Come Come Ye Saints...

And follow the Tropical storm to Nauvoo. Been there. Done that. Thats right, when tropical storm Isaac hit land in the gulf, it continued its down pour and wind storms all the way up to Illinois and many other places.. We had planned to go camping that weekend in Nauvoo, Illinois... right in Isaacs path. We watched the news, as the weather man continued to say that this would happen. So we thought, "Well if we can't experience it in nebraska, let go follow it.... In a tent."

ok, ok thats not exactly how it happened. But we did wind up in the middle of it, and camped in a tent.... but we were prepared, and it was quite the sweet adventure. We will never forget it.

(Nauvoo is a pioneer town that was settled by members of our church long ago, as they were making their way across the plains. This town has been preserved to show people what the people would have down back then. how they baked, sewed, cooked, played, worked...and its all FREE...beware there are many pics)



When we got there, it was getting dark, and already starting to rain and the wind was picking up. The sweet woman who was in charge of the camp let us set up our tent under a pavilion, and with Papa Zekes advice we had brought extra tarps to shield us just in case. As we started laying out the tent, a family with several teenage boys ran to the rescue and helped us set it up very quickly. Our sweet  saving grace.

The Camp Site

Outside it was blustery and wet.

Inside it was warm, bright and dry. 

Playing in the rain at the nearly vacant campsite.

Breakfast under the pavilion

When we first got up the next morning, we went to the visitors center and took a carriage ride through the country acreage where many of the saints lived. Wonderful elderly missionaries gave us a beautiful and informative tour. We even ran into some friends from our ward, who we didn't know would be there. 

Going to the sites in Old Nauvoo was a lot of fun! Because, of the weather there were not very many people around, so we got to participate with our hands on in just about everything. 

learning about barrel making.

Making a Rope the Old Fashion Way

One of my most Favorite Moments. (below) The kids dancing in the Ballroom where the pioneers used to hold their balls. 

In the pioneer days, children had to help with the chores for most of their time. This is how they would have carried water back home from one of the wells in the city. 

Learning how to make a newspaper 

Cooling down a wheel of a wagon after it was completed.

 What has Eli so excited? ......

The Black Smith. This was Eli's Favorite part, along with the gun shop. 

Sad thing, Tanner missed out on this because he was so exhausted. He would have loved the blacksmith too though. 

 " Look! We are Sitting on a sheep. Baaaa".. said Tanner just now as he saw this picture. So Cute! 

Another very sweet moment was going to see the Nauvoo Temple. This temple was originally hand crafted, build and carved by the LDS pioneers that lived in this area. It was later burned down by mobs who persecuted them. It has since been rebuilt to mirror the same temple that stood here originally. 

The kids were amazed by the sunstones size and perfection. It truly is a Holy and a beautiful place. This was another sweet moment.

We were also able to travel about 25 miles to Carthidge Jail. This was also a sweet moment. Carthidge was the jail that our beloved Prophet Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum and a few other men of faith, were taken to with no rightful charge, and upon seeing this, the jail master and his wife gave up their room to Joseph and the other men that were brought to jail with him. Not long after, the jail was mobbed and Joseph and his Brother Hyrum were shot and killed.

While this is a sad place, but I was very happy with the way that the tour guide handled this with grace in a way that was great for my children to be a part of it, so as not to be worried or troubled by it. it is also a sacred place because it bears solemn testimony that the things Joseph Smith bored witness of were true. The holy spirit here bears witness to that.  Joseph showed that they were so true in fact, that he would not deny them, but instead sealed them with his own blood. I know its true, because I have prayed and felt of the peace and truth. 

While we were on the carriage ride we saw what looked like islands. But we were informed that they were really thousands of American Lotus Lillies. This beautiful yellow flower only grows on the mississippi river, and only in very shallow places on the river. 

A funny moment, Tanner trying to eat icecream from the bottom of the cone. 

Annica decided that she would like to just go on a be a pioneer... 

She looks the part. Pretty sweet girl. 

We had a great time. Thanks Nauvoo!