Winter's Cold is Deepened
By Yet Another Loss
The New Years Eve Social was marked by the absence of our six single sisters. Illness had struck some of them and the others stayed with them to care for them. It was later learned that Sister Shumway had been transported to Ft. Madison as her symptoms were particularly worrisome. By Monday she had been evaluated and it was determined that she should go up to Iowa City for further evaluation. The preliminary diagnosis wasn't good but needed to be verified.
It was Thursday afternoon as I pulled in the Visitor Center's parking lot. Surrounding the car were several sisters and Elder Wayment. There were hugs and tears...and in the middle of it all was Sister Shumway....with a smile big enough to melt the ice and snow she was standing on. Her tear stained face told the story. "I want to stay and finish my mission" she exclaimed. The diagnosis of a well progressed cancer had been confirmed and it was decided in consultation with her family, President Hall, and her doctors that it was best to return home where she could get the treatment she would need, be comfortable and surrounded by family.
She and Sister McNiel (her real sister) were soon to be off to St. Louis for her morning flight. I remembered the accidental hug she had given me months ago...we continually joked about it. Hugs in Nauvoo are a no-no for Elders and Sisters...Elders can hug Elders, Sisters can hug Sisters....but....I am sure you get the picture. I was sad that the moment was such that Sister Gibson couldn't be there. She would have watered the ground with her tears. I am sure I got the biggest hug and that no one was gasping at the sight. Her one wish she uttered to me.."I hope this will help bring my children back to a testimony of the gospel of our Savior." "Me too"....."You Deserve the Best"
Sister Gibson and I will miss you. You are special to us...and many others. God be with you.
The Golden Ticket Returns....
We never doubted that it wasn't coming back. More evidence that God doesn't answer all prayers. So we'll go with the notion that this is for our own good. I have Priesthood meeting and Sister Gibson will instruct the Relief Society. This time we're preparing to discuss Elder Tad Callister's talk at last Octobers General Conference; God's Compelling Witness:The Book of Mormon. My over riding thought was this is dismal....everyone heard it 4 months ago and probably read it in the Ensign. Then I was jolted back to reality; this is Nauvoo....whatever they heard or read has been forgotten by now...it's pretty much the way it is.
It started out looking pretty daunting.....but little by little....precept by precept (doesn't that sound like scripture) things became a little clearer.
My first thought and option I called the Borum Forum: I'll just rattle on in a low monotone voice reading Elder Callister's talk. I'll have half of them asleep before 10-15 minutes. I'll pause....say Amen and start to shuffle papers like I'm done. Those that have been asleep will wake up startled and assume it's all over and start to get up and leave. Those who weren't asleep will already have been bored to tears and their minds will have rambled off the happier thoughts...see the others arising...and say "Well, he said Amen...it must be over. It sounds like a good idea....then again heaven will intervene everyone will have had morning caffeine.
Then I realize what started out as "where do I start" suddenly has turned into "where do I end"
Diligent study and searching has led me to a boatload of material that I can unleash on the brethren. I can just keep throwing out thoughts, facts, and questions and sooner or later I will hit on one that will turn their collective lights on and keep brethren alert. They are a pretty bright group for a bunch of old guys. I've always enjoyed teaching so I am looking forward to it....unless my weakness' are uncovered and I have to start stammering like a befuddled nincompoop. God does answer prayers....I hope he answers mine on this occasion. Regardless there is a silver lining.....President Hall will be leaving and will probably not concern himself with it......President Lusvardi, on the other hand, will be too buried with the details of taking over the mission to even know it ever happened.
A Ladder....A Drain....
....It Causes Me Pain!
I have been staring at the monitor for many minutes now. I wrote the lead in....but do I want to explain......or just complain? Is it just my opinion that things are a miss......or maybe it all should be a boatload of bliss? Time isn't wasted as we work along in haste trying to do what's necessary to totally revamp and remodel one of the better missionary houses in Nauvoo. Maybe it's the bitter cold outside that has made me cranky. Maybe it's trying to figure out why we took out a perfectly good concrete floor in the garage replaced it with one that has a drain in the middle of the floor that flows outside and empties into a drainage ditch in the front of the house. What are we putting in here? A car wash? A pet groomer?
