It’s HOTTER THAN HELL, AND I AM NOT SWEARING………

I DON’T EVER REMEMBER BEING THIS HOT IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.! Maybe it has to do with the 8 and a half yards of fabric in my costume, including knee high socks, a slip, pantaloons, (in case someone were to see my ankles, heaven forbid) and closed toed shoes.  IN OVER 100* weather with a humidity index in outer space!!!!!!  Reminds me of when I was in drill team as a young girl.  Everyone else just sparkled and I was soaked to the skin, hair plastered to my head (and we all know how picky I am about my “poofy” hair) makeup gone!!! So, I am working on improving my attitude…………………………………………..still working……………………

This was our P-day and so Richard and I set out for Quincy. On the way they were giving tours of the Keokuk Hydro-Electric Power Plant.  They haven’t given tours since 911.  So this was a two day opportunity and we took it.  Of course, I understood absolutely nothing about it, logical things have always remained a puzzle to me. 

All I know is that my Daddy would have loved it.  I remember when they were excited about the lock and dam going in at Eufala.  So Daddy, enjoy. They say that these lock and dams work 24 hours a day.  We see big barges on the river all the time, pushed by these little tug boats. 

This was the earlier lock and dam.  They are celebrating the 100th anniversary this year.

Union Electric Company Truck!

We see this water being let in all of the time.

Saw quite a few boats out today.  I asked if anybody ever swam in the river.  The answer was, “Only for their lives!”  I guess the under currents are pretty swift.

Not exactly sure what this was………………………..

Of course, we met Kyle and Jill here.  He is an engineer and was trying to explain things to me.  I think he could tell that it was going over my head, but he was loving it.

Picture of a Turbine Cross Section. 

Picture of the early years.  See all of the men sitting on the top of the turbine.  You can imagine how big they are.

This is the real deal.  They have 15 of them.

No telling how old these glass balls are.  American Pickers, where are you!

Jill waving from down under…….

Kyle unofficially giving tours………..

The bridge that I have to cross to get into Keokuk to go to Wally World and to get a Cherry Limeade at Sonic!!!!!

We went over to the Openshaws tonight to have supper.  So fun to get together,  They have these in their yard all of the time.  There was an 8 point buck also but by the time I got my camera out, he was running!!!!!!

103* AND YOU EXPECT ME TO DO WHAT??????

So let’s just say that the wonderful weather we had for the first month we were here is no longer.It has been so bloody hot and humid I can hardly breathe.  Not to mention, I think I have a heat rash that is covering my chest, to make it worse we are still performing OUTSIDE! IN THE SUN! Did I mention we were performing outside???”?????

So I keep telling myself, I’m a missionary, I can do hard things, but my sweat glands have not gotten the call yet.  I am waving a fan so hard in front of my face that I have carpal tunnel and yet my hair is still dripping.  And we haven’t even started the show yet. Richard sits beside me with an ice pack on my back, I am sitting on a chunk of frozen ice, with a wet band around my neck.  I look lovely………..But the show must go on and so I do. 

We did the Clarinet Polka tonight and your dad and I were pretty stinking good.  The show is actually so much fun and I love the people here in the mish (that’s missionary talk, right Jonathan?). I have met some of the greatest people, I really do love them.  For some reason they think I am pretty funny or stupid, I am not sure which.

Tomorrow is our P-Day and we have to go into Quincy.  I need a new pair of shoes, if I am going to climb the pole!  Then tomorrow night we will be eating at the Openshaws. 

Today I worked at the Cultural Hall.  I really like it in there.   It seems to be a happy place to me.  We have a wonderful play, and then I got to listen to the band twice, with tours in between.  I go and dance around on the dance

floor every time I am there. 

We were all singing, “Do As I’m Doing,” with the puppets. 

These kids are remarkably talented!  They make Nauvoo a swinging place.

Sister Cragyn

Sister Knudson, she came out with me.

SARAH GRANGER KIMBALL

So I get out of my car today to work at the Sarah Granger Kimball home.I have never worked there before and was anxious to see what it was going to take for me to make this day work.  I get out of my car and this is the first thing I see.

What a great way to start my day. 

On the way up to this little house there are beautiful flowers.

Notice the size of this bee!!!!!!!

The river starts right behind these trees.  This house sits almost on the river.

