More Departures from FM

This is always a difficult thing to see but it's part of being in this mission.  People are coming and going constantly.  The incoming are much more fun than the departures.

Jim & Jolene Paxman left us the first weekend in October.  She was a painter and spent a bit of time cleaning as well.  Elder built more pickets than even he can count.  He did a the furniture moving as well.  They became such good friends.  I cherish their friendship!

The Spellmans left us early due to some health issues.  I really didn't know Sister Spellman very well as she was a site missionary and not on my cast for Sunset.  Elder Spellman worked in the mechanic shop.  I'm told that he worked slowly and methodically and that he liked to visit.  I didn't spend a lot of time with him either.  He left a hole in the mechanic shop.

Lon Simpson worked here for only 5 years but he is a master at building custom woodwork for historical sites.  He and his wife sold their home and moved somewhere south of here.  Lon was the king of the pun.  He always had some "smart" remark or one-liner in our morning meeting.  I don't think there is anyone out there with the skills that this man has.  He is missed.  Especially by Elders Howard and Schmidt who work in the carpentry shop.

The Paxmans

These beautiful people left us the beginning of October to go back to Canada.  I came to love them immensely in the short time we served together.  Sister Jolene Paxman was a painter/cleaner.  Elder James Paxman was a handyman specializing in building picket fences.

My Elder had the idea to create a "vase" out of pickets.  Then he had the conservation sisters fill it with things that would remind them of their time here.  As you can see, she was very surprised and delighted as it was presented to them.

There was a paint brush, a spatula that she used for spackle and a toilet brush among the flowers.

I created an Illinois and Canadian flag to add to the fun.  The bow was made from painters tape used as she helped paint the condos.

I wish I could have known them longer and spent more time with them.  They were so much fun and I miss them both.  He has such a fun, easy-going personality and she loved to laugh amid the work.  Some people leave an imprint on your heart and I'm finding so many of these people here in the mission are doing just that.

Views

A few Sundays ago we went for a drive "around the block" from Nauvoo to Fort Madison, down to Keokuk and back.  When you are across the river in Montrose, there is really spectacular views of the temple.  I wished I had brought a camera with a better zoom feature.

We drove a little further down the coastline of the river and were able to get a better side view of this magnificent structure.

These two are really the same photo.  One with the tree and shadow which I really like a lot.

Then two mornings last week the sun was rising as we went to work.  Before we left the compound to go out and do some things, I stopped and took this photo.  The best views of the temple are right outside my door.  Again, I wish I had a zoom.

It has been our blessing to attend the temple each week and sometimes multiple times.  It will close for two weeks in November.  That will really feel strange.  I love being so close and being reminded of the eternal nature of families as I pass by this structure daily.

Kettle Corn

In preparing for the Pumpkin Walk, we have to make kettle corn to give out to anyone and everyone.  Last year they gave out 5000 bags.  They made a bunch ahead and then made it onsite.

We spent two days making about 3000 bags.  We only stopped because we ran out of bags.

The oil, popcorn and sugar are put in the cooker and then stirred with the big wooden paddles until it is all popped.

President and Sister Lusvardi came in from carving pumpkins just in time to help with the very last batch.  Elder Pleshek and Carlson are giving President some instruction.

When Sister Prettyman first told Elder Pleshek that he needed an apron, gloves and eye protection, he wasn't very receptive to the idea.  It didn't take more than one batch to convince him otherwise.

That's a lot of kernals!

Elders Pleshek and Prettyman did a lot of popping!

Sister Prettyman and I helped a myriad of other sisters in bagging all the bags of popcorn and then putting them in trash bags to keep them fresh and make them easier to haul to the area on Mulholland where they were distributed. 

I will say that it was a lot of work, but it was so much fun!  It was very social to visit with all the Elders and Sisters while we worked.  I look forward to doing it again next year.

Pumpkin Walk 2019

Nauvoo hosts a Pumpkin Walk each year on or close to Halloween.  The FM purchases 500 pumpkins and people, including missionaries, spent a week tracing faces on them and carving them.  Erin was in town so she and I drew faces on 18 of them.  I, however, did not carve or hollow out a single one.

Then on the given day, all those pumpkins are set out along Mulholland street on bales and lit.  There are groups selling food and drinks and the missionaries give out kettle corn and candy.  This year we had wet weather so it kept the crowds down.  There were probably only 2500 people in town compared to the 5000 that came last year.

One of our FM employees and his wife came dressed as Mario and Princess Peach(?).

Others came in whatever costumes they had.  

Some of the pumpkins were extravagantly carved.

This individual is kind of creepy.

And speaking of creepy.....

The Bailies were part of the "crazy dancers."

Some were not carved as intricately, but still impressive.

There were rows of pumpkins in the park.

I liked this one.

Our baby oxen in training were even part of the parade.

The Chinese dragon always participates in the parade.  My Elder and I were part of those legs under that dragon.  

I have a hard time understanding how people can be so crazy about Halloween.

Our Prophet's Daughters

On Sunday evening we had a special fireside with the Irions and the Websters.  The Irions are serving as temple president and matron and the Websters are 6 month temple workers.  Sister Gloria Irion and Sylvia Webster are two of the daughters of President Russell M. Nelson.

It was a joy to listen to them talk about their daddy.  They always referred to him as "Daddy."  It was also fun to listen to President Irion and Brother Webster talk about being a son-in-law and dating a Nelson daughter.

They talked about how busy President Nelson's schedule is and how he has very little time for himself and his vast family.  They schedule important events around his schedule.  He loves to attend baptisms and baby blessings for his grandchildren.  At this point most of them are greats and 2nd great grandchildren having those special moments.

