Week One

We just finished our first full week as full-time missionaries.  We spent part of the time trying to get settled in our apartment, most of it at the grocery store.  We also spent a bit of time exploring the boundaries of the ward we are in.  It’s called the Burlington, VT ward and is pretty spread out.  The most amazing part is in what is called “the islands” which are in Lake Champlain.  WOW.  Talk about beautiful!!  I always wanted to see Prince Edward Island, but after driving the islands of this lake, I don’t think anything could be more beautiful.  

We’ve also discovered that this area has everything.  Burlington is home to University of Vermont and is a thriving university city with an airport and everything.  Even has Trader Joe’s!  There is no Costa Vida though—what a business opportunity that would be!  We stopped into Chipotle and it was PACKED.  There just aren’t many Mexican/Southwest restaurants here.  They also make Burton Snowboards here, Cabot cheese, Ben and Jerry's, Vermont Bears and really good Creamies--not the kind we get at home.  These are soft ice cream in NUMEROUS flavors. My favorite so far is black raspberry.😊  

We spent quite a bit of time visiting some members that the missionaries asked us to see. We didn’t catch them all at home but we visited with quite a few.  It's wonderful to get to know them and their struggles and testimonies.  We can tell that there is opportunity here for us to bring people to Christ.

We had a great ward barbecue on Saturday and met a lot of members then.  This morning we were invited to attend Ward Council and was impressed with how focused they are on missionary work here.  The bishop mentioned that we may be asked to teach a temple prep class for less actives and for new members.  That would be awesome.  I’m so impressed with the members here.  The Stake is the whole state of Vermont, so to be a high councilman or a state auxiliary officer is a huge job and a sacrifice.  The stake relief society president also serves with her husband (who is a high councilman) as a counselor to the mission president!  Talk about busy!!

Speaking of the Bishop, he is a pediatric psychiatrist and he knows Matt.  Funny thing about him is his name is Peter Jackson.  Even funnier is that he looks like Rich Jackson's little brother.  I mean they could be twins in some way.  AND he has a darling wife and six children who look like they could belong to Rich and Cheryl!!  I found out that he and Rich are probably second cousins but they've never met.  They should.

Saturday night Elders Ellsworth and Levanger stopped by to get some mending done.  I’m so glad I brought my sewing machine.  They were so grateful.  I love the Elders and also the Sisters who serve here (sister Smith and Sister Niebrashk)  They are so wonderful.  I forget how young they really are because they truly seem so mature as missionaries.  

Sunday afternoon we were invited to dinner at Bishop Jacksons.  His wife, Jessica, is adorable.  She doesn’t look old enough to have 6 children.  They are pretty close in age.  The oldest is 13 and the youngest is 3 (and the only girl)  They live up on South Hero Island in a house that was built in 1850.  It's in such a ideal setting for raising children with lots of room to run.

I’m so impressed with Ken.  He is going to be a GREAT missionary.  I always knew that.  He’s so kind and has such an easy way with people.  I can tell that we are going to stay plenty busy.  Ken will be teaching institute every Thursday and I will be feeding them.  Then on fast Sunday of every month, we will travel to Montpelier to the ward there to attend with all the YSA’s in the stake and have a “break the fast” social after ward.  They are working hard to create a YSA branch here in Vermont.  It will be interesting to see how many attend next Sunday.  

Today for P-day Ken and I decided to take advantage of the great weather and we went to the Shelburne Museum.  What a great place!!  We took a few pics but the most impressive thing they had there was a 550 foot long hand carved circus parade.  It went on FOREVER.  Here are a few pics.

Theyy also had an amazing display of antique horse-drawn carriages that were wonderful.  And the best part of all was the Ticonderoga.  It is the only surviving dual wheel steam boat.  It was restored and beautiful.  You know how I love to be on the water. 😁 This is the dining room.  There were only 5 guest cabins on the boat as the trip from the southern part of Lake Champlain to the Northern was about 12 hours and it connected the trains from Albany and New York to Montreal.

Here's Ken just being silly!   Isn't he cute?

This is an old popcorn wagon!  It was wonderful.

After we left the museum we went on a drive to see 5 of Vermonts 100 covered bridges.  In 1965 when we drove across the country for the World's Fair in New York City, I remember how exited my mom was to drive into Vermont to see the cute covered bridges.  So this was more fun for me today than Ken.  And these aren't the cutest bridges or the longest in the state, but they certainly are OLD.  

Vermont is truly a BEAUTIFUL place. I've never seen anything like it and I can't get enough of it.  We're starting to see a few tips of the leaves beginning to change.  I can't wait to see it.  So far, we love it here and love being missionaries.