Lightening Strikes

We did Sunset on Monday evening and after met up with cousin JoEllen Tillack, Uncle Carl and Aunt JoAnn's daughter and her husband.  They were here with a youth group from Thermopolis, Wy.  It was great to visit with them, even for a short while.  

The whittlers, Elder Mecham,  Elder Thurgood and Elder Jensen.  Making whistles for the brigade to keep peace here in Nauvoo.  

On Thursday we went to Carthage for the commemoration of the martyrdom with music and speakers.  A great grandson of John Taylor's shared the eye witness account of events of that day.  What an honor to be there to remember what Joseph and Hyrum gave for the restoration of Christ's gospel.  They sealed their testimony with their blood.           

On Friday several things happened.  First we had the priviledge of working on the wagon together and this fine family from Warren, Utah rode with us.  This is the family of Cody and Polly Jensen that live across the street from where I grew up.  Cody's parents are serving here in Nauvoo along with us.  Great People.                                                

 A thunderstorm came through.  We had stopped doing rides and watching for the storm to move on.  Well we thought that it had, because the rain had stopped and the skies were clearing.  But about 2:00 a wagon had just left the station, when a flash and big boom hit.  It rattled the horses and the people.  Later we discovered that the lightening had hit the Angel Moroni on the temple.  The people in the temple said they felt it.  One man was outside the temple and it knocked him across the sidewalk.  A little scary.  No one got hurt.  The statue is a little blackened on the head and trumpet. 

Friday evening we went to dinner at Alfano's in Carthage.  We had good food and good company as you can see.  What a great group to work with.  

 After dinner we went to the Legacy theatre to see the Hughes Brothers show.  One of our Young Sister Missionaries, Hannah Hughes is part of this family production.  Pres. L., encouraged her to go preform with them, so she did.  She is very talented, singing, dancing and playing the violin. 

                              Saturday morning we went with Elder Quirl to feed the sheep. 

                                             Then we stopped by to see the new baby oxen. 

We drove the wagon again today, with Sister Decker and Sister Bush narrating.  

 

It was a hot day, so they shut down the rides about 3:00.  After a shower and rest we went for a ride with the Quirls.  We drove over to Keokuk and stopped to watch a barge go through the lock.

 We then drove up the river and stopped at a new place to eat, Fat Jimmy's.  Great food.  After we drove further north along the river, stopped to take some pictures of the barge.  When we got to Fort Madison we had some ice cream.  Then on into Nauvoo, stopping to take some pictures around the temple. 

The Quirls.  

The Irion family.  They are the Temple Pres. and Matron.  Their daughter's family are here to do the pageant.  

                                              Another great week here in Nauvoo. 

June 17 - 23

This week I had the opportunity to drive the team twice.  

Sister Taylor and Sister Ethington

The Young Sisters do the narrating while Elder Mecham and I drive.

                                  Love this house by the barn.  Lovely yuccas blooming.

 Sister Allred is such a swee dear.  She had to go home early because of back problems.  She was one that drove the teams with her husband.  She will be missed. 

 Sister Rollins is such a nut.  Love her perky personality and fun loving ways.  Here she is cooling off at the Sunset performance.

Sunday dinner with Sister Swensen and Sister Moss.

Young Performing Missionaries

 Our Sunset on the Mississippi production is in full swing now.  Here are some photos of the YPMs. 

 These photos were taken by Elder Cornwell.  He is great with the camera. 

                          Then twice a day they perform at the Visitor's center doing the play The Promise. 

                                 They have so much energy, talent and spirit.  We love them. 

June 10-16, Shad's family

 Tony's family and Shad's family were here together for a couple of days.  Here Tony's family is piecing together one of Emma Smith's bowls that was found in the archaeological digs. 

 The river was still flooding.  The kids loved to go down to the creek looking for geodes and such. 

 Tony's family at the Oxen ride, learning to be teamsters. 







Shad's family give it a try too.  Cute teamsters. 

                         Brenden, Daphney, Capri and Ainsley all holding Emma's bowl together. 

                         Showing off our bonnets, caps and hats from the Red Brick Store.

At the Family Living Center we learn about lots of things the pioneers did back in the 1840s.
Here Elder Scott is demonstrating barrel making.  Eric and Page take a turn at tapping the ring on. 

 Rope making is a fun one to participate in.  Paige does the turning on the wheel.  Sam runs the tightener. 










Together they make a fine rope.  See how it stands over 12 inches.  That is a nice tight rope. 

Trying out the carding of wool. 

 Surprise visitors from home.  I mean way back home, Warren.  Here are Paul and Pam Hodson.  Great people. 



And when this group discovered that I am from Roosevelt, they asked if I knew the Wests, Bob and Nancy.  They are the Ivins family.  Their son married Jayanne West.  Small world. 

                                                   Down to the Nauvoo Quarry. 

 Shad's family doing the Carriage Ride. 







Grandpa does the narrating. 

 Pioneer Pastimes again.  I think the kids went there 3 times.  They loved this place.  Dressing up was the best for Capri and Daphney. 

                                  Here is a view of the temple from across the river at Montrose. 

Grandpa drove the band wagon, and the kids got to ride on it behind this beautiful team, Bud and Doc. 

 On Tuesday, Brenden, Rylee, Anisley and Eric went to the temple.  What a great experience for them to do work for ancestors here in Nauvoo. 

                                                    Lovely Anisley and beautiful temple.

 This was a special day for us.  We celebrated our 46th Wedding Anniversary being together and doing what we love. Shad's family joined us for one ride and I did the narriation too.  Later we were privileged to have Elder S. Gifford Neilsen and his wife Wendy aboard our wagon tour.  He was here for a mission conference.  We had two glorious days with him.  His words and spirit boosted our missionary efforts and we were taught well.  So grateful. 

 Eric, Paige and Rylee digging at the Samuel Smith dig going on here in Nauvoo.  Eric found a brick. 

                                                 Another great week here in Nauvoo.