7:05 p.m.
Mission Home Office
Wed. Oct. 20, 2010
Letter #14
Dearest family,
Hello and how is every little thing? Things are great here in Montreal. The colors are evidence of the competitive nature of the trees in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. I would say it is a close call. I love it all.The beauty I have beheld in the past two weeks as I have driven from Montreal to Portland and back has literally taken my breath away. And as you know, my camera was at my side the entire drive. With all the persuasive powers within me I beg each of you, to some time in your wonderful lives, to drive from Montreal to Portland via the White Mountain Forest Preserve starting the end of Sept. to the first week and a half of Oct. It is a spectacular drive. A drive of a lifetime. So this may be a short letter as I slipped away from Nels and his two counselors to write, before we have some dessert. We just grilled some delicious HUGE burgers with the works. And this may end up being a letter in pictures.
Speaking of beauty, I must say I am still mourning the absence of Acadia, Wynn and James. It was very difficult to leave. And in fact so hard, I turned around and went back. More about that in a minute. It was so hard when Emy, Ben, sweet, hilarious Clara and Mr. Smiley, adorable Eli left. But fortunately I am busy enough that I am able to cope. I must admit I feel the need for Skype fixes with the grandkids though. I wish we could Skype more with Dane, Tracie and Lib, Mark and mom and dad too. In fact when I think of it, all of you. I would love to Skype with everybody and see you. Send me an email with some times you might be available and we will Skype if I can. I love seeing your beautiful faces on the computer screen. What kills me is when Clara lifts up her arms and says "hug Mema hug". Kill me! Those are the tough times.
So the day I was supposed to leave Wynn and James and our priceless, sweet Acadia, I was exhausted as I had not slept at all the night before as the allergies kicked in big time. So along with being tired, the allergies attacking my system and getting a late start this journey turned into a failure to get back to Montreal. I took off in the afternoon knowing it was a 6 hour drive. I packed up, had a tearful farewell with Wynn and the baby. I took off and forgot to fill up the Acadia ( the name of our vehicle) so I drove around trying to find a place to fill up. That was my first set back. I had directions to get back given to me by Wynn, but then my GPS had me going another way. So I thought they would end up the same way Wynn wanted me to go. I continued for and hour or more. I went through a toll I had not had to go though before, and then a second one. That is when I felt a very bad feeling inside. I tried to go through and turn around but it ends up I went through the wrong booth and so they would not let me pay by cash. Second bad kharma, was the bad feeling I had and the third bad kharma, I was not able to pay the toll. Fourth bad k. was I was not supposed to do a u-turn at the toll booth BUT I needed to head back the other way after having spoken with Wynn. Great, so now I am headed in the right direction but I go through another toll and again go through the EZPASS booth so the guy will not let me pay with cash. So that is now two tolls I have not paid for. And the man I tried to pay was SO MEAN, he said, "I can't help it you went through the wrong stall and you are going to get a three hundred dollar fine anyway and you will probably get a ticket cause you did a u-turn, yah, your picture had been taken" What! I asked him what I could do to avoid this fine. "Lady it's not my fault, what do you want me to do about it?" Well, he was right, but all I needed was some information from him and he would not provide me with it. I have lost track of the bad kharma's by now. So then Wynn also told me that I left my entire "make-up" bag at her house. Funny to call it that as I only use concealer and once in a while mascara, but anyway you get what I mean. I had my hair straightener, shampoo, conditioner, my best tweezers, and the list goes on and on. Seriously everything was in that bag. So I determined to go back to Wynn's. By this time, I had downed some caffeine drinks to keep me awake as I was very tired. You know what that means. I had to hit the restroom. The problem was, was that I was in an area that was fairly remote. Lots of trees and beauty all around. So I was in the fast lane and I was going along with traffic in Maine at about 80 mph. I was getting ready to pass the guy on my right so I could get in his lane and as I did, I saw it, in my mirror the dreaded flashing lights. I heard it. Yes, it was a Highway Patrolman pulling me over. This was the last bad kharma draw. I lost it. He came to my window and asked for my license and registration and I had no clue where it was. I looked everywhere for it. I was so flustered that...I am embarrassed to say I started bawling. I burst into tears and said " Officer, I am not a bad person, I am tired and I am trying to get back to my daughter's house and I don't know where the registration is and I got lost and I have not paid two tolls and this is a Church owned car and I have only had one other speeding ticket in my life and..." He was SO kind and said, "mam, just take your time, no hurry here. Just give my your license and I will go check this out. In the mean time you can look for your registration but just be very careful when you get out of the car". So I got out and looked everywhere. I looked for 10 minutes. I could not find it. I got back in the car and thought, Heavenly Father, I am dead. I am sorry I was speeding in Your car and I must go to the bathroom and soon. I had no idea I was speeding. I am exhausted and I need to just get back to the Stewart's and go to bed early tonight. I looked in the glove box for the 10th time and there was a red plastic folder I had not noticed before. Jackpot! I found it all. So I got out of the car and took it sheepishly back to the officer. He waved for me to come closer and give him the info. I sat waiting, as other cars sped past me thinking, hmmm, tough break or oh too bad, busted. The kind officer of the law, soon came back to the window where I also explained my problems with the toll guy and not being able to pay the tolls and doing a u-turn. He kindly told me I should have pulled over to the side of the road to figure things out, I should not have been speeding and he told me how to avoid getting a ticket from EZPASS. He was so humane, so kind, so human. He issued me a warning only and sent me on my way with a promise from me...not to exceed the speed limit. And I kept that promise the whole way home the next day. I arrived back home with James coming in at the same time. Wynn and the baby greeted me and I told them of my woeful story. They were so kind, sensing I was just about to go over the edge. Welcoming me back again. James said it was like a bonus night having for one more night. So nice. You are such a good man. James suggested we go for a nice long ride to see the colors and we did that. It was heaven as I sat in the back and looked at that precious baby and watched the beauty of Maine race past my window. Thanks for saving me officer whatever your name is and thanks for letting me come back to the safety and refuge of your loving home Wynn, James and Acadia.
