Monday, Oct. 21, 2019

We're Home

Although we are home, we find that we left a piece of our heart in Nauvoo.  There is not a day that goes by that, we do not think about Nauvoo!  

The last week in Nauvoo was a whirlwind of activity as we wanted to soak in everything that we could.  We attended the temple one last time and never tire of the view of the Mississippi valley as we exit that sacred place.  

These two oxen were just babies last summer and look at them now!   They are pulling a bigger wagon (not full size, yet) with people inside.  Their trainer takes them out every evening and I really enjoy watching them ! There is also another team of little oxen that are being trained to follow and pull.  They were just born this summer.

Our FM group had a weiner roast down at the end of Parley Street to say goodbye to us and look what they did!   They made a funny bouquet with the vase being made out of "mini" pickets for Jim and then a variety of little things to represent some of the things I did in Nauvoo...a little paint brush, a toilet brush, a whisk, a paint putty spatula and a spatula that I gave to E. Pleshek.  He thought that it was unique because it really is a small spatula from my kitchen which worked great for putting putty into holes in a wall.  He had asked me if he could have it when I was ready to go so I had given it to him a couple of days previously.  Crazy, fun group of couples that we have really enjoyed associating with on a daily basis.We have often commented that we operate as close to a "zion" society as I can even imagine.  For example,  after a storm in June that downed 25 trees, the grounds crew were totally overwhelmed with the clean-up.  Everyone who could help, dropped what they were doing and spent the day helping get Nauvoo back in order.  It was really gratifying to see the results and the love that was shared.  No "offical" orders came to do that but everyone here has each others interests and needs in mind.  In that way, we never felt alone.

This is Elder / Sister Prettyman.  We have become good friends and they will be moving into our little apartment after we leave.  Presently, they are in an apartment that requires climbing up a long flight of stairs and she has knees that are bothered by that.  She works in conservation which is also up a long flight of stairs ...so....she is constantly climbing stairs.  Our apartment will be perfect for them.

We were asked to bear our testimonies at the last mission training meeting that we attended.  This is a custom in our mission . I was hoping that they would forget about us but no....  I have learned to love all of the missionaries that we have become acquainted with and my testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel has been strengthened by our service in Nauvoo.  Nauvoo really is the lovliest place and the greatest people....to paraphrase something that Joseph Smith said as he left for the last time (on his way to Carthage)

Friday, Oct. 4, President and Sister Lusvardi conducted our exit interview.  We love these two amazing missionaries.  They are so in tune with each and every missionary and are willing to do anything to help them succeed.  We will always be grateful for the service that they extended to us in helping us get home last November so that we could get Jim's medication straightened out and were  able to finish our mission.  Here's hoping that they come and see us and the Halls here in Canada after they are released in January.

So, we took off from Nauvoo on Sunday, Oct. 6.  Ken had put Grandpa Pitcher into the hospital the day before with pneumonia and we took off between General Conference sessions so that we could get a head start.  We drove to Des Moines, Iowa that evening and stayed.  We drove all day on Monday and stayed in Gillette, WY. that night. Then, Tuesday we made it home!  I am horrible at taking selfies but had to stop and take this picture after clearing the border.  It didn't help that the wind was blowing and it was snowing, as well.  Welcome home to Canada, eh?!  All the kids (except Cody & Emily) came and met us at the house and we ate some Chinese food and visited for awhile.  Jim & I were so tired but glad to be home !  It has taken several days to unpack and organize the house again .  Dad is gradually improving but he really was "iffy" for a couple of days.  We just prayed that the will of the Lord would prevail.  Ken & David (he flew up) gave Dad a blessing of peace

Thanksgiving Day (Monday, Oct. 14, 2019)   Everyone was here and it was so fun to watch our kids and all the little cousins enjoying each other.  I am SO grateful for the family and the gospel plan that allows us to be sealed together.  We love them all!!

Ethan and grandpa took a quick nap in the afternoon.  Look at Ethan's cast on his left arm...he jumped off of their couch and fell onto his arm.  It needed surgery because he broke the growth plate so he has 3 little pins in it and they are held by the cast.  He is a real little champ....runs around with the most pleasant, happy expression and doesn't seem to be bothered too much by the cast.  Good thing that he is young and will heal quickly!

We will be reporting our mission to the Raymond 5th ward on Sunday, Oct. 27.  We will be sharing that service with Elder Mason Pilling (son of Mike & May Ann Pilling) who will be returning this week from Taiwan.  How do you portray Nauvoo to others ?  I am so grateful to have experienced it for myself and know that Nauvoo will speak for itself when others go there.  The spirit is very strong and has become a natural part of our lives....hopefully , we can carry that with us as we move onto the next chapter.  That is a goal that both of us desire and will work for.