Rudi and Kathy in Nauvoo: 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.