January 14, 2016 - Thursday in Nauvoo

I had to do a double take this morning.  The temperature was 32 degrees and the wind was quiet.  That made for a beautiful morning walk.  I had to check the calendar to make sure this wasn't the first day of Spring!  We were up, at our usual time, for our devotional and prayers, and were ready to begin the walk at 5:50am this morning.  What a great formula to start the day!

The morning sunrise over the Mississippi River

We served at the Visitors Center this morning from 8:45am to 1:30pm.  We had a few missionaries coming and going, and only one visitor all morning long.  The day has been absolutely gorgeous outside!  The wagons were running today, without passengers, to help train new sisters who will be giving the history dialog for the rides later this Spring.

Tomorrow the new mission president and his wife are scheduled to arrive.  President and Sister Hall are coming in from the Mission Presidents MTC and they are from Rexburg, Idaho.  We are looking forward to meeting with them when the opportunity comes up.  I can just imagine all the senior missionaries making the effort to get to meet them "first"...  

It goes with our geriatric make-up!  He will inherit two mission counselors and one will be leaving in March.  Things will get interesting, I am sure, and mom and I have a front row seat working at the Visitors Center three or four days each week!  However, it will be fun to meet him at the right time, and have the connection with the Rigby/Rexburg home-base!

Mom and I took separate ways home from the Visitors Center after our shift.  She went home to prepare our meal and I went  to the Post Office to mail off my first birthday hat!  Maddie is celebrating her birthday later this month and I am using her to help me size the other hats.  I get to make at least 20 of them this year!  Wait until you see the yarn colors mom and I have picked out!

Then we closed the day with our Emma Hale Cast going to the 6:00pm temple session.  This was our 40th visit to the Nauvoo Temple.  We had about 20 members of the cast there and some of our favorites as well!  Mom and I were able to serve as the witness couple and that is always a treat.  It was a great way to close out this beautiful day!

January 13, 2016 - Wednesday in Nauvoo

Wednesday is our weekly training meeting at the Visitors Center.  It is also our laundry day and our house cleaning day.  And this month, it is also our Rendezvous night!  Things looked a little hectic as we began this day!  Of course mom was up before 4:00am to begin her day.  She got started on the laundry after her morning prayers and scripture study.  I finally got up around 5:30am and we had our morning devotional and prayers together.  

Since we did not have time for our morning walk, I had a good workout while mom showered and got ready for the day.  After my workout and breakfast and shower, we left for the training meeting.  Mom had a part in the training as she related the experience she had in Carthage with Elder Hansen helping a member get back home.  This young man had been roughly treated by the Carthage police and jail folks when he was trying to make a traffic ticket right.  

Elder Hansen stepped in when he showed up at the Carthage Visitors Center and asked for some help.  We saw Elder Hansen act as an angel to this young man when he took him to Keokuk to catch a bus home.  The next bus was the following day so Elder Hansen got him a hotel room and some food.  The clerk at the hotel was very much affected by this act of kindness shown this young man. 

The training meeting was about angels working in our lives.  There were several good and uplifting stories of some of the angels in our midst.    And there were some stories that lacked the angel in us.  The whole point of the training was to be a little kinder and a little more considerate of those you come in contact with.  In addition, the meeting today was President Gibbons and Sister Gibbons last training meeting of their mission.  

Mom served at the Lyon Drug Store from 10:00am until 5:00pm and I had a little shorter shift at the Seventies Hall from 12:00noon until 5:00pm.  I got to get some work done at home and then left for my assignment at 11:45am.  At the end of our shifts, in which we had no visitors at either site, we got an email cancelling Rendezvous.  No tickets were requested, so we had the night off.  It was a welcomed development and I was able to finish a birthday knitted hat for my precious granddaughter. 

The morning sun breaking through

The evening sunset from the Seventies Hall tonight

On my way home from walking mom to her site assignment, I got the morning picture.  The clouds were magnificent!  Then, as I completed my site assignment at the Seventies Hall, I got the evening sunset picture.  The Mississippi appeared to be ablaze of fire!  

It has been a good day.  Thank you for checking in with us tonight.

