Nauvoo Week 13 (7-13 March 2016)

Nauvoo Week 13 (7-13 March 2016)

This was an exciting and busy week!  On Monday, we went with Elder & Sister Moon (Layton, UT) to visit some nearby places.  We headed out to Iowa to the city of Farmington where Brigham Young and his company traveled along the northeast side of the Des Moines River, camped at Reed’s Creek, and then crossed the Des Moines River downstream at Bonaparte.  They had difficulty crossing the shallow river during high river water, which caused long delays...due to the thick and very sticky MUD.  Axles broke and wagons upset; ox teams were doubled to pull the loads.  After crossing the river some of the Pioneers traveled 12 miles to camp on the banks of a small stream called Indian Creek.  Others made it seven miles and had to stop because of the mud; conditions were very poor, mileage for the day was the best so far, nearly 16 miles.  Later parties took a more northerly route along the Dragon Trail into Keosauqua, crossing the river at Ely’s Ford and then on to Richardson’s Point Camp. 

While camped at Richardson’s Point, March 7-18, 1846, to await an improvement in weather conditions, the first and second of hundreds of deaths on Iowa Mormon Pioneer Trails occurred-James M. Tanner (15 months) and Edwin S. Little (nephew to Brigham Young).  Some 2,000 saints waited at this point.  The area is marked with a “Family owned” gravestone and is very near to a current day, hog farm (the smell was something else)!  We then traveled further on the trail through Bentonsport and Keosauqua to view the historic towns.  We entered Amish Country and stopped at a couple of their stores (furniture & saddle shop).

We saw the horse drawn buggies and met a couple of Amish in the furniture store (their furniture is very well built).  We noticed the topography of the land; a lot of little ups and downs where stormy weather could and did make it very difficult for the wagons and handcarts to travel.  We proceeded on to Cantrill and there visited the Dutchmen’s Store run by the Amish and Mennonites.  It was a really interesting store that had a little bit of everything.  They seem to have some great prices on many things-we understand many people in the surrounding areas make several trips there a month for supplies.  We ate a sub sandwich there that would put the best Subway has to offer to shame!

Later that day we went with Elder & Sister Lyman (Family History Missionaries) to the home of Brother & Sister Tukuafu on the far end of Nauvoo.  It is a unique home that is fairly rounded in shape; with a beautiful view of the Mississippi River.  There is quite a history behind the home and its’ construction.  Much of the wood was from another home (most of the outside logs are oblong in shape-12-14” in height, 6-8’ in length and 6-8” in width).  There are three beautiful arched windows facing the river, the floor is laid out much like a compass (with due north (North Star) holding a picture of the Lord and the Prophet Joseph Smith).    The loft is for the grandchildren (they had 14 of their own children); by the way, 5 of her granddaughters are starting to perform with Gladys Knight in Las Vegas…they are all very musically inclined.  The bedrooms and kitchen areas are beautiful (as a matter of fact the outside bedroom wall was moved during construction to accommodate their unique bed).  Outside is a wood shop; Sister Tukuafu makes harps (74 to date) and sells them.  She also makes and sells several other types of string instruments.  They gladly gave us a concert of hymns and other songs; she plays the various string instruments and he plays the autoharp.  They both play by ear and it is beautiful!

Tuesday, we went to Quincy, IL to get some hair coloring for Sharon, shopped at Sam’s and ate a late lunch.  We then returned and served in the afternoon/evening shift at the Temple.  We are coordinators in the Baptistry on Tuesdays and we had our first big group come in from Indiana.  It was a bit tense for a few moments, but all went well.  We then hurried over to the Nauvoo Visitor’s Center and heard the final 20minutes of Sharon Eastman Black and husband, George Durrant.  They spoke on Brigham Young’s influence on the Church.  They are here for two months and will give various lectures on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Wednesday, we worked the evening shift at the Temple and had another marvelous experience. 

Thursday is our double day at the Temple (morning and evening shifts) plus today we had a special fireside on the trains that continually run just across the river in Iowa.  They are the coal trains hauling material 24/7; they are constantly blowing their air horns to warn of their danger.  A brother who had been an Engineer for 42 years gave us the briefing.  It was very interesting to know what wakes us up at night.

Friday we worked the morning shift, then had a farewell dinner for Elder & Sister Anderson (they depart for home next week).  Elder & Sister Ludwig hosted the evening; others invited were Elder & Sister Peterson, Elder & Sister Baker, Elder & Sister Droste.  We all brought some food and had a wonderful evening with a slide show of the Andersen’s and their experiences.

