Doings

    I am not really sure if "doings" makes sense but oh well. Mom will be clicking her tongue up there in heaven and saying I should use the thesaurus ( she loved using the obscure words she found there).
    I was going to post this as "comings and goings", but realized that right now we aren't doing much of these.  Paul is quite sick with what I hope is just a head cold, but he is on day 3 and doesn't seem to be improving.  I tried every natural remedy I know including large doses of vitamin C, ginger root tea, and the netty pot.  Because of his heart medication he can't take any decongestant or antihistamine, so he is really miserable.  I have been spending my time trying to watch what he touches and disinfecting it because I do not want to get sick.
   Having so much time on my hands while Paul rests is stretching my creativity.  To my children who are consumed with work, child-rearing, sports and games, scouts, "Trek", homework, social activities, and relay races, this will seem as foreign as it gets. I remember as a young mother wishing for just a little time to do something I wanted to do.  Now that I am here it is less appealing and more of a burden.  It is true I am somewhat curtailed in what I can do for two reasons:   1) I am on a mission, and have a few rules to follow, and 2) I can't speak the language here well enough to go out much on my own. I have studied French for hours, listened to General Conference talks, written in my journal, crocheted, and even watched a few wholesome Hallmark movies online.  I will look back on these past 3 days with longing someday, I am certain.
    We are mentoring a young man who has, up to this point in his nearly 24 years, never set goals nor planned for the future other than the coming weekend.  We have been meeting with him twice a week and helping him set some goals he can achieve, and having him listen to some positive thinking CD's.  He says he wants to go on a mission, but at 24, he needs to hustle it up a bit.  We hope we are making some progress. He says he is keeping on track with our weekly reading assignment for the Book of Mormon.  We can't really know for sure if he is doing this, because when Paul asked him to list things "he is good at", one was, "I am a good lier."  He clarified that he meant only to his parents, but if he is that good at it, who knows?  He is a nice boy and I would like to see him make something of himself (as Helen Ann was known to say).
    In the past month or so we drove to Burlington, Vermont three times. It is out of our mission boundaries but there are certified U.S. doctors there who will take U.S. insurance, and yes, who speak English, and you can get an appointment in less than six months and don't have to wait four hours to be seen (all of which is not possible in Quebec).  We took a young sister missionary twice and I saw a doctor myself once.  It was funny how excited I was to be back in the U.S.  Seeing a Five Guys hamburger place thrilled me.  Despite all the problems in our government right now, I am proud to be an American. When we leave the Canada, Paul uses his American passport.  When we re-enter, he goes in on his Canadian one. This is necessary because he was not given a visa when we came because, they reminded him, he is a Canadian citizen.  The last time we re-entered, the official questioned our U.S. vehicle and even threatened to charge a tax on it.  He wanted proof that we lived permanently in the U.S. He was dumbfounded when we produced the American passport; he had to go ask someone about it.
   We are teaching a missionary preparation class every Sunday afternoon to about 8 members of our branch.  Mostly these are 17-24 year-olds-, but we even have a couple who anticipates a senior mission in a couple of years. We have had one class so far, due to the Easter holiday, but it is fun to be with them. I love being with young adults.  Of course, if Paul isn't better, and I have to teach, it will be a very short class tomorrow!
    Remember the picture I put in the blog of a snowman in a yard, installed in his spot in October?  His head eventually came out of the snow (yes, it was that deep!), and he was removed from the yard this week.
   Here are a couple of pictures of our Soirée de film (movie night).  This is what senior missionaries do, i.e., pop and bag 60 bags of popcorn:

All these candy bars were free from the IGA where we collect food every Saturday.  The trick was having the discipline not to eat them before we had the move in night.

