Family Visits have ended...sad!

Our family visits have ended.  We have absolutely loved sharing Nauvoo and our mission with our family. We feel extremely blessed that all five of our children and 15 of our 17 grandchildren have come to see us and to experience Nauvoo. All three of my siblings (my three awesome brothers) have also visited us. Elder Birt's brother, Ralph, Dana and Tina also came. What a joy it has been to let them have a glimpse into our missionary life. Truly one of the highlights of our mission, sharing it with our family as each one has visited. We have only a month left now. Time has passed so quickly, it's hard to believe it will be over so soon. When I think of all the experiences we have had here, it's hard to imagine all of it crammed into six short months. Especially interesting was when Cory and Paige visited, (our oldest son and his wife). They both served missions here in Nauvoo over 30 years ago so it was interesting for them to show us places they lived and served. One particular highlight was in Carthage. Cory reminded us when he served in Carthage way back then, he had the privilege of taking President and Sister Hinckley on the Carthage Jail tour. President Hinckley was then first counselor, not president. He still has the photo taken with them that day. Special experience for him and special for us to have him share that experience again right there where it occurred over 30 years ago. As he was telling us about that day and showing the photo, the site missionaries overheard and wanted to see the photo, others gathered around and enjoyed seeing the photo and asking Cory questions. One of the young sister missionaries shed tears when she looked at the photo. A great experience.

We also loved seeing our friends from the Ogden Temple, Brother and Sister Ovard. They have ties to Nauvoo and know the area well, so they taught us a thing or two. We shared lunch together and enjoyed seeing them at the temple. Great friends!

We thought things would slow down after the pageant ended, but somehow the hours and days have been filled with so many great things. During August, we enjoyed the West Point Sweet Corn Festival where they cooked huge vats of corn on the cob at the park where people could have all the corn they could eat. I was amazed that the place wasn't swarming with flies like it would have been at home, but alas, no flies. We joined right in with the crowd by eating a few cobs of yummy sweet corn.  They served other food items and had a carnival with rides for families to enjoy. There is a real sense of community in all the small towns in the area. Each town seems to have their own celebration during the summer.

Later, in the town of Montrose, was a watermelon festival where they had all the watermelon you could eat. There were burgers, tacos, pie, etc and rides for the kids. It's fun to see the community celebrations, everyone having a good time.

Earlier in September, was the grape festival in Nauvoo. They also had a carnival set up at the State Park with food vendors, etc. There was musical entertainment in the evening. Again, good to see the community come together. It seems they have car shows at all these celebrations so we have seen many old cars travelling through town as they make their way to the various car shows.

Brother Dennis Brown, one of our fellow missionaries and the author of a great book, Evidences of the True Church,  presented a fireside for our missionary group. We were captivated as he shared highlights from his book. Of course, I ordered the book as soon as possible and have been enjoying reading. We are serving with such amazing fellow missionaries with such deep, rich church experience. We are learning so much from rubbing shoulders with them. We are black and blue from pinching ourselves wondering why we are so blessed to be here.

Another great blessing is that we serve with our wonderful matron, Sister Irion, who is President Russell M. Nelson's daughter. President and Sister Irion presented a fireside for the temple missionaries where she talked about growing up in the Nelson household and shared some wonderful stories about her father.  She told us that he is an etymologist, he loves the study of words. When he prepares talks, he spends much time using just the right word to make a particular point or emphasis. She told us how he loves to ski, even at age 93 and how his security guy, who is much younger, tells him he needs to slow down so he can keep up with him.  One funny story about him is when their ninth child was born, a boy, after eight girls. The family sent out announcements saying: for unto "Russ" a son is born!  

Just last week, we had the privilege of having President Durrell Nelson from the temple presidency present a fireside for the temple missionaries.  He was the stake president of the Nauvoo Stake during the years from the announcement to the dedication of the temple and worked very closely with city and church officials coordinating this huge undertaking. He shared some fascinating stories. He said, yes there were miracles, but I won't share them. He wanted to keep those miracles sacred by not sharing. He recalled exactly where he was seated in the stake center where we were as we listened to him. He pointed to the very row where he sat. When President Hinckley made that surprise, unexpected  announcement at that general conference, President Nelson said the congregation there in the stake center cheered. We have talked to many of the locals who said they wept when the announcement was made. After the announcement, things began to happen, many meetings were held with city & church officials to acquire the building permit. President Hinckley made several visits to Nauvoo during the process. When construction began, President Nelson said for four months the sound of the pilings being pounded into the ground could be heard all over the city. When the four cornerstones were laid, President Durrell Nelson spoke at the NW cornerstone.  He recalled, as the masons worked with the mortar, they could be heard singing How Firm A Foundation.They sang as they passed through the city with loads of mortar, people around would join in the singing. An interesting story about the open house...they served pink Lofthouse cookies to all who came. President Nelson chuckled as he told how for weeks after, they served leftover pink cookies at every event in town; scouts, PTA, etc. At the dedication, President Hinckley gave all the dedicatory prayers at all sessions. Afterward he said he didn't know if he would ever make it back to Nauvoo. He also said he hoped when he met Joseph, he would take his hand and say, well done, you did a great job. President Hinckley never returned to Nauvoo.

The experiences we are having in this beautiful, sacred place will change us forever. We are so grateful to serve in the sacred, historic Nauvoo temple. The experiences we are having there are very dear to us. I will end by telling about Joseph and Mary looking frantically for twelve year old Jesus when he was lost. They searched for Him for three days, finally finding Him in the temple.  If you want to find Jesus...go to the temple. Enjoy conference!