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

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.