August 7, 2016

Bonnie:  We met President Jakob at 9:00 this morning in Englehart, having left our apartment about 8:15. We rode with  him to a library in Rouyn/Noranda, Quebec where services are held for the members. There was a small group but a faithful one! It was so sweet because one of the women translated for us. When Pres. Jakob and Bob bore their testimonies she translated it into French and when those speaking French spoke she translated it into English. She diligently did this for all three meetings, and just for me, basically, in Relief Society. We got home about 4:00. After dinner we had a walk on the waterfront. It has been a "beautiful weather" day.
I like what Bob shared in his testimony--things that Bishop Finnigan told each new YSA after they were baptized. He told them that we are a church of sinners trying to be Saints, that someone might offend them don't let it bother them, and that Satan will try extra hard to tempt them.  I think that's good advice for all of us to remember.
Bob and I will plan out our week and then head for bed. It's been a glorious Sabbath.
Love, Mom/Bonnie

Bob: It sure doesn't seem that far to Rouyn, but it took about 2 hours driving time going through Englehart. If we drive over directly we would go a different route and save about 20 minutes. They meet on the 1st Sunday of the month only. It takes about an hour and 20 minutes more to get to Val d'Or, Ontario which meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
Met Brother Marc Gionet today. He is an Elder that has been less active for years. He recently moved back to Rouyn and has started attending again. I talked to him quite a bit today. When we were leaving, I told him we would come to see him the next time we were in Rouyn. He remarked that there was a meeting in Haileybury next week and he would see me then. Bonnie and I are supposed to go meet his wife, Rose, the next time we go over. She only speaks French and is a non-member. He said in the past she shies away from the missionaries. I'll let Sister Martin work her charm on her!!
It was beautiful down by the lake tonight. We didn't see any boats come in, but there were some out on the water.
Hope you had a great weekend. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Picture of Rouyn I got off the Internet

Been reading 'Kipawa Chronicles' again. It is written by Scott Sorenson who lives in Orem, but owns a tourist camp on the Kipawa River/Lake Timiskaming about an hour 20 minutes from here. Here is an aerial view of the camp. The white foam in the river to the right is rapids. The white streak at the top middle going down to the left is the road, and it is quite steep. Most vehicles must park up in the woods and walk down to the camp.

Kipawa River Lodge

August 6, 2016

Bonnie:  Today we learned something new--what "key indicators" are. In preparation for Elder Arnold's visit, which will be in September, the MLS missionaries (in other words, all of the Senior couples who are assigned outside of the Greater Toronto Area) must bring their planners with their key indicators, plus some other information about their Branches. The missionaries are taught all about this in the MTC, but it was not taught to the senior couples. We found out today after talking to our missionaries, that key indicators are explained in Preach My Gospel. Anyway, this information must be brought with us to our meeting with him. We are learning more and more each day about what we should be saying and doing.  We had a very good day, today I feel. I will let Bob write about it.
I have just finished surface cleaning the apartment and I'm ready to read some more of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" or watch a "Murdoch Mystery" and then go to bed. We have to leave for Quebec about 8:15 in the morning. Let's have a special fast day tomorrow, everyone!
Love, Mom/Bonnie

Bob: We tried visiting 3 less-actives today. One was in bed according to her roommate. The second one greeted us at the door and stated he was having a birthday party for his daughter, but said we could come back. The other 'couple' was at home. She is a member, but he is not. We had a good conversation with them and are supposed to go back next Tuesday evening.
After stopping for lunch we tried 3 more in the Cobalt area. The first one had a very large dog tied up to the entrance steps so I decided another time might be better! Then we stopped to see an older lady who has quite a background. We talked to her for a while and set up a return appointment to teach her about the restoration of the church. The final person was Connie, short for Conrad. He was outside cutting firewood for an order and couldn't talk long, but said we could go on a tour of Cobalt next month. We'll keep in touch with him.
Well it is time to retire. We will have to rise early in the morning. Bonnie will get up before me, though, so she'll have to set the clock. Hope you are having a great weekend. Love to all & good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

