Thoughts for the week:
"If you can't be the light, be the match. You may not be the candle to illuminate the room, but your spark can be the source of its light."
"If no one is there to push you, DRAG YOURSELF. You cannot always depend on others to help you out; you also have to help yourself."
"One day someone is going to hug you so tight, that all your broken pieces will fit back together."
"Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us."
I don't know where to begin. This week has been full of so many wonderful and fun memories. I really have mixed emotions today since Tiffini and Traci's families left this morning to fly back to Utah. I feel like I left on another mission and had to say goodby. After nine days of non- stop activities it was really hard to hug and kiss them again for another nine months. They left right after we left for the Canton Branch. The tears were really flowing and the Glassetts who go with us to Canton thought we must be crazy with our red eyes and make-up smeared all over my face. Luckily Rudi's make-up didn't run even though I know he had a hard time saying goodby. It reminded me of the morning we left for our mission nine months ago and everyone was so emotional. Even little Jensen and Addie were crying. This is the sacrifice of our mission to be away from our family who are so close to us. Wouldn't you know Rudi's lesson in Gospel Principles was on Sacrifice today. We certainly had some personal comments to make. By the way he did a great job as usual.
We love our branch in Canton and feel of the spirit so much each week. Today one of the newly baptized brothers was asked to give the closing prayer and said he still had trouble but would do his best. It was truly a heart felt prayer even though he hesitated and was uncomfortable. I love seeing these people grow in the gospel and get stronger each week. My testimony grows just being around this missionary process.
This week in the temple Sister Ardith Kapp went on an endowment session. Since I was endowment coordinator, and recognized her from my homeward in Bountiful where she lived when I was growing up, I said hello and welcomed her to the Nauvoo Temple. She remembered my parents name and gave me a big hug. She must be in her late seventies and is as beautiful as she always was and as sharp as a tack. Love these special experiences that I have working in the temple.
I also saw two of our former neighbors who lived across the street from us in Nauvoo before they left last year to go home. The Jordon's and the Jensen's, both great couples and so fun to see and catch up on some old times. Virg and Rocky Jordon are now living in the St. George area so we hope to see a lot more of them when we come home. The Jensen's are now the Logan Temple President and Matron.
Now to some of the special memories with our kids and grandkids this week. We started Monday off with seeing the play, Just Plain Anna Amanda, a cute puppet play and dramatization of the early children in Nauvoo. It was performed by the young performing missionaries. It was so cute and the kids loved it. Then we went to some of the sites in Old Nauvoo. That afternoon Ellie and Ethan did baptisms and confirmations for the dead. Jeff did all the baptisms and Rudi confirmed them. They each did around 12 names. Traci helped with towels and Grandma watched and felt so blessed to see all those ancestors continuing on their eternal progression. After the baptisms and confirmations Traci and Jeff went upstairs and did all the initiatory work for the them. Hopefully they all accepted the gift that was given them. That night we once again saw the presentation of Sunset by the Mississippi River. The night was beautiful and enjoyed by all.
Tuesday morning after we all had breakfast at our cottage Jeff, Tiffini and Traci met us at the temple for an endowment session. Rudi and I officiated, so we felt so special to have our kids on our session. We feel so lucky to be able to have our children in the temple with us and performing the much needed work for our ancestors. It really brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how wonderful heaven will be with all our children there with us. I don't want any empty chairs at our table. That afternoon we went to the play, The Promise. Another dramatization of the life of the Saints in Old Nauvoo. This city just bubbles with the spirit of the Saints. You can't help but catch the spirit of Joseph's City and the strong diligent Saints who lived here.
After we saw Rendezvous In Old Nauvoo, another fun play at the Cultural Hall. By then we were all tired and ready to relax.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday Rudi and I were at the temple on our regular shifts. We saw the British Pageant Wednesday night and the Nauvoo Pageant Thursday night. They both were fabulous and very well done. They had all kinds of pioneer activities going on before the pageants each night. It was so fun to see the grandkids get involved in dancing, making crafts, trying out stilts, tug a wars, all many other activities before the actual performances. Our seats were great and we all loved seeing the wonderful pageants with song, dance and dramatization. What a production! While Rudi and I were at the temple the kids saw the rest of the sites and vignettes throughout Nauvoo.
Thursday afternoon after we got off at the temple we went to a farmers market in Burlington. So much fun buying fresh corn on the cob, tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches and other fresh veggies. Of course buying peaches meant Kathy had to make fresh peach pie. Loved having the grandkids help out. Those memories can't be beat.
Friday night we went to Keokuk and ate at Angelini's a great Italian restaurant. After we played games at the cabin Tiff and Jeff were staying at. It felt like old times being together and laughing all the time.
