"Sheila's Brush"

Dear Mother Nature,

We do not want to be selfish and collect ALL of the snow in the whole world!  Please feel free to "share" with others! 

Well, the thing that everyone talks about is...... you guessed it, the SNOW!

There are many Newfoundland terms that we are hearing  here--- one that we learned last week was "Sheila's Brush" --- I am told that it means the last big snow storm of the winter, just before spring, and it is supposed to "gather" all of the snow out of the air and just dump it, all at once. That is what we got last week --- two feet of new snow on Sunday,  then 2 days later, 2-3 feet of more snow on top. Below is the back walk way leading to our parking lot, at our apartment. We were all snowed in for 2 days, as the snow plow got stuck trying to get in to plow us out, so we all just stayed home and waited. I said to Elder Harding, "I have no more banana's to eat" --- he just laughed! 

Our neighbour, Claudio, was out shoveling on Tuesday -- the plow got in on Thursday and finally set us free. Cabin fever is a weird thing!

 That is all I have to say about that!

Sidewalks everywhere were impassable until the city got around to them. Many people just started to walk down the side of the road, so driving got a bit tricky, but we just took our time and managed.

For entertainment, we watched people try to shovel their cars out while we were snowed in.  I have to say, it was great to see the way people helped each other out -- 

Now that I am finished "venting" about the weather, I will share with you  our mission Presidents message for the week. He is  always upbeat,  and lifting the mission.

" We all know the weather has been terrible. It does affect our work. It will get better. We just need to press forward and declare our independence from the weather. Be your own person. Don’t let a bit of snow or wind or cold stop you from our work. Where there is a will there is a way. Necessity is the mother of invention. Press forward saints with steadfast faith in Christ.President Leavitt"     There you go!  

In the middle of this memorable winter,  is evidence that the Lord is taking care of us. New Missionaries fly in every 6 weeks, and missionaries gather at the Halifax Temple for a Missionary session, before flying home at the completion of their mission --- we have never missed one of these great events,  in spite of all of the storms. Isn't that something! Above is the Transfer group in March, 2015

There are several beloved missionaries serving here who are from Alberta, and we hope that we get to see them again and again in the years ahead.

This picture below says it all!  I get a lump in my throat every time I look at this picture! 

I love it, and I love all that it represents!

Last week, before the second storm hit, we drove to Truro for a full day of Leadership Training. It was, hands down, the best "Leadership Training" that I have ever been to.

The day started with President calling on four Elders to come up and sing "Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy", with no prior notice or time to practice. (This hymn is becoming one of my favorite, as it  represents the Maritimes so well) The first thing that we were taught is that  we always need to be prepared,as leaders,  to be called upon, like the Elders who were asked to sing. Then we were told to think back  on the words to the Song we had just heard-- Christ guides us into the Harbour, but "to us, is left the keeping, of the lights upon the shore." We all need to hold up our lights, to guide those who are in need, to show where the dangers are, to help guide some struggling soul to Christ.

Below  is a picture of Elder Harding speaking to a Branch in Newfoundland, via skype camera.Today, he and Sister Aslett spoke, from our living room, to the Bay Roberts Branch, NFL. They  both did a great job. It is a unique experience, speaking to a congregation through a computer, but it works because the spirit is there--- I thought that I would share a little story that Sister Aslett told.

Once there was a group of chickens that wanted to learn how to fly.So, they decided to hold a meeting in the barn with all of the other barn yard animals and tell them about their desire to fly. There was much excitement and discussion on how they were going to accomplish this. A group of ducks were at the meeting and they offered to teach the chickens, so the next day, they gathered together and the ducks demonstrated flying.

After about 3 hours of practise, almost all of the chickens were able to fly from one side of the barn to the other! It was wonderful~

The ducks were pleased with their efforts, but no one was happier than the group of chickens. They were so pleased with what they had learned, in just 3 hours!

Then, after they were done practicing, the chickens all left the barn and walked home!

