We just love our family and wanted to highlight them in our apartment so we made this fun picture board so we could see their happy smiles every day in our kitchen.
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Cantril, Iowa, a 5-K Walk, a Car Show and a story of Miracles are all part of our post this week.
The temple Presidency has added some later evening sessions to help those in the temple district be able to attend the temple more frequently, especially after work. We work the Friday PM shift and so we have been part of some testing and it has come to pass and we will serve on that shift but as we like to call it, "a perk of the mission" has come because of it. We do not report on Friday's until 5:30 pm and stay until a little after 10 pm. This allowed us a sort of an additional P-Day last Friday. We decided we would go to Cantril, Iowa to the The Dutchman's Store. Many have told us about this store and so we thought we needed to go and check it out. It was a nice drive with beautiful scenery. The following pictures are from that trip.
Are these wagons awesome or what!!!
This may be the biggest watermelon we have ever seen up close and personal!
These sunflower photos were the highlight of Nancy's trip.
Oh, the joy they bring!
"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."--James M. Barrie
We got a kick out of the above sign. One of us may have done it in her younger days and with a little more time. The other one in the car didn't want to have anything to do with it. :)
We stopped at the following and before we knew it the camera battery went dead on the camera so we only got these two pics. It was a fun place.
Nauvoo Grape Festival
"Grape Stomp" 5K Walk/Run"
These next pictures are of our 5-K Walk. Having never done a -K anything, Nancy decided to support the Nauvoo Community in it's Grape Days Festival and walk 3+ plus miles in the "Flats" of Nauvoo called the Grape Stomp--no grapes involved. It turned out to be very fun!
This water was cold and good. The woman next to me is a site missionary who is 83 years old--kid you not! She is awesome!! We did move ahead of her in the end. :)
No trophies for us, but a sense of accomplishment and we did it faster than we thought we would.
NAUVOO CAR SHOW
On Sunday morning we woke up to a lot of "revving of engines" in front of our apartment building. We knew there was going to be a car show as part of the Grape Festival but we didn't know we would have the entrants begin in front of our apartment. We took some pics through the windows and then we got some others later outside. (Remember to click on the pictures for a better view)
On our walk one morning we were happy to see these wonderful horses near the Blacksmith Shop.
Dad got these good evening shots by the temple last week.
M I R A C L E S
WE BELIEVE THAT...
WE BELIEVE THIS...
THE FOLLOWING TRUE AND GREAT STORY WILL GIVE YOU THE REASON WHY WE ARE POSTING ABOUT MIRACLES. IT TESTIFIES, INSPIRES AND GIVES HOPE.WE HOPE YOU GIVE IT A CHANCE!
This last week we heard the news that Elder David E. Sorenson, former president of the San Diego Temple when we first started serving there and who also served as the executive director of the LDS Church's temple department during a period of remarkable temple building, passed away at the age of 81. In reading the article of his passing in the Deseret News we were lead to a speech he gave in 2006 at BYU Idaho entitled Miracles. In his speech he has much to say about miracles and we would commend the speech to anyone, but we will share here the a personal miracle he experienced that became a mighty miracle for the re-building of the Nauvoo Temple and shows how God truly knows each of us and where we are and where all He needs is. We hope you give it a chance.
"During
our lifetime, each of us will experience extraordinary circumstances and
events. We will even see miracles in our personal lives. Such miracles reaffirm
that our Heavenly Father lives, that Jesus is the Christ and that through the
gift of the Holy Ghost we can feel His presence in our daily lives.
"Too
often we dismiss some of the little miracles that happen to us as merely
coincidence. However, on closer examination, little miracles act as testimonies
that the Savior is very much involved in our lives. Then we know we are truly
children of our Heavenly Father and He can be with us. Mormon asked:
My beloved
brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven…?
Behold, I
say unto you nay, for it is by faith that miracles are wrought. Wherefore, if
these things have ceased, woe be unto the children of men, for it is because of
unbelief… (Moroni 7:27, 37).
"Mormon
said, “Behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles and it is that same God
who created the heavens and the earth and all things that in them are” (Mormon
9:11).
"Heavenly
Father is always a God of miracles because, “…God is the same yesterday, today,
and forever, and in him there is no variableness…” (Mormon 9:9).
