Pipes, Pillars and surPrises...

The tangible excitement of big city life is now familiar.
Construction and traffic noises take the place of an alarm clock.
We consume every day like it was Carnegie
cheesecake and lick the plate clean.
Last week we munched a picnic in the park on a summer evening.
(Help me, I cannot turn off the underline feature!)Pipers!!!???
Not just one, but two bagpipe bands played the Central
Park Naumburg Bandshell last week. 7 senior couples
from the temple graciously invited us to join them
for a combined picnic and concert.

Admittedly we dreaded 1 1/2 hours of bagpipe music;
like listening to fingernails on a chalkboard,
or a beginning violinist...

Do we ever feel dumb? Our low expectations were rewarded
with a superb performance by gifted musicians. Powerful,
moving, melodic, and emotional pieces ranging from
sweet stirring numbers to familiar favorites.

Pillars...
Seven to be exact, in front of the temple overhang..
Six have been started. These columns
should be complete along with the 3rd floor
renovation of the meetinghouse in time for
Stake Conference on November 9th.

surPRISES...
Natalie and Carissa Merritt (friends from
Orlando now attending BYU), surprised us
with a visit. They then headed off to meet
The Lion King. Notice the handsome young
man giving Natalie a one armed hug?

Days pass quickly in a city that never sleeps.
Or perhaps it's only because time flies
when we are having fun.
...and missing our family and friends.

Happy Anniversary to Jerry & Erin
September 3rd, 4 years!!!

The Good Life

Warning...looking at this blog entry
is gonna make y'all wanna be
senior missionaries someday...

Despite these playful photos we managed to work full days in
the office, enjoy ward temple night with members of our
temple class, and attend a weekend public affairs event.

An evening stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge.

This is getting to be the traditional good-bye walk.
Callie, thank you for being a wonderful daughter!
(Check out her blog for great photo commentary)

August weather has been mild & our "backyard park" is stunning.

Our Friday night date:
"Moonstruck" featured at the Central Park Film Festival.
The 'reserved' section opened up last minute so we left this spot
and ran for a 2nd row seat. Cheddar cheese or Oreo popcorn
was served and the entire event (with treats) was FREE.
Our enjoyment peaked as the crowd offered melodramatic
reactions. We all really got into it. Cheers for Cher's entrance,
loud boos as the film skips a scene, leading to shouts of
"REWIND! REWIND!" until the problem is resolved. Applause
at the end provided a feeling of community pride.

Manhattan offers a $2 subway ride to the beach!
-a tiny piece of paradise without the palm trees.
A Coney Island landmark...

We stretch our legs on the boardwalk and
rest them as we bask in the breeze.

Another tough week has passed and we
can't wait for the next one to begin.

We love it! We acknowledge Jesus Christ as the only name
by which we can be saved, that Heavenly Father loves us
and that he wants us to practice finding happiness here
and now so we can be eternally with our families.

Quote from Harlem Ward meetings:
"God can't pour a gallon of wisdom into a one cup mind."
---Hugh Nibley---

Happy birthday Darren Hill! - turning 15 on the 27th

Our love is extended to you always. Good-night and make
this a great week as you count your blessings and enjoy
your good life because no matter our trials, life is good.
Elder & Sister Howell
Dad & Mom

Culture Warriors

Eastern European Culture

Last Sunday we were lucky enough to be part of a group hosted
by our neighbors, the Grubers. The dishes were Hungarian, several
guests were Hungarian, and we were just plain Hungary.

Next, CALLIE arrived! Yippey. A little Western Culture.

Western BBQ chicken and corn on the cob picnic complete with
homemade chocolate chip zip-lock-bag ice cream.

Wicked Culture
If you ever venture on to Broadway,
do everything in your power to avoid "Wicked".
An evening of Cultural Arts follows at the MOMA
- Museum of Modern Art.
A van Gogh - "The Olive Trees"
"Starry Night" was away on tour :(

A Picasso..."Girl before a Mirror"

A composite of pictograms read as pixels to produce...

this portrait of architect Ludwig van der Rohe.

Partaking of African American Culture
at Harlem Days. We dug deeper into history as we assisted
the NYNY Stake attheir Harlem Days genealogy booth. Here
Callie demonstrates how to use the internet with her wireless card.

