It just makes sense.

     As we become more aware of chaos in every part of the world, most people begin to wonder what can we do to avoid further bloodshed, anger, and conflict? Religion, which used to be thought of as a way to try to understand chaos and figure out how to avoid it, has become a major source of conflict itself. If there are nearly as many concepts of religion as there are people, how do we find peace?
     Nearly a century before the birth of Jesus Christ, a man named Korihor traveled about on the American continent preaching dissension from the religious beliefs held by the majority of people. He is referred to as "Anti-Christ" because he preached against the belief in Jesus Christ. John, in the New Testament warned: "as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are many antichrists.." As long ago as Jeremiah the Lord warned: "The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart." Followers of the mortal Jesus Christ heard Him warn: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24) John in the book of 1 John 2:22 says, "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." The most extensive description of religious conditions in our times is given by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-17. I won't quote the whole thing but it's worth examining. Another prophet, Nephi, in the Book of Mormon quotes Isaiah and explains more about our day in 2 Nephi 25. Again I won't quote the whole thing but he says, "Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, which words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given them for the purpose of convincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come, for there should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah which should deceive the people; for there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected of the Jews."
     I have no intention of adding to the contention surrounding religion. My purpose in composing this little essay is to give guidance or reassurance to anyone who sincerely wants to know if anybody is right about religion and who that might be. It makes no sense to me that God would punish people for not being able to discern truth from error. It makes sense to me that God has wisdom and if He cares at all for any of us (which I believe He does), He wants to share with us what He knows. It makes sense to me that He would not force us to follow Him because everybody knows that a militant, demanding dictator is hated and eventually loses all followers.It makes sense to me that more than one person at a time on the earth would have some awareness of His existence and His preferences for our behavior. Again I would refer to some words of Paul in the New Testament, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ..."(Ephesians 4:11-15) God appoints those He wants to teach us. Our job is not to train anyone for this ministry but to find those God has appointed. We have an inert ability in us to recognize good and evil. We may not always behave accordingly, but even little children will shout, "That's not FAIR!" Even children will reach out to try to comfort or save from harm others around them. We know what makes us feel good. Sometimes we try to find artificial means to gain a good feeling: drugs, alcohol, spending money, beating someone else in some kind of competition, sleeping too much, eating too much, too much sex, and on and on. Many people actually gain wisdom enough to stop those behaviors recognizing they will not make them feel good or truly happy. God is wiser, more powerful, and more advanced than any of us. He can show us a better way. He's just waiting for us to WANT to know a better way, then ask Him. We don't have to compete with each other. This is not a big court of law where the one with the best argument will win. God wants everyone to know. He wants everyone to win. We have to stop trying to compete and just seek and be willing to listen and learn. God will answer when we really want to know.

Christmas with Nauvoo Missionaries

One of the Christmas traditions I recall most fondly was baking cookies with my sisters, brother, mother, and families. We would gather annually on a Saturday close to Christmas to bake cookies so we could have a wide variety and they would all be fresh. I spent hours ahead of time planning it so we could manage to keep everybody busy and get them all baked in only one regular oven, plus the stove top and microwave for candies. The last year we were together in Dryden, New York, we managed to make 100 dozen cookies which we then divided up so everybody had treats to take home then disperse to teachers, mailmen, friends, etc. as well as some to eat for themselves. Because of our complex schedules, I knew that getting together with other missionaries to bake cookies would be impossible but we did the next best thing- a cookie exchange. Avoiding the complexity of contacting all 22 couples then knowing our apartments were too small for that many people anyway, I just mentioned an appointed time and place to a few people. It was delightful to have just 5 other couples and quite a variety of cookies- no duplicates and we didn't even discuss it ahead of time!

The temple was closed Christmas Eve day but we didn't lounge around in the morning. At 8:45 Russ and I walked to the nearby chapel to help set up tables, chairs, and decorations for the missionary Christmas dinner. I have mentioned numerous times how refreshing it is to be among people who are always willing to help anybody anytime. This dinner was on Christmas Day and included all of the Nauvoo temple missionaries and the missionaries who serve in the historic sites. I think there were about 126 people altogether, most in their 70's, some a little more, some a little less. The man whose face is nearly hidden by the branch on the table (sitting on Russ's right), is 85 years young.

Not only are there plenty of helping hands to set up, decorate, put on a program, and cook the food, but when the event is over, all you need to do is tell everybody how much to clean up and what to leave (or they will find places to dismantle and put away EVERYTHING). So this was the scene after the dinner and short program.

The tables were cleaned off in a matter of minutes with NO complaints! The entire event lasted less than 2 hours which was nice because Russ and I got to spend most of the day in our casual clothes putting together a puzzle, opening a couple of presents, and Skyping with loved ones. It was very nice!

Russ's Thoughts

Russ's turn. The other day, on the way home, I had a short conversation with a man that was anti-Mormon. It started by my noticing he was pushing his bike up the hill and remarking that the hill gets in the way. As we passed he asked if I was here for a wedding and I said I was going home and that I worked here. He then very vehemently said,"God is not an exalted man!" I stopped and we talked briefly and parted on fair terms when we both agreed we would be "saved" through the blood of Jesus Christ. I pondered for a while on what would agitate him so about the possibility that God was once as we are and here are my thoughts. I am sure, in his mind, the idea would in some way diminish God and how that would compare to how I feel. First, most Christians believe that we are all children of God. (not literally in the flesh like Christ) The scriptures are pretty clear on that. Thinking about my earthly father, Bill Fellows, I realized that at this point in life I am much of what he was as my father. I am a father, husband, grandfather, veteran, bread winner, etc. In my mind, this in no way diminishes my father in my feelings for and admiration of him. In like manner, if I were to progress and become like my Heavenly Father, it would in no way lessen who and what he is. It seems natural to me to think that if I am his child, as Christ taught, I would be able to become like him. I did not have enough time to go into this with this man but do wish that he didn't feel that I in no way disrespect God by believing, if I mature properly, could become to Him, as I am to my father Bill Fellows, a man (a God) and a son, always a son, always following.