Saturday, we served during the morning shift then went to Burlington, IA to eat lunch and see a movie.  We saw “Eddie the Eagle,” based on a true story of the ski jumper from Great Britain.  It showed that nobody in the country thought he was “Olympic caliber” and they tried everything in their power to stop him; even upping the required minimum distance to qualify for the Olympics.  He met and overcame every obstacle in his way; participated in the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, Canada and won the hearts of the fans and even the skeptic British Olympic Committee.

Sunday, we traveled to Mt Pleasant for Church; it was their Branch Conference (not too many were there-remember it was the day we moved to Day Light Savings Time).  Everybody was tired so after Church we returned directly home.  Later that day we had been invited to Brother & Sister Swing’s home for dinner along with Brother & Sister Spurgeon.  We had a great afternoon and evening, sharing stories of conversion, building of the Temple and so forth.  Sister Swing is a professional Genealogist and took Sharon under her arm and showed her some amazing things that could be done.  We came home with about 30 Shaw names that need to have work accomplished.  We will save some of these for when our children/grandchildren come to visit us this summer.

We testify to you that we are where we need to be at this time!  We know each of you is being blessed more by the Lord than we could do if we were home!  We are grateful to hear that Ashtyn did a great job in the school play of the “King & I.”  She will be and is a star in our eyes!  We love each of you with all of our hearts; we know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true; Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us, we have a living Prophet to guide us in these latter days.  This is the kingdom of God on the earth.  Take good care of yourselves, stop to smell the roses during your busy lives and remember who you are and what you are becoming.

Love,

Mom & Dad/Nana & Papa/Elder & Sister Shaw

Nauvoo Week 12 (29 February - 6 March 2016)

Nauvoo Week 12 (29 February – 6 March 2016)

Monday was great day weather wise; in the sixties and so we went golfing.  We played nine, or should I say Tom did.  I played seven holes, because I forgot to use my inhaler and I was huffing and puffing by then! It was nice to enjoy the weather on a preparation day.  Tom hopes to be able to play with the guys as it gets better weather.

On Tuesday we had the Baptistry on our own.  It was very slow as we only had two patrons come during the entire shift.  They keep telling us that things will be so different in the summer!

Wednesday, I went to one of the local souvenir stores.  Kristy had told me about one of her good friends who had moved here and she works at the store.  Her name is Jen and she was there so we had a great talk.  Kristy and Miles had become good friends with Jen and her husband.  When Scott was their Bishop he performed the wedding to her second husband.  When I told her that Tom was a Sealer she said, “hum, maybe he could Seal us when we are ready.” I also got to meet her Mom and Dad who live here; he is one of the security guards that work at the Temple.

On Thursday evening we were trained to be coordinators in Initiatory.  It was quite busy that night.  So next Thursday we will be the coordinators.  They are trying to train all of us to perform some of these positions before the end of April, when we will have around thirty more couples come to serve in the Temple for six months.  That afternoon, we had a fireside for the Temple Missionaries about things people said about Nauvoo and pictures from then (1840’s) until around 1860’s.   Some were not very complimentary; others were exactly opposite and were amazed at what the saints had built.

Friday, we went to a viewing in Mount Pleasant for Deborah Akers, the wife of the 1^st Counselor (Dale Akers) in the branch.  She had been very ill for quite some time with cancer.  There was great support from the branch.  She was loved by many.

