"Know God, Know hope. No God, No hope."
"The wounds given by a sword can be healed, But nothing can heal a wound given by words."
"Being a good person does not depend on your religion, status in life, race, skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how you treat others."
Another week in the lives of the Nauvoo Missionaries. Every week is full of ups and downs, but mostly ups. This week was very slow in the temple again. We got use to all the tourists coming for pageant and now it's hard to get use to low numbers. That's the biggest down this week. We pray for more patrons everyday. Two thirds of the temple missionaries will be leaving to go home the end of October which will require more of us missionaries staying but I'll miss them so much. They've become such dear friends after spending a year with them.
Last Monday we spent the day in Amana, Iowa. It's about 21/2 hours from Nauvoo. It was so fun seeing these small German villages. Each village has unique shops to stop and see and stroll through. We enjoyed eating lunch at a German restaurant and having authentic German food. Rudi was in his element. Elfriede they even had potato balls. We went with six other couples and got to know them better. The day was long but we so enjoy seeing and tasting as much of the Midwest as we can.
We had the opportunity to help clean the temple Wednesday night after our shift. We were there from eight until nine thirty. Rudi and I have never vacuumed so much carpet in our life's. The time went by fast and we gained a new appreciation for the many hours spent keeping our beautiful temple in top notch condition. It was a long day but well worth the effort.
Thursday afternoon, after we served in the temple, we went to Montrose to the Watermelon Festival. What a Hoot! I thought I'd seen all the tattoos I could stand the week before at the Corn Festival, but it seemed like everyone but us missionaries had one or more tattoos somewhere on their bodies. I guess we just don't fit into the carnival atmosphere. We try really hard to support as many of the surrounding area activities. It's one way to show the non-mormons that we care and want them to come to Nauvoo and see our sights. Hopefully we're doing some good, and are good ambassadors for the church. Oh well, its somewhere to go and something fun to do with other missionaries.
I spent four of my five days this week serving as a coordinator throughout the temple. I did get to be on line on Tuesday and really enjoyed brushing up on my initiatory, name issue and helping at the veil. I don't seem to get to do that often enough lately. I still have only seen the new film once and look forward to following on a session soon so I can see it again. I'm never going to get all the endowments done for my ancestors at this rate. Hopefully I'll get more time being a patron during the winter months like last year.
We just got back from Canton. It was their branch conference today, so the chapel was packed with stake people. Our branch president spoke and did an excellent job. We love that man a lot and appreciate his six years of continued service to this little branch. Next week I teach R.S. and that means extra studying this week. I love teaching but always worry about if there will be enough participation. I'm always over prepared just in case.
I guess school is starting this week at home. Good luck to my wonderful grandchildren in their academic and extra curricular endeavors. Have a great week and remember to try your hardest, that's all that's expected of you.
Well time to go eat dinner with the Garrett's. They are from Florida and invited us to a turkey dinner. Sounds yummy! I'm taking the dessert, homemade peach pie. Somehow my pie has gotten around and I seem to take it somewhere every week. Good thing it's something Rudi likes. I made a whole pie for him. Here comes the 30 pounds!
It's still lush and green in Nauvoo and still no unbearable temperatures. Hope Utah weather is delightful and the dog days of summer are pleasant.
Have a great week! We love you all and pray for your protection and good health. Oh, by the way the man I wrote about last week in my email passed away peaceful last Sunday afternoon after I sent the email. Prayers are really answered and quickly in his behalf. He only suffered two days and then his prayer was answered. What a great example of living your best with a wonderful attitude right to the very end. He will be so missed but always remembered.
With love to all,
Rudi and Kathy (Having a wonderful mission)
Rudi and I in front of a cottage in Amana, Iowa. A P-day activity.
Gayle Gorrell and I shopping in Amana. What a fun day.
A copper insect at a shop we stopped at along the way. Kind of ugly but interesting!
Anne Hawks and I at a Christmas store in Amana. Her and her husband are our shift coordinators on Friday morning at the temple. They live in Nauvoo and are a lot of fun to be around.
Marie Bassett and I at the copper store. Everything was made out of copper.
Lenor Prince and Paula Peterson at the copper store. These sisters are in our P-day group.
Rudi browsing the copper store. Fun to look at but all I could think about is how would we get them home. Maybe we could be like Paul and Linda Bingham and rent a trailor!
All the temple missionaries saying goodby to the Durrants last Sunday night. I think almost everyone was there. They are dearly loved and will be missed.
George and Susan Durrant in front of their home in Nauvoo. Great couple! I won't forget them.
A surprise visit from my cousin Jim Owen and his daughter Katie from Wyoming. Jim is my cousin Barbara Wood Owen's husband. What a surprise to have them come to our front door. Short visit since they were on their way back to Wyoming.
Rudi and I enjoying the Watermelon Festival in Montrose, Iowa last Thursday. There's a different festival almost every week around here. Love the Midwest spirit of having fun.
With David Moller at the festival. Moller's and us do a lot together and love every minute. Hope they move to Utah Valley when they get home from their mission.
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