Bob: Another long day, even on Sunday. We had some time before church as it doesn't start till noon, but we didn't get there till the Bishop was standing up welcoming everyone. Next week my goal is to try and leave about 10 minutes earlier. That way we can get a sit in the empty pews down in front!!
After church was over they had a baptism for Steven. That was the 16th baptism by that ward the past year. And of course after the baptism there was a 'Munch and Mingle'. Bonnie made some brownies for that and there weren't any left over. Got home sometime after 5 and then we left at 6:30 to go to a fireside at the Stake Center located next to the temple. It is only about 3 1/2 miles away. The temple is the one thing that is close. The speaker tonight was one of the main guys on the production crew that went to Copenhagen, Denmark to do a digital reproduction of the Christus and 12 apostles. He said it took several years of negotiations to get permission to do this. It was finally given the okay because of a close friendship of someone in our church and a member of the board for the Lutheran Church. We ended up getting home just past 9:00. Bonnie is talking to someone on the phone right now and I am enjoying a Little Debbie cake and glass of diet root beer!
Tomorrow will be a busy day at work as we are getting ready for MLC (Missionary Leadership Conference). All of the Zone Leaders (22 elders and about 10 sister) start coming into the office around 4:30 to pick up supplies they have ordered for the next 6 weeks. That takes several hours of pulling supplies off the shelves and packing in boxes for them to take. Bonnie is in charge of that, but the other 3 of us will be trying to help her out as much as possible. In the past the financial secretary (yours truly) has made Belgium waffles for them!!! I have never made one in my life. Anyway, it's not done every MLC so I think we're skipping this one because we did it on May 6th. However, the vehicle coordinator wants to help with this project. We bought a waffle maker and are getting ready. Maybe we'll try a practice run later this week.
Everyone take care. Hope you are well and happy.
Bob/Dad
Bonnie: We finally have phone service to the states! I've talked to Misty and Lori so far, but now it's time to get ready for our day tomorrow and go to bed. I'll be calling the rest of my dear children as soon as I have time. Yesterday was a full day and today was, too, as Bob has written. The fireside was interesting. I know the Lord had His hand in the project from start to finish. It will be a beautiful visitor's center in Rome with these stunning statues of Christ and the twelve apostles. Hopefully it will take away the misconception that we are not a Christian church.
This week we have a special Family Home Evening on Monday night, which includes a meal. Then, Wednesday night is MLC where we may be feeding about 30 missionaries if they all stay, and on Saturday is a bar-be-que for all the senior couples in our YSA ward. The Bishop will be explaining what our responsibilities will be. It will be good to get some specifics. So, it will be an easy dinner week...Yes!!! :) :)
I need to make this short so we can get ready for tomorrow. I hope all of you have had an enjoyable Sabbath. May the Lord continue to bless each of you!
Love, Mom/Bonnie
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Saturday, 30 May 2015
May 30, 2015
Bob: Another busy day. Woke up last night about 2:00. After lying there for several minutes I just got up and started getting the 150 letters ready for mailing (mentioned in yesterday's blog). When I finished those I had 30 more that I had done incorrectly. So I opened them up, made the corrections and then taped them up. Hope the post office doesn't balk at taking them. Finished all that up and went back to bed about 5:15 and didn't wake up till 8:45. Took a while to get moving.
Went to the temple today. The session started on time plus Bonnie and I were chosen to be the witness couple. It was a good session as I was able to listen without napping!! Afterwards we went home, changed and went grocery shopping. Another dreadful experience. Took a little sight seeing tour again because we were both sure we had to go right, but we were wrong again.
Finally made it to Caffe Demetre tonight. Had to stand and wait about 20 minutes on a table, but it was worth it. I noticed they're open till 1:30 AM tonight.
Hope everyone is well.
