The Nick and Jaimee Kennedy Nauvoo experience.

     How Nick and Jaimee Kennedy Became Active Members
     In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

                       By Nick and Jaimee Kennedy

     Nick was baptized at age 8, and was ordained to the office of Teacher in the Aaorinic Priesthood at age 14, but had been inactive for 23 years.  Jaimee had never had any formal religious background or experiences at all.
     Nick and Jaimee happened to be in Carthage, Illinois to pick up their son Aryk (pronounced Eric), and Nick saw the sign for the Historic Carthage Jail.  Nick told Jaimee that he wanted to go through the jail because he had gone before but it was back in the summer of 1985.  Jaimee had lived in Argyle, Iowa her whole life (about thirty miles away) and had never gone.  Nick and Jaimee picked up their son and went to the jail; inside Nick saw a flyer for the two pageants.  Nick told Jaimee that he wanted to go see the pageant because he had also seen it in 1985 , but that it was only one pageant back then.  Jaimee had never seen the pageants at all, and they decided to attend the pageants.  Sister Margaret Uata then directed the Kennedy family into a room in the visitors' center and started the video on Joseph Smith.  After the video was over Sister Uata led the Kennedy family on a tour of the jail, and while in the martyrdom room bore her testimony to the family.  While touring the jail Jaimee felt the spirit but was unable to recognize what she was feeling.
     On Saturday July 25, 2015 Nick and Jaimee arrived at the pageant; they walked around the fair for a while and visited with some of the families volunteering there.  Nick discovered that the old  pageant was "The City of Joseph" and that The Nauvoo Pageant as well as the The British Pageant were both new. The first pageant they went to was The Nauvoo Pageant.  Jaimee met a woman who was from Utah and spoke with her while Nick sat uncomfortably and then walked around a bit more.  Jaimee found out that the families volunteer during the summer to help with the fair and perform in the pageant.  Jaimee talked to the woman long enough that Nick had to come and get her because it was time for the pageant to start.
     While walking to find a seat, Nick and Jaimee went past the information booth and Nick picked up a Book of Mormon and smacked it into Jaimee's chest.  Nick told Jaimee "Here you can read this next!"  He then laughed a little, and walked on,  Jaimee looked at the book and opened the cover; she sat down in her seat before the pageant began and read the introduction and the witness statements.  The announcer came on saying that it was time for the pageant to begin shortly, which actually annoyed Jaimee because she was reading and didn't like to be interrupted.  Jaimee loved the pageant, and thought that it was informative.  The pageant piqued her interest even more in the Book of Mormon.  Nick and Jaimee decided they would come again on Friday to see The British Pageant, and take their son through some of the Historic Nauvoo sites and the country fair.
     After they went home Jaimee continued to read out of The Book of Mormon, but had many questions about it.  Since Jaimee had very little religious background in general she didn't understand some of the words, language, or know many of the people; therefore, her questions were ones of comprehension, not the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon.  At this point Jaimee didn't even care if the book was true or not.  Nick tried to answer some of Jaimee's questions, but didn't want to give her any wrong information.  So Nick suggested that Jaimee highlight any spots where she had questions and write down all of her questions, and bring them with her to the British Pageant that Friday so she could ask the missionaries to answer her questions.
     The week went by and Jaimee continued to read and had many more questions.  On Friday July 31, 2015 Nick and Jaimee went back to Nauvoo with their son Aryk.  The Kennedy family went through a few of the sites including the blacksmith shop where they met Elder Richard Horlacher, during the tour he made the family a tiny horse shoe and gave each of them a "prairie diamond" (a ring made of a horse shoe nail).  Upon arriving at the pageant grounds the Kennedy family went to reserve seats, only to find out that the only seats available were way at the back.
     When the Kennedy family went to the country fair they met a family from Idaho.,  Once the husband learned of the terrible seats the Kennedy family had reserved and found out Nick was an inactive member he asked Nick if he could get them better seats and figure out what ward boundaries they lived in, in case they wanted to go to church.  Jaimee stayed and talked with the wife and Aryk played with their children.  Nick went to the information booth with the husband where they talked to Sister Kyanna Garrison about the ward boundaries and Sister Matalyn Nelson about getting the Kennedy family better seats.  Sister Garrison said she would go find out what ward boundaries the Kennedy family lived in during the pageant, and Sister Nelson got them much better seats.  Soon Nick came back telling Jaimee that they had much better seats for the pageant, thanks to Sister Nelson.
     A little while before the pageant began the Kennedy family walked to the information booth, so Jaimee could ask some of her questions.  Jaimee knew she probably overwhelmed Sister Lyndsee Anderson (a young sister missionary helping at the booth, and sister Garrison's companion), because she had so many questions.  After trying to answer many of the questions to the best of her ability Sister Anderson finally turned to Moroni 10:4 and read the scripture about praying to know if the The Book of  Mormon is true.  This frustrated Jaimee a lot because at that point she didn't care if The Book of Mormon was true, she just wanted to understand it (they laugh about this now).
     After the pageant Sister Garrison informed the Kennedy family that they lived in the boundaries for the Fort Madison, Iowa Branch.  Sister Garrison then gave Nick and Jaimee the starting time, address, and phone number for the branch, but she also invited them to attend the mission ward in Nauvoo, if Nick and Jaimee would feel more comfortable attending there.  She told them that the meeting started at 9:00 a.m. that Sunday (the mission ward actually started at 8:00a.m. Nick, Jaimee, and Sister Garrison have since decided that the Holy Ghost was speaking through Sister Garrison when she gave Nick and Jaimee the wrong starting time because Heavenly Father wanted the Kennedy family to end up in the Nauvoo 3rd Ward), and Sister Anderson said yes, they should definitely come.
     On the way home Nick asked Jaimee if she wanted to go to church that Sunday.  Jaimee said that she wouldn't mind going to church so she could get more questions answered.  Nick explained to Jaimee that branches are smaller than wards, and that since neither of them knew of a meeting house in Fort Madison there was a chance that the meetings were held in the Branch President's home.  After discusssing the issue Nick and Jaimee both said that they would feel much more comfortable at the larger ward in Nauvoo.
     On August 2, 2015 the Kennedys arrived at the LDS Church at 8:30 a.m. only to find out that the Sisters' Ward meeting was about half over.  After the Sacrament meeting was over the sisters came out and saw Nick and Jaimee.  Immediately Sister Garrison started to apologize for giving them the wrong information.  Sister Garrison told Nick that they could go to her Sunday school lessons if they wanted to, but Nick asked if they had a class for investigators and she said no because that ward was only missionaries.  Nick told Sister Garrison that it was okay, and that he and Jaimee would just stay for the next ward so that Jaimee could attend the class for the investigators.
