6 months out

Last week, all who are called to work in the Nauvoo Temple along with their spouses were invited to attend the annual temple devotional.  We held it in the solemn assembly room of the temple, and we filled it to the brim.  At the devotional, we listened to talks given by all the members of the temple presidency and their wives and then the time was given to Elder Reall, an area Seventy.  Having just lost his wife to cancer a few months ago, he spoke to all of us that may have also lost a spouse or who would lose a spouse sometime in the future (which could be any one of us) about the heart ache and the difficulties coping with the loss of a loved one.  He handled the most delicate topic with great sensitivity and love and did a marvelous job.  It was a wonderful meeting.  Oh, between two of the speakers, the temple choir, of which Sister McClellan and I are members, sang.

Autumn is definitely in the air.  The weather is getting cold.  Leaves are starting to turn.  The leaves on the maple trees are red on one side of the tree but still green on the other – most interesting, and pretty.  We find ourselves starting to bundle up with temperatures now dipping down into the mid-30’s in the early morning hours.  We haven’t seen any snow yet, but they tell us it will be coming. It is also said that the temperatures will continue to drop, at times to as cold as -20.  That along with a high humidity level and major winds that blow all winter long, we will be looking for our long-johns and warm coats, scarves, caps, etc.  I hope winter is not six months long.  I like the warmer weather.

Yesterday marked the six-month anniversary of our being here in Nauvoo.  Had we not had the mission extended, we would be getting released at the end of next week.  Of the temple missionaries, there are many that will be going home then.  But prior to their leaving, arrangements were made to do a few things that would be special for them – and us too.  For example, today, after sacrament meeting, we held our Sunday school class in the historic cultural hall down on Main Street, and Priesthood was held in the old Seventies Hall down on Parley Street.  I must admit that the pews were hard but the atmosphere was great.  Sister Susan Easton Black Durrant, who use to teach at BYU and is one of the temple missionaries here, taught our Sunday School class today – and we were learning all sorts of facts about Church history which I am sure went well beyond the lesson manual.  She is such a fountain of Church history knowledge.

In a couple of weeks the temple here will enter into a two-week maintenance closure.  Our daughter, Heidi, who will be coming home off here mission to the Philippines will arrive here on the 30^th, just a few days before the closure begins.  We will then travel with her back to Utah.  We are starting to work out our travel itinerary – but realize that it may be very dependent on the weather.  We look forward to the break, and hope to meet with many of you while we enjoy our “vacation”.