Another week in Nauvoo

Time is really starting to fly by faster now that all the holidays and birthdays are over. Its almost a little boring except for the time at the temple. Nobody wants to leave their warm cottages to go out in the freezing cold and wind. The locals here say that they can't remember a winter this cold for a long time. The wind is another issue. When it blows the temperatures drop by 20 degrees. Yes its very cold!

Last week was an interesting time in the temple. We had quite a few own endowments and tons of baptisms. I got to follow on two sessions and help a lot in sealing sessions. When no patrons show up we get to be the patrons. Rudi even got in a few endowment sessions. He won't get to serve as much on line when summer comes. They really get swamped in the engineering department. He loves to meet me when I'm the follower. We usually get to eat lunch together so thats about the only guaranteed time we see each other.

Last Monday night all the temple missionaries meet in Fort Madison for a dinner at a place called Ivy's. It was fun to relax and enjoy each others company. We're making a lot of special friends that truly care for each other. Since all of us are away from our families and friends we have turned to each other for support and companionship. It will be hard to say goodby when the time comes. Most of these people will leave to go home in October, We won't be released until April 2015. I guess the next batch of missionaries coming in April will become close friends also. So many people so much love, its wonderful.

Today at church Rudi and I gave the prayers in sacrament meeting. Rudi also passed the sacrament again. In Relief Society I helped with the lesson and then choir practice. As usual its been a busy day but nice. Once again the talks in sacrament were so inspiring. I've never been able to concentrate this well at home. Maybe our minds are clear of outside influences and responsibilities that we can listen more intently and grasp the message of each talk.

Tomorrow we're planning to go to Peoria to the Caterpillar Plant. It's a P-day activity. Rudi is really excited but I'm not at all interested in trucks and diggers etc. Oh well I'm going along in hopes to get to stop at Costco, I'm so homesick for my favorite shopping place. That's the nearest Costco back here. It takes about 2 hours to get there. So it's a big day.

About my health issues. I still have one more test to go on Wednesday. I saw the cardiologist on Thursday and he wanted some more tests run before he finishes his evaluation. I had an echocardiogram more blood tests and I still am scheduled for a CT of the kidneys. It doesn't sound fun so I'll be glad to get it over with. After the tests come back they should know what the next procedure should be to keep my blood pressure down. Right now I'm on so much medication I fill like a walking pharmacy. I'm still tired but still going to the temple everyday. I know I'm being blessed because of my mission call and great desire to serve. I'll update you next week with hopefully great news!

We love our mission and find joy in serving the patrons of the temple. We hope all is well at home and everyone is enjoying better weather than we are.
Spring will come they promise us. I just want Rudi to remind me this summer when it's unbearably hot and humid how cold the winter was!!!!

Have a great week and keep us posted on your adventures and family time together.

Love and miss you all,

Rudi and Kathy

Sunrise in Nauvoo

 Temple lite up at night.

 Snowy sunset on the Mississippi River.

 Cold and snowy on the Mississippi, eagle circling in the foreground.

 Wintery picture of the statue of Joseph and Hyrum.

 Eagle season on the Mississippi River

 Pelicans are popular also.

 Seagulls are popular on the river.

Grateful for our blessings!

Well this week has been another up and down week for us. It all started last week with health issue after another. I'm grateful to say I'm feeling a little better. I missed an entire week at the temple. After way to much rest and boredom driving me crazy I went back to work on Friday and Saturday. This cottage is adorable when you feel good but the walls start to close in on you when you can't go anywhere or do anything. I went to all three meetings today, sang in the choir, and went to choir practice. Its been a full day but it feels so good to get out. The weather today is fairly warm, 50 degrees, but chilly when the wind blow. We just got back from a drive around the Mississippi River. How delightful to breath fresh air and enjoy the sunshine.

The results from my blood tests show that I'm still anemic but its getting better. I'm suppose to see a cardiologist this week to check my heart since my blood pressure has been so high. I'm on so many drugs to keep the pressure down that I'm a little loopy[thats not unusual for me]. Hopefully he'll give me a clean bill of health. I'm still very tired but I think the pills are doing that to slow me down and help the blood pressure.

