What?....it's Autumn?

Oh my goodness, we're so sorry to get so behind...it just feels like it's only been one week, not three since we posted.  We've been busy and happy and healthy (kinda) and loving our cool weather here.  We continue to enjoy our time at the sites, but in between the tour groups, who seem to rush through everything, it is very quiet.  We're on the fall schedule now, so our shifts have gone from 6 hours to 5 1/2.  Some days we will be scheduled to do temple work, some days we will have the opportunity to serve in Carthage.

We're sad to have some of our dearest friends leaving these next few days...in fact so many are leaving that they are combining the three "Rendezvous" casts and making two...it feels like a ward division, where everyone is sad that we can't be with some of your friends anymore.  Such is life...we have rehearsals this Sunday with our new casts. We had our whole cast attend a temple session last week...so wonderful to be with your "mission family" in that sacred place.  Then tonight, we all met at a Mexican restaurant in Hamilton (half-way between Nauvoo and Carthage) for dinner (celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and mourning the loss of those soon leaving).

We've had the opportunity to have the young sisters come and teach us each week.  I'm Yolanda, living here with my boyfriend Pablo...I have a 12 and 13 yr. old, we have a 3 yr. old, and we're on welfare.  Pablo was an agnostic, but we actually went to church last week...my boys learned that with faith you can move mountains.  I wanted to know if the Book of Mormon talks about faith. I guess we kinda committed to baptism in Oct.  It's been fun...and I love the spirit that these beautiful sisters bring with them.  I wish I could write down what they say and use it to share the gospel with others.  We're definitely learning from them. I picture cute Jenny McCune out doing this soon!

Last Monday we had the Crowleys over for dinner and an evening of Mille Borne (remember that card game?).  We were supposed to go with the Morgans up to Kalona, Iowa today ...an Amish/Mennonite community...quilt country...they were having their fall festival....we were all ready to go...then Sis. Morgan called to say her husband had been sick all night.  We took a rain check...but were all ready for an outing, so we headed over into Iowa, to Cantril, another Amish community with a great store called "The Dutchman"...a delightful place..besides fun foods, fabric, etc. we picked up two big, beautiful pumpkins at 2 for $3.  We enjoyed lunch again at Bonaparte's Retreat, a walk around Bentonsport, and a stop at a wonderful farm with tons of pumpkins (see photos).  A beautiful bright autumn day...even spotted a few colorful leaves (my favorite thing).

Well, we continue to love serving, sharing the stories of this most wonderful place, getting to meet people from all over the world, and love it when people who have never heard of Nauvoo, but just happened upon it, find themselves so happy here, and deciding to stay...they're feeling something and learning much.  Just wish every single one of them would realize the incredible life changing message they've come across.  We just pray that at some future time they'll remember, then embrace the restored gospel.  We can't thank Heavenly Father enough for this blessing in our lives.