Once in a Lifetime Experience

We ventured back from Montreal on Friday and went to Peterborough.

The newly created Young Women Camp to be named the Thomas S. Monson Camp was to be dedicated on Saturday by President Thomas S. Monson and acccompanied by his daughter Ann Dibbs, 2nd Counselor in the General Young Women Presidency.

Sign leading off of the main road

Daisies growing everywhere...

When we arrived it was overcast but no rain. Cars were having to park in a nearby farmer's field and school buses were used to shuttle us closer to the camp site.

Our friend Katie Smith was our "chauffeur"

We managed to get pretty good spots to set up our folding chairs. Up front we saw Andrew who had arrived with his sister-in-law's children.

When the program began it seemed we had torrential rain as we sang "Oh Canada" and the Scout banner parade occurred and raising of the flag.

For the first few sepakers from President Ed Baxter who spearheaded the camp acquisition and development, Sister Barb Murphy, a service missionary with her husband assigned to the camp, musical numbers from 150 Young Women from the Region, Sister Ann Dibbs, umbrellas were covering as many people as possible.

Then just before President Monson was to speak, the rain literally stopped. He spoke of his love for Canada and the fun experiences he had as a boy with leaders and camping. Following his remarks he gave the dedicatory prayer.

President Thomas S. Monson addressing all present

Irene slowly going forward to President Monson

Mom is shaking President Monson's hand

Mission accomplished!

Many went forward to meet and shake hands with President Monson. Mom went forward with a message from Oma to say "hello". When she got close she asked him, "Do you remember Bob and Janey de Boer, the Dutch couple who had missionaries in their home?" He looked down at her and pointed at her and said, "On Warden Avenue!" He has an amazing memory.

Then he looked at Mom and said "You've all grown up now." She would have been about 3 years old when President Monson, then mission president of the Canada Toronto Mission would have visited their home on Warden Avenue.

We connected with all kinds of friends we haven't seen in a while and then we drove the 6 plus hours home.