Week #34, 31 July - 6 August 2017

This was the last week of pageant and we thought the temple would be super busy.  It was not and that was a bit of a disappointment.  Friday seemed to be the big day with several morning sessions filled  to almost capacity.  We officiated one that filled the room and it was a wonderful sight to see the sea of white before us!  It is such an awesome feeling to be seated with so many in the temple, all there for the same purpose, and prepared to worship the Lord.

I was the guide for a new endowment sister yesterday who is from the branch we attend.  It was a neat experience to be there with her and her mother.  Several members from the branch came as well to support and show forth love and fellowship to her and her family.  They all then stayed for the last night of the pageant and reported today that it was a wonderful experience.

We have been very busy doing endowments for our own ancestors.  This week we did nine and look forward to continuing on our path this coming week.    Yesterday Heavenly Father sent a tender mercy when we were allowed to attend a session as patrons while on shift.  The temple was slow and we were told we could go.  I felt His love and knew it was His doing we were able to go.  These ancestors are ready for their ordinances that can only be performed on earth.  I love being so close to a temple we can be to in five minutes.  After all the years of driving three hours to one, this truly is a blessing of being on this mission.  I am afraid we have not taken advantage of its closeness like we should.  We hope to do better.

I came out of the temple after shift one day and was waiting for Bob to bring the car around.  I looked up at the temple and saw a beautiful scene.  I told the family that was taking pictures near me to stand right where I was and look up.  The wind was blowing the clouds quickly across the sky and it appeared as though Moroni was moving.  Pretty neat.  As she took the picture I said I would take it too but I didn't have a camera with me.  She said:  "Well give me your phone number and I will text it to you.

We made a trip to Keokuk on Monday, and then on the way home we were impressed with the lily pads that lined the banks of the Mississippi River.  We have learned they only grow in 18 inches or less of water.   Just look at how far out they go and this is just one spot on the river.

We stopped and I got out of the car to take pictures.  As we went one way, we came upon a gaggle of geese coming the other way with tourists pushing them towards me.  They seemed calm at first.  Take note of the one to the far left.

They were not too sure as the tourist came closer so they began to decide they wanted to go another way.  One is flying off into the river.

The one to the far left in the first picture became the crossing guard as the rest of them ventured into the road and to the other side away from people.  See him standing tall behind the group.

He holds his position as they make their way across the road.

Friday, we went to the Western Illinois Threshers Fair in Hamilton.  It is like a county fair but is filled with row after row of tractors.  It was quite the sight and we enjoyed walking around, getting something to eat, and walking through the flea market.  Would you believe there was a booth of just Tupperware!  I talked to the couple and they said they collect it to sell and boy did they ever have a collection.   We saw the quilt display and watched a kid's tractor pull.  It was pretty fun to see them start out fast and strong and then wane as the weight made the sled heavier to pull.  Dad liked seeing the old cars and reminiscing of days gone by when he owned some just like them.

Just look at all the tractors!  This was only one side of the display.

Dad standing with a 1955 Chevy.

We ended the week with a Break the Fast meal tonight at the Hall's.  The Earl's and the Adams' were there as well and we enjoyed a delicious meal and plenty of visiting.  Dad, Brother Hall, and Brother Earl all served in the military during the Vietnam War but none of them went to Vietnam.  They had a great time talking "military."

The weather has been cooler and today we have had a misty rain off and on all day.

Temple Fact:  In the early Nauvoo period it was typical of the Prophet Joseph Smith to describe the purpose of the temple as a meetinghouse or a place of revelation.  In a letter published in the 1 February 1841 issue of the Times and Seasons, Elias Higbee said:  "When the house is finished, the priesthood will be set in order, an acceptable offering can then be offered unto the Lord of Hosts. . . . Then can the oracles of God be daily received if necessary for the salvation of the people, by those who are appointed to minister in the holy place.  Then can God be worshipped in the beauty of holiness."