"During
the early days of the restoration there were many miracles; beginning with
young Joseph, when he was prompted by a passage from the Epistle of James. His
prayer was answered and miracles followed. They included the coming forth of
the Book of Mormon and the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.
"As
magnificent as these miracles are, personal miracles occurring in our own lives
are important to us. They teach us to trust in the Lord and have faith in him.
These miracles come to us when we recognize and heed the promptings of the Holy
Spirit. He is a revelator, teacher and comforter. He can lift our burdens and
give us courage. He can have a calming effect on us. We can be hopeful that the
Spirit will “enlighten our minds and fill our souls with joy” (Doctrine and
Covenants 11:13).
"In
fact, the Lord said, “…I will show miracles, signs and wonders unto all those
who believe on my name” (Doctrine and Covenants 35:8).
"May I
share a personal experience about miracles? I do it humbly and not in the
spirit of boasting. Perhaps, as I share this experience, you can examine your
own life with new eyes and recognize your own personal miracles.
"The
personal miracle I speak of had its earliest beginnings with the Prophet
Joseph. He introduced the concept of constructing temples where sacred
ordinances and instruction could be received. You’ll remember the first temple
was built at great sacrifice in Kirtland, Ohio. It was completed and dedicated
in 1836.
"The
saints had hoped to build additional temples; but, during the next few years,
circumstances prevented them from doing so. In 1839, the main body of the
Church moved to a bend on the Mississippi River known as Commerce. Now it is
known as Nauvoo, meaning beautiful.
"Under
the direction of the Prophet Joseph, the Saints drained the swampland and
created one of the most prosperous and populous cities in the state of
Illinois. That was a big miracle.
"The
following year, plans were underway to construct a temple, a sacred House of
the Lord. The Prophet Joseph appointed Brother William Weeks as the architect
of the temple. Yet it was the prophet who gave significant instructions regarding
the design of the building: “I have seen in a vision the splendid appearance of
that building”, he said, “and [I] will have it built according to the pattern
shown me” (BYU Studies 9 [Spring 1979]: 343).
"An
official cornerstone laying ceremony was conducted on April 6, 1841.
"In
addition to their financial contributions, Church members also gave a tithe of
their time – one day in ten to working on the temple. Men labored in the
construction areas and women sewed clothing for the workers and provided food,
as well as raiment.
"Because
of donated labor and the donation of many building materials, it is very
difficult to accurately calculate the cost of the six-year construction
project. However, some estimate that in the monetary value of the time, the
temple cost in excess of $ 1,000,000.00. That was a very big miracle!
"Portions
of the temple were dedicated and used prior to its completion in the spring of
1846. The first of several public dedication services for the Nauvoo Temple
took place on May 1, 1846.
"An
uncontrolled lawless element forced the Saints to leave Nauvoo,
broken-heartedly, leaving their temple behind. In October 1848, an arsonist
destroyed the interior of the temple. In May 1850, a tornado knocked down one
wall of the gutted structure and weakened the other walls. They were eventually
taken down.
"Now
move forward with me almost 100 years.
"In
1937, ninety-one years after the main body of the Church left their beautiful
city and headed west, the Church purchased portions of the original temple site
in Nauvoo. Over the next half a century, other properties, formerly owned by
the Church and its members, were purchased and restored.
"One
day in early 1999, at the conclusion of a regular Temple Sites Meeting,
President Hinckley mentioned that he was very seriously considering rebuilding
the Nauvoo Temple. He said something like, “My father wanted to rebuild it back
in 1946, when he was serving as President of the Northern States mission.
Father actually wrote a letter to the First Presidency and he was turned down.
Now you brethren, Elder Sorensen and Bishop McMullin and your associates, need
to find a way to reconstruct the temple. The plans we have in the historical
department are inadequate and incomplete.”
"In
April 1999, President Hinckley announced the Church would rebuild the Nauvoo
Temple on the original site. He said, "The new building will stand as a
memorial to those who built the first such structure" (Ensign, May 1999,
89).
"Groundbreaking
ceremonies for the temple took place on October 24, 1999. "A sense of joy
and spirituality returned to the Temple Lot,” wrote a newspaper columnist
(Church News, 30 October 1999, 6).
"Traditional
cornerstone ceremonies were conducted on November 5, 2000. Under priesthood
direction, prayers and talks were given on each of the four cornerstones. This
tradition dated back to April 6, 1841, the original Nauvoo Temple dedication
date, in the days of the Prophet, Joseph.
