Spring

I'm trying to post here at least once a week.  This past Saturday I was working at Land and Records.  I needed to go visit the Family History library up by the temple for some information.  As I stepped out of the building I looked down and found these daffodils blooming.  Oh blessed color to see amidst all the brown.  This cheered my heart and gave me joy.  I just had to take their picture.

Yesterday was the annual Prairie grass burn that is held here in Nauvoo.  They let a plot of ground grow wild back to the original grasses, then in the spring they burn it off and all the town people come to witness the event.  They served hot dogs, popcorn and a drink.  It only takes about 3 minutes for the whole thing to burn off.

At this event we visited with the Smiths here.  Elder Smith is Kathy Berlin's brother.  We have had a nice time connecting with them here.  They work at the temple.  A nice couple.

As I have been working in Land and Records two event happened.  One day I was asked to finish a research file that another missionary had not completed.  They handed me the file and it was Abraham Washburn, Mark's ancestor.  Wow.  I have felt privileged to work on it and learn some new things about this man.  And then another one was handed me to research some discrepancies on the birth, marriage and death dates.  This file was John Pincock, my ancestor.  It is amazing how these files have come to me to work on.  I'm doing my best to do these ancestor's memories for our posterity and others.  I know that my work here is important. 

Relief Society Reenactment

Today we did the Relief Society Reenactment.  It was amazing to be in Joseph's Red Brick Store for this event.  Our missionaries practiced a reader's theater and put together a very authentic first Relief Society meeting of it's organization.  Makes me thankful and happy to be a part of such a great organization.  I can't believe I'm here.  Somebody pinch me. 

Elder & Sister Cordner, as Joseph and Emma

New missionaries, the Wardles at the Print Shop.

Sister Archibald as Sarah Granger Kimball

Temple

Since the temple reopened in December, we have tried to make it there once a week.  I love seeing the temple everyday.  I can look out my bedroom window and see it lit up each night. Here is a morning sunrise shot that another missionary took.  Love the temple. 

Sites

Even though this week has had it's challenges, such as moving from one side of this building to the other and our truck in the shop, trying to figure out why it makes a whinning sound, the work at the sites has picked up and I love sharing the tours with the visitors that come.  Worked at the John Taylor Home, Print Shop, Brigham Young Home and Riser Boot Shop.  Yesterday was the best day so far in giving tours.  I went home floating.  Love our mission. 

Carthage

March 12th, Sister Rollins and I traveled over to Carthage to serve with the Williams.  That is one sacred special place.  I love serving there.  We did several tours that day.  I'm getting more comfortable with doing that there.  I love the pictures there of Joseph and Hyrum together and Christ between them.  They gave they lives because they know who the Savior is and the great love they have for Him.  I also like the new painting of the First Vision.  So much beautiful light shinning forth.  God loves us. 

Good-bye to Bramwells

On March 4th we said our good-byes to the Bramwells.  They had been good neighbors to us.  We had some fun times together, playing cards and sharing rides to things.  We will miss them. 

Ancestors that lived in Nauvoo

I was aware of some ancestors that had lived and even died and were buried in the Old Nauvoo Cemetery, before coming here.  Mark knew that some of his ancestors must have lived here because of the histories we have.  But he was surprised at how many of his were actually here.  About the 2nd week that we were here we went to the Land & Records Office to see.  I have been serving there at least once a week and have learned lots of things.  The main purpose of the office is for visitors to find their ancestors that were here and where they lived.  It is exciting for them to discover this information.  We went to the Old cemetery one day and found the headstones of my ancestors.  As we have learned the history of things, we discovered that some of Mark's ancestors were the very last to receive their endowments in the temple before it was closed, on Feb. 3, when Brigham Young tried to leave to prepare his wagons for the exodus, but seeing the throng of people there desiring their temple blessings, went back in the temple and worked all through the night.  Amazing Nauvoo miracles for our family. 

                                Ancestors that lived in Nauvoo

Brownell, Gideon                                                        Bennett, Ellen Pincock

Brownell, Julia Ann                                                     Bennett, James

Chapman, Permela                                                     Pincock, John (buried in old cementary)

Chubbuck, Polly                                                           Pincock, Mary Marsden (buried in old cem.)

Hammond, John

Hammond, Mary Almina

Lampard, Hannah Maria

Mecham, Joshua Sr

Mecham, Lewis

Myler, James

Myler, Joseph Ellias

Parker, Mary Lovisa

Pulsipher, Elias

Thacker, Anna Maria

Washburn, Abraham

Washburn, Mary Ann

Washburn, Tamar

Watkins, William Lampard

Wells. Lydia

Wheeler, Elizabeth

Whiting, Edwin

Whiting, Elisha Jr & Hulet, Sally  (received their endowments on Feb. 3, 1846)

Wight, Ephraim

Baptism Weekend

Yesterday our grand-daughter, Daphney chose to enter the waters of Baptism, showing her willingness to follow Jesus Christ.  We are very happy for her.  Also we participated in a convert baptism here in Nauvoo.  Lindsey Marshell farms the land around Nauvoo with her family.  She has been friends with many teamsters who have served here over the years.  She decided to make some changes in her live and to embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are very happy for her too.

        Teamster sang, In the Garden

Snow in Feb. with Jan

We enjoyed having Jan with us for a few days in Feb.  We had snow so the sleighs were out.  So fun to share this with a dear sister.  

Making bonnets

Back in January the sisters got together to make bonnets.  It reminded me of craft times in Relief Society long ago.  We learned together and had fun visiting.  I'm pleased that I could learn something new.