Mission - Accomplished!! Homeward Bound!!

What a week!  What a week!

Our mission is now officially finished!  What a tender, bittersweet time this week has been. 

In many ways, this was a normal first week of the transfer:  Missionaries arrived; missionaries departed; I worked in the Temple on Wednesday; we accompanied the departing missionaries as they went to the Temple on Thursday.  In other ways it was so different because it was the last time we would do these things as full-time missionaries and our replacements where here learning their new responsibilities.  As this was the first week of the transfer cycle, the week tends to be crazy under normal circumstances.  This time it was unreal!  When new senior missionaries arrive, the learning curve is steep for them and the training time is short.  Because some of the tasks that had to be done this week were time sensitive, it became stressful for everyone:  the missionaries who were anxious because they haven't received what they needed and then called the office thus increasing the time required to finish the task; the trainee who was doing her best, yet not meeting with much success; and the trainer who had to exercise patience and let the trainee do the work knowing that she (the trainer) could have had the task done quickly and correctly.  

In addition to the office work that have to be done during the week, Pat and I had the added burden of having to get the apartment ready to be closed.  We had to box up everything in the apartment, not just our personal items. When we arrived in Montreal so many months ago, we moved into a furnished apartment that had been used by the mission. Typically, when senior missionaries return home, they leave anything apartment related that they purchased to make their stay more comfortable. Our packing up required dealing with all the mission-supplied and missionary-supplied items, box after box after box of stuff.  Pat went into the office early Friday to finish up. He had already left when I arrived at 7:30.  I worked until about 12 and then I returned to the apartment and began the major boxing-up and apartment-cleaning project.  Blessings be upon the head of Sister Puzey who came and helped.  (Other seniors offered to help as well but we had it done before the majority of them arrived home from their mission assignments.) 

The Apt 318 Cleaning Crew:  The McGees and Sister Puzey

Blessings be upon the Carlsons also:  We had no food in the apartment that could be prepared, so they invited us to have some baked potato soup on Friday (It was delicious!) and breakfast on Saturday. They also invited us to dinner on Sunday.  I will miss these wonderful across the hall neighbors of ours! How grateful I am that our paths crossed here in Montreal!

Before I went to bed just after 11 on Friday, basically everything was boxed, the apartment vacuumed and cleaned and the rugs cleaned.  One exhausted senior missionary toppled into bed that night. Saturday the Evans and a couple of missionaries began the arduous task of moving the boxes to the mission office or a storage unit and moving the furniture in Apt. 318 to other locations throughout the building. It was quite a gut-wrenching  experience watching the physical aspects of our Montreal life disappear from our Montreal home.

Throughout the week, when the missionaries found out that this was our last week, many of them wanted pictures with us--that's why there will be an overload of pictures accompanying this post.

With Elder Torres

Elder Garcia joined us.

Saw Sister Hicken in the parking lot

Joined by Sister Anand

And here's my buddy Sister Puzey with us

Elders Brough and Morales

Elders Purahui and Johnson

Elders Beckstrand and Moellmer

Elders Gomez, Desvergez, Galopin, Jeronimo, Tehei, and Luedtke (Elders Desvergez and Jeronimo are heading home.)

This picture requires more information.  This is Elder Loewer who completed his mission on Friday. He is an incredible missionary who faces a life of pain and limitations because of physical challenges he has.  When I saw him, he said "I made it!"  Yes, Elder, you made it and you taught us lessons in courage, perseverance, and faith along the way!

Although much of the week was rainy, windy, and cold, I was able to walk home one day.  This is what I saw, so maybe spring will arrive in Montreal!

Wednesday was my last night to serve in the beautiful Montreal temple.  After the shift was finished, I was asked to go to a kitchen area where I was surprised with a card signed by many of the sisters I worked with and a small gift.  We took this photo in the waiting area.  I'm so glad I have a lasting memory of these beautiful sisters and a glimpse of the colors of the Montreal Temple. Oh, I will miss the associations I've had with them.

