To Nauvoo and Back Again

I took a trip to Nauvoo. Daniel is on a performance mission there, and he said, "Mom, if you don't come, you will regret it for the rest of your life." Well, he wasn't wrong. I am SO grateful that I was able to go, with my parents, on a cross-country road trip to Nauvoo, the land of Mormon Pioneers, the land of my ancestors. And the land where everything is somehow magical and nostalgic, and everything feels good and wonderful. In Nauvoo, I witnessed some of the happiest people, with the most massive heartfelt smiles, that I have ever seen. I think my smile grew bigger just being there, too! 

Nauvoo is a beautiful place. It was covered in lush trees, and right next to the enormous Mississippi River. One of my favorite moments from the trip was the moment I discovered FIREFLIES for the first time in my life! I did not know they were there. I was out walking with Daniel and his companion and as the sun began to set, the ground and trees began to glow and twinkle. I shrieked with joy. Daniel's companion probably thought I was crazy. But it was SO MAGICAL!!!! That alone was enough to take the trip... but there were SO many more magical moments. Moments I will treasure for my whole life. 

For some reason, my pictures uploaded backwards, and instead of trying to redo all of it, in the right order, we will take the trip from the end back to the beginning... that makes sense to do, right? 

Sammi helped me on both ends of the trip to drive from Spokane to Boise, and then back again from Boise to Spokane. It was so wonderful to have the time with her, and to enjoy her sparkly company. Otherwise, it would have just been me and three boys. Sometimes I just need some female interaction, and Sammi probably knows me better than anyone, except maybe my mom, but only because my mom has known me longer. ;) 

Here is Sammi hanging out in the pack and play with Johnathan. She was just getting down on his level. Now that I really look at the picture... his eyes look creepy. he, he. 

He warmed up to her fast. 

She took him swimming and he LOVED it. He had no fear. He was all for it! 

Enjoying the swings in Boise 

A big cousin hug. We stayed with my brother's family, Johnny and Mindy in Utah. We had lots of family there, and my William and Henry stayed with them while I traveled with my parents and the baby, to Nauvoo. 

Mindy loving my boys 

Loads of cousins. 

Aunt Mindy on the ground keeping things in order

My sister Kary just happened to be there at the right time for me to spend a little time with her. 

Mindy gave William a haircut. 

Lots of pizza to feed this crew.

The Fourth of July was INSANE in Utah this year. I mean, I have never seen anything like it. It was like professional shows were going off in every backyard. I LOVED it. It might have to be a tradition to go there for the insanity! 

Johnathan did not like the fireworks. They were pretty darn loud. It was pretty scary for him. 

Gathering for music, conversation, and a bottle. 

One of Johnathan's favorite places is on Will's shoulders. 

You can tell they are brothers by their hair. 

Two Johnnys. 

The baby traveled SO well. He did amazing. I was a little worried about traveling so much with him, but he was fantastic. Mostly because I sat with him in the back of the car for the whole trip. Here he is sleeping in one of many hotel cribs. 

Driving through Colorado. 

It is a pretty place. 

Playing paddy-cake with grandma. Whenever I would go to the bathroom at a rest stop she would hold him and play itsy-bitsy spider and paddy-cake. He just loves it. Great way to bond with grandma. 

We went to Missouri... 

We visited Liberty Jail where the prophet Joseph Smith spent many months. It was a place of imprisonment and miraculous revelation. You could feel the significance of this place. Baby Johnathan was restless and fussy, but even still, tears poured down my cheeks as I felt the Spirit there. I have always had a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith, from the time I was a little girl, I just KNEW he was a prophet of God. 

For more on Liberty jail click: HERE 

It was SO GOOD to be with Daniel in Nauvoo and see the major change in his countenance as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He sparkled. 

I wore my Scottish shirt... Lots of Scottish things were going on in Nauvoo. 

Just a few of the performance missionaries. Before we left, they did a little presentation in the Seventies Hall, where Brigham Young often spoke. 

Baby Johnathan was a big hit with the missionaries. 

The sisters were loving him. 

I think they especially loved that he was Daniel's brother. ;) 

Baby was fascinated with the missionary name tags. 

So special to be able to speak and sing at the same pulpit as Brigham Young! He was a mighty prophet, one of my favorites to read about, and read his words. When I was young, I really enjoyed reading the Brigham Young manual, he just spoke to my heart with such power. He was the right man, at the right time, to lead the Church. 

