The Tallest Man in the World!

 After last weeks experience with our car, we took it into another place to be fixed, hoping all would go well this time.  Dropped it off at 7:00 am and by 10:00 they were done!!  We were so happy!  We decided since we still had the whole day, we would go exploring.  We had heard about Alton and a few things there to see and do.  There was a man, Robert Pershing Wadlow, that lived in Alton in 1918-1940 that was 8 foot 11 1/2 inches tall!  They have a statue of him at a park, so we drove over to see it.  It told a little about his life.  At the age of 5 he was 5'6" tall wore clothes that would fit a 17 year old. At the age of 13 he was 7' 4" tall.  He became a well traveled ambassador for the city of Alton and was known for his positive attitude and gentle manner.  

Just a few miles away were the remains of a prison from the Civil War.  It is right off the shore of the Mississippi.  

This is the brick road leading to the prison walls

Then we went over to see the Piasa Bird painted on a cliff.  Legend has it that it was a man-eating monster from the Native American folklore that associated with Alton, IL.   The mythical man-eating monster would swoop down and carry off hunters.  

We ate lunch at a cute little restaurant near by.  On our way home we stopped by SIUE (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville)   They have beautiful gardens there.  I loved all the trees and flowers everywhere!

After we got home we got a phone call from Sister Heiman.  She is an less active sister we had been to see a few weeks earlier.  She said she was looking for a little project and wondered if she could do any of our families genealogy for us.  I gave her William Pew's name but after a few hours she called back and said she couldn't find anything new on him.  I was excited she even reached out to us.  Later that evening we got to participate in a lesson with the Sisters teaching Bernard.  

Tuesday we met with Andrew and talked to him about listening to Conference.  We talked about Prophets and Apostles and the opportunity we get to hear from them twice a year.  After our visit with him we drove around to 9 different homes, passing out flyers for people to watch conference.  We felt pretty good, we talked to 5 out of the 9!

Wednesday was District Council.  Love these mornings with the Elders and Sisters.  Transfers are this week and a few were sure they would be transferred.  Wednesday after Council we met with the Gutierrez's.  He is so fun to talk to and we learned alot about them and their family.  That night we taught Heaven.  We encouraged her to watch conference and I made a Conference Bingo Card for her and some M&M's for markers.  Hopefully they watched it.

Me with Heaven

Thursday we had a little time before our Interview with the President, so we decided to go look up this one fellow that the missionaries couldn't find because his address was a Carpet Store! We got totally lost and frustrated trying to get to the store.  Roads were closed and directions were taking us all over the place.  Just about ready to give up, Dan said, "Let's try one more time then we'll call it good."  This time we actually made it to the store.  We went in and asked the employee if he knew Dean Rigsby.  They guy said YES!  He lives in the RV parked at the side of the store.  We went out and there he was taking his laundry off a clothes line.  We introduced ourselves and he said, "So you finally found me".  He seems so happy to talk to us.  We invited him to watch conference and he asked, "So who's the prophet today?"  We're going back this week to see if he actually got to watch.  That afternoon we met with Rocky Morrisette and his wife.  He told us that he was working hard to receive the blessings of the gospel again.  Such a sweet man.  His wife is an Interfaith Pastor. She was so kind.  Later that afternoon we had an interview with President McKay.  It was short and he was pleased with how we are doing.  

Friday we decided that we needed a TV to watch Conference on.  So we found 43 inch smart 4K TV for $100!!  A tender mercy & MIRACLE FOR OUR DAY.  We bought it!!  We visited with Robert Taylor.  The day before, because he was feeling better, he tried to do some yard work and over did it.  Our goal is to get the Ward over to help him with a few things.  He was so weak and needed milk and a few bananas.  So we ran to the store for him.  He was so grateful.  

Saturday and Sunday were spent watching Conference!!  The Sisters came over and watched Saturday afternoon and evening sessions with us and had dinner.  We love having them over.  The Bishop has asked us to help make the Missionary Coordination Meeting work better.  Dan had an appointment with the Elders Quorum Councilor over missionary work to help him run the meeting a little more affective.  He canceled at the last minute so we got the Relief Society Councilor to conduct.  This is one place the ward mission leaders could use our support.  We're trying.  

Life is good and Conference was amazing!!