January 2-8, 2023
Welcome to Montréal in the winter! I took this picture as we crossed the bridge onto the island Thursday. Downtown Montréal is directly ahead but as you can see, you can't see it! Some days aren't quite so overcast but the sun rarely peeks through the gray during winter.
Gray all winter long - it could be depressing! We gets lots of snow, rain and freezing rain until about April. We went to the temple Wednesday evening and when we came out, it was freezing rain. We drove home (about 45 minutes) in scary freezing rain all the way. We were grateful for a safe arrival and a warm apartment to greet us.
The church parking lot had been plowed when we arrived for District Council on Thursday morning, but the pavement was a solid sheet of ice, about 1/4 inch thick. We could have played broom hockey!
Last week at church we made an appointment to visit a family in the ward on Monday evening. They are from the Congo and their English is still a little difficult to understand. We thought we had all the details until she asked if we had allergies? Allergies? I'm wondering if they have a dog or cat? Wait - did you invite us for dinner? Did they ever!
They served roast pork, Congolese chicken, frites, boiled potatoes, rice, salad, and grapes. With ketchup - they know how we Americans adore our ketchup! They also served us sparkling apple juice; they kept filling our glasses with the juice and they drank water. Such lovely, gracious people.
The pictures are really dark - there were no lights in their living room. They brought some lamps in but it didn't help much.
Simon and Louise and their son Micheé came to Canada as refugees about eight years ago. They were baptized in 2017. Both of them are physicians; he is a surgeon, she is a pediatrician. They have work papers now and have been permitted to work in the hospital (not sure doing what) while they study for the tests to become licensed in Canada. Their story of violence, wars and terror is very typical of many of the African countries and they are fortunate to have escaped that life. And most fortunate to have found the gospel of Jesus Christ and remained faithful.
Simon asked for a picture with just Elder Cooper and him. He was wearing his house shoes/slippers so ran into the other room and returned in his shiny white shoes for the photo!
We instantly fell in love with these two good people. We hope they will be able to participate in our next temple prep class.
We were attacked by squirrels at the entrance of the park on Friday. I always thought squirrels hibernated in the winter, but not so. We have started taking peanuts with us when we walk through the park. These squirrels must have been hungry - they definitely weren't shy. A couple of them literally walked over our shoes.
Marvelous Okeowo was baptized last night by her Primary teacher, Brother Schurman. Marvelous is 10 years old and has been waiting two years for her parents to coordinate their work schedules so they could both attend her baptism. Dad did not attend the baptism, so not sure what happened.
I had a difficult time getting a picture with all the family. The two little ones are a bit out of control. This is the best I could do.
Comfort is the grandma who lives them them and watches the children while the parents work. King David, Brother Schurman, Marvelous, Anna, Mom Oluwaseun, and big sister Happiness.
Love reading your blog! You are having some marvelous experiences! I used to feed the ducks on our walks. I feed squirrels as well but loved feeding the ducks! There was a BIG white one I named Daffy and he was such a pig. He would eat out of my hand and the other ducks had to take what he spilled. He was so fun but I think he died as I did not see him this past year at all.
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