"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt. 7:21-23)

 

During the weekend of Sept. 13-16, we had the opportunity to travel with other missionaries to St. John's, Newfoundland, for their District Conference (similar to Stake Conference).  One of the speakers reminded us of our opportunity to have ALL that the Father has through our obedience to His commandments.  It isn't enough to believe in Christ, we must obey the commandments and do AS Christ.  He said, "The thought or act of disobedience does not make sense, because iniquity always causes confusion.  The thought of sin will always be confusing because it is against our eternal nature.  Only to the natural man is iniquity carnally and/or sensually appealing."  Elder Neil Maxwell said: "Consecration of one's self to the Lord is less of giving what you have, and more of giving what you are."  It was a wonderful weekend of spiritual feasting, laced with great people and beautiful surroundings.

 

We found out why every missionary who has been to Newfoundland absolutely loves it!  The people are very humble and friendly, and the scenery is outstanding!  While there, we were kept busy with meetings and firesides, but we did have time to see the sights.  Pres. and Sis. Robinson, the temple president and matron, who had been there before, knew all the great spots to show us between meetings.

 



When we left Halifax on the morning of Friday the 13th, the rain was coming down in torrents and the wind was howling.  Here we have Pres. Leavitt and Sis. Lee visiting in the warmth and sunshine of the St. John's, Newfoundland, airport, 90 minutes later.

We had a few hours on Friday afternoon, before the first missionary musical program, to see some of the sights.  Elder and Sister Tiffany are standing in front of the Marconi Tower on Signal Hill.  From this hill, in 1901, the first transcontinental radio signal was sent and received between Europe and North America, opening a new era of communication between the two continents.

 

Looking down from Signal Hill you can see the lighthouse signaling the way through a man-made harbor to the port of St. John's, Newfoundland.

 

This is a view of a major part of the port and city of St. John's, Newfoundland.

 

At the site of Marconi Tower we have Sisters Wiebe, Tibbitts, Tiffany, Robinson, and Calvert.  They look great for the amount of wind coming across this point of land.

After Signal Hill, we were famished, so we made our way to George Street in downtown St. John's, for lunch/dinner.  George Street is the VERY happening place on weekend evenings.  We're not into those types of happenings, so we came early and left early.

If you've seen earlier editions of our blog, you've seen these two younger missionaries before.  Elder Wolsey and Sister Hart were two of our very favorites while they were assigned to Halifax.  It was wonderful to see them again!

The first evening we were in Newfoundland, we went to a musical concert in Mount Pearl, a suburb of sorts of St. John's.  This very talented cellist is Elder Woodward, from Centerville, Utah.

Elder Hawkes (Bountiful, Utah) and Sister Lee (Las Vegas, Nevada) are absolutely amazing in their performance of a number from Phantom of The Opera.

And then we have the Phantom (Elder Hendrickson from West Valley City, Utah), and Christine (Sis. Lee).

On Saturday morning before meetings began, we visited a very foggy Cape Spear.  This point of land is the farthest east piece of land in North America!

This is our tour guides, Pres. and Sis. Robinson (Tory, Utah), the Halifax Nova Scotia Temple President and Matron.

We're sorry you can't read the sign we're standing in front of, but it says we're at Cape Spear, and that's as far east in North America as we can go and still be on land.

When we left Cape Spear we drove to this quaint little fishing village called Petty Harbor.  We wish the pictures could show how beautiful the scenery really is.

Bro. Charles Spinney was our host in Newfoundland.  He is the FedEx manager (so he and Sis. T had a lot to talk about) of the total island province and is originally from Nova Scotia.  His family still lives in Nova Scotia while he's here (they haven't been able to sell their home in N.S. yet).  He was a big help in making sure we were fed and gave us rides to meetings.

Much of the city of St. John's, Newfoundland, is in full color.  This is a peek at just one of the many apartment areas of the city with its vast array of colors.  If you frequent George Street, and take part in it's "happenings," it helps to know which color your home is when you return, as you can see the similarity in building fronts.  The combination of colors is called "the Jelly Bean" homes.

When we made it back to Halifax, we had newly assigned Elders come to dinner.  Elder Clark (from one of the southern states then to Alberta) and Elder Nzojibwami (from Burundi, Africa, then to Alberta) are Assistants to Pres. Leavitt and are newly assigned to the YSA Branch.  We've known them for awhile, and love them a lot. 

If you've seen our blog before then you've seen this lighthouse.  Our niece and her husband (Laura and Rod Lowder of Herriman, Utah) are visiting us, and of course we had to take them to Peggy's Cove.

Between our Dalhousie classes and other missionary work, we've taken them to see some of the beaches and sights of Nova Scotia.  We love these two and are happy we could find some time to visit with them.  They're loving it here!

