Caitlyn and transfers

 Last Saturday Caitlyn got baptized by her friend.  Elders Baker and Ellis, two awesome missionaries, have been teaching her for about 3 months.  I was lucky enough to teach her also.  These two Elders have been coming to the office every day.  Elder Baker is from Canada and Elder Ellis is from Utah.  Elder Ellis is an apple guy.  He has been working at the apple store in SLC since he was 16 years old.  He has whipped our office here into shape with all of his computer skills.  Whenever we have a problem, he solves it for us.  He is also very spiritually inclined and he and Elder Baker are great gospel teachers.  Caitlyn is a wonderful girl.  She has applied to and is now waiting for an acceptance letter from one of the top universities here in Montreal to study for her Masters degree.  Caitlyn grew up a Catholic and said that she was always a believer in Jesus Christ and God, but that she always felt something was missing.  Her friend invited her to sports night and that is how she became acquainted with the missionaries.  She had the lessons, studied a lot, read the Book of Mormon and when she prayed about it, she knew the truthfulness of the things that she read and of the truthfulness of the book.  She has had quite a bit of opposition in her life, but she has overcome her trials and is looking forward to a full and happy life.

 Today is transfer day again in the mission.  New missionaries arrived last night and 2 missionaries have gone home.  Everyone is excited about the changes and some have a few sad feelings about leaving one area and going to another area.  All will be well though.  Elder Heder was one of our favorite Elders.  He actually lives just a few miles from where we live at home.  It was always fun to talk to him when he came into the office.

 These five Elders came into the office often and we really grew fond of them too.  They are always so pleasant and upbeat.  I loved talking to them each time they came to the office.  The missionaries are the best part of being on the mission.  They are all such awesome young men and women.

Elder Rasmussen is from our city back home.  He taught me how to use John's Blackberry and how to transfer pictures from the camera to the computer to the printer.  Next to him are Elder Bagnall from Arizona and Elder Teuira from Tahiti.  They have been the AP's.  Elder Babin, from France is one of the new AP's.  Elder Bagnall will be leaving next month to go home.  Elder Olsen is fairly new to the mission, but is already proving to be great missionary.  It is so interesting to know that one of our most favorite young adults from France, Eduard, is now the brother-in-law to Elder Babin.  In fact, Eduard and his wife just had a little baby boy and so Elder Babin is a brand new uncle.  It has been fun to talk to him because he knows several of the young adults that we worked with on our other mission. I love talking to the young missionaries and feeling of their spirit.  I love to help them in any way that I can and they are always so appreciative.

Marc Andre

 Last Sunday Marc Andre got baptized.  This young man is from Haiti.  He left Haiti and lived in Mexico and then moved to Canada.  Amazingly enough the missionaries met him on the Metro.  They began teaching him the gospel only one month ago.  He immediately felt it was true and after studying and praying about it, he wanted to be baptized.  Marc Andre is very friendly and very nice.  He is so excited to continue growing and learning more.  He had a huge smile on his face the whole time we were there.  Elders McMurrin and Fronk are awesome missionaries.  They too had smiles on their faces all day. It is so exciting when someone finds the truth and changes their life for the better.

 When we first came to the mission office, Sister LeVitre told me that she was given this orchid that she didn't really like but that she watered just to keep the sister who gave it to her happy.  When she left she gave it and another one to me and said that I could keep them or throw it away.  They were just little plants that had the roots growing out of the soil.  Sister LeVitre started cutting them off and I asked her not too because they needed to be there, but she snipped them all off anyway.  I didn't know if the plants would survive.  I really never took care of an orchid before, but I started taking care of them.  I am excited that this one has bloomed and has several buds that will bloom soon.  The other plant is doing well too and I'm hoping it too will have pretty blooms.

 Every Monday is P-day for the missionaries.  Quite a few of the companionships come into the office to sent e-mails to their families.  We schedule a companionship for every hour.  They like to start coming in about 10:00.  While some type the others are chatting with each other or with us.  I love to talk with the young missionaries.  They are always so much fun and we get to know each other quite well.  Above are Sisters Nielsen and Lopez.  They work with the young adults.

