Thoughts for the week:
"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the Devil says, "Oh crap, She's Up."
"Silence is golden, unless you have a toddler. In that case, silence is very, very suspicious."
"As a kid I think I ate too many Rice Krispies. Now all my body does is snap, crackle and pop."
"If robbers ever broke into my house and searched for money I'd just laugh and search with them."
"If you're not Challenged, you don't Change."
"Women might not be able to find their keys, purse, or shoes....But they can remember something you said eight months ago."
Well, it's finally arrived, our last week in Nauvoo. Last week was such a whirlwind of activities and memorable events that I don't know where to start. I guess at the very beginning....
Last Monday on March 16th we began the morning with the annual reenactment of the Relief Society. All the missionary sisters dressed in period clothes and rode in wagons from the visitors center to the Old Red Brick Store where the first R.S. was held. Last year that ride in the wagon was freezing cold, but this year we didn't even wear sweaters. It was a beautiful day in the 70's. We enjoyed a wonderful program depicting what happened on that memorable day. Joseph Smith and his counselors, Emma and her counselors along with many other sisters portrayed the actual events that took place. It was very touching, with beautiful songs and the actual words that were spoken on that memorable morning.
Later on that afternoon all the temple missionaries got together for a bar-b-q. We all brought our own meat and other sides to go with it. So much fun and lots of homemade root beer.
That night we got back in our period clothes(clothes they wore during the time the saints were in Nauvoo) and went to watch 'Rendezvous' at the Old Cultural Hall. So glad we got to see that production one last time before we leave. Then all of us went upstairs and danced on the same floor that Joseph and Emma danced on so many years ago. It was so fun doing the long ago dances like the Virginia Reel, Left foot in left foot out dance, and waltzing. A huge day with so many activities that will always be remembered.
On Wednesday all the missionaries surprised us with a surprise going away luncheon at one of our favorite restaurants in Fort Madison, Chaung Garden. There were over forty people there. It was so fun to spend time laughing and enjoying each other's company. We're going to miss these special people so much!
Thursday was another busy day. After serving in the temple we drove with the Dallings to meet the Melton's in Peoria for dinner at Alexanders. We couldn't leave this area without eating once more at that great steak restaurant. Along way to go for dinner but well worth it. Gary and Robin Melton have become our dear friends and we'll miss them so much. So glad she has kids in Utah and comes out at least once a year to visit them. I hope to spend more time with her.
Still more parties and of course more eating. Pres. and Sister Hansen had us over for dinner on Friday night. They are the new counselor and matron in the temple. What sweet people they are. She fixed a wonderful dinner and we spent three hours just talking and laughing and enjoying their sweet spirit. Oh, so many memories being made. So hard to think it's coming to an end.
We worked our last early, early morning shift at the temple on Saturday. We work a double shift on that day and are so tired by the end of the day. From 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then back that night a 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Rudi and I got to officiate and follow one of the sessions that night. I tried so hard to make mental memories of sharing that special experience with Rudi in my mind. Hopefully this coming week we'll have another opportunity to work together on a session. In between our shifts we went on a tour of the Willard Richard's Bed and Breakfast home which is just through the block from us. What a beautiful restored house. The Simpson's who are temple workers are the Inn Keepers. He is also a professional photographer and is going to take some pictures of us today before we leave.
Now to Sunday! Off to Canton at eight a.m. We spoke in sacrament meeting today. That alone is very stressful for us. We had sort of a rerun of what happened at our farewell. The Primary Pres. Sister Smallwood spoke first. She gave a wonderful 25 minute talk, leaving 15 to 20 minutes for us to speak. Rudi and I had both timed our talks at 15 minutes each. Once again Rudi was short changed! Of course he didn't mind but for sure he's speaking first at our welcome home meeting. We both felt good about our talks but very excited to have them over. Rudi gave a wonderful talk on the importance of the temple and I spoke on, By small and simple things, great things can come to pass. Rudi even teared up at the end when he bore his testimony. I had a hard time holding back the tears through my whole talk. I'm just a boob! The branch was so loving and kind in their remarks after the meeting. We gave our final lesson in our temple prep class. It's been such a growth for us to meet each week with these thirsty people of the gospel truths. Saying goodbye to them was by far the hardest thing to do so far. We hope and pray that those couples so close to entering into the temple will complete their eternal journey. Most of them are just waiting for the appropriate time that they must wait after baptism or marriage to enter the temple.