Saturday we went and finished up some sights and saw more vignettes throughout Nauvoo. We came hame and made Hawaiian Haystacks which we all love and ate our pie. The Diederich's know how to party with great food and fun activities. Never a dull moment. Yes, we are tired but I can sleep later when they leave.
As you can see Rudi and I are so blessed to have such wonderful children and grandchildren who support us and bring us so much happiness. Serving a mission is a great opportunity to serve and hopefully inspire our children and grandchildren to want to serve missions also. We know because of our willingness to accept this calling our family has been blessed. They are all healthy and happy and doing their best to teach their children correct principals. Knowing that they are O.K. makes it a lot easier to be away from them.
I know this email is lengthy but its been an amazing summer with so many memories and wonderful experiences. We want our kids to know how grateful we are to them for their support and taking the time and money to be with us this summer. Tami I haven't forgotten you. I hope to see you this fall but if that doesn't work we plan to stop on our way home in April and spend a wonderful time with your special family. My thoughts and prayers are always in your behalf as they are for all my children. We love you all so much and miss you daily. Keep up the good work!
With love always to family and friends,
Rudi and Kathy
Mom and Dad
GRANDPA AND GRANDMA
P.S. Ellie learned to drive in Nauvoo for the first time. So glad she got her learners permit before she came. Josh has his learners also. The roads are no longer safe with two of my grandkids driving around. Just kidding. They both are great drivers!
"If you can't be the light, be the match. You may not be the candle to illuminate the room, but your spark can be the source of its light."
"If no one is there to push you, DRAG YOURSELF. You cannot always depend on others to help you out; you also have to help yourself."
"One day someone is going to hug you so tight, that all your broken pieces will fit back together."
"Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us."
I don't know where to begin. This week has been full of so many wonderful and fun memories. I really have mixed emotions today since Tiffini and Traci's families left this morning to fly back to Utah. I feel like I left on another mission and had to say goodby. After nine days of non- stop activities it was really hard to hug and kiss them again for another nine months. They left right after we left for the Canton Branch. The tears were really flowing and the Glassetts who go with us to Canton thought we must be crazy with our red eyes and make-up smeared all over my face. Luckily Rudi's make-up didn't run even though I know he had a hard time saying goodby. It reminded me of the morning we left for our mission nine months ago and everyone was so emotional. Even little Jensen and Addie were crying. This is the sacrifice of our mission to be away from our family who are so close to us. Wouldn't you know Rudi's lesson in Gospel Principles was on Sacrifice today. We certainly had some personal comments to make. By the way he did a great job as usual.
We love our branch in Canton and feel of the spirit so much each week. Today one of the newly baptized brothers was asked to give the closing prayer and said he still had trouble but would do his best. It was truly a heart felt prayer even though he hesitated and was uncomfortable. I love seeing these people grow in the gospel and get stronger each week. My testimony grows just being around this missionary process.
This week in the temple Sister Ardith Kapp went on an endowment session. Since I was endowment coordinator, and recognized her from my homeward in Bountiful where she lived when I was growing up, I said hello and welcomed her to the Nauvoo Temple. She remembered my parents name and gave me a big hug. She must be in her late seventies and is as beautiful as she always was and as sharp as a tack. Love these special experiences that I have working in the temple.
I also saw two of our former neighbors who lived across the street from us in Nauvoo before they left last year to go home. The Jordon's and the Jensen's, both great couples and so fun to see and catch up on some old times. Virg and Rocky Jordon are now living in the St. George area so we hope to see a lot more of them when we come home. The Jensen's are now the Logan Temple President and Matron.
Now to some of the special memories with our kids and grandkids this week. We started Monday off with seeing the play, Just Plain Anna Amanda, a cute puppet play and dramatization of the early children in Nauvoo. It was performed by the young performing missionaries. It was so cute and the kids loved it. Then we went to some of the sites in Old Nauvoo. That afternoon Ellie and Ethan did baptisms and confirmations for the dead. Jeff did all the baptisms and Rudi confirmed them. They each did around 12 names. Traci helped with towels and Grandma watched and felt so blessed to see all those ancestors continuing on their eternal progression. After the baptisms and confirmations Traci and Jeff went upstairs and did all the initiatory work for the them. Hopefully they all accepted the gift that was given them. That night we once again saw the presentation of Sunset by the Mississippi River. The night was beautiful and enjoyed by all.
Tuesday morning after we all had breakfast at our cottage Jeff, Tiffini and Traci met us at the temple for an endowment session. Rudi and I officiated, so we felt so special to have our kids on our session. We feel so lucky to be able to have our children in the temple with us and performing the much needed work for our ancestors. It really brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how wonderful heaven will be with all our children there with us. I don't want any empty chairs at our table. That afternoon we went to the play, The Promise. Another dramatization of the life of the Saints in Old Nauvoo. This city just bubbles with the spirit of the Saints. You can't help but catch the spirit of Joseph's City and the strong diligent Saints who lived here.