I sure hope that we are not like those chickens!  We are learning a lot here in the mission field. I know that  we all learn as we go through different experiences in our life, whereever we may be.

I pray that we will be able to remember what we learn, know that we can "fly", or do things that seem difficult or even impossible, when we have the Lords help. May we  continue to rely upon the Lord, who, because of the Atonement, knows us better than we realize. May we be ready to help those in our sphere of  influence who need guiding, that we may all return back to our Father's house, one day.

"Citius, Altius, Fortius"

Dear Family and Friends, 

If February went by quickly, then March is slipping past even faster! It is already the middle of March and in our weekly staff meetings, we are looking ahead to May, thinking and planning. That has us all a little "weirded out" as there are only two more transfers to plan and work on before our dear friends, President and Sister Leavitt, will be done their term here  and returning home --- wow!  We are all being encouraged to adopt "Citius, Altius, Fortius" as our motto right now. When I first

read these words in the weekly letter, I thought it said "Citrus.." and I started thinking about Orange juice!

But No, it is Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger!"  President has asked each of us to ponder our purpose and let it inspire us to be stronger, move more swiftly, and reach higher. If we thought that he was going to "Coast" out of here, in the last few months, we were all wrong -- -there is no coasting!

I was reading the blog of some friends who are currently serving in the Congo --- I have to admit that a small twinge of jealousy went through me as I saw their pictures with so much sunshine!  Then I thought to myself, yeah but they also have lots of snakes there... and so I was comforted!! Ha Ha!  There are definetly no snakes here! Barely anything alive outdoors, in fact, this winter.

February was a very busy month in the CHM. President travelled the whole mission over a period of 3 weeks, visiting personally with every single missionary in their apartments. Elder Harding accompanied him on the Nova Scotia run. Mother Nature decided to bless us with lots and lots of snow, and everywhere they went, they drove through storms  ---- here is  Elder Wilson out shoveling in front of the mission home, helping out Sister Leavitt while President was away----such good young men !!

This is the view from our balcony as another storm blew in --- every 3-4 days, all month long, storm after storm hit the Maritimes. Many people have told us it is the worst winter they can remember. We got to be here to see it!  One day, we will really appreciate that!

This person will not be going anywhere soon!

Below is our van in the parking lot outside our apartment --- we start the van from inside our apartment, about 15 minutes before we have to leave, and some days we are hooped, because we have not realized that it rained and then froze during the night! It is all very exciting and we now miss our garage back home almost as much as we miss our grandchildren!! Ha ha, just kidding of course!

Inside, however, it is a different story completely. There is so much love and support going around between these companionships , they are just full to the brim with love. Sister Sharp, who is sitting on the arm of the chair here,  has taught me a lot about how to love ! She just "pours" her whole self into people.

We  hold District meetings in the board room every Wednesday.It is a spiritual highlight of the week. Elder Blum (From High River) at the back is our D L, and Elder Henderson, near right, is zone leader.

The missionaries organized a "Farewell Party" for Sister Brown, complete with cake. She had some health concerns, and needed to return home, so....

.....the District quickly put a small party on for her

This picture is after District meeting the next  week. 

We had a visitor drop by the Mission Office with a tray of yummy squares for us, and we felt bad that the Zone leaders were not there to eat it with us, so we took a picture and sent it to them. Okay, so we did not really feel bad .. the sign that Elder Blum is holding up says "Don't tell the zone leaders!"

The most exciting thing though, since the roof fell down in the Mission Office was watching them try to get the transfer van out of the ice the day that the new Missionaries flew in, this past week, March 10th, 2015.

The van had not been moved since last transfer, 6 weeks earlier, and so all of the tires were frozen solid in about 4 inches of ice. Elder Harding, and 4 other missionaries heated up water and then poured it around the tires to free them......

Then they unhooked the trailer, and tried to push

 the "Beast" free. It took about an hour of hot water, pushing and finally hooking a truck to the front and pulling to get the transfer van out, but once again, the Mission motto held true..."We cannot be stopped!"

