Norm and Marge Nauvoo

On June 22nd Michael and Kili arrived in Nauvoo.  The next day, Kris, Brandon and Laura joined them.  In under three days they managed to see most of Nauvoo and Carthage.  We all had a good time and were able to catch the spirit of Nauvoo as you can see from the following pictures. Everyone looks great in  front of the temple Kris and family with Marge and Norm in front to the temple Laura, Michael, Kili and Brandon in front of the Joseph and Hyrum Smith Statue Kris with Norm and Marge by the Joseph and Hyrum Smith statue  Kili and Marge Kris with her Mom and Dad Kris, Kili, Michael, Marge and Norm on the Mississippi River Kili and Michael take a moment to reflect on what it was like for the pioneers At the blacksmith shop Getting down the stairs at the Lucy Mack Smith home At the Seventies Hall Feeding the baby oxen Getting ready for a ride in the oxen pulled wagon P...

On June 29, 2018 we went to Keokuk, Iowa which is just across the river from Nauvoo to finish up a p-day activity we started a week earlier to see some Indian burial mounds. On the way we saw many corn fields.  One thing I would say about these parts is that they grow a lot of corn!  When we got out of the car we were surprised to find ourselves standing next to a corn field with corn taller than our heads. When we first arrived in Nauvoo the corn was just barely showing out of the ground.  It is very fast growing, seemingly before our very eyes. Here you can see that it is starting to tassel. The other crop they grow a lot of is soy beans.  We have learned that this is the crop that they use to rotate with the corn to help keep the soil healthy.  It is also good to produce soy oil and other soy products.  As we drive through the country side we see field after field of corn or soy beans. Norm and Marge near cornfield Norm with corn that...

When we were called, we had no idea that we would get a chance to be in the pageant.  It was fun to be in such a well organized production with such talented performers.  Most of the core cast in this pageant are from the United Kingdom.  We like this pageant because it relates the history of what many of our own ancestors experienced.  One of the amazing things we learned was that just when the saints were getting reestablished in Nauvoo in 1839, Joseph Smith was directed by the Lord to send all 12 apostles to the British Isles to preach the gospel.  The result of this bold action resulted in  doubling the size of the church as many people had been prepared by the Lord to accept the gospel and immigrate to the United states. This added great strength to the church when it was needed to complete the temple and build Nauvoo. Each night when we go to the British Pageant ( Wednesdays and Fridays), we sit on either side and on cue the missionaries from the...

    Anniversary dinner at The Pier in Quincy, Illinois The front of the restaurant The Pier is a restaurant that has been built on an old railroad trestle on the east side of the Mississippi river.  There is an island on the right and a busy harbor on the left where tugs and barges are active in moving freight up and down the river. On the left is a tug backing into the channel with its tow.  In the middle is a tow of empty barges coming up the river . Tug boat pushing a group of 15  empty barges that have been lashed together June 12th was our 55th wedding anniversary.  I find it amazing that we are still alive to celebrate this anniversary.  I find it even more amazing that we are doing so while serving a mission in the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.  But here we are as much in love as we ever were if not even more.  Our life has been good together and we enjoy living with our best friend.  It h...