Halifax Daze

Sunday, August 12, 2012

July has widened our tastes and opened our eyes. We tasted a Nova Scotia treat- Beaver Tails- umm they are yummy- Of course not a real beaver tail, but a scone stretched out to resemble one, then topped with Cinnamon Sugar and other yummy things. They are delicious! We celebrated Canada Day, and a few days later was the 4th of July for the US.

I posted this to family and friends last week, forgot at the time to add it to here.

Thought I would see how it would go to send you all a weekly e-mail telling you how things are going. Evidently mail in the US to Canada is as slow as it is from Canada to the US. Our lives are getting almost hectic. And there is not enough hours in a day. But please know that we think of all of you often and pray for you all everyday.

Last week on Sunday through Tuesday, we were in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. This is in lower Nova Scotia, across the Bay of Fundy from Maine. We went down on assignment from the President Leavitt (mission president) to check on the elder's apartment that is there. We got to spend a few days at President and Sister Vienot's while there. (President Vienot is the 2nd counselor in the Temple Presidency.) We had a delightful time, even got to go for a canoe ride with them. The weather was wonderful and we were excited to visit this part of Nova Scotia. It is about 4-5 hours from here in Dartmouth.

We got back home Tuesday, and worked some on our temple schedules for the week. Wednesday, was back to the temple. We work Wednesday morning till about 2:00 pm. We made a quick trip to the mission office to turn in our travel receipts for reimbursement on Wednesday afternoon. The office is about 20 minutes from where we live. We were also asked by President Leavitt to be in charge of assigning the other seniors to various apartments and vehicles of the elders for inspection. We do this about every 6 weeks, or every mission transfer.

Thursday, 2nd temple day for the week. This day, we serve in the temple from 4:00 pm to about 10:00 pm. We also spent more time on the computer working on the rest of the week's schedules.

Friday is again a temple day. We are there again from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The entire temple presidency and matrons are here for Friday and Saturday.

Usually when our shift is over the Presidents/Matrons, and the other missionary couple, the Baines, and us all go out to grab a bite. We passed as there was last minute scheduling issues we had to deal with.

Saturday is our longest day at the temple. We are there from 7:00 am-2:00 pm (3 sessions). I have been working on a big filing project with all the records for live ordinances done this year. It has taken a week to get it implemented, but I think that it will be a big help to us. We had 2 brethern, one a young man getting ready for his mission, and another that came to the temple Saturday to receive their endowments. That was really special. Then we left early, around 1:00 pm to get ready for another trip. This time we headed to Bathurst, New Brunswick(This was a 5-6 hour drive). We were again going on assignment from President Leavitt to visit an apartment for elders. In this case, the apartment is temporarily vacant, and President wanted to be sure that it would be ready to receive new elders soon. We got there about 8:00 pm. Very tired, needless to say. Craig has to do all the driving, and I so admire the great job he does.

We got up Sunday to attend the small branch that meets in Bathurst. There was probably 20 people altogether. But the spirit was so very strong. This is a bi-lingual branch speaking French and English. One sister who speaks mostly French, had not heard someone bear testimony in French in several months, so she was very touched when Craig stood and bore his testimony all in French. I stood also, said the 3 French sentences that I have learned... "My name is Sister Edwards." "I speak very little French." And, "I am a missionary at the temple in Halifax." I was very nervous, but felt I would not be able to learn more if I wasn't willing to use what I could. The members were impressed with my attempt and all told me that I did a good job!!!. After Sacrament Meeting we went back, packed up, took some pictures of the apartment for Pres. Leavitt, and went back to the branch just before their block ended.

You know that the Lord must have big plans for this struggling are, they meet in a phase one building, and eventually it will become a stake center, no phase 2 or 3. We were very moved by their spirit. Many tears were shed all around. We then headed back to Dartmouth, getting home about 9:00.

Monday, it was out of bed early and off to Port Dufferin. A Sister Walsh, that we home teach, runs a bed and breakfast place there. This is almost a 2 hour drive from our apartment. She has received 10 cord of cut wood, that she will use for her stove/heating during the winter. Since she is 70 she needed help with all that wood. We have been trying to get the High Priests help for a couple of weeks. 2 of them met us there Monday and we spent 5-6 hours stacking 6 cord of wood. We returned home around 3:00 hot and tired, and with lots of aches and pains. No time to rest. Several folks, including us are invited out to Sister Vince's place for a Natal Day barbeque. Natal Day is a Nova Scotia holiday. It's like a Civic day, whatever that means. But we needed to make something to take and be there around 6:00 pm. I made a Quinoa Salad, it turned out pretty good.

Tuesday, we actually got a good night's sleep last night. Today, was District meeting. I ususally feed the 6-8 elders in our district every other week. That should have been today, but we had had no time to pull it together. But I was giving some freshly picked black berries on Saturday. So, I made an apple/blackberry cobbler for them and fed them dessert! They seemed to like it, but they are growing men and easy to please. Afterward, we had to run out to the mission office again to turn in our new receipts for reimbursement.