Sitting in the Church pews. I wonder if my ancestors sat in this same spot, too! 

I wish men still dressed like this. 

There is such a feeling of JOY there in Nauvoo! 

This mission has been perfect for Daniel -- Elder van Ormer -- after ALL performing was essentially taken away during Covid times, he is now able to get all of that pent up energy out every single day!  And he is truly HAPPY! 

So cute! 

I loved seeing Elder van Ormer walking towards us. Notice the fan on Johnathan's stroller. I wanted him to stay cool in the humidity. We were lucky it was too hot, but it was humid a few days, and whew! 

We took a trip over to Carthage jail, where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred. It was a cold and empty place. The feeling there is... different. I cannot say that I felt the spirit inside, but I did feel the truth of what Joseph and Hyrum died for. And I especially felt of the brotherly love that they had for each other. There is a bullet hole still in the door. For more click: HERE 

This was the window Joseph was shot and fell from. 

Part of the jail. It was very stark and dreary in there. 

We took a few missionaries out to lunch. Look how interested the Elders are listening to the sisters. ;) 

Such wonderful people! They all called me, "Mom," and they were particularly interested to hear about my life experiences, and we had a very good gospel discussion. 

One of many DQ stops with grandpa. 

What good looking Elders! 

Elder van Ormer, the 2nd. :) His dad was the very first missionary in his family. 

A special presentation at Carthage. 

I loved all the kilts. 

Nauvoo Temple. 

We got to go there for Elder van Ormer's first time. It was so special. He was right, I would have regretted not making it! The long trip was worth it! 

Elder van Ormer had to run right after the session at the temple. But we got a picture with me and my parents... and some other guy. :) 

Such cool lanterns. 

They are preparing for the big Nauvoo Pageant. We got to see a show put on for family and friends. Look at ALL those bugs in the lights. It was like snow! It was a good show, I cried. I felt warm and fuzzy, but that was mostly because the baby peed on my lap.

See the temple in the distance... so beautiful! 

Nauvoo buildings... 

The end of the trail of Hope... the Mississippi River, where the Mormon pioneers were driven out, and crossed to go West. This was the exact spot. It is a BIG river. 

My ancestors names are on a list of pioneers who did not survive the journey West... James Steele. (Charles walked in honor of him during our youth Pioneer Trek.) 

Mary Murray Murdock... it is actually Murdo(ch)... might need to correct that. ;) Wee Granny. My direct line great...grandma. 

Such a beautiful place. 

Daniel was at the end of the trail of hope. He testified of our Heavenly Father and living prophets. My mother heart was SO full, I thought I might explode. 

I have had dreams of Charles like this... dressed like this. Pretty sure men will dress like this in Heaven. At least in my Heaven. ;) 

I just loved all the sweet missionaries. They were so sweet to me, and so loving. I wanted to bring them all home with me! 

The beginning of the trail of Hope... 

How do you prefer to eat your cookie? 

Elder van Ormer and his companion... he had sprained his ankle. They perform SO hard, injuries just happen. 

These two are companions and distant cousins, through Mary Murray Murdoch, "Wee Granny"... who was on that list of pioneers who didn't survive the journey... but wait... maybe she didn't physically survive the journey, but her faith still burns, all these generations later, and is still shining brightly through her faithful posterity. I know she is smiling down on them serving the Lord and proclaiming the gospel she lived and died for, together. I sure hope my great, great, great, great, grandchildren will one day be serving the Lord as missionaries, too! 

Love this man. 

A model of the Nauvoo temple in the visitors center

I love the angel that was once on top of the temple... I got a few decorations of the angel for my home. I also love the sun that adorns the temple. 

The Mississippi... 

One of our ancestors... 

It is very green there. 

And very romantic... 

The original temple was burned down by an angry mob... and the "Mormons," members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were forced to flee the area. They rebuilt the temple recently, as close to exact as it once was. Can you imagine that people were treated SO horribly in The United States of America? Our ancestors endured so much persecution, because of religion. In a land where freedom of religion was meant to be protected. What courage they had for their faith! I hope to have a portion of that same courage. 

Such beautiful skies... 

I love that these two steeples point towards heaven together, as friends, regardless of the fact that they represent different religions. 