     After the Chapel cleared out Nick went in to find them seats and sat near the front on the left side.  Members of the Nauvoo 3rd ward began to arrive and Jaimee was very nervous.  This particular Sunday was a very different Sacrament meeting than most, because it was the first Sunday of the month, which is the Fast Sunday, and it was also the changing of the bishopric.  After Sacrament meeting they went to Gospel Principles and listened to the lesson from Brother and Sister Fletcher.  With Gospel Principles over it was time for the sisters to go to Relief Society and the brethren to go to priesthood.  Jaimee was very concerned over splitting up and didn't remember Nick telling her that happened.  Then Sister Chenille Saunders hooked her arm around Jaimee's and said "You can come to Relief Society with me I will make sure you get there!"  Jaimee looked back at Nick and thought he would come get her, but he didn't.  He simply smiled, laughed, and walked away.  Sister Saunders talked with Jaimee and made her feel more comfortable and a lot less nervous.
     On the way home Nick asked Jaimee if she wanted to go again and she said yes because she still had many questions.  Nick told Jaimee that was fine, but that they should probably go to the Fort Madison Branch since they lived in those boundaries.  Jaimee broke down into tears.  Nick asked Jaimee what was wrong, and she told him that she had met two wonderful women at the pageant but didn't know their names and would never see them again, and then she met Chenille and was afraid that if they went to Ft. Madison Jaimee would never see her again either.  Nick told her to calm down and that they could go to Nauvoo.
     When they got home Nick went to buy a pack of cigarettes and Jaimee went to bed for the day.  After returning home Nick was outside smoking a cigarette when out of the blue he decided to quit smoking, and overnight he went from smoking about a pack a day, to smoking just 3 or 4 cigarettes per day.  However, Nick's decision to quit smoking had nothing to do with a desire to be active in the church again (at least not in his mind, but Heavenly Father had very different plans for him).  Jaimee continued to read throughout the next week, and again had many more questions.
     During Sacrament meeting on August 9, 2015 a young sister named Natasha Stout, who had recently returned home from her mission gave a talk.  During this talk Nick felt the Holy Ghost was over him and very clearly tell him "This is the time and this is the place!  You need to be active again!"  Nick decided right then and there he was going to become active in the church again.  Nick met with Bishop L. Joe Smith (on his first Sunday as Bishop) during Elders' Quorum and explained his background and his desire to become active again as well as to obtain the Melchezedek Priesthood.  Nick also asked Bishop Smith for a blessing as he was still struggling with quitting smoking.  After church was over, the couple met with Elder Chase and Elder Migliori (the missionaries at Nauvoo 3rd Ward).  They answered many of Jaimee's questions and set up an appointment for Wednesday that week to give her the first lesson.  When they got home, Nick told Jaimee he was going to continue going to church and become active again, but that he would not force her to join or go to church; however, he would like to bring Aryk with him every Sunday.
      When Nick and Jaimee met with Elder Chase and Elder Migliori on Wednesday August 12, 2015 they went through the restoration lesson, and answered many more of Jaimee's questions.  Nick asked the Missionaries for another blessing to help him  with quitting smoking and they as also offered to give him a stop smoking workshop the church put out.  Nick agreed and they said they would bring it Sunday.  Over the next couple of days Nick and Jaimee discussed him quitting smoking and the stop smoking workshop, after discussing it a few times Jaimee agreed to do the workshop with Nick so that they could quit smoking together.
     On Sunday August 16, 2015 Nick and Jaimee went to church and met with Elder Chase and Elder Migliori afterwards.  The Elders gave Nick and Jaimee the stop smoking workshop.  On the way home Nick and Jaimee stopped and bought the supplies they needed.  Once at home Jaimee read through the workshop and found out she couldn't drink coffee while doing the workshop.  Jaimee knew she would eventually have to stop drinking coffee but didn't want to quit smoking and drinking coffee at the same time; Jaimee was very worried.  The couple smoked their last cigarette that night at 11:00 p.m.  While quitting smoking it was only by Heavenly Father's intervention that Nick and Jaimee went through the withdrawal symptoms at different times that week, because had they gone through withdrawal at the same time they probably wouldn't have made it.  On Tuesday August 18, 2015 (the second night of not smoking) Nick was having very strong cravings and told Jaimee that he was going to go buy a pack of cigarettes before she left for work.  Jaimee walked over to Nick and told him that if he smoked he wouldn't be able to baptize her, and she then left for work.  The next morning when Jaimee got home Nick asked her if she was serious about being baptized or if she just wanted him not to smoke.  Jaimee told Nick that it was both, so that afternoon Nick asked Elder Chase and Elder Migliori for a third blessing.  The rest of the week was hard for them but they did it and have not smoked since.
     During and after the time that Nick and Jaimee were quitting smoking they went to different sites around Historic Nauvoo on an almost daily basis because they loved the way they felt while in Nauvoo.  During the almost daily trips to Nauvoo, as well as the many Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo performances they attended, Nick and Jaimee met several of the wonderful senior missionaries working in the sites.  Nick met Elder Reimann in the blacksmith shop.  Nick and Jaimee met Elder Metcalf at the brickyard and the Kennedy family met Elder and Sister Skinner at Rendezvous in old Nauvoo.  The Kennedy family became very close to these, and many other, senior missionaries working at the sites around Historic Nauvoo.
     Nick and Jaimee continued to attend church and take the lessons from the missionaries.  In fact, they actually took lessons from Elder Bertenshaw and Elder Skougaurd (the Ft. Madison branch missionaries) as well as Elder Chase and Migliori because of where they lived.  While looking at an apartment in Carthage, Illinois on August 27, 2015 Nick and Jaimee found out that the owners lived in St. George, Utah and are members of the church.  Jaimee wrote a summary of their story and why the Kennedy family wanted the apartment (because it was in the 3rd Ward boundaries).  Nick and Jaimee asked the young sister missionaries, all of their new senior missionary friends, and some of Nuavoo 3rd Ward members including the Bishop, plus Elder Chase and Elder Migliori to pray that they would get this apartment.  The couple also prayed for the apartment many times every day.  On Monday August 31, 2015 at 8:40 a.m. Nick received a call telling him that they could have the apartment.  Nick and Jaimee finally had an address within the 3rd Ward boundaries.  They began moving in on September 10, 2015 and finished on September 12, 2015.
     On September 20, 2015 Elder David B Reimann ordained Nick to the office of priest in the Aaronic Priesthood.  Standing in on Nick's ordination were, Bishop l. Joe Smith, Elder C. Brent Metcalf, Elder Richard Horlacher, Brother Legrande Fletcher, Brother Matt Saunders, and Brother Roland Evans.  This ordination gave Nick the priesthood authority to baptize his wife.  Jaimee was then baptized into the church on September 23, 2015 Jaimee was confirmed as member of The Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by Brother Matt Saunders.  Standing in on Jaimee's confirmation were, Bishop L. Joe Smith, Elder David B. Reimann, Elder C Brent Metcalf, Elder Richard Horlacher, Brother Legrande Fletcher, Elder Migliori, and Elder Good.  Following Jaimee's confirmation Nick blessed the Sacrament for  the time and Jaimee partook of the Sacrament for the first time.
          
