It just seems like yesterday........I can still hear the words clearly....."I've got so much to do I'll never get them done". Not any more. The other morning I noticed her in swift precision as she had arisen at 5:15 (she now knows 5:15 comes twice a day), cleaned the dishes, made the bed, checked her I-pad for the latest posted pictures, made her lunch, got ready for the day, and read(listened) to her scriptures and even found time to put on her shoes before flying out the door at 6:45 for the FM prayer meeting. Then the day really begins as she and Sister Lee Master go to work on their Conservation assignments that will take them all over Nauvoo and Carthage doing so many different things it is impossible to count. All of this is happening while the site missionaries are still getting ready for their day to begin at 9:45. It's a tough job and I know somebody has got to do it.....thank heavens for Nauvoo it is Sister Gibson.
I can only believe that her dear parents are running through the he heaven's bragging about their once shy and quiet daughter.....They were such an amazing example to me. I know they gave me a perfect model and for that I am appreciative.
Cultural Hall Closes........
.....The Parties Begin
As part of the annual cleaning and inventorying the Cultural Hall closes for a week. It is a "sad" time for the missionaries as they are unable to perform their storied roles in Rendezvous. A few weeks ago in training, President Hall announced that he would change the date of the closing to coincide with the Valentines Day celebration. (Cue the standing ovation). Apparently one, or a few, of the sisters had suggested this. When he did it he was told that his heart was softening. Being a little taken back he responded "It's the same heart I have always had". I'll bet that would bring a roaring laugh to all those young men that played football for him.
The week soon became a myriad of parties and activities. Tuesday's was Valentines day and our MTC group, thanks to Sister Beecher, arranged to dine and celebrate at Angelini's in Keokuk. We also added the Moench's who have now returned from Carthage. It turned out to be a great night and we discovered a new place that serves great food.
Wednesday we were at the Temple. After the session we inquired if we could visit the upper areas of the temple as they are usually not accessible. For some reason it usually requires a member of the Temple presidency a special approval. A member of the Temple presidency was gracious enough to take us to the top floor and the sealing rooms where we were able to look down the magnificent spiral staircase. What a view....What a staircase! After that we walked down those spiral stairs (what a work of love and labor they must have been). Looking up there is a totally different view equally amazing.
Thursday the FM group put on a Chili Cook Off and a Cake Decorating Contest in the Pageant Building. While the chili and the cakes were amazing the best part of the evening was the games. After dinner the group retired to the large spacious area in the rear and had a paper airplane contest to see who could fly the farthest. Meanwhile, those well trained and organized missionaries who didn't want to participate in the airplane event dutifully took down all the tables and chairs that were to be used for the games. Best part......NO GAMES!
Friday dinner in Fort Madison at the local Chinese place. The Lowe's had planned for twelve....and ended up with twenty on the same table. As we say here in Rendezvous "You'll make a new friend.....if you'll just move over.
Saturday it was lunch at Perkins in Burlington........Hidden Figures movie was a real treat...and then we went into survival shopping mode with Sister Lindeburg.
Sunday is District Meetings which is really more of an opportunity to get together as a dinner excuse with a little mission business discussed. BUT WAIT.. (as the info-mercial says) there is still more to come as we have a scheduled cast party on Monday with another party.....Woooooopeeeeeeee!!
SPRINTER ARRIVES...........
........AND THE FUN BEGINS
The first of the week found Sister Gibson and Lee Master cleaning and inventorying in the Family Living Center when Elder Andrus strolled in to get a little nourishment from the baked bread. Things had been a little lonely on the wagon ride as we hadn't seen many folks in a while and he asked if any of the sisters might want to go on a little wagon ride. They jumped at the chance and enjoyed a ride a round the block (so to speak). The best part came when he handed them the reins to the horses. Fortunately they were under control and it just became a great picture opportunity.
It's been a long time since we saw temperatures in the sixties. They started the middle of the week and the forecast was for several days. As the days passed and the temperatures rose so did many acute cases of Spring Fever. It is a dreaded malady the effects the young and old......especially the old. The president with his "new and softer" heart gave the missionaries a chance to ride. And so on Friday morning and afternoon the teamsters provided rides and photo opp's for the missionaries. A Rod and Chuck are one of the teams of horses here. The Limo, as it is known here, is really a long surrey with a fringe on top. The teamsters drove around to the sites and picked up the missionaries who wanted to ride. The FM folks just horned in where they could.
