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