After we saw Rendezvous In Old Nauvoo, another fun play at the Cultural Hall. By then we were all tired and ready to relax.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday Rudi and I were at the temple on our regular shifts. We saw the British Pageant Wednesday night and the Nauvoo Pageant Thursday night. They both were fabulous and very well done. They had all kinds of pioneer activities going on before the pageants each night. It was so fun to see the grandkids get involved in dancing, making crafts, trying out stilts, tug a wars, all many other activities before the actual performances. Our seats were great and we all loved seeing the wonderful pageants with song, dance and dramatization. What a production! While Rudi and I were at the temple the kids saw the rest of the sites and vignettes throughout Nauvoo.
Thursday afternoon after we got off at the temple we went to a farmers market in Burlington. So much fun buying fresh corn on the cob, tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches and other fresh veggies. Of course buying peaches meant Kathy had to make fresh peach pie. Loved having the grandkids help out. Those memories can't be beat.
Friday night we went to Keokuk and ate at Angelini's a great Italian restaurant. After we played games at the cabin Tiff and Jeff were staying at. It felt like old times being together and laughing all the time.
Saturday we went and finished up some sights and saw more vignettes throughout Nauvoo. We came hame and made Hawaiian Haystacks which we all love and ate our pie. The Diederich's know how to party with great food and fun activities. Never a dull moment. Yes, we are tired but I can sleep later when they leave.
As you can see Rudi and I are so blessed to have such wonderful children and grandchildren who support us and bring us so much happiness. Serving a mission is a great opportunity to serve and hopefully inspire our children and grandchildren to want to serve missions also. We know because of our willingness to accept this calling our family has been blessed. They are all healthy and happy and doing their best to teach their children correct principals. Knowing that they are O.K. makes it a lot easier to be away from them.
I know this email is lengthy but its been an amazing summer with so many memories and wonderful experiences. We want our kids to know how grateful we are to them for their support and taking the time and money to be with us this summer. Tami I haven't forgotten you. I hope to see you this fall but if that doesn't work we plan to stop on our way home in April and spend a wonderful time with your special family. My thoughts and prayers are always in your behalf as they are for all my children. We love you all so much and miss you daily. Keep up the good work!
With love always to family and friends,
Rudi and Kathy
Mom and Dad
GRANDPA AND GRANDMA
P.S. Ellie learned to drive in Nauvoo for the first time. So glad she got her learners permit before she came. Josh has his learners also. The roads are no longer safe with two of my grandkids driving around. Just kidding. They both are great drivers!
Rudi and I with the Maughns, site missionaries, Addie's friend at home grandparents.
Logan and Jensen marching in the parade before the presentation of Sunset By the Mississippi.
Kathy a site missionary at the post office. Aunt Marianne, she reminds me of you. I call her Aunt Marianne and she answers me with a smile.
Traci and Tiffini's family at the sunstone.
Waiting to go on the oxen ride.
What cute grandkids!
Addie and Jensen observing a broken down butterfly.
Riding the oxen and covered wagon ride. Ethan and Logan driving the team. Scary!
Jensen finally making sure oxen have ears and horns, something he didn't believe until he saw it with his own eyes.
At the Women's Garden. Looking like the statue.
Grandma with her grandchildren next to the grandmother statue. So lucky to have so many wonderful grandchildren.
Kathy with her daughters and granddaughters next to the statue of a mother and her children following her.
More cute pictures of my sweet grandkids. So great to have them here for over a week.
Ethan helping Jensen walk on stilts at the pre-show activities before pageant.
Jensen and Addie dressed up like Pioneer children. They had so much fun learning about how they lived in Nauvoo many years ago.
Waiting for the pageant to start. we had great seats thanks to grandpa going early and reserving them for us.
Triple Trouble! Ellie can handle them both. Big job, but they love her so much!
The grandkids in front of the temple. How cute are they!
At the farmers market in Burlington. Loved all the fresh veggies and fruits! Love the kids more!
Tiffini and Jeff's family. No they are not drinking what you think. They all bought bottles of Fitze which is in beer looking bottles. It was so fun watching the kids enjoy themselves so much. Love those kids!
Traci's family along the Mississippi River. What great kids!
In front of where Jeff and Tiffini and kids stayed the last four nights. Beautiful cabin!
Outside the cabin. Everyone loved the trees around the cabin. Very rustic!
Outside of our cottage. Such great people to spend a week with.
At the Family Search Center looking up their family fan charts.
Everyone got involved even Jensen in the background trying to get his games to come up. Got to love him trying!
Everyone wanted a homemade peach pie while they were there, so grandma took control with her rolling pin in hand and flour all over her and got them making pies. So much fun, and delicious pies with their help! Thanks Ellie, number one assistant, for all your help.
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