Thursday, March 21, 2019

 

 Finally!!  A beautiful sunny day!

I am not sure but I think spring might be trying to come to Nova Scotia--maybe a little sooner to those of us on the coast rather than those inland who have bigger snow banks.  We think it is a good day if the sun is shining, it is above freezing, and there is no wind.  I am anxiously watching for all the trees to start budding out. 

This has been kind of a quiet week.  Things are slowing down as we get closer to the Mission merging in July.  Missionaries aren't getting called to the Canada Halifax Mission any more.  They are getting called to the Canada Montreal Mission and I don't have access to IMOS for that Mission.  We have 3 more transfers before we move.


Today is MLC-Mission Leadership Council.  I didn't go and stayed in the office to wait to see if the new insurance cards for the vehicles got delivered.  Usually I go with Elder Boyle and we just lock up the office but he wanted to make sure we didn't miss the delivery of those cards.  It was a good thing that I waited because a couple of the Elders, who are "bus contacting" Elders came to the office to be able to use the WiFi to do some digital finding.  We have two companionships that are "bus contacting" Elders.  They don't have cars and ride the buses around town and talk to other bus riders trying to find those who might be interested in learning about Jesus Christ.  So they rode the bus from downtown Dartmouth to the office and it would have been sad for them to come all this way and then the office be closed and locked.  Elder Boyle hadn't left for the meeting yet so he took them to Costco to get a hot dog and they brought them back to the office to eat so they could have some of Elder Boyle's special J-dog sauce that we brought from Utah.  Elder Boyle likes to do that and quite often takes any missionaries who happen to be in the office to Costco for a hot dog.  The word gets out and Elder Hardy and Elder Madsen were glad that it was finally their turn.  

Elder Madsen and Elder Hardy

We really haven't done much lately in the way of sight-seeing.  We are kind of getting antsy to do things as the weather gets warmer.  This past Saturday we went shopping and I was able to get a couple of pairs of pants and tops in a store called Reitmans.  They carry long or tall clothing in the store and I like what I have found there.  At first it felt very strange trying to go shopping here because I didn't recognize any of my go- to stores like Penney's, Dress Barn, or even Target.  Even to order from them on-line would involve hefty shipping charges.  I don't really plan on shopping very much because I kind of like this minimalist life style of just having what I really need, but when the guidelines for Sister missionaries was changed so that we could wear slacks as well as our skirts, I decided to look for a couple more pairs because I only brought a couple  and they were pretty casual.  Unfortunately, I have also gained weight and my jeans have become pretty tight.

Sunday we attended our regular meetings in the Halifax YSA Branch and then hosted the Clayton Park Elders for dinner.  Elder Boyle made roast and potatoes and carrots in the crock-pot because they requested meat and potatoes.  These Elders in the metro area-Dartmouth and Halifax-don't get fed very often by members because there are three companionships in their Ward and not enough members who can afford to feed more than their families.  So we are glad to either take them to dinner or provide food for them in our apartment.  We had a nice time with Elder McArthur from Idaho and Elder Bluth from Arizona.  They are the Zone leaders and work hard.  Elder McArthur is an IT guy who we all call when we have computer or phone problems.

Elder McArthur and Elder Bluth 

Elder Boyle with Elder McArthur and Elder Bluth

         A year ago we had just sold our home and moved into a new apartment in Cedar Hills, Utah.  At the time we had no idea where we would be in a year.  Things worked out well for us.  We wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now-even with the cold temps.  We love being missionaries.  I feel like I am finally getting this office thing down and can take an extra breath or two.  I know it is going to get really busy again in July when we make the move to Montreal.  We look forward to the challenge.  We miss our family and friends but have made so many new ones.  Our lives will never be the same.  Until next time.

Robyn

PS--I forgot the part about Elder Boyle learning to knit and crochet.  Sister Moyes and Sister Vollmer are teaching him.

Sunset view from our apartment over Lake Bannook.