January 12, 2016 - Tuesday in Nauvoo

We have had a busy day, today, here in the mission field.  Sister Goodman has been working on recording a new CD for the new missionaries entering the Nauvoo Mission for the Rendezvous Play.  Its purpose is to help the new missionaries understand the play and get acquainted with it before arriving here.  There are about two dozen or so missionaries that were invited to participate in the recording.  I was asked to record the parts associated with the Editor where the music was involved.

Sister Goodman has been very involved in major musical productions with her family and she has been wonderful  getting to know.  We could tell she knew what needed to be done.  Elder Apperson was a base guitar singer, and player, associated with the Buffalo Springfield Band in the late 1960's.  He just "happened" to bring his recording instruments with him to the mission field without being asked to. 

My first recording session was at 8:30am this morning, and I met, again, with Sister Goodman and Elder Apperson, at 1:30pm after our shift at the Visitors Center.  Sister Goodman was concerned with the making of the recording and fielding all the "suggestions", that seem to be unending, from some of the 'professional' folks here in the mission.  However, her effort was well received and the recordings went pretty smooth.  I think she was happy with the recording sessions.  Now they need to put it all together and begin the CD recordings.

I just have to note here that the Spirit was so strong in both of my recording sessions.  As we lined up around the microphone and practiced our lines, there were a lot of mistakes made on the speaking parts.  But, when we actually started to record the session, the words were spoken clearly and without error.  Mom and I could "feel" the Hand of the Lord in that recording session.  It appeared that He knew that hundreds of new missionaries coming into His field of labor here in Nauvoo would benefit from this humble effort.

Elder Apperson, seated, with his recording equipment

We are standing around a microphone with our recording ear plugs and scripts

Another group shot at the 8:30am recording session

Sister Goodman giving us some instructions

This was such a choice experience for me!  Working with two artists that have had a powerful impact on the world of music!  And working with fellow missionaries just trying to be the best we can be.  This ranks pretty high on our experience list here in Nauvoo.  Mom got to be here taking pictures and listening to the developing product.  And, it was the Spirit that witnessed to us that this work was acceptable to Him.

Mom and I had a good day at the Visitors Center and we had about 15 guests come in.  The temperatures were so low that the horses were not hitched up for rides today.  But we had some good conversations and mom had an opportunity to talk to one of the guests who may have been a member of the Church but less active.  He had worked here in the area and was being transferred to another facility.  He felt he needed to make a visit to Nauvoo before he left on his new assignment.

To close our day we had dinner with the Mamales'.  They were with us in the MTC and will be leaving next Tuesday.  They were here for just a year and will be returning to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  They leave for home next Tuesday.  We were grateful to meet them back in February at the MTC and get to know them here in Nauvoo.  We have such good memories already of the missionaries we are meeting!

January 11, 2016 - Monday in Nauvoo

There was a warming trend today and the morning temperatures were in the high teens and the afternoon temperature reached into the low 30's.  We actually got to take two long walks today.  The morning walk was cold enough to only complete half the distance, while the afternoon walk we were able to cover the entire course.  This was an exercise filled P-day!

After our morning devotional, prayers and walk, we got ready for the day and left for Quincy at 9:00am.  We really got a lot accomplished!  Mom was able to spend her last Christmas discount bucks at the Christopher and Banks store in Quincy and got three new shirts for the price of one.  Then she found another warm top at Sam's!  This one was under $13!!

A warm addition to her wardrobe

We also picked up some additional knitting yarn at the fabric store, and I found some bargain items at Wal-Mart for my knitting tools storage.  And, by the way, gas prices were down to $1.82 per gallon.  We are filling up the van only every three weeks or so.  We have been able to cut way back on our driving by being in the middle of the lower area of Nauvoo, and walking everywhere we can, weather permitting!

This afternoon we spent a very quiet part of our day with having a few things to do.  One of the Elder's called me and needed help tying off a knit hat so I walked down to the Print Shop where he was working and showed him how.... imagine that!  Then we had lunch and our long afternoon walk.  When we got back, we had our Family Home Evening, and then it was time for mom to say good night!  I laid down for a quick nap and have finished up the day with blogging and some reading.  I may even have some time to start a birthday hat for Maddie!

