August 20, 2014

I just didn't get time to do another post last week, which is a shame because that is the week that Linda and Jim and Allie and Rand and their children came to visit Nauvoo. We really enjoyed having them here. They weren't able to stay too long, but they did get to see a few things that Jan and I are involved in.

For example, they saw our performance of Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo (I was the editor and Jan was the Relief Society President) . . .

. . . and they went on a carriage ride with me through the countryside of Old Nauvoo. (Sorry the picture's so dark--nobody's perfect!)

And their kids got to try their hand at making a rope in the Family Living Center.

It's too bad they weren't here this past Monday; they could have seen me as a blacksmith in action! Their loss!

I think they did see the Nauvoo Brass Band, however.

Last night we had a party for our show cast. We have performed together since last spring in Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo and in Sunset by the Mississippi. We'll be together as a cast for only a couple more weeks, when about 50 missionaries will be finishing their mission and leaving. All the casts will be changed, going from three down to two for the winter months. So we just had to have a little soireé together! 

Because we're so busy, the time just seems to fly by.  There truly is a special spirit here in Nauvoo. We are so blessed to be here and enjoy this spirit and the people who serve here as well as those who come as guests. 

August 6, 2014

August 6, 2014

This past week Karen and Amy and Jeremy and their kids came to Nauvoo, and we were able to spend a few minutes with them. It is some much fun to have family and friends here. We were able to have them over for dinner and enjoy a good visit with them.

They joined me for a carriage ride . . .

 . . . and they even dared attend our performance of Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo, in which I had to play the role of the editor and Jan the role of the Relief Society president.

Inasmuch as summer is drawing to a close and the fall of the year is just around the corner, a number of our missionaries will be finishing their mission.

At our monthly Mission Breakfast, we said farewell to the Young Performing Missionaries, the Nauvoo Brass Band Missionaries, and several of our Senior Missionaries.

Since many of our teamsters are going home in the next few weeks, we had a "farewell" dinner and program for them as well.

All summer long we have been performing a variety show called Sunset on the Mississippi. That came to a close this week also, so we just had to have a closing cast party for that, too!

Some of you might want to know that the fall must be coming. The Canadian geese are started their migration it seems. I shot this picture of a flock of them in the pasture next to our oxen yard. (In case you weren't aware, you should know that the Mississippi River is a major flyway for migratory birds, about 40% of the migrating birds in the United States fly up and down this river. It's amazing to see some of them in such numbers!

Well, that's about it for this week. We feel so blessed to a part of the Lord's missionary force--and to be here in Nauvoo besides. We hope others of you will have the opportunity to visit Nauvoo and enjoy the spirit of this place.