VERY SPIRITUAL WEEK (April 27, 2014)

Thoughts of the week:

"Beauty isn't about having a pretty face. It is about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart, and most importantly a beautiful soul."

"When a woman says "What", its not because she didn't hear you, she's giving you a chance to change what you said."

"If we're not meant to have midnight snacks, why is there a light in the fridge?"

"A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOGAN!!!! Tiffini and Jeff's oldest son will be 10 tomorrow. Have a great day to a great kid who loves soccer and basketball.
(His picture will be included next week in my email.)

The start of the busiest week yet for us started with FHE on Monday night. Bro. and Sister Durrant spoke to us at the visitor center. Bro. Durrant started by telling us to get to know all the new missionaries names as soon as possible. He said the funniest name to say was Rudolf Diederich with all the German accent he could muster. He loves to roll the "R" and everyone got a laugh out of that. Rudi and him have a great relationship and are always kidding each other. After their talks we had refreshments. I was in charge of the drink, so I made a yummy strawberry pineapple slush. Everyone seemed to love it except Rudi. You know his German pallet can't handle more than water or watered down punch.

Tuesday morning all the missionaries had their individual pictures taken. From there we took our couples that we are hosting on a tour of the temple. They were amazed at the size of the interior and the number of stairs throughout the building. There are four full staircases, one in each corner of the temple. Some of the elderly missionaries were really struggling and needed to use the elevators. I usually use the elevator going up but seldom down. My hip is still sensitive to excessive number of stairs going up. I'm getting stronger all the time. That afternoon we went in vans around the city of Nauvoo with Sister Durrant pointing out the highlights of the city and especially the many cemeteries. President Hinckley said that next to the Sacred Grove and the temple the cemeteries where the Saints were buried are the most sacred and holy.
Their sacrifice for the cause of truth and furthering the gospel was something we should never forget.

On Wednesday we began the actual training sessions in the Assemble Room of the temple. We felt so fortunate to be able to seat in that very sacred and special room to be taught by our temple presidency. It normally is closed off to everyone. Salt Lake gave permission for us to use it for our training. We were all dressed in white and seemed like a flock of angels sitting all together. The choir sang, so we had reserved sits at the front which was nice to be so close. Unfortunately Rudi was unable to attend the training sessions because the engineers were working getting everything up and running during the break. We then enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the stake center near the temple. They let the engineers join their wives for the lunches and dinners so that was nice. A lot of the new missionaries haven't quit put Rudi and I together since he isn't always with me. There are three sisters who's husbands are engineers and we always sit together so we aren't so lonely. During the afternoon the new missionaries went on sessions and the Winter Warriors as we are being called acted as the ordinance workers for their sessions. That night we went back to the stake center for a delicious roast beef dinner. All the meals were catered and paid for by the temple mission.

Thursday started off with another session for the new missionaries. Lunch, and then more training in the Assemble Room. All of the temple presidency and their wife's spoke to us. They were all very inspiring and uplifting talks. That night we had our dinner at the famous Nauvoo Hotel. It was a buffet with all the trimmings. It is so fun to be able to get to know the new missionaries on a casual basis before we will be working side by side in the temple.

On Friday we began again in the Assemble Room. The choir sang again and Pres. and Sister McArthur spoke. They were wonderful talks. Sister McArthur related her struggle to leave her family again to come to Nauvoo. They have served as mission president in Japan and MTC president in Japan which equals six years. She has a daughter going through an ugly divorce with six children, and really needed their support at this time. But of course they answered the call and came to Nauvoo. Her point was that its hard for all of us to leave our families and serve The Lord, but we do and we will all be blessed for our efforts and sacrifice. I think every sister in the room was wiping her eyes, even a lot of brethren also. It isn't always convenient to leave our homes and families but the rewards are great. Every time anyone mentions family or grandkids my eyes still water. I don't think I'll ever be able to stop missing them. Bro. Marshall our temple recorder sang "In This Very House" which was so touching.

