Fantastic Sabbath

On Sunday we were running behind, and trying frantically to get ready for church; just then we received a phone call to let us know that church was cancelled because the water lines had frozen. We were so relieved, then sad to miss the services before Christmas, then glad to have some special time as a family.

Joseph was set apart to be a member of the High Council at the Stake President's house, then we were invited to join with our good friends in a small gathering for a Sacrament Service. We were so glad that we had this wonderful opportunity, and the spirit was very strong. The novelty of the situation was fun for the kids and they had some giggles, but it was so fantastic to join our voices in song and prayer in this special Sabbath day worship- these opportunities are few, but always memorable!

We also enjoyed the company of the Young's for dinner later in the day, and just had a lovely time visiting and eating yummy food!

What a beautiful time of year to reflect on the Savior's birth, his life and his great sacrifice for all of us! So grateful to have the light of Christ in our lives each day.

Now, Where is That?

Part of the joys of moving includes the constant echo, "Now, where is that ____". I could fill in that blank with a number of things like, the hardware to the girl's beds, or the camera docking station, that is needed so we can download all of our pictures to the computer-even the extra cable would be fine, but we can't find that either. These are the things that make moving a tad frustrating. I can find all the broken pieces to toys, and old towells and rags, or a thousand books that we really should donate to another home, but never those few items that are at the top of our list to find. Hopefully tomorrow we will come across them as we get the remainder of the stuff from the storage unit. Of course that won't help with the camera issue since that was a item coming back from New York. It isn't like you can substitute an empty flower pot, that has been sitting on the kitchen cupboard for over a week, to fill in as the needed item- drat! We have plenty of useless stuff that I just don't know what to do with- each box has a few curve balls; the majority has a home, but there are those few items that worked in one place, now they just don't seem to fall naturally into a new spot- designed just for them. These are the items that will likely go into those boxes labeled BYE BYE! Oh the joy!
Now I have to stop writing about it and get back to work- must hurry, we have the Quimby Pipe Organ holiday party at lunch today!

Returning Home

Wow- what a difference a day will make! Funny how one day you are in the cultural mecca of the world and the next day you are back in your familiar little town, boasting of a Wal-Mart and Lowe's for all your shopping pleasures; it seems strange and almost dreamlike that you could have ever experienced what you just did.
That old adage "I love New York" is ingrained in our very souls now- I mean really, how could it not be so! We miss Fairway, the beloved and busy grocery store that has more amazing delights crammed into one small building, than the entire town of Warrensburg. Gone are the days of gourmet cheese- sorry Joe, no more Gietost and Dutch Parrano!

Getting behind the wheel of the van was another experience- the kids were flipping out about our driving, which they seemed to think was rather crazy, because when you drive down your neighborhood road and there is a mailbox or a trash can- they think that you are going to hit everything. Whatever! This is from children very comfortable riding in buses, taxis, and subways, with blaring horns and cut corners, swerving and all manor of less that desirable tactics. I was shocked and stunned at their reaction- perhaps they were just looking for the same thrill!

We had been back a couple of days when Eli came to the stark realization that we were not returning to our previous home! He asked one night when we were going to go back to our "white house", he had enough of the camping out. When I told him that someone else lives there now, he was devastated and broke down into sobs. Bless his heart, this particular transition has been the most difficult for him! He is doing well now, we have gotten a couple boxes of his toys and some of our Christmas decorations out- so we are good! That was the kids one request when we got back, was to have our tree up and make it feel like Christmas here. We really enjoyed the festive feeling in NYC and had to appease them somehow! So now we have a tree and some garland and a couple of chairs and a fold out table, some nice air mattresses from friends and we are good to go! This is the week of retrieving our belongings and purging all unnecessary items! Everyone should live in NYC for at least a few months to see how maximum living can be done with minimal belongings! One great lesson for the Nielsen family!

Giving Thanks

Well our time is short here, and it feels like it is the most natural thing to move on, and we are ready to shift into the next phase of our lives. But, not without giving thanks for our many blessings right now.
We are tremendously thankful for:

• Amazing friends and family near and far, who build us up, strengthen us, and help us be better people
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which literally helps us keep our focus where it should be- on Christ and our families
• The Church, which creates a family for us where ever we are
• The Temple, which provides peace and learning in a turbulent environment
• Good health, which has been a tremendous blessing for our family
• Beautiful children, who are a delight and help us to be a little less selfish
• Music, that makes life more full
• Diversity, which makes all things more wonderful
• Art, that stimulates every feeling
• Talents, which we all have and those of others that bless our lives
• The earth, and its many bounties and beauties that bring us gladness
• New York City, and all the marvels that she holds
• Warrensburg, and all the potential that is there
• Public and private transportation, that gets us where we want to go
• Challenges and trials, that make us stronger
• Laughter, that makes everything more bearable
• Holidays, that help us reflect on our blessings
• Change, which keeps life interesting
• Good food, that delights the palate and encourages gathering with friends and family

