This morning we had to be up bright and early to make it to the wagon ride we had scheduled. We thought it would be a great way to get an "overview" of what there was to see in Nauvoo ...
Dan had some "Bishop" phone calls he needed to take care of, so Courtney and I chilled out in front of the visitors center while he took care of what he needed to...
We then headed to the show, "Just Plain Anna Amanda"... the Young Performing Missionaries were really cute with all of the kids...
Courtney loved this show! The cute sister missionary playing the main part of "Anna Amanda" was 24 years old! She looked so young... she was perfect for this part!
We then went and checked out the "Family Living Center" where we got to learn so much about daily life of the saints. First we made rope... as you can see below... and then we got to have some bread baked in the bustle oven.... learned about being a "cooper" which is a barrel maker... and learned the art of making candles. We actually bought "Courting Candles"... if you don't know what those are ask us next time you come over and we will show you...
Late we checked out the "Women's Garden" behind the visitors center. The statues were really beautiful... here were a few of our favorites...
Our beautiful Courtney...
We then took a ride around the scenic byway... You literally drive south out of Nauvoo across the river into Keokuk and then north to Ft. Madison and back south to Nauvoo. It was gorgeous!
The view of Nauvoo and the temple from across the river in Montrose. This is where the saints came across when they were forced from Nauvoo....
When we got back we went for a walk down Parley Street...
This was the "Trail of Hope" leading down Parley Street. This is where the saints lined up with their wagons as they prepared to cross the Mississippi River... I love that they had HOPE instead of DESPAIR... that was one of the greatest gifts we came away from this trip with. Perspective. That regardless of our trial and challenges, we see what we choose to see. Our attitude and our faith is everything.
And this is what they could see....
This picture is really blurry, but I loved it. It looks like the cover of a country album don't you think? It almost didn't look real....
Just standing here made my faith grow... would I have had the faith and the strength to cross that river and head west?
The Names Ellen Beard, Emma Lee Beard, and Daughter Beard are some of my ancestors. They all died making the journey. One was buried at sea on the way to the United States. The other two died trying to get to Utah. I will never take for granted how blessed we are and how much was sacrificed so that we can worship every Sunday at one of 4 buildings I can see from my home...
Another powerful day in Beautiful Nauvoo....
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