Nauvoo, Day 1

The drive from Keokuk to Nauvoo every day was gorgeous. It was right off of the Mississippi River and the weather was perfect. The trees were mostly all green because they haven't had their first frost yet but some had started changing colors and the girls enjoyed trying to find the orange trees.

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We went to the Visitors Center very first when we got to Nauvoo and just in time to catch the first wagon ride of the morning. The girls loved being pulled by the horses and Matt and I enjoyed the history of Old Nauvoo as we rode up and down the streets.

First view of the temple from our carriage ride. I would love to go back 200 years and see what Nauvoo looked like back then.

We spent a lot of the first day visiting the different buildings where the girls learned how the pioneers did things like bake bread, make candles, tie rope, etc. Here a Sister missionary is explaining a bustle oven to the girls and showing how they could tell if the bread was finished or not. The girls enjoyed these demos a lot more than I thought they would.

My favorite and I think the girls' favorite too was the blacksmith shop. He showed us how the pioneers made their wagon wheels, horse shoes, and other things. (I was amazed at how they made the wagon wheels, so impressive!) He made a horse shoe for the girls to share and gave them each a ring made from a nail.

We all loved our Oxen ride. The pioneers used oxen over horses for many reasons. They were much cheaper, the indians wouldn't try to steal them, they were very strong, they walked at a slow enough pace that even children could keep up with them, if one died they would eat its meat, and they are extremely obedient. Oxen learn six basic commands very young and can be lead by small children. I love that after every demonstration or ride, the missionaries in charge of that location would always tie it into serving our Heavenly Father. The blacksmith taught us that we needed to be willing to let the Lord mold us into what we need to become, the oxen taught us that we need to be obedient, etc.

Hotel Bound

Far West and Adam-Ondi-Ahman

After Liberty Jail, we stopped by Far West and Adam-ondi-ahman. Far West was a fairly small lot of land fenced off with the four corner stones covered. At the end of the lot was a memorial with a couple scriptures on it. Adam-ondi-ahman was such a beautiful place with such a special feeling but there isn't anything as far as information or missionaries on site to explain what the site was anciently or what it means to saints now. It was absolutely beautiful though and really had such a strong spiritual feeling. I loved our conversations following all of our stops. It was great hearing each others' perspective on what happened or what we thought about different things. I am so grateful for this week I had with my family to share such neat spiritual experiences. It was nice spending a week talking to Matt about everything church (and) history related instead of work or every day things.

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Matt reading about one of the cornerstones for the Far West temple.

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Family picture at Adam-ondi-ahman. While at Adam-ondi-ahman, we met an elderly couple from Springville, Utah. They were visiting a son in Nebraska and decided to stop by Adam-ondi-ahman on their way home since it was so close. After talking to us and finding out that we were on our journey to Nauvoo, they asked how far the drive was going to be. As soon as we said it would take another 3-4 hours, you could see the wife's eyes light up and the husband responded with, "now look what you've done." We gave them our hotel information and directions and sure enough, we ran into them several times at breakfast and in Nauvoo over the next two days. I wish we would have taken a picture with them, they were such a fun couple.

The girls playing with sticks and rocks.

Sisterly Love. They had so much fun together. I am already looking forward to our next family trip.

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Sadie showing me her sticks she found. If we brought home every rock, stick, or flower the girls picked up on this trip, we'd have enough supply to build a small house.

Liberty Jail

We stopped at Liberty Jail on our way to Nauvoo last week. The church rebuilt the jail on its original limestone flooring and then built the visitor center around it so the jail is all indoors. Matt and I learned a lot from this stop and really enjoyed it. The girls did very well but Sienna still talks about how she doesn't like being at jail or that Joseph Smith was there either.

First family picture of the trip.

This is the front door to the jail. Even on his way into captivity, Joseph Smith responded with love and respect. Sister Howe that was giving the tour told us that as he went into the prison, he stopped to turn around and say, "good afternoon brethren" to those surrounded the building.

This is a poor angle but it shows how thick the walls of the prison were. Joseph Smith and five others were held in the bottom half of the jail. The dimensions of the floor was only 14x14.5 and 6 feet tall. It was the coldest winter in history that even caused the river to freeze over. These men were treated so horribly and were subjected to vulgar and disgusting language, food, and living. Through all of these trials, they remained faithful and were finally let out 5 months later. It amazes me to think of the contrast between how the prisoners were treated at Liberty Jail versus Carthage Jail and the outcome of both places. Liberty Jail guards treated these men horribly and they were so sick and cold yet Joseph was able to receive revelations (parts of the D&C) during his trials. However, at Carthage, the family that lived there treated both Joseph and Hyrum so well and tried to protect them and that is where they lost their lives to an angry mob.