Ellen de Ruyter, Eve Lamblé, Monique Lamblé, Edy McGee, Linda Pelletier, Sarah Smith, Pat Therault, and Sister (Italian name that I can't spell!)

Brother and Sister Rieu who attended the temple frequently on Wednesday 

I snapped this photo as I left the temple Wednesday evening.

We returned to the temple on Thursday to be with the departing missionaries.  In addition to the three elders who were returning and the two of us, we ran into Heather Ashby, Vincent Mutia, and David and Catherine Benson from the LaSalle Ward.  What a treat to be with them.  Also, while we were waiting, Sister Barbara Booth and her husband came.  Sister Booth provides the zone conference lunches for the Ottawa Zone, and we've met her several times as we traveled to Ottawa for Pat to do car inspections.

I was driving somewhere and had to stop at a light, saw the building ahead with the colorful roof and had to capture an image.

On one of the first Sunday's we were in Montreal, we heard a commotion outside the window.  It was some kind of demonstration.  Over the months, we have seen other demonstrations--Berri must be a favorite street to use to demonstrate. I thought it was quite fitting that on Friday, our last night in the apartment, I heard a commotion outside and saw this demonstration.  They were shouting something, but I couldn't understand what it was.  Their banner said, "Pour le futur" (For the future)

And here is their police escorts.

We're starting to see the outdoor seating areas arrive in Montreal although it's still fairly chilly outside!

Saturday was a busy day.  We were up early so we could wash all the bedding, towels, and other apartment items that were going to be stored along with our personal laundry.  Later in the morning and after having breakfast with the Carlsons, we headed to the Vichy Buffet in LaSalle where we met Marvin McPherson, Steve Simkovitz, and Vincent Mutia.  Great company and wonderful food! 

We have had lots of rain the past few days, so much so that there are areas that are flooding.  As we travel to LaSalle, we drive along side Le Chine Canal.  Last week it was very shallow.  On Saturday, it was high:

After going to LaSalle, we returned to the apartment and finished packing the car. The Evans and a couple of missionaries were there moving boxes and furniture.  We left to head for Longueuil to meet with Elders Luedtke and Tehei.  They selected a Mexican restaurant located in the back of a Mexican store.  What a treat!  I asked them how they found out about the place--a missionary who had served in the area had made a note in their Area Planner! I had a chicken tamale wrapped in banana leaf!  

Each time I have crossed the Jacques Cariter Bridge back into Montreal, I have seen this church, Notre Dame de Guadalupe.  I have wanted to go inside for a long time.  Saturday we made a brief stop there.  The priest said that they were going to start mass at 5:30--we had about 5 minutes to look around.  I asked if we could take photos--he said that would be OK and that they wanted to welcome people.

Exterior of Note Dame de Guadalupe

Interior of the church

As we entered, we saw a group of women and girls all decked out in native costumes. As the mass began, we heard the word Nicaragua (in Spanish).  Apparently they were doing something involving that country. Here they are getting ready to go down the aisle at the beginning of the mass.

 

And here they go:

 The kind priest who allowed us to visit the church is at the rear.

We drove to the Marriott Residence Inn on Peel (taking a very circuitous route because of work done on Peel) to check in.  I then drove back to the apartment complex, parked the car, and went up to the apartment again and snapped another picture of Mount Royal.

 I also took a few pictures of the empty apartment:

 

We had to spread the quilt over the bed so it could finish drying. The Evans and the missionaries will remove rest of the boxes and furniture. Unbelievable to me is the fact that this apartment with all of its continuing issues is already rented.  Good luck to the new leasees--they'll need it!  While we were in LaSalle, Vincent said that one of the reasons there are so many issues with the apartments is that many of the leasees are students and immigrants who do not know that there are laws and agencies that deal with apartment issues.  They don't know; they don't go to the agencies, so their complaints to management go unheeded.

We are on the 12th floor of the hotel.  Looking out the big picture window is this building.  No idea what it is, but I thought it was pretty neat, so I took a picture.

