Happy Birthday Son!
Goodness how those 46 years have flown by with the experiences of life being both happy and sad. The years flow by fast but some days can move-ever-so-slowly. The third bloosoming of my rose bush was such a pleasant surprise but it wasn't but a couple of days after bloossoming that some of the once deep-green leaves began turning yellowish-brown. Upon closer inspection I could see just a hint of a gossomer web forming and pin-head size bugs making their way up the rose stems smothering the green leaves. Those plump rose-colored bloosoms were beginning to fade and die. My little rose bush had fulfilled the measure of its creation, sharing its beauty and bringing joy into our lives. Memories, faces, happenings, places. We have a basket full of these to recall and delight in. And so I close this chapter of my life with a move back to familiar faces and places. To experience again that Southern Alberta west wind, brilliant sunshine and a blue sky that you can see from eternity to eternity. Where waves the golden brown wheat, barley, flax, oats, yellow mustard and kanola crops. Black angus, herford, charlet and texas long horn graze beside the quarter horse, mustang and anglo arab. This is cattle country, the rolling hills beckon an afternoon horse back ride and in the fields at harvest time working long into the night hours are the headlights of an army of Hutterite combines, gleaning the summer crops. Horsemen and horsewomen showing their skill at rodeoing. Did I mention gophers? Well there are plenty of those little rodents. One Ontario ground hog could surely make short work of our skinny gopher. Wonder what else could make short work of the hundereds of them in the fields and right outside our kitchen window, peering in at us as we observe them. See you in Alberta! Elaine
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
August 9, 2010, summer in Toronto
Hot and humid with the occassional rain drops. We did have a fierce down pour a couple of weeks ago and then as suddenly as the rains came - they went away.
Several months ago, from the corner convenience store, I purchased a small rose bush in about an 8" pot The blossoms were pink and tiny and delicate. They were in blossom for about a week then sadly the old blossoms had to be removed. I faithfully watered and gave plant food to my little rose bush. Not long after the first blossoming we noticed tiny buds forming again on the little bush. What a thrill. I didn't believe there would be more than one blooming and because the greenery was so welcome I just kept watering and feeding it. The second blooms finally faded and had to be taken off the stems. I cut the tall stems back a bit and continued the watering, feeding and turning the plant on the living room window ledge. To my surprise - we have a third booming from this timy rose bush. Seven little bloosoms. What a delight!
Now a little parable, how similar this little rose bush is to the gospel in our lives. In about 1913 in Chemnitz Germany, Aloysia Gehmlich rented a bedroom in her home to two Mormon missionaries. They taught her the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and from that one lady her family now has carried the gospel from Montreal Quebec to Texas in the East and to Utah and Alberta in the West and many cities inbetween. And like the little green plant, whose blossoms return to gladen the heart and please the eye, the gospel of Jesus Christ begins as a tiny seed of faith, a desire to know the truth and with careful feeding and learning from the scriptures, from prayer and from the every day goodness of God, we too grow to become beautiful children of our Father in Heaven - with the potential to reach hights we never thought possible. We have within each of us the divine light of Christ that enhances our every experience and whispers gratitude for the goodness all around us.
Many years ago my grandparents crossed the dry and barren plains from Ohio to Utah to follow their desire for religious freedom - to join with the saints in the Salt Lake Valley. Later they eachmigrated to Southern Alberta - Grandparents Jack and Vie Bridge and Grandparents Charles and June Harker. Great Grampa Pierce Fisher was called on a mission to help settle Southern Alberta in Hillspring. When he was ask why he never returned to Utah, his response was, "I was never released from my mission to Canada." From small beginnings the gospel - Good News is taken to every corner of the globe.
These past 7 months Elder Gehmlich and myself have felt it a priviledge to wear the badge of "Missionary" for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I bow to those many young men and women who give two years of their lives in the service of their God and being in His service blessing the lives of those who will listen to the message of Christ's mission and His plan for Happiness. The purpose of each of our lives, to find lasting joy and happiness.
Bye for this week. Elaine
Several months ago, from the corner convenience store, I purchased a small rose bush in about an 8" pot The blossoms were pink and tiny and delicate. They were in blossom for about a week then sadly the old blossoms had to be removed. I faithfully watered and gave plant food to my little rose bush. Not long after the first blossoming we noticed tiny buds forming again on the little bush. What a thrill. I didn't believe there would be more than one blooming and because the greenery was so welcome I just kept watering and feeding it. The second blooms finally faded and had to be taken off the stems. I cut the tall stems back a bit and continued the watering, feeding and turning the plant on the living room window ledge. To my surprise - we have a third booming from this timy rose bush. Seven little bloosoms. What a delight!
Now a little parable, how similar this little rose bush is to the gospel in our lives. In about 1913 in Chemnitz Germany, Aloysia Gehmlich rented a bedroom in her home to two Mormon missionaries. They taught her the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and from that one lady her family now has carried the gospel from Montreal Quebec to Texas in the East and to Utah and Alberta in the West and many cities inbetween. And like the little green plant, whose blossoms return to gladen the heart and please the eye, the gospel of Jesus Christ begins as a tiny seed of faith, a desire to know the truth and with careful feeding and learning from the scriptures, from prayer and from the every day goodness of God, we too grow to become beautiful children of our Father in Heaven - with the potential to reach hights we never thought possible. We have within each of us the divine light of Christ that enhances our every experience and whispers gratitude for the goodness all around us.
Many years ago my grandparents crossed the dry and barren plains from Ohio to Utah to follow their desire for religious freedom - to join with the saints in the Salt Lake Valley. Later they eachmigrated to Southern Alberta - Grandparents Jack and Vie Bridge and Grandparents Charles and June Harker. Great Grampa Pierce Fisher was called on a mission to help settle Southern Alberta in Hillspring. When he was ask why he never returned to Utah, his response was, "I was never released from my mission to Canada." From small beginnings the gospel - Good News is taken to every corner of the globe.
These past 7 months Elder Gehmlich and myself have felt it a priviledge to wear the badge of "Missionary" for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I bow to those many young men and women who give two years of their lives in the service of their God and being in His service blessing the lives of those who will listen to the message of Christ's mission and His plan for Happiness. The purpose of each of our lives, to find lasting joy and happiness.
Bye for this week. Elaine
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sunday August 1, 2010 Etobicoke
A week ago we were invited to Welland to the home of Laraine and Ben, the mother of Chris Dugan who is the son-in-law of Elder Gehmlich. Ben toured us a bit around Welland and out to Lock #7 of the Welland Canal. Just as we, along with about 35 other tourists, were climbing the steps to view the lock, a freighter came into the locks. It was so much more meaningful to be there and watch the water being pumped in from the sides of the lock in order to raise the freight up to the next level of water passage through the canal. We attended the Saturday morning farmers market - what an abundance of veggies and fruits from the farmers fields. We, or no, I, of course, purchased strawberries, apricots, peaches and corn on the cob. Delicious! We drove to Niagra Falls where Ben, Laraine and Elder Gehmlich attended a concert. The music was way to loud for me and not my taste so I sat in the mall and watched people walk back and forth, there were three wedding parties there to take photos, quite a contrast to the beauty and sanctity of the temple in Oakland in July when I went to my granddaughter Marie's wedding.
No company this week and actually a pretty quiet week. On Saturday we met with the Murphy's who drove us to a park on Lake Ontario where we walked a bit, had lunch then drove a way to where there was a Muslum market. It was not very big but Denise and I both bought lovely scarfs. In the evening we attended the baptism of a mother and her daughter from Nigeria. Her husband is a member of the church who joined in Toronto many years ago, he worked here then went back to Nigeria to bring his family here. They are a lovely family and so happy to be here and to be members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
This morning in relief society the lesson was on temple work for our ancestors. I really must get going on finding my ancestors. I have an appointment in a week to meet with the genealogist in our ward - she will help point me in the right direction for research. We have a career workshop scheduled for this tuesday and have 8 job seekers registered. I hope they all show up. It is fast sunday today and there were some inspiring testimonies borne. Time now for supper preparation. Toronto is beautiful and green with so many wild flowers in the boulevards.
Bye for now. Elaine
No company this week and actually a pretty quiet week. On Saturday we met with the Murphy's who drove us to a park on Lake Ontario where we walked a bit, had lunch then drove a way to where there was a Muslum market. It was not very big but Denise and I both bought lovely scarfs. In the evening we attended the baptism of a mother and her daughter from Nigeria. Her husband is a member of the church who joined in Toronto many years ago, he worked here then went back to Nigeria to bring his family here. They are a lovely family and so happy to be here and to be members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
This morning in relief society the lesson was on temple work for our ancestors. I really must get going on finding my ancestors. I have an appointment in a week to meet with the genealogist in our ward - she will help point me in the right direction for research. We have a career workshop scheduled for this tuesday and have 8 job seekers registered. I hope they all show up. It is fast sunday today and there were some inspiring testimonies borne. Time now for supper preparation. Toronto is beautiful and green with so many wild flowers in the boulevards.
Bye for now. Elaine
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
July 27, 2010
My walk this evening had me flanked on both sides of the sidewalk with white Queen Anne's Lace and Yellow Buffalo Bean flowers. The Canadian thistle that reached well past my eye level on the mounds of dirt just beyond the sidewalk made the walk along Humberwood Blvd. quite a magical place to be. All the thistle is in seed and the floating puffs are everywhere. It took me 30 minutes over the freeway and into Malton, a neighbourhood that is mostly "Little India" formerly settled by the Italians but mostly abandoned by them for greener pastures and now been taken over by the emmigrants from India and Pakistan. I had letters to mail and some candy to take to Jackie O'Toole. We visited for about 15 minutes then I walked home as the round red sun set in the west. There were many walkers, families, couples and loners. A great evening for a walk!
Friday, July 16, 2010
July 17 Toronto
Years ago, about 40 years ago when we moved to Victoria British Columbia from Edmonton, Alberta I felt like Victoria was truly my city. I knew my way around it, quaint, slow paced and easy to get from one end of the city to the other. As the years passed and progress caught up with the rather slow pace, the face of "my city" changed. The familiar little shops and neighbourhoods had been replaced by big box stores, faster and more cars and an influx of varried cultures.
I always felt that I was a part of Canada, and Canada was a big part of me. Somehow the "old familiar" is no longer there. I am surrounded by languages that I do not understand, instead of neighbourhoods of white canadians we are encompassed in neighbourhoods of dark skinned people. Johnny come lately who know their way around the politics much better than I do. Many are soft spoken and try to blend into their 'new country' but more and more evident to me - I am the outsider, the minority - looking in on Canada.
Our voice from the west of Canada is barely audible against the multitude of emmigrant voices who demand and expect the bounty of Canada to be handed to them. I am second generation Canadian with a heritage of four grandparents, uncles, aunts and parents who worked tirelessly to build and strengthen this country of ours. I hope that will be the code of our new Canadians.
Wonderful priviledge to go to the Oakland, California temple to attend the wedding of my granddaughter, Marie Fisher to Daniel Marquis. Kathryn, Gabriella and Lily Parker, joined us at David's home for the event. The young bride and groom were so happy and so beautiful. They were married for time and eternity in one of the Holy Temples of the Lord. What a promising way to begin life together.
Another special two days for us was to attend the Hill Cumorah Pagent at Palmyra, New York where over 800 actors and actresses enacted stories of the Nephites, Lamanites and the visit of Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, to the American continent, accounts taken from recorded history in the Book of Mormon. We walked through the sacred grove where God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph Smith - in answer to his prayer as to which church he should join. We walked past the apple orchard, the barn and the copper shed on the Smith farm, also toured replicas of the log house and the frame house that was their home in Palmyra, New York.
The B&B where we stayed was just up the street from where there was a church on every corner. Large brick and limestone buildings. We drove to the temple in Palmyra and toured the visitors centre at the pagent. Palmyra is home to many many large and stately homes with wide and long green green grass lawns and huge trees - similar to a southern plantation home I would suspect.
Toronto is very close to many points of interest and many historical events. It is a busy busy city with great diversification. This week the news is all about a popular car race. On goes the beat! Elaine
I always felt that I was a part of Canada, and Canada was a big part of me. Somehow the "old familiar" is no longer there. I am surrounded by languages that I do not understand, instead of neighbourhoods of white canadians we are encompassed in neighbourhoods of dark skinned people. Johnny come lately who know their way around the politics much better than I do. Many are soft spoken and try to blend into their 'new country' but more and more evident to me - I am the outsider, the minority - looking in on Canada.
Our voice from the west of Canada is barely audible against the multitude of emmigrant voices who demand and expect the bounty of Canada to be handed to them. I am second generation Canadian with a heritage of four grandparents, uncles, aunts and parents who worked tirelessly to build and strengthen this country of ours. I hope that will be the code of our new Canadians.
Wonderful priviledge to go to the Oakland, California temple to attend the wedding of my granddaughter, Marie Fisher to Daniel Marquis. Kathryn, Gabriella and Lily Parker, joined us at David's home for the event. The young bride and groom were so happy and so beautiful. They were married for time and eternity in one of the Holy Temples of the Lord. What a promising way to begin life together.
Another special two days for us was to attend the Hill Cumorah Pagent at Palmyra, New York where over 800 actors and actresses enacted stories of the Nephites, Lamanites and the visit of Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, to the American continent, accounts taken from recorded history in the Book of Mormon. We walked through the sacred grove where God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph Smith - in answer to his prayer as to which church he should join. We walked past the apple orchard, the barn and the copper shed on the Smith farm, also toured replicas of the log house and the frame house that was their home in Palmyra, New York.
The B&B where we stayed was just up the street from where there was a church on every corner. Large brick and limestone buildings. We drove to the temple in Palmyra and toured the visitors centre at the pagent. Palmyra is home to many many large and stately homes with wide and long green green grass lawns and huge trees - similar to a southern plantation home I would suspect.
Toronto is very close to many points of interest and many historical events. It is a busy busy city with great diversification. This week the news is all about a popular car race. On goes the beat! Elaine
Monday, July 5, 2010
July 5th, Heathers Birthday!!
Time flies when we keep busy. So much has been going on here right in our neighbourhood. Two weeks ago we drove to Oshawa - about 60 minutes east of where we live, where we conducted a seven hour career workshop for eight single adults. They were a great group and we had a good time. That was Saturday - on Sunday we left mid morning to drive to London to be there for sacrament meeting at 11:30 and afterwards a presentation to two wards combined relief society and priesthood meetings where we outlined the services available to the job seekers through the career workshop. This was a full pleasant day.
This has been a week of television keeping us informed of the G 20 and G 8 meetings here, with protests and riot police, hot on the heels of the conclusion of those meetings ws the visit from the Queen of England. Sunday was the famous Queens Plate Horse Race at the Woodbine Race track - which is one block away and just across the street from our condo. Sunday afternoon we watched as literally hundreds of cars streemed into the race track parking lot and onto the grass. We attended a baptism at 5:00 and then our temple preparation class at 7:00. Another full day.
The bad news of the week -happened at a community centre right next the community garden where our friend Jackie O'Toole has a plot and Saturday there were a group of boys playing basketball at the community centre when there was a fight over the basketball. One boy pulled a gun and shot another boy in the head. Wow. now that is a little unsettling.
Tomorrow is our July Career Workshop at the Employment Resource Centre where we will give two full days of instruction. Bye for now. God Bless! Elaine
This has been a week of television keeping us informed of the G 20 and G 8 meetings here, with protests and riot police, hot on the heels of the conclusion of those meetings ws the visit from the Queen of England. Sunday was the famous Queens Plate Horse Race at the Woodbine Race track - which is one block away and just across the street from our condo. Sunday afternoon we watched as literally hundreds of cars streemed into the race track parking lot and onto the grass. We attended a baptism at 5:00 and then our temple preparation class at 7:00. Another full day.
The bad news of the week -happened at a community centre right next the community garden where our friend Jackie O'Toole has a plot and Saturday there were a group of boys playing basketball at the community centre when there was a fight over the basketball. One boy pulled a gun and shot another boy in the head. Wow. now that is a little unsettling.
