"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  (Matthew 28:19-20)



Our APs, Elders Biddulph and Tongish,
with Elder Hallstrom

Last Saturday, we were called to the mission office to meet Elder Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy, who was in town for a very short visit with the mission president.  It was a very wonderful, albeit short, visit with such a spiritually strong and gentle individual.  We shook hands, visited a minute, got some pictures, and then he was on his way.  Very spiritually uplifting.





Sis. Tiff's old homestead

This has been a busy week and we're starting to get into the swing of things.  We went to the South Shore to visit with some family, but specifically to meet with the Bishop of the Bridgewater Ward.  What a beautiful chapel they have there!  While down that way we went by the home Sister Tiffany was born and raised in.  It had been vacant and falling apart, but someone has bought it and are fixing it up.  We've talked to or met with the bishops and branch presidents of a number of wards and branches concerning their YSA and seminary and/or institute students.  Our assignment is to meet every YSA in the stake, both active and inactive, to get acquainted, find out their interests, their feelings toward the church, and what their potential is in regards to the church education program.  We especially want them to know someone cares about them and is concerned about their eternal welfare.  We want to "be there" for them. We also had an opportunity to take Shirley, a friend and member to the airport from Bridgewater on her way to Calgary.  We had a very nice luncheon with the Davisons' on the way-who are dear friends from Mahone Bay.

Anisa and Alisha

We went to a number of meetings with Elders Deem and Parsons, as well as Elders Marks and Fisher.  We had the great opportunity to take Alisha and her daughter Anisa to the temple.  We walked around the beautiful grounds and they were visited by a member of the Temple Presidency.  They were very excited to see the temple and are looking forward with great anticipation to their baptismal date.  Alisha loves what she is being taught by the Elders, and she really likes the people at church.  Anisa is only seven but looking forward to her eighth birthday with great anticipation for her baptism.

On Friday, August 10th, Sister and Elder Tiffany celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary.  It was very different from any we've had before.  We were most thankful that none of our family had an emergency medical situation on that day (That's another story by itself).  We visited an inactive member who is having some real challenges with some addictions she has.  That was a sad situation, but we prayed with her and left her some challenges to accomplish, and a gospel message. 
In the afternoon we visited with the Sister missionaries to discuss reactivation efforts among the YSA.  They are being very helpful and have a great spirit about them. 

Sis. & Elder Foley and Sis. Leavitt at dinner.

We went from there to our friend's (Melissa and JJ) home for a very nice dinner they prepared for us to celebrate our anniversary.  Without us knowing, they had invited the mission president and his wife, as well as the missionary couple who are serving as mission office support, Elder and Sister Foley.  It was a very nice event.

Bro. Rick Cartier

In the evening we met with Samantha, the Institute Representative Council President (IRC Pres.) and Bro. Rick Cartier, our CES boss, to plan events for the first institute class week in September.  Rick is very sharp and knows just what to do and how to do it.  It will be a challenge to keep up with both him and Pres. Leavitt.  They are both real fireballs packed with energy and filled with the spirit. Like the bumper sticker: "Get in, sit down, shut up, and hold on!"
We were very tired at the end of this day, but it was worth it!

This week we received very sad news that Griselda, the new convert from ElSalvador, is returning to South America and her family.  It's sad for us, but very good news for them.  Immigration said she has come to the end of her allowed time here, and has no further time allowance in Canada.  Don't know her departure date yet, but she has a great attitude and a very strong spirit.

Today, Saturday, August 11th, we went to the temple in the rain and fog.  Temperatures really change from day to day.  Yesterday was in the high 80s with high humidity, today in the 60s with rain and fog.  Anyway, when we arrived at the temple we were invited into the temple president's office, interviewed, and set apart as temple workers.  We'll be serving there on Thursdays, to go along with our other assignments.  We're really looking forward to that experience.