On the Go in Ontario

We have been so busy the last few weeks, we often have naps when we get home and then dinner later in the evening.  Friday, May 18th, we had a surprise birthday dinner at Vesuvios for Elder Donnelly, our medical advisor.  He was turning 70! We had a great time with lots of fun and laughter.  He got a free birthday dessert with our half of the restaurant all singing happy birthday to him.  There was a live guitar player there and so we even had musical accompaniment.  After dinner, we went for a lovely stroll through Gage Park which is just across the street from the restaurant.

On Saturday, Elder Swendsen and I went on a nature walk around the lake by our apartment.  They finished the construction at the south end and now there is a nice play area and picnic area.  So many beautiful trees in the area are in bloom.

On Sunday, Elder Swendsen gave a very good talk in Sacrament Meeting on the Restoration of the Priesthood.  I taught the Relief Society lesson that day on Temple and Family History work.

Monday, May 21st, was our monthly Silver Maple Family Home Evening.  We met at Elder and Sister Donnelly's apartment.  We all were invited to tell a story about one of our ancestors.  It was interesting and a lot of fun.  Treats were yummy.

May 23-25 was Zone Conference time.  It comes around so fast, it seems, every 6 weeks.  Wednesday we were in Oshawa, Thursday - Burlington, and Friday - Barrie.  We love Zone Conferences.  We get to see all the missionaries and feel of their great spirits.  Car inspections went well and most cars were fairly clean.  I also have now learned how to change the air filters in Toyota Rav 4s.  Elder Swendsen reminded the missionaries about getting their K reports (car reports) in the FIRST of the month.  He also reminded them that their kilometer allotment for the month is not a suggestion, but a mission rule.  Many of the missionaries are really trying to keep their kilometers down.  We  have had some great response.  Here are two postings by two different companionships:

So I got raked by the spirit during Elder Swendsen's instruction about k's, for not being as diligent as I could have been in the past with my kilometers. I always justified not walking places or driving more because I could do for effective things with my time if I drove to place with more people, but the K Limit is something we have been asked to do and is a mission rule. (1 Nephi 3:7) The Spirit told me I haven't been trusting The Lord with that one. Alas, I felt horrible and  needless to say I am currently in the process of repenting and on the next day after Zone Conference me and Elder Moulin decided we would walk to some of our appointments and like 3 minutes into our first walk, we walked up to a community garden and met a Former that hadn't been contacted for a year or so and she said we could come by again and teach her 9 year old son, and we met another lady that said she would like to meet up as well because of all the crazy things going on in life. It was a very humbling experience for me because we would have never had talked to either of them had we driven to the appointment. It was amazing to see The Lord truly does provide a way for his servents to accomplish his work and was a testimony builder for me. Thank you Elder Mike Swendsen

From Elder Talbot

Ok. So here's the deal. We are over our k's. So we had the choice to give up and just drive or try to save what we could our last few days. So we decided to walk an hour and a half to our dinner appointment. And lemme tell you MIRACLES ARE SO REAL. We are walking back along a main road, and we start talking to this family. They are super interested and as we start to walk away she runs after us and asks for another card so she can bring her friend to church. Miracle number one. Well little did we know this man and his wife who were pushing their little baby in a stroller on the OTHER side of the street had been watching us. They called after us from across the road and asked us to meet them at the next light. They asked if we were sharing the bible and we taught them all about the Book of Mormon and they are coming to church on Sunday!! Car fasts are real. Thank you Elder Mike Swendsen

From Sisters Fitzgerald and Shields

Early - parking lot is empty

Cars all lined up

checking the oil

  After Thursday's Zone Conference in Burlington, we went to the local Royal Botanical Gardens with Elder and Sister Donnelly.  The gardens are spread over a large area, so you drive a couple of minutes to each one and then get out and walk.  They were gorgeous.  Tulips were still in bloom and the lilac area was spectacular.  We didn't know that there were so many varieties of lilacs.  Watch out for turtles - crossing warning.  There was also a magnolia tree in bloom.  We then drove down Lakeshore Road, by Lake Ontario and stopped to take a look.

