Service in Fort Madison

In Fort Madison the local churches have community meals the last week of each month for those people who may be running low of food/money.  This helps provide them with meals to get them through until the next payday.  The local branch provides the meal on the Wednesday and occasionally there is a need for someone to take over of the last Friday.  

This is where the FM missionaries come in.  Jared, our painter who is the Elder's Quorum president in the Fort Madison branch, lets us know and we make and serve the meal.  Last night we had the opportunity to do this again. 

My sweetheart and I were in charge of making the mashed potatoes and gravy.  Then we served the meal.  I felt like Edna Buettner serving mashed potatoes.

Sister Carlson and Peterson served the salads, my Elder served the meat, I did the potatoes, Sister Gibbs put on the gravy and Elder Gibbs served up the green beans and if someone wanted the seafood linguine that was prepared he would give you that too.  It was intended for any of the Catholics that don't want meat on a Friday.  The lady put shrimp and mussels in it.  If it was just shrimp it would have been tasty, but the mussels made it smell like a pond. 

We had a good time working together and serving these people.  They are so appreciative.  Life is great especially when we get to serve!

Barrows and Prettymans

Yesterday was the Farewell testimonies and flag presentations for Elder and Sister Barrow and Prettyman.  Each couple received a flag and had the opportunity to say a few words.

Elder Barrow said he's going home and will climb up in his attic and stand straight up.  Also, if he ever builds another house and it has a basement, he'll be able to do the same.  He's crawled around every attic and basement in the sites and enjoys being upright. 

Sister Barrow recited a poem to us that was silly since Elder Prettyman recited one prior.  She made us all laugh.  She has worked so hard as a grounds sister.  She's helped in the paint shop as well when we need help sanding.  There's always sanding to do.  She bore a powerful testimony.  I'll miss her.

Sister Prettyman bore a powerful testimony and did her best not to be emotional.  It didn't work but she held it together pretty well.  Elder Prettyman told us that we FM missionaries do more than just sit around in the sites and tell stories.  We actually go out and do the things that the early saints did.  We take care of gardens and clean homes and fix and maintain.  That got a pretty rousing laugh from everyone present.  I don't know about President and Sister Rizley.  They were there but I didn't look back to see if they understood.  I look forward to staying in touch with this beautiful couple.  They're off next March to Adam-ondi-Ahman to serve there.

Leaving is Bittersweet

I wish I had done this earlier but didn't think about it.  In our Historic Site Training last week, we didn't have any training.  Rather, we had the testimonies of the six couples who will be leaving us in the next week.

Bruce and Allison Cornwell from Washington state have finished their service.  She was the scheduler so I didn't have to do anything with her since my schedule in FM doesn't change.  He is the mission photographer and has posted some amazing photos on Facebook and has shared them with us as missionaries via google docs.

Dee and Mary Barrow will go back to North Carolina.  She worked as one of the grounds sisters and I had the opportunity to work with her for 2 1/2 months.  He worked with Jason in HVAC.  They are lovely people and I appreciate their friendship.

Karen and Brent Bingham are leaving to go back to their home in Taylorsville, Utah.  She worked in the office in finance and he is the mission doctor.  I don't know either of them very well, but have found them to have very unique personalities.

Larry and Jody Prettyman are dear, dear friends from Helper, Utah.  She worked in conservation/housing.  Those ladies clean and inventory sites.  They also clean housing.  He worked as the heavy equipment operator.  He plows snow and cleans out the burn pit.  When we needed more parking space, I was amazed as I watched what he did in turning a piece of ground into a smooth space in which to make a parking lot.

Clair and Carolyn Davis, from Clifton, Idaho worked in Carthage over the last five months.  They're site missionaries obviously.  I had a tour given by Elder Davis a few months ago and was so impressed with him.  He invited the Spirit so strongly and I appreciated it very much.

From now on, I'll be sharing more about all the missionaries leaving rather than just those from FM.

