A week in New York...

This week we:

Welcomed Tom, Shalaun, Emy, and Audrey!
(visiting from Centerville, Utah)

We were introduced to a new granddaughter:
Audrey Lois Howell, such a sweetie-pie!

We enjoyed a dinner meeting at the mission home.
Elder and Sister Richard Maynes (standing, couple on the right)
toured the mission.

State University of New York sponsored a 2 day conference,
Church International Affairs Office hosted.
"Decision Ethics 2008"

We hosted United Nations representatives from
China, Syria, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Lunch buffet was Iranian fare...
NY International Affairs director,
Ahmad Corbitt, gives final remarks.

In honor of our apartment renovation we received
this marked protest by unhappy union members.

Tomorrow we welcome the arrival of a BYU student intern...
just as the hectic month of April comes to a close.

How was your month?

We are tired. Good-night!

This week in pictures (& txt)

Like coming out of a dark tunnel, spring in Central Park emerges from a long, cold winter.

The Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, viewing Midtown Manhattan.

Cherry Blossoms!

Daffodil! A sure sign. We determined on Sunday Afternoon to walk home from church...a modest 3 miles, but right through Central Park. Delightful!

A classic Public Affairs event - The New York Theological Seminary Annual Urban Angel Awards Dinner. We populated a "Table for Ten" with developing friends of the Church and enjoyed a Marriott Marquis Time Square chicken dinner.

Herb Yassky, the Chairman of the Board of "The New Seminary". This college for pastors of all denominations....and do we mean ALL -- Christian, Jewish, Islam, Druid....any type you can name....will graduate you as a reverend. Lane likes taking pictures with older men.

In the most aggressive, challenging week of our mission, we headed to Cherry Hill, New Jersey to participate in the Mid-Atlantic African American Genealogy Conference (MAAAGC). This is Ahmad's stake...a beautiful chapel in a somewhat rural setting.

A headliner -- Dr Rick Kittles from the University of Chicago, and noted DNA authority in the PBS specials, "African American Lives" and "Finding Oprah's Roots". One day prior to the MAAAGC we shuttled him around Philadelphia for interviews with TV and radio. Gentle, dignified, and friendly, we really enjoyed being with Dr. Kittles again, having presented at the Harlem Conference in 2007.

Special guest -- Martin Luther King III. Yes, the son of the famous civil rights leader. In the lower right of the picture you see Vai Sikahema, the famous running back of the Philadelphia Eagles who came out of BYU (counselor to President Corbitt).

And to top off the evening, we drove the keynote speaker for MAAAGC, Reverend Khadijah Matin to Baltimore to see none other than Gladys Knight in a unique musical fireside. (Khadijah is the national president of The Afro-American Historical and Geneaological Society.) Driving back to New York late Sunday evening 3+ hours later, we arrived home just before 3:00 am, totally thrilled with the events of the week, and totally exhausted.

As we scooted around Philly on Friday, Ahmad welcomed Elders Ballard and Cook and Tingey to New York City. Interviews were set up, transportation arranged and meals coordinated for their day in the city. It ended with an intimate prayer service with the Pope, meaning only 250 Christian leaders rather than 55,000 'fans' in Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

It is a privilege and a blessing to serve in this public affairs office. We love the Lord, take comfort in His promises and lean on Him for all of our support. He is the source of our inspiration and salvation. Let us all look to Him and live with grateful hearts.

We love you!

Mission Sampler

UNITED NATIONS

Last week we supported the US Mission at the UN by attending
a panel discussion on the 2008 Presidential campaign.
Panelists included members of John Edwards and Mitt
Romney campaigns and a highly regarded pollster. The
audience was heavily international, as evidenced by
the number of ambassadors asking questions.

CARNEGIE HALL

Ma and Pa got to see Ma and Bob.

That is, Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin. They teamed up at
Carnegie Hall. A tremendous concert! We shared it with
not-so-old and new friends. Some of you remember an Orem
neighbor, Victor Sorensen; he coincidentally oversees our church
owned apartment building. Amber Henrie, busy New York PR
professional, also does PR for the church in Harlem.

HARLEM WARD

Bishop Pabon asked Elder Howell to provide a priesthood
choir for a special number in church March 30th. Many
were overwhelmed at the participation level.
Amber captured it in this photo.
TEMPLE SQUARE

We saw 70 degrees on Thursday. The gardeners got busy.
Below is our best view of the gardens on Manhattan Temple Square.

We show our support for spring. Lane did the butterflies
...even adding some down our hallway.

RE-MODELING

Our display was short-lived as hallway remodeling begins.
Here is our before...

...during; pre shabby-chic 1930's...

Future view (this snap is of the sample hallway),
36 more floors to go. Our own "after" shot
is expected in 5 more weeks.

MISSION ACTIVITY

Saturday was another great activity with the senior
couples in the mission as we bid farewell to Frank and
Dolly Davis, serving a CES mission from Tennessee.
President and Sister Searle, center couple on the right,
are fantastic and beloved. We attended the temple together
(helping to set a session record of 52)
and then enjoyed lunch at nearby Ollie's Chinese Restaurant.

Thursday a subway train driver (who knew someone
had to steer those?) beckoned us back to the train and
urged us to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to
warn others that He is returning :)

A Broadway song writer and Tony award nominee, also identified
himself as Jewish and a friend of the church, called our office
3 times to express outrage at the press for erroneous coverage
of the polygamist group in Texas. He suggested we send
Mitt to San Angelo to straighten them out :)

We tripped down to Cherry Hill, New Jersey to deliver
genealogy display materials for a tremendous Public Affairs
event happening this Saturday. Stay tuned to learn more.

We remain happy to serve, eager to learn, willing to follow,
grateful for support and able to love this work!

Thank you for tuning in.

******Today sweet adorable Audrey Lois Howell will
officially receive her name and a papa's blessing.
We love you Audrey and look forward to meeting you!

April Conference

Many of you look forward to General Conference weekend

every 6 months. This is especially true for us.

Yesterday we actually missed weeding Trimble
Creek while listening to conference on the radio.
We missed sitting in the living room and
watching sessions on KSL TV.
We miss gathering with the ladies and little ones
for smoothies and scones during Priesthood Mtg.
(Or eating pizza with the boys after Priesthood Mtg.)
We smiled as we thought of each of you
tuning in where and if possible.

We walked next door and joined 6 other missionary
couples for a cable connection in Ahmad's office.

Everyone brought good eats and we nibbled and
dined our way through several sessions.

RAI Television (PBS in Italy -
covering the papal visit to the U.S. in two weeks),
sent a camera crew to capture our little group during the solemn
assembly Saturday. Today we met them again at a downtown chapel
where they captured the diversity of NY members in the ASL,
Chinese, and traditional units mixed with several interviews.

2008 Conference Comment by Elder M. Russell Ballard is:

To the Mommas...
- live in the moment
- don't over schedule
- take time for self
- pray, study, teach the Gospel
To the Papas...
- show appreciation
- take time for each child
- give mom a break
- come home and be involved

To the children...
- help without being asked
- say thank you
- give lots of hugs

Follow the Prophet and
consider yourselves hugged!