WEEKS 4-10 !  Random sequence but full of love of the Lord and the excitement of being here together.

Today commemorates June 27, 1844 with special programs of the assassination of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.  Photos to follow later.

 Last night, Sunday, the core performers from the Nauvoo Pageant shared the strength of the truths that "Our Story goes On". Life begins and ends all the time but the family and the things we know and love endure forever.  The cast is top notch and performed Broadway selections that tied the story together and made me think I was sitting in a Broadway theater...except grass was under my feet and it was free.  Sorry it was dark and the photos don't do it justice.

Finale with the live Backdrop of the Temple

 After Church in Iowa City Young Marrieds Ward, I tucked away my heels and we strolled along a wooded, creek trail with a chorus of birds serenading us.  The handcarts groups assembled in this wooded area after arriving from Europe & the Eastern trains in 1856-1860. More than 3,000 emigrants walked across the plans and over mountain passes to their new home in the Rocky Mountains. Mike's history tells of his great grandmother, Louisa Collins, as a 9 year old walking with her family & their handcart.

 Handcart Trek paved path. Note the rabbit greeting us!

Local Painting of the Handcart Pioneers

Great variety in the Missionary Talent Show.

 Instead of my Bach organ Fugue I performed Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" (since Joplin lived in St. Louis a while and Bach wasn't a local).  Mike was so busy clapping he forgot to take any pictures or video. It was marvelous and everyone seemed to enjoy my performance. 

 Nauvoo Brass Band performs on our street corner. It was 98 degrees (80% humidity) and they enjoyed the ice cream bars we passed out afterwards. They are energetic, professional musicians and so fun to hear and watch! They are here 3 months as volunteers who have endured rigorous tryouts. They play throughout the days and evenings.

 BYU Folk Ensemble entertained nightly for the

 first 2 weeks in June.

Our Aussie dinner prepared by a missionary couple from Tasmania. After dessert she played her Celtic harp and sang her original music.

 In Illinois, Missouri and Iowa visited ancient mounds of the Hopewell Indians.  Instead of burying the dead they covered them with dirt and created mounds. Mounds are throughout the lands East of the Mississippi. These peoples lived in the area 600BC-400AD. Fascinating!

 Turtle Mound

Excited after receiving my "lost 25 lbs" at Weight Watchers this week! I'll have to shop for new clothes soon...

 This corn will be way taller than knee high on the 4th of July! Soon my landmark barn will not be visible from the highway.

We love our daily work in the Temple. Some days begin at 5:30AM and others end at 10PM. It's a marvelous Spiritual experience to be there daily and to serve others who are giving their families an opportunity to connect their families together..

The Community of Christ Church held a beautiful tribute to Joseph and Hyrum Smith at noon today.

 In Song

 Narration and Drama from a member of cast of the Nauvoo Pageant

 Tributes to their graves

 Young Missionary Performer is Joseph.

 The Nauvoo Brass Band endured the full sun for 45 minutes!

 
The Young Performing Missionaries sang hymns that had been sung at Emma Smith's funeral in 1879.

The sun soaked chairs were filled when they were moved into the shade.