    

   

    

Here It Is The Night Of The Savior's Birth ! ! !

    Its Christmas Eve, and we are far away from our Family and Friends, and the wonderful traditions we have made as Families, but some how we feel at Peace.   We are so grateful to be here in Old Nauvoo, serving our Father in Heaven, as Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   We know this is the right thing to do and the right place at this time of our life.  Our family is one of the most choicest of all blessings we could have ask for.   At this time we have two of our Grandson's serving mission's, one in Mexico Ciudad Obregon Mission, Elder Trevor Horlacher, and Elder Richard Miklich, serving in the Philippines Bayuio Mission.  What a blessing it is to us, their grandparents.   We feel so blessed.   Having the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives, and knowing that Jesus is our Elder Brother, our Savior, and our Friend, and through him, after all we can do, we can return and live with him again.  What a blessing.   Having friends like you, who love and support us, and are examples to us and each other.   Life is good, even with our world falling apart around us.  We have such wonderful missionary friends around us and it feels like a Zion Community where we live, and serve each day.   This Christmas we have truly had a Christ Centered Christmas because we haven't had the distractions  we could have had at home with the stores and TV adds, etc.   Thank you all for everything.

      Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year
    

   We have received so many cards and letters from our ward their in St. George, we thank you for that, it really means a lot.   We love to hear about you and how you are all doing.   We love you all and ask our Father in Heavens most choice blessing to be yours.



  

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

     I'm sure that everyone is getting a little tired of us saying how busy we are, but we can't help it...its just go go go!  Sister Horlacher and Sister LeeMajor did such a good job as stage managers for the Live Nativity, that they were asked to continue their assignments in the MAJOR Christmas production of the; The Miracle of Christmas.  This is a community concert celebrating the Savior's Birth.  The Nauvoo Stake Center was setup to accommodate a very large (49) children's chorus; Adult Chorus (65); and Orchestra.  Many bench's from the front of the chapel were removed.  The shepherds and wise men gave respect and worship to the live baby held by Joseph and Mary.  The program was presented for two nights.  There were folks from the town singing in the choir and playing in the orchestra.  As I watched, listened and felt the spirit of the true meaning of Christmas.  The Birth of Jesus Christ.  I pondered deeply the scriptures of the birth of Christ.  I thought of the event in a simple way.  The profound meaning of the birth of our savior.  The Son of God born in a stable...The time of the year....Shepherds, the first to worship our Lord...A star...Wise men...Our Lord and Savior as a baby...When I really ponder these circumstances I truly feel the joy of the Saviors Birth.

     Our mission Choir sang a wonderful song in sacrament meeting today which invites some deep thought.  Natalie Sleeth wrote the music entitled "Were you there on that Christmas Night".  Lyrics:

     Were you there, were you there on that Christmas night.
     When the world was filled with a holy light?
     Were you there to behold, when the wonder foretold came to earth?
     Did you see, did you see how they hailed him king with gifts so rare that they chose to bring?
     Did you see how they bowed, as they praised Him aloud at His birth?
     Did you hear how the choirs of angels sang at the glory of the sight?
     Did you hear how the bells of Heaven rang all through the night?
     Did you know, did you know it was Gods own Son, the salvation of the world begun?
     Did you know it was love, that was sent from above to the earth?
     Were you there?

     I wonder...and even think it possible that we could have been there to see, to feel and even participate in this glorious event.

     The gift from God the Father to us His children is His Son Jesus Christ.  There is only one gift that we can give to God.  My will I give freely.  A contrite heart and a willing spirit to serve Him and our fellow men.

     Today I was asked to be in the circle where Nick Kennedy was given the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained an Elder.  I know we have talked about the Kennedy family before so I thought it would be of interest to publish their story.  I will get this published soon.

    Our Christmas tree in Nauvoo 2015.  Picture above taken at the mission open house.

A Savior Is Born ! ! ! How Blessed We Are To Know Who Jesus Christ Is. . .

    I'm not sure why we are having such a hard time keeping up on our writing on the blog.   It has been several weeks since we have visited and we will try to catch up.   I hope we can, however, we don't seem to catch up on our sleep. ha ha    The first thing I would like to share is #ASaviorIsBorn.  If you haven't seen this little film I invite you to visit.  It is wonderful.  We heard that over 600 children tried out for the parts.

