CHAPTER 8--WEEK of JUNE 15 to JUNE 21 2014

This year we can say that both Mother's Day and Father's Day has been spent here in Nauvoo, the beautiful.  Today, however, was a special treat because Josh, Sherri, Chase, Anna, Ellie and Rex were here to spend Father's Day with us.  How fun is that!!  Their family arrived Saturday evening around 8 pm.  We immediately went to eat at the Hotel Nauvoo Buffet.  Everyone enjoyed!  Rex liked the catfish and examined the bones thoroughly.  The white country gravy was a hit with Josh and the turkey was especially good that night.  We then went to Annie's Frozen Custard for dessert.  Lemon with raspberry topping was a hit along with chocolate.  We drove down to the Mississippi on Parley street and then we were all off to bed.

June 15--Sunday--we went to the 10 am church here in Nauvoo.  It was a surprise, but not really because it involved a Nolte, when we sat down and immediately after that here comes Mark and Emily Nolte and their family.  Emily's parents are site missionaries and have responsibility for Rendevous.  What a treat to see them.  They are living in Wisconsin now and love it.  Then a few minute later Sister Laura Warner came back and said did you see Steve Fenn up there in the back of the chapel.  Sure enough Steve Fenn was there with James and Alexander Steimle--Heather Fenn's husband and son.  They were here on a church history trip before Alexander goes on his mission.  So that added to our Sunday.  After church we came back to our apartment and had lunch then headed down to Carthage.  We got there just in time before the crowds started showing up.  It was a wonderful time there.  We came back to Nauvoo and went to the  Brickyard, the Blacksmith and Wainwright Shop and Scovill's Bakery and then went to the Brigham Young Home before going to Josh and Sherri's hotel for the kids to go swimming.  We had dinner at our apartment with salsa, guacamole, and chicken soft tacos.  We then turned in for the evening.

June 16--Monday--Josh and Sherri went to the temple while we brought the kids back to the apartment for breakfast.  When Josh and Sherri got back we went to the Visitors Center and then had lunch at Grandpa John's.  We had a few minutes before they had to leave for Indiana and so we went to the Allyn House.  What a fun time with Josh, Sherri, Chase, Anna, Ellie and Rex.  Here is a link to the Picasa Album with pictures of our time together.

Josh and Sherri Nauvoo

June 18--Wednesday--Today at the temple we were invited to go to dinner at a place called Ogo's with 2 other temple missionary couples.  We went and it turned out to be not that bad of a buffet--not like Hotel Nauvoo, but decent food.  The big deal is Fried Chicken.  It is pretty good.  It reminded us of Knott's Berry Farm chicken dinner.  They also had delicious chicken tenders.  Later that evening we went to see BYU Synthesis and the Contemporary Dance Team.  This was held in the outdoor theatre and it was a good show.  I particularly liked the tap dance routine.  It was quite impressive.  They Jazz Band was very good.  It was a very humid hot evening and the performer's endured the heat very well.  These groups took the place of BYU Legends.

June 19--Thursday--Today we stayed late for a special session for the site missionaries.  When we got out around 9:15 we received a message from our neighbor and friend who is taking care of our house.  He said that when they went over to the house today that they could smell gas.  They called the gas company and sure enough, there was a gas leak.  This was from a valve on a the gas pipe near the water heater.  There may have been an issue outside by the gas meter also so SDGE replaced the whole thing.  THIS WAS A MAJOR MIRACLE FROM THE LORD.  This could have been a disaster with devastating consequences to the neighborhood.  Hayley Makinster, the girl watering etc. for us, had a dream the night before that our house blew up.  We will be forever grateful for these wonderful neighbors who are so conscientious with taking care of our home while we are serving our mission.  We testify that the Lord is in the details of our lives.  He is watching over us.  Let us remember each day how the Lord has shown His hand in our lives.  As President Eyring has counseled and taught by his example in his classic talk, O, Remember, Remember, let us look each day for the Lord's hand in our life.  It may not be as big as the miracle we received yesterday, but each day there will be something noteworthy to record and remember for ourselves and our posterity.  This daily exercise will build and strengthen testimonies, we guarantee it!  As President Kimball loved to say, JUST DO IT!!

Our neighbor sent us these pictures.  See the bubbles in the first picture--that is showing where the leak was.  FYI--the gas has been turned off now until we get home.

June 19 Nauvoo Moment from Chuck:

Nauvoo Moment (Miracles)

Thursday is a day we will not forget. (June 19)

Our neighbors the Makinster family (John, Barb, & Hayley) are kindly watching & taking care of our empty house while we serve our mission here in Nauvoo. On Friday they smelled something and thought it might be a gas leak. They tried to reach us and could not do so. They then decided to call the gas company to have it checked out. When the gas company man arrived he confirmed that it was a gas leak & he immediately shut off the gas and repaired the gas line into our house. Now that the gas is shut off we can have the needed repairs to the gas connection to our hot water heater done at our convenience sometime before we return home.  (see our Nauvoo Mission Blog for pictures & more details)

Haley, a UCLA sophomore, had a dream Wednesday night that our house blew up. This is one of the reasons that led them to make a more complete inspection of our house on Friday. We will forever be grateful to the Makinster’s for their extra mile care and concern for us and our house. Many times when we need a miracle God sends a friend or a neighbor to perform it. This was certainly true for us on Friday.

I know the day of miracles is not passed. I know that our prayers for each other matter. I know that angels attend us more than we realize. I know none of us will be disappointed when we see all that the Lord has done to ensure our happiness.  I know He remembers us even when we forget Him. I pray that His will be done in all things & that we will faithfully follow & trust in His kind care and keeping.

One Scripture:
For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.    D&C 35:8

One Quote:

Miracles are happening before our very eyes. The Lord is working great wonders, and his children are rejoicing as the blessings of the gospel touch their lives. It is marvelous to behold.     Elder Ezra Taft Benson