I will close for now. It has been a whirlwind since I arrived home. It was good to see Nels again. He is so busy with the mission that he looked tired. The next day we had a zone conference with more trainings. That meant two crock pots full of soup 4 large Brazilian crusty loaves of bread, butter and enormous rice krispie treats dipped in choc. for the birthday missionaries. Tomorrow another work day with the missionaries. I take the sisters out for an hour in the morning for a cup of hot cocoa and a muffin. It is so much fun. I love them all. We have had folks to dinner twice and will have some for breakfast on Sunday. It is a wonderful busy life. I love this work. I love our missionaries. And the President is doing a very fine job. The missionaries are blessed to have him. Thanks for all your love and support. We love you so much and miss you. But know you are doing wonderful things. Nice job on the "runs" or races Ben, Emy, Mark and Libby. You are all fit and fabulous. I heard Tracie was decorating for Halloween. That made me smile. Thanks Dane and Tracie for all you do.
Love you all,
mom/Shirin/Soeur Cannon or SisShirCan
Mission Home Office
Wed. Oct. 20, 2010
Letter #14
Dearest family,
Hello and how is every little thing? Things are great here in Montreal. The colors are evidence of the competitive nature of the trees in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. I would say it is a close call. I love it all.The beauty I have beheld in the past two weeks as I have driven from Montreal to Portland and back has literally taken my breath away. And as you know, my camera was at my side the entire drive. With all the persuasive powers within me I beg each of you, to some time in your wonderful lives, to drive from Montreal to Portland via the White Mountain Forest Preserve starting the end of Sept. to the first week and a half of Oct. It is a spectacular drive. A drive of a lifetime. So this may be a short letter as I slipped away from Nels and his two counselors to write, before we have some dessert. We just grilled some delicious HUGE burgers with the works. And this may end up being a letter in pictures.
Speaking of beauty, I must say I am still mourning the absence of Acadia, Wynn and James. It was very difficult to leave. And in fact so hard, I turned around and went back. More about that in a minute. It was so hard when Emy, Ben, sweet, hilarious Clara and Mr. Smiley, adorable Eli left. But fortunately I am busy enough that I am able to cope. I must admit I feel the need for Skype fixes with the grandkids though. I wish we could Skype more with Dane, Tracie and Lib, Mark and mom and dad too. In fact when I think of it, all of you. I would love to Skype with everybody and see you. Send me an email with some times you might be available and we will Skype if I can. I love seeing your beautiful faces on the computer screen. What kills me is when Clara lifts up her arms and says "hug Mema hug". Kill me! Those are the tough times.