We then went outside and had our group picture taken on the front steps of the temple. All 120 of us plus the presidency. I can't wait to get a picture of my own of that gathering. From there over to the stake center for our last catered lunch. As we all walked hand in hand to the stake center it amazed me what a peaceful feeling I had with all the spiritual experiences we'd had that week. Our final activity was a walk down Parley Street to the waters edge. As some of you will recall Pres. Hinckley challenged as many as possible to walk where the Saints walked after he dedicated the Nauvoo Temple. At our luncheon accounts of those who spoke at the dedication were related to us. Pres. Nelson of our temple presidency who lives in Nauvoo and was stake president when the temple was being built and attended the dedication personally related some of the special details of that day. He explained that each corner of the temple has a cornerstone and who sealed each corner. Of course the southeast corner was sealed by the first presidency, the southwest by a deacon and teacher in the Nauvoo area and their bishop, the northwest corner by Pres. Nelson and other stake leaders, the northeast corner by Pres. Packer or a member of the twelve, I can't quit remember. Anyway all the cornerstones were laid by different groups. There were two choirs, members of the tabernacle choir and on the other side members of the Nauvoo stake choir. Pres. Hinckley rode around the temple in a golf cart because he wasn't feeling good that day. It must have been a very special and spiritual experience to have been there. After years of trying to rebuild the temple, from Pres. Hinckley's father working so hard to get it rebuilt to Pres. Hinckley finally seeing it through. It was Pres. Hinckley's dream to live long enough to see it dedicated, and he did!
Very touching and emotional day.
Many of us who weren't too tired went on a road trip across the river to visit a few places where the Saints camped after crossing the river. Many parks and historical sites are marked along the Mormon Trail. It was a very long but wonderful day spent hearing and seeing where all these historical things took place. Once again I feel so blessed to be able to be here and learn from such scholars like the Durrant's and Bro. and Sister Nelson who were here to see the temple be built and watch the vineyard produce such strong members of the church.

Yesterday I spent the morning trying to regroup and get needed household chores done. In the afternoon we went to Keokuk for the annual festival celebrating the Civil War Reenactment. It was very impressive with cannons going off and men dressed to represent the North and South shooting rifles and marching all over the park. The fun and activities never seem to stop. From there we drove with some friends, the Mollers, to Burlington for our famous lobster dinner. We meet about 7 or 8 other couples there also. What a way to top off a week of absolute joy! Rudi and I will be so bored when we get home after all this excitement, that we will either drive everyone crazy wanting to go somewhere, or we will just drop over with fatigue and sleep constantly. I some how think we will just sit around the pool and enjoy our family and friends for awhile.

At the luncheon on Friday we were also given our new assignments for serving in the temple district. Rudi and I are assigned to the Canton Branch. It is about 2 hours from Nauvoo in the direction of Peoria Illinois. Their sacrament starts at 10:00 a.m. so we'll need to leave around 7:45 to get there on time each Sunday. We will travel about 170 miles round trip to get to church. Now that's a change for us, when our church has always been in walking distance. Hopefully by us going out to them they will want to make the choice to come to the temple more or prepare to go to the temple. We are to be representatives of the temple as missionaries and not just glorified substitutes. We will help where ever the branch president needs us. We are really excited to be able to act as sort of missionaries in the field not just in the temple. We have been assigned to go with another couple the Glassetts, but they have a son and grandchildren in the area and want to drive their own car so they can stay until Tuesday since their P-day is Monday. I guess we'll just meet them there. Whatever we start next week since the temple choir had already committed to sing in sacrament today. We also were asked by the temple president to not travel long distances today because of tornado alerts and strong storms coming today and tonight. So thats why the email is getting written so early today. From now on I'll probably send it on Monday since Sunday will be spent in travel and meetings far away.

Well if you're not tired from reading all this email I am so I best close. Our week was so full that I need time now to absorb it all. We continue to marvel at our life here in Nauvoo and feel so fortunate in being able to serve our Heavenly Father at this time of our lives. If any of you seniors are thinking of maybe serving a mission we highly recommend it. We will always count this experience among our choicest blessings.

Have a wonderful week, I know we will. The temple reopens tomorrow and I think I'm ready for my new assignments. Oh, I forgot to mention that the temple presidency called me in last week and asked me to serve in the temple office on Thursday mornings. Now I will only be on line on Tuesdays and Saturdays since Wednesday I serve as endowment coordinator and Friday as clothing coordinator. Busy but loving it all even the challenges and new positions. I'm here to grow and that's what I'm doing. Hopefully not around my middle but spiritually.

Take care, we love you all.

Rudi and Kathy
Mom and Dad
GRANDPA AND GRANDMA

P.S. Go B.Y.U. volleyball team who took 1st last night. We watched it all!

 In the Women's Garden in Nauvoo. Check out the spring flowers.

 So happy to see flowers and not snow.

 Me again, Rudi said it's a women's garden so no men's pictures. Right!

