OUR VACATION TO NAUVOO, IL. 2010

Nauvoo, (Hebrew for Beautiful) is an experience that took us back to a remarkable

century of faith, determination, and sacrifice. It is a place where my ancestors were,

where their faith was tried and tested.

Where a greater testimony was gained for them, that gave them the

strength to push westward as they were driven out of Nauvoo. It is a place filled with

inspiring stories of those early people who established Nauvoo. Their homes still stand as

a witness of an unforgettable time in Mormon history. In Nauvoo, we discovered the lives

of those who had lived there for the good of Zion, and guided the early church into a

restoration of everything under heaven.

I love to sit by the window when we fly, as I looked down upon the clouds,

I couldn't help but think how organized they looked...like little cotton balls

all laid in rows. I know that God organized and created the world, and it is so

beautiful. I know that he loves order in all things, that equals peace and beauty.

As were waiting for our car to be brought around, we saw this on the

very spot we were to wait. It wasn't for me but it was funny that my

name was written there, as if we were being expected and welcomed.

I loved all the big old bridges that spanned the

Mississippi river, they were fun to cross.

The Mississippi river was beautiful from every side.

We saw this big beautiful Oak and had to circle back to

take it's picture. It was so fun to be there in the Autumn

of the year and see all the gorgeous Fall colors. I had fun
gathering a big bag of acorns to bring home as a remembrance.

Joseph and Emma

Behind the L.D.S. Church's visitor center there are all these beautiful

statues. When we were there 22 years ago, it was just the new statues and

cement and now it was a magnificent garden, filled with trees and all kinds of

beautiful, fragrant flowers and the whole area inside and out is so clean and peaceful.

Woman in Prayer

Mother and those who follow her lead.

Mothers, teachers of their children

The trust of a child in her parents

The Joy of Motherhood and Joy in Family

The beauty of the work in woman's hands

A Statue depicting God the Father and his son Jesus Christ

appearing to the boy Joseph Smith in the sacred grove.

A bust of Joseph Smith as an adult

A pioneer oxen yoke

Many painting are in the visitors center, this one is of

the saints being driven out of their beautiful Nauvoo

in the middle of a cold, icy February, crossing the great

Mississippi on ice. A time of sadness but great strength.

They were driven from their homes and drove out of Nauvoo.

Life had to go on, babies were born and babies died.

Nauvoo was nothing but a mosquito infested swamp when the saints got there.

They dug trenches that diverted the springs and drained the swamps. They built

their homes and they built a Temple. They prospered...maybe too much, because

before long people got afraid that they might take over, troubles arose and before

long they were driven out to find another place that they could dwell in peace.

A beautiful statue of Jesus Christ in the visitors center

Many painting depicting Jesus Christ who is the very core of our belief.

The Savior teaching...

Jesus Christ...he is my personal Savior, oh how I love him.

Big red barns everywhere, this one belongs to our church and

houses the big Belgium horse teams, I loved visiting them too.

We went on wagon rides around the old part of Nauvoo...

I loved this so much. I loved the horses and I loved seeing

Nauvoo as it once was. And I would have loved to be sitting
on this big guys back!

Down beautiful dirt roads we went, roads that were there back then.

This is Rick and Rod..they are a team of Belgium horses that we rode with.

They were so sweet and pulled so well together, I wanted to bring them home.

I loved their great big old feet..as big as pie
plates and they are such gentle giants!

And I love this picture of Ron and I with Rick and Rod.

Everywhere we drove in Illinois, we saw so many old cars all

fixed up nice just scooting down the freeways..loved them!

The flowers at the church's visitors center smelled SO good!

And were so beautiful.

Well thats enough for today, I will share more tomorrow.
This was such a great vacation, best one we have ever
taken. I took 300 pictures and developed a bunch of 5x7's
and 8x10's to put up in our home, to keep Nauvoo in our
home and in our hearts.