   The Christmas Season is here and being here in the mission field we see and understand the real meaning of Christmas and we don't have TV or Stores to temp us in any other way.   If only it were possible to live this way all the time.   We do have to know what is going on in the world, but here we can go days without seeing or hearing of the terrible things that are happening in the world.  Our Savior's birth is what matters, and his atonement for each of us.   This last Friday we had our "Christmas Walk" here in Old Nauvoo.   Elder Horlacher was in the Nativity as a shepherd.  The Nativity was 20 mins. with 10 mins in between.  We had 5 showings with a packed house. Over 100 for each show and we still had people waiting.    It was beautiful and the spirit was very strong.   At 5:00 pm we had the tree lighting, the Hamilton High School Choir and the Warsaw High School Choir and Jazz Band preformed, the Mission Choir and all missionaries sang.  Then we had 3 wagons all decorated in lights taking the guests to the downtown to see the Nativity, Caroling on the streets with big fire barrels, the Family Living Center where they could get warm by a real fire and have hot chocolate, cookies, cheese and crackers, veg. and dip, and then taking them back to the parking lot to get their cars.   They also walked down to the Browning Gun, Print Shop, Post Office, and the Tin Shop where stories and singing were going on.  People couldn't believe the mission would go to this much work for one night.   They would ask if we couldn't do it at least one more night because they knew of people who couldn't come Friday and could come Saturday.   They, most everyone I talked to, said they will come next year, that it was a wonderful way to start Christmas.   We will be doing the Miracle of Christmas Dec. 19th and 20th, this is a community Concert Celebrating the Savior's Birth .   So we still have a lot of practice, etc, to keep us plenty busy.

    As we ponder the happening of the World and Country I found this Scripture and Quote,  D & C 59:23, "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come."    This quote is from Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith:  "There is no cure for the ills of the world except the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our hope for peace, for temporal and spiritual prosperity, and for an eventual inheritance in the Kingdom of God is found only in and through the restored gospel.  There is no work that any of us can engage in that is as important as preaching the gospel and building up the Church and Kingdom of God on earth"   (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 273.)   Remember we are all missionaries and we must stay strong and always stand for what we know to be true and right, even if we stand alone .   I meet a family from Australia, they had 2 daughters and one son.   They were here to the USA for a month and stopped here in Nauvoo for several days.  When members come we ask if there is anything we might do to help them with their missionary work.   We invited the children to talk to their friends and share the gospel with them.   The mother shared that the 17 year old daughter didn't have any friends at school because she was a Mormon.  The young girl was beautiful, she said, "Its ok, I'm ok with no friends,  I have my family and I know the church is true."  Sometimes we really do have to stand alone in our belief, except we know we are never alone, even when we sometimes feel alone, because we know that Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ is always there.   Its hard to think the world is so against those who believe in Jesus Christ.  But we know Satan is working harder than ever on those who dare stand up for what they believe.  Satan has to know that he can not win, even when he has success with a few.

      

    Our first snow. It only snowed a couple of inches but was bitter cold. Reality hit so hard as to the suffering of the Saints of Nauvoo.  They were driven from their homes, some without even shoes.  My heart aches just thinking about it.  I was so cold.  I can't even imagine the suffering.

    The Nativity at the Visitor Center is very beautiful. Elder Horlacher and myself have been working there more now. It is quite now, so when we have guests we are able to spend more time with them and answer many questions.

 The little School decorated out side.  And inside is Noah's Ark.  It is made of weeds.  It is the cutest thing.  A missionary made it some years ago.  It has started to fall apart.  What a sad day it will be when it is no more.




Enjoy the season,  we are so grateful for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ and for each of you, for your love and support.  May our Father in Heavens choicest blessings be yours..

It Is A Time To Be Grateful And Show Our Gratitude For All We Have

    Where do the weeks go.   We are in our 9th month here in the mission.  We have had some very cold days, but over all we haven't even needed a jacket.   They, those who know, say just wait, it will get cold.   They smile as they say it.   Anyway, all is good.   Most of the leaves have fallen and many times in the early morning there is a lot of fog.  It can look very much like winter.  One night I did pull out a heavy coat.

    I have several stories that I would like to share.   A few nights, or Rendezvous' ago Sister Johnson from  Parowan  told about her 12 year old son, Jake.  They have and love horses, they actually bought a team of horses from here in Nauvoo, who have finished their mission here and needed a place to retire.  Elder Johnson had a horse that he loved and had trained and trusted very much.   Jake in the early afternoon ask if he could take his dads horse and go for a ride.   Sister Johnson said that he had gone like this many times because he loved riding and there wasn't always someone that could go with him.  Well this afternoon he went to far and when it started to get dark he had lost his direction.  He headed home but was confused as to what direction he needed to go.  Of course, as parents we would be concerned if our son didn't come home,  Elder Johnson was sure he was alright because he knew his horse and trusted him.  Jake had gone up on the mountain above their home.  There was no way they could go to find him until morning because it was to dark.   At 5:30 am Elder Johnson got up and told Sister Johnson he knew where to go.   They had a cabin about 35 miles from their home and he headed there.   When he got there, the horse was tied up and Jake was in the cabin asleep on the couch.   Jake said that he just gave the horse his head, let go of the reins, and the horse headed to the closest  place he knew. He had actually fallen asleep on the horse.  She likened this to our Heavenly Father,  sometimes we need to give our Father in Heaven the reins and let him guide our life. We need to trust that he will guide us to do that which is true and right.

     Another sweet story was told by our choir director, Sister Hansen.  She told about her 3 year old grandson who has some challenges.   It was his mothers birthday and he heard the word birthday and got excited and ask if he would get a gift, and his mother explained that no he would not, but she would be getting the gifts because it was her birthday.  The little boy began to cry and said, but I don't have a gift for you.   She explained that he had cleaned his room and helped her put the dishes away in the kitchen and that  was the best gift she could get.   He ran away to play content that he had given his mother a gift.  Sometimes the gifts of the heart are the very best gifts of all.

   We had a great surprise Friday afternoon.  Jimmy and Becky Armstrong came to Nauvoo to see us.  We had dinner, soup and sandwiches, and then they attended our Rendezvous.  We didn't have a lot of time together, but it was so fun to see them.

    We have our Christmas Walk coming up, Dec. 4th.   It starts at 4:30 pm and goes to 10 pm.   Elder Horlacher will be a shepherd in the Nativity, and I get to be one of the stage managers.   Tell the shepherds and wise men, etc, when to enter the stage, and then encourage the guests to go to the other places. ha ha   There will be wagon rides, a tree lighting at the visitor center and caroling,  stories and singing in several of the sights, at the family living center they will have food and visiting, etc, there.  There will be big open barrels with fire in to keep warm with and caroling on the streets of Old Nauvoo. Then around ten the wagons will be ready to take everyone back to there cars at the visitor center.  On the 23rd we start to decorate the sights and will be finished by Thanksgiving Day.   For Thanksgiving we will be having dinner as a Zone.  We have 4 Zones in our mission.  So that will be nice, I believe there are 38 in our Zone and we will be sharing the cultural hall with another Zone.   This coming Saturday we are helping with a Thanksgiving Dinner for the members of the Stake who are investigating the church, who have recently been baptized, or who are inactive.  We are looking forward to the season.  We would like to wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving.    There is so much to be thankful for even when we see our world turning upside down.   We are all children of a Father in Heaven who loves us and wants only the best for each of us.  We are all  brothers and sisters who are trying to do what is right.

