Canadian Winter

 It is sooooo cold here and has been for several weeks now.  The temperatures have been between 0 and minus 11 regularly.  Of course when you add in the wind factor, it's a lot colder than that and we have had a lot of wind.  Although I got these photos from google, this is just what our streets look like now.   Last week we had church, but the two weeks before that most of the churches were closed on Sunday.  The first week we couldn't have gone even if we wanted to because the driveway to our apartment was so blocked with snow that we couldn't get out.  Besides that, the little snow blower that the custodians were working on was broken.  The second Sunday that church was cancelled the Branch President called and told us that we could hold Sacrament meeting in our apartment and that we could invite the other couples and sister missionaries that live in our apt. building.  Sister Abrams and the young sister missionaries came over and we had a very spiritual sacrament meeting.  Both John and I had been scheduled to give talks that Sunday and the Sunday before so we were totally prepared.  We talked about faith and consecration.  That morning I quickly made some banana bread and so after we had our meeting, we were able to have a nice, warm treat and visit a bit.

We see lots of frozen bikes in the streets.  Not all of them are in this good of condition.  Many are tipped over.

 Each morning people have to dig their cars out of the snow.  When we drive to the office, or even to the store, John has to scrape off the windows before we can move the car.  This year we bought metro passes and have been taking the Metro to work.  It is great.  The Metro is in the basement of our apt building and our stop is just across the street from the mission office.  It's really quick too and gets us there just as fast as if we drove.  It has been so convenient.

 These are the gates to China Town Montreal which is just a short 10 minute drive from our apartment.

Joseph Smith Memorial

Yesterday we went to Sharon, Vermont to the Joseph Smith Memorial with Sister Abrams.  It took a bit over 3 hours to drive there.  It was a wonderful visit.  We are so glad we took the time to go.

The monument is one of the largest polished granite shafts in the world.  It marks the birthplace of Joseph Smith the great prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

                               There were many beautiful paintings in the Visitor's Center.

                             The fireplace has the original hearth stone from Joseph's home.

This chair is also from the home and some think it was built by Joseph, but there is actually no proof of that.

                                                              Joseph Smith Senior

                                                            Emma Smith

                                                   Our prophet today Thomas S. Monson

                                            A bust of Jesus Christ, the head of our church.

                                                   Outside there was this manger scene.

This sheep came running up to me when I came near the pen.  He put his head on my arm and stayed that way for several minutes, but I couldn't get a picture of it.

There are two building there.  One is the Visitor's Center and the other had displays of many nativity sets.  This building is also the home of the Director the Center.  All of the couples who are working there were so nice to us.  There was a big grand piano in the living room and they invited me to play a few Christmas carols.  I did and everyone sang Silent Night and also a French song Souviens Toi while I played.  It was such a nice feeling to hear the beautiful music.

To finish off our evening we drove through Montpelier, Vermont.  We stopped at Angelino's Pizza which had the best Italian food.

I had this absolutely delicious Tiger Shrimp with spinach and gnocchi in a white sauce.  It was one of the best dishes I've eaten in a long, long time.

Papa had this huge steak and cheese sub sandwich.  The portions were so big that we both had plenty to take home for another meal.

                                             Sister Abrams had a chicken and pasta dish.