After a teary goodbye to the branch we once again went to Gary and Robin Melton's for a delicious chicken dinner with all the trimmings. Robin is an outstanding cook and went overboard for us. In just one week we shared three dinners with these wonderful people. So glad the Dallings were there to keep the missionary spirit going on. We're going to miss Gary and Robin so very, very much. I know I keep saying that about everyone and everything but that's what happens on missions. We come and we go! Unfortunately!!!
We were home just 30 minutes and out the door to go to the Visitor Center to watch the newly released movie, 'The Cokeville Miracle'. It was fantastic! We recommend it to everyone to see when it comes out in June. For some reason we get to preview a lot of L.D.S. movies way before they arrive in the theaters. Rudi says we're just special, but in this case the principal of the school in the movie was a site missionary here in Nauvoo last summer and he and his wife were there also and gave their feelings on the movie. T.C. Christensen the director and man responsible for the movie coming to the screen was there also. He gave us the background and insights into the making of the movie. Watch for it to come to theaters in the intermountain west in June. It seriously was one of the most touching shows I've ever seen. He also worked on the movies 'Seventeen Miracles', and 'Ephrium's Rescue' and many other L.D.S. releases. It's a tear jerker for sure!!!
Well, I'm exhausted just writing about this past weeks activities and experiences so I'm sure all of you are tired of reading my book length email. Some of you have asked if I'll continue sending emails after we get home. The answer is NO! My missionary book will be closed until another mission comes along. I've loved sharing my thoughts and memories of the best mission in the church but my life in the real world isn't as fascinating as serving a mission. We're looking forward to new and exciting events that await us when we return home. Being with our family and and friends will consume our time and interests, but our love for Joseph's City of Nauvoo will always remain a highlight of our life.
I think I'll have one last email next week to write to finish up this week. Hopefully I'll find time to write it while visiting Tami and her family in Gillette. Pray for good weather for our trip home. We woke up to rain here and snow up North.
Have a great week I know we will! We love and appreciate all of your prayers, and support in our behalf.
Rudi and Kathy ( trunky missionaries)
Getting ready to ride by horse and wagon to the Red Brick Store to commemorate the organization of the Relief Society.
Bump, bump we're on our way to the store where the R.S. was organized on the second floor. So much fun!
Interior of the wagon. Everyone dressed in period clothes for that day.
All of us at the Red Brick Store. Don't we look cute in our pioneer dresses?
Inside the store. To bad I forgot my purse, I could've done some major damage.
Susan Dalling and myself inside the store. She's so tiny and cute. She makes the dress look great. Overlook the other lady. The dress doesn't do much for me or should I say I don't do much for the dress!
More pictures in front of the store. From L. to R. Sister Rick's, Smith, me, Dalling and Hendricks.
Pres. and Sister McArthur. He was the only man allowed on the wagon.
That afternoon at a bar-b-que for all the temple missionaries. It was so warm that day we couldn't resist. I think it was 70 degrees.
More shots of happy missionaries enjoying the warm weather and each other.
Bro. Dalling mixing the homemade root beer. Very serious job!
Bro. and Sis. Marriott and Pace. So many wonderful missionaries!
Later that night we enjoyed dancing at the Old Cultural Hall. Check out the temple in the window. Really fun dance. Remember we danced last year on this floor where Joseph and Emma danced.
All the missionaries waltzing around. We're in the right upper corner. Good looking bunch of old people having a wonderful time.
One more picture of our ride to the store. Love seeing the temple in the background.
Farewell luncheon for us at the Chuong Garden Chinese Resturant in Fort Madison with the missionaries.
Love all these people so much and will miss them.
The basket we took to the Canton Branch today. We had two baskets filled to the brim.
Rudi relaxing after returning from Canton and speaking in sacrament. A stressful but wonderful day.
Yes, we're packing up and getting ready to return home. What a mess!
No place to even sit at the table. Not sure if everything is going to fit in the car.
Dinner with the Melton's, and Dalling's in Peoria at our favorite restaurant, Alexanders. A long way to go for a great steak dinner, but well worth it!