I just asked Rudi to help me think of what we did this week and we both looked at each other and shook our heads, I guess that means about nothing! Rudi has kept up at the temple while I've been resting. He actually tries so hard at being compassionate but needs more practice. Hopefully he's not going to practice on me. I don't want to be down again for a long time!

This Friday morning was really sad. Our dear friends the Hollands left to go home. He's the man I wrote about that had cancer a few years ago and it came back very aggressively. They found a tumor in his groin and operated and found many more throughout his body. They were the social committee chairmans that we worked with and loved and respected so much. The doctors here felt it best for them to go home to Texas. All the temple missionaries met at their cottage Friday morning and sang God Be With You Till We Meet Again, there wasn't a dry eye around, even Rudi who is normally very composed was struggling and asked for tissues. Our temple president then offered a prayer. It was so touching and heart felt. It was so hard to say goodby and know we'll never see him again in this life. Sis. Holland was trying so hard but really struggled with her emotions. The church took care of all their flight arrangements, moving their things out of their cottage and making sure they had wheelchairs at the airports etc. Our Church is so wonderful and helpful to its members and non-members throughout the world. Rudi is going tomorrow to help move their things into boxes until their bishop in Texas comes up to drive their truck home. I hope and pray that Bro. Holland will be comfortable and be able to spend quality time with his family and friends in Texas. They will be missed so much. Their example of love for everyone and their ability to share the gospel with their smiles is what I'll miss the most about them. Oh, and I'll never forget his stunning white hair. You could pick him out in an audience anywhere. I told him it reminded me of an angel with a halo surrounded his head. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in their upcoming trials.

Today the temple missionaries had a special fast for them and two other sisters battling cancer. They also included me which I really appreciate the extra blessings and prayers.

Well Rudi is back on the sweet husband list again! He fixed dinner while I was at choir. It was so good and very appreciated. He really can be compassionate when he wants to be.

This week we have been so grateful for all the love and support of friends here and friends and family at home. We count our blessings everyday for this wonderful opportunity to serve in the Nauvoo Temple. We can't wait for family and friends to come to Nauvoo and experience this special Zion Community feeling. I know I send pictures of the temple almost every week but I don't want to ever forget its beauty and what it means to us. After being away from the temple for a week it felt so warm and inviting to be back where the love is so strong. The temple is what it is all about. I hope my grandchildren read this and know that they don't want to cheat themselves out of the blessings of the temple. When all is said and done the temple covenants are what matter most in life. Because of them our families are sealed together for time and all eternity. I can't imagine not having my family with me forever, and I hope you all want your families with you forever.

We've truly been blessed to serve daily in the best job one could have. Grandpa and I want so badly to be in the temple with each one of you when you are married. Set a goal today to meet us there and I promise if God is willing we'll be there waiting for you.

May you all have a wonderful week full of adventures and happiness. Happy Birthday again to all the family birthdays.

We love you all and pray daily for your protection and health.

With love always,

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

P.S. Way too many titles and names!

PSS. How many sweet husband comments can a guy take before it gets to his head. In 46 years of marriage there must be 3 or 4 times. I (Rudi) will work on getting more. Still loving this place more each day.



 Sunstone on corner of the temple.

 Old train station in Keokuk.

 Nauvoo Temple just after the sunset.

 One of many bald eagles. Check out the wing span.

 Across the Mississippi River in Montrose Iowa. It seems so close but is a long drive back. No bridge at this point. This is where the Saints crossed the Mississippi River in 1846.

Another look at Nauvoo from across the river. The water is actually frozen.

Lots of celebrations in January

January is our busiest month for birthdays and celebrations. I'm so excited for all the parties back home. Please send us pictures of the activities.

