STAYING FIT

Staying fit is part of our program.  Paul and I went for a bike ride on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Notice I am riding an "elders" bike and I couldn't get my leg up and over the bar.  Paul had to lift my leg for me.  I think I've reached the age where I need a stepstool.  It was pretty funny and we had a great time riding until it was time to quit and I had the same problem; I couldn't get off the bike.  We gradually laid it down.  WOW I DID IT!

We joined the SouthArm gym which opens at 6:00 every morning.  We are there yawning and ready to go 5 days a week and exercise for 45 minutes.  Paul rotates the bike, treadmill, and eliptical each time.  On days the gym is closed (like Easter weekend when it was closed Fri. and Mon. but opened on Sat. and Easter Sunday) we walk in the park right across the street from our house.  I work out on the treadmill every day where I have the only opportunity to watch the TV and see some US news.

It's Monday, the weekly preparation day ("P" day) and many of the missionaries from the lower mainland are here at the church.  They hung out for the day, playing volleyball, football, basketball and just socializing.  They come inside to get supplies, mail, and the treats we always have out for them.

Cute sisters.  Sister Pung (2nd from right) and Sister Hwang (in the middle) go home Aug. 5  Sister Pung is from the US and Sister Kwang is from Korea; she mailed a package home with some of her things in it last week and it cost her $87.00.

The football game takes a break while they pose for the camera.  We love these elders!  They are awesome and hard  working.  Last week there were 4 baptisms and 67 new investigators.  The work goes forward.

We're Changing!

Here we are again in front of the Vancouver Temple posing with Elder and Sister Lewis who are from Orem Utah.  Every 6 weeks when we have arriving missionaries, transfers, and  departing missionaries we attend a temple session with those who are going home.  It is a wonderful  experience and this time we had 3 elders, 2 sisters ,and 3 senior couples leaving.

Here are some of our sister missionaries at the transfer lunch where we fed about 80 missionaries.  We had a yummy lunch of subway sandwiches, grapes and bananas. Sister Barfuss (3rd from left standing) LOVES bananas and she usually takes 7 or 8 of them.  She is going home this time along with Sister Malmrose (in the middle kneeling).  We also have cut up vegetables, chips and cake.  We have to have a quick traveling meal because some of the missionaries have to come in, get their new companions, and  immediaely head out on the ferry, bus or plane. Each meal we serve has to have a protein, vegetable, fruit, and dessert.

These Elders are some of the Zone Leaders that we have that come in one time a month to plan activities and organize training for the coming month with the President.  They are in the office waiting their turn to be interviewed by him.

This is the changing of the guard.  President and Sister Nelson (on the left) return to their home in Kaysville Utah after serving as Mission President for 3 years.  President and Sister Tilleman and their 6 year old daughter Sarah have arrived.  They have dual citizenship  in the US and Canada and have been living in Arizona for the past 20 years.  Two of their sons are currently serving missions in Argentina and Paraguay (South America)  President has put his law practice on hold to serve the Lord for 3 years.  He is a former Olympic basketball player who played for Canada in 1980 and 1984. We are excited to serve with them.

We attended Canada Day celebrations in Steveston where they had their local parade, pancake breakfast, craft booths, shopping, and all of the rest of the gala events. Canada Day is on July 1st and is their celebration in declaring political independence from England. They still honor the Monarchy but only as a figure head. The big news was all about the 9 day visit of Kate and William through the Canadian Provinces.

The Canadian national sport of hockey is started early and was frequently displayed throughout the parade. These are the youngest that we saw.

These colorfully dressed chinese were representing one of their religious sects.