   We continue to have wonderful experiences in each of the sites that we serve in.  Life is good, even when we have disappointments, heart breaks, etc.  We must always count our blessing and know there is a bigger plan that we may not see at the moment.   We just received word that one of our dear friends just passed away.  How we would love to be there to support and love his family.  Comfort only comes through the knowledge that we will see him again and that his family can be together again for eternity.  Lets always remember that we are all our Father in Heaven has, to do his work on this earth.  He is counting on each of us to love and comfort each other.   We love you all so much...   Words can't express how much you all are in our lives.  I invite us all to strive to be better than we think we are.  To make sure that our families know and understand the gospel, and the plan our Father in Heaven has for each of us and that we are never alone even when it may feel we are. 


   On our last P-day we went with three other missionary couples, we drove to Springfield, IL to see the Lincoln Memorial.  We had a very nice time. The presentations are so well done as they present the various historical aspects of Abraham Lincoln from boyhood to his death.  I have always respected President Lincoln and now have a greater appreciation of what he went through in his presidency and his personal life.

  Well this is our report for the week.  The mission is getting geared up for the holidays and I send you a Happy Thanksgiving Greeting.  We love you all so much and want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you.

The Book of Mormon is the Keystone to our religion

   Booooootiful Nauvoo has come and gone. It was fun to be a part of it all.  We carved pumpkins and handed out pamphlets for the Christmas walk, on Dec. 4, and then we became part of the Dragon.   By the time the parade  was over we had to leave, Elder Horlacher's legs were hurting so much that he wasn't sure he could get home, we had walked.

President and Sister Gibbons

He had been standing all day at the Brick Yard making bricks and then most of the evening.   We tried to get pictures of the pumpkins all lite but the wind was too strong and they wouldn't stay lite.  I am trying to find someone who got a picture later when they were lite.   It was a fun night and well attended.   The missionaries handed out bags of candy to everyone, not just the children.  As we handed out the fliers for the Christmas Walk most people accepted them and said they had been to it before and would definitely be back.   Folks came from as far as 60 miles away not counting guests who had come from all over to see the Historical Sites of Nauvoo.    It is amazing the different things the mission does to try to bring the communities from all around Nauvoo and the different churches together, after all we all believe in Christ.

   We took a tour around the area to see the different mounds, by the Mound Builders.   There are several areas that are protected by the different States where these mounds are located.   Some believe that this is part of the area where the Book of Mormon took place.   We also went to see where they think Zarahemla   may have been.  They are doing digs and ground ultrasound.   They said they will take their data and study it.  It was very interesting.   The Mississippi River may be the Sidon River.   A lot to think about and research.

The land of Zarahemla
across the river

Mound

The Book of Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion" in the Ezra Taft Benson, Teaching of the Presidents of the Church.   In his first general conference address as President of the Church, President Benson shared one reason for the urgency of this message.

The site of the temple of Zarahemla

a bridge to the mound

 "Unless we read the Book of Mormon and give heed to its teachings," he warned, "the Lord has stated in section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants that the whole Church is under condemnation: 'And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all'.  'And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written.'
Our dearest Family and Friends we invite each of you to read and study more fully each and every day, the Book of Mormon.   Many of the trials that the early Saints suffered was because the Book of Mormon was not valued and read and studied as it should have been.   Our homes and families will be stronger if we will make the Book of Mormon a daily part of our lives.  We are learning that there is so much more that we as Missionaries need to do.   We devote much of our day and time to serving our Father in Heaven and we fall short.  Our world and country is falling apart  and we need our Father in Heavens hand to be in our lives.  Each and every one of us has to step up and do those things that we know to be true and right.  Remember, we are all our Father in Heaven has to do his work.  This is the promised land and he needs each of us to try harder.   We love you all so very much, and remember it is our greatest prayer that "we will cherish one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in Heaven together."  Lucy Mack Smith.

   Today at Guest Services I meet our daughter, Cheri's,Visiting Teacher Companion, Trish Albreckson. What a fun thing to meet those who know our loved ones and friends.

Being a Missionary. . . Has so many thoughts. . . .

    Living the gospel by thinking of others before yourself. . .  Is being a missionary.

    We had our Stake Conference this last week-end and as you know they are wonderful.   Ours was no exception.   A young sister missionary, newly returned home, spoke.   She served in the San Diego Mission. She told of an investigator  who was having trouble with the Joseph Smith story.   They had come to visit him and his family when they meet him on the street and he was drunk.   He was saying terrible things to the Sisters, yelling and cursing them.   She ask Heavenly Father to help her understand this man and what they should do.   She also ask God to let her see him through his eyes.   How could anyone love someone such as he.   She felt a warm come over her and she felt a love that only Heavenly Father could give.  She felt as if she were in a bubble, and she couldn't hear anything the man was saying.   She knew she loved him as before this had happened and she knew that Heavenly Father loved him no matter what he said or did.  She knew Heavenly Father loves each of us, it doesn't matter what we say or do.  We are his son or daughter and he wants each of us to return and be with him, just as we want each of our children to be with us, (those of us who have children.)   As a missionary,( we are all missionaries,) we can see the Saviors hands each day in our lives.   We must learn to recognize his hand in our life and know that we are never alone.  We must ask for his help in all we do.   We must ask for help to be worthy of the help from our constant companion, the Holy Ghost.

   We must make the Book of Mormon more important in our life.   Many of the problems the early Saints had was because the Book of Mormon wasn't considered that important in their lives.   The Book of Mormon was written for our day, the answers we seek each day can be found in it.

