good in the Big Apple. Talk about a fun time though, wow! First an earthquake...for a minute I thought I was back in CA with the familar rolling feeling of the earth saying hello...then a hurricane. What a great week it was.
Before I get started with this boring story, let me just take it back a few weeks ago. So we were in Multi-Zone Conference and President Smith said "you know elders and sisters, we are going to provide you with transportable 72 hour kits in case of a hurricane, I would just like us all to be prepared." At that time I kind of chuckled to myself because I didn't really know that New York got hurricanes... jokes on me. The following week in combined 3rd hour our Area 70 sent a message to all the stakes informing them that we should really consider revamping our emergency plans and encouraging everyone to have their 72 hour kits ready in the case of an emergency...maybe like a hurricane, haha!
So back to last week, yes there was a hurricane and it was crazy pants! On Friday most of the city missionaries including my companion and me got evacuated, where I am happy to say our 72 hour kits provided as a blessing. We went and spent 2 and a half days in White Plains with the stake president and his wife. They were so hospitable! After a busy day of helping the neighbors pack in all of their patio furniture and decor from the front and back of their houses we went back "home" and buckled down in wait of the storm. Luckily most of it dicispated over North Carolina and Long Island before it got to the city and even to White Plains but I hear there were some areas that weren't so lucky. All in all it was a vacation away from the city...very strange really. I forgot people live in house and drive cars, but in all reality it freaked me out so Im happy to say Im back in the city!
The joke was if there is an emerency, turn to your nearest Mormon. Did I mention people laughed at us as we carried our huge jugs of water and ginormous red backpacks full of food and safety supplies, hmmm weird. Anyway, I am just so thankful that everything turned out ok. Everyone is safe and there is little damage to the city, little branches here and there that fell but nothing major. Other than that I got some good reading in while I was away...a true vacation in deed. I read The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer, good read! I will have to comment on it next week, as for now I am out of time.
I just want to say thank you for all your well wishes and prayers, they are always so thoughtful and helpful in times of crisis. If I can say anything I would say listen to the revelations given by the power of the spirit keenly and act promptly...it could and usually does save your life. I love you all so much! Thanks for everything :) and so it is...
PS...some things you may not know because I have been unable to post pictures as often as I usually do.
1. I have dreds now, yes real ones
2. I wear my glasses all the time
3. I have a new companion, and
4. I love Domo!!!
Just throwing it out there. Love you
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
It's Been Too Long and I'm Lost Without You...
I can always rely on Aaliyah for a great title to a long awaited email and blog post from me. Man I have been busy. My companion and I sat down last night and planned time to effectively and completely email today which means no half letters claiming I'm too busy to write, no excuses and of course an update on all the happenings here in New York City.
I cannot even recall what I said in the last letter I wrote so let me start from the top. Sister Hsieh and I were together for a cycle, I know ONE CYCLE aka 6 weeks (not even enough time!). She and I had a great time living life on the East side together and teaching a great woman named Dede. She was baptized on July 24th, Pioneer Day and was so happy to join the saints on such a momentous day. Sister Hsieh, however who is no longer with me decided to go down to Chinatown to teach in her native tongue, rude! JK, I am so happy for her. President Smith has allowed her for her last two cycles of the mission to teach people who speak Mandarin Chinese downtown. It is such a rare opportunity so of course I would encourage and support her to take it.
So, as you could assume I have a new companion. Sister Tuke! She is back in the city and we are just moving right along. It took her some readjusting consider she has been upstate and out of the city for the past 7 months (going from the car to the city streets is a hard transition, one I could for sure do without -- fingers crossed). Since she has been here it feels like life is on hyper speed. Time is just flying by and I cant believe we can already see the early onset of Fall...but everyone knows how much I love "sweater weather" so I'm not even mad, especially if Winter takes it time to roll in. Other than that, its pure mission life!
