"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?
No comments:
Post a Comment