Rendezvous is Gone.....
   The Social Life Goes On..and On...and On!

     

    The demise of Rendezvous brought on a new hysteria.  The cry went out...."What are we going to do? We will be lonely and desolate....We will not see each other any more.....Our cast is our family and we will never see them again"  It isn't everyone....it's just the loud voices crying in the wilderness of their despair.  I never envisioned our experiences on a mission as a social experience.  I had hoped to be able to serve in building things in FM and I knew I would sing and dance.  I even expected to have some great spiritual experiences and an occasional opportunity to share the joy I have received from the gospel with members and non members.  Never....Ever....did I think about parties and social events.  We are not lonely here.  We do have friends and neighbors.  They are for the most part the hundred or so missionaries that serve during the winter.    We see them all around Nauvoo, in church, shopping, and on the sites and in FM.  We love each other for the most part. Again I speak as an observer....not a complainer.......I'm just not that lonely.  I have work enough to do 'ere the sun goes down.

     There is hope on the horizon for those disconsolate souls.  It was announced in our mission training meeting this week that there will be a Zone or Mission social weekly and districts are to have at least one a week (that doesn't include a twice a month district training meeting and a once a month dinner reporting meeting).  The one thing I really enjoy is getting together with our MTC group once or twice a month for dinner.  Let the good times roll.........

     I know....I know....I appear to be a lone wolf howling at a full moon....but believe me when I say I there are others who feel the same way.....we just have to find them!! (that's an old Rendezvous line)

He Who Was a Plumber......

      .....Is Once again a Plumber

     It was a sad day last week when Elder Jones left.  It was a happy day this week when Elder Archibald was told that he would once again be a plumber and take over Elder Jones spot working with Darrell, our FM plumber.  It didn't do much for his venue, however.  He just changed hats and worked in the same place.  He went from a hammer to a jackhammer in one day as they removed a huge hunk of floor from the Maxwell house to expose the existing lines.  They have now run the new lines to accommodate the additional bathroom that will be added....Good Luck Elder Archibald I will miss you....

He is a Rancher and a Teacher....
 ....Now he is Learning to be a Carpenter!!

     Elder and Sister Pollock arrived this week.  They were called to serve in FM as a couple for a year. Things didn't get off well for them as Richard, the head grounds keeper, who was conducting prayer meeting  welcomed them as the Pole Locks (people from Poland).  It didn't get much better for them. They had been of the opinion that they would serve in   the grounds department.  Not much goes on in grounds during the winter so they were temporarily assigned to other areas that could use some help.  Sister Pollock became a painter and Elder Pollock replaced Elder Archibald and is working with me.  The hope is that they will go into the grounds department when spring arrives.  Speaking of the grounds department....the last of the temporary employees will be laid off the end of next week.

     The Pollocks are from Tropic, Utah, a very small town on the edge of Bryce Canyon,  where the ranched and he taught 6th grade.  They seem to be quieter than most but they are willing to do whatever is necessary.  I am sure we will do well together. 

Windows, Walls, and Chaos.....

    ...The Maxwell House Rolls On

 It started Monday Morning when Keokuk Contractors arrived and began cutting out the egress windows in the basement.    By Wednesday we had reached utter chaos. We were putting the windows in, starting to frame the walls, the existing duct work and furnace were being torn out, the plumbers were cutting the floor and jackhammering away, Elder Pollock looked like a deer standing on the highway stunned and bewildered as to which way to go.  The electricians started to work on the upstairs modifications and the heavy equipment operators tore our the garage floor on Thursday.  Ear protection became mandatory but  on already hearing impaired  people it makes for some great communication.....or lack thereof.   Friday we were told we needed to remove the Live Nativity from the Visitors Center and set up at the Stake House for the Nauvoo Wards Christmas celebration.  What we found at the Stake Center was the most amazing decorations I have ever seen for a ward function.

    The  wards started back in October preparing for the Christmas Dinner.  Now it doesn't hurt to have Brett Allen, the "Wizard of Nauvoo", when it comes to house lighting, work all through Thursday night to put in the lights using the FM scissor lift.  The snowflakes, however, were earned.
Whenever a person reported a good deed performed for them they honored that person by making a snowflake for them that would be hung at the dinner.  As you can see there were a lot of good deeds.

A Rug with a Bug....
     .....A Feather in no Bonnet ...or inkwell for that matter!

  

     The title is going to need a little explanation....but first a big hurrah that  Sister Gibson actually provided a couple of pictures that help explain her life in Nauvoo.  So..... there is no "bug in the rug" but there are a couple of loose ends that could have tripped some of the sisters or guests in the Pendleton Log Home.  Send over the conservation sisters.  Why not....after all they have had practice with hammer and nail tacking down the sticky papers to make  sure the trapped mice don't escape their fate and head for a hidden recluse to soon die and stink.

      One of the last performances in Rendezvous raised a question by a Native American visitor(like about 5% NA) as to why we were using the highly honored eagle feather in the ink well on the desk.  For thirty five years no one has said a word.....the last week   Rendezvous says good bye it's an issue?  Hard to believe someone couldn't explain the show was over and it would be gone.....so this week Sister Gibson removed it and put in never, never land where it will be kept and no one will ever see it.  Go Figure!!  Chalk one up for being politically correct.  That's one down and a bazillion to go.

     

     Sister Lindeburg, for all of her nuances and quirks, is probably one of the most focused and dedicated missionaries we have here.  Rather than spend time bemoaning all of the things that weren't mentioned before we got in their van and headed to Qunicy,  I'd like to focus on one......yes...only one!

    First thing out of her mouth (not hello...how are you....are you ready) was "we're going to a nursing home in Carthage"  We weren't even going to Carthage.  My first hope was she was signing on to live there....Nope, she had Elder Lindeburg fabricate a small Christmas Tree and as part of the 25 Days of Christmas Campaign and she was going to give it one of the residents.  That went by the wayside when we couldn't find the one in Carthage so it was off to Quincy.  It took two stops to ask where the one was in Quincy and get directions.  Elder Lindeburg and hung out at the T-Mobile store while he bought a new phone and the sisters headed to the nursing home.  Should have now it wouldn't be a quick trip....Ninety minutes later they are back with a story and a picture.  They finally found the home, a resident without a tree, and a laugh for the ages.  Albert Beck, has to be close to ninety and he was glad to have the tree...and someone to talk to.  He had been a professor, wrote thirty books, and fought in the Korean War.  Sister Lindeburg handed him the tree, a pass along card, and asked if she could have a picture with him.  "Sure" he said...."but.....I want my picture taken with the other lady...the one you introduced as Marilyn Monroe"  So here's the picture and the story.....and I am sticking by it.  Sister Lindeburg's jaw was not injured when it flapped open so hard.

     

     When President Hughes comes to visit alone anymore we have   come to realize it is not a good thing.  In fact, he has now taken to sneaking up behind us so we can't see him coming.  With his sneak attack on Sister Gibson Monday, he delivered a Golden Opportunity that was received  with a giant thud.  Teaching Relief Society on the 24th was not the way we planned to spend Christmas Eve.  Even though I had texted him to not bother with me I soon became the proud recipient of the Golden Opportunity.       We appear to be in the rainy season of our mission because when it rains (opportunities) it pours down more responsibility (stress).

     We had the last laugh, sorta, however, when the 1st Presidency announced only Sacrament Meeting would be held on the 24th.  We spent Sunday trying to convince President Hughes that the opportunity was a one time shot and we were now off the radar.  Doubt that worked...but we tried!!