I've seen a few pull down ladders...where the attic height at worst allows one to walk crouched over and at best stand up full height. The floor is covered with plywood so as to avoid falling through the sheet rock below. The one that was just installed in this house leads one to a 4/12 pitch roof which leaves you with about 40" at it's tallest point. The batt insulation was thrown in after the sheet rock(haven't seen it done that way since about 1970) was installed and no plywood or such for a walk are was provided. Why use a forethought when we have the luxury of an after thought...right?
While the list is long and laborious by work here is satisfying and I enjoy it. I probably won't print this.....I really don't feel any better about writing it. At least not now....
We are now fully engaged in taping and mudding the upper floor. With it has come a revolving door of Elders working with me. Elder Pollock is still gone and Elder Corder stepped in to help. Elder Jensen returned after being gone close to two weeks, just as Elder Corder got sick toward the end of the week. Then Elder Jensen was gone Friday to visit his doctor here. He has had some health issues in the past that require he be monitored here.
The mudding is down to a final sand and on Friday Jared, our painter, came and started texturing the ceiling.....yes...a textured ceiling in Nauvoo. Marcus has either lost his mind, repented, or is in a hurry to move in. Nonetheless......it appears to be a Nauvoo miracle. Jared will be gone a couple of days and has strongly hinted it would be helpful if we finished the texturing. During all of this I have started the insulation on the walls downstairs in spite of the fact that we are still waiting for Jason to get the furnace installed....at least it got delivered. He's now been working on the duct work for three days and we haven't seen any of it. Hope springs eternal, however.
It's Just A Light Bulb.....
....How Difficult Can it Be?
When things happen in our Nauvoo housing we are instructed to turn in a service order so the FM department can handle it. They are usually pretty timely so what's to worry? Then again, most of us and seasoned home owners and we have learned to take care of a lot of things....like replacing a light bulb. Sounds simple enough but want to be diligent and professional we turned in a work order to replace the bulbs in our fluorescent light fixture that had gone dark. Promptly and expeditiously our FM electrical crew were "Johnny on the spot".
Sister Gibson was home when the arrived. Their first question was "when does Elder Gibson get home....We want to be done and gone before he arrives". She told them it would probably be an hour or so. "Perfect.....no problem then". So the real question then became "How long does it take to change fix a light bulb that isn't really burned out. Not even the internet had an answer for this perplexing problem. So in this case it will be at least three days because of the week end.
Elder Coleman "felt the love" and left us a kind note on the message board. I hope he knows we feel the same way about him....even when we say the same thing to the other service Elders. They are all great young men...and yes we do have a special place in our heart for him.
As they left the call of the wild struck Ben and they returned later to seek and destroy Bambi's Daddy that has been roaming our back woods for months now. The cold aside it appears Ben must suffer the embarrassment of a missed shot again and the five point runs free. Elder Coleman will probably go again.....after all he has a heated jacket to fend of the cold. Ben will probably bribe him to go....someone has to go and retrieve the arrows from all those missed shots.
The Sled Makes and Appearance....
.....and So Do We!!
Hidden away in the back reaches of the horse barn is a horse drawn sleigh. It comes out on very rare and special occasions....like when it snows enough (which has been a rare day here in Nauvoo recently). It also requires a presidential decree. The horses are still in hiatus but they are just like old fat missionaries.....they need exercise. So the teamsters have been taking them out regularly pulling the wagons. They travel the back roads and are not seen by the visitors.
The recent snows have put enough on the ground that the teamsters are "forced" to use the sled as an exercise tool since the winter roads to now accommodate the horses and wagons. The other day they put in a request to put siding on the infamous lean-to we built late last summer. Apparently there wasn't enough money in the budget to do it then. They would just have to "shoe" the horses in whatever weather was present. That is until it gets so cold that the Ferrier won't come unless something is done to break the wind. The makeshift tarp they made lasted briefly before being destroyed by the wind. All of a sudden there is now money and cold or not we are going to put the siding up. The teamsters know this is not going to be a lot of fun in the Nauvoo winter. We love them and they love us.
