MISSIONARY HOMECOMING (May 7, 2015)

One last email to complete our missionary adventures.  Please bear with me as I tie up all the lose ends of our arrival home and our homecoming.

We left Nauvoo on March 27th, Friday, and arrived home in Orem on March 31s, after spending a few days in Gillette, Wyoming with our daughter Tami, and her family.  What a wonderful experience to see them after 18 long months.  The kids had really grown up.  They have a beautiful apartment in a really nice area of Gillette.

We pulled into Orem around 5:00 p.m. after Rudi had to stop and wash the car before we could go to our place.  I about died with anticipation to see the rest of the family.  We were greeted with banners, balloons, posters and tons of hugs and kisses from all seventeen of our family.  Lots of tears of joy to see our dear family.

The next week was spent in St. George with all of them during spring break catching up on all we've missed while gone.  So much fun and noise.  We aren't use to the confusion that all the grandkids can make,  but it sounded wonderful to us.  We enjoyed swimming, hiking, playing games, putting puzzles together and just visiting.

Our homecoming was on April 26th.  After many hours of yard work and putting the house together, planning the food for a lot of people and preparing our talks we were tired and ready for some relaxation.  But we haven't stopped long enough to rest,YET!

We're trying to go to the temple every week.  So far we've been to the Ogden, St.George, Mount Timpanogoes, three times and the Provo Temples.  We are amazed at how crowded they are compared to the Nauvoo Temple.  What a wonderful problem!

We really are enjoying family and friends here at home but miss our beloved Nauvoo and dear missionary friends there.  Part of our hearts will always remain in Nauvoo.  We look forward to going back to visit, hopefully very soon!

We want our children and grandchildren to know how much we appreciate their support and love of us while we were gone.  They watched over our homes and yard with tender loving care.  It all looked so great when we arrived.  We couldn't ask for better kids with wonderful and adorable grandchildren.  We hope and pray that our example of serving a mission will encourage them to want to serve.  The blessings that come from service is hard to explain, but we know we were watched over and protected while we were gone.  Both Rudi and I received medical miracles while in Nauvoo.  We will remain grateful for our blessings of health and strength. We also know that our family was protected while we were gone.  There was never a day that all of their names were not put on the prayer rolls of the temple.  I have a strong testimony of the faith and prayers of all who attend the temple in blessing my family.  I continue to put their names on the prayer rolls of the temples that I attend.  Hopefully all my family will live up to that special blessing.

Well, dear family and friends it's been a joy to share our mission with you.  I hope in the near future all these emails will be compiled into a book that my family will treasure as much as we will.  Thanks to Tiffini, our daughter for her endless hours of effort to make sure this book is compiled.

Our love and appreciation to you all for your continued support of us.  We will remain forever, "The Nauvoo Missionaries".

Rudi and Kathy Diederich

Rudi and I after our homecoming talks.  So great to meet and greet our family and friends at our home.

Some of our special people enjoying the food  and fun.  Thanks Jacqueline and Aunt Arlene for coming so far to our homecoming.  Aunt Arlene it's all your fault my make-up was smeared!  You are such a special aunt to me and I love you dearly.

 More food pictures!  What's a party without food.

 So many people crowded into our kitchen and dining room.  Too bad the weather didn't cooperate so we could be out around the pool.  So good to see the Moller's from Idaho.

 Mark and Myrt Gehring came over to visit.  Thanks for your continued support on our mission.  What a great picture of a beautiful couple!

  Aunt Shirley even came from Bountiful to our meeting and over to the house.  So good to see her and Aunt Arlene and Uncle Don.  They made me cry when I saw them at the church, I had no idea they were coming.

Steve Halladay and Margarete Diamond.  Special family members who came to support us.

 My brother Ron and his wife Cindy and their daughter Tienna and her newest adorable kids along with Kristin who loves all children.

 Ethan our grandson and two of Paul and Linda Bingham's grandsons.

 Our  diva  granddaughters Ainsley and Addie.  Too cute and so grown up now.

 Four of our five granddaughters.  Addie, Ellie, Ainsley, and Tieler.  Too bad Callie couldn't be here with her family.  They live in Gillette, Wyoming.  Too far to come.  They were missed!

