Mission Office/Montreal- Week 4

Lots of different small things happened this week and some large as well. First would be that I did not end up in a trio as I thought, but Elder Broadhead quickly flew in from Halifax (he had little ups out and stayed up all night packing). We (Elder Brown, Elder Hindley and I) woke up early to go pick him up from the airport. I was excited to meet someone new as there are always so many interesting people to meet among missionaries, members of the church, and just all people. It was only after we arrived at the airport that Elder Hindley looked at his phone to see a message from Elder Broadhead that his flight was delayed. We were able to park in the normally no parking area of the loop in front of the airport because of the how virtually deserted the airport has been. We sat and chatted a bit, but were also all quite tired. We stayed like that until I moved the car into drive and took off without saying anything. Elder Brown and Elder Hindley said nothing as well. Eight minutes later, I slowed down behind a car in a Tim Hortons drive thru. Everything was silent. Elder Hindley then said "this was a good idea". I bought a box of assorted doughnuts and we returned to the airport. Upon opening the box, I decided that perhaps it would not hurt to become familiar with the types of doughnuts offered at Tim Hortons, so I could make a more educated decision in the future. As any inhabitant near 6332 Richmond Hwy would learn as I have, the selection procedure for doughnuts in foriegn areas is crucially more complicated. 

Among other news, the Canada Montreal Mission is receiving 160 reassigned missionaries along with 60 brand new missionaries throughout the summer. Please remember this fact when I also remind you that Elder Brown and I are the Housing Coordinators for the Mission. I wished I was back in Manadrin branch at many points throughout this week. 

Last Saturday, Elder Brown and I went to the park to throw a frisbee around. Against what notions you would expect, the park was packed with people doing all sorts of lovely and repulsive things. There were drums and guitars and ukuleles and a saxophone. There were people sitting, walking, talking, pinic-ing, belly dancing, and kissing while laying in the grass. There was the French game with the heavy colorful balls that Uncle Alain always enjoyed and badminton. Additionally, there were police and sirens and a speakerphone blaring in French followed by English for everyone to observe Covid regulations. We were not near anyone. 

This next one was not this past week. We were looking for a dryer to replace one that was older than the luxurious sleek black thing on four wheels that I previously was more partial to than a Model S. Anyways, our search took us to a Home Depot that was actually not Home Depot because it was green and not orange and french not english. We went to the dryer area of the store and an older male worker in a green apron welcomed us and gave us the rundown. He asked if the dryer was for us. Elder Brown responded saying it was for the organization we work for. The worker then snapped at us saying we should just say that we are Latter-Day Saint and not hide the fact we are with the church. I took a distinctive moment to be confused as I looked down at my dress shoes, pants, white shirt, tie, and nametag wondering what it actually I was hiding. I held the deliciously hilarious comments that came to mind that I could respond to the worker's lash out. This meant I just kinda stood there. Elder Brown, I believe, started a conversation and it was not hard. Soon the man was telling all about where he grew up, what he studied in school, his sister, his son, and even that he yelled at a close coworker that morning and felt guilty about it. He largely looked right at me which was strange because I said nothing to him but only smiled and nodded at everything he said or went "ahhhh" or "mmmm" . After more minutes than I anticipated, Elder Brown said he should read the Book of Mormon and we walked away to hear him say something like "great talking to you, nothing happens for a reason yanno" I was pretty relieved for the conversation (if it could be called that) to be over.