Quilts on Parade

The Mormon Trail Center hosted a wonderful quilt display that drew many visitors last month.  The Sister Missionaries gave tours wearing little white gloves so that they could handle the quilts and show visitors the backs. There were many beautiful quilts featuring family memories, important dates, baptismal reminders, and even a little quilt that was actually a matching game for children.  The real draw though, was a quilt supposedly made by Emma Smith.  This pictures shows Sister Gingrich giving her wonderful tour.  What a cutie!

Lazy Days of Summer

The boys new past time is 'frisbee golf.' They love it and are, not surprisingly, very good at it. We have a beautiful park nearby that has a great course. It won't be long and it will be under a foot of snow!!

Phoebe is finally  settling in.  She was so feisty and unhappy for awhile there, but she has pretty much come to terms with her new home.  Life's tough when your agenda is so taxing.

2nd 'Mormon Trail Run'

 

The 'run' is a three mile jog that takes place before each transfer week on preparation day.   It begins at the sister missionaries' apartments and goes for three miles around the neighborhood surrounding the Trail Center and Temple.  Milan and I are always one of the last to finish, but at least we can do it!   

A Little Bit of Pennsylvania

We were thrilled to have the Slaugh 'boys' stay with us for an evening in September.  They were driving, cross-country on their way to Idaho to drop off the kids for school and then when they are all settled, Brother Slaugh will fly home.  It was just a short visit but it was sooooo good to see them.   

Another Eagle!!!

Daniel has completed his Eagle Project thanks to the help of a wonderful senior missionary in the Omaha Mission, Elder Palmer. He works in the grounds department and made possible a fantastic project!  Daniel was able to organize a team to come to the LDS Trail Center Cemetery and repair the flagstone at the entrance and throughout the grounds.                 He had great support from our wonderful ward and then of course we were able to gather a few missionaries to help out.  First they removed the old worn grout with chisels and hammers. Once removed it was swept clean and then a new and improved grout (Elder Palmers secret formula) was filled into the spaces.  After this step the grout was smoothed.  Oh, was it pretty when it was all done!  Everyone worked very hard.  The Burton Family contributed wonderful cinnamon rolls for the morning break and then we had a good lunch when it was all over.  All that remains is a quick acid wash that Daniel will do later this week.  Thank you, Elder Palmer.  You're the BEST!  

Mission Presidents Seminar

We attended a marvelleous Mission Presidents Seminar in Nauvoo, IL two weeks ago. Elder L. Tom Perry presided with President Ronald A. Rasband, President of the Presidency of Seventy, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder Lowell M. Snow of the Seventy and their wives. Eighteen mission presidents and their wives from the North America Central Area. Also attending were seven Area Seventies that serve these 18 missions, our Area Medical Director, Area Temporal Affairs Director, and Marvin VanDam, Executive Secretary to Elder Hallstrom.

As you can imagine, we were well instructed by the Spirit - the true teacher. Elder Perry discussed the importance of creating the image of the Church. He also instructed us to build from the centers of strength in our stakes and wards. He suggested that branches with less than 20 active Melchizedek Preisthood holders may not be the best place for full-time missionaries. If a ward has many less-active Melchizedek Priesthood holders then we should have full-time missionaries assigned to help reactivate these less-active brethren and their families. Elder Perry said that if the mission president doesn't move missionaries to productive areas within his mission, then the Church will move them to more productive missions. This counsel confirmed the feelings that I've had since arriving in the mission. Of course, the ultimate guide for missionary assignments is the Spirit. A member-oriented missionary effort is the best and Elder Perry reviewed the Ward Council process and how the missionary program needs to be led by the Bishop, Ward Council, and Mission Leader through the Missionary Coordination meeting.

We toured several sites in Nauvoo and attended a temple session. It was great to associate with other mission presidents and wives to seek their advice and get many of our questions answered. President and Sister Ludwig, Illinois Nauvoo Mission, were the host for the seminar and they did an absolute fantastic job in all the many preparations and seminar organization. Next year, the seminar will be held in Omaha, Nebraska!