Events of Sunday, November 21, 2010

          The story of today must begin with some elaboration of yesterday. Pam and I took Oma Janssen up on her offer to watch the kids while Pam and I went out for dinner. This is a rare opportunity, only the second time on this trip to leave the kids and enjoy a meal together, just the two of us. But we needed a vehicle (something other than the RV), both for our date and for Sunday’s trip to the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Searching online, I found an Enterprise Rent-a-Car nearby with a weekend special. Michael agreed to give me a ride there, and as we approached Enterprise, I got a call from Diane, whom we had met in Minnesota. (She and her husband live half the year in Minnesota and the other half in New Jersey.) She asked how we were getting along in NJ and whether we needed anything. I mentioned that right now we were looking for a vehicle, and she immediately offered us her minivan. Right about this time, we arrived at Enterprise and saw they were closed. Michael apologized that he had failed to deliver me on time, but I shared how Diane’s van would work even better. So we agreed it was to our advantage to have arrived late.

          So, that’s how we acquired the minivan that took us to Brooklyn Tabernacle. Traffic and parking were tricky, but we arrived with plenty of time to get good seats. In fact, the service started about ten minutes late. The worship leader walked to the microphone and gave us a 10-second introduction, and then the music swept us away. The choir of about 200 and the amplified band provided plenty of sound. Most of the songs were unfamiliar but simple to pick up, so we joined right in and sang. Oh, what singing! The whole congregation—thousands of people—sang energetically and solidly. It thrilled me as a vocalist to be in a crowd like that.

          Following the singing and worship, there were announcements and introductions. The church’s main pastor, Jim Cymbala, was away this weekend, so we heard a guest speaker. He spoke loudly and energetically about “Divine Destiny”. His stage presence was strong, with plenty of movement, including an imaginary back-and-forth bout of fencing. Sadly, his thinking was befuddled and his theology missed the mark. In the end, even his main point was obscure.

          We drove back to Wyckoff and had a quick lunch, and then Michael drove me back to Lyndhurst to return the minivan. Driving here, in New Jersey and in New York, is challenging for at least two reasons: the drivers and the roads. Road construction is everywhere, so we must follow detour signs and alternate routes. Road signs are posted in locations that are impossible to see until you have passed them. Our GPS has been an invaluable aid, but I still miss my turns frustratingly often. And then there are the other vehicles on the road. New Yorkers drive with unequaled intensity and assertiveness. (This must include New Jerseyans, as well.) However, driving a borrowed vehicle, I am inclined to drive cautiously, which irritates the assertive drivers behind me. Tough luck for them! So, on this excellent day of rest, I drove to and from Brooklyn Tabernacle, about 90 minutes each way; and likewise to drop off the minivan took about three hours round trip. I am so glad I do not drive here regularly.

          During my little errand to return the minivan, the rest of the family worked on blogs, made dinner, and packed for tomorrow. For dinner tonight we had chicken and rice with broccoli. I especially enjoyed this meal because it was a common one for us in Elk Grove—but it’s our first time since June. After dinner, we started watching our DVD of “Enchanted”, a Disney movie set in New York City. We enjoyed pointing out places we recognized: Times Square, the Duck Pond, Bethesda Terrace Fountain, the Lake, the Mall, etc. The kids were mighty disappointed that bedtime arrived before the movie ended.