Top of the World

Having the Huffs come to spend a week in October put us at the top of the world. Sometimes we feel like we are so far north that we live at the top of the world. The love of our family and friends, here and at home, also keeps us at the top of the world.

Such a feelin's comin' over me
There is wonder in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky
Got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream

We had sweet dreams at the Coastal Waters B & B. This is the only picture with all of us in it. Yes, the sun is in our eyes.

Heather & Gracie had a dream to see Anne of Green Gables at PEI. We loved the musical, Anne & GilBert, the chocolates, the beautiful foliage, and all things Anne. Gracie got the hat with the red braids, but I guess we didn't get a photo.

Elder H. loved taking the ferry and letting someone else do some of the driving.

Everything I want the world to be
Is now coming true especially for me
And the reason is clear
It's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen

Heaven for us was seeing the grandkids; for Sister H. it was also returning to TreeGo.

Adam and Dallin thought heaven might be lobster; Heather not so much

Elder H. finds lighthouses quite heavenly, so he enjoyed Peggy's Cove.

Another view of the Top-of-the-World beauty at Peggy's.

We all agreed that the Halifax Temple was most heavenly. Dallin did baptisms for the first time and Gracie got to go in the waiting room and get a peek at the temple. We were blessed to see President and Sister Robinson who just finished their 3-year calling and are back in Utah by now.

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world

The grandkids sent Halloween LOVE that made our day.

We loved the Halloween party and Elder Campbell flying through the air, dressed like a shark, to take the donut down.

More Halloween love with the YW and the Elders.

Don't you love Bob in the Phantom mask with his cute granddaughter?

Birthday LOVE:  Sister Sandberg's birthday; Sister Lewis and Elder Campbell had half birthdays.

Elder Thatcher was at the top of the world and the top of the organ at the Yarmouth Concert.

Loving Friends like Jim & Marylynn Thibeau and Love letters put us at the top of the world too.

Foot"notes": We also love:
That the Huffs got to see Grandpa Phantom in the Halifax Concert
The Guest-Lovitt B & B in Yarmouth
Double Thanksgiving celebrations:  Canada's was in October
Finally got an article on the Orange Blossom concerts published on mormonnewsroom.ca
The Back to Basics program in the mission that is helping us dig into the scriptures
Sharing God's love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ with His children here in Fredericton

I am a Rock; I am an Island

"Some Shocking Good" on the Rock

"Some Shocking Good" is President Leavitt's favorite song from Newfoundland, also called The Rock. We had a wonderful time there September 13-16. The Orange Blossom Tour steamed into Carbonear for a performance at the beautiful Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre (that's how they spell it here), a benefit for the local food bank. Saturday we attended zone training and district conference meetings. That night there was a talent show in St. John's featuring local talent--it was "Some Shocking Good"--and some of the numbers from the concert. Sunday we sang and enjoyed district conference and another over-the-top meal with the saints.  Monday we squeezed in a little sight seeing when the rain stopped for a bit.

The Tiffanys, Wiebes, Tibbitts and President and Sister Robinson also made the trip. Elder Wiebe did lots of free shuttles for those of us without wheels. Sister Leavitt did district training for all the auxiliaries. The Noftles organized the events in St. John's. We met two new missionary couples who will serve in Newfoundland; we look forward to knowing them. 

Elder Clark, Elder & Sis Call, ready for take off with us

Rare shot of Sisters Call and Davis sitting down. Sister Davis organized events at Carbonear

Sister Calvert's Swan Song after serving well as the President's Executive Secretary

Our superstars got a dressing room and lighted mirrors at the theatre

Sister Broadhead took this reflective picture of Sister Laxton

Elder Call, our concert master

Elder Nzojibwami and President Leavitt, the Masters of Ceremonies

Our generous and cheerful taxi service:  Elders Lybbert & Dupin

From Signal Hill near St. John's a stunning view of the "rock"

St. John's Harbour

Prince Edward Island, an "Isle in the Water"

PEI, of "Anne of Green Gables" fame, was a wonderful Island getaway September 28-29. The locals had conjured up some magic to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the church in Montague. The missionaries and local leaders had dived right in to offer an open house at the church, the Orange Blossom concert at the local high school with great community involvement and benefit, and Sunday meetings with lots of fellowship and food.

