A WEEK OF CELEBRATING... (January 25, 2015)

Thought for the week:

"What is missing in ch--ch."
A statement on a marque on our way to Canton.

"The same boiling water that softens potatoes hardens eggs.  It's all about what you are made of , not your circumstances."

"Mom does not mean "Made of Money."

"Seniors:  I'm speeding because I have to get to where I'm going before I forget where I'm going."

"When God pushes you to the edge, trust Him fully, because only two things can happen.  Either He will catch you when you fall or He will teach you how to fly."

Another wonderful week full of many memories and experiences.  I'll begin with our Monday afternoon lunch with all the temple missionaries to celebrate three couples wedding anniversaries.  Little did we know that all of us were celebrating our 47th anniversary. It was so fun and the Mexican food was delicious.  So fun to get together on our P-day with our friends.  We seldom all get together because of our different shifts.  Even Pres. McArthur and his wife were there celebrating their 47th year.

On Wednesday Rudi and I work together since that's his day on line.  We got to officiate an endowment  session and there was a man with special needs on our session.  It was interesting to see how he compensated for his losses.  Everything went O.K. but we stopped for 10 minutes when he had to use the restroom.  I've learned so much patience for others while here in Nauvoo.  When you love the patrons it's easier to be patient with them and their needs.  Whatever it takes we make the patrons comfortable and feel the spirit.  Time just doesn't matter in the temple.  Last night we had one couple on our last session.  They became the witness couple since they were the only ones there.  Rudi and I are the endowment coordinators on Saturday night so we had to find 8 people to stand in the prayer circle.  It all comes together and works.  One couple is as important as many couples.

Thursday after our morning shift Rudi and I travelled to Peoria to meet our friends Gary and Robin Melton for dinner for  Rudi's birthday and our anniversary.  We ate at Alexanders Steak House. We had the best steak ever.  We love Gary and Robin and had a great time seeing Peoria for the first time.  It's a long way to go for dinner but well worth it.  It's over two hours away.  Crazy I know but it fits our personalities.

Today was busy as usual.  Early start to Canton because it was raining and the temperatures were dropping and snow was on its way.  Luckily we arrived safely much to the surprise of the Canton members.  We once again had all our temple prep people in our class.  Rudi stresses so much about the lessons but does a great job.  Every week we come away feeling like we might be making a difference in their lives.  We enjoy being with these special people and hope and pray that the weather will permit us to finish our 8 week course before we go home.  Next week our friends the Dallings, a missionary couple, will be going with us to meet the branch.  They will probably be taking over when we leave.  We're so glad that the branch will have another couple to take our place so we don't lose the people who are trying so hard to get to the temple.  We plan to travel together so the trip will go even faster.

On Friday, two sisters from the Canton branch came to do an endowment session and meet with Pres. McArthur to be called and set apart as temple ordinance workers.  I was fortunate to be on the session with them because we were slow in main office and I wasn't needed that bad.  They are so excited to serve in the House of The Lord.  They'll be coming twice a month on Thursday and serving that night and staying in the missionary apartments overnight and serving on the Friday morning shift.  Right now there are many empty apartments that will be filled in April with all the new missionaries coming.  Until then a lot of district people are staying over night so they don't have to travel at night.  I have no idea where they'll stay after April.  Pres. McArthur said we have 96 new district people serving in the temple in the last four months.  Maybe someday the Nauvoo Temple will be able to function without temple missionaries.  So glad we got to serve here before that happens.

Tonight we were invited to help with a dinner for the Prince's who are engineers in the temple.  They will be going home next Sunday.  Great people who have served 23 months.  They will be returning to New Mexico.
It's hard to say goodbye but that's part of a missionaries life.  All three engineers will be leaving in the next two months.  New ones will be coming, hopefully early enough to be trained by the old ones.  I'll include pictures of them in next weeks email.

Hope your week was full of memorable things and this new one will be special also.  We love and appreciate you all.  Thanks for your support for all these months.  We will be seeing you soon.

Rudi and Kathy(Happy and loving this wonderful experience).

