Bigger Than Texas.........

                                   ....Our Family Pride

 It soon became apparent that this wasn't going to be a week of watching paint dry or grass grow. Time flew by as we were visited by most of the "Texas" Gibsons; Eric, Kristin and Kreshelle, Emeri, Kamri, Eden and Kimball.  Next week doesn't look much better....that being said, I am going to post what I can with the little time I have in the next few days and then as time permits I will sort through pictures, grab a few memories then add them so I can fully tell of the week.......To say the least.....it was a GREAT TIME for us.

     So it was with great anticipation and that we awaited their arrival.  Believe me.......the hugs from the grandkids were worth the wait.....it took Kimball a short time and some Cadbury Mini Chocolate eggs to became my "Best Buddy" again.....what a good time I had.  They are growing up and their lives are changing and becoming more exciting....and I guess that means Mom and Dad's too!!!  There was Kreshelle in the drivers seat, driving us around Nauvoo,   Emeri talking one hundred and fifty words per second for hours without breathing and doing acrobatic leaps on the shores of the Mississippi River, Kamri reading things to the group in the Family Living Center, Eden sweetly asking for....... and getting....... anything she wanted from Grandma, and Kimball screaming  ........Grandma.....Grandpa....Grandma......Grandpa at Rendezvous. 
     While we worked during the day they took in some of the sights that we had recommended and then after we were through we took them to others.  We drove out to Carthage and experienced the jail and martyrdom site with them......well most did.  I chased Kimball around the site.....he never stopped running!! 
     The "high point" was Saturday Night when we were Editor and Relief Society President and there in the audience cheering us on was our family.  I hope they enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed presenting our roles for them.  I'm sure it gave them a whole different perspective on us that they probably never have seen or imagined.  I guess you'd have to ask them about that, though.
     They are back......we will remember this as a cherished and treasured time!!

They Rode to the Red Brick Store.........

                                            .....in 1840's Style

    

    On Friday re-enactment of the organization of the Relief Society took place.  It marked 175   years since the Relief Society was organized here in Nauvoo.  The sister missionaries were the only ones to be able to participate since there was limited space in the Red Brick Store where the event originally took place.  They were treated to a ride from the visitors center in one of the custom carriages and driven by Nauvoo's finest (and only) teamsters.  Dressed in their finest.... they spent the afternoon socializing and organizing.......Sister Gibson and Sister Lindeburg rode together on the wagon.  Fortunately, shopping was not open at the Red Brick Store for Sister Lindeburg.  An opportunity missed.

      Meanwhile, the FM Elders took the assignment to replace them on the sites.  What a treat!  Not only did I get to serve with Elder Duvall but I also got to serve in the Brigham Young Home.  It was a great day as I not only was able to teach of the importance of the home to my family but also to several groups of youth and their leaders who were on a Youth Conference Trip from Arkansas.  It was a very busy day that ended with dinner in Keokuk with the Gibson's at Pizza Hut.....

It's no Longer a Sow's Ear.............

              .......It's Looking More Like a Silk Purse

       
With all the defects and damage of the Schenck house now buried and obscured it is finally evolving into what will be a newly refurbished residence for the doctor.  He will never know what was involved in the transition...and that's probably a good thing.  At mid-week the painters were busily working around the ongoing sheetrock work as well as the finish carpentry which was taking place.   It's always reassuring to know that God answers some prayers and I was able to return to the cabinetry shop to work on milling needed parts for the completion of the woodwork.  I really do love the elders I work with in the house.....just not working with them.  It is sometimes a mind boggling experience I am not accustomed to.

The Cultural Hall and Rendezvous.......

      

  ......Another Night......Another Memory!!

