Day of Firsts

Yesterday  was a day of firsts for us.  We served for the first time as assistant site leadres in the Nauvoo visitors center.  We actually go the building opened and closed and managed to get the movies started and the guests where the needed to be and got the building closed and the building is still standing so I guess it all worked.  we also went on stage in Rendevous for the first time last night.  It was kind of fun.  we sere a part of the chorus and didn't have any idea where we sere to go or stand, but the other missionaries took us in hand and pointed out where we should go.  that is the great thing about this place, everybody is so supportive of every body else.  we're all in this together and so every body helps and it all gets done.  They have moved up our debute as Peter and Abigail to April 12, so we are working really hard to get the prt down.  Been practicing witht he director in the Cultural Hall stage.  still rough but we're getting there.  Mom is off to the Wilford Woodruff Home this morning and I'm going to the Print shop.  More later.

Here We Go!

We just returned from our first rehearsal for our parts of Peter and Abigail in Rendevous In Old Nauvoo.  we'll get it, but we have a ways to go.  We were told today to plan on playing that part begining on the 17th of April.  That only gives us a couple of weeks and we haven't even been on stage yet as a part of the cast!  a lot to learn!  Looks like we will go on as a part of the big cast on Tuesday of this week, unless somenthing changes.  We think we know the songs, We'll see.  They called us to be the assistant site leaders for the Nauvoo Visitors Center.  We will be going over in the morning to learn about our duties and then we start serving on Tuesday.  We'll be the ones in charge on the days we serve there and that is a scary thought, since we have only served there one day!  The other couple that will be there with us on Tuesday has never served in the visitor center.  Talk about the blind leading the blind!  It'll work out, however, because things have a way of doing that around here.  I think the Lord must have a special love for this place because the Spirit is here in everything that goes on.  What a great experience!  Our prep day has been changed to Monday and so we'll spend tomorrow trying to get oriented to the visitor center and then take the rest of the prep day and do some exploring in the country side.  We have come to love the Illinois and Iowa country side.  It is understandable why the Saints loved this place.  There is a sociable this evening and a fellow is going to talk about Joseph Smith and the Ancient Prophets.  should be interesting.  Mom got her show dress this week and she looks like the most beautiful 1840's lady you ever saw(the short hair adds an interesting 2011 touch).  Now we have all of our show clothes, there is no excuse not to get on with it.  So..... on with the show.
Well, we're off to the sociable.

Relief Society Organization Commemoration at the Red Brick Store

On March 17th the Sisters of the Nauvoo Visitor Center Mission re-enacted the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.  If you look on the top row, you will see Joseph Smith, Emma, Willard Richards and John Taylor. The upper floor of the Red Brick Store is the actual site where the organization took place.  We boarded horse drawn carriages at the Visitor Center and were taken back there by the same mode after the re-enactment.  The horses are Persherons and Belgian Draft horses.  They are HUGE.  Lots goin on here.  Today I served in Lands and Records where visitors can look up their ancestors who lived in Nauvoo and find where they lived, if they owned or rented property and also get a disc containing family group sheets, histories, whatever Nauvoo Lands and Records has about them.  If any of you have someone you want me to look up, let me know.  Poppa was in the blacksmith shop giving a horseshoe making demonstration and bestowing prairie diamond rings.  Its only in the 40's here to day.  Yesterday, it was 78.  Well, thats Spring in Nauvoo.  Love ya, Gramma Jann

Lots of Talented Folks=Lots of Fun

We had the mission talent show night before last.  There are a lot of talented folks here!  We had the auditorium in the visitor's center full with missionaries and visitors.  It was a lot of fun!  People did all kinds of different things and it is interesting to see how different people's talents are.  Mom and I sang, I played the guitar and the banjo.  The "Bluegrass Band" played for folks at the beginning in an  introduction to the show.  It is far from a real bluegrass band, but it is really fun to play with these folks.  They do everything from bluegrass to folk to old time to whatever.  The Elders do most of the playing and the sisters do a lot of singing.  It has been a lot of fun to just get together with all of them and play.  It will never win any awards but it is an experience that I will never forget and will cherish just because of the association.  Our cast has been practicing for Sunset and you would love to see Mom and I dancing in the show.  No laughing!  You just have to let yourself go and get into it and it actually can be fun!  The thing about it is that people will come from all over the country and other places to see it, so they deserve to have the best show they can get and above all remember their time in Nauvoo and the feelings they have when they are here.  We want to make sure we add to that enjoyment.  So, dance away!  We're together at the Nauvoo Visitor Center today.  First time we have served together.

