Hi Family and Friends,
It seems like I just was trying to figure out how to do this. Here's hoping with week 2.
Sunday, June 6 – We didn’t go to Ottumwa today because of the flooding but went to
church with the Nauvoo 1st ward at 10:00. They had over 1500 people there for
church. I’m sure there are lots of the
pageant cast attending. There was a bus
unloading youth when we got there. They even have ushers when their meetings
are this full. We were sitting there
before it started and a few rows ahead of us we saw Renee and Jason Dye. Renee was our lifesaver when Nova was born (6 years ago today - Happy Birthday Nova!). She gave us so much encouragement and helped us with PKU recipes. We ended up going outside to visit a minute after Sacrament Meeting and were able to visit them a few times before they left on Tuesday. They are on their way to Vermont
for work. We felt that the Lord had a hand in our bumping into each other. It was great to spend some time with them. We even had dinner with them and helped them celebrate their daughter, Cozette's 10th birthday. Cozette has PKU and we had a fun cake of watermelon with candles. After dinner we all went to the dress rehearsal of the British Pageant.
It was almost over when it totally started to rain. So they ended up cancelling the rest of the rehearsal. We were all really wet by
the time we got to the car. It was a crazy, fun time.
Tuesday, July 8 – We had a quiet day at the temple. We had a brother from the Marshall Islands
(no one could spell or pronounce the language he needed) that went through the
5:00 session that we officiated. He needed the language headsets so we
ended up seeing the old A film. It was
interesting to see it again. We ended up eating at Peter’s and the
Grover’s (temple missionaries) were in there eating so we sat with them and had a great visit. Great new friends! Dad walked down to
the first night of the Nauvoo Pageant tonight to see how the translation was going.
Wednesday, July 9 – So Dad and I did our
first solo initiatory coordinator assignments today and we both did OK. I had patrons steady most of the time and it
really wasn’t too bad. Sister Suzy Swing
gave the opening prayer in preparation meeting this morning and said, “we are
so thankful to be in this loveliest of places with the nicest of people.” I need that hanging on my wall. I think that sums up where we are
perfectly. We visited Jan Vasas on our
way to the temple. She is feeling good and hoping to be back to work soon. We went straight from the temple to the
lecture and then home for 5 minutes and then walked back to the pageant. Dad was in the translating tent and I ended
up on the back row, back corner seat. There were so many people there. I
couldn’t have been any farther back. The
pageant is great! Dad felt good about
his contribution. At the end of the British pageant they have all the site, temple
and single, proselyting missionaries walk in for the finale singing, “Call to
Serve.” It is a wonderful
experience! This whole mission is
amazing!!
Thursday, July 10 – We had a really busy day at the
temple. I heard we had a tour bus that
wasn’t scheduled, come for the 8:00 session.
Our rooms hold 48 and we had 56.
We had 47 in the 9:00. Dad and I officiated at the 1:00 session but we only had 3 sisters and 2
brothers on that session. It is crazy.
The baptistery has been really busy. We walked about dusk. The water is down quite a bit. The wagon is still in water but the water is
off the road. We bumped into the Wood’s from Mud Lake and had a nice
visit. Then on the way back we stopped
to visit with a couple from Utah. They
have both worked for BYU. He has been an extra in some of the church Bible videos. Greg Venema is their nephew and her mother
was a Jennings from Menan. Again, small world.
Friday, July 11 – Dad walked this morning without me. He said he actually jogged some of his walk. What??? We subbed for the Marshall’s at the temple today so we ended up not having a P-Day this week. The afternoon was pretty slow but they were short workers so it was kind of wild. I took
the wrong stairs and ended up in the men's hallway on the 4th floor. Oops ): I also helped in the laundry twice which
they were really grateful for. I don't know if I mentioned that we are scheduled to help in the laundry and clothing rental during our shifts. Occasionally we also dust when the afternoon shift is ending. Dad went to his translation at the pageant.
I’m leaving at 9:30 and will pick up Kathy Garrett(temple missionary) and we will walk over
so we can sing in the finale. We need to be ready to go right
to bed when we get home – tomorrow is our turn for 6:10 AM at the temple.
Saturday, July 12 –
It was our turn to go to the temple early (6:10 AM). It is starting to get busier in the mornings but slows down in the afternoon. I think people come in the mornings and then go see the sites and performances during the afternoon. We found out that Jan Vasas had to have
surgery on her knew again. Some of the
screws came out. We are all feeling so
bad about that. We are all praying that she heals quickly.
We love all of you so much! I can't begin to thank my Heavenly Father enough for His plan that will let us be together forever. What a beautiful blessing!
Love to all!
Mom and Dad / Grandpa and Grandma / Elder and Sister Hall
OK. I don't know how to put pictures where I want. This is a picture we took right after we go here. We went with the Johnson's to Pella IA to their Tulip Festival. We had a great time.
Sounds like you have been busy!!! I am sure the pageant is wonderful, and I love that they have all the missionaries come up and sing! Love you both!
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