Popeye the Sailor Man's home town

We love to explore the our part of Illinois on Monday's, prep day. We have mostly gone north so today we headed south! Lots of quaint old towns . We stopped in Chester which is the hometown of Popeye the Sailor Man! The Popeye museum was closed so we just peeked into the windows.  So cute.  The side of buildings are painted with Popeye scenes and statues all around town.  

We stopped and had lunch in Murphysboro at a cute little Bar and Grill that had great BBQ Ribs.  

Then we stopped at the Southern Illinois University and drove around the campus. They have a beautiful lake and so many trees and trails. You'll see that the trees are pretty bare. Three week ago was the peak color time.

When we got home we got our Light the World treats ready and took them to 4 different houses.  We wanted to leave them anonymously, but one house had a Ring doorbell and Dan tried to hide his face, it was pretty funny,   We dropped them off at the Turney family,  a young couple with 2 small kids. Next the Trice family.  She is a single mom with 3 teenagers. Then on to the Woolfs, an empty nester couple.  Last the Edwards family. They have 4 kids all ages. We are so anxious to hear how it's going but can't ask anyone. We did stop at one house and saw that they had displayed their "Light the World" square on their door!  

Tuesday Andrew needed a ride to the doctors. We picked him up and took him over to a medical facility nearby.  I have gotten comfortable going places where we are the only white folks that I didn't even think about it until a security guy came up to us and asked what we were doing there. We explained we were with Andrew.  A little later, while Andrew was still seeing the doctor, the receptionist came over and asked what we were doing there. That afternoon we visited with Robert and shared a "Light the World" video/message with him. In the evening the Relief Society had an activity. They had invited the young women to join them in making emergency dinners to freezer for when needed. I went and it was just me and the Relief Society President until the young women got there.  There ended up being  3 young women and 3 RS leaders I visited with them for a little while, then headed home.

Wednesday was District Council. Two of our missionaries are going home. We are so sad to see them go.  They are great missionaries. We are pretty sure Sister Booth will be transferred this coming week.  She has been in our Ward the whole time we have been here.  She knows everyone and we all depend on her.  I'm sure she is ready to move to a new Ward.  In the afternoon we visited  a few families and shared "Light the World" messages with them.

Sister Booth, Sister Ball, Sister Crane, Sister Jeppson, Elder Beesley,

Sister Beesley, Elder Haslam, Elder Heiner, Elder DeLapp and Elder Tonks.

Thursday morning Dan met with Brother Webb, the Elder's Quorum President. He loves to cook so he prepared lunch for Dan and was sad I didn't come. He sent home some lunch for me. They had a good visit about some of the members we need to focus on.  In the afternoon we shared more "Light the World" videos with people.  That evening Dan went with Bishop to give Debbie Craig a blessing.  She is becoming such a good friend. She is less active but wants so much to come back to church. 

Friday we went to the Temple and then went over to the Jones's house for dinner. They are a senior couple that serve in  the Missouri side St. Louis.  Elder Davis was there too.  His wife was sick and couldn't make it.

Saturday Sister Craig and I went our to lunch.  Dan drove me to her house and we went together.  That way he had a car.  We had so much fun. We laughed, cried and shared so much with each other.  She said she would be there at church on Sunday.  But sadly she didn't make it.

Sunday, Dan spoke in church on The Gift of Grace.  He did great!  We had about 10 returning members and new friends at church!  It was amazing.  After church we visited a few more members of the Ward and shared "Light the World" with them.  We love going into the members home and getting to know them better. Sunday night always ends with MCM where we talk about all our new friends and returning members. It's a great way to finish the Sabbath.

Emily and Jane are coming next Sunday to spend Thanksgiving with us. We are so excited for them to be here with us.