November 23, 2014

Hi Hal,

I just wanted to send a few pictures and see if I can still remember how.  I have lots of them but didn't think people would be interested in lots so I tried to condense in my blog.  It will be fun to go back through them and share with you.

Here are a couple of pictures of the corn harvest.  It looks like grain but it is kernels of corn.  It looks like gold in a pile.

This is the view as you walk out of the temple.  I told you how the Mississippi River is just right there.  It is such a beautiful view.

I need to look back through and write down the pictures I have already put on my blog so I don't send ones I have already sent.  I will try to post some each week and send you an email letting you know.  We are leaving Tuesday to visit Suzanne for Thanksgiving and will be back Saturday.  Maybe next time I can put a few of their family on here.  I love you and I'm glad to share more of our mission with you.  It was such a wonderful time in my life and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have been called to such a wonderful place.  What a spiritual treat!  I miss it so much and I'm afraid I will lose the feelings I have in my heart for all we were able to see and do.

It was so fun to go to lunch.  I want to try to do it more often.  

I love and miss you!  

The gospel is true!!

Love, Margaret

PS  I'm not sure why my typing all of a sudden is centering.  I don't know enough about computers to fix it.  Sorry.  xoxo

Our Days in Nauvoo Oct 19 - 26 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

This will be my last entry from Nauvoo.  I’m not going to lie - I won’t miss writing this letter.  I’m not a writer and it has been a struggle. But I will miss this wonderful place, the beautiful temple and our wonderful friends. Joseph Smith said of Nauvoo, "This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens." That is how I feel.  However, I would say "one of the loveliest places and some of the best people under the heavens." It has been an emotional week as we have finished up our activities here. 

Sunday, Oct 19 – It's hard to believe we go home next week. It was tough to say goodbye to our friends in Ottumwa.  It was such a good experience – and to think I didn’t want to go at the beginning.  We ate at the Parcell’s.  They are such terrific people.  I can't remember if I mentioned that they have been called as ordinance workers. They are so nervous about serving at the temple but they will be amazing. What wonderful people we have met here.  Words can’t express.  

Monday, Oct 20 – We are starting to get cute little notes with treats in our mail boxes from the couples leaving.  We started packing this afternoon and we are in quite a mess. We had our closing FHE / dinner tonight.  It was a beautiful evening.  The choir singing “Old Nauvoo” a beautiful song written by one of the temple missionary sisters.  After dinner we moved into the chapel and had a testimony meeting that was awesome.  The choir sang “Nearer My God to Thee” that Brother Rebentish, another temple missionary, had arranged with a special verse about our mission.  Elder Rod Crockett said in his testimony that he feels like we were all good friends in the pre-existence and that the Lord told us that if we were righteous He would call us to serve together in Nauvoo and that this has been our wonderful 6 month reunion.  That just rang so true to me. Sister McArthur said that we will be altogether again and that heaven will be so wonderful when we are.  I love these people here.  What beautiful, righteous friends.  We had a dear friend pass away today - Colleen Scott.  She is such a wonderful friend.  Today has been both beautiful and sad.    

Tuesday, Oct 21 – We went with the Grover’s and the Crockett’s to Cantril to the Dutchman’s store - a fun store run by the Amish.  We had a picnic at a park - it was a fun time.  We came home, did some packing and cleaning and then went to the temple at 5:00.  We led the 6:00 session - it was tiny.  They had a big 7:00 and not too many on the 8:00.  Tomorrow we have general authorities coming for a 3 day mission presidents seminar and they will be in the temple for a session so it will be interesting.  President Hullinger gave this quote in our preparation meeting, “Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting.  The soul that rises with us, our life's star, hath had elsewhere its setting.  Not in entire forgetfulness and not in utter nakedness, but trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home.”  I had forgotten memorizing that years ago and I don’t think I totally understood it’s meaning then.  It hit such a cord with me tonight and there was such a tender spirit in our meeting.  I couldn't help but think of sweet Bridger, who just came from our Heavenly Father, trailing clouds of glory; and Colleen, who just returned to God, who is our home.  I'm so thankful for the Savior's beautiful plan.

Wednesday, Oct 22 - We had the mid-day shift today.  Dad stayed late to help with the session they had for the mission president seminar.  They all came to the 5:00 session with their wives.  I went to Elder Brinley’s marriage lecture without Dad and he came late when he finished at the temple.  These lectures are so good – I wish we could get the information from all of them.

