Winter has arrived!!! we were told in December that what we were experiencing was nothing that winter didn't come till January. One person even told us winter arrived on January 2nd. Well, they were right! It did! And it's absolutely beautiful!
 |
| Picnic tables at the park. we can't even walk there anymore. The trails are all 4 ft deep and unplowed/untrampled/ unwalkable without snowshoes. |
 |
| Picture of the park benches among the canal. |
 |
| Our beautiful Hogs Back Falls winterized |
 |
| One side of the spillways was blocked off with a big dirt ramp so workers could have access to make renovations |
 |
| Some family had fun one weekend after the first big snowfall. |
 |
| A different view of the Falls |
 |
| They definitely have hardy birds around here |
 |
| This is what happens when the windchill is below zero. I didn't go this day. He came back with frost on his lashes |
 |
| Pile of snow left in the middle a cul-de-sac. Just keeps getting bigger |
 |
| Smaller roads don't get plowed. they just get smaller. |
 |
| Woke up to this on our windows one morning |
 |
| We can learn great lessons from this tree |
 |
| A cool house on one of our favorite streets |
One night we got to ice skating with our ward. (We didn't skate. We just walked along and had fun watching them- and, of course, we were in charge of the hot chocolate :)) Its the longest skating are anywhere in the world. 7 kilometers of free skating. Met a lady one day who loved to skate so she retired to Ottawa and goes skating every morning. Every morning that she can anyway. Last week it warmed up to 40 degrees a couple days and the canal was a river again. Didn't take long for it to freeze up though.
 |
| They have cute little areas to sit and rest here and there. |
 |
| At first they opened about half the canal, till the rest froze solid enough for skating. |
 |
| They groom long straight pathways about as wide as a city street down the middle of the canal leaving snowy edges. |
 |
| We watched as they dropped small shops onto the ice. Some for sitting and putting on your skates or for taking breaks, one for renting skates, others for food. this is a favorite. Beaver Tails! They're kind of a cross between funnel cakes and scones. Its a fried bread in the shape of a beaver tail topped with cinnamon and sugar or nutella or apple pie filling or cheese..... |
One of our favorite things is to help out at the Satellite Bishops Storehouse twice a month. Heres some pictures of our sweet Elders carrying groceries and cleaning the walks before the patrons arrive. Ned had to practically force this one to put on a sweatshirt. Such awesome missionaries!
Its so amazing to be able to help so many people who for some reason or other are temporarily in need.
Next are some pictures of Ward activities. Our youth have so much fun together and they are fine examples of looking out for the one. Theres hardly ever a time when someone sits alone or is not invited to participate.
 |
| You can always count on a volleyball or basketball game pops up after almost any activity. its so much fun. this night it was the activity. we started out with 2 teams and ended up with 4 with 8 friends who had never been before. Some had never even played before but no one cared. they were just there to have a good time. Dow's Lake YSA! Best EVER! |
 |
| After a Break-the Fast one Sunday |
 |
| A quick COPE get-to-know- you activity after institute. All stood on a tarp. The goal- turn the tarp over without anyone stepping off the tarp! |
 |
| Last District Council before transfers |
 |
| Transfers at the bus station can get pretty hectic but these guys made it really easy. |
 |
| Good-bye/Birthday dinner for Elder Mik |
 |
| Happy Birthday! His favorite ice cream! Kawartha Moose Tracks! Yummm!!! |
 |
| Stopped at the Upper Canadian Village on the way home from Ogdensburg one evening. they have a 1,000,000 Christmas Light display that is beautiful. They take you on a hayride to see all the lights. |
 |
| This cute train you could see from the highway. |
 |
| And this is Elder Mikkelsen creative side coming to light. He made this wreath for Christmas but has decided to keep it up for awhile. he'll change it for each season/holiday. |
If theres one thing I think we are learning more than any other as we go about all this is that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us deeply. He is striving to give us all that we need to come back to Him. Come Follow Me is a gift to help us all grow closer and stronger together- a gift we have to open in order to use it. He's given us family history, family home evening, callings, opportunities for service, something to keep us focused and working every day. This is how we can strengthen our weakest places:
7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.
8 Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land.
9 And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites.
10 And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.
Life is just getting harder and harder. This is the only way we can stay strong enough to make it through and we need to bring our neighbors along with us. They need to be strengthened as well. Can you imagine life with out them? All we have to do is open our hearts and our mouths to share what we have. Help spread the joy!May you be blessed in your service
Love Elder and Sister Mikkelsen
Love to you all
No comments:
Post a Comment