"The Covenant Path"

    I amazed at the energy of the young missionaries in the Halifax Mission, and their joyful countenances. They come into the mission office each day with a smiling face and a warm greeting. We were able to gather at the mission home this past weekend and watch a session of General Conference together, then eat some of President Leavits' homemade chili, made from a secret family recipe ----- ie, open a Can of Chili from the local grocery store, add some more corn, stir well, don't stress about meals, and eat!   It is more about being together than slaving over a hot stove!  I like that, I get that, and that is how I cook!  I still have my friend, Blanche's, cookbook right here on the counter in our apartment, and I do promise to use it, but I also like these "Secret Family Recipes"!
   Another thing Elder Harding and I have learned as we get together with these wonderful, fun young missionaries, is to never leave your ipad just sitting around, because young people love to take "selfies"! Here are a few  that we thought it only fair to post, after deleting the other 20 or so that mysteriously appeared on the ipad while we were doing dishes in the Kitchen and had our backs turned!! Ha Ha!!

   Apparently Elder Jason, who appears in the most of these picts, was the main culprit!  He is one of the AP's and  is in and out of the Mission Office a lot ---- we love him, as we love all of the Missionaries! Elder Jason is from Guadalope, and he is never quite warm enough here in Canada. I also am never quite warm enough, and so when the heat in the office somehow gets turned up, the two of us are very happy, but everyone else starts shedding layers and wondering what is going on with the heating system!

    As we listened to General Conference this past weekend, Sister Carol McConkie's comments about being on the "Covenant Path" really struck a chord with me. What does it mean to be on the covenant path?
I have watched these young missionaries put their best foot forward, be patient when making endless phone calls trying to get someone to come out to church, working through companionship stuff, and trying to represent the Lord in the best way that they can. They are a good example to me of what it means to be on the covenant path. Here are some more thoughts about what it means to be on the covenant path.

 When we are on the "Covenant Path" we have power given to us in our lives to help us do the things that are challenging or difficult, and as we exert our Faith, and turn to our Heavenly Father for His light and help, as we uphold and honor our covenants that we have made with Him, God has promised us that He will sustain and assist us.

It has been a real learning curve  to prepare for and then to come on a mission. As we have persevered through each stage,  we have found joy in the journey, joy in being on and striving to stay on the Covenant Path. 

 It was a real joy and a great blessing to be able to return to Alberta last week and spend a few days helping our daughter and her husband with their first baby, little Sarah Lynn.  She is a real treasure, what a treat to be able to be there with this family. This is one of the blessings of being a Senior Missionary -- there are times that you Can return home, if needed --- And Yes, it was hard to say Goodbye to them, BUT we are all on the Covenant Path, them and us.  

 Elder Harding and I trust our loved ones to the Lord, and thank those that have stepped in, in our absence, to bless and help not only this little family, but all of our family.  We are so Grateful!

Now  I am  Back in Halifax, associating with the fine people of Eastern Canada and rubbing shoulders with some wonderful young people, and we are getting our feet more firmly under us in the mission office. It has taken us time to get our heads wrapped around the many details in the office and sometimes we felt like we were swimming in deep water, But as Elder Harding said, President Leavit just kept throwing us a life line and eventually we came out of the deep water and got our feet on more solid ground. Here we are below at the Halifax Temple and the Mission Home --- this is one of  the Blessings of serving in the Mission Office, getting to participate in these events.

So, Life is good here in the Mission Field. There are sacrifices made by many, no question, but there is also a lot of  joy and unexpected bits of sunshine one the Covenant path. We are looking forward to more!