Good work, Men!!

It is always a tender time, to say "Goodbye"to a Faithful group of Missionaries. The longer we know them, the more we love them, the harder it is keep the tears back. We have come to know and Love them all ---we know their families are waiting anxiously for them and they are excited to see them, and the Missionaries are somewhat nervous at another "Change" in their lives.

We all go forward with Faith . I am reminded of those who pass from this life to the next --- those who remain, are sorrowing to part with them, but others are waiting who are excited  to greet them.

I know that as we stay close to the Spirit and Let God guide our lives, He will temper our Sorrows, wipe our tears, and heighten our joys. May this be so, may you all Feel and know of His infinite Love and power to Bless and help us all. I am so grateful for all the He does for me, each and every Day.

Love, Sister Harding

The Sky is Falling

 We got a call from the Assistants last Sunday night in a panic that the roof had fallen in at the office,  that there was water everywhere.  Of course this got us quite concerned.  As they were describing what it looked like they were going into different rooms of the office.  Oh, there is a leak in the quad rooms as well,  it's leaking it the presidents office,  there's one leak in the board room.  Oh no, the roof has come down in the kitchen as well.   When we got there they said that the lights didn't work in the front entrance where it was worst, so we cleared everything out of the way,  water was coming down and we were catching most of it and the floor was soaking wet.   Once we moved everything, tried the light switch which actually worked and removed the debris, it didn't look so bad although we did find water dripping in the storage room as well that they hadn't checked.  Things always look better in the light.

 I tried to think, who in the Ward could provide some help with plastic and buckets and Br. Lawless came to mind.  He was a God send.   He knew exactly how to plastic things up to contain the water, had great big garbage buckets to contain the water and I had to encourage him to leave so he could get some sleep for his 5 am. work day.     Typical of the Maritimes.  So willing to help.  The Landlord was much less helpful.  Basically, your on your own until morning.

The one large bucket in front I figured would fill-up half full in two hours so luckily we keep an extra bed in the storage room for transfers.   Set the alarm every two hours and had a fun night.  At one point I heard this crash and a flush of water and I thought the roof had fallen in at a different spot.  I woke up in a start and turned the lights on but found nothing.  I found out the next day that this was just the ice breaking up on the roof and the water being released, hopefully out of danger.   I told someone that it was just like having an new born for the night and Sister Harding commented.  "Yes, but you were the one doing the crying"    Good one.                        

The definition of stupid is doing the same thing and expecting different results.    The FM group from the church was very helpful.  They came in the very next day and cleaned the remaining stuff up, vacummed the rugs and the following day cut new insulation and ceiling tiles and installed them all.  I asked,  is the roof fixed.   Response,  we hope so.   Well two days later when it was warmer and it started raining again voila,  The Office Sisters came running into my office yelling that waters is coming down in the reception area.   I gave one of them my camera and told them to take pictures and with my previous training from Br. Lawless created a funnell for the water, removed the ceiling tiles that were previously installed and minimized any damage.  The FM group came by again. I instructed them to take down the tiles in every place where there was a previous leak and put buckets out again.   Once we had everthing in place he looked at me and said.  I will be back in the morning to put the tiles back up.   I said.  "No you won't"   We are leaving the plastic and buckets out for a week or so.  One more thaw to make sure we don't have a repeat.  President Leavitt suggested that I start Harding's restoration services when we get home.   

"The Lord Doth Provide"

  I talking to my parents the other night, reassuring them that we were safe and well in spite of the wild winter weather in the Maritimes.  I was telling them about the leak in the office roo, ---- we got a heavy snowfall, then it melts, then rains, then a flash freeze hits where the temperatures drop by 10 degrees in one hour, and then it floods, etc.. SO the lucky part is the water leaked through the roof right over a cactus plant in the office that I keep forgetting to water!  Mom laughed and said, "The Lord doth provide!"  How true!

