If you build it ...

Buses bring hundreds to Nauvoo every July. 

Nauvoo is alive in July with a variety of different vignettes during the day,  the Nauvoo Brass Band playing throughout the day, and at 7:00 the Country Fair opens, followed by either the British or the Nauvoo Pageant.  Meantime, in the Garden Club, which sounds better than the grounds crew, we are trying to keep up with the watering and the weeding, and Elder Barrow is trying to keep everyone's a/c running because it is hot.  While it seemed to  rain everyday this spring, the rain has stopped and the temperature is heating up. We start our day at 6:00 with the water trucks, followed by weeding and stick runs until the heat gets too much.  Then we go into the pot shop and make coleus cuttings.

On Monday after Sunset, we practiced what we as missionaries do at the end of the British Pageant.  We all march up on stage singing parts of Called to Serve, Oh Say What is Truth, and Redeemer of Israel.  Participation is optional, and with our early rising time, we can only do it on Friday, because we don't have to get up early on Saturday. It was frustrating to hear all of the music from the Country Fair and Pageant, but being too tired to go participate.  Finally near the end of the week we were able to be part of it.

Sunset on the Mississippi goes on even with pageant. 

 I was able to see a couple of things during the week.  The Nauvoo Bagpipers perform everyday just a block from my house.

Wednesday I saw the Women of Nauvoo, performed by the young sister missionaries in the women's garden.  Next week the core cast will perform it.  I don't think they can do any better than the young sisters did.

Thursday we went to the Country Fair.  We were too tired to stay for the pageant, but I just wanted to see what was going on.  LOTS!  Dancing, crafts, games, bagpipes, puppets.

Tug o War

Handcart races

Dance band

dancing

The fair ends and the pageant starts with a parade. Photo by Elder Cornwell.

Friday we took our turn on security for the British pageant.  Our assignment was easy.  Keep people, mainly children, from going on the stage.  We actually had to just stand there in our orange vest.  That was the sign that you can't go up  there.   I was glad for our assignment. Others had to deal with anti-Mormon activist, who yell and hand out anti-pamphlets.   We are told to not engage them.  If they are ignored, they might go away.  I'm quite sure they don't persuade any of this crowd.  When Mckay was a young teenager, he use to collect these pamphlets. They didn't persuade him.  One sister I work with said her Lutheran aunt went around and collected pamphlets from each activist and then shook them at them all and told them to leave these Mormons alone.  They are doing a good thing and not hurting anyone.  I wish I'd been there to see and hear her.

I loved the British Pageant.  It tells the story of the apostles opening the British Isles to the restored gospel message.  The response was thousands joined the church and immigrated to Nauvoo. This is a major part of Dee's ancestors' story.  Barrows, Beswicks, Dougherty, Fosters, Robins, Welch, Ellisons, Pilling, and Banks all are his ancestors who came from England and traveled to Nauvoo.
These two photos were taken by Elder Bruce Cornwell.

Saturday morning we had a farewell breakfast for the Christensens and the Nelsons.  I've said good-by to a lot of missionaries, but these will be the hardest.  They have worked with me for over half of my mission.  They have been my leaders, role models, and good friends.  The good thing is, the Nelsons live near Ann, so I know that I'll see them again.  The Christensens live in Idaho Falls, so any trip to Yellowstone will include seeing them, along with the Archibalds who live in Rexburg.  It will take a bit more effort to see the Grigsby, who are in OK and the Dares, who are in AZ, but Church members' paths cross in surprising ways, and Nauvoo is one of the most common crossing places.

Christensens on left, no hat, name tags.

Saturday afternoon we did sealings in the temple with two other missionary couples.  My temple work list is growing smaller.

Then finally Saturday night we saw the Nauvoo Pageant.  I've waited so many years to see the pageant.  And I was not disappointed.  Thanks to the Cornwells we had practically the best seats in the house.  The best seats were the row in front of us.  The best thing is, now I can go to sleep at night listening to the music and know what is going on.  No more FOMO. (fear of missing out)  Pictures next week.

A few loose ends.  A baby racoon showed up at the compound.  Richard took it home for a pet.

A summer employee, Katy, found it.

The Gheen house is all gone except the front. They are rebuilding the whole inside.

Mission Training report:  Elder Don Clark, emeritus seventy, but still at it, taught us what is necessary for conversion.  Conversion is not testimony.  It is much more lasting.  He gave us 7 principles of conversion.  1. Knowledge 2. Faith which requires action. 3. Testimony  4. Daily repentance  5. Keeping the sabbath 6. Revelation by the Holy Ghost. 7. Obedience.

If we do these things, follow these principles we will stay.  Teach our children to learn to listen to the Holy Ghost.

He told us that Jesus Christ doesn't delegate missionary work.  He is personally involved in it.  And when we get home, go to the temple and report our mission to Him.

One more HOT week, and Ann and Jenny with children arrive.  This month is going fast.