Christmas in the Mission Field is Awesome

Christmas this year was awesome.  We had a beautiful Christmas program at Church.  It was combined with the other two wards in our building:  Brampton Ward and Chinguacousy Park (Spanish) Ward.  We had several short readings and lots of music.  English and Spanish - it was inspiring.  Elder Swendsen sang a duet with Sister Goobie (wife of our former Stake President)  They sang Silent Night and Elder Swendsen played his guitar.  That evening, we went over to the mission home and had a light dinner with President and Sister Shields and most of the missionaries from the Brampton Zone.  It was a great evening.  We all shared Christmas traditions from home.  We then sang some Christmas carols and enjoyed the spirit of Christmas.

It was really snowing as we left to go home.  We drove by Gage Park to see the lights again.  Once we got home, we were able to chat/Facetime with all of our kids and grand-kids.  It was so good to hear from all of them.

Christmas morning was fun with Elder Burton and Elder Ernest (Bert & Ernie).  We had them over for breakfast (honey fried ham, fried eggs, and hash-browns).  We had a good time with them.  We have such great elders serving in Heart Lake Ward.  We also completed the puzzle that Adam, Pam and the kids sent us.  Great pictures of the kids.

We left about 11:30 to drive to Oshawa to have Christmas dinner with The Salway cousins and their families.  All five of Uncle Monte's children were there with most of their kids and grand kids.  We met Craig, the cousin we didn't meet earlier this year.  There was about 30 or so people there.  It was a lot of fun.  We had a great visit and got to know more of the family.  Dinner was fabulous.  Shirley's daughter, Meagan did the whole dinner.  We took lots of pictures.  We had a group photo taken before every one started leaving, but I don't have a copy of it yet.  They have a family tradition that Uncle Monte used to do and now Janice does it.  It is called Salway Christmas Pie.  The tag with your name on it is attached to a small gift.  There is also a poem on the tag.  You have to read the poem and then try to guess what your gift is.  It was a ton of fun.

 Boxing Day we had a pot luck dinner at the Mission Home for all the senior missionaries.  Most were able to come.

This past week we were only in the Mission office for three days.  Most of the time was spent getting ready for transfers next week.  We get six new missionaries on Monday, Jan 1st and 14 are leaving on Wednesday, Jan 3rd.  One of our APs, Elder McBride is going home.  Our new AP is Elder Ballard.  He is going to be great.  Elder McBride is on the right, Elder McBeth in the middle, and Elder Ballard on the left.

Elder Swendsen and I have been sick since Wednesday.  We have stayed home Saturday and Sunday in hopes that we will be well enough for this very busy week.  We have colds and just feeling totally BLAH!!

We love our mission and serving the Lord here in the Canada Toronto Mission.  It has be great to remember his birth and the wondrous things that Jesus Christ has done for each one of us.  We are indeed grateful.  We love you all.