Are We There Yet? Nauvoo Trip 2023!

We went on a long car trip to Nauvoo. It was thousands of miles there and back home again. I got an oil change the day before we left on the trip, and my car started telling me I need an oil change right when we got home last week. Crazy. William, my 16 year old, drove most of the way... which is amazing, because he just got his license. We drove and drove, and drove some more. Isn't it fantastic that we can just drive across the country in a car? Hooray for cars! 

We drove from Spokane, and then went to Utah to hang out with my brother and his family, and then off we went to Nauvoo to see Elder van Ormer. My parents came too, and my sister Kary, and her daughter McKinley. It was a trip full of family, fun, and faith... and some miracles, too! It was a much needed trip after the crazy of this last year. It was so good to be surrounded with people that I love. It helped me remember who I really am. 

So, when my pictures loaded on the blog, they kind of scattered out of order. I am going to just take and caption the pictures as they landed, without moving them... because there are so many, and moving them around is tedious, and time-consuming. And so, it is more like scattered memory capturing, rather than an ordered trip record. That's okay, because... I don't know about you, but my memories never occur in perfect order anyway. My memories just kind of burst into thought every now and again, so this blog is more true to how my brain works. Memories are like sparkly fireworks for the mind and heart to enjoy before they fade gently from view. 

First off, before we get into the pictures... let's start with this quote I read from a magazine on my mom's table. This is very good life advice that has stuck with me: "FIGHT THAT URGE TO GO FAST when the things you value most may just be built to go slow." It is a quote from Chip Gaines (The Fixer Upper guy.) He had wanted to buy The Castle home (click here) for 20 years, but it didn't work out... until they finally got it. In the magazine article, it talked about how he was so grateful, after 20 years, that he did not get it when he wanted it, because they would not have had the skills yet to make it the glorious building they turned it into... they needed 20 years of experience to create a masterpiece. And they did. I watched the show and it is beautiful. 

Patience is a virtue, for sure. It is probably a virtue I will need to work on for a lifetime. This world pushes us into operating at top speeds, but that high-speed pressure is an illusion. Life is long. Life can be cut short, to be sure... I know that from firsthand devastating experience. But for many of us... there is time, to slow... WAY... down. Keep moving... but pace is important. My grandmas (both of them) lived into their 90's, so I better slow myself down if I am going to last that long. 

Be still my soul. 

Fight the urge to go fast... unless a bear is chasing you. Even then... should you run? 

Good question. 

Okay... here we go... onto the trip pics... :) 

We rented an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere, Iowa. It was a farmhouse surrounded by massive cornfields as far as the eye could see... and farther than Kary's eyes could see, because she forgot her long distance glasses. It felt so peaceful to be out there with no one else around. We also took time in the mornings to go for runs through the cornfields. The property had a long trail for exploring and it was so magical, and mesmerizing to run while being hugged in the middle of corn. It felt very earthy... and mentally and physically grounding somehow. 

We also stayed up at night, watched for shooting stars and watched the fireflies dance in the trees and open fields. That was one of my favorite things to do. Just being still, watching little lights shine all around us. 

Johnathan was SO happy running free through the country. 

It was hard to keep up with his enthusiasm! He went FAST! 

There was an awesome storm that blew through and cooled things off a bit. I was in heaven on the front porch, purposefully getting soaked as the wind blew really hard on my skin. It made me feel ALIVE and renewed. 

The front porch was such a peaceful, serene, place. 

I slept so good at the old farmhouse. The bed was really uncomfortable, but that did not seem to matter. It was like the house just held me as I slept. Johnathan was my sleeping companion... that meant he owned the bed, while I was shoved in the corner. 

The face I woke up to. 

Everyone kept Johnathan entertained with his favorite songs... over and over... and over... again. 

This is a picture of the Mississippi River. It is big, and beautiful... and pretty smelly. It smelled really bad. SO bad. Gross, actually. 

But we could still enjoy the beauty despite the rotting fish stink. 

It was so fun to have Kary around. I do not get to see her very often, since she lives all the way in Alaska. We are so different, but our energies compliment each other, for some major fun and laughter. And we always have great spiritual conversations. I am so grateful for her and her solid testimony of the gospel and her example that she has always been for me. 

Nauvoo buildings. 

Nauvoo is such a simple yet beautiful place. It stays with you. 

I think the younger brother has outgrown the older. I love my boys. They are some of the best (and silliest) men I know. It is hard not to laugh if they are both around. 

Daniel kept staring right at the camera and making faces. ;) 

Whew! Super impressive.

He made this sister go FLYING! 