It is incredible the positive influence the missionaries have in this area.  At Wal-Mart this morning, the cashier spoke very highly of the Mormons, although she was not one.  We invited her to come and see us in Nauvoo and marveled at the positive impact she had received from missionaries going through her checkout line.  She even let us know about her upcoming anniversary with her husband... 61 years in August!  We told her to come and celebrate with us!

Then, as I was checking out at Sam's, and mom was talking to Josie on the phone, three precious girls ranging in age from about 9 years to about 12 years came up to me and asked if they could help empty my shopping cart onto to belt.  They were so cute!  They were with their mom and having lunch at Sam's, and saw the "missionaries" and came over to help.  I went over to them afterwards and spoke with the mom and thanked them , again, for their kindness! 

That pretty much explains the P-day in the life of two senior missionaries.  We have enjoyed stocking up for the week ahead, and resting from our labors.  It has been a good day for us and we are grateful for this opportunity to serve this mission together.

January 10, 2016 - Sunday in Nauvoo

Bone chilling temperatures this morning for Church services... The thermometer registered -0- and the wind chill, some say, reached -32.  And the skies were clear and absent of clouds!  It did "warm up" to 11 degrees, but that was later this afternoon.  It was a great day to stay indoors!

After our morning devotional and prayers, we headed out the door to our meetings.  We had a marvelous Sacrament Meeting as we were able to take the Sacrament and renew our covenants.  Then we had some encouraging and inspiring talks from our speakers. We left the Sacrament Meeting at the Stake Center and then had our Sunday School, and Priesthood and Relief Society Meetings, at the Visitors center.

Our site assignment was at the Visitors Center for the 11:00am to 2:00pm shift.  We had a few guests come in at 12:00noon and a few more right before we left at 2:00pm.  We invited Sister Goodman over for breakfast for dinner at 2:30pm and then I had the privilege of giving her a Priesthood Blessing.  She is working on recording a new CD for the Rendezvous Play.  This CD will be the introduction for the new senior missionaries coming into the mission field this year, and she just wanted some additional help.

Then tonight I was able to finish my 4th knitted cap for the Humanitarian projects!  These are hats for the 2 and 3 year old heads.  Take a look!  You probably think these were purchased at Neiman Marcus just for this picture.... don't you?  They will probably win the Nauvoo fashion trend, "product of the year" award...

The knitted hat project

I hope they will serve the purpose that they are intended for!  It was fun to make them and now I am going to start my work of knitting one for each grandchild!  This should make for a very interesting Grandpa project!

Mom and I have been asked to teach Sunday School on January 31st.  It will be Lesson #5 in the Book of Mormon and we are excited to teach together!  Mom was already researching the lesson tonight and making plans for the lesson.  This will be the first time in a long time we have been able to teach a lesson together!  I hope we can keep the senior missionaries awake for 50 minutes!  I plan on having some fun trying!!

January 9, 2016 - Saturday in Nauvoo

Burrrr, it was cold today!  A few snow flakes with a lot of wind brought the temperatures down to the teens.  And, as we got home from Rendezvous, it was 9 degrees.  The temperature should stay positive throughout the night but this is the coldest it has been this year!

Our morning started off with our prayers and devotional.  Then we went to the stake center for our cleaning assignment.  The assignment for our zone is for the entire moth of January.  However, half the zone forgot, so the cleaning took a little longer than last week!

We served in the Visitors Center today and we had a few guests come in.  One family in particular came to experience Nauvoo and wanted to take the noon wagon ride... It was 11 degrees at noon today!  But they came prepared for the cold and they had their 5 year old son, Riley, who was experiencing Nauvoo for the first time.  Riley reminded me of our two 5 year old grandchildren, Landon and Emma.  It was fun to show him around and he was so naturally curious.  

