We have been
in New York City for three weeks now, and we absolutely love it here. Our 450-square-foot apartment is in an ideal
part of Manhattan, and we’re so grateful to be living in this location.
We focus on teaching Institute classes and working with young single adults (YSA); we attend the smallest of three YSA Wards on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. We really enjoy serving these young adults as they are working, schooling, or pursuing dreams of acting or dancing. Each Sunday we invite several YSAs back to the apartment for a home-cooked meal--this gives us all a chance to get to know each other better.
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| The view from our window (Temple with Angel Moroni in the center) |
We focus on teaching Institute classes and working with young single adults (YSA); we attend the smallest of three YSA Wards on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. We really enjoy serving these young adults as they are working, schooling, or pursuing dreams of acting or dancing. Each Sunday we invite several YSAs back to the apartment for a home-cooked meal--this gives us all a chance to get to know each other better.
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| On the roof of our apartment building with some YSAs after one of those Sunday meals |
We’re also very involved with the Pathway program (BYU-Idaho's one-year on-line program to help prepare students for college study). We administer ESL tests, help organize class locations, and lead class "gatherings" every Thursday night.
Another blessing
is we get to work the early-morning shift every Thursday in the Manhattan
temple (a 75-step door-to-door walk). For all
other places we go (since we don’t have a car on our mission) the monthly Metro
pass gives us unlimited subway and bus rides.
We have found this to be a great and easy way to get around.
Of course,
we also love exploring the city in our free time. We've seen three plays already (King Lear in
Central Park and two Broadway plays--Newsies and Once); we take almost-daily
walks in Central Park (one block away). We even attended a philharmonic concert,
at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, as part of an LDS Public
Affairs-sponsored dinner with diplomats and Consul Generals (Elder Melonakos
was seated with the Consul General from Indonesia; Sister Melonakos sat with
the ambassadors from Poland).
Well, we need to get going and take the subway to 14th Street to teach Institute tonight...Please pray for us and the people we’re working with, and know that we pray for you! We're so grateful for the teachings, example, and saving grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. God loves us all!
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| At the southern entrance to Central Park (at Columbus Circle) -- the Book is way better than the play, check it out! |
Well, we need to get going and take the subway to 14th Street to teach Institute tonight...Please pray for us and the people we’re working with, and know that we pray for you! We're so grateful for the teachings, example, and saving grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. God loves us all!
Elder and Sister Melonakos
P.S. Our
address is:
60 West 66th
Street, Apt 10J
NY, NY 10023