These three couples celebrating 47 years of marital bliss.  Atkin's, Diederich's, and McArthur's.

 We invited all these people to our celebration dinner.  Our second family of missionaries all went to Hamilton to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  Great food and fun group!

 Celebrating Rudi's birthday and our anniversary in Peoria at Alexanders Steak House.  Best steak we've had in a long time thanks to our super chef cooking on an open grill.

 Gary and Robin Melton joined us for dinner in Peoria.  They live about half hour away from the restaurant and attend the Canton Branch. They've been begging us to go with them to try out these fabulous steaks.  They were not wrong, so good!

 In front of Alexander's.  Wow, that red coat really sticks out!

 Skyline view of Peoria.  Glad we got to visit this city before we come home.

 Passed this gas station on our way to Peoria.  How much lower can it get?

 Three of my beautiful granddaughters enjoying Ellie's surprise birthday party.  Left to right Ainsley, Ellie, and Addie.

 Ellie's birthday group at the theater before seeing 'Paddington'. Check Ethan out on the right, what a good looking guy.  Traci, you have two great kids with birthdays one day apart.  Relax, it over for another year!

 Pictures of our temple prep class members, Bro. and Sister Depperman.  Going to the temple in a few weeks.

Jesse and Jessica.  They have two very active boys and expecting their third child in a few months.

 Richard Horvath and Bro. Kelly.  Richard wants to go to the temple but his wife still isn't baptized. I guess he'll take our his own endowments and hope his wife comes around soon. Bro. Kelly comes into our class to help out.  He has great remarks and we enjoy his personality.

 Bro. and Sister Curtis.  She's been through the temple and is attending with her husband who is working on going soon.

 Todd and Lori Young.  Just baptized and looking forward to being sealed in the temple.  She was made counselor in Y.W. today and he is Y.M. secretary.  Cute couple.

I'M MARRIED TO AN OLD MAN...RUDI TURNS 70! (January 18, 2015)

Thought for the week:

An update to last weeks flooding diaster.  It was an email to the temple missionaries.

Elder Diederich's quest to know what caused the pipes to break was ignored last year, but now there is a small investigation hole in the ceiling of sealing room 6.  And they found??? All the blown in insulation had been "Blown away" from the pipes....by the wind?  A high standard repair is in progress.  Too bad it didn't happen last year when Elder Diederich said let's cut a hole in the ceiling and figure our this problem..."

What a spiritual feast we've enjoyed today in Canton.  To our surprise the Peoria Stake President was in sacrament meeting.  Also on the stand sat the Chicago West Mission President and his wife.  Wow!  It felt like stake or regional conference.  Thankfully the chapel was full.  Pres. Fenn the mission president spoke along with his wife, who is a sister of Joseph McConkie.  Spiritual giants and great talks on the importance of missionary work and attending the temple.

If that wasn't enough Pres. Fenn and his wife attended our temple prep class.  Talk about feeling inadequate!  Our branch president also attended by our invitation to explain the temple recommend.  We also had another new couple attend the class.  We are now up to six couples preparing to go to the temple.  We are totally overwhelmed and elated to be a part of the true missionary spirit.  Our branch president did an outstanding job and Rudi and I filled in with comments.  Pres. Fenn also added such a spirit to our lesson and made some wonderful comments.  Our small classroom was packed, but the spirit was out of control.  Our class members asked such timely questions.  One man was so bold to say, but I'm not sure I want to be sealed to this wife.  Then he explained that this wife is his second wife.  Nothing like being blown away! We really don't know the complete background on all these people, but their hearts and questions are sincere.  It sure makes you appreciate  how lucky we are to have been born in the covenant.  Love this experience and look forward to seeing these beautiful people find their way to the temple.

Tonight we have our monthly president meeting with all the temple missionaries.  Pres. McArthur has asked Rudi and I to talk about our weekly email to our family and friends.  He wants all of the missionaries to write down their experiences and share it with their families.  I guess we're the genie pigs.  I'm proud to share some of my thoughts and experiences with my missionary family.  Hopefully it will go over as planned.

