First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my youngest child, Tami, on Friday. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and know how much I love and miss you. Have some cake for me!
This past week has been the coldest so far in Nauvoo for us. I know all of you are having snow and extremely cold temperatures, but for some reason Nauvoo is colder feeling because of the humidity. The wind and cold goes right thru you. Straight to the bones! I've even considered buying a hat to keep me warmer. Those that know me and my hair will be laughing right now, but its that cold! Maybe earmuffs will have to do.Today it's been snowing most of the day. It doesn't collect like in Utah because the wind just blows it away. It looks really pretty from my window, but don't ask me to go out too often.
Last Monday night we went to a real fun family home evening. Everyone brought a white elephant gift. I came home with a crock pot and Rudi got a lettuce spinner. I love the small crock pot but Rudi took the spinner which went to the missionary D.I. the next day. We took Christmas candy dishes filled with homemade English toffee. We found the dishes in a box of Christmas ornaments left by missionaries who have gone home. I thought some candy would make it more desirable, and it did! We also went to the Family Search Center and learned about how to research our relatives. Pres. McArthur then challenged all of us to find at least one person from our family ancestors that we could do the temple work for. Well guess where Rudi and I will be tomorrow on our P-day, yup, you're right researching our ancestors. Pres. McArthur promised us we'd have a much happier Christmas if we do this. Since I believe every word he says I'm going to give it my all. We also have to write about something spiritual that has happened to us in the last year that can be put in our family record. Wow, we need to get busy!
Tuesday night after our shift at the temple 12 couples went to Keokuk for dinner at an Italian restaurant Angelias. The food was great but the conversation was the best. These missionaries are so much fun and have had some very interesting experiences in their lives. We try to go to as many of the social outings that we can. You really get to know people better around a table with food on it.
I got to celebrate a little this week since I finally passed off all the temple parts. It feels so good to finally be of some good to the patrons and the other sisters. Rudi and I spend an hour on Tuesday morning helping each other learn the parts. I found a quiet place in the temple to study. We go to the nursery and sit in the rocking chairs. We hardly ever have children in the temple in the winter so it's a great place to sit and meditate and memorize. Rudi is going thru the, I'll never learn all this phase, that I just came out of. He'll get it but he just has to be patient and have a little faith.
I finally got cleared to be a follower in the temple. It took a few weeks because the presidency had to check with the higher ups to make sure I could do it properly because of my missing finger on my right hand. I was really surprised they questioned it at all. This is the first time in 67 years that anyone has ever told me I couldn't do something because of my finger. Our new temple presidency is being sure to dot all the "I's" and cross all the "T's". I completely understand and appreciate their thoroughness. I told the president that if I couldn't be a follower then I at least wanted a handicapped parking place. HaHaHa
Friday night was the Christmas in Old Nauvoo celebration. The temple missionaries worked late that night but we went down at about 8 p.m. and enjoyed hot chocolate and cider, cookies, yummy breads, relish platters, and cheese balls and crackers. They decorated all the sites and buildings including the streets. They put paper bags with lights inside them all the way down the old Nauvoo Main Street. It looked so festive. They had street carolers and of course the live nativity in the old Cultural Hall. It was so cold that night that everyone just ran from building to building to stay warm. We missed a lot but still felt of the spirit there. There was a sad incident that took away from the special night. One of the site missionaries was standing next to a large barrel with a fire in it to keep warm and her long period style dress caught on fire. Some of the people next to her threw her to the ground and put the fire out. Unfortunately she was burned pretty bad and the life flight helicopter was called in. She is at the burn center in Iowa City now. The saddest thing was that they were scheduled to go home today from their mission. We all feel so bad for her and her husband. They say she'll need plastic surgery and weeks in the burn center to heal properly.
Today we had another wonderful Sunday. After church I had choir practice and rushed home to get the meal ready for our neighbors across the street. I fixed apricot chicken with a ham fried rice. The neighbors brought tossed salad and dessert. I also made hot rolls. It was fun to get to know them better. We love just sitting around the table talking about our kids and where we live and past experiences. I don't seem to miss my family as much when I stay busy. Don't get me wrong I still think about my family and wish I could be with them but I'm gaining a new substitute family here.
The outside of the temple looks so pretty with all the garland and lights on the fence around it. I wish you could see and feel the spirit of Nauvoo. It really is something special! I honestly can say that we are so happy here and know that our families and friends are being blessed by our service.
This Christmas Spirit is spreading and very catchy. We hope and pray that you all will have a wonderful Christmas with your families and loved ones. You'll be in our hearts and minds.
Keep warm! We'll try not to freeze, but keep warm knowing all is well with you.
Love always,
Rudi and Kathy
Elder and Sister
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
This past week has been the coldest so far in Nauvoo for us. I know all of you are having snow and extremely cold temperatures, but for some reason Nauvoo is colder feeling because of the humidity. The wind and cold goes right thru you. Straight to the bones! I've even considered buying a hat to keep me warmer. Those that know me and my hair will be laughing right now, but its that cold! Maybe earmuffs will have to do.Today it's been snowing most of the day. It doesn't collect like in Utah because the wind just blows it away. It looks really pretty from my window, but don't ask me to go out too often.
