New week, new beginnings

Last week was hard.

Hormones all over the place, depression, doubts, fears of over-doing/not doing enough at work, intimidated by Norwegians.... (not to mention that being a HUGE blow to my pride), missing my

friends... and feeling fat and bloated. So, I am putting that bad week behind me, looking forward to a new and promising week!!! Yay for new beginnings! And chocolate, YAY for chocolate!

Introspection....

Wednesday night I stumbled across the Norwegian Sailors Church, it's a 'home away from home' for norwegians out traveling, and they just happened to celebrate 130 years in New York City. The foreign minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre spoke...

Sopran Cathrine Sørbøe Villesvik sangand artists such as Sondre Lerche and Ola Gjeilo performed..

As I sat there, surrounded by my fellow citizens and friends of Norway and it's culture, I felt as lonely and out of place as I've ever been.... Like I was the outsider looking in, or a fish in the desert... it was the strangest thing.... then going home, as I sat among total strangers on the subway, I felt more at ease and at home than I did among "my own" people. I feel very much more like an amerikan sometimes, than a Norwegian. That is not to say I am not proud of my heritage and fond of my roots... I think it's just about fitting in.

The party in and of itself was great though, the entertainment was spectacular. And I might go to other events there. It's a nice place, and the point of the church is great.

Another New York moment

I hopped on the subway, and these guys jumped in right behind me..

The entertainment in this city is everywhere!!!!!

And very varied as well..

These guys entertained me for two whole stops. I wish I had thought of using the recording device on my camera so I could truly share the experience, but I'll have to save it for next time.
More to come.....

New York Moment

 Yesterday I had another "New York Moment"... I saw my first celebrity, well that I recognized anyways... it was.....

oreo's and the iron rod

Today in sundayschool we were discussing Helaman ch. 6-12. We were talking about how sometimes perhaps straying from the iron rod is not for some "big" sins, like drugs, sex etc. but rather how sometimes it is nice, good things we leave hold of the rod for. 

A sister in my ward told us about how her mother once, teaching her children an FHE lesson, used oreo's as a "temptation". (It was the childrens' favorite treat.) When this lady (as a girl) left the "iron rod" to grab an oreo, she bit down on it only to find the cream in between was mayonaise....... to this day she would still get mad about it, it still to this day upset her that her mother would "do this to [her]"  When she asked her mother why she had done this, even knowing how much her kids loved oreo's, her mother simply said "but honey, you weren't supposed to eat the oreo's, you were supposed to hold on to the rod!

It made me think..... she was so mad at the consequenses, not realizing, even years afterwards that she kind of missed the point... or maybe she proved a point.... 

How often do we get mad, and/or hold on to grudges, creating a whole new "headache" than if we had just let it go.... And how often do I miss the point for something trivial and childish, not realizing it is holding me back from growing.

Well, those are just some musings, though, I must say I did think the mom did a great lesson, and hearing the story might prove, to me, to be a lesson in and of itself as well.

St. Paul's chapel

September 2001 to May 2002 - Within days of the attack on the World Trade Center, St. Paul's launched a 24/7 volunteer relief ministry for recovery workers at Ground Zero. Throughout the next eight months, over 14,000 people of every race and religion would work together on 12 hour shifts serving meals, making beds, counseling and praying with firefighters, construction workers, police officers and others. Medical personnel, massage therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists - and even classical musicians - also helped transform the chapel into a sanctuary of hope and healing for 2,000 workers each day.
I can't help but think that the Lord watches over us with a fond sad smile when such things happen. Is it not the perfect example of charity. And Charity is the essence of humanity!

"We must live as true followers of the Christ, with charity toward all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

Neal A. Maxwell - “Therefore, as we strive to become as the Father is and as Jesus is, we are to become more gracious and merciful, more kind and considerate. Even more, we are to do this in a world which does little to encourage such qualities of character.”

Blow Bugle Blow....... pictures

My little friend...

"They are in Peace"

The Bell of Hope

This 650-pound bell was presented to New York City after the attacks on the World Trade Centre by the Mayer of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury on the first Anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

The inscription reads: To the greater glory of God and in recognition of the enduring links between the City of London and the city of New York.
Forged in adversity - September 11, 2001

It was rung on the anniversary of Sept. 11th, and also at the anniversary of the bombings in Madrid: March 2004, and London: July 7th 2005.

Blow Bugle Blow.......

Today, as I was wandering around the city, I happened upon a lovely little church.
As I entered, I lit a candle..
when I turned, I realized where I was....
this little church is literally a mausoleum and a shrine to those who were involved in the search and rescue on that horrid day of September 11 2001.

I spent some time in this sacred place, learning more about all the volunteers, the police and firemen, the emergency crews, and those seeking for their loved ones...

It was an experience I will never forget. It was wonderful to sit there, to pray, to meditate to bond with those around me... that event came full circle for me here. How fitting that I should come upon it on the eve of this catastrophic incident.

I shed some tears, said some prayers, and as I left my heart was full. And yet in the graveyard behind the church, I was reminded of life's little ironies.... There on the grass, in between the old, worn out headstones, frolicked a little squirrel. Seeing this creature lifted my spirits, and I was thankful to the Lord for the reminder.... life goes on.

From the wonderful poet Khalil Gibran, I add my sentiments:

"And not unlike the mist have I been. In the stillness of the night I have walked in your streets, and my spirit has entered your houses, And your heart-beats were in my heart, and your breath was upon my face, and I knew you all. Ay, I knew your joy and your pain, and in your sleep your dreams were my dreams."

memories

There was a baptism at my ward here in Manhattan today. It was awesome, but for some reason it left me thoughtful about my own. Not that I regret my decision in any way, shape, or form, but just wanting to remember more from the day itself I guess....

Regardless.... it will be 15 years in Dec. and I feel like I have come a long way since then. I am happy for the chance I had back then, though I also feel like it was my destiny.... had it not happened in '93 it would have some other time.... I really, really believe that.

Never-the-less baptisms are fantastic, and even though I can't remember as much as I want from that day, I do know I did the right thing, and I don't regret it in the least! Thanks Mack, Matt, Toril, Laurie, Miller, Payne, and everyone else who were in any way influential. As much as I hate to admit it, you were right!