In the course of conversation with his grandmother, Riley shares his custody with his mom and his dad who brought him here today.  His dad did not have him for Christmas and this was their Christmas gift trip for Riley.  They live in St. Louis, so hopefully they will be back this summer.  Here is a picture;

Riley's first visit to Nauvoo with "his" missionary

Riley lives with his mom half the time and with his day the other half.  His mother has separated herself from the Church and Riley only attends when he is with his dad.  I can't imagine how his dad must feel about that.  But his dad was so positive and upbeat and happy to be here in Nauvoo.  I was grateful to show special attention to Riley and then find out about this challenging arrangement.

 

He had about 20 minutes before his wagon ride so I got the show him some displays and two 1 minute movies on sharing.  (Ask me about the "cupcake boys" and the "cupcake girls" when you come to Nauvoo).  Then his dad wanted to take a picture of us and as we were posing for the picture I asked Riley if he wanted to be a missionary.  He looked up at me and said, yes!.... I want to be a missionary just like you!  It made my day.  They later came for Rendezvous, and that was another treat for me because I got to be the Editor and he was sitting wide eyed on the front row!

Elder LeeMaster and Sister Swenson

Elder LeeMaster had the spiritual thought tonight in our Rendezvous Cast, and got really emotional.  He had the closest person, Sister Swenson, read the thought that he had prepared.  His grandson was traveling through Nauvoo, to his temple marriage and sealing in Utah, and stopped to see his grandma and grandpa.  This was the emotional part, this is his first grandchild getting married and all seven of his children came from all over to support this grandson getting married.  

It was a grand reunion without grandpa and grandma.  Then he said this;   "this has been a very hard day." "And as hard as it was to not be there for my grandson's marriage in the temple with all our family, I am so grateful to be here with such wonderful missionaries."  "If  we had not come on this mission, we would not have had the privilege of meeting you and knowing you and serving with you".  Allergies flared up all over the room when he said that...

And the interesting part... was that we ALL felt that same way!  Going though a family centered holiday, or a family centered event, away from family is very hard, but the people you meet as a result of that sacrifice is absolutely priceless.  The experience of doing this really cannot be explained.... it can only be experienced.

January 8, 2016 - Friday in Nauvoo

Today was our official monthly breakfast meeting for saying good bye to our mission president and his wife.  He was called into service, after being released as a member of the Seventy a couple of years earlier, in 2014.  The mission president who had originally been called to serve in Nauvoo in December 2013, got sick and could not fulfill the assignment.  President Gibbons and his wife accepted the call and began their service here in January 2014.  He has been a very popular and genuinely kind president.  Here are some pictures from this mornings breakfast;

Table settings for this mornings breakfast

Elder and Sister Mamales - they were in the MTC with us last year!

President Gibbons

Elder and Sister Ramsey - doing a skit about President & Sister Gibbons

President and Sister Gibbons

What a wonderful tribute to these kind missionaries.  Joining President and Sister Gibbons in their departure from the mission field is Elder and Sister Mamales.  The Mamales's were in the MTC with us last February and arrived here in Nauvoo the day after we arrived here in February 2015.  It is a tradition that missionaries leaving the mission do a final skit for the mission at this breakfast.  

Both couples were hilarious and the Ramsey',s gave a funny tribute to the Gibbons.  Sister Ramsey is the sister to Sister Gibbons.  We have enjoyed working with the Ramsey's in Rendezvous, Carthage, and the Nauvoo Visitors Center, as well as the Family Living Center, where the Ramsey's are the site leaders.  Elder Ramsey is responsible for teaching me the basics of knitting!

After the breakfast, mom and I walked to our site assignments.  I worked at the Blacksmith Shop and mom worked at the Bakery.  I had two tours at the Blacksmith Shop and mom had none!  I worked with Elder Lowe and I got to teach him how to knit the caps;

My first student knitter!  Check out that focus!

 

I am just pulling off my third cap!

Moments later I secured the top and made the tassel!

We had a really good day at the sites and then went to the temple with the Skinner's and the Blacks to do family sealings.  I thought that was a pretty good ending to a really good day.  Then we got Amy's text and found out grandchild #20 with be grandson #9!  That escalated our really good day to an awesomely wonderful day!  Congratulations to the unveiling of this precious grandson!!  We are expecting his entry to be the middle of June 2016!  Ahhh the blessings of serving a senior mission....