The Quorum of Twelve Apostles of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12).

In our recent institute class we discussed what it is we can do to be more effective as our brother's keeper.  The discussion turned to what the Apostles have asked us to do.  If you could have one of the Savior's Apostles as a personal friend, your "keeper," of all the Savior has chosen - both in His time and in this last dispensation, who would you choose?  Why would you choose that one person?  Some responses of young single adults were: "What he says hits me," "He tells it straight," "I hear it from him like it is," "There is honesty directed by kindness."  If we are listening to or reading and enjoying what the Apostles have to tell us about how life is, we're not getting the message.  Hopefully we will see their messages as signs of hope for a better future and where we can be of greater service and showing greater compassion.  Let us not compare ourselves to others.  If we're putting the Savior first, we're doing well.  Determine which direction we're looking in life and that will help determine which direction we're heading.





One of our young single adults, Katherine Evans invited us to be with her at her home when she opened her mission call to British Columbia Vancouver.  it was quite exciting and a bit humorous, also.  She has only one month to prepare and make her way to the MTC in Provo, Utah.

Sister T always tries to make sure the missionaries are fed, and she does it with great food, seldom with any leftovers.

Sisters Lee (Las Vegas, Nevada)  and Jungheim (Colombia via British Columbia) serve in the Halifax Ward, and Sisters Laxton (North Carolina) and Renda (Payson, Utah) in the YSA Branch.

The Dartmouth Ward held a going away party for the temple president and his wife, Brother and Sister Robinson (Tory, Utah) and us.

Sisters Robinson and Tiffany are a matching set, both with fun and bubbling personalities.

We appreciated all those who came to say their good-byes and a short visit.

Two of our very favorite people in Atlantic Canada are Bro. and Sis. Fielden.  They are some of the earliest members of the church in Nova Scotia.  He attended Sister Tiffany's baptism 50 years ago, and was District President when we lived here in the '70s.  At almost 90 years old, they attend the temple every day it's open, often during every hour.

During the evening Bro. Bill Green, our local Newfie, favored us with a few songs.  Sis. Robinson even joined in with him on one of her favorites. 

The following day we attended Zone Conference with all of the missionaries assigned presently to Nova Scotia.  This is just a few of them before the meeting began.

We were served a wonderful lunch by the members.  It appears Sister Lee is about to be "baptized".

One day, when the wind was howling and the rain was pouring, we took a drive to Peggy's Cove to see the crashing of the waves on the rocks. 

 The rain stopped and the temperatures were quite nice, but the pictures don't show the majesty of the ocean as it breaks on the shore.

We've been told, on average, about every twentieth wave is a "rogue" wave which will sweep very far up on the shore.  The best place to watch is from afar.

 

No fast Sunday in the YSA Branch is complete without a "Break the Fast" potluck dinner after church.  Because the preparers are young and single, we're not always sure what we're getting, but there are seldom any leftovers.

Tomas, Daniel, Micael, and Maja Opuhac are a family we've lived across the hall from for 18 months.  We are at the airport with them as they return to Croatia, being sent home to renew their visas.  We've learned to love them and will definitely miss them.  They are hard-working, kind, and heart-broken to sell everything to leave, only to return next fall to start all over.

Elder and Sister Harvey, close friends of Pres. and Sis. Leavitt in British Columbia, stopped to visit them on the way home from their mission in Zambia, Africa.  They told of their mission and showed us pictures, and made us all very thankful we are in Canada Halifax Mission.

We visited our stake president and his wife, David and Linda Evans, at their beautiful home in Chester Grant, down the south shore near Mahone Bay.  We've been friends with them for many years.

Elders Bullock (Alberta) and Henderson (Twin Falls, Idaho) are enjoying some of Sister T's marvelous cooking.  We love to feed the missionaries!

Bro. Greg Lambert is a marvelous cook and host, and we've been in his home a few times to enjoy his talents.  He is a wonderful friend with a great sense of humor.  We were served a very tasty going away meal.

At the dinner with us was Sis. Wiebe, Bro. Bezanger, Elder Thatcher, Sis. Bezanger, Elder Wiebe, and Sis. Thatcher (not pictured).  All are very dear friends.

Sister Tiffany wanted the first taste of Bro. Lambert's amazing "Trifle," but decided to share with the rest of us.

 

As we head down the home stretch, during this last month as missionaries in the Canada Halifax Mission, we definitely look forward to returning to family and friends, but are already feeling a loss at leaving family and friends.  Our Heavenly Father has been very merciful toward us in allowing this time to be "back home."  It has been a wonderfully spiritual high to serve as His representatives in Atlantic Canada, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach and serve with wonderful young single adults in the mission area, and to serve in various positions, including the temple.  A time and experience that will certainly not be forgotten, but that will be a base to build upon.