A Special Weekend! 5-29-16

I had another great event this week. My sister Ruth and her husband Rick came to visit from Friday afternoon till Sunday. We had such a good time! We went to Carthage, watched a lot of the shows, and visited the sites. Things are almost in full swing here, and it is so much fun! Rick and Ruth are amazing. I just loved being with them!

The Peaceful Woods 5-29-16

I had such a wonderful time with my son Shawn this week! For my Preparation Day we met in Ft Madison and visited the nearby Shemik Forest. It was indescribably beautiful, and smelled so fresh! Shawn and I also had lunch in Burlington on the banks of the Mississippi. It was so refreshing and relaxing. I also love riding in his convertible with the wind blowing through my hair! What a delightful visit!

Time's a Blur! 5-29-16

The weeks are whizzing by! It seems like I just posted to my blog yesterday! The past few days I spent time updating materials for the Print Shop, Post Office, John Taylor Home, and Seventies Hall. Things are getting really busy.

Sharing the Joy! 5-22-16

Sharing the gospel with new friends.

A young girl who visited here said:
"There is a part of God that flows out of the missionaries and lands on you. You feel special and loved."

It's so important for all of us to remember the tremendous sacrifice, dedication, and joy that built Nauvoo. We have such a rich heritage. The second photo is Hiram Dayton's property. You can see my white house at the far right. There's only one lot between us! Love you!

Old Friends. 5-22-16

Renewing friendships...

Tammy Brailsford from Blue Springs, MO
Mike & Shirley Klein from Provo, UT (no pic)

A Glimpse of Heaven. 5-22-16

Visiting the temple...

Enchanting Evenings. 5-22-16

Spectacular sunsets...

Flowers Everywhere. 5-22-16

Beautiful flowers...

Joyful Nauvoo 5-22-16

Another glorious week in Nauvoo! So many wonderful things happen here. This week was filled with quiet miracles.

That's all! 5-15-16

Okay. You'll just have to come to Nauvoo in mid-May to see the rest! It's glorious here!!!

A Few More Flowers. 5-15-16

The flowers in Sarah Granger Kimball's garden are so beautiful. I just couldn't resist!

A Fresh Start. 5-15-16

We challenged everyone to apply Christ's Atonement not only to the major crises in their lives but also to the small, everyday challenges we all face. At the end of the lesson I played "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" on my flute while they pondered how they could apply Christ's Atonement.

I know Christ's Atonement can be so powerful in our lives - even on the simple things. I had an experience this week working in a site with a person I had a few small issues with. I said a silent prayer, because you can't really teach with the spirit if you have any unkind feelings at all. As I prayed for it, I was flooded with charity for that individual and the spirit returned. I know it works! Have a great week!

Teaching 150 Missionaries! 5-15-16

This Sunday my companions and I gave the Sunday School lesson to 150 missionaries - a little intimidating! It contained Abinadi's powerful message as he exhorted king Noah and his wicked priests to "remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved". (Mosiah 16:13). His powerful witness of Christ's Atonement was so important to him that He sealed that witness with his death.

President Ezra Taft Benson said: "Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world. Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. … Men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. … Their will is swallowed up in His will. (See John 5:30.) They do always those things that please the Lord. (See John 8:29.) Not only would they die for the Lord, but more important they want to live for Him" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 5–6; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6).

Gearing Up. 5-15-16

I have been busy updating materials in the Print Shop and Post Office so we are prepared for the summer crowds. You can see some of the sheets I laminated with crosswriting on them and a newspaper with the names of those having letters to pick up at the post office. My 3rd-great grandfather Hiram Dayton's name is on it!

Sarah's Garden. 5-15-16

Hi Everyone. It has been a wonderful week here in Nauvoo. The peonies are blooming at the Sarah Granger Kimball home. It's hard to believe it has been a whole year since I enjoyed her beautiful garden. Spring continues to unfold.

It's True! 5-8-16

It turned out that the person I chatted with through the Teaching Center wanted to be baptized but couldn't get answers. I was prompted to invite him to set a baptismal date that felt right in his heart, keep praying intently, and keep working with the missionaries. I promised him that he would have his answer by his baptismal date.

It was such an electrifying experience! It's amazing when you feel the Holy Ghost like a steady stream directing every answer! What a powerful experience in teaching by the spirit. I feel so happy! I'm eager to use the Teaching Center on a regular basis. I love it!! Have a great week!

Testifying! 5-8-16

One of the most exciting events for me this week was having the young sister missionaries show me how to use the Teaching Center. Only Visitor Center Missions allow missionaries to use it, and I can access it on my laptop and cell phone.

The Teaching Center accesses calls, emails, orders, and chats sent to mormon.org. As the missionaries were setting it up on my computer a chat came on, and they took it! The man on the other end asked if God answers prayers of people who are not LDS. I felt the Holy Ghost guiding every response I made, and I instantly knew exactly how to answer.

Part of my chat:

Thinking of You. 5-8-16

I had a wonderful Mother's Day hearing from all my children and talking to my dear mother. I got some fun gifts. Our district leaders had my companions and me over for dinner. It was a happy day!

Happy Mother's Day! 5-8-16

I hope all you mothers had a Happy Mother's Day! Mine started off with our mission choir that I conduct singing "Consider the Lilies." I prayed that the Lord would send me another soprano from the newly arrived missionaries, because I really needed one. She showed up at the practice!

The choir did a wonderful job, and some people told me it was the most beautiful choir number they had ever heard. The Lord certainly blessed us!

The picture is one Andrea sent me for Mother's Day of Amanda and Lucy.

Goodbye Brigham 5-8-16

I was released as site leader at the Brigham Young Home and called to assist with 4 other sites - the Print Shop, the John Taylor Home, the Post Office, and the Seventies Hall. I'll find out more what I am doing next week.

Here's my fond farewell to working closely with the Brigham Young Home - the beautiful back yard and the two blue robin eggs in the nest outside the council room window.

Touring Nauvoo 5-8-16

For my Preparation-Day this week I decided that before the crowds come I wanted to revisit the Nauvoo sites where the elders work in instead of the sisters. Here's me on the oxen ride and the view from the back of Jonathan Browning's Gunsmith Complex. I had a wonderful day!

Blissful Spring 5-8-16

What a beautiful week it has been in Nauvoo! There are new flowers blossoming everywhere. I love walking to the sites. It's almost like being in heaven.

The Prophet Joseph Smith 5-1-16

Here you can see what is left of the anti-Mormon print shop where the Warsaw Signal was printed by Thomas Sharp, about 18 miles from Nauvoo. It played a part in the Prophet's martyrdom. The second picture shows the inside, taken through the door. It's definitely falling apart!

The more I learn, the more amazed I am at what a magnificent Prophet Joseph Smith actually was. As the scriptures say: "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it..." D&C 135:3 I know that is true! I love and revere Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Restoration.

Martyrdom Trail Tour 5-1-16

On our preparation day we went on the Martyrdom Trail Tour to Carthage. It was excellent. I learned a lot.

Here is our group and the only remnant of the original road Joseph took to Carthage.

Nauvoo on the Road. 5-1-16

This week has been a lot colder - the rainy side of spring. I had a new experience traveling to Mt Pleasant with a group of missionaries to present "Nauvoo on the Road." We had to hold it inside the church because of the rain and cold, but it was still really fun! Both children and adults loved making ropes and playing pioneer games. It really is a lot of fun!