A Plan....A Plan?.....
....Surely There is a Plan?
"Rendezvous"
It's been a little over a week now since Rendezvous was unceremoniously sentenced to death. The execution and funeral are scheduled for November 30th. The weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth grinds on daily with every performance. What has happened to all those people who bemoaned their lot in life as they had to perform for the visitors. Those who vowed they would never perform in Rendezvous when they received their calls. "I am not actor....I am surely not a singer" they proclaimed. At first it was grudgingly. Then it became "Willingly...because they had to" and soon they were doing it "Willingly...because they wanted to" They are now a part of the throngs who are bemoaning the demise....after all we did it for those who came.....so they could feel the same "Spirit of Nauvoo" we all have felt.
What the plan, if any, for the future has yet to be revealed and may not, if ever, be revealed for a long time. Rendezvous will be missed by many who have come faithfully over the years to see it. As for the current missionaries we will miss the comraderies, the countless miscues, and the joy that came from performing. The reviewing of each nights performance in the sites, around the lunch tables, and in the barns. The retelling of what had just happened and the stories of guffaws in performances of past as folks remember and try to illicit even greater laughs from the gathered group. It brightened our day and lit our nights. Elder Jones explained it best in a prayer meeting thought. He started out in his humble way expressing his bad day and depressive feelings. He didn't want to go to Rendezvous and yet he went. A miracle and change of heart over came him and as he said "it was like the burdens of the world were lifted. That little ditty called Rendezvous does it for me every time".
We will certainly miss the opportunity to get together and share our experiences as we wait for our turn to perform. We will miss the prayer meetings with spiritual thoughts and ideas presented by our fellow cast members. We will miss the adulation of our audience who look over our imperfections and see the message of Rendezvous of the importance of the Book of Mormon and the trials and faith of the Saints.
The one sad part about this is the rush to request and reserve roles for final performances. In the past this was only accommodated when family came to visit or it was the Final Performance. Since it is everyone's final performance the rush is on.
So without any plan for the future (that we know about) we prepare to go on. We are now at the end of our Parley Street...it is cold...and it is dark. We will cross the abyss of uncertainty....just as our pioneer forefathers did....we will do it "Willingly.......because we have to! All the rest is just faith.....the same faith that was felt by those earlier Saints.
"The Horses"
Since Labor Day we have been languishing without the clomping of horses hoofs on the Old Nauvoo Pavement. The special and uplifting stories the teamsters told on the carriage ride over the dirt roads that testified of the character and strength of the saints are silent. Bootiful Nauvoo was a great experience until you saw the wagon load of "crazy band" missionaries being pulled by a John Deere tractor made in Russia rather than A-Rod and Chuck pulling them down Mulholland. Then again I don't recall comments from the parade goers of "where are the horses" as we rolled down the road. Moving forward to the Nauvoo Community Christmas Tree Lighting in December will be pulling loads of guests around Old Nauvoo with a tractor. Come to think of it though....we would be thrilled to do it with the ward in Salt Lake...it's what we're accustomed to.
It was announced in our Sarah Granger prayer meeting, by one of the teamster wives, that this Fast Sunday will be dedicated to the horses. I am sure that her prayers are petitioning the Lord to restore them to the sites. I'm all for that but I am also adding in that it's time to make a decision and get on with things.
I look back to earlier in the year when the Handcart Experience was eliminated. It was a sad day to watch the Handcarts leave on a truck. I am still of the opinion that those who made the decision should have been allowed to pull them back to Martin's Cove one at a time. I am pretty sure that they would have thought about it a little more. It may not be a direct part of Nauvoo...but 100 miles North is Iowa City where most Handcart parties started from.
I am sure there might be a plan.....then again.......
"The Maxwell House"
The majority of my working career has been in construction and has relied on detailed plans to be followed with exactness. In the event there were changes we were required to submit a detailed "Change Order" and we would wait until the architect approved it. Cost and timing were always the prime consideration. Fast forward to Nauvoo FM. To date I have never been exposed or used a plan on any of our jobs. So...........................................
I was more than ecstatic to find that our electrician Ben has had training in Auto-Cad, the premier architectural drawing program used by most architects. Even better, Marcus had him drawing a set of plans for the Maxwell House Remodel......until I saw the first drawing. It was neither to scale nor did it have dimensions, some windows and drawers. It did, however, have the placement of an over-sized grand piano in the living room....more than like it was not oversized on accident. We then spent time going over the plan as we walked through the house. A few days later I was handed a drawing to scale with window and door placement and we went over it again on the job (the piano was even to scale and fit in the room). Soon tear out began and we removed windows, walls, plumbing fixtures and then out of "necessity" cabinets. If were doing windows...why not doors. I haven't got time or space to elaborate but nonetheless we have had several more meetings and plan revisions (that means scribbling something on the plan or wall or floor) The good news is when we make these changes they are made "on the spot" and we don't have to worry about cost or timing. The work rolls on.......but it would surely be nice to have a complete set of plans and specs rather than building like a rookie home remodeler.
Missionary is their Name.....
....Service is their Game!!