             

Thursday, Oct 23 – We had our early shift today with the normal assignments. We also had our exit interview.  President McArthur wanted to say thank you and ask for any input.  He offered a prayer with us before we left and it was very sweet and personal.  He is a great man and Sister McArthur is so wonderful.  We stayed after our shift to do the 1:00 session with 17 of our temple missionary friends.  They had divided us up in 3 groups so we could go through a session as workers.  I was teary all the way through, looking around the room at the people we have served with and grown to love so much.  When we were all in the celestial room together I thought that this must be how heaven will be.  Most of these people we won’t see again until that time.  Oh how we love them!!  It is such a bittersweet time in our lives.  After the temple, Brother Prince, one of the engineers, took us to the basement to see all the underground workings.  They are massive.  We also had the chance to climb up into the bell tower.  It is a beautiful view, and 89 steps.  I was close enough to touch the screws holding Angel Moroni in place and forgot to do it.  Rats! 

 Friday, Oct 24 – It was our P-Day and we spent it packing and cleaning. I’m getting really tired of it.  We are still trying to decide how and when to get home.  

             

Saturday, Oct 25 – It was a hard day at the temple.  Our only saving feature is that we will see people tomorrow at the devotional so we knew it wasn’t goodbye yet.  I had a great variety of assignments and that was fun – laundry, baptistery, sealings, veils.  After we got home I went to Land and Records and found some histories from my side of the family.  It was something I have wanted to do since we came.  Tonight was the annual Nauvoo Pumpkin Walk – NauBoo.  President Nelson is over it and it is the big fund raiser for this wonderful little place.  There are hundreds of awesomely carved pumpkins up and down both sides of main street; they have a parade for the kids to walk down the street in costume.  People come from everywhere.  There were food and craft booths.  The site missionaries had booths and were giving away bags of popcorn and treats.  It was awesome!!  There was a group of BYU-I kids doing baptisms here this morning too - here for a Nauvoo tour.  Suzanne did that tour a few years ago. 

          

Sunday, Oct 26 – We had a wonderful day of meetings.  We went to Sacrament Meeting with the site missionaries at 8:00 and Elder L Tom Perry spoke along with Elder Rasband.  It was such a great meeting and such a spirit when Elder Perry entered and everyone stood.  Our Devotional was at 3:30 but I had to be to choir at 1:20 so we could be in our seats by 2:00 when they opened the doors for the other temple workers.  We had a prayer and went through the song twice then waited for 1 ½ hours until 3:30 when the meeting started.  The meeting was held in the Assembly Room and it was so wonderful.  I couldn’t help but think of 6 months ago when we met there with these same missionaries, not knowing any of them.  What a different feeling there this afternoon.  We have made forever friends and it is hard to leave them. This 6 months has been one of the highlights of my life and I will be forever thankful to my Heavenly Father for this wonderful privilege and blessing.  

Please know that I have a testimony of the gospel.  I know it is true.  I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and that they know and love each one of us.  I know we are led by a living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson and that if we follow him we will stay on the path that will take us back to our Father in Heaven.  I have gained such a love for the prophet Joseph Smith and for his brother Hyrum and for their complete sacrifice.  I love the Book of Mormon and I'm so thankful for this second witness of Jesus Christ.  I love the early saints, for their dedication and sacrifice and for their example of doing really hard things.  And I know we can do really hard things too, when asked.  I love, love the temple.  I will really miss serving there every day.  I hope I'm a better person for serving here and that I will share my testimony with others as I go on to the next chapter of my life.  

I'm sorry this is long.  We love you all and are excited to be home and see you all again.  We have been homesick for family, friends and home.  See you soon!

A few pictures.

Fall here is beautiful!

 

Our view each day as we came out of the temple with the Mississippi River

One of the pumpkins at the pumpkin walk

The roadside pumpkin farm

Our Days in Nauvoo October 12 -18 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Sorry I'm late this week.  We have had so much going on the last few days.  One more letter after this one.  

Sunday, October 12 – We traveled to Ottumwa in the rain and fog.  The leaves are turning more each time we go.  It is a beautiful drive.   We were invited to the Meitzner’s for dinner.  They live in an old, wonderful home, filled with every kind of antique you can think of besides a very large assortment of stuff.  They have a jute box, player piano, carousal horse, soda fountain bar (big), several large desks, dressers, tables,etc.  They have all kinds of stained glass windows and lights.  We followed them through the house (mazelike) to a beautiful old dining room.  The table was set very beautifully with gorgeous dishes.  The table was long and was set for 6 people.  They had their 2 teenage adopted children eat in another room. I know - we thought it was strange too. I know they have another adopted son because he has blessed the sacrament but I think he was at work.  All the chairs were set at one end except for 1 and it was by itself at the other end.  That’s the chair I sat at.  It was a bit awkward.  The meal and company was wonderful.  We got home in time for choir and then we had a missionary report meeting at the stake center.  President Church was there and spoke.  It was his idea to have us visit the wards as missionaries when we came.  He said that as a group we have done wonderful things as we have been a help and presence in these wards.  It has been a real blessing in our lives as well.   

