On weekends we have been assigned to go to Ogdensburg to not only be part of the little branch there, but also try to help build it up. We stay in a home right on the St. Lawrence. I tried to upload a picture of the front of the house, but the computer is not cooperating. I will show it in another blog. This is the view outside of our weekend home. It ain't fancy but I think we will survive!

Here are the two Sister Missionaries, Sister Despain and Sister Zwick that we share the house with on weekends. They are wonderful and it is so fun to get to be part of real missionary work. This man was baptized this past Sat. and Phil got to do the baptizing.

Here's the little Ogdensburg Branch churchhouse. It is the loveliest small church I think I have ever seen.

The chapel almost looks and has the feel of the temple.

I had never known what the 1,000 Islands were (other than salad dressing). I was amazed to see they were real islands in the middle of the St. Lawrence Seaway. I have only been able to see a few of the islands by the road because there is so much folage between the road and the river, but what I could get a glimpse of fascinated me!

People buy an island and build a house on it. Some of the islands are not much bigger than the house.

I asked a man who was near by when we were taking a picture if the waves ever were a problem and he said, "Waves....nah." I can see how threatening your children, "If you don't clean your room, you are going to have to go outside and play." might be a good parenting strategy living here.

I was able to get closest to this one. The man also told me there really were about 3,000 little islands like this. I asked him if the river froze solid enough that they could walk out to their house in the winter. He said, "Sure enough. The river freezes three feet thick."

An example of some of the private docks people have built right next to their yards.

There are houses on shore built right on the edge of the River.

This is truly an amazing place and we are so grateful to have this opportunity to experience it. Thanks for following our blog.

Happy Halloween!

The past few weeks have been incredible here with the fall leaves and all the Halloween decorations on every house and corner. They decorate much more here than anywhere I have ever seen and it is fun to drive by and see what everyone has done. Here are a few examples:

Almost every house has many pumpkins on it either on all the steps of the front porch, on the walkway, or even lining the roof.

And then there are the leaves!!! Here are some of the magnificent colors we have been seeing the past several weeks. I thought the reds were amazing, but near the end of the color changing, I have decided the oranges were even more breathtaking. Enjoy....

I had to throw this in because it was just across the street from where I took the first several pictures and it was breathtaking to say the least. This is the St. Lawrence Seaway at Morristown, NY which is one of the little towns we work in during the weekends. Amazing!

This is the Erie Canal which is right behind our apartment (less than a block away). Palmyra was considered the Queen of the Canal Towns in her hayday.

Most all my pictures are taken as "drivebys". I get some really funny ones with poles right in the way. Phil will say, "NOW" and then I will shoot and it's a gorgeous tree stump. It is amazing that we get as many good ones as we do.