It's a small price to pay

     I have been continuing to work on understanding the words of Isaiah. The 58th chapter is pretty clear, though. I have to wonder how many people, because they are intimidated by the complexity of this awesome prophet's writings, just avoid trying to read him. If so, they may be missing some really straight-forward advice, like in the 58th chapter. He starts off with the Lord telling him to "spare not" in sounding like a trumpet to His people. The Lord goes on to talk about how people pretend to seek Him, even fasting, yet don't do it with a sincere heart then question why He doesn't recognize their great sacrifice. He tells them why- "Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors." What He means by exacting labors is people who will have others work for them so they can seem more pious in their avoidance of worldly labors. That happens among people today who will not cook at home because it's the Sabbath yet they will eat out requiring the labor of others. That happens with people of certain religions who reportedly like to invite guests over so they can do the labor they so piously avoid. Then He goes on to accuse them for fasting only to cause "strife and debate" as they give in to the crabbiness that often results in the effort to overcome the natural man in us by refusing to eat for a little while. Just as the mortal Lord later criticizes those who pray aloud for the purpose of impressing others rather than humbly seeking the Lord, through Isaiah He explains what is meaningful to Him as we fast or observe the Sabbath.  He wants us to fast to "undo heavy burdens" that are a part of being mortal- in other words, as a means of overcoming the natural man in us. He also wants us to "deal thy bread to the hungry" meaning that even if we have little to give others, if we skip a meal, we can donate what we didn't eat to the poor. (We call that a fast offering in the LDS Church.) But He doesn't just scold us to make us miserable. He goes on to promise that He will be our "rereward" (which means He's got our back!) and if we cry, He will answer "Here I am".
     The chapter ends with His instruction about the Sabbath day. It's really a shame that the Sabbath has become so meaningless to so many people. Even those who purport to be religious ignore God's commandment to keep the Sabbath "holy". It's supposed to be one day in seven that we show Him we care about Him but we can't even seem to do that. Too often, we feel that not pursuing recreation or shopping or eating out is unjustly restrictive.  But He is so clear here: "If thou turn away they foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord..." and He goes on to give promised blessings. Is it so difficult to spend just one day a week striving to please the Lord when we spend the other 6 doing what we want? He has given us everything. God has given us His Son and His Son gave His life for us. Jesus never got to ride a roller coaster, shop at Sam's Club, or eat at Wendy's! The Lord spent His life teaching, serving, giving, then allowed Himself to be crucified after suffering in Gethsemane. Is it such a sacrifice for us to give one day out of seven to Him and skip a couple of meals occasionally? I can never thank God or Jesus Christ ENOUGH to justify all I have been blessed with and continue to be blessed with every day. I may whine about things sometimes but, truly, I have suffered almost NOTHING compared to what my Heavenly Father suffered in allowing His Only Begotten Son to suffer so I can have the chance to make a mess of my life then be forgiven when I recognize the extent of my foolishness and rebelliousness. I only have to love Them enough to give Them my will because They love me more than I even know how to love and They will see to it that I will have happiness forever beyond what I can even imagine.

Magic in Nauvoo

I have mentioned before that Nauvoo is a small town and NOT primarily LDS so there is not an excess of resources. However, when including some of the nearby small towns, there are 2 wards (church units) that meet in the church building here. These two wards combined their talents and time to set up a magical themed party for Christmas. Then they had their members come on successive nights so they could all enjoy the scene and still have room for everyone to sit and eat and enjoy a program. One of the men (who also works every week in the temple) is an artist. (You can purchase his work in a little store here in Nauvoo.) He made this wonderful introduction to the theme of the night- the first thing you see when you enter the building and follow railroad tracks on the floor (made of duct tape.)

 Once you have the "conductor" at the door of the cultural hall (gym) punch your tickets, you enter the room and see yet another "train", the engine of which is attached to the back side of the piano which is used during the program after dinner.

 The man who emceed the program did an amazing job impersonating the Tom Hanks voice from the movie.

 Basketball hoops are a permanent fixture in LDS cultural halls and it's always fun to see how they are incorporated into decorations for various events. The hoops can be raised so they're not as much in the way. Here they used the raised hoop to extend lights down to a large hoop on the floor, creating a giant lighted "tree".

 The ceiling, high as it is, was laced with strings of lights and giant paper snowflakes. The walls were covered with sheets upon which the youth of the wards painted unique Christmas trees.

 The meal served was breakfast and people were invited to come in pajamas. We had a blueberry stuffed French toast casserole, a hashbrown/bacon/onion/cheese casserole, sliced ham, cinnamon buns, orange juice, water or milk and lots of various fresh fruits. Below you can see the people lined up for the yummy food but you can't actually see the food. sorry.....

After the meal, the program began, including some little clips of the movie followed by some of the young women dancing to the "Hot Chocolate" song as the young men came out appropriately dressed with carts filled with hot chocolate and cookies. The end was a live nativity scene presented by the teenagers and some Christmas carols. It was a wonderful evening!

Messiah

These aren't necessarily really good pictures but they're all I've got. Russ has been rehearsing with a community group for a couple of months to perform Handel's Messiah. Considering that Nauvoo is a tiny town in the middle of cornfields, putting this together was quite ambitious. Apparently they have done it annually for several years now. The conductor is the Nauvoo temple recorder. He knows former Tabernacle Choir director Craig Jessop and is startling similar in appearance to him!

I actually recorded some parts of the performance but somehow when transferring from my phone, the videos ended being upside down. If anyone reading this knows how to turn them over, please let me know because I would love to be able to include some of the recording.

As I looked over the names listed in the program, there were 14 for sure that I knew from the temple, mostly temple missionaries but some local ordinance workers, too. It's just another case of generous active Latter Day Saints are in volunteering their time and how much we support quality arts and the sharing of talents. (By the way, it was somewhat painful for me to not participate. I have had to excuse myself from performance singing because my voice is no longer dependable. I have only one functioning vocal cord and it is old and worn out. After singing all of my life, this is tough.)

Christmas in Old Nauvoo

 

 Last night Russ and I attended the annual Old Nauvoo Christmas celebration.It started with a couple of high school choirs and a high school jazz combo presenting some musical numbers followed by a local politician turning on the lights for the big tree in the Visitors Center. The place was filled with the proud parents of the performers as well as lots of the temple missionaries who were fortunate, like us, to be on the morning shift so we were free in the evening.Without any long speeches or further fanfare, everyone was invited to ride in one of the horse drawn wagons down Main Street.

 The wagons pulled by these hard-working horses, normally filled with tourists, were festively decorated.We were delighted to find that the group of people of various ages that filled the wagon we got on happily sang all the Christmas songs we could collectively remember off the tops of our heads. The kids were the most exuberant and sang some of their favorites more than once, but we just enjoyed the happy spirit of the occasion. By the way, everything was free, just like it always is in Old Nauvoo.

