July 3, 2022This week was a wonderful, roller-coaster ride of emotions and times.
Tuesday we were blessed to prepare the grounds at the Smith Family Cemetery for the Community of Christ Martyrdom Commemoration and then, later attend it. As I weeded the small flower garden next to the place where Joseph, Emma and Hyrum are laid, I felt a certain peace come to me that testified that Joseph is indeed a prophet of God, and that he did restore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to this earth. I am grateful for that small moment.
Later, we were able to attend another Commemoration at Carthage Jail that was organized by the mission. These were my thoughts as I sat waiting for the program to begin:
~~My heart is so full. At this moment I am sitting outside on the grounds of the Carthage Jail, listening to the Nauvoo Brass Band play beautiful hymns as we prepare ourselves for the Commemoration of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844. Just a few minutes ago, the Elder in charge of setting up the chairs stood and saw that more chairs needed to be set up and without a word, the Elders arose and accomplished the task. I love the unity of the missionaries here. As I sit and ponder on Joseph and Hyrum, tears fill my eyes. I have so much love for them. I love how close and supportive they were of each other. I love that they weren't only brothers by birth but also brothers in the gospel of this then, newly restored church of Jesus Christ. I love that Hyrum didn't need to go to Carthage but he wouldn't leave his brother to face this trial alone. I love that, even though Joseph knew that they would not return alive, he was willing to give his life for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph was not a perfect man but he was a man full of integrity and love for his fellow men. He could have easily recanted his telling of the First Vision and gone on to live a normal life but he knew that God knew that he had seen the Father and the Son and he could not deny that. He lived a very tough life, rarely having time with just his family. He was thrown into jail, on false charges, so many times, yet he never denied what he knew to be true.
As I think of Joseph's time here in Nauvoo, I know he had many times of joy as he watched so many gather to Nauvoo from all over the world. They gathered as Saints who had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus. I like to picture Joseph as he joined in a fun game of stick-pull or a game of stick ball with the children. I like to think of the conversations that Joseph had with my ancestors that he met, many that he knew personally and were good friends with. I think of his abiding love for his beloved wife, Emma and for their children. I think of his mother, Lucy and her tender heart and faith in our Savior. I look forward to the day that I can meet Joseph, Emma, Lucy and Hyrum and thank them personally for their sacrifices.~~
It has been a fun week hearing the pageant music as we have been wood chipping the trees around the pageant grounds. We chipped over 100 trees. It sure makes the grounds look nice. Also, I was weeding at Lyon Drug and my friend, Julie Robinson and some of her children came through. It was so great to see them again! We were in Pageant together the first few years and I remember walking her two little girls around the pageant area as we had make-believe ice cream cones from castles. Such fun memories and now, one of those little girls, Susan, is in the core cast of the Pageant and is 22-years-old. My, how time flies!
Doug has been busy in the weld shop working on projects mostly for Pageant and the teamsters. He's also been on call to load the trailer with wood chips for us.
It's funny (ok, maybe not so funny) how one flash of light can change things. Long story somewhat short - I noticed a flash of light Tuesday night from my left eye. It continued Wednesday so I pulled out google and it said it was probably a detached retina or tear in the retina. I called an ophthalmologist Thursday morning and was called back Thursday late afternoon saying that they had just had a cancellation and could I come in Friday morning at 11:30. The doctor confirmed that I did have a tear in the retina and was able to get me into a doctor that could do laser surgery on it in just a few hours. We headed to Iowa City for that surgery. Five minutes before the office closed, they were able to get the ok from our insurance to proceed with the procedure. After an exam from the doctor, I was taken to a room where he performed the laser surgery on my eye and I was good to go. The whole laser procedure took about 2-4 minutes (it's hard to tell time when your eye is being zapped with a bright, painful light!) Before we left from Nauvoo, we detoured to the Tin Shop and had Elder Anderson assist Doug in giving me a blessing. If the retina tear had been worse or if the retina had detached, I would have spent most of the rest of my mission laying down as the eye healed. I am so thankful for the Priesthood power and for worthy priesthood holders. I am thankful for prayers from family and fellow missionaries! I am thankful for a series of small miracles that led to one large one - I am able to finish off our mission strong! A few small restrictions - I can't lift heavy items and jerk my head around but I can still weed and work in the gardens! I can still participate in the Pageant! I am so thankful and grateful! Prayers were answered and Nauvoo miracles abound!
As my daughter reminded me today (as if I needed the reminder! Haha) next Fast Sunday I will be home. Crazy!! We had the Hurrah for Israel for E/S Wood today. It makes it easier saying good-bye to them, knowing that we'll see them again soon. We're next to go, along with E/S Rasmussen. 
We are so thankful to be serving here in Nauvoo, for the friendships we have made and continue to make. We love our Savior and we know that prayers are answered! Sometimes we have to wait (sometimes years) for the answer but I know that he is aware of each one of us! He knows our desires and blesses us. I am so grateful for the miracles we witnessed this week.
It's pageant time!!! The stage from the back 👆 and the front👇
These sweet girls used to live across the street from us
in Ivins. It was so nice to finally run into them here.
They've been working here in Nauvoo this summer.
I was a little late taking this pic and they were mostly done
but you can see all the Elders working hard to set up chairs.
President Dalton speaking to us in Carthage.
The NPM Elders singing "Praise to the Man" at the end of the
Commemoration. They were, as always, amazing!!!
Elder Downard played at the very end of the Commemoration.
Can you tell that he is 76? He works hard and I hope that
I can have his energy and health when I'm that age!
Lorna and I were in the same ward growing up and
our dad's served in the Bishopric together. She went
to school with my brother, Eric. Her son and husband
are in the Pageant core cast. It was fun visiting with her.
I love these Conservation Sisters that I've been blessed to serve with.
Even though I'm now serving in the gardens, they still think of me
as part of them. This was taken at our "Good-bye Sister Wood" lunch.
Above - Sisters Gate, Cluff, Petersen, Wood, Burns, Levesque, Darton, Virgin
Wilford Woodruff home.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!
Pic taken from the VC gardens.