Now that I have two hands back I feel a lot better.  It's so nice to be able to shower, put make-up on, comb my hair properly, not have to wear the handicap temple dress to get over my cast, and best of all type again.  Oh how I appreciate having both hands.  But, I'm always being tested!  The very next day right before we left to go to the temple one of my crowns broke off.  Luckily I have a root cannel on that tooth, so there was no pain.  After $100.00 of ex rays and consultation they decided I needed an implant.  No way!  They are costly and timely.  So I've decided to wait until I get home. The dentist said it would be O.K. since we go home in two months.

Last Monday night we went to FHE with all the temple missionaries.  We played a game involving the November Ensign.  It was like a scripture search but with the October General Conference talks.  It was fun but kind of hard.  Try to remember what all the general authorities said and what session.  I know check the front of the Ensign.  We did, but the questions were very detailed.  Of course, we had treats and fun together.

Pres. Hansen, our new 2nd counselor in the temple presidency from Cedar Rapids, has encouraged a lot of people from the Cedar Rapids area to become temple ordinance workers.  In the past three months about 96 people have become temple workers.  The temple missionaries are really feeling in the minority.  What a great feeling.  Maybe someday the Nauvoo Temple will be able to supply enough ordinance workers from its temple district to run the temple.  That would be awesome, even though we've been so fortunate to enjoy this Nauvoo experience.

We finally found a car carrier for the top of our car in Burlington.  Yes, we're bringing home more than we brought, much to Rudi's displeasure.

This week has been busier at the temple.  Four times out of my seven shifts I was on a endowment session either as a patron or a ordinance worker.  What a wonderful week!  Rudi and I officiated one session and went as patrons on another.  I know you temple workers in Utah probably never get to be patrons while you're working but here in Nauvoo we get that opportunity a lot.

So grateful for our week of rewarding experiences and growth.  We pray for our family and friends a lot.  The prayer roll has become a constant help to me.  I feel like its the best way I can help my family and friends when I'm so far from home.

Have a wonderful week.  Be healthy and happy and enjoy all the birthday celebrations.

With love always,

Rudi and Kathy ( old but still kickin')

This good looking gray haired man will be 70 on January 22, on our 47th Wedding Anniversary.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY!

 Still together after almost 50 years.  What an accomplishment!  Still having fun and looking forward to many more years together.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TROY our fabulous son.  It's hard to find a picture of him alone.  He definitely is a family man.  What a joy he's been in our lives.  A great son, husband, father, brother and uncle.  We love you tons!

 HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN BIRTHDAY to the sweetest girl around.  Ellie turns 16 on January 24th.  What a delightful, talented, smart and spiritual young lady she is.  We adore her and her warm loving personality.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ETHAN on January 25th. He'll be 14 years old.  What a good looking young man.  Ethan you amaze us with your creativity and zest for life.  Such a gift to our family.  We love you.

 Thought you might enjoy our gas prices in Illinois.  That's right 1.75!  Too good to be true.  Hope the gas prices are that low when we decide to return home.

 Check out this nativity scene by a church on our way to Canton.  Rudi loved it so much he made me get in the picture along with the animals.

 Rudi and I at church today in Canton.  We look color coordinated!  That doesn't happen very often!

 

THE NAUVOO TEMPLE FLOODED...AGAIN! (January 11, 2015)

Thought for the week:

This message was sent to all the missionaries this week:

Who remembers what happened at the Nauvoo Temple last January 27th?  Well, it happened again this evening.  And in case you need a memory jog or weren't here, the sprinkler pipe in the sealing room 6 broke, flooding that room and the marriage waiting room.  Tonight it was just before the 6 p.m. session was to begin when the fire alarms went off.  There were more people to help than just Elder Diederich who discovered the problem last year on a Monday night when the temple was closed.  The mess is just as messy but the amount of water wasn't as much.  And the work of the temple went on through the 8 p.m. session as we listened to the sound of vacuums and fans and voices carrying down the staircase.  However, in the endowment rooms, it was just the sound of the Lord's work going forward.  The walls, furniture, carpets, chairs, upholster, etc. are the worldly things that facilitate the Lord's work.  The damage stayed away from the important things.  And the newly retired engineer who was treated to an open house earlier in the afternoon, was there to assist in the work.  Pres. Church has retired early to care for his mother and his stake duties.  Matt Jones is now in charge and will see to the repairs of the temple.

