When We are Here.....
                                 They are Here!

     One hundred and seventy years ago on February 4th, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints began their exodus from Nauvoo.  On February 3rd, under the leadership of the missionaries serving in the Illinois Nauvoo Mission we gave it our best shot at remembering their exodus and paying tribute to their lives, their sacrifices, and their memories.They left willingly because they had to.  They left all that they had worked and sacrificed for.    They took only that which would help them survive their rigorous journey and  they took with them their strong beliefs, convictions, and testimonies.

     It was a far cry from what the missionaries and others portrayed as they commemorated this event with a walk from the Cultural Hall to the end of Parley Street where the waters of the Mississippi roll up to the street. Today we woke up in our warm comfortable homes, ate well, and overly dressed with ultra warm clothing so we wouldn't have to suffer to long as we would be outside for almost an hour.  Not to mention that we assembled in the Family Living Center where we were treated to cinnamon roles and hot chocolate before being thrust out into the cold.  It was probably all of thirty two degrees.  Well, truth be told, the wind made it feel a little colder....or maybe a lot colder.  There was a short program inside the Family Living Center and after that we all exited to the street where we were lined up to march to the exodus point (maybe a half mile or so).     

    

     I was accorded the honor of leading the march, proudly carrying the American Flag.  I was proud to do it and grateful no one else had asked....although I was prepared to duel with water pistols if they had.  Behind me was a local member, Neal, who played the drum and kept the cadence.  Next came the Nauvoo Legion, a hastily assembled group of the best Nauvoo had to offer. Led by Elder McCloed, an ex-marine with an iron will  who fought insurmountable odds as he taught the group how to march, turn, and muster their wooden fire arms.  He soon had the group marching together although not necessarily in a military manner.  Their hearts were doing their best, however.

    Following behind the "Legion" was a bunch of flag wavers.  They proudly carried the flags of their ancestry and waved them wildly......until, as I can attest, the Mississippi winds rose and it became a major project just to keep a grip on the poles. The parade has become a spectacle to behold.

    After that came the masses who had come to march and pay tribute.  Most of those who walk displayed the names of those ancestors who were here in Nauvoo during the exodus.  Old and young they marched.  Interspersed in the middle and end were the happiest of all those present....The Teamsters.  While I am sure it has  been part of the plan to bring the horses back for the Exodus it was kept as a big secret.  They teamsters prayed and the horses did practice rides afar in the hinterlands.  When it was announced they were coming back many   a teamster  took it as an answer to the many, many prayers they had offered.  One way or another their faith was rewarded.

     At the end of the march.....at the memorial on Parley Street the Nauvoo Legion raised the flag.  The flags of many nations stood nearby...lest we forget what brought us together as a nation.

   We proudly sang the Star Spangled Banner and repeated the Pledge of Allegiance.  We then sang with voices full of emotion and remembrance; Come, Come, Ye Saints.  We all stood proud!!

     Today we remembered them......and we were proud and honored to do it.  

     Did those who were here in the past really march with us today?.......ABSOLUTELY!!

Sister Gibson Makes Church News......
               and Finds a Cousin in Nauvoo!!

     We were astonished and proud when it was announced  on Tuesday that the Exodus Social had been recognized in the Church News.  The article, written by Don Searle, told of the program that was held to honor the ancestors of those missionaries serving here.  Elder Searle, who is a former Editor of the Ensign, and has made many remarkable contributions to the missionaries by his countless excellent pictures.  It was so thoughtful of him to take the time to write the article and submit it with pictures to the Deseret News who included it in the Church News.

     Word of publication of the article spread quickly through the mission.  When it got to me I was completely caught off guard.  There was Sister Gibson front and center telling her story on the stage created for the sociable.  I hope our family knows how "Grandma" has grown during the last months.  She is doing things I am sure she never imagined....and as typical for her she is doing the well. 

     The stage that was created for the sociable was done by Elder and Sister Schmitt and it was a work of art and creativity.  In fact it was so impressive President Lusvardi wants to put it in the visitors center as a permanent fixture so our visitors will be able to see it and add to the spirit of Nauvoo.

     Another unique experience occurred when Ruthann Smith, wife of one of the Temple Presidency counselors approached Sister Gibson and introduced herself.  She too is a direct descendent of Lindsey Anderson Brady and wanted a copy of the story.  I seized the moment as a bartering chip to satisfy a not so hidden goal to climb the stairs to the top of the temple bell tower. For safety, or whatever reasons, it is no longer available except maybe by the granting of a special request.  I told her that I would barter the story copy for a trip to the top.  She got the story and I got the bad news that only the temple president can grant such a request.  Hope springs eternal, however!!

You Want us To Do What?........

                Sure!!  Willingly!!
                        Because we Have(?)  Want To!!