Tomorrow is our July Career Workshop at the Employment Resource Centre where we will give two full days of instruction. Bye for now. God Bless! Elaine
Monday, June 21, 2010
June 21, First official day of Summer
While the Canadians in western Canada are slogging through terrintial rain, flooded basements. swoolen rivers and creeks, farmers worrying about not getting the crops into the ground because of mud, we here in Toronto are in the midst of heat and humidity. I love the warm evenings - it so reminds me of being in Hawaii, Palm Springs or Mexico, and here it is in my own back yard - well - my rented back yard, so to speak. Kathryn and Sophie arrived late Tuesday night via West Jet. What a welcome sight for my eyes - not to mention what it did to my heart. We took a leave of absence from our employment resource duties and was able to do some shopping with the 'girls'. Thursday was the day the westherman predicted sunshine so we took advantage of it, packed a lunch and drove to Niagra Falls. Elder Gehmlich had been there before but it was the first time for Kate and myself so we didn't know what to expect. It was beautiful! The mists from the falls shoot into the air way above the Niagra River on the flat. There are several ferry boats that take tourists close to the falls here the boats circle and sway and idle their motors so that the spray from the falls can engulf those in the ferry boats. Something like being sprayed by a killer whale at the aquariam. Needless-to-say, we watched from the top of the falls on the Canadian side.
This year is the 50 anniversary of the Toronto Stake Centre and there are a series of activities that have been planned for this year. One such was an organ/harp, violin, flute and piano recital both at the Etobicoke Stake Centre on friday evening and at the Toronto stake Centre on saturday evening. I must interject here, that Friday afternoon we went shopping for the Parker granddaughters ( I might add, that I have discovered a wonderful store that manufacture the most darling party dresses and boys 3 piece suits, white shirt and tie - for a very nominal charge) and Sophie picked out a poofy pink dress with bead work all down the front - similar to a brides' dress. Pink sandals with rhinestones and she was set to woo and wow all those who saw her at the concert Friday evening. She was every bit the little princess. But, backing up even a little before the dress shoping, we went to the Lyndt factory story. What a treat for the eyes. The store is all decorated with wrapped chocolates in soft pastel colors - floor to almost ceiling. Well - when we walked into the store and Sophie's eyes rested on the truffle-filled case, she pointed to the candy and said "OH MY GOOOODNESSS". We were all taken aback as she went around the room saying "OH MY GOOODNESS"! The clerks giggled and we all felt to say the same. Oh My Goodness.! What a beautiful store and Oh so Sweet.!
We did go back to the resource centre to check for messages and answer emails. So we weren't totally delinquent. Saturday we took advantage of our swimming pool in our condo, and all to soon the Parkers were walking away from us to board the Wet Jet back to Calgary.
Elder Gehmliches' son Troy will be here Wednesday for some work-related-training. We will drive to Richmond Hill to have supper and a visit with him. Thursday we will have our first run at missionary apartment inspection. This we have been asked to do every 6 weeks.
Every other monday morning we have a conference call from Detroit with all the area Employment Resource people where Brother Mallory addresses our computer questions.
I had mentioned that we spoke to the YSA ( Young Single Adults), from the Oshawa Ward several weeks ago. Saturday we will be conducting a Career Workshop there for the 12 that are registered. to take the course.
Sunday we drive to London to a combined London 1st, 2nd and 3rd wards (2 hours west) to speak to joint relief society and priesthood meetings, to promote the career workshop and inform the saints there about the resources that are available for the job seekers.
We will teach our career workshop July 6 & 7 at our office in Etobicoke. The news here is full of the activities surrounding the upcoming G meetings with world leaders. The protesters have begun to gather and are pretty vocal. The police are very visiable around the Toronto Downtown core and barracades are up all over the area. Storefronts are being boarded up. Can you believe this is Free Canada?
The signs of the times as foretold by the prophets of God. Evil will escalate - but there will always be more good than evil. We feel safe enough and use wisdom in where we go and when. There is much to see and do in Toronto . Many beautifully dressed Punjaby women in their colorful outfits. The men wear a brightly colored turban and a white, very long shirt with matching white pants. There is one old fellow who often sits at the bus stop along the sidewalk where I pass on my way to work. The strange thing about him is that he sits there with one shoe off and his bare foot crossed over his knee. He wears a bright orange turban and has a long grey beard. I think maybe sometimes that I am in India. It is late and we missionaries are supposed to be in bed at a goodly hour so I will say bye for now. elaine Love you Mom
This year is the 50 anniversary of the Toronto Stake Centre and there are a series of activities that have been planned for this year. One such was an organ/harp, violin, flute and piano recital both at the Etobicoke Stake Centre on friday evening and at the Toronto stake Centre on saturday evening. I must interject here, that Friday afternoon we went shopping for the Parker granddaughters ( I might add, that I have discovered a wonderful store that manufacture the most darling party dresses and boys 3 piece suits, white shirt and tie - for a very nominal charge) and Sophie picked out a poofy pink dress with bead work all down the front - similar to a brides' dress. Pink sandals with rhinestones and she was set to woo and wow all those who saw her at the concert Friday evening. She was every bit the little princess. But, backing up even a little before the dress shoping, we went to the Lyndt factory story. What a treat for the eyes. The store is all decorated with wrapped chocolates in soft pastel colors - floor to almost ceiling. Well - when we walked into the store and Sophie's eyes rested on the truffle-filled case, she pointed to the candy and said "OH MY GOOOODNESSS". We were all taken aback as she went around the room saying "OH MY GOOODNESS"! The clerks giggled and we all felt to say the same. Oh My Goodness.! What a beautiful store and Oh so Sweet.!
We did go back to the resource centre to check for messages and answer emails. So we weren't totally delinquent. Saturday we took advantage of our swimming pool in our condo, and all to soon the Parkers were walking away from us to board the Wet Jet back to Calgary.
Elder Gehmliches' son Troy will be here Wednesday for some work-related-training. We will drive to Richmond Hill to have supper and a visit with him. Thursday we will have our first run at missionary apartment inspection. This we have been asked to do every 6 weeks.
Every other monday morning we have a conference call from Detroit with all the area Employment Resource people where Brother Mallory addresses our computer questions.
I had mentioned that we spoke to the YSA ( Young Single Adults), from the Oshawa Ward several weeks ago. Saturday we will be conducting a Career Workshop there for the 12 that are registered. to take the course.
Sunday we drive to London to a combined London 1st, 2nd and 3rd wards (2 hours west) to speak to joint relief society and priesthood meetings, to promote the career workshop and inform the saints there about the resources that are available for the job seekers.
We will teach our career workshop July 6 & 7 at our office in Etobicoke. The news here is full of the activities surrounding the upcoming G meetings with world leaders. The protesters have begun to gather and are pretty vocal. The police are very visiable around the Toronto Downtown core and barracades are up all over the area. Storefronts are being boarded up. Can you believe this is Free Canada?
The signs of the times as foretold by the prophets of God. Evil will escalate - but there will always be more good than evil. We feel safe enough and use wisdom in where we go and when. There is much to see and do in Toronto . Many beautifully dressed Punjaby women in their colorful outfits. The men wear a brightly colored turban and a white, very long shirt with matching white pants. There is one old fellow who often sits at the bus stop along the sidewalk where I pass on my way to work. The strange thing about him is that he sits there with one shoe off and his bare foot crossed over his knee. He wears a bright orange turban and has a long grey beard. I think maybe sometimes that I am in India. It is late and we missionaries are supposed to be in bed at a goodly hour so I will say bye for now. elaine Love you Mom
Sunday, June 13, 2010
June 13, 2010
Wonderful June. Birthdays, speaking in church, visit from family members, career worksop and a wedding at the Toronto Temple. Pam and Murray Stovell were here for their son Mark's wedding to Jessica Butkovick from Barrie, Ontario. We had Friday most of the day with Pam and Murray where we drove to Kensington Market, several streets in the older part of Toronto that were filled with small shops of bags, t shirts, hats, and alot of dried fruits and seeds and nuts. We ate lunch of crepes, at a sidewalk cafe. Pam and I tried on many hats and I purchased one, of course, which I wore to the wedding reception the next day. We drove and drove to Parliament street to the bakery we had discovered in April and all had a wonderful chocolate or poppy seed pastry. Delicious!!! No mention of calories.
Friday afternoon and we were downtown on Bloor street - which by the way - we had been on the week before, and it was under construction then and it still is under construction with only one lane moving, so after about an hour in that traffic we returned the Stovells back to their hotel. Saturday noon was the wedding at the temple,where we visited with Grant's nieces and nephews. Photo shoots and a drive in the country to Angus to where the reception was to be held, but before the reception we were invited to a scrumptuous roast beef meal for the families of the bride and groom. The hall was decorated so nice and the tables were set with each guest having a different pattern of china. After the food the family spoke about the bridge and groom and just as the rest of the guests were arriving we said our goodbye's and returned to our apartment in Etobickoe about 37 klms south and east.
Sunday we drove to Oshawa to speak to the Young Adults about the career workshop we would be conducting in their ward on the 26th of June. Sunday evening we gave our fourth temple preparation lesson. A full week.
The senior missionary couples had planned an outing on Centre Island for Saturday. Elder Gehmlich (Grant) and I took the bus, the subway and a streetcar to the ferry dock where we boarded for a 10 minute ride from the centre of Toronto downtown to Centre Island. A beautiful park that completely covered the island. Each couple brought lunch and after some visiting we parted company, to return to put our final finishing touches on our sacrament talks for Sunday. As we were walking to the ferry dock the skies opened and it rained, and rained and rained. By the time we had reversed our transportation travel, streetcar, subway and bus - we were all dry but our shoes. Another nice day!
Sunday June 13th we drove to the Creditview ward- 30 klms west - where we spoke in sacrament meeting. Our temple prep class for this evening is postponed until next Sunday.
We are anxiously awaiting for Kathryn and one of the little children to arrive Tuesday evening for a visit, they will be with us until Saturday evening. I can hardly wait.
I'll write more later as we live each evenful day.
Friday afternoon and we were downtown on Bloor street - which by the way - we had been on the week before, and it was under construction then and it still is under construction with only one lane moving, so after about an hour in that traffic we returned the Stovells back to their hotel. Saturday noon was the wedding at the temple,where we visited with Grant's nieces and nephews. Photo shoots and a drive in the country to Angus to where the reception was to be held, but before the reception we were invited to a scrumptuous roast beef meal for the families of the bride and groom. The hall was decorated so nice and the tables were set with each guest having a different pattern of china. After the food the family spoke about the bridge and groom and just as the rest of the guests were arriving we said our goodbye's and returned to our apartment in Etobickoe about 37 klms south and east.
Sunday we drove to Oshawa to speak to the Young Adults about the career workshop we would be conducting in their ward on the 26th of June. Sunday evening we gave our fourth temple preparation lesson. A full week.
The senior missionary couples had planned an outing on Centre Island for Saturday. Elder Gehmlich (Grant) and I took the bus, the subway and a streetcar to the ferry dock where we boarded for a 10 minute ride from the centre of Toronto downtown to Centre Island. A beautiful park that completely covered the island. Each couple brought lunch and after some visiting we parted company, to return to put our final finishing touches on our sacrament talks for Sunday. As we were walking to the ferry dock the skies opened and it rained, and rained and rained. By the time we had reversed our transportation travel, streetcar, subway and bus - we were all dry but our shoes. Another nice day!
Sunday June 13th we drove to the Creditview ward- 30 klms west - where we spoke in sacrament meeting. Our temple prep class for this evening is postponed until next Sunday.
We are anxiously awaiting for Kathryn and one of the little children to arrive Tuesday evening for a visit, they will be with us until Saturday evening. I can hardly wait.
I'll write more later as we live each evenful day.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Last Sunday in May, 2010
The hills and valleys are alive with wild flowers. Fuchia and white small lupins and pink clover. The birds chirp in their welcome of Spring and the grass along the boulevard where I walk to work is up to my hip bone. It is lovely and warm - today 30 degrees.
This past week we have had wonderful visit for several hours with Owen, he brought a disc of the family photos so we felt like we had a mini visit with the whole family. Saturday was the beginning of the Toronto "Doors Open" and the end of these city tours will be today at 5:00 p.m. Grant and I were there Saturday from 9:00 til 5:00 with a small display of the employment resource centre. By the end of today they will have had over 300 people come into the Ossington Chapel and tour the building. Mark Mabry from Arizona was here with his display of photography called "Reflections Of Christ". Very beautiful photos of real people in various depictions of the Saviours life. We took an hour off on Saturday and went to Castle Loma to tour that castle which is in the heart of Toronto. Quite magnificant in its day. A busy week but with the usual daily activities at the centre.
This past week we have had wonderful visit for several hours with Owen, he brought a disc of the family photos so we felt like we had a mini visit with the whole family. Saturday was the beginning of the Toronto "Doors Open" and the end of these city tours will be today at 5:00 p.m. Grant and I were there Saturday from 9:00 til 5:00 with a small display of the employment resource centre. By the end of today they will have had over 300 people come into the Ossington Chapel and tour the building. Mark Mabry from Arizona was here with his display of photography called "Reflections Of Christ". Very beautiful photos of real people in various depictions of the Saviours life. We took an hour off on Saturday and went to Castle Loma to tour that castle which is in the heart of Toronto. Quite magnificant in its day. A busy week but with the usual daily activities at the centre.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
May Sacrament talks
We have some events this weekend that we are looking forward to.
Firstly, we have been asked to put on a career workshop in the Osslington Chapel in mid-town Toronto. There are 20 job seekers signed up for the Friday evening and all day Saturday classes.
Sunday Grant and I have been asked to speak in the Young Single Adult Churchville Ward. Sunday evening we will be teaching the first of seven lessons on Temple Preparation to 5 members of our Etobicoke ward.
This evening some members of the Churchville ward are coming to tour our Employment Resource Centre and the Cannery. I plan to make a batch of cookies to share for both occassions.
Up to now I haven't written much spiritual but today I thought I would share with you mytalk.
THAT WE MAY SEE THE FACE OF THE SAVIOR
Who is Jesus Christ ? Who Is He? Do I know Him? Do I know who he is? How do I feel about Him? What has he done for me? What is He in relation to me? Can I see him? Where is He?
D&C 101.38 “Seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life”.
I quote Sister Cheryl C. Lant, past primary president, “Christ’s invitation to seek Him is an invitation to know who He is, what He has done for us, and what He has asked us to do. Coming to Christ, and eventually seeing His face, comes only as we draw close to Him through our faith and our actions. It comes through a lifetime of effort.”
Doctrine and Covenants 123:17 Christ says;”Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.” Many of you have answered the call from the prophet to prepare yourselves from your youth to be worthy and financially able to give up all those wonderful activities of teen-hood, the sports, the family gatherings, the dances, the company of the opposite sex, the self indulgent pass times, and have committed yourselves to the full time service of bringing your brothers and sisters to Christ.
Knowing who Jesus Christ is, and what He has done for us is the beginning of Learning to love Him.
Eve possessed the spirit of Christ when she weekly drove to the acute-care hospital in Victoria, to bring John to her home, for an afternoon of nurturing. John could not speak, feed himself, walk or do anything other than sit in his giant electric chair and observe life around him. Eve would wrap her loving arms around John, give him kisses on his cheek and spoon feed him a home cooked meal. Wipe up the spilt food and drink from his chin. Eve truly loved as the Saviour loved. John was no relation to Eve, just one of Gods’ children who needed love. Eve taught me by her example.
We seek the face of the Lord when we support each other with kind acts and and words of encouragement . You know God loved us so much when he gave us free will to make choices in our life here on earth. Satan on the other hand, wanted full control over our choices. Many times in this life we make choices that aren’t very noble, choices that actually harm us or set us back in our journey to where we really want to be. Sis Ochinko tells us “When bad things happen, keep the lessons and throw away the experience.”
We seek the face of Christ when we sustain and support our church leaders. We sustain and uphold all the laws of the land, we pay an honest tithing. We are honest in our dealings with our fellow man, this also means our governments. We don’t try to cheat or get the better of anyone. We seek the face of Christ when we are available for our friends, our family, our callings in church and community.
To seek the face of Christ we must become worthy examples of his teachings. Vida and Kaare Gronnestad opened their home to a family of two parents, three teen age daughters and one large afghan hound. They gave the Raddicks a comfortable living for eleven months and in addition Kaare spent months working on the construction of the Raddick home. No money was every exchanged. How many lessons has he taught his children. How many lessons have they taught me and all others who knew the circumstances?
