BUCKET LIST DONE!

Our bucket list is now completed (or items removed).  These last two week have been loaded between the bucket list and all the “closing” missionary events.  We  will cover the closing missionary events in a later blog. (Hopefully, tonight from Iowa City).  We finally made connections and were able to watch a barge go through Lock #19 in Keokuk.  Now we can truly say we have experienced the barge process from filling the containers, being barged under the Ft. Madison Bridge, to watch it pass through the lock on it way down the Mississippi River.  The barge included 12 containers.  We arrived just in time to see it come around the bend from up river, enter the lock, and head on down the river toward New Orleans.  It was just like watching a huge bathtub being filled and then letting the water out.  At the front side of the barge there was a small tugboat guiding it into the lock with the big tugboat pushing from the back.  I couldn’t help but relate the tugboats to the gospel as they were guiding and helping them into the lock.  The tugboats reminded me of the love of Christ and how he is always there to help us through our trials and challenges as we try to make the right choice to stay on the covenant path.

Check out the small tugboat on the side of the barge 

Barge in the lock

Big tugboat pushing the barge.

Exiting the lock

Then we drove around the river road to see where the Saints had crossed to when they left and where their first encampment was.  It was a touching sight to look back across the Mississippi River at the Temple and to ponder what the Saints must have felt as they were forced to leave Nauvoo and their beautiful temple.

Looks like a tree tunnel on the drive to the river bend at Montrose

During the last few weeks we attended a session with the Canton Branch Elders Quorum (5 brothers) and then with the Relief Society sisters (4 sisters).  It is not an easy trip to the temple for them and we only have a few minutes to get to the Reno Temple.  They were so grateful that they we had arranged our schedules to attend with them.  We were so touched as we attended the last Sunday at the Canton Branch.  Brother Wiemers gave an example talk about “Being One” and they had a potluck dinner afterwards in our honor.  It has been a blessing for us to travel the four hours every Sunday and attending has taught us a lot about the unconditional love they show to each other.

On the 8^th we had a visit from the Crossmans (from Gardnerville and served in the Reno Temple with us) who are serving in the Palmyra Temple.  Their temple is closed for the two-week maintenance so they drove here and we were able to attend a session with them.  It was so neat to share stories about our different temple service.

Finally, we took some time and spent some time in the Family Living Center which gives one an good idea of what it was like to live in early Nauvoo.  We watched the demonstrations of candle making, rope winding, carding and spinning wool, bread making in brick ovens, pottery, barrel making, weaving and braiding rugs, weaving shawls, and many more.  There were a lot of gospel principles taught that morning.

Sister Talbot with Elder Lowe who was her Geometry Teacher in Weber High School.

We have loved our time with Sister Moss and her companions.  It was special serving them in the Temple and sharing some good times in the flats.  We gave them our extra food and them took them to dinner in Hamilton at the El Camino Real restaurant.  Lots of fond memories have been made.

Some neat pictures at the Lyon Drug Store garden.  Check out the gourd tunnel and the neat well.

 We always see lots of beautiful butterflies.

One last sunset picture as we left the temple Saturday night

We have had some awesome closing missionary experiences which we will expound on in the next blog.  Just to mention a few:  Farewell dinner and testimony meeting, meeting with Elder Cook, special presentation from George and Susan Eastman Black Durrant, exit interview and journal entry, special temple session with Presidency and other missionaries, Sacrament Meeting with Bishop Gérald Caussé, and the Temple Devotional in the Assembly Hall.

We are just packing the last stuff in the car and will check out then head to Iowa City tonight to start our trek home.

Our hearts are full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Nauvoo Illinoise Temple Mission.

Love to all and see you soon,

Elder and Sister Talbot