Rehders hit the Bronx

Grateful for open spaces. Grateful for green grass or any grass at all. Grateful for mountains and the feeling of home. Idahome. Bronx, you were an experience never to forget..

We stayed at an Air B&B, the basement of a gentleman who doesn't speak English. We decided it was a good thing we were in a basement because we would be safe from any drive by shootings. There were bars on our windows and dogs and a family that barked up above. 

After landing at JFK airport, after being robbed for taxi service. Our driver told us 3 bedroom houses in New York cost $700,000. In the words of Grandpa Lee, "If you can imagine!"

Sr. Jordan drove us into New York city. Totally smooth and no parking tickets. We walked 8,000 steps in Manhattan experiencing the big apple.

We went to St. Pat's, it's gorgeous now that it is done being renovated. We went to the crypt and prayed by Cardinal O'Connor. Specifically praying for a young boy named Will who is fighting terminal cancer. We were able to attend mass there. We met Fr. Emmanuel, CFR.

At McDonald's we met this African American woman, Cynthia. She took a liking to our family and asked each of us our names and birthdays. She loved to sing and wrote her own music. She taught me how to wear a head wrap scarf and told me I had beautiful eyes that see the soul. She asked us if we were from Nebraska. Close, Idaho.

At the end of our day in the city, we weren't sure where to have dinner. We finally decided on Junior's because of their famous cheese cake. On our way down the street someone recognized Sr. Jordan and we realized it was Heidi Seubert, Courtney Schwartz and their friend, Grace.  What are the odds? Nine million to zero. 

We met and fell in love with the postulants. Dad and Sr. Jordan's superior, played a hilarious game of one on one. Dad wore his high school jersey. Picture not shown. 

Some kids thought it would be hilarious to do a drive by and blair the sound track from the Sister Act. 

We made a quick stop at the grocery store in the city. When we got home though, back to the Bronx, we found a lanyard with a key attached inside our grocery bag. Sr. J already dropped us off and we had no car. We called the store and let them know we had their key but they weren't too concerned, in fact they were actually kind of rude. 

I tried retelling this story to the sisters and Sr. Jordan pointed out that we have their key to their cash register. Which made me think of the youtube video Interpretive Rap. Why? Because the video's opening phrase is "Yo! Cash Register!" I tried explaining the video but it's hard to explain, and hard to interpret without sounding like a complete idiot. But I started rapping, interpretively and mind you I just met the sisters and postulants. Good thing it was just in front of a select few. They died laughing. 

https://youtu.be/aVc140hcoqQ

That feeling of doing something, knowing you sound retarded, but the words spill out anyway.  Kind of like this blog... Anyway.

My doctor was right. We stuck out like sore thumbs in the Bronx. A white, white family of seven including a nun. 

We were going to be staying on Arthur Street which is ran by the Mafia. We didn't end up staying on that street. There were several times Sr. Jordan told us not to look at anyone when we were driving. 

My doctor suggested we eat at this place called Dominick's. You go there, there is no menu, the waiter asks in a Bronx accent, "What do you want?" You say, "What do you have?" He says, "Beef, fish, or chicken." You say, "Chicken." He asks,  "Are you hungry or not hungry?" You answer, "Hungry." "Parmesan or red sauce?" You answer. The food is served and the total is whispered in your ear, you pay in cash. 

Being a family of seven, though having a sister, we might've gotten a discount, we didn't take the chance of eating there for fear of the unknown price. A priest we talked to this past weekend ate there and it cost a group of nine $300. 

We went to mass Monday at the residence home for senior citizens run by The Little Sisters of the Poor. I loved being there, even if it was just a quick visit for mass. I would love working there! The residence was clean, well decorated, lots to do, and filled with love. 

There was so much joy that came out of this weekend. 

It was hard saying good bye. We shared so many laughs and memories. 

Like I said, Bronx you were an experience! 

Much to be grateful for! 

"Let us give thanks to the Father

for having made you worthy

to share the lot of the saints

in light.

He rescued us

from the power of darkness

and brought us

into the kingdom of his beloved Son.

Through him we have redemption,

the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,

the first-born of all creatures.

In him everything in heaven and on earth was created,

things visible and invisible.

All were created through him;

all were created for him.

He is before all else that is.

In him everything continues in being."

Colossians 1:12-17

"In the beginning was the Word,/ and the Word was with God,/ and the Word was God." 

John 1:1