Yes, if happened again!  Rudi was called immediately back to the temple to assist.  We didn't work that night but they needed Rudi to help.  Hopefully, they'll figure out how to keep the pipes from freezing and take care of it for good.  We want the temple to stand for years to come.

This will be my last week typing with one and half hands.  The cast comes off Wednesday and then it's just a matter of time till the stitch marks will disappear.

Winter has returned to the Midwest with a vengeance.  This week the schools throughout the state were closed for two and three days depending where you live.  The temple schedule never missed a beat.

Today on the way back from Canton it stated to rain and quickly turned to ice and slick roads.  The missionaries who came for dinner at our cottage were slipping and sliding all over the place.  We don't get a lot of snow just ice!  Got to love it!

Last Monday night we had dinner at the Terry's.  We were suppose to go to Quincy but the weather was too bad to travel that far so Marie Terry invited the Atkins over along with us to celebrate my birthday.  We had a nice dinner and played games after.  They taught us a new game called Canadian Salad.  So fun.  I'll teach my family how to play when we get home.  Bunco Babes it might be fun to try it out!  Mindless like Bunco!

Each morning as we go to the temple I tell Rudi I'm never going to be warm again.  How quick I forget how warm the summers get. What I wouldn't give to see the temperature about freezing.  I should be use to these temperatures but every year older I get the harder the cold weather affects me.  Tami, we are usually colder than Gillette Wyoming.  Oh, and we get the wind also too!

Due to the flood this weekend Rudi has spent lots of time cleaning up and trying to convince the higher ups how to avoid this happening again.  He gets so frustrated that the temple has to get so many approvals before anything can get done.  I keep telling him he doesn't need to stress so much he will be leaving real soon.  You know Rudi, he takes a personal interest.  The temple is lucky to have him!

It really is amazing how the ordinance work doesn't miss a beat due to the structural damage to the temple.  The Lord is truly in charge of His house and the work that goes on in it.

Rudi and I serve as endowment coordinators on Saturday night.  Rudi is doing great and things are running very smooth.  So glad he can serve as much as he does.  Hopefully, he'll be ready to serve in our temple at home.  I really love the temple and want to start working again when we get home.  Hope they can use us.

Today we started the temple prep. class in the Canton Branch.  We had five couples ready to start the seven week course.  We were so excited to see so many in the class.  All of them are working toward a temple marriage.  This is what a mission is all about.  Seeing people prepare themselves to enter the temple and then being there as temple missionaries ready to assist them and make their experience wonderful.  Full circle, from teaching Gospel Principals class to Temple Preparation class to the temple.  We feel so blessed to be a part of the process from start to finish.  Wow, this is what it's all about.  Love this mission!

Tonight Rudi went with Pres. McArthur to the visitors center for the first practice for the Nauvoo Legion.  They choose Rudi to carry the American Flag in the annual Exodus of the Saints that is recreated each February.  He's all excited and ready to go.  I sure hope it is warmer this year and not freezing like last year.  So many things going on in Nauvoo all the time.  We don't want to miss a thing.  We may only go around once!

We hope our sweet granddaughter, Addison Taggart, has had a wonderful birthday today.  I'm so glad we will be home for her 8 year birthday next year.  Can't believe she is that old all ready.

Once again this week has been busy but well worth our time.  We feel so blessed to be able to continue serving in the temple and helping anyway we can.

We love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.

Rudi and Kathy (Busy but happy missionaries)

Dinner with these dear friends.  Bro. and Sis. Atkin and Bro. and Sis. Terry.

 Two of our favorite past missionaries who got together this past week in Utah.  They sent this picture to us.  Virg Jordan and Brenda Lindholm.  Can't wait to see them again when we get home.