Love, Dad/Bob
Bonnie: We finally celebrated our anniversary by going out for dessert tonight. We went to a place close by called Demetre's, that is famous for its desserts. We each got a one-scoop sundae. Mine came with big brownie bites and Bob's came with white chocolate chips. The ice cream was in a waffle cone, in a sundae dish with a delicious marinated cherry and lots of whipped cream. It's the best dessert I've had in a while!
When we went to Walmart today an employee came up to us and began talking about the missionaries and reading the Bible and wanting to know how to pray! The young man had disabilities but he is a sweet person. We probably talked for 15 minutes or so. We'll give his name to the missionaries and see what happens. I would imagine that some of the missionaries know him anyway, because he seemed fairly familiar with them and what they do.
I hope to get lots of rest tonight. Church starts at noon, but I will have soup to make and brownies to frost in the morning. I love the Sabbath Day! It helps me remember why I am here and what my purpose is--to help others come unto Christ. There will be a baptism after church and then the "Munch and Mingle". I am looking forward to being with the YSA young people. The challenge will be to learn their names, though.
May all of you have a peaceful Sabbath tomorrow, especially as we remember Elder L. Tom Perry. What a great leader and apostle of the Lord. He will be missed!
Love, Mom/Bonnie
Went to the temple today. The session started on time plus Bonnie and I were chosen to be the witness couple. It was a good session as I was able to listen without napping!! Afterwards we went home, changed and went grocery shopping. Another dreadful experience. Took a little sight seeing tour again because we were both sure we had to go right, but we were wrong again.
Finally made it to Caffe Demetre tonight. Had to stand and wait about 20 minutes on a table, but it was worth it. I noticed they're open till 1:30 AM tonight.
Hope everyone is well.
Love, Dad/Bob
Bonnie: We finally celebrated our anniversary by going out for dessert tonight. We went to a place close by called Demetre's, that is famous for its desserts. We each got a one-scoop sundae. Mine came with big brownie bites and Bob's came with white chocolate chips. The ice cream was in a waffle cone, in a sundae dish with a delicious marinated cherry and lots of whipped cream. It's the best dessert I've had in a while!
When we went to Walmart today an employee came up to us and began talking about the missionaries and reading the Bible and wanting to know how to pray! The young man had disabilities but he is a sweet person. We probably talked for 15 minutes or so. We'll give his name to the missionaries and see what happens. I would imagine that some of the missionaries know him anyway, because he seemed fairly familiar with them and what they do.
I hope to get lots of rest tonight. Church starts at noon, but I will have soup to make and brownies to frost in the morning. I love the Sabbath Day! It helps me remember why I am here and what my purpose is--to help others come unto Christ. There will be a baptism after church and then the "Munch and Mingle". I am looking forward to being with the YSA young people. The challenge will be to learn their names, though.
May all of you have a peaceful Sabbath tomorrow, especially as we remember Elder L. Tom Perry. What a great leader and apostle of the Lord. He will be missed!
Love, Mom/Bonnie
Friday, 29 May 2015
May 29, 2015
Bob: Below is an aerial picture of our offices. I don't know when google took this, but there are houses all around us and the road to the right is under construction until November. They let us drive from the top of the picture to the parking lot entrance. After that the road is torn up as they are putting in a new base and 3 lanes wide. There are houses closing in on all sides. They tell us that this place was just surrounded by fields a year ago. If you call up 1624 Wanless Drive, Brampton, ON on goggle maps you can see how the housing development started. It is like that on 3 sides now.
Will add more tonight.
Another big day. We left about 8:30 and then left the office a little after 5 so we could get a new wiper blade put on. Bought one at Wally World, but it won't fit. After that we ate at a local chicken diner. I would have to give them a C+ at best. First mate said we aren't going back there. Then back to work and left the office at about 9:15. Got the car washed on the way home. Got home just a little before 10:00. Tomorrow doesn't look much better as we have to get up early to do the grocery shopping and wash. Bonnie has to bake some brownies for the YSA Munch&Mingle. She also wants to attend the temple. I have to go buy phone chargers and one other thing I can't remember. We also have to fold 130 letters, stuff them in envelopes and then put an address sticker on them. Oh yeah, we need to correct the first 20 envelopes I did as I got them out of order and have a different address on the envelope then I have on the letter. At least I got some things done right today.