   Many times when we receive promptings we may feel or wonder why.  Another story was told of a man who was on a business trip and he was impressed to take a Book of Mormon with him.   He sat by a gentleman who was reading, so this man thought he would ask the question, "Do you like to read?"  of course, the gentleman liked to read and so as the conversation went on the man ask if he could give him a Book of Mormon.   He explained what the book was about.  But the answer was "No".  The business man ask several more times but the answer was always no. . .   He felt discouraged, exited the plane and went on to his meetings.   Several days later as he found his seat on the plane going home, a gentleman sat down next to him.   One of the first things this gentleman said was that he had sat in front of him on the flight there and he had heard the conversation about the Book of Mormon and wondered if he still had it, and if so, could he have it.    We never know when we act on a prompting just what is in store, but we must try to always act on them.   After all,  Heavenly Father only has us to do his biding.

 

Here we are toward the end of October and our Boooootiful Nauvoo is coming this Saturday.  Tonight Elder Horlacher and myself will go and carve pumpkins,  we have artists draw the faces and designs and then we get to carve them.   We have around 500 altogether, so it will be very interesting.
We sure get to do fun things, ha ha.

The autumn leaves looking from our porch toward the temple.  The leaves are starting to be beautiful, even though, many have fallen without color.

This picture with the Doying was taken back in May before Elder Doying had medical issues, and they had to leave the mission.   He is home from the Huntsman Cancer Center and in rehab now,  it will be a while before he is fully recovered, but the good news is that he is on his way.  We love you both, Ray and Barbara Doying.

Nauvoo On The Road,  This time we
went to Hannibal Missouri, to the Folklife Festival.  We had close to four hundred folks visit us and around 40 ropes were made.  It was a fun time, however, it was pretty cold.  We were able to take our coats off around 4:00 pm as we were packing up to come home.   Main Street of Old Nauvoo just about Dawn, on our way to Hannibal.

We love you all and remember you in our prayers, we thank you for your support and pray our Father in Heavens choicest blessing are yours.   We are going into the Holiday Season with many activities here in Old Nauvoo, as you come into each season we wish you joy and happiness and pray we will all have gratitude for the many blessing with are ours and for our Savior Jesus Christs birth.

The joys of serving. . .

   Today was another wonderful day, each day has it's special feelings and happiness, and each day we are grateful to be hear in this beautiful place.   To be serving our Father in Heaven and show our gratitude for our pioneer Saints who gave an example, and such faith in our Father in Heaven and kept the Kingdom of God moving forward.   I served at the Log School today on what we call a "D" shift, 9:45 am to 5:00 pm, we had 7 tours which for the little school was great.   Fall is in the air, the wind was blowing and it was chilly.  The leaves are starting to fall even though they still aren't as colored as they say they can and will be.

But today was very special.  You can always tell when the spirit of Nauvoo is high, and today was one of those days.   Sunday Elder Horlacher and myself had served in the Brigham Young Home, and I had given a tour to a party of 3, husband and wife, and female cousin.  They seemed very interested in everything I had to say, but didn't have many questions.  They were very nice and we had a great tour.   Today, they visited the little school, and it was my turn to give the tour.  Many times when it is slow, as companions, we will share a tour, one giving information about Mr. Pendleton and the other about the school in Nauvoo.   Today we each were giving the whole tour.   They were surprised to see me, but must have been comfortable with me because they begin to ask questions, not only of Calvin Pendleton and the school in Nauvoo, but about every and any thing, and especially about Joseph Smith.  Their son and daughter-in-law are members of the church, and they, the couple knew a little about the church.  They wanted to know about our names, Elder and Sister, and about the Priesthood.  The cousin didn't know anything about the church and was so interested, she lives down by Quincy, about 60 miles away.  She plans to come back for Booo-tiful Nauvoo in about 2 weeks and again for Christmas.  Anyway, we spent about an hour together which is usually a no,no but they ask if I had time and then thanked me for sharing with them and I thanked them for letting me share.  I think I more fully understand, the joy of seeing people who really want to know about the Gospel, and being able to share it with them.  It was such a wonderful day. . .

Today we have been in the Mission Field 7 months . . . Where is the time going. .

   There has been a lot happen since we last wrote.  We'll try to get it all in even if it is not in order.   We told about Jamie Kennedy to be baptized on September 23.   It was a beautiful baptism.   Many of the Senior Missionaries, as well as all of the Young Sister Missionaries, many of the Temple Missionaries, and many of the 2 different ward members were there.   It was a large number, including the Stake President.   She and her family are now visiting the family history center rather than the sites.   They just got a recommend to do baptisms for the dead using there own names.   She said that many of the names already have had their work completed.   She is so happy.   They have invited us to help this Sat. with the baptisms for the dead  but we have to work.   It is so special to see them so excited and to see the ward members fellow shipping them.   We had dinner with them the following Friday.   They went all out.   A wonderful dinner.   They came to dinner here with us last night, we had Chili Cheese Dogs.   That being her favorite,  they were good, even if I say so myself.

   We have been attending a lecture serious by Susan Easton Black on Joseph Smith.   She and her husband George Durant are here for several months on a mission to clean up Land and Records, doing more research, etc.   It has been so educational.   She talks way to fast to keep notes, but it is so enlightening,  we have about 8 lectures left.   What a special treat.

Romy Snyder

Roundy's and Bishop's

   We have seen so many wonderful people.  We were in Rendezvous and as we looked in the audience, we were so surprised to see members from our ward in St. George, Val and Cathi Stewart and Bill Cowser.  It was wonderful to see them.   A few days later I was in the little school and the door opened and to my surprise there walked in  Jim Morris, he came personally to tell Elder Horlacher and myself that we had been released as Temple Prep Teachers,  I will say that is going on and beyond the call of duty, ha ha.   It was so wonderful to see them all.   Yesterday I was serving in Guest Services and there walked in Elder Horlachers cousin Mary Sue Bishop form Woods Cross, Utah, and her husband, Bob.   It really is wonderful to see so many people that we know.   We are still getting letters for dear friends from the ward.   We love you all so much.   Please take good care of yourselves.   While serving at Family Living Center I meet Romy Snyder whose son, Elder Zachary Snyder, is serving with our grandson Elder Trevor Horlacher in Mexico.   Our daughter-in-law Tonya has set up something on the Internet about the mission they are in and she has joined in, so they communicate.   She loves it and loves Tonya.   While serving in Guest Serves I meet Sally Hall, from West Jordan, a neighbor 30 or so years ago.   She was with her daughter Laurie and her children.   She didn't recognize me but after several trips in and out of the Visitor Center I had the courage to ask her name.   She looked so familiar but I couldn't place her until I ask her name.  It really is a small world.