 Rudi and I hosted a dinner at our place today with Pres. Mc Arthur (Sis. McArthur was sick and couldn't make it) Bro. and Sis. Houghton and Bro. and Sis. Rich.  Bro. Rich took the picture.

 Same group with both Rich's.

 Rudi posing this time.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our little pioneer princess.  Addison Taggart, Tiffini  and Jeff's daughter is 7 years old today January 11th.  What  a sweetheart and joyful child she is.  She loves to dance, sing, play the piano and most of all just be a delight to all those around her.  Love ya Sweetheart!

ANOTHER YEAR OLDER, AND HOPEFULLY WISER TOO! (January 4, 2015)

Thoughts for the week:

"Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

"Today I choose to live by choice not by chance.  To be motivated, not manipulated.  To be useful not used.  To excel, not compete.  I choose self-esteem, not pity.  To choose to listen to the inner voice, not the random opinion of others."

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

I'm trying to type this email pretty much with one hand!  Very slow and tedious but I don't want to miss one week of reporting while on our mission.  This time the left hand is in a cast.  I thought it would be much easier to have my left hand out of commission, but I'm finding I need both.  Just two more weeks and I'll be back to normal, whatever normal is for me!

My surgery went well and I made it to our New Years Eve Party the same night of my surgery.  As Colette Thomas, my Provo High buddy and dear friend taught me, never miss work for illness, just when you have something more fun to do.  So, you all know me, I never miss a party.  I'll stay home some other day!

The temple has been closed a lot lately due to Christmas and New Years.  It's going to be hard to go five straight days in a row this coming week.  I think we got spoiled!  It has been great to have so many people at the temple during the holidays.

Today winter officially started in Nauvoo.  We woke to snow and ice under the snow.  Our temple president called early this morning to tell us not to travel out to Canton.  The wind turns the roads to ice skating rinks.  We appreciated him making the decision for us, we were thinking of going.  Thus, we attended the Nauvoo 3rd Ward.  It was so good to see a lot of our friends in the area and many temple missionaries.  We also enjoyed having a short drive to church.  We will miss our Canton Branch, but they understand our situation because they call church off frequently due to bad  weather.

Our close friends the Dallings have invited us over for dinner at five today.  They are from Rexburg Idaho and will be here until next October.  They live right behind us and are a lot of fun to be around.  She's cooking a turkey breast and trimmings and I made sweet potatoes and a cherry pie.

Our New Years Eve Party went over really well.  I was nervous that some of the missionaries might be against playing Bunco.  I quickly told them that our dear friend who has been a bishop, stake president, and mission president taught us how to play it.  Thanks, President Hawkins (Ron and Anne) for putting their minds to rest!  I bet you never thought your influence would be felt in the Nauvoo Temple Mission.  The missionaries loved it and wanted to play longer.  I guess some of these missionaries haven't let their hair down for a long time.  So glad I felt well enough to be there and witness all the good times.  Rudi and I came away from the party feeling like it was a big success, since we were in charge.

This Saturday night on our temple shift Rudi and I were the endowment coordinators.  It was the first time for Rudi and I think he did a great job.  He better, I taught him everything he knows since I did that position all summer long.  It's fun to be able to serve together since he's usually taking care of the mechanical business of the temple.

My brother mentioned to me this week that we have less than 100 days left on our mission.  I decided to count since I had no idea for sure.  We have just 83 days left!  Scary, to think it is moving really fast now.  We both have mixed emotions about our mission coming to an end.  It's one of the best things we've ever done but one of the hardest things we've ever done.  Saying goodbye to family and friends has been very hard but the joy of our service in the temple, meeting some of the best people in the world, and serving in Canton has been life changing and one in a million experience.  We will be united with family and friends again but we may never have this experience again.  We will leave with no regrets just wonderful memories and stronger testimonies.  How grateful we are for a loving Heavenly Father who knows us personally and knows of our needs and wants.  Our lives will never be the same because of this 18 month mission!

