Rudi and Kathy in Nauvoo: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it's almost 2014. So much happened in 2013 that I think I'm excited for the new year. Looking back on 2013 I'm so thankful that my health has improved. Last year at this time I was battling with Hemolytic Anemia and going through weekly chemo-like treatments. Then back surgery in January and total hip replacement in May. What a year of trials with my health. Glad all that is over and I feel so great now. Heavenly Father has blessed me so much and the only way I can replay him is to live worthy of his love for me. I know that this mission would not have been possible without his help and my desire to be here.
Everyday I count my many blessings and try my hardest in the temple to do my best in serving the patrons and my fellow temple missionaries.

I think the highlight of the year was when we finally got our mission call to Nauvoo. Everything has been wonderful since then. We hated saying goodby to our family and friends. I cried all the way to the Utah state line before we entered Wyoming. I know Rudi thought I was crazy but I was so emotional that morning when our entire family came to our house to send us off. They brought breakfast and presents and tons of hugs and kisses for us. I'll never forget their love and concern for us on that Sunday morning.
You'd think I was never going to see them again. Hopefully we'll be seeing them this summer when they ALL come to Nauvoo to visit. The invitation is open to any of our friends also.

Our first of two Christmases in Nauvoo was wonderful thanks to all the sweet homesick missionaries that rallied around all of us. We had a lot of parties, dinners and activities to help keep our minds off our families at home. Thanks to our wonderful children and grandkids our Christmas Eve was very special. We face timed them during their annual Christmas Eve party at Tiffini's home. We got to talk to all of them personally. We also had a very humbling experience thanks to Troy and Kristin. Troy emailed us a few days before Christmas and asked us to email him our testimonies, especially about the Nauvoo Temple. That night Rudi and I put together our thoughts and quickly emailed them to Troy. Kristin then bought pictures of the Nauvoo Temple for everyone and put our testimony on the back of the picture. Troy then read our testimonies while we were face timing to everyone. It was a tear jerker for us. Hopefully our family will always have that picture and our testimony to remind them of our love for them and our temple mission. Thanks again Troy for your wonderful idea.

Before we talked to our family on Christmas Eve we went on a hay wagon to the Red Barn in Fort Madison for a non-demonational program. It was very nice but freezing cold outside! I didn't think my feet would ever unthaw. After the hay ride we went to Sister Dewey's for a Mexican dinner. The food was yummy and the missionaries were fun as usual.
On Christmas Day we went for breakfast at the Terry's place and had the best apple pancakes and homemade syrup. The Hollands were there also. Really nice people. Bro. Holland had cancer a few years back. He hasn't been feeling well and is going through some tests to see if it has returned. We're all praying that he'll be O.K. We serve with them on the social committee so we know them quit well.
That afternoon we had a huge Christmas Dinner for all the site and temple missionaries. The cultural hall at the church was decorated so beautifully. The ceiling was covered in white twinkle lights. I can't get over how elaborate all the dinners and socials are. Of course then I realize that almost all of the sisters here have been ward and stake R.S. presidents, Y.W. leaders and just plan wonderful organized people. They keep me on my toes. Don't think we have a huge budget because we don't have a penny to work with. Everyone brings food and the decorations are made of tree limbs and acorns and sprayed berries etc. It was fantastic what they come up with to make the tables just sparkle. Traci will back me up on this fact since she was here for our Thanksgiving Dinner.

By Thursday we were ready to go back to work at the temple. Friday I was assigned to guide a young sister taking her endowments out. I've never been trained to be a guide yet so I questioned the shift coordinator and told her I had no idea what was required of me. She didn't seem to be nervous or concerned that I needed any special help. I wished I could've been as calm as she was. After about 10 minutes of instructions and a You'll do just fine, I went to work. What a wonderful experience I had with her. She's been going to school at B.Y.U. for the last 2 years and is now going on a mission to Vera Cruz Mexico. She was so darling and her mom was delighted to have me there to help. I told her that I'd be with her all day and she didn't need to worry about a thing. It was such a special day. When I helped in the initiatory part of her process I did it perfectly. I was so surprised especially since the wording is a little different in own endowment initiatory. It was also very touching when I assisted her at the veil. She just looked at me with those big brown eyes and counted on me to get her through this last and most important part of the endowment. After I waited for her in the celestial room to greet her parents she came up to me and said that I was like the angel in It's a Wonderful Life; always there to help her and assist her in any way possible. At the end of the day I felt so wonderful and full of happiness that I was able to assist her in such an important part of her eternal progression. That's what temple missions are all about. Loving the patrons and serving with kindness. I do love my mission!

Rudi and I have been actively trying to get the temple work done for some of our ancestors. We've both done endowments for some of Rudi's ancestors. Our four oldest grandkids are doing baptisms and confirmations on some of my ancestors. We really appreciate their help. Hopefully by summer when our family comes we will have more names ready for all the family to do temple work.

Today was busy as usual being Sunday. I taught the Sunday School lesson on The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Scary experience but so glad it is over. I know I learned the most and that's how it always is for me. The one thing that I learned from this lesson was what I always say to my kids, I want them all at my table in Heaven, no empty seats. I hope and pray that all of my family knows of my love for them.

After church I had choir practice. Rudi was a sweet husband today and got all the table ready for our dinner company. We had the Wade's and the Willis's over for a ham dinner with all the fixings. Yes, Ellie, I made creamed potatoes. She's always begging me to make creamed potatoes at home for Sunday dinner. Wish you were here to finish up the left overs. Miss you as a shui chef to help me.

Josh and Ethan you have nothing up on Grandpa. Today I passed the sacrament in Sacrament meeting. Since we don't have any young deacons, they have to use us old guys to do your work. It was good to get back to basics and do the really important stuff in our church. Nothing more important than the sacrament.

I hope none of you missed that sweet husband stuff above. Grandma and I are having a great time here.
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your families. Thanks so much for all the cards and pictures.

We wish you a healthy and happy New Year.

With love always,

Elder and Sister Diederich
Rudi and Kathy
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma