War Time

Not a lot happened this week, except the car next to ours in the parking lot got bombed. It was just parked there for months without being used - except by wasps. They built nests in the mirror, trunk, and door. One day we got word that the owner died and had no heirs, so we cautiously got in our car every day. One day this week the nests were gone, wasps were dead, and spots of a dark residue stained the parking lot.

Wasp and nest in the car mirror

We had a normal Monday which included a walk in the morning and going to the church to organize the library at the church.

Tractor-pull sculpture found along our walk

Sister Wheeler in the church library

 On Tuesday we worked on preparing our PofGP class and working on the district maps. We were invited for dinner by Mary and Penny.

Wednesday was a long drive to Kingston for our zone meeting. When we got there we caught the sisters remodeling the Trenton elder's truck. Obviously the missionaries have a few light moments.

Who put this "just married" sign on the elder's truck?

You've got to be kidding!

 We had lunch at the Swiss Chalet then traveled back to Marmora for dinner with the Sedore family. We were a few minutes early so we had a little walk around a village park.

Among the black-eyed susans

As we were returning to Campbellford we heard music as we passed the waterfront. They have musical programs every Wednesday night, but in the past we have had other meetings. We were able to join the community for the entertainment. We saw some of our apartment neighbors and Priscilla, from the branch, was there so we joined her.

Music at the park

A time for dancing

Sister Wheeler with Priscilla

 Elder Wheeler met with Tim Holt (the former elder's quorum president) on Thursday morning to go over home teaching and other business of the quorum. We had our Pearl of Great Price class in the evening. It takes a long time to prepare, but it's a lot of fun. We have a core group of 10 members attending.

Friday was a slow day. It was the 40th anniversary of our first date. We worked on projects in the morning then we walked to the library and Elder Wheeler checked out some books to read.

There was a special arts festival at Buckhorn that Mary attends every year. We were anticipating going there, but she decided not to go this year. It's about an hour drive each way so we decided to do something closer. We went to the Hastings waterfront festival. It wasn't large, but was very enjoyable. There was a reenactment of the war of 1812 (200th anniversary). This is known as the American war during which America invaded Canada and were sent packing back to their own home. There were cheers whenever an American got shot and a standing ovation when the Canadians defeated the Americans. One lady sitting on a rock said, "I hope there aren't any American tourists here." No, not tourists, but American missionaries. We did notice that more than half of the Canadian soldiers were female. This must have been a battle of liberation:)

The redcoats

The Americans

Reinforcements

Return in victory (with the lady sitting on the rock)

 There were some nice booths of art, old rifle carving, and Alpaca products. We especially enjoyed a few moments on a park bench looking over the Trent River.

Sister Wheeler feeding the Alpaca

Since we didn't get a walk in the morning we decided to have an evening walk through Ferris Park. It was very pleasant, few mosquitos and not too hot.

Sun through the forest, it reminds us of the Sacred Grove

We started Sunday with an 8:00 AM meeting at the church. Since many of the leaders are irregular in attending meetings, it was a meeting with Elder Wheeler and President Holt. They were able to review changes in home teaching assignments. Sister Shannon was gone today so Elder Wheeler led the music for sacrament meeting. We had a special combined priesthood/relief society meeting during which we watched a recording of President Monson's 85th birthday celebration. It was very nice, but when Will Francis (our friend and neighbor from Logan) played his horn solo, many golden memories of our home ward flooded in. Maybe they have forgotten us by now, but we will always cherish our friends in the Foothill 1st Ward. Thanks Will.

We had a new visitor today. A goldfinch feeding at our apartment for the first time. This is either a breeding female or a juvenile. The birds have really been going through the food lately. Maybe they are getting ready for winter.

The hungry goldfinch