Sunday, June 10, 2018

We have had a pretty normal week.  Elder Paxman was given a young service missionary as a companion to work with two weeks ago.  He has his problems and was on the verge of being sent home so they asked Elder Paxman to "work with him" to see if he would respond.  They have had their ups & downs but basically they are doing ok.  He is learning the meaning of good honest work and sticking to something until it is done and done correctly.  You know, the old "Southern Alberta" work ethic !!  Sister Paxman worked most of the week on the Brigham Young home and on Friday moved to the Heber C. Kimball home.  We performed on Wed. & Sat. evenings....both were hot & humid.  I think that the humidity is the hardest thing to get used to....hopefully it will come because they are saying that it really hasn't gotten hot yet...I disagree.  We are grateful every day for air conditioning in out apartment.

This is a picture of the front of the chapel that we go to in the Quincy Illinois 2nd ward.  They got the stained glass from an old church that was being torn down (Presbyterian, I think) and got permission to use it.  They added the upper "Tree of Life" and the bottom 2 panes.  It is quite unique and gives a feeling of the kind of history that surrounds us every day.  The Saints found refuge in Quincy as they were driven out of Missouri .  The kind people of Quincy took them in and crammed them into every available home.  One resident said in his journal that he couldn't walk across the floor of his cabin without stepping on a Mormon !! How's that for ministering !!
          

Saturday is our P-Day and so we spent the day doing some of the fun things here in Nauvoo. It was cooler and was threatening lightning / rain so all the tourists were somewhere else so we took advantage of that!! We went on a carriage ride that takes you out into the county and shows you different areas and they share experiences that the early saints had as they were settling here.  It was so informative and humbling.  The top picture is of the two horses that pulled the carriage.  They are a  pair of Perchuons and they are massive.  You know how you can usually reach up and onto the neck of a normal size horse....these were 18.2 hands tall which means that there is no way that you can reach up and put a bridle onto them with out a step.  The picture really doesn't do them justice.   Then, we went on a wagon ride around town with a pair of Belgian horses (no picture) and they did a narration about the buildings and the residents which again was so informative and interesting.  The second picture is of the wagon that pulls the Nauvoo Brass Band  and they do a concert from it. I forget what kind of horses they were but they are big, as well!  The Nauvoo Brass Band are young performing missionaries (YPMs) that are lead by a band director from American Fork, UT who has had state champion marching bands for 27 consecutive years....that is a feat!! and they are super good!  They play instuments and dance and march all at once.  At one point in our production of Sunset by the Mississippi they stand and blow their own instrument while they reach over and play each others' instrument....that is always fun !! 
   We are loving being in a place where we are learning and growing in our testimony of the prophet, Joseph Smith and an appreciation for the sacrifice of all those who have made our paths easier.  Our desire is to be a strong link in the chain of our family so that others can benefit from our faith and desire to serve our Heavenly Father and our fellowmen.  Have a great week !  We love you all !