Blooming Spring

We enjoyed our first P-day Monday since arriving in Nauvoo three weeks ago.  We celebrated by driving to Iowa City.  We had lunch at Cheddars and shopped at Costco.  Costco's parking lot is covered, well not just covered, it is an enclosed metal building. I'm sure in the dead of winter that is appreciated.

On the way back home we got "barged" for the first time at Ft Madison.  This bridge swings open for the barges as they go up and down the Mississippi River.  

They say these large barges can hold as much as 800 semi trucks.  Little trivia for ya!  

Also notice how smooth the river looks here.  

A couple days before this we took this picture of the river when it was super windy...not so smooth...and definitely the big muddy.

Monday evening we got to go see "Rendezvous" in the Old Cultural Hall. 

It is a musical comedy about the Latter-day Saints who built Nauvoo and then had to leave. 

 It was so fun, but glad we arenot singing and dancing on our mission!! 

Although we are glad some are.

 On Tuesday morning we went on a tour with Brother Dunn with Nauvoo Tours.  It was a three hour trip following along the Road to Carthage that Joseph and Hyrum Smith took to where they were killed.  It was interesting, informative and inspiring.  Below is part of the road Joseph and Hyrum rode their horses to Carthage.

We know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet and that he sealed his testimony with his blood.

             "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the 

  death of the testator."    

--Hebrews 9:16

This is a statue of Joseph and Hyrum on horseback.  

Behind them is the flats of Nauvoo and beyond that is the Mississippi River.

Flowers in front of the temple.  You can see President McArthur's home in the background.

It has been so fun to see spring bloom all over Nauvoo.  For our Arizona friends, these are tulips! :)

There is popcorn popping all over town.  I'm not sure what kind of trees

they are, but they are beautiful.

We worked hard again this week, heard 3 more lectures from the Durrants, went to dinner in Keokuk with the Davenport's and had a great 'break the fast' dinner with the Russell's at the Chapman's.  

They are missionaries with us, but a few years ago bought an old historic home here in Nauvoo.  

We enjoyed being in the temple on April 6th for our double shift on Wednesday. 

 On April 6, 1841 the four cornerstones were laid by the Prophet Joseph Smith for the 

original Nauvoo Temple.  This is holy ground!

Saturday there was a group that came to the temple from Thailand which we had the privilege of performing ordinances.  It was a special and humbling experience to feel of their love of the

 temple and feel of their respect for it.

As you can tell, everyday in Nauvoo is a great day!