John and Karen in the Canada Montreal Mission

  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11) Merry Christmas

 We knew it would happen one day... This was early in the storm, as we walked to the food bank.  And the following day... 😞 Our week has been full of visits to deliver a little Christmas cheer.  I have baked 12 dozen cookies so far and more banana bread for the visits.  John has appointed himself as the official tester and is thoroughly enjoying himself. Zone Conference was on Wednesday.  I always learn the most interesting things there (in addition to our lessons on the doctrines of Christ).  Did you know that the Christmas song Joy to the World is a song about repentance?  Check out the lyrics: 1.  Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King! Let ev’ry heart prepare him room , And Saints and angels sing, And Saints and angels sing, And Saints, and Saints and angels sing. 2.  Rejoice! Rejoice when  Jesus reigns , And  Saints their songs employ , While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sound...

On our walk through the park this week, we were dismayed to find this again!!  John tried to do a quick count and figured there were around 150 in the area where we walk.  They are leaving gifts all over the walkway again and followed us down the trail, hoping for snacks I guess.  Shouldn't all geese be in the Bahamas by now?  Maybe this gaggle is coming from Nunavut or Baffin Island and got a very late start this year. Transfers were last week.  We have a set of Elders in the ward again, yeah!  Elder Vang transferred from the Mandarin Branch and is training Elder Holder who came directly from the MTC.  Sister Larson remained in Lasalle and is training Sister Schaffer, also directly from the MTC. Sister Larsen, Elder Holder, Sister Schaffer, Elder Vang We learned some fun things about the two new missionaries.  Elder Holder is from Taylorsville, Utah and lives next door to our good friends on the old canal road, where we used to walk daily.  ...

After all the excitement, suspense and surprises last week, there isn't much to report this week.  Sherri (daughter) flew home on Monday and we are all alone again!  We love when family and friends come to visit us when we are far from home. We shopped at the dollar store for Christmas decorations.  We have no room for a tree, not even a small one to set on a table.  Unless we want to give up our dining table/desk for a month.  So we decorated the door and hung large ornaments from the ceiling.  It isn't much, but that isn't really what Christmas is about anyway. The food bank where we volunteer was closed on Friday for adjustments  in preparation for Christmas.  We switched our day to Tuesday last week.  They told us that the next two weeks will be very big for Christmas.  We aren't sure what to expect - more patrons?  Larger quantities of food distributed?  Maybe both.  We were told the same thing at bishops storehouse y...