Also in the hotel is this.  Last summer we received boxes of Books of Mormon that we hadn't ordered.  It was for one of the Marriott hotels--and voila!

On Saturday evening after we were at the hotel, Pat realized that he neglected to bring his Sunday shoes, so Sunday morning, we returned to the parking garage at the apartment and drove the car to church.  We were asked to bear our testimonies in Sacrament Meeting.  There was a potluck luncheon for Vincent and us because we are all leaving this week.

Now it is our last evening in Montreal. We are back in our hotel room after again partaking of the Caelson's goodness and pure charity.  They prepared such a wonderful meal: roast, potatoes and gravy, salad, and cobbler for dessert.  To make it even more wonderful, Sister Puzey was invited as well.  We had a quick FaceTime with our family. Now we need to make sure are bags are packed and we're ready to go. 

Then we will call  it a day and a mission!

As we've gone through the last few days and weeks, I've thought about our mission and what I've learned and why I'm so grateful we came.

Some of the many lessons learned:

Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives

Miracles occur frequently

Heavenly Father wants to bless us, his children

The members in Quebec, the majority of whom are converts, do not take the Church for granted.

Supporting the young missionaries and the Phillips was a true labor of love and an honor.  We love them all so much.

Why I'm grateful we came:

Our testimonies have grown.

We have recognized the hand of the Lord in every aspect of our lives.

Our lives have been enriched by the beautiful culture of Montreal.

We have met people we would never have met otherwise.

We loved working with the other members of the FabFive:  The Evans and Sister Puzey.  What a team we made!

As young missionaries prepared to return home and were sad about leaving, one of the things I would tell them was that missions were for seasons of their lives.  After the mission season ends, the lessons learned will form a solid foundation for the rest of their lives.  Now I must take my own advice.  The mission season of our lives has ended and we will leave Montreal tomorrow being better for the experiences of the last 19 months.  We have loved this time.  We love the Lord; we love the Gospel; we have testimonies of its truthfulness.

Thanks to our family and loved ones who have supported us on this incredible adventure.  And now, we are homeward bound!

Joyeuses Pâques!

Easter - commemorating the most important event in history: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.   How grateful I am for the sacrifice He made for me and for the hope that He gives.  It has been an unbelievable privilege and a blessing to be His full-time missionary in Montreal for the past 19 months.  While we are certainly excited to see our family and friends back home, it is so hard to leave what we have come to love so much here in Quebec.

Yesterday, Elder and Sister Anderson left the mission.  On Tuesday all the seniors in Montreal went to Restaurant Denos at the corner of St. Dénis and René Lesvesque for a farewell dinner for them and for us.  Last summer Pat conducted a church tour for the seniors. We wanted to have lunch together as part of the tour, so he did a bit of research and found this restaurant. We have been there several times, and loved it. Each time we go, the owner and waitresses take such good care of us and make us feel so welcome and special.  When I spoke with Sister Phillips about the farewell dinner, she said she'd never been there and would like to try it--so we went.  

Here we are with the owner, Georges. One of the Montreal specialties is smoked meat.  Each time I've been to Denos, that's what I've had.  The closest thing to smoked meat that we have in Utah is corned beef--yet it isn't at all the same.  Smoked meat is tender and delicious.  I had it again on Tuesday and loved it!  I will miss it when we leave.

As we were walking back to the metro station, we saw a beautiful sunset:

We also saw the facade of an old church.  Montreal is a very secular city; there are beautiful churches through the city that have been closed or repurposed.  I've seen churches turned into government buildings, gyms, you name it.  They also keep parts of the churches.  Here is an example.  This church facade is now part of the University of Quebec at Montreal.  I certainly think this is a better alternative than to tear down beautiful structures.

The weather has been cooperating, so I've been doing more walking.  I was so happy to see the portent of spring as I walked home! Maybe, just maybe spring will come!  (Then it started to rain at the end of the week and continued through Saturday.)