Hope everyone is well and that you have a great weekend.
Bonnie says she will talk to you tomorrow. She is going to bed. She says 'Oh for the part-time job!!'
Dad/Bob
1624 Wanless Drive Brampton
Will add more tonight.
Another big day. We left about 8:30 and then left the office a little after 5 so we could get a new wiper blade put on. Bought one at Wally World, but it won't fit. After that we ate at a local chicken diner. I would have to give them a C+ at best. First mate said we aren't going back there. Then back to work and left the office at about 9:15. Got the car washed on the way home. Got home just a little before 10:00. Tomorrow doesn't look much better as we have to get up early to do the grocery shopping and wash. Bonnie has to bake some brownies for the YSA Munch&Mingle. She also wants to attend the temple. I have to go buy phone chargers and one other thing I can't remember. We also have to fold 130 letters, stuff them in envelopes and then put an address sticker on them. Oh yeah, we need to correct the first 20 envelopes I did as I got them out of order and have a different address on the envelope then I have on the letter. At least I got some things done right today.
Hope everyone is well and that you have a great weekend.
Bonnie says she will talk to you tomorrow. She is going to bed. She says 'Oh for the part-time job!!'
Dad/Bob
Thursday, 28 May 2015
May 28, 2015
Bob: Another long day, but partly my fault. We left work just a little after 5 which was good. However, I had to stop at the post office to make sure a letter got postmarked by tomorrow. Discovered that I had left my phone at the office. Went back and got it. Then we stopped at Walmart to get a charger for the phone. I took a left turn instead of a right turn and wasted at least 30 minutes. Then I couldn't find the charger I wanted. Stopped at another store and they didn't have it either. Ended up getting home around 7. Then I didn't communicate well with Bonnie and by the time we realized we had a miscommunication it was too late to go out and get a special dessert to celebrate our anniversary of 27 years. That has been rescheduled for Saturday. Going in later tomorrow and working late to try and catch up. Bonnie has a big project that needs done by Monday and I have 180 letters to fold, stuff, sticker and add postage to. We'll be exhausted tomorrow night when we get home.
Weather has cooled off and it is really quite pleasant right now. Been many forecasts for thunder showers, but so far they have missed us unless they were at night.
Hope everyone is well.
Love to all.
Bob/Dad
Weather has cooled off and it is really quite pleasant right now. Been many forecasts for thunder showers, but so far they have missed us unless they were at night.
Hope everyone is well.
Love to all.
Bob/Dad
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
May 27, 2015
Bob: Good evening. Another looong day at the office. Bonnie and I went to another office storage site today to look at what inventory is there and to pick up some church records that Salt Lake wants. We didn't realize how far away it was. We were gone over 3 hours!! Wouldn't have gone if I had know it would take that much out of our day. The Gillen's left around noon, but they said they would be in for a while tomorrow as the Mission President is hosting a luncheon for them. He and I have covered about everything once, but there is a lot of his work he has done in EXCEL that I am struggling to learn. It may take quite a while before I can get it down.
Going to give this to Bonnie as she skipped last night. Hope everyone is well and happy. Tried to send my FAMILY group an email today with an attachment that GOOGLE sent me. It is photos and maps of the travels we have been on that month or so. One person told me they couldn't see anything. Right below where I typed our signature there is a little button to click on. Then drop down and VIEW STORY. You should initially see a picture of where Eddie and Lorraine are living in Florida. Eddie is struggling with his breathing so he could use your prayers.