 The night was cold, but not too cold and fairly still with lots of stars you could see because electric lighting in old Nauvoo is minimal. The sidewalk next to the street had been lined with luminaries (paper bags with cut-out stars containing battery powered tea lights). This picture gives you an idea but doesn't give the full effect of the old-time festive atmosphere. There are more site missionaries than temple missionaries, especially over the winter, but the site missionaries continue to work just as hard yet cheerfully as ever. In 4 of the buildings there were  couples who told stories of the origins of Christmas songs then sang them, a cappela, with guitar, or a keyboard. Outside each of those buildings was a group of missionaries standing around a burning barrel to keep warm while they enthusiastically sang Christmas carols. In the cultural hall (the largest historic building), there was a live nativity scene re-enacted every half hour. In the family living center where missionaries usually show visitors how rope, or rugs, or bread were made by the pioneers, there were refreshments. Hot cocoa was served along with cheese and crackers, vegetables and dip, and cookies. I had made candy cane cookies and dropped them off earlier but there were none of mine left when we got there. That wasn't a problem because there were others to try and I had some of mine still at home!                                                                                                                                                                                        

My younger son

From the very beginning................

through the rebellious stage

to the stage where we really enjoyed being with him,

Russ and I loved this son. He was born 36 years ago tomorrow and he left earth life way too soon for our liking. I'm grateful to KNOW where he is and know how good he is. I look forward to being with him again and am grateful for having had him as a part of this mortal experience.

Joan of Arc

     I haven't posted a blog in the past couple of days because I have been struggling with my confidence. I think it started with the usual reaction to holiday seasons. I miss my family. Don't get me wrong, the people here are really wonderful. I can't say enough about how exemplary the temple missionaries are as well as the local people who work in and attend the temple. But there's something about the tenderness of feelings for people with whom you have long been familiar, a comfort from being with people who love you despite having watched you grow up through awkward phases as well as do and say dumb things. As I have prayed for insight as well as assistance in regaining a feeling a peace and joy, I have been waiting for some good news (certainly not finding any in the national or world news!) to reassure me just a little. Today the Lord gave me a couple of "tender mercies". I met a local temple worker I had not previously known. She hasn't been here for awhile. When in the course of the normal get-acquainted conversation she asked where I was from, I told her "upstate New York". She asked where and I said "Ithaca" and proceeded to give the usual description of where in the state that is. She interrupted me to say she knew where it was because she grew up there! I added that I wasn't from Ithaca exactly but nearby, a little town called Dryden. She said she knew exactly where that is! For the next few minutes we had the thrill of discussing familiar things about the area- the beauty of the gorges and waterfalls, the farms with cows, and especially the variety of apples. Without any prompting from me she nodded her head and mentioned Cortlands and MacIntosh and Empires! As I worked through the morning, I continued my quest to better understand Isaiah which was reassuring (I'll further explain later) and had the opportunity to talk to some other temple workers because there weren't a lot of patrons in the temple today. It had been snowing outside and being mid-week, it was just slow. It was wonderful to talk to these good people, sharing concerns and values and hope.That was really all I needed to get me started on an upward path again.
     Not long ago Russ and I watched a docu-drama about Joan of Arc. I have know about her most of my life but had not been aware so fully of her experience. She truly had perseverance and great faith. Even at her young age, she stood up to skeptics and cynics and critics. She continued to pray and press for virtue in others, especially the soldiers she led in battle. She truly exemplified Isaiah's words: Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. The Lord has given me instructions and direction so many times but when I don't see results for my efforts, I get discouraged. I am grateful that He keeps giving me little "tender mercies" to cheer me on when I don't have the wherewithal to persevere. I need to be reminded that it really doesn't matter whether others agree with me or listen to my counsel. What matters is who I am. I know I have said it before, but I need to repeat it for myself- I just need to keep doing my little part of the job and He will take care of the rest.

Fast-forwarding through life

     Over a decade ago, I volunteered to take on the task of typing my dad's journals into the computer so copies could be made for everyone in the family to read at their leisure. Because I don't work on it every day, it is taking me awhile. In doing this typing, I am learning the effects of a personal history. It's amazing how many of life's details we forget. It's also amazing how differently we may view things due to a variety of perspectives. I find myself mentally traveling back in time as I picture people, places, and incidences. Often I have a warm feeling, remembering people I love and don't see very often, or maybe will never again see in this life. Sometimes I feel sorrow remembering a difficult time for someone or a traumatic event. It's almost like watching a movie where days, weeks, months, or years go by in rapid succession and your emotions run the gamut of reactions to what is going on. For the most part, life just goes on day after day. Getting up, brushing teeth, taking out trash, fixing meals, running errands, visiting and being visited..... But it's that everyday, simplicity repeated over and over that defines us. There are those who spend endless hours seeking entertainment and self-gratification. Their journals would be a record of movies watched, novels read, restaurants visited, trips planned and taken, parties, vacations..... For my dad, it was endless hours of fixing, improving, helping, serving, with any rare moment NOT accomplishing something being notably labelled "goofing off". It seems to me that just about everything comes down to where to draw lines. I remember resenting my dad for not being around much. Yet, I am proud of him when I hear about or remember the many people he has helped and the many physical buildings and places that bear the witness of his meticulous work. I guess when it comes right down to it, I am grateful for both of my parents. They were loving, serving, sacrificing, honest, just plain GOOD people. Any little thing I might be able to "fault" really doesn't matter. They may have drawn a line in a little different place than I would. That's okay. They were completely on the GOOD side of the line between people that leave a positive impact on the world and those who don't. I just hope my posterity will feel that way about me after I'm gone. I want to endure to the end in being GOOD.

