July 29, 2015 - Wednesday in Carthage

We woke up to another wonderful Preparation day!  As we do on a weekly basis, we headed off to the training meeting in Nauvoo for the earlier 7:30am start time.  Some of these training meetings are excellent, and some just fill the time, but it is always fun to see friends living in Nauvoo that we don't get to see very often since we live in Carthage.

However, I was asked this morning by a member of the mission presidency to remind him as to when we went out there, and then he asked if we could hang in there in Carthage another two weeks. How would you interpret that?  Mom and I are ready for any assignment coming our way, and we feel that we have done all that we have been asked to do in Carthage.  Hopefully our service has been acceptable to the Lord.  I did get this quite humorous memo this morning at the training meeting;

AMA weighs in on healthcare reform: Allergists voted to scratch it but dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. Gastroenterologist's had a gut feeling about it, but Neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve. Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception. Ophthalmologists considered it shortsighted. Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, "Oh, Grow up!" Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it. Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing while the Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow. Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter." Podiatrists thought it a step forward. Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no. In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the bums in Washington.

We had a fun morning going into Keokuk after the training meeting.  Our weekly grocery shopping is always fun.  We went to both Aldi's and Wal Mart and then bought our weekly tank of gas in Iowa since the prices are about 10 cents a gallon cheaper than Illinois.  And then we headed for home.  Driving through Carthage towards our turn-off, I notice that the price of gasoline in Carthage had dropped 20 cents a gallon from this mornings pricing....  It was 6 cents a gallon cheaper in Carthage!  I hate it when that happens!

It was only 10:30am when we got home today.  I quickly changed into my joggers and scrubbed down the car.  I had accumulated another 4 million bugs and added some road tar stains,... just because....  It took over an hour and a half, but I got most of the road kill and tar off.  I worked up quite a sweat in 85 degree temperature and around 200% humidity.  Boy did that feel good!  I had to take another shower before we had lunch together!

Of course the opportunity presented itself so I took it..... yes I had about a two hour nap after a wonderful Skype visit with Bob and Mary and those precious children!  

Tonight we had Sunset Play, and had a nice surprise.  Our non-member custodians at the Carthage Visitors Center, came to see us perform.  (I use "perform" very loosely).  Billie and Jimmie have been so hesitant to participate in any Mormon event, but they have really warmed up to our Carthage missionary sisters.  They seemed to have had a good time, and the show was terrific.... (and mom and I participated so why wouldn't if be terrific)??  Here they are after our performance:

 It was a mile stone to have Billie and Jimmie come and see us.  They were not ready for any contact with the Church, in any way, back in March when we first arrived.  We have repeatedly discovered that you just need to keep loving your family and friends and then the Lord will find a way to help them start participating in fun events like we had tonight.

Here are two of the sister missionaries assigned to Carthage.  The one in the middle, Sister Heninger, has had a wonderful affect on Billie and Jimmie.  Patience and long suffering and a never-give-up attitude are her hallmarks.  Sister Mikoliski is her companion and a fun sister to be around as well.

The next three photos are the Bowdens.  Elder and Sister Bowden lived right below us when we first arrived in the mission.  They will be heading home the second week in August and we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them.  They are both approaching their 80's and still do the Jitter-bug dance together.  It was fun to see this tonight!

We got home tonight about 9:00pm, and it has been a wonderful day of rest, relaxation, and performing!  We are grateful for the many wonderful experiences and lessons we are learning as we serve here in Nauvoo, as well as the wonderful people we are crossing paths with!

Thank you for checking in with us tonight!  We welcome your comments and are so grateful for your love and your support!