To see the face of the Lord we submit our will to His will , we humble ourselves to follow the teachings of Christ. Elders and sisters, God told Adam and Eve to take care of the good earth, to multiply and replentish it by marrying and having children, and he hasn’t recinded that commandment. It means humbling ourselves and extending ourselves to show our love of the Lord by believing in Him and having faith in Him and following His counsel.
We know that the only best way to feel close of God the Father and Jesus Christ on a daily basis is to be in communication with them through prayer, through reading their words to us and through following their council. When we follow the example of Jesus and are baptised into his Church, when we take out our temple endowments,and attend the temple often when we live our lives worthy of Gods choicest blessings, we draw nearer to seeing the face of Jesus. Dana was a young single adult who attended the Edmonton temple regularly , it wasn’t long until she was asked to become a temple worker. Dana told us that it was the most joyful rewarding experience she had ever had. Just two weeks ago Dana was married in the Edmonton temple, following the commandments of the Lord. I am confident that she will continue to keep Gods commandments to multiply and replentish the earth.
Elder Marvin J Ashton states: “Joshua reminds us of the importance of making decisions promptly: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve;… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15). Not tomorrow, not when we get ready, not when it is convenient – but “this day”, straightway, choose whom you will serve. He who invites us to follow will always be out in front of us with His Spirit and influence setting the pace. He has charted and marked the course, opened the gates, and shown the way. He has invited us to come unto Him, and the best time to enjoy His companionship is straightway. We can best get on the course and stay on the course by doing as Jesus did – make a total commitment to do the will of His Father.” ( Ensign, May 1983, 30-31)
3Nephi Ch 5:1 The armies of Gadianton and later Zemnarihah had come upon the Nephites in blood dipped clothing, shaved heads and fierce intent to inilate the Nephite population. Nephi ch 4: 8, “And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.” A bloody battle ensued with the Nephites being the conquerors. Ch 4: 30And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob protect this people in righteousness, so long as they shall call on the name of their God for protection.” Vs: 33, And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies, and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered---
Ch 5: :1, And now behold, there was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled. “
Today, right here, right now, we have no need to doubt the words of the prophets about the reality of us being in the presence of God, of seeing the face of Jesus and rejoicing in the warmth of his embrace.
May 1983, 30-31)Elder Ezra Taft Benson said that two principles are essential for security and peace:
“First, trust in God;
Second, a determination to keep the commandments, to serve the Lord, to do that which is right…
The Lord has made it very clear in the revelations that even though times become perilous, even though we be surrounded by temptation and sin, even though there be a feeling of insecurity, even though men’s hearts may fail them and anxiety fill their souls, if we only trust in God and keep his commandments we need have no fear.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1950, 146)
Brothers and Sisters – God is pleased with EVERY effort we make. You have a life time ahead of you and it will take a lifetime of experiences, faith and selfless service to eventually see the face of Christ. But - you know what? It will all be well worth it…
The miracle of Jesus Christ is His power to transform us, to change us, to make us better.
Christ accepts our offering, even when it is not our ALL.
May the blessings of Heaven be upon you as you go forward making your very special and very unique mark in this one precious life. It is yours, use it wisely and as you follow the plan God has for his children you will have an abundant living experience here in mortality.
I bear testimony to you that this is the ONLY way safely and for sure, back to seeing the face of Christ and dwelling in His presence forever. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sacrament meeting is over and I think our talks were well received. They are so very quiet and still in the young singles ward. A member of the bishopric gave me the names of two companions from Magrath that he had while serving as a missionary. Grant gave a good talk on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and he told of the experience of his grandmother who lived in Chemnitz, Germany giving the missionaries room and board, and of her family joining the church and then introducing the missionaries to four other families from the same apartment building. He told of the priesthood blessings he was given when he was shot in the hip at the age of 13. We both bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in his true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days saints.
This evening we look forward to teaching and learning in the Temple Preparation Class.
It is a beautifully warm day here and soon I am going for a walk. Enjoy this beautiful day. Elaine
Firstly, we have been asked to put on a career workshop in the Osslington Chapel in mid-town Toronto. There are 20 job seekers signed up for the Friday evening and all day Saturday classes.
Sunday Grant and I have been asked to speak in the Young Single Adult Churchville Ward. Sunday evening we will be teaching the first of seven lessons on Temple Preparation to 5 members of our Etobicoke ward.
This evening some members of the Churchville ward are coming to tour our Employment Resource Centre and the Cannery. I plan to make a batch of cookies to share for both occassions.
Up to now I haven't written much spiritual but today I thought I would share with you mytalk.
THAT WE MAY SEE THE FACE OF THE SAVIOR
Who is Jesus Christ ? Who Is He? Do I know Him? Do I know who he is? How do I feel about Him? What has he done for me? What is He in relation to me? Can I see him? Where is He?
D&C 101.38 “Seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life”.
I quote Sister Cheryl C. Lant, past primary president, “Christ’s invitation to seek Him is an invitation to know who He is, what He has done for us, and what He has asked us to do. Coming to Christ, and eventually seeing His face, comes only as we draw close to Him through our faith and our actions. It comes through a lifetime of effort.”
Doctrine and Covenants 123:17 Christ says;”Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.” Many of you have answered the call from the prophet to prepare yourselves from your youth to be worthy and financially able to give up all those wonderful activities of teen-hood, the sports, the family gatherings, the dances, the company of the opposite sex, the self indulgent pass times, and have committed yourselves to the full time service of bringing your brothers and sisters to Christ.
Knowing who Jesus Christ is, and what He has done for us is the beginning of Learning to love Him.
Eve possessed the spirit of Christ when she weekly drove to the acute-care hospital in Victoria, to bring John to her home, for an afternoon of nurturing. John could not speak, feed himself, walk or do anything other than sit in his giant electric chair and observe life around him. Eve would wrap her loving arms around John, give him kisses on his cheek and spoon feed him a home cooked meal. Wipe up the spilt food and drink from his chin. Eve truly loved as the Saviour loved. John was no relation to Eve, just one of Gods’ children who needed love. Eve taught me by her example.
We seek the face of the Lord when we support each other with kind acts and and words of encouragement . You know God loved us so much when he gave us free will to make choices in our life here on earth. Satan on the other hand, wanted full control over our choices. Many times in this life we make choices that aren’t very noble, choices that actually harm us or set us back in our journey to where we really want to be. Sis Ochinko tells us “When bad things happen, keep the lessons and throw away the experience.”
We seek the face of Christ when we sustain and support our church leaders. We sustain and uphold all the laws of the land, we pay an honest tithing. We are honest in our dealings with our fellow man, this also means our governments. We don’t try to cheat or get the better of anyone. We seek the face of Christ when we are available for our friends, our family, our callings in church and community.
To seek the face of Christ we must become worthy examples of his teachings. Vida and Kaare Gronnestad opened their home to a family of two parents, three teen age daughters and one large afghan hound. They gave the Raddicks a comfortable living for eleven months and in addition Kaare spent months working on the construction of the Raddick home. No money was every exchanged. How many lessons has he taught his children. How many lessons have they taught me and all others who knew the circumstances?
To see the face of the Lord we submit our will to His will , we humble ourselves to follow the teachings of Christ. Elders and sisters, God told Adam and Eve to take care of the good earth, to multiply and replentish it by marrying and having children, and he hasn’t recinded that commandment. It means humbling ourselves and extending ourselves to show our love of the Lord by believing in Him and having faith in Him and following His counsel.
We know that the only best way to feel close of God the Father and Jesus Christ on a daily basis is to be in communication with them through prayer, through reading their words to us and through following their council. When we follow the example of Jesus and are baptised into his Church, when we take out our temple endowments,and attend the temple often when we live our lives worthy of Gods choicest blessings, we draw nearer to seeing the face of Jesus. Dana was a young single adult who attended the Edmonton temple regularly , it wasn’t long until she was asked to become a temple worker. Dana told us that it was the most joyful rewarding experience she had ever had. Just two weeks ago Dana was married in the Edmonton temple, following the commandments of the Lord. I am confident that she will continue to keep Gods commandments to multiply and replentish the earth.
Elder Marvin J Ashton states: “Joshua reminds us of the importance of making decisions promptly: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve;… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15). Not tomorrow, not when we get ready, not when it is convenient – but “this day”, straightway, choose whom you will serve. He who invites us to follow will always be out in front of us with His Spirit and influence setting the pace. He has charted and marked the course, opened the gates, and shown the way. He has invited us to come unto Him, and the best time to enjoy His companionship is straightway. We can best get on the course and stay on the course by doing as Jesus did – make a total commitment to do the will of His Father.” ( Ensign, May 1983, 30-31)
3Nephi Ch 5:1 The armies of Gadianton and later Zemnarihah had come upon the Nephites in blood dipped clothing, shaved heads and fierce intent to inilate the Nephite population. Nephi ch 4: 8, “And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.” A bloody battle ensued with the Nephites being the conquerors. Ch 4: 30And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob protect this people in righteousness, so long as they shall call on the name of their God for protection.” Vs: 33, And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies, and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered---
Ch 5: :1, And now behold, there was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled. “
Today, right here, right now, we have no need to doubt the words of the prophets about the reality of us being in the presence of God, of seeing the face of Jesus and rejoicing in the warmth of his embrace.
May 1983, 30-31)Elder Ezra Taft Benson said that two principles are essential for security and peace:
“First, trust in God;
Second, a determination to keep the commandments, to serve the Lord, to do that which is right…
The Lord has made it very clear in the revelations that even though times become perilous, even though we be surrounded by temptation and sin, even though there be a feeling of insecurity, even though men’s hearts may fail them and anxiety fill their souls, if we only trust in God and keep his commandments we need have no fear.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1950, 146)
Brothers and Sisters – God is pleased with EVERY effort we make. You have a life time ahead of you and it will take a lifetime of experiences, faith and selfless service to eventually see the face of Christ. But - you know what? It will all be well worth it…
The miracle of Jesus Christ is His power to transform us, to change us, to make us better.
Christ accepts our offering, even when it is not our ALL.
May the blessings of Heaven be upon you as you go forward making your very special and very unique mark in this one precious life. It is yours, use it wisely and as you follow the plan God has for his children you will have an abundant living experience here in mortality.
I bear testimony to you that this is the ONLY way safely and for sure, back to seeing the face of Christ and dwelling in His presence forever. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sacrament meeting is over and I think our talks were well received. They are so very quiet and still in the young singles ward. A member of the bishopric gave me the names of two companions from Magrath that he had while serving as a missionary. Grant gave a good talk on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and he told of the experience of his grandmother who lived in Chemnitz, Germany giving the missionaries room and board, and of her family joining the church and then introducing the missionaries to four other families from the same apartment building. He told of the priesthood blessings he was given when he was shot in the hip at the age of 13. We both bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in his true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days saints.
This evening we look forward to teaching and learning in the Temple Preparation Class.
It is a beautifully warm day here and soon I am going for a walk. Enjoy this beautiful day. Elaine
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
May 11, 2010 Yellow canaries and brown groundhogs
I had mentioned that the main road that is just one block south from our apartment building and along the 6 lane road,(Rexdale Blvd.) for two klms and one block south is where we spend most of our days at the Employment Resource Centre. There opens to my vision a new window of wonder on my walk to work in the mornings or coming from work home in the evenings. Today on my way to the employment centre as I walked past a lone grape vine clinging to the fence that enclosed the Humberwood Parkland and Humberwood river, two beautiful yellow cannaries flew just over my head. I turned to watch as they darted up higher and higher until I could see them no more. The wind was raw today and I clutched at my coat to keep it closed around my legs. On this roadway, Rexdale Blvd, is a small cemetary with 30 headstones, the plaque reads" Sharon United Church from the Primitave Methodist Church - 1800's" The cemetary is enclosed within an iron fence and surrounded on the north west side by many purple and one white lilac bushs- today in full bloom. I pictured in my mind a time long ago when this Rexdale Blvd was perhaps a one lane road and the little church on the hill would have been in quiet company with nature. Set up on a high bank with the Humber River flowing below. Today this tiny bit of long ago is surrounded by automobiles, transport trucks, fire trucks and all manner of transportation, all rushing east and west to join the major freeways not far from here. Often on my way to the office there are elderly men from India or Pakistan riding their bicycles to the Casino at Woodbine Rack Track.
A fat brown groundhog was on the knoll of the hill in front of the Comfort Hotel, he or she had many entrances dug to his abode. A small brown rabbit hid in the wild parkland of Humberwood and two large canadian geese were eating the puff balls of the dandelions on the bulevard in front of the Woodbind Shopping Centre. Life is never dull, never stands still and always an expression of wonder from our Father in Heaven. We are twice blessed. Hi Mom and Marion
I had mentioned that the main road that is just one block south from our apartment building and along the 6 lane road,(Rexdale Blvd.) for two klms and one block south is where we spend most of our days at the Employment Resource Centre. There opens to my vision a new window of wonder on my walk to work in the mornings or coming from work home in the evenings. Today on my way to the employment centre as I walked past a lone grape vine clinging to the fence that enclosed the Humberwood Parkland and Humberwood river, two beautiful yellow cannaries flew just over my head. I turned to watch as they darted up higher and higher until I could see them no more. The wind was raw today and I clutched at my coat to keep it closed around my legs. On this roadway, Rexdale Blvd, is a small cemetary with 30 headstones, the plaque reads" Sharon United Church from the Primitave Methodist Church - 1800's" The cemetary is enclosed within an iron fence and surrounded on the north west side by many purple and one white lilac bushs- today in full bloom. I pictured in my mind a time long ago when this Rexdale Blvd was perhaps a one lane road and the little church on the hill would have been in quiet company with nature. Set up on a high bank with the Humber River flowing below. Today this tiny bit of long ago is surrounded by automobiles, transport trucks, fire trucks and all manner of transportation, all rushing east and west to join the major freeways not far from here. Often on my way to the office there are elderly men from India or Pakistan riding their bicycles to the Casino at Woodbine Rack Track.
A fat brown groundhog was on the knoll of the hill in front of the Comfort Hotel, he or she had many entrances dug to his abode. A small brown rabbit hid in the wild parkland of Humberwood and two large canadian geese were eating the puff balls of the dandelions on the bulevard in front of the Woodbind Shopping Centre. Life is never dull, never stands still and always an expression of wonder from our Father in Heaven. We are twice blessed. Hi Mom and Marion
Friday, May 7, 2010
May 7, 2010, Blossoming trees, groundhogs and robins
It has been suggested to us that we attend several "Job Fairs" this is where potential employers display information about their company and job seekers make application for a position or merely turn in their resume. We had decided to attend one such job fair. This particular one was right downtown Toronto - in what was named "Cabbage Town". The Job Fair was a bit of a fizzle with only one company represented and there must have been 50 people filling out applications and waiting for an interview. But Cabbage Town was a delightful experience. Once the slum of Toronto where the poor emigrants lived in shantys and raised cabbages in their front yards but what are now more stately brick homes, many being refurbished. The narrow streets were lined with maple, magnolia, and flowering plum trees. Each street adjoining Parliament street - the main street - bekoned the curious to walk a bit. I did just that while Grant waited on the corner of Parliament Street. We came upon the most delicious bakery and I will absolutely HAVE TO GO THERE AGAIN. We bought a type of a bread dough crossant that was filled with chocolate. It was delicious! Further down the street was a creamery and here Grant treated himself to a moose-tracks-ice-cream-cone. The sunshine was radiant and there was no wind. Another lovely surprise experience.
Sunday we had contacted the bishops of three wards in London, met with two of them and one bishops councellor, set a date to return in June to speak to Relief Society and Priesthood regarding the resources at the employment centre and encouraged them to be holding career workshops. I knew before hand that one of the councellors in the London 1st ward was a man by the name of Michael Bridge. When I shook his hand and told him that my name was Elaine BRIDGE Harker Fisher Gehmlich and that we were probably not related but ask him to tell me about his grandfather Bridge. He said he didn't know much about the Bridge-side of the family as his association was more with the Dudleys - which his grandmother was. I told about my grandfather coming up from Utah as a young man and that his father came from England to the U.S. He said, so did mine. I ask him who his father was and when he told me Grayden Bridge, I laughed and told him that I was a babysitter of him when he was first born and that he is my first cousin. What a small world. Michael John Bridge works for the church education system and is assigned to the London area over seminaries and institutes.