This is a picture of the front entrance to the chiropractors office that  I go to --- this snow fell  in one week!  It is like entering an igloo -- all nice and cozy inside. 

As we met in staff meeting yesterday, a few stories surfaced from the wild weekend of snow --- two Elders in New Brunswick did not hear that church was cancelled, arrived at the church, no one was there, so they decided to just stay and get caught up in their area book, etc.. When they exited 3 hours later, 18 inches of snow had fallen, the snow plow had done its job well, and gone by 2-3 times, and their car was totally blocked in! After consultating with their Mission President, they decided to wait it out, eat the frozen peas and stove top stuffing someone had left in the kitchen, and see what happened --- at least they would not starve! By 8 pm, they choose to walk home, and NOT sleep overnight in the church, arriving safely home after a long walk, waiting for another day to rescue the car!

  In another part of New Brunswick, a young Elder left his apt, without his coat, mitts or toque and went to church ---- 3 hours later, no one who had attended church on this fateful day, could get out of the parking lot. All were snowed in!  So the Elders gallantly walked the Sister Missionaries home, then turned around to walk to their place, but got so cold, they had to go to the nearest house, knock on a strangers door, and ask for shelter --- the good Samaritan took them in, warmed them up, let them sleep overnight and gave the young Elder A warm coat to walk home in the next day!

The weather may be nuts, but the people here are good and kind!

The last story at staff meeting this week, was of an Elder (Elders seem to feature a lot this week!) diligently clearing the ice off his truck, then throwing the scraper towards the back of the truck, only to misjudge the distance and hit the back windshield, which shattered in the cold!

Okay, so we just could not help it .... we all burst out laughing!  Of course, we were grateful that no one was hurt, everyone got home safely, but it was just  the most amazing stories ever!!

On the plus side, we had the best lesson ever with our Nepali neighbours --- we waded through ankle deep ice and slush to get to their apartment and I was holding onto Elder Harding for dear life, questioning our sanity in venturing out, only to have a wonderful experience !  They had lots of sincere questions about prophets, how our church was started, how to know if God is answering your prayers, etc.. We arrived cold and left warm!! Another week, another lesson learned !

Winter Ice and Snow Storms

The Maritimes have been been hit with several good old Winter ice and snow storms, one right after another, this past month. We went out one morning last week  to head to the mission office, and found our  van absolutely covered in about an inch thick of pure ice, with snow drifted all around it --- Yes, we do sort of miss our garage back home on days like this, but that is all right. It's all good! 

We took a look at the van, walked around in amazement, looked at each other, and then I said, "I'm going back inside, dear ... I will see you in about 20 mins."  So Elder Harding cheerfully agreed, and went to work chipping the ice off, while I chickened out!

We saw one lady from our apartments out with a hammer and a chisel, trying to free her car from the frozen grip of winter. A friend said that they had lived here for years and never seen it this bad --- you just have to look at it like it's an adventure, right!

       This past week was also another wonderful round of Zone Conference training,  February 3rd to 7th.  The mission motto is, "We cannot be stopped!", so on everyone went, despite the weather. We were told that in New Brunswick, the path to the Church door had snow drifts at least 6 feet high! We felt very  blessed to have safety for everyone in their travels s they attended these spiritually uplifting and strengthening conferences.

     Elder Harding and I were able to join in, via skype, with the New Brunswick West and East Zone Conferences, plus the Newfoundland Zone. It is getting easier and easier to train this way and it gives us an opportunity to see everyone, look into their faces, and do our Training right from the Mission Office, with President Wentzell joining in, via skype, from Bridgewater.

We are getting to know quite a few of these great young missionaries, so it is fun to see each group, and say "Hello" to them through the Skype camera. We talk to them about things like cleaning their apartments, keeping their utility bills down, getting baptism records in on time, doing Family History, and learning how to navigate the new Media Referral site.

