"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.
No comments:
Post a Comment