So while I was up measuring the job the horse driven sleigh approached. They could see the longing in my eyes for a ride but they were firm in their conviction and stood valiantly by the rules. The next day Sister Gibson and I lurking in the truck for the opportune moment when they drove by. We sprang from the truck and ran toward them. Thinking we were armed and dangerous they were easily overpowered by Sister Gibson's smile as we hijacked them and the sleigh and forced them (with love and smiles) to drive us around the field. Unfortunately, before we could get the horses underway Sister Wayment showed up. She was terrified and jumped on board to make sure nothing happened to her husband. As they drove us briefly around the fields we could see that those sharp teamster minds were working feverishly to concoct a plan to overpower us. When we got close to the truck we made the mistake of asking them to stop for a moment...We thought they would wait as we hurried to the truck for some warmth. Foolish us. They immediately took the reins into their own hands and rode off. It was good we got away so clean because just as we hid in the truck President Gordon arrived and started chasing down the sleigh. Undoubtedly to make sure everything was all right. The grateful teamsters stopped long enough to let him board. They are such kind and thoughtful men they didn't want him to have to walk back to his vehicle.
That's our story........and were sticking to it!!
It was Thursday afternoon as I pulled in the Visitor Center's parking lot. Surrounding the car were several sisters and Elder Wayment. There were hugs and tears...and in the middle of it all was Sister Shumway....with a smile big enough to melt the ice and snow she was standing on. Her tear stained face told the story. "I want to stay and finish my mission" she exclaimed. The diagnosis of a well progressed cancer had been confirmed and it was decided in consultation with her family, President Hall, and her doctors that it was best to return home where she could get the treatment she would need, be comfortable and surrounded by family.
 |
| Sister McNiel and Friend |
Sister Gibson and I will miss you. You are special to us...and many others. God be with you.
The Golden Ticket Returns....
It started out looking pretty daunting.....but little by little....precept by precept (doesn't that sound like scripture) things became a little clearer.
My first thought and option I called the Borum Forum: I'll just rattle on in a low monotone voice reading Elder Callister's talk. I'll have half of them asleep before 10-15 minutes. I'll pause....say Amen and start to shuffle papers like I'm done. Those that have been asleep will wake up startled and assume it's all over and start to get up and leave. Those who weren't asleep will already have been bored to tears and their minds will have rambled off the happier thoughts...see the others arising...and say "Well, he said Amen...it must be over. It sounds like a good idea....then again heaven will intervene everyone will have had morning caffeine.
Then I realize what started out as "where do I start" suddenly has turned into "where do I end"
Diligent study and searching has led me to a boatload of material that I can unleash on the brethren. I can just keep throwing out thoughts, facts, and questions and sooner or later I will hit on one that will turn their collective lights on and keep brethren alert. They are a pretty bright group for a bunch of old guys. I've always enjoyed teaching so I am looking forward to it....unless my weakness' are uncovered and I have to start stammering like a befuddled nincompoop. God does answer prayers....I hope he answers mine on this occasion. Regardless there is a silver lining.....President Hall will be leaving and will probably not concern himself with it......President Lusvardi, on the other hand, will be too buried with the details of taking over the mission to even know it ever happened.
A Ladder....A Drain....
....It Causes Me Pain!
I have been staring at the monitor for many minutes now. I wrote the lead in....but do I want to explain......or just complain? Is it just my opinion that things are a miss......or maybe it all should be a boatload of bliss? Time isn't wasted as we work along in haste trying to do what's necessary to totally revamp and remodel one of the better missionary houses in Nauvoo. Maybe it's the bitter cold outside that has made me cranky. Maybe it's trying to figure out why we took out a perfectly good concrete floor in the garage replaced it with one that has a drain in the middle of the floor that flows outside and empties into a drainage ditch in the front of the house. What are we putting in here? A car wash? A pet groomer?
I've seen a few pull down ladders...where the attic height at worst allows one to walk crouched over and at best stand up full height. The floor is covered with plywood so as to avoid falling through the sheet rock below. The one that was just installed in this house leads one to a 4/12 pitch roof which leaves you with about 40" at it's tallest point. The batt insulation was thrown in after the sheet rock(haven't seen it done that way since about 1970) was installed and no plywood or such for a walk are was provided. Why use a forethought when we have the luxury of an after thought...right?
While the list is long and laborious by work here is satisfying and I enjoy it. I probably won't print this.....I really don't feel any better about writing it. At least not now....
