Snow, Transfers, and Constitution Hall

 It has been a very COLD week.  We had snow twice during the week.  Once for 13 inches and then yesterday 2 more inches.  We had so much salt on our car that we gave it a shower Friday night, only to have it look ugly again.  The photo above was taken on our way home from Reading, PA.  On Wed. we got a call that 2 Elders had been on a teaching assignment and got out of their car and walked across the street only to discover they had dropped their car keys somewhere between.  So Wednesday we took a trip to Reading to take them another set of keys.  2 very fine Elders and we enjoyed hearing of their testimony and joy of missionary work over lunch.  On the way home we took a different route and saw these nuclear generators.  Due to the weather, we have had an extra prayer in our hearts for the safety of our missionaries.

 6 missionaries went home this week.  We honored them at a dinner Monday night.  It is always a special opportunity to hear their matured testimonies before they return home.  Tuesday early am they headed back to SLC.  The 4 new missionaries from the MTC, however, were not able to fly from SLC to Philly that same day.  The flights were cancelled.  Wednesday we were to have transfers, but all roads in New Jersey and Delaware were closed except for emergency vehicles and anyone who ventured out would be ticketed.  SO, Wednesday late afternoon the new missionaries arrived and Thursday morning we had transfers.  The photo above is all those affected by the transfer--about 160.  It was great fun to watch the missionaries renew their friendships, be so excited to find out who their new companion would be and then head off to their new locations.  One trainer was heard to say "I think maybe it would be a good idea if we had the address of our apartment--we do not know where we are going."  This whole transfer meant that the service elders had to take all of the luggage to the elders and sisters who ride public transportation--they cannot take suitcases on the bus.  Elder Jones was so organized that he even had maps of which luggage to drop off when to avoid traveling any more than necessary.

 Saturday is our P-day.  Elder Jones planned to help a senior couple move in by delivering their furniture, but the snow made renting a trailer and traveling to downtown Philly better off postponed.  So we went with 5 others to Constitution hall and enjoyed the displays and interactive education available.  Then we had dinner at what was the pub where the founding fathers supped.  We got to see Washington's private dining room and the servers were dressed in colonial attire.

This is Elder Jones being sworn in.  Since being in Philadelphia we have noticed that very many people here have candles in their windows.  At Christmastime especially this was the case, but many keep the candle there all year round.  I have asked before the significance of it, but yesterday I got my answer while watching a film on colonial life.  During the forming of the Constitution not all colonials were in favor of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution that was in process.  If you were in favor, you burned a candle in your window to identify your desire for independence and your support of the constitution.  We are so blessed to be here and to be able to learn more about our heritage!  It really did take courage to support the founding fathers and their documents.