MIRACLES STILL DO HAPPEN!!!!

Thought for the Week:
"Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have ~ life itself ~."

Another week of many memorable events and experiences. Starting on Monday with the re-enactment of the organization of the Relief Society. I can't believe I was lucky enough to be here in Nauvoo where this event actually took place. Of course, they went all out to recreate this event with all of us wearing period dresses, riding in wagons, sitting in the the second floor of the Red Brick Store where it took place many years ago, and portraying the actual people and what they said. It was really special and so touching to listen to the words spoken by The Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife who was the first president of the R.S. I was so surprised that there weren't flowers on the table, but we did get handouts. Sisters, the gospel is still true and we know how to have a great Relief Society today, even with our flowers, pictures, displays, and handouts and goodies! After the R.S. program the sisters went to Burlington to have a St. Patricks day luncheon, and shopping. So much fun again being with special sisters.

While the sisters were recreating the brethren went to Waterloo, Iowa to see the John Deere Tractor Factory. They had a great time I'm sure! Rudi wants to be a farmer now! The best part of that trip was to see the tools used to put the tractors together. Each tool has computer chips which knows if it was used and how it was used. If not used and used correctly the tractor line will stop until the tool is used correctly.

Friday Rudi and I went to Springfield, Illinois to see the doctor about my kidney problem. If you want to skip to the next paragraph this part is strictly for me to remember our miracle day full of a lot of emotion. We left early Friday morning for a 11:00 a.m. appointment. It takes about 3 hours to get there. When we arrived we saw the doctor, who's nurse took the regular medical report, and said the doctor would be in shortly. When he came in his first words were, I don't know why you're here! Needless to say Rudi and my jaws dropped to the floor. To start with he didn't know the referring doctor and didn't have any of my records or CT scan. Our doctor in Quincey, who made the appointment for us, and said he'd send all the information ahead hadn't followed thru. Beside that he didn't do renal surgeries.
Being the kindest doctor I've ever met he said he'd call a well know doctor who did perform the surgery I needed. We waited about 10 minutes and he came back and informed us that this other doctor could see us right now. We thanked him, and by the way he said there'd be no charge for our visit to him since he didn't do anything to help us. So unusual, in this day and age! He also told us that the next doctor had a surgery scheduled in 30 minutes so we needed to hurry real fast. When we arrived at the next doctors office we went into the biggest waiting room I've ever seen with about 50 to 60 chairs. I couldn't believe not one person was there except the receptionist who said, we've been waiting for you. I asked her why so many chairs and where was everyone? She told us that yesterday every chair was full, but on Friday afternoon many doctors take the afternoon off. When we finally met with the surgeon he informed us that he had called Keokuk Hospital and had all my test results and CT scan. He read over them and said he felt like I needed the surgery but he wanted to do a more extensive contrast dye test before he actually put a stent in. He said he could do that through the same incision that would be made for the stent surgery itself. So long story short we're leaving for Springfield this afternoon and I'll be in surgery in the morning. I told you this was a long, sorry! Oh I forgot they are taking care of a hotel room for us tonight since I need to be there so early in the morning. Talk about a miracle in my life. After so many ups and downs I feel like I've finally found the right person to help with my high blood pressure and a dying kidney. This doctor said I should be able to improve my blood pressure by 50 to 60 percent. A lot different from my last consultation in Quincey. We have a lot of faith that this is the answer to our prayers. The missionaries here have been so great to support us with so much love and prayers. My family need not worry The Lord is taking care of us, but we still need your prayers.

After seeing the doctor we went to the Lincoln Museum right across the street from the hospital. It was well worth our time. Very informative and interesting. We loved the life like figures of many famous people. Great movies of his life and presidency.