Fire in the sky. I can almost imagine what it would have felt like, to look back and see the temple burning, while walking away from everything that was worked so hard to build. Now the temple stands as a witness, that the fire of the world cannot stop the fire of the gospel from spreading throughout the earth. No man can stop the work of the Lord. Temples and homes can be rebuilt. Hearts can be healed. Death will be overcome. The work of the Lord is infinite and eternal. The fire of truth will prevail. 

There were so many performances. They all had SO much energy! 

They are such fantastically talented young people!! The cream of the crop to be sure. 

The audience filling in during the band playing. 

The dancing was amazing. 

The way they could just keep going in the heat was so inspiring! 

A heart in the skies. :) 

Enjoying his personal fan. He loved the music. 

Elder van Ormer and his companion. 

Inside the model of the temple... it is SO pretty! 

Elder van Ormer and Elder West. They played the lumberjacks in the show The Promise. Dan played the convert. When he sang his conversion song, all I could think of was his dad, and his conversion story as a young man. It was so special. 

Sister Crockett and Elder van Ormer. She is the woman in charge of all the magic. 

After a show, they had me come up on the stage and face the Performance Missionaries who were in sitting in the audience. Sister Crockett was going to have them sing a particular song for me, and then I asked if I could choose the song. She said, "Of course." I asked them to sing, "Called to Serve." That was the song that was sung at Charles' funeral, by the Young Men that he had served. So, I got to sit there, on the stage, with the most beautiful voices singing so powerfully, just for me!!! It was a choice experience, that could only happen in Nauvoo. It filled my heart. And I needed that. 

Some pictures from The Promise. 

Singing the conversion song. 

Reading The Book of Mormon, and discovering the truth. 

Daniel can get those girls up HIGH! 

It was such a cute show. 

Stick pull!!! 

Introducing the show

Hanging with the baby after the shows

Love! 

Daniel walking towards us for the first time. 

Baby with grandma 

A Dutch town we passed through. Lots of "van" names there... so I felt at home. 

Sleepy baby

Riding the luggage cart 

Back in Idaho... in Garden Valley 

This is my new life motto... :) 

Sammi in Garden Valley with us

We stayed at the funniest little place. A trailer, but it was in the most beautiful area! 

It was right by the river. 

It was a heavenly view

It was SO cold at night. Sammi and I slept in the same bed, with the baby too, and we were still FREEZING!!!! 

Dunking her head in the river first thing in the morning. 

Fun times. 

It was a last minute plan, but it worked out to be pretty silly and fun. 

The stars were AMAZING out there in Garden Valley, Idaho. We saw lots of shooting stars! 

Even my phone could capture them! 

Inside the trailer. We were just there for one night... and that was enough. :) 

We went to Starlight theater out in Garden Valley. We ran into Mr. Kane, Sammi's choir teacher in high school. It was so funny because it was their family's first time there. And we were there to see Cinderella, which was the play Sammi was in during high school, where she played Cinderella. It was too perfect to run into them on accident! 

It was a good show. I spent a lot of it outside the theater, because Johnathan only liked the singing and dancing, not just talking. It sounded pretty good though. They needed Sammi as Cinderella, that's all I have to say about that. (Biased? Yes. 100%.) 

Cheese! 

It was just fun to be together. 

Cute face. :) 

The traveling between Boise and Spokane is just beautiful. 

Sammi did a great job driving. It was SO nice to have her to talk to! 

Spending some time in Spokane. Henry was wet from the splash pad. 

We went to the splash pad in the evening, but the baby still wanted to get wet. 

A rainbow to begin the journey, there was one in the middle, and end too! 

He was not afraid of water at all! 

Sammi turns 21 this month, I can't believe I have babies 20 years apart! No wonder I am tired. :) 

Sibling love. 

Duncan gardens in Spokane 

Reflection pond 

Sunday walk in the park 

Smelling the flowers... and they smelled GOOD. 

St. Louis. 

Whoa... pictures got way out of order, but a great picture from Nauvoo. Dan sure fits the part. 

More performing pictures... 

Elder van Ormer is considered the strong man. If you want to fly, have him lift you. :) 

I mean... really Daniel? 

He was blessed as a child to have shoulders that would be equal to the burdens that he would have to bear... well... here is the blessing being put into real practice! 

Whew! 

They all get VERY sweaty. 

Jazz hands! 

So much fun! 

Statue of Joseph and Hyrum by the temple 

temple at night 

It is such a beautiful building. 

Nauvoo will FOREVER be in my heart.

The END. :)