Making Bows

Now that the new temple district homes are finished, we can get to our work orders.  I took care of everything Jared gave me so I asked him if I could have the one to paint the ox wagon.  He gave the go ahead.  When I looked at it, there were some of the bows that go over the top that needed to be replaced.  One was even duct taped together.  

I talked to my husband in the carpentry shop and he picked Allan Howard's brain to ask how they are made.  He gave his best advice but never made any.  We picked out some poplar wood as it is bendable.  Together we clamped it on a form.  It should be put in a steamer but we figured the Mississippi River was even better so get this wood wet and pliable.

Here you go!  Immersed in the river and left overnight. 

My Elder tied it to the dock and placed a brick on top so it would stay put.

It worked!  We made three this way and two others we just clamped and left to bend.  Here's something I never thought I would ever do in my entire life.  I'm learning so much and love it!

A Day on the Mississippi

On Friday afternoon we got a call from Marty Steen.  He is the lead contractor here in the FM group.  He's a hard worker and likes things done the best they can be done.  Marty claims that many don't care for his style but we really appreciate him and we like him too!

He asked us if we wanted to go boating on the Mississippi on Saturday with he and Jamie, his wife, and the Carlsons.  We met in Fort Madison about noon and put the boat in the water.

We went downstream to Montrose and stopped at the Sandbar for lunch. 

Elders Carlson and Pleshek held the boat down in the back and just enjoyed the ride. 

On our way south, we came past Nauvoo and saw Lindsey's cows out at the silos where they probably didn't belong.

I love that the temple is a prominent view from across the river. 

I spent the ride down river inside sitting by Marty.  On the way back upstream I sat in the bow with Sister Carlson in the sun.  My arms and legs show how much sun I got.

The view from the bow was unobstructed but it was in the sun.  The temperatures were in the 70's and there was not a cloud in the sky!

I love the view of  the end of Parley Street from the water side.  It is such an important place for the departing early Saints from their city.

We feel so blessed to not only have made friends with the other missionaries serving here but also to have made friends with some of the employees as well.  Marty and Jamie, we are blessed to call you friends!

Steve & Kris Green

Today we said good-bye to Elder Steve and Sister Kristine Green.  They are leaving in the morning to go home to Layton, Utah.  They are the missionary couple in charge of the everything that goes into preparing for the pageant.

I really don't know how it happened, but we fell in love with these two.

Each time we had some kind of get-together we made sure we invited them as they are not FM nor are they site missionaries.  They are their own island as far as missionaries go here in Nauvoo.  They were supposed to stay until September but with no pageant this year, they have done everything they needed to.  The Dixons are here and have been trained to take over their position.  We will miss them!  Outstanding people!

Tom and the YSMs

Tom came down to Nauvoo with the Fillmores and he worked with his dad for six days.  He absolutely loved it.  

Some of the young sisters worked with Elder Robertson, Tom and Elder Pleshek cleaning out the Brigham Young barn.  Elder Carlson will help to build a chicken coop in part of the barn.

Each day when Tom would walk into the carpentry shop in the morning, I would hear, "TOM!" from the YSMs.  

On the last day they worked together he even got a scare!  I heard so many of them say, "We love you Tom!"  They even bought him a Casey's pizza on their last day together.

He is excited to come back and work as a volunteer.  

Fillmore Visit

Jeff and Sammi brought their family and Tom down for a visit.  They stayed almost a week.  I'm so glad we have the room with our present home.  It was fun to spend time playing games with Evelyn.

The twins are into everything.  What one doesn't think of the other does.  Still, they are sweet babies and I was glad for their visit.  I should have taken more photos while they were here to document their visit. 

We had a virtual tour with Elder and Sister Flanders.  We couldn't get into their next tour so we went to the ox yard to see if we could see it in person but they were already finished.  Jim Droste was there and agreed to take us on a ride with the young oxen.  Evelyn even got to groom them.  It was a good visit.

50 Years

With an easing of restrictions of quarantine, we are able to go and do things a bit more.  The Allens celebrated 50 years of marriage and several of us went out to dinner with them.

Elder Allen says he should have a gold medal for being married to her.  My dear sweetheart created a gold medal out of wood for her to give to him.  We spent our evening at the meal dining with the Bailies.  It was so good to do something so normal.

A New Grandson

Andrew and Cierra were expecting their first baby with an induction on June 2nd.  Due to some heavy traffic in the maternity ward, they were put off two days.  They were finally able to have the induction on the 4th.  

After a very long labor Edward Tumema Pleshek showed up during the early morning hours of June 5th.  

He was almost 9 lbs!  A sweet little guy.  

He's our 9th grandchild and number 6 grandson.

Andrew Facetimes at least once each day so we can see his sweet face.  I look forward to having them move to Shawano so we are able to see him more often.  I haven't met him in person but I'm already in love with him!