Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019

Goodbye Quincy

As the end draws near for our time & service here in Nauvoo, I have been trying to "soak" up each and every opportunity for memories.  We attended our last meetings in Quincy today.  It was fast and testimony meetings as next week is General Conference.  I fully intended to bear my testimony and say goodbye BUT the meeting really was full with the ward members who were giving the same thoughts as I .  I soaked up strength from their testimonies and bore mine in my heart and to my Father in Heaven.  My testimony has strengthened by our service and I love those that we have come to know in our Quincy 2nd ward. 

I love watching the horses do their run each Monday morning from pasture to barn. So here you go....again!

Look at the soother hung on the fence post....quircky and odd...haha!

We conducted our last zone meeting on Wednesday morning and although I was relieved when it was over, I , also will miss these wonderful missionaries.

Jim is conducting the meeting.  We had everyone sit in a circle as I was going to lead a discussion and wanted all to see and hear each other.  We have a large zone of 7 districts.  Four districts are made up of young single sisters and they will all be going home or on their outbound experiences this next week. So, the zone will shrink considerably for the Stapleys who are our replacements.

Our district leaders ...Elder & Sister Green .  We belong to the Parley Pratt district and yet we are the zone leaders over this district.  It has been fun to get to know these outstanding missionaries.  Their assignment is Pageant and believe it or not...it takes all year to prepare for Pageant so they really are busy all year long. 

Elder & Sister Willmore.  This special couple have been called as missionaries by the Temple and history department with the assignment to oversee the restoration work on the homes close to the Temple ....William Weeks, William Gheen, Orson Hyde and the construction of a pavilion and walking path area that will focus on the temple.  They, like us, spend their days in "work" attire.  They have a really special spirit about them

Friday, I received a text from Diane (Brandley/Dunn) Heninger saying that they were in Carthage and were on their way to Nauvoo.  We talked them into staying for the weekend and have totally enjoyed their visit.  They were planning on camping in the State Park(across the road) in their van but we have been so happy to share our driveway, bathroom/shower, and laundry facilities with them !  They have explored all around Nauvoo and we did a temple session together, then, they helped us finish up some of the sealings that we had.  We have convinced them that they should serve a mission here in Nauvoo (I think...haha!)  Diane just retired from her job at the Raymond Pharmacy two weeks ago and they took off and are doing a Church History driving tour....starting at Palmyra.   It reminded me of the holiday that we took many years ago with my Pitcher family doing much the same thing.  I loved it ! My testimony of the Restoration , the prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon grew. It was so worthwhile Dad!...I'm sure you wondered if it affected us.....well...it did me! 

Jim, I and Diane & Lawrence Heninger in the entrance of the temple

Finally, I need to share the view of our back patio / yard .  The magnolia tree is trying to bloom again and things are looking green.  Friday....we had a full day of torrential rain and then again today.  We had a break yesterday but I understand that southern Alberta is dealing with snow.  I hope that it is gone by the time we arrive home!!  I'm not quite ready to face the white stuff yet!!!  Are you?!

The colorful, bushy plants to your left are coleus.  I have grown it at home but it NEVER gets to looking like a bush!  Everything grows so easily here....rich soil and lots of moisture.  The farmers really have it easy!  Haha!  

I love you all and wish that you could experience Nauvoo and area like we have.  It will be very difficult to portray Nauvoo adequately to you by mere words.  I hope that you will see it's influence on us and have a desire to visit it yourselves.  It is SO worth it!