November Blog

November marked the one-year anniversary of our missionary work here in the New York Utica Mission. It doesn’t seem possible that we have been here that long. Fortunately, we enjoy the time here and the experiences we are having. We have come to love the people in this area and are glad to be here and able to provide some little measure of help and support.

During the month of November we continued with our routines. We visited with a number of people who seem to suffer from the difficulties that life can bring. In addition, we are both involved with helping our little Branch of the LDS Church here in Ogdensburg try to fulfill its mission. We were also able to help members and non-members with their family history research.

Early in the month we were blessed to have our daughter Michelle and our oldest grandson Ryan here to spend about a week with us. It was fun to have them here and Michelle was even able to get her work done while away from her office it Tucson. Technology can be wonderful!

One of the great blessings in our life is the time we are able to spend with the full-time missionaries in the area. These are wonderful young people who give eighteen months for young women or two years for young men of their lives teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are always amazed by their obedience and commitment and we even get to assist them on occasion when they are teaching investigators.

Of course, on November 4^th, Jim celebrated the 40^th anniversary of his 29^th birthday. Then later on in the month we celebrated Thanksgiving by serving a wonderful dinner at the Salvation Army and then enjoying a great meal with the Gaines family from our Branch. It was a wonderful time and we are so thankful for so many blessings in our life.   

One unusual but happy note is that we went through the month of November without any snow, and the temperatures while chilly, were unseasonably warm for this time of year in the North Country. We suspect that condition won’t hold much longer but we will enjoy it until winter inevitably sets in.  

The McKenzies from Gouverneur who spend 4-5 months in their native Jamaica. 

He is 82 and is always outside working on something in his yard or garden. 

They both have such a great sense of humor - we just love them!

Elizabeth enjoying the music.

Our newest member, Ayden. He is just the sweetest young boy!

We enjoyed having our daughter Michelle and grandson Ryan here for a few days. 

We treated them to lunch at Busters. Good times!