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Catching up a bit.  Shutdown really takes a lot out of an engineer at the temple.  We're there every day for 8 1/2 hours or so till we almost feel like dropping then come back the next day for more.  Fortunately, we didn't need to do any extra days.  We got a lot of stuff done but not everything.  Still some things to do yet but that will either wait for later due to parts shortages or will need to be rescheduled for next shutdown.  There is always a list.  The temple opened back up on Tuesday as planned and is humming along as per usual.  It was a little harder to get back into the swing of things this time.  I was a lot more exhausted than last time.  Wonder what next spring will bring?

We moved out of our old 2nd story apartment...

...into another single story, single apartment with no neighbors.  There are only a couple of these available so we are pretty fortunate.  This one seems to be liked by past engineers so we're following in their footsteps.  The snow is all gone now, we only had an inch and today it is 60 plus degrees but that night was 14.  Weird weather.

Another shot of the new apartment and down the street.

View out the back door.  Yes, we actually have a back door.  I BBQ'd a couple of Ribeye's  last night on briquettes and a BBQ that was given to us when a missionary couple left for home a couple of weeks ago.  First edible steak I've had since we've been back here.  Yum...

The view up the street towards State Highway 96.  The view across the street is into a try-plex apartment so I won't bother posting that.

That night we had a get together with all of the "Winter" Missionaries and put on a feed for them over at the Arrival Center.  All of us in there like sardines but it's nice and cozy.  One of the couples had just gotten there an hour before and couldn't find their missionary clothes.  Lots of talk and getting to know each other.  Interesting people.

Well, my finger is all covered over and I am not bandaging it up any more but it is really sensitive.  I've whacked it a couple of times and it reminds me just how sensitive it really is.  Guess that sensitivity will be with me for a long time.  Looks kind of odd with no fingerprint.  Don't think that will ever change.

We're having Thanksgiving this afternoon over at the Arrival Center than we'll come home and try to FaceTime everyone.  We'll miss being with family this year.  Maybe next year.  Kevin will be with his Ward Mission Leader this year for Thanksgiving.  We're going to watch the Muppets Christmas Carol and probably Princess Bride...thanks Jeffrey.

We got to meet with a couple in the temple the other day and they told us their son was in Mexico and is serving in Chicago with Kevin.  He thinks the world of Kevin and admires him greatly.  They read an email from their son to us about Kevin and they both teared up.  It was pretty special.  Nice to know people go out of their way to find us at the temple and tell us Kevin is doing OK.  By the way, Kevin's email is kevin.seger@myldsmail.net.  I'm pretty sure he would love to hear from most anyone this Christmas season.

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...and another week comes to an end.  We had a whirlwind week this past week.  We were notified early in the week that we could move but not until a couple of items were taken care of so we can start dragging stuff over.  We'll be living a couple of blocks closer to the temple but in a single, ground level apartment.  This will be good for Mom's knees and we won't hafta cart groceries up stairs anymore.  So, besides doing all of that, this was the summer missionaries last week here in Nauvoo so we had lots of things to do and say goodbye to all of our friends that we have made close friendships with.  So many friends, so little time to talk, laugh, weep!  Lots of tears shed this week.

We had a final Family Home Evening last Monday night with a big get together dinner and testimony meeting afterwards.  It was quite an experience.

All of the missionaries enjoying their "last" meal together in the cultural hall.

These are the Chapmans.  After we got to talking a bit, we realized that we had been in the same ward back in 1990 to 93.  We haven't seen each other since then.  A nice reunion, of sorts.  They will be here for a year.  They've bought a fixer-upper here in Nauvoo as a project.

Sister the Glutz, Bro/Sis Salden (our co-teachers in Burlington Ward) and Bro Kirkham Smith from Sacramento.  All have gone home as summer missionaries.

Bro/Sis Jacobsen in the back (they were our neighbors) and the Drostes who live not too far from here.  He's a dairy farmer by profession.  Interesting conversations about cows.

Elder Brown, who has been serving a mission here in Nauvoo.  He left for his old home and end of his mission recently.  Elder Roundy, a friend of ours and another one of the summer missionaries that has left for the summer.  

At the end of the evening, we received gifts for serving here the last few months.  A special print by a local artist, the program, and a Cardinal.  The bird is a local celebrity here.  We don't see them very often but they are beautiful.

We also received our limited run, Nauvoo, handmade, custom brick.

See, and it's just for us!  Not sure if we'll get one next year or not but we got one this year.  Cool, huh?

It has been a really wonderful experience to have been associated with the summer missionaries.  There was so much talent, experience, and reverence amongst these missionaries that it was just a pleasure to "walk among them".   Just think, we get to do it again in a few months, if we survive the winter!

We were driving around the "Flats" tonight and looking at all of the empty apartment complexes that used to have missionary couples in them.  Now they are just dark and deserted.  It's going to be a long winter.  But, with all of the new missionaries coming in, it's going to be interesting, also.

So, we're moving this week, hopefully.  More on that coming in the near future...

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Last night we had a Family Home Evening at the Tukuafu's in Nauvoo.  They are quite a gifted local couple that open their unique home to the missionaries to visit once in a while.  Their house is a unique round design made from wood, 2 story, and filled with stringed musical instruments that, for the most part, Sister Tukuafu has made.  We got to listen to their stories about their courtship, their family, hear them play together, and tour their beautiful home.  Quite an interesting and fun evening.

Arriving around 6:30 PM with the Roundys, Baileys, and Wilsons.

Now, that's a ceiling!  Center is a skylight.

A pillar holding up the upstairs loft.  It was saved from being used as firewood by Sister Tukuafu.

Sister Tukuafu and the master bedroom/bed.  She wanted a wood house.  She built it.

The kitchen.  Note the stove in the back.  Yes, it's older than most everyone you know but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Now, this is a stairway!

The living room from the loft.

The loft.  Usually the guest stay up here.

The compass on the floor pointing North.

Sister Tukuafu played #57 harp that she's made.  Yes, she makes her own harps also!

I just couldn't resist adding this to the blog.  Both of them playing a little bit for us.  Hope you can enjoy it!

Brother Rochelle, this is just for you.  Sister Tukuafu makes all her own instruments and collects many additional instruments.  She played several for us while we were there.  Brother Tukuafu plays the harpsichord.

...and we bid a fond farewell as Sister Tukuafu shows off the door she got off of eBay.

One last look back as the moon comes up to bid us goodbye.  See you again some time, Brother and Sister Tukuafu.  Thanks for a wonderful evening!