Bay of Fundy x 2

On two recent Saturdays we headed to different areas on the Bay of Fundy. Twice a day the tide comes in and the water level can rise as much as 50 feet. This is among the highest tides in the world. Unfortunately both times we visited the Bay, the tide was out, and because we were on day outings we had to return home before it returned. When it is out, you can see large muddy tidal plains that at other times are covered by water.

The tidal plain of the Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is very different from the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. In contrast to the rugged, rocky shoreline of the Atlantic, the Bay of Fundy (pronounced Fun-day by the locals) is gentle and peaceful. There are many farms and pasture lands adjacent to the shore.

Idyllic coastal scene

One place of special interest was the lighthouse in Walton, Nova Scotia. It is a very small community which historically was the home of the Acadians before they and their cousins throughout Atlantic Canada were expelled in the 1700s to Quebec, England, France and Lousiana (to be known there as Cajuns).

Walton lighthouse

The Walton lighthouse was built in 1873 to aid the shipping industry in the area. It remained in use until the 1970s. Since then it has become a heritage landmark of Nova Scotia. It is a very peaceful and pleasant place to visit. One interesting fact is that the ships would come in when the tide was in and then settle on the tidal plain when it was out. The crews would load the ships before the tide returned. It is said that one ship could never be refloated and eventually had to be dismantled.

Bay of Fundy at Walton, Nova Scotia




More scenes along the Bay of Fundy

On a subsequent trip we went to the Annapolis Valley which is further to the southwest of Walton lighthouse along the Bay of Fundy. The Valley starts in the northeast at Wolfville which is the home of Acadia University. The town is quite quaint. Several Victorian homes, some of which are now bed and breakfast establishments, give a special air to the region. Wolfville is considered by many to be one of the most vibrant cultural centers of the province. Besides the university there is a musical festival, art gallery and museum which attracts people to the area.

Victorian homes in Wolfville, Nova Scotia


Church next to Acadia University in Wolfville

In May the Apple Blossom Festival is held in the Annapolis Valley. It is an annual agricultural and heritage celebration centered on the communities of Wolfville and neighboring Kentville. Community involvement in the festival is strong. We drove through Kentville on a Saturday afternoon just in time to watch the Apple Valley Grand Street Parade. It was interesting to watch the local effort and enthusiasm that went into it. It was complete with floats, bands and boy scouts. It was not like any parade that we have every seen but we have to admit that they put their heart into it and everyone seemed happy.

Apple blossoms and other blossoms in the Annapolis Valley

Locals celebrating the Apple Blossom Festival

We all love a parade!

After leaving Kentville we drove through Port Williams and up a beautiful windy road past lovely little homes and gardens to a "lookoff" overlooking the valley. Although the day was very overcast and at times quite foggy it was still worth the drive to see the view below.

A picturesque house near the lookoff

Elder Foley enjoying the view from the lookoff

The valley below

Cinco de Mayo and Such

Feliz cinco de mayo, as we used to say in Mexico. This Mexican holiday on May 5^th every year celebrates the Mexicans victory over superior French forces in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is a day of great pride and national heritage for the Mexicans. So how do we celebrate this fun holiday in Halifax, Nova Scotia where we have only seen a couple of Mexicans?

The answer is Zone Leaders Council. About every 6 weeks the 12 zone leaders from around the mission come to the Mission Office for a day of instruction. Of course, they have to be fed and Elder and Sister Foley are the feeders. It comes with the territory of being an office couple. We were told that we could order in pizzas or sandwiches to keep things simple. But not the Foleys! We like to do things right. Sister Foley decided to prepare a Mexican meal for this austere group of elders and expose their palates to food south of the border. Let’s broaden their culinary experiences away from Canadian cuisine. Viva Mexico! Viva Benito Juarez!

The Foleys, assistants and zone leaders

She made the main course honey lime chicken enchiladas with black beans and chips with home made salsa and cookie bars for dessert. Sister Foley takes pride in being authentic, so we had to locate a Mexican grocery to get the right ingredients. A Mexican brother that we home teach recommended a place in Halifax, so we went there and bought some green enchilada sauce for the event. It was worth it. Everything was delicioso. The serving table was very festive. We set it up in the reception area of the office. Sister Foley spoke some Spanish to the missionaries which undoubtedly impressed them. Our elders finished off three pans of enchiladas in good style and probably wished that there was a fourth. The only rule we gave them was NO LICKING THE PANS. That wouldn’t be dignified for ministers of the gospel.

One hungry elder

Is this a working lunch?

Now for another interesting event. Dartmouth is often called the City of the Lakes. We are fortunate, since we live about two blocks away from Lake Banook which is home to several sprint canoe-kayak clubs. It is very exciting to watch the kayakers out on the lake even in inclement weather.

