Friday, February 03, 2017 – Farewell Breakfast, Coleus, Maryann Hancock & Kerri Trost, Temple

Once again we had an early morning “Farewell Breakfast” for missionaries who are departing the Illinois, Nauvoo Mission for home. Today we honored three, Elder Roger & Sis. Joyce Stroud and Sis. Mary Cluff.  The breakfast was good but the program and music was even better. 

All departing missionaries put on skits, musical numbers or perform on stage. Well, Sis. Cluff is an accomplished singer and she really put on a feast for the ears this morning. And, since this coming week we are commemorating the Exodus from Nauvoo 171 years ago, the Strouds & Sis. Cluff’s program honored the Prophet Joseph Smith, the restoration of the Gospel and commemorated the sacrifice of the early pioneers as they struggled to worship according to the dictates of their consciences; and then were driven out of Nauvoo in the dead of a bitter winter in 1846.

One of the highlights of the farewell breakfast was singing “Farewell Nauvoo” to the Strouds & Sis. Cluff. To sing this song is always an emotional and tender moment as we bid the departing missionaries farewell. As we finish the song and wave goodbye to them, there is never a dry eye in the building; truly a powerful moment.

Back at FM our entire work day was processing Coleus cuttings and preparing them for rooting. We got another 500 cuttings done today. We’ve been doing this for three days straight and we still aren’t finished. Maybe will get the job done next Monday.

 

We had a surprise visitor to the greenhouse today. Richard’s wife, Maryann brought her new baby, Alice Ann, to show to Sis. Johnson & I. What a beautiful baby and of course “Grandma Johnson” snatched her up right away!