When we got back, we changed into grubbies and did yard work.  Wayne mowed the lawn while the McBrides and I weeded our flower bed and Elder McBride trimmed the grass up next to the house.  Our neighbors were out visiting so we all decided to take a walk down Parley Street to the River.  It was a beautiful evening and we enjoyed each other's company.  Elder and Sister Pearce, Sister Allen (Elder Allen has back trouble and couldn't walk that far) and the McBrides.

We drove home from Keokuk by going up the Iowa side of the river and crossing at Fort Madison.  We stopped in Montrose and found Dave's Meat Market.  We had heard it was good meat, so Wayne went wild.

Saturday, April 30

We had a light cleaning assignment to do in the temple which included climbing the tower of the temple and getting a view from the top, and then we drove to Keokuk.  Wayne got a haircut while I got the oil changed in the car.  Then we went to a park where there was a Civil War re-enactment.  It was fun.  The guns were loud until the cannon fired.  The cannons were deafening.  There was a big crowd gathered to watch, but the playing field was big enough so that everyone could see.  

Friday, April 29

We stood on the steps of the temple for a group picture.  I took one looking the other way.  The tulips are gorgeous.  You can see the Mississippi River on the horizon.  The river is way up.  We spent the rest of the day in the temple.

Thursday, April 28

This morning, we had to be at the visitor's center at 8 for a wagon tour of old Nauvoo.  There were 5 wagons.  I went alone because Wayne had to wait for the cable guy.  It was cold.  They gave us quilts, but even that didn't stop the biting wind.  I enjoyed the ride, but decided not to spend the rest of the morning touring the sites.  I was too cold.  We spent the afternoon in the temple and then had dinner about 3 miles out of town at The Adventure Zone.  It is owned by local members.  They have also built condos out in the sticks, but they are nice and Nauvoo gets really crowded in July. 

Wednesday - April 27

We spent the full day in the temple.  In the morning, President Condie and his counselors gave us instructions and in the afternoon, we were patrons for an endowment session.  We love this place.  We are surprised by how much we love it.

This morning, we had our pictures taken and then the Riffeys gave us an orientation to the temple.  Actually, they took us on a walk-through and we realized what we are in for.  There are 4 floors and numerous doors and stations.  We hope we don't make too many mistakes.  We spent the afternoon in the temple in training.  That evening, we had a "Mix and Mingle" so that we could meet and get to know other couples.  They gave us a questionaire to fill out . . . Find someone with mismatched earrings . . . Find someone who has lived out of the country.  We asked a nice couple if they had ever lived out of the country and they said, "yes".  We asked "where"?  They said, "Guyana".  I looked at their name tags and they were the couple we replaced in Guyana.  They were called on a CES mission, but he got sick.  They went home in April and we arrived in September.  We never thought we would ever get to meet them, but the "small world" department took over.  They are here serving with us.

Monday - a P-day

We had to go clear to Quincy to find a Bank of America, but now we know where it is.  Then we went to the cable company and got a modem to get us on-line.  It only works for one computer, so we have to have a service man come out afterall.  Then we went across the river to Keokuk, Iowa where there is a Wal-Mart and filled a basket (which we have never done before)

After dinner, we were able to see a special presentation of "Rendezvous", a musical play put on by the site missionaries.  We are glad we do not have to do this.  We are in awe of the site missionaries, who perform after a long hard day's work.

After getting unpacked, we were invited to have dinner with our host couple, the Riffeys pictured center.  To the right are the McBrides.  They live upstairs from us and we have the same schedule.

Apartment

This is where we live.  Our apartment is the entire first floor of this building.  The small window is the kitchen.  We are loving our digs.

Walking in, this is what I saw.  The refrigerator/freezer is bigger than the one I have at home.

This is the livingroom.  It is very comfortable.

We were able to tuck this foam rubber pad into a fitted sheet.  The bed is very comfortable.  It is not the Sumberqueen by Brunswick that we had in Guyana!

Arrival Center

This is half of the group who were in the Arrival Center.  It was overwhelming to see all of these people and to know that within a few short weeks we will know them.  We had an hour of introductions and we were able to meet our mentor couple.  They took us to our apartment and offered to help us unpack.  We declined their offer.  We didn't bring a whole lot and moving in is a one-woman job.

The Steedman girls

This is Ashlyn.  She is 16 and wants to be a teacher and is planning to attend OSU and has a job lined up after she graduates.  How about that? 

This is Emma, aged 13.

Faith who is a dancer.

Faith's twin sister, Hope has a broken toe, but she is doing her best with Elliott Miller.

St. Louis

We went through St. Louis.  Wayne has taken me around Redding to see where he grew up many many times, so it was my turn.  This is the first house my Dad bought when we moved to St. Louis.  My mother didn't like it.

This is the second house we lived in.  My Dad grumbled, but it had a garage and that was the big drawing point for him. 

This is Affton High School.  It was brand new when I went there.  Now it has been added on to.  It still looks very nice.

Branson

We had an extra day so we decided to go through Branson, Missouri.  Wayne had never been there and he didn't know what it was!  We went to a show called SIX.  It was really good and Wayne enjoyed it.  The group used to be known as The Knudsen Brothers.

Scott and Monica taking it easy.  Monica cooked a wonderful dinner and invited her parents and little brother to join us.  It was a wonderful evening.

Anna built a tower with some help from Jonas.

Anna's grandfather, Johnny

Johnny and Jonas building Anna in.

The next day, we met Scott and Anna at a park and played for a couple of hours.

Scott - Little Rock

We met Scott and Monica at a restaurant for dinner.  Scott had been to school and finished an exam.  Monica had just gotten home from work.  The food was good and it was so good to see them.

Some of the children

Ivy and Elliott Miller

Kayla Miller

Thomas and Keegan Miller (It was Thomas' birthday.)

Doris and Angie

Aunt Doris - Oklahoma City

 Angie and Ian Steedman

Jim and Stacy Miller

Aunt Doris is my brother's wife.  My brother, Tom, was killed in a car wreck about 20 years ago.  I don't get to see Doris very often and really enjoyed our visit with her and her wonderful family.  Two of her children live near her in Oklahoma City, Angie and Jim.  Angie has 5 girls and Jim has 3 boys and 2 girls.  We were greeted at the front door by 6 children and we didn't know who was who.  We were able to join the family for Sunday dinner, which they have made a tradition.  Then the little kids put on a talent show.  What we saw were parents doing everything right.  The children loved and supported each other.  They have the doctrine of family down pat.  We were delighted to have been invited to participate.

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon was on Wayne's "bucket list".  He had never seen it so since it was on the way, we stopped.  It is a big hole in the ground.  He saw it.  We marvelled at it's immensity and then we went on to Flagstaff.

Brent - Las Vegas

L to R Elizabeth, Carly,  Brent, Nathan, Rebecca, Wayne, Joan.  We had a great dinner.

This is Nathan and Lido.  The pup is a beautiful chocolate lab, but he's growing faster than Nathan.  We had a wonderful visit.  We were worried when we heard they had a lab, because their yard is small, but he is a great dog.  He has a gentle personality, wants to please and seems to be easy to train.  They really got a good one.

Uncle Jack in Parawon, Utah

This is Uncle Jack.  We had a wonderful time visiting with him.

He made every stick of furniture in two bedrooms.  This is a sample of his work.

Getting going

This is our bishop, Bishop Bohne.  He came over early Tuesday morning to wish us well and to give us a blessing.  We were gratified that he would do that.