Kayakers getting ready for the trials

Colorful kayaks lined up for action

On Saturday we had a special treat. The Canadian sprint canoe-kayak national team trials were held at Lake Banook. This venue often hosts world-class championships and trials. This event was originally scheduled for Montreal but because of low-water levels there it was moved to Dartmouth.

More bright colored kayaks

It was so fun to watch the participants get ready and then carry their boats to the water and start off. They all looked so very in shape and athletic.

Makes you want to participate

There was quite a crowd gathered on the lawn with chairs set up and their coolers next to them with their treats. We weren’t able to stay and watch the races but would love to on another occasion. It looked very exciting.

What a Week This Has Been!

It has been a very busy but very rewarding week. Elder Foley has so much responsibility with his calling. He is the financial secretary, paying all the bills for the mission. You can imagine all the apartment rents, the gas cards for the mission cars, the utilities, the travel expenses for the president and elders, and those are just the major ones. He is also the fleet coordinator, taking care of all the cars in the mission. He has to make sure they are serviced regularly, licensed on time, repairs made, accident reports filed, car inspections done, etc. etc. He is also a used car salesman, selling the old cars as new ones arrive. In addition he has to maintain all the apartments for the young missionaries. He has to make sure they are adequately furnished and approve all items they buy for the apartments.

Sister Foley is the mission secretary. She makes all travel arrangements for the President and Sister Simpson who are on the road much of the time. She also makes travel arrangements for the missionaries who travel to and from Newfoundland. She completes mission reports, creates the mission newsletter, enters baptisms into the Church system. She makes preparations for new missionaries coming into the mission by sending them welcome letters and preparing files for them and packets to go to their parents when they arrive. She also makes preparations for parting missionaries with letters to stake presidents, bishops and parents and packets for the missionaries to take home. In addition she responds to the day to day things that occur. Recently she has been trying to help with some of Elder Foley's many tasks.

We love what we do but it is a very busy calling. Most missions have 2-3 couples sharing these responsibilities and many have young elders assigned to the office. We are a small mission in number (not in geographical area) and therefore only have the one couple.

We recently received 5 new cars for the mission, so Larry had to select some to sell. He then had them checked to make sure they were in good condition mechanically and detailed so they look attractive. The front of our mission office looks like a used car lot. Janice created a flyer to put up in the chapels to advertise the cars. One is sold and we think one will be sold Monday. Wish us luck.., This is new to us for sure.

Last Saturday after working on a broken vacuum for the two Halifax sisters, we headed out to see more new areas.

How hard can it be to change a vacuum bag?

We went to the Halifax Citadel, a military fortress dating from the colonial times. It was built to protect the colonists against the French forces and although, never fired upon, it gave them a sense of security. It was later used to protect Halifax against British and American forces. Since it does not open for tours until May, we just wandered around and looked at the interesting features of the structure. From the ramparts we could see scenic views of the harbor and the city of Halifax.

Entrance to the Citadel

View of Halifax bay

Sister Foley at the helm

Elder Foley contemplating the use of heavy armament


Sister Foley reporting to guard duty


What should we use this wagon for?

From there we went down the coast a ways to Point Pleasant Park, a large forested municipal park at the southern tip of the Halifax peninsula. The park is criss-crossed with walking trails and it was busy with many people walking their dogs. In the park there is also a large tower called the Prince of Wales Tower. This park was once one of many military batteries used to protect the harbor. We enjoyed our walk there.

Studying the map of the Citadel

View of the bay from Point Pleasant Park


Well fortified visitors


Sister Foley taking in the courtyard

From there we drove further around the point of the peninsula. We passed through some upscale residential neighborhoods as well as more lovely coves and fishing villages. We stopped in a quaint little village and shared some fish and chips.

An interesting home in Halifax

We love flowers

Exploring the quaint villages along the Halifax peninsula


Let' s eat fish and chips again

This past work week was an exceptionally busy one. Elder Golden of the Seventies and his wife were here to preside over stake conference in the New Brunswick area and to tour the mission with President and Sister Simpson. They held zone conferences in the different areas where they traveled and presented firesides. On Wednesday evening the Nelsons, a couple serving in New Glasgow, came to Dartmouth and stayed with us so they could attend our conference on Thursday. They took us to dinner by the bay and we had a enjoyable time getting to know them.

On Thursday we had our conference and it was a great experience. One thing we loved about it was that so many of the missionaries we had not yet met traveled in from some distance away to attend. Larry knew Elder Golden from his translation assignments in Africa and they enjoyed visiting and catching up on old times. When we walked into the cultural hall where he had gone to greet all the missionaries he saw us walk in and reading my name tag, said "Come over here, Sister Foley". He then looked at Larry and was surprised and seemed truly happy to see him. He gave him a big hug and then another. He then continued to shake hands and speak personally with ever missionary present.