Trials

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain" ~Richard G. Scott

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This quote was from our RS lesson yesterday. I missed the lesson since I am in YW but I love the quote. I sincerely believe that trials are opportunities for our own growth as well as an opportunity to be an example to others. I have so many examples going through my head right now of friends that have experienced such difficult things but continue on with their lives in such positive and uplifting ways. It amazes me how certain people deal with their individual trials and move forward with such faith and hope. Yesterday, my lesson was on The Importance of Life. It was one of my favorite lessons I have given because I have such a strong testimony of the importance of life and enjoying the journey along the way. "Life is to be enjoyed, not only endured." -President Hinkley.

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I had a wonderful weekend with friends at Time Out for Women. The theme for the conference was hope and what a beautiful weekend it was. We had speakers and performers from all walks of life that left me completely edified and uplifted. One lady spoke on her struggles about growing up in Sierra Leone, Africa. (Where Blood Diamonds story originates). I don't want to get into details but she witnessed so many horrible and tragic things in her life and saw many of her family brutally tortured and murdered. You would never know that she has gone through so much sadness and complete horror in her life because she is so full of hope, faith, and love. I loved the focus on the conference and how it is both what we hope for but most importantly, what we hope in which is the Savior, Jesus Christ. A friend at the conference described Mariama Kallon by saying with tear filled eyes, "isn't she just the most beautiful woman ever?" It is so true, she was an angel and such an inspiration.

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Again, I am so grateful for the examples around me that are so strong and continue to move forward. One example that I think about daily is a friend that gave birth to twins earlier this year. She delivered them at 28 weeks and 16 days later, lost one of her sweet angels. I have been nothing but amazed at how this couple has been a strength and comfort to so many and shared their story along the way. They are a beautiful family and I am so grateful that they have a testimony in the Plan of Salvation and know they will be with their Sweet P again.

I Want to...

...decorate my parents' house for Halloween with my dad

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...watch my nephew Cole play in one of his games

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...go to Tahoe with Ella and Kate before they move

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...play softball with Jamie

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...see Adri's new apartment

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...walk through the mountains while the air is cool and the leafs are changing colors

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...hold Jac's baby before she starts crawling

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This list goes on forever but what started it all... I WANT TO GO TO MY BROTHER'S WEDDING IN DECEMBER!

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I can get sad, I can shed a tear, I can miss everyone BUT I cannot complain BECAUSE....

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I GET TO...

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...go away this weekend with one of my best friends for two days to a women's conference

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...spend a WHOLE week with my family in Nauvoo, just the 5 of us

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...be in Texas when my nephew is born next month

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...spend every day at home with my favorite people doing whatever we want

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...celebrate the holidays with my cute little family and closest friends

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This list too goes on forever but what makes everything worth it... I GET TO BRING A SON INTO THE WORLD IN TWO MONTHS!

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I really do get sad about not being able to attend Kyle's wedding and spend that time with the Shumways. One of the neatest experiences I have ever had was being at Adri and Mike's sealing and I want to be there for Kyle's too. I am sure Bryan wished he could have been at Matt's wedding and we would have loved to have him there. I am so excited and relieved that Bryan and Allie are able to go to Kyle's though. I will miss them over Christmas but I think it would have been even harder on me had none of us been able to go support Kyle and Kenzie. I'm still holding out hope that Matt is able to fly up to Utah, even if it is just for the one day.

Sleepy Sadie

Early this morning at about four, I heard a door open. I already know it is Sadie because Sadie is silent when she wakes in the night where as if Sienna wakes up, she screams. Following the turn of her door knob, I hear little feet walk into our bedroom. She comes to my side of the bed first, knowing I am more willing to let her snuggle a bit before placing her back in her room. Not in the mood to deal with kids in my bed early this morning, I do not open my eyes or acknowledge her presence. She walks away from me to Matt's side, back to my side, and again two more times. After seeing that we are not responding I hear her climbing up the foot of my bed. She then acts like my childhood cat, feeling around my legs and fell asleep. It was hilarious! I let her stay because she hadn't caused Matt to wake up and both of us were comfortable. She instantly fell asleep circled by my legs. I had Matt take her back to her room a couple hours later when he went to comfort Sienna who had gotten up because of a bad dream.