FM 2019

The following six photos are all about the same.  This is our FM group from the summer of 2019.  Unfortunately, there are a few people missing.  I don't see Richard Hancock or Elder and Sister Schmidt or Keeton.  

This photo was taken in July so we were very new to the mission and I didn't even know all these people yet.  I knew the names of some of the employees and all of the missionaries but didn't have a clue about the summer employees or the interns.

I've found out that each time there's a photo taken, there has to be one with silliness.  I'm not a fan of that so didn't do anything crazy or silly. 

After spending almost nine months here, I've come to love these people.  Having the opportunity to work in the office for 2+ months gave me the chance to get to know the full timers.  I love those that I know.  They're great people.  They feel like a big, crazy family.

As I look at the faces of the missionaries in these photos, I've come to realize that a lot of these people, actually most of them, have already left us.  There are so many new comers. 

In fact, we were the newbies in this picture and now, seven months later, there are only six couples in this photo that are still here and two of them are leaving on Monday!

I will treasure this photo along with the next one we take this summer forever as these are such wonderful people whom we have had the privilege of getting to know and love.  Serving together shoulder to shoulder day after day brings people together in a way that can happen in no other way.  Just in case you didn't know, I love these people!

Willard Richards Inn

Last week a group of FM missionaries got together and went to the Willard Richards Inn for dinner.  We were celebrating the honorable missions of Elders and Sisters Barrow, Prettyman and Howard.  They are dear friends and will be missed.  We had a lovely evening togeher.

The Bailies and Harkers dined together.

The Howards and Prettymans enjoyed their evening eating together.

The Mensels and Gibbs enjoyed their meal together.

We ate with the Barrows and Carlsons.  I believe everyone had a great time.  Diana, who runs the inn, let us tour the place if we wanted.  Since we did last time we were there, we didn't feel it necessary to do so again.

The time she opened the wine cellar for us to see.  Those big wine vats are empty.  Diana said she would love to serve a meal in this space.  Unfortunately, the floor is heaved in the center and it makes a very uneven surface so it really isn't feasible in that respect.  There is a direct stairway to the kitchen which is why she would wonder if she could make it work.

It was a very lovely evening with some of the lovliest people on earth!

It's a Nauvoo Miracle

Last year at this time, Rosy had left employment at Hoffman Wood Fiber and I had to step in and take over that job.  I immediately began asking everyone I could think of if they knew anyone who was looking for a job as we already had our mission call.  Chad's sister in law came to my rescue and took the job.  I told her that I prayer her there.
Two weeks ago, Kim told Pat that she had taken another job and gave her two weeks notice.  I immediately got to my knees and started petitioning my Father in Heaven to provide someone that we could trust to do the job.  I gave Pat all my thoughts on who he could ask.
Yesterday I was in the temple.  Prior to the endowment session, I petitioned once again, my Father and told Him of our great need to have someone presented to take the job.  Just at the end of the session a prayer was offered that anyone in this company who had come to the temple with a specific need would have it answered.  I went home and decided that God would provide. 
Today Pat and I spoke and we talked about another possibility or two.  Kim's last day is tomorrow and we need someone NOW!  About 2pm, Pat texted me and asked me if I knew a Debra Trinko.  Yes I do!  She walked into the mill and handed Pat her resume and was looking for work.  I told him to HIRE HER!
Tears filled my eyes as I knew this was a direct answer to my prayers.  In this place we call that a "Nauvoo Miracle."  I am again humbled to know just how much my Father loves me and is in the details of my life. 

Cabinet Maker in Training

With the professionals in the cabinetry shop all going/gone home, this guy is learning a new craft.  This is a door for a new vanity in the Tin Shop.

Today the base of the vanity was brought over to the paint shop to get taken care of.  I can hardly wait to see the finished product.  I'm so proud of this guy and his willingness to learn a new skill.

Sometimes Brigham Needs Help

I'm not really sure what was wrong with this frame surrounding the portrait of Brigham Young, but the handyman came to the rescue!

