"This is the loveliest place..."

Can I just say that we love it here in Nauvoo? I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but we really do.  We are surrounded by the greatest people; senior missionaries, President Lusvardi and his wife, and young sister missionaries.  We know that it is a gift and blessing to be here and serve, in some small way, in our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom.  We feel the same as Joseph Smith did of Nauvoo, “This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens.”

This week we had the chance to serve at Pioneer Pastimes together.  It’s a great place to be, to visit with people as they play pioneer games and just hang out.  Scott was in the Blacksmith Shop and at Browning Gun and he couldn’t be happier to serve there. He particularly loves the story of Jonathan Browning and his faithfulness.  I was able to tell the story of Lucious Scovil at the Bakery and, I have to say, if I could have just a small portion of Brother Scovil’s faith then I’d be in good standing :0)  He was so dedicated to the cause of the Gospel, clung to his temple covenants and gave his all.

One evening this week we went to the home of some members, Irene and Tomasi Tukuafu.  He is from Samoa and she is from California and they share their love of people and the Savior through music. Irene makes stringed instruments like harps, ukuleles, lyres, and guitars. So, they played and sang for us. She actually taught me how to play the bowed psaltery and it was amazing! I am so not musically inclined, but she made it seem so easy. It was a fascinating evening!

Our pday excursion was to West Branch, Iowa and the Herbert Hoover Museum.  To tell the truth, I knew nothing about him except that he was a past president.  Boy have I missed out on a great story of perseverance, hard work, compassion and trying to do what is right.  He was orphaned at age 10, eventually graduated from Stanford with a degree in mining and became quite professionally successful, as well as becoming the 31^st President.  But what impressed me the most was his work during the First World War in providing food and aid for the people of Belgium.  They were suffering during the war and he did everything he could for them.  He continued throughout his life to lighten other’s burdens.  What a great example for each of us.

A few of this week’s thoughts and lessons:

• The little things we do have the most impact.
• Be slow to judge and quick to love.
• The Lord can make so much more out of our sacrifices than we can even imagine.
• Elder Robison (one of the senior missionaries): We can have peace in the midst of the hurricane and even when the tears are flowing.
• The Lord always provides compensating blessings.
• I couldn't do this without Him, and I'm doing if for Him.

  

Our cast for "Sunset by the Mississippi".
What a great bunch of senior missionaries!
 

Sister McNeil, Elder Petersen, Elder & Sister Cook,
Elder & Sister Spencer and us.

HaHa! Proof we actually did sing!
Or at least lip sync :0)

Irene & Tomasi Tukuafu

Playing the Bowed Psaltry

Herbert Hoover Museum in West Branch, Iowa

I love this quote by Herbert Hoover.  He was orphaned by the age of 10,
yet graduated from Stanford, was a successful mining engineer and
went on to become the 31st U.S. President.

Herbert Hoover's birthplace.

Along the path to President Hoover's gravesite.

Hanging out with Hoover!

President & Sister Lusvardi and
Elder & Sister Schultz.
The Schultz' were in charge of all of the Young Performing Missionaries.

Yet another Nauvoo sunset...