Back in the saddle

As planned, we arrived back in Nauvoo yesterday. We had a delightful trip back, enjoying our visits with our daughters: Heather, MaeLyn and Kristy and their families along with good weather the whole way. As we drew close to Nauvoo, the streets were wet, indicating that it had recently rained, but we were spared from the storm that had passed through earlier. Today, we have enjoyed attending church, sheltered from the gale-force winds that started blowing while we were in church but again subsided by the time that we were ready to return home. Again, as we left the chapel, we saw the streets were wet, and we were again spared from having to be out in it. The winds seem to be coming out of the south today and are warm – how delightful! As we unpacked our bags last night, we watched the tail end of the BYU – Idaho State football game on TV. I was somewhat surprised to see that it had been snowing there in Utah, where we had just left. All the while that we were there, it was beautiful clear weather. We left before the storm moved in and we were able to stay clear of that storm as well. I hear that it snowed here in Nauvoo as well, while we gone. But there is nothing here to remind us of that fact as all is again colorful. But the trees are drab as many of them seem to have lost their leaves in our absence. We can again see the temple from our apartment as the leaves are no longer on the trees where they had blocked our view all summer long. We left Heidi in Utah. We will miss seeing her when we go to visit the Browns in Kansas City area when we go there for Christmas but we are confident that she will be happy as she re-establishes herself in her now post-mission state of existence. Our service here will begin anew when the temple opens its doors on Tuesday. We are anxious to be back serving as we have been called to do. It is time to turn our attention from the weather to the things that matter. Soon we will be performing the ordinances that bring exaltation within reach for those that desire it. Soon we will be helping those that come to the temple to be endowed or to be married or to be sealed to their parents. It is humbling to know that we are there assisting our Savior in the vicarious work that he initiated when he atoned for us in Gethsemane and at Calvary. It is indeed an honor to serve him and to perform that most sacred work that is done within the walls of each temple.