Pier 21, in Halifax, is the Ellis Island of Canada.  Every weekend there is a Farmer's Market set up next to it at pier 20, with items from all over the province and beyond.  Laura and Rod got lost in the crowd, but enjoyed every minute.

 

Outside the market there was a British Motors car show, so we wandered through, admiring the autos.

Of course, Elder Tiffany had to get a picture of one of the many MGs on display!

We thought Nate and Marcie might be interested in this "picture" made entirely of beach glass, pebbles, and twigs, which we saw at the market. 

 

In the center of the city, overlooking the Halifax harbor, is the Citadel.  It was a fortress built during the 1700s to protect the city.  Because Nova Scotia means New Scotland, all of the guides wear kilts of various clans. This young man gave us a walking tour of the Citadel, and filled us in on all of the cunning military aspects of the fortress. 

 

Another of the "guards" of the Citadel.

 

This 18 year old bagpiper is taking a break inside the sleeping area of the barracks.  We had hoped he would be performing while we were there, but no such luck.  Maybe his bagpipe needed to be tuned up.

This is a view of the Halifax harbor from the Citadel.  As you can see, the modern buildings now block some of the view, but in the 1700s that wasn't a problem.  At that time, they also had many guns and smaller fortresses throughout the islands and along the shoreline for further protection.

Notice the many kilts.  This was actually a wedding party just outside the walls of the fortress.  Scottish kilts are a common mode of dress for many events in the province.

Laura, Rod, and Sister T are enjoying the sights of Dingle Tower Park and Harbor.  Don't they look happy?

 

We are so blessed to have so many loved ones from here and away that we can spend time with, while at the same time fulfill our commitment as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Not every senior couple who serves a mission has the opportunities or challenges that others have.  We have truly grown spiritually in our service, and recognize that when this mission comes to an end, our spiritual growth must not halt.  With only two months left here, we face bitter-sweet thoughts of leaving family and friends to go home to family and friends.  No two couples will have the same experience and growth, even if assigned to the same mission with the same tasks.  We don't compare our mission with any other, as we should not compare ourselves with any other.  We're just happy that we have been blessed with so many of the Lord's tender mercies.

In our most recent Church Education System (CES) broadcast, Elder Russell M. Nelson, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, spoke to us about being "standard bearers" for the Lord.  He asked eight questions for us to consider, and said our answers should reflect in our personal lives whether we have decided to follow the Old Testament prophet Joshua's lead to "...serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).  He asked: 1) Will you choose to increase in learning (sacred and secular)?   2) What manner of living will you choose?  3) Will you establish priorities to help you make proper choices?  4) With whom will you choose to associate?  5) Will you choose freedom or bondage? ("Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.")  6)  Will you choose to follow the Lord or the philosophies of men?  7)  How will you prepare for your personal interview with the Lord?  8)  In whom will you put your trust?  With these he added an Apostolic blessing and challenge to

feast on the scriptures, live righteously, seek success in education and vocation, and capture good health.  It was a very spiritually high and wonderful way to end the weekend and encourage the YSA to attend institute.

 

Elders Diodati and Henderson are assigned to the Halifax family ward, but share their apartment with the missionaries assigned to the YSA branch.  We see them every week but don't often get to have them in for dinner.  They're really great at what they have been called to do - be representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sis. Ashley Croft Vivek was a missionary here the year before we arrived.  She taught Hari, then went home to Orderville, Utah.  Now she's back, married to Hari in the St. George, Utah, temple, and inviting us in for an original and very yummy Indian dinner.

Hari Magutah is from India, now living with his lovely wife just down the street from us, and working in computer technology in Halifax.  They both have different last names because that's just the way it is in India.  They are a very wonderful couple, whom we love very much (and their food is really good!).

Elder and Sister DelaCruz, a temple missionary couple from Hawaii, invited us in for dinner just four days before they went home.  Sis. DelaCruz said we needed to eat as much as we could to help her clear out her cupboards and fridge.  We worked with them in the baptistry at the temple many times.  They will be sorely missed.

Sisters Broadhead and Drew are invited for dinner at our place often.  They're both from Alberta and are assigned to the YSA branch.  Sister Drew is being transferred to Summerside, Prince Edward Island, this week.  We're really going to miss her, as she came as a "greeny" several months ago, and we've watched her grow to be a spiritual giant.  One of our special "daughters."  She's being replaced here by another "greeny" named Sis. Pinch (not sure where she's from, but I'm sure you'll see a lot of her later.)

