A Calendar Year

The end is near.  Here in Michigan, it's only several hours away – the end of 2017.  Interesting twelve months for Kay and me, as you can see.

Kay at Aztec Ruins National Monument, northwest NM

grandson taking care of bunnies on Arza's camp chairs in the far West

Detroit Michigan Temple

Roseville Ward mission "cookie splits"

no problem with SE Michigan snow at Roseville Ward

Family gathering in front of Provo Utah Temple by our MTC 

The Week Before Christmas

This is the week when I normally start feeling anxious about what to buy or do for loved ones.  Here in the Michigan Detroit Mission this Christmas time, it is intense, but different.  Hard to explain, but it really goes without saying.  Sister Cannon and I are busy helping people this week, so we don't think about what to give each other.  She lovingly sent gifts to our children last week – always ahead of me in that regard.

In our "new" home in Roseville Michigan, we hear the trains passing nearby -- far enough to not annoy her, but close enough for me to enjoy the sounds I have loved since my boyhood.  (Some favorite memories of Christmas are of model railroads.)  A few nights ago, we watched some neighbor children building a snowman in the parking lot near our front door – in freezing cold!
Many homes in the Metro Detroit area have elaborate displays of Christmas lights ... similar to what we enjoyed seeing in Utah.  Walmart stores here are full of anxious shoppers as everywhere, I suppose.  Some smiling, others not so merry; (how can anyone frown at such a happy time?)  Actually, some are homeless, down-and-out with good reason to miss feeling the Spirit.

As missionaries and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we do what we can to spread the good news of the gospel while assisting others with temporal needs.  As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we know He lives and is aware of people's needs, hopes, and desires.  It is our hope to follow His example of love this Christmas season and thereby experience a happier New Year!

Elder Cannon's Point of View

These photographs by Elder Ned Cannon will tell some stories someday.
All taken from his point of view.  It was fun sharing some memories this month!

stagecoach favorite at Cove Fort Days 2017

family gathering at west Layton frontier home

Grandma Kay's favorite – ready for delivery to

Herriman Utah gathering on Thanksgiving Day 2016

Kay admiring Sojourner Truth

American women's rights activist

Battle Creek MI, on the way to Detroit mission

MDM office, our temporary workplace, Sep-Oct 2017

untypical Detroit home – Meadow Brook

built in 1929 by Matilda Dodge Wilson

family trip to Colorado Rockies, June 2017

father & sons on train to Silverton CO

Where did this month go?!  Now we're thinking of Christmas already!
Wish you were here.  Share the Light with love.

Sister Cannon's Point of View

These photographs by Sister Kay Cannon will tell some stories someday.
All taken from her point of view.  Share some memories this month!

blacksmith shop at Cove Fort Days 2017

Kay's Thanksgiving decor, west Layton frontier home

Grandpa Ned's favorite – pies ready for family
on Thanksgiving morning 2016
(one apparently for early taste-testing)

west shoreline (Lake Michigan) on the way to Detroit mission

pet parrot talking to beloved, 96-year-old Sister Terry, 

member of our Michigan ward

typical Detroit haunted house, Halloween 2017

our youngest on family trip to northeast MN (Lake Superior)

Six Hundred Ninety-six

"Interstate 696 (I-696) is an east–west auxiliary ... trunkline highway ... [aka] the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, named for the prominent auto industry union head by the Michigan Legislature in 1971. [a good year!]
... a bypass route, detouring around the city of Detroit through the city's northern suburbs ..." full of tunnels and channels of concrete.
– en.wikipedia.org

On this scary Halloween night, with winter approaching, I think of driving in heavy traffic back and forth between our apartment and Roseville, MI.  I believe most Michiganders have mutually agreed to drive in concert like a close congregation.  Snuggling up makes sense if you want to fit more cars on the road so more people arrive at destinations sooner.  Some skillful drivers seem overeager to join loved ones on the other side.  It's downright scary to us seniors!

There are approximately 696 members in our amazing Roseville Ward (congregation), many of whom need our encouragement and help to attend Church.  Could there be a correlation?

On the way home last Sunday, after visiting five member families, we discovered life above and beyond the concrete corridor.  It was slow and refreshing as we drove west on tree-lined surface streets.  In life, it's good to enjoy the scenery along the way, so to speak.

staying ahead of the pack

slowing down for a change

Scary-Month End

October is looking more and more like ... scary!
Sister Cannon and I are astounded.
Google defines scary as "uncannily striking or surprising."