Differences

This is especially for anyone who has ever spoken derisively of another using descriptions like "neat freak" or "OCD" or "overly meticulous". I'm just needing to think something through and would appreciate any input. This is mostly philosophical, worldly analysis as opposed to ultimate total truth. I am always working at avoiding contention because I find it unpleasant. I love to learn new things so I really don't think I want everyone around me to agree with me on everything. I'm just fine with me preferring strawberry and someone else chocolate, or me preferring blue and someone else green, or me preferring walking and someone else running. Since we don't all have to share the same house, we can have different ways of doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. What I'm trying to figure out is where to draw a line so as to avoid as much discomfort as possible. It seems to me that most people have some area of their everyday life that they focus on being "CLEAN". Some people shower at least once every day even if they don't really need to like they would if they worked somewhere that Mike Rowan would cover on his show "Dirty Jobs". They want to feel clean hair, clean skin, and have clean clothes touching them. Some people want their cars clean. It really bugs them to have the chrome not sparkle or bird poop on their roof or hood or even mud on their hubcaps. Some people like their homes clean. That would be me. I will never use plug-in deodorizers because I have empty pizza boxes sitting around for days or who-knows-what growing under my refrigerator or in the back of a closet or cupboard. I don't feel that I'm obsessive about vacuuming because I don't do it daily- especially since there are only 2 adults in our home and we aren't home all the time. When I clean my windows, I like to clean them so there are no streaks on the glass, no bugs in the sill, and no dust on the screens. But I don't clean my windows more than about 3 or 4 times a year. I like being able to find things because they have been put where they belong. I realize that everybody has a different opinion on where things belong. Some people may prefer drinking glasses in the cupboard by the sink, some in a cupboard by the refrigerator. But it's good to have all the glasses in one place so you don't have to open every cupboard and drawer to find enough glasses to set the table! I feel like it's an illogical waste of time to have to spend minutes/hours/days looking for something simply because someone "carelessly" laid it down without thinking, even if that was myself. I tend to put things away whenever I notice them in an illogical place, not because I'm obsessed with having everything "look nice" but because I want to be able to find it when I need it. I like to wipe the counters and table because I hate having jelly or crumbs stuck unexpectedly to something I put down on that surface. I put our toaster away in a cupboard because it doesn't get used every day and I don't like having the counter so cluttered I can't effectively use it as a work space. I shake the crumbs out of the toaster after using it because I don't want to have to clean the cupboard frequently where I store the toaster or attract bugs to the feast of bread crumbs on the surface of the cupboard. (I also knew somebody once whose cupboards caught on fire because the crumbs in the toaster on the counter caught fire.) I like the filter in the vacuum cleaner clean because I don't like the way it smells when it is full of hair, lint, dust, etc. that has been stewing in it for weeks on end.
So, my question is, where is it appropriate to draw the line between being a "slob" and being "OCD"? As I mentioned before, we don't all share the same house so where you draw the line is up to you and where I draw the line is up to me. The problem comes when two or more people do share a house and they have a different idea of how neat to be. It's easy to resent each other. The one closer to super-neat can resent the messes left by the not-so-neat. The slob can resent what they interpret as an implication that things should have been picked up or cleaned up and weren't. How often should things be cleaned? Personally, I don't like to have the job of cleaning a refrigerator that has been storing stuff for months that was never moved. (I'm not talking ketchup or mustard or soy sauce or whatever- I'm talking about food.) Sometimes the container can be ruined by the stain of mold or the stink of rotten food. What a waste! It seems logical to me to keep track of what's in the fridge. Use it while it's good or give it or throw it away. I have been in homes where I was reluctant to sit on any furniture because it was covered with food, hair, mud, and who knows what. I don't ever want anyone to feel that way in my home. I want even surprise guests to feel comfortable enough to sit on my couch or a chair or even eat off my table. I'm not talking about the clutter of a major project being worked on or the scattered toys of children. I'm talking about dirt..... filth.... build-up.
So, I will try not to criticize you for your housekeeping if you try not to criticize me for being a "neat freak".

Even if I'm annoying

     I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost. He has many jobs: confirm, comfort, teach, guide, warn, edify. Today I am especially grateful for his teachings. I have been feeling some self-doubt lately, for a number of reasons- nothing really big. I just have been questioning the way my enthusiastic desire to "help" or "teach" is sometimes misinterpreted by some. I have been wondering how many have found me to be obnoxious because I am perhaps too eager to serve. I have absolutely no desire to compete with others or be selfish or brag or be manipulative. But "being without guile" and trying hard to do good can sometimes be taken by others as self-righteousness or superiority. I get anxious about that because it is truly NOT my intent! So, other than sitting silently in a corner, staying out of people's way, how can I avoid that impression? Basically, that is what has been running in my mind, causing me to feel close to tears and question everything I do or say. In the midst of that depressing stream of thought, the Spirit whispered, "Satan can deceive even the very elect." Aha!
     In the 24th chapter of Matthew, Jesus mentions that false prophets in the last days will deceive even the very elect. John, in the 12th chapter of Revelations says that Satan, or the Devil, "deceiveth the whole world". I know Satan is just as real as God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. He has wanted to gain our Father's power and be superior to Christ since before the Earth was created. He continues to hope that he can gain an army large enough to take over. He knows that most of God's children will not be attracted by outright evil- murder, rape, abuse, torture, destruction, and other forms of harming God's children and creations. If he can get us to call evil good and good evil, as Isaiah (Isa 5:20) and Moroni (Mor 7:14-15) warned, he can gain a larger army to fight God's standard of righteousness. The world is in mass confusion over what is right when it comes to sexual relations, abortion, use of drugs for recreation, and the meaning of family. Many of God's children are struggling with standards God has set because the world is shouting at them such different messages. One of the ways Satan deceives even the "elect" (meaning those who truly want and strive to follow God's Son) is discouragement. If we make mistakes, which we all do, he will make us feel like we can never be forgiven or never improve. As for me, even when I try to do what's right, if he can get me to doubt myself to the point that I just don't do ANYTHING, he wins. Isn't there a saying something like "The only thing Satan needs in order to win is for good men to do nothing"?? So, today I have learned that I must continue to strive to do good things, even if I am misinterpreted or misunderstood. God knows my heart. I just need to keep striving to keep my heart pure- to be humble, teachable, and obedient to correct principles. I am truly sorry if I have seemed obnoxious to anyone. But I can't give up. I just need to keep trying, even if I'm annoying.

Great are the words of Isaiah

     I have decided I want to know my Heavenly Father better. I have read scriptures quite a bit and pondered what angle I could use to make my study more fruitful. Jesus himself promoted Isaiah as a great prophet writer so I figured maybe I could benefit from reading that book again. I was struck with Isaiah 33:14-16.
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
     Isaiah, as a prophet, speaks outside of time as measured by mortal beings. His words might apply to people in his lifetime, or in the future, or WAYYY in the future. But the principle is the same. If we want to not feel afraid, we need to walk and speak righteously. What does that mean? Can we just determine for ourselves what is right and fair? I, for one, don't feel qualified to set a standard like that. I have no interest in judging others. I'm grateful God is as merciful as He is considering that He is perfect and powerful. However, He will judge everyone. He has given us the agency (freedom) to decide for ourselves what standard we want to go by. We can choose what we think is right. I have not yet met a human being whose judgment I would trust as the ultimate standard to go by. That's why I read scriptures and pray. I trust God, not man.
     Paul has given nice lists to add to Isaiah's warnings of how to survive "everlasting burnings". I would suggest Colossians 3:12-17 as a good start for anyone who wants to know what God's standards are. But anyone can choose to just be the way they are, or seek a higher path.
     Last night we went to the newest James Bond movie. True to the genre it was full of action, violence, bloodshed, and nasty people. I didn't get as upset as I did when we went to see "Unbroken" some months ago. But the basic sorrow is the same. How can human beings actually ENJOY hurting other people and be entertained by watching people hurt other people? I realize there is necessary opposition in the world. I realize that "realism" includes gratuitous sex, self-indulgence, hate, killing, greed, and basic nastiness. But I worry when human beings actually PREFER all that to the moral messages we used to get in "Lassie" or "Father Knows Best" or "Dumbo" or countless movies and shows that didn't get adrenalin pumping for 2 hours at a time. Do we "stop our ears from hearing of blood" or "shut our eyes from seeing evil"? Or do we lap it up like hungry dogs and feel refreshed and excited by it? Everybody gets to choose.............