"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the Devil says, "Oh crap, She's Up."
"Silence is golden, unless you have a toddler. In that case, silence is very, very suspicious."
"As a kid I think I ate too many Rice Krispies. Now all my body does is snap, crackle and pop."
"If robbers ever broke into my house and searched for money I'd just laugh and search with them."
"If you're not Challenged, you don't Change."
"Women might not be able to find their keys, purse, or shoes....But they can remember something you said eight months ago."
Well, it's finally arrived, our last week in Nauvoo. Last week was such a whirlwind of activities and memorable events that I don't know where to start. I guess at the very beginning....
Last Monday on March 16th we began the morning with the annual reenactment of the Relief Society. All the missionary sisters dressed in period clothes and rode in wagons from the visitors center to the Old Red Brick Store where the first R.S. was held. Last year that ride in the wagon was freezing cold, but this year we didn't even wear sweaters. It was a beautiful day in the 70's. We enjoyed a wonderful program depicting what happened on that memorable day. Joseph Smith and his counselors, Emma and her counselors along with many other sisters portrayed the actual events that took place. It was very touching, with beautiful songs and the actual words that were spoken on that memorable morning.
Later on that afternoon all the temple missionaries got together for a bar-b-q. We all brought our own meat and other sides to go with it. So much fun and lots of homemade root beer.
That night we got back in our period clothes(clothes they wore during the time the saints were in Nauvoo) and went to watch 'Rendezvous' at the Old Cultural Hall. So glad we got to see that production one last time before we leave. Then all of us went upstairs and danced on the same floor that Joseph and Emma danced on so many years ago. It was so fun doing the long ago dances like the Virginia Reel, Left foot in left foot out dance, and waltzing. A huge day with so many activities that will always be remembered.
On Wednesday all the missionaries surprised us with a surprise going away luncheon at one of our favorite restaurants in Fort Madison, Chaung Garden. There were over forty people there. It was so fun to spend time laughing and enjoying each other's company. We're going to miss these special people so much!
Thursday was another busy day. After serving in the temple we drove with the Dallings to meet the Melton's in Peoria for dinner at Alexanders. We couldn't leave this area without eating once more at that great steak restaurant. Along way to go for dinner but well worth it. Gary and Robin Melton have become our dear friends and we'll miss them so much. So glad she has kids in Utah and comes out at least once a year to visit them. I hope to spend more time with her.
Still more parties and of course more eating. Pres. and Sister Hansen had us over for dinner on Friday night. They are the new counselor and matron in the temple. What sweet people they are. She fixed a wonderful dinner and we spent three hours just talking and laughing and enjoying their sweet spirit. Oh, so many memories being made. So hard to think it's coming to an end.
We worked our last early, early morning shift at the temple on Saturday. We work a double shift on that day and are so tired by the end of the day. From 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then back that night a 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Rudi and I got to officiate and follow one of the sessions that night. I tried so hard to make mental memories of sharing that special experience with Rudi in my mind. Hopefully this coming week we'll have another opportunity to work together on a session. In between our shifts we went on a tour of the Willard Richard's Bed and Breakfast home which is just through the block from us. What a beautiful restored house. The Simpson's who are temple workers are the Inn Keepers. He is also a professional photographer and is going to take some pictures of us today before we leave.
Now to Sunday! Off to Canton at eight a.m. We spoke in sacrament meeting today. That alone is very stressful for us. We had sort of a rerun of what happened at our farewell. The Primary Pres. Sister Smallwood spoke first. She gave a wonderful 25 minute talk, leaving 15 to 20 minutes for us to speak. Rudi and I had both timed our talks at 15 minutes each. Once again Rudi was short changed! Of course he didn't mind but for sure he's speaking first at our welcome home meeting. We both felt good about our talks but very excited to have them over. Rudi gave a wonderful talk on the importance of the temple and I spoke on, By small and simple things, great things can come to pass. Rudi even teared up at the end when he bore his testimony. I had a hard time holding back the tears through my whole talk. I'm just a boob! The branch was so loving and kind in their remarks after the meeting. We gave our final lesson in our temple prep class. It's been such a growth for us to meet each week with these thirsty people of the gospel truths. Saying goodbye to them was by far the hardest thing to do so far. We hope and pray that those couples so close to entering into the temple will complete their eternal journey. Most of them are just waiting for the appropriate time that they must wait after baptism or marriage to enter the temple.