     It's been a long time since I have had the "opportunity" to work with a designer/decorator.  Don't miss that one bit.  Be that as it may working with one in the President's house has been "not a joy" should I say.  Designers live in the world of creativity....of their perceived "vision" of the end result.  Rarely do they see the efforts that it takes to bring to fruition their glorious perception.  Generally speaking their "tastes" are not mine"  So when it's time for a little spruce up of the mission home and a designer is employed you can understand my great and unfathomable joy.....yipppppeeeeeee!

    So it comes as no surprise that the three of us are standing around looking at the floor in the "bigger than a Nauvoo house" living room and trying to understand why we have to put a floor outlet six feet from an existing one to accommodate a "new furniture" layout.  It was glued and screwed down to the point it took two of us an hour to pull, cut, pound, scrape, moan and groan to get it open.

That was nothing to the day the three of us spent scraping, steaming, and pulling down small pieces of wallpaper in the master bath that were installed without wall sizing on new sheet rock.  After all of that we ended up putting in new sheetrock anyway.  At least the hall bath came down easier.

     The "Mansion" as it is now officially called moved on.  Elder's Hall and Hawkins were busy on the downstairs mudding and we spent a day laying the underlayment so Elder Daynes could begin his finish carpentry work.

     Also this week I officially became a prophet (of sorts).  Back in November Marcus told me he wanted to occupy the "Mansion" by February.  I told him it wouldn't happen because our FM HVAC guy, based on past experience, wouldn't even be through with the heating system so how could we even sheet rock.  Guess who hasn't done a complete job so we can complete the sheetrock and move on?

Brigham Young District.....
     Ya Gotta Love These Guys!!

     It had been quite a week for the Brigham Young District.  Struck by the flu, our numbers were decreased to the point we had to bring President and Sister Lusvardi and Doctor and Sister Oldroyd just to hold a district reporting meeting.  Fortunately they didn't eat everything and there were plenty of leftovers to take to the Jensen's and Archibald's.  They recovered by week's end and were standing tall, marching in the exodus.
    We had a new FM couple who arrived this week and were assigned to our district.  Elder and Sister Nelson arrived from Farmington, UT and it was our good fortune (maybe not theirs) to have them assigned to the district.  He told every one that asked that he was a cabinet maker even though he just retired as an air traffic controller.  In his introduction to the mission he included in his resume the fact that he had just been released from jail in order to serve as a missionry.  He will fit in well with Elder Corder (and me).  We pretty much act like reprobates  some days.
     We all were able to participate in the exodus and before the day was over we ended up at the Visitors Center, Lunch, and a Carriage ride.  In a twist of luck we found they were using a "real" carriage. It was being used on this special occasion as a result of the exodus.  Missionaries encourage the mission president to ride but both President Hall and Lusvardi and their wives walked.  
     At the Visitors Center we took pictures using the backdrop of the exodus social.  The carriage ride, always inspirational, was a very special treat.  Elders Butt and Wadsworth were the teamsters.  We had arrived in time for the last ride by a family came running up ahead of us.  Without any hesitation the teamsters told us to wait and they would take us on a "special extra ride".  It was Elder Wadsworth's P-Day and he had been called into duty and yet he was willing to go the "extra mile".

Odds at the End
    

     There are now five service missionaries serving in Nauvoo FM.  They come to us with big hearts and a willingness to serve.  Serving is a learning experience...not only for them but also us.  It comes in different ways and at different times.  So when Elder's Coleman and Cantwell joined the Nauvoo Legion to march in the exodus it was a high moment for me.  They had caught the vision and purpose of the commemorative march.  Not only that they are learning about missionary work as a service Elder but also a trade and skill.  Elder Cantwell works in the automotive shop and is preparing for a life in auto mechanics.  Elder Coleman is working with Ben in the electrical department and is doing a outstanding job.  He listens, observes, and does.  Looking to the future Elder Corder and I took the opportunity to encourage him to start planning now for an electrical apprenticeship when he returns in May.  He not only listened....he did! He is exploring those possibilities now so he will be ready when the future arrives.  Now if he can only learn to patch his sheet rock guffaws...then he will be complete.

 

     It's fair to say at this point Sister Gibson and myself are past  being astounded when a Nauvoo miracle takes place.  We are grateful and in awe of the blessings that our loving Heavenly Father bestows on the missionaries serving here.  So when it was announced this week that Sister Shumway had returned from Arizona to continue serving her mission we were amazed.  Her leaving weeks ago was with the pronouncement that she had cancer and maybe only two months to live.  She went home to get the care she needed.  Weeks of further testing revealed no signs...none..zero...zip.       When we ran across her serving in the Visitors Center and were treated to  a remarkable visit.  Her story..."I knew I was coming back.....I know I am going to die someday.....and I am ready for what comes next".  What a remarkable person....She is a rock!!