Feasting

     Those of you who know me probably think I am going to write a piece on the delights of feeding my face.  I could do that, for it is one of my favorite activities.  However, I thought that I would like to document a recent spiritual feast that we enjoyed.
     On March 22, all of the missionaries in our mission were gathered together in one stake center.  This, in and of itself, is highly unusual because the church leaders don't like to have large groups of missionaries in one place, for safety, and other reasons, probably having to do with having a large group of barely-older-than-scouts assembled in relatively small quarters.  But when an apostle tells a mission president to do it, he quickly obeys. While in Switzerland, we sent as request to the area presidency to allow us to gather all the missionaries for a  Christmas zone conference- denied.   However, two months later, Elder Bednar was traveling in Europe and he told us to have all the missionaries come to Geneva.  It was a great experience.
    We were told in February that an apostle was coming in March, but we were not told who it would be.  Just a few days before, we were told it was Elder Neil L. Andersen. Along with him, and his wife, Elder Causé of the presiding bishopric would be coming, and Elder Holmstrom, one of the presidency of the seventy.  Not sure why we merited all of these, but it was a treat.  Wow--were we all excited!  We were not disappointed.
   Elder Andersen and the others took the time to shake everyone's hand. He said visiting General Authorities try to do this because it symbolically reminds all of us that the Lord knows each of us individually. Elder Andersen didn't recognize me (it had been 25 years since we knew them in Florida) but when he saw Paul he knew who he was immediatley.  I suppose I could cry that I am the one who is now unrecognizable, but I won't.   I got a big hug from Kathy, and both of them mentioned us in their remarks later that morning.  We felt a little 'special' for a few minutes.
    The surprising thing about the visit was that none of the General Authorities spoke about how to be a better missionary, or how we can find people to teach, or how to be more obedient, or any of the "normal" topics one might expect in a missionary meeting.  We were simply given wonderful insights and  ideas--those "nuggets" which can boost and inspire.  And thus, all of us came away with a greater commitment to be a better missionary.
    Now, today,  we await another opportunity to hear the word of the Lord for us, so needed in these troubled and also exciting last days.  For a missionary, the anticipation of General Conference is similar to Christmas.  Can't wait!    
   I must mention that when we went into the meeting on March 22nd there were a few snow flakes;  when we left 2 hours later we had 6 inches of heavy snow to navigate through.  Ugh.

A pain in the neck, and Spring???

    One of the joys of being "middle-aged", or maybe "late middle-aged",  is the appearance of new-found aches and pains.  One can go to bed feeling just fine and awake the next morning with some new irritation which sometimes leaves you incapacitated.  On other occasions a slight twist or turn develops into a real crisis.  Such was the case with me during the past couple of weeks.  Last week I awoke from a fairly good night's rest to lower back pain, accompanied by tingling and numbness in my foot.  I have had this before so I knew the best course of action is ice packs and rest. A couple of days of this and I was much better.  Monday and Tuesday this week I exercised in the morning, but didn't push myself.  However, as I was putting dinner on the table for the young Elders Tuesday evening (we feed them every Tuesday), I felt a light pop in my upper back.  Immediately it began to hurt, and as time went on it became full-out spasms, very  painful. I went to the church to teach my English class, but knew before it started that I wouldn't make it.  A nice member of the church who was at the meetinghouse, offered to drive me home;  Paul stayed to teach both mine, and his class combined.  Now, after a full day of rest and Tylenol, I am feeling much better.  Who knows what brought this on?  Perhaps it was the lifting of heavy dishes from a bottom cupboard at church on Sunday for the potluck, or the lying on the floor with the vacuum hose to clean under the fridge on Monday? (That was a site to see, I am sure!) Whatever the cause, I have spent part of the last two weeks "laid up" as they say, and none too happy about it.
    I try not to dwell too much on the weather, but given that today is the first day of spring I thought I would share a couple of photos I took this morning from our apartment.  Our branch president's wife told us recently that Quebec has three springs:  white, (because it is still snowing); brown (when the rains come and melt all that white stuff), and green (when we will really see grass and a few flowers).

 The above is taken from our sliding glass door to the street- yes, it is snowing.