Now to happier events. Of course, we still had to hurry back to be in charge of our missionary social last night. We all went to dinner at the Hotel Nauvoo and a movie across the street at Grandpa John's Theater. We enjoyed a beautiful and yummy buffet. This place is decorated so cute with tons of pioneer artifacts and clever seasonal decorations. After dinner we saw the movie Saratov Approach. It was fantastic! Full of many emotions from, thrilling, intense, tender, and many tears at the end. I recommend it to everyone if you haven't seen it yet. One of the leads [Corbin Allred] plays the role of Satan in the B film at the temple, thats the one that came out last summer. I'm not sure many mothers will want to send out their sons and daughters on missions after seeing this movie. I know I got tears in my eyes thinking about my son, Troy, and my daughter, Tiffini, serving missions. It really is a tender but intense movie!

The best thing happened this morning in church. After R.S. I was walking down the hall and who should I run into but Becky Rogers from my home ward in Orem. I was so shocked and happy to see her. My first friend from home. She was my visiting teacher and sweet example of living the gospel to the fullest. She was traveling with her eight children and father to surprise David after a military training. Her kids had done baptisms in the Nauvoo Temple the day before, but Rudi and I were on the afternoon shift and missed seeing them. It really made our day to see her. Thanks Becky!

Tonight before we leave for Springfield we are singing for Dr. Miller, the mission doctor before he leaves to go home. He has been so great to me with all my health issues. I'll miss him but we are looking forward to meeting our new doctor, Dr. Udall from Utah Valley. Some of you might know him. I just hope I don't need to get to know him very well!

Once again I've worn you out with my rambling on. We do feel so loved and supported here. We continue to depend on you for your prayers in our behalf. May you all have a wonderful week.

Miracles still do happen.

With continued love,

Brother and Sister Diederich
Rudi and Kathy
Dad and Mom
GRANDPA AND GRANDMA

 Getting ready to load the wagons to ride to the Red Brick Store to recreate the organization of the Relief Society.

 Sister Hullinger and I on the wagon, ready to go. One problem, 16 degrees and the wagons don't have heaters!

 Grandkids, Grandma travels in wagons pulled by big horses. So much fun!

 All the Temple Sister Missionaries in front of the Red Brick Store. They made us take off our coats so they could see our dresses. Can you find me on the back row in front of the door?

 One of the many sunstones on the temple.

 Moon stones on the temple.

 Stars all the way around the temple.

 Family photo with Abraham Lincoln and Brother and Sister Diederich invited to be in the picture. Abe was a lot taller than Grandpa.

 George B. McClellan, Rudi, Ulysses S. Grant planning war strategy.

 Kathy converting John Wilkes Booth to repentance after shooting and killing President Lincoln.

 Rudi and young Abraham Lincoln in front of his boyhood cabin.

 Sojourner Truth, Kathy, Frederick Douglas.

 Dinner at the Hotel Nauvoo.

 Enjoying a buffet dinner, so much good food!

 Pres, and Sister McArthur at the dinner.

 The Rock Stars, Brother and Sister Durrant.

 More friends at the dinner. The Wade's and Gorrell's.

 Pres. and Sister Rutowski who were released yesterday from the temple presidency. Also the Moller's, great friends.

Bro. and Sister Dewey with Sister Willis.

 Our only single temple missionary, Elder Alex Miller.

Bro. and Sister Moore who are leaving next month to go home. They are the official photographers for the missionaries and will be so missed. Also the Prince's in the front of the picture.

THOUGHT SPRING WAS HERE...NOT!!!



Thought of the week:

"Success is not final, Failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts". Winston Churchhill

"It doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full. Be grateful that you have a glass and there is something in it."

We really did think Spring might be on its way when we got to 62 degrees this week. But this morning we woke up to 6 more inches of snow. Yuke!
I guess Utah is enjoying a beautiful spring. Why does that happen when we leave town? Enjoy the warm weather for us. We're back in our boots and heavy coats and gloves.

