PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD

Weather, weather, weather!!!  We thought the weather in Reno was unpredictable but this past week we experienced temperatures from over 100 to the low 60s.  Monday it was hot and very humid then Tuesday was full of rain, wind, thunder, and lightning.  When we came home from the temple a big tree across the street was down.  If the neighbors would have been home, their cars might have been hit.  On Wednesday, there was another storm which included a tornado warning.  We were also in the temple, so we missed most of the excitement.  However, no tornadoes were sighted but the tornado siren stayed blaring loud and clear for a while.  As we drove around there were lots of trees down all over town, especially in the flats where we live.  A huge tree landed on the back porch of a home just a few blocks from the temple.  The tree took the porch off but missed the main part of the house.  Wednesday was one of the few times they had to cancel the show “Sunset on the Mississippi”.  By Friday the temperatures were back in the 80s, however, the humidity is always high!

Tree across the street.  Look close at the trunk.

Monday afternoon we had the opportunity to listen to a presentation on the history of the Kirtland Temple given by an apostle (Lack MacKay) from the Community of Christ Church (formerly the Reorganized Church of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) at the monthly missionary meeting.  At first, we wondered why President Irion would schedule him for our meeting, but it was very interesting.  He spent a lot of time on the design of the temple, the architect and structure.  MacKay also told us how the ownership of the Temple was decided.  It finally was decided because of the Ohio law about who currently occupied the Temple.  There was a couple of LDS members who were holding meetings in the temple after the majority had left Kirtland but then they also left.  If they had of stayed, we would own the temple today. He also shared what it is being used for today - conferences, tours, meetings, etc.  He shared that a local Superintendent (LDS) arranged for the high school football team to have prayer in the temple before their state game.  They did and have had for years they have always won.  This last year there was a new Superintendent (Non-LDS) who didn't ask to use it and they lost! 

We finally found a local gardener who will sell us some fresh produce.  We got a huge cabbage, cauliflower, two kinds of broccoli, and some beets.  Elder Talbot was in 7^th heaven as he looked at the garden and all the vegetables that were planted and growing.  Gardens sure do grow with all the humidity in this climate.  (If they can keep the animals and critters out).  We shared some with the Taylors and the Pecks who also live in our complex.  They sure tasted good.  We do miss our garden and flowers.

Have I mentioned that I love being here because I have met a lot of women and some men that I can look eye to eye!!!  Some I can even lower my eyes to look at them!!!  A lot of short people are here on missions and then a lot of the local people are short.  Whenever I see them I just stand a little taller and smile a lot more.

On Saturday morning I had a pleasant surprise.  I knew Annie, one of our granddaughters, was coming on a tour in Nauvoo but I was actually able to watch her bus pull into the parking lot of the Community of Christ Visitors Center through our apartment window.  I hurriedly got in the car and drove over to catch her before she started the tour.  As she saw me, she got the biggest grin and ran over to give me a big hug.  We also saw her later that night, Sunday after church, before the Trail of Hope, and early this morning just as she got on the bus to continue on her tour.  We loved getting the hugs!!!!

On Sunday, the Kellys invited all the temple missionaries to their place in Fairview for dinner.  They live about 20 minutes outside of Canton.  (In fact, most members live outside of Canton).  It was super kind of them and nice for us to eat a square meal on Sunday before we drive all the way back to Nauvoo as we usually just take some protein bars to snack on the way home.  They also had a large garden with all kinds of fruit and veggies.  Sister Kelly also was growing all kinds of berries including a cranberry blueberry.

This week will be a busy one for us.  Not only do we have our five days at the temple, we clean the temple on Wednesday night, start practices for the British Pageant, and work on the homeless project. Today the main cast for the pageants arrive in town. 

As we have looked at the fallen tree and stump across the street this week, we wondered what had happened to the tree.  It was green with lots of leaves with squirrels running up and down the trunk.  It didn’t even have any dead branches on it, however, as we looked closer we could see dead spots in the center of the trunk.  It was alive and green on the outside, but the inside was full on dead and dark spots.  As we pondered this, we compared it to how Satan works on us.  He is very clever and subtle.  He tells us that we are not good enough or someone else is better or once won’t hurt or why bother, it isn’t worth it or that we just can’t do it or we are just too tired or we can do it tomorrow.  He continues to work on our self-confidence and testimonies so that when we face a challenge, we fall just as the wind was able to push the tree over.  In reading the Doctrine and Covenants this week, I was impressed with section 27:15-18 and felt it applied to our fallen tree.  If we all put on the whole Armor of God, we will be able to withstand the trials and challenges we face in our everyday life.  Satan is not happy, and he does not want us to be happy.

 

15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.

Of course, the highlight of our week was serving in the temple and the feeling that touches our hearts as we enter the doors.  As Sister Nancy Devocht, an ordinance worker who drives two hours from Iowa City to serve, said Saturday night, “There is a feeling of peace and a feeling light as we helped the patron.”  It is definitely a peaceful, calm, full of hope, and faith in the future atmosphere here in Nauvoo.

We love you all! 

Elder and Sister Talbot

Beautiful cloud formations here in Nauvoo!

Tree that took out the back porch during the Tuesday storm

Fresh cauliflower from Mike's garden.

Awesome fresh cabbage!

Box of fresh produce we bought.  Check out the size.

Big hug and grin when I met Annie as she got of the bus in Nauvoo on Saturday.

Another hug on Sunday.

Plastic bag mat - about 1/4 done but I'm out of bags.  Hopefully, someone from our FHE group tonight will share some with me

Lunch at the Kelly's on Sunday in Fairview, Illinois

Elder Talbot feeding the baby oxen.

Elder Talbot is excited about the miles per gallon we are getting here in Nauvoo.  This was from our trip to church on Sunday.