Not all missionaries in Nauvoo are "old farts" whose better years are behind them. We have this special group of young elders who, for various reasons, have found themselves called to serve in Nauvoo. They are our service elders who do the most incredible job of doing what is asked of them.
They are our "go to guys" and they seem to get the jobs that are too menial or require superhuman strength to work under the direction of Sister Jensen, our Housing Missionary. They do what is asked even if it may require things that are not very pleasant. Like the day they helped our plumbers with a "stinky" sewer issue.
We said good bye this week to Elder Kyle Johnson and we will all miss him and his quirky, bubbly, smiling, and loud nature. But he also gave us something incredible as he said farewell. He left us the memory of his testimony. With his parents there to pick him up he told us his desire to serve a mission when he was in primary. "I hope they call me on a mission" he found himself singing and hoping. As he got older the realization soon set in that he was autistic and that issues alone wouldn't allow him to serve. Disappointment with Elder Johnson is short lived and his happiness was restored. Fast forward a few years and he learned about service missions. He applied...but his Stake President said the time wasn't right. He related one day he returned home and found his mother crying on the couch. She explained that they had again been told no. "Let's try again" said Kyle. "I know it will happen". Time passed....they tried again....same Stake President and a new result. His papers were submitted and he was called. He served faithfully and joyously here for 6 months. His grandparents, our good friends, the Johnson2's, were here for him and he flourished. They went home two weeks ago and Kyle's parents came to take him back home. With the FM flag of honor he is returning to Arizona.....where he will continue to serve a service mission for the remainder of his mission. It seems like one way or another even though we may not like the trial...we can find away to gain happiness.
Missionary is their Name.....
....Service is their Game!!
Not all missionaries in Nauvoo are "old farts" whose better years are behind them. We have this special group of young elders who, for various reasons, have found themselves called to serve in Nauvoo. They are our service elders who do the most incredible job of doing what is asked of them.
They are our "go to guys" and they seem to get the jobs that are too menial or require superhuman strength to work under the direction of Sister Jensen, our Housing Missionary. They do what is asked even if it may require things that are not very pleasant. Like the day they helped our plumbers with a "stinky" sewer issue.
We said good bye this week to Elder Kyle Johnson and we will all miss him and his quirky, bubbly, smiling, and loud nature. But he also gave us something incredible as he said farewell. He left us the memory of his testimony. With his parents there to pick him up he told us his desire to serve a mission when he was in primary. "I hope they call me on a mission" he found himself singing and hoping. As he got older the realization soon set in that he was autistic and that issues alone wouldn't allow him to serve. Disappointment with Elder Johnson is short lived and his happiness was restored. Fast forward a few years and he learned about service missions. He applied...but his Stake President said the time wasn't right. He related one day he returned home and found his mother crying on the couch. She explained that they had again been told no. "Let's try again" said Kyle. "I know it will happen". Time passed....they tried again....same Stake President and a new result. His papers were submitted and he was called. He served faithfully and joyously here for 6 months. His grandparents, our good friends, the Johnson2's, were here for him and he flourished. They went home two weeks ago and Kyle's parents came to take him back home. With the FM flag of honor he is returning to Arizona.....where he will continue to serve a service mission for the remainder of his mission. It seems like one way or another even though we may not like the trial...we can find away to gain happiness.
If We Used Nicknames......Elder Archibald....
.....Would be Called "Nails"
There we were.....taking out the old windows in the Maxwell house. He was on the warm inside of the house while I was on the cold outside.(LOL....there is no heat in the house). We were rebuilding the frame to fit the new windows and he was nailing boards with our 16d compressed air driven nailer. A couple of shots rang out....followed by a long pause......as I looked into the window he was admiring his hand with a 16d nail sticking out both sides. He said he swore .....but I didn't hear a thing. I just watched and admired his aggressive nature as he reached down and pulled it out with neither a grimace mumble. It would have been a great picture....but he was too quick on the draw. He then picked up the gun.....prepared to go at it again when I told him he needed to go to the Doc. He didn't look too happy as I insisted but he went.....the blood in his glove would be annoying. I ran into him and his wife later in the day at Annie's Custard where all the missionaries were gathering for free custard as she prepared to shut down the custard shop for the year. The Archibald's were headed for Carthage to get and X-ray to make sure there wasn't bone damage. He said it hurt but he would be back to work Monday even though he was told to take a few days off.
The whole week was devoted to the Maxwell house....and we were able to get some help from Elder Jensen who was unable to work outside due to the weather. He was a great help in tearing out the existing walls in the bedroom and bathroom. Elder Corder started to tear our and replace the front brick....Marcus had decided on what he wanted.
For the record.....I do work on this house....I just haven't got anyone to take a couple of pictures of me doing it. My favorite would be with Marcus as we hovered together over a blank piece of paper discussing the 5th time plan revision. It is a memory I probably won't forget.....but just in case I would like it.
Odds....at the End
In the back of the mail room in Nauvoo we have a separate area dedicated to items that departing missionaries leave for other missionaries who may have need for something. It actually looks more like a "hoarders heaven". What is left after a cycle is taken to the Goodwill in Keokuk. Most things don't last that long, however. That's the background.....here's the Story:
It was a cold and rainy day. Sister Hill, the Mail Room Assistant Missionary was having a bad day. Her car would not run but with determination she rode her bike,which barely worked anyway, to the mail room.
