Nauvoo Sunsets

Sunsets in Nauvoo have a little something extra special about them. Maybe it's the mighty Mississippi River or the beautiful temple, but looking at the sunset here has a spiritual feel.  I love walking around the temple at sundown to get a picture at just the right angle or taking a walk down by the river to do the same.  I think about those saints who lived here and walked these streets and what they went through. So much here to think about.

It's really beautiful and peaceful here. We have been trying to visit all the historical sites in the area called "The  Flats", where we live. It's been fun to visit these places before the big crowds come during pageant time. It is getting a little busier each week. When we go to the Blacksmith Shop, they show how a horseshoe is made and we get a miniature horseshoe. They tell the story of the young man who gave his bride-to-be a "prairie diamond" made from a horseshoe nail and everyone gets a prairie diamond. At the brickyard, we see how they made bricks from the Mississippi River mud. Everyone gets a Nauvoo brick. There were seven brickyards when the saints were here. Nolan's great great grandfather, Thomas Steed was working in a brickyard when they came with the news that Joseph & Hyrum had been killed. Looking out our kitchen window, we can see the brickyard. We get a gingerbread cookie at the Scovil Bakery and see how bread is made at the Family Living Center. We get to make a rope and see how the saints made candles. It's really great to feel a little part of life in early Nauvoo.

We have enjoyed going to the Visitors Center and talking with the young sister missionaries there. They do such a nice job talking with the visitors who come. We've enjoyed the many shows here.   There are several shows going on here all the time even before the pageant starts in July. Always lots to do and see.They have "site" senior missionaries who do tours of the historical sites and perform in the shows. Their missions are either one year or 18 months.  There are many different senior couple missions here. Some of the senior brothers take care of the animals and give wagon or oxen rides. Some missionaries work on the grounds. There are so many opportunities to serve here. If you are thinking of a mission, this is an amazing place to serve, in many different capacities.

One of my favorite places to visit is Carthage. It's about 20 minutes from here. It's beautiful and peaceful there and the spirit is strong. My testimony of Joseph Smith was strengthened after being in Carthage and thinking about the events that happened there.

We enjoyed a visit from my brother, Barry and the Arnell's were here this week. It's so fun to share this wonderful place with family. We hope others will come. It's surprising how many people we see in the temple from home. People love this temple so they come from far and wide to see it and feel the spirit there. This week we saw Jared Rice & family.

I have been getting some one-on-one family history tutoring from one of the sister missionaries here, hopefully I can improve my skills in that area. She helped me find some names for the Arnell kids to do baptisms & confirmations. The temple is getting busier now that school is out for the summer. Busloads of youth come from all over for youth conferences. We have seen groups come from Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa. It's such a blessing to see these youth choosing to sacrifice time to come here to do this work. Most of them that come have researched their own family names. Wonderful to see!

Another beautiful day in Nauvoo