          

Monday, October 13 – Just walking out the door to the temple and Dad got a bloody nose.  We got that stopped and were just getting out of the car at the temple and I realized I had left my purse home with my recommend.  We weren’t late but almost.  We had a nice, normal day at the temple.  I went to Dr. Dunn for my neck.  He gave me some exercises to do to help with lower back pain.  We went to the McKechnie’s to play the Andelin’s marble game for FHE.  We have the best apartment.  

        

Tuesday, October 14 – Woke up early to walk but it was raining too hard.  We were going to go to Bentonsport with the McKechnie’s but there is quite a bit of walking there as well so we decided to wait until Saturday when the weather is supposed to be better.  Dad and I did some deeper cleaning. I went with Lynda to the Laundromat to wash our bedspreads and blankets.  I have the tent thing going with the blankets over the table and chairs to finish drying.  I did some baking this afternoon, trying to use up some of the things in the frig and freezer.  We had the temple this evening.  Dad and I were initiatory coordinators tonight.  We were released about an hour early and that was a nice surprise. 

             

Wednesday, October 15 – A slow morning – we had the temple at noon.  Dad walked, I lifted weights.  The temple was slow.  We led the 1:00 session with 4 sisters and 3 brothers.  I was in initiatory for an hour but we didn’t have any patrons.  We went to Elder Brinley’s marriage class tonight.  It is a really good class.  We are learning a lot, now we just need to practice what we’ve learned.

           

Thursday, October 16 – We had a really slow day at the temple.  Dad and I led the 11:00 session.  We have led 3 out of the last 4 days.  We went with Dennis and Barbara to Quincy this afternoon.  We had such a nice time.  The weather was beautiful.  We visited the Lincoln / Douglass Park where they had the presidential debate.  We also went to the Mormon Monument were the saints landed and the people of Quincy took them in.  We drove by some beautiful mansions there and ended up eating at Texas Roadhouse.  The best news of the day is that  we found out Ty and Amanda are having a boy and Beau and Heather will be started in the morning at 5:00 AM!  Bridger Beau is almost on his way!!  

Mormon Monument at Quincy in honor of the good people there.  The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang at a concert in Quincy when this monument was dedicated and President Hinckley donated all the money from the concert back to the city of Quincy - $70,000, to say thank you to the city.

 Friday, October 17 – Happy Birthday Bridger Beau Hall!!!  He is beautiful - born at about 1:30, 8-11, 22”, dark hair.  We can't wait to get home to snuggle him!!  We had a good day at the temple.  We knew that Beau and Heather were going in at 5:00 AM to be started.  I was an initiatory patron at 8:00 and then we did our White Christmas sealing at 10:00.  We were challenged to find names and take them all the way through from baptism to sealing (White Christmas).  It was such a tender feeling, thinking about our sweet baby coming from heaven as we were doing work for our family that had gone back to heaven.  Heavenly Father has this most wonderful plan for us to be forever families.  I’m so thankful for our family and that we can be together forever.  We came home and I spent a fair amount of time on the phone - baby news!  Grandma Terri sent a video of him crying, we could hear it through the door.  She also sent a picture of the nurse taking care of him right after.  Thank you Terri!!  We went out to dinner with the Kukuk’s to the Hotel Nauvoo.  We had a very nice evening. Suzanne flew to Idaho for the Hall Girl's Retreat.  I hear they had a great time. I'm missing a new baby, a visit with Suzanne and the retreat.  Gosh!!

           

Saturday, October 18 – Today was a good day as initiatoy coordinator. We didn’t have any own endowments or live sealings so it was calm.  It was a very nice day – only one more Saturday.  ):  (:  We went with McKechnie’s to Bentonsport and Cantril.  We went to Iron and Lace, an arrowhead museum, wood shop, leather shop.   

Arrowhead and Wood Museum.  He has 1,000's of arrowheads displayed in wood cases he has designed.

 

I forgot to put pictures of the geese I love.  

And also the picture of the Community of Christ Temple when we did our Independence MO trip.

  
We love you all!  So thankful to have a new baby in the family!  I'm so thankful for the gospel and a Heavenly Father who loves us.  Be happy and enjoy the rest of this beautiful month!

Love, Mom and Dad / Grandma and Grandpa / Elder and Sister Hall 

Our Day in Nauvoo October 5 - 11 2014

Dear Everyone,

I only have a few more of these letters to write and then we will be heading home.  It doesn't seem possible that it is coming to an end.