Last week on P-day we went with the Terry's to Iowa City to pick up new glasses for Sister Terry. It is only about 1 and half hours from here. They actually have a Costco and tons of stores and restaurants. A great get away for a day. We had a lot of fun being at Costco again. The only problem is that our cottage has no storage areas to shop in bulk like I'm use to at home. We went to lunch at a fun place called Steak and Shake. Rudi ordered these huge ice cream sandwiches made out of really big Oreo cookies. He also had a really tall shake and we had great burgers. I think Rudi might out do the 30 pound mission. We took the Terry's to the Amish leather shop and the Mennonite cheese factory, and The Dutchman store on the way back. We were gone from 8:30 in the morning to 7:00 that night. Thank goodness for P-day's. We love being with our fellow missionaries.

Sister Susan Durrant gave a really great lecture on the first Relief Society and its organization. She also told us that the Nauvoo Temple use to have dances in the Assembly Hall before it was dedicated. She is probably the best historian the church has on the Nauvoo period of the church. I call her a rock star because she is so famous and in great demand all over the church as a guest speaker. But she is a dear friend and likes to be treated just like all of us other medium missionaries. Her husband George Durrant is the best! So loving and kind to everyone. They will be dearly missed when they go home in August. They want to serve their next mission in St. George, so keep an eye on them you St. George people.

Friday was my first day training in the clothing area. It was so fun and the only mistake I made was not giving back their change to two brethren. I guess I was just trying to make a little money for the temple. Oops!!! I'll be clothing coordinator on Friday starting next week. All that training at B.Y.U. food service and Hallmark on the cash register is really coming in handy.

Well we lost control again and ate lobster and shrimp in Burlington last night after our shift at the temple. We took the Todd's with us this time, or should I say they took us. They'd heard about how wonderful the lobster was and wanted us to show them how to get there. We couldn't say no, but we've got to get control over our lobster addiction real soon! So yummy!

Today was Stake Conference plus we had our regular missionary sacrament meeting before. I had to be there at 7:15 to practice with the choir before we sang in sacrament. Total time at church today including another choir practice after conference 6 hours! My you know what is so tired of sitting. Our dear friends the Moller's then invited us for lunch with the Lindholm's. So much good food and conversation. Rudi and I are so tired and blotted from eating so much in the last two days I think we'll fast all day tomorrow. Oh I forgot all the men are going tomorrow to Waterloo to the tractor factory while the women are at the Relief Society re-enactment at the Red Brick Store. Then the women are going to Burlington to lunch and shopping. I know what you all are thinking: They just play and have fun all the time, and eat a lot! Missions are the best, but we do find 40 hours a week to serve in the temple. All of our activities are on P-day, and after our service in the temple. Its all good and wonderful!

Our Sacrament meetings are run by the Site Mission President and we, the Temple Missionaries are invited. Each Sunday the Temple Missionaries supply 3 men to pass the sacrament and 3 site missionaries with the site missionaries always providing the 3 men to bless the sacrament. When I (Rudi) asked why the Temple missionaries don't get a chance to bless the sacrament I was told that is the way it has been forever. The next day I was called to bless the sacrament today. It was the first time that I have successfully blessed the Sacrament in my life. Kathy said that I did very good. Without Bishop Bell being around I felt like I could accomplish this important ordinance.

Friday morning Rudi and I went on a long walk before our afternoon shift at the temple around the flats in old Nauvoo. We walked down to the Mississippi River to watch the ice breaking up and the river starting to flow again. On our way down we stopped and read all 30 plaques along the road to the river. Its called the Trial of Hope. On each plaque is a story about the Saints leaving their beloved Nauvoo behind. It was a freezing cold day in February when they left. You'll recall our re-enactment of their exodus just a few weeks ago. The stories are heart breaking but full of hope for a better future of no persecution and living in peace to live their religion. It was very moving to read their messages and feel their hardships and pain. I kept looking back through the trees at the temple they loved so much and was filled with gratitude for their sacrifices for all of us. I look forward to my family and any friends being able to walk that Trail of Hope.

Nauvoo is filled with wonderful places to build and strengthen testimonies. Each site relates personal stories of the industrious Saints and their desire to make Nauvoo what it is today, the City of Joseph.

