Saturday, April 13, 2019

Crazy busy, fun two weeks !!   We have received 25 new senior couples since the end of March and that translates into that many houses that have had to be readied for them.....and that is not counting the young single sisters that I told you about before ! 

We loved General Conference last weekend !   The messages were so uplifting and yet totally down to earth and pertinent. My testimony was strengthened.  I hope that you all enjoyed it like we did.  We watched the sessions in the theater of the Visitors Center.  One of my favorite talks was given by Becky Craven--2nd councillor in the YW.  She talked about being "careful" or "casual" in keeping the commandments as well as our covenants.  It really made me think and evaluate myself.  She also said: " Although we may not be perfect, we can be worthy"   .  Each speaker issued an invitation to better ourselves and many gave promises to go along with those invitations.  We are SO blessed to have a living prophet along with apostles who guide us with love.

Scott & Angelika arrived on Sat. afternoon and stayed with us until Tues. morning.  What a fun time we had showing them around and enjoying their company.  We absolutely LOVE seeing family and friends as well as letting them experience some of the things that happen here and seeing some of the things that we do.  I'll show you some of the things we did. 

On our way to watch Conference, Sunday morning.

A great view of Joseph and Hyrum outside of the Nauvoo Temple.   Titled:  The Last Ride

In between the morning and afternoon sessions, we ran over to Carthage.   It is only a 20-30 minute drive.   Scott & Angelika met Elder and Sister Jensen (whom they knew from Layton) .

Elder and Sister Jensen along with Scott & Angelika.  Elder Jensen conducted the tour.

In the meantime, we met up with Ralph and Marilyn Price from Raymond !   We all attended the afternoon session and came over to our place for supper after.  We served together with the Prices in the ARP program while we were still at home.  Love that program as well as the Prices!

On Monday, we spent the day showing Scott & Angelika ALL around Nauvoo.

Oxen ride .  Jim and I are in our everyday "work" clothes as we would run back and forth doing meetings / showing Scott & Angelika around.

In the Family Living Center, watching a demonstration on bread making

Tin shop

We did as many sites as was possible and drove the River road to and from Keokuk.  We saw all the things that did not require a guide, as well....such as going over the toll bridge and seeing Fort Madison with the old fort, etc.

Train display at the old fort in Fort Madison  

And......the magnolia tree outside of our back door has blossomed out.  That was one of the first things that happened after we arrived here a year ago!!

Here is a picture of the daffodils and other flowers that are adding to the spring feeling here.  I promised you that I would keep you updated on the progress of the flower beds

We said goodbye to Elder and Sister Archibald this past week.  I guess that it makes sense that we are losing some of our "old faithfuls" with the arrival of so many new people.  The Archibalds are the "salt of the earth" kind of people who really went out of their way to support and befriend us. They were with us when Jim had his A-fib incident last summer while doing Nauvoo on the Road and they brought me some clothes along with our vehicle after we were dropped off at the Emergency Room.  I was so grateful for their kindness and thoughtfulness of the practical things that I needed to have with me. Sister Archibald worked on the grounds crew (the hardest working women in the entire mission! ) and Elder Archibald worked in plumbing.

 Well, that's about it....  We are still loving the work that we are doing here. Although our mission is not your usual mission, we know that our efforts help to keep Nauvoo beautiful and running smoothly. And that is our contribution to furthering the Lord's work. Some of the missionaries that we work with as well as the employed people at FM have become like family to us so we are not lonely but it is still very exciting to see family and friends.  So......COME and see!    Love to you all !