Sally Hall

   I have served in Guest Services and see so many Book of Mormons handed out.   People are really open about learning about the Church.   They come here to Nauvoo curious but want to know why the Saints were driven out.   What kind of people would drive them out and what kind of people would leave rather than fight.  The Book of Mormon  does have part of the answer.   They really want to know and understand.  We often ask what they, our guests, have enjoyed the most about coming here and they often reply, the kindness and the messages that are shared.   Our messages apply to everyone, not just to members of the church.   Our Father in Heaven loves us all, and wants only the best for us.  He wants us all . . . to return and live with him again.   We are all his children and brothers and sisters.

   My thought for today.   "Come As You Are"  from a MTC Sisters notes.   When you were called to work in this missionary (ward or stake) capacity, you were not required to pass any tests or furnish any proof that you were qualified.  No one quizzed you to find out how much you knew about the Gospel, or inquired about your previous experience or training.  The only requirement was that you be willing to accept the responsibility of the position you were being asked to fill.   Your Father in Heaven accepted you "as you are" when He called you.  He was aware of your weaknesses, your problems, and your knowledge of the Gospel.  He knew of your capacity to learn and your potential ability.  He knew that with His help, you would be able to fill the position if you sincerely try.   You have our Father in Heaven to help you.   I think about this often, when I feel I just don't know enough, or can't express myself well.  I know my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to be successful.  He is always there for me and for you.  No matter what. . .

 

The last group of missionaries that left. We still have a few more to leave soon.

The corn fields have dried up and the farmers are ready to harvest.  This is the way to farm.  They prepare the soil, plant, and then wait for fall to harvest.  No watering is needed, at least most of the time.  They have the big, expensive machines that do most of the work.                                                      



The geese on the Mississippi.   It is fun to watch them.   They are everywhere.

We May Plant Seeds. . . We May Water Those Seeds. . . or . . . We May Harvest the Seeds. . . We are all helping build the Kingdom of God. . .

   Yesterday was another wonderful day at Carthage. . .   I would like to share  several experiences that I had there.   It was my turn to take 6 people through the jail, 2 couples and 2 gentlemen.   The spirit is always there, its as if Joseph and Hyrum are there.   We got to the Martyrdom room and went in and talked for a few minutes and played the 4 minute tape.  I like to sit for a minute or two after and let the spirit whisper to our spirit.   I then bore my testimony and ask if any one would like to say any thing.   One of the women ask about the cry Joseph uttered as he fell from the window, "My Lord, My God".   That is a Mason cry for help, and Joseph was a Mason.   I have a different take on the cry and was able to share my thoughts.   I believe that Joseph Smith knew Jesus Christ in a personal way and feel that as Joseph leaped or fell from the window he saw Jesus Christ, our Savior, who, I feel had come to take him home.  We probably will not know the true answer until we see Joseph Smith in Heaven and can ask him personally.  Some how it makes my heart feel better.   Everyone left the room and had started down the stairs when I noticed the other women sitting in the Dungeon Cell, she was crying so I felt I should just let her be alone in her thoughts.   Everyone was down the stairs when she came out and held me in her arms.  While crying she ask if she could bare her testimony to me which she did as she held me.   It was a beautiful testimony and when she finished she thanked me for listening and said she didn't want the others to hear.   I shared, that my testimony was much the same, and thanked her for sharing with me.   We walked down the stairs together, and when we were outside she ask if we could stay in touch.   We visited a little longer and then said goodbye.

    On my second tour it was a party of 7, 3 couples and 1 woman who was by herself.    After the tour was over and we had all left the jail one of the women came back to find me and said, "I believe that we will see each other again even if it is in Heaven,  we will know each other."   What a beautiful concept.

    My third experience, a couple came into the Visitor Center in Carthage and said they just wanted to see the Jail, they didn't want to see the film or anything else.    Her great grandfather was one of the guards that guarded Joseph that day and she couldn't understand why they killed him.   We explained the best we could and assigned Elder Horlacher to take them through the Jail.   Elder Horlacher will finish the story a little later, but what a thrill to meet someone from the other side whose relative was there and knew of the martyrdom.   They were from Oregon and had come a distance to see the jail, and find out why someone would want to kill him.

     I was asked to conduct the tour of the couple by Sister Price which I was glad to do.  The couple told me that their great grandfather had been assigned to be a guard inside the Carthage Jail.  The film which we show in the visitors center shows Joseph teaching the guards.  I told the couple how special it was to meet them because I tell the groups (especially the youth groups) that when you are involved in a bad situation it is alright to leave and not be part of it.  This is what the guards did.  They left saying that they wanted no part of this and that Joseph was a good man.  The replacement guards were instructed not to talk with Joseph.  The great grandfather had written about this experience in his journal and said that if they had known what was going to happen to Joseph and Hyrum Smith they would not have left.  The couple also told me that Joseph Smith had given a scriptural reference in the bible.  The couples daughter is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints  and had the specific information.  I tried to give the couple a Book of Mormon but they refused, however we left as friends. It was a thrill to meet the non member folks and to testify that like their great grandfather, Joseph Smith was a good man and I know that he was and is a prophet of God.

   Coming to Nauvoo brings history to life.  It is one thing to read about it, but quite another to walk the streets and visit the homes and feel of the spirit of the Saints who walked, laughed, cried, died, suffered and gave everything they had for our Father in Heaven and his Kingdom.   On the way to Carthage Joseph said "This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens."    As the Saints were leaving Nauvoo, walking down the Trail Of Hope, they were singing "All Is Well".   My dear family and friends, could we do the same if we were ask?    We Love You All so much.

It's Time to Step Up. . . . . It's Time to be the Leaders. . . . The Missionaries who were here before us have gone Home and on to the New Chapter in their Lives ! !

     At our Rendezvous last night we said good-bye to the remaining cast who will be leaving us.  Our cast went from around 60 to 30.    The show must go on,  we were promised they will keep all 3 casts even though that means we will be doing 3,4,5, even 6 parts or more.   Now, can we remember it all, is the challenge.   We truly love our mission.