So the day I was supposed to leave Wynn and James and our priceless, sweet Acadia, I was exhausted as I had not slept at all the night before as the allergies kicked in big time. So along with being tired, the allergies attacking my system and getting a late start this journey turned into a failure to get back to Montreal. I took off in the afternoon knowing it was a 6 hour drive. I packed up, had a tearful farewell with Wynn and the baby. I took off and forgot to fill up the Acadia ( the name of our vehicle) so I drove around trying to find a place to fill up. That was my first set back. I had directions to get back given to me by Wynn, but then my GPS had me going another way. So I thought they would end up the same way Wynn wanted me to go. I continued for and hour or more. I went through a toll I had not had to go though before, and then a second one. That is when I felt a very bad feeling inside. I tried to go through and turn around but it ends up I went through the wrong booth and so they would not let me pay by cash. Second bad kharma, was the bad feeling I had and the third bad kharma, I was not able to pay the toll. Fourth bad k. was I was not supposed to do a u-turn at the toll booth BUT I needed to head back the other way after having spoken with Wynn. Great, so now I am headed in the right direction but I go through another toll and again go through the EZPASS booth so the guy will not let me pay with cash. So that is now two tolls I have not paid for. And the man I tried to pay was SO MEAN, he said, "I can't help it you went through the wrong stall and you are going to get a three hundred dollar fine anyway and you will probably get a ticket cause you did a u-turn, yah, your picture had been taken" What! I asked him what I could do to avoid this fine. "Lady it's not my fault, what do you want me to do about it?" Well, he was right, but all I needed was some information from him and he would not provide me with it. I have lost track of the bad kharma's by now. So then Wynn also told me that I left my entire "make-up" bag at her house. Funny to call it that as I only use concealer and once in a while mascara, but anyway you get what I mean. I had my hair straightener, shampoo, conditioner, my best tweezers, and the list goes on and on. Seriously everything was in that bag. So I determined to go back to Wynn's. By this time, I had downed some caffeine drinks to keep me awake as I was very tired. You know what that means. I had to hit the restroom. The problem was, was that I was in an area that was fairly remote. Lots of trees and beauty all around. So I was in the fast lane and I was going along with traffic in Maine at about 80 mph. I was getting ready to pass the guy on my right so I could get in his lane and as I did, I saw it, in my mirror the dreaded flashing lights. I heard it. Yes, it was a Highway Patrolman pulling me over. This was the last bad kharma draw. I lost it. He came to my window and asked for my license and registration and I had no clue where it was. I looked everywhere for it. I was so flustered that...I am embarrassed to say I started bawling. I burst into tears and said " Officer, I am not a bad person, I am tired and I am trying to get back to my daughter's house and I don't know where the registration is and I got lost and I have not paid two tolls and this is a Church owned car and I have only had one other speeding ticket in my life and..." He was SO kind and said, "mam, just take your time, no hurry here. Just give my your license and I will go check this out. In the mean time you can look for your registration but just be very careful when you get out of the car". So I got out and looked everywhere. I looked for 10 minutes. I could not find it. I got back in the car and thought, Heavenly Father, I am dead. I am sorry I was speeding in Your car and I must go to the bathroom and soon. I had no idea I was speeding. I am exhausted and I need to just get back to the Stewart's and go to bed early tonight. I looked in the glove box for the 10th time and there was a red plastic folder I had not noticed before. Jackpot! I found it all. So I got out of the car and took it sheepishly back to the officer. He waved for me to come closer and give him the info. I sat waiting, as other cars sped past me thinking, hmmm, tough break or oh too bad, busted. The kind officer of the law, soon came back to the window where I also explained my problems with the toll guy and not being able to pay the tolls and doing a u-turn. He kindly told me I should have pulled over to the side of the road to figure things out, I should not have been speeding and he told me how to avoid getting a ticket from EZPASS. He was so humane, so kind, so human. He issued me a warning only and sent me on my way with a promise from me...not to exceed the speed limit. And I kept that promise the whole way home the next day. I arrived back home with James coming in at the same time. Wynn and the baby greeted me and I told them of my woeful story. They were so kind, sensing I was just about to go over the edge. Welcoming me back again. James said it was like a bonus night having for one more night. So nice. You are such a good man. James suggested we go for a nice long ride to see the colors and we did that. It was heaven as I sat in the back and looked at that precious baby and watched the beauty of Maine race past my window. Thanks for saving me officer whatever your name is and thanks for letting me come back to the safety and refuge of your loving home Wynn, James and Acadia.
I will close for now. It has been a whirlwind since I arrived home. It was good to see Nels again. He is so busy with the mission that he looked tired. The next day we had a zone conference with more trainings. That meant two crock pots full of soup 4 large Brazilian crusty loaves of bread, butter and enormous rice krispie treats dipped in choc. for the birthday missionaries. Tomorrow another work day with the missionaries. I take the sisters out for an hour in the morning for a cup of hot cocoa and a muffin. It is so much fun. I love them all. We have had folks to dinner twice and will have some for breakfast on Sunday. It is a wonderful busy life. I love this work. I love our missionaries. And the President is doing a very fine job. The missionaries are blessed to have him. Thanks for all your love and support. We love you so much and miss you. But know you are doing wonderful things. Nice job on the "runs" or races Ben, Emy, Mark and Libby. You are all fit and fabulous. I heard Tracie was decorating for Halloween. That made me smile. Thanks Dane and Tracie for all you do.
Love you all,
mom/Shirin/Soeur Cannon or SisShirCan
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