After a teary goodbye to the branch we once again went to Gary and Robin Melton's for a delicious chicken dinner with all the trimmings. Robin is an outstanding cook and went overboard for us. In just one week we shared three dinners with these wonderful people. So glad the Dallings were there to keep the missionary spirit going on. We're going to miss Gary and Robin so very, very much. I know I keep saying that about everyone and everything but that's what happens on missions. We come and we go! Unfortunately!!!
We were home just 30 minutes and out the door to go to the Visitor Center to watch the newly released movie, 'The Cokeville Miracle'. It was fantastic! We recommend it to everyone to see when it comes out in June. For some reason we get to preview a lot of L.D.S. movies way before they arrive in the theaters. Rudi says we're just special, but in this case the principal of the school in the movie was a site missionary here in Nauvoo last summer and he and his wife were there also and gave their feelings on the movie. T.C. Christensen the director and man responsible for the movie coming to the screen was there also. He gave us the background and insights into the making of the movie. Watch for it to come to theaters in the intermountain west in June. It seriously was one of the most touching shows I've ever seen. He also worked on the movies 'Seventeen Miracles', and 'Ephrium's Rescue' and many other L.D.S. releases. It's a tear jerker for sure!!!
Well, I'm exhausted just writing about this past weeks activities and experiences so I'm sure all of you are tired of reading my book length email. Some of you have asked if I'll continue sending emails after we get home. The answer is NO! My missionary book will be closed until another mission comes along. I've loved sharing my thoughts and memories of the best mission in the church but my life in the real world isn't as fascinating as serving a mission. We're looking forward to new and exciting events that await us when we return home. Being with our family and and friends will consume our time and interests, but our love for Joseph's City of Nauvoo will always remain a highlight of our life.
I think I'll have one last email next week to write to finish up this week. Hopefully I'll find time to write it while visiting Tami and her family in Gillette. Pray for good weather for our trip home. We woke up to rain here and snow up North.
Have a great week I know we will! We love and appreciate all of your prayers, and support in our behalf.
Rudi and Kathy ( trunky missionaries)
Getting ready to ride by horse and wagon to the Red Brick Store to commemorate the organization of the Relief Society.
Bump, bump we're on our way to the store where the R.S. was organized on the second floor. So much fun!
Interior of the wagon. Everyone dressed in period clothes for that day.
All of us at the Red Brick Store. Don't we look cute in our pioneer dresses?
Inside the store. To bad I forgot my purse, I could've done some major damage.
Susan Dalling and myself inside the store. She's so tiny and cute. She makes the dress look great. Overlook the other lady. The dress doesn't do much for me or should I say I don't do much for the dress!
More pictures in front of the store. From L. to R. Sister Rick's, Smith, me, Dalling and Hendricks.
Pres. and Sister McArthur. He was the only man allowed on the wagon.
That afternoon at a bar-b-que for all the temple missionaries. It was so warm that day we couldn't resist. I think it was 70 degrees.
More shots of happy missionaries enjoying the warm weather and each other.
Bro. Dalling mixing the homemade root beer. Very serious job!
Bro. and Sis. Marriott and Pace. So many wonderful missionaries!
Later that night we enjoyed dancing at the Old Cultural Hall. Check out the temple in the window. Really fun dance. Remember we danced last year on this floor where Joseph and Emma danced.
All the missionaries waltzing around. We're in the right upper corner. Good looking bunch of old people having a wonderful time.
One more picture of our ride to the store. Love seeing the temple in the background.
Farewell luncheon for us at the Chuong Garden Chinese Resturant in Fort Madison with the missionaries.
Love all these people so much and will miss them.
The basket we took to the Canton Branch today. We had two baskets filled to the brim.
Rudi relaxing after returning from Canton and speaking in sacrament. A stressful but wonderful day.
Yes, we're packing up and getting ready to return home. What a mess!
No place to even sit at the table. Not sure if everything is going to fit in the car.
Dinner with the Melton's, and Dalling's in Peoria at our favorite restaurant, Alexanders. A long way to go for a great steak dinner, but well worth it!