Turning 68 yesterday was just fine thanks to Rudi pampering me with a special lunch and so many friends and family sending me birthday wishes and cards.  My flower birthday cake will never be forgotten.  My kids know how much I love flowers.  Turning older makes me appreciate the fact that I need to turn up the speed on being a better person each day.  I need to love more, help more, and most important read the scriptures more. I want so badly to be able to meet my maker knowing him better.  That requires study and lots of prayer and service to my fellow beings.  Wow, my bucket list of things to do before I meet my maker has grown longer instead of shorter.  I guess that happens with every year older we get.  I'll need a lot of help from my friends and family.

Once again my left hand is starting to hurt so I best sign off until next week.

Thanks so much for two weeks of extra special love and support during the holidays.  May each one of you enjoy the year 2015 and make each day count for good!  I know I am.

With love to you all,

Rudi and Kathy (Nauvoo Missionaries)

Christmas Eve at the temple missionary party.  You can see by our smiles that it was a wonderful party.

 Our New Years Eve Party with all the missionaries.  Lots of food, fun games (Bunco) and a lot of laughing and letting our hair down, just a little!

 My birthday flower cake from all my kids and grandkids.  Love it, so original and beautiful!

 The cake close up!  Looks good enough to eat!

 From the top.

 Celebrating my birthday at the Chuong Garden restaurant in Fort Madison.  Great Chinese food and good husband company.  After we went to  Ivy's for a delicious dessert.  What more could a girl ask for on her birthday?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (December 28, 2014)

Thought for the week:

"The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand.  We listen to reply."

"Most people turn to others for encouragement, not for judgement.  So if you can't say something positive, there's an option called SILENCE."

Another year is about to come to an end.  What a year we've had!  So many cherished memories.  I'm so grateful I've never missed one week of sending out an email.  Almost all of my memories are saved because I followed through with something that meant a lot to me.  Hopefully my children, grandchildren and many generations after I'm long gone will enjoy what experiences Rudi and I had in Nauvoo.

This week has been full of parties, food, late nights, and most important an increase in patrons to the temple.  Friday and Saturday after Christmas was really busy with lots of visitors to Nauvoo for the holidays.  Because the weather has been so mild many people traveled long distances to make an endowment session and many young people did baptisms while in Nauvoo.

We had a fun Christmas Eve party at the Visitors Center.  Missionaries love to just gather and talk and eat and laugh a lot.  Most of us hurried home that night to Facetime or Skype our families.  Rudi and I enjoyed being a part of our kids traditional Christmas Eve Party.  Everyone was there but Tami's family and us.  Everyone is growing up so fast.  Josh our oldest grandson is now taller than his dad Troy at 6 ft. plus.  Along with that his voice also made a giant step down.  Josh is just happy to be taller than Ellie, Traci's oldest child.  Ethan, Traci's son also is growing like a weed and his voice also is way deeper.  Tieler, our oldest grandchild is a senior.  How did we ever get old enough to have grandkids that old?  All the other grandkids were adorable to see and listen and watch their talents.  So proud of our family and miss them terribly.  We're so glad they are keeping up the Diederich traditions.

Tami is struggling to be away from home for the holidays for the first time.  They are making friends and making new traditions in Wyoming.  We all miss being together but we'll soon be home and Tami plans to spend a month this summer in Utah.

Christmas Day was spent being together and a huge Christmas Dinner.  After dinner we again Facetimed our kids and got to see their Christmas presents.

Today has been especially long but wonderful.  We had dinner with Gary and Robin Melton after our regular meetings in Canton.  They're so kind and a lot of fun to be around.  She fixed a yummy roast pork with all the trimmings.  It tasted so good!  She even sent home the left overs with us.  How lucky are we!

We taught our last lesson in Gospel Principals class to day.  It was on the Millennium and the Final Judgement, we combined two lessons.  Rudi and I team teach the lesson together.  We've really enjoyed studying together and especially in the car on the long drive out to Canton.  It's been great to review the basic gospel doctrines and discuss them with our devoted class members.  We had a newly baptized sister in our class today.  Her husband was baptized in October and she followed him on Christmas Eve and was confirmed today in sacrament meeting.  So excited to now be able to teach them in our temple prep class that will start next week and have about four or five  other couples join us.  I guess we're really involved in not only temple work but missionary work also.  I think we could do this and love it longer than just this mission.  Don't worry grandkids we'll be home for a while.

