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.

Journey to the Lighthouse

This week finally reached the mid 40’s, sunshine and no wind. Yesterday was the first day we could truly walk outside and not feel cold. It was time to do a little more sightseeing. A big ocean is nearby and we love to be near the seaside, so off we went to Peggy’s Cove. Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore was beckoning to us. Peggy's Cove is 26 miles southwest of Halifax. We drove across the MacDonald Bridge into Halifax. Two bridges connect Dartmouth to Halifax plus a couple of ferries. Of course, one could always drive around the bay but that would be slow going.

The Eastern Shore is scenic yet sparsely populated. It is dotted with dozens of small fishing villages and communities.

Peggy’s Cove has a population of 120 is noted for its lighthouse. It is an octagonal lighthouse, said to be one of the most photographed in the world. During the summer many tour buses can be seen.

Can you see there are two seagulls lined up like soldiers keeping watch over the lighthouse?

The coast is also very different from anything that we have seen before. It is very rocky and rough looking.

As you get close to the cove, the rocks are smooth and have flat surfaces and form many geometric designs. It makes for good walking. However, warnings advise sightseers to beware of rogue waves that sometimes come inland quite a distance and can ruin your day if you are in the wrong place.

Besides the lighthouse, fishing is also prominent. Fishing boats, lobster traps and outbuildings to support the fishermen can be seen. We enjoyed some delicious fish and chips and seafood chowder in a restaurant at the cove.

There is also a very interesting old church in the village, so typical of many others seen throughout Nova Scotia.

Besides feasting upon the scenic beauties of our new home, we also continue to enjoy spiritual benefits from our service in our ward. This last week we had a break through with an inactive Hispanic sister whom we have been assigned to home teach. Elder Foley first called her but got a negative response. Sister Foley then tried her hand by baking cookies for her. When we showed up on her door, she didn’t answer so we left them on the doorstep. The next thing we know she was calling Sister Foley on the phone and inviting us to come over. We had a good visit and really enjoyed getting to know her. We feel optimistic about helping her with her problems. The way to a person’s heart is sometimes through their stomach.

And lastly, we saw our first Spring flower growing by the temple fence yesterday. That is surely a reminder of the upcoming Easter season and the rebirth of all things.

Another First

I guess for awhile we will be doing many things for the first time, but that is always exciting. This past week we had our first zone conference and it was so great. It is amazing for us to see how capable and spiritual our young missionaries are. The assistants to the president and the zone leaders did most of the training and they truly did a wonderful job. I still remember before our mission to Mexico sitting in the dining room at the MTC and being in awe over the sea of young missionaries all willing to give up 1 1/2 to 2 years of their life to serve the Lord. It is such a blessing for those they teach but also such a blessing for them. They undergo such personal growth and become so confident and capable during the time they serve. I know it helps them greatly when they return home.

Elder Randall and Elder Dupont
Assistants to the President

Break time

Lunch

and lunch
Oh we did do work too!

Also during this past week we finally saw a few days of sunshine. The ice over the many lakes here in Dartmouth is beginning to melt and it is fun to see the blue water below.

And finally this past week was suppose to be the largest moon in 20 years (I thought that the moon was only one size). Largest or not it was beautiful and we enjoyed watching it from our apartment balcony.

Life is good and we know we are where we should be doing what we should be doing. The Church is true and we are thrilled for our small part in sharing that with others.

Still Running

Our fourth week has gone by in a whirl. We are feeling more comfortable with our work assignments and our surroundings. It has been a good week with a lot of different things happening. On Tuesday along with President and Sister Simpson we were invited to dinner at the Robinsons, who are serving here as temple president and matron. We had a very enjoyable time listening to their “temple” stories. One story was especially interesting. A couple of years ago the Robinsons were called to serve a temple mission in the Lagos Nigeria Temple. About a year into their mission security issues developed around the temple and the Church decided to close it until more peaceful times prevailed (the Temple is now fully operational). The Robinsons were told to leave Nigeria very quickly and without any farewells. As you can imagine, this was very hard for them. Larry enjoyed trading stories and perceptions that he had picked up from his numerous African trips while he worked in Church Translation.

[Simpsons, Robinsons & Foleys]

After being home about a year, the Robinsons were called as temple president and matron of the Halifax Nova Scotia Temple. We have been able to attend the Temple a couple of times and have enjoyed its friendly atmosphere. The first time we went, we were warmly greeted and introduced to the workers. The temple is small and serves a relatively small Church membership. Our mission has only two stakes and one district. Twice a year special sessions are held for the French speaking members living in New Brunswick. President Robinson commented that he would like Larry to work in French with them at the veil when they come. That could be challenging since he has never done that and his French is less than fluent.

[Halifax Nova Scotia Temple]

Next to the temple is the Dartmouth stake center. The Cole Harbour and Dartmouth Wards hold services there. We attend the Dartmouth Ward which is a very large ward. We enjoy attending there very much. We are assigned to home teach three Hispanic families in the ward. On Wednesday we met with a young Hispanic couple and really enjoyed the visit. The wife is from Guadalajara and knows one of our sister missionaries from the Visitors Center. It was fun to talk about our mutual acquaintance. We would like to use these families to identify other Hispanics in the area so that we can introduce them to the Gospel. This couple knows a few Hispanics, so we hope to move forward with our plan.

[Halifax Stake Center]

We also had the chance to go through a missionary transfer day. The companionship changes occur every sixth Thursday. Newly arriving missionaries arrive on the preceding Tuesday. The president and his wife pick them up at the airport. On Wednesday they attend the Temple with them and give them orientation. Early Thursday the changes are made. On Friday any terminating missionaries leave. It is a very busy week. This week things went awry. We were supposed to get seven missionaries this time. However, one had appendicitis and won’t be arriving until March 29th. The other six were supposed to transfer to a Halifax flight at JFK but their plane had mechanical problems and they wound up spending the night in NYC. Not knowing this, the President was up till 2:00 a.m. waiting for them. Then the next day the six came in on two different flights. Consequently, no orientation, just straight to their areas early Thursday morning. We closed the office on Thursday to have lunch at President Simpson’s house with the missionaries transferring in to this area and the two departing missionaries. It was fun to visit with them over morsels of food.

[President & Sister Simpson]

[Two stripling warriors]

[Lady missionaries assigned to Halifax]

[Best buddies?]

[Hoorah for Israel]

[Joann helps with cooking and cleaning]

[Yours truly]

On preparation day this week we ventured out to take in a few sights. It has been so cold lately that it has been a struggle to even walk to the car, so we have not really seen much of the area. Today was a little warmer. We ventured down to Eastern Passage which is a small town located at the southeastern edge of Halifax Harbor. This part of the harbor is not the main shipping channel because of its shallow depths. Historically it has been used by the fishing industry. Its waterfront consists of small wharves and piers. It was fun to walk about and see this area and the waters of the North Atlantic. We want to come back again during the summer to see more.

[An old chapel in Eastern Passage]

[Aren't wall murals a thing of Old Mexico?]

[Houses near the pier in Eastern Passage]

[A forlorn sailor waiting for his next voyage?]

[The bridge from Dartmouth to Halifax]

We continue to enjoy our mission a great deal. We know that we have been sent here for a special purpose and we are looking forward to accomplishing that.