A Two Horse Open Sleigh

We've had one good snowfall that was deep enough to pull out the sleighs.  The teamsters were very excited to get them out and made sure the word was out there.  Word of mouth, texts and any other form of communication were used to make sure everyone who wanted a ride, got one.

I took some time off while working in the Heber C. Kimball home to go for a ride.  Elder and Sister Davies took us out for a ride with the Wilsons who are temple missionaries.  Elder Davies knew where to stop to get some good photos.

Elder Wilson kept saying, "Wow!" about every other minute.  I have to admit that I've never ridden in a sleigh being pulled by horses.  It was really fun!  I felt bad for the horses though.  They really worked hard!  I'm sure wheels are much easier to move than a sleigh especially while crossing the roads.

I'm glad it wasn't too cold that day.  It was cold enough that we used the blankets given to us to keep us warm.

Just another day on the mission in Nauvoo!

Heber C Kimball Update

Sister Howard, Odum and I and Elders Mensel and Flanders as well as Jared, the lead painter and employee of the Nauvoo FM group, spent a lot of time prepping and painting the Heber C. Kimball home.  Then came a day when Sister Howard and I weren't there for various reasons.  That's the day that Elder Cornwell stopped by and took some photos of what was happening inside and outside the home.

Elder Flander touching up the blue trim. 

Sister Gibbs helping with the floor.

Elder Schmidt, who work tirelessly, outside the home when the porches were completely off.

I actually took this photo the day before when Elder Mensel was there helping us rather than working in the shop.

Elder Flanders still working on touch up trim.

Elder Howard didn't get in any of these photos either so Elder Schmidt gets to be in this one again all alone.

Sisters Schmidt and Odum shining up that floor.

I love this photo.  Mostly because I love these people but also because it is finally finished!  It looks great!  If ever I'm on a tour there, I will point out to the people that many of those brush strokes are mine.  It was a tedious job, but so rewarding!

Heber C Kimball

This is the home of Heber C. Kimball.  The porch was pretty rotten and the concrete apron was not period correct, so Elders Howard, Schmidt and Pleshek were tasked with tearing things apart and getting ready to replace.  That was back in October, I think.  The porch was the big thing.  Was it original?  Well, turns out it was so then Salt Lake Historical department gets crazy and things went to a stand still.  It was supposed to be closed for about a month.  It opened up on December 23rd.

Since it was going to be closed for a month, the paint crew, of which is now my newest assignment, went in to sand the paint off of the walls and ceiling to remove the roller marks.  Paint rollers weren't invented yet so we needed to remove those marks and replace them with brush strokes.

Sisters Howard and Odum were the only two on the paint crew doing this and since I didn't really have anything to do with my husband, I volunteered to help them.  I've been with them since!

We wore eye protection as well as masks as to not breathe too much of that stuff into our lungs.  Two of us would sand with the electric hand sanders and the third would vacuum as we went.  We spent a couple of days doing this.

As dirty and noisy as this job was, we really had a good time being together.  I love working with these two.  Heck, I've loved working with everyone I've had the chance to work with!

I had to cover for Sister Jones in the office one day and Sister Howard got put to work sanding the wanes coating.  She said it was horrible, sticky paint dust that made her feel slimy in the shower.  She washed her hair several times to get the goo out!

Here's Elder Mensel doing something I can't determine.  Elder Flanders is behind him doing something else I can't see.  They are great to work with.  I enjoy them so much.  Elder Flanders is actually a teamster, but since there is only a need for nine teamsters over the off season and we have 15, he volunteered to work with us rather than sit in sites and wait for someone to show up.

We made a pretty big mess, but in the end, after the painting and Sister Odum polishing the floors, it is once again beautiful with all the brush strokes visible in the paint!

Wreaths & Swags

One day the grounds crew was looking for help in putting bows and pine cones on the wreaths and swags that will adorn Old Nauvoo.

There were many different kinds.  All were beautiful.  Some were just a little prettier than others.

Brooke was the lone intern this semester and she was in charge of making sure we missionaries got it right.  She's a doll and she shared and we shared stories together.  It was a lot of fun!

I loved working with Sister Odum, Sister Bailie and Sister Harker and Brooke.  Adam even showed his face now and again.

There were several kinds and all were beautiful in their own way.

Our job was to put the pine cones and bows on them.  I didn’t help make the bows.  That was done by the grounds sisters. They spent many hours doing it.

These swags had giant pine cones!

This was the first one I did!

Sister Barrow put the wire hangers on the back and we decorated.  My fingers were full of pitch by the time we finished.  I enjoyed it.  Mostly because of the company I was with and the beauty we were creating.

Christmas Walk Part 1

The Christmas Walk was one of the most stressful events I've ever planned.  Usually I stress myself out because I procrastinate.  Not this event!  All the assignments were made and we set up the Visitor's Center with more chairs than I ever thought would fit.  Then there was the sound system and piano to set up at the end of the work day.

I had such willing participants in the Nativity program.  These two guys are some of my favorites.  Lee, with the beard, works for the FM group.  I asked him and he talked it over with his wife and decided to do it.  He told me that he really enjoyed being a shepherd and that it was a highlight.  He also told me that our choir was amazing.  In fact, he told everyone that our choir was really great!

Elder Mensel was also a shepherd.  He did this last year and said he would do it again.  His wife was in the choir so at least they were stationed at the same place.  The guy in the tie was a narrator and sang in the choir. 

I loved the Nativity that was set up in the VC.  Anyone walking into our VC could know we believe in Christ by seeing this when they walked in.  Of course, the giant Christus statue would tell you that any other time of the year.

I have to say that Lee was my wild card and I'm so glad I asked him to participate.  He talked on occasion about his struggles working for the church and having to separate that from the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I think it was really good for him to be able to listen to the sacred music and gaze upon the holy infant child, even if it was a doll.  Here his is at Thanksgiving in his turkey hat.

Everything went off without a hitch and all assignments were taken care of.  We met the following week and tweaked a few things to make it just that much better.  After all was finished, I felt so accomplished!  Thank goodness I won't have to do this again!

The Trash Man

We were walking home from the gym one day after playing Pickleball and the trash collector pulled along side the road just ahead of us.

My husband, ever wanting to be helpful, offered to pick up the trash from the side of the road we were walking on

He told the man that he would take care of those bags of trash.  And he did!

Then the guy let him pull on the lever that compacts the trash. 

One more thing checked off the bucket list?

Thanksgiving Day

On Thanksgiving Day we worked for only three hours since that’s how long the site missionaries needed to be in sites.  We worked 8-11 and then we as FM missionaries got together for a meal of soup and rolls and dessert.  It was delicious!

After the meal we had time to sit and visit or play games.  There were several games that I’d never seen or played before.

At first I spent time doing some other things including organizing the food.  Then I got in n a game.  It was such a fun time playing with the others.

Many types of soups. We had tiny cups so we could try several types. I loved them all.

This game was one I didn’t play.  I just wanted to document some of the people that were ther.

The most interesting thing about this mission is finding friends I didn’t know I had.  Mingling with them builds me and helps me recognize the goodness in others. How I love these people!