Farewell Nauvoo - Temporarily!

A tradition in the mission is for the departing missionaries to create a Farewell Sheet that is put in all of the missionaries' site mail boxes. Even though we are returning to Nauvoo in November, Pres. Ludwig wanted us to go through the "farewell" process because we will be released as missionaries. There is a farewell breakfast Friday morning that is attended by all of the missionaries honoring the missionaries leaving during the coming month. There are 65 missionaries leaving in October! Talk about mass exodus! Pres. & Sis. Ludwig host a dinner at their home for the deparing missionaries after a temple session with the same group. This will also be on Friday. We are sad to think that so many of our good missionary friends will be gone when we return in November. It will almost be like starting a new mission.

When we return in November we will be doing the same work in the pageant office but as a member of the temple presidency rather than full time missionaries A new couple will be ready to replace us as the pageant missionaries in April.

Our Farewell Sheet - kind of hard to see clearly with this small view.

The temple missionaries have been so good to include us in some of the activities. Last Wednesday a group of missionaries arranged for a tour of the Community of Christ sites led by Lochland MacKay, the director of the C of C Visitors Center. We were invited to join them on the tour. We have become acquainted with Loch as we have had some pageant business with him. He is a wonderful person and so knowledgeable about the historic sites in Nauvoo. We enjoyed the tour and would encourage any of you who come to Nauvoo to take time to go on the tour. It includes the Mansion House, the Nauvoo House, the Smith Homestead and the Red Brick Store.

(sorry! can't get ride of the underlining)

Touring the Mansion House

Lochland MacKay, director of the Community of Christ Visitors Center outside of the Nauvoo House.

Great Meeting

What a spiritual feast we had today in our Sacrament meeting. Elder Craig Zwick and his wife spoke in our meeting. He is a member of the First Quorum of the 70. Last week Elder Donald Hallstrom and his wife spoke in our Sacrament meeting. Elder Hallstrom is in the presidency of the Quorum of the 70. We have had so many opportunities while on our mission to be taught by General authorities and other church leaders. As I listen to them teach us, I have such a good feeling, just a nice warm feeling that what they are saying is so true and right. I also feel so inspired to work harder, to do a better job of keeping the commandments, to be more dedicated as a disciple of Christ. If only that feeling would remain with me all week -- maybe I could do a better job of being a missionary.

Miracle Grow

One of the amazing things we've noticed here in Nauvoo is how the plants and flowers grow so big and thick. This spring we planted some marigold seeds in the flower beds in front of our home. We planted two varieties. One was to grow 6" tall and the other 12" tall. I planted some purple petunias in between the rows of short marigolds and the tall marigolds. Well..... as you can see in the picture, there are no petunias! Both varieties of marigolds grew so big that they choked out the petunias. The 6" variety are about 12" tall and the 12" variety must be nearly 24 - 36" tall. I wish we could import some of this climate to Idaho! (In moderation of course) Lots of moisture and warm air both day and night make a difference. In Idaho I guess we'll have to settle for the artificial "Miracle Grow"!

Proud Grandparents

What a bunch of good looking grandkids! Makes us proud to be their grandparents!

All of our children and grandchildren had a family reunion in Pocatello the weekend of August 28. It sounded like so much fun! Craig and Ashlyn's soccer tournament kept them home and Kyle was on a back packing trip with his scout group. Everyone else was there. We are so glad that they were able to gather for a couple of days together.

The Nauvoo Grape Festival is this weekend. Other than the Nauvoo Pageant, this event draws the biggest crowds of the year to Nauvoo. Years ago Nauvoo was known for it's vineyards. The tradition to celebrate the grapes continues on! There is a wine tasting tent, carnival, car show of 500-600 cars, 5K race, pancake breakfast and a few tents with business displays. They even have their own little pageant which tells the history of Nauvoo. We attended the pageant last night and it seemed to have improved from last year. Guess we are a bit prejudice but it doesn't hold a candle to the Nauvoo Pageant!