New York!

Our trip to New York was awesome. It was probably the BEST vacation that we've ever taken. Here is what we did from day one:

Friday/Saturday:
We (Eric, Ralph, Landon and I) left on our long journey to New York after work. We stopped around 11:30 and got a hotel just outside of Buffalo. That was a much needed stop... We were all exhausted. Then the next day we were off again and ended up getting to Connecticut around 4:00 p.m. Chris Boyce had arranged for us to stay with a family from his Portuguese Congregation. We stayed with the Aylon family! Once we got to their house on Saturday we pretty much only had enough time to get settled in and eat dinner because their meeting (Our Sunday meeting) started at 6:00 p.m. Chris was giving the talk. Even though I couldn't understand a word of it (because it was in Portuguese) I could tell he did a good job! Landon even gave a comment in Portuguese! He was all excited!

Here is the wonderful family that we stayed with:


Sunday:
Landon and I ended up getting sick, so we weren't able to go out in service with everyone. Eric and Ralph went out with Chris and another brother from his hall. Eric said it was a very fun experience. He went with the brother on a study, and he had Eric (TRY) to read a scripture in Portuguese. I don't think it went very well because Eric said that they kinda laughed and moved on. I sure wish I knew what he (accidently) said instead! Then after service they had a few people come over and they grilled us a HUGE dinner! It was very good! Then after that everyone played either basketball or volleyball and then we watched a movie. Landon was in his glory. He had a couple brothers (Brandon and Marcus... brothers from Bethel) who took a big interest in him and played basketball with him! I of course was a party pooper because I didn't feel good. What a bummer, I felt so bad. I did enjoy my time with everyone even despite being sick though.

Monday:
Chris took us into the city! We went to Brooklyn and walked around. We were able to park right next to one of the Societies Resident's buildings. That was pretty neat... Then we took this picture from where we had parked... This is another building of the Societies!

Going into the city was quite the experience! Landon was wide-eyed and trying to look at everything! Unfortunately it rained the WHOLE time so we had to have umbrellas...

We rode on the subways which was quite the experience for Landon... and it was Eric's first time also. During the day it wasn't so bad... it was still just as busy, but not as scary. Then we ate at a pretty cool restaurant called: Dallas BBQ. We ate up on the second floor, which was pretty neat! The food was really good!
Then we went to the Museum of National History. That place was huge... and really interesting! It had 4 floors. We had to just pick some of the cool things that we wanted to see because we didn't have enough time to walk the whole museum. Here is one of the pictures that we took while we were there... Do you remember it from the movie: "Night at the Museum"?

Tuesday:
This was the BEST day of our trip. We first went to Walkill and Chris gave us a tour!


This was very interesting... being able to see all the work that goes into printing all the publications and bibles. It is something that CAN NOT be described... it's something that you must see for yourself to truly appreciate it. Here are a few pictures that we thought were pretty cool!



Guess what is behind the curtain...?

Don't worry... they wouldn't tell us either. In fact Chris told me that if I tried to peek or take a picture of what is behind the curtain... he would have to take my camera. (I certainly didn't want that to happen) All I can tell you is that whatever is going on behind the curtain has to do with our Convention coming up!!!!!

After our tour, we were able to have lunch there. That sure was a wonderful experience!

Then in the same day we went to Patterson and had a tour! It was so beautiful there! Our favorite part was hearing about the art department and all the work that goes into that! Then we were able to have a special treat because we asked if we could see Keith Flis. He gave us an extra little tour of the (service) department that he works in. Then he took us up to see Nicole. She works in the Barber Shop. We were able to see some Bethelites getting their hair cut! After that they took us up to the Clock Tower. That was awesome!

Wednesday:
Our 12 hour trip home...The only good thing about riding in a car forever was having a wonderful traveling partner with us (Ralph Boyce). He made the LONG ride in the car very enjoyable. We would definitely travel with him anywhere!

This was definitely a very memorable trip. One that we would definitely want to make again! Obviously to see Bethel again, but also the Aylon's (the family we stayed with). They were the most loving and hospitable family that we have ever met. There was definitely sadness and tears when we had to leave them.