     In our mission choir we are singing the Hymn "More Holiness Give Me,"  page 131 in the Hymn Book.   I'm not sure if I really, I mean really, listened to the words.   I want to invite each to find the hymn and take a few minutes in home evening or wherever you can find a quite moment to read the words,  I would like to recite just a    few, "More patience in suffering, More sorrow in sin, More faith in my Savior, More sense of his care,  More joy in his service, More purpose in prayer,  More gratitude give me, More hope in his word, More Savior like thee."

     Every once in a while a question is ask or comes to mind,   "What does the Savior ask of us?"  He asks us to follow him.   We each will interpret the meaning for our own self.  But I find it humbling to ponder the question.   Am I trying hard enough?  This life is a test, will I pass?   There are so many questions we must ask our self as we prepare to return to our Father in Heaven.    Our Father in Heaven has set the standards we must follow.   We can look at the Parable of the "Ten Virgins" to perhaps understand how important following the standards completely is.   All ten virgins I'm sure were good women, perhaps even great, but only 5 were allowed into the wedding.   Why?

     We have a Sister here in the mission whose granddaughter came for a visit.   She is 10 years old, her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother during the week and with her father on the week ends.   Her father is the son of this sister.    The mother is on drugs so this young girl does not have a wonderful home part of the time.   Sister Mamales took this young granddaughter around to all the sites, to Rendezvous and a Wagon Ride, etc.   She had a wonderful time.   She was asked what she enjoyed the most and she replied, "I loved how part of God came out of the missionaries and everyone was so kind."   My dear family and friends, we never know what even a smile or hello will mean to someone.    Please stay the wonderful people that you are. . .    We love you all so very much, we couldn't be more blessed than having you all a part of our lives.   Thank you.

         

A few odds and ends! ! !

Main Street in Old Nauvoo, an other flower pot, the Cultural Hall where Rendezvous is performed nightly.  Elder and Sister Horlacher with their wagon loaded on the fairy ready to cross the river.  

Sister Horlacher weaving, actually it is very relaxing.                                                                        

 

   
   

Even though this is not a sunset, it was very beautiful!


This week I had an interesting experience while at the blacksmith shop.  The picture at the bottom is of a family which our son Charles taught while on his mission in Wisconsin.  They asked about my name tag and wondered if I knew if  there had ever been a missionary with that last name serving in Racine, WI?  I told them about Charles and the connection was made.  He had taught them but they were not baptized until after Charles was transferred.  We had such a wonderful visit and I was so excited that I called Charles to tell him.  It is a thrill to learn of my sons missionary success. Our world is very small when we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I also had an experience with some folks from Sweden and Norway.  I tried to make a connection with Denmark but they said that they also couldn't speak Danish either! (Ha..Duaine..I'm trying)

How the time can fly ! ! !

    Tomorrow September 9, 2015 marks one third of our mission completed.  I can't even realize we have been serving for 6 months.   We just keep learning. . .  The sites have slowed down as far as guests and we have learned  "sometimes it is more tiring to do nothing, than be extremely busy, because you can't rest from it. . . . . . . . . ."   Our hours are shorter now, basically 10 am to 5 pm.   Makes it easier to get to Rendezvous at 6:30 pm.    We have time to get to know our companions, what a special treat it is.

    The Young Sisters have a baptism coming up, September 23.   A woman in her 30's.   She is married with a young son, 7.   Elder Horlacher had given them a tour in the blacksmith shop and they have included him, us, in part of the excitement.   Her husband had been a member of the LDS Church since he was a boy but had become inactive.   He hadn't been to Nauvoo since a boy, and the family was trying to find something to do, when he remembered Old Nauvoo.   They came and fell in love with Nauvoo as well as the missionaries.   They are here going through the sites every chance they get and have been to 4 of the Rendezvous.   They have invited us to dinner on the 25th.    It is so cute to see the excitement they have.   It is interesting to me that many of the people who live right here, have heard of Nauvoo, but don't have any idea about what it is or what is here.   Her mother knew about the mormons and has a great dislike for them.   If they would just learn about us with a open heart they would find we are not so bad, ha, that we just want to follow Jesus Christ.   This family just moved to Carthage so they can be in the Nauvoo Ward.  Their son was child of the week at school and for his favorite song he chose "I Am a Child of God".   It is so fun to be a part of someone coming into the church.

     I have been thinking a lot about service lately and how important it is to give and even to receive.   In Matthew 6: 3-4 it says "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seethe in secret himself  shall reward thee openly."

      Pres. Thomas S. Monson said, "Loving service anonymously given may be unknown to man - but the gift and the giver are known to God.   Of this truth I testify."      I also testify that blessings truly come when we are in the service of our fellow men, for we are in the service of our Father in Heaven.   He needs each of us to help him in caring for each other.   I once heard, he only has you and I to send to do his work as he is not here to do it himself.   When you think of it like that you can't help but feel it a privilege to give service to each other.    We love you all so very much.

Beautiful Nauvoo ! ! !

Beautiful. . .
the flowers have been so beautiful this summer.  Just a few to show the beauty.   These are at the Visitor Center.  They are in pots.  The mission puts out 400 pots like this throughout the sites as well as on the main street of town.    They are beautiful. . . . .

Elder Horlacher and myself were given the assignment to clean the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds.   The entry to the grounds is beautiful.   We cleaned the statue and building where all the names are.   It was so peaceful and spiritual.   A great experience to visit and clean for the saints.
The path to the graves was so peaceful and beautiful.   The statue is of a family who have just buried a small child.

The Fluckigers, and Gayle Roundy (Dorothy and Gayle are cousins )

 The Robison from Panguitch and Couchs at the Farewell Breakfast.

The Waltons

We have a Farewell Breakfast each month to say good bye to those who are leaving and Hello to those who are coming.   It is always an emotional moment.   The Fluckigers were hear to visit the Roundy's who are here as Temple missionaries.  It was fun to see Dorothy and her husband as it had been many years since we had seen them.   The picture of Elder and Sister Horlacher was taken in front of the Visitor Center.  Our Sunset Cast and our District.  The Daltons, Sister Layne, Sister Boyle, Taylors, Skinners, Horlachers.