We received a second opportunity on Saturday as Sister's Lindeburg and Hunter had been in Quincy visiting a very sick Sister Crandall. Sister Hunter is the veterinarian's wife here and I am pretty sure she expressed his disappointment to him about missing the opportunity. So, on Saturday morning she and the Lindeburg's had their own ride......we basically "horned" in as the Lindeburgs invited us. So we got a second opportunity with Tom and Mark as our horses. They are really big and impressive animals.
I can only believe that her dear parents are running through the he heaven's bragging about their once shy and quiet daughter.....They were such an amazing example to me. I know they gave me a perfect model and for that I am appreciative.
Cultural Hall Closes........
As part of the annual cleaning and inventorying the Cultural Hall closes for a week. It is a "sad" time for the missionaries as they are unable to perform their storied roles in Rendezvous. A few weeks ago in training, President Hall announced that he would change the date of the closing to coincide with the Valentines Day celebration. (Cue the standing ovation). Apparently one, or a few, of the sisters had suggested this. When he did it he was told that his heart was softening. Being a little taken back he responded "It's the same heart I have always had". I'll bet that would bring a roaring laugh to all those young men that played football for him.
The week soon became a myriad of parties and activities. Tuesday's was Valentines day and our MTC group, thanks to Sister Beecher, arranged to dine and celebrate at Angelini's in Keokuk. We also added the Moench's who have now returned from Carthage. It turned out to be a great night and we discovered a new place that serves great food.
Wednesday we were at the Temple. After the session we inquired if we could visit the upper areas of the temple as they are usually not accessible. For some reason it usually requires a member of the Temple presidency a special approval. A member of the Temple presidency was gracious enough to take us to the top floor and the sealing rooms where we were able to look down the magnificent spiral staircase. What a view....What a staircase! After that we walked down those spiral stairs (what a work of love and labor they must have been). Looking up there is a totally different view equally amazing.
Thursday the FM group put on a Chili Cook Off and a Cake Decorating Contest in the Pageant Building. While the chili and the cakes were amazing the best part of the evening was the games. After dinner the group retired to the large spacious area in the rear and had a paper airplane contest to see who could fly the farthest. Meanwhile, those well trained and organized missionaries who didn't want to participate in the airplane event dutifully took down all the tables and chairs that were to be used for the games. Best part......NO GAMES!
Friday dinner in Fort Madison at the local Chinese place. The Lowe's had planned for twelve....and ended up with twenty on the same table. As we say here in Rendezvous "You'll make a new friend.....if you'll just move over.
Saturday it was lunch at Perkins in Burlington........Hidden Figures movie was a real treat...and then we went into survival shopping mode with Sister Lindeburg.
Sunday is District Meetings which is really more of an opportunity to get together as a dinner excuse with a little mission business discussed. BUT WAIT.. (as the info-mercial says) there is still more to come as we have a scheduled cast party on Monday with another party.....Woooooopeeeeeeee!!
SPRINTER ARRIVES...........
The first of the week found Sister Gibson and Lee Master cleaning and inventorying in the Family Living Center when Elder Andrus strolled in to get a little nourishment from the baked bread. Things had been a little lonely on the wagon ride as we hadn't seen many folks in a while and he asked if any of the sisters might want to go on a little wagon ride. They jumped at the chance and enjoyed a ride a round the block (so to speak). The best part came when he handed them the reins to the horses. Fortunately they were under control and it just became a great picture opportunity.
It's been a long time since we saw temperatures in the sixties. They started the middle of the week and the forecast was for several days. As the days passed and the temperatures rose so did many acute cases of Spring Fever. It is a dreaded malady the effects the young and old......especially the old. The president with his "new and softer" heart gave the missionaries a chance to ride. And so on Friday morning and afternoon the teamsters provided rides and photo opp's for the missionaries. A Rod and Chuck are one of the teams of horses here. The Limo, as it is known here, is really a long surrey with a fringe on top. The teamsters drove around to the sites and picked up the missionaries who wanted to ride. The FM folks just horned in where they could.
We received a second opportunity on Saturday as Sister's Lindeburg and Hunter had been in Quincy visiting a very sick Sister Crandall. Sister Hunter is the veterinarian's wife here and I am pretty sure she expressed his disappointment to him about missing the opportunity. So, on Saturday morning she and the Lindeburg's had their own ride......we basically "horned" in as the Lindeburgs invited us. So we got a second opportunity with Tom and Mark as our horses. They are really big and impressive animals.
Progress with Destruction.....
...Prepares for Re-Construction
The removing of the siding on the south side or front of the house went extremely well and we looked forward to more of the same as we turned the corner and went to the west. It soon became apparent that our optimism was a little premature. It didn't take long to figure out our work would not only require tearing out but also rebuilding a lot of poor construction, termite and insect damage, and several layers of remodeling before we could even think about rebuilding. As you can see we are now a team of four elders.....at least this week.
