Parker Lee Thompson in Nauvoo

Time is counting down for us, and multiple "things" have prevented timely additions to my blog. No need in burdening you, my faithful reader, with the reasons for this delay. I promised in my last entry that this would contain loads of stories and pictures of our newest grandson, Parker.

Parker Lee Thompson

 So, how do you describe the first time you see your grandson? We left on our mission knowing that he would come while we were gone, and that was a tough thing to consider. I remember the day he was born, May 7th, 2013. I prayed every day that he would come before the 9th (my birthday). The day he came I was working in the gardens--furiously weeding and trying not to worry. Finally we got a call from Brent with a picture of him holding little Parker in his arms. They were so good to follow up with lots of pictures and opportunities to Skype. . . . but I wanted to hold him!!

At 13 months, Parker came to visit us here in Nauvoo. He was a live-wire of activity and garbled, verbal thoughts, and I had to literally "catch" him to hold him. He was cold and wet and hungry here, so Grandma's lap looked pretty good.

Whenever he looked at Grandpa or me, he was pretty serious-faced, but his mom and dad brought out the smiles and he made a beeline for them. But we got the kisses whenever they left us, and he was getting the hang of waving "goodbye".  Now we can't wait to get to know him better when we return home. 

Yes, he does look like his dad in a few ways, but mostly he is just a sweet, little boy who has two wonderful parents. As time goes by, he will develop his own personality and ways that we will cherish. 

We spent our time playing a new card game, eating whatever we wanted, and just trying to find every spare moment to spend together here in Nauvoo. We performed our vignette as Peter and Abigail in "Rendezvous" for them, and I think they got a kick out of our lack of theatrical skills. We also made it about half way through our performance of "Sunset by the Mississippi" when we had a downpour. Look at these drowned rats . . .

Parker was not sure at first as the thunder rolled and large drops of rain hit him, but his mom and dad convinced him that this was actually "fun".

We went to Hannibal, Missouri, one day. Ashley had been there as a youth with her family, and she became our tour guide as we wandered the streets and visited a lighthouse overlooking the Mississippi. We enjoyed seeing where Mark Twain grew up and it was fun to envision what it might have been like during those important riverboat days. We took a riverboat ride and got to see the river as he would have seen it. Truly, it is "the Big Muddy".

Ashley and Brent made it to all the sites here while we worked. We went on a carriage ride with one of our favorite teamsters, Elder Swapp. His testimony of this place and of the restoration of the gospel comes through loud and clear as he tells of the early settlers of this area and their sacrifices to build the temple and to serve the Lord.

On Sunday afternoon, we had a great time playing in the water here by the RV. Parker started off fully clothed, but by the time it was over he was naked, but loving it all.


Before they left, they came to the Women's Garden where I was working. Don't they make a perfect happy family?

He was pretty fascinated by the cute little girl who was just his size. He liked putting his fingers in our mouths, and hers was open and inviting!

A couple of weeks ago I felt I needed to wash windows--it was hard to watch his fingerprints disappear. They might come off of a window with a little scrubbing, but they can't be removed from our hearts ! And think of all the
fun times to come in Virgin--many, many fingerprints. . . .

Thank you, Brent and Ashley!

Two Lizards on a Log

Two Lizards on a Log

Today is Mother's Day, and I had high hopes to complete my monthly blog today. But, guess what, I downloaded all my pictures from my camera and somehow they are no where to be found. I had planned my blog for this month by those pictures. What a loss! Most of them were from the Women's Garden since I have taken over caring for it. I had some real treasures--you will have to take my word