 Dinner at the Hotel Nauvoo. Us with the Crocketts, Mollers, and Grovers.

 Walking down the Trail of Hope. Warm day but better than the freezing cold when we walked in February. Rudi was unable to come due to temple work.

 Along the Pioneer Trail in Montrose.

 Stopping along the trail. Sister Prince on the left my tiny friend with me, and Sister Wade on the right.

Sister Durrant explaining sights on the trail.

 Chief Keokuk monument.

 Resting in the wagon in front of Dave's Meats where we bought some delicious steaks for dinner today.

 House in Keokuk made of cement that looks like bags of sand.

 Beautiful home in Keokuk. They use to build very large homes. Large families!

 At the reenactment with the Mollers. We're trying to get them to move from Rupert Idaho to Utah Valley to be near their children when they get home.

 The Southern soldiers lined up ready to charge the North. Cannons going off that me jump every time.

First schoolhouse inMontrose. Very small but still standing sort of.

THE NEW MISSIONAIRES ARE HERE!!! (April 20, 2014)



Thought for the week:

"Parenthood sharpens your math skills because you spend all night calculating how much sleep you'll get if you fall asleep right NOW."

"I went for a run but came back after two minutes because I forgot something. I forgot I'm out of shape and can't run more than two minutes."

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OF YOU!
We hope you all had a wonderful day at church and with your loved ones. We certainly had a great busy day. We started off with a very spiritual sacrament meeting. President Gibbons and his wife, the new site mission president spoke, with the site mission choir singing three beautiful numbers. We then had a Sunday School class with all the new temple missionaries and the winter temple missionaries. We now number 120. The R.S. room was packed. Our president then introduced the new program we'll all be doing starting next Sunday. We will all be assigned to different wards and branches throughout the Illinois stakes that are assigned to the Nauvoo Temple District. Some of us will be traveling as far as 2 to 3 hours away each Sunday. I think we're all excited but a little nervous about where our assignment will be. We had our choice how far we would be willing to travel. Some of our missionaries are near 80 and probably might choose to stay closer to Nauvoo. Rudi and I just turned our request form in to our neighbor who is a counselor in the temple presidency and stated we'd go wherever we are needed most. Giant step but very willing to serve wherever. We'll find out in the next few days where are assignment will be. We can't except callings in the wards or branches but we are to help wherever the bishop or branch president needs us. We can only serve in this capacity on Sundays since our first responsibility is to the temple. It should be fun and challenging. Hopeful we will be able to motivate and encourage people to attend the temple and for some to prepare to go to the temple. Tonight I have a choir practice in the Assembly Hall at the temple for two performances we have this week during our training with the new missionaries. So excited to be able to sing in that special sacred place in the temple. Salt Lake has to give permission for any groups or meetings to be held in there.

Today all of the winter missionaries of which we are a part hosted two couples for Easter dinner. What a choice experience to meet and get to know these new couples. We fixed all the food since they just arrived on Friday and have barely unpacked or had time to grocery shop. We hosted the Ricks from Rexburg Idaho, and the Grovers from New Port Beach. Such kind and fun people to get to know. I served all my families favorite Easter foods. They really enjoyed it all. I had ham, loaded baked potato casserole, strawberry and spinach salad, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, hot homemade rolls, and a coconut cake for dessert. I cooked most of the day yesterday to prepare as much as I could ahead. They filled the void of not being able to be with our family.

Starting last Monday the temple has been closed for two weeks for maintenance. Rudi still worked everyday but I really relaxed and caught up on needed projects around the cottage. Friday when the new missionaries arrived we put a few basic groceries in their apartments that morning. We then greeted them at the arrival center in the afternoon. All the winter missionaries hosted two new couples. We showed them their apartments and took them around the area to get familiar with their surroundings. We hosted the Fairchilds from Denver Colorado, (They know Uncle John in the Denver Temple) and the Nelsons from Genola, Utah. Later that evening we took them for a Mexican dinner in Hamilton. They were very delightful and grateful for the dinner. Its really fun to get to know them on a more casual bases.