These sweet sisters wanted their picture with us:  Sister Black and Sister De Barcellos.

We have met terrific people in the LaSalle ward.  Graham and Janet Schurman, their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, Catherine, David, and Carter Benson joined us for dinner on Friday.  We had such a wonderful time with them. Carter was just a little baby when we arrived; we've watched him grow into an energetic 18-month-old little boy.  It made us eager to be with our little three-year-old Michael and his sidekick, Sarah.  Just three more weeks!

In addition to bringing a wonderful flourless cake for dessert, they brought these beautiful spring flowers.

Saturday dawned rainy, but that didn't stop us.  We headed for Walmart across the mighty St. Lawrence. Knowing that this trip may be our last one, we drove around a bit.  There is a marina and park that we pass as we head to and from Roland Therrien where Walmart is located.  Saturday, we drove along the frontage road.  Here is a glimpse of the Olympic Stadium from the Longueuil side of the River.

We also saw St. Anthony de Padua. We visited this co-cathedral a few months ago.  St. Anthony's is in need of major renovation. When we were there, they had netting installed to prevent parts of the ceiling from falling on worshipers' heads.

We also took a detour to Ste. Helene Island and Notre Dame Island located in the middle of the river. This is the entrance of the amusement park La Ronde. I believe it belongs to the Six Flag group.

As we were driving around on the two islands, we saw the Jacque Cartier Bridge. . .

. . . and the biosphere.

We hurried home to be ready to have lunch with Elders Bunting and Weinzinger. This was another meal created by the Carlson, Puzey, and McGee team.  It was delicious.  We had glorified hamburgers, pasta salad, and strawberry shortcake.

And here is the obligatory picture:  Sister Puzey, the Carlsons, the McGees, Elder Bunting, and Elder Weinzinger.

And here's the Puzey, Carlson, McGee trio.  We have fed lots of missionaries and had a great time doing it!

We went to the LaSalle ward to participate in the elders' baptism:  5 beautiful souls were baptized!

When I looked out the window to see the cross on Mount Royal, I saw a beautiful full moon.  Unfortunately, the picture isn't too crip, but the view was!

As we drive to LaSalle ward, we run into detours.  This bridge is coming down and the traffic is rerouted in one direction.

The Evans, Sister Puzey, the Penners, and the McGees had Easter Dinner with Sisters Allen and Thomas from the LaSalle ward.  Sister Puzey made a princess cake (something Elder Evans loved while he was on his mission in Sweden in the 70s). She asked me to help with the marzipan.  This is what it looked like before I rolled out the marzipan. . . .

. . . and here it is with it's green coat and pink roses:

And here's the interior of the cake:

We had ham with pineapple glaze, funeral potatoes, brussell sprouts and a salad with the cake!  It was so good.

And here are Sisters Thomas and Allen:

And here is the group photo:  Back:  the Evans, the Penners, the McGees; Front:  Sisters Allen, Puzey, and Thomas.

Before the sisters left, they led us in the reading and discussion of the document The Living Christ.  It was such an appropriate topic on Easter.  It was a beautiful, spiritual experience for each of us to think about the Savior and what He has done for each of us.

For the past 14 months Pat and I have had the honor and privilege of working with Elder and Sister Evans and Sister Puzey.  We will miss our time with them.

I thought it only fitting to end this post with a picture of my trusty tripod.  It was a gift given to us by the Louders when they came to our home for dinner last September.  I was using a plastic glass with a lid and a straw as a tripod to take the photos.  After they left, Sister Louder came into the office with a present from them.  We have taken many photos with it!

We ended Easter Sunday with a delightful visit with our two little grandchildren.  Marianne took them up to bed and we had a long visit with Christopher.  After the kids had settled down, Marianne joined Christopher and we continued our visit.  How we love our family! 

I hope that each one of you took time today to think about the meaning of Easter on this special sabbath day.  Because of Christ all things are possible; because of Christ we will see those we've loved and lost; because of Christ we have the hope of returning to live with Heavenly Father.