Preparations for Nauvoo Mission

 The assigned project of making two dresses, four aprons, four vests and altering four shirts for use on our mission is finally completed. Ann has spent a great deal of time in this effort. She hasn't sewn since our children were just youngsters.

Sacrament Meeting Talks

Yesterday was our day to give our "farewell talks" in our ward. I guess that we don't have "farewells" any more. Anyway, we spoke and our assigned topic was the "Law of Sacrifice". It is good to have that part of going on a mission out of the way.
We were humbled by all those who attended to hear us speak. The chapel, overflow and half way back into the cultural hall was filled. There were some from the group of us who were grounds volunteers at the Ogden Temple as well as several missionaries with whom we served and the Layton Bishop's Storehouse. Also in attendance were friends from our old ward, and even some from our ward who had moved away. Ann's uncle Bud and his wife from Almo, Idaho came and brought Ann's aunt Beryl from Burley, Idaho. Bud's daughter Tammy drove them down. We also had siblings, cousins and other family members who attended.
Seven of our children and their families were there. Amy who is in Boston and Jodi in Santa Barbara and their families were not able to be with us.
Following our Sacrament Meeting, the family (including extended) gathered in our home to eat and visit. It was a good to be able be with everyone, especially those we don't get to see much.
The next step will be to move on to other tasks that must be accomplished before we leave for the MTC on 11 March.

Songs to be Learned

We've been given a number of songs that we are to have learned before we arrive in Nauvoo. So, we are working on learning them. We have also been given a CD with the songs. We spend a fair amount of time listening to the CD while doing other things in hope that the words will sink into our minds.

Sewing for Nauvoo

 As our mission departure time draws near, Ann has been busyly renewing her rusty sewing skills. She has been altering men's shirts, making vests, dresses and aprons needed for "period" clothing required for our Nauvoo mission.

How is this dress supposed go together?

This needs to be adjusted.

This dress is coming together much easier.

It has been a lot of years since I have done much sewing and I started out with the hardest dress first.

Opening the mission call

We received our mission call in the mail on Wednesday, 17 October. It was held unopened until Friday, 19 October when we could gather as many members of our family together as possible at our home. Our bishop and his wife were also in attendance. Following introductions of those present to our bishop and his wife, Fred opened the packet received from the Missionary Department of the Church. We were pleased to learn that we were called to serve at the Historic Nauvoo Visitors' Center. With the announcement, there were some cheers from some family members. We are excited with the opportunity to serve in Nauvoo. We are to report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on 11 March. The following Sunday in Sacrament Meeting, the bishop announced to the ward that we had received a call to serve in Nauvoo. There were many in the ward who asked how we were able to get assigned to Nauvoo. It seems that there is a lot of interest in being able to serve a mission there. 

 

On 31 October, we received a phone call from the mission president. During the brief conversation, he asked if everyone in the ward wanted to know how it was that we got to be assigned to the Nauvoo Mission. The mission president with his wife, who are parents of ten children, served in the Mesa Arizona Temple Presidency and as president of the Ohio Columbus Mission.