Most surprising last week was the relief we received when another senior missionary couple arrived from wild-West Wyoming and agreed to work in the office here in Michigan Detroit Mission!  So, Kay and I are the trainers.  The Bassetts are a striking couple ... like cowboy action figures from a no-nonsense, hard-working, conservative community.  They are not scared to ask why some things are done the way they've been done in our office for ... who knows how long.  Instantly making friends with everyone, they fit right in and keep their sense of humor despite frightening challenges.  Sweet!

At the first of this scary month, I posted "End-of-Month Crunch", predicting "another crunch at the end of October."  And it came to pass.  Now we struggle through another end, dealing with scary situations every day.  The four of us beginners are relying on support from tech-savvy, young workers in Salt Lake City and younger missionaries here.  More importantly, we rely on prayer and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

More end-of-month relief came last Friday when our mission president assigned Kay and me to the Roseville Ward, a large congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  On Sunday we attended three hours of meetings and made new friends as we have in many other wards here.  The Spirit there and the unusual summer-like weather made our day.  We look forward to our "permanent" full-time assignment to work with members in the Roseville area.  Having taken on the temporary office job for nearly two months, we are "good to go" on a new "scary" adventure!

our pardners in the far West

Heavy Lifting

Last Saturday (preparation day for Sister Cannon and me), we moved a senior couple’s apartment to storage near the mission office.  Actually, the young elders did all the heavy lifting of furniture, not the apartment.  I could do that when I was young.  Now Kay and I are weaker and wiser, overseeing the work and letting the young ones decide how to stack things.  The two that helped us are experienced and better than two men and a truck, lifting the heavy things with a smile.  Moved by the same Spirit, our missionaries lift people spiritually and serve at non-profits in the community.

I drove the pickup truck and trailer without incident despite the rain, following Sister Cannon, who drove her car full of smaller stuff.  (Recalled backing the boat trailer into lakes when I was single.  Did a lot of that.  Good preparation for this mission.  Fun, too!  ... but that's another story.)

Life here in SE Michigan goes on, rain or shine.  Mostly sunny with clouds this autumn.  That’s kind of how life should be in this season of our life.

MDM Glossary

(Sister Cannon and I have been here in SE Michigan only one month, so this is just a start:)

area: geographic designation for part of the mission wherein two or more missionaries work.  The Howell Area of MDM is far out in NW of SE MI.

bedbug: an irritating pest in this humid climate. "Bedbugs won't kill you," said Sister Hill when receiving reports.

Coney: a favorite fast food in Michigan.  "Coney dogs are Detroit's signature food," says Katherine Yung, author of Coney Detroit.  -- citylab.com

house: imoss term for an apartment (typically not a house) wherein two or more missionaries live.  Sister Cannon set up a new house on her PC.

imoss: what I call the mission office computer system. I Manage the Office System Simply ... when actually it manages me, sort of.

Michiganders: residents (and loyal former residents) of Michigan.

mitten: the descriptive name of Michigan's lower peninsula -- shaped like a mitten.  Most Michiganders live on the mitten.  Some Michiganders show people where they live by pointing to a spot on their hand held up.

non-profits: community service organizations that are non-profit like Salvation Army and St. Paul's. 

obscurity: current lack of recognition by Michigan residents in general; MDM goal: bring the Church out of obscurity.

shave ice: like snow cones. MDM missionaries serve Hawaiian-flavor shave ice with "Aloha" greeting at community events.

STL: sister training leader – a sister missionary (usually about 20 years old) assigned to train other sister missionaries.

whitewash: a transfer of both/or all missionaries in an area. Dearborn South was whitewashed.

P.S.: I alphabetized it October 10th, converting it to a true glossary (a brief dictionary).

It originally went down as it came off the top of my head while up in the night in the Michigan Detroit Mission.

Locals loving our shave ice

Lots of cars in "Motor City", Michigan ... and beautiful sunsets

End-of-Month Crunch

Journal entries, reports, and corrections for accounting.  Praying for strength and guidance.  Opening and furnishing new missionary apartments!  Driving many miles through unfamiliar townships ... seemingly seamless; getting to know the southeast Michigan territory.  September ended on Saturday, our preparation day. Loading the mission truck, driving, unloading, just working all day with a one-hour break to watch General Conference in a meetinghouse near a lease signing for a new apartment.  We were inspired by the messages! 

