April 24-30, 2023

What a beautiful week we have had!  Certainly not weather-wise, as it has rained almost every day, but beautiful in seeing friends progress in the gospel and make new covenants.

The trivial stuff first.  We hopped of the metro to run an errand and decided to take a route through a shopping area that we had not previously walked through.  No unusual stores but the displays in the common areas were quite impressive.

I do believe an old woman could live in this shoe!

Tuesday morning we were awakened at 1:57 am by flashing lights and the awful shrieking of the apartment building fire alarm.  Our apartment faces the front of the building.  There weren't any fire trucks and we didn't smell any smoke.  We started to get dressed and put shoes on but we weren't really sure what we should do.  People were starting to gather in front of the building so we followed their lead and took the stairs down.  Three fire trucks arrived about 10 minutes later but none of the firemen seemed in a hurry to get inside.  By this point, we were pretty sure there was more fire going on outside (cigarettes) than inside.

A few minutes later the alarm stopped and we were allowed back into the building.  But now we are wide awake.  3:30 was the last time I remember looking at the clock.  Inconvenient for sure, but we're grateful it wasn't really a fire that destroyed our little home or displaced us.

The best day was Saturday when we accompanied Solomon and Wumi to the temple to receive their endowments and to be sealed.

They were both so excited all week.  We collected them at 9:00 am Saturday morning and headed for the temple.  We were honored to serve as their escorts.  The temple president and matron were at the door to greet them and did an excellent job of teaching and explaining throughout the day.

At the end of the session, we all waited for Solomon and Wumi in the celestial room.  The temple president came in and asked them if they wanted to ask any questions about the temple at that point.  Then he took them to prepare for their sealing and we moved into the sealing room.  The sealer gave them some very sweet (and brief) counsel.  When he got to the part "you may kiss your bride over the altar," they jumped up and ran to embrace each other!  That caused some tears and a lot of smiles.

LaSalle ward members in attendance

Bishop Gagnon and his wife Minerva

We posed for a few more photos outside the temple then drove to the chapel for a little celebration.

Wumi advised me I had to leave my dress for her when we go home

Sister Bly, now Camille, was one of the Sisters that taught Solomon and Wumi.  She went home to Alberta last transfer and returned for their sealing.

We had a little party at the church with ward members.  Solomon and Wumi joked that they were the newest married couple so we took a picture of them cutting the cake.  We learned today that this is the first sealing in the LaSalle ward of a convert couple since 2009.  That is way too long of a stretch!

On the way home, Solomon told us that our mission was complete - we were sent to Montréal to find them.  We were successful and we can go home happy!  We agree that they are surely one of the reasons we were called to serve here.  They have become our dear friends.

The temple is a marvelous place to experience miracles.  We love what President Nelson has said, "I promise you that the Lord will bring miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples."