The Newest Teamster

With all the missionaries who have been sent home, there are seven teamster couples who have been able to stay.  They've been out most days exercising the horses.  Elder Barney was at the reins today and my husband climbed up on the wagon to greet him.

Next thing I knew, he was getting a lesson on being a teamster.  He said it was one of the most enjoyable things he's been able to do here. 

Me?  I think the horses are beautiful but they are very large and I am still very intimidated by them.  I'm glad there are people out there who love horses.  I'm just not one of them!

Spring Cleaning

This afternoon we were raking and collecting sticks to clean up around our home.  I happened to see next door's condensing units.  I couldn't believe the amount of leaves behind them.

I spent quite some time raking them out and pulling them out from underneath and around the pipes and hoses.

 

When I was finished, it looked so much better.  I thought about the fact that if there was an issue that needed fixing, the HVAC guys would never be able to get at it. 

I sent the before and after photos to Sister Barrow as I knew Elder Barrow would appreciate it.  Of course he is gone home so will never have to work behind these units, but Jason might.  I was glad it was such a nice day to get this small but important task accomplished.

Orson Hyde

Two weeks ago, Jared put Sister Odum and I to work at Orson Hyde home.  We had to wash the ceilings and walls with a vinegar solution and then wipe them with a tack rag that took the residue off.

When that process was done we began the painting.  Jared likes things done just so. 

We took turns rolling and brushing.  I spent some time cutting around the windows, doors and baseboards.  I really enjoy doing that and I'm quite good at it.

The Warners were able to work with us on this morning.  I really enjoyed having them with us. 

They weren't able to stay for more than a few hours as they had a meeting with Elder Wadley.  That's when they found out that they were able to stay while so many other couples were being sent home.  I work with some wonderful, amazing people!

Spring is Springing

Last October there were 1000s of bulbs that were planted around this place.  They are now popped through the ground and I can barely wait to see the beautiful colors.

The daffodils are through and blooming their hearts out.  I love daffodils!  These at the visitor's center are a pale yellow.

I much prefer these at the Family Living Center which are a bright vibrant yellow.  I do love flowers! 

I think daffodils are some of the happiest looking flowers.  This fancy one is so beautiful.

These hyacinths are in a bed in the Smith Family Cemetery.  The aroma when you walk near is amazing.

There is this one lone white flower in the bed.  I believe it is just getting a head start as in between each of those purple ones is another color waiting to bloom.  If the purple ones last long enough it will be a checkerboard pattern.

There is so much color and beauty and it has only begun.  The saddest part is that there are so few people who will get to see all of it.  I post the photos on Facebook so those that planted and those that left will get to enjoy what it looks like.  As well as those who will never see this coloring book that God has created.

This guy is a little plainer in appearance but with multi-colors is so unique.  Just like people.  We're all unique in our own way.

Condo #35

We arrived in Nauvoo on June 10, 2019 to begin our service in the Illinois Nauvoo mission.  We were assigned to live in Condo #6.  After all the renovation it is now #35.  It was a great place to live with wonderful neighbors who have changed a lot since we arrived. 

The kitchen was roomy enough to get things done.  A garbage disposal and a dishwasher which are things I've never had.  The biggest problem was that there was only one drawer.  Everything I would put into drawers had to be housed elsewhere.  The other problem was the table.  A small one which could fit four around but not enough room to put people, dishes and food. 

The bedroom was large enough.  We had only one dresser so I hung a lot of my clothing that I wouldn't otherwise hang.  We both used our bottom drawers of our night stands for clothing.

The closet was large enough for most of our things.  Elder hung a lot of his things not used on a regular basis in the extra bedroom closet.  There were two problems with the room.  The first was that the electricians forgot to put an outlet on my side of the bed.  The other problem was larger.  The heating and cooling system was a heat pump which was just outside our window and was very loud.  When it started up it sounded like a jet engine.  It did a good job keeping up in the summer but in the winter it could never keep the place warm enough.  Thank goodness there was a wall heater that was our major heat source.