Saturday, May 26th, we went to the African Lion Safari out near Hamilton, with the Donnellys.  This is a great place for families.  We first drove through the animal preserve - took well over an hour.  So many animals to see, some up close and personal.  There were large flocks of Canada Geese everywhere.  We had a bison walk right past our car.  An ostrich tried to eat the side mirror on the car.  It also kept hitting the side windows with its beak - trying to get it.  There were other animals to walk around and see.  We got to watch the elephants play and swim in the lake.  There are the usual eating places and souvenir shops.  There is a huge water play area for kids.  We were so hot, we wanted to just walk through to get a little wet and cool off.

This past week in the Mission Office, we have been busy, as usual.  Wednesday was Mission Leadership Council (MLC).  The three office couples were at the Mission Office at 7 AM to make breakfast for the leadership of the mission.  There were about 36 young missionaries to feed - waffles, fruit, yogurt and juice.  Again, we just love being with these wonderful missionaries.  They are indeed - "Astonishing!"

Friday and Saturday (June 1st & 2nd), we had a Senior Missionary Conference.  We have such a great time when we get together.  Friday afternoon, most of the couples attended the 1:30 session at the Toronto Temple.  We later met at the Mission Home for appetizers and dinner.  We had a barbecue with lots of good food.  We had a program after dinner.  First up I talked about my pioneer ancestors, Samuel Wilcox and Martha Bolton, who joined the Church in 1839 in eastern Ontario and later went to Nauvoo, Illinois and then on the Utah.  After that, Elder Swendsen and I sang two songs while he played the guitar.  We had written four new verses to "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" - the seniors version and then also a take off on Gordon Lightfoot's "Alberta Bound".  We only have 6 weeks and we will be Alberta bound.  Next, Sister Morse told about one of her ancestors and sang a song that she wrote about her.  Our last activity was led by Sister Shields.  Everyone had to write down, on a card, something that no-one would know about them.  As each one was read out, we had to guess who it was.  Once you were discovered, you had to tell the story about the incident.  We laughed and laughed - what a motley group when we were young; and now we are all missionaries.

Here are the lyrics to the songs we sang:

WE HOPE THEY CALL US ON A MISSION

We hoped they’d call us on a mission,

Though we’re no longer in our youth.

We hope that we’ll be truly ready

To work and serve the Lord like missionaries do.

Well we’re glad they called us on a mission.

We’re here serving with a smile.

We serve the Lord with dedication

And get up evr’y day, and make our time worthwhile.

We’re glad we went and served a mission.

We’re pleased we went to serve the Lord.

We loved being senior missionaries.

We showed the Lord we know the value of His word.

We hope they’ll call us on a mission,

Though we’re no longer in our youth.

We hope that we’ll be truly ready

To work and serve the Lord like missionaries do.

Alberta Bound,   

with apologies to Gordon Lightfoot

Oh, the Prairie Lights are burning bright

Chinook winds are movin’ in

Someday soon we’ll be Alberta bound.

We've always done the best we could

To serve the Lord where e’r we stood,

And someday soon we’ll be Alberta bound.

No one we met could e’r forget

A Rocky Mountain Sunset.

It’s a pleasure just to be Alberta Bound.

We long to see our next of kin,

To know what kind of shape they’re in,

Someday soon we’ll be Alberta Bound.

Alberta bound, Alberta bound,

It’s good to be Alberta bound.

Alberta bound, Alberta bound,

it’s good to be Alberta bound.

Oh, the skyline of Toronto

Is something you get onto,

but they say you got to live here for awhile.

You can go and serve a mission

With all of your ambition,

Then tread the Saviour’s footsteps for a mile.

The new folks that are comin’ in

Will be so blessed, they way we’ve bin’.

The blessings, they just keep goin’ round.

It’s homeward bound that we will go.

You gotta know we’ll miss you so,

It’s now’s our time to be Alberta bound.

Alberta bound, Alberta bound,

It’s good to be Alberta bound.

Alberta bound, Alberta bound,

it’s good to be Alberta bound.

Saturday morning started with a presentation by one of our guests, Carma Prete.  She and her husband, Roy, have written an extensive book about Canadian Mormons.  She talked about the early days of the Church in Ontario.  It was very interesting.  Elder and Sister Rozier followed with teaching us how to minister in the far corners of our mission and our assignments.  Elder and Sister Knight then shared some of the experiences that they have had serving in the Bishop's Storehouse.  President and Sister Shields ended the morning with some great thoughts and love.  Following a great lunch, we headed out for our afternoon activity.  We went to PAMA - Peel Area Museum and Archives. We all spent a couple of hours in their art gallery and the museum.  It was very interesting.  The week is over and we are tired but so very happy.

