Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018

Jolene's responsibilities

It has been a very normal / regular week so I decided to give you a view of what that looked like in my little world !  Next week, I'll show you what Jim's looks like.

This is a picture of my "boss"   Jared Willyerd.  He is the head painter and is employed by FM.  He lives in Fort Madison , Iowa ...so across the Mississippi river.  It is only a 10 minute drive from Nauvoo and you get to cross this cool toll bridge that moves when a barge passes through so there have been a few mornings that he arrives late because he has been "barged"  He is very easy-going and has to put up with us 3 FM ladies and a service missionary.  We are still trying to convince him that climbing on ladders is hazardous to our health....so he usually comes and helps us out...haha!

This is a picture of the 3 muskateers !   Left to right =  Sis. Childers from Washington, myself, and Sis. Howard from Wyoming.  I was the first to arrive and when I received my assignment, I told Jared that I only painted in coveralls at home so he ordered me 2 pair of white overalls to wear and I do...everyday.  They look alot better in the picture than they really are!  When the other 2 ladies arrived (a week later and 10 days later), they too received them so we decided to take a pic together.  We, also, have a truck for our use that is equipped with everything we need.  We were assigned to go to Carthage and paint all the gold lettering on the 6 plaques that go up the walk to the visitor's center.  It took us a couple of weeks but this was the last day at Carthage.  It was a very special time and I loved it!

That shows the intricate work that we were doing. Each letter was carved into the stone which had a brown base paint so each letter had four sides that needed to be coated with the gold.  Even though it was slow, picky work I really enjoyed doing it.  People would stop and visit with us. I didn't meet a single Canadian until our last day when I met 2 couples from Calgary.  They came about an hour apart and both of them knew Cody & Emily.  What are the odds ?!?!   When I told Cody about it , he replied "You know mom...I'm a pretty popular guy...NOT!"    Made me laugh!  There is a very peaceful spirit at Carthage.

This is Elder Roberts.  He is a service elder that works with Jared.  He is a really special spirit even though he has some disabilities.  He always has a smile and some quick wit to share.

Jim has responsibility for the Lyons Drug site and so there have been several times that I have gone with him to check on it.  There is a big garden spot beside it that our grounds crew have planted. This shows an arbor that has gourd plants and tomatoe plants on either side that have climbed up and the gourds have grown through the framework.  You can literally walk through a tunnel of gourds.  The picture shows me and Sister Howard inside the tunnel.  On the grounds there are watermelon, cantalope, eggplant, peppers of all kinds, and herbs of all kinds.  It is a beautiful garden. It truly amazes me that everything grows so thick around here.  The humidity and moisture are perfect for all growing things!!
   Nauvoo is truly an amazing place unlike anywhere else and I have grown to love it and the spirit that is here.  We encourage any and all to come and experience it for yourselves but you have to come and see us, as well !!   Love to you all !