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Ready to go and packed to the gills
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Saturday morning, April 12th -- we were ready to roll. The back was as packed as the back seat. There were a couple of bags around my feet--things I needed to get to on the way. No, the bicycles weren't going; they are hanging in the garage. We think we have everything we need--and then some.
We had lovely settings apart Friday evening from President Daynes and President Huber of our stake presidency.
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| Stan, Sharon and Barbara |
First stop was in Denver to visit and stay with a former roommate of mine--Barbara Bell, whose husband passed away a few years ago. So nice to visit her and her and be in her lovely home. We attended church with her Sunday morning, had lunch and then made our way to Hays, Kansas for the night.
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| Boyhood home of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Abilene, KS |
On our way through Abilene, we stopped and toured the D.D. Eisenhower Museum and saw his boyhood home. He was the first US President we remember. General Eisenhower, as he liked to be called, was a man of integrity, leadership and faith. We enjoyed seeing a movie about his life.
In Topeka we drove by the capitol building and because we were intrigued by the name, we ate at nearby Ta Co--overpriced but very good.
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At the Independence, KS Visitor's Center
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In Independence we did a detailed tour of the LDS Visitor's Center, and then went next door to the Hedrickite Church, which sits on the original temple lot and listened to Randy tell us about the Hedrickites and why their name, the original Church of Christ, is correct, why we should not have high priests, and several other interesting things. We drove by the Church of Christ Temple, but it wasn't open.
Liberty Jail is always a sobering scene. Even though it is the original floor, I'm sure the rest of the jail is in much better condition that it was in 1838 when Joseph and companions spent six winter months there.
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| Panoramic View of Adam-ondi-Ahman |
"Hosanna to such days to come, the Savior's second coming, when all the earth in glorious bloom affords the Saints a holy home, like Adam-ondi-Ahman." A beautiful, peaceful 3,500 acres mowed and kept by 14 couple missionaries, whose call came from and who report directly to the First Presidency. About 130 acres are leased to three farmers who alternately grow corn and soy beans. The Church has no plans to build anything on the property; two emeritus general authorities visit monthly.
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| Southeast cornerstone at the Far West Temple site |
At the Far West Temple site we visited with Linda Dixon, who was traveling with her two dogs from California. Her brother was a member of the Church and he had passed away. In honor of him she is traveling to all the Church history sites and while enroute, is writing a book about the exodus of the Saints.
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Welcome to Hamilton Mural
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Welcome to Hamilton, MO. If you don't know the story of Jenny Doan and her family and how they have restored this quilt town with the Missouri Star Quilt Company, it is a must read. Her book is
How to Stitch an American Dream.
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 | | An industrial machine (8 at a time) that put logos on denim pockets |
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 | | A view with sign of one of the many quilt stores |
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 | | Thimble Collection in Museum |
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 | | Just one wall of the miniature quilts |
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 | | Panoramic view of toy sewing machines |
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 | | The seamstresses mantra |
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| Also in Hamilton is the boyhood home of J.C. Penney |
We drove through Jamesport, an Amish town, and stopped at a country store; purchased honey and whole wheat flour. We were looking for their buggies and were behind this one. Out of town we passed a couple of others, but didn't see them in time for a photo.
Another sobering site. In the blacksmith shop where Saints ran for protection against the oncoming mob, Stan's ancestor, William Champlin, was shot and fell on top of another body. Then another man was shot and fell on him. William lay quietly thinking he would die for hours until all was quiet. Later in telling the story, he said "he played dead," and so was forever after called Possum Champlin.
Before getting to Nauvoo, we knew we needed groceries and some basics and didn't want to drive the 12 miles back after getting to Nauvoo and unpacking. So, we stopped at good ole' Walmart in Keokuk, Iowa. That was a rather expen$ive $top, but we at least had something for dinner. And we stuffed even more in every available niche we could find in our car--including on my lap. We arrived in Nauvoo on April 17th as requested. Our host couple met us, several couples descended to our car, and we were unloaded in minutes. We spent the afternoon putting belongings away. It didn't take as long as we thought--in a 700-square foot apartment, there are not too many decisions. It fits or it doesn't.
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| We live on the top floor at 975 Kimball Street. We need only climb18 stairs--a much reduced amount from our 96 stairs in our 4th floor apartment in Hungary. |
We are beginning to get acquainted with the many wonderful missionary couples and the layout of the town, Our host couple invited us to dinner Friday evening, we attended a Welcome/Farewell/Easter dinner for ALL current missionaries on Saturday evening--there were more than 250 in attendance. (There are many more missionaries to come in the coming months.) Saturday we made another $hopping trip to Quincy, Illinois, for a few more needed (?) items. Sunday we attended one of the Nauvoo wards and then in the afternoon we went to the temple to be set apart as ordinance workers and a had our first tour of the beautiful Nauvoo Temple.
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| Leaving the temple on Sunday afternoon |
Monday morning we met at the temple for a "devotional" to hear from each of the temple presidency and matrons, as they shared temple information and their testimonies. One thing President Church told us is that "No one is called to Nauvoo by mistake. If you received a call here, there is a reason." We had a Quest and Seek "game" to test our memory for locations in the temple, and afterwards had a luncheon.
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Temple Missionaries with the Temple Presidency
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We are humbled and grateful to be called to Nauvoo. We look forward to our service and learning about our Nauvoo ancestors. If you made it this far, you deserve a gold star. We love you all and will report again next week.