What day is it?

Yesterday I had a split schedule:  9:00 to 11:30 and 2:30 to 5:00 at the log schoolhouse.  When I came back to the house, I turned on the radio and "Wait, wait don't tell me" was on.  I thought, Whoa it's Saturday.  There is really nothing here to differentiate the days except for "P" day and Sundays.  You just look at the calendar before you go to bed and then again in the morning because you've slept and can't remember what you looked at the night before; fix yourself a lunch and off you go.  There's a joke around here amongst us old-timers that if you've slept since you knew something, ;you don't know it anymore and its pretty much true.  We went to dinner in Hamilton and the Mexican Restaurant on Friday with two couples from the Bluegrass Band, and we're going to Burlington (about and hour away) on Tuesday with two other couples who have the same "P" day as ourselves.  We're beginning to know a few people besides the missionaries we came out with and that's a good feeling.  Everyone here is really great to include you.  We had our first district meeting tonight.  We all brought something for a taco dinner, discussed answers to some commonly asked questions at the sites and visited together.  My favorite site so far is the print shop.  There is a typesetters table with type and typesetter tools on it that visitors can pick up and examine and a press that the children can ink the type with a dauber (minus the ink) and then crank the paper in and "press" the platen down onto the paper.  Its a lot of fun and they really like it.  Our challenge in each site is to build a bridge between the historical information we give them and a gospel principle that we can testify of.  For instance, in the wainwright shop (wagon builder), the brethren talk about how the hub is the center of the wheel that holds the spokes and the rim of the wheel and he likens that to Jesus Christ being the center of our lives.  We also encourage visitors to fill out a comment card and think of someone in their family or friends who might be receptive to learning more about the gospel and put their name on the card.  There is a call center here in the visitor center that contacts these referrals and asks them if they would like to have missionaries stop by and bring them a DVD or a Book of Mormon or a Bible.  Then the person has an opportunity to say yes or no.  This is a huge learning experience, but you feel support from everyone and also from the Lord.  You do the best you can and He fills in the cracks.  We hope ;you are all well.  Spring is coming here.  It was 78 degrees here to day and there are birds everywhere.  We miss you all and love you.  Grandma Jann 

Hard At Work

Things are beginning to get really busy here.  We have a lot of people coming right now because it is spring break in various parts of the country.  Yesterday, I was at the Blacksmith Shop and Jann was at the Post Office. Both were busy all day with tours going constantly.  It makes it really enjoyable tomeet all these folks from all over the country.  Lots of fun, but a lot of hard work.  I am getting better at making horseshoes, but pitty any horse that would have to wear there.  we have been practicing our parts of Abigail and Peter for Rendevous.  We practice as we take our walk in the mornings.  I'm sure that if people heard us they would think we are nuts, but we're getting the part learned.  Went to the temple yesterday last evening with the rest of our cast.  Enjoyable evening with ice cream at Dotty's Cafe afterwards.  Had a rehearsal fro the talent show yesterday.  the show is Monday night and I am playing with the "Bluegrass Band ", and doing solo number on the guitar and also on the banjo.  they asked me to play th eharmonica solo in Sunset.  i haven;t played the harmonica for at least 30 years, but went over to the little music store in Keokuk and bought one and have been practicing.  The old technique is coming back.  It is amazing here, it seems that you put in to proactice everything that you have learned all your life.  The amazing part about it is that the Lord helps you so much.  things that you haven't done for years come really easily and it all just seems to come together, if you're willling to work hard and do your part.  we feel really blessed and are having a great time with all of this.  Today Mom is at the :Lucy Mack smith home and I am at the Brickyard.  these are new assignments as of this morning.  some mornings they call a reassign you with just a few minutes notice.  You just have to stay flexible and make sure you have your script notes always at the ready.  Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary-43 years.  we are going to spent it at the family living center and the log school sites and then in rehearsal for the talent show.  Not too exciting, huh?  but, the work goes on.  May try to get to dinner on our "P" day next week.  we had a general authority here this past week as a part of the annual mission training.  It was Elder Perhson of the Seventy who also spoke to us in the MTC.  More training scheduled for this weekend and dsitrict meeting also.  As a mission, we like to meet a lot.  Well, I'm off to "hack" bricks.  More later.