This week has been so slow at the temple. Everyone back to work and visitors have gone home. It was so cold at the beginning of the week that a lot of the district temple workers didn't want to brave the icy roads. Today the temperatures are in the mid fifties. I think the spring thaw might be here a little early [not really] they say we've got a lot of cold weather still to come. Oh well it feels good to not have to bundle up and run from place to place.

We just got back from dinner at the Durrants. It was so nice visiting with them and the Mollers and the Andersons. We all brought yummy food. Kathy made 12-hour Butterhorn roles and a spinach strawberry salad.

Kathy sang in a double quartette in Sacrament meeting today and it sounded very good. We went home after Sacrament meeting because Kathy was not feeling good. Her blood pressure has gone out of control so she didn't work at the temple on Friday or Saturday. Dr. Miller the missionary doctor has been over three or four times checking her blood pressure. He keeps changing her medication and the amount trying to stabilize her. She is really tired and unable to sleep at night.
Hopefully she'll be back to the temple on Tuesday.

I'm having a hard time concentrating on this email so Rudi is stepping up and helping me compose it. It may be much shorter than usual.

We spent Tuesday night at the Keokuk Hospital emergency room getting my blood drawn. Wednesday we found out that I'm anemic which doesn't help with the blood pressure. I hope that I'm not repeating what happened last year at this time. I've felt so good so far and this is not fun.

The temple presidency just left after giving me a blessing. These men are so wonderful and have our interests and welfare so close to their hearts. The president prayed that I'd be able to sleep and heal properly. They recommended that I think about going to Iowa City to get specialized help. Rudi and I feel like we've waited long enough for things to change, so tomorrow we'll try to get into the hospital there for more tests. I think it was just last week in my email that I stated how good I was feeling. What a difference a week makes. I could use some extra prayers in my behalf.

I think Rudi is about ready to trade me in on a healthier model. He's been a real trooper to help me and try his hardest to be compassionate. We all know what the Diederich boys are like when it comes to illness [right Elfriede].
I must admit he's doing his best!

Our temple missionaries are really being tested with so many health issues. We now have three people battling with cancer issues. Bro. Holland found a large mass in his groin area and will be operated on tomorrow to remove it and check for any other growths. Sis. Peterson just found out that she has leukemia and started treatments this week. Sister Rutowski is having radiation treatments also. I know The Lord watches over his servants so we should be blessed according to our faith.

Rudi is feeling just fine. He even gave blood at the Lutheran Church on Thursday night. He was so shocked when they served him dinner and dessert after he gave blood. Usually you get a cookie and a cup of O.J.

Well I'm so tired right now and Rudi doesn't like composing emails very much. Sorry I'm so short in information this week but feel like just getting better has consumed a lot of my time and energy.

Troy, Ellie, and Ethan I hope your birthdays are special. We think about all of you and pray that all be well.

With all our love,

Rudi and Kathy

 Troy's 42nd birthday on January 21st. What a great son! Missed being born on his fathers birthday by one day.

Rudi celebrates his last year in the sixties on January 22nd. Almost 70!
He looks great for an old man.

 Our 46th Wedding Anniversary on January 22nd. Thats one way for Rudi never to forget our anniversary, marry him on his birthday.

 Ethan will be 13 on January 24th. Hope your day is as special as you are to us.

 Ellie turns 15 on January 25th. Looking good in Europe this summer!

 This is what makes our lives so great! Twelve beautiful grandkids. Love you all so much.

One last picture with fish in claw.

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IS FREEZE!!!

This week has been filled with a lot of different emotions. Celebrating my birthday and remembering my dear sweet mother on the same day brought mixed feelings. I miss her so much and think about her very often. She was such a big part of my life. I so wish I could discuss my temple experiences with her. I really regret not getting more involved with her temple calling in the Bountiful Temple. It amazes me to think she went through all the memorization that I've been going through. Somehow I think she probably knows of my struggles and has been there to encourage me like she always did when she was with me. Her influence will always be felt not only by me but my family. I promised her before she died that she would always be remembered by pictures and stories that I would share with the family.