 Our future missionary grandsons.  From left to right:  Carson, Caden, Ethan, Joshua, Logan and Jensen.  Missing one grandson, Brody who lives in Gillette.

More mingling and munching.  I think everyone got plenty to eat, I hope!

 Happy grandma with two of her daughters and one granddaughter.  Love them so much!  Addie, Tiffini, mom, and Traci.

 What a good looking son I have!  Kristin you will always be my favorite daughter-in-law.  Troy, thanks for marrying such a wonderful woman.

 Ellie and Traci, what would we do without you!  They make a great team!  So beautiful and always helping me stay on the right track.

 Grandpa and Grandma with Miss Sunshine, Ellie.  Thanks for all the cheer you brought us on our mission.

 Great friends, Ken and Donna Biberston.  They may live in Boise, Idaho now, but still will remain forever friends.

My favorite sister, Rosey , and her husband Steve.  Thank you for always being there to be my mom and confidant.  What would life be like without a wonderful sister like you?

 Tieler, our oldest grandchild found a place to curl up and crash after a day of festivities.  What a cutie, even when she's asleep.

 Jeff, our son-in-law finding a place to crash after chasing his three kids all day.  What a great sport he is, and so much fun!

 Ammon and Tienna at the homecoming.  So appreciate them coming to support us.

 Elfriede, and Laura catching up on the latest news.  Two special ladies who mean a lot to us.  Thanks for all your love and support of us.

ON OUR WAY HOME!!! (March 29, 2015)

Thoughts for the week: I got these from a fellow missionary in Nauvoo.

"I'm sorry I upset you for calling you stupid.  I thought you already knew."

"Those who think they are perfect are a nuisance to those of us who are."

Yes, we are finally on our way home!  We said our final goodbyes Friday morning after eating breakfast at the Terry's.  We couldn't resist having apple pancakes one last time.  The Terry's have been great friends to us and have made his famous pancakes many times for us.  They leave Nauvoo in May and live in St. George so I'm sure we'll see them again.

Just as we were locking the door to our cottage Sister Dalling came running up to give us a finally hug.  I'm so exhausted from the emotional feelings you have in saying goodbye. I needed to just get in the car and go before the flood gate of tears started all over again.  I love her so much and will miss her as my backdoor neighbor.  Her and her husband are moving into our cottage next week.

I best back track to Monday night.  We had a wonderful FHE with all the missionaries.  Bro. and Sis. Marriott told us about their trip to Israel.  He's a professional photographer so he took over 4,000 pictures and condensed them into a 45 minute video and narration.  It was so interesting and brought back many memories of our trip to the Holy Lands.

After the presentation Pres. McArthur called Rudi and I up to say a few words before we depart our mission.  It was so hard to look at all those dear missionaries who have become such close friends and say goodbye. Of course I sobbed and Rudi even choked up at the end of his remarks.  He really is a softy inside.  Then they all sang our mission song, 'Go Now In Peace', that's when the water works really broke.  It was tortuous, but special.  That was just the start of a week of goodbyes with the local missionaries.  They're the ones that we hate to say farewell to because we probably won't see them again.  I told Rudi I felt a road trip coming on to return in a year or so to see them.

Tuesday was a wonderful day in the temple.  I followed the 10:00 session. It was amazing to have 56 in the session and 20 more were asked to do sealings or initiatory.  Our endowment rooms only hold 48, so it was crowded but special to see so many patrons on a session before I go home.  It felt like summer!

On Wednesday Rudi and I got to officiate and follow two sessions that day.  It was so special to serve with Rudi one day a week.  All the shift coordinators wanted us to have one last chance to serve together.

Thursday was our final day in the temple.  Everyone was hugging us and wishing us a safe trip home.  As we left the temple for the last time I turned around and thought I hope I get to serve in another temple very soon.  I'll miss this special experience of serving in Joseph's Temple.

In between our morning and afternoon shifts on Wednesday Rudi and I had pictures taken of us around Nauvoo.  We decided to wear pioneer clothes to remind us of our pioneer heritage.  Tom Simpson, a local temple worker, and owner of a  photo studio took our pictures.  If I send another email I will include some of the pictures.  They turned out pretty good!

Thursday we spent most of the afternoon packing the car.  Rudi really did a great job getting all our stuff into the back of the car.  Thanks to our new car top carrier we got all our clothes inside it and gave us enough room in back to get our other stuff in.
We couldn't fit a piece a paper inside after we closed the doors.

So many of our friends dropped by on Thursday afternoon and evening to bring us goodies to eat on the way.  I swear we're going to roll home if we don't stop eating.  Pres. and Sister McArthur came by and wished us well on our journey.  They said when we get feeling lonely for Nauvoo just think of our grandkids who are so excited to have us home.

Pres. McArthur gave us our exit interview on Wednesday night.  He was so complementary of us and all we accomplished while serving in Nauvoo.  He asked us to tell him what made our mission so special. He literally took notes and seemed so interested in all we said.  He finally closed the interview with a wonderful prayer.  He truly is an inspired man doing his very best to meet the needs of the Nauvoo Temple.  We will miss him and hope to see more of him in St. George when he gets home in 18 months.

We drove all the way from Nauvoo to Wall, South Dakota on Friday.  About 12 hours!  We were really tired when we arrived there.  The next morning we got up early and had breakfast at the Wall Drug Store.  It was great to check out the store, but excited to get on the road and get to Tami's in Gillette, Wyoming.

We arrived about 11:30 in Gillette on Saturday morning.  It was so great to see Tami's family and give them big hugs and kisses.

After lunch with them at Old Chicago Pizza we went to the store and bought all the makings for a roast beef dinner on Sunday.  Tami and the kids wanted some of their favorites.  That night Tami, Callie and I went to the Women's Conference.  We so enjoyed the meeting and then went to get frozen yogurt after.  Love being with my girls again.

Sunday morning we meet them to go to church.  They have a beautiful new building.  We meet the bishop and found out his parents are Del and Francis Anderson.  They were temple president in the Mount Timpanogoes Temple.  What a small world!  We attended all three meetings, which were very well prepared and then came home to fix our dinner.  It turned out pretty good.

Rudi and I are staying in the Arbuckle Lodge Hotel.  It's beautiful and it has a big bathtub.  I think I've died and gone to heaven!  I haven't had a soak in a tub for 18 months.  It felt so good, can't wait to get back to my tub at home.

I almost feel sad that this is my last missionary email.  I hope I haven't bored you too much with my rambling, but I'm glad I've saved some of my mission experiences.  I hope our grandchildren will remember our service and want to serve also someday.

Thank you for all your love and support throughout our mission.  We are so blessed to have such a great family and friends.  We love you all and look forward to seeing you soon.

Many of you have asked when we will be speaking in sacrament.  It's on April 26th at 9:00 a.m.  We'd love to see you all.  Sorry I haven't responded to your latest emails.  We've been very busy and we returned our modem to  Mediacom on Tuesday.  Thanks for all your sweet comments.  I'll miss getting them also.  Remember I love to talk on the phone, so call me often when we return.

With mixed emotions but a happy hearts we sign off.  We have no regrets, just a lot of wonderful memories of our experience in Nauvoo.

Rudi and Kathy (forever in love with Nauvoo)

Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.

All the murals on the walls are made of corn cobs and husks.  Really interesting, too bad it was closed for repairs so we couldn't go inside.

Rudi with his new girlfriend at Wall's Drug Store.  Remember you're still a missionary Rudi!

Kathy's new love.  What's that hanging from his mouth?  Opps, I'm still a missionary too!

So much fun taking pictures in Wall's Drug Store.  It's the largest drug store in the world.

Hang on, the ride is a little bumpy.  Crazy people who wear those badges.

Finally with some of my grandkids.  We've waited a long time to see Callie and Brody, Tami's kids.  They've grown up so much!

So great to see Tami and Dan's apartment.  Really nice, but the people inside are the best thing.

Grandma needs lots of hugs from her family.  I've missed them so much!

At Sweet Frog's eating yogurt after the Women's Conference Saturday night.  Love being with the girls.  Great conference!

In front of Wall's Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota.  We spent the night there after traveling from Nauvoo that morning.

FAREWELL NAUVOO!!! (March 23, 2015)

Thoughts for the week:

"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the Devil says, "Oh crap, She's Up."

"Silence is golden, unless you have a toddler.  In that case, silence is very, very suspicious."

"As a kid I think I ate too many Rice Krispies.   Now all my body does is snap, crackle and pop."