Culture Shock
Yesterday we looked at dresses for Callie's Spring '09 wedding!
It's been loads of fun having her here. Only two more days
before she heads home and we start missing her.
Frigidaire Culture
I enjoy exotic orange, Callie prefers refreshing raspberry and
Lane won't touch the stuff...smooth creamy yogurt is a lucious
treat. Any true connoisseur of culture can attest to that.

Fifties Culture
Carolyn has had a groovy birthday today. 50, 50, 50!!!
Thanks to all who phoned, emailed, texted, skyped, mailed a wish
or even thought of doing any of these things. It's been fun.
"Therefore, blessed are ye who are compelled to share
birthday greetings. Yea, even more blessed are they who have
sung a song of birthday wishes without being compelled to sing."
Carolyn 8-17-2008

Celebrations this week:
August 20th - Tyson & Meredith Kelley's 4th Anniversary
August 23rd - Jon & RayDean Hill's 18th Anniversary
WOO-WHOOO!
All we do to stay positive & focused is think of our family and friends.
We count our blessings every day.
We love you forever, but the Lord loves you perfectly.
Mom & Dad
(Elder & Sister Howell)

Random photos this week

Monday evening we joined the missionaries at a teaching
assignment near Times Square. Walking home we spotted this
little unassuming building with a very unusual capstone...

Tuesday evening found us supporting National Night Out in Harlem.
A street fair environment sponsored by the local police precinct.
Live band, free hot dogs, burgers, drinks and cake.
Elder Howell even tried his feet at line dancing.
Sorry, no photo of the dancing; not so graceful Sister Howell
was line dancing too. Delores Zecca and Jemima,
to my right, are wonderful bridge-building members.

Thursday, during our 50 yard commute to the office, we witness
the construction of 7 columns being added to the temple building.
(Also new curbing and improved drainage from the sidewalk areas.)Front desk security guard Billy is happy
about the added noise and commotion.
(Billy may disagree but we think there is never a dull day here.)

Friday, we welcomed President John Stone
unofficially to his new office.
And a surprise visitor, Dian Thomas, shares a fun story of her
worldwide travels. Elder Howell "stop pulling my leg!"

Saturday. Following a temple session, the 8 senior couples in the
NYNY North Mission bid farewell to the Carpenters (Littleton, CO)
and welcome the Evans (Layton, UT) over a potluck lunch.

Sunday (today). We stroll home from Harlem and
finally discover the "Safari Playground". It is so cool!
These hippos were harmless and very friendly.
We were surprised that they let us pet them
and sit on their heads!
(Have any of you been here on your visits?)

As you can see, our days in the office and evenings in the city
are always varied, yet equally rewarding. Working with New
Yorkers, meeting visitors and being open to new experiences
provides for a very satisfying and blessed mission.
We thank the Lord that we can be here, and be here now.

Quote from church today. "In the economy of heaven, God does not
send a floodlight when a flashlight will do." May each of us receive the
light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and keep it alive
and bright by loving and serving others.

Have a great week and know that we love and pray for you!
Mom and Dad (A.K.A.Elder and Sister Howell)

Katherine X turned 19 on 8-8-8!!!
On the one dozenth day of August Cam and Kim 
celebrate one dozen wedded years 
Callie comes visiting this week :)
Warning/reminder...Carolyn turns 50 next week ;}

Serendipityness :)

Check this out.

Meeting up with a favorite 6 year old member of my
West Jordan CTR class was a happy coincidence!
Such fantastic fate...Aidan Singleton was joined by his family :)

Good karma continued to flow as we came
across the Washington DC Thiriot's.
Shalaun's brother Darrin, and Monica with 4 adorable kids,
and Meghan (Monica's sister from Centerville)

It's a sign...we're destined to attend church whenever
we see these handsome young men.

Pure and simple serendipity. We get hungry wherever we see this sign!

We close with this bit of divine prophetic providence:

The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammand, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God's light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals...Our message therefore is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardess of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters if the same Eternal Father. ---First Presidency statement, Feb, 15, 1978

Good luck, good fortune, and goodnight!
Knowing you is crazy kismet.