Fort Madison, Iowa

The influx of missionaries overwhelms the wards in Nauvoo, while many of the wards and branches in outlying areas are struggling, so they have the missionaries do outreach and attend wards within a two-hour radius of Nauvoo. We've been assigned to the ward in Fort Madison, Iowa, along with another missionary couple, the Riries from American Fork. 

We recognized several people in the ward because they also serve in the Nauvoo Temple. And then we recognized more people when they came as patrons to the temple. 

It's about a 20-minute drive. There's a toll drawbridge that's free going into Iowa, with a $4 toll when we cross back into Illinois. It's owned by the railroad and a train also crosses the river. We were told that if we can time our trips with the train schedule, we won't ever be stuck waiting for a barge to go through. When it closes for several months this summer for maintenance work, it will take us more like 50 minutes to get to and from church through Koekuk, but we won't ever have to worry about getting stuck waiting for a barge or pay a toll.


The train came just as we turned to drive over the bridge. Cars and the train travel side by side for a little, then the cars go higher, up over the train.

Last Sunday we attended that ward for the first time. People were very friendly and welcoming. And they have lots of kids! After serving in a singles ward for a few years and then leaving from a ward without a Primary or YM/YW, we welcomed the change. It just happened to be the week they did a Linger Longer after the meetings. However, the Activity Day kids did puppet shows first--the story of Daniel and then Easter. The king from Daniel made an appearance in the Easter story, but I don't think it was scripted. After that was the potluck Linger Longer--no theme, just bring whatever. and it was a mishmash of everything. It was good so many people brought desserts because the kids who managed to sneak away from parents filled up plates with all sorts of goodies. The kids were as expected at lunch--there was a burping contest (Primary girls), kids showing off loose or missing teeth (boys), and the Priests and Teachers generally goofed off and made their presence known even though there weren't any YW around to impress. It's nice to be in a normal ward. We dodged the bullet on teaching Sunday School or Relief Society for now, at least until Arline gets her voice back.

Holbrooks and Riries in front of the small Phase 1 chapel on a windy day

The Riries spoke and introduced themselves, and did a good job. Our time will come. 

It will be interesting to see the crops grow in the fields throughout the season as we travel for the next six months.

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