Well, about time to peck a few lines out on what’s happening in NYC. Our basic schedule doesn’t change much from day to day. The things we see and hear, and experience do. We continue to explore the city more and more, so we are finding places to take those of you who come see us.

The boys continue to work at the hospital and are finding more things opening up to do. The ER continues to be a hot spot and the staff is more familiar with the boys as time progresses, and that helps for everyone involved. The boys see a lot of tough situations coming in. Some are not for the faint of heart and not really table conversation, though, it usually is. Also, the pantry work is opening up more too. The boys are serving some breakfast and lunch meals to those coming in for assistance and also haircuts are starting up again. They still package hundreds of bags of produce. I have also helped some of late, when one of the boys are not feeling well or have family visiting.

One unexpected event happened that we are still dealing with is that our mission account was compromised and cleaned out completely. Must have been someone experienced, because he bought things all across the US. We have no idea how they got my card, but now all our cards are cancelled, and our auto pay accounts defaulted with no way to reinstate them until this mess is fixed. Everything is now in review, as we disputed the charges. We received zero communication from the bank, even when all the funds were gone. Yes, we are currently changing banks. We will watch closer from now on, as we didn’t have online banking.

Here is a bit from the lady of the household. Just on that very thought, we raised a house full of girls and my, but this is a switch!! Sometimes at the table I have no idea what they are speaking of. Is this a hockey team player, a Yankee player, are we talking about vehicles now?? and so it goes.

I am going to the hospital to sing with the guys on Tuesdays and that continues to bring such interesting encounters. This last week we met a little granny from Ghana and she was distressed. She asked us to pray with her so we told her we would sing her a song. She seemed quieted with that. The next room Edith is so ready for us to come sing, she tells us she has bleeding on the brain and her room mate here has lung cancer. We sing them two songs and they clap and bless us and tell us to come again!

Then there is Yvonne. She calls to us as we walk past and wants to talk. We tell her we are singing and she bows her head in prayer as we sing the “Old Rugged Cross”. We will see her again most likely as she will be there awhile. She was hit by a taxi. It broke both legs multiple times shattered her ankle, she is in a bad way. The amazing part is she isn’t feeling so sad for herself, well she said , “I have some pain.” She is feeling sad for the taxi driver because he drove off and she thinks how can someone be so heartless. He must be empty inside, so she is praying for him.

Marilyn and I have had a sewing day with a couple other ladies and we made some baby blankets for the OB Unit. We also sewed some pillowcases for Peds. I made some earlier and took them to the units and on Peds they let me pass them out to the children, that was rewarding! Marilyn and I want to pass them out together next time, which will probably be next week.

Speaking of Marilyn, her and I are into exploring this Island. One day we took the train thinking we would end up in Fort Tryon and who knew, we ended up at Yankee Stadium! Guess we should have takin the A not the D. Well that is a very good way to learn and we found a neat little park to walk around there, so all is well! We both love the gardens and all the blooming flowers and trees and there are so many beautiful parks.

Once again, we have a changing of the guard. Riley leaves tomorrow and Preston Koehn from Brookhaven MS will be joining our unit Saturday. So, life continues in the big city. We will miss Riley very much, as he added much to our life, as each one has! Wishing a safe and happy summer to you all. It was 87* Thursday, to hot to fast, but the AC units have been put in, so nice. Good day to all!