IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS IN NAUVOO!!!

 



Well its December 1st and time to start thinking about Christmas.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and are all home safely. We had such a fun time with Traci here for a week. She really brightened our holiday and brought so much from home. Thanks to my sweet family our Christmas tree is decorated with beautiful picture ornaments of our 12 grandchildren. We found a 41/2 foot tree in our storage unit that a former missionary left here, so we snagged it and brought it home. It's perfect for our little cottage. Traci helped me get it up and decorated so we have the Christmas spirit already. Rudi also gave me my early Christmas present, the beautiful Queen Anne's Lace nativity set. I absolutely love it and will cherish it throughout the years. It will always remind me of Nauvoo and the unique Queen Anne's flower that grows wild here.

Last week was so busy with Traci here. She wanted to spend the whole day in the temple with us. What a special experience we had with her. We started off by doing a session with her. Rudi and I were the witness couple so that made it extra nice. Having her sit next to me was such a special feeling.
Next I was assigned to initiatory. Usually a patron only does five names but Traci got to do fifteen names that day. Rudi and I were then needed in sealings so Traci went with us. It was so cute when the sealer asked her if she would act as our daughter. Needless to say he didn't know she was our daughter in real life. We got a kick out of that! Traci commented that she now knows why I am so tired when I get home from the temple. Try doing that 5 times a week. We love it!

Rudi and Traci spent a lot of time going to the Nauvoo sites. It was so cold that I opted out of being in the cold so much. I went to a few, but they had fun bonding and walking in the cold. I'm always cold and don't need a cold or anything to keep me from the temple.

We went to Carthage and Burlington one day. We also saw two movies while she was here. Traci had just finished reading the book, "The Book Thief, so we decided to go see the movie. I recommend it highly. It's about a girl in Germany during World War ll. German relatives you'd enjoy it and relate to a lot of her experiences.

On Thanksgiving day we ate dinner with about 200 missionaries. The food was so good and tons of it. Even homemade rolls and pies. I was assigned the relish trays so you know I had to do something different, so I made turkey relish trays. Everyone said they didn't want to mess them up. I told them to ruffle the feathers and dig in. Everyone loved them! It seemed so odd not to be making pies, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls etc.

Traci and I really had fun trying some new recipes out. To eat out we have to go about 20 minutes or so. Thus I cook a lot more than at home.

I hope my family is enjoying the homemade caramels I sent home with Traci! Love to make them for them.

Thanks family for the wonderful book of our cruise to Europe this summer. It brought back so many wonderful memories.

Today being Fast Sunday we enjoyed the testimonies of such spiritual giants. This place really makes you grateful that you get to rub shoulders with so many great examples of good. During Priesthood and Relief Society we had another testimony meeting just for the temple missionaries. Once again a spiritual feast. Love these people and their strong testimonies.

After church we had our annual winter picture of all the temple missionaries on the steps of the temple. I can't wait to get a copy. Then we had the break the fast dinner at the Hollands. It was so nice and delicious. Everyone brings something so it's easy and fun to relax and just laugh and talk. We're getting to know so many new people and loving them all. I took my Cherry Cream Cake for them to try since we'll be making it for dessert at the Christmas dinner for all the missionaries, about 200 again!

Like I said at the first of the email it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Nauvoo. All the buildings and sites are decorated with wreaths and garland and Christmasy things, I love it! You know me and Christmas. Now if my family could just be here for Christmas Eve it would be perfect.

Thankfully the weather is getting a little warmer. When the wind doesn't blow it's almost balmy. Well, in the 40's.

We look forward to the season of celebrating our Savior. This year will be different but I'm sure very memorable. Nauvoo is so special and we are so lucky to be here and feel of the wonderful spirit.

We think about you all and pray that this season of love will find you enjoying your family and friends. We sure enjoy all of you!

Until next week stay sweet and happy, we love and miss you.

Elder and Sister Diederich
Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa

 Making turkey relish trays for our Thanksgiving dinner with all of the missionaries.

 Old Nauvoo Main Street.

 Seventy Hall pulpit. So fun to have Traci here.

 This picture is for you Ron Hawkins. Rudi enacting his priesthood lesson at the famous 70's Hall.

 On the stage of the Cultural Hall.

 At the visitors center in Carthage.

 Eagles in the bare trees at the end of Parleys street near the Mississippi River. You can see them a lot better without leaves on the trees.

 The most beautiful tree ever, thanks to our grandkids and their happy smiling faces. Thanks for brightening our Christmas!

 Thanks Rudi for my early Christmas present. Love this nativity set. I'll always remember Nauvoo when I put this out every year.

 The beauty of a quiet farm in Nauvoo.

Sunrise in Nauvoo.