"If robbers ever broke into my house and searched for money I'd just laugh and search with them."

"If you're not Challenged, you don't Change."

"Women might not be able to find their keys, purse, or shoes....But they can remember something you said eight months ago."

Well, it's finally arrived, our last week in Nauvoo.  Last week was such a whirlwind of activities and memorable events that I don't know where to start.  I guess at the very beginning....

Last Monday on March 16th we began the morning with the annual reenactment of the Relief Society.  All the missionary sisters dressed in period clothes and rode in wagons from the visitors center to the Old Red Brick Store where the first R.S. was held.  Last year that ride in the wagon was freezing cold, but this year we didn't even wear sweaters.  It was a beautiful day in the 70's.  We enjoyed a wonderful program depicting what happened on that memorable day.  Joseph Smith and his counselors, Emma and her counselors along with many other sisters portrayed the actual events that took place.  It was very touching, with beautiful songs and the actual words that were spoken on that memorable morning.

Later on that afternoon all the temple missionaries got together for a bar-b-q.  We all brought our own meat and other sides to go with it.  So much fun and lots of homemade root beer.

That night we got back in our period clothes(clothes they wore during the time the saints were in Nauvoo) and went to watch 'Rendezvous' at the Old Cultural Hall.  So glad we got to see that production one last time before we leave.  Then all of us went upstairs and danced on the same floor that Joseph and Emma danced on so many years ago.  It was so fun doing the long ago dances like the Virginia Reel, Left foot in left foot out dance, and waltzing.  A huge day with so many activities that will always be remembered.

On Wednesday all the missionaries surprised us with a surprise going away luncheon at one of our favorite restaurants in Fort Madison, Chaung Garden.  There were over forty people there.  It was so fun to spend time laughing and enjoying each other's company.  We're going to miss these special people so much!

Thursday was another busy day.  After serving in the temple we drove with the Dallings to meet the Melton's in Peoria for dinner at Alexanders.  We couldn't leave this area without  eating once more at that great steak restaurant.  Along way to go for dinner but well worth it. Gary and Robin Melton have become our dear friends and we'll miss them so much.  So glad she has kids in Utah and comes out at least once a year to visit them.  I hope to spend more time with her.

Still more parties and of course more eating.  Pres. and Sister Hansen had us over for dinner on Friday night.  They are the new counselor and matron in the temple.  What sweet people they are.  She fixed a wonderful dinner and we spent three hours just talking and laughing and enjoying their sweet spirit.  Oh, so many memories being made.  So hard to think it's coming to an end.

We worked our last early, early morning shift at the temple on Saturday.  We work a double shift on that day and are so tired by the end of the day.  From 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then back that night a 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Rudi and I got to officiate and follow one of the sessions that night.  I tried so hard to make mental memories of sharing that special experience with Rudi in my mind.  Hopefully this coming week we'll have another opportunity to work together on a session.  In between our shifts we went on a tour of the Willard Richard's Bed and Breakfast home which is just through the block from us.  What a beautiful restored house.  The Simpson's who are temple workers are the Inn Keepers.  He is also a professional  photographer and is going to take some pictures of us today before we leave.

Now to Sunday!  Off to Canton at eight a.m. We spoke in sacrament meeting today.  That alone is very stressful for us.  We had sort of a rerun of what happened at our farewell.  The Primary Pres. Sister Smallwood spoke first.  She gave a wonderful 25 minute talk, leaving 15 to 20 minutes for us to speak.  Rudi and I had both timed our talks at 15 minutes each.  Once again Rudi was short changed!  Of course he didn't mind but for sure he's speaking first at our welcome home meeting.  We both felt good about our talks but very excited to have them over.  Rudi gave a wonderful talk on the importance of the temple and I spoke on, By small and simple things, great things can come to pass.  Rudi even teared up at the end when he bore his testimony.  I had a hard time holding back the tears through my whole talk.  I'm just a boob!  The branch was so loving and kind in their  remarks after the meeting.  We gave our final lesson in our temple prep class.  It's been such a growth for us to meet each week with these thirsty people of the gospel truths.  Saying goodbye to them was by far the hardest thing to do so far.  We hope and pray that those couples so close to entering into the temple will complete their eternal journey.  Most of them are just waiting for the appropriate time that they must wait after baptism or marriage to enter the temple.

