Today is Sunday, September 1, 2019
Exactly two months (plus 3 days!!) ago, we transferred to this beautiful ‘other side of heaven!’ Elder Groberg’s mission to Tonga has nothing on us here in our newly expanded Canada Montreal Mission!!! When we are here in Quebec, we refer to the former Canada Halifax Mission as ‘The Other Side of Heaven,’ and, when we are in Atlantic Canada, we refer to Quebec, and Ontario, as ‘The Other Side of Heaven!’ Serving a mission is truly a heavenly experience!!!
I think the most wonderful miracle for us has been how easy it has been to LOVE ALL these folks…Newfoundlanders, New Brunswicker’s, PEI’ers, Nova Scotians, Ontarians, a few Mainers, (is that what they are called?), and yes, Quebecois!! Serving with our army of 185 young missionaries and our 25 Senior missionaries has given us a jump start on loving these ‘locals.’
Aaron, Jennie, Isabelle, Luke, Maxwell, Charlotte, Jane, and Peter arrived on the 19th and spent 10 delightful days with us. We were thrilled to have them travel to Quebec City with us for our Zone Conference there, and loved to have the oldest four, as well as Aaron and Jennie participate, sharing favourite scriptures, gospel messages, and testimonies. Trips to Oka beach and to Upper Canada Village, and pulling out our watercolours and painting together were highlights. Really the highlight, just like when anyone visits, is just being together with ones we love!!
Next to having a reunion with loved ones at the airport, ‘watching’ happy reunions at the airport is the next best thing!! Anticipating and then witnessing families being reunited after weeks, months, or years is just amazing. Such profound parallels in life, and you can be sure my next sermon will begin with my experiences ‘waiting’ at the airport!!
Isabelle, Charlotte, Jane and I met a Lebanese lady who was waiting for her husband and son to return from Lebanon. I found a pen on the floor, and simply asked her if it was hers (not knowing if she understood English) and she said it was not hers, but asked what my name tag was about.she noticed that is said ‘Jesus Christ’… That began our great conversation about why we are here, and what we believe. She lives in a subdivision next to ours, and said we should get together for coffee!! I explained that we have a code of health, and don’t drink coffee, but that I would love to get together. She said she and her husband go to a Lebanese church across from where they live…just because it is convenient. Anyway….tomorrow we are going to take treats to her!!! Pray for Katya Lyane!!! She loved seeing our family together and asked a lot of questions.
We also met our other next door neighbours…Michel and Jennifer and two month old baby Zoe who are Lebanese as well. We are excited to have them as friends…time to bake a bunch of cookies!!
Waiting at the airport for our thirteen new missionaries was a three hour marathon adventure, where we got to see many happy reunions, and visit with several folks. Although their flight was actually early, customs delays, and visa checks delayed meeting our new group. Aaron, Jennie and family were patiently, and anxiously hoping they could meet our new missionaries, but their flight home was calling them so they had to go…
New missionaries include Sisters Moosman - from Idaho, Murray - from Utah, and Wight - from Washington, and Elders Barnjak - from France, Calabuig - from Texas, Christensen - from Utah, Craven - from Okotoks, Hawk - from Massachusetts, Mengolli - from France, Pinkney - from Virginia, Rigby - from Utah and Rodriguez - from Utah. We are so excited to have this great new group!!!
Taco soup, hot buns, and great orientation by our Office missionaries filled their tummies, warmed their hearts, and helped them feel welcome to the Canada Montreal Mission
Transfer Week is logistically challenging with our little army being transferred all over this massive area!!!… Assistants, Elder Holman and Elder Newman, teamed up with Sister Boyle, are champs, and miraculously everyone arrived where they were supposed to…by car, bus, train and plane…(no one travels by water!)
Only eight returning home missionaries: Sisters Anand, Advincula, Garcia, and Humphreys, and Elders Olaveson, Petit, Gomez, and Hadden. I spend the day preparing the feast, which is usually yummy but the highlight is always the Temple Session on Thursday night. Temple workers are so accommodating and welcoming when we show up, knowing it is such a spiritual high, and wonderful sendoff for our missionaries. Testimony meeting and singing was lovely too. It is an emotional, bittersweet time for us making this farewell trip to the airport, of course wondering if we will ever see these friends again.
Talking to people everywhere is what we do…and like I have mentioned before, Richard is a pro…at the airport, at Costco, at the park, at the subway, in the lineup at the Nike shop, etc… he normally and naturally brings up the Church, has a pocket full of Book of Mormon cards, and his contact card, and passes them out everywhere to everyone. People are usually so attentive and interested in what we say..We encourage our missionaries to talk to everyone, so we do it too!!
Exciting week ahead…our MTC trainer Ken Packer arrives Tuesday and will be here till Friday doing training, and also Elder Haney from our Area Presidency will be here Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, also doing training. And Saturday we host all 8 Stake Presidents (and wives) in our Mission, for a getting to know you barbeque.
And now this report comes to an end sending love to all
Richard and Gayle, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma
Keep Smiling, Sourit toujours, and CTR!!!
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