Canada is 150 years old Today!!!

Happy Birthday to Canada!!!  150 years ago, on July 1st, 1867, Canada became a country.  If we were home, we would participate in big celebrations.  But we will celebrate quietly here in Nairobi.

LeRon and I remember celebrating Canada's 100th in 1967.  I was finished Grade 10 and LeRon was finished Grade 8 (yes, I'm a year older but two years older in school).  We learned a new song called Canada.  You can hear it at  <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18-oRTLIe3I>.  It was a cool song that we loved.  I encourage you to listen to it and watch the pictures of life in Canada then.

Just a bit of history . . . Before Canada became a country in 1867, it was ruled at times by both the British and the French.  The British won out and so we became a British colony and in fact still see England’s Queen Elizabeth as our official Head of State and we are still part of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Back in 1867, when Canada became its own country, there were only a few Europeans, a few Americans, lots of Indians (whom we now call First Nations), many fur traders, and thousands of buffalo (very different from the African Buffalo).

The province of Alberta, where we come from, became part of Canada in 1905.  But before that, in 1887, our Church President, John Taylor, sent settlers into what became known as Alberta.  Charles Ora Card was sent up from Utah and started the town of Cardston.  One of his great-great-grandsons, Elder Card from Cardston, is now serving in our Kenya Nairobi Mission.  (We also have Canadians Elder Coombs, Elder Le Cheminant, and Elder Wilson).  Lots of Mormon settlers went from Utah into Alberta, including the grandparents of both Elder Torrie and me.   

In 1913, the Cardston, Alberta Temple was announced, but due to World War I, it wasn’t completed until 1923.  It is the oldest temple outside of the US.  We love our temple.  Elder Torrie and I were baptistry workers for three years before we came on this mission.  It will be so great when the Nairobi temple is built in the coming years.  There are now 155 temples worldwide and there will be more.

Another bit of Canadian trivia . . . did you know that in 1812, Canadian troops burned down the White House during the War of 1812?  Well, actually, they were British troops since there were no Canadians yet!  Hope the Americans won't hold that against us!

For Canada's 150th anniversary, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Music and the Spoken Word, has produced a special in commemoration.  It's very nice with beautiful music as well as the spoken word.  You can access it at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8ncF0k71V8.

Happy Birthday, Canada!  I'm so glad to be a Canadian and grateful to live in a free country and to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I'm grateful to be serving on this mission and to be with my wonderful companion, LeRon, 24/7!!!