What is This Thing Called Winter?...
             When Will it End?
   

     Way back in the sweltering heat of summer it was noted that the Farmer's Almanac had predicted a colder and wetter winter than normal.  It didn't seem like to bad of a thought as we sweated and toiled with heat index's and temperatures that transformed into a drought for the Midwest.   It seemed so far off.  Well, winter arrived, was not welcomed, and has managed to stay around much longer than a visit from your least favorite relative who can not stop talking about their latest Hawaiian vacation and insists on showing you every picture of them and their saggy  aged bodies on the beach in a swimsuit.
    Sunday brought the biggest snowstorm we have had since we arrived in Nauvoo.  The constant below freezing temperatures have tried us for weeks and added to it was a 6" accumulation of snow.  The snows we have previously received require a little brooming to  clear a path.  This one needed a shovel.  The sites were closed, we missed an opportunity to serve in the Seventies Hall, and then the sun came out.  With that we had a winter wonderland in Nauvoo and along with the Lindeburg's we drove around Old Nauvoo, tramped through the pristine snow and took pictures of the sites.  It was a great day, cold as it was, and it gave us some lasting memories of Nauvoo in the winter.
     That being said it may still be winter but it's lasting too long.  Looking at the pictures, however, we will have many a lasting memory of this special place and our time together.

The Bucket List.....
      The Beginning of the End

 

  There is now a natural phenomenon occurring that is a conundrum of the complexities of life.

We were called to serve here in Nauvoo for eighteen months.  We looked forward to the grand adventure with enthusiasm, excitement, and some trepidation as to what we had gotten ourselves into.

     We have now enjoyed, endured, and are close to ending this adventure.  Every day and almost every encounter is a (dare I say, annoying) reminder from someone that we will be leaving soon.  They seemingly want us to stay.....encouraging us to extend.....telling us how much they will miss us.  Here's the rub.  We will miss them and they will miss us.  It will only be a fleeting moment.  It will quickly pass and soon we will all be caught up in our day to day lives and the burning fires of remembrance will dim into embers that will only smolder and cool.  

     So for those who keep us looking forward to our future by reminding us of our short time here I have tried to put it into my perspective: "We ARE looking forward to going home with as much enthusiasm (I really mean a lot more enthusiasm) as we came with.  We are not leaving our family....we are going home to them!!  Those left behind in Nauvoo will someday, God permitting, follow our path.    Those who we knew and left before us may or may not have a reunion with us but we will still have those photos and memories for as long as they can hold on to them. We will cherish them all.

    

    

     As to the bucket list....there are some things we would like to do before we get home.  The race is now on to do a couple of things that have seemingly eluded our experience and we (mainly me) would like to do.  It's pretty short....it's pretty much what's left (even though more may arise)  of most of the things we wanted to and see, visit, and do.   So we are down to three or four in Nauvoo, visit some church history sites, looks like will visit the Texans, and sooner or later we'll get home.
    So let's scratch off the first item on the list.  The view from the temple tower.  I'm sure we're not the first...nor will we be the last.  It is something that doesn't happen very often.  It might happen if you are in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, however.  There is a reason it is not public accessible.....that's all that needs to be said.  It is in the interior of the temple.  The top is reached by ascending a long, very long, steel staircase with a small handrail and it is an open stairway. You might say it's like climbing a very, very tall ladder with a handrail.   The bell rings on the hour and 1/2 hour....don't be in the tower when it goes off.  There are apparently predatory birds who nest there as their sounds are often heard....fortunately that keeps the pigeons away.  The view is spectacular...but it is really just the experience that makes it.

     Elder Jensen Heads into The Sunset.....
                                       As a New Teamster!!