I really enjoyed our livingroom.  The window had southern exposure which I always prefer.  All the furniture and appliances were brand new.  We purchased a cheap area rug as I knew the floors would be very cold in the winter.  And they were!  The couch had recliners on both ends which was really nice.

We moved the book shelf into the living room and put our television on it.  I used the rest of the shelves to put family photos.  We also brought several pieces of art from home so our place would feel more like ours.  Notice the wall heater behind the chair.

A small hallway with bedrooms on both ends.  The bathroom in the middle and a nice linen closet just to the right.  I kept a lot of things in that closet.

We used the extra bedroom as an office and exercise room.  We had to rearrange things when we had visitors.  Still, it was really nice to have the extra space.

The bathroom was quite small but very functional.  

It was a great place to live for half of our mission.  There are 12 condos and there were five with FM missionaries and the other seven had site/temple missionaries.  In the summer, there were pageant people who lived in some of them.  I loved living there and it felt like home.  I will miss the close proximity of the other couples.

My Friend Mela

My sweet, bubbly friend Mela Whiting had a birthday this week.  She was planning her own surprise party but on Monday we surprised her with one instead.  There was cake and ice cream but mostly there was love and friendship and music!

There is a group of musical people in the mission that go out to local nursing homes and give mini concerts.  The premise of getting Sister Whiting there was that there were going to practice the music one last time before she left.  It worked!  There were more sisters than this that attended but by the time we took this photo, many had already left.

I got to know this woman this fall when we were asked to be in charge of the Christmas Walk.  I asked her if she would direct the the Nativity.  She asked if she could direct the choir instead.  I said she should do it and it was wonderful!!!!  She put together the script and chose the music.  It was an incredible choir.  I enjoyed being in it so much.  She and her Elder were scheduled to leave on April 1st but with the sites being closed there was no reason for them to stay longer.  I love her and will probably not see her again unless there is a reunion that we both attend.  She makes my heart happy and I love her immensely!

Changes and more changes

It is amazing how things change so quickly.  Two weeks ago we were doing things as normal here at Nauvoo Historic Sites.  We were having morning devotionals, weekly temple dates, historic site (formerly mission) training and social gatherings.  

Then along came Covid19 or the corona virus.  So far as we know, there is no one currently in Nauvoo that has a confirmed case.  Last week we stopped having training.  Then the word about the temples closing except for living ordinances.  We went last Saturday just to get another endowment in before it closed.  It is scheduled for a closure from the beginning of April through mid-May anyway.  Then word came that all the sites would be closing until further notice.

This week there were no more morning devotionals.  Then the governor declared that we should all self quarantine for the next 14 days.  No going to work or socializing.  We feel as safe here as at home.  With our home so full (I like it that way), it was an easy decision to stay where we are.  

Here's the difficult part.  On Monday evening we had an interview with Jordan to ask how we were feeling about our safety here.  We told him they would have to kick us out.  Then on Thursday all temple missionaries got word that they should go home.  On Friday our site missionaries were each interviewed by a member of the presidency.  Many were told to leave.  As of now only seven site couples plus the president, seven teamster couples and all FM couples who opted to stay are here.  We had 13 FM couples.  Two couples have already left, four more are packing to leave and there are still a couple sitting on the fence trying to decide if they want to stay or go.

Today we took a bike ride through the flats.  Everywhere we looked there were cars being packed or empty homes.  As I pondered it I was left with an incredible sense of sadness.  So many of our friends have left or will be gone in the next few days.  Was that what it was like when the early saints left in 1846?  Those who could afford to leave did.  Those who couldn't afford to leave had to stay until relief parties came back for them.  We can afford to leave but don't need to unless we get told to do so.  

When we are able to come back together to meet, there will be a few new faces whom we have not met yet and those whom we love but so many will be missing.  It hurts my heart.  I pray for this pandemic to be over quickly so that things can reopen here in the City Beautiful.  Summer in Nauvoo is so amazing and I hate to think that it will be nothing more than a ghost town.  

Allan and Mary Howard

This is Allan and Mary Howard with Jared and Cheryl Willyerd.  Jared is our boss on the paint crew.  He and Cheryl live in Fort Madison.  They are absolutely wonderful people.

Knowing that the Howards were finishing their mission today, Sister Odum and I decided we needed to have a meal with all the people that they work with.

I told Jared what we were planning and he suggested having it at their home.  He talked to Cheryl and it was a go.  The Mensels, Allens, Odums, Carlsons, Flanders, Howards and us all gathered at the Willyerd home.  We had a tour of their very old historic home.  What a beautiful place.  Then we had Indian tacos.  Delicious!

At our last historic site training meeting, the Howards were asked to bear their testimonies.  Sister Howard said she felt sorry for everyone who never had the opportunity to work at FM.  That made me giggle.

On Friday they were each allowed to say some parting words to all the missionaries and FM employees.  Elder Howard expressed how much he has learned about the prophet Joseph Smith.

Sister Howard said what a privilege is has been to work with so many of us.  

They received their FM flag!  She really is excited to go home!

As for us, we will forever be grateful for their love and friendship!  They took us under their wings when we were so new and green.  They took us to church with them every week except for two.  They invited us to do Nauvoo on the Road with them which turns out is a really good thing.  Each of them have taught both of us so many skills that we would not have had if we hadn't worked with them.  They truly have been our "besties" in the mission.  Life here will be so different without them.  We hope to visit them one day either in Wyoming or meet them at a mission reunion or some other event.  Our lives are richer for having had them in our lives for the past 9 months.  We love you and will miss you!

River City Revue

We teach the older youth Sunday School class in Hannibal.  The only young men in our class are twins Caden and Landon Cooke.  They are both part of the show choir in the local high school.  We were asking them about the competitions they take part in.  

They told us that they had a competition in Fort Madison on March 7th.  That is a lot closer than going to Hannibal to see them in concert.

They do a show for about 15-20 minutes with a theme.  I didn't recognize any of the music but that didn't mean it wasn't entertaining.  They had a change of costume during the show. 

Caden is the dark haired guy in the middle front.  They got a bunch of first place trophys.  They had best choreography and the best band.  The band was behind the risers.  They has some other first places too but I don't recall what.

They were just an amazing group!  When we asked Caden on Sunday about how they did, he was amazed that we showed up to support them.  I told them I texted Landon and he responded what time we needed to be there.

I can't imagine how long it took them to learn not only all the music but the choreography as well.  They must have spent a lot of hours practicing. 

I don't know exactly how many school participated, but there were at least 10-12.  This wasn't just schools from one state, but the entire tri-state area.

In the end, River City Revue were the grand champions!

Gentleman Farmer

A few weeks ago Jim Droste who is a temple worker, asked Pat if he wouldn't mind feeding the "baby" oxen for the weekend.  Are you kidding?  That's right up his alley!

They needed to be fed in the morning and again in the evening.  They got a bucket of grain and some hay.  These are the "teenagers".  There used to be four but one got killed when lightning struck a tree he was standing under.  I like the one on the left.  He has one horn going up and one goes down.

The feed is stored in the barn behind Brigham Young's home.   When you open the door, the mice just scurry.  This grain needs to be in something that his a lid that can be closed tight!

On Sunday, Pat doesn't change out of his church clothing so he feeds the animals in his white shirt and tie.  Some of the oxen are friendlier than others.  Some are more shy.  This one needed to lick or sniff him.

After we fed them, we prepared the buckets for the next morning.

My gentleman farmer reminded me of Oliver Douglas from Green Acres.  Although I am no Lisa Douglas. 

Here's the ox with the funky horns.

I love that he loves serving and that he got the opportunity to do the farm thing if only for a day or two.  I'm sure Jim will ask him to feed them again.  It was fun!