Saying "Good Bye" AGAIN!!

The Temple Missionary faces are changing, again!! Three of the Missionaries that we have become such good friends with, departed for home today!! Oh how we will miss Elder Robert and Sister DeeAnn Buchanan ( from Alpine, Utah) and Sister Kathy Thompson (from Taylorsville, Utah)!! The Temple just wasn't the same without them tonight. I found myself looking for them on every floor that I served on. Since they have all served on our "shift" we have grown closest to them. Sister Buchanan (DeeAnn) is one of the kindest, wisest and hardest workers that I know! She has really helped me so much! She is just like a sister to me and I love her dearly. Brother Buchanan (Bob)is also so kind and such a capable leader-- they were both called on a lot to be our shift co-ordinators, often at late-notice. They never seemed to "miss a beat"!! Sister Thompson (Kathy) was a Senior sister who has been a widow for 10 years and really didn't think she could serve a mission by herself. This mission really helped her find her  inner strength and confidence. In the last few months of this mission   She also found a very nice man, Ray Smith, whom we think is bound to become her new husband.  He surprised her at the Salt Lake airport,  mixed among all her family members, dressed as "OLAF" ( from the movie, Frozen (a favorite)) from 'head to toe'. Kathy thought  it was her son in law, and walked up to him and took his costume head off to find Ray standing there. Reports are that she was extremely surprised!  We back here in New York City anxiously waiting to see the next developments. 

DeeAnn and Bob Buchanan ( last night as NY Manhattan Temple Missionaries)

On our "memorable Temple 'field trip' to Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale Temples in Florida" during our "Winter Maintenance break" in Jan 2017

Our "Farewell Dinner/FHE" Jan 2017

Front row L-R: Pres & Sis Bench, Sis Kathy Thompson, Sis DeeAnn & Bro Bob Buchanan, Pres & Sis Bean

Back row L-R: Bro & Sis Hanson, Sis Shellie & Bro John Harris, Mumfords, Sis Kathy Nabors, Bro Paul & Sis Mar Jean Lewis, Sis De'Ette & Bro Tim McKenna, Bro Kent & Sis Barbara Heideman, Bro Richard & Sis Elaine Holloway, and Sis Melba & Bro Terry Grimley ( our photographer)

We " knocked" but "No one was Home"--the😢😢 day the Buchanans left for Home!

Now into this same Apartment 7 E------

WE SAY  "Welcome Aboard" to Elder Ralph and Sister Holly Young, who have arrived (Feb 17, 2017) and literally 'hit the ground running' as they were set apart as Ordinance Workers on Sat morning (Feb 18th) and went right to work , amidst being Trained, on one of the busiest Saturdays the Temple has been in quite awhile. And because Monday, Feb 20th, was a Federal holiday (President's Day) the Temple was open for Patrons from 8:30 am to 1200 noon--and it was very busy!!

Later that evening--in Apt 4B (the Benches') the Temple Presc' and all Full-time Temple missionaries gathered for a lovely dinner and some training from our Presc'. It was a very wonderful evening!!

"Welcome Evening" for the Youngs

Front row L-R: Pres & Sis Nixon, Pres & Sis Bench, Pres & Sis Bean

Back row L-R: Kent & Barbara Heideman, Mar Jean & Paul Lewis, Carol & Ron (that's us), Holly &Ralph Young ( newest Missionaries), De'Ette & Tim McKenna, Kathy Nabors, Elaine & Richard Holloway, and Melba & Terry Grimley (our Photographer, who manages to "get in the pic" with a timmer, every time!!) such talent!!

We are now only 'missing' our new Senior Sister Missionary, Sister Miyashiro, who is one-Minh delayed due to family matters. We will welcome her when she comes!!

And so the "Work" in the New York Manhattan Temple moves and continues on!!