Two weeks ago, Makala (12) and her brother, Joshua (9), were baptized and confirmed.  Their mother is less active but she wants her children to come to Church.  They love coming and have made lots of friends in the ward.  Elder Swendsen and I taught them the first two lessons, then the Elders took over.  They were baptized by their great-uncle and confirmed by their great-grandfather.  They have a lot of family support.  They are good kids.

Last week, we enjoyed a lovely walk around the temple grounds.  It was very beautiful and peaceful.  I can't wait to see it with the summer flowers in bloom.

I love temples and the gospel principle of eternal families.  Families are indeed forever!

A week ago, Saturday, we went to Chinguacousy Park which is just a few minutes (5 minutes) from our apartment.  We spent a couple of hours there enjoying the activities.  They have a train for the kids to ride on.  Barbara and Hope will like that when they get here in July with Heather and Bryan.  We also played some miniature golf.

It has been busy in the mission office.  Elder Swendsen has sold two more cars.  I have been slowly scanning the old records of missionaries who have gone home and getting them in the computer.  I need to make room in the filing cabinet.  It was very crowded - not so much now, but still one whole drawer to do.  The young Elders and Sisters are so wonderful.  We love their enthusiasm and excitement for the gospel.

The gospel is true.  Serving a mission is great for senior couples.  We now see why many couples have served two, three, and even four missions.  We are thinking...

reat kids.

Salesman of the Month

On Tuesday, Elder Swendsen sold his 10th car for the mission.  He had two different people coming to look at cars and hoped that at least one would make a purchase.  In anticipation of this auspicious occasion, he went to Value Village on Monday night to purchase his "Salesman Tacky Jacket and Tie."  After he made the sale, he took them out of our car and put them on.  When he went back into the mission office, everyone had a great laugh.  The couple (a bishop from New Market and his wife), who bought the car, had to get in on the photo op.  They even took some of their own photos.  We might work hard but we do have some fun.  Now for the next 10 cars...

Spring time in Brampton

It is spring time in Brampton.  These photos were taken over 2 weeks ago.  There are so many trees in bloom.  This week the dandelions have emerged by the thousands.  Brampton is known as the flower city of Canada.  Here is a link to the story of how Brampton became the flower city.  

https://www.brampton.ca/EN/residents/digital/Brampton-The-Flower-City-Story/Brampton-The-Flower-City-Story/E3AB10A9ED2FFEA9B1662DAE50180612/2012-0131.pdf

you might have to copy and paste it into the place for a URL on your computer.

Last Saturday, we discovered this beautiful magnolia tree in full bloom.  It is gorgeous.  I never knew that magnolias bloomed here.  The rain stopped on Sunday and we are starting to dry out and warm up a bit.  We didn't get any flooding here.  It was more in eastern Ontario and Quebec.

Last week we talked to our son-in-law, Bryan and found out that he met a couple at the temple who have a daughter serving in our mission.  He met Brother and 

sister Varty and we know their daughter, Sister Varty who is a super missionary.

We had another group of new missionaries arrive two weeks ago.  They are a great group.  We are keeping very busy in the office and thoroughly loving the work.  The gospel is true and our Heavenly Father loves us all so very much.  We had a area Stake Conference broadcast last Sunday.  It was very uplifting.  Dallin H. Oaks was presiding.  

If you can, serve a mission.  It is the greatest thing to do as a senior couple.  Love you all.