Walking around Target for our week’s supply of food, etc.  Except for seeing piles of candy and decorations in stores, no thought about the holidays starting this month.

Anticipating more gospel study.  Adding some fun importing iPhone pics, emailing, sharing, ... maybe a little Facebook.  Expecting another crunch at the end of October.

Recalling names of extraordinary people we have met.  Recording daily miracles and tender mercies.  We can only begin to count our many blessings from our loving Heavenly Father!

That's what went down as we wrapped up the month of September.

Michigan Detroit Mission office in Southfield meetinghouse

daily visitors crossing mission office parking lot

Tech Blessing & Curse

Life before 1982 was so easy.  My cordless typewriter started up instantly. No device recharging necessary.  It got me through school, mostly with A's.

Soon our world changed.  I loved my first portable PC, purchased in '82 with the hope it would empower my business decision making as the traveling salesman promised, but I struggled to get a printer working with it.  The 64K and 5-inch monitor worked fine for me.  (Wish I had kept my first typewriter as a backup.)

Computers and I share a long history; I won't add details in this fast post. It's sufficient to say, for Kay and me, technology is a blessing and a curse. (She used a lot for school teaching and grading, as you can imagine.) Maybe we're not alone.

Why do I bring that up?  I write right now on a new laptop PC without a mouse or working mousepad since it quit an hour ago.  After turning the machine off and restarting, which is a reliable fix on other devices, it went from a frozen pointer to no pointer ... like it's getting worse.  So far, I'm getting by with a keyboard; if that quits, I'm done.  Fortunately I used computers for years before the mouse was invented and software started moving users away from the keyboard, where I've always tried to keep my hands in home position as I was taught in 8th-grade typing class.  Keyboarding, as the name evolved, is so simple.  Amazingly, despite that programmers' mentality, many keyboard shortcuts still work for me!  The younger generation has no clue to what they're missing.  Seriously -- how would life (as they know it) go on without a touch screen?

Thank goodness for the Internet.  We email, Google-search, and get around with Gmaps.  The Church programs at the office work great for our Michigan Detroit Mission.  If we had our router with us, and paid $50/month for Internet, I could write this on Blogger from anywhere in our little apartment and post it without going to Dunkin' Donuts or the office. (Yes, I've done it here at home with a tablet and iPhone "with data", but my mobile skills are too limited.)  Whatever.

How I miss my big black clunky typewriter.  They just don't build 'em like they used to.

Here & There, Now & Again

My companion Kay and I have been writing an email off and on since last Sunday night.  Mostly off, as we are busy learning and working the mission office, here and there.  (Some is done at home with snacks and drinks in our cozy apartment.)  Every now and again we find a few moments to add and edit on iPad Notes.  If and when we finish, it will copy and paste to gmail for family and friends who wait patiently to see how we're doing in Michigan.

Sister Cannon and I are feeling our age alright.  Thank the Lord, she's a trooper and saint!  Now and forever, with love to all.

Preparation Day

Saturday is a special day.  It's the day we senior missionaries get ready for Sunday.  The young elders (contradictory words to some outside) and sisters wait till Monday for their "p day" (considered "play day" by some, I posit).  Regardless, preparation day allows time out for cleaning the apartment, doing laundry, organizing, shopping, and (very important) emailing family.  Of course, handwriting letters is still an option, as I did weekly for two years in Argentina, but I doubt many realize how precious paper can be.

Senior couples may get to know the territory by touring the entire mission area (southeast Michigan in our case).  After doing home chores yesterday and shopping close by our apartment complex, Sister Cannon and I enjoyed a road trip to Birmingham and Clawson, farther northeast than we have been in this pretty, great state.  Our excuse was to buy her a notebook at Staples, but I really wanted to explore and see what's out there.  Our good fortune of owning a small Buick is noteworthy, given our assignment to Detroit.  It blends in better than a BMW or Honda, even without the "Pure Michigan" slogan on its plates.

Something interesting: before the trip: our daughter in PA raved about Aldi, a chain of small grocery stores she loves there.  Upon arriving at far-out Staples, we found ourselves parked right by Aldi next door!  (We had never seen one before.)  Entering Aldi, it was obvious why "less is more" pleasurable and simple -- unlike a Walmart Supercenter, if you know what I mean.  Staples was especially good to us, providing much more than expected.  So Kay loves Aldi, and I love Staples.  Browsing office supplies there, I ran into a friendly Christian brother who thought I was an employee, until he read "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" on my black name tag.  He kindly welcomed me to Michigan, and said he belongs to First Unity Church nearby.  We had a nice chat.  I wish I had thanked him for being a good example of how courteous and kind the people of Michigan are to us newcomers.