Here are Elders Umana and Reid.  They were looking at something very interesting.

 Elder Heder is from Pleasant Grove just next to where we live.  He and Elder Reid are one of the zone leaders for this transfer.

Elder Umana is from Chili. He has just received approval from the University there to keep his scholarship and to continue his studies after his mission.  He is studying to be a research engineer in the medical field and work in a lab.  He is half way done with his studies.  Elder Fernandez wants to be a surgeon.  They make great companions.

Chelsea

 Elder McMurrin and Elder Mortensen taught a lovely young woman, Chelsea, the gospel.  She readily accepted and was baptized.  The baptismal was so powerful.  We all really felt the spirit.  Our numbers are few, but the Word was mighty.

 Chelsea recently moved here from Hati with her family.  Her brother is a member and turned 12 en route to Canada.  He will be getting the Aaronic Priesthood.  He is excited to be able to pass the sacrament.   Whenever Sister Lemble plays the piano she always has 2 helpers.  If someone tries to take the children and distract them, they cry.  And so, they get to stay with her.

 The talks were really wonderful and inspired.  It is always wonderful to hear about our Savior and His plan for us and for all mankind.  When Chelsea came out of the waters of baptism, she had the biggest, happiest smile on her face.  She was practically glowing.  How awesome is it that her testimony is already so strong at such a young age.

After the storm

 The day after the storm we drove to the office and saw many cars buried under the snow.  Lots of cars were parked at an angle and there were people shoveling snow everywhere.

 Above is the office parking lot.  Before we made it to the office we were stuck once more.  Thanks to two very helpful guys who pushed us out we were only 12 minutes late and that was after leaving early.  When the car was stuck, I got out of the car and walking back to the car my foot sank into the snow clear up to my hips.  Of course I kinda fell over and twisted my leg.  I also tweaked my shoulder. Oh well, that's what happens in the snow                                                                                                 Here we are in the little waiting room by the office.  The door behind us is the door to the                        conference room.

Winter Storm

 Today we had a big storm here in Montreal.  We picked up Sister Conway because her hubby was sick and we drove to the office.  There was such a huge snow drift blocking the driveway that we couldn't get in.  We had to drive around several blocks and drive into the lot through an alley.  The weather just got worse and worse.  After the missionaries finished their zone study and had lunch they got ready to go home.  Most of them took the metro because of the weather, but those that had cars were stuck.  Every single car was stuck in the parking lot.  It took the missionaries and Elder Arhets about 40 minutes to clear out enough snow to get those few cars out.  John phoned upstairs and told me to come on down with Sister Conway that we were leaving.  We did go down right away after closing down the office, but by then he had to leave because of the cars behind him needing to go.  He got stuck several times just going around a few blocks trying to get back to the office.  Meanwhile we were waiting in snow that was quite deep.  After we got in the car it was stuck again.  The Elders had to give us a push.  We started driving home only to find many streets closed down because of the snow.  We got stuck again and had to wait quite a while until a little snow plow came and got rid of the snow in front of us.  Even then the car wouldn't budge.  It took two people pushing the car and John accelerating to get it to finally move.  We got stuck several times more and people kindly would come and shovel out snow in front of the car and then push the car.  It took us about 50 minutes to drive 1 mile to our apt.  All throughout the streets we saw buses and cars that were stuck and everywhere we looked there were people helping each other out.  We were sure glad to get home.

 The previous day was boxing day in Canada.  It originally began in England when the wealthy people would box up their old clothes, things, and food and give them to the poor.  This tradition was continued in Canada and now it is a day of sales in all of the stores.  It is like American black friday on steroids.  We went to a huge underground mall with the Howards.  We ate lunch and then tried to shop, but it was wall to wall people in the stores and in the mall itself.  It was just crazy.  We decided to go home and play games instead.  In the center of one of the wings was this beautiful huge Christmas tree.