We are now fully engaged in taping and mudding the upper floor. With it has come a revolving door of Elders working with me. Elder Pollock is still gone and Elder Corder stepped in to help. Elder Jensen returned after being gone close to two weeks, just as Elder Corder got sick toward the end of the week. Then Elder Jensen was gone Friday to visit his doctor here. He has had some health issues in the past that require he be monitored here.
The mudding is down to a final sand and on Friday Jared, our painter, came and started texturing the ceiling.....yes...a textured ceiling in Nauvoo. Marcus has either lost his mind, repented, or is in a hurry to move in. Nonetheless......it appears to be a Nauvoo miracle. Jared will be gone a couple of days and has strongly hinted it would be helpful if we finished the texturing. During all of this I have started the insulation on the walls downstairs in spite of the fact that we are still waiting for Jason to get the furnace installed....at least it got delivered. He's now been working on the duct work for three days and we haven't seen any of it. Hope springs eternal, however.
It's Just A Light Bulb.....
....How Difficult Can it Be?
When things happen in our Nauvoo housing we are instructed to turn in a service order so the FM department can handle it. They are usually pretty timely so what's to worry? Then again, most of us and seasoned home owners and we have learned to take care of a lot of things....like replacing a light bulb. Sounds simple enough but want to be diligent and professional we turned in a work order to replace the bulbs in our fluorescent light fixture that had gone dark. Promptly and expeditiously our FM electrical crew were "Johnny on the spot".
Sister Gibson was home when the arrived. Their first question was "when does Elder Gibson get home....We want to be done and gone before he arrives". She told them it would probably be an hour or so. "Perfect.....no problem then". So the real question then became "How long does it take to change fix a light bulb that isn't really burned out. Not even the internet had an answer for this perplexing problem. So in this case it will be at least three days because of the week end.
Elder Coleman "felt the love" and left us a kind note on the message board. I hope he knows we feel the same way about him....even when we say the same thing to the other service Elders. They are all great young men...and yes we do have a special place in our heart for him.
As they left the call of the wild struck Ben and they returned later to seek and destroy Bambi's Daddy that has been roaming our back woods for months now. The cold aside it appears Ben must suffer the embarrassment of a missed shot again and the five point runs free. Elder Coleman will probably go again.....after all he has a heated jacket to fend of the cold. Ben will probably bribe him to go....someone has to go and retrieve the arrows from all those missed shots.
.....and So Do We!!
The recent snows have put enough on the ground that the teamsters are "forced" to use the sled as an exercise tool since the winter roads to now accommodate the horses and wagons. The other day they put in a request to put siding on the infamous lean-to we built late last summer. Apparently there wasn't enough money in the budget to do it then. They would just have to "shoe" the horses in whatever weather was present. That is until it gets so cold that the Ferrier won't come unless something is done to break the wind. The makeshift tarp they made lasted briefly before being destroyed by the wind. All of a sudden there is now money and cold or not we are going to put the siding up. The teamsters know this is not going to be a lot of fun in the Nauvoo winter. We love them and they love us.
So while I was up measuring the job the horse driven sleigh approached. They could see the longing in my eyes for a ride but they were firm in their conviction and stood valiantly by the rules. The next day Sister Gibson and I lurking in the truck for the opportune moment when they drove by. We sprang from the truck and ran toward them. Thinking we were armed and dangerous they were easily overpowered by Sister Gibson's smile as we hijacked them and the sleigh and forced them (with love and smiles) to drive us around the field. Unfortunately, before we could get the horses underway Sister Wayment showed up. She was terrified and jumped on board to make sure nothing happened to her husband. As they drove us briefly around the fields we could see that those sharp teamster minds were working feverishly to concoct a plan to overpower us. When we got close to the truck we made the mistake of asking them to stop for a moment...We thought they would wait as we hurried to the truck for some warmth. Foolish us. They immediately took the reins into their own hands and rode off. It was good we got away so clean because just as we hid in the truck President Gordon arrived and started chasing down the sleigh. Undoubtedly to make sure everything was all right. The grateful teamsters stopped long enough to let him board. They are such kind and thoughtful men they didn't want him to have to walk back to his vehicle.
That's our story........and were sticking to it!!
Winter in Nauvoo
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