We are so grateful to be serving a mission.  We are grateful for our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ.  The Plan of Salvation is the great Plan of Happiness.  Our Father in Heaven hears and answers our prayers.

Whirlwind of Activities in the Toronto Mission

We have been so busy these past 2 1/2 weeks.  Time is flying by.  April 25th was MLC (Mission Leadership Council) in the mission.  The office couples start preparing breakfast (waffles, fruit, yogurt and juice) at 7 AM for about 34 missionaries.  This time there was some confusion for their lunch so we had to run out and get pizzas, chips and pop for them.

Sunday, April 29th, started lots of excitement for us.  President was notified that we would be getting four elders Monday evening.  All the volunteers (missionaries) in Turkey were quickly been sent elsewhere due to political unrest.  President and Sister Shields were going to be out of town for a couple of days doing interviews, so they asked us to pick up the elders at the airport and host them at the Mission Home.  We had to pack a bag for a sleep over.  We got to sleep in the General Authorities Room.  We  had a great dinner that included roast pork.  None of them had eaten pork since they left home.  We were excited to host these four fine young elders.  One was from Edmonton and the others were from the United States.  One of the American elders had been living in Saudi Arabia with his family before his mission.  He knows our nephew, Dan and his family.

In the morning as I was preparing breakfast for the elders, I looked out the patio door and noticed that we had a visitor.  I DID NOT open the door to shoo him away.

May 4th brought in a new AP.  Elder Ballard is going back out into the field for his last transfer.  We now have Elder Hunter working with Elder Kimball.

 Friday, May 4th, brought in a storm with rain and wind like most had not seen in a long time.  Torrents of rain and winds well over 100 kph.  Trees were uprooted, power lines down, and the airport closed for a few hours.  We sat in our apartment with the windows partially open and listed to the wind.  Some say the wind had never been that bad since 1954 (Hurricane Hazel).  I was here for that as well.  Hmmm.  A large pine tree was uprooted at the mission home, but nothing was damaged other than the tree.

 

Saturday morning several missionaries and young adults helped with the annual cleanup of the Churchville Cemetery.  This was a great service project for the Helping Hands of the Church.  We spent a couple of hours there helping the community.

Saturday afternoon was an astonishing time for all the missionaries.  They all came in to Brampton from all across the mission.  Many had to start their journey on Friday to get here.  We all got to meet President M. Russell Ballard and be taught by him and others that came here from Salt Lake.  He taught  the missionaries to wake up with a smile on their faces and a positive attitude.  Your attitude and smile will be contagious as you talk to people that you meet.  As you open your mouth (OYM), people will be more apt to listen to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ if you are truly happy.  He promised them astonishing results if they followed his council.  It was hard to get the missionaries to head to their areas, they were so pumped and excited.

The above photo (taken by Elder Leung) was of Hermana Karpa and Hermana Arrayan talking to two police officers in the parking lot after the meeting with President Ballard.  They were interested and the sisters got their contact information.  They are super sisters as are all of our missionaries.

This past week May 7-9, we had transfers.  A lot of great missionaries went home and some great ones arrived.  So goes the six week cycle of transfers. 

Yesterday, we went to a park near the Mission Home.  It is filled with beautiful Japanese cherry trees that were a gift to Brampton from Japan.

Today, on Mother's Day, we went into Toronto to go to Church.  We went to the old Mission Home at 133 Lyndhurst Avenue first.  This is where my parents were married.  We then went on to the chapel at 851 Ossington Avenue.  This is the chapel where I was blessed as a baby.  It has been added on to over the years.  The original chapel is now the Primary Room.  The original pulpit was in a foyer as a historical memory.  This was special to me.

This week, I received by DNA results from Ancestry.  I have met some new cousins from this and renewed acquaintances with others.  Hope to visit with some before we go home.

It is hard to believe that we will be leaving here in just over two months.  Serving a mission as a senior couple is an amazing, or should I say "Astonishing" experience.  Serving the Lord brings such joy into our lives.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  It is our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness.

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.