We have been paying special attention to finding and building relationships in the ward. We are both pretty new in the area and haven't really established much ground yet...but that is the best part about being in an area for a few months, all this will come with time. Time that I seem to be running out of quickly. I was studying the other day and was so blessed to come across an article in last month's Ensign. It is called "This Year It's A Weed -- Pull It", http://lds.org/ensign/2011/07/this-year-its-a-weed-pull-it?lang=eng. Something that really struck me was the concept that everything has a time and a season, which it does. The article talks about how a beautiful plant was growing in the midst of the wrong harvest. Though it was beautiful and strong and would produce what seemed to be great product it wasn't in season. The counsel that was given was to "pull it" even though it was great. Many times in life we have to recognize what is in season. I always think of that song by the Byrds, "Turn, Turn, Turn" (and of course the scriptures in Ecclesiastes) where it reminds us that in everything there is a season, a rhyme and a reason, haha! But it's true. Now is the time for me to be a missionary, and when it is over I will be back to my usual shenanigans, whatever they may be. I love it though.
Eventually the sun will set on this venture and a new dawn will awaken. Let me enjoy the day though :). I have a call, I have a mission and along with many ups and downs I'm still excited. Thanks for coming along with me! I wish you all a great week and a close of summer. Take advantage! I love you all, and so it is...
Oh PS! A lot of my mail was never delivered I am finding out each week from one person or another. If you have written me and haven't received a response, try writing me again cause I might not have received it. My address is:
Sister Ash Coleman
New York New York North Mission
700 White Plains Rd Suite 315
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Thanks and good luck!
I cannot even recall what I said in the last letter I wrote so let me start from the top. Sister Hsieh and I were together for a cycle, I know ONE CYCLE aka 6 weeks (not even enough time!). She and I had a great time living life on the East side together and teaching a great woman named Dede. She was baptized on July 24th, Pioneer Day and was so happy to join the saints on such a momentous day. Sister Hsieh, however who is no longer with me decided to go down to Chinatown to teach in her native tongue, rude! JK, I am so happy for her. President Smith has allowed her for her last two cycles of the mission to teach people who speak Mandarin Chinese downtown. It is such a rare opportunity so of course I would encourage and support her to take it.
So, as you could assume I have a new companion. Sister Tuke! She is back in the city and we are just moving right along. It took her some readjusting consider she has been upstate and out of the city for the past 7 months (going from the car to the city streets is a hard transition, one I could for sure do without -- fingers crossed). Since she has been here it feels like life is on hyper speed. Time is just flying by and I cant believe we can already see the early onset of Fall...but everyone knows how much I love "sweater weather" so I'm not even mad, especially if Winter takes it time to roll in. Other than that, its pure mission life!
We have been paying special attention to finding and building relationships in the ward. We are both pretty new in the area and haven't really established much ground yet...but that is the best part about being in an area for a few months, all this will come with time. Time that I seem to be running out of quickly. I was studying the other day and was so blessed to come across an article in last month's Ensign. It is called "This Year It's A Weed -- Pull It", http://lds.org/ensign/2011/07/this-year-its-a-weed-pull-it?lang=eng. Something that really struck me was the concept that everything has a time and a season, which it does. The article talks about how a beautiful plant was growing in the midst of the wrong harvest. Though it was beautiful and strong and would produce what seemed to be great product it wasn't in season. The counsel that was given was to "pull it" even though it was great. Many times in life we have to recognize what is in season. I always think of that song by the Byrds, "Turn, Turn, Turn" (and of course the scriptures in Ecclesiastes) where it reminds us that in everything there is a season, a rhyme and a reason, haha! But it's true. Now is the time for me to be a missionary, and when it is over I will be back to my usual shenanigans, whatever they may be. I love it though.
Eventually the sun will set on this venture and a new dawn will awaken. Let me enjoy the day though :). I have a call, I have a mission and along with many ups and downs I'm still excited. Thanks for coming along with me! I wish you all a great week and a close of summer. Take advantage! I love you all, and so it is...
Oh PS! A lot of my mail was never delivered I am finding out each week from one person or another. If you have written me and haven't received a response, try writing me again cause I might not have received it. My address is:
Sister Ash Coleman
New York New York North Mission
700 White Plains Rd Suite 315
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Thanks and good luck!
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