A THANKSGIVING POEM:
"May your stuffing be tasty, may your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious and your pies take the prize, and may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs."
TO BE A PUMPKIN:
A coworker asked a recently baptized lady what it was like to be a Christian. She replied, "It's like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in and washes all the dirt off that you may have gotten from the other pumpkins.
Then he cuts off and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate and greed. He then carves you a new smiling face and puts his light inside of you to shine for all the world to see. Let your light shine!" Sister Thomas of the Canton Branch gave me this quote. She knows I love to collect quotes.
Hope you aren't sick of my New York pictures. I promise I'm through putting in those and will try and take some Nauvoo pictures for next week.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK. I'm sure all of you are gearing up for my favorite holiday. I love being with family, eating the best meal all year, and most important thinking of all my blessings. I'm truly grateful for this past year and all the wonderful missionary experiences we've been able to enjoy. Rudi and I still love serving in the temple and being with the best people in the world. Everyone is so happy and loving to each other.
Our Thanksgiving will be spent with the temple missionaries. Last year we were combined with the site missionaries but they're doing theirs on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. They work on Thursday so they've changed their plans. We'll be eating at the Arrival Center next to the temple. We plan on about 60 people. I'm taking 3 pies and green bean casserole. Can't wait for the big dinner!
Last week the temple reopened on Tuesday. An lot of patrons came during the day. We are now open for two endowment sessions in the morning and two at night. All of the temple missionaries work two to three double shifts each week. On Saturday, Rudi and I work from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00, then back again at 5:00 p.m. till 9:00. That's right, 11 hours! Very tired when Saturday night rolls around. Surprisingly, the time goes by pretty fast. I spend most of my time in the main office. I have three shifts each week in the office, one as clothing coordinator and the rest on line. Last week they started training me to be in the sealing office and to be initiatory coordinator. Last week I spent more time training or being a trainee. It's all good, just confusing sometimes. Rudi gets to be on line as a ordinance working on Wednesday and Saturday night. We work two shifts that day so he gets double the time serving as an ordinance worker. He looks so cool in his white suit. Thanks again Hugo for the suit. Rudi and I officiated a session on Wednesday together which was special since we haven't done that together since last winter.
This Tuesday Rudi and I get to guide a couple that will be sealed. We're looking forward to doing that together since we don't often get the opportunity to work side by side.
Today we drove to Canton since the weather is fairly descent today. It rained all day. We're suppose to be dropping 20 degrees by tomorrow. Then the forecast is snow this week. President McArthur has told us to continue to go to Canton unless the weather is bad. We love the people their and feel of the spirit so strong. These people are so humble and loving and accepting to all. Today one of the Y.M. who has learning disabilities spoke in sacrament meeting. It was such a simple talk but so special to realize what a big step it was for him. He really humbled me when he turned to the branch president and asked him what the word was on his paper. He has a lot of disabilities but tried his hardest. His mom is in the R.S. presidency and she just smiled through her tears of joy for him. These people are very humble and Christ like. They all pull their own weight and seem to be ready and welling to serve wherever needed.
Do you see why we love the members of the Canton Branch?
Right now it's pitch black outside and it's only 4:30. Not ready for another dark and freezing cold winter. Hope this winter is warmer. Dream on Kathy!
Well family and friends I hope your Thanksgiving is warm and full of loving family and friends around you.
We love you all and are most grateful for the Spirit of Christ in our lives. Our family and friends make life full of blessings. Until next week, stay healthy and happy.
Love always,
Rudi and Kathy
Bear with me for more New York pictures. Cold, but so fun!
Our first two days in Manhattan were warm and wonderful. Walking on the High Line in Chelsea.
Ellie and I walking the streets of Manhattan.
Ellie and I at the Ground Zero Memorial Fountains.
Oh, to die for the warm croissants!
On the High Line enjoying the music of this friendly man who called us the Saints from Utah.
Grandma visiting with our new found friend. Hope you love the red coat since I wore it in every picture.
Over looking the city from the High Line.
In front of the St. Devine Cathedral.
Getting ready to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Riding on the ferry from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Beautiful look of the Manhattan skyline.
Shopping at F.A.O. Schwarz. So many fun toys. We salute our shopping experience.
Inside Dylan's Candy Store. What a sweet lovers holiday!
Another shot at the candy store. Children (and adults) love this colorful store with every candy imaginable.
Yea! My favorite place to eat and enjoy the best hot fudge sundae in the world. Just a two hour wait to get inside.
Check out the doughnut pillows on the wall at the Doughnuttery. Every kind of doughnut you can think of. Caden and Logan, you'd go crazy here!
Don't think we sampled every place we stopped at (but almost). Love bakeries and display cabinets.
Ellie checking out the cupcakes and other bakery delights.
Checking out the lobsters at Chelsea Market Place. We did have lobster rolls that day for lunch.
Traci and Ellie pointing out the railroad tracks on the High Line.
What a cute mother and daughter picture. Can't believe how tall and grown up Ellie is.
Breakfast one morning. Beautiful presentation! Plus the girls make a great presentation themselves.
Excited about the Time Square lights and glitter.
Check this macaron wedding cake out. Can't imagine how much it costs when six macarons were $8.00.
How much alike does this mother and daughter duo look? Kristin and Tieler Diederich, way to cute!
Another mother daughter duo. Cute and so fun!
Tiffini, where's your cute daughter? Maybe in a few years she'll be old enough to come with us.
Enjoying lunch at Serendipity's. Check out all the Tiffini lamps.
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