     I have on rare occasions  complained mentioned that things in Nauvoo move in somewhat slow and convoluted ways and are hard to understand.  Last week we had another unexpected Nauvoo miracle.  Since the onset of the bitter cold of winter I have been fortunate to work with Elders Jensen and Corder.  Elder Corder is a skilled brick mason with a uniqueness that is, in some ways, a mirror to mine.  We have each often commented that together we are a dangerous pair and might be better off separated.  Elder Jensen is a skilled craftsman and for years has worked in the pre-hung and garage door industries.  Together the three of us have often been named "Curley, Moe, and Larry" by some "clowns".  We have been a great team working together and it has been a fantastic experience.
    The ride for Elder Corder and myself will continue.  Elder Jensen, on the other hand, had his long standing desire for Nauvoo fulfilled, as he was called to fill a seat with the teamsters where he will get to drive the horses and tell the stories. He was originally called as a teamster but when the wagon rides went into "wait and wait mode" his call was changed to FM.   His wife was put in charge of missionary housing replacing Sister Van Horn.  Together they have become stalwarts and great examples as they served with us in FM and the Brigham Young District.  All that ended on Friday as they received new assignments and will be in another district.
   It was only fitting that as we exited the temple on Friday evening there was a beautiful sunset.  It was the end of our time together.  It rose Saturday and was covered by the clouds.  In late afternoon it was shining brightly again.  So it is with us and them.  We will miss them, we will feel their presence, and when we see them we will be brightened by their presence.
     Elder and Sister Jensen; we love you, don't ever forget that....we won't!

Valentines Day, Vicenzo De Francesco,
      and a Pot Luck Dinner....

 

    We have often discussed the absence of feeling when it comes to holidays.  They just aren't the same.   Since we are expected to serve on most holidays it feels like an ordinary day even though we give it the "old college try" to make it special.  A big hug and a kiss....wooooopppeeeee! So there's the silver lining of our Valentines Day.  The mission scheduled two events for us...or should I say there were two mission events...  One we planned; our Brigham Young District Meeting....one we helped with; the mission "pot luck" dinner.

    

Since I had told the story of Vincenzo De Francesco to the Sarah Granger cast, Sister Corder had wanted me to tell again as it had touched her heart.  Our district meeting was scheduled for Valentines Day and so I planned on presenting the story for our district.  Sister Nielsen2 had overheard us talking about it and asked if their district could join us.  The more the merrier!  

    We scheduled it for the FM conference room to accommodate us and along with the districts we had most of the FM leadership attending also.  There was a special feeling there as I told the story and then afterward we watched the "How Rare a Possession" video that tells the story of this remarkable man.

     Fortunately "the great cinnamon roll caper" didn't get much attention.  Those who shall not be named, volunteered to make cinnamon rolls as a treat.  They decided to cook  them in the oven at FM.  The first batch went smooth and came out of the oven a golden brown.  Unfortunately they were scattered on the ground when the person removing them from the oven got bumped.  Panic ensued but a quick solution was reached and it was off to Casey's to get donuts while the other tray would bake.  The first batch was pretty well damaged from the fall and were just thrown on the tray to wait disposal.

     More chaos ensued when the  second tray got over-cooked(burnt) when the timer went off and wasn't noticed.  Ok...donuts are on the way.  It wasn't until a helpful hand saw the cinnamon rolls sitting forlorn on the table and wanting to be helpful... iced them all.  Before you could say "there's treats"  they were put on the refreshment table and scarfed up like hungry wolves over a large carcass.

Like I say; "All's well that ends well"

     The pot luck dinner was another gathering of the missionaries.  Games were played.  A good time was had by all.....or maybe "all were had by a good time?"

Barns, Mansions, and a Palace?
                            The Work Rolls On
    

It was another typical week.  That's not true.  There are no typical weeks in FM and maybe that's what makes it so fun to write about. Like it or not it's always full of surprises and adventure...or just plain hard work.  Sometimes there is a little disrespect  and the jobs are given an "unofficial" title by which they soon become known.  For example the Maxwell house took on the moniker of the "mansion".  Someone once called it "The Lord's House" when Marcus called it that. I am sure he meant that it belonged to the church and was not his....even though to some it appeared to be just that.       The remodeling of the President's Mission Home was without name until it was discovered that the tile that was to used on the floors in the bathrooms was chosen by a decorator who had seen the massive 24"x24" tiles in one of the temples. The initial plans have now evolved to adding the laundry room and kitchen. Such ornate decorations require a much more regal title and hence the home has been dubbed "The Presidential Palace".
    

     The barn addition seems to be driven by an Amish Ferrier, Raymond, who has done such outstanding work for the teamsters  that they are willing to work with him. The wind seems to be a distraction to him and so he has begged, pleaded, and probably threatened to get the north end sheeted.  If that wasn't enough we are now doing the east end. Apparently he is an important person to the teamsters....they have a team of horses named Ray and Richie after him and his son.  So without a moniker the barn is simple "The Barn".  Although we could call it the "Kings Barn".
  Somehow the Economou Home has kept it's original name.  More than likely because no one has a personal interest, nothing is extravagant, and we are in the finishing stages.   The missionaries have been able to keep to the original plans.  No changes.
    

