November 6, 2015 - Friday in Nauvoo

This morning we had a mission breakfast that was a farewell breakfast for four senior couples.  We usually have this breakfast almost every month, and the entire mission will bring food based on which Rendezvous Cast we are in.  Then we set up the tables and each cast shares the food they brought with their own cast.  There are about 120 or so missionaries left here for the winter, and we still have three separate casts, so it is a nice gathering.  The four couples leaving were very involved in the leadership of the mission.  One couple left today and the other three will leave next week.  

Here are some action shots of those couples on stage this morning.  It is a mission tradition that the couples leaving, perform for the couples remaining.  Mom and I are hoping this tradition changes by the time we say "farewell"....  I just want to drive off in the sunset towards Idaho and be filled with gratitude for having had this experience.  Why tarnish it for everyone remaining, with one last performance from us??

Swindler. Harwood, Schultz and Clement

Some "cheat sheets" being used for their performance!

Quite a production!

The four couples could definitely go on tour together, they are that good.  They were all very popular in the mission and we will miss them.  It is interesting to note that since we first started our mission, here, and first started attending these breakfast's,  it was sad to see people go back home even when we did not know them!!  Imagine how that is now after we have gotten to know them and love them??

We were done with the breakfast by 8:00am so we headed straight for the 9:00am temple session.  The temple will be closing for two weeks after tomorrow, so this was a good time to go with mom feeling better.  Wednesday, she had a cough and sniffles that made her not want to go and infect others at the temple.  But today, she was feeling better.

Our work shift began at 1:00pm at the Visitor's Center and we had a very quiet day.  There were a few visitors coming in, and we had fun talking to them and helping them get organized for their visit to Nauvoo.  By the time we got off at 6:00pm, it was very dark outside as we walked back to our little cottage.  The walk is under a half mile and it was a nice walk with no cars!  The temperature was in the high 40's so it was an invigorating walk!  

Lessons learned today?  Well, we can sure understand how people can influence other people even if you don't have a clear and distinct relationship with them.  The way you interact with others, and the way you live your religion shows up quite well from a distance.  So many people are watching us and forming opinions about our faith and religion, and in some instances, make a conscious effort to want to know more just because they see something positive being conveyed from that distance.  

What we say to each other, and how we say it to each other, and how we treat each other, speaks volumes to those who are taking notes outside of our immediate circles!   I think that I would prefer being a positive influence in every situation, but living here in Nauvoo for this season in our lives has given us a sweet opportunity to be better and to do better in everything we are asked to do....

That's our missionary perspective for today!  Thank you for checking in with us!