We tell them that in these areas, as in other areas of our lives, throughout our lives, it takes self discipline and practice to attend to all of the "Details" that need taking care of, and as we do this, it will build, strengthen and change us.

This is a picture of the Leavitts vehicle in front of ours, as we were both driving to the Halifax chapel on Friday, February 6th, for Zone Conference.

 The 20 minute drive took over an hour, because of a large tanker that had tried to cross the Bridge that goes across the Harbour, and could not make it up the other side. You can see it in this picture. But we eventually got there, and the Conference continued in good spirits.

We also had the opportunity to attend a convert Baptism last month -- those are always wonderful events!  Afterwards, as we had our coats on and were waiting in the foyer, President Leavitt came along and was looking for his coat --- then he looked over at Elder Harding and said "You're wearing my coat!"

 Elder Harding replied, "What ---- I am?"  Yes, sure enough, the name tag on the coat said "President Leavitt!" We had a good laugh at that senior moment, with all black dress coats looking alike, you have to be careful what coat you put on - - what if the "job" goes along with the coat????

With only a few months left in their time here, President and Sister Leavitt are not gearing down -- just the opposite, they are gearing up! We now have a new "mission vision" for the next 6  months, and it is time to "Sprint to the Finish line".

I don't think that we will coast or slide into Heaven --- looks like we will weather all kinds of storms, push through some tough conditions, put on our best self, and "sprint", as much as we Seniors can "sprint". 

I am so grateful for all those who are such a great example to me, and most of all for the Savior who watches over us, helps us along the way, and stands ready to inspire  and direct us all as we do His work. 

Please feel free to leave comments if you are reading this --- we love to hear of your experiences also, and know what you are thinking and doing so that we can all see Gods Hands in our lives.

Press Forward Saints

As we sit and listen to the Farewell Testimonies of those missionaries who have faithfully completed their service here in the Mission Field, I am always struck by the greatness of these young missionaries, what they have overcome to come on a mission, and what they overcome as they serve.

Last Thursday evening was no exception.  Each "group" seems to have a slightly different "vibe" or feeling about it. Some are serious, some are fun-loving and others are full of laughter and comraderie, but all are  filled with the Spirit as they stand and share their personal witness and experiences.

As you can guess from looking at this picture, this was a happy, fun loving and tight knit group!  Elder Tusa, middle on the right, had a lot to do with that! Elder Jason, bottom right, was right in there as well, and the group was loving it!  They all spoke about how they had learned so much from serving with each other as companions over the last two years --- then they would look at Sister Wilkinson and say.... except for Sister Wilkinson! She was the sole Sister going home this transfer. She just laughed and shook her head a lot!  It was a great evening.

Two stories really touched my heart!

Elder Waldie spoke about how the majority of his life in the church had been spent in the mission field, for he had only been a member for three years. He told us how his non-member parents could not understand why he would leave home for two years, and how they had wept at the airport when he was leaving. His mom, in her grief, said to him, "It is not too late, you don't have to go."  And he was torn --- he could see they were hurting, he struggled, he had only been a member for one year! 

Then the words to the hymn, "Press Forward Saints", began to go through his mind. He decided to just take a few steps and see how he felt, so he began to walk away from his parents. The words to the hymn grew louder in his mind --- he took more steps, and he knew he was not going to turn back!

Now, he was returning home --- he was not just a good missionary, he was a Fabulous missionary, ending his mission as one the Presidents assistants. But now he was worried about what his life would be, away from the mission field.

Then there is Elder Jason, a fun loving, french speaking Elder from Guadalope -- his brother just finished serving in the Montreal Mission and through the efforts of the two mission presidents, the two brothers were flying home together this week. Elder J spoke of his great love for the President and his wife, (he had also been an assistant to the President). He said that the Leavitt's were his "Church Parents" and he would never forget them, they had impacted his life so much!  He said that  if President were ever sick and in a "hospice", he would come back to Canada and feed President Leavitt  Guadolopean banana's! We all laughed, and then sort of cried because we could all see how much he loved PL. President would often tease Elder J, who refused to eat Canadian banana's, and who spoke with a heavy French accent.They had fun together.

