Mississippi River

We cross the Mississippi River on this bridge on our way to Ft. Madison. On our way back we have to pay $1.00 to cross. This is a moving bridge, it splits in half and opens up to let the tugs go through. During the summer this happens quit often, the tugs push 15 barges caring coal and corn which holds the equivalent of 870 semi's, there are no weight limits on the river. It is very interesting to see this happen, but delays our grocery shopping up to a 1/2 hr. sometimes.

Post Office

S/May an 80 yr old sister from Nevada, is the #1 missionary here in Nauvoo. She is at her post each day with a smile, sings, acts, dances and plays the xylophone each evening for our 'Sunset by the Mississippi' program. She promised the Lord that she would do what is ever ask of her, she is a true pioneer woman, she is being very blessed. It was fun working with her in the Post Office, we told how the mail worked, people would write a message horizontal and then turn the page and write on it vertical. It would safe paper because the cost of mailing a page was 5 cents. Which was a lot in those days. They even folded the letter to make an envelope to safe money.

MTC Group

Our great MTC Group, we meet every 5th sunday and have dinner, visit and play games. The Walkers from Utah and the Dicksons from Washington State, good, good friends and people.

We are meeting in our home this evening.

Teamsters picnic

On the North Ridge were we now live, are two big red barns, this is were the horses and wagons are kept. Such a magnificent view, the horses eating in the grassy fields, the view of the Mississippi and the steeples of the Nauvoo Temple and Catholic church, (they sit side by side). The teamsters had an old fashion cook out for the going away Teamster leader, it is always a fast party, some just came from their sites, some are wearing their show clothes for Rendezvous and some are done for the night. We always have a great time, no mater how long we might have. For some reason the Elders that work with the teams are just a special kind of men, E/Williams really enjoys them. Most of their wife's work in the sewing room a few days a week and I dearly love them also. We were just going to Rendezvous our selves, probably went smelling a little like smoke, but oh! well! E/Williams just finished driving a wagon load of visitors, done for the evening and getting ready to put the teams away. There are about 28 horses in all, they work as a team, each with his own name and place in the stalls, they even walk around the fields together while they are eating. A little like E/Williams and I we walk around together while we are eating also.

Oxen Ride

S/Williams was working in 'Tickets and Tours' and stopped by to take E/Williams his lunch. Today he was working with 'Gary and Gabe' the two young oxen. Ready to take families on an oxen ride around the river loop. To get them to turn right or left he says "Gey or Haw", they do commands by the words he says. He also carries a walking stick, he says they are like children they obey quit well, but just encase they don't a stick always works. There are 2 sets of oxen, these young ones and two older ones, 'Duke and Don'. It makes wonderful blogging material with your kids in the wagon, come and take a ride.

Rel. Soc. Commemoration, Mar. 17, 1842 (2009)

What a wonderful place to be on this day in Nauvoo, at the "Red Brick Store" where the Rel.Soc. was organized. The theme for the evening was "Hearts Knit Together", our hearts truly were knit together with Emma, Lucy, Eliza, and Sarah and many more. What a blessing to be here and learn of these dear sisters, to know of the love they had for the gospel, for their prophet and their families. We had two sessions with about 95 sisters in each, with sisters from the mission, temple, the ward and the Community of Christ Church. I had the privilege of saying the closing prayer at one of these sessions. These are a few of the dear sisters in the mission, I love them: S/Hill, S/Nelson, S/Toone, S/Williams, S/Henrickson, S/Stevens.

Relief Society Commemoration, Mar. 17, 1842 (2009) Held in the "Red Brick Store" at Nauvoo. The theme was "Hearts Knit Together", our hearts that night were knit together with, Emma, Lucy, Sarah, Eliza and many more of the dear sisters of the 1st Rel. Soc. What a marvelous place to be on this date, what a spiritual experience with sisters of the mission, temple sisters and sisters from the Community of Christ church. What a blessing to be here in Nauvoo feeling of the love these dear sisters had for the gospel and for their families. There were 2 meetings with about 80 sisters in each meeting. I was privaledged to be able to say the closing prayer at one of these. These are a few of the special sisters, S/Hill, S/Nelson, S/Toone, S/Williams, S/Henrickson,S/Stevens. What a great time it is to spend time in the Lucy Mack Smith home or Brigham Young home with sisters like these.