We had Stake conference this weekend.  The seventy who came was Elder Spackmen and his wife, Flora.  He talked about Missionary work.  He said that generally a person has had seven contacts with the church before listening and or converting to the church.  We had learned that in our training in the Marshall’s.  He said that we may never know what number we might be along that scale of progression, and how important it is for us to open our mouth.  He said that when he and his wife travel, they sit on the aisle seats across from each other so that they can both have the chance to talk to someone.  He said that his wife has no problem opening her mouth as she loves to talk to everyone and anyone!  She was quite the character.  He talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon in Sunday’s session.  He told a story about a family (Jewish) they lived next to in New York when he was a Mission President that they became acquainted with and did some things together.  He said they (friends) took them to the Knicks game; they (Spackmen’s) took them to a church activity.  They (friends) took them to the Opera; the Spackmen’s took them to another church activity.  They said they were not interested in converting, but that they loved their religion.  This couple also had a son in high school; he would come over at times when the Elders would be outside shooting baskets, while they were waiting to be interviewed.  Apparently they had some church discussions and he was very interested.  So he came over and said I want to know more about your church.  President Spackmen said have you talked to your parents about that?  He said no of course not they would not understand. So he gave him a Book of Mormon to read, and he came back and said that he had a plan.  He was going to college the next year and he would take the discussions then.  He would be eighteen then so he would not need his parent’s approval.  Have you told your parents yet, no?  He goes to college takes the discussions and calls to tell the Spackmens that he has been baptized.  They told him how happy they were for him, and of course asked, have you told your parents yet?  No, will you please go tell them!  So they went to them and told them the whole story about their son’s desire to be a member of the church.  They definitely were not happy but somehow by the time they left they were still friends.  We enjoyed the conference and the fact that we only drove two minutes over to the Nauvoo stake house.

Later that day, we had a “Break the fast” dinner that we have each month and this time we went to President McArthur’s house.  They divide the Temple Missionaries up into different groups each month and we are able to get to know each other a little better. 

We still can’t believe how BLESSED we are to be serving here.  We love the history that we have learned and the great spirit that abides here.  We hope Malia will have a super Birthday tomorrow.  We want Ashtyn to know that we will be praying for her, as she will be performing in the school play this week. 

Love to all of you,

Mom & Dad/ Nana & Papa/Elder & Sister Shaw

Nauvoo Week 11 (22-28 February 2016)

Nauvoo Week 11 (22-28 February 20160

This was an exciting week; filled with a lot of activity.  On Monday, a group of missionaries traveled to Quincy, IL “City of Mormon Refuge” to see the sights and to be guided around the area by Brother Gentry (long time resident of Quincy and Temple Worker).  We started out visiting the LDS chapel in Quincy; it was built about 10 years ago.  Previous to the construction the saints had been meeting in another denomination’s chapel where there was a beautiful stained glass window. 

The LDS chapel had already been designed by the Church architects and it did not include the stained glass window.  The members said, “You can build it, but we will not attend unless the stained glass window is incorporated into the construction.”  The blue print was not changed, but the members agreed to move into the new building when this interior adjustment was made (stained glass was brought in from the other church and placed at the front of the chapel on a back lite, free standing wall.  It is very beautiful.  We then passed by the “other” chapel from where the stained glass was removed. 

We then traveled to a cemetery where there are many members of the Church buried (as they died from exposure, etc. as they returned to Quincy from Missouri).We then visited the Veteran’s Hospital and Care Center for all of the eligible “Illinois” veterans who need a place to live and or medical care.  It is a large 200+ acre retreat for veterans of all wars.  We then traveled to the river front where most of the Missouri Expelled Saints crossed the Mississippi from Missouri into Illinois.  They crossed by canoe, small boat or walked across on the ice as they arrived in the winter of 1838-1839.  Most all of the refugees were forlorn, starving, frozen and had nothing as they had departed Missouri under a threat of Extermination.  We then drove passed Al Capone’s summer home in Quincy; it is said to have underground escape tunnels in several directions that extend up to 200 yards long for any needed get- aways.

Perhaps this is a good place to explain a little more about the residents of Quincy and the surrounding area.  During the arrival of the starving Mormon refugees, the 1,600 residents of Quincy and Adams County opened their homes to the nearly 6,000 saints.  Their kindness and hospitality undoubtedly saved the lives of many of the exiles and made possible the establishment of Nauvoo shortly thereafter.  The Quincyans knew little of the Church and its people prior to their arrival.  Through the public lectures of Elder Erastus Snow and personal with the refugees themselves, understanding and goodwill was established between the Quincyans and the Saints.  Eventually, many of the residents of Quincy joined the Church.  Following the “allowed” escape of the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum from the Liberty Jail in Missouri, they arrived in Quincy and remained until they moved to Nauvoo IL.  President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, “In the annals of our Church, the city of Quincy and its citizens will always occupy a position of the highest esteem.  We shall always be grateful for the kindness, the hospitality, the civility with which your people met our people who were exiles from the state of Missouri.”

Many of the saints were initially stationed in Washington Park where a tent city was formed and soon many of the saints were invited into homes of the residents of the surrounding area.  They provided food, shelter, clothing and other necessities to the saints.  John Wood was very instrumental in the care of the saints; he later went on to serve as Governor of Illinois and was influential in the Saints well-being.  Following the tour, as a group we went to Applebee’s in Quincy and enjoyed a wonderful meal.  Followed by a stop at Sam’s Club.