Next on my list for the area was Salvation Army Family Store.  Kay gladly drove me there, as she was the driver all week while I played the navigator.  We complimented the clerk for having the nicest Salvation Army we had ever seen.  Finding a framed painting of an Amish country scene was serendipitous.  ("The Amish [people] are known for simple living ..."  -- Wikipedia.)  Though smaller than we needed above our long couch, it is the perfect shape and calming theme for our plain apartment.  Luckily we had bought picture hangers at our neighborhood Ollie's Bargain Outlet that morning.

Having stocked up on groceries, we avoided fast food on the way home from our adventure.  (That is determined discipline for me, a hungry hombre.)  After a warm walk in the sun, a "p-day" pizza in the oven became comfort food to complete a peaceful day.

(P.S.: Blogger type size problem with text written on new Google Keep notes on new tablet -- sent to gmail, copied to Notes on iPhone7, then copied to post. 

Fix later. (No importa.)

Words Cannot Describe

I'm wondering ... how can I describe this great state of Michigan, given my feeble vocabulary and little phone keyboard I have to write with?  (Sorry -- the old laptop quit just before leaving home.)  Sure, a picture I add later may be worth a thousand, but even this cool camera cannot do it justice.

Green everywhere, generously rainy.  Some days with perfect weather -- couldn't be better!  Flat terrain, missing mountains.  Touching four of the five Great Lakes.  Clear view of Canada across the river from Detroit.  Nice people ... courteous, kind, cheerful.  Plenty of diversity and universities.  An abundance of wonderful churches.  I hear most folks also have some interest in sports.

The missionaries serving the people of Michigan are extraordinary.  Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are seeing lives change with love and daily miracles.

Life is good where Sister Cannon and I call home now.  Be happy, and keep in touch!  With love.

Moved to Michigan

What a trip!  Driving from the MTC (Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah) to our new home away from home state ... took five days to "enjoy the scenery along the way."  Kay & I could write a book, but this log wants to be fast.

About 40 years ago, I opened a free checking account in a new bank near my work.  I have kept  the original through several mergers, and it is now in a prominent bank in Michigan with branches near our current home.  I mention it because Nina, the young branch manager in a township along the way, nicely helped us with a warm welcome to this beautiful state.

The long trip came close to its end Tuesday with a dash through heavy rain in rush-hour traffic.  We exited the freeway to catch our breath and find comfort food in a bakery, where donuts did it for me.  (No, this blog is not about fast food.)

Our little apartment is not far from the office of Michigan Detroit Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Assigned temporarily to work there, we have been blessed with two days of training and opportunities to meet other "Michiganaries" who share our love for the Savior and His gospel.  Everyone here is so helpful and friendly -- how can we feel overwhelmed by all there is to learn?

A regional devotional last night with talks by new members was inspiring, followed by my favorite healthy treat: oatmeal raisin cookies.

How sweet it is!  We are grateful for family, friends, and all that our Heavenly Father has given us.  May you find joy!

Hold That Thought

"When you get older, you may find it harder to remember," I thought as I forgot why I went into the kitchen.  "What was I thinking?"

I woke up in the middle of a dream about helping an older woman walk home from the mall.  Rarely do I remember a dream, so hold that thought -- she was so appreciative. 

Found my Memory Magic kit in storage last week.  (Got it with a seminar I attended around 1976.  Still remember and use some of what I learned.)  Mnemonic devices or aids work well for this old man, who needs memory help more than ever.  (Can't believe I remembered how to spell it.  Of course I looked it up to be sure.)

Fortunately, I remember our wedding anniversary (date engraved on my ring) -- it's a good thing!  No need to look it up ... yet.

Cheers for Pioneers

Reverting to my pattern of writing a day late, this one’s for Pioneer Day.  About ten days of celebration ended on the 24th of July (except for fireworks still being used up tonight by neighbors who must really feel the Pioneer-Day spirit.  I write when I can’t sleep.)  We honor the Mormon pioneers who endured the westward trek to Utah, some dying along the way, others arriving in 1847 and subsequent years before the railroad.

