Rudi and Kathy in Nauvoo: CANTON HERE WE COME! (May 4, 2014)

Thoughts for the week:

"If we could look into each others hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care. Marvin J. Ashton

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

"Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive about what could go right."

Its Sunday and we are back from Canton Illinois where we are assigned to attend that branch. It took us about 1hour and 45 minutes to get there this morning. The ride was beautiful and the road wasn't too much of a cow trial. The city of Canton is about the size of Centerville back home. Its very old but quite well kept. The church is not easy to find and is on a dead end street. We were so surprised at how modern and new the chapel was. It looks just like our meeting houses back home but much, much smaller. It has everything inside but on a very small scale. The chapel has four rows of seats and two rows in the overflow area. There is a very small stand with no choir seats, just room enough for the branch President and his counselors. There's an organ and piano right in front of the podium and a sacrament table to the side where just two brothers can sit. The sacrament was passed by two deacons to around 50 people in the audience. If everyone came there is about 75 members of the branch. Everyone was so happy to see us and welcomed us with open arms. Today being fast and testimony meeting the branch president bore his testimony and then his wife and son bore theirs. After a lengthy pause I decided to come out of my normal let others bear their testimonies mind set and got up. I'll tell you this missionary life has really changed me! I no longer wait for others to take charge I just move into action and "Take care of business." It really felt good to stand up and let them know who we are and how much we look forward to helping in any way possible. I also bore my testimony of the importance of the temple and the happiness that it can bring into their lives. With only 50 people there 40 minutes seemed like forever. Fortunately a lot of people finally stood up. This branch is going to be fun to attend. The president asked what musical talents we might have, and the other sister who goes with us said she played the piano and I said I'd be glad to lead the music anytime they needed me. I noticed on the program that it said the chorister was on a voluntary basis. Yes, I think we might be needed in Canton.
As we walked around the building between Sunday School and Priesthood/Relief Society we saw 5 or 6 children in the whole Primary. The Y.W. program consists of 5 girls, with only one there today, and there are 5 boys in the Aaronic Priesthood. They have a tiny library, two classrooms, a galley type kitchen, and one office for the president. Their Relief Society room was so cozy and welcoming. It looked like a front room. Very inviting and small with about 8 chairs. Everything was there, but like I said in miniature size. It's big enough for a branch that small. No other ward or branch attends in that building.

Last week I started my three new assignments in the temple. All I can say is the temple didn't burn down and the church is still true, so I guess I did O.K. There is so much to learn in the main office of the temple. I booked a lot of reservations for this summer, especially for the month of July during the Pageants. The Baptistry is almost booked solid during that month, so I decided to make some reservations for my grandkids while they are visiting us. Its a good thing I did because the slots are filling up so fast. I hope it all fits into their schedules. In June I also made reservations for Troy's family and kids. I had no idea the temple got that busy! Being endowment coordinator is also very challenging for someone who has never done it before. I've never looked at the clock so much in my life. Every 5 minutes you need to be doing something or you get behind. I always thought I was an organized person but I guess I'm not. I forgot to close one door and you'd think the whole endowment was invalidated. Luckily I'll never make that mistake again. Clothing coordinator went really well. I haven't made any more money for the temple, so I guess I'm doing O.K. I use to forget to give them back their change. Life is great and I'm loving my new assignments.

We've included some of the German churches here in Nauvoo. Rudi can't believe how many German churches there are. Back in the 1860's there were a lot of German immigrants. So far we haven't found any Diederich's that were part of the Saints. Thought our German family would enjoy the pictures of the German churches.

We also included pictures of the windows that were built here in Nauvoo before they were put in the temple. These pictures were taken by Brother Moore who worked on the temple when it was being built. Him and his wife just left to go home about a month ago. We sure miss his beautiful pictures and knowledge of the temple before it was rebuilt.

We continue to love our mission and the special experiences we are having. We just came home from our break the fast dinner with three other couples. What a neat opportunity to get to know more new missionaries. Pres. and Sister McArthur were also at our dinner so it was very special. They are so great to be around! They are so down to earth and fit right into our medium atmosphere among the missionaries.

Each week is so full and rewarding that I think the bubble is going to burst any day, but it just keeps getting better and better. I'll say it again, missions are wonderful, so come join the ranks!

May you all know how much we love and miss you. Have a wonderful week full of love for all and make many memories.

Thanks again for your love and support,

Rudi and Kathy
Mom and Dad
GRANDPA AND GRANDMA (Continue to make us proud, we love you so much).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOGAN one week late with your handsome picture. I hear your birthday party was the best ever. You deserve the best and mom and dad make sure you always get it. Love you!!!

In front of the temple. All the tulips are in full bloom and so gorgeous. Check out our trusty Tahoe in the background.

Another breakfast at Grandpa John's. Love these elders and sisters.

Showing the size and mold of the large windows in the celestial room in the temple.

Other windows for the Nauvoo Temple before they were installed. Love the star windows that are all the way around the temple. The red and blue colors really sparkle when the sun shines on them during the day.