Sister Whiting was there and sent me these photos.

Sometimes the small acts make such a difference.  I'm sure Brigham appreciates it.

Lucy Mack Smith Home

Sometimes we have a job that doesn't take very long and isn't very hard.  This was the case in the Lucy Mack Smith Home.

Sister Allen and I went there and needed to make the floor look beautiful again.  We spent, maybe an hour, putting an Old English polish on the floor.  Not the entire floor but only where it was needed.  This space was looking pretty bad.  Not anymore.  The bare wood look is gone.

I like these small jobs that make such a difference.

Williams Weeks Home

Two weeks ago, Sister Howard and I were sent to the William Weeks home to strip the paint off of the two mantles.  This is what they looked like before we began.  Several coats of paint on both of them.

We worked on this one for three days.  We found faux wood paint underneath and so we are to take the top coats of paint off without disturbing the faux finish.  It doesn't always happen.

This tedious job is taking hours and I'm betting when all is said and done, that this mantle will be sanded and repainted.

If you know what to look for, you can see the faux wood painted over the wood.  Why did the people do that?  It's already wood and has a wood grain.  Why paint a fake wood grain over it?  This particular fireplace  may not be saved.

This fireplace, however, is faux painted to make it look like marble.  Since William Weeks was the architect of the Nauvoo temple and there is marble in the temple, the historic department has said that this fireplace will be saved.  Once the paint is off of this one, it will be sealed and no further restoration will happen.  

Sister Howard has been working for two weeks straight on those fireplaces.  I have moved on to other projects.  One of them is to paint the basement of the Weeks home.  In order to get down there, you have to navigate this very narrow stairway.  There is actually a door from the outside so things can be taken down there.  Like tools and a shop vac.  

Sister Odum and I sucked up the dust, primed and painted this space.  We ran out of paint on Friday so we will have to go back on Monday and finish the job.  Elder Flanders came by on Thursday to work and asked to take my photo to show his wife how narrow this staircase is.  He said it reminds him of the Nutty Putty caves.

Again, I am able to work in these historic homes and keep them beautiful.  Who else gets to do this?  I love it!

Security

The weekend, part-time security officer retired at the end of the year and the senior couples at FM have been asked to fill in until someone else if hired.  The retiring guy was in his 80's.  I'm not sure who wants a job that requires you to work every Saturday and Sunday evening and all holidays.  Elder Cornwell took this photo as Elder Pleshek came around the back side of the Riser Boot Shop.  That's the Pountain house in the background.

Security involves making sure that everything is locked.  We did find a few sites with unlocked doors.  It also involves emptying all the trash but this time of year, that really isn't an issue.  It took us two hours on Saturday evening and 1 1/2 hours on Sunday.  Since Monday was a holiday, we worked then as well.  I didn't work on Monday.  Elder Scott volunteered to work with my husband.  I think they had a good time as we're pretty good friends with the Scotts.

Hopefully, someone will want this job and we won't have to do it in the summer.

Valentines Day

I've never been one to celebrate Valentine's day.  But when you have a dinner and dance planned with the rest of the mission, you go and have fun.  Although this photo of us with Rick and Sherry doesn't look like we're having a good time.

It was a potluck dinner and everything was delicious!  I've made deviled eggs for three different events so far and have not had any luck in peeling them.  I don't know if it's the Iowa chickens or what?  They don't look great, but they taste that way.

Elder Cornwell was busy taking everyone's photo.  We were asked to wear our site/pioneer clothing.  This is my new dress and I like it a lot.  I never had a dress made and fitted to me before.

We danced several different group dances in which you still have a partner.  The only one I remember the name of is The Virginia Reel.  It was a really fun evening.  I love my life and I love serving with these beautiful people of this Historic Site Mission!

A Broken Toilet Seat

Two weeks ago we were at the Big10 painting in apartment 202.  I was doing some touch up painting  in the corners near the ceiling in the bathroom.  I didn't have a ladder so I stepped on the toilet seat and stood on the vanity to do my work.  When I stepped down, the toilet cover splintered into several pieces and I went down.  Not into the toilet either.  