Last night we had a welcome dinner at the stake center for all 120 of us missionaries. We all were assigned tables with two new missionary couples and two winter couples. We hate being called the OLD missionaries even if we are, we prefer being called the winter missionaries. We sat next to the Lees from the San Francisco area, and the Slacks from Manti, Utah. Another delightful experience. Rudi keeps telling me that everyone is so kind and loving its making him have to work harder at being Mister Nice Guy all the time (not that he isn't). It's good for all of us to be kinder and gentler with everyone we come in contact with. We also meet the Crockets from Utah Valley (Chari, yes she is darling and so very kind and personable). I already knew Bro. Crocket from when he worked in the Provo School Distract office. Troy and Kristin, your friends from your old ward in Highland, the McKenhnies, came up to me and said they knew us from seeing us at your ward on occasions. What nice people and so eager to serve and get going. I already know about 10 couples now. Oh, Wilford and Claudia, we meet the Curtis's from the Holliday area. He said he knew Wilf. His dad started A Ray Curtis company, a heating and air conditioning supplier. Lots of new people to get to know. That's what missions are all about. Kathy helped make chocolate covered strawberries which were very good.

This week is packed with tons of training meetings, lunches, dinners, and overall great experiences. Since the temple is closed to the public we will be training in the temple. A week from Monday the temple reopens and we will be running two shifts a day six days a week from then on. Thank goodness all the new missionaries have already served in temples in their hometown areas so they are set and ready to go. Now all they need to learn is the Nauvoo Temple way. Every temple is a little different and the one thing you don't want to say is, but we didn't do it that way in my home temple.

Yes, we're busy but so happy to be able to serve. This experience will always be a highlight of our lives. We still continue to love and miss you all but are so grateful for this privilege to serve in Nauvoo with so many wonderful people.

With all our love,

Rudi and Kathy
Mom and Dad
GRANDPA AND GRANDMA (We really missed our Easter Egg Hunt with our precious grandkids but there will be many years to come to be with you).

 Mexican restaurant with our host couples the Fairchilds and the Nelsons.

 Bro. and Sister Fairchild in their new apartment with the welcome balloon we gave them.

 Bro. and Sister Nelson also with balloon and fruit basket we put together.

 Bro. and Sister McKechnie and Bro. and Sister Crockett.

 Easter Dinner couples we hosted. Bro. and Sister Ricks and Bro. and Sister Grover, in front of our cottage.

Around our dinner table for Easter Dinner.

THE BURNING OF NAUVOO (April 13, 2014)

Thought for the week:
"If you think I'm mean, it means I'm doing my job as your Mom. If I was nice, you would call me Grandma."

"Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work."

"Why is it that the one who snores always falls asleep first???"


Sorry this email is a day later than usual. We've had company this weekend. Paul Bingham (my cousin) and his wife Linda spent the last two and half days with us. They were just released from the Palmyra Temple Mission, and stopped on their way home to Weston, Idaho to visit Nauvoo and attend the temple. We were so fortunate to be able to spend some quality time with them and share mission stories and good old times together. While they were here we got to FaceTime Aunt Norine at the rest home where she lives now. She's 96 and still kicking! She's been like a second mom to me all of my life. I sure love the Bingham family and appreciate many memories of living on the farm in Weston. What absolutely delightful people they are and wonderful representatives of our church. We wish them a safe journey home and great reunion with their family.

To begin the week, last Monday we got to witness the burning of the prairie grass in Nauvoo. The pictures below show a step by step process they use each Spring. Before the burning, all the missionaries gathered for a hot dog roast with all the trimmings. Then with fire engines close by and spectators all around the field they set the grass on fire. It's quite spectacular and over within minutes. All that is left is a black charred field that will regrow very quickly. It's an annual event here in Nauvoo. I especially love the picture of the Nauvoo Temple in the background. It almost looks like the temple is on fire.

This week being the last week the temple is open before the two week shutdown was very busy with a lot of people on spring break. Once again the baptistry was full of teens wanting to be baptized in the Nauvoo Temple. While they were busy downstairs being baptized their parents were upstairs doing ordinances. It's so wonderful to finally see the temple crowded and working at almost full capacity. I had the fortunate experience to follow the session with all the new sister missionaries who arrived on Saturday to serve in Nauvoo for six months during the busy summer season. They came from all over the country and were so excited to be back in Nauvoo. During the winter they are sent to other missions for six months because it's very slow here. There were 20 sisters on the session and other patrons also. The session had 27 sisters and 18 brothers so it was pretty full for our temple. They were a joy to see with smiling faces and so much energy. As I gave them the tokens they just seem to radiate with happiness. Most of the sisters don't get to attend the temple that often when they are outside of Nauvoo. While they are here they get to go a lot. One of the sister missionaries lost her name slip between the first and second room. She was really upset and motioned to me to come over to her. I told her not to worry we'd find it. I had no idea if the session behind us had already started so we stopped our session and I went back thru two rooms and searched but didn't find it. I then had to leave the room and ask the shift coordinator to search the halls and chapel while we continued the session. Why do these things happen to me and no one else. I guess I look like someone who can handle stressful situations NOT. This cute sister was more relaxed than I was after I told her we'd take care of it. In the end the shift coordinator found the slip between two chairs in the first room and had it for her before the veil ceremony started. It always works out just fine in the temple. Heavenly Father watches over His house and makes sure everything is always in order. I just need to rely on Him and have faith.