Sunday, October 5 – We had a nice, quiet day watching conference.  We walked early this morning and I gathered some chestnuts and brought home an osage orange - a big green orange-looking thing.  It is supposed to keep spiders away.  I walked again between sessions, looking for more nuts and it was the most beautiful fall day ever.  It was wonderful!  Dad didn't come with me.  He said he didn't want to look like a squirrel.  (:       

Monday, October 6 – Dad and I were guides at the temple this morning for an older couple, Mary and Earl Sanders.  Earl went through for Mary’s father and Mary went through for Earl’s great grandmother.  After the session, Mary’s parents were sealed to each other and then Mary was sealed to them.  It was such a sweet sealing.  They worked in the temple several years ago when the temple was dedicated.  Tonight we went to the Visitor’s Center to watch “Meet the Mormons” with all the temple workers.  It was just as good the 2^nd time.  McKechnie’s invited our apartment upstairs after for carrot cake and ice cream.  We had the best visit. We all commented that we wished we could be neighbors when we go home.  I love these people. 

             

Tuesday, October 7 – We were going to wake up and walk with the Rick’s but the power went off in the night and so our alarm didn’t go off.  We woke up too late to meet them. The temple was good.  We did the 7:00 PM session. We had a Korean group coming for either the 7:00 or 8:00.  They ended up being on the 8:00.  People said it was a sweet experience.  Jerry helped at the veil and he said that most tried to say it in English.  We had 5 sisters on our session.  Two of them were sisters and one of the sisters was Susan Evans McCloud, the songwriter.  It was neat to meet and visit with her.  One of the wonderful things I love about Nauvoo are the geese.  They are everywhere – on the ground and in the air.  They are always flying over and honking.  I love it.  We hear lots of trains here too and I love hearing them.

Wednesday, October 8 – We left this morning on our 2 day Missouri tour with Brother / Dr. Dunn (chiropractor).  We had the most beautiful weather ever and drove to Adam-ondi-ahman and ate our sack lunches and walked around.  He showed us Preacher’s Rock where Joseph Smith spoke to large groups of saints.  He stood on this rock and the saints were far below him and they could hear him as he spoke with a normal voice.  He had some of us walk way out and demonstrated how it worked.   It was awesome. President Monson is the mission president for this mission.  There was a very reverent feeling there.  We drove to Farr West and saw the cornerstones that were laid for the temple there. Then we visited Liberty Jail.  We had a sweet little sister missionary take us around there and I thought of Ila as she took us on the tour.  We ate at Applebee’s and stayed at a Comfort Inn in Kansas City.

            

 Adam-ondi-ahman

Dad on Preacher Rock

 

This picture shows the amphitheather-type area where the saints had homes.  I don't know if you can tell, but Dad and a few others are clear back in the trees.  The rock is a ways behind where I took the picture.  There were homes where each of the trees are.

 

Liberty Jail

 

Thursday, October 9 –We woke up this morning to heavy rain.  We ate the continental breakfast and left at 7:45.  I’m so glad our day outside was yesterday.  We drove to the Independence Visitor’s Center and then across the street to the Community of Christ Temple.  It is mainly a museum and we had a little tour.  They have the original door from the Liberty Jail there and some of the origianal pages from the Book of Mormon.  We left there and went to the Kansas City Temple for a session.  Some of us did some sealings before the session. They have stained glass windows throughout with an olive leaf theme.  It is beautiful.  We ate lunch at Steak and Shake – delicious hamburgers for $3.99 and shakes for ½ price after 2:00.   It was fun.  Brother Rogers found a geocache site right behind the restaurant and had all of us look for it.  That was a fun treat.  Brother Dunn is a walking encyclopedia about church history.  It was so wonderful.  He used a microphone while driving in the van and told us so many details that you would never have known and that we hope to remember some of.  It was such a wonderful 2 days. 

Kansas City Temple

             

Friday, October 10 – We had the temple early this morning and it’s time to start wearing a coat in the early mornings.  We were patrons on the 10:00 session.  We drove over to Carthage this afternoon so Dad could look at a tractor Ricki found online.  We went on a little walk after dark.  It was a pretty low key day. 

Saturday, October 11 –The Saturday coordinators called last night and asked me to come in from 10-3 today but Dad still went from 7-1.  I was a guide to a grandmother that was receiving her own endowment along with her granddaughter, who is going to St. George on a mission. It was such a sweet experience.  The grandmother was sealed to her parents after the session and the granddaughter was able to be there for that.  The mother and dad (of the granddaughter) were the proxies for the deceased parents of the grandmother.  So the mother was proxy for her grandmother.   Are you totally confused yet?  It was a neat morning but it was weird going and coming to the temple by myself.  I spent most of the remaining afternoon at the family search center.  I go and get questions answered and then come home with more.  I did find 4 more children in a family I have been working on.  

I just want all of you to know that I know the church is true.  Heavenly Father has the most wonderful plan for all of us to be happy.  I'm so thankful that I know this is true.  I pray that all of our testimonies are growing.  We love you and hope you are working hard at being good.  We will see you soon! 

Love, Mom and Dad / Grandma and Grandpa / Elder and Sister Hall