Sister Tiffany's nephew, Jeffrey Roy, is an assistant minister at St. Aidan's Anglican/Catholic Church, here in Halifax.  Last week we were invited to attend a special meeting and dinner (The Feast of St. Aidan) at his church.  It was enjoyable to meet the parishioners and share a pot luck dinner with them.

Here is part of Jeffrey, Sister T, Ruby (Jeff's mom), and Oxana (Jeff's wife), enjoying the meal and social time at St. Aidan's.

If it seems like you're seeing a lot of food pass by here, it's because there is a lot of food being served.  One of the ways to get people to attend an event is to offer food.  However, these are some of the regulars at church enjoying our potluck "Break the Fast", held every Fast Sunday after church.  Sometimes it's pretty interesting to see what comes out of these young peoples' kitchens. 

We took a couple of days to visit some friends and family in Mahone Bay, Bridgewater, and Liverpool before we get into the school teaching routine for the fall.  Anna Davison is like a sister to us, and is a very gracious hostess and grand cook.  She and Sis. T were roommates way back when.

Roger Davison is originally from England, and we love him, even if Elder Tiff can't always translate what Roger's saying in his thick British accent.  But then, he's only been in Canada for 45 years, so he hasn't had time to lose the accent, and we're glad he hasn't!

Bro. Wilbur and Sis. Jean Frelick are among the most humble and loving people in the world!  He's a 92 year-old retired fisherman.  Howard and Edith Frelick, his parents, were two of Elder T's most favorite people when he was serving here in 1963-64.  Howard and Wilbur are two of a kind in love, spirit, humility, and kindness.

Danny Buck and Morgan Bell met us for lunch at John's Lunch (one of Canada's best fish and chip spots).  Morgan is from Nova Scotia, and the daughter of a very good friend - Shirley Elderkin.  They were here on vacation from Alberta.

This past week was "WOW Week".  Activities were planned for the YSA to welcome everyone back to the institute school year.  On Thursday evening we met at the chapel for a little "Rock Band" and goodies - the beginning of a very well-rounded fun and spiritual welcoming.

Saturday's WOW activities included two workshops - one with Pres. and Sis. Robinson (temple president and matron) speaking on family history, and one with Pres. and Sis. Leavitt speaking on how to be effective and productive member missionaries.  Then we gathered at Bro. Cartier's home for a BBQ.  Afterwards the youth went to the beach and we came home to rest up for Sunday's activities.

 

We don't have any pictures of Sister Tiffany slaving away in the kitchen, preparing a dinner that everyone loved.  She prepared a pulled pork dinner just like the one she cooked last spring for institute graduation that everyone raved about. She added a green salad, fruit salad, and dessert, and everyone went away filled and with a smile on their face.

 

We ran from the dinner to the mission home for a senior missionary social to welcome Elder and Sister Lockhart from Pleasant Grove, Utah.  They have just arrived and are going to Cornerbrook, Newfoundland, for the winter!  We were entertained by Bro. Bill Green, who is from a little tiny village in Newfoundland.  He sang some songs in Newfie dialect, introducing us to some Newfie vocabulary.

 

After the social, we hurried back to the Halifax chapel to view the CES broadcast with Elder Russell M. Nelson.  It was a very spiritual feast with a lot of good words of counsel and direction.  Because of the difference in time zones, the broadcast was shown here from 9 to 10 p.m.  We finally made it back to our apartment at 11:00 (we left it at 9:00 a.m.).

 

Sisters Lee and Dougherty are assigned to the Halifax family ward with Elders Diodati and Henderson.  Two more of our "daughters" who we try to have to dinner as often as we can.

Elders Hadley and Campbell have been assigned to the YSA Branch, but are now being transferred.  Hadley is going to Maine, and Campbell is headed for New Brunswick.  We've enjoyed having them here and will miss their smiles and spirit.  Their replacements are Assistants to the mission president, Elders Nzojibwami and Clark.  We know them, love them, and are looking forward to working with them.

Elders Diodati, Hadley, and Henderson have not been to Peggy's Cove, so we took them there on P-Day.  You really haven't been to Nova Scotia, if you haven't been to Peggy's Cove, and it's only a thirty minute drive from our place.  Since Hadley and Campbell are leaving, we thought they needed to say they've "been there!"

This is a view of the fisherman's harbor with lobster traps, at Peggy's Cove.

We caught these two delinquent missionaries at the cove.

On the way back to the city from the cove we stopped to get an ice cream cone.  This is a view from the back porch of the eatery where we stopped.  There are so many beautiful scenes everywhere, it's hard not taking pictures of everything.  It is so beautiful here, and now the leaves are starting to change (that's right - very early September!).  If you love fall foliage scenes of New England, you'll love them as well in Nova Scotia.