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.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
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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