It's like they could see me or something. ;) 

Whoa... 

Weeeeeee!!! 

It is so super impressive how these missionaries sing and dance in the extreme humidity and heat. The audience is often sweating buckets... just sitting. I don't know how more of the performers do not just pass out from the heat. Elder van Ormer says, "It's the name-tag." 

Sweat. 

Brothers! 

Big brothers! 

Slap, slap, slap. 

How did I birth so many big boys? 

We took the missionaries out to get some frozen custard after the show. They all ordered smalls to be nice... I made sure they got more than a small. These are some very fun young men. 

We kind of took over the custard shop. 

Mainstreet, Nauvoo. 

The Elders did a special Trail of Hope for us, since we were not able to see it, due to our short stay. 

It was a very special experience in the dark. Though the bugs were pretty awful. 

A creek at the end of the cornfield path. Johnathan jumped right in... in his shoes. 

The singing tree. The tree doesn't actually sing... but the missionaries do. I am pretty sure the tree enjoys their singing, it didn't complain. 

Daniel did not really know how to play the guitar before Nauvoo... he learned... quick. 

Fun shows under the singing tree. 

Heading to the Nauvoo pageant. 

Elder van Ormer is in the red pants. 

I shared the following post and MIRACLE on Facebook... 

Last night at the Nauvoo pageant… my son, Elder van Ormer, was walking towards the crowd.

A man approached him and asked him if he was a van Ormer.

The man was Evan Hanson… my late husband, Charles’, dearest friend and missionary companion.

My husband was 17 when he joined the Church, and he went on a mission at age 19. Before his mission he was kind of a wild child. He was very lost and clueless as a new member and missionary, and Evan Hanson became his companion, brother, and his hero. He talked of him often and wrote of him often in his journal.

I had only met Evan Hanson once before, many years ago.

After pageant we all found each other and Evan introduced my family to his family…

He introduced us to his oldest son… his name is:

Charles.

Named after my husband, Charles.

Elder van Ormer is named Daniel Evan… named after Evan Hanson.

You never know the impact you have on another person’s life and generations to come. Because Evan was such a dear friend and companion to Charles all those years ago… my son is a missionary now.

And the fact that Evan Hanson — my husband’s missionary companion — got to meet Elder van Ormer on his mission…

It was just too magical of a meeting.

It is the kind of moment that only happens in the miraculous land of beautiful Nauvoo. Where angels walk the streets.

So many miracles in Nauvoo. 

Elder van Ormer with Elder Salway, they were at Nauvoo together last year, this year Dallin was in the pageant. 

Some very cute humans... :) 

We got to help cart some of the missionaries around after the show. Baby was sleepy. 

The farmhouse was our home-base while in Nauvoo. It was about 40 minutes away... but they were an easy, beautiful, 40 minutes. 

Listening to a performance. 

Elder van Ormer was made for these kind of clothes. 

The top floor of the Cultural Hall. The missionaries took us up there for a special family performance. 

There was a storm coming... 

The Nauvoo Temple. It is a beautiful, beautiful, building. 

My kind of weather. 

We saw Sheri Dew in the audience at one of the shows. She is one of my favorite speakers. 

Johnathan got a little bit overwhelmed by so much music. 

Model of the interior of the temple. 

Back in Utah I went to the Draper temple with Kary. When we got there it was stormy with thunder and lightning. Super, super, awesome. The thunder shook the mountains. 

I love going to the temple. It is so calming and peaceful and a great place to receive personal revelation. 

Sisters. :) 

The temple at night. 

A little singing time at Johnny's house. 

Johnathan was fascinated with the karaoke words. 

Eyes. 

Me too. 

We saw Sammi on our way home through Boise. It was her birthday, so we got some cake and had a little cake party in the hotel. She couldn't make the trip because... she was on another trip... to be posted later. 

Idaho spuds... yes, please. 

The drive home had some crazy colors through the different fields. 

Washington Palouse. 

We know we are home when we see pine trees. 

And my hammock in the backyard! Yay! 

But wait... there are more pictures from the trip... 

We went off roading at Uncle Tom's. 

Johnathan soaking in the view from up high. 

We tried to stop and enjoy nature along all the driving. 

Johnathan loved hopping into the hotel bed. 

Freedom from the car. 

Oh man, these pictures are so out of order and random... 

This was on the way to Utah. Daniel called and told us there was a tornado-type storm that blew through Nauvoo and did some strong damage. No one was hurt. We saw a lot of the damage as we drove through, especially on the way to Carthage. 

So much driving... through places like this... 

Drive, drive, drive. 

More driving... 