The next surprise was when we arrived at the home where we were to have dinner, one of Grant's friends from Sherwood Park, Judd Bunnage, I realized that his wife had been my neighbour growing up in Magrath and that I had also been her babysitter. Linda Blumell Bunnage. Another lovely experience visiting with them and their children Richard and Kelly Bunnage and their children. Judd had made sweet and sour pork ribs - and were they delicious. Finger licking good!
You may think that we never work but in fact we held our third career workshop here Tuesday and Wednesday then attended a networking meeting in Toronto Wednesday evening.
The Bishops storehouse is in this same building. Every Monday and Tuesday it is a beehive of activity with orders of food going out from Ontario to British Columbia. The current managers are being released and new ones taking over in July and as I have told them I am a secretary - I was asked if I would take care of the invoices. I am looking forward to doing this task as well. We are getting more appointments to speak in wards and are offering to take our career workshop from this office to the areas where the ward and stake employment specialists are not able to conduct them. Also, the Bishop of the Etobicoke Ward - we live in this boundry - has asked that we teach the temple preparation class. We are excited about doing this as well.
Brother Eversure, a high councellor came over last week and ask if we would work with the list of inactive young adults and offer them a welcome and become a contact with someone here in the Etobicoke ward.
Two more wonderful things happened this week. Firstly Owen emailed to say he would be here the last week in May and maybe even Jennifer will come as well. I am jumping with joy!
Yesterday I received a mothers' day card from Michelle- which I haven't opened yet - and a delivery brought a beautiful boquet of iris and tulips from David and Thao. I am a blessed lady. Grant and I went to the temple last night, the first time since it reopened after having beautiful new granite tile and patterned carpet layed in the foyer.
This weekend - beginning this evening - is Time Out For Women - I have purchased tickets and will take a newly baptised member of the church with me as well we will meet the other senior sisters from this mission. This will be my first experience going to this activity.
The Etobicoke Ward members had never made a 72 hour kit so that is next on my list of things to be involved in. Envolvement I like. Bye for now Elaine
Sunday we had contacted the bishops of three wards in London, met with two of them and one bishops councellor, set a date to return in June to speak to Relief Society and Priesthood regarding the resources at the employment centre and encouraged them to be holding career workshops. I knew before hand that one of the councellors in the London 1st ward was a man by the name of Michael Bridge. When I shook his hand and told him that my name was Elaine BRIDGE Harker Fisher Gehmlich and that we were probably not related but ask him to tell me about his grandfather Bridge. He said he didn't know much about the Bridge-side of the family as his association was more with the Dudleys - which his grandmother was. I told about my grandfather coming up from Utah as a young man and that his father came from England to the U.S. He said, so did mine. I ask him who his father was and when he told me Grayden Bridge, I laughed and told him that I was a babysitter of him when he was first born and that he is my first cousin. What a small world. Michael John Bridge works for the church education system and is assigned to the London area over seminaries and institutes.
The next surprise was when we arrived at the home where we were to have dinner, one of Grant's friends from Sherwood Park, Judd Bunnage, I realized that his wife had been my neighbour growing up in Magrath and that I had also been her babysitter. Linda Blumell Bunnage. Another lovely experience visiting with them and their children Richard and Kelly Bunnage and their children. Judd had made sweet and sour pork ribs - and were they delicious. Finger licking good!
You may think that we never work but in fact we held our third career workshop here Tuesday and Wednesday then attended a networking meeting in Toronto Wednesday evening.
The Bishops storehouse is in this same building. Every Monday and Tuesday it is a beehive of activity with orders of food going out from Ontario to British Columbia. The current managers are being released and new ones taking over in July and as I have told them I am a secretary - I was asked if I would take care of the invoices. I am looking forward to doing this task as well. We are getting more appointments to speak in wards and are offering to take our career workshop from this office to the areas where the ward and stake employment specialists are not able to conduct them. Also, the Bishop of the Etobicoke Ward - we live in this boundry - has asked that we teach the temple preparation class. We are excited about doing this as well.
Brother Eversure, a high councellor came over last week and ask if we would work with the list of inactive young adults and offer them a welcome and become a contact with someone here in the Etobicoke ward.
Two more wonderful things happened this week. Firstly Owen emailed to say he would be here the last week in May and maybe even Jennifer will come as well. I am jumping with joy!
Yesterday I received a mothers' day card from Michelle- which I haven't opened yet - and a delivery brought a beautiful boquet of iris and tulips from David and Thao. I am a blessed lady. Grant and I went to the temple last night, the first time since it reopened after having beautiful new granite tile and patterned carpet layed in the foyer.
This weekend - beginning this evening - is Time Out For Women - I have purchased tickets and will take a newly baptised member of the church with me as well we will meet the other senior sisters from this mission. This will be my first experience going to this activity.
The Etobicoke Ward members had never made a 72 hour kit so that is next on my list of things to be involved in. Envolvement I like. Bye for now Elaine
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
"Honest Eds" in Toronto
Last Thursday Shelia Ludlow drove Shirley Hadley (temple matron) and myself to a liquidation store in Etobicoke, The store opens for three days only in the spring and winter. There were people lined up at the check out with shopping buggies full of everything from kitchen gadgets to floor fans.
From that store Shelia drove us to 581 Bloor Street in downtown Toronto to shop and visit "Honest Eds" Shopping Centre. The place is a very very old two-story, two-building variety store a city block long and joined by a walkway on the second floor. It was made famous by people from all over the world, coming to Toronto - going to the "must see" "Honest Eds Shopping Centre". Ed Mirvish was a jew, who opened the doors of his store 62 years ago and advertised selling everything from wine to twine. Ed also owned a resturant called the "Warehouse" and several of the asian artifacts, a rickshaw, budist temple and much more, from that resturant are for sale in his store. Covering most of the walls of this block-long store are life-size photos of movie stars and royalty. All signed "to my friend Ed." The outside of Honest Eds is covered with lights, similar to what you see in Las Vegas. Newspaper clippings showing people lining up outside his store in anticipation of the shopping for bargains are up on many bulletin boards. Ed would give out free turkeys at Christmastime. He was a great man to share his wealth and one of his ways was in building threatres for the performing arts in Europe, United States and Canada.
Today Honest Eds is still the place to see in Toronto. Up staircase and down staircase, not at all difficult to loose your way amid the bins of t shirts, pj's, blouses, trousers, suits for $50.00, pots and pans, dishes, souveniers, groceries, childrens ware and hardware. I purchased a small bank for Grant's lose change. I never have any loose change, I always spend all I have.
Friday after our computer class we went to the Mission President's home for a couples dinner and games. The food was delicious and the games were fun. We look forward this coming friday to a zone conference in our Stake building in Etobicoke in the morning and then we drive to town for our computer class in the afternoon.
Sunday after our meetings, we had Jackie and Eric O'Toole with us for a ride to and from church, we drove around the church area to see the many trees in blossom. We came upon a conservatory that was open to the public. What a surprise on a drippy rainy day to be amongst so many sweet smelling flowers, several budgie birds, a squawking parrot- angel and a tiny field mouse. Also there was a room full of cactus.
Elders from the YSA had supper with us last night and tonight, Marie, Katherin and Christian, our little family from Mexico will have dinner with us. They are going back to Mexico on Friday. Soon it will be the end of april and the beginning of a brand new month. The lovely month of May!
Sunday we will drive to London where we will meet with three bishops and their employment resource specialists then to dinner with Grant's friends from Edmonton, the Jude Bunnages.
We will have our career workshop the first part of next week and womens conference the end of the week. I like to keep busy. Love to you Mother and to all who read this. (I would be interested in knowing if anyone is following my ramblings)
From that store Shelia drove us to 581 Bloor Street in downtown Toronto to shop and visit "Honest Eds" Shopping Centre. The place is a very very old two-story, two-building variety store a city block long and joined by a walkway on the second floor. It was made famous by people from all over the world, coming to Toronto - going to the "must see" "Honest Eds Shopping Centre". Ed Mirvish was a jew, who opened the doors of his store 62 years ago and advertised selling everything from wine to twine. Ed also owned a resturant called the "Warehouse" and several of the asian artifacts, a rickshaw, budist temple and much more, from that resturant are for sale in his store. Covering most of the walls of this block-long store are life-size photos of movie stars and royalty. All signed "to my friend Ed." The outside of Honest Eds is covered with lights, similar to what you see in Las Vegas. Newspaper clippings showing people lining up outside his store in anticipation of the shopping for bargains are up on many bulletin boards. Ed would give out free turkeys at Christmastime. He was a great man to share his wealth and one of his ways was in building threatres for the performing arts in Europe, United States and Canada.
Today Honest Eds is still the place to see in Toronto. Up staircase and down staircase, not at all difficult to loose your way amid the bins of t shirts, pj's, blouses, trousers, suits for $50.00, pots and pans, dishes, souveniers, groceries, childrens ware and hardware. I purchased a small bank for Grant's lose change. I never have any loose change, I always spend all I have.
Friday after our computer class we went to the Mission President's home for a couples dinner and games. The food was delicious and the games were fun. We look forward this coming friday to a zone conference in our Stake building in Etobicoke in the morning and then we drive to town for our computer class in the afternoon.
Sunday after our meetings, we had Jackie and Eric O'Toole with us for a ride to and from church, we drove around the church area to see the many trees in blossom. We came upon a conservatory that was open to the public. What a surprise on a drippy rainy day to be amongst so many sweet smelling flowers, several budgie birds, a squawking parrot- angel and a tiny field mouse. Also there was a room full of cactus.
Elders from the YSA had supper with us last night and tonight, Marie, Katherin and Christian, our little family from Mexico will have dinner with us. They are going back to Mexico on Friday. Soon it will be the end of april and the beginning of a brand new month. The lovely month of May!
Sunday we will drive to London where we will meet with three bishops and their employment resource specialists then to dinner with Grant's friends from Edmonton, the Jude Bunnages.
We will have our career workshop the first part of next week and womens conference the end of the week. I like to keep busy. Love to you Mother and to all who read this. (I would be interested in knowing if anyone is following my ramblings)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
April 21, Mid week, mid month, mid Spring
Today Grant and I met our friend, Jackie O'Toole, at High Park in Central Toronto. The cherry blossoms were out in all their splendor, and the greenishyellow blossoms on the giant maple trees made for an almost sacred experience. We clicked and clicked our cameras as all around us others were clicking as well. Babies in strollers, dogs on leashes, a bride in a wedding dress, old, young and all ages in between were taking in the beauty that nature was offering today!
Several Sundays ago we attended a special musical fireside a tribute to the Resurrected Christ. Most of the 120 elders and sisters participated in either singing, violin, cello, organ or panio. It was a truly inspiring evening. Elder Ferland who studied at the University of Victoria played Meditation from Thais on his violin, Elder Pauni sang Oh Divine Redeemer, Elder Argueta played A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief on his cello, and the mission choir sang, This Is The Christ. The spirit of the Lord was so strong there!
We were involved in the preparation of our Area Employment Conference in Brampton this past weekend. We drove to the Grey Hound Station in down town Toronto Friday evening at 4:00 p.m. to pick up a service missionary couple from Montreal who were coming to our Ontario Conference. They stayed in the guest suite in our apartment complex, ate out with us Friday night and had breakfast at our apt on Saturday morning early, then to the conference and back to the Grey Hound Station after the conference. I had a brief 8 minute talk to give at the conference - so needless-to-say we were a bit tired at the end of Saturday.
Did I mention that we see alot of neat places on our way to and from getting lost. In another 14 months we should have a pretty good handle on north, south, east and west Toronto and surrounding areas.
We had our first career workshop at our employment office on Queens Plate Drive. We had 7 job seekers and from the feed back - it was worth the while for the participants.
I walked over to the Woodbine race track last week just as the jockeys were parading before a race. Beautiul horses, reminded me of our horse Barcellona in Victoria who today has his first showing. Good luck Austen and Bar. Elaine
Several Sundays ago we attended a special musical fireside a tribute to the Resurrected Christ. Most of the 120 elders and sisters participated in either singing, violin, cello, organ or panio. It was a truly inspiring evening. Elder Ferland who studied at the University of Victoria played Meditation from Thais on his violin, Elder Pauni sang Oh Divine Redeemer, Elder Argueta played A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief on his cello, and the mission choir sang, This Is The Christ. The spirit of the Lord was so strong there!
We were involved in the preparation of our Area Employment Conference in Brampton this past weekend. We drove to the Grey Hound Station in down town Toronto Friday evening at 4:00 p.m. to pick up a service missionary couple from Montreal who were coming to our Ontario Conference. They stayed in the guest suite in our apartment complex, ate out with us Friday night and had breakfast at our apt on Saturday morning early, then to the conference and back to the Grey Hound Station after the conference. I had a brief 8 minute talk to give at the conference - so needless-to-say we were a bit tired at the end of Saturday.
Did I mention that we see alot of neat places on our way to and from getting lost. In another 14 months we should have a pretty good handle on north, south, east and west Toronto and surrounding areas.
We had our first career workshop at our employment office on Queens Plate Drive. We had 7 job seekers and from the feed back - it was worth the while for the participants.
I walked over to the Woodbine race track last week just as the jockeys were parading before a race. Beautiul horses, reminded me of our horse Barcellona in Victoria who today has his first showing. Good luck Austen and Bar. Elaine
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010
Thursday on my way to the employment centre just in front of the Comfort Hotel were two very large ground hogs, they were not the least bit afraid of me as I walked toward them. Small look-like beavers with fluffy hair. I had expected ground hogs to be the size of our western gophers, these were more the size of large rabbits with short ears. This was a first for me.
Good Friday after our apartment got its weekly cleaning we packed a lunch and went to find an entrance to the walkway along the Humber River. The water for this river collects from 750 creeks and tributaries in a fan shaped area north of Toronto, snaking 100 kms south into Lake Ontario. We did find an entrance about a mile from our apartment. The river is muddy with winter run off, it moves along at a pretty good speed. The temperature was in the low 20's as we walked along the river - bikers on the path and ducks in the water. Pretty nice. We found a bench and enjoyed our bacon, tomatoe and cheese sandwiches.
Next we made our way back to the employment office to work some more on our career presentation for this Tuesday. At around 7:00 I had finished typing the revisions and we began wraping up to go home. I went to the room where we had been using the fax machine, and as I closed the locked door I immediately realized that Grant had put his keys on the counter by the fax machine. Oh no, what to do. It was Easter weekend - we could not get into our car, we could not lock the centre door, who could we phone to open the locked door? What a helpless feeling. We knew there wouldn't be anyone in the centre until Monday Morning. We had two phone numbers for the building maintenance director. We called Henry Lau, he was in Richmond Hill - about 25 minutes away by car. He said not to worry he would come and unlock the door for us. We were rescued!
Saturday the elders ask us if we would like to contribute to pot luch lunch between conference sessions. This was a pleasant visiting and eating time with new converts. This we did as well on Sunday between meetings. Grant and I felt the spirit of God through the talks by the general authorities and the heavenly music. This next week will be a very busy one but I will report on this later.
Good Friday after our apartment got its weekly cleaning we packed a lunch and went to find an entrance to the walkway along the Humber River. The water for this river collects from 750 creeks and tributaries in a fan shaped area north of Toronto, snaking 100 kms south into Lake Ontario. We did find an entrance about a mile from our apartment. The river is muddy with winter run off, it moves along at a pretty good speed. The temperature was in the low 20's as we walked along the river - bikers on the path and ducks in the water. Pretty nice. We found a bench and enjoyed our bacon, tomatoe and cheese sandwiches.
Next we made our way back to the employment office to work some more on our career presentation for this Tuesday. At around 7:00 I had finished typing the revisions and we began wraping up to go home. I went to the room where we had been using the fax machine, and as I closed the locked door I immediately realized that Grant had put his keys on the counter by the fax machine. Oh no, what to do. It was Easter weekend - we could not get into our car, we could not lock the centre door, who could we phone to open the locked door? What a helpless feeling. We knew there wouldn't be anyone in the centre until Monday Morning. We had two phone numbers for the building maintenance director. We called Henry Lau, he was in Richmond Hill - about 25 minutes away by car. He said not to worry he would come and unlock the door for us. We were rescued!
