080 Tuesday to Tuesday (October 28-November 4, 2015)

October is a most prolific month for birthdays. It is the month where for three weeks running (every 7 days), we have a grandchild’s birthday. The 28^th is Leah’s birthday. What a really good young woman she is for our family. She is 11 this year, so one more before she is a Young Woman, but she exemplifies the qualities of the YW already. 

Cute Leah with her new glasses

 

Today we had to get the oil changed in the car as well as get it cleaned. Then that night we had FHE with the Armstrongs. This time we watched the Church movie, Midway to Heaven. Craig and I had already seen it so we were excited to watch it with them. It is a sweet romance movie (Virginia and I are gluttons for romance movies – what woman isn’t). We laughed about the silliness of the movie. There is a restaurant scene with the main characters sitting at a table and the camera in close. In the background there are two other women eating while sitting in a booth, and Craig noticed that one of them looked just like one of the missionaries that went home recently. I thought she did resemble the girl, but I figured we would have heard about it while she was out. She follows Craig on Instagram, so he asked her and it was her. He’s so proud of himself for noticing it. Anyway, the movie is fun.

The next day we went to the Temple to continue our weekly tradition. We really look forward to going because we want to get some of the names finished that I have in my list (and I have a big list). Belinda has been really good about helping with the baptisms. She and Kennedy are going once a month to do baptisms. I think that is absolutely marvelous. That’s one way to get them into the Temple. What blessings they will receive for helping our ancestors receive eternal blessings in the Temple.

That night we had Pathway. Those who facilitate the lesson each week (a different person or persons each time) absolutely blow us away with their preparation and desire to do what is right. We are so blessed to be able to work with Pathway. The Jepsons will be taking over for us when we leave next semester. They come to the meetings most of the time. They love it also and are so looking forward to taking over.

My Friday reading was in Jerom where we read that Mormon takes from other records to write the words of the various prophets in this section. Several of them have not more than a verse or two and then it is on to the next writer. But, it is obvious that we have a timeline that is followed, and we can see that some were righteous leaders and others were not. It is interesting to me that some of those who were not righteous actually wrote it down.

We both got haircuts that day and then had to proctor a test later in the day. We have a member of the Quorum of the 12 coming to our Stake Conference this weekend (Elder Rasband), so as President Cutler tells the missionaries, get a haircut.

Missionaries didn’t get to have a separate meeting with Elder Renlund, but we sure felt his love for us and for our Stake. He was calling a new Stake President in our North Stake and the one called was President Elbert. We love this man. He was the first counselor to the president that was released, President Heller. We never really felt accepted by President Heller, he never wanted us to work in his Stake, although we were assigned to both the North and South Stakes. But President Elbert is on fire with missionary work and with family history work. He acts like every person he meets is the most important person in his life when they are together.

It was a faith promoting conference. Elder Renlund encouraged us to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Devote ourselves to the Lord on that day and keep the spirit in our homes. It is our understanding that the Brethren have made the statement that they have never seen the world go south so fast in their lifetimes. They feel the work that will stem the tide of wickedness will be Sabbath Day observance. That’s why we are hearing it all over the Church, in our publications, in conference, in our wards and branches.

On Monday we decided to take P-day since it was such a beautiful day and we aren’t sure of having many left before winter sets in and the snow shows up. We headed down toward Chicago, and before we got to the cutoff to the Temple, we took a turn and headed for the Long Grove Historic Village. Now, I ask, doesn’t that sound like an Indian village. I was looking forward to seeking teepees, canoes, whatever. What we found was entirely different. This place had the oldest continuously open tavern in the state of Illinois. There was a covered bridge, a beautiful Church building where it looked like all community activities might be held, an old cemetery kept in pristine condition (as are most of the cemeteries in Wisconsin). We walked around and visited several of the touristy shops. We bought some fudge at the Confectioner’s store, found several places that sold local artists’ goods. This is not unusual for this part of the country. You find more places selling goods that have been produced locally, and they are beautiful. I wish I could afford them, but then I have to be realistic and ask myself, “Where would I put them?”  haha – Adam would say leave them in Wisconsin, and for the most part, I’ve stayed with refrigerator magnets. Mallory and Brad told us about their habit of doing this, and I’ve found it is a fun way of getting a small remembrance. But really, I would love to buy so many things – I’m not!

Covered bridge

Building built in 1888

My favorite - the Confectionary

Long Grove Community Church

Fall colors in Buffalo Creek Park

Craft Mug

Popcorn Shop

Village Tavern

History of the Tavern

Craig on the footbridge

 

Love the brick walk

History of Long Grove

View from the tavern as they remove Halloween decorations

On Tuesday, the 3^rd  (can you believe it is November), we had our regular district meeting. We have instituted the fast for the mission. One set of missionaries will be fasting every day that we will meet our goal of 75 for the quarter. Our day will be December 3^rd (and any other day we desire). That evening we had a Pathway Support webcast from BYUI. It was interesting, and we learned some things. For one, we are not to open our mouths in class (which we do pretty well). Pathway is for the students, we are there just to make sure it goes well.

Another week has gone by. Time seems to be flying by now that our goal is in sight. When we are busy, we don’t have time to think about it, but when it is slow, our time weighs on us.

Our scripture for the month:

2 Nephi 31:20

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Elder and Sister Lenhard