Ottawa and then Fire in the Neighborhood

This is Week 2 of the transfer cycle.  That means Zone Conferences start!  The first one was on Monday—we did the lunch.  It was a bit tricky because we usually go over the night before to set up.  Instead, we went early Monday morning.  We managed to pull it off—and without setting off fire alarms this time!

One of the fun things we get to do is see missionaries when they come into the office.  This week Sister Barbaroux, who was just released, brought in her parents.  It was fun for me to speak to them in French French!

Our week was pretty routine except that on Saturday I went to Ottawa with seven other seniors from Montreal.  (Pat didn’t want to go, so he stayed in Montreal.) We met four other missionaries there and had a wonderful, wonderful time.  We saw a couple of historic buildings, toured Rideau Hall and Parliament, and had lunch at Byward Market.  The only tricky part was that it was snowing when we approached Montreal.  The road was slushy and the lane lines almost impossible to see.  It was a white-knuckle ride for a while! 

The first stop on our itinerary was Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General, the Queen's representative. It was a cold, cold day.

The Evans are from Arizona and were very cold!  The rest of us were cold as well.  Here's the group.  Elder Tamtom, Sisters Iverson, Tamtom, McGee, The Evans, Sisters Puzey, Gordan, The Carlsons, and Sister Alp.  Elder Gordon was taking the picture.

 Even saw a red fox scampering into the trees.

Tent Room at Rideau Hall

Inside Rideau Hall

A model of Rideau Hall showing the growth of the building through editions

Ballroom in Rideau Hall

 After Rideau Hall, we headed to Centre Block where Parliament is.

Doors at Centre Block the main building on Parliamentary Hill where the Federal Government is.

Stained Glass Window at Parliament

Sculpture inside Parliament

More sculptures at Parliament

Ceiling at Parliament

House of Commons

Looking into House of Commons

Flying buttresses at Parliament

Interior of Parliament

The next few pictures are of the Library of Parliament.  It is an amazing place!

Doors leading into the Library of Parliament. The interior doors are lead and saved the library and its contents from being destroyed by fire.

Wood carving inside Library of Parliament

Senate at Parliament

Doors outside the Senate Chamber at Parliament

The Rotunda

The Rotunda

Here we are again—this time Elder Gordon is with us; he's in front.

Library of Parliament from the top of the Peace Tower

Ottawa Skyline from the Peace Tower

View from the Peace Tower

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica from the Peace Tower

From top of Peace Tower 

Center Block

Outside Parliament: Sister Iverson, The Tam-tams, The Gordons, The Evans, Sister Puzey, Sister McGee, The Carlsons, and Sister Alp

Peace Tower

Centennial Flame in front of Parliament

Across the street from Parliament

First LDS church in Ottawa

Another view of the first LDS church in Ottawa

Old School

This morning we woke up to some pretty intense activity near the park that is visible from our apartment.  There was a 5-alarm fire on the street that runs parallel to Bérri, where we live. It started in the basement of a restaurant and spread throughout the building.  There was still smoke spewing out late this afternoon.  The news indicated that it started at 6:45 this morning and spread very quickly. There were layers of renovations that had been made to the old building, so the firefighters had a very difficult time getting it out.  By the time it was all over,  the restaurant and 10 apartments were destroyed.

Smoke, looking like a cloud, from the fire of St. Denis

Church in Quebec is wonderful.  So many members of the wards are converts.  They add such a beautiful dimension to everything that happens.  Today, for example, the discussion in Relief Society, the women’s meeting, was so rich because of the experiences that these lovely sisters shared. 

We hope your week is wonderful.  Although we miss our family and friends at home, we love where we are and what we are doing.