November 17, 2020

 I took the bull by the horns this week and suggested we start putting Christmas up. This has been a different kind of year and I just felt that “We need a little ChrIstmas, Right this very minute. Candles in the windows, Carollers at the door”. (from Auntie Mame) We got our outdoor lights up and everything else outside and inside up except for the main tree as we have ordered a new one and it will not arrive until December 1. We gave our old tree to the Hardy family and they are thrilled.

 Last Wednesday was Remembrance Day and we made our traditional pilgrimage to West Vancouver and my parents grave. The Hardy family faithfully join us every year and we have the opportunity to consider and appreciate my parents and their joint wartime sacrifice to bless our lives. Dad was in the airforce and had been a flight instructor here in Canada but, after securing Mom’s hand in marriage, he went overseas to fly bombers for the last two years of the war. Mom was the brave angel on his wing, praying and fasting for him constantly. We take our Remembrance Day wreath and add our current poppies to the numerous ones already on it and we walk around the cemetery.

We had a meeting with Carol Jones on Thursday and took her the sacrament on Sunday. Maxie Wong had passed away the end of October and her Celebration of Life was a zoom meeting Sunday afternoon. It was nice to see the North Shore Ward people and consider dear Maxie and her life. We received word last night that Betty Small had also passed away and she is another dear North Shore Ward friend and good friend to Maxie. They are enjoying one another still. Ron and Jane Komm saw us on the zoom and phoned us afterward and we had a nice catchup with them. They are stuck in Waterton, in their cabin, in the snow because Steven’s family have taken over their house while their place is being renovated. They may not even get back for Christmas.

We have been working on our Ward Christmas devotional and are hoping that the Bishopric allow us to just film and broadcast it to the ward because of the difficulties of coming together and the uncertainty of our lives right now. We have also been hanging sixteen frames up in the front hall to display pictures of the grandchildren. With the measuring and levelling required, it took two sets of hands and Tom was very patient. It is done! We have raked leaves twice now and will probably have one more go at it.

Tom had a phone appointment with the specialist on Friday and they have set up an office visit for him on December 4. We are hoping that he can get in sooner and are praying for that end. Tom will call again to let them know he is willing to take a cancellation if one occurs.

My ministering Sister Connor called today. She has had covid and recently completed her isolation and now she is calling to see how I am doing. She is so sweet.