Sarah has quite a story.  She married Hirum Kimball when she was 21 and he was 34.  He was one of the most prosperous men in Nauvoo, owning much land and trading in all sorts of things, like cattle, and crops.  They had three sons together.  When her first son was born (he wasn’t a member at this time) she asked him how much he thought their son was worth.  He said if he did well, probably $1,000.00. She asked him if he thought half of the boy belonged to her.  Yes was the answer.  She said then that she wanted to consecrate her half to the Lord and building of the temple.  He thought it was funny and told the prophet Joseph.  The Prophet said it was wonderful, did he want to donate $500 dollars and keep his son or donate and give his son up.  He donated and kept his son! 

This little home is where the Relief Society got it’s start, right in this very room.

This bible belonged to Sarah given to her by her husband.

She was wealthy enough to have a seamstress. They were talking and the seamstress was wanting to do something for the building of the temple but she had no money.  Sarah had money and asked if she bought the supplies, would Margaret want to make shirts for the temple workers?  They started this little group by asking neighbors and friends to join.  From this little beginning came the organization of the Relief Society.  It now has six million members in 170 countries and is one of the largest women’s organizations in the world.  Isn’t it amazing.  We tell people that from small and simple things are great things brought to pass with the help of the Lord.  Never underestimate the things that you do especially in your own  homes.

Little high chair.

Quilt on a bed with the embroidery 1839!

Baby cradle with shoes.

]

Rocking chair made by Brigham Young.

Trundle bed.

Her chest that she carried her trousseau in.

Steep stairs in this house.

Early Maytag washing machine! 

For the kids, a mouse trap.

Sarah was a Relief Society president for 35 years in SLC. Hirum had joined the church and at the age of 62 was called to serve a mission to the Sandwich Islands now known as Tahiti.  He boarded the steamship and it blew up and he was killed before he ever got there.  Sarah became an activist for women’s rights and a suffragette. she died at the age of 80 something.

The best thing about working in these homes and the sites are the people that we get to meet.  There was a family today that I had met yesterday in the bakery. Their last name was Childs.  Such good people with wonderful young boys.  I could just see the Light of Christ shining in their faces and in the things that they said and did.  What an honor to be able to have them be a part of my life for just a little while.  I am sorry I forgot to take a picture.

I have met people from Thailand, Australia, South Africa, England and many of the states here.  I need to keep track and see if I can hit all 50 states.

Well, on to practice for George and Agatha.  Nightmare!  No telling how many brain cells this little vignette is going to burn!  Plus nerves………….

OBSESSION…NAUVOO NECKLACES

Just a quick note.  I now have a new obsession.  Necklaces crocheted out of ribbons.  I am buying the ribbons by the handfuls.  A sister here has been doing this for sometime.  I love the colors and I am so excited to think that I can use a crochet hook that I am just going to town.  All of the girls in my family can expect one as a gift.  You should let me know your favorite color to wear or you’ll be sorry!!!!!

168th COMMEMORATION OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE PROPHET AND HIS BROTHER HYRUM

So we got off a little early today and drove over to Carthage.  That is where the jail is that the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, were killed. It was just an hour ceremony with music and a talk given by Brother Jenson in the temple presidency.  We all sang “Praise To The Man,” and it was really something to be standing there at the exact hour that he was shot, 168 years later.  The mob thought that by killing the prophet, “Mormonism,” would die.  But it wasn’t “Mormonism,” it was the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are learning a lot of history here that I didn’t know before and it is so interesting.  This is where I had one very spiritual experience many years ago.  I had the Spirit overwhelm me with a knowledge that Joseph Smith was surely a prophet.  I will never forget it. 

The top window is the one that he fell out of ……….

The YPM’s singing, what amazing voices they have. What an experience for them.

I got to sit in the grass, but hey, what are these big skirts for?

The flowers are beautiful.  They use a lot of coleus around here.  I just escaped being on tv.  The man was walking towards me to interview and someone thankfully stepped up to talk to me.  He chose someone else.  AMEN!

Afterwards, we decided to go out and eat in Carthage.  BIG MISTAKE!  Never do that.  We stopped at a place, recommended, and I am sick at my stomach.  The food was horrible, but the customers were as bad.  It is so funny, because we haven’t seen TV or been in the real world for two months.  When we heard these people swearing I thought it sounded like a sonic blast.  Oh how soon we forget.

NEVER EAT AT THE WRIGHT PLACE!

Talk about a misnomer!