On my birthday we worked the afternoon shift at the temple so we didn't get through until about 8:30 that night. We decided since I couldn't share my birthday dinner with my family we'd share it at a dinner on Saturday night with our new family, temple missionaries. On Saturday night it was freezing [whats new] and windy and snowing, but 6 other couples braved the weather and met us in Fort Madison for a Chinese dinner. We all ordered our favorite dish and then shared with everyone. It was delicious and so fun as usual to laugh and enjoy the warm atmosphere of friends. They made my birthday so special! I still miss my family but love these missionaries.
I want to thank all those dear friends and family at home who sent cards, presents, telephone calls and especially warm wishes. I love you all!

Since last week was New Years we didn't work on Mon.-Wed. We went to Burlington on Mon. with about 8 couples and saw the movie "Frozen to celebrate the freezing weather outside. We all heard from our grandkids that it was a great movie. Grandkids you're right, we all loved it. I find myself humming to the music of "Let It Go".

On Tuesday New Years Eve we went to Pres. McArthur's for dinner and a movie in his garage. We watched Ephraim's Rescue which Rudi set up with a screen from the Stake Center and projector and sound system from the Temple and DVD player from our cottage. What a powerful message of our stalwart saints. The next morning, on New Year's Day we went back to the presidents home, since all the tables and chairs were set up and had a huge breakfast. Like we needed more food! It was all so delicious but way too much. They served breakfast casseroles, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, hash browns, fresh fruit, juices, hot and cold chocolate milk, are you full yet or stuffed? Once again, they call this the 30 pound mission. So far I've resisted a lot of the carbs and my clothes aren't tight yet! Rudi said his pants are shrinking, yea right!

Once again it was good to get back to the temple on Thursday morning. There are a lot of visitors in Nauvoo during the holidays so the temple attendance was really good. I love being busy and having a lot of people in the sessions.

Friday night since it was my actual birthday the shift coordinator asked if Rudi would like to be a sealing patron. Of course he jumped at the chance. We both got to be proxies for some of our ancestors. We sealed together six couples and five sons and one daughter to finish all the ancestors we had researched and found at the Family Search Center. It was such a special feeling to know we'd been a part of helping families be united for eternity. Most of these people had been waiting since the 1600 hundreds for Kathy and Rudi to get their act together and help with their eternal progression. We still are waiting for our grandkids to send the baptisms and confirmations that they did for four people. Traci and her kids did their work at the St. George Temple last week while they were staying at the condo. Troy's kids will be sending theirs very soon also. I think Traci did some initiatory and endowments also. Thanks everyone for the help.

Today is so snowy and cold. On the news they said that our temperatures are the coldest that they've recorded in 125 years. Wouldn't you know that it would be the coldest winter because I'm here. I think tomorrow the high is -15. Wow, we might just freeze.

Today we're going across the street to the Lindholmes for break the fast dinner. I'm taking a Pina Colada Cake for dessert. I know we serve food constantly here. When its cold like this there isn't much else to do but eat and visit, two of my favorite things to do.

Rudi spent all morning before church shoveling snow at the church and at a sick brothers house. He also shoveled our place. Our church is at 8:00 am so he was up early.

Well it's time to go break the fast.
We love and miss you all. Stay warm and keep us posted on your families and adventures.

Love always,

Rudi and Kathy

 My sweet daughter Tami sent this picture with her birthday wish. This picture was taken at her wedding. Mom passed away 3 years ago on my birthday Jan. 3rd. Thanks Tami!

 Flowers from Troy and his family. They were delivered at our cottage for my birthday. Thanks Troy!

 Thanks Rosey for the beautiful sweater.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADDIE!!!! She'll be 6 on January 11th. We love and miss you tons. Have a fun "Frozen" Birthday.

 Some of the missionaries at Chuong Garden Restaurant for my birthday. It was a blizzard outside but 12 crazy people still drove to Fort Madison to celebrate with us.

 Sunrise New Years morning.

 Another shoot of the temple.

Snowy road in Nauvoo.