Much love and appreciation from the thankful Nielsen's

"Peace, be still"

Yes, the mighty beast doth play. Despite a few setbacks, the organ is being tuned and will play for the November 30th service at the cathedral. It has been an amazing experience to work in one of the largest cathedrals in the world. I am really happy that Linda and the kids could come here and be with me. The experiences we have been blest with will forever change our lives.



Yesterday, our family went to the Norwegian Seaman's Church for their annual Christmas festival. Oh, it was wonderful to hear Norwegian again- to sip on gløgg and bask in the culture the will always be a part of me. The kids got to compare the real norwegian waffles with mine, and I have to say that my recipe came out on top.



After our mad rush home, Linda and I went to the Metropolitan Opera House to see Madame Butterfly. Wow. What more can I say?



I can, without hesitance, see the hand of God in our lives. We have seen our prayers answered in so many ways, from the selling of our house in Warrensburg to the events of this day as we sat and listened to an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ pronounce a blessing upon our heads. He compared the time we are going through to the experience of the disciples as Christ lay sleeping on the ship. "Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"

The Wall is Down

OK for all of you who are wondering exactly what the progress is on the very large musical instrument- I thought I would add a few little tid-bits. Few, being the operative word there, anyway, It is Alive! Yes, the organ has blasted its way back into the world, and the wall that has been dividing the Cathedral these last 7 years has finally come down.
The tile throughout the interior has been sealed to make it more acoustically sound, and sound it does! They have arrived at the most crucial and taxing part of the installation, and it becomes challenging to get all the kinks worked out......by like next week! We, the other people of the family, have yet to see it in its glory- but have no fear this will occur in the very near future. We meant to go there last night so we could pick Joe up and go to the play- but due to insane transportation issues we were all at the mercy of the MTA and a crazy taxi experience for Joe! The play was great- as live performances always are, and we will come out conquerors in the end, when we see and hear the marvelous instrument at St. John the Divine! Joe is going to hang out here in the big city for a few extra days, first of all, so he can attend the big party on the 3rd and then to make sure it is in pristine condition before it's care is placed back into the hands of the cathedral.
Too bad he can't take any time off to enjoy all the offerings of the city with the family during these last weeks, but I guess that is why we have video cameras. One thing I am looking forward to upon our return to Missouri, is having my husband back. I don't know how people survive here without quantity (and quality) time with their spouses- it is no wonder this city never sleeps, people work insane hours then when they come home at 9 o'clock at night they go out for dinner, never sleep and then start all over again the next day. I will treasure the days when Joe will be back to his 8-5 job and has weekends off! Slower pace.....bring it on!

Winter....yep it seems to be here!

So the weather has turned cold and we don't necessarily love the fridgid breeze that blasts through you when you reach West End and numbs you by the time you reach the front of our building. This is one time when the view of the Hudson doesn't quite make up for the shock of the wind!
We are busily winding down our journey here in the big city- we are stuck in the so sad vs. so happy state of mind. We have made some fantastic friends here that we will miss tremendously, we love all of the amazing activities and outings we have been on- but we realize that all good things must come to an end...and then begin again!
We have been without a computer for a little bit, but were rescued by our friends who lent us their laptop. So what this means is, no pictures of our activities! We have been to the National Museum of the American Indian at Bowling Green- it is an incredibly beautiful building and there were some amazing things to see there. They had some people demonstrating their handy work at beading and feather works; quite remarkable.
Today I took the kids back to the Brooklyn Children's Museum, where Bella wants to spend the rest of her life. Eli wore himself out and slept the entire subway ride back- nearly an hour. He would have slept longer but the Arctic breeze was a little difficult to sleep through on the walk home.
We shipped home some of our things on the truck that was heading from the Cathedral back to Warrensburg; we have just had to do a little shopping since we have been here.....not much, really! Let the shopping begin!!!! The Christmas season is definitely descending upon New York- we really love the decorations at Columbus Circle- they light up in sync with the holiday music! We look forward to seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center on Friday- then again next week after it is lit. Tomorrow we are going to a play that some ward members are in- The Importance of Being Earnest. It just stacks up from here!