Old friends and New

     I haven't been posting much because we have reached a point here in the Nauvoo temple when there is a very large group of wonderful people gradually departing so we have been busy and preoccupied. It's heart-wrenching. Those who serve as LDS missionaries sacrifice time, money, and effort to serve God and His children. That makes them pretty good people. Those who are serving here in the temple are older people who have spent a lifetime serving others. They are truly the cream of the crop. I have mentioned before that I feel pretty intimidated among these valiant Saints. I am younger and way less experienced than nearly all of them. I am amidst so many who have served in pretty impressive positions in the church. They are past the need to impress others so their expressions and efforts are genuine. They are all very different in their backgrounds (family size, occupations, places of residence, education) and their tastes and preferences. However, they labor unceasingly even when tired, willingly even when not in agreement with certain policies or procedures, and in harmony with love and peace in their countenances. It has been said that this is a little glimpse into Heaven. I think it is. It has made me more determined than ever to embrace my Savior's atonement, to gratefully accept grace, so that I can live forever with the kind of people who diligently strive to follow Jesus's example in all they say and do. There are going to be a few new couples arriving soon. I'm sure they will be as exemplary as the ones leaving. Later next spring, there will be another turnover of personnel here. It will be just as heart-wrenching, I'm sure. I'm trying to just be grateful for now and not mourn their departure. I try to have that same feeling about others I have loved who are gone from my life- family members and friends. Some day I will no longer have to say goodbye.

     I have mentioned many times my desire to improve. I guess not everyone has a desire to improve maybe because they don't feel they need to, don't know how, or don't believe they can. I have full faith in the words of Jesus Christ when he admonished us to "Be ye therefore perfect." It's not that I seek any perceived honor or reward in being exalted to be able to live in the presence of God. I have no interest in any kind of competition to "be like God." My sincere, deeply felt hope is to be free from ego sufficiently to live in peace with those who desire to know and embrace what is right and true more than any desire to proclaim they are right and true. I have no interest in the honors of men, although my self-esteem is boosted when people compliment me or approve of me. I just want to share harmony or one-ness with God the Father and His Son on THEIR terms because they are wiser and kinder than anyone I know. I can only hope that those I love will have a similar desire so we can all meet there eventually and enjoy whatever existence God has promised us will be greater than anything we can imagine as limited mortals. Peace, harmony, and love are all too rare here among mortals.

"Boo-tiful Nauvoo"

Nearly from our arrival at Nauvoo we have heard about the great Halloween festivities which draw people from all around the area, much as the corn, grape, and watermelon festivals do. The time has finally arrived. Russ and I volunteered time, along with scores of other community and LDS volunteers to scoop and carve pumpkins. There were just shy of 500 pumpkins lined up all along both sides of the main thoroughfare for a couple of blocks in town. The pumpkins were varied from small to large with simple to intricate designs.  I didn't take my phone or camera with me when we carved so we had to look all over town for the ones we did. These are pictures of 3 of the 5 we did. I didn't want to post too many pictures of carved pumpkins and it was hard to get pictures with the sidewalks so crowded with people, even though they had cordoned off the parking lanes of the street to widen the sidewalks. There was one whole section of truly amazing specially carved pumpkins which just took our breath away.  LDS missionaries had made lots of kettle corn which they gave away in little bags for free. Businesses which are usually closed by evening were all open so they could hand out candy and gifts to the kids. Because so many of these kids live on farms miles apart and often Halloween becomes a time of pranks (some not so harmless) for teenagers, this event  works just boo-tifully! There are also lots of street vendors selling food. We bought hot dogs and bottled water to support the Nauvoo Orchestra. We aren't sure whether we'll be released next year just before this event or after but we will look forward to it if we are still here!

The Boo-tiful Nauvoo Parade!

The beginning of the parade was a fairly large group of teenagers in costumes, all playing kazoos. They played Halloween-appropriate melodies and were surprisingly in tune. I liked it that even kids, at the age when being "cool" and impressing peers is the most important thing,  were into the spirit of the whole small-town fun.

 One of the big hits of the parade was the "Ghost Busters" with a guy walking in front, dressed with the outfit and gear to rid places of unwanted haunters, followed by a real "ghost busters" car playing the theme song on a continuous loop. The whole event is totally family-friendly and fun for everybody no matter what age! The kids had fun parading their costumes but lots of adults had some pretty amazing make-up and costumes. There were adults dressed as Minnie and Mickey Mouse walking along handing out candy. A girl about 4 or 5 years old was drawn by the familiarity and walked right out into the street to walk near them. She was dressed as Minnie Mouse, too- a miniature version of the adult in the parade! A Chinese dragon came along made of a large cardboard head followed by lots of people under sheets that had been tied together one after another. When I realized it was all site missionaries, I tried to take a picture but I was unsuccessful running along trying to get ahead of them then finding a place to stand where I could get a picture.

I was more successful getting a picture of these site missionaries with our own historic Nauvoo horses and wagon. It was just a comforting feeling that our LDS missionaries were so much a part of supporting this community event- more volunteer work done by good people who spend all day every day volunteering their time and energy.

What is fruit?