After a teary goodbye to the branch we once again went to Gary and Robin Melton's for a delicious chicken dinner with all the trimmings. Robin is an outstanding cook and went overboard for us.  In just one week we shared three dinners with these wonderful people.  So glad the Dallings were there to keep the missionary spirit going on.  We're going to miss Gary and Robin so very, very much.  I know I keep saying that about everyone and everything but that's what happens on missions.  We come and we go!  Unfortunately!!!

We were home just 30 minutes and out the door to go to the Visitor Center to watch the newly released movie, 'The Cokeville Miracle'. It was fantastic!  We recommend it to everyone to see when it comes out in June.  For some reason we get to preview a lot of L.D.S. movies way before they arrive in the  theaters.  Rudi says we're just special, but in this case the principal of the school in the movie was a site missionary here in Nauvoo last summer and he and his wife were there also and gave their feelings on the movie.  T.C. Christensen the director and man responsible for the movie coming to the screen was there also.  He gave us the background and insights into the making of the movie.  Watch for it to come to theaters in the intermountain west in June.  It seriously was one of the most touching shows I've ever seen.  He also worked on the movies 'Seventeen Miracles', and 'Ephrium's Rescue' and many other L.D.S. releases.  It's a tear jerker for sure!!!

Well, I'm exhausted just writing about this past weeks activities and experiences so I'm sure all of you are tired of reading my book length email.  Some of you have asked if I'll continue sending emails after we get home.  The answer is NO!  My missionary book will be closed until another mission comes along.  I've loved sharing my thoughts and memories of the best mission in the church but my life in the real world isn't as fascinating as serving a mission.  We're looking forward to new and exciting events that await us when we return home.  Being with our family and and friends will consume our time and interests, but our love for Joseph's City of Nauvoo will always remain a highlight of our life.

I think I'll have one last email next week to write to finish up this week.  Hopefully I'll find time to write it while visiting Tami and her family in Gillette.  Pray for good weather for our trip home.  We woke up to rain here and snow up North.

Have a great week I know we will!  We love and appreciate all of your prayers, and support in our behalf.

Rudi and Kathy ( trunky missionaries)

Getting ready to ride by horse and wagon to the Red Brick Store to commemorate the organization of the Relief Society.

Bump, bump we're on our way to the store where the R.S. was organized on the second floor.  So much fun!

Interior of the wagon.  Everyone dressed in period clothes for that day.

All of us at the Red Brick Store.  Don't we look cute in our pioneer dresses?

Inside the store.  To bad I forgot my purse, I could've done some major damage.

Susan Dalling and myself inside the store.  She's so tiny and cute.  She makes the dress look great.  Overlook the other lady.  The dress doesn't do much for me or should I say I don't do much for the dress!

More pictures in front of the store.  From L. to R. Sister Rick's, Smith, me, Dalling and Hendricks.

Pres. and Sister McArthur.  He was the only man allowed on the wagon.

That afternoon at a bar-b-que for all the temple missionaries.  It was so warm that day we couldn't resist.  I think it was 70 degrees.

More shots of happy missionaries enjoying the warm weather and each other.

Bro. Dalling mixing the homemade root beer.  Very serious job!

Bro. and Sis. Marriott and Pace.  So many wonderful missionaries!

Later that night we enjoyed dancing at the Old Cultural Hall.  Check out the temple in the window.  Really fun dance.  Remember we danced last year on this floor where Joseph and Emma danced.

All the missionaries waltzing around.  We're in the right upper corner.  Good looking bunch of old people having a wonderful time.

One more picture of our ride to the store.  Love seeing the temple in the background.

Farewell luncheon for us at the Chuong Garden Chinese Resturant  in Fort Madison with the missionaries.
Love all these people so much and will miss them.

The basket we took to the Canton Branch today.  We had two baskets filled to the brim.

Rudi relaxing after returning from Canton and speaking in sacrament. A stressful but wonderful day.

Yes, we're packing up and getting ready to return home.  What a mess!

No place to even sit at the table.  Not sure if everything is going to fit in the car.

Dinner with the Melton's, and Dalling's in Peoria at our favorite restaurant, Alexanders.  A long way to go for a great steak dinner, but well worth it!