Signs of Spring

March 14, 2009- A day to explore. It is a beautiful day!

We had a picnic by this stream and enjoyed the playful shapes made as the ice melts from a branch over the stream.

We met a man from Germany on a hike around the park. We enjoyed watching him feed the birds with peanuts and sunflower seeds. It is so nice to see birds after the long winter.

Bata Shoe museum

Elder Barnes found a shoe bigger than his! We found shoes dating back to a few thousand years BC. Funeral shoes, moccasins, boots elaborately decorated, nice bright colored dyes and beads. Platform shoes, ceremonial shoes, wedding shoes worn by queen Elizabeth, socks worn by Napolean and a red pair of shiny leather boots said to be polished with champagne, worn by Beau Brummel. He would take 5 hours to get ready for something. Wow. Very interesting museum.

Canada Toronto East Mission

December was a month of zeal in the mission. People for the most part are gracious and kind. Some people want to hear our message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful thing to be anxiously engaged in His work. I am including a picture of all those in our mission. I wish you could look at it and see what I see, all the wonderful personalities and dedication of these good people. I marvel how they can go, talking to everyone they meet and ask if they would like to know more about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ here on the earth. The weather is below freezing and when they stop by the office where I work, they have red cheeks, cold hands, but warm hearts. They are so dedicated to the work. I am truly blessed to know them and be part of this noble work. We feel that we lived before we came here, with our Heavenly Father. A plan was set forth to go down to the earth to be tested, to be free to choose between good and evil. We all chose to come here. We have found the way to get back to Him and want others to be able to enjoy the fullness of the gospel also. It is because of this desire to help others that these missionaries work most of the hours of the day to find those who want to know more.
I hope you enjoy the picture, It doesn't look big enough in a blog!

Christmas in Downtown Toronto

We got to discover what Christmas is like in Downtown Toronto! The pictures aren't the best, my new camera isn't working properly, perhaps I should read the book again! Friday night we went with our friends the Yaggi's and saw the Christmas lights and windows. There were people everywhere, even at 9:30 at night and the temperature a cool 28F degrees. We enjoyed the heated car and the view from the window.
The next day, December 6th it started to snow. It fell very finely, I called it falling frost, by my jokester husband called it angel dandruff! It made the roads very icy. It was kind of comical to watch a driver training car from our home window, the car pulled over to the curb, most likely as instructed, apply the brake and slide! We were scheduled to go to a Christmas program at a building 20 minutes away on a good night, started out, and felt very little traction, turned around and worked on referrals at our own building. I do that job everyday, even on the weekends. Today my storm door to our covered entry blew open. It was so windy, I could not pull it shut until the gust calmed down a bit. It was quite comical, I am sure if someone were watching out their window. Enjoy your warmer weather everyone!

 

 

 

 

Another Birthday

We thought we would share cup cakes with the office on Dad's birthday. Elder Clymore's birthday was in a couple more days, so we celebrated both. As the young Elder's
came into the office off and on all day the cup cakes disappeared. Many
were happy to wish him a Happy Birthday. At lunch we were invited by
the RS President of the branch to go out to lunch. It was called the
"Mandarin". It was beautifully decorated, and the service was
exceptional, this was surprising since it was a Chinese Buffet. The
food was wonderful. I only wished I could eat more. We had quite a
group, six of us missionaries, and 5 members of the branch. At the end
of the meal, the waiter brought out a little birthday cake with a
candle lit, on top! Elder Barnes made a wish and blew it out. What a
nice way to spend a birthday. We are feeling so welcomed here.

More winter fun!

 
 
 
Here is Elder Barnes before a day at the office in front of our condo. Next is a view of our street from an upper window at the church, Lastly is a pretty sight of an icicle forming from our eves. Note they are forming on the wrong side, as as evidenced by the nail...the eves have separated from the house. Hope the wind doesn't tear it down this winter!

Winter has come!

 
 
 
 
Real snow, that has stayed on the ground. It is cold enough that it doesn't melt much. So not much slush! It was beautiful right afterwards, before the cars and people made tracks in it. It was like there wasn't a road at all, just a winter wonderland.

There are goldfish crackers in the bowl everyday, but you can imagine the secretaries surprise when she was greeted by these goldfish! Office fun!