We received the following card from a departing missionary:

"I wanted to thank you for your service here in the CEM! I am happy that you have both been here my whole mission! I always loved being able to sit with Elder Kerr at Zone Conferences and hear his incredible stories. I always felt strengthened by your testimonies. Thank you for all you do for this mission. We couldn't function without you! I will never forget the impact you have had on me. You are some of the most Christlike people I have ever met. I love you!" Sister Bertelsen

Yesterday Garth and Debbie Hatch invited the Burnetts and us to their home in Calahoo (50 minutes west of Sherwood Park). Sandy is training Sister Hatch to be the mission secretary, and Brother Hatch is a counselor in the Edmonton North Stake presidency. They served us an excellent dinner including a moose roast. They live on 130 acres with trees, grass, and wildlife. The moose was taken last fall on their property.

Brother Hatch arranged for a two mile path to be cut through their property for Sister Hatch.

This past week six missionaries from the Canada Calgary Mission were driving from Calgary to Lethbridge at over 60 mph when a gust of wind pushed their van off the road. In an attempt to regain control the driver over-corrected causing the van to roll three times. None of the missionaries were injured.

 

We attended the Mt. Pleasant YSA Ward today. A speaker shared the following quote which I really like.

“I would rather be what God chose to make me, than the most glorious creature that I could think of. For to have been thought about—born in God’s thoughts—and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest, most precious thing in all thinking.” George MacDonald (sometimes incorrectly attributed to C. S. Lewis)

Yesterday Sandy and I went to the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market in Edmonton. It's an indoor venue with lots of things for sale including fresh vegetables, candy, and jewelry. It's like the Costa Mesa Swap Meet, but on a much smaller scale. As we were leaving we noticed a street car preparing to leave for downtown Edmonton. We had a fun trip and took the following pictures.

The Kerrs, Mayers, Traveling Sisters (Hall and Dearden), and Burnetts

The traveling sisters gave Sandy and me a card with the following message: "Thank you for your wonderful service to us in the Canada Edmonton Mission! Elder Kerr, your training never fails to inspire us. Sister Kerr, hearing your voice on the end of the line always makes our day! You're both so positive and patient with all of us. We are so blessed to know you and are grateful for the sacrifices you've made to be here!"

The president invited all of the senior couples to come to Edmonton this week for Zone Conference. A BBQ was held yesterday for the senior missionaries at the Appleton's cottage on Half Moon Lake. Brother Appleton is a member of the mission presidency. The cottage is on the lake, but lacks running water (think outhouse). It was a nice evening.

Elder and Sister Venturi stayed with us so they could attend Zone Conference. Their home is in Carlsbad, CA. They are serving in Yellowknife, Northwest Territory which is the farthest point north in the mission (15 hour drive time from Edmonton).

A Message from Drake Charles

Gavin's wife, Kristen, is not LDS but she is a devout Christian. She posted  a video on Facebook with the following comment: "Sharing a video my mom encouraged me to watch featuring the testimony of Drake Charles - head of Linfield Christian Schools. Drake's message will bless anyone who will spend the time to listen, such a powerful message. God bless Drake and his family and the many who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven due to his faithfulness and love for our Father in Heaven." (Gavin and Kristen's boys once attended Linfield Christian School.)

Sandy and I have watched this video and find its message to be remarkable, regardless of one's denomination. We commend it to you. Here is a link: Drake 

Leo and Kathy Mayer

The Mayers are recently set apart Church Service Missionaries. Sister Mayer is training with Elder Burnett to become the mission finance secretary. I am training Elder Mayer to be the vehicle coordinator. They are Canadians and live in Spruce Grove, a community west of Edmonton.

Today Brady received the “Excellence In Teaching” award from The Inland Empire/Desert Regional Consortium (IEDRC), which consists of 12 community colleges. It serves as a regional framework to communicate, coordinate, collaborate, promote and plan career and technical education in the Inland Empire/Desert Region. Following is a statement about Brady found in the awards program:

"Brady Kerr [Commercial Music Instructor, Norco College] provides exemplary teaching experiences for students preparing for careers in the music industry, including preparing students for ProTools certification and a variety of music production styles. He is a Grammy nominated educator, certified ProTools expert, and voting member of the recording academy. Brady empowers and motivates students to achieve their full potential by teaching students to write and record their own music, offering a supportive learning environment for developing both music knowledge and professional skills. Brady's commitment to industry-standard learning experiences includes embedding new and emerging technology and trends into student classroom and performance experiences."