Since it was raining she thought it best to put in inside. So she left it in the DI. Probably within minutes Sister Eppic made a call to Sister Wright....telling her that there was a bike in the DI. They struggled to get in in the car....but it was worth it.......until every missionary received an e-mail instructing the person who had removed the bike from the DI to please return it.....Sister Wright took it in stride and returned it but now has to live with the aftermath of Sister Hill's guffaw......every time she sees someone they asked her what is her latest treasure from the DI. I just call here Sister Sticky Fingers😀
I am becoming very well acquainted with Elder Finlinson. First he is the instigator of the "Great Square Dancing Party" held now on Thursday Night. But more than that he has been "selected" to be on stage with me. Problem is we have a director who thinks we are all highly accomplished singers and actors. When we get a new part....which seems to roll around weekly....we get no notice nor training. Sometimes they really aren't difficult...for example a couple of weeks ago he was supposed to say: "nothing good from what I understand".
As I passed the green room I reminded him to follow me...as he had a part. "Not Me"...."Yes You!!" repeated three times before I went up to meet up with Elder Hughes to explain that Elder Finlinson didn't think he had the part and he didn't know the part anyway. Elder Hughes rushed down stairs...barely making it back before his appointed entrance. "You're right...he isn't coming. I plan on taking the line. We go on stage...and just as it's time to deliver he crashes through the back doors and looks at me....not knowing what to say he looks at me blankly....no problem I had planned on giving the line...and I did. Next week he is ready to go...we practice a couple of times. He's ready...He comes out on stage with us...cue line is given.....
Dead deer stare appears.....I give the line...he says "thanks". So we learned one thing.....He can speak on stage.
Next week he has a different part, no notice, no training and two lines. I am working with him so he will learn them in time.....or we will have to improvise again.
There we were.....taking out the old windows in the Maxwell house. He was on the warm inside of the house while I was on the cold outside.(LOL....there is no heat in the house). We were rebuilding the frame to fit the new windows and he was nailing boards with our 16d compressed air driven nailer. A couple of shots rang out....followed by a long pause......as I looked into the window he was admiring his hand with a 16d nail sticking out both sides. He said he swore .....but I didn't hear a thing. I just watched and admired his aggressive nature as he reached down and pulled it out with neither a grimace mumble. It would have been a great picture....but he was too quick on the draw. He then picked up the gun.....prepared to go at it again when I told him he needed to go to the Doc. He didn't look too happy as I insisted but he went.....the blood in his glove would be annoying. I ran into him and his wife later in the day at Annie's Custard where all the missionaries were gathering for free custard as she prepared to shut down the custard shop for the year. The Archibald's were headed for Carthage to get and X-ray to make sure there wasn't bone damage. He said it hurt but he would be back to work Monday even though he was told to take a few days off.
The whole week was devoted to the Maxwell house....and we were able to get some help from Elder Jensen who was unable to work outside due to the weather. He was a great help in tearing out the existing walls in the bedroom and bathroom. Elder Corder started to tear our and replace the front brick....Marcus had decided on what he wanted.
For the record.....I do work on this house....I just haven't got anyone to take a couple of pictures of me doing it. My favorite would be with Marcus as we hovered together over a blank piece of paper discussing the 5th time plan revision. It is a memory I probably won't forget.....but just in case I would like it.
Odds....at the End
It was a cold and rainy day. Sister Hill, the Mail Room Assistant Missionary was having a bad day. Her car would not run but with determination she rode her bike,which barely worked anyway, to the mail room.
Since it was raining she thought it best to put in inside. So she left it in the DI. Probably within minutes Sister Eppic made a call to Sister Wright....telling her that there was a bike in the DI. They struggled to get in in the car....but it was worth it.......until every missionary received an e-mail instructing the person who had removed the bike from the DI to please return it.....Sister Wright took it in stride and returned it but now has to live with the aftermath of Sister Hill's guffaw......every time she sees someone they asked her what is her latest treasure from the DI. I just call here Sister Sticky Fingers😀
As I passed the green room I reminded him to follow me...as he had a part. "Not Me"...."Yes You!!" repeated three times before I went up to meet up with Elder Hughes to explain that Elder Finlinson didn't think he had the part and he didn't know the part anyway. Elder Hughes rushed down stairs...barely making it back before his appointed entrance. "You're right...he isn't coming. I plan on taking the line. We go on stage...and just as it's time to deliver he crashes through the back doors and looks at me....not knowing what to say he looks at me blankly....no problem I had planned on giving the line...and I did. Next week he is ready to go...we practice a couple of times. He's ready...He comes out on stage with us...cue line is given.....
Dead deer stare appears.....I give the line...he says "thanks". So we learned one thing.....He can speak on stage.
Next week he has a different part, no notice, no training and two lines. I am working with him so he will learn them in time.....or we will have to improvise again.
Halloween In Old Nauvoo
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| Brett Allen's House in Nauvoo |
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