Life after Pageant

July was full of fun, family, long hours,Church,guests, tour buses, nightly pageants until 10:15, performers on corners and in the groves, hot humid days, frozen salted caramel custard, lightening storms at night, cicadas in the trees, bagpipers marching in the streets, spiritual experiences, alarm clocks set for 4AM, Service with love and many smiles, meeting strangers who knew people you knew, surprise visits from friends you hadn't seen in 50 years, goodbyes to some missionaries and family members.

We really do work hard and long 6 days a week. The work is wonderful and full of tender spiritual experiences. 

"There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives inside the Temple." President Thomas S. Monson

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been fully organized and restored in these latter-days. The authority to baptize by proper authority was restored by John the Baptist.The Book of Mormon is a second witness to the Bible and teaches of Christ and His Doctrine.

This past week we helped a downs syndrome young lady enjoy her experience in the baptistry. She was a little confused in a new place but understood what she was doing and so grateful to be there.

 A couple of weeks ago 2 different families, who had severely physically disabled sons, brought their families to the baptistry to perform proxy baptisms. Neither boy was able to walk . One father carried his son into the large font and held him securely.  The other family had a son in a canvas sling which allowed the 18 year old to be carried by 4 brothers into the font. The boy's grandfather and father then assisted him with the ordinance. It was quite spiritual and the other youth groups watching were touched by the love and caring of the families to provide this experience for their sons.

Now August dawns with shorter schedules in the Temple, the pageants have had their strike parties, the young BYU service missionaries have returned home, the Young performing missionaries have 2 more weeks of performing, dancing, fiddling, & singing before they depart, BYU Vocal Point performs Aug 2-13, AND we get to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary in August! (And again with the family when we return home)

Our kids said we need to post more photos of us...so we tried.

Sunday July 31, corn, corn, corn,
The corn "marker" on our way to Church in Iowa City. We were told this is commercial corn for energy use. 

We've enjoyed eating the sweet corn while in season.  12 ears for $4.00 makes a meal! I can cook nearly a dozen in my pressure cooker and have dinner ready in 3 minutes.

June Corn and barn

 Same barn late July Corn 

Sunday July 31

 We had the noisey excitement of stopping for a tug on our crossing of the Mississippi this morning. This is the longest double decker swing span bridge in the world. The train track runs underneath.  I enjoyed snapping photos until I climbed back into the car and Mike showed me the posted sign. Maybe that's why the tug blew his whistle?!

Oops, This wasn't visible from MY side of the car!

 July Recap:
 
Oh Dear, deer near our mail room. A doe-two fawns hiding nearby.

Mississippi lily pads, logs with sunning frogs & turtles, and a southern bound barge 

Ft. Madison Gazebo ready for the 4th-We didn't attend any festivities here but it reminded us of Maine and all of the town squares in New England.

 "Pioneer past times"
 Grandpa had to demo the proper techniques with stilts. The girls loved the games and we loved that there were no electronics anywhere.

 Our neighbors spoiled us with this yummy late night dessert!

When our neighbors aren't spoiling us we enjoy Annie's salted caramel frozen custard.

 Late night visiting with family after a long day...or was this the early morning after a short night?!

The British Pageant was significant to me because it began with the history of the early Christian Reformers and told their story of persecution and martyrdom because their beliefs were different than the state church.  John Wycliff (1382), William Tyndale (1535), John Lathropp (1634), Anne Askew (1546) helped nourish the seeds of the light of Christ into the hearts of the English Isles. When the restored Church of Christ was brought to England in the 1840's thousands of people recognized it as truth and were baptized.

                                      British Pageant
Each of the four weeks involved a completely different set of families performing. The families rehearse one week, staff the country fair, then perform the second week. The core cast of 20 remained the same. It's an amazing professional production with clear sound, lights, special effects, and some professional actors.

Pre Pageant photos with the stage and Mike's brother

Pre show( Bagpipers and Brass band & National Anthem) to the Nauvoo Pageant which tells the story of building and settling the town in 1839-1846.

On stage "ship" unfurls its sails with Saints bound for America

British Pageant 

This Sunday Morning Sunrise on the Flats of Historic Nauvoo

Jazz, Swing, Pop, Big Band,Toe Tapping music from this talented Brass Band of volunteer students head home the 13th. 

Nauvoo Brass Band...some of our favorite TALL Trombone and Baritone players...

And horn and clarinet cuties!

Those long quiet roads we love to stroll down!

Trail of Hope Performers...and my handsome spectator. They portrayed Eliza R. Snow and sang "Though Deepening Trials".  While in line we met the nicest people who know our nephew & family in Medford, Oregon!