Well, it’s official. Sister Bates and I are halfway done with our mission. Or maybe I should say “this” mission. But what better way to celebrate than to take a trip to the Maritimes, including a pilgrimage to Green Gables (see photo above) on Prince Edward Island.
While there, we took a walk down Lovers’ Lane. (#iykyk)
And ventured into the Haunted Woods.
Celebrated with a Reese’s Pieces Beavertail (and yes, they are as good as they look–even if it is milk–not dark–chocolate).
And then washed it down with some Raspberry Cordial (or was it really homemade currant wine??).
We also went to the Halifax Temple, visited an Alpaca farm, saw plenty of lighthouses and enjoyed some “downtime.” It was good to “get away” for a few days and recharge a little. Of course, you can never really get away. Our second night in Halifax we got street contacted by the Halifax elders. And we met the four sister missionaries stationed in Charlottetown when we attended church on Sunday. Plus, with the wonders of modern technology, we could still maintain a running dialogue with all the missionaries, young single adults and church members back in Québec City . . .
. . . and get asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting in the Lévis Branch when we returned. Heavy sigh. That’s what happens, I guess, when you give a talk in the other French branch and your French is good enough that people actually understand you. Word gets around. That’s the problem with having “passable” French–you speak well enough to be asked to speak in church, but not well enough for it not to be a real pain.
I also had a lot of time to think about the fact that as of May 21 we are halfway done with our mission. This summer is going to fly by. We are getting a visit this weekend from Ben and Carrie and their kids, and we are having our last Zone Conference (and a temple session) with President and Sister Harkness (they go home at the end of June). We move apartments at the end of the month, meet and take the temperature of the new Mission President, take Marjhory to Montréal to go to the temple and to get her patriarchal blessing in early July, I will speak in Sacrament in mid-July and then we go to the Tri-Cities in mid-August for Robbie and Aubrey’s wedding. By the time we get back from that, we will have hit our year mark and will be on the downward slide. In late August we will also recommence our “negotiations” in earnest with people to be left unnamed at the moment regarding our next mission. How’s that for a cliffhanger?