tender mercies

Yesterday Dad and I met with our mission president, President Ludwig.  He meets with all the new m issionaries after they've been here 10 days or so to make sure you're not ready to jump ship, I think.  He is such a kind and loving man.  He asked all about our children and their spouses and our grandchildren and how they were doing.  We told him about the challenges that Matt has faced, and at the conclusion of our meeting, he offered a prayer and prayed specifically that the Lord would bless Matt, that a correct diagnosis would be made and that if it was the Lord's will that he might be able to retain his memory.  Aubrey called me and said Matt had an MRI today and the neurosurgeon said that some of the damage to his brain is repairing itself.  She said she has seen this happen in children, but never in an adult and she has no explanation for it.  We do.  It is the power of the priesthood exercised on our behalf through a worthy priesthood holder, and the tender mercies of our loving Heavenly Father.  We are so grateful to be here in this place doing this work.  We love you all, think of you often and you are always in our prayers.  Love, Mom

Lots of Music

Wow!  Is there a lot music to learn!  We have now begun in earnest learning the music for Rendevous n Old Nauvoo and Sunset By the Mississippi.  In addition, Mom is playing a tin whistle in one song in Sunset and I am playing the banjo in another.  we are getting ready for the talent show on the 21st in which we'll sing and play the banjoand guitar and also play with the "bluegrass band" that does the warm up act.  Last night they asked me to sing in a barbershop quartet for Sunset.  It is really fun to be able to be involved in so much music, if we can ever learn all of the words.  Today I go to the blacksmith shop and Mom to the Heber C. Kimball Home.  Spent our "p" day yesterday doing chores and just trying to catch-up.  really busy, but lots of good experiences!  Well we're off to preparation meeting and then to our sites!

Our First Busload

Hi y;all.  We had our first busload of visitors since we have been here.  They were a group of 60 laurels and priests and their leaders from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Their stake brings the priests and laurels every two years to tour Nauvoo.  I was in the Bakery and Dad was in the Jonathan Browning gun shop.  We both got to give several tours to these young people.  We talked to some of their leaders who came in alone.  They said many of the young people come from really challenging circumstances and are the first generation of their family in the church.  My companion in the bakery bore testimony to them of following the prophet even when he asks us to do hard things; and that we will be blessed and things will be well with us as we do that.  I'm sure that it is not easy for many of these young people to remain strong in the gospel.  They came to Rendezvous tonight and really enjoyed it.  One girl said, "Wow, those old people can really sing!"  They gave the cast a standing ovation.  Then they climbed on their bus to drive all night to get back to Louisiana sometime tomorrow.  It was really neat to have them here. 

We belong to the Brigham cast now and attended Rendezvous cast rehearsal with them this evening.  Everyone is so welcoming and glad to have us.  I was feeling pretty overwhelmed by the end of the week.  There's so much to learn and you feel pretty inadequate.  But we had choir ,and our director, who is a former choral teacher and really wonderful, had some wonderful music for us to sing which really lifted my spirits.  And then we had a fireside with Elder McMullin from the Presiding Bishopric.  Between those two things I felt a lot better.  Thank Heaven for music and general authorities!  I know that the Savior knows what I am feeling and only expects me to do the best I can and He will make up the rest.  That makes me feel a lot better.  Well, time to go to bed.  Love you all, Mom

Hard at Work

Well, just a quick note before we go to work this morning. We are now busily engaged in site work.  Mom sprent the day at the Cultural Hall yesterday and I was at the Blacksmith shop and Wainwright shop.  Made my first horseshoe.  I pitty any horse that would have to wear it.  Gave my first real tour yesterday at the Wainwright and Blacksmith shops.  Two families, one from Iowa and one part or which was from florida and the other part of which was from Washington.  Went O.K.  Even made them a horseshoe.  Best part of it all is the opportunity to bear testimony of the prophet and restoration as a part of the tour.  The spirit really touches you as you discuss these great people that lived and left here and their hard work and sacrifice.  Great experience!  We begin our rehersals for Rendovous on Sunday.  Have been going to the show every night ans singing along in the audience.  Guess we are going to get serious now.  Got a call yesterday from the Sunset Director and I guess they want to hear some banjo playing to see if they can work that into the show, so am going to connect up with one of the guitar players around here and see what I can do.  Also asked for a little bit of "Rabbit on a Log" for the talent show so I guess I'll do that also. We're off this morning, Mom to the Cultural hall and me to the Boot shop.  Love y'all.