Yesterday at the temple there were so many youth groups performing baptisms for the dead and lots of initiatory work being done. At one point I worked over an hour doing initiatory ordinances without stopping or sitting down. Everyone tells me Welcome to what summer is like! So neat to see so many people coming to the temple after a long winter of very few patrons. I think I'm ready!

Once again I've rattled on way to long, but I don't want to forget a minute of this wonderful experience. Rudi and I are loving it more and more each day. So many things going on and so many rich experiences in the temple. This city just bubbles with excitement getting ready for all the summer events. We can't wait! So excited to share all the fun with our family and friends. Please feel free to come and partake of this great spirit.

We love and miss you all. Thank you for your love and concern in calls, emails, and most of all your prayers in our behalf. We feel blessed to be able to serve our mission among such wonderful circumstances.

Have a great week! With love always,

The Nauvoo Missionaries:
Elder and Sister Diederich
Rudi and Kathy
Mom and Dad
And most important Grandpa and Grandma

 Yea! We found a Costco in Iowa City.

 The covered parking lot at Costco. Huge!

 Oreo ice cream sandwich at Steak and Shake in Iowa City. So big and yummy.

 Kathy enjoying one bite and then Rudi finished it!

 Plaques along the Trial of Hope. Stories left by the Saints when they left Nauvoo and crossed the Mississippi River to Montrose Iowa.

 Rudi reading a plaque with Seventies Hall in the background.

 Another plaque with the temple in the background left of my head. This is what the Saints saw as they left Nauvoo.

 A duck in the frozen ponds around Nauvoo.

 More pictures of the temple taken March 16, 2014.

 The Mansion House during our cold winter.

 The Red Brick Store in Old Nauvoo.

 Monument on the Mississippi River in Quincey. The citizens of Quincey befriended the Saints when they needed help most. They took them in, fed them, clothed them, and let them stay until they got back on their feet. There were 4 Saints to 1 Quincy resident. Quite a sacrifice for those who lived in Quincy.

The rest of the monument.

American White Pelican coming back to the Mississippi River.

LOTS OF SOCIALIZING GOING ON IN NAUVOO

Thought for the week:
Joseph Smith wrote a resolution addressed to the Nauvoo City Council on March the 5, 1842, proposing that inhabitants of Nauvoo "shall keep their children home on Sundays and from skating on the ice and from marauding upon their neighbors property and any persons refusing to do so shall pay a five dollar fine for every offense."
I wonder how that went over in 1842? Makes sense to me!

Joseph Smith also said, "For a man to be great, he must not dwell on small things, though he may enjoy them."

Donna Biberston wrote this timely quote, "Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere."

Well another busy but fun filled week. We started off with a great family home evening together with all the temple missionaries. Bro. Rutowski spoke to us about his experiences serving in Vietnam during the war. He was on the front lines. It was very touching and hard to hear the stories about the VC murdering their own women and children to punish them for working
for the U.S. soldiers to make money to get food. He told many spiritual stories of soldiers facing death and terrible conditions they went through, and then how the U.S. soldiers were treated when they got home. I have a new found respect for our military men and women and what they go through so we can enjoy our freedom.
Everyone seemed to love the table full of ice cream and toppings, right down to the cherries on the top. These missionaries are so fun to visit with and learn about their lives and interests.

The temple is really starting to get busy. The bus loads of tourists are starting to arrive in front of the temple. Lots of wards and stakes bringing their youth to do baptisms for the dead. I actually had to stand in line to show my recommend the other day. What a joy to see all the activity and dedication of so many great people. I'm so glad I had the winter slow months to prepare and learn all the parts and procedures.

