Thursday, August 8, 2013-

Okay,drats- take 2- somehow first draft didn't get saved. . We can't believe how fast 18 months has gone by. We have learned and grown so very much during this time with you wonderful people of Atlantic Canada. Thank you so very much for the love that you have shared with us! Please know that you are in our hearts and will never be forgotten. We look forward to the opportunity to come back for a visit. We move out of our apartment tomorrow. The plan is that we will begin our journey home on August 21st. First stop is PEI, and the goal is to be in Houston, Texas, on or before September 5th. Children and grandchildren and friends back home, please know that we look forward to seeing you all next month. Hugs to you all, wherever you are. Your love and friendship enrich our lives. How grateful we are to have had this opportunity to serve the Lord for these 18 months.


I have pictures and things to post but the days have been so full. So I will catch up when I can. 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

From facebook-

Hope that all is well in your corner of the world. Be it very hot or rainy - happy or sad, certain or uncertain. Life continues to speed on here. It is hard to believe that we have just a few more weeks to go. So grateful that Craig is finally getting over the worst of his head cold. When we are not at the temple we are packing and cleaning the apartment. We have things pretty much in control and just have a few things to do that will need to wait till the last week- things like packing clothes, packing up bathroom/medicines etc and cleaning the stove and fridge. We are so very grateful for the opportunity to have been here in the Maritimes. The people here are so very friendly, helpful and courteous, they have a large space in our hearts. What does the future hold, not really sure yet, and we really can't dwell alot on it yet. Several things are out there but only the Lord knows where he wants to use us and when. Know of our love to you our friends wherever you are- near or far away. Thanks for your support and interest in our lives as we have served this mission.

Saturday, July 20th, 2013- We work our usual day at the temple. It was a good day, what day at the temple couldn't be good. We are so grateful for the time we spend there each week. We leave just a little bit early to prepare for a trip to New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Craig has the chance to participate in one last Missionary Concert. He has been trying to get a cold and it will take a great deal of faith and prayers for him to do his best. We are grateful to President Robinson for a priesthood blessing that surely is appreciated.

It's another lovely summer day in the Maritimes and the drive to New Glasgow (about 2 hours) is lovely. The following pictures were taking during the rehearsal, not the actual performance.

Elder Hawks and Sister Lee rehearsing "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera

Sister Lee practising "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera

Craig and Sister Lee rehearsing "The Phantom of the Opera" from Phantom of the Opera-  and no he didn't like wearing the mask!!!

Sister Lee with the Phantom Chorus

Sister Lee gets a few minutes to play the cello while waiting for Elder Woodward

Elder Woodward practising Claude Debussy's "Reverie"

Sister Broadhead and Sis Lee practising "Amazing Grace".   Sister Broadhead also had a solo number: "Voi che Sapete"

Elder Hawkes, Sis. Lee, Craig and Sister Broadhead practising " How Great Thou Art"

Elder Thatcher a talented senior missionary. He plays organ and piano.

Our String quartet: Elder Call (violin), Sister Echols (violin), Elder Woodward (cello) and Elder Waldie (viola)

Sister Drew practising "O Divine Redeemer"

Elder Thatcher on the piano- Sister Laxon his page turner. Sister Laxon also had a beautiful solo on the piano- Chopin's "Nocturne, Opus 9, No. 1".

Elder Call, such a talented violinist, practising Adoration, and Orange Blossom Special.

After rehearsal Elders Hawkes, Waldie and Woodward are outside to catch some sun and burn some energy.

Sister Call is another of our talented pianists.

We are selected to spend the night with the Langille family. They live in Caribou, Nova Scotia.

The Langille home is lovely and so peaceful and cool. We are blessed with a great night's sleep.

Sunday morning picture of the New Glasgow Branch Chapel.

Our Concert on Saturday night was well attended and went so smoothly. All did such a wonderful job.

Sister missionaries pose in a group shot for us- we will miss them so very much when we leave.

Sister Broadhead requests a picture with us. How grateful we are for those we have served with and grown to love so very much during this mission experience.

Tuesday, July 18th- A day off was planned to be a day-outing to Halifax! We would go with Elder and Sister Dela Cruz. We would ride across the Halifax Harbour on one of the passenger ferries. The day was beautiful and we had a wonderful day.

Okay, this ferry terminal in Eastern Passage is not the terminal we wanted- this one is mainly used for those who cross the harbor for work each day and has a limited schedule.

Halifax and it's harbor from Eastern Passage

This ferry terminal at Alderney Landing in downtown Dartmouth is the one we needed!

A few pictures taken  before our ferry arrives from around the wharf

Across the harbor we see a Canadian Naval Vesel

the beautiful Halifax Skyline

Our passenger ferry boats

The MacDonald Bridge- one of two bridges that connect Dartmouth and Halifax

more Naval vessels

Another picture of the Halifax Harbour

Passengers on the ferry enjoing a lovely view on a lovely summer day.

We pass Georges Island in the harbor.

Where we dock on the Halifax side.

Walking the streets of Halifax- the Dela Cruz are faster than my speed.

Sis. Dela Cruz, Elder Dela Cruz and Craig- we all stop to watch the ship pass.

A large container vessel comes into Halifax Harbour loaded with goods for the Maritimes.

the front of this large vessel.

Fresh fish being brought to our restaurant

We stop for a delicious lunch here at McKelvie's

The wave that kids, young and old like to climb on.

a tribute to the people of Norway  and their vessels that helped protect Halifax Harbour during World War II

It's time for us to head back- we are cooking a pork roast with sauerkraut to take to dinner at the home of Bro. and Sis. Fielden this evening. This tiled was caught my eye while we were waiting for our return ride across the harbor.

A plaque honoring this long running ferry crossing.

These folks love to be on the water on a day like today.

We prepare to bid farewell to Halifax and its history new and old.

The MacDonald bridge again.

Getting ready to dock back in Dartmouth.