Been Here a Week Today

We arrived in Nauvoo a week ago today.  We're pretty well settled in.  It is spring here today.  It is 10 a.m. and 55 degrees.  I have the back door open and there are so many birds singing in the backyard. I just heard one I didn't recognize and got up to look.  It was a bluejay; not the kind we have at home but the one you see in pictures; really blue with a peak (comb?) on the top of his head.  I've learned to recognize the cardinals song and we see them everyday now.  The squirrels are running all over too.  Things are waking up.  I put a bird feeder outside our window and a chickadee came to it this morning.  I told President Kirkham I would like to serve a couple of days a week with NRI (Nauvoo Restoration Inc.) weeding, and planting.  He said they are going to need people to do that soon. 

The corn bugs are thriving, especially in the upper floor of our home.  I kill at least twenty every day.  I don't know if its just the time of year or if we will always have them, or even where they're coming from.  They're easy to catch but I'm sick of them. 

Poppa is serving in the blacksmith shop today and I am going to the cultural hall.  I served in the Brigham Young Home two days this week.  I am so impressed by the faith that these people had to follow the prophet and leave their homes here to head West.  There's a line in Rendezvous (the nightly program in the Cultural Hall) that says "The Lord has provided for our rescue.  Our safety lies in the Rocky Mountains".  Joseph Smith and Brigham Young knew through revelation where to take the people so they would be safe from the mobs.  We have a living prophet today who guides us through revelation and we can be safe from the confusing and sometimes dangerous influences around us if we follow his direction.  What a blessing that is for us.  Love you all.  Be good.  We miss you.  Grandma Jann

Hi y'all!  We finally got our internet connection today.  I can hardly believe we've been here a week tomorrow.  Our home is one of the restored historic homes on the "flats"; the Winslow Farr home.  It is cozy and comfortable.  No bathroom on the main floor though.  One in the basement and one upstairs where our bedroom is. We also have a second bedroom, hint, hint.  Oh well, good exercise! The stairs to the basement are just short of being a ladder with a hand rail.  Lorin Farr, one of the founders of Ogden, is the son of Winslow Farr and Olive Hovey; so we feel like its a piece of home.  Nauvoo is beautiful even in the winter.  We have had beautiful sunsets over the Mississippi River the last two evenings.  We are attending Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo, one of the nightly productions here, every evening; sitting in the audience and singing along, trying to learn the words.  We had our "talent review", i.e. tryouts, on Wednesday and should be assigned to a cast within a week or so.  Then we'll start rehearsing with them and be on stage in about a month.  Everyone here is so welcoming.  Everyone speaks to everyone.  I think they're glad to see us come to share the work.  President Ludwig and his wife arranged for the new missionaries to go to the temple yesterday and then we went to their house last night for dessert and to get better acquainted with them.  They're great.  He converted to the church after he met her.  Dad and I served at our first sites yesterday.  Dad was at the Family Living Center and I was at the Brigham Young home.  We didn't have any visitors, but it was a good opportunity to give practice tours to the other missionary that was serving with us.  We will serve to gether on Sundays, but probably not on the other days.  There are three schedules:  9-3, 9-2:30, 11:30-5, and the split schedule is 9-11:30 and 2:30-5.  We often have different schedules also.  Dad has been asked to perform on the annual talent show on March 21st..  I think he's going to play and sing Rabbit on a Log!There is an amazing spirit at Nauvoo.  You feel how much the pioneers loved this city and their temple.  We feel priviliged to serve here.  I wish all of you could come back and see it all. 

Today was our preparation day and we went to a little town about an hour and a half away, in Iowa, called Cantrill.  There is a store there run by a Mennonite group (something like the Amish).  They have Amish style hats and Dad needed one for Rendezvous.  They had shoes, clothing, groceries, toys, gifts etc.  It was amazing.  The highway to Cantrill is an Iowa scenic byway.  It was good to "get out of Dodge."  Well, I think its time to pack it in for today.  Dad's at the Riser Boot Shop tomorrow and I'm at the Brigham Young Home again.  We'll take some pictures in our 1840's clothes and see if we can figure out how to get them on the blog.  We miss you all and love you so much.  We pray for you all the time and know that the Lord will watch over you and bless you.  So long for now.  Mom