     I have said it several times before and I am sure it will still be oft repeated but Rendezvous and the Cultural Hall will leave some indelible memories.  Let's start with Elder Lindeburgs efforts to give Sister Lowe  a parting gift and a reminder of her "time" as Rendezvous director.  The tree that was removed from the front of the Cultural Hall was taken to the saw mill to await other uses.  Elder Lindeburg took it upon himself to get a slice of that tree cut off and then transformed it into a clock for Sister Lowe.  It was presented to her after one of the last performances she would be directing.  It turned out beautifully......it will require some serious hanging mechanism....it weighs a ton!!

     Rendezvous did not run nearly as smooth as the clock........in fact it stopped dead in the middle. 

To set the stage.....it had been going well with a few little hiccups.....audience seemed to be alive and responsive (even cheered and laughed out loud several times).  The Peter and Abbigale vignette was performed especially well and got lots of laughs......no applause when it ended.....just laughs in the middle....without applause there is no cue for the next scene to begin....long, long, pause and finally I just burst in after leaving Peter standing around for what seemed a long time.  I finish my scene and intro in Thomas and Elizabeth vignette which again is performed exceptionally well.  At the end is the typical applause, dimming of the lights.......and then it went dark.  Hmmmmm I thought they must have over dimmed so I started my lead in waiting for the lights to go up.....they didn't..... my part ends and I leave in the dark (there is emergency lighting so there is light for all to see).  Curtain opens for "George and Agagatha" very late......to a dark stage and George trying to figure out what to do.  So he wanders around whistling waiting for lights....at this point I can see Sister Lowe frantically working on the control panel ......and I mean frantically!!!  Hoping to buy here some time I decided it's time that someone tell the audience the "enlarged" story of Quincy.  And so for 5-7 minutes until the lights were resurrected I told the story.  Finally.....there was light and the show went on........

.......so here's the rest of the story......down under the hall is the cast or "green room" where the speakers transmit what is going on above so missionaries know when to go to their next scene.  As I am into my story it becomes apparent that "I have lost it" and I am rambling on.  It was probably even suggested that someone should go up and restrain me.......and so once again....there's a new Rendezvous memory.   

The Seventies Hall........

                    ......We Answer the Call

        
  Sunday we were assigned to serve in the Seventies Hall.  We have never have been there so everything is going to be brand new....(we really didn't plan on much happening).  Afterwards we were set to have our  monthly dinner with the missionaries we had come out with.  It was a very, very, quiet day until 4:30 (we're done at 5:00).
        4:30 Elder and Sister Spradlin arrive wanting to know if we talk about 2 or 5 men in the presentation......."I don't know....haven't ever given one".....I'll talk about 2 when I give it....unless I remember the other 3 then I can talk about 5", I reply.  The discussion ensues between the Spradlins and they decide to settle it over the pulpit with her giving the presentation.  "Whew"...getting in the middle of the Spradlin's could be a problem.  Somewhere before getting to the pulpit a new discussion arises between them about John D. Lee and his death....soon they are into "Google" and
I run for cover as they go to the pulpit for her presentation.
     4:40  I am intrigued watching the Sister Spradlin as she is giving a great presentation....at least intro....when the doors open and a family comes in.....behind them are President and Sister Hall...this is not a coincidence....they are together.  Sister Gibson points to me......Elder Gibson is the best...he will give the presentation.....The Spradlin's make a hasty departure as I give our tour.....I get it done in the allotted time and they go upstairs and look at the books and artifacts as.......
     4:55  A family with 4 children poke their head in and ask if we can get a tour......"Sure, we would love to......Sister Gibson points to me and says "Elder Gibson is the best and most practiced.  He will do it"  It was the best time I've had all week.  The kids were the cutest.....turns our they were triplets and an older sibling.  They had a blast doing the scavenger hunt in the upstairs artifact room while the parents searched out their ancestors......
     5:15 As we are saying goodbye to the family the door opens and before I can catch him, a single visitor has made his way up the stairway.....he just wants to look in the records for his relatives that lived here...."I'm not holding you up...am I?"  No.....we can always be late.  I got the closed sign out and we locked up at 5:30.....rushed home....got our food assignment and headed out again.


Is it That Time Already?  

                   ...............6 Months have Flown