 Christmas day was quiet for us.  We did go out and have lunch with several of the senior couples.  We ate at Miami Deli.  It was nice to go out and visit with good people.  The rest of the day we spent Skyping with our kids and grandkids.  That was the best part of the day.  We sure do miss them a lot, but know that we are where we should be, doing the work of the Lord.

 I ordered a Greek plate, but was disappointed with the taste.  The chicken-k-bob was dry and not very tasty.  The salad and rice were good, but that's salad and rice.  Can't go to wrong there.  The huge potato chunks on the left weren't too tasty either.  Oh well, one of those things.  The important thing was that we could think of the Savior on this special day and that we could remember His great gift to us and to all mankind

Some Christmas Events

 Shortly before Christmas the Branch R.S. had an activity.  Here is a photo of the attendees.  There are more members of R.S., but it was a very snowy day and these are the only ladies who showed up.  The activity consisted of us making snowflakes and snowmen to be used as decorations for the Christmas party the following week.  We also wrote Christmas cards and notes to be distributed to the less active ladies.  Little finger sandwiches, cupcakes, cookies, hot cider and hot chocolate were served.   We had a really nice time together as we visited and crafted.  The party was a 2 ward and our branch combined party.  It was really nice.  The Spanish ward was in charge.  There was a reenactment of Christmas story which was done in scenes with singing in between each scene.  The primary sang and at one point a group of about 10 Black sisters came walking in from the side singing Hallelujah.   They all wore black skirts and red blouses and they walked their little Caribbean saunter swaying and singing as they walked across the stage.  It was wonderful.  I just loved it.  They sounded so good and they were just fun to watch.  Sadly I didn't bring my camera. :(  Papa and I cooked about 20 lbs of potatoes and made mashed potatoes.  They turned out really yummy although they nearly broke my little hand mixer.  

 The day after the party we had the Senior's Christmas dinner at the mission home.  We all gathered around 5:00 after church and had a big dinner together.  Everyone had an assignment.  Papa's and mine was mashed potatoes again for about 30 and also Southern Style Yams for 30.  Both dishes turned out great.  The table and the entire house was all decked out so prettily.

 The company was great.

 We sang a hymn and we also played the white elephant game which was so funny and a lot of fun too.

 While we were playing the seminary class from the Spanish ward came and sang several songs to us.  They sounded really good.

 Then they handed out a plate of goodies to each couple that they had personally made.

 When they were done, they walked around the circle of Seniors and each one shook hands with each of us and told us Feliz Navidad.  It was so, so very nice.

 Tuesday and Wednesday we had parties for the missionaries.  Each day the seniors did all the cooking for the missionaries.  It snowed on the way to the church.

 This statue is just around the corner from our apartment.  It is a guy squatting with his hands on his head,  I always think it looks sad as if he's in despair or something.

 We had 3 zones meeting on one day and 2 the next.  There were about 90 places set the first day and 70 the next.  The missionaries ate a ton, had a little act that each zone put on, watched a movie, played games, and had a gift exchange.  I know they had a ton of fun.

Cute little reindeer cupcakes were at each place setting

 I know most of these missionaries and they are all awesome young men and women.

 These 3 from the right are all from France.

 These 5 come into the office almost every day.

 Tons of desserts.       Elder Laguan wanted to take a picture with me so I was happy to oblige.

                                            We worked really hard to make it nice for them.

 Carving the turkeys and getting food ready.  Elder Arhets was not in a white shirt because he and Elder Conway had gone up the day before 51/2 hr drive to get some of the missionaries from Quebec City.  After the party, they had to drive them home.  The drive home was even worse because of the weather.  In fact they had 2 near misses, zero visibility and a horrible storm to drive through.  They ended up getting a hotel room and returning the next day.  It just wasn't safe to drive home. I was happy that they decided to stay instead of taking chances.

                                     Elder Osorio is from St. George, but originally from Mexico.

                              Here we have Spain, US. US., Chili and Mexico represented.

 These 3 are the California three.  Elder Fronk from Temecula, Elder Williams from Irvine and Elder Meng from Temple City.

                         Elder McMurrin is from Arkansas and Elder Fernandez from Utah.