Love, Bob/Dad
Bonnie: It was nice to come home, change and do nothing tonight. Tomorrow is our anniversary and all I want to do is to leave at 5 or a little sooner. We won't be very hungry after our special lunch tomorrow so I won't have to make much dinner. Nice! We'll probably go out for a special dessert and then help Gillen's pack their car. This week has gone fast, I think.
Bob mentioned going to the Toronto Stake Center that used to house all of the mission supplies. It's a beautiful building, very different from the "normal" buildings we see today. It has a huge third floor for supplies that is no longer used. There are some things I think we could use in our office, but there is no room for them. We were afraid at first to use the elevator because we thought we might be stuck in it! We were able to move 4 boxes of a history of the mission from 2009 to 2010, however, which is why we went. And it was a tender mercy that the Family History Center was open. The sister who was working there helped us out quite a bit.
It's past time for me to get ready for bed, so I need to close.
I love all of you, and pray for the Lord's blessings to be with you.
Love, Mom/Bonnie
Going to give this to Bonnie as she skipped last night. Hope everyone is well and happy. Tried to send my FAMILY group an email today with an attachment that GOOGLE sent me. It is photos and maps of the travels we have been on that month or so. One person told me they couldn't see anything. Right below where I typed our signature there is a little button to click on. Then drop down and VIEW STORY. You should initially see a picture of where Eddie and Lorraine are living in Florida. Eddie is struggling with his breathing so he could use your prayers.
Love, Bob/Dad
Bonnie: It was nice to come home, change and do nothing tonight. Tomorrow is our anniversary and all I want to do is to leave at 5 or a little sooner. We won't be very hungry after our special lunch tomorrow so I won't have to make much dinner. Nice! We'll probably go out for a special dessert and then help Gillen's pack their car. This week has gone fast, I think.
Bob mentioned going to the Toronto Stake Center that used to house all of the mission supplies. It's a beautiful building, very different from the "normal" buildings we see today. It has a huge third floor for supplies that is no longer used. There are some things I think we could use in our office, but there is no room for them. We were afraid at first to use the elevator because we thought we might be stuck in it! We were able to move 4 boxes of a history of the mission from 2009 to 2010, however, which is why we went. And it was a tender mercy that the Family History Center was open. The sister who was working there helped us out quite a bit.
It's past time for me to get ready for bed, so I need to close.
I love all of you, and pray for the Lord's blessings to be with you.
Love, Mom/Bonnie
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
May 26, 2015
Bob: I am very, very happy to report that I am online and writing from home tonight. We should be more prompt in posting our new adventures. Tomorrow will be our last day of training. The reins will be handed over to us tomorrow afternoon. I have more concern for Bonnie than I do for myself though. If I can't do something or if I do something wrong with the accounting work I know someone will eventually send me a nasty-gram and it can be fixed. Bonnie has a lot of things that just come up and she needs to figure a way to get them done. She has some routine things, but a lot of original things. Thankfully though I believe everyone in the office is willing to share the workload and help each other. It should get a lot better within the month.
We got phones today too, but Bonnie's is still at the office. My number is 416-464-7552 and Bonnie's number will be 416-436-0332. I think we both have unlimited texting and I will have a data plan. It has taken a while, but we should be able to keep in touch. I don't think the Magic Jack phones will work though. I can't find a place to plug the phone into the computer. I'm not sure why as I don't think I have added anything from what I had in Utah.
We went to the YSA Family Home Evening last night and helped them put together packs that are be handed out for a food drive. There were several hundred and we got it done in about 75 minutes I think. The Bishop of the Ward just returned from San Diego where he served as the Mission President. He has been a Temple President and Stake President. Don't know much about him except that I heard he owns an insurance company and that money is not a problem. I think he owns a big fishing lodge up north somewhere. That I would like to find out about!!
I thought the internet hookup was going to fall through again today. The technician came up and then went downstairs to turn it on. He came back and told me the manager wasn't at her station and the security guard wouldn't open the door for him because he didn't have proper ID. So I call the manager and got her voicemail. Went downstairs with him to see if we could find Rose, the manager. Another security person was downstairs and she said she would go up to Rose's apartment and get her. As she went up the elevator Rose showed up. Took her about 10 minutes to find the key and she told the tech that she closed at 5 and wanted the key back.