"The
dedication of the restored Nauvoo Temple commenced on June 27, 2002. It was the
158th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his faithful
brother, Hyrum. The limestone exterior of the restored temple is a near
duplicate of the original temple, including the design elements.
"Now I
want to be more specific about the miracles in our lives.
"In
the spring of 2001, the First Presidency invited me to dedicate a building on
the beautiful campus of Southern Utah State University in Cedar City, Utah. At
the time, I was puzzled as to why I would receive this assignment. I am not an
educator by experience or training. I was not a graduate of that institution,
nor had I any previous association with the University. Nevertheless, I went
ahead with the assignment.
"Sister
Sorensen and I were having breakfast with Brother and Sister Steven Bennion, who,
some of you may remember, was president of this institution not so many years
ago. The experience I am about to tell you was spoken of by Sister Marjorie
Bennion here on this campus several years ago. I have collaborated with her and
she has given me permission to make reference to some of the following
incidents: While at breakfast at the Southern Utah State University, Sister
Bennion said to me, “I understand you are the Executive Director of the Temple
Department and there is consideration being given to rebuild the Nauvoo
Temple.” Before I could answer, Sister Bennion continued, “I visit teach a
less-active sister whose great grandfather was the architect of the Nauvoo
Temple. His name was William Weeks. Would you be interested in talking to her? I
think she could be helpful. She would very much appreciate making contact with
an official from the Temple Department of the Church.
"I was
delighted and excited. I explained to Sister Bennion that the Church had a few
limited drawings and plans from the original Nauvoo Temple. They came to the
Church in a rather unusual way. Let me explain.
"In
1948, Elder Vern C. Thackery and Elder Frank Gifford knocked on the door of Mr.
and Mrs. Leslie Griffith in the…town of Boron, California located in the Mohave
Desert. It turned out that the Griffiths were descendants of William Weeks.
They were not members of the Church at the time.
"Their
great grandfather, Brother William Weeks, had a misunderstanding with Brigham
Young regarding the design of the Salt Lake Temple. President Young insisted
Brother Weeks yield to the inspiration of the President of the Church. Brother
Weeks left President Young’s office – never to return again. He took the plans
of the Nauvoo Temple with him.
"So,
going forward all those years, the missionaries tracted into the Griffiths in
1948, who happened to be descendants of Brother Weeks, and miracle of miracles,
had possession of some of the original plans of the Nauvoo Temple. According to
Elder Thackery, he was driving an old Ford with a rumble seat, which is a seat
that can be hidden. They gave Elder Thackery the documents and he put them in
the rumble seat, closed it and forgot them.
"Sometime
later, after the Elder was home in Heber City, Utah, he remembered the
documents and delivered them to the Historical Department of the Church.
"Now
we turn to 2001 in Cedar City, Utah with President and Sister Bennion. Remember
she said, “I am visiting teaching the great-granddaughter of William Weeks. I
think she has some plans of the Nauvoo
Temple.
Would you please go and visit with her? Better still, why don’t I go and bring
her here? You can have lunch with her.”
"She
promptly left to retrieve the good sister and the architectural drawing. She
came right back with both of them. Sister Griffiths had in her hands the actual
drawings of the Nauvoo Temple – drawings the Church did not have. We quickly
made arrangements for her to go to Salt Lake City and present the last pieces
of the puzzle, restoring all as it was at first.
"Since
the Church was driven from Nauvoo, think how many places those Nauvoo Temple
drawings must have been. Think of how many old trunks and covered wagons they
were in, as they crossed half a continent. Imagine them passing through the
generations of the Weeks family. Finally, 100 years later, consider two
missionaries knocking on a remote door in the middle of the Mohave Desert.
"All
along Heavenly Father knew where those plans were. They weren’t lost to Him.
His vigilant eye was watching over them until the time came to restore them for
His great purpose of rebuilding the Nauvoo Temple in our day. In fact, his
watchful eye is over all things in the earth. Remember his purpose is “to bring
to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
"He
knows you and where you are. In the scriptures he refers to you as his sheep.
He knows where all of his sheep are. You in this audience today, he knows each
one of you.
"He
knew the young Joseph Smith. He called him by name when he appeared to him in
the grove. He knows you by name, even though you may be lost or wander for a
time, the Savior knows you.
