Hiking Month inspired us and we've continued our tour of the Timmins trails. We went back to the one behind the police as we hadn't finished it. We also went to discover the ones that lead to Hersey Lake but Ryan wasn't ready to walk the 5kms.
Soon, we're going to have to use our snowshoes!
Our prophet, who is American, asked us to flood social media with gratitude the whole week leading to the American Thanksgiving. The challenge was to post every day about something you are grateful for and explain why. We did it on Facebook.
We started with grateful for having served missions. The people I served with and the experiences I had in Greece are still influencing me today. If Keld hadn't served in France, I would never have met him and what would I do without him?
We are also grateful for Temples. We were able to go at the beginning of the year and it was great to fill up before the chaos and bring Kelden for the first time!! Temples are heaven on earth. It is where we feel peace no matter what and where families can be united forever.
We are very grateful for our health. We pray daily for so many people who are sick, especially the ones we know who are fighting cancer. It reminds us that anything can happen to anyone at any time and that we need to enjoy life and be productive while we still can! Their positive attitudes also helps us trust in Heavenly Father plan for them, for their families and for all of us.
Kelden said he was grateful to be able to go to school and learn. He's right not to take this opportunity for granted. Keld's education allows him to have a good job, which enables to stay at home (and I am very grateful for that!). My own education (I have a degree in English) has been more useful than I ever thought it would be! Plus, school can be a great place to find forever friends.
Yesterday, we expressed our gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Thanks to our brother's sacrifice, we will all resurrect and we can all repent and be better!
Today was gratitude for miracles and tender mercies. Our children are our greatest miracles. The three oldest prayed every day for years for "a little brother, a little sister or both" although Julia only really wanted sisters. We don’t always receive answers to our prayers the way we wish but the tender mercies of the Lord remind us that He is there and He knows what’s best. The peace we feel when reading the scriptures, the joy we have with our friends, the lessons we learn through personal revelation, the blessings of service and many other little things help us on our way back to Him.
And tomorrow, we are going to be grateful for...chocolate! I don't need to explain that one.
Lots of people start decorating for Christmas early, in November. We usually don't. But not having decorations doesn't mean we can't have presents! We were very surprised to receive a couple of packages right between Julia and Kelden's birthdays. My parents haven't sent anything for Christmas for years as they usually spoil the kids when they come and when we go (saving on the shipping). But this year, my mom wanted to surprise us. And she did!
They sent pyjamas for the boys and Ryan changed immediately, although not choosing the right one at first...
Julia got a hoodie and me a dress!
I also received some books, (that Julia might read too ), with one of them in a children's version.
There was also an Unlock/Escape game with a Star Wars theme. The kids are loving this game. You're all in one team, you share great ideas and you have to use a phone! Unfortunately, once you know the solution, you're done. So you can't play the game over and over.
We are saving one mission for the Christmas holidays. Because that's the problem of celebrating early, there might not be any chocolate left for the real day..
A couple of weeks ago, Uncle Jim and Aunt Tina invited the boys to go white fishing. So, on Friday after work, they drove for a couple of hours. It was dark, not very good for pictures. The day before, Uncle Jim had got 25 fish. This time, they only caught nine but still, the kids were happy!
They all seemed to like it !