In our lesson we ended with this thought that really choked me up.

"Imagine what joy each of us will have when we return to our Heavenly Father if we can say:  "Father, I lived according to Thy will.  I have been faithful and have kept Thy commandments.  I am happy to be home again."  Then we will hear Him say, "Well done....; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter into the joy of thy Lord"  (Matthew 25:23)

I've loved these lessons, and truth be known, we've learned more than our class members.  That's what usual happens.  Teaching temple prep class will be challenging but exciting to see these wonderful people come to the temple.

Once again I've been long winded.  We want to thank the many friends and loved ones who remember us at Christmas time.  We loved and enjoyed reading your cards and family updates.  Thanks for making our holidays so special.  May you all be healthy and happy in the new year.  We continue to love our experience here in Nauvoo and we realize our days here serving in the temple are quickly coming to an end.  We will have mixed emotions but look forward to our new challenges that await us back in Orem.

Oh, by the way my right hand has healed beautifully with very small incision marks that will disappear in a few weeks just in time to have the left hand done on Wednesday.  When I get home I'll almost be a new woman!  Too bad I can't work on the looks!

Bring in the New Year joyfully.  We love you all.

Rudi and Kathy (The Nauvoo Missionaries)

Our Christmas Eve party with all the temple missionaries.  Great food as usual and three short videos.  The Gift, The Nativity, and another one I can't remember the name.  So much fun to be with our family away from home.

 A Christmas drive through Keokuk Park all lit up.  Very well done!

 More lights along the road.  So many lights all to music.

 Our Christmas dinner with the site missionaries.  They went all out with delicious food, super table decorations, and a program (1and half hours) way, way to long but pretty good!

 Our table of friends.  From left to right Rudi, the Jacobsons, the Heighchews, and the Bassetts.

Bro. and Sis. Marriott.  Laura these wonderful people are Dora's oldest daughter and husband.  He's a sealer at the temple.  They've also been temple president and matron in a South American temple.

Pres. and Sis. Depperman and their daughter.  He's president of the Canton Branch.  Great people!  Their only daughter has birth defects, and they are so patient and loving to her.  We sure think the world of these people.

Sis. Jensen of the Canton Branch.  She is a counselor in Y.W.  She is adorable and so dedicated to the gospel.  She's in her late seventies and drives herself to the temple twice of month to do the work for her ancestors that she has searched out.  Love and respect her determination.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM NAUVOO!!! (December 21, 2014)

Thought for the week:

"Dear Santa:
I would like a new Birthday Suit this year. My current one is Old, Wrinkled and Sagging.  Thanks"

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

"Black Friday:  Because only in America people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have."

Merry Christmas family and friends. We can't believe we're spending our second Christmas away from family and friends.  It's lovely here compared to last years freezing temperatures and cutting winds.  We count our blessings each week when the weather makes it possible for us to travel to Canton to enjoy the saints in that small branch.  Even though the distance is long it's worth the drive to mingle among these faithful people.

This past week was slow at the temple and we continue to wonder where all the patrons are.  Hopefully the day after Christmas we'll see a lot of visitors in Nauvoo  because of the holidays.  We are suppose to get snow Christmas Eve and the few days after.  A white Christmas would be nice.

My carpal tunnel surgery went really well.  My biggest problem was putting on makeup, fixing my hair, brushing my teeth, and the hardest thing getting dressed.  There's only so much Rudi can do, or should I say I'll let him do.  This week I wore the same outfit, a button down jacket, to the temple because it was the only thing I could get on with one hand.  I also wore my white nylons to the temple so Rudi could put them on at home.  I'll be so glad to be able to wear different clothes and have makeup evenly put on.  I know, I'm very vain, but it's part of my personality and daily grooming.  Taking a shower was another joke!  That plastic bag was so difficult to keep on.  Oh, the things we take for granite!  I'm so grateful for my hands, both of them.  I must be crazy to have my left hand done on December 31st.  I figure, let's get it done all at once.  New Years Eve should be so memorable.  NOT!