 See these piles of snow outside our front door--those will one day (apparently) melt into masses of brown yukky-ness.

This is the parking lot of our complex.  This also happens to be our neighbor's truck, which Paul covets.
HAPPY SPRING!!!!!      

Icey

About a month ago we took a little trip on our preparation day to visit  L'hotel de glace (the Ice Hotel).  This is a relatively famous place near Quebec City.  Every winter (probably in late November) when there is enough snow (yes, definitely November!) a structure is erected, made entirely of ice. I had heard about it and wanted to see to so my companion (he's eternal) accommodated me.  The day we went was sunny, which in the province of Quebec, in the winter, translates into very cold.  Fitting to see the Ice Hotel. For a fairly decent price we were admitted.  We walked down "hallways"  which are open on each end to the outside.  No need to keep the cold wind out.  The rooms were open so we could go into as many as we wanted to.  Each had an ice bed, (that is ice, not nice) with a foam mattress and a coverlet on top.  Absolutely not sufficient for an night's stay, but I had read that if you want to spend the night you should dress very warmly (duh) and bring warm sleeping bags. A couple of them had a heater of some sort, but for the size of the room, insufficient.  There were no doors, just curtains over the entrances, so no privacy.  Of course the guests would be so wrapped up in heavy clothing and blankets, etc., just trying to survive, that there would be no need for privacy.  Most of the rooms have some kind of design cut into the walls of ice:  we saw a representation of Easter Island,  animals, horses and other themes.  There was a large gathering area where you could buy a drink in a totally ice glass.  I saw some people drinking these, but I couldn't imagine it given how cold it was. There was also a glass slide where you climb some glass stairs and can slide from the top-- we saw some children having a good time on this.  I do not know how much a room goes for, and I assume those with elaborate ice carvings in the wall would be more expensive, but it was certain that no one had requested a late check-out time.  Oh, and did I mention that none of the rooms had bathrooms?  There were two Don-Jons out front where, if nature calls, you better be quick about it or you will be found frozen solid the next morning.  I read about the hotel on the internet (so it has to be true), and they do have individuals who want to experience spending a night there.  I was happy to visit for a half hour or so, and then hurry back to my warm car, which has heated seats...  

 

The Strength of Youth

   One of the true highlights of being on a mission is spending time with the young missionaries.  In most cases, they are powerhouses in every sense of the word.  They work hard every day and they are fearless in talking to everyone.  Here in Victoriaville, we have come to know and love these young missionaries.  So far we have had five different missionaries in this city and when they have been transferred it has been so hard to say good-bye.
   Every week we attend District Meeting in a city about 45 minutes from here. We take the young elders with us to save them "clicks, which are the allowable miles they can use each month.  By riding with us, they have more to use on other days to get to appointments. At District Meeting we are instructed on differing aspects of missionary work by the District Leader, a young man about 20 years old.
  In addition to District Meetings, about once a month we go to a zone meeting where the zone leaders also teach about how to be more effective missionaries.  We attended one of these meetings this week. The zone leaders  gave a great presentation, and then two sets of sister missionaries also taught.  As when I was in Switzerland and France, I was once again reminded of how very capable, committed, and loving these young leaders are.  As I looked around the room at the 40 or so missionaries sitting in a large circle, I thought about what a privilege it is to associate with them.  We might be sacrificing a little bit, but these young men and women are taking eighteens months to two years out of their busy young lives, putting their educational, career, and personal relationships on hold while they attempt to find those who will listen to their message about our beliefs.  In addition, I reflected on the thousands of other similar gatherings of missionaries all over the world.  They willingly go door-to-door and have those doors slammed in their faces every day. Once in awhile someone listens, and lets them come back for another lesson.  Every now and then someone is willing to make the necessary changes in his or her life required for baptism, and what a great day that is for the missionaries. The amazing thing is, however, that even though there aren't many who will make those changes, the missionaries cheerfully keep on working and trying.  Associating with them always lifts us to a higher plane…
  This was our District in December.  We had missionaries from Switzerland, Denmark, Vanuatu, and the U.S.