Storm damage. 

Missionaries dealing with the storm. 

Fun at grandma and grandpa's place. 

Jump, jump, jump! 

Church in Utah. 

Cheese... mom, me, John, and Kary. 

John and Mindy. Gross. Get a room. 

When your twin is 12 years older than you. :) 

Johanthan loved snuggling with grandma. 

Jumping in the pillow pile. He also loved falling face-first in them. 

Johnathan was super cheesed about watching people play basketball. 

He really loved Aunt Kary, and his cups. 

A view from one of the hikes Kary and I went on in Utah. We tried to get out running everyday. 

There were beautiful views, and flowers along the trail. 

And more storm clouds. 

Sometimes the little things are the most gorgeous things. 

There was a pile of rocks with inspirational words at the top. 

We also went to see Newsies at the Hale Theater. It was SO good. 

We went to the Saratoga Temple Open House in Utah while we were there. The kids went with Grandpa and Kary, and I went with a friend I met from a Widow/ers group I belong to. It was a really beautiful temple, the interior is very unique. I think my favorite temple in Utah is the Provo City Center, but then again... I have only been to a few of the temples there. The Salt Lake temple would be high on that list... I am excited to hopefully go there when it is complete. 

We have another Open House near us in Moses Lake very soon, and I plan to take the kids to that, too. 

So grateful for temples that unite families forever and ever and ever! :) 

We ran by the river... it was HOT. Too hot. 

John and Ben stayed with me on the scooters. 

John and Johnathan. 

Johnathan got SO much attention on this trip... especially from McKinley. She was his trained songbird. 

We spent the Fourth of July in Lehi, Utah. 

The fireworks are crazy in Utah. 

Gathered for the show. 

Another beautiful hike with my sister. 

This hike was recommended by a friend, and it was really beautiful. 

The hike is next to water the whole time, and waterfalls are easily accessible. 

We put our feet in the river to cool off. 

We also went back to the other rock-quote spot, brought a sharpie, and added our own rocks... this was mine... "Have Grace for You."  

And Kary's rock... "Look Up." 

Johnathan went right to Uncle Buck. He had never met him before, but he was happy to be with him. So cute. 

Playing outside. 

Playing at Uncle Tom and Aunt Heidi's house in Midway. 

Back in the "bus." 

Beautiful views of Heber. 

Wee! 

Heber/Midway is really beautiful. 

When we were done... Johnathan wanted to go again. 

SO tired... 

Driving through Colorado tunnels. 

Colorado has some interesting landscapes. 

And green covered mountains. 

More song and dance... 

Pitstop. 

Colorado beauty. 

One of our hotel rooms had massive floorspace. We had Grandma and Grandpa in the room under us, so it was perfect for Johnathan to run around in... and McKinley, too. 

Snuggles. 

The living room in the Iowa farmhouse. 

Front porch time. 

The toll bridge over the Mississippi. 

It is a BIG river. 

Before the first show. 

Seeing Elder van Ormer for the first time. 

Sunset on the Mississippi. 

The temple just glows. 

Nauvoo sunset. 

The sunset on the Mississippi. We got stopped on this bridge to wait for a barge to go through. 

Upstairs at the farmhouse. I love the woodwork. 

Cuddling on the couch in Iowa. 

There was SO much space to roam and play! It was so FREEING! 

Wildflowers at the farmhouse. 

Big old trees at the farmhouse.

Storm brewing. 

Here are a bunch of pics that Elder van Ormer sent me... 

The temple is specially lit for the pageants. 

Such a great picture. And a great outfit. I normally don't care about clothes... but these are good clothes. 

And this is amazing frozen custard. So good. 

These people become family. 

I love the look on the sister's face. 

The Nauvoo pageant. You couldn't miss Elder van Ormer in red pants, front row dancer. 

Silhouette 

Elder Spencer and Elder van Ormer. They are friends from Nauvoo last summer. Elder Spencer has a beautiful voice. 

Dan had to learn a piano number this year so he could accompany the violinists who are out-of-this-world. He did amazing! One of those rings is his Dad's wedding ring. He is always with him on his adventures. 

Men. 

Sharing his love of the Lord through singing, dancing, and acting. How amazing is that as a mission? Nauvoo is a special and spiritual place. I am so grateful we got to go there again, and bring more family with us this time. They will be treasured memories for sure. 

And that's it folks. It's was SO fun, and freeing, and wonderful! Now, it is honestly a little lonely back in Spokane... which makes me wonder why we are here sometimes, and not closer to family. But, I know this is where we are supposed to be, for now. 

And for now that is all that I know. :)