My shift coordinators have been so understanding this week.  I've spent a lot of my time in welcoming positions and places where I didn't have to use my hand so much.  For those of you who have been to the temple you know a lot of our service involves using our hands in the ordinance work.  Yes, this week has been really different.  I'll be so glad to have this cast and stitches out this Tuesday.  Patience is so NOT one of my virtues.

Friday night our only time completely off we went to Burlington to dinner with the Smith's.  After dinner we stopped at Grandpas Ice Cream for the best ice cream ever.  Butter pecan makes life so much better.

Rudi and I enjoyed watching BYU girls volleyball Thursday night and see them beat Texas.  Last night they played for the national championship against Penn State.  Unfortunately they lost.  We can't wait to watch BYU football bowl game tomorrow.  We're getting together with the Bassett's to watch it and enjoy goodies.

Tonight we're going to see a Christmas program put on by the Nauvoo Stake.  Love listening to Christmas music, best way to put you in the right spirit for Christmas.

The temple will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  On Wednesday we're having a temple missionary party.  We're meeting at the Nauvoo Visitors Center for munchies (of course) and two videos about Christmas.  Sounds fun!  Christmas Day we have a big dinner at the stake center with the site missionaries.  Love meeting with them especially since we never see them very much anymore.  All the temple missionaries are all assigned to wards and branches outside of Nauvoo.  We use to meet together on Sundays with them.

Incase you can't tell I'm (Kathy) are composing and very carefully typing this email.  Hard, but easier to do than dictating to Rudi.  My inner feelings just don't flow as easily when I'm repeating everything and correcting all my thoughts.  I really appreciate Rudi and his efforts to assist me, but it's hard to try and express how I feel to someone else.  Thanks Rudi,  you'll be doing it again when  my other hand is out of commission.

As we contemplate this past year we can't help but feel so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to serve in such a special place as Nauvoo.  We've grown in our understanding of the importance of temple work and have vowed to be regular weekly temple attenders.  Hopefully we will be able to serve in the Mount Timpanoges  Temple when we get home.  We would also love to serve another temple mission.  We have also learned the importance of searching out our ancestors and doing the temple work for them.  We also feel so blessed to serve in such a historic place where our church roots were established.  The early saints have inspired us and taught us how to be stronger and more committed to gospel principals.  Serving in Canton has strengthen our testimonies and taught us to be more involved in serving others and accepting everyone into the gospel fold.  I could go on and on but I think you get the idea.  Missions are wonderful and definitely a refining point in our lives.

 We know we owe so much success and happiness to our family and friends.   Without the support from home in so many ways we could not be as content as we are and know all is well.  Thanks to all of you, are dear friends and precious family.  Our children and grandchildren have been blessed and protected, and for this we are most grateful.  Our greatest blessing is our loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who continually watch over us and bless us with continued health and happiness.

As we celebrate this Christmas season we hope your thoughts are turned to our most priceless gift, that of our Savior.  Because of Him we can all live again with Him.  Everything else really doesn't matter.

May you all enjoy being with family and loved ones.  We love and appreciate you all.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Rudi and Kathy

HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY to Tieler our oldest grandchild.  She turned 18 on December 18th making it golden.
Such a beautiful young lady inside and out.  Love her to pieces!  This is her missionary who is serving in the Philippines.  Taylor and Tieler.  Cute!

 The Deppermans who are in our Gospel Principals class.  They will now be in the temple prep class we will be teaching starting the first of January.  Great people who are planning to go to the temple very soon.  So wonderful to watch their progress and growth.  They will even say prayers in our class now.  They've come a long way.

 Thanks to Traci, Tiffini and Kristin for my Christmas present, a book full of pictures of our New York trip.  Love it!

 Some of the pictures in the book.  Love these girls.  So much fun to  be with.

 More pictures from the book.  New York never sleeps and neither did we do much!

On top of the world at the Empire State Building.

Crazy Ellie and her mom and grandma.

 Thanks again for the book, I'll always cherish it and the memories!