Summertime and the Livin' is different

We've had a couple of very fulfilling weeks at the Temple. The beginning of August brought the Lucy Mack and Joseph Smith Sr. Family reunion of about 400 folks to town. One of them was Elder Russell M. Ballard, one of the 12 Apostles of the Church. He spent about an hour sharing his testimony with all the missionaries. He is a humble tender witness for Christ who bears a strong testimony of Christ and his divinity and of the prophets, ancient and latter-day.

Susan Easton Black Durrant was also invited to the Smith reunion and spoke a few days later to all the missionaries. She shared her topic for one of her Education week's classes year. She mesmerized us with the Life of Christ in the Jewish Context. It was fascinating to hear the meanings of the rituals and traditions that are in the scriptures. I know the scriptures are true and now I know more of the background. She mentioned that new babies were washed & rubbed with salt all over them for cleansing and preservative. A Square linen and long strips were wrapped around the baby like a cocoon to create swaddling clothes.
She also gave the history of Judah. The Romans called it Palestine after the land of the Philistines. But the Jewish people never used that name for themselves.

We're still in town and just had to show off this Eagle Scout project. He had one created for each end of town. Pretty cool out of steel that is meant to rust and turn orange....river rocks, sunset.

West Point Iowa Corn Shucking Event! We sat on these board benches for an hour in 98 degree sun and rubbed elbows with families and fun people.
It was warm enough to cook it on the cob as we worked!. As we filled the crates they were carried to a cooler.
 I think we filled 3 crates with corn and our sweat.

 They served us cold water. A gal recognized Mike's BYU hat and said she had graduated from the Y many years ago. She was not a member of the church but loved her experience there. She was the organizer of the Corn Fest last year and admitted the corn this season wasn't as sweet as last year. She was right.

 She apologized for the people not being more friendly (saying the town was 90% catholic). I guess our badges scared some people. We thought they were great folks!

 This is about 18 tons of corn. In a few minutes it was completely surrounded by families helping to shuck for their 4 day Corn Fest where the corn was free.

Just another sunset on the Mississippi I couldn't resist. We finally saw a turtle on a log!  Fireflies are still out. Sheet lightening still spectacular some evenings.

Beautiful clouds at sunset.  I was able to climb up the bell tower in the Temple (on the right) last week-clear to the top! 
View miles in all directions. 
The Temple president let me join the Young Performing Missionaries on their climb up 4 sets of steep spiral stairs to the top. The men carried with dusters to clear the little spiders and critters that gather in the belfry. The black shuttered level was large enough for the 30 of us to gather and reflect on the history & importance of the Temple through the ages.

 As we entered the clock level we could view 4 directions. The President shared that the early saints used that as a look out for the approaching mobs during the Mormon wars on them from 1839-1846. A lookout (probably on the scaffolding) would warn the saints in the flats (lower town by the river) of their approach.

I reflected on the meaning of the Temple and the strength of the saints. I thought it would be perfect if there were music up there. Then the director asked if the youth could sing. With a nod and no audible pitch given they began singing "When 2 or 3 are gathered in my Name" They blended beautifully and brought tears to our eyes. No one spoke nor did we want to move. But the lack of air conditioning reminded us to keep moving.

The clock bells rings on the hour but we were glad it didn't chime as we surrounded it! We did hear screeching of birds of prey and wondered what they were doing. We breathed easier after hearing  it was a motion activation sound of falcons,eagles & hawks to scatter the birds and prevent them from nesting in the tower.
The view from the top windows was well worth the climb, even in the heat. The Temple is always a spiritual haven for me and this was no disappointment with the spirit of the young missionaries, their reverence, & singing.

The peek a boo game

Each Wednesday we have an hour missionary meeting. Last week we heard Dr. Perego share the DNA research telling us how it can support genealogy. They have researched people avowing descendancy from Joseph Smith (which have all been proven false due to the DNA research).

This week a Temple missionary, Brother Streuling,(a BYU accounting professor) shared his life story of growing up in Germany during WWII. He honored his mother with her strong love of family. She saved their physical lives more than once and saved their spiritual lives with her testimony of Jesus Christ and membership in the Church during the war. He reminded us that Hitler was legally voted in by the people then took away their freedoms and right to vote with lies.

Vocal Point, A Capella singers from BYU, entertained on the outdoor stage the last 2 weeks. Talk about ENERGY IN ALL CAPS! Great Beat boxing, humor, precision, blending and fun!

These are a few of the Young performing missionaries (stage and band) in their farewell performance for us Sunday Evening. It was  a very touching, moving, and tear filled presentation about peace and how to have it in our lives. It's not the absence of trial or conflict, but the presence of the Spirit of the Lord during those trials.

This is the end of all out door stage performances and guests until next Spring. Frowny face

 We love our apartment building with 4 vibrant, fun couples! We rotate kitchens for our weekly dinner & an hour of "Wacky 6" game. Laughter is a great healer!

They hail from a small town near Dallas,Texas,Bonneville,Utah,Spanish Fork, Utah & the NW.

This is a "Too Much chocolate Cake" that is guaranteed to blow your Weight Watcher points for the week! It's well worth it and even Gluten Free. Our downstairs neighbor loaned me her bundt cake pan and recipe. (Wonder why I kept thinking of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" as it baked?!)

The  bio feed corn & barn

The heat must have stunted the growth!