In addition, Elder Call found another Bed and Breakfast in Montague with delightful surroundings and hosts, Richard and Janice Knox. Richard helped with the cake auction during the concert which raised $800 for a local organization, Inclusions East. I met a kindred spirit friend, Blanche Moyaert, who attended the concert and enjoyed it so much she joined us for our meeting block and linger longer on Sunday.

We got tickets for October 10. Elder H is reflected in the window

Elder Hawkes eating his cooking before his last concert. He is going to Newfoundland.

Cake Auctioneer and Richard Knox at the cake auction

Sisters Drew, Broadhead, and Comfort singing for joy

Knox Dam B & B

B & B gardens

String Sisters at the B & B

Great display at church open house by Sisters Starkie and Wilkinson

MTC reunion with Sisters Echols, Laxton, & Starkie

Foot "notes"

Our new member, Julie Goguen, is officially engaged to Jared Hunt and planning a summer wedding in the Halifax Temple. We hit a coyote with our car when we picked Jared up from the airport on Labor Day. Minimal damage, maximum shock. Sister H also saw a moose wandering around the area on her way home from exercising. It was during the moose hunt, so maybe it was hiding out.

Our daughter Heather and her family are driving from Boston as I write. Very exciting!

How we love this work and the Savior. Conference was wonderful this weekend.

Sweet is the Work

Sweet is the Work, my God, my King,

Sweet! Elder Evanson shares his Skor cake. His favorite (only) birthday in the field.

Sweet! (President Leavitt loves that phrase). The Sisters and Elders also did a great youth activity that night with a Flight through Eternity dramatization of the Plan of Salvation. They worked very hard and the youth loved it. We got video, but no photos. Oops.

No photo again, but it was sweet to celebrate our wedding anniversary here and to be serving as missionary companions. We had a wonderful meal at The Palate restaurant in downtown Fredericton.

Our work was also sweetened by the addition of Brother and Sister Sterner who have been called as ward missionaries. Their hard work, experience, and positive attitude have blessed the entire ward.

Tom & Peggy Sterner

Sweet Savings at Frenchy's. Julie's mom, Anne-Marie, took us on a shopping expedition to this "French Boutique." They had the most amazing bargains on quality clothing.

So many clothes, so little time

We were exhausted, but we had to buy a carful

To praise thy name, give thanks and sing,

 We give thanks for two more converts:  Cassie Ritchie and Lauren Hartinger were both baptized this month. Cassie was baptized at beautiful Kilarney Lake and Elders Willoughby and Collett got to attend Lauren's baptism via Skype. These two beautiful women are a great addition to our ward. With other college students returning this fall, we will have quite an impressive YSA group. We hope to get some impressive photos to go along with them.

Most of the month was consumed by the Orange Blossom Special Concerts in Moncton (August 10) and here on August 24. This was a benefit for the Fredericton Food Bank and we worked together for the community. We had many friends not of our faith who attended. They seemed to feel the Spirit through the music and messages. We tried everything from yard signs to newspaper and radio. We (members and missionaries) passed out nearly 2,000 invitations. It was fun to host the performing missionaries at our ward and to have Elder & Sister Call stay at our simple "Bed and Breakfast." We even found ingredients and introduced our visitors to lemon water.

Poster by Gary Jeffersson, a local artist

Sign designed by Andrea Mattice, a ward member

 We got an update on the String Sisters. Vivian, new to our blog,  is the cello played in the concerts by Elder Woodward. He states she is the only girl who will wait for him and they have been together for several years. Chelsi travels around Halifax helping with programs for church and local nursing homes with Sister Lee.  Violet continues to tour and perform with Sister Echols. Veone is "waiting" for Elder Waldie while he performs with Elder Call's beautiful viola without a name.

Elder Woodward in Moncton with Vivian

Elder Hawkes dons the Phantom's mask in Fredericton

To show thy love by morning light,

We finally stopped threatening and did a little sightseeing and took some photos in our beautiful city by morning light.

Elder H in his Canadian hat in the guard shack. We got videos of the changing of the guard, but no photos

And talk of all they truths at night


The amazing Sister Kadisch hosted us at her home/farm/garden for an afternoon and evening of talk and fun. We are hoping to share the truth of the gospel with some of those wonderful people.

Sister Kadisch proving that she does occasionally rest

Some of her friends and neighbors

Oh, may my heart in tune be found,
Like David's harp of solemn sound!

Sweet is the work if our hearts are open and in tune.