Saturday the elders ask us if we would like to contribute to pot luch lunch between conference sessions. This was a pleasant visiting and eating time with new converts. This we did as well on Sunday between meetings. Grant and I felt the spirit of God through the talks by the general authorities and the heavenly music. This next week will be a very busy one but I will report on this later.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Out with Winter and in with Spring, March 30,2010
I have often wondered about the images in children's books of the birds in the trees, the squirrels climbing the trees, cars, transport trucks and buses on the roads and airplanes flying in the skies, all on the same page. Well, that is how it is here on Rexdale Blvd, cars, trucks, buses and airplanes. On my walk to work yesterday I caught up to and began to pass an elderly white bearded gentleman wearing a lovely pink turbin on his head. I greeted him with "Good morning", and in Punjabby he greeted me. He put his arm around me and gave me a juicy kiss on my cheek. He introduced himself with a pat on his chest as he said - India, Punjab. That was the extent of the exchange before he crossed the street to the Casino at the Woodbine Race Track. In two days the race track will officially open for the Spring season of horse racing and harness racing. This is something I hope to see.
Last weekend we were invited by Brother Brian Bunn, the High Council representative responsible for the employment specialists from the Kitchener Stake, to attend a meeting there Friday evening. We accepted the invitation and decided that while we were in the area that it would be a good idea to stay over until Sunday and attend church in the Guelph Ward. We reserved a room at a Tynavon B&B, circa 1856. A lovely limestone home in Elora. Elora and the neighbouring town Fergus, (separated only by a corn field ) were both settled by the Scotts. We had our Friday evening meal in the largest old flour mill in Elora, it was four stories of limestone brick, the top three stories had been turned into an inn. Wonderful meal in a delightful setting. The River Grand runs through the town which provided the power for the mills. We spent several hours on Saturday walking along the river, taking photos and of course, in and out of the many quaint shops in Elora. The leather shop had purses the likes I had not seen anywhere, the leathers for jackets and coats were imported from England and Italy and then tailor-made to fit in their specialty store. Chris, one of the owners of the B&B where we stayed told us he had repeat summer guests for the art lessons and exhibits. Appaarently the town is a buzz in the summer time and if you don't like crowds you better stay in Fergus.
Brother Bunn drove us to the last operating covered bridge in Ontario. This was very close to the farms of the Minnonites. There are two orders of Minnonites, those who use nothing mechanical and no electricity and still get around in their black covered buggies. They are the shape of an old milk wagon. On a Sunday there will be 35 of them on the road going to church. The other order of minnonites use electricity and mechanics. We were so impressed with how clean and neat the farms were. No old broken down machinery, cars or delapitaded barns. We drove on a road that crossed over the "kissing trail", this is the asphalt trail through trees that stretched for miles where the young lovers can ride in their buggies and have private time together.
Just in between Fergus and Elora and right next to the corn field is a large impreseive limestone building on a hill that is now the museam and archives but which once was the 'poor house'. We walked around the limestone quarry and watched kyackers in their wet suits ride the falls down the Grand River.
We just returned from an hour with Maria, Christian and Katherine, visiting and listening to them read from the Childrens Friend. What a challenge to learn a new language. Today it is surely spring here in Toronto, the grass is turning green and the robins are surely chirping.
Elaine
Last weekend we were invited by Brother Brian Bunn, the High Council representative responsible for the employment specialists from the Kitchener Stake, to attend a meeting there Friday evening. We accepted the invitation and decided that while we were in the area that it would be a good idea to stay over until Sunday and attend church in the Guelph Ward. We reserved a room at a Tynavon B&B, circa 1856. A lovely limestone home in Elora. Elora and the neighbouring town Fergus, (separated only by a corn field ) were both settled by the Scotts. We had our Friday evening meal in the largest old flour mill in Elora, it was four stories of limestone brick, the top three stories had been turned into an inn. Wonderful meal in a delightful setting. The River Grand runs through the town which provided the power for the mills. We spent several hours on Saturday walking along the river, taking photos and of course, in and out of the many quaint shops in Elora. The leather shop had purses the likes I had not seen anywhere, the leathers for jackets and coats were imported from England and Italy and then tailor-made to fit in their specialty store. Chris, one of the owners of the B&B where we stayed told us he had repeat summer guests for the art lessons and exhibits. Appaarently the town is a buzz in the summer time and if you don't like crowds you better stay in Fergus.
Brother Bunn drove us to the last operating covered bridge in Ontario. This was very close to the farms of the Minnonites. There are two orders of Minnonites, those who use nothing mechanical and no electricity and still get around in their black covered buggies. They are the shape of an old milk wagon. On a Sunday there will be 35 of them on the road going to church. The other order of minnonites use electricity and mechanics. We were so impressed with how clean and neat the farms were. No old broken down machinery, cars or delapitaded barns. We drove on a road that crossed over the "kissing trail", this is the asphalt trail through trees that stretched for miles where the young lovers can ride in their buggies and have private time together.
Just in between Fergus and Elora and right next to the corn field is a large impreseive limestone building on a hill that is now the museam and archives but which once was the 'poor house'. We walked around the limestone quarry and watched kyackers in their wet suits ride the falls down the Grand River.
We just returned from an hour with Maria, Christian and Katherine, visiting and listening to them read from the Childrens Friend. What a challenge to learn a new language. Today it is surely spring here in Toronto, the grass is turning green and the robins are surely chirping.
Elaine
Sunday, March 21, 2010
March 21, Maple Sugar time in eastern Canada
Here in Toronto it is maple sugar gathering time. There is a centre called Kortright Centre that has among other attractions, a "sugar shack". From March 4 through to April 11th the public is invited to come and see how the maple sap is gathered from the trees and turned into maple syrup. This place is about 45 miles north of where we live but we shall try to arrange a time to go and experience this event. We have been told by a member of our ward, that the temperatures are very precise and the weather conditions just so in order for the sap to run.
As everything in life, there is a set time and season.
For four days last week Toronto boasted of having the largest indoor flower show, called "Canada Blooms" Grant agreed to go with me so we left work in the early afternoon on and manuevered our way down town to the Direct Energy building which is right at the water front where this event was being held. What an explosion of color and design! I have never seen so many tulips and the daffodil display was on a par with the fields we see in Victoria.
Flower designers had achieved breath taking displays that were beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. Orchids, red roses, purple hyacinth, bagonia, allysiam pussy willow, bamboo, rocks, fire and water. There was a children's display where the children would go on their hands and knees on a green path under giant leaves into an enchanted forrest of green-fern-ferries, sparkling waterfalls and tiny tinker bells. There were life-size animals in greenery with many tiny colored lights, this all under a micky-mouse-shaped huge umberella.
Grant sat in on a lecture about the plants in outer space sponsored by the University of Guelph . This university is the leading authority on plant study in outer space.
Last Sunday we invited Peter, Elizabeth, their two daughters and grandson, the Ohene-Darko family to share our Sunday dinner. We ate together then played our Rummy Q. Elizabeth can neither read no write. I ask her if she would like to learn she said she would so I will help her with this skill we take so for grantid. Peter came to Canada from Ghana, he worked 9 years for his family to be albe to come and join him. Elizabeth is the only one with a job - she works in a cookie factory.
Friday we drove to the Weston Ward Chapel for a missionary zone conference. This was from 9:00 to 3:00. A spiritual high. A convert to the church, Michael Case told his story of converstion. (I am going to tell his story in the first person, it is much easier that way)
"I was sitting at the back of the bus when these two missionaries walked through the crowd directly toward me. One ask, "how is your day". I held my head down and muttered something, he ask again, "how is your day". I ask him to leave me alone and I got up to get off the bus. The missionaries got off the bus at my stop and ask again, "how is your day". They ask for my phone number and if they could call me. I thought, I will be dead anyway so I don't care if they have my number, so I gave them my number. They said good bye and I walked away, on my way to end my life. My phone wrung and I said, what you want? They ask if they could come and see me tomorrow that they had a message for me. How did they know to come to the back of the bus to find me? " Well we know how they knew. The Lord directed those missionaries to Michael. He testified that he was so happy to have found the truth. He had been a trained episcopalian minister, he had studied many religions but never found the answers that had been such a burden to his soul. He testified of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A powerful testimony!
Elizabeth , our mexican sister who we give rides to church told us today that her landlord refuses to turn up the heat in her basement apartment, he has changed all the light bulbs to the dim lo energy ones, will only let her do her laundry on Sunday because he feels it is cheaper that day. We are going to try to find a place which will be more friendly for her to live. Every week we have people come into the employment centre looking for work who either have no work permit, cannot speak english and or have no marketable skills. Pretty hard for these new immigrants to get started legally.
Saturday we had invited the mission president and his wife, and the married missionary couples to come to our centre for a pot luck dinner and video. We then motored to our apartment and had an hour of getting acquainted. it was a great to be together here. We met the Kidds from Regina who are the newest couple - here on a church educational mission.
Weather has been in the high teens with a forecase of snow tomorrow. But---- we know it won't last long. Miss our family and friends. Bye from 710 Humberwood Blvd. Etobicoke, On. apt 2110, high in the sky where the airplanes fly - by. Grant and Elaine
As everything in life, there is a set time and season.
For four days last week Toronto boasted of having the largest indoor flower show, called "Canada Blooms" Grant agreed to go with me so we left work in the early afternoon on and manuevered our way down town to the Direct Energy building which is right at the water front where this event was being held. What an explosion of color and design! I have never seen so many tulips and the daffodil display was on a par with the fields we see in Victoria.
Flower designers had achieved breath taking displays that were beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. Orchids, red roses, purple hyacinth, bagonia, allysiam pussy willow, bamboo, rocks, fire and water. There was a children's display where the children would go on their hands and knees on a green path under giant leaves into an enchanted forrest of green-fern-ferries, sparkling waterfalls and tiny tinker bells. There were life-size animals in greenery with many tiny colored lights, this all under a micky-mouse-shaped huge umberella.
Grant sat in on a lecture about the plants in outer space sponsored by the University of Guelph . This university is the leading authority on plant study in outer space.
Last Sunday we invited Peter, Elizabeth, their two daughters and grandson, the Ohene-Darko family to share our Sunday dinner. We ate together then played our Rummy Q. Elizabeth can neither read no write. I ask her if she would like to learn she said she would so I will help her with this skill we take so for grantid. Peter came to Canada from Ghana, he worked 9 years for his family to be albe to come and join him. Elizabeth is the only one with a job - she works in a cookie factory.
Friday we drove to the Weston Ward Chapel for a missionary zone conference. This was from 9:00 to 3:00. A spiritual high. A convert to the church, Michael Case told his story of converstion. (I am going to tell his story in the first person, it is much easier that way)
"I was sitting at the back of the bus when these two missionaries walked through the crowd directly toward me. One ask, "how is your day". I held my head down and muttered something, he ask again, "how is your day". I ask him to leave me alone and I got up to get off the bus. The missionaries got off the bus at my stop and ask again, "how is your day". They ask for my phone number and if they could call me. I thought, I will be dead anyway so I don't care if they have my number, so I gave them my number. They said good bye and I walked away, on my way to end my life. My phone wrung and I said, what you want? They ask if they could come and see me tomorrow that they had a message for me. How did they know to come to the back of the bus to find me? " Well we know how they knew. The Lord directed those missionaries to Michael. He testified that he was so happy to have found the truth. He had been a trained episcopalian minister, he had studied many religions but never found the answers that had been such a burden to his soul. He testified of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A powerful testimony!
Elizabeth , our mexican sister who we give rides to church told us today that her landlord refuses to turn up the heat in her basement apartment, he has changed all the light bulbs to the dim lo energy ones, will only let her do her laundry on Sunday because he feels it is cheaper that day. We are going to try to find a place which will be more friendly for her to live. Every week we have people come into the employment centre looking for work who either have no work permit, cannot speak english and or have no marketable skills. Pretty hard for these new immigrants to get started legally.
Saturday we had invited the mission president and his wife, and the married missionary couples to come to our centre for a pot luck dinner and video. We then motored to our apartment and had an hour of getting acquainted. it was a great to be together here. We met the Kidds from Regina who are the newest couple - here on a church educational mission.
Weather has been in the high teens with a forecase of snow tomorrow. But---- we know it won't last long. Miss our family and friends. Bye from 710 Humberwood Blvd. Etobicoke, On. apt 2110, high in the sky where the airplanes fly - by. Grant and Elaine
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
First Robin of Spring, March 16, 2010
Today I saw the first robin of Spring. As I walked to work the sun shone on my face giving me warmth and light, the sky above was blue, and the air was still, I thought back to last Saturday when I walked to the employment office in the rain, the north east wind beating down on me soaking my pants and jacket, the rain in my face forcing me to keep my head down while the transport trucks sped past me on Rexdale road. I rejoice in the glorious day TODAY!
Sunday the gospel doctrine lesson discussed the life of Joseph of Egypt and how he - and we - can turn dissappointment, despair, down right nastiness, into something that works for our benefit and blesses the lives of those around us.
We had a moment to reflect on the bravery of Terry Fox, hopping, walking, sort of loaping from the west coast to the east in his pledge to raise money for cancer research. He did raise millions as he trudged on in the rain, the hail, and the intense heat. He said of himself that he was nothing special, just an ordinary guy, but, I would add my voice to the millions of Canadians who herald him as our modern day HERO. At the age of 18 he contracted cancer in his let which had to be amputated and while he was in the hospital he saw all the others with cancer and he determined to do something to help them. Eventually the cancer moved into his lungs and he had to abandone his quest to reach the east coast. How could he keep going on? Why did he keep going on?
Another Canadian hero, Rick Hansen who when he was 15 was in an automobile accident that left him with a spinal chord injury. Never to walk again and all that is associated with walking noever again to participate in the sports he loved so much, so he thought at the time. He was the MAN IN MOTION wheeling is chair through 34 countries raising millions of dollars for spinal chord research, supporting wheelchair olympics, encouraging thousands of those with injuries . He did realize his dream to participate in sports and he was a winner!
These three men knew how to turn adversity into victory. Heroes to take note of. Every day we have men and women come into our employment resource centre looking for work. Some have come in Canada for a better life, to work until they can make enough money to send for their families. Today a man from Rowanda came in, he had not much in the way of skills to offer an employer, although he could read and write and he spoke english and french, his family are still in Rowanda. Yesterday Peter, who had worked in canada for 9 years before his family eventually were reunited here with him, came in for a job lead, and today his two daughters came into the centre looking for help in finding a job. A brother from Peru, one from Chile, a sister from Haiti, and the list goes on, not to mention those life long Canadians out of work.
How blessed is my life to live in my native land, to speak the language of the country and have had the opportunity to go to school through grade 12 and then onto college. Never to have been without food, shelter nor my husband out of work, to have loving supportive family and friends close by. Blessings from Heaven!
And May God Bless you today! Elaine
Sunday the gospel doctrine lesson discussed the life of Joseph of Egypt and how he - and we - can turn dissappointment, despair, down right nastiness, into something that works for our benefit and blesses the lives of those around us.
We had a moment to reflect on the bravery of Terry Fox, hopping, walking, sort of loaping from the west coast to the east in his pledge to raise money for cancer research. He did raise millions as he trudged on in the rain, the hail, and the intense heat. He said of himself that he was nothing special, just an ordinary guy, but, I would add my voice to the millions of Canadians who herald him as our modern day HERO. At the age of 18 he contracted cancer in his let which had to be amputated and while he was in the hospital he saw all the others with cancer and he determined to do something to help them. Eventually the cancer moved into his lungs and he had to abandone his quest to reach the east coast. How could he keep going on? Why did he keep going on?
Another Canadian hero, Rick Hansen who when he was 15 was in an automobile accident that left him with a spinal chord injury. Never to walk again and all that is associated with walking noever again to participate in the sports he loved so much, so he thought at the time. He was the MAN IN MOTION wheeling is chair through 34 countries raising millions of dollars for spinal chord research, supporting wheelchair olympics, encouraging thousands of those with injuries . He did realize his dream to participate in sports and he was a winner!
