September Autumn in Ottawa

The seasons have rolled around and here we are again watching the beautiful green surrounding us everywhere turn to every shade imaginable.  Just wish we had more time to explore.

Let me fill you in on whats keeping us busy.  September began a new semester for Institute.  This semester we have 4 classes.  A sweet (newly married) returned sister missionary teaches a Mission Prep class.  There's a New Testament- the gospels class taught in French. Then Elder Mik teaches The Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon (a required Cornerstone Class) and Sister Mik is teaching The Gospel and the Productive Life (don't laugh!  It may not seem a perfect fit. Its a challenge, but I love learning from my students.)  We have about 45 students coming each week plus a few missionaries, some members called to give support, and usually a few friends the missionaries have brought out. Once a month, before institute, we serve a meal. All the other weeks theres some kind of a treat after classes.  The kids hang out for quite awhile, some just eating and chatting, others throw up a volleyball net or start a game of Bump (basketball) or some such other game.  Its way fun but that means Wednesdays are usually pretty late nights.

Class was supposed to begin on the 4th but when we arrived

at the church, we found there had been a break in the water

lines, they had shut off all the water and they wouldn't allow

anyone in the building for classes.  Quick sent out a mass text

that said see you next week.  Hung around for any who missed

the message then headed home and put our disappointed feet

up.  Turned out better though cause now we could wait for

Welcome Week to get things started right!

We also teach a Family History Class on Friday nights.  That one is quite a bit smaller- anywhere from 0 students to 5 or 6 or 7 on a big night.  Its a little slow taking off but we have some big plans to see if we can get things moving.  Because we are both still learners ourselves, we teach the spiritual part of the lesson at the beginning then we have two amazingly knowledgeable and talented Senior Sister Missionaries who come each week to help with the research part.

No this is not an advertisement for a hair drier.
This is the Olympic sport

We start off each new academic year with what is called Welcome Week.  They plan an activity every day during the first week of classes that helps the kids to get to know each other.  This year we started off with a Temple Trip on Saturday and ended with a bonfire on Friday.  It was a great week with a bunch of great kids!!! We are so blessed!

Welcome Week included a barbecue, Andrews World Famous
Trivia night (sorry no pics but oh so fun), a temple trip, and...

Get to know you games at FHE

The last night was a bonfire.  We found the perfect spot then were
told regulations prohibited open fires.  we decided to just make due.
But, the caretaker came to check on us before leaving for the night.
He found a group with no vices, said, sure- you can have a fire.
Mission miracles!  They had so much fun all week long.

This semester also brought the start of the first Face-to-Face Pathway group in Ottawa.  Pathway is the churches online university prep class.  We had to have at least 12 students to start a group.  We weren't quite sure in the beginning if we could find that many.  (If there are not enough Face-to-face students then they will have those who registered join a virtual group somewhere in or near their time zone) but we ended up with 15 plus a couple others who joined a virtual group.  The students are assigned a university professor who directs their online classwork, then we meet with them on Thursday nights to facilitate a gathering where they lead lessons that teach and reinforce things they have been studying during the week.  Our class is a 31+ group (2 20 yr olds and from 32-75).  Most of them either started a degree they want to finish, or they have a degree they need to develop into a better job.  Some are just there to prove to themselves they are not dead but can still make a difference in society, but all of them are determined, brilliant, caring, hard-working people who are a delight to work with and to learn from as they lead discussions each week.

Not a good picture go our group but depicts the wonders of
modern technology!  It's great but there are always a few
glitches to try ones patience and to teach preparation skills!

Since I have been a slug and this is a month late I can share that on Tuesday nights we have started an EnglishConnect class.  It is so much fun!!! Its a conversational English for beginners class developed by the church.  We prepare, organize and kind of facilitate and the missionaries teach.  We've got, Spanish, French, and Oromo (from Ethiopia) speakers with some Mandarin who should be there next week.  Its an awesome program!

Other than that, we spend out time here there and everywhere.  Bishops storehouse twice a month, Home Evening Group every Monday, clean the church, faculty meetings, Self reliance meetings, normal stuff like that.  We're busy, but not too busy so all is good.

From a wedding of one of our YSA

One of our young men is a dancer.  we went to one of
his performances.  great food, beautiful dancing!!!

I love this picture.  A wedding shower.  No matter the country or
culture, women gathering is a beautiful thing.

The second wedding this semester!  This one they are - or were,
both in our ward.  She has been the best mission prep teacher ever!
we are really going to miss her!!!

Ned's Fall creation for our apartment door.
He's become so creative!