     We appear to be  a rolling caravan.  Never stopping to long at any one place .....just enough to get one part of the project finished or started....all for various and sundry reasons.  We hung the cabinets at the Economou, put up the east side metal on the barn, prepped the sheet rock for the ornate Palace bathtub/shower.  Back at the Mansion we prepped the floor and started laying the Luxury Vinyl Tile as well as completed the sheet rock and started mudding and taping it.
     All in all it was a lot of work and sore muscles...or whatever is there that used to be muscle.

On The Road Again.....
       

     It started out as a trip north to the Mormon Handtrek Park in Iowa City, IA that honored those 3000 Mormon Saints who  had made their way across the plains of America pushing and pulling "handcarts" in order to live in Zion.  There is nothing like a little pre-planning to insure that you don't end up in some inclement weather like a snowstorm.  Not a problem said the usually reliable National Weather Service.  30% chance of snow before 9:00 a.m.  We hit the park at 12:05 p.m. and the snowstorm that went with it.  We plodded our way over caked ice and new snow until we reached the monuments.  A couple of quick pictures and were on to Costco to pick up some of those great muffins before we head back toward Nauvoo with a stop in Kalona for some of those yummy pull aparts.  After my Google Maps GPS went on the fritz, and even after Rick, the wonder child tried to fix it in Costco we appeared to be stranded and lost in the blizzard.  Then I remembered I had GPS in the truck and "wallaa" we were headed home.  No Kalona pull-a-parts this trip.  By the time we got to  Swedesburg  the falling snow was a memory and the road was clear so we made a stop at their Swedish American Museum.
   

     The stop turned out to be a delight.  The small museum was manned(womanned) by an elderly pair of  Swedish descendants who were determined to keep the spirit of the past alive.  This wasn't your ordinary tour of "here it is...take a look...and enjoy".  It was let's walk together and I will tell you all about everything you see, what it does, and why it is here.  On our way back to the "freezer" (the part of the museum that was unheated). our guide stopped and told us of their efforts to catalog stories and pictures of the early residents of Swedesberg.  What a treasure trove of stories and pictures they have collected  that sit in binders on the shelves and in large drawers.  I explained to them that they had some priceless memories that could be of great value to the many descendant's of this hearty group.  Soon I was into genealogy and how it led me to write a book of my own ancestors.  Try as I might I am pretty sure her brain stopped functioning when I used the words "digitized and internet".  I thought back to Dennis and Laurie Bird who had served a  mission photographing records in an office that used to be a  jail.  There's an opportunity here....and many other places to bring the past out of the drawers and off the shelves.
    

     I must have heard "it's not a horse....it's a goat" enough in Swedesberg to know that that I wanted a remembrance of the straw figure that sat off the highway as you entered the quaint little town. So I said to myself, since Sister Gibson didn't want to leave the truck; "what a great place for a selfie".  It was...I did...and the rest is history.    I'm the one on the left...the goat is in the background on the right.
(I've been called an "old goat" often enough and been gone long enough that I feel clarification is necessary.)



Odds at the End
    

    We had a great time when the Nielsen2's invited us to dinner.  It was a delightful evening and we learned so much about them.  They are such hard working people and serve with us in FM.  They have been most blessed to take care of the Carthage Jail during the summer months and have had many great life experiences.  Not to mention he is responsible for the creation of the Heber Creeper and drove the rails for many years.
     Best of all Sister Nielsen2 is a blog follower (so I have to be careful what I say) and she was the one who steered us to Swedesberg!
Thank you!!

    

    
The Nauvoo Orchestra held a fund raiser on the night before Valentines.  Our favorite FM electrician, (I mean the one that gets paid), Ben plays smooth violin in the orchestra.  He's no second fiddle(except in the Country Band during the pageant) to anyone, as he works hard at whatever he does.  He enlisted some service missionaries to dish up the grub (Italian cuisine) while he cleaned tables and smiled.  Gotta love Elder Coleman(our favorite unpaid electrician), Elder Hales, and Elder Cantwell for their willingness to help.  These guys are the greatest!!