Greetings from Mascouche, Canada

On October 2, 2007 Elder Fresh arrived in the city of Mascouche, his second area. Mascouche is a suburban city north of Montreal in Southern Quebec. This is Elder Hansen, Andrew's new companion and a note they left for an investigator. It is written in French and roughly translated . . . Andrew wrote, "Read [Book of Mormon] each day otherwise this face will really torment you!" Elder Hansen wrote, "Pray or otherwise you will suffer. I lie not!" At the bottom it says, "Love your missionaries forever."


Shortly after Andrew arrived in Mascouche, winter also arrived. This is their apartment complex during a light snow storm. The next morning the car is covered with snow, something a California boy doesn't see too much. I had some advice for him with regards to driving in the show . . . "Drive very, very, very slowly and brake very, very, very early"!!!


Andrew celebrated Thanksgiving with some of the other Elders in the area. They have all the fixings . . . turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, etc.

The turkey on the left looks pretty tasty. Andrew said it was good, but that the gravy they made was "nasty". I guess no one does it like Mom! The turkey on the left was their centerpiece. They were pretty creative as it looks like it was made out of a couple of leftover potatoes!

After a big dinner it is now time for a nap!!!


This is Andrew's copy of "Preach My Gospel", which he studies each day. He uses it for personal gospel study and also as a resource to plan the lessons he teaches to their investigators. Of course, it is all in French!

The sister below in the red dress was taught, baptized, and confirmed by Andrew and his companion.


He occasionally has time to play in the snow and there is a lot of it in Canada! The scenery sure looks different than it does back home in California. I wish I could have some of that snow right now in my front yard . . . it is a hot summer day!



One of our family traditions at Christmas has always been acting out the Nativity Scene as recorded in Luke 2 of the Bible. It was great to know that even though he was many miles away Andrew was doing the same thing with a family in Canada! They also had a small Christmas tree in their apartment and a few presents.


It looks like he made out pretty well. He must have been a very good boy, I mean Elder, this year!


Andrew served in Mascouche until the end of March when he was transferred to Gatineau. Here are some of the Elders that he served with.

Au revoir! More to come . . .