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Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Nauvoo Burial Grounds

 We started the day visiting the Old Nauvoo burial grounds.

 It was a short walk up to the burial grounds.  
It was cold walking around the cemetery
 At the entrance there is a gazebo, and on the walls
are names of those who died between 1839-1846.
Your Dad is pointing to the name Oliver Wall.

 This story of Phoebe and Wilford Woodruff was inside the gazebo.
The pioneers experienced death every day but they
carried on and accomplished much good because
they believed in Jesus Christ and His gospel.

 There are very few head stones.  I am so
grateful that they endured.  They knew 
Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return.

 Monument dedicated to the Pioneers

 There are a lot of squirrels around Nauvoo.

 Next we went to the Historic Nauvoo Visitors' Center.
You could spend hours here, but we chose to
go on a covered wagon ride pulled by a yoke of oxen.
The wagons are only 3 feet wide.  They were used
to carry their food and belongings.  The pioneers
walked and slept on the ground.  
 Oxen could go longer without grazing and could pull
more weight then a horse.  Also a team of oxen cost
$25. while a team of horses cost $65. 
Of course they were slower.  They would 
cover 2--25 miles a day.

After our ride, we drove along the river and came
upon Ancient Nauvoo Burial Mounds.  They 
claim that artifacts from these mounds date
back 2000-3000 years ago.  We will go back
when it is warmer and I will get pictures.

On our return trip, we saw this barge pushing
a load of grains up the river.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

A Sunday Walk

Sunday afternoon, I went for a walk.  This marker 
is on the corner across the street from our apartment.



 Next I walked to the brick yard. They were not
making bricks today but they showed me how much 
work it was to make them.  Each house has 20 to 30 
thousands bricks.  The walls are 3 brick rows thick.
They worked so hard to build their homes. 


 Across from the brick yard is the Lucy Mack Smith
home, the widowed mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
She had trouble getting around so she slept on the main
floor.  She had a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon.

 Then you climb up some steep stairs to living area
of her niece and family.  This is the children's
room and the blue bed is the parents.

On Sunday we have been assigned to attend the 
Mt. Pleasant branch in Iowa.  It is an hour drive and starts at
9:00.  They met in a nice chapel, even though only about 50   
 people attend church.  It is 65% English and 35% Spanish.
  They sing the same song in Spanish and English.
A lady translated when a talk was given in Spanish.
I know we will enjoy attending church there and getting 
to know the people.
  

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Bootiful Nauvoo

 On Saturday night they had a big Halloween celebration
They call it a pumpkin walk.  On both sides of  the 
street, they have hundreds of carved pumpkins.

 This is a monument to Joseph and Emma Smith

 A fun carving of a pumpkin

 Frank is standing by an original log cabin.  He is
eating from a bag of popcorn, which they were handing out.
It was so cold, we had to wear winter coats.


 Frank met one of his friends along the way.

 He also met Elvis.  They also had scarecrows along
the street.  The businesses were opened late and we
went in to look around just to get out of the cold. 
At six there was a parade and after that a man and 
lady came out on a balcony and sang Phantom of the Opera.
They were really good singers. 
It was a fun night but soooo cold.


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Around the Temple-25 Oct. 2017

 This is the view when you step outside the Temple.


Beautiful flowers around the Temple

This was a great day in the temple.
We worked the morning shift and then we went on
a special endowment session at 1:00 just for the
temple workers.  It was a beautiful experience.
After we changed into our street clothes and we climbed 
the stairs up to the bell tower. 

 Across the street from the Temple.

 Joseph and Hyrum Smith statue


Notwithstanding the greatness of the task, I must do according
to the strict commands of God.  Jacob 2:10

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Drive from Kearney Neb to Nauvoo-21 Oct. 2017

 Changing leaves-Pretty colors

 We made it!

 Our Apartment, kitchen and living room together.


Unpacking.  We are in an upstairs apartment.  It is 
very nice and we are very happy to be here.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Drive from Rock Springs Wy. to Kearney, Neb. 20 Oct 2017

 Lots of flat open country

 Lone wolf 

 Our car is packed full

Interstate 80 is a semi truck highway.
We were always passing semi trucks.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Salt Lake City Temple, temple training

 Sitting on beautiful Temple Square
 We had training in the Salt Lake Temple
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Oct. 17 -19
We are the first to see the new training films
which are very uplifting and spiritual. 
So happy to be in the temple.

 The hand-cart statue 


Beautiful Flowers

Aaronic Priesthood Statue

Monday, October 16, 2017

Nauvoo Temple Mission 2017


     Sunday 15 Oct 2017 was our farewell.
We feel it is a blessing and honor to serve in Nauvoo.

Starting a new blog-Oct 2017
Ashlee, Maddie, Charles, Dustin
Cheryl and Todd

Rachel, Sarah, Ashlee, Maddie, Dustin
Todd, Cheryl, Charles

Family Photo

Kids playing
Nala, Luke, Alyssa
Lydia, Emily Luke
Mathew, Amy Thanks for having it at your house
Aubrey, Alyssa, Emily, Lydia, Brayden, Nathan, Tyson
Lydia and Braydon
Spencer, Nathan Gill