When a new Nelson grand arrives, he is usually the first to visit at the hospital if he's in town. 

One of the things he loves to do is buy his daughters a dress for their birthday.  Sister Webster talked about how they all go out together and there are clothes everywhere.  (Kind of like it was when they lived at home.)  No wonder they refer to him as "Daddy."

This is a photo of the family these days with all of the children and their children and their children.  You get the idea.  The daughters spoke about their mother.  They referred to her as "Mother."  They said what a patient woman she was and how kind and how they miss her.  But, they also spoke so highly of Wendy Watson Nelson as the wife of their daddy.  How they love her and are grateful for her support of their dad.
One of the interesting things they said was that President Nelson taught all of them to ski and he loves to ski!  He skied up until his call as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  His body guards could not keep up with him and there was no way for them to keep him safe.  I so enjoyed getting to know our prophet on a more personal note.
It was a wonderful evening spent with these people.  We have come to know and love President Irion.  I've felt a connection with Sister Webster.  If we had time, I think we could become good friends.  Either way, they will be missed when they leave in the next two weeks.

YSMs

In the Illinois Nauvoo Mission we have lots of senior couples and a lot of young sister missionaries as well.  The new sisters come in the Spring.  The experienced sisters train them when they get back from their outbound assignments.  Each time we have the opportunity to have the young sisters in our homes, (when we get a dinner assignment on a Sunday night) we have given them a small beaded Nauvoo temple.

Sisters Stepper and Reed wanted to learn how to make their own.  They were the first ones to come over and make their own temples.

Then Sister G'aleai and Baldwin wanted to learn.  Sister G'aleai wasn't afraid to try Elder Pleshek's lighted beading glasses.

They each made a different temple.  I love these two and can't wait til they come back in the Spring.  Sister G'aleai went to Los Angeles and Sister Baldwin if off to Richmond, VA.

Then there is Sister Chipvsu from Zimbabwe.  She's a doll and I love her so much.  She's off to the Utah Ogden mission. Here companion was Sister Tia.  She left last week.  She is another of my favorite young sisters.  I'm amazed how we get to know these gems and love them so dearly in such a short time. 
When we got here, there were so many couples and YSMs that it was all I could do to learn the names of the seniors with whom we interacted and danced with.  I'm finally learning the names of the young sisters missionaries and today was the last day any of them were here.

I look forward to having them come back in late March and then loving them all the more.  This place is incredible to be missionary!

One Year Old x 2

Henry & Lydia were born last year at this time and today we celebrate their first birthday.  Where has the time gone?  They're such good little munchkins.  Their personalities are very different.

It has been a treat to have them live with us in our home.  Of course, the last four months we haven't been there.  But they're traveling to Nauvoo today so we will get to kiss their sweet faces.

Lydia is a go-getter.  She loves to explore and check things out.  She is just beginning to walk.  Henry, on the other hand, is much more content to be a watcher rather than a doer.  He either isn't as adventurous or just doesn't care.  He's a chill little guy.

When we left 4 months ago, their cribs didn't need to be in the lower position.  Just look at those happy faces!  They are a miracle and I love them immensely!

Pumpkin Days

One of the opportunities we have is to go with a group of other missionaries and do "Nauvoo on the Road."  We travel to events and set up our interactive display of weaving, rope making, toys and games.  When people come and get involved in our activities, we talk to them about Nauvoo and invite them to come.

On October 5th we were in Donnelson, Iowa for their annual Pumpkin Days.  It is a farm/gift shop/play area.  It's really an event set up for families.  There are a lot of activities for children.  There are a lot of pumpkins, gourds and squash for sale.  My husband can't go to an event like this and not buy something memorable.  I know this pumpkin will rot and I'll have to throw it away, but for now it sits by our door.  I think the young ladies that painted it did an amazing job.  I love it!

One more Nauvoo on the Road next week and things can be put away until next year.  There's one this week but we don't have to go.  We're on for the 19th in Hannibal, MO.  No big surprise why we got assigned to go to that one.  

Birthday Cruise

We got permission to take off a bit early on my birthday to go to Hannibal, MO to do a river cruise.  It was a cool, rainy day in Nauvoo when we left.  By the time we were north of Quincy, the skies were clear and sunny.

When we went to buy our tickets for the cruise, the captain saw our missionary name tags and asked if we were coming or going.  My husband explained that we got here in June but today was my birthday and we came to do the cruise.

Here's a shot of the pilot house from the top of the boat.

When we got there, we had lunch and ate it on the deck of the boat.

It was really warm.  I believe I got a bit of sun on my neck and arms as well as the tops of my feet.  When we got back in the truck it was 91 degrees.  The Mississippi river is so muddy and dirty.  Perhaps that's because of all the barge traffic.  Or maybe its just dirty.

We had our portrait taken before entering the boat.  I paid more than I should have for the picture, but it turned out so nice and we both wanted it.

There were a few very nice homes up on the bluffs above the river.  Look at all those windows!

It really was quite windy as the flag testifies. 

Because the captain was told back in the ticket office/souvenir shop that it was my birthday, he asked me to come into the pilot house as we were getting back to the dock and asked me to steer the ship.  I don't think I really did anything, but it was really nice of him to ask me to come in and do something special. 

We've seen this lighthouse both times we've been in Hannibal for touring.  There are 250 steps to the top and I want to climb them.  Last time it was probably 98 degrees and this day wasn't much cooler although the humidity was a bit less.  I'm going back to do it yet.

One of the things I found really interesting was the numbers on the bridge.  It tells how much clearance there is to the bottom of the bridge.  Smart!  I knew it couldn't be water depth because the numbers were getting lower instead of higher as they went up. 
It was such a wonderful day!  I'll remember it always.