Week 25 Highlights

This past week was pretty busy at the temple with more tour busses coming into town. Perhaps the most fun group was the group from Japan. A few of them were able to speak a little English, but most of them spoke only Japanese, so it was very interesting. We did a lot of smiling and bowing. Then the next day, Mom was assigned to be the guide for a Spanish sister who was going through for the first time, who spoke no English at all. And it all worked out fine. Friday evening was Burlington Stake’s Temple night, so they had a special session following the last regular Friday session. That means we were finished and on our way home just after 9:00pm which made our shift about 8 ½ hours long. That’s OK, we are just happy to be here to serve in the temple.

For the past few weeks we, along with the Dotys, (My newly discovered cousin and his wife) have been planning a trip to Ft. Madison for an early dinner, then a drive to Montrose for the weekly Farmer’s Market. We finally were able to find the time together and had a fun time at the dinner buffet (The Sirloin Stockade) and then to the outdoor market which is located within view of the Temple across the Mississippi River. (This week’s Temple photo) We got some apples and some raspberries at a very low price.

Last Sunday evening our Sunday Sociable was a presentation by our Temple President, President Peterson as he showed slides and spoke about the Church in Russia and Eastern Europe. Before he was called as the Nauvoo Temple President, he served in the Area Presidency of the East European Area. Some of the things that are happening there regarding the church are quite amazing. However, recently the government has passed new regulations that make it very difficult and very expensive to get outside missionaries into Russia, but there are many East European Elders that are able to continue the work. The East European Area is by far the largest Area in the church, spanning 12 time zones. (That is ½ of the world’s time zones, in case you weren’t counting) Speaking of President Peterson, he also had a birthday in October – Monday the 6^th, so in celebration (or as he tells it, as an excuse) there was an open house at his home. He lives in the home just across the street, north of the Temple. It has been built to look like an 1800’s home, and is very nice. All of the Temple Missionaries attended, so it turned out very nice for him.

This past Thursday was our last scheduled group-planned P-Day trip. We traveled to the Amana Colonies in Iowa, just over 2 hours north of here. The Amana Colonies were settled by a German religious group who set up a communal society that lasted from around 1850 until the early 1900s. It was very interesting to see all of the large, stone multi-generation houses they built, which are still in very good condition. There are about 5 different Colonies, but most of the “touristy” things are in just one of the Colonies. We started with a tour of the Woolen Mills, which is still in operation. It was very interesting to see how they are able to weave blankets, scarves, and all sorts of other stuff. Then we went to the clock factory, then next door to a large restaurant where we were served a delicious family-style lunch.

Also, as the Doty’s are also in our Thursday P-Day group, Mom was able to get this photo of the two of us together so everyone can see the family resem- blance. After eating way too much, we walked it off down the main street looking into all of the little shops. On the way out of town, we stopped at a little shop where Mom found a new rocking chair that she wants to buy, but we’re still trying to figure out a way to bring it home. Later, I took a test drive in a used tractor, but I didn’t do too well. It was a fun day. It is sad to think this is our last trip with our Thursday group. When we first arrived in Nauvoo, there were a total of 59 other couples – 116 strangers. Now we consider all of them our friends. We all enjoy it when we are together as a group because we are really such good friends. Sadly, we know we probably won’t see most of these new friends again, but we’re sure happy we had this opportunity to get to know them. We will always remember our time and experiences here with them. Very special.

Speaking of special friends, here is a photo of us with our downstairs neighbors. Great Friends!

We know it’s coming close to the time we have to leave, because the temperatures are getting lower and lower and the trees are changing colors. It has been a great experience – we’re very thankful that we had this opportunity.

All is well.

We love you all,
Mom & Dad / Granny & Grandpa