After all of the missionaries had finished speaking, President Leavitt stood and spoke to them --- he repeated Winston Churchill's famous words, which Churchill spoke when he was asked what he attributed Britains miraculous victory to during the war --- Churchill said "Never give up, Never, ever give Up - never give up !". He told them their Future was in their hands, it was theirs to shape, and to never give up!

We ended by singing, "God Be With You, 'Till We Meet Again". A lot of tears, especially from Elder W. who was overcome with emotion. Life is so full of change, challenge, joy, sorrow, and so on. What would we do without the knowledge that we have, that we can all be together again, and rejoice in each others company again, knowing that we are none of us alone.

I add my personal witness that God is so mindful of us, that He stands ready to help and aid us.We are none of us alone, our prayers ascend to Heaven. We are here to gain experience, and to help each other make it back home. We love and pray for these wonderful missionaries, and for our friends and families back home, who also have joys and sorrows in their lives --- we think of and pray for all!

"Press Forward Saints, with steadfast Faith in Christ!"

Snapshot of January

 

Thank you for all of the Birthday cards and wishes -Elder Harding  and I  both had great Birthdays!We got flowers, cake, songs, the  homemade center piece in                                                 picture, gifts, and lots of love. Wonderful!

 We passed around the Ipad after our office Birthday party and told the young Elders and Sisters to have fun and take  few selfies.

They jumped right on that --- Above are Sisters Shannon, Brown, and Donnelly, and here is Sister Howell in  this one.

This is Sister Tegge, Brown and Jungheim.

And here is Elder Corbett (zone leader) and Elder Henderson, (District Leader) .  We LOVE our young Misisonaries!! They are so fun! 

    Transfer Week is at our doorstep once again --- we love it when the young missionaries try to get us to cough up what we know about who is going where! As Elder Harding was on the phone with one young Elder, trying to get some furniture moved around in the mission yesterday, the Elder said, "Ill help you if you'll help me!" and Elder Harding said..... "What?"  Then the Elder replied that if we would tell him whether or not he was getting transferred, he would help out with moving furniture --- ha ha. All in good fun, of course! These young uns do get imaginative, though, bless them!

We always order in pizza the last District Mtg before Transfers..... it is good to work and play together!

District Meeting is a spiritual highlight of our week, each Wednesday, at the Office, 10:30-12:30. This is Elders Wilson, Hendrickons, Corbett and McGuire, plus Sisters Sharp, Howell, Brown and Fincher. Recently, Sister Sharp, who was assigned to do the Doctrinal Discussion, spoke about how, as she kneeling to say her prayers one night, she remembered that although she had read from other scriptures that day, she had not read from the Book of Mormon--- she felt so bad!  She said to us, "How can I go out and teach and testify of the Book of Mormon if I do not read it every day! I knew I needed to repent."  

I was so touched by this -- I also need to read the Book of Mormon, every day. There is a power in this book, the doctrine is clear and simple, it teaches and testifies of the Savior, it brings the spirit into my life and directs me. I am grateful for the example of this group of young people. Sometimes I am not sure who is leading who!  But that is all right --- "I lift thee, and thee lift me and together, we both ascend."

We had the opportunity to speak, via Skype, to the Branch in Grand Falls, Newfoundland this past month. There are usually about 8-12 women who attend, no Primary or YW or YM's, just a group of faithful women, with the Elders conducting and assisting in running the Branch -- as I looked at these women, I marvelled at their faithfulness to continue to come out each week on their own, no family support. They are pioneers in the church, faithful converts who carry on. I learned from them about perseverance, and commitment from them. 

I know that as we turn to our Heavenly Father, He will give us the strength to do whatever it is  that we need to do in our lives. May we all feel this and feel His Divine interest in and love for  us, and His ability to help us along our individual paths. I am grateful for those whose paths are crossing mine.