Somehow, I tried to recover my balance by twisting my body and putting the weight onto my left foot.  I somehow landed with my back against the tub.  I landed hard and it hurt really badly.  I don't know how I didn't twist my ankle.  

I needed another paint roller and went back to the compound to get one.  I found my husband and told him what happened and asked for a blessing as I was one hurting puppy.  He and Elder Mensel gave me that blessing and I immediately felt relief from the pain.  

I went back to work painting and it was a good thing I did.  I know if I would've gone home, my body would have stiffened up and I wouldn't have been able to move the next day.  As it was, I slept on my back as that was the only way I was comfortable.  I was glad it was a Friday as it gave me a few days to rest.  There's still  some bruising and discomfort from time to time, but I'm mostly better.  

I will still stand on the vanity to reach those places I cannot reach standing on a ladder.  But I will use a ladder to get up there and not the cheap toilet seat cover.

The Duck Truck

About a month ago, the FM got a bunch of new trucks.  Unfortunately those of us who work in the paint shop and the handyman don't get our trucks replaced.  There are several of them sitting in the lot at the compound assigned to no one.  

I don't know why or where it came from, but my Elder siliconed a duck decoy to the top of his truck since he has an old truck.  Notice the big dent in the door.  That was there before he ever drove it.

Elder Prettyman calls it "the duck truck."

Sister Green took this photo and sent it.  We love Elder and Sister Green.  They are working here in Nauvoo as pageant missionaries.  They are the ones who decide who gets to be in the pageant and what cast they are in.  They will be replaced this summer by the Dixons.

Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servants

Just before the Schmidts left last week, we had an FM missionary burger bash to celebrate those who would be leaving us in the next six weeks.  We ate a delicious meal and then let them tell us what their plans are.

These wonderful people are going to be missed so badly since there are no more FM missionaries coming until June!

The Barrows and Prettymans leave us the first week of March.  

The Howards leave mid March and the Schmidts left on January 31st.  Both of these men work in the carpentry/cabinet shop. They have some amazing skills.

This was the last day these guys worked together in the carpentry shop.  Elder Carlson is the newest missionary to work there.  What a great group of talented guys!

There are a lot of senior couples here but there are only about 15 couples that work in FM.  We get very close as we work together day in and day out.  We love the Site missionaries and Teamsters, but there is something special about our group!

Another Game Night

Last week we invited the Prettymans and the Bailies over to have dinner with us and then play some games.  Sister Bailie was getting over an illness so she didn't come. Boo!

We played Cover Your Assets and had a great time.  We got together a few days later and had dinner together again and played more games.  The Prettymans are leaving in a month so we've got to get all the time in we can with them before they leave us.

There are such wonderful people here that we love dearly.  They are the friends we never knew we had.

Browning Gun Inventory and Cleaning

Once the Browning Gun Shop was finished, the conservation crew went in and inventoried everything in the place.  That was quite a job too.

One of the things we pulled off the wall prior to painting was this little plaque telling about the machine gun.  I wasn't too keen on having it put back up on the wall using double sided stickies.  My inventive Elder created a frame for it and it just sits on top of the gun.  It can be hung on the wall if necessary.

Part of doing the inventory was to take the glass off of the gun cases (safes) and clean inside.  That meant that all the items inside would have to be taken out.

Each item has a inventory number so they all needed to be taken out.

Dusting them and putting labels back that had fallen was part of the process.

There were quite a few Elders there ogling the guns as the glass was very heavy and needed several of them to lift it off.

These are museum pieces so they need to be handled very carefully.

This was a one of a kind event for these missionaries.  I don't believe these gun cases are cleaned very often.

Not only guns but sabers or swords in the cases.

Notice the white gloves.

Elder Harker was having a good time too.

The Sisters from Conservation carefully cleaning and doing inventory.

Putting on the White Gloves!