Thoughts for the week:
"Don't forget to set your scales back ten pounds this week." Thanksgiving can do that to us!
"Worrying is like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain."
"I do NOT HAVE a huge house, a brand new car or lots of money. What I DO HAVE is an amazing family and friends and memories that will last forever."
So much to be grateful for during this week of Thanksgiving. I can't believe we've been gone for two Thanksgivings now. Our blessings are still growing and we feel so thankful for this opportunity.
We had a wonderful week getting back into serving at the temple after being gone for three weeks. It was so good to see all our temple friends and feel that special temple feeling you get when you serve the patrons. Fortunately, the temple was very busy this week with a lot of visitors in town for the holiday. Our only slow time was last night. We work on Saturday night so we arrived at 5:00 and were ready for the six o'clock session but no one came, so the session was cancelled. Unfortunately the same thing happened on the seven o'clock session. Poor Pres. McArthur tried so hard to make the last session happen. I think he would have gone out on the street and flag people in if it would have been permissible. Thus we went home two hours early. Only a nine hour day instead of 11 hours.
Saturday morning was really busy. Our 11 o'clock session had 45 people on it. I worked in clothing and was busy. Most visitors don't bring their temple clothes, they just rent them.
Friday Rudi and I went to Burlington to grocery shop and try and see a movie. No movies that sounded interesting, so we went to dinner at Gator's and came home and crashed.
None of our kids got together for Thanksgiving. They all went in different directions. Tiff and family did stay home and tried their first Thanksgiving dinner with just the five of them. She said it was different but O.K. Troy and family went to Tremonton to spend Thanksgiving with Kristin's family. Her brother came from Michigan, so they enjoyed visiting with them. Traci and kids plus Karly Castellaw went to St. George and Zion Canyon. Super weather and fun with her high school friend Diane and her family. Tami and family stayed in Gillette and spent Thanksgiving dinner with friends. It'll be great to be back together for Thanksgiving when we get home.
Today was Sunday and off to Canton for our weekly time with the branch out there. It was the smallest group ever since we started going eight months ago. There were only 40 people in sacrament meeting. We felt like we were singing solos. A lot of people were out of town for Thanksgiving. The weather is still good enough for us to travel that far. We so enjoy being with them and feeling of their sweet simple spirits. Rudi once again gave a wonderful lesson on the importance of the temple. We have two couples in the class preparing to go through the temple. The Deppermans are planning to get to the temple before we leave in April. I gave the closing prayer in sacrament and helped Rudi with the lesson. Its all good! I think the thing I'm impressed with the most about these people in the branch is their willingness to step up and fill in any position that is needed. Today the chorister wasn't there so a sister just stepped up and filled in. Most of the branch members speak in sacrament about four times a year or more. Two brothers just covered the administration of the sacrament because there are no priests in our branch. Everyone just knows they are needed to make the branch function. So wonderful to watch and be a part of.
As usual I've rattled on with my feelings. This mission is a new awakening to us and I don't want to ever forget how it has made us feel and want to be a better person.
We hope your Thanksgivings were special and full of love for family and gratitude for your blessings. We continue to miss you all but look forward to our reunion in a few short months.
With love always,
Rudi and Kathy Grateful Missionaries)
"Don't forget to set your scales back ten pounds this week." Thanksgiving can do that to us!
"Worrying is like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain."
"I do NOT HAVE a huge house, a brand new car or lots of money. What I DO HAVE is an amazing family and friends and memories that will last forever."
So much to be grateful for during this week of Thanksgiving. I can't believe we've been gone for two Thanksgivings now. Our blessings are still growing and we feel so thankful for this opportunity.
We had a wonderful week getting back into serving at the temple after being gone for three weeks. It was so good to see all our temple friends and feel that special temple feeling you get when you serve the patrons. Fortunately, the temple was very busy this week with a lot of visitors in town for the holiday. Our only slow time was last night. We work on Saturday night so we arrived at 5:00 and were ready for the six o'clock session but no one came, so the session was cancelled. Unfortunately the same thing happened on the seven o'clock session. Poor Pres. McArthur tried so hard to make the last session happen. I think he would have gone out on the street and flag people in if it would have been permissible. Thus we went home two hours early. Only a nine hour day instead of 11 hours.
Saturday morning was really busy. Our 11 o'clock session had 45 people on it. I worked in clothing and was busy. Most visitors don't bring their temple clothes, they just rent them.
Friday Rudi and I went to Burlington to grocery shop and try and see a movie. No movies that sounded interesting, so we went to dinner at Gator's and came home and crashed.
None of our kids got together for Thanksgiving. They all went in different directions. Tiff and family did stay home and tried their first Thanksgiving dinner with just the five of them. She said it was different but O.K. Troy and family went to Tremonton to spend Thanksgiving with Kristin's family. Her brother came from Michigan, so they enjoyed visiting with them. Traci and kids plus Karly Castellaw went to St. George and Zion Canyon. Super weather and fun with her high school friend Diane and her family. Tami and family stayed in Gillette and spent Thanksgiving dinner with friends. It'll be great to be back together for Thanksgiving when we get home.
Today was Sunday and off to Canton for our weekly time with the branch out there. It was the smallest group ever since we started going eight months ago. There were only 40 people in sacrament meeting. We felt like we were singing solos. A lot of people were out of town for Thanksgiving. The weather is still good enough for us to travel that far. We so enjoy being with them and feeling of their sweet simple spirits. Rudi once again gave a wonderful lesson on the importance of the temple. We have two couples in the class preparing to go through the temple. The Deppermans are planning to get to the temple before we leave in April. I gave the closing prayer in sacrament and helped Rudi with the lesson. Its all good! I think the thing I'm impressed with the most about these people in the branch is their willingness to step up and fill in any position that is needed. Today the chorister wasn't there so a sister just stepped up and filled in. Most of the branch members speak in sacrament about four times a year or more. Two brothers just covered the administration of the sacrament because there are no priests in our branch. Everyone just knows they are needed to make the branch function. So wonderful to watch and be a part of.
As usual I've rattled on with my feelings. This mission is a new awakening to us and I don't want to ever forget how it has made us feel and want to be a better person.
We hope your Thanksgivings were special and full of love for family and gratitude for your blessings. We continue to miss you all but look forward to our reunion in a few short months.
With love always,
Rudi and Kathy Grateful Missionaries)
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to Tami and Dan on December 7th.
Thanksgiving dinner with all the temple missionaries. Tons of food and fun!
Enjoying dinner with the Smith's and many other missionaries.
Cutest table decorations! Eatable turkey!
Its Christmas time again. Same scene as last year but still loving our grandchildren tree and nativity.
So much to bring us happiness. Now all I need is my family around us.
Fort Madison Bridge. We cross it about once a week to get to Burlington.
Downtown Nauvoo. We'll never forget this little town in Illinois.
