Spring is Finally Here in Brampton

April General Conference we had the humbling experience of sustaining our new prophet, Russell M. Nelson.  He is such a humble and loving man.  He is close to the Lord in all he does and says.
Conference was amazing with all the announcements and teachings.  We can all become closer to the Lord as we learn to minister the way the Savior did.

The first week of April was one spiritual experience after another.  General Conference was such a great start to the week.  April 4-6 we had a Mission Tour/Zone Conference.  We had S. Gifford Nielsen and his wife, Wendy, visit with us and teach all of the missionaries.  Wednesday evening, most of the senior missionary couples were able to come and have dinner with them and listen to some amazing experiences.  As Elder Nielsen spoke of Conference, he said that more is to come.  Elder Nielsen taught the missionaries to set goals and plans on how to achieve their goals.  He also taught the Plan of Salvation and showed it as a Plan of Love.  Sister Nielsen reminded everyone to remember "who you are and whose you are."  We are sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother.

Saturday, April 7th, was our annual Relief Society party.  We had a joint party with our ward, Heart Lake Ward, and Brampton Ward.  The theme was the Temple.  We had a delicious meal followed by an activity of painting a picture of the Toronto Temple.  My efforts in painting left much to be desired.  It was a fun evening.

Monday, April 8th, we had our Senior FHE in our building.  It was at Elder and Sister Anderson's apartment.  We all shared thought from General Conference.  It was a spiritual time and a fun time to socialize.

Friday evening as we were leaving to meet Elder and Sister Donnelly for dinner, our garage door would not open.  We called them to pick us up.  We do not like apartment living some days.

Friday night (Apr 13) through Sunday night, an ice storm hit most of southern Ontario, including Brampton.  Church was cancelled on Sunday due to very icy roads and a thick layer of ice every where.  We had fun watching out our window as a few brave cars tried to leave our parking area.  Saturday night, I phoned all the senior couples in our building to plan a short meeting in Elder and Sister Card's apartment on Sunday afternoon.  We shared more about General Conference and also what we learned at our Mission Tour with Elder and Sister Nielsen.  Sister Card made some delicious cinnamon buns and brownies for treats.
Monday morning, shortly before we left for the Mission Office, our parking area had most of the ice plowed away so cars to move.

When we got to the Mission Office, it was like a huge skating arena.  They were just starting to plow there.  We had to wait about 15 - 20 minutes before we could get in and park.

Today, we were asked to help in the Family History Centre for a Stake Youth Activity.  There were lots there and it was fun to help them.  Some were doing research on their family lines and others were indexing.  It was also fun to see them work together and help each other.  It ended with a nice lunch brought in from the Mandarin, our favorite Chinese food restaurant.

The last couple of days have been warmer and sunnier.  I think that spring is finally here.

We are so enjoying serving a mission for our Father in Heaven.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  He loves you!

Spring is here in Brampton

March has been amazing in the mission field.  It is a joy to work closely with these young warrior elders and angel sisters.  We love these young missionaries so much.  They are an awesome extension to our family.  They are like more grandchildren.

This was our chosen parking spot at our zone conference in London.  Scary to think we are in that category - well, at least in relation to all the missionaries.

Spring is here, unlike snowy Calgary back home.  We have some sun and a few snow flurries.  The clouds here in Brampton are so awesome.  We have seen lots of geese returning and even a few robins.

Two weeks ago, we had Family Home Evening at the home of Elder and Sister Hodgson.  The showed us a video of General Conference, October 1990.  Here, President Monson spoke of "Days Never to be Forgotten."  In this talk, he talked about the early days of the Church in Canada (Ontario), his time as a mission president here, and the beautiful Toronto Temple.  It was wonderful to watch.  Here is a link so that you can read or watch the talk.  If you can, watch it as the pictures are beautiful.

 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1990/10/days-never-to-be-forgotten?lang=eng

We had the elders from our ward (Heart Lake Ward) for dinner last Sunday.  This was right before transfers.  Elder Garner and Elder Cruz are awesome.

This past week has been a wildly busy week.  Monday through Wednesday was transfers.  We had four super missionaries go home and five awesome and enthusiastic missionaries arrive.  Monday was arrival time for the new missionaries.  We had dinner with them at the Mission Home.  It is fun to get to know them.  Five new grandchildren for us.  As we arrived at the Mission Home, we notice tulips and daffodils coming up in the garden.  I love Spring.

 Dinner at the Mission Home is always fun.

Elder Kimball, our newest AP, got the last of the dessert.  We gave him the serving bowl and he cleaned it out.

Once transfers were finalized in the computer (Thursday), I had to do residency letters for all the missionaries and redo the transfer board in President Shields' office.

Friday, we had MLC (Mission Leadership Council).  This is for all zone leaders and sister trainer leaders to be trained by President and Sister Shields and the APs.  The office staff were on hand bright and early (7 AM) to make breakfast of waffles, fruit, yogurt and juice for this awesome group.  We got to eat too.  This council usually goes all day, but they finished after lunch (served by Sister Padron).  The Friday before General Conference we have four sessions booked at the temple for the missionaries who can get here in less than about 2 hours.  Elder Swendsen and I attended the second session.  There is such a wonderful spirit in the temple with all these wonderful missionaries.

The best thing of this past week was Wednesday, as we had the arrival of a new grandson, Everest Isaiah Swendsen.  He joins Evan and Tara's family with Cameron, Phoenix and Raelyn.  We now have 19 grandchildren and one great grandchild.  Added to these sweet ones are 193 wonderful missionaries.

 General Conference has been amazing so far.

We know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  The only way to have true happiness and joy is to keep our Father in Heaven's commandments.  Obedience brings blessings.  We love serving the Lord here in Brampton.