August 5, 2016

Bob: Visited with Sister Darlene Barker today. She lives alone and has home care everyday. I don't think she can get out much at all. Another sister in the Branch does her shopping for her. Went back to the hospital to visit with Sister Craig today and met her daughter who has a year round camping spot at Elk Cabins in Elk Lake. Tried calling another sister but she didn't answer. Stopped to see the daughter of the 1st Counselor in our  Branch Presidency, but she wasn't home either.
After dinner Brother and Sister Cambridge came by and dropped off a check I need to take to Rouyn this Sunday. We had a good visit with them. The phone rang right before they left so Bonnie walked them out. When she didn't come back I went to look for her because I thought she might not have taken a key with her. As I started down the hall here she came with Claudette, who lives on the 2nd floor, and 2 visitors of hers. They are French and so Bonnie tried her French on them. I'll let her explain what she talked to them about.
Karl called and wants us to meet him in Englehart Sunday and ride with him to Rouyn. It will be a longer ride for us, but not so bad on our gas tank! The church pays for them to travel over there.
Better close and let Bonnie tell you what's going on. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Bonnie:  Claudette is a very friendly French woman who lives upstairs. I met her taking the Cambridges to the front of the building. I only teasingly said I was trying to learn how to speak French and said, "Nous mangeons des pommes vertes et rouges". It means we are eating red and green apples. I can translate simple sentences and try to speak them but I'm not any good at conversational french. We have some CDs given to us by another missionary couple with French conversational phrases on it. I guess that's what I should be studying!
It's been a good day. I hope for a good one tomorrow, too, for all of us reading this blog!
Love, Mom/Bonnie

August 4, 2016

Bonnie:  It was a very long day today, with lots of driving. In fact, we drove about 200 miles! We could not find two people, and many others were not home. But, we had some good conversations with the few members who were at home. One would like to come to church but needs a ride. That will be hard because so many need rides in Kirkland Lake already. But, the Lord will provide. We left about 10:15 and got home about 8:30 tonight. I made a lunch and we ate dinner out at a family diner in Englehart. We are both tired. But, at least we know where most of the branch members live now, in Ontario. Sunday we will go to Quebec. That will be another story.
It's good to be home and to relax. May all of us have a relaxing evening!!
Love, Mom/Bonnie

Bob: It was a long day. When we got home I tried to call President Jakob, but there is no phone service. Rogers service to this area is spotty at best, but tonight there is no service at all.
Tonight we ate at 'Cousins' a small diner/motel in Englehart. We both ordered off the 'Senior' menu and were quite satisfied with our portions. I got hamburger steak with gravy and onions and sides of french fries and peas. Bonnie got chicken with rice and peas. We waited till we got to New Liskeard to get a dessert. I wanted a Frosty, but Bonnie wouldn't get one. She opted for a McFlurry at McDonalds.
Did get my new Costco Visa cards today. They were sent so we could start using them on June 20th. Mail is a little slow!!
Time for bed. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