Last Monday night we went to a real fun family home evening. Everyone brought a white elephant gift. I came home with a crock pot and Rudi got a lettuce spinner. I love the small crock pot but Rudi took the spinner which went to the missionary D.I. the next day. We took Christmas candy dishes filled with homemade English toffee. We found the dishes in a box of Christmas ornaments left by missionaries who have gone home. I thought some candy would make it more desirable, and it did! We also went to the Family Search Center and learned about how to research our relatives. Pres. McArthur then challenged all of us to find at least one person from our family ancestors that we could do the temple work for. Well guess where Rudi and I will be tomorrow on our P-day, yup, you're right researching our ancestors. Pres. McArthur promised us we'd have a much happier Christmas if we do this. Since I believe every word he says I'm going to give it my all. We also have to write about something spiritual that has happened to us in the last year that can be put in our family record. Wow, we need to get busy!
Tuesday night after our shift at the temple 12 couples went to Keokuk for dinner at an Italian restaurant Angelias. The food was great but the conversation was the best. These missionaries are so much fun and have had some very interesting experiences in their lives. We try to go to as many of the social outings that we can. You really get to know people better around a table with food on it.
I got to celebrate a little this week since I finally passed off all the temple parts. It feels so good to finally be of some good to the patrons and the other sisters. Rudi and I spend an hour on Tuesday morning helping each other learn the parts. I found a quiet place in the temple to study. We go to the nursery and sit in the rocking chairs. We hardly ever have children in the temple in the winter so it's a great place to sit and meditate and memorize. Rudi is going thru the, I'll never learn all this phase, that I just came out of. He'll get it but he just has to be patient and have a little faith.
I finally got cleared to be a follower in the temple. It took a few weeks because the presidency had to check with the higher ups to make sure I could do it properly because of my missing finger on my right hand. I was really surprised they questioned it at all. This is the first time in 67 years that anyone has ever told me I couldn't do something because of my finger. Our new temple presidency is being sure to dot all the "I's" and cross all the "T's". I completely understand and appreciate their thoroughness. I told the president that if I couldn't be a follower then I at least wanted a handicapped parking place. HaHaHa
Friday night was the Christmas in Old Nauvoo celebration. The temple missionaries worked late that night but we went down at about 8 p.m. and enjoyed hot chocolate and cider, cookies, yummy breads, relish platters, and cheese balls and crackers. They decorated all the sites and buildings including the streets. They put paper bags with lights inside them all the way down the old Nauvoo Main Street. It looked so festive. They had street carolers and of course the live nativity in the old Cultural Hall. It was so cold that night that everyone just ran from building to building to stay warm. We missed a lot but still felt of the spirit there. There was a sad incident that took away from the special night. One of the site missionaries was standing next to a large barrel with a fire in it to keep warm and her long period style dress caught on fire. Some of the people next to her threw her to the ground and put the fire out. Unfortunately she was burned pretty bad and the life flight helicopter was called in. She is at the burn center in Iowa City now. The saddest thing was that they were scheduled to go home today from their mission. We all feel so bad for her and her husband. They say she'll need plastic surgery and weeks in the burn center to heal properly.
Today we had another wonderful Sunday. After church I had choir practice and rushed home to get the meal ready for our neighbors across the street. I fixed apricot chicken with a ham fried rice. The neighbors brought tossed salad and dessert. I also made hot rolls. It was fun to get to know them better. We love just sitting around the table talking about our kids and where we live and past experiences. I don't seem to miss my family as much when I stay busy. Don't get me wrong I still think about my family and wish I could be with them but I'm gaining a new substitute family here.
The outside of the temple looks so pretty with all the garland and lights on the fence around it. I wish you could see and feel the spirit of Nauvoo. It really is something special! I honestly can say that we are so happy here and know that our families and friends are being blessed by our service.
This Christmas Spirit is spreading and very catchy. We hope and pray that you all will have a wonderful Christmas with your families and loved ones. You'll be in our hearts and minds.
Keep warm! We'll try not to freeze, but keep warm knowing all is well with you.
Love always,
Rudi and Kathy
Elder and Sister
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAMI!!! Dec. 13th
Strange cloud formation.
Sunset of the same clouds.
Squirrel with acorn in his mouth and in both paws. Must be hungry!
Foggy night at the temple. The fence is decorated with garland and ribbon. Love this picture, hate the cold!
Main Street in Nauvoo with Christmas decorations. Check out the car.
Kind of spooky looking in downtown Nauvoo.
Traci's Christmas present to us. There were 5 stars. They really make our cottage look Christmasy.
More glass stars and of course our trusty Tahoe.
More eagles on a clear day but frigid cold.
Christmas party in the Family Living Center in old Nauvoo. Good friends, the Willis's.
As usual it was beautiful and so festive!
Rudi in his favorite spot, at the kitchen table with his ipad.
Love our festive little tree in our cozy little cottage.
Still loving my Christmas present.
Temple with the nativity scene at the side. Really breathtaking!
Frozen log on the Mississippi River.
Slowly the river is freezing over. I would like to see it completely frozen but that means even colder temperatures. Burrrrrrr
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