Back to New York

Bailyn’s Christmas gift is a trip to New York to see Lauren Daigle in concert with Aaron and me. We left for the airport at 3:30 am. 🥱 The forecast, sadly, is for rain today and tomorrow through noon. Hopefully, it won’t be a heavy rain while we’re out and about.

In the Dallas airport 
On the plane
Leaving Dallas 
Sunrise
We had much turbulence as we flew over this cloud mass. 


There were many pink bags but still waiting on Bailyn’s.
After retrieving our bags we grabbed a taxi to our hotel and dropped the bags off while we wandered the city. 
We were hungry so stopped in Tony’s Di Napoli for lunch. Spaghetti and meatballs
Chicken fettuccini Alfredo 

I think there are thousands more people here this week than there were last week. It’s crazy crowded. 
Aaron and Bailyn in Times Square. 
M&M fireman
M&M Statue of Liberty 

Market at Times Square. How did we miss this one Jo Anne?
Build-a bear Ophie the mooey Christmas cow. 
We walked back to the hotel to get checked in and rest a bit before heading out again. Talk about the nose bleed section. 25th floor of the Hyatt Times Square. 

Our tickets for Christmas Spectacular are for 10 pm so we have some time to kill.  
After a brief rest and some time spent trying to help Bailyn with her algebra (a bit of a joke on my part) we headed to Bryant Patk for a bite to eat and to look around the Christmas market. Unfortunately it was raining and pretty miserable. We tried to find one of the large umbrella covers to stand under just to eat. Of course everyone else was trying to crowd under them too. 

Under the tree at Bryant park. 
Saks light display 
I greatly dislike umbrellas on the streets of New York. If the spines aren’t poking your eye out, or pouring water on your head, they are blocking your view and you can’t see where in the world you’re going in this sea of umbrellas. 
In line for the show. 
So many people!!!

The show is about to start and we won’t get out until 11:30 so I’m signing off for tonight.

Advent for today:
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
– Isaiah 40:11

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
– Matthew 11:28–29

Consider the result of this invitation—rest for our souls. Jesus offers that inner harmony and order and security, that sense of purpose and direction, that brings peace and contentment to our hearts.

And how is this rest found? Not in looking within ourselves and asserting ourselves against others. It is found in taking His yoke upon us. That means coming under His authority and learning from Him. Unlike the yoke of the Mosaic law and its commands (or even the yoke that we place on ourselves to make us feel successful, worthwhile, and valuable), Jesus’ yoke is not burdensome, even though it demands that we submit our lives to Him in total allegiance.

Jesus’ yoke is easy and light not because of what it demands, but what it brings—a relationship with God as our Father. Jesus mediates the presence of God in our lives—a presence that gives the rest of security and significance, peace and joy in the gracious, fatherly loving care of our God. Isn’t that what Augustine discovered, when he confessed, “O Lord, our hearts are restless, until they find their rest in You.”

Will you respond to this Great Invitation today?

“O Great Shepherd of my soul, gather, carry, and lead me. Help me to surrender the burdens of this life and come to You for rest. May I learn from You and walk with You this day trusting in Your kindness and care.”
Amen.
By William Kynes

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 18, 2023 at 5:19 AM

    I hate that you are having to deal with so much rain.
    In answer to your question, because you hate being in Times Square and avoid it like the plague 😂. Can’t believe you went to a 10:00 PM show. Did any of you stay awake for the whole thing?

    ReplyDelete

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