Going Home

Thursday, Nov. 11,
It took us several hours to finish packing and cleaning. I think Greg had unrealistic expectations about how quickly things should get done! But we got the last food given away, the last DI stuff dropped off, the floor mopped, and the garbage out. Whew!
We drove by the temple one last time as we pulled out about 10:30. We gazed at the Mississippi, and Greg could hardly drive for the tears at first. We drove four hours to Jamesport, Missouri, and acted like tourists for a couple of hours, then had an early supper.
We drove by Adam-ondi-Ahman, and nearby found the Marydale Inn where we had reserved a night's stay. It is in the middle of farmland, and a beautiful place.
The common room was large and elegant, and our room was spacious. I could have stayed here for a week. We visited in the evening with Mary Jo and Dale, the owners, and helped put together his jig-saw puzzle.
The breakfast was outstanding the next morning.
We started out in rain the first couple of hours, but then the weather wasn't bad. We stayed Friday night in Sydney, Nebraska.
Saturday, Nov. 13,
We left the hotel early after a quick breakfast, and it was cold, in the low 20's. There were some stretches of black ice that had everyone creeping along. As we stopped at a gas station in Rawlins, we pulled up right beside the Dicksons, who were also traveling home. It was fun to see them.
We arrived at Ryan and Kallie's house just after 4:00, and it was so good to see them. We spent Sunday with them, and then came to our home on Monday. We were greeted by Laura, Adrienne, Caleb, Braden, Rhya, and Oliver, who had warmed the house, cleaned, and brought dinner. What a nice homecoming!

Final Days

Saturday, Nov. 6,
I conducted prep meeting for the last time. We were released today as Seventies Hall site leaders, and Morgans were announced as the new leaders. They will do a good job. We served at the Visitors' Center from 11:30 til 5:00 and it seemed really long with just a few people in and out. We serve in the same place tomorrow, only an hour longer!
In the evening we went to our last Rendezvous performance. It was our 35th "Peter and Abigail", and one of our best performances. Since it was Muellers last night also, we met upstairs afterward, and we each said our good-byes to the cast. No one is indispensable, and we will miss them more than they will miss us. Greg had a harder time getting through the speaking and singing than I did. Lots of hugs, and a few tears.
Greg is a cleaning maniac. He spends any spare time cleaning, whatever is on the list.
Sunday, Nov. 7,
Another full Sunday! As we walked into church early so Greg could prepare the Sacrament, we sat down and soon Pres. Ludwig shook our hands and said, "If you could stay one more week, we would love to have you speak in Sacrament Meeting." We just smiled, and I said, "None of the six-month people spoke, so we certainly don't need to." He said, "But you extended and we fully intended for you to speak, it just got away from us!" That was a close one.
Greg and I both bore our testimonies in the meeting. After serving in the Visitors' Center, we returned for Zone Conference, where Greg lead music, and I played the piano. Pres. Ludwig gave a good talk on gratitude.
Monday, Nov. 8,
The days are flying by,and Greg is so happy to be scheduled as a teamster for Monday and Wednesday.

Storeys came for dinner to help us eat up our food, and I gave him a haircut. I had made enchiladas, and a pie, and later Morgans came by for a haircut. We fed them also, and talked about 70'sHall stuff. They gave us two CD's of the Tabernacle Choir (he sang in it). That was nice.
Tues. Nov. 9,
Another long day at the Visitors' Center,and then we had a farewell dinner at the mission home. After a lovely meal, we all sat around and each one was asked to share a memory of Nauvoo. It was a very sweet meeting.
Nov. 10, Wednesday,
Our last service day. They all bid us farewell at prep meeting, and my last assignment was at Lyon Drug with Sister Myers. It was a beautiful last day, the weather was great, and we had several people come by. Dorrell came by to work in the garden, and had me call Sister Schiess to come get the cotton. She came right over, and with Sister Kirkman will spin the cotton and use it.

We worked all evening to get packed and ready to go, but took a bread to go watch Rendezvous one last time. I cheered and clapped, and then there were more good-byes. Sister Steadman told me that she hasn't seen anyone get more out of the Nauvoo experience than me. That I jumped in with both feet and did everything I could with an enthusiastic spirit. I certainly hope that is true of both Greg and I, because we have so enjoyed the whole experience.