Sunday, May 5, 2019

A couple of interesting things this week !   First, is that we got the YPMs (Young Performing Missionaries) here and settled.  It was a little crazy for a couple of days.  Their leaders decided to do some changing in housing which had me hustling but fortunately, we were able to get some of the YSS (Young Single Sisters) to help us and they are amazing!   We got things done and all is well....it always is when you are doing your best....the Lord provides a way to make things happen!!  Elder Paxman ended up with four of these super-helpers in the paint shop on Tuesday...it was pouring outside so it was an inside day of working. 

L-R   Sister Mitchell  / Sister Hyde   Jim ( they flipped his hat because they wanted him to represent his silly self...haha) Sister Davis & Sister Faimolo

First thing:   we have had lots of rain this past week and with the snow melt from farther north, it has caused the Mississippi river to flood.  The levee in Davenport, Iowa...north of Nauvoo was breached and consequently there has been a free flow of water.  It's a good thing that the river is wide here at Nauvoo but it still impacted several areas.  I'll show you...

This is the benched area at the end of Parley Street on the edge of the river...which you can see the river has engulfed.  This is a picture of an elder in his gum boots who walked out there while it was ankle deep and sat with a fish pole for an hour....caught a catfish....and figured that it would be over the top of his boots walking back.  The water was flowing so quickly that logs, etc were really moving past.

Elder Paxman and Elder Prettyman on the little rise behind the bench in the picture above.  Behind them is  statue of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith looking west.   Apparently the water eventually made it up to the statue by the next morning

The replica of the wagon and ferry that I have shown to you before but it really was in the water now....good thing that it was anchored down.!!

Next, I wanted to show you that the Canada Geese families have started to arrive.  They actually have a nesting area in an open field just below our house.  The little goslings have hatched and every evening, momma leads them to water's edge and poppa pushes them in from the rear and off they go!!  Hope that you can see them in the water.....pretty cute.

This is actually two little families.  I waited until they were safely in the water....really didn't want a protective father to attack...haha!

Next...they have opened the Pioneer Pasttimes this week.  This is an open area that has games and activites for children of all ages that were common during the Nauvoo era.  Here are a couple of pictures of some cute little ones enjoying this.

Don't you just love the expressions on these little guys faces?! They are enjoying these "toys"

Now this shows a  couple of "older" kids...aka parents (haha!) trying to figure out a game called Hen & Chicks.  You start with marbles made of clay in every hole except the middle.  By jumping over and removing each one you are supposed to end with only one marble in the middle.  I remember Grandma Smith playing this with us !  Funny thing is:  there is a pattern to it and if you follow the pattern, you will be successful (analogy to our lives)   But the "older" people think that they can figure it out on their own and will really struggle before they will either give up in frustration or ask for some assistance.  It doesn't take much to help them out and once they get the pattern.....it's a piece of cake !! 

The Mensels (from Salt Lake City) have been assigned to go with us to Quincy 2nd ward.   We have been on our own since Feb. when the Naefs went home.  We are happy to have some company on the drive and are enjoying getting to know them better.  Saturday was the Lincoln Days in the park and Nauvoo On the Road was set up...you can see it in the background.  Our ward was doing a service project of picking up trash throughout the park which is what we were doing.  Bottom picture is outside of the ward building today. 

Lastly:  I wanted to share a site with you that Elder & Sister Christoffersen  shared during the BYU Woman's Conference that was broadcast on Friday.  Description reads:  " ancient and modern prophets and disciples sacrificed much to preserve and provide the scriptures.  These scriptures help us to measure correctness and truth, strengthen our faith and light our path."    It is really good....only 22 minutes long and would make a great FHE discussion.  Here is the link:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-04-004-scriptures-legacy?lang=eng&_r=1

or go to the church website and look up Scripture Legacy video. 

Be good everyone!  Cherish truth!  Build and grow your testimony...it is one of your greatest gifts.  Never let it grow dim!   Love you all!!