The new temple presidency is making a lot of changes in assignments for the upcoming summer months. I've been asked to be a clothing coordinator for the Friday morning shift. Very busy that day and lots to learn but I'll do my best. Good thing I have all that training from working as a cashier in college in the Y Center. Like I can remember that long ago. We also got our new summer schedule. Rudi and I work Tues. and Wed. night shift, and Thurs. thru Sat. morning shift. Our P-day remains on Mon. Sounds good to me! I (Rudi) get a lot of chances to fill in during the day when they need help at the veil and the baptistry. A very pleasant change to my day. One day I helped with over 50 baptisms and confirmations.

Saturday night was our Missionary Ball. Before we went to that we went to the Methodist Church Turkey Pot Pie fund raiser dinner for everyone in the community. It was so delicious! It reminded us of Thanksgiving. Everyone was so friendly to us and excited that we would support their fund raiser. We try to promote interfaith activities with all religions. After that we rushed home and changed into our dancing clothes and headed to the ball. We had a live band furnished by the site missionaries. They were really lively and played lots of fun songs. Us old fogies really let lose and had a BALL. We actually danced until 10:00, pretty late for some of them! I bought Kathy a new dress, yes call me the sweet husband this week. Isn't it the most beautiful dress you have ever seen?

We just got back from a walk around the flats here by our cottage. Its just like at home, neighbors came out and wanted to talk, so not too much walking just talking. It was great to have a nice day today. It actually got up to 50 degrees today and tomorrow its suppose to get in the 60's. The snow is starting to melt but there's water everywhere like small ponds. The fresh air and sunshine felt so good. Now I'm really ready for spring!

Sorry this email was so late today but the warm weather was calling us for a walk.

We send our love to all and hope your week is filled with memories. We sure are having lots to remember here in Nauvoo.

With love,

Elder and Sister Diederich

 

 

 Family Home Evening treats. We served ice cream with tons of toppings. Went over big, like all food does! My homemade hot fudge and hot caramel.

 More people on our committee. The Lindholms and the Mollers.

 Red Brick Store in the winter snow.

 Sessions log home.

 The ice forms interesting objects with weeds.

 Rudi and I at the Missionary Ball. It was so fun to dance in the old Cultural Hall where Joseph and Emma danced. We danced on the same wood floor that they danced on.

 All dressed up in our period dresses. Love the Mollers so much! Shes my tiny friend. We're on the social committee with them. They're from Idaho, but are thinking of moving to Utah after there mission to be close to there son and grandkids. HOPE THEY DO.

 Nauvoo Temple Presidency. Rutowski's, McArthurs, and Hullinger's. They are the best!

 The Peterson's. She's the sister who has leukemia. It was her first time out in over two months. She's doing great and looks wonderful. They're from Alpine. He was temple president of the Dallas Temple.

 All ready to bust a move! HaHaHa

 Full length of the dress. Not my best look! Brown is Brown!!! Didn't Rudi do a great job picking out this beautiful dress?

Our dear friends and next door neighbors the Lindholm's. Can you tell where they're from? Right, Texas

 More pictures of Rudi and I. Oh so cute but having fun. We don't remember the last time we went dancing!

 The Hendersons from Idaho. Leo Hendersons twin brother.

 The Halls across the street from us. Always trying to shovel the walks before Rudi gets out there. They're from Arizona.

 The love birds of our mission. The Thompsons, second marriage for both of them.

 The Gorrelle's, chairman of the social committee and Sister Peterson.

 The McCellens from Orem. She's the choir director. So sweet and patient.

Bro. and Sister Anderson. So fun to be around.

 Bro. and Sister Wilson from Mapleton. She loves to dance and he doesn't, so she just danced around him all night. So funny to watch!

 The Bassett's from Orem. They never danced just ate all night. He's an engineer with Rudi.

 The Terry's from St. George. They came one month after us. We're going to Costco with them tomorrow. Can't wait, only two and a half hours away from Nauvoo. We have Costco withdrawal. Its been six months since we've been there!

 They promise Spring will come again. Bro. Moore sent us this picture from last Spring at the temple.

 Another previously taken picture of the beautiful Nauvoo Temple.

Covered wagon here in Nauvoo last summer.