Lined up to greet Elder and Sister Golden

Metro, Sydney, North Sydney, New Glasgow, Truro and Port Hawkesbury
President and Sister Simpson, Elder and Sister Golden

Elder and Sister Baines

The Baures and Nelsons


The young Sisters


Some of the elders


and some more

And Elder Randall with a special message

"Hi Grandma"

Afterward we went into the chapel for a meeting. President and Sister Simpson each gave brief remarks and then some missionaries bore their testimonies. Sister Golden gave a beautiful talk on turning our will over to the Lord. Elder Golden was the final speaker and spoke for 1 1/2 hours on numerous subjects, stressing how righteousness leads to faith. He then took questions from the missionaries on a variety of subjects. It was really interesting to see how he answered such a wide range of themes. After the talks we had a tasty lunch prepared by some sisters in the ward.

Sister Golden in red with Sister Simpson on the right and the sister missionaries

Our mission has seen a real increase in baptisms over the past few months and it is so exciting. The work is true and it is such a blessing to be a part of it. We love the Lord and we love His Gospel and the joy we see it bring into people's lives. One of the couples that just arrived in the mission said there were over 70 couples in their group at the MTC and there were 100 couples scheduled for the following week. They were asked how many were there because of President Monson's plea in October General Conference for more senior couples. Many raised their hands. We are so excited for all of them because we know what a blessing it is to be able to serve.

Exploring Halifax

We were looking forward to visiting some more coves on Saturday but the weather was not ideal. It became windy and cool as the day wore on, so we decided to do the museum thing. We have heard of several good museums in the area and have wanted to visit them. We saw a lot of museums in Mexico City during our mission there and we had itchy feet to get back to the museum scene.

The one chosen for today was the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax. This pier is the Ellis Island of Canada, often called the Gateway to Canada. It operated as the central processing point for over a million incoming immigrants arriving on trans-Atlantic ocean liners from 1928 to 1971. Conversely, it was the departure point for one half million soldiers leaving for deployment during World War II.

Elder Foley arriving from a long voyage to Canada

A Red Cross ship

and Nurse Foley ready for action

Captain Lars

After being processed by immigration officials, which could take many hours, immigrants would often board special immigration trains to travel to the western provinces of Canada.

All Aboard!!

Ready for a trip out west

The building itself is very spacious and the museum is well done. The displays are often poignant and display the drama that the immigrants must have felt as they embarked on a very different adventure in their lives.

Showcase of typical items brought by immigrants

Interestingly, ten percent of the Canadian troops took war brides during their tours of duty. After the war the Canadian government made arrangements to bring the brides to Canada as well as the children from those marriages. Some arrived on first class liners such as the Queen Mary. Many didn’t know what to expect. Some came from large cities of Europe to be placed on small farms in the interior of Canada. We can only imagine the adjustments that they went through. Some of these women still meet in war brides associations to reminisce their common circumstances.

Reunion of war brides in Nova Scotia

Among the immigrants were not only those seeking a better life in a new country but also refugees and evacuees from the war stricken areas of Europe.

The trip to the museum was enlightening of the difficulty that these immigrants went through. It helped us to understand the kaleidoscope of the diversity of people that the New World is made up of. It adds to our rich cultural heritage.

View out of one of the museums many windows

In the same area as the museum is the Halifax Farmers Market. This is known as the oldest farmers' market in North America, 400 years old. This was our second visit. On the first visit we went earlier in the day when things were really jumping. Today we arrived as everyone was closing up their booths. We still were able to pick up some produce and have a nice stroll around. It is a beautiful market (they have recently moved into a new building) and well worth the trip. The variety of goods is amazing, meats, cheeses, produce, baked goods, art work, jewelry, flowers and on and on.

Outside of Farmers Market

Lovely couple shopping the wares

One of many art displays

The "Flower Man"

On Friday Elder and Sister Leavitt arrived. They are a senior couple from Cardston, Alberta, Canada and will be working in the western part of Newfoundland. They will be a great asset to the mission and it was good spending some time with them over the weekend and getting to know them. They told us that there were over 70 couples in the MTC with them and that this week there were to be 100. In one of their meetings the question was asked how many of them were influenced by President Monson’s plea in October conference for senior couples to serve missions. They said they were surprised by how many raised their hands. Today after Church they headed out into a very rainy and windy day to drive to North Sydney, Nova Scotia and then tonight at 10:30 board a ferry for an overnight trip to Newfoundland.

We are looking forward to the transfers this next week and to Easter. We are grateful for our Savior and his sacrifice on behalf of us all.