Saturday Paul and Linda went to the temple with us on our way to our temple assignment. They went thru a session and then Rudi took them on a tour of the temple, Rudi's way. They went to the top of the bell tower and downstairs to see Rudi's world of pipes and fun mechanical stuff. That night we went to Hamilton to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. We meet a couple there who they knew at the Logan Temple where they both served before their missions. After we came back to the cottage and just laughed and enjoyed remembering days gone by. Sunday morning we went to church and then came home to fix dinner. I invited one of the missionary couples here to have dinner with us. We all worked together fixing a pork chop dinner. Paul made the tossed salad, Rudi fixed noodles, Linda made a fruit platter and dressing for the salad, and I did the pork chops and bossed everyone around. Sister Moller brought rolls and a coconut cream pie for dessert. It all was so yummy and no one had to work very hard. Love these dinners together with family and friends. It reminds me of being home with my own family. I really miss Sunday dinners together. This is my family now for another year.

Today is a rainy and cloudy day. Since Rudi had to go to the temple early this morning and Paul and Linda have left I'm kind of lonely but busy with over due laundry to be done. Our new missionaries will be here Friday so I need to prepared with some assignments I have for when they arrive. Each winter missionary is having Easter dinner for two couples this Sunday. We also have welcome baskets I need to get finished when they arrive this Friday. Lots of things going on. Very, very busy next week with training and lunches and dinners to host our new missionaries. I need to gear up and get organized!

Once again I've poured my week out in detail. I'm loving what we do but still seem to miss family and friends. Its such a relief to know that all of you are in good hands as we are here. Many of your names are put on the temple rolls regularly with our names at the top. We pray for you daily and know we are so blessed to have the love and support that each of you give us.

Have a wonderful week in preparation for Easter and all the activities. Remember that because of our Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement we will all be together again with Him and our loving Heavenly Father.

With love always,

Rudi and Kathy
Mom and Dad
GRANDPA AND GRANDMA

 





Rudi and I at the field of prairie grass soon be burned.

 

Fellow missionaries with us at the hot dog roast before the field burning. No we didn't roast our hot dogs over the flames from the fire!

 

More socializing.

 

 

Sequence of pictures during the setting of the fire.
 

 

 

Starting the burn.

 

Slowly getting the fire going.  Very under control burn with so many missionary houses close by.

Know its getting going!

Those flames were as tall as the telephone poles.  So hot, we had to all move way back.

This is my favorite shot of the temple way up on the hill a long ways away, but it looks close.

All I have to say is WOW!!!

Rudi in front of the field after the burn.

Yes, we are alwasy eating!  Rudie really takes this 30 pound mission seriously!

Community of Christ church.

Another church in Nauvoo.  I can't remember the name.

Paul and Linda with us in front of the temple.

More pictures from a different view!  No pun intended!

 Nauvoo Temple at daybreak.  Love this temple and all the beautiful settings.

Missionaries getting the horses ready for a day of pulling wagons through Nauvoo.

Fort Madison Bridge we cross all the time.  The train track runs under it.

 

THE GOOD NEWS OF CONFERENCE. (April 6, 2014)

Thought of the Week:
"My body sometimes feels sore, but it works. I don't sleep well most nights, but I do wake up to fight another day. My wallet is not full, but my stomach is. I don't have all the things I ever wanted, but I do have everything I need. I'm thankful because although my life is by no means perfect, it's my life and I'm HAPPY."

"Don't be sad that it is over, but find joy because it happened."

What a wonderful weekend. I never remember enjoying conference so much. Maybe it's because just Rudi and I are here to listen and absorb all the messages without any interruptions. Don't get me wrong! I've always loved spending conference with my
family, and the interruptions, but our hearts are so full of gratitude for the blessings we are able to enjoy here in Nauvoo.