If there is a plus here it is the fork lift. The previous elders have made a platform which can be hoisted up on the fork lift and we can work for there. It means that we don't have to continually climb ladders and it makes the tasks somewhat easier. All of the exposed 2x4's on this side of the house have to be removed and replaced so they will actually support the gable end.....something that has been extremely sketchy for years....fortunately it didn't have any bad effects. All of the insect and termite damage will be replaced next week and hopefully the house will be wrapped so we can move inside and begin the sheetrock. Their is still a hope....held out by very, very, few......that the house will be ready for the new doctor to move into a finished interior while the exterior is finished.
As for the picture of Elder Sims.......he was taking a picture of me when I suggested to him that it was time he jump into the "tech" age and learn a few things......"let's start with a selfie" I suggested and handed him my phone. A little coaching later he took his first one. I thought I would "post" it so he could say that he had posted pictures before.......I don't think I showed it to him before, however.
The Cultural Hall gets a New Look.......
......and The Brickyard
Along with some work done on the inside of the Cultural Hall the outside appearance also took on a new look. To the right of the Cultural Hall in the picture once stood a large majestic tree similar to the one that still stands in the photo. We were working on the Packard house when a piece of the large trunk was transported to the sawmill where it would be cut up and used in various projects. It left a void that will take many years to fill. It has also been rumored that the remaining large tree is diseased also and will soon meet the same fate. Such is life......I love majestic trees!!
Rounding off the week Sister Gibson and I worked in the Brickyard. It was indeed different than our past assignments on sites......with President's Day Week end and Stake Conference we actually had visitors......and they brought children!! Not only was it perfect weather but it was like an energy drink with steroids. It is inspiring to talk about the Nauvoo brick makers and be able to liken it to our lives and Christ's message of stability in the Gospel. I do have to repent, however, as I gave out more bricks to the children than I was supposed to.....one per family is the command from the site.....1 "misunderstood" and gave one per child. So much happiness!!!
The removing of the siding on the south side or front of the house went extremely well and we looked forward to more of the same as we turned the corner and went to the west. It soon became apparent that our optimism was a little premature. It didn't take long to figure out our work would not only require tearing out but also rebuilding a lot of poor construction, termite and insect damage, and several layers of remodeling before we could even think about rebuilding. As you can see we are now a team of four elders.....at least this week.
If there is a plus here it is the fork lift. The previous elders have made a platform which can be hoisted up on the fork lift and we can work for there. It means that we don't have to continually climb ladders and it makes the tasks somewhat easier. All of the exposed 2x4's on this side of the house have to be removed and replaced so they will actually support the gable end.....something that has been extremely sketchy for years....fortunately it didn't have any bad effects. All of the insect and termite damage will be replaced next week and hopefully the house will be wrapped so we can move inside and begin the sheetrock. Their is still a hope....held out by very, very, few......that the house will be ready for the new doctor to move into a finished interior while the exterior is finished.
As for the picture of Elder Sims.......he was taking a picture of me when I suggested to him that it was time he jump into the "tech" age and learn a few things......"let's start with a selfie" I suggested and handed him my phone. A little coaching later he took his first one. I thought I would "post" it so he could say that he had posted pictures before.......I don't think I showed it to him before, however.
The Cultural Hall gets a New Look.......
Along with some work done on the inside of the Cultural Hall the outside appearance also took on a new look. To the right of the Cultural Hall in the picture once stood a large majestic tree similar to the one that still stands in the photo. We were working on the Packard house when a piece of the large trunk was transported to the sawmill where it would be cut up and used in various projects. It left a void that will take many years to fill. It has also been rumored that the remaining large tree is diseased also and will soon meet the same fate. Such is life......I love majestic trees!!
Rounding off the week Sister Gibson and I worked in the Brickyard. It was indeed different than our past assignments on sites......with President's Day Week end and Stake Conference we actually had visitors......and they brought children!! Not only was it perfect weather but it was like an energy drink with steroids. It is inspiring to talk about the Nauvoo brick makers and be able to liken it to our lives and Christ's message of stability in the Gospel. I do have to repent, however, as I gave out more bricks to the children than I was supposed to.....one per family is the command from the site.....1 "misunderstood" and gave one per child. So much happiness!!!
By the looks of it, the house really needed to be rebuilt. Although it's great to see all of you working together on the project, I suggest you still consult with a professional builder to ensure your success. Not only does a builder know the best way to go about the reconstruction, but he/she also knows where you can purchase the highest quality materials that can help improve the results.
ReplyDeleteFranklin Stewart @ Muller Exteriors