These three men knew how to turn adversity into victory. Heroes to take note of. Every day we have men and women come into our employment resource centre looking for work. Some have come in Canada for a better life, to work until they can make enough money to send for their families. Today a man from Rowanda came in, he had not much in the way of skills to offer an employer, although he could read and write and he spoke english and french, his family are still in Rowanda. Yesterday Peter, who had worked in canada for 9 years before his family eventually were reunited here with him, came in for a job lead, and today his two daughters came into the centre looking for help in finding a job. A brother from Peru, one from Chile, a sister from Haiti, and the list goes on, not to mention those life long Canadians out of work.
How blessed is my life to live in my native land, to speak the language of the country and have had the opportunity to go to school through grade 12 and then onto college. Never to have been without food, shelter nor my husband out of work, to have loving supportive family and friends close by. Blessings from Heaven!
And May God Bless you today! Elaine
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March 6, 2010, Brithday week for Grant and Jack
I am ahead of the game writing my musings one day earlier than usual, (saturday instead of sunday). Our area manager, Doug Mallory did arrive Monday and stayed here until Friday. He is always a great help to us. One task we spent the best part of one day on was Job Postings on ldsjobs.org. When a job seeker or a ward or stake employment specialist registers on ldsjobs.org, (Ontario), we go to the web site and claim that person. This means we give them the right to look on the web site for any job postings that may be there. Also, as part of what we are expected to do here in Toronto is to identify manufacturers, industries and business who will allow us to register their company on ldsjobs.org - along with a contact person ( this means that they are willing to let us post their jobs on our web site, thus helping our lds job seekers have yet another access to available jobs.
We are also to go seek out the best english as a second language schools (esl's). On a monthly basis we offer a two day career workshop at the employment resource centre here in Etobicoke. We will also help any ward that wants our help in conducting career workshops in their ward building.
After the career workshop here in Etobicoke we drove into Toronto for a networking meeting. This is for job seekers and a representative from each of the adult auxiliariers in the ward, plus a member of the bishopric and high council. If they all show it is a great resource for the job seeker. At this particular meeting there were employees from four companies.
At our career workshop one job seeker told of knowing personally the president of a bank, we have contact with the president of General Mills ( a stake president), and the list goes on. What a wonderful resource the networking groups can be for the job seeker.
Needless-to-say Grant and I are quite agog! The only negative about brother Mallory coming is that he loves to take us out to eat and oh brother, Grant and I are going to now try to be off all things white, flour, rice, spagetti and of course - no more purchasing sweets. This may kill us both, but we will go down lean and mean. We do have a dinner invite tomorrow - guess we will have to start on Monday?
Friday was a sister missionary conference in Toronto. I attended the conference and Grant went with the senior men out to lunch. We almost made it home without a missed turn. We made a rather wide circle west and north but arrived home fine. Saturday - today, Grant had some shoes to purchase then we went to value village looking for a kitchen table - nada. Got onto OnStar and found another Value Village - a new very clean one - but no table. I made a trip to the library for a card and some junior readers for our spanish family. Washing clothes, changing bedding and polishing shoes. Grant is at the computer trying to do our reconciliation for the past month. Before we know it will be Sunday. So long for now. Elaine
We are also to go seek out the best english as a second language schools (esl's). On a monthly basis we offer a two day career workshop at the employment resource centre here in Etobicoke. We will also help any ward that wants our help in conducting career workshops in their ward building.
After the career workshop here in Etobicoke we drove into Toronto for a networking meeting. This is for job seekers and a representative from each of the adult auxiliariers in the ward, plus a member of the bishopric and high council. If they all show it is a great resource for the job seeker. At this particular meeting there were employees from four companies.
At our career workshop one job seeker told of knowing personally the president of a bank, we have contact with the president of General Mills ( a stake president), and the list goes on. What a wonderful resource the networking groups can be for the job seeker.
Needless-to-say Grant and I are quite agog! The only negative about brother Mallory coming is that he loves to take us out to eat and oh brother, Grant and I are going to now try to be off all things white, flour, rice, spagetti and of course - no more purchasing sweets. This may kill us both, but we will go down lean and mean. We do have a dinner invite tomorrow - guess we will have to start on Monday?
Friday was a sister missionary conference in Toronto. I attended the conference and Grant went with the senior men out to lunch. We almost made it home without a missed turn. We made a rather wide circle west and north but arrived home fine. Saturday - today, Grant had some shoes to purchase then we went to value village looking for a kitchen table - nada. Got onto OnStar and found another Value Village - a new very clean one - but no table. I made a trip to the library for a card and some junior readers for our spanish family. Washing clothes, changing bedding and polishing shoes. Grant is at the computer trying to do our reconciliation for the past month. Before we know it will be Sunday. So long for now. Elaine
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
March 2, What did the Ides of March bring?
WEll---- for one thing. Canada is on top of the world with all the 2010 Olympic achievements from our athletes, the crown being the Hockey win!!!
What a showcase at the closing ceremonies. We were in awe at the opening ceremonies but enjoyed equally the closing ceremonies . In downtown Toronto, Yonge Street was overrun with bodies in red shirts, pants, jackets, hats, banners, and flags, what a crowd! Apparently with all the television sets being turned on to watch the game there was a power outage in part of the city, so the good people took to the streets to celebrate and rejoice in BEING CANADIAN. Wow it surely feels good!!! eh!!!
Every time the national anthem was played I got up of the couch and stood to attention. Grant refused to join me but after several times in one hour I decided I better go to bed to excuse myself from that patriotic gesture. We watched the curling, the hockey games, the skiing, the ludge, the bob sled races, the speed skating, the figure skating, and yes we did go to work each day but as our day is three hours ahead of Vancouver we would find outselves at 1:00 a.m. reluctantly turning off the T.V. set and slowly making our way to our bed. What an exciting two weeks.
Today we purchased two olympic tumblers and I think I better buy two more so when you come to visit we can celebrate all over again.
Grant and I had agreed to conduct a Career Workshop in Stayner, our first one, Stayner is close to Wasage Beach we couldn't tell where one left off and the other began. It is a lovely resort town surrounded by Georgan Bay on one side and (my Ontario map is in the car) some other great lake on the other side. Hence much heavy wet snow. The weather was calling for a storm to move in on Friday afternoon so on Thursday we decided we better drive ahead of the storm and go as far as Barrie. We gathered our material for the workshop, went to our apartment to pack a few toiletries and a change of clothes and proceeded on to Barrie.
The snow came down in large flakes but the roads were fine. We checked into a recently renovated Best Western hotel and spread out our workbooks and continued our preparations for the workshop the next day at Stayner. By evening the snow was swirling in huge flakes and the roads were pretty slick. We were hungry so went in the car looking for a place to eat, we happened on to Gio's Italian Restorante, (one small room) first class restaurant. What an exceptionally delicious meal. Our waiter told us that a party of six had just cancelled due to the bad weather, so we had their full attention. The career workshop was scheduled for 6:30 in Stayner, this left us the day to put the finishing touches on our presentation.It meant we had to find a computer/printer to make the final draft. This need was met at the Barrie public Library. During the final fifteen minutes of typing we looked outside to see even larger snow flakes coming down so once again we hurridely gathered out papers and left for Stayner. Barrie is a very old city and one we want to explore at length in the summer time.
The snow was only local in Barrie and the roads to Stayner were not trecherous. Most of the farm houses were red brick two to three story with peeked roofs. When more room was needed the farmers just added on with wooden building materials. It struck me as rather strange to see a tall stately home of brick with an add on of wood painted white. To build an all brick home in Southern Alberta is very costly and there are many many of them here.
Sis Drebeilbis, the ward employment specialist, welcomed us to the Stayner Branch. We met in a former bank building the church leases, it is in Wasaga Beach. There were four job seekers at the workshop. At the conclusion of the instructions Friday evening we were shown the way to the Branch President's home, President and Sister Vennette. A beautiful home close to the lake. While we were making turns and twists in the road in the dark we were very grateful to Stanley who showed us the way. The Vennettes were so very kind to us, we had a great visit with them. Thank you good people. Saturday we completed the workshop, said our goodbyes, gave hugs and proceeded back to Toronto. Tired and happy to have served.
March 1st. Brother Dough Mallory - our Area Manager has come up to give Grant and I some more help with our calling. He is conducting the career workshop in the Employment Resource Centre Tues and Wednesday. We have eight job seekers and one ward employment specialist attending. A great workshop! I mentioned that Grant and I were giving Maria, Katheine and Christian rides to church. We are also helping them with reading english. They are a great little family. So loving and grateful for our friendship. Isn't networking wonderful?
So long for now. Talk to you next week. Sis Gehmlich
WEll---- for one thing. Canada is on top of the world with all the 2010 Olympic achievements from our athletes, the crown being the Hockey win!!!
What a showcase at the closing ceremonies. We were in awe at the opening ceremonies but enjoyed equally the closing ceremonies . In downtown Toronto, Yonge Street was overrun with bodies in red shirts, pants, jackets, hats, banners, and flags, what a crowd! Apparently with all the television sets being turned on to watch the game there was a power outage in part of the city, so the good people took to the streets to celebrate and rejoice in BEING CANADIAN. Wow it surely feels good!!! eh!!!
Every time the national anthem was played I got up of the couch and stood to attention. Grant refused to join me but after several times in one hour I decided I better go to bed to excuse myself from that patriotic gesture. We watched the curling, the hockey games, the skiing, the ludge, the bob sled races, the speed skating, the figure skating, and yes we did go to work each day but as our day is three hours ahead of Vancouver we would find outselves at 1:00 a.m. reluctantly turning off the T.V. set and slowly making our way to our bed. What an exciting two weeks.
Today we purchased two olympic tumblers and I think I better buy two more so when you come to visit we can celebrate all over again.
Grant and I had agreed to conduct a Career Workshop in Stayner, our first one, Stayner is close to Wasage Beach we couldn't tell where one left off and the other began. It is a lovely resort town surrounded by Georgan Bay on one side and (my Ontario map is in the car) some other great lake on the other side. Hence much heavy wet snow. The weather was calling for a storm to move in on Friday afternoon so on Thursday we decided we better drive ahead of the storm and go as far as Barrie. We gathered our material for the workshop, went to our apartment to pack a few toiletries and a change of clothes and proceeded on to Barrie.
The snow came down in large flakes but the roads were fine. We checked into a recently renovated Best Western hotel and spread out our workbooks and continued our preparations for the workshop the next day at Stayner. By evening the snow was swirling in huge flakes and the roads were pretty slick. We were hungry so went in the car looking for a place to eat, we happened on to Gio's Italian Restorante, (one small room) first class restaurant. What an exceptionally delicious meal. Our waiter told us that a party of six had just cancelled due to the bad weather, so we had their full attention. The career workshop was scheduled for 6:30 in Stayner, this left us the day to put the finishing touches on our presentation.It meant we had to find a computer/printer to make the final draft. This need was met at the Barrie public Library. During the final fifteen minutes of typing we looked outside to see even larger snow flakes coming down so once again we hurridely gathered out papers and left for Stayner. Barrie is a very old city and one we want to explore at length in the summer time.
The snow was only local in Barrie and the roads to Stayner were not trecherous. Most of the farm houses were red brick two to three story with peeked roofs. When more room was needed the farmers just added on with wooden building materials. It struck me as rather strange to see a tall stately home of brick with an add on of wood painted white. To build an all brick home in Southern Alberta is very costly and there are many many of them here.
Sis Drebeilbis, the ward employment specialist, welcomed us to the Stayner Branch. We met in a former bank building the church leases, it is in Wasaga Beach. There were four job seekers at the workshop. At the conclusion of the instructions Friday evening we were shown the way to the Branch President's home, President and Sister Vennette. A beautiful home close to the lake. While we were making turns and twists in the road in the dark we were very grateful to Stanley who showed us the way. The Vennettes were so very kind to us, we had a great visit with them. Thank you good people. Saturday we completed the workshop, said our goodbyes, gave hugs and proceeded back to Toronto. Tired and happy to have served.
March 1st. Brother Dough Mallory - our Area Manager has come up to give Grant and I some more help with our calling. He is conducting the career workshop in the Employment Resource Centre Tues and Wednesday. We have eight job seekers and one ward employment specialist attending. A great workshop! I mentioned that Grant and I were giving Maria, Katheine and Christian rides to church. We are also helping them with reading english. They are a great little family. So loving and grateful for our friendship. Isn't networking wonderful?
So long for now. Talk to you next week. Sis Gehmlich
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Totonto Winds
From my childhood throughout my teen years and well into my adulthood I have been force fed the notion that the wind only blows in Southern Alberta Canada. Well folks I am here to let you in on a well kept secret---The wind blows in Edmonton Alberta Canada, Salt Lake City Utah, Palm Springs California and even in Toronnah! And they do bundel up, everyone here wears a hat of some kind. They are smart. No snow , yet - just a cutting wind.
This has been a rather quiet week - Grant and I are doing the one step forward and two steps backward in an effort to learn what we need to know about the church computer programs. In addition we will spend several days of study before we conduct our first "Career Workshop" to job seekers.
Last week we were introduced to a family from Mexico who needed rides to and from church. We have begun a series of home evenings to help them with their english and gospel basics. Sister Maria Covarrubias invited us for mexican food today. It was delicious! We went with the Elders to Sister Barnes (from Jamaca) on Saturday for a short lesson then Grant and I went to the Toronto Temple for an afternoon session. Beautiful large temple. There were very few patrons and very few temple workers.
Not much more to report today. We are well , our family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Bye for now the Gehmlich's
This has been a rather quiet week - Grant and I are doing the one step forward and two steps backward in an effort to learn what we need to know about the church computer programs. In addition we will spend several days of study before we conduct our first "Career Workshop" to job seekers.
Last week we were introduced to a family from Mexico who needed rides to and from church. We have begun a series of home evenings to help them with their english and gospel basics. Sister Maria Covarrubias invited us for mexican food today. It was delicious! We went with the Elders to Sister Barnes (from Jamaca) on Saturday for a short lesson then Grant and I went to the Toronto Temple for an afternoon session. Beautiful large temple. There were very few patrons and very few temple workers.
Not much more to report today. We are well , our family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Bye for now the Gehmlich's
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentines Day, February 14, 2010
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!
Approximately 2,000 occupants live here in the twin towers of Humberwood Blvd. that is a little over half the number of people that reside in the town of Cardston. Wow. Is it any wonder that Grant and I have gotten lost in the underground parking lot - more than once, more than twice, more than three times. In order to help us find our way to our car and from our car to the elevator, I took a black felt pen and drew small arrows on three of the pillars leading to number 58 - which is between two cement pillars just wide enough for us to squeeze into and carefully open our passanger doors.
Now that we are out of the underground parking we use our fob to get into the main hallway where there are four elevators to take us to our apartment on the 21st floor.
This has been another week of instruction in the employment centre. We waved a red distress flag at Bro. Doug Mallory, our Area Manager from Detroit. He answered our call for help and got into his car that very day and drove up to Toronto. He spent 2 days here with us. What a help he was.
Saturday I located the Value Village and there shopped for more lamps, a few dishes and a table cloth. Looks pretty good. Sundaywe went to the Etobicoke Ward. The elders called Saturday night to ask us to pick up a mother and her two teen age children for church. A lovely Mexican sister with a 14 year old girl and a 17 year old boy. Nice family. We have invited them to come to our home for family home evening tomorrow night.
If you watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics I am sure you were as thrilled as we were at the wonderful, spectacular, fantastic, all inspiring, display - that welcomed the world to Canada and the Winter Olympics. WONDERFUL!!! And a huge thank you to those who worked for years to make this event such a highlight in our lives. We are so very proud to be CANADIAN.
Bye for now - Elaine
Approximately 2,000 occupants live here in the twin towers of Humberwood Blvd. that is a little over half the number of people that reside in the town of Cardston. Wow. Is it any wonder that Grant and I have gotten lost in the underground parking lot - more than once, more than twice, more than three times. In order to help us find our way to our car and from our car to the elevator, I took a black felt pen and drew small arrows on three of the pillars leading to number 58 - which is between two cement pillars just wide enough for us to squeeze into and carefully open our passanger doors.
Now that we are out of the underground parking we use our fob to get into the main hallway where there are four elevators to take us to our apartment on the 21st floor.