     As temples or tabernacles in the days of Moses and Aaron, temples today are full of symbolism. The mortal Jesus Christ spoke to people but many had eyes and did not see or ears and could not hear. Even with the aid of the Holy Ghost I have read scriptures and heard or said sacred ordinances hundreds of times without perceiving all the layers of meanings God would have me learn. Today in the temple I thought about "fruit". Artists have painted Adam and Eve in a lush garden holding an apple. Many people have spent their whole lives only considering that Eve took a physical bite out of a literal piece of fruit which magically gave her the ability to know good from evil. (It didn't pass on to her kids too well- or maybe Cain was just that wicked from the start.) Could there be more to this event that took place several millennia ago? The scriptures are full of references to "fruit" that don't mean apples or figs. The "fruit of the womb/body" refers to children/offspring. In Proverbs "fruit of their own way" is mentioned as well as "my fruit is better than gold". Jesus Himself said, "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance", and, "Beware of false prophets...Ye shall know them by their fruits." (I don't think He was hinting they would have peach stands or apple orchards.) In the Book of Mormon the prophet Lehi has a dream about a tree "whose fruit was desirable to make one happy." When his son Nephi later wants to see and understand that dream, he is told that it was a representation of "the love of God." So what might the fruit that Satan beguiled Eve into eating be symbolic of?? I have my own ideas but I am not a prophet, seer or revelator so I am not going to attempt to define the "tree" or "fruit" in the Garden of Eden. I only want to put forth the challenge to think more deeply. There is more available to us than what we can see, hear, or touch. God put the "breath of life" into Adam. Today's medical technology can use machines to breathe or even circulate blood for humans. But mortal men cannot create a living human in a laboratory strictly from a cell or two made by a scientist. What makes a human-- human? What is the spark that causes the tiny being to begin breathing, seeing, learning, reacting? Is it naive or ignorantly superstitious to have faith in a supreme being? Or are we more ignorant or naive to think we are the cream of the crop- the most intelligent creature there is? I admit there are wide variations of  concepts defining God. If He exists, and I know He does, He certainly would have the power to let you know exactly who He is. Sure, there are mysteries but knowing the God who created us is not something He would withhold as a mystery from His children. He tells us to knock or seek and we can know for ourselves. I truly identify with the prophet Lehi in the Book of Mormon "And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceeding great joy; wherefore I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."

Children

     When we arrived on our mission in April, we were assigned to attend church in a unit over 2 hours north of here. Our first Sunday there we were asked to teach a class of 6, 7, and 8-years old. After living in Sun City, AZ for more than 4 years where you must be 55 or older to reside, we were more than happy to work with children. In the past several months, we found many disadvantages to our assignment, most having to do with the distance away, but also the fact that we are first and foremost serving a mission. Due to all of the difficulties involved, we are being re-assigned so today was our last day there. Next Sunday will be the ward Primary sacrament meeting presentation so we watched them rehearse today. Information for anyone not familiar with how this works: there is a basic outline for the program with suggested songs and theme and even some scriptures that comes from the General Church Primary leaders then someone in the local unit fills in the particulars. Every child from age 3 to age nearly 12 gets at least one speaking part and all sing whichever songs have been selected. The theme this year is centered on our Savior and the older children bore testimonies and told stories about their own experiences. It was just so touching to hear these children talk about loving Jesus, which I realize cynics might call brainwashing especially in the case of 3 or 4-year olds. But the older kids spoke candidly about their own faith and experiences. One girl talked about how her family reads scriptures together every morning and that sometimes it's hectic or hard to concentrate but she always feels good afterwards as she starts her day with the right focus. (I remember vividly noticing that first when I used to teach early morning seminary. Every school morning I would have a group of sleepy teenagers spend an hour before school studying scriptures in my home. On days when we didn't have class because there wasn't school, I could definitely feel the difference in my attitude as well as that of my own teenagers.) Another girl talked about having witnessed several miracles, her favorite being when her younger sister who was born deaf received a cochlear implant and could hear. She said that modern medicine can perform miracles, too. Then a boy talked about listening to the still, small voice of the Spirit. On a recent trip to Disneyland he got separated from his family and was frightened in the crowd. He said a prayer and felt prompted to go in a certain direction to a certain place and was so relieved to be reunited with his family. At the end of the program, the older 7 or 8 kids (all 10-nearly 12) sang a song called Gethsemane. Despite the heavy subject matter, the song was really more about gratitude and love. One of the girls singing made it about a third of the way through the song then started to cry. It was so touching hearing children speak and sing about God, our Savior, their love for us and their great gift to us of the Holy Ghost. There are those who might call this the results of brain-washing but I would have to reply, "What is the media trying to do to our children as well as to us?" Madison Avenue has paid employees whose job is to try to get us to spend money. There are college degrees in market analysis and how to sway consumers. Teaching of ANY kind could be called brain washing. I think what these kids are being taught will serve them well in their lives.

Learning or not learning

     I can feel some things about me gradually changing. I don't know whether they will continue to evolve or I will stay the way I am changing now. I am always a bit surprised when I observe myself in different surroundings. For instance, when I am with my siblings, I sometimes revert to some of the ways I behaved when I was younger. When I am with my children, I sometimes have to fight being the "mother" even though they're all grown and obviously managing very well without me. We have been temple missionaries now for about 6 months. The first couple of months were just a blur as I felt totally overwhelmed with all I needed to learn then it was just so busy I had all I could do to just keep up! Now things are slowing down as far as numbers of people coming to the temple. However, now that I know more things, I am responsible for more things. Also, things are about to make a major shift because most of those currently serving here will be leaving within the next couple of weeks. Many have already left and a few new ones have arrived with only 7 more couples arriving once the current ones leave. I am just getting somewhat settled with putting names to faces and feeling comfortable enough with what I'm doing to be able to focus on developing friendships. As things become "unstable" here, I wonder about the future for me and most of my family. Within this next year, most of the people I love will be moving. We still have no idea what we will do when we're done with our mission next fall. We have received lots of suggestions but we will probably have to wait until late summer to make a firm decision. I feel like I'm walking in one of the old moving-floor areas of a fun house! So, what am I learning?
     First of all, I have had a tendency to be somewhat dramatic when I converse. In the temple we are always very quiet. I am learning how to be a little more subdued- at least sometimes..........
     I am learning that efforts to avoid issues dealing with aging bodies have limited efficacy. I can avoid a wheelchair and maybe even a cane, but the arthritis in my foot and the pain in my leg definitely discourage excessive exertion. I still use the stairs instead of the elevator but I often avoid the bounce and speed with which I started 6 months ago. I am avoiding gaining weight so I can continue to wear the same clothes without having to shop for a size larger, but my metabolism just does not lend itself to using calories. Russ and I eat only one real meal a day and otherwise basically snack but I have not lost one ounce or inch. I had lots of ear infections when I was younger and know I have scar tissue on my eardrums so I had hints that my hearing might be affected. It's looking more and more like hearing aids are in my future. Being quiet in the temple only emphasizes how difficult it is for me to hear.
     I am learning that no matter how good an example you try to be and how lovingly you might make suggestions to others, they will only make changes if THEY want to- not because they are making you unhappy. We really do have to have an inner source of peace and happiness that we can draw on even when immersed in negativity. I am so grateful to know there is a God and that He and Jesus Christ love me. I can talk to Them whenever I want or need to. It is sometimes difficult to feel the love and peace and guidance They try to send my way when I am really sad or upset but I am always grateful when I finally get the message through the Spirit and can feel loving peace.
     I am very slowly learning patience. I spend a LOT of time in my days in the temple sitting or standing, waiting to be of service where needed. There is sometimes so much to do I can't keep up, but there are times when I simply have to wait for someone to come or something to do. And in a larger picture, Russ and I have been talking about "Home". We don't have one. We miss feeling comfortably situated in familiar surroundings with people we have known for awhile and that know us. (Most of our children are in the same situation- ironic.......) By the time we develop dementia and need to use a cane and can hardly see or hear, we hope to be in a stable, comfortable place. That's going to take patience because it won't be happening in a year or probably even 5 years!
     Last of all, I have always had a tendency to "hide my head in the sand". If there is an unpleasant situation, I look for a place to run away and hide. I am learning that doesn't work. No matter how much you don't want something unpleasant to happen, you have to be able to square up your shoulders and forge ahead! We can do more than we sometimes give ourselves credit for and things generally last a shorter time than we think. The misery will pass and life will go on. All we can do is all we can do or some such trite saying...............