The tech and I went downstairs then to the communications room. We finally got the key to work. As we entered the room I told the tech that getting access to this room was about as hard as getting access to a Ward Meetinghouse Library!! He wasn't a member so I don't think he had any idea what I was talking about. Well he finally found the line and turned it on. So back up the stairs we went. He hooked it all up and NOTHING. He did some things on his phone, called someone, but nothing. By this time it was getting near 5. He left and said he would be back. He came back about 30 minutes later and tried it again. Still NOTHING. He said I will be back. I asked him he had the key and said he wasn't giving her the key till he was done. Before he came back Bonnie got home. He came back and changed the wiring and the fixture on the wall and SUCCESS. He left here a little past 6. Don't know what Rose said to him, but I feel like spray painting 'I WAS INSIDE' on the communications room door.
Hope everyone is well and that we get some updates from everyone soon. Bonnie is getting ready to go to bed early as we are leaving at 7 in the morning. She said she would write tomorrow night.
We got phones today too, but Bonnie's is still at the office. My number is 416-464-7552 and Bonnie's number will be 416-436-0332. I think we both have unlimited texting and I will have a data plan. It has taken a while, but we should be able to keep in touch. I don't think the Magic Jack phones will work though. I can't find a place to plug the phone into the computer. I'm not sure why as I don't think I have added anything from what I had in Utah.
We went to the YSA Family Home Evening last night and helped them put together packs that are be handed out for a food drive. There were several hundred and we got it done in about 75 minutes I think. The Bishop of the Ward just returned from San Diego where he served as the Mission President. He has been a Temple President and Stake President. Don't know much about him except that I heard he owns an insurance company and that money is not a problem. I think he owns a big fishing lodge up north somewhere. That I would like to find out about!!
I thought the internet hookup was going to fall through again today. The technician came up and then went downstairs to turn it on. He came back and told me the manager wasn't at her station and the security guard wouldn't open the door for him because he didn't have proper ID. So I call the manager and got her voicemail. Went downstairs with him to see if we could find Rose, the manager. Another security person was downstairs and she said she would go up to Rose's apartment and get her. As she went up the elevator Rose showed up. Took her about 10 minutes to find the key and she told the tech that she closed at 5 and wanted the key back.
The tech and I went downstairs then to the communications room. We finally got the key to work. As we entered the room I told the tech that getting access to this room was about as hard as getting access to a Ward Meetinghouse Library!! He wasn't a member so I don't think he had any idea what I was talking about. Well he finally found the line and turned it on. So back up the stairs we went. He hooked it all up and NOTHING. He did some things on his phone, called someone, but nothing. By this time it was getting near 5. He left and said he would be back. He came back about 30 minutes later and tried it again. Still NOTHING. He said I will be back. I asked him he had the key and said he wasn't giving her the key till he was done. Before he came back Bonnie got home. He came back and changed the wiring and the fixture on the wall and SUCCESS. He left here a little past 6. Don't know what Rose said to him, but I feel like spray painting 'I WAS INSIDE' on the communications room door.
Hope everyone is well and that we get some updates from everyone soon. Bonnie is getting ready to go to bed early as we are leaving at 7 in the morning. She said she would write tomorrow night.
The building we live in
Lake behind our complex
Brother Pallin, who told about the history of the area (Is he Canadian?)
Standing by the stream where the first Canadians are believed to have been baptized
Monday, 25 May 2015
May 25, 2015
Bob: Just published updates for May 22 and 24. May get more added to this today and may not. Tried to make an appointment with the social security office in Niagara Falls, but they are closed for the holiday. You Americans are so lucky to have so many holidays from work!! Oh well, back to work for us.
Later, Bob
Later, Bob
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