This has been another week of instruction in the employment centre. We waved a red distress flag at Bro. Doug Mallory, our Area Manager from Detroit. He answered our call for help and got into his car that very day and drove up to Toronto. He spent 2 days here with us. What a help he was.
Saturday I located the Value Village and there shopped for more lamps, a few dishes and a table cloth. Looks pretty good. Sundaywe went to the Etobicoke Ward. The elders called Saturday night to ask us to pick up a mother and her two teen age children for church. A lovely Mexican sister with a 14 year old girl and a 17 year old boy. Nice family. We have invited them to come to our home for family home evening tomorrow night.
If you watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics I am sure you were as thrilled as we were at the wonderful, spectacular, fantastic, all inspiring, display - that welcomed the world to Canada and the Winter Olympics. WONDERFUL!!! And a huge thank you to those who worked for years to make this event such a highlight in our lives. We are so very proud to be CANADIAN.
Bye for now - Elaine
Monday, February 8, 2010
21st floor on in our new residence
Monday, February 8th, Our first day on our own in the Employment Resource Centre - and we have survived!!! I hope we locked everything up o.k.
Luckily we weren't busy with people rushing in for help. But to back up a couple of days. Saturday was a day to do errands, locate some lamps, mirrors, ironing board cover, some garbage containers and so forth. We decided since we weren't going to be here permanently (Grant keeps reminding me that this is just a temporary residence and we aren't going to make it a mini Tajmahall) We agreed that we would first look at Goodwill for these household items. But before we began that quest - we had to locate a vacum repair shop. This we did in search of a new brush roller. As you might guess the vacum repair man tried very hard to sell us a new vacum for only $60.00 more than the cost of a new roller - stating that these plastic rollers only last one year. We explained that we would only need it for 18 months and since I only vacumed once a week and needed it for only one bedroom carpet - the new plastic roller would do us just fine. Sadly he let us go with just an order for a new roller - to be in stock in one week's time. Well, on our "Onstar" to find the one and only Goodwill store. This took us almost downtown - so we thought. Here we purchased two table lamps for our bedroom, a wicker basket for my hair appliances, a kitchen clock and a small end table to put our printer on, $41.00. Next stop to Homesense, we needed a floor lamp, tablecloth for our card table and a few inexpensive pictures to hang on our bare wall in the living room. Again "On Star" since we were part way downtown Toronto the address closest was on Yonge Street. As we crossed a freeway with 17 lanes - we felt like to were probably going the wrong direction. Upon arriving at Yonge Street we decided that we readly didn't want to spend a half hour trying to find parking so we made a legal U turn and headed back toward Etobicoke.
We found a Homesense -one store, part of a HUGE strip mall. Here it looked like there was one of every store in town. The wind was raw and I mean raw. Grant waked across the parking lot to Rona for some wood filler and a can opener and I walked into Homesense. We purchased two mirrors, some carmel popcorn -yum, yum - an ironing board cover and braced outselves for the wind again. Next stop Ikea. This was just across a freeway opposite this huge mall. Oh, lovely Ikea. What did we purchase there - one lively orange garbage can. A very fragile floor lamp and that was about all. By now it was dark and thankfully we were close to our apartment.
Did I mention that the office room in our apartment was painted an intense dark green? No windows and it was dark - I mean dark. We got permission to repaint - soooo I have painted two coats of beige the same color as our living room and kitchen, as well as some sanding and painting a coffee table, end table, t.v. table, and a set of book shelves that are on loan from the Mission home. With this completed and my computer working at last - I am ready to put my full attention to my task - that is - a resource person at the employment resource centre. President Hinckley stated:
"There is nothing quite as invigorating as being able to evaluate and then solve a difficult problem, to grapple with something that seems almost unsolvable and then find a resolution"
Now I wish to leave you with a story from the Welfare Square by Brother Rudd
" Ora " A salesman for Sears Roebuck began to have serious health problems. He had a stroke, a heart attack, and a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in severe headaches. He was given a medical retirement and spent the next three years pretty well confined to bed. Then on the advice of his doctor that he should get out and meet people and with the blessings of his bishop, he was sent to work at Welfare Sauare. The contact with other people and the service he could render at his own pace and with the pressures off was invaluable to him. His health steadily improved. He did not receive financial assistance - only a few groceries occasionally. His real pay was the feeling of happiness in rendering a good service to others.
This good man worked about 30 hours a week and went to the temple at least once each week. His heart condition bore continual watch, but his severe headaches were a thing of the past. Those who saw him busy working at the storehouse would never realize the condition he had been in before. His quote when interviewed was, "I have made a million dollars worth of friends at Welfare Square." Good night now. Elaine
Luckily we weren't busy with people rushing in for help. But to back up a couple of days. Saturday was a day to do errands, locate some lamps, mirrors, ironing board cover, some garbage containers and so forth. We decided since we weren't going to be here permanently (Grant keeps reminding me that this is just a temporary residence and we aren't going to make it a mini Tajmahall) We agreed that we would first look at Goodwill for these household items. But before we began that quest - we had to locate a vacum repair shop. This we did in search of a new brush roller. As you might guess the vacum repair man tried very hard to sell us a new vacum for only $60.00 more than the cost of a new roller - stating that these plastic rollers only last one year. We explained that we would only need it for 18 months and since I only vacumed once a week and needed it for only one bedroom carpet - the new plastic roller would do us just fine. Sadly he let us go with just an order for a new roller - to be in stock in one week's time. Well, on our "Onstar" to find the one and only Goodwill store. This took us almost downtown - so we thought. Here we purchased two table lamps for our bedroom, a wicker basket for my hair appliances, a kitchen clock and a small end table to put our printer on, $41.00. Next stop to Homesense, we needed a floor lamp, tablecloth for our card table and a few inexpensive pictures to hang on our bare wall in the living room. Again "On Star" since we were part way downtown Toronto the address closest was on Yonge Street. As we crossed a freeway with 17 lanes - we felt like to were probably going the wrong direction. Upon arriving at Yonge Street we decided that we readly didn't want to spend a half hour trying to find parking so we made a legal U turn and headed back toward Etobicoke.
We found a Homesense -one store, part of a HUGE strip mall. Here it looked like there was one of every store in town. The wind was raw and I mean raw. Grant waked across the parking lot to Rona for some wood filler and a can opener and I walked into Homesense. We purchased two mirrors, some carmel popcorn -yum, yum - an ironing board cover and braced outselves for the wind again. Next stop Ikea. This was just across a freeway opposite this huge mall. Oh, lovely Ikea. What did we purchase there - one lively orange garbage can. A very fragile floor lamp and that was about all. By now it was dark and thankfully we were close to our apartment.
Did I mention that the office room in our apartment was painted an intense dark green? No windows and it was dark - I mean dark. We got permission to repaint - soooo I have painted two coats of beige the same color as our living room and kitchen, as well as some sanding and painting a coffee table, end table, t.v. table, and a set of book shelves that are on loan from the Mission home. With this completed and my computer working at last - I am ready to put my full attention to my task - that is - a resource person at the employment resource centre. President Hinckley stated:
"There is nothing quite as invigorating as being able to evaluate and then solve a difficult problem, to grapple with something that seems almost unsolvable and then find a resolution"
Now I wish to leave you with a story from the Welfare Square by Brother Rudd
" Ora " A salesman for Sears Roebuck began to have serious health problems. He had a stroke, a heart attack, and a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in severe headaches. He was given a medical retirement and spent the next three years pretty well confined to bed. Then on the advice of his doctor that he should get out and meet people and with the blessings of his bishop, he was sent to work at Welfare Sauare. The contact with other people and the service he could render at his own pace and with the pressures off was invaluable to him. His health steadily improved. He did not receive financial assistance - only a few groceries occasionally. His real pay was the feeling of happiness in rendering a good service to others.
This good man worked about 30 hours a week and went to the temple at least once each week. His heart condition bore continual watch, but his severe headaches were a thing of the past. Those who saw him busy working at the storehouse would never realize the condition he had been in before. His quote when interviewed was, "I have made a million dollars worth of friends at Welfare Square." Good night now. Elaine
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Arrival in Toronto
When we left Farmington Hills MI, we commented on the wonderful weather we have had all the way from Alberta to Michigan - blue skies and dry roads. Then - truly out of the blue sky - we hit white out and could not see in front of our car. The blowing snow from the lake near Sarnia Onatario forced all vehicles to crawl for approximately 40 minutes. We used our ready "On Star" phone to call the hotel in Toronto and tell them our perdicament. But - that we would push on and hope to arrive in Toronto before dark. Just as suddenly as we went into the snow squal - we were out of it and back into blue skies and dry roads. We learned from the locals here that that stretch of the road can be and often is - trecherous. But ---- We arrived safely and none the worse.
We have a very nice room on the 9th floor of the Comfort Inn - overlooking the Woodbine race track. (Thinking of you Chris). The first night - about 9:00 p.m. we watched out our window as five horsemen and harness went the rounds on the track - the snow sweeper in front of them. (Thinking of you - Austen). Since Thursday we have been to Brampton Stake Centre for a Bishops councel - there were 7 Bishops from that stake. A wonderful meeting - especially for Grant and I to be able to put a face to a name. They were receptive to the presentation given by the outgoing missionary couple - the McFadzens. We met with a property manager in the afternoon yesterday and have secured (verbally) a lovely condo on the 21 floor overlooking the Woodbine Race Track and Casino and beyond - the skyline of downtown Toronto. A little further east out our window we see a lovely wilderness park with a creek and walking trails ( I will enjoy that) Also - I should be able to walk to the Employment Centre in about half hour.
In the twin condos where we will be there are four beautifully decorated guest rooms that if we know in advance we can book for when you come to visit.
The condos were built to the standard of a five star hotel - a large swimming pool and sauna, pool tables, dart room, tennis court, card room and guest - to - book - party rooms. Very elegant and such a good location. Secure with underground parking. The realtor told us it is unheard of to arrive in Toronto and be able to rent the day you look. I tolk him that when you are on the errand of the Lord - He opens the way. Sooooo Monday we will give up our money and they willl give us the keys. We have signed an 18 month lease.
This afternoon we will meet our Mission President and his wife and the rest of the couple missionaries that are serving here in Toronto East Mission. I should mention that the Stake centre in Brampton is a church parking lot from the temple there.
The Employment Office/Bishops Store House and Social Services building is very new and beautifully furnished. We have three individual offices and one large reception room/front office equipped with all the office equipment one would want, fax, copy machine, t.v. video recorder, computers and telephones. Sis McFadzen has organized and kept everything neat and tidy.
Today, Saturday we located our banks, did some banking and amazement------
Inside the Woodbine Shoopping mall is a HUGE AMUSEMENT PARK.
We will take photos and put on here - soon as we learn how to do that. West Edmonton Mall, eat your heart out!! Well, I am sure you have things to do and I have a few thank-you's to write.
We have a very nice room on the 9th floor of the Comfort Inn - overlooking the Woodbine race track. (Thinking of you Chris). The first night - about 9:00 p.m. we watched out our window as five horsemen and harness went the rounds on the track - the snow sweeper in front of them. (Thinking of you - Austen). Since Thursday we have been to Brampton Stake Centre for a Bishops councel - there were 7 Bishops from that stake. A wonderful meeting - especially for Grant and I to be able to put a face to a name. They were receptive to the presentation given by the outgoing missionary couple - the McFadzens. We met with a property manager in the afternoon yesterday and have secured (verbally) a lovely condo on the 21 floor overlooking the Woodbine Race Track and Casino and beyond - the skyline of downtown Toronto. A little further east out our window we see a lovely wilderness park with a creek and walking trails ( I will enjoy that) Also - I should be able to walk to the Employment Centre in about half hour.
In the twin condos where we will be there are four beautifully decorated guest rooms that if we know in advance we can book for when you come to visit.
The condos were built to the standard of a five star hotel - a large swimming pool and sauna, pool tables, dart room, tennis court, card room and guest - to - book - party rooms. Very elegant and such a good location. Secure with underground parking. The realtor told us it is unheard of to arrive in Toronto and be able to rent the day you look. I tolk him that when you are on the errand of the Lord - He opens the way. Sooooo Monday we will give up our money and they willl give us the keys. We have signed an 18 month lease.
This afternoon we will meet our Mission President and his wife and the rest of the couple missionaries that are serving here in Toronto East Mission. I should mention that the Stake centre in Brampton is a church parking lot from the temple there.
The Employment Office/Bishops Store House and Social Services building is very new and beautifully furnished. We have three individual offices and one large reception room/front office equipped with all the office equipment one would want, fax, copy machine, t.v. video recorder, computers and telephones. Sis McFadzen has organized and kept everything neat and tidy.
Today, Saturday we located our banks, did some banking and amazement------
Inside the Woodbine Shoopping mall is a HUGE AMUSEMENT PARK.
We will take photos and put on here - soon as we learn how to do that. West Edmonton Mall, eat your heart out!! Well, I am sure you have things to do and I have a few thank-you's to write.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What a great adventure we had lastnight, Saturday.
Brother and Sister Mallory had arranged for us and the Terri's ( missionaries from Denver - here in the Detroit office) to go for supper and then the Detroit Symphony.
Coming from Cardston where downtown is 5 minutes by car - we thought we would be traveling somewhere close for dinner. We pulled onto the freeway and proceeded south - before long the signs were all "Detroit". We were speeding along the highway past many empty high rise buildings, onto freeways and off ramps of freeways, round and round looking for the right turns that the GPS had instructed we take. Eventually we arrived at the chop house - EARLS, only to find the windows all boarded up and the streets deserted. Plan two - we would try to find Lillee's - again onto a freeway and off of a freeway - this was getting close to 600 p.m., no worries, the symphony did not begin until 7:30. Well, got quite a tour of downtown - what used to be the centre of activity, now mostly a ghost town - along one freeway - that we frequented at least three times - we sped past a long train of cars on the right egress -what was the occassion? Oh yes, the car show!! Well, onto find Lillees - guess what - it was no longer there. Disappeared! Well, why not go past the line up of cars that were going to the car show and go to Pegesas - a fine Greek restaurant . Volla - we did find Pegesas, only to find the street's three lanes were packed with automotiles, the sidewalks were full and the day time sun had set. Sis Terri jumped out of the car to seek a reservation at Pegesas - bad news - an hour wait.
Well, back on the freeway and round and round we drove - past so many two story homes that had the windows in the front boarded up and sometimes one lonely light in an upstair window was shining through. Block after block of deserted homes and businesses.
When the recesson hit many people just couldn't pay their mortgage and simply left. Detroit's inner city population is 85% black, 14% hispanic. Not many whites left. Well - we were beginning to get quite hungry - most of us in the car went without lunch in anticipation of this fine meal.
We drove past a Burger King, Wendys and Kentucky Fried. They were beginning to look pretty good. We were quite in the heart of the boarded up houses and the street lights were pretty dim - but we forged on - Ahead we saw a black and white cafe - LEGENDS - We decided we had better get in and get something to stop the growlies. Pleasant surprise. Clean, warm and friendly. We each ordered grilled sandwiches and they were Delicious!!! We ate, paid our dues and got back onto the freeway headed for the symphony.
Upon arriving at the old opera house in downdown Detroit - we were treated to a feast to the eye in this wonderful grand old lady of an opera house. The highlight of the performance was a 30 ish - violinist - Hilary Hahn who performed without music - Concerto for Violin - Jennnifer Higdon (b.1962) 1726, Chaconni, Fly forward. She was fantastic. However, having said that - Grant and I enjoyed the first piece - (The Thieving Magpie) Gioachino Rossinni (1729 - 1868) just delightful.
The rest of the evening was quite uneventful. A wonderful adventure and thanks to the Mallories.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Last time I had any time on the computer we were still in Provo Utah, since then we have had more visiting time in the Salt Lake area with Grant Fisher's two older sisters and their husbands, a lovely dinner there, and a relaxed Sunday afternoon visit and another great dinner with my cousin Betty Tanner Mertz. While at Deter and LaDon Gehmliches we visited with Grant's nieces and nephews, went to Stake Conference, and a temple sesson in the Salt Lake temple. Here Grant and I got separated and he spent the whole time waiting and looking for me. This was a dissappointment to both of us. It had been 50 years since I was in that beautiful temple. When we arrived for the late morning session the foyer was a beehive of activity, weddings, sealings and gatherings, so many people - quite a change from our Cardston temple. I was quite in awe at the large rooms , another thing I have not been used to. I must say that when I went into the celestial room I was quite swept away with awe. The magnificance, grandeur, was beyond my ability to express. I wondered if Uncle Henning had done any of the painting and gold leaf?? We have pretty much caught up on family news from all sides of both Grant Gehmlich and Grant Fisher and Bridge families.
