Fall Leaves

In a school presentation this last week, our ten year old grandson talked about the "spectacular experience" of seeing colorful falling leaves this time of year.  It is kind of an oxymoron in that Nathen lives in southern Arizona, where leaves, for the most part, do not change color and drop.  But George and I have enjoyed experiencing our first real Fall in many years.  The trees are shedding their leaves, changing to vibrant hues of gold and red, and it is fun to walk through the crunchy leaves.  Okay, it is getting cold too.  I think we have seen the last of our warm days and this morning we woke up to our first hard freeze and walked in 28 degree weather.

Wentzville, MO downtown

Friday, we got out of the mission office and did some apartment inspections.  We shared insights from President Nelson's talk on the Book of Mormon.  I also discovered that Sister Nielsen and I share the same ancestor a few generations back.  We even stopped in Wentzville and enjoyed probably our last custard at Fritz's on the way back to St Louis.  Many of the custard stores close for the Winter.

Fall Leaves

We have witnessed a baptism in our branch of Rose's granddaughter.  When I saw the green water in the font, I thought for a minute we were in the Philippines.  Yikes!  Rose was baptized a little over a year ago, recently went to the Temple for her endowment and now her granddaughter has been baptized.  Rose also spoke at our Stake Conference this weekend.  The congregation loved her honesty in sharing her conversation story.  She credited a young missionary (who returned home a couple of months ago) in challenging her to find answers in the scriptures for herself.

Fall Leaves
Daily I talk to many missionaries for one reason or another, but at our Stake Conference Saturday evening, we greeted many missionaries in person.  We will miss this time in our lives.  We love the missionaries serving in the Missouri St Louis Mission.  We have been here long enough to see growth and strong testimonies.  Another group of missionaries will return home in twenty two days and a new ones will arrive the following day.  Time marches on. . .    

Nathen, Tyler, Alex, and Kaylee

It was four weeks ago today, our two year old grandson became critically ill.  Today Alex is still in the hospital, but he runs and giggles and talks.  Our boy is back!  He still has some obstacles to overcome, but we feel so blessed for the small daily miracles and outpouring of love for our son's family.

Saturday it was "Flood the Temple Day" for a stake about four hours from here.  They came and worked throughout the day, and by the day's end 3,000 ordinances were completed.  Serving in the St Louis Temple, has been a highlight of our mission.        

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