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!