Monday evening, we had the special opportunity to hold a dance on the third floor of the Cultural Hall (formerly the Masonic Lodge in Nauvoo). 

We had a wonderful evening with song and dance.  This building was originally a three story building, but had been sold and purchased and the third floor made into part of the roof (eliminating the third floor).  When the Church obtained the property, it wanted to restore it to its’ original plans; as they tore off the roof they found the original floor boards that had been covered by the roof.  They tore off the roof, and built the walls up then put on a roof; restoring it to its’ original plan.

On Tuesday, we traveled to Keokuk, IA to have passport photos taken and to mail our passport renewal paperwork to the processing center.  On the return to Nauvoo we stopped at the Stone Bridge (where Joseph and Emma used to meet for some privacy).  The bridge was part of the process they used to drain the previous swamp land of the City of Commerce (now known as Nauvoo).

Wednesday, was a great day in the Temple.  Thursday we had a change in our schedule and consequently did not work a double shift.  However, we did have a fireside in the afternoon with a wonderful presentation from Bishop Cluff (Physical Facilities Manager of the entire Nauvoo Restoration Project) and great grandson to many of the well-known residents of early Nauvoo and later Utah settlements.

Friday, we worked a double shift to assist with the larger crowds on Friday evening.  It was great to have so many patrons in the Temple, we were busy the entire evening.  Saturday, was a busy day in the Temple.  Also, a Marshallese couple was Sealed in the Temple.  President McArthur performed the marriage/Sealing through an interpreter.  He told me that I would be doing any others that happen.  It was good to see some of the people that we learned to love from our service in the Marshall Islands.  They tell us that there are about 200 members in the Temple District.  Hopefully, one day we can go to their areas and visit with them.

Sunday was an exceptional day.  We went to Church in Mount Pleasant where we did our first “Primary music assignment.”  It was a little tense at first, particularly for Tom who doesn’t really know a lot about music.  We had fun and we think it went pretty well.  They sang the songs we had prepared and we treated them with candy Valentine Hearts.  We were supposed to do the music two weeks ago on Valentine’s Day, but the weather was too bad to travel that day, so we treat them today.  As we arrived at Church, our Temple President and wife were there and stayed for all of the meetings.  Previously, we had been invited along with the other assigned missionary couple (Nauvoo Site Missionaries, Elder & Sister Winn from Nephi, UT) to  eat dinner with the Branch President’s parents (Brother & Sister Sanchez) – it is this sister that I had Sealed to her deceased parents the previous Saturday in the Temple (Spanish).  Anyway, when they saw the President and his wife, they asked me to invite them to dinner as well as the Public Relations Missionary Couple (Porter’s) that had come.  It was quite a group, but we all went to the Sanchez’s home and they fed us and they fed us. 

She prepared Poposas (corn meal/water, stuffed with beans, beef & cheese then fried), topped with a kind of coleslaw salad and topped with salsa.  They were very tasty and they made enough for an army.  They also had two flavors of refresco (punch); one was pineapple, orange and banana the other was made from soaking a type of flower in water and the juice, sweetened with sugar was served.  Both were very tasty, but my favorite was the pineapple, orange and banana.  We all ate like pigs!  Dessert was a lemon pastry which was delicious.  When we told our son Paul what we had eaten, he was really envious.  He said that was his favorite food on his mission.  I ate enough for him, hope he enjoyed them?

Later Sunday night, we met with our committee: Elder & Sister Gammell (Sandy, UT), Elder & Sister O’Brien (Dallas, TX) and us to plan the Easter Dinner on March, 27^th.  .  We will be feeding about 50-55 other Temple missionaries.  The dinner will probably be held in the President’s garage.  It will be a great event.

We want each and every one of you to know how much we love you.  We also want you to know that we have a testimony of this Church and the Father’s plan that provides us opportunity to return and remain with our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ in the Celestial Kingdom for eternity.  We are blessed to have a living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, the Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ, and this work is the most important work that we could be doing at this time of our lives.  We miss you, but know that our Father in Heaven is blessing you more than we could if we were at home with you.  Stay firm in your beliefs and faith.  God bless you til we meet again.

Love,

Mom & Dad/Nana & Papa/Elder & Sister Shaw