Barged in Ft. Madison

When the red lights shine, the siren sounds and the gate comes down you see the bridge split open

Here it is at a 180 degree angle

And here comes the barge to go under the bridge

And there goes the barge after keeping us all waiting for about 20-30 minutes--can raise havoc with your schedule!

Feeding the Needy in Ft. Madison

Service project for temple missionaries--feeding the needy at a local church

This one was a cutie--just people who are down on their luck enjoying a free meal

This grandpa showing off some of his art work

This was Markese--what a beautiful smile!

Our favorite Nauvoo Temple Photo

I purchased this photo from the Gallery here--we love the clouds--wish they would return!

Two Nauvoo area homes

This is the one we'd all like to own

This is the one we all can afford

P Day Trip to Peoria--Aug. 17, 2011

Our P-Day has changed to Wednesday as we are now coordinators on the Thurs. PM Shift. A lovely day for a 2 hr. drive to Peoria, IL and a cruise on the paddleboat The Spirit of Peoria. According to the folks in Peoria the Illinois River is the most beautiful in the world.

Not as good as Rosies at Catalina but a fine lunch of fish, shrimp and chips on the banks of the Illinois R.

Old Stone Bridge--Nauvoo

One of the historic stone bridges found in beautiful Nauvoo. The weather is cooling off! Yeah!

Thursday P-Day Group

These are our P-Day buddies: Schulz (San Antonio,Texas) Farnsworth )(Provo) Wasson (Washington) Cottrell (Bountiful) Langsford (Walnut Creek, CA) Walter (Roseville, CA) Seamons (Ogden) and McBrides (Ojai, CA) In front is Bro. Murdock who guided us through Iowa City where the handcart companies camped.

How Things Grow in Nauvoo--Aug. 2011

These are "plate" hibiscus--named for their obvious "big-ness". Big news--we will stay for another year!

Here's John measuring the corn again--a weekly venture.

Judi's favorite--Queen Anne's lace--it grows wild!

P Day Trip to Iowa City and Kalona--Aug. 4, 2011

Statue honoring the Mormon Handcart Companies who left from Iowa City to Salt Lake in the 1850s

Charming little town in Amish country--there were colored quilt blocks in the sidewalks as well!

A familiar scene in this country--Amish men and boys riding in the buggies in their straw hats, bright colored shirts and black pants and suspenders

The beautiful Nauvoo Temple

We love this photo taken this week by one of our fellow missionaries, Bro. Ogden

P Day to Dickson Mounds July 28

Indian burial mounds exposed artifacts of Indians in this area from thousands of years ago. This was a 4 hr. RT drive from Nauvoo.

Exhibit showing the home of one tribe of Indians--how did they survive this heat?

Beautiful Nauvoo

Just a sample of the beauty of Nauvoo

The water lilies bloomed this month!

The lilies grow in 18" on water--shows us how shallow parts of the Mississippi are!

Summer in Nauvoo

This is what we were told would happen in July! Add the humidity and it's 110+ Ugh!

This is where Judi hangs out every chance she gets--Keokuk YMCA

The water lilies are breathtaking--along the Mississippi River

Balloons over the Mississippi July 15, 2011

A fun afternoon in Ft. Madison as balloon enthusiasts launch their colorful balloons

Quite a procedure filling them with hot air--festive atmosphere with food and outdoor fair

Up, Up and Away......later that night they returned and each one was lit from inside causing them to glow

Nauvoo Pageant 2011

Cast of 300--wonderful show highlighting events in Nauvoo's history. This was the backdrop dramatically built as part of the Saint's story. Families volunteer their time to be a part of the cast during the month of July

Sonja and Roy Nordyke surprised us with a visit. Former members of the Glendora 5th Ward they now live in Columbia, MO. We were able to view the Pageant (for the third time) with them.

As the finale of the show the backdrop falls back and the real, rebuilt temple of Nauvoo is lit as the voice of Pres. Hinckley declares in April Conf. 1999 that the Nauvoo temple will be rebuilt. It was dedicated in 2002. Moroni faces West to Salt Lake City as the two temples represent bookends to the western migration of the Saints.