Time to catch up on our Canada Montreal Mission. I have been so busy on Sundays that I lacked the energy to write on this blog for the past few weeks. This first headline picture was posted by our mission president ahead of this last weekend. We are now huddled in our apartment like most of the younger missionaries today. The storm that covered most of the lower 48 is now here along with our frigid temperatures of -24 C or -13 F. We decided to risk the elements on Saturday before the storm to get a little walk in for some exercise. It was bitterly cold at the park, but we gave it a good half hour before returning to the warmth of our truck. I am dreaming of Spring!
This has been a season of goodbyes beginning with our Elder Tamarono who was transferred to Nova Scotia in the Atlantics. So, no more English Connect. He is surrounded by English speaking people and is doing well with his English. We miss him already as we do whenever our missionaries get a transfer. We also said goodbye to some awesome senior missionaries, the Bybees and soon the Halls will be leaving too. They are dear friends who worked in the office and with vehicles. Another couple, the Colliers, are leaving next month. They have been a delight to work with as they are both originally from here and speak French. They live in Huntsville, UT now. While they were here, Sis. Collier had a little miracle in her family. Since she and her husband were converted to the church, they are the only members in their families here. Their mission gave them an opportunity to spend time with their families who are very Catholic. Sis. Collier’s 90-year-old mother passed away and so the time spent together was very precious to her. Sis. Collier was able to do all the temple work for her mother shortly after the death. This was a tender mercy to be here at the time she needed to be an example to her family and close to her mother before her passing.
I’ve included a map of our mission which shows all the senior missionaries in our wide-spread mission. Believe me, it’s not enough. We have many small branches and districts. Stake presidents and our mission president, Pres. Sorensen, are begging for more seniors. Two other couples will finish their missions before us in July, and not all are being replaced because they just need more senior couples than are coming out currently.
We had another really wonderful baptism last week. Lorraine, the daughter of our friend, Alphonse, who was baptized in December. It was so awesome to see him baptize his own daughter. Their whole family came out for it. Alphonse has hopes to see all of his family come into the church. I assured him that it may happen as I have seen those kinds of miracles in my own family. This Thursday we will be doing another temple baptism trip with Lorraine, Alphonse and another recent convert as well as a few other members.
Our friend, Bernie, has been a member for many years, but has not been to the temple to receive his endowments yet. He loves to help people and especially the missionaries. He always likes to take us out to lunch. We are hosting a temple preparation class with him and one other sister in our branch on Tuesday nights for a few more weeks. We hope to be able to accompany them to the temple for their first times while we are here.
My little miracle this month has been finally finding a sister who was lost. She joined the church over a year ago, but sort of disappeared last year. I tried every avenue I could think of to find her, even on social media, but nothing came up. I’ve kept her in my prayers and on the temple prayer roll. Then, after nearly giving up on ever finding her, she cried out for help. She sent messages to all the missionaries in the area. Our branch mission leader found her and called us. Late at night that evening we met up with her in a restaurant and talked. She had come to a realization that she was not happy without the gospel in her life, and she wanted to come back. We have been working with her and had her join us at church for these last two Sundays. It is such a joy to see her and talk with her about the Book of Mormon and gospel principles. Everyone at church remembered her and welcomed her back. I believe she will become strong in her testimony as she receives continued ministering.
Finally, we are anxiously awaiting a new arrival to our branch. My counselor, Carolina, is maybe in labor as we speak. We had a very fun baby shower for her where half the branch came out to party. She and her husband’s family are from Chili and when you do a baby shower in their culture it is for the whole family. Dads and kids all participated in the games. It was so much fun. Elder Glenn was dragged in to the games also, and he actually won the “price is right” game.
We continue to bear up with our second Canadian winter as we look for the lost sheep in our area. It truly is a blessing and pure joy to see strangers become friends and friends become part of the House of Israel. We love and miss everyone back home.
Au revoir,
The Glenns
Gigi & Papi