Last Sunday I had this blog post all ready to go, lost internet connection and then lost everything I had done. Needless to say I was a bit frustrated. So this is the second go-round. Mostly pictures :0) It has been a busy time. It’s so crazy how the weeks fly by, especially as we anticipate leaving. The countdown is on. There are people and places we’d still like to visit and things to experience. Here’s hoping we can fit it all in, which may be impossible but we’ll sure try.
Probably my favorite things over the last two weeks were spending Thanksgiving with some great missionaries, learning from President Lusvardi at Mission Training, participating in our Nauvoo Christmas Walk, seeing almost a thousand Nativity displays in Peoria, Illinois, and serving at Nauvoo on the Road on Saturday. Great ways to spread Christmas cheer, focus on the Savior and serve.
In Mission Training last Wednesday we reviewed what President Nelson said in October Conference about the upcoming Bicentennial of the First Vision and how April Conference will be different than any other we have participated in. I had to ask myself, ‘How am I preparing for that event? Am I doing anything do be spiritually ready so that I will feel and learn all that I can?’ We looked at the elements of the Restoration that happened here in Nauvoo. There are so many! We discussed a few of them together and then had time to find some on our own. Then President Lusvardi asked, “What is the Lord restoring to you personally here in Nauvoo now? What part of “continuing revelation” do you receive here?” He reminded us that President Nelson said the Restoration is ongoing, and it is ongoing through our own personal revelation. It was a powerful way to look at it. I don’t know, President just has a way of framing his instruction to make me want to be better and do better.
Here are just a few pictures from the last couple of weeks.
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| Thanksgiving dinner... |
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| Enjoying way too much food with awesome missionaries... Barney, Munoa, Monaco |
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| Monaco & Simmons (front table), Richins, Warner, Jensen and Robbins (back table) |
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| Trying his hand at spinning in the Family Living Center :0) |
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| In the Council Room at Brigham Young's home. |
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| A little carriage ride break from office work; Cornwell, Crump, Munoa, Quirl & Robertson |
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| If you think that all we do is hang out and eat...you might be right! A delicious meal with some missionaries we love; Flanders & Stokes |
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| During the Carthage Caroling activity I received the "responsibility" to pass out cinnamon rolls and donuts. Well, someone had to do it! |
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| In Peoria, Illinois at a Nativity Festival. Over 800 Nativity sets...stunning! |
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| One of my favorites. |
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| This display down the middle of the room had over 950 Fontanini figurines that depicted the life of the Savior, from his birth through his life and death. |
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| We had the chance to serve with "Nauvoo on the Road" in Albia, Iowa. Playing pioneer games, making rope, talking about family history and just visiting with people who came was so much fun! |
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| This is a first...Elder Keeton showing Santa how to make a quality rope. |
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| Albia had the coolest train setup. Seven tracks in the middle and more on the ends. My favorite was the one with flatbed cards hauling John Deere equipment. Only in Iowa! |
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| The Visitors' Center lunch bunch for the day... Robertson, Scott, Quirl, Cornwell & Jensen. |
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| Missionaries sing "Light Up the Tree". |
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| The Nativity scene during our Christmas Walk to celebrate the Savior's birth. |
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| Horse drawn Christmas wagons add to the atmosphere. |
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| A little story time action in the Print Shop. I read Thomas S. Monson's book, The Christmas Train.
If you are interested, we will
speak in church on Sunday December 29 at 12:00 noon at the Summerhill
Ward (12070 S. Laurel Chase Drive, Riverton). You are invited to come by our home at afterwards to visit (1146 West Greasewood Drive).
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