"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!
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