June 24-30, 2010
For preparation day, we had time to stop and see the Temple Arrival Center and the Temple Preparation Center. We thought we should know what is available for when visitors ask us. These are places where you can learn more about the temple, and also change clothes to enter the temple, if needed.
We picked up S/Morgan and S/Schetselaar (young single sisters) to head for Cantril, and followed the Myers with two more sisters. We stopped at a very small cheese factory, and a small country Amish store, where all the little girls were wearing solid color clothes. After the Dutchman's Store, we drove about eight miles back toward Nauvoo, when S/Morgan realized she had lost her wallet. After a thorough search and many phone calls, we arrived back at the store. No wallet. Just then we were finally able to contact the Myers, who had "just happened" to find the wallet in the middle of the road. What a relief and a blessing for us.
As we give our tours, the President has asked us to just give a gospel nugget along with the history. This could be something as simple as "families can be together forever".
I heard this gospel nugget given by one of the young Sisters in Family Living at the spinning and weaving demonstration: "Just like the wool is pulled and twisted as it is spun into yarn, we are often pulled and twisted in the trials and challenges of our lives. God will make something stronger out of us if we will let him". The young Sisters are good examples for us older missionaries to follow.
Pioneer Pastimes set a new attendance record for the summer so far. 408 people today. This is how it looks from the road, with dress-up clothes for boys and girls (a favorite), stilts, hoop rolling, stick pull, climbing bears, fox and geese, a schoolhouse, log cabin, dolls, stick ponies, and many more fun things. Kids often don't want to leave, and parents have to promise them that they will be able to come back. It is great un-plugged fun.
We get people from many countries. The two couples from England were lovely, but I had to listen hard to hear around their accents!
Our across-the-street neighbor, E/Myers, just cannot help himself when it comes to animals. His wife has dozens of stories to tell of snakes, deer, birds, etc., and right now he has a raccoon, who had lost his mother. E/Myers saved his life and now the little thing just follows him around whenever he is out.
Sunday was the commemoration at Carthage of Joseph and Hyrum's martyrdom, 166 years ago. There was standing room only, but it was only a short service, with good music by the band and YPM's. This is President and S/Peterson of the temple, and on the right, President and S/Ludwig, of our mission.
We were ready to go to a practice for "Peter and Abigail" (P&A) when Nelsons drove up. They said they would only be five minutes, so they came in and gave us a new assignment. We are now district leaders (Blacks will be leaving in August). We have clean-up responsibilities around Nauvoo to co-ordinate, Sacrament meetings to assign greeters and chair set-up, and monthly meetings to organize and conduct in our homes. Things change a lot around here, and there is always more to do!
We received sad news, the Hurleys packed up and left all of a sudden early one morning. She was the first sister I served with when I got here. The only thing said was, it was a family emergency. We learned that a son had died, and since they were leaving in a few weeks anyway, they will not be coming back. Not they way you plan to end your mission. They are the ones we are replacing for P&A, so we may go on stage sooner than planned.
**We had a chance to practice with E/Camp (head of productions for all of Nauvoo) for P&A. He gave us good direction and that helped.
**I received a nice note from the band members, thanking me for the treat I had given them, and for being so enthusiastic whenever I see them. They are good kids and excellent musicians.
**We watched Vocal Point, and they make amazing music, a capella.
**We did the snack for Rendezvous, feeding 65 people. We served 7-layer bean dip, salsa, chips, cheese cubes, and Jayne Orth's bar cookies, with ice water. They ate up every bit, so I guess it was a hit. Although I think some of these would eat anything until it was gone. My biggest success was that S/Lowe, who is a picky eater, ate a lot and even came back for more. She said it was the best we had ever had, at least it was her kind of food. Many wanted the cookie recipe.
We ate lunch at the River Front Grill and then walked across the street to the John Deere Pavilion, where there were many historic tractors on display. It was a 2 1/4 hour drive each way, but at least we got a "blizzard" at Dairy Queen on the way home, treat of Elder Jeppeson.
Jeppesons, Us, and Storeys.