Always when we visit /stay with Deter and LaDon we are well fed, and taken care of, we so enjoy being with them and they are great hosts to us.
Sunday we left for the east and as we drove through the canyon outside of Salt Lake City and saw the sign of Coalville - I was reminded that my maternal grandfather, John Henry Bridge, was born there. I knew my grandfather very well as he was a large part of my growing up in Magrath. We were greatly blessed to have bare and dry roads until we travelled through Illinois. Here we had some morning ice on the roads and beautiful frost on the trees for miles and mles. Fog but not so bad that we could not see far down the road. Little snow in Nebraska and onto Iowa and finally here we are in Michigan. About an hour out of Detroit.
We will be here at the Marriott for about a week and if anyone wants to call - we are home in the evenings and our number here is 248-553-0000. room 269
We have had intense training today and were sent out on assignment into the community to do an interview with a person who does the hiring for the company/business. Tonight we must write a 200+ word commercial about ourself. One that tells what were the conditions we worked under, what we accomplished, why this new employer would benefit from hiring us. thats it in a nutshell. There were 8 job seekers in the seminar today - a trust company manager, an electrical engineer, marketing specialist, musician, 3 laborers and so on. What a wonderful training is offered in the career program. The director of employment here in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Doug Mallory, told us that last year the employment centre helped to place 2400 people seeking employment. The church as a whole has placed over a million people in employment over the past 5 years. Not bad eh? Well its time to tackle my assignment. Love to all Elaine
Last time I had any time on the computer we were still in Provo Utah, since then we have had more visiting time in the Salt Lake area with Grant Fisher's two older sisters and their husbands, a lovely dinner there, and a relaxed Sunday afternoon visit and another great dinner with my cousin Betty Tanner Mertz. While at Deter and LaDon Gehmliches we visited with Grant's nieces and nephews, went to Stake Conference, and a temple sesson in the Salt Lake temple. Here Grant and I got separated and he spent the whole time waiting and looking for me. This was a dissappointment to both of us. It had been 50 years since I was in that beautiful temple. When we arrived for the late morning session the foyer was a beehive of activity, weddings, sealings and gatherings, so many people - quite a change from our Cardston temple. I was quite in awe at the large rooms , another thing I have not been used to. I must say that when I went into the celestial room I was quite swept away with awe. The magnificance, grandeur, was beyond my ability to express. I wondered if Uncle Henning had done any of the painting and gold leaf?? We have pretty much caught up on family news from all sides of both Grant Gehmlich and Grant Fisher and Bridge families.
Always when we visit /stay with Deter and LaDon we are well fed, and taken care of, we so enjoy being with them and they are great hosts to us.
Sunday we left for the east and as we drove through the canyon outside of Salt Lake City and saw the sign of Coalville - I was reminded that my maternal grandfather, John Henry Bridge, was born there. I knew my grandfather very well as he was a large part of my growing up in Magrath. We were greatly blessed to have bare and dry roads until we travelled through Illinois. Here we had some morning ice on the roads and beautiful frost on the trees for miles and mles. Fog but not so bad that we could not see far down the road. Little snow in Nebraska and onto Iowa and finally here we are in Michigan. About an hour out of Detroit.
We will be here at the Marriott for about a week and if anyone wants to call - we are home in the evenings and our number here is 248-553-0000. room 269
We have had intense training today and were sent out on assignment into the community to do an interview with a person who does the hiring for the company/business. Tonight we must write a 200+ word commercial about ourself. One that tells what were the conditions we worked under, what we accomplished, why this new employer would benefit from hiring us. thats it in a nutshell. There were 8 job seekers in the seminar today - a trust company manager, an electrical engineer, marketing specialist, musician, 3 laborers and so on. What a wonderful training is offered in the career program. The director of employment here in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Doug Mallory, told us that last year the employment centre helped to place 2400 people seeking employment. The church as a whole has placed over a million people in employment over the past 5 years. Not bad eh? Well its time to tackle my assignment. Love to all Elaine
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Second edition to my musings:
On Monday last we arrived at 6:25 a.m., at the MTC cafeteria to pick up a brown bag breakfast for our travel to Salt Lake City to tour Welfare Square. We had the morning of instruction and then a tour - what a large facitilty, the diary was huge, we were told the cows were milked three times a day which produced vast gallons of milk that was turned into white milk, chocolate milk, and cheese. The cheddar was scored into 1# blocks. We sampled the jam from the cannery and the bread from the bakery. The vast elevators for the wheat have been on site since 1940 and held tons and tons of grain.
Then we went into the building that housed the humanitarian goods, bales and bales of clothes that had been sent to Deseret Industries - all had to be sorted (the sorting was being done by mostly ladies, mostly imigrants who received a wage and also who were given english lessons for several hours each day). After the bales were sorted; into, children, adults, teens, sweaters, coats, shoes, etc, they were then bound into smaller bundles, labled and stacked one upon another until they touched the roof of the warehouse. In this same building were emergency kits being put together for infants, new quilts and clothing that had been donated by relief societies and other auxiliaries of the church to be given to children.
Here I want to share with you a story of a young mother. It is entitled -Baby Blanket:
"One day a very young mother, obviously living in poverty with no one to turn to, came to Welfare Square asking for help. She was poorly dressed and needed a number of things; however, she didn't ask for food, clothing, or money. She said there was something more important she needed. Finally, through a few tears, she said she needed a nice, clean baby blanket in which she could wrap her baby. We assured her that we could find something for her. Then she told us that her little baby had died and she didn't have any money to clothe the child and if she could have a little blanket, then she could wrap the baby in it. One of the mortuaries had agreed to bury her child for her.
We were all immediately touched by her situation. Of course we found the blanket she needed, and, in addition to that, got her some new clothing and some food. Then we attempted to find a bishop that would be willing to assist her.
Some of our Relief Society sisters had received assignments to make small blankets. One made a particularly beautiful blanket that was used and greatly appreciated by a young mother who had tragically lost her only child."
It is just this kind of situation where Welfare Square helps ease the suffering.
That same day were taken to the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith building where we were treated to a lovely luncheon - a full meal. The guest speaker was Brother Glen L. Rudd, one of the original church members who helped to manage Welfare Square. He helped put together the many faith promoting stores from his service at Welfare Square. Brother Rudd is 92, a speaker with wit and knowledge, he told us - story after story -of the people that were helped gain their self respect and who where helped to become self sufficient I will be sharing many of the stories he as put together in a pamphlet. They are truly faith promoting.
The rest of the week we spent in classes on Career training, which encompassed identifying your skills and talents, finding the resources that would require your special skills, writing a resume' that would get results, presenting yourself with a "me in 30 seconds" statement and a 60 second power statment. We had a 16 hour workshop that was squeezed into 7 hours. We had assignments in presenting , roll playing, writing and, lots of listening. It was intense. We are going out with our heads full and eager to apply what we have learned ( or sort of learned).
Well dear friend. You have heard enough from me today. Grant and I are in Salt Lake City at his older brother's home and will be here to rest up a bit before we leave Monday at day break for our travel to Detroit. Don't know what internet I will have access to until then - so for now. I love you and hope all are well. Elaine
Second edition to my musings:
On Monday last we arrived at 6:25 a.m., at the MTC cafeteria to pick up a brown bag breakfast for our travel to Salt Lake City to tour Welfare Square. We had the morning of instruction and then a tour - what a large facitilty, the diary was huge, we were told the cows were milked three times a day which produced vast gallons of milk that was turned into white milk, chocolate milk, and cheese. The cheddar was scored into 1# blocks. We sampled the jam from the cannery and the bread from the bakery. The vast elevators for the wheat have been on site since 1940 and held tons and tons of grain.
Then we went into the building that housed the humanitarian goods, bales and bales of clothes that had been sent to Deseret Industries - all had to be sorted (the sorting was being done by mostly ladies, mostly imigrants who received a wage and also who were given english lessons for several hours each day). After the bales were sorted; into, children, adults, teens, sweaters, coats, shoes, etc, they were then bound into smaller bundles, labled and stacked one upon another until they touched the roof of the warehouse. In this same building were emergency kits being put together for infants, new quilts and clothing that had been donated by relief societies and other auxiliaries of the church to be given to children.
Here I want to share with you a story of a young mother. It is entitled -Baby Blanket:
"One day a very young mother, obviously living in poverty with no one to turn to, came to Welfare Square asking for help. She was poorly dressed and needed a number of things; however, she didn't ask for food, clothing, or money. She said there was something more important she needed. Finally, through a few tears, she said she needed a nice, clean baby blanket in which she could wrap her baby. We assured her that we could find something for her. Then she told us that her little baby had died and she didn't have any money to clothe the child and if she could have a little blanket, then she could wrap the baby in it. One of the mortuaries had agreed to bury her child for her.
We were all immediately touched by her situation. Of course we found the blanket she needed, and, in addition to that, got her some new clothing and some food. Then we attempted to find a bishop that would be willing to assist her.
Some of our Relief Society sisters had received assignments to make small blankets. One made a particularly beautiful blanket that was used and greatly appreciated by a young mother who had tragically lost her only child."
It is just this kind of situation where Welfare Square helps ease the suffering.
That same day were taken to the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith building where we were treated to a lovely luncheon - a full meal. The guest speaker was Brother Glen L. Rudd, one of the original church members who helped to manage Welfare Square. He helped put together the many faith promoting stores from his service at Welfare Square. Brother Rudd is 92, a speaker with wit and knowledge, he told us - story after story -of the people that were helped gain their self respect and who where helped to become self sufficient I will be sharing many of the stories he as put together in a pamphlet. They are truly faith promoting.
The rest of the week we spent in classes on Career training, which encompassed identifying your skills and talents, finding the resources that would require your special skills, writing a resume' that would get results, presenting yourself with a "me in 30 seconds" statement and a 60 second power statment. We had a 16 hour workshop that was squeezed into 7 hours. We had assignments in presenting , roll playing, writing and, lots of listening. It was intense. We are going out with our heads full and eager to apply what we have learned ( or sort of learned).
Well dear friend. You have heard enough from me today. Grant and I are in Salt Lake City at his older brother's home and will be here to rest up a bit before we leave Monday at day break for our travel to Detroit. Don't know what internet I will have access to until then - so for now. I love you and hope all are well. Elaine
Friday, January 8, 2010
Dear Family and friends: By now I have probably lost all of you from my blog. Grant and I have been in quite a bubble this past week. First of all, our travel from Cardston Alberta to Salt Lake City couldn't have been under better weather conditions, blue sky, dry roads, and very little traffic. We drove about 8 hours the first day and stayed in a small hamlet called Lima, (rhymes with the lima bean) Montana. The motel was quaint, good bed, warm and comfortable - a "hot spot"during the big game hunting season. As we were only several hours from Salt Lake and since Grant's brother and wife - Deter and LaDonne were out visiting, we took that time to drive to Sandy, Utah and visit with Aunt Jerry. She is a pretty spry 90 year old. Back to Deter's home for visiting.
As luck would have it I had few hours Monday to check our the TJMAX store and pick up a few bargains . Flew to San Jose and were met by David and Thao. We had such a wonderful time with them. ate, ate and ate some more. Played a new Christmas game (trains), some rummyo and more visiting. Brent came over in the afternnon before we left to return home. He reported on his mission to New York for the past two years. He looked mature, handsome and very very tall. It was sooooo good to see him again. We missed a visit the the rest of David's children but look forward to a visit next time.
Back to Salt lake, more eating out, and into the Mission Training Centre on Monday the 4th of January. It is hard to picture 1900 young men and women - all the 19 year old elders in dark suits, white shirts and ties, and the sisters dressed in their sunday best. What an inspiring sight. The main building where the cafeteria, busines offices, computer support and other sundry offices are - has many corridors with photos of the prophets, missionaries and members from all over the world.
The senior couples in our group ( they told us it was a rather small group) about 30 couples - were being sent to Chile, Peru, Cambodia, Uganda, Russia, Germany, Florida, California, Tiawan, Italy,Toronto, Bahamas, and I am sure I missed a few. Four couples are going on medical missions, - 3 nurses and one doctor. Several teaching the gospel, several on humanitarian, and three couples on Welfare and Employment. By the end of today we were all hugging, taking pictures and email addresses. Since there was not room at the MTC centre for all of us - about 6 couples ( we are one of those couples) are being put up in the Super 8 Motel - several blocks away.
It is pretty much overload this week and my shoulders are tired from carrying the books, and my computere back and forth to the technical hospital.
I did purchase Windows 7 last night at the BYU bookstore, everyone tells me it will give me less grief.
Our motel advertises "wireless internet" Well, if we carry our computer down the hall and around the corner from our room we can sign on - so as to avoid holding my computer with one hand and trying the work the mouse with the other, while standing in my house coat in the hall way of the Super 8 Motel ---- Grant and I are in the main foyer of the MTC, plugged into a socket and here we are typing on our laps - hence - lap top computer.
One of our returned missionary trailers is marrying a girl from Nanaimo B.C. (Three cheers for Canada) Rah, rah, rah. Well, we are spent and Grant is packing up his lap top.
We miss our family, our home and of course Canadian ehhhh???
If you email me and I refer you to the blog please understand. This coming Monday we have to be here at the MTC at 6:30a.m. to travel to SLC to the Welfare Square. We are lookin forward to this. Hugs and kisses to my grands Sister Elaine Gehmlich, on the couch in the foyer at the MTC, Provo, Utah. U.S.A.
As luck would have it I had few hours Monday to check our the TJMAX store and pick up a few bargains . Flew to San Jose and were met by David and Thao. We had such a wonderful time with them. ate, ate and ate some more. Played a new Christmas game (trains), some rummyo and more visiting. Brent came over in the afternnon before we left to return home. He reported on his mission to New York for the past two years. He looked mature, handsome and very very tall. It was sooooo good to see him again. We missed a visit the the rest of David's children but look forward to a visit next time.
Back to Salt lake, more eating out, and into the Mission Training Centre on Monday the 4th of January. It is hard to picture 1900 young men and women - all the 19 year old elders in dark suits, white shirts and ties, and the sisters dressed in their sunday best. What an inspiring sight. The main building where the cafeteria, busines offices, computer support and other sundry offices are - has many corridors with photos of the prophets, missionaries and members from all over the world.
The senior couples in our group ( they told us it was a rather small group) about 30 couples - were being sent to Chile, Peru, Cambodia, Uganda, Russia, Germany, Florida, California, Tiawan, Italy,Toronto, Bahamas, and I am sure I missed a few. Four couples are going on medical missions, - 3 nurses and one doctor. Several teaching the gospel, several on humanitarian, and three couples on Welfare and Employment. By the end of today we were all hugging, taking pictures and email addresses. Since there was not room at the MTC centre for all of us - about 6 couples ( we are one of those couples) are being put up in the Super 8 Motel - several blocks away.
It is pretty much overload this week and my shoulders are tired from carrying the books, and my computere back and forth to the technical hospital.
I did purchase Windows 7 last night at the BYU bookstore, everyone tells me it will give me less grief.
Our motel advertises "wireless internet" Well, if we carry our computer down the hall and around the corner from our room we can sign on - so as to avoid holding my computer with one hand and trying the work the mouse with the other, while standing in my house coat in the hall way of the Super 8 Motel ---- Grant and I are in the main foyer of the MTC, plugged into a socket and here we are typing on our laps - hence - lap top computer.
One of our returned missionary trailers is marrying a girl from Nanaimo B.C. (Three cheers for Canada) Rah, rah, rah. Well, we are spent and Grant is packing up his lap top.
We miss our family, our home and of course Canadian ehhhh???
If you email me and I refer you to the blog please understand. This coming Monday we have to be here at the MTC at 6:30a.m. to travel to SLC to the Welfare Square. We are lookin forward to this. Hugs and kisses to my grands Sister Elaine Gehmlich, on the couch in the foyer at the MTC, Provo, Utah. U.S.A.
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