Our Perfect Weekend in New York City

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Ellie, Jennifer, Hannah, Sharon, Rachael and Dale in Central Park

Dale was appalled when he saw my pile of stuff stacked high by the front door for our trip to NYC. A five gallon stock pot filled with all the trimmings to make chicken & dumplings, a large rice maker (rice included), a trifle dish (with all ingredients in separate bags ready for assembly), homemade coffee cake, batch of flourless peanut butter cookies, banana’s, farm fresh eggs , butter, milk. . . are you getting the picture?

He was appalled because he had just stuffed the largest suitcase we own with a queen size air mattress, sheets, blankets, pillow’s. . .Then the girl’s had their bags of clothes. . . two of them had homework to do over the weekend so they brought computers. . . Oh my. Dale said, “Sharon, you have to take something out of this pile!” I parted with the rice maker only.

Finally we were all loaded into the Toyota Echo, each with a boiled egg and homemade pumpkin doughnut in hand. Dale prayed for our trip and we were off for the big city.

We made it there in five hours and on one tank of gas, $31.50 plus $35 in tolls, pretty impressive.

Jennifer’s apt was amazing, we could have stayed there all day but she wanted us to take in the highlights of NYC. So, we ventured out onto the subway with our picnic trimmings (forgot to mention that in above list, pasta chicken saladhttp://sharonglasgow.com/2012/04/basil-chicken-pasta-salad/ and large jar of cucumber saladhttp://sharonglasgow.com/2012/05/best-cucumber-salad/) in hand headed straight for Central Park. It was glorious, the leaves were breath-taking and the fellowship together sweeter than anything. After our picnic we just walked and enjoyed conversation until we decided to visit the Metropolitan Art Museum.

It was late so we headed back to the subway for Jennifer’s place. After dinner we served her birthday desert, strawberry trifle!

It was late so we all turned in for the night. The next morning we were supposed to eat the coffee cake and scrambled eggs but plans changed. Her roommate works the third shift; she had only been in bed for two hours when I was ready to make breakfast. So, we changed our plans and decided to go out for breakfast.

We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at The Spotted Pig in West Village, it was divine. We then spent a few hours shopping for Jennifer’s birthday presents. Shopping in NYC is fun. Then we went our separate ways for just a while-Rachael and I went to the largest wedding dress consignment shop in NYC. Jennifer, Hannah and Dale went back to the apt to pick up Ellie (who couldn’t be with us all day because she had so much homework!).

Then we all met back at five for Jennifer’s church service at Trinity Grace http://trinitygracechurch.com/. It was the most amazing church. If you’re ever in NYC and want to go to church, go there! The worship was over the top powerful, the sermon was right on, we had the Lord’s Supper, and three people were baptized (it was so POWERFUL) and the fellowship afterwards was rich.

After service we met a deaf homeless man on the street. He wasn’t just any homeless man, he really touched our hearts. We huddled all together and prayed for him (he read our lips), it was such a sweet time. He received our prayer and told us he had a home in two weeks and told us about his reading the Word.

After that it was time to say goodbye to Jennifer so with tears we hugged and left.

On our trip home Ellie still worked on her homework that needed to be turned in by midnight through an internet connection. So, we stopped at three places looking for connection. Just to let you know in case you ever need it, Red Roof Inn has free access outside their building, no code needed. Some of the Starbucks on the NJ Turnpike don’t have internet access. She made all of her deadlines!

Rachael had an animation due for a 9:00AM class Monday. So, she worked the whole trip home getting it done. Sandwiched between her sisters in the backseat she finished this https://vimeo.com/51930859 .

We drove into the driveway at 2:20AM. The trip home took longer than the trip there, still one tank of gas, a lot lighter, all the food gone. We were exhausted, our feet and legs hurt from all the walking but we were happy that the trip had been everything and much more than we ever anticipated.

It was a perfect weekend in New York City. Happy birthday Jennifer!