We hear it said, "Life was much harder for the pioneers, so we should be grateful for the easy life we lead today in this country."  On the other hand, we are often reminded that our youth now face greater challenges because of the world we live in.  However, we are all blessed with freedom here in the Promised Land, our land of endless opportunity.

But what if you don't have a great job, or you wake up with a feeling of overwhelming sadness … or when you get home, the basement is flooded or your family is sick and ornery (kids, that means "bad-tempered & combative").  How do you go forth with faith?  Where do you find the strength?

The Lord reminds us in the Scriptures and in one of our favorite Primary songs:

“If with all your hearts ye truly seek me,

Ye shall ever surely find me”  (from Elijah, an oratorio written by Felix Mendelssohn, who died in 1847).

I know God lives and loves all of His children.  That is my testimony.

I pray that each of us will rely on Him, seek guidance from the Holy Ghost and help from each other, and maintain a deep reservoir of spiritual strength for crossing the mountains of trials in life.  With love.

Cheers ... for pioneers.  In the strength of the Lord, let us all go forth with faith.

Sunday Driver

In remembrance of our anniversary and the Sabbath, I started collecting a few photos of our Sunday travels to post as family history (not in chronological order).
By the way, I did most of the driving on Kay's days of rest.  She is truly my beautiful, eternal companion!

charmed by Blanding on the way home from New Mexico

with grandson at LDS Conference Center roof garden, SLC

Brigham finding some room at the top

oldest church, Conejos CO (not on Sunday, so no services)

with grandson by Temple Square & Church Office Bldg, Salt Lake City

Buckley Park picnic after attending Church in Durango, Colorado

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Fourth for Freedom & Family

We joined extended family at the ranch yesterday -- for food and fun!  More than I have ever seen at this annual EQC Family reunion – mostly young couples & children I should get to know.   Great tradition and gathering place!  Some hiked the hill, a few rode horses, others went rafting.  Kids played badminton and volleyball on the front lawn.

Kay held our sleeping princess for an hour, and we mainly visited with my Aunt Marg (still sharp, gorgeous, and loving at age 91).

Freedom lovers all, grateful for this country of America.  God bless!

Knowing Where You're Going

The long-awaited "call" came Thursday May 18th to our "permanent" post office box in Layton, Utah.  It was the busiest time of Kay's 20-year teaching career, with two weeks left to wrap up the school year before retirement and our big family trip.  Only two weeks earlier, we had moved to Farr West after quickly selling our frontier home.  Potentially overwhelming!

Our agreement was to open the letter alone together, so we could process it privately as a senior couple before sharing the news.  After school, having parked at the LDS temple by our former home in Ogden, we opened the large envelope and read our assignment to serve in the ... (braced on edge of car seats, eyes focused with anticipation) ... 
Michigan Detroit Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
for 23 months.

It took some time for the location to sink in.  (Not Alaska or Argentina, Pennsylvania or Prince Edward Island.)  The "member and leader support" assignment was especially exciting.  What's more, we get to be full-time companions throughout our mission, and we'll be just across the river from Kay's dear Canada!  Gratefully, we had each other for discussion in solitude.  Immediate feedback from family & friends was positive -- first a text and cheerful phone call from our son Spencer, a bishop who has enjoyed recent business trips there and loved the big city and beauties of Michigan.  That spelled relief.

Such a peaceful setting for accepting a somewhat scary calling ... to live and work in central Detroit?  We thought about it and later pondered with the aid of comfort food at Kneaders Cafe.  That night, our acceptance online was short and sweet.

Kay & I trust that we will be needed in Michigan, and will love the people as we love the Lord. That is exciting!  In fact, the mission secretary called us a week or so later and asked if we would help in the office for the first month or two.  (Computers, etc.)

After years of planning for a mission together, it's great to know where we are going.  As on a flight or road trip with a map or GPS, it's important in life to know your destination.  Where would you choose to go?

leaving Santa Fe B&B 15 June 2017 – just the two of us

"And I'm like ..."

Car horns honk all around ... to lock doors.  And I'm like ... is that annoying noise necessary?  Or is there another way to lock late-model cars?

(Sorry.  I had to ... like ... get two things off my mind by writing.)

Have a pleasant day!

Memorial Day: Memories

Just another Monday holiday?  Not so.  This Memorial Day, I recall treasured memories and cemetery scenes that remind me of eternal family.  I am so grateful.

(Posted 25 May 2014, about those who have passed on:)

With love for family and friends who are actually more alive than we who are living.

And there is room here for more memories.  There is no end …