"He
said, “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7, 27). “… My sheep hear my voice,
and I know them, and they follow me.” Some of you may wonder if you are
following him as closely or as carefully as you can. But the very fact that you
are in this room today tells me that you are His sheep.
"His
sheep, brothers, sisters and friends, were present when Jesus was hanging on
the cross at Golgotha. We can imagine the anguish of those who loved Him, and
were left standing afar off, as He hung there. Jesus was their very hope for
salvation. Perhaps they were asking themselves, how could this be? How could He
die, with Israel still not redeemed? How could this be happening? It seems that
all is lost.
"You
will observe sooner or later, this same illusion comes to all of us in our
lives. It is the horrifying illusion that all is lost. Throughout the history
of Christ’s people, they have experienced a powerful type and shadow of
Christ’s suffering in this way.
"Yes,
sometimes we feel despair; even abandonment by God. I am sure many of the early
saints of Nauvoo experienced these feelings as they were forced to leave behind
almost everything: their beautiful city, the martyred bodies of their beloved
Prophet and Hyrum; and most of all, the magnificent temple for which they had
sacrificed so much. The Temple was the symbol that breathed into them the hope
of a glorious resurrection and eternal life in the world to come. Indeed, all
seemed lost, and much was.
"Yet,
150 years later, Sister Sorensen and I and several members of our family were
at the dedication of a beautiful temple, the exact replica of what once was, in
that beautiful city, Nauvoo, being led by a Prophet of God, Gordon B. Hinckley.
We were now a prosperous and blessed people. His watchful eye had prevailed.
"The
terrible sacrifice and loss of those early saints made everything possible. In
that moment, when everything seemed lost, everything was actually being won. As
real as the suffering was, Heavenly Father was working in His mysterious way to
bring to pass a great miracle.
"When
we read of the crucifixion of the Savior—the scorn, the pain, the tearing of
the nails in his flesh—these are the pains of mortality. In times of spiritual
chastisement, it seems we are forsaken. When in our darkest hour we feel all is
lost, the Savior is still working for our good. He does work in mysterious
ways.
"Even
if we feel forsaken for a time, we can put our trust in Him and have faith that
somehow a glorious purpose will emerge bright and new, and perfect. He will
bring to pass His purposes and we will behold miracles, great and small."
http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/transcripts/devotionals/2006_05_09_sorensen.htm
Sep 1, 2014 Chuck’s Nauvoo Moment
Nauvoo Moment (Working Together--It's Not Over)
One of the blessings of serving here in Nauvoo is the special programs we are invited to attend together with the 60 high priests and their wives serving with us in the Nauvoo Temple We have heard many testimonies expressed in word and in song. The pioneer stories of faith and endurance fortify our own desires to fulfill our assigned duties. In addition, many of our friends here are courageously confronting health and family challenges with a firm and unshaken faith that helps us “keep the faith” in our own lives.
The meals & refreshments provided are always really good and the clean-up working together with 120 dedicated converted missionaries is a snap. (Completed in 10 minutes or less)
Working together in unity & harmony with 120 seasoned believers is a testimony building experience that we will never forget.
We know it
is possible to work together and serve one another in peace and harmony.
We know not
everybody can lead, but everybody can cooperate.
We know as
we work together we can solve our problems.
We know
that we accomplish much more when we work together.We know as we work together with the powers on high miracles big & small happen.
We must all work together, and do the very best we can. (It is not good for a man or a woman to be alone)
Work together. Make mutual concessions on matters of opinions.
--J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
We need to work together more than we do.--Ezra Taft Benson
Working together –- It’s not over!
I was raised in a family that stayed together, prayed together, worked together, played together, worshipped together, cried together, planned together, laughed together, traveled together & ate together. In essence we were inseparable.
We have
worked together to pass on this legacy of hope & love. Thank you for your never-ending efforts to
keep this heritage alive.
I know that
working together we can all find never-ending happiness, peace, joy and love
beyond our most treasured expectations.One Scripture:
Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another. --D&C 90:24
One Quote:
In this
world, almost without exception, we must work together as teams. It is so
obvious to all of us that those on the football field or the basketball court
must work together with loyalty one to another if they are to win. It is so in
life with each of us. We work as teams, and there must be loyalty among
us. --Gordon B. Hinckley
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