The conference messages have been so powerful and seem to have a urgency about them to spread the gospel and learn to trust The Lord. I especially love what Sister Stevens, of the Primary Presidency, had to say about prayer and listening to the still small voice. Elder Bednar's message was as usual very powerful. I loved his comparison of the Load in the truck to lives of trials and tests. We all grow from the daily load of living and enduring to the end. I got the most emotional when the choir sang "A Child's Prayer". That song has special meaning to me. I'll never forget our children and grandchildren singing that at my mothers funeral. It always brings tears to my eyes. I could go on and on but just know that conference means a lot to missionaries away from home and family.

This week was my first week to be clothing coordinator in the temple. I was busy most of the time but every once in awhile it slowed down enough for me to breath and read out of an Ensign left there for us to read. I found a wonderful article about the youth of the church, and of course I immediately thought of my grandchildren. It stated that the youth of the Church have been 'called to action" and asked to "arise and shine forth" [D&C 115:5]. A temple president reported that when youth stand proxy in baptism for any name they come out smiling, but "when they do it for an ancestor they have tears in their eyes. They feel something deeper, they feel something more." It also states, I don't think there has ever been a generation of youth that has been prepared for the curriculum like [the youth] are today. I don't think there has ever been a group of youth that has done as many baptisms or more confirmations for the dead...or that has been as close to temple work and all of the facets of that as this group. God truly loves and trusts His youth of today.

I was called into President Nelson's office, (the first counselor of the temple presidency) to be an endowment coordinator for Wednesday afternoon this summer. Wow, another new position to learn. I love the challenge but hope I can handle it without Rudi by my side. I guess I'll be assigned another brother to help with the calling.

I'm so excited to have our grandchildren here this summer to participate in their ancestors baptisms and confirmations. Also to have our children do the rest of the ordinances in their eternal progressions.

We once again spent time at the family search center here in Nauvoo this week. We're getting more and more names ready for our family to be busy working in the temple along with us this summer.

Thursday was a very busy day. We worked the early morning shift for the site missionaries. We had to be at the temple by 6:00 a.m. I know that isn't early for our Salt Lake Temple relatives who go around 3:00 a.m. or earlier, but it's early for us. Rudi and I officiated the session. It was very special for us since Rudi will soon not be able to be an ordinance worker during the summer. Next week after the temple closes for two weeks for maintenance, the summer schedule begins. After we finished we met four other early morning couples for breakfast at Grandpa Johns. Great breakfast and wonderful conversation. From there we went to the family search center for a couple of hours. I think we're getting addicted to searching out family names. I've found a lot more than Rudi because his relatives are a lot harder to research due to his German heritage. Soon after that we went to Quincey for my cardiologist appointment. Everything is going good. The doctor tweaked a few of my medications and my ankles and feet are finally back to normal after weeks of swelling and pain.

Yes, we are busy but very happy and excited about our mission. As was stated in conference, "No sacrifice is too great for the blessings of the temple." We feel very blessed by having this wonderful opportunity to serve in the temple.

We continue to miss our family and friends, but know this is the place we should be at this time of our lives. It gives us reassurance to know that the family is the pattern of Heaven. We pray for our family daily and want more than anything to someday enjoy that eternal, pattern of Heaven, to be our blessing to enjoy.

May you all count your blessings and continue to be healthy and happy.

With love always,

The Nauvoo Missionaries
Rudi and Kathy

 Breakfast with good friends to celebrate Bro. Terry's birthday. Also there were the Willis', Hendersons', and the Wilsons'.

 Selfie of Rudi and I with our new Nauvoo Missionary sweatshirts on. Very red! Where's the BLUE!

 Check out who's place I'm standing in front of. Thats how they identify every bodies place of residents.

 Rudi looking great in his new sweatshirt!

 In Quincey at the monument where the Saints landed when they were exiled from Missouri.

 Rudi at the area around the monument.

 Beautiful bridge crossing over the Mississippi River between Quincey and Missouri.

 

Angel Moroni on top of the Nauvoo Temple.

 Plaque on the Nauvoo Temple.

 Nauvoo Temple from across the river in Montrose.

 Lutheran Church in Nauvoo. Two blocks south of the temple.

 Methodist Church also in Nauvoo. A lot of churches for such a small community.

 Coots, nicknamed Mud Hens on the Mississippi River. They do not have webbed feet, rather lobes on their toes. When they swim or walk it appears as though their head and feet are connected because of their bobbing head motion.

Time to fly away!