Changing of the Guard

Temple presidencies change September 1. This year it's easy because September 1 is a Monday. The old presidency finished up on Saturday and the new one starts this week on Tuesday after what is a normal weekend break.

1st Counselor President Kooyman and Sister Kooyman (l) 
Sister and President Church in the middle
Sister and 2nd Counselor President Oesterle (r)

Last week we had a farewell dinner for Chris and Jane Church, Sid and Roxanne Kooyman, and Steve and Chris Oesterle, all great people. The Churches live in Nauvoo and his counselors rent apartments like we do on the Flats. The Kooymans are from Otumwa, Iowa, and the Oesterles live in Waterloo, Iowa.

President Church had a quiet style of leadership. We knew he was at the helm but never felt he was watching for us to make mistakes.

Sister Church is likewise quiet, but always available whenever we needed her help or guidance.

Although President Kooyman (pronounced Koyman) had a military-type bearing, he expressed his appreciation for the work we do as well as thanking patrons for coming to the temple often. He set us apart when we first got here, blessed Arline to get her voice back, and often asked how she was doing. No one was more pleased than he was when she could talk again!

Sister Kooyman was also quiet, but quick to step in where needed, including helping in the laundry when things got crazy there.

President Oesterle (prounced Ohsterly) always had a smile and made us feel like we were an important part of keeping the temple running.

Sister Oesterle was likewise warm and friendly, always asking us to share our thoughts.

They've been wonderful to work with and we'll miss them.


Holbrooks, Churches, Petterborgs

Dave served with President Church and current another temple missionary, Rex Petterborg, in the England Central Mission in 1970-72. They weren't ever companions, just all in the same mission at the same time. It was fun for them to reconnect here.

The new presidency consists of Richard and Karen Thurman from Macomb, Illinois (a couple of hours away from Nauvoo). The other two couples are the Gilchrists and Luthys.


This is both presidencies with the Churches and Thurmans in the middle, flanked by the counselors and assistant matrons.

The Thurmans and the Gilchrists have been ordinance workers and we've gotten to know them--they're great. The Luthys have been ordinance workers but took some time off to get ready for their three-year assignment. They're all well qualified, and we're looking forward to getting to know them better in the upcoming weeks. The counselors will live in housing like the temple missionaries have because they don't live close.

One of the temple missionaries made a cross stitch for each couple in the presidency. It mimcs the style of a sampler in the temple. She did a great job!

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