Well, there you have it, a week in our life!! I'm tired just from typing it.

Wanted to share with you all a quote, from the book, "Out of Jerusalem" Vol. 3,

"Just as King David said in his psalm, 'Lift up, ye everlasting door; and the King of glory shall come in.' David told us that we shall receive blessings and be righteous thru temple ordinances. We will become holy as the temple is holy," Lehi said quietly.

Nephi nodded, feeling the presence of the Spirit permeate the room. "Worshipping int he temple is like participating in scripture. Instead of reading the words of the Lord, we become active participants in those words and become sanctified."

Just want you all to know, that we know that God lives, He is our Heavenly Father, He hears and answers our prayers.

We know that we and all of you are blessed always while we are away from you.

May God bless you always,

Love Elder and Sister Edwards

Sunday, July 29, 2012

From back to front: Margaret, Charlotte Nelson, Brother Grant and Craig

Sister Grant left, Sister Dianne McMahon seated

Sister Rose Bruce seated, green top, almost got Craig in this shot.

Sister Charlotte Nelson left, and Brother Grant (one of our temple sealers)

Carol Ann Robinson, at sink (Temple Matron), Charlotte Nelson and Vince Vincent(her house) and Craig

For Canada (July 1st) and US 4th of July our Family Home Evening group got together for a barbeque at Vince's place. Her feet continue to heal from her burns. President Robinson is the grill master and cooks to meat. We all had a wonderful day.

Monday, July 9, 2012

It was a wonderful week. The icing on the cake was celebrating my birthday Sunday, July 8th. It was a quiet day, but hubby helped cook dinner and it was nice. I got to speak to all of my children. My brother called and sang happy birthday to me.

We also had zone conference with new Mission President Leavitt. He and his wife are just wonderful and filled with the spirit.

We are memorizing the following:

My Missionary Commission , by Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
I am called of God.
My authority is above that of kings of the earth.
By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him-to stand in His place, to say and do what He would do and say if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me.
My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; my doctrine is His doctrine.
My commission is to do what He wants done; To say what He wants said; to be a living, modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous latter-day work.
How great is my calling!

and the Standard of Truth by Joseph Smith:

The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persectuions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forward boldly, nobly and independent, tiell it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

A week ago, July 1st, was Canada day, at church we sang O, Canada it was very moving.

The words:

1. O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise the True North,
strong and free.
    From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land Glorious and free!

Chorus: O Canada we stand on guard for thee,
             O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.

2, O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.
How dear to us they broad domain
From East to Western sea!
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
    Thou True North strong and free.

Chorus:

3. O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
    May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise
    To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western sea,
Our own beloved native land,
   Our True North strong and free.

Chorus:

4. Ruler supreme who hearest humble pray'r,
Hold our Dominion in thy loving care.
Help us to find, O God; in thee
A lasting rich reward,
As waiting for the better day,
We ever stand on guard.

Chorus

On the fourth of July we attended a get together with our family Home evening group. Back at the apartment I sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic to myself- so very grateful for both of these countries and their people.

We are fixing food to feed the Elders tomorrow, It will be hamburgers again, with a strawberry salad, some chips and cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Life is great and we are so very happy and humble for the blessings we receive each day.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Meeting new Mission President

President and Sister Leavitt

Halifax Temple in summer

Yesterday, July 1st the Halifax Metro Seniors got a chance to gather at the mission home to meet our new Halifax Mission President. President and Sister Leavitt are from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We had a wonderful get-together. And we look forward to working with them.

Our week continued:
Tuesday was Diane McMahon's birthday, our family home evening group and others went to a Chinese restaurant in Sackville, Nova Scotia. We had 16 people at a table with 16 different dishes, it was a wonderful evening.

Wednesday, we served in the temple, then for dinner we were invited over to Brother and Sister Parkers. And no we haven't found a connection yet. But again a lovely meal!

Thursday, we had lunch with Elder Freeman and Hudson's. We feed 6 -8 Elders every couple of weeks, so one companionship invited us to lunch that they cooked and they did a wonderful meal. They cooked a pot roast in crock pot with rice and mixed veggies. Oh, and we got pie for dessert. Afterwards it was time to go to the temple here.

Friday, Andrew and Carly Hancock came to visit from West Jordan. They live across from the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Craig and Andrew used to serve together at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We took them to our favorite Chinese restaurant and they loved the food. Afterwards, we went to the temple again.
Saturday was temple time again. Such a wonderful place to be. That night for dinner I cooked for the first time that week.

Dinner is served!

L-R: Elder Freeman and Elder Hudson

But, boys will be boys.......

Mural in their apartment building lobby of Peggy's Cove Lighthouse

The last week of June was a busy week for us.
Monday, we went to check on the Elders in Bridgewater then we headed to Lunenburg for some fun. We had lunch with Bro Wayne and Sister Patricia Jewers and their 2 lovely granddaughters. The day was just beautiful weather. We had a wonderful time.