Week 47 and 48 -May 19--June 1, 2014

Hi:

Can you believe it us already again!!!

Once a month we have a District Meeting.  Our districts have 4-5 couples in them.  David and I are District Leaders and we have 4 couples and 2 single, young sisters in our group.  This month we had the meeting at our apartment and  started it with a ham dinner.  One couple brought a honey glazed spiral cut ham that was delicious.  We each brought something and ended up with a traditional ham meal with yummy potatoes, corn, rolls, salad and cake for dessert.  It's always a good time.  Our lesson was on how to give good tours and we went over all the points that hopefully we have learned by now.  Of course, there is always room for improvement

flowers in Spring

We had a cast party the next day on our back yard patio.  We grilled hamburgers and our 60 cast members brought endless good food.  It's so nice to have a grill and patio.  We  have enjoyed them several times already this spring.

Last Saturday we went to Iowa City with another couple.  They have a membership at Costco so we bought some fun food there.   Outside of Iowa City we stopped at Kalona, Iowa.  It is a Amish and Mennonite town and we the enjoyed the atmosphere and had fun going through the quilt and antique shops.  The Amish make delicious cinnamon rolls.

Garden in Kalona, Iowa

The next day we had the opportunity to feed 19 young sister missionaries on our patio.  We grilled hamburgers and had salad, baked beans, watermelon, corn on the cob and then all the yummy desserts that we bought at Costco.

some of the Sister Missionaries at the BBQ

The chef in his bright pink apron  (towel)

Enjoying the BBQ

having some conversation and strawberry shortcake

We had cheesecake, apple pie, strawberry short cake and smores.   It was fun to feed and enjoy these delightful sisters.  We had a short object lesson.  We played one of "magic games" (where you have to pay attention and figure out how to solve the trick of the game) and then made the point of watching and paying attention to our guests so you can identify the needs of our guest and be able to help them have a fun and rewarding visit to Nauvoo.      That night the Young Sisters put on a remarkable Sociable (Fireside) where they sang, danced and narrated beautiful music to the theme of The Atonement.

Sister Missionaries at their Fireside (Sociable)

On Monday, Memorial Day, there was a city activity in the park that we went to and had pulled pork sandwiches and enjoyed talking with people in the community.

Tuesday we  went with another couple to check out some Chamber of Commerce offices  and future sites of Nauvoo on the Road.  Our first stop was across the river in Fort Madison.

Us in Fort Madison by the Mississippi River

We  met with a man from the C of C but the Old Fort was closed so we didn't get to see it.  We have heard that it is a fun place to visit. Maybe some of you coming next month will be the lucky ones to go with us to see this Historical Site.

Old Fort Madison

Our next visit was in Bonaparte but the lady from the chamber didn't show up so we had a home cooked meal at their finest restaurant on the Des Moines River.  We had fun playing in the park until we had to move along.

Elder Pincock has not forgotten how to swing

We traveled to Fairfield and and had a successful meeting with some very nice people.

City Hall in Fairfield, Iowa

They have a  beautiful Convention Center where the BYU    groups are going to perform in June.  Two specialty groups will join the entertainment in Nauvoo this summer,  Living Legions and Synthesis will start arriving this week and will be doing some outreach performances in communities surrounding Nauvoo.  We got everything set up for their visits.  Of course we had ice cream on the way home.

Wednesday we had a surprise visit from Brent and Mary Beth Jones from Rexburg.  They are preparing to go to Jerusalem for a special assignment  (mission ?).  How fun for us to enjoy the visitors that we know as they come through and stop in Nauvoo.

Friday I had my 2nd six month tests and checkup since my last surgery over a year ago.  Everything looks really good so I think I will go on living for as long as the Lord permits me.  I feel pretty good except for the weight I've gained.  With the description of all the food we eat, is it any wonder?  My doctor said I look like I'm all better now and don't have that "bad health" look any more.  As you remember I have been blessed to have my surgeon from Idaho Falls who moved to Des Moine the same time we came to Nauvoo.   It's  so fun to visit with him and he is bringing his family to Nauvoo in a couple of weeks.  AND  we got to eat at Cracker Barrel.  It was so fun!   Thanks to all of you who finance my shopping trips to Cracker  Barrel through your generous gifts for Mother's Day, etc.  I sure love you.

Doing the Variety Show with the Young Performing Missionaries is a highlight for us.  David has three or four parts in this productions so if you don't have  your trip to Nauvoo planned yet you better hurry.  He is still doing his major role in Rendezvous.  You'll never see entertainment like this again!  Last night we were about 1/4 of the way through Sunset by the Mississippi  when it started to pour rain on us. This show is held on the outdoor stage.  We were in the middle of the girl's song   but we kept on singing until we finished the song.  There was no one left in the audience by that time and we all started screaming and running to get under cover.  We were soaked clear through and in our long dresses, aprons, slips and pantaloons.  We were having the time of our lives!  Where else could you find 50, 60, and 70 year old having so much fun?
Wish we had a picture of the straight hair and soaked clothes!

But we did get a couple of pictures of a rainbow and the Nauvoo Temple.

Where you will find your POT OF GOLD!!

There is gold on the hills of Nauvoo

Can you see the double rainbow?

During the next few weeks we will have some special visitors that we became friends with on our first mission in Armenia.  Dick and Edith Watkins, who replaced us in Armenia, will be here and then a few weeks later Jack and Frances Holmes will be in Nauvoo.  The Holmes were our Humanitarian supervisors while we were in Armenia.  We are looking forward to seeing them again.

We love all that we do.  Hope your summer is going well and that you are all being careful and safe in the warm weather activities.  I have probably shared this line from Rendezvous with you already, because it is one of my favorites.  "Don't confuse that which is impressive with that which is important."  Hope you are remembering to take time to help others, be really kind and helpful to each other, and live as though the Savior was right beside you because He really is.  Have a great weekend.

Love,
Elder and Sister Pincock