Weekend getaway

Despite being on a full-time mission, Russ and I have had a couple of really sweet opportunities to be with loved ones, including this past weekend when we had requested travel outside our district. Friday we drove up to Cincinnati and had the chance to see at least Janna and give her a ride home from a game where the band had played. The rest of the terHorsts were having a great weekend in New York so we missed seeing them. Saturday morning we drove up to Columbus for the baptism of no-longer-so-little Brooklyn Celeste Fellows. She is as loving and gregarious and fun as ever! 

Right afterward there was a nice luncheon which we had set up for in record time because everyone was so helpful. Jeremy, Kadon, and Brooklyn are really lucky to have 3 sets of grandparents and we were all able to be there! It was a wonderful event and Victoria had planned it well.

You can see where Brooklyn gets her awesome personality! Victoria is a courageous, unstoppable, determined, intelligent, amazing woman. I guess I kinda like her.
After this, we drove WAAAAYYYY out (on Africa Road, an appropriate name by the way) to Jeremy's middle school where we had the fortuitous opportunity to watch him in a play. Nice of them to schedule it so well for us, huh? There were actually 2 very short plays but both were quite intense and meaningful for youth of this age. They dealt with inner conflict and struggles with self-esteem as well as pressure from likewise confused peers. I think it could help them to deal with the perplexities of growth and development. I'm glad Jeremy is getting this kind of influence. I thanked their advisor/director. There is so much garbage in the world that was mostly hidden from our innocent eyes when our generation was young. As wonderful as the internet is, it has allowed access to things no child should ever have to deal with. Mean people seem to be meaner and immorality seems to be more pervasive. I can only pray for my grandchildren and those coming after. I'm always grateful for the good people there are, wherever they are, whenever they show up.

Heartland

Yesterday about 18 of us temple missionaries carpooled to a huge farm complex called Heartland. When we arrived at the main building/gift shop/cafe, we were boarded onto this school bus to begin our tour which required no fee. This blog may seem a bit like an ad for this place because we were definitely impressed. It was all clean and well-organized but nobody was artificial or overly polished. Heartland was founded by a man who had gained his seed money by founding a major insurance company back in 1964. "It is a place where people can experience restoration through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Heartland is dedicated to help people with broken lives experience peace through Christ, develop a good work ethic, and live victoriously in every area of life." They have a church, a local tv broadcasting station, an academy and boarding school, and a limited Christian college which offers only a 2-year Associates degree in Biblical Studies. To me, the most thrilling part is their recovery programs. "Heartland Recovery Programs seek to introduce the concepts of Christian living and personal responsibility, helping men and women who are bound with life-controlling addictions, attitudes, and behaviors." They also have a thrift store whose proceeds all go toward efforts in places such as Thailand, Haiti, Egypt, India, Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Moldova, Israel, Jericho, and the Philippines as well as a reservation in South Dakota. The community began in 1998.

 Their primary industry is dairy farming with related extensions like breeding, cheese-making, growing feed crops, a restaurant, and store. I loved seeing the message proudly proclaimed on this milk tank truck!

 These Mormon missionaries were all impressed and excited to see this work. In our missionary attire, we were hardly dressed appropriately for visiting a farm, but we all loved being there.

 They use a carousel for milking cows 3 times a day. The cows seem content to get on for the ride. In fact, there was one cow that went around at least 3 times before we left, reluctant to back out. She seemed to want to keep on riding!

 They also have a sizable goat herd which they are currently working at enlarging because they are experiencing a very high demand for their delicious goat cheeses.

The recovery program involves living in a dorm facility for men and a large house for women for 18 months. Some of the stories are heart-wrenching at the beginning but satisfying after their time in the program. I really appreciate those who have the patience, love, and persistence to work with people that are normally considered hopeless by the world. I don't know exactly what requirements there are or how the money all works, but it sure seems admirable to place expectations for success on people who have reached dismal failure in their lives and to love them unconditionally. They are given the opportunity to learn essential skills of hard work, dependability, trustworthiness, honesty, and high moral standards. All will enable them to some day leave the community, though some choose to stay to raise their families, and go on to be independent citizens of the world. I'm sure that, due to the nature of addiction, many relapse. But our Savior often mentioned the worth of even ONE soul. I'm glad we got to see this place and I pray they can continue.

