About a year ago, I had a thought which turned into a dream and then a reality: to visit a remote place in Newfoundland with my seven children before my 80th birthday. My hoped-for destination was the village of Francois, where my ancestors, the Durnfords, first settled in the 1800s when they emigrated from England. So many stories, so much history! I desperately wanted my children to experience this important part of their family history.
There were many obstacles in our way, but when the desire to move forward is strong, the Lord opens the way. “Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment” (D&C 121:7). Indeed, there were small moments as each obstacle was overcome.
I wondered, how could we do it? My children live in Ohio, Utah, Texas, Alberta and Ontario. Filled with faith, I bought my plane ticket to Halifax, Nova Scotia and then said, “Who wants to go?” It was not long before six of my seven children were booking flights. I was thrilled and so excited!
The journey of a lifetime begins
This historical journey began on July 23, 2024, when we all safely arrived in Halifax. Family members opened their hearts and their doors. They arranged a marvellous “meet and greet” to see friends who knew my children in their childhood and teenage years. Friends who are like family flew from Ontario to attend, and more family members drove five and a half hours from Cape Breton to join in the reunion. We felt their love and appreciated their efforts to be with us.
On July 25, we excitedly continued our journey from Halifax to Newfoundland on the Marine Atlantic ferry. The captain of this ferry was Stanley Marsden, a second cousin once removed. We enjoyed a surprisingly smooth ocean crossing overnight. We did not doubt, and God did deliver us. (Alma 56:47)
After landing, we piled into a waiting van for the three-and-a-half-hour drive from Port Aux Basques to the port of Burgeo. As we drove, my children sang, and I felt blessed with a glimpse of heaven. I knew the week prior to our arrival, there had been a storm that washed out parts of the road, and travel had been blocked by a herd of over 200 caribou. I anticipated obstacles during our drive. But the day we travelled, the road was in good repair, and we saw only four young caribou. Truly, “Blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is he that has delivered us” (Alma 57:35).
The Lord is aware of our smallest needs
We faced our next obstacle in Burgeo. The ferry to Francois had room for only 40 passengers, and they did not allow reservations. We arrived on time and prayed for space for our family of seven. As soon as the ferry arrived, we made our way to the wharf. We saw other passengers loading their bags in preparation for the trip. We discovered we could board early and secure our seats before other passengers arrived. Surely, this was another tender mercy from our Heavenly Father.
We joyfully discovered that the captain was Brian Durnford and my second cousin! Heavenly Father watched over us as we made these two voyages with family members at the helm.
The ferry ride from Burgeo to Francois was four hours. We had felt prompted to bring rain gear, so despite the rain, we enjoyed the most majestic scenery as the excitement escalated for our arrival in Francois.
Home at last!
Francois is a village of approximately 65 people. There are no cars, and the only access is by ferry, or by helicopter for emergencies. As the ferry turned to the entrance of Francois harbour, I was filled with great joy to see this bit of heaven on earth - great cheers, tears and mile-wide smiles on all my children’s faces. After 22 hours of travel, we were warmly welcomed by our family. They had prepared a meal for us and three different places to stay. A family member had called from Nova Scotia to the only village grocery store and had the house stocked with eggs, bread, butter, bacon, cereal and milk. I am blessed by “the best cousins” who show their love in extraordinary ways.
Our dream visit was only three nights and two days in Francois, and the weather was perfect the entire time. We climbed hills, beheld marvellous vistas, explored a museum, chatted with family, and learned about our heritage. We took a boat ride to Chaleur Bay and saw otters, seals, birds and a massive salmon farm. My grandfather and great-grandfather built huge fishing schooners and fished the Grand Banks. Good lives were lived and lost on these waters.
The temple is the key to forever families
On Sunday, we visited the small Anglican Church in the village. There was no church service, but we were able to sit in the little chapel where aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents had sung, worshipped and then mourned. The sacredness of this chapel enveloped us as we sat on the benches and read the plaques identifying our ancestors. 7
Sacred time was also spent in the little cemetery. We climbed up wooden walkways, prayed and visited graves. Our hearts were touched as we read family names on gravestones. My children recognized these ancestors from having performed their temple ordinances. It was especially meaningful to me to see my children make these connections.
Francois is a little village on the water's edge of a hilly coastline. We went on many hikes that tested our climbing abilities. My children were vigilant in their watch-care over me as we challenged ourselves to take in all the village had to offer and the beauty of the surrounding vistas. As promised in Psalms 3:3, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me.” There were a few fly bites but no injuries. We prayed many times for safety, and I know the Lord heard our supplications. (Psalm 6:9).
Our family is united in love
We were sad as we left Francois and retraced our journey to Halifax. On the beach at Sandbank Provincial Park in Burgeo, I was introduced to my grandmother’s cousin. He told me his daughter had researched the family line. I reached out to her, and we exchanged information. There was a new discovery: Maria Bagg, who was my grandmother's youngest sister, previously unknown to me. I was blessed to find the “one” whose life I might bless, as encouraged by President Nelson.
Our family scripture is “having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another” (Mosiah 18:21). I have had a constant prayer that my children will feel this unity and love. I saw it manifested repeatedly throughout this once-in-a-lifetime family trip. I thank Heavenly Father for His constant care over me and mine. “His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me;” (Hymns, no. 1005).