Together Twenty-Four Seven

I, for one, think the media has done a number on us with Valentine's Day.  The elusive "they"  will make you feel like a failure at love if you haven't spent thousand's of dollars or oodles of time on the most fabulous gift ever dreamed of for the one you love.  Well, being on a mission with the "one  you love" is the perfect way to give the most fabulous gift ever.  I believe this because it requires such virtues as patience, understanding, and charity, and it requires this every day, every hour for the entire length of your mission.  You are never alone.  Missionary apartments, while generally nicer than those lived in by the young missionaries., are far from spacious.  This means you  probably have to be really creative to find some solitude.  When out of the apartment you are still together: at the grocery store, at appointments, getting a hair cut, etc. etc. You visit people "ensemble".
   In contemplating this togetherness we have had for the last six months, I realized I have developed a significant increase in patience, and understanding.  It is the little things that can get to you.  Here is an example:  every time we go somewhere Paul dutifully locks the car;  this is good, and responsible. He does this every single time, so why, oh why, does he always try to door handle when we return to our vehicle?   I have learned not to mention it, but I admit it has required much patience.  Another example:  Paul needs to take a pill every day about 3 p.m.  For 5 months he forgot about fifty percent of the time.  He asked me to remind him, so I set a daily reminder on my phone.  I now ask him daily, and he still forgets.  I am trying to be understanding. One more:  we always leave early enough to get to an appointment on time.  And at least half the time we have no set time of arrival.  Why must he drive as fast as he can on icy and snowy roads, making my heart race? And lastly:  because I don't speak French well enough to converse on the phone he has to do the calling.  I will remind him of a call (or sometimes an email) that needs to be made/written.  He quickly agrees.  Hours later I will ask if it has been done.  He often says "No".  He rarely offers an excuse. Irritating.  I know he has his own list of small irritations, for example,  he thinks I take an inordinate amount of time to get out of the car. (He doesn't have get his purse or other items; and that house key is in there somewhere. He just jumps out. )
   As one can see, I am still working on the virtue of charity…
   For the most part, I can honesty say that we never argue ( a few minor disagreements is all) and we genuinely like being with each other.  We have our own little routines and when involved with these we have learned to stay out of each other's way-at least as much as one can stay out of another's way in a small apartment.  It is great to set and accomplish goals together.  It is indescribable when we teach someone and feel the Sprit there.  It is fulfilling to know we are serving and working on something that is not only worthwhile but really important and we are doing it together all day, every day, for 18 months.            

The elevator effect

When we were on our mission in Switzerland and training missionaries, we would often warn them to avoid the "elevator effect." It is a real problem in missionary work, and we have fallen victim to it.  What happens is this:  missionaries find and begin teaching investigators.  They fill up their calendars with lessons with a few, very receptive individuals.  These people progress each week, and the missionaries are happy to be teaching them regularly and seeing their progress.  Unfortunately, eventually these select people either get baptized or decide it isn't for them. Either way, the lessons come to an end. Unless the missionaries have been carefully planning for the future by continuing to find new investigators, they can be left empty-handed so-to-speak, with nothing to do.  This was what happened to us.  We had been busily teaching several individuals the temple preparations classes, as well as some other lessons, and had them set goals to attend the temple, as well as some other things.  We finished these classes and the members have completed the goals they set with us, and have gone on to set other, personal goals which do not include our help.  We "rode the elevator" to the top floor and got off. All of a sudden we faced two weeks with relatively nothing to do--not a pleasant situation for young or old missionaries.  We are now back at the bottom and are having to start over. It was a lesson learned with difficulty, and one that could be applied to all of our goals in life.  Because we should set goals with the confidence that we will accomplish them, we should also prepare well in advance for what we want to work on next. We are hopeful that this coming week will be better!