August 3, 2016

Bob: Went swimming with Bonnie this morning. Swimming is getting better each time I go. I'm swimming more laps using the crawl. Not sure how many laps Bonnie swam, but I beat her out of the dressing rooms.
Met with the Elders and the Cambridge's today. We spent about 2 and a half hours going over the Branch list and then she fixed lunch for everyone. After lunch we went to visit Brenda and Ian Coe. They live way out of town in humble circumstances, but were very cordial in receiving us. They said we can come visit again.
The Cambridge's then showed us where Sister Flannigan lives. We need to call her before we go out.
Afterwards we picked up a couple of items at Walmart, went to the library and bank. When we got home I laid down for a long nap. My left thigh has been hurting for a couple of days now and I don't know what I did to it. Took an ibuprofen when we got home and I'm feeling better tonight. We'll see how it is in the morning.
We have about a dozen people to look up tomorrow in the Kirkland Lake/Englehart area. Have one appointment for sure.
Watched episode one of season two of the Murdoch mysteries tonight. The library has 8 seasons we can check out. They only let you have them for a week at a time and one renewal so we need to watch at least one a day.
Got a book about the early history of New Liskeard. Around 1897 they built the first bridge here over the Wabi River. It was a pontoon bridge. The builder collected $1 from every family to build it. He got $22 in total and built the bridge. Late in the summer one of the landowners claimed livestock was coming across the bridge and getting into his pastures. So he built a barrier at the end of the bridge that everyone had to climb over. One night some of the other townsfolk went to the bridge and cut it loose. The next morning it had floated away down the lake.
Better get to bed. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Bonnie:  I don't have much to add. We have a full day tomorrow of  trying to find people. One is an investigator and one couple is quite active. But, there are about 10 or 11 others that we will see if we can locate. I will be packing a lunch for us and then we will stop somewhere for dinner. I'm sure it will be a great day, the Lord willing.
May all of us have a day tomorrow of accomplishing something good!
Love, Mom/Bonnie

August 2, 2016

Bob: Not much to report today except that we had the Temiskaming Elders, Brad and his daughter Kayla over this evening for dinner. Kayla will be putting in her mission papers later this year when she turns 19. We have a meeting planned with the Branch Missionaries, Warren and Evelyn Cambridge plus the Elders tomorrow morning at 11:00 to go over the membership and who's being taught and who is working on reactivation right now.
Did take a short walk with Bonnie this morning before our study time.
Other than that not much going on right now. Did go swimming today as the pool was closed on Monday. Going again in the morning. Don't know how 2 days in a row will feel.
My love to everyone. Have a great day tomorrow and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Bonnie: I was busy most of the afternoon working on our meal. It was a success! I fixed some sour cream chicken enchiladas and salad and chips. The best part was the guacamole, if I do say so myself.
In the past I've used a package mix for it, but I can't find any up here. So, I went on-line and it turned out great. One of our Elders is from Mexico, though, and I doubt he was impressed. The best part of our meal was the message the  Elders gave. Each shared one of the high-lights of his mission so far. Each bore a strong testimony of the gospel.
A disappointing thing was the library not being open today. I would like more books to read. But, I got my prescriptions filled at a local pharmacy in New Liskeard after picking up Bob at the pool. That worked out quite well.
I will be trying the pool again tomorrow. I may go once a week with Bob on Wednesdays. We will be leaving about 7 in the morning. Yuck!
Sleep tight, everyone and have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Love, Mom/Bonnie

August 1, 2016

Bob: Beautiful day here. Took a long walk this morning and knocked about 3 minutes off the time when I walked the same route a couple weeks ago. Going to swim the next 2 days though. Pool was closed today.
We went looking for some more members today. Found the 'former' homes of 2 members. One person said she had moved there during March, so our member moved before that. Another couple said they had been there between 3 and 4 years. So our member moved a long time ago. Tried 2 others but they weren't home. Did get to visit 2 other sisters, though.
Before dinner we drove out to the path that leads to Devil's Rock to see if my sign is still there. Bonnie took the picture below.
Watched 2 Murdock Mysteries tonight because we must return the DVD in the morning. One to go.
Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Bonnie: We had an interesting day with our visits.  We spent quite a bit of time with one sister, close to two hours! I love the visiting, though. Everyone has a story to tell.
Bob is quite happy that the sign he made two years ago is still there. If anyone comes to visit us up here, we will take you on the trail to Devil's Rock. After you emerge from the forest you come out to a cropping of rocks that overlooks Timiskaming Lake, but the lake is 300' below you. It's a gorgeous view. And in the summer there are  usually wild blueberries to pick along the way.
The big thing tomorrow will be feeding the missionaries. They surely do have healthy appetites! I hope everyone has something wonderful to look forward to tomorrow, as well!
Love, Mom/Bonnie

Bob and his sign

Trailhead marker for Devil's Rock

Devil's Rock View (Bare rock in center of photo is lookout)