Mr. Incredible's family from TN came to visit us! It was so fun to have them here and to have the cousins again. Mr. Incredible and his brother planned a trip that the family would drive to Nauvoo! Warrior helped to give his first blessing for the sick what a special experience and ordinance to do on the sacred grounds of Nauvoo. Everywhere I walked I wondered if Joseph Smith had walked on this spot.
Nauvoo
It brings emotions of gratitude to know what the saints sacrificed to build this beautiful temple. They were given swamp land, a piece of land that no one wanted and nothing grew and through hard work they turned it into a place of beauty and prospered. But, they were run out of their homes and their land. Some were able to sell their homes and belongings but only for mere cents. The trail of hope was a true testimony. Not only to have their prophet martyred and their temple destroyed, but to be run out of their homes in the bitter cold of February it sealed and strengthened their faith.
Joseph Smith, a young boy went and prayed and put the scripture James 1:5-6: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.", to test. He wanted to know WHICH church to join. He saw two personages. God the father and his son, Jesus Christ. This land that was founded on religious freedoms sought to take those same freedoms away. Because why? why such persecution, why such hatred? why such fear?
In today's society if anyone holds themselves to a higher moral law or dares to choose the right, they are mocked, scorned and ridiculed. It takes strength today to stand as a witness of Christ. It takes courage to do what is right both morally and ethically, even when the world says it's OK. It takes faith to endure and it takes tenacity to stand alone. At times, we may have to stand alone but thankfully we have others along the way to help us remain stalwart.
ENOUGH OF THE HEAVY on to the GOOD
We went to a show. It was fabulous! One full of hour and a half of goodness and clean fun! I didn't once look at my watch. I was captivated. They recognized and sung each of our military anthems. It was humbling to see as the flags were brought out and the anthems sung who amongst us had served.
The Pageant was great also! It shouldn't be compared to the Palmyra Pageant. Completely different. Never once was it negative towards any people. Just a message of love, hope and absolute FAITH!
It is jammed pack with tons of fun things to do and things to learn. You can learn how everything was made back in the early days. Wagon wheels, barrels, candles, a black smith shop, bread making, rugs, etc! Each one of these and more are operated by older couples who serve their missions and give of their time to this. All of the shows are put on at the end of the day by these men and women and young men and young women can serve prior to their missions as well as after their missions!
There is this play center where you can dress up and learn all of the games that they played back then. We loved the stick game! Good fun.
Mr. Incredible beat everyone in this.
Competition on stilts! The brothers decided they would have a race, which turned into who could knock who off first, and then back to the race. Steve won that race. The Mr. kept saying his stilts were sinking. OK....
This was a fun thing to do and would make a great lesson. They made rope, and it was good and strong. Each one of our family members helped to make it strong, and the fibers are weak and breakable alone but together it is unbreakable! A great visual for the kids. Each family got to bring home enough rope to jump rope with. I'm going to frame ours and put a saying with it! LOVE it!, We also got to bring home a brick from the brick house. We learned what was involved to making good brick and at the blacksmith we all got to choose a prairie diamond which was a horse nail shaped into a ring!
These things are true!
Carthage Jail house, the second story window is where he fell from.
The holding cell reached temperatures of over 120 degrees. The jail master lead them to his bedroom where it would be cooler. The mobs came. Joseph was shot from the door as well as through the window.
The saints left in the bitter winter of February. They left not defeated but with hope after all they had given and left behind their homes, some fully furnished and their beautiful temple only to have it literally destroyed and torn down.
This gospel of Jesus Christ is true! The light of Christ can and does heal the hearts of all who will let Him in. A young boy did see God the father and his Son, Jesus Christ. The gospel was restored back to earth in it's fullest. If you lack faith, both member or non. Put to work James 1:5-6! If you would like a copy of the Book of Mormon, I would love to send you one. There are so many people and groups who would like to contend scripture and talk. I extend a request before anyone contends with anyone please read the book. Read it like a great story and ask if these things are true.
When we arrived home from Nauvoo everyone was so tired. I felt tired for the Mr and his brother's they were the drivers. We stopped at the mailbox and the big Manila envelope was there!.
Come on, READ IT ALREADY!!!
Usually there is a family reunion happening on the 4Th of July but it was pushed to the following weekend. Practically everyone except for us were at the annual Reunion. We knew his call would arrive that weekend and we chose to wait for it. Warrior's uncles and Grandma from TN came to spend the weekend with us. It was so nice to share this moment with others.
His cousins are waiting with GREAT ANTICIPATION!
The room is in an uproar! HOORAY! The suspense is over!!
hugs from his SISTERS
HUGS from his UNCLES
Hugs from his Cousins! Look how happy she is for him! 
I think I may have dropped my camera for a bit. Geesh, I wonder why?! So, sorry I didn't capture the moment between him and his dad or he and his Aunt G or a pic of me hugging my boy! We have much to do. I have a lot of pics to get done!
