Nauvoo on the Road Training

Because of Covid-19 we have no been able to do any Nauvoo on the Road this year.  Only us and the Bailies have ever done it.  Therefore, we decided to have one as a training for the missionaries who will be here next year and will possibly have the opportunity to do it.

The Elias have been asked to take over the program.  They will be great!  They have the perfect personalities to do what this outreach is all about.

We had a few couples come and learn how to set up.

We really missed not being able to go travel over the summer to different fairs and other events.

All the senior missionaries really seemed to like it a lot.  

The young sisters really had a blast playing with the ring toss and walking on the stilts.  

I think we need to set things up again just so they get it into their minds how to do it.  I think the most important part to set up again is the rope machine.  When we got going, we found out that the Bailies had only served inside so we were the only ones who actually set up the canopies and the banner.  I continue to pray for a cure or immunization for this virus.

Last of the Lusvardi Era

A week ago we got together at Alfano's with the Stapleys, Odums, Allens, Carlsons and Bailies.  We are the last of the senior missionaries who served under President and Sister Lusvardi.

By the end of March all of us will be home.  In fact, the Odums left us on Thursday.  The Allens and Stapleys leave mid December while we are scheduled to leave with the Bailies on December 3rd.

Actually the Allens served under the Lusvardis for less than a month.  Still, we are all that remain.

We had an enjoyable time together.  These truly are some of the best people I will ever know.  

How I love them and appreciate their friendship and kindness towards us.  They and so many others who have gone home and those we will leave behind are friends we never knew we needed.  This mission has been the best decision we ever made in regards to service! I can't think about leaving as it hurts my heart.

Temple Views

Yesterday was such a beautiful, warmish, sunny day I decided to walk to the mailroom to see if we had any.  On my way I was able to see the temple and feel gratitude that it stands there for those who are prepared to make sacred covenants with the Lord.

I do miss being able to attend.

Still, it is so nice to have it here standing as a reminder that we go to the house of the Lord to make covenant and then go home to keep them.

What a nice thought.

The best place to take pictures of the temple is in front of the FM office.

The sunrises behind the temple are awe inspiring.  I love walking over there just to take a peek.  Last year when I worked in the office, I saw those beautiful views each morning.

When we moved to Village Inn #9 in March, I was amazed to see the temple through the trees of the state park.  I don't see it visible during the day, but with the lights in the dark, I can appreciate it once more.  I don't expect I will ever live where there is a temple so near so even though it isn't open for me right now, I can appreciate seeing it on a daily basis.
 

Giving Tours

About a month ago, we decided we needed to start giving tours as there is a great need with some of the YSMs going outbound and others will be going home in another week.  The new YSMs are trying to learn all they can, but those that just came are visa waiters so they may be here a very long time or maybe not so long.  

I felt inspired that we should begin with the George Riser shoe shop.

Sometimes there are people signed up for the tour/experience and sometimes we have to go out and hustle up our own.

Sometimes there is a little down time between tours.  There's a place in each building where the missionaries can put their feet up until the next scheduled one begins.  Sometimes missionaries fall asleep.

But when they are awake, they give great tours.  We had so much fun learning and telling about George Riser and his family and business.  Erin was so kind as to let the Facebook world know that she appreciated our tour as it gave her aching heart some peace and healing.

We are now on to the Jonathon and Elizabeth Browning home/shop.  We've given a few tours but the last one we gave was to our family and it was the best one to date.  We are scheduled to work there again this week.  I have been out on social media and via text trying to hustle up some business.  

We're having a blast conducting these experiences and it has added another dimension to our mission.  

Concrete Pour

Thursday appeared to be a bright, sunny day with a little wind as can be seen on the water.  

Let me tell you what!  It was very windy and cold!

The construction crew along with anyone else available were called out to the Engel home to help with the concrete pour of the retaining wall.

It was a difficult task as some of the pipes were plugged and caused major delays and a mess.

In the end, all hands worked together in union to get this task accomplished.  I think it was the most difficult task of a concrete pour that I've witnessed.  I was able to be indoors caulking and puttying the woodwork while those men worked so hard out in the cold.  

This wall will make it possible for there to be a yard in front of these two apartments.  I'm again grateful for hard-working missionaries and employees.

 

Painting the Engel Home

The Engel home has been under construction since we arrived here.  The upper level is inhabited by the Carlsons.  Two apartments have been created in the basement level.  It's a beautiful place to live as it sits right on the Mississippi River.  

Marty and his construction crew finished re-siding it a few weeks back.  What do you do with a newly sided home?  You paint it!

The day we prepped the windows and covered everything we didn't want paint on was beautiful.  We even got the east side painted that day.  It was downright warm at about 80 degrees.  Maybe even warmer.

The next day was rather cool and very, very windy.  Jared did the painting up on the scaffolding but he needed help in covering the windows and patio door.  Sister Odum says no way was she going out on the scaffolding even on a good day.  Sister Chestnut stepped out to hand Jared some tools.  So I made my way out on it.  It was so windy that I thought I might get blown into the house.  The wind came straight out of the west towards the house.  Lots of white caps on the river.

The third day was still cool but no wind.  I think it looks great!

 

A Beautiful Creation

My husband bought some wood to make a few creations.  He bought some wood called Hackberrry.

He created this beautiful table.

He offered it to me but Andrew and Cierra desired a new one.  Cierra's eyes lit up when she saw it.  There was no way I could keep it.  Erin took it home with her and dropped it off at their place.  She texted and asked if he could make one to match.  

I found out that I've got a talented woodworking guy.  With the right tools he could create a lot of things.