Needing help

     Yesterday in the temple I had the opportunity to assist a woman in a wheelchair. As temple workers, we are admonished to allow people to do all they can for themselves which acknowledges them as independent persons. However, we are also encouraged to be as helpful as possible. You can see how this can lead to inner conflicts. I was ready and willing to do everything and anything she might need help with but I also admired her efforts to do the best she could. This was poignant to me as I remembered taking care of my mother for several years as she sat in a wheelchair.
     It was also an occasion for reflection because last weekend I somehow injured my leg. I don't remember doing anything drastic and I don't remember thinking "Ouch! That hurt." But at some point the inside of my knee started to hurt. I got progressively more painful over the next couple of days so I decided to ask the mission doctor's advice so I could know how best to allow it to heal while still performing my duties. (I was not interested in "resting" because I could not consider sitting around doing nothing for any length of time.) I was hoping he would say it was somehow sprained and it would heal in a couple of days. However, after examination, he used the dreaded "D" word- degenerative which means this is further evidence that I am not getting any younger. I eat nutritiously but I try hard to limit my intake because I don't want to gain any weight. I exercise as much as time and my own limitations will allow. ( I have sports induced asthma that gets me wheezing if I try to run or anything that gets me breathing really hard.) I have blessed with solid bones and I think I will be able to avoid osteoporosis, although being on Nexium is supposed to affect that. I try to maintain strong, flexible muscles. But I can't do much for joints. There are supplements that are supposed to help a little but basically, a LOT of people I know have gotten replacement joints- hips and knees- because their originals simply wear to the point of "bone-on-bone". Anyway, the doctor gave me an anti-inflammatory prescription and told me to take it a little easy and let the knee heal in a few days. So I have been trying to use the elevator in the temple and we have been driving up the hill and back each day.
     As I sat in the temple watching the woman in the wheelchair for anything I could do, I thought about being in her position. I thought about how she must feel to be unable to do things for herself that she probably used to do without thought. I did not consider it any kind of inconvenience to help her nor did I (or my sisters) feel it an inconvenience to help my mother. My quandary was this: if I ever get to the point that I need a considerable amount of help- and I'm not talking just temporarily like while healing from an injury or surgery but long-term increasing need for help- how will I react? Will I be able to be as tolerant and understanding with myself as I was with this woman? Will my frustration toward myself and my circumstances spill over into any form of unkindness toward others? Will I constantly apologize to the point that I'm downright annoying?
     Most people I know dislike feeling like a burden to anyone, even if only briefly. Most people I know apologize if they have to ask for directions, assistance, or any form of interruption of someone's life for their benefit. I wonder if I can be gracious enough and patient enough to be a pleasant person to help. Can I accept another's awkward attempts to move my body parts or give me something I didn't really want without feeling annoyed? Can I be patient enough to explain over and over what I need? I also work in the office one day a week with a woman who has been in a wheelchair since a car accident 9 years ago. She has no use of her legs but she is so capable in every other way. She has learned to ask for people to do things for her without doing it in a way that says, "I am helpless." I admire that. She just asks like anyone would ask a friend for a simple favor- pass the salt, or hand me my book, etc. We all go on about our lives day after day never expecting something drastic to happen which could change our lives completely. Some people cope with such shocks better than others. So, what's the difference? I don't know but I think that if we believe in ourselves, have learned to forgive ourselves, and recognize our own worth, we can deal better with needing help once in awhile or even longterm if necessary. If we don't feel that way about ourselves, our Savior and Heavenly Father can help. They want us to succeed and be happy so they are willing to assist whenever we need it. All we have to do is ask.

The rest of the weekend in Iowa

On Sunday we all went to various little congregations (called wards or smaller ones called branches) of the LDS Church throughout the area. Russ and I went with the Temple Counselor, wife, and 3 other missionary couples where we enjoyed getting to know the wonderful, faithful people there., many of whom have to travel quite a ways to get to church. Russ sang for them and I played the piano. We all had the opportunity to speak to them, too, and hope we helped them to feel they are part of a large army of really good people trying to follow the Savior. We ended the day with dinner at the Counselor's home, a pleasant evening together, ending by watching the lovely full moon eclipse in the clear sky.

 The first stop Monday morning was the John Deere factory. I was quite delighted to find it more interesting and enjoyable than I was expecting. Years ago I went with Russ to visit the Harley-Davidson factory in York, PA and was quite impressed. This was a similar experience. We were not allowed to bring our cameras in so I have no pictures of what we saw. Just like Harley-Davidson motorcycles, each tractor is custom-made to the specifications of  

an order. Most parts are made in the USA and the tractors are shipped all over the world. They recently shipped 200 large tractors to China. Most of the work is computer monitored and controlled, although done by human hands, except for the painting which is electro-static and amazing to watch as robots accurately and completely paint with hardly a drop of overspray anywhere. Even the hand-wrenches are "smart" in that they keep track of how tightly bolts are turned. The bus in the photo at right was a group that came at the tour time we were there. We rode around in a little train of open cars pulled by a- guess what!- little John Deere tractor!

When we heard about the next place, the Bily Clock Museum, we really had no idea what to expect. Again, we were not allowed to take pictures inside so this is a picture of postcards for purchase in an attempt to show the amazing clocks built by two brothers, both of whom died about 50 years ago. They were immigrants from Czechoslavakia who never married and were very skilled wood carvers. Many of the clocks had religious themes, such as carved statues of Jesus and the Apostles. The intricacy of their work was fascinating. They never sold them but they have been valued in millions of dollars. Antonin Dvorak heard of this small Czechoslavakian community in Iowa when he visited the United States and brought his family to spend a summer there. The upstairs of this museum is dedicated to Dvorak. He wrote some of his music here, after having composed the New World Symphony.

Last but hardly least, we visited the "Matchstick Marvels", a collection of amazing structures built all out of matchsticks. The builder has sold several to Ripley's Believe It Or Not venues around the world. This one is a replica of the Capitol. You can see the Space Shuttle behind it. It's amazing how far he has taken a little hobby for something to do! (Angela, the woman in this picture looks a little like Grandma Fellows. She's the gentile southern lady sharpshooter I told you about. I just love her!)

Who knew??

This past weekend, about a dozen of us Nauvoo temple missionary couples went on an excursion planned out by a member of the temple presidency and his wife. We went to some places in northern Iowa that we probably never would have found on our own.  The first was basically a farm, one of countless Midwestern US farms among millions of acres of corn (and soybean) fields. This was the location for the movie "Field of Dreams". It was not near any major city. I'm amazed that the movie people found it. 

 Near the field of corn is a baseball field. Visiting there that day were two teams of baseball players wearing uniforms patterned after those worn by players over 100 years ago. They were gathered from several places around the country, here to play for one evening in the "old style" with original clothing, shoes, and without gloves. We watched them warming up but didn't stay to watch the game.

 The farmhouse had been slightly remodeled by the movie company. There is a large information board with before and after pictures as well as the story behind finding the farm and how it all came to be. There was also a little "gift shop" which I'm sure was added after the movie became such a hit. They enlarged the porch and added the swing that was prominent in the film. We saw it long ago and I couldn't really remember it all. We could have bought a copy of it there but chose not to.
Not far from this farm was a fairly good-sized town with primarily Catholic residents. Long ago, they pooled their resources and built a basilica to rival many in Europe. We arrived just after they had  finished a mass which was attended by high school kids about to attend Homecoming, all dressed in their teen-aged finery. The priest there was a really down-to-earth pleasant man and we were welcomed to come in to look around, even taking pictures. This one little picture hardly does it justice.

I like to think the Catholics here were just as comfortable with us as we felt toward them. Some of us talked quite awhile with the priest and some other parishioners.
From here we went to a pre-arranged golf course restaurant for dinner before heading to the hotel and/or homes where we would sleep.