First Snow

We had our first big snow fall of the winter December 4, 2016.

When we woke up there was just a nice light little dusting.  

We had to run out and get a picture of it.

It wasn't really any big deal. 

Just a little snow on the car and in the yard.

Then we headed off to Galesburg to attend church.

The roads at first were just wet. 

As the miles passed and we got further north there was more and more snow.

But as we traveled the snow became more heavy. The snowflakes were big and wet.

 About halfway to Galesburg we decided to turn around.  Good thing we did.  It got more snowy and more slippery.

It was so beautiful.  You know the roads are bad when even the semi-trucks slow way down.

When we got back to Nauvoo we discovered it had continued snowing there as well.  

This is the road coming into Nauvoo with the left hand curve.  The is the cemetery on the left.

Visibility in town was not good.

We were treated to a beautiful view of the temple.  The snow was very quiet and tumbling.

We could not help thinking of the pioneers living here in the winters.  

It is so very cold.  A cold, damp, wind blowing cold.

But beautiful.

 To the right of this picture is the President's home and to the left is the temple. 

This is looking west over the flats.

The Christmas decorations are beautiful.

This is Wilford Woodruff's home. 

This is looking down Parley.  

You can almost see the Webb Brothers Blacksmith Shop's wreath with a red ribbon on the door.

Joseph Smith Mansion House.

We are discovering that every season in Nauvoo is beautiful. 

And the views from our windows are beautiful. 

We have some wonderful decorations.  

All of which were left to us by missionaries who have gone home.  

(Except for the cute stockings sent to us by Janey!)

The decorations add the Christmas spirit to our little apartment.

They brighten up the dark winter.

We are excited to celebrate Christmas here.

We are so thankful for the birth and atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.

He has shown us the way, and provided us the way to return to our 

Heavenly Father together with our families.

December 10 we drove to Galesburg to go to the Ward Christmas party.

It was fun, they had a pioneer theme.  

There was a delicious dinner and singing and pioneer Christmas stories.

We stayed the night in Galesburg and went to church in the morning.

After church we drove to Iowa City because we have some errands to run there on Monday. 

It is snowing again in Iowa City and cold, very col.

While some friends have already left or are leaving this week (the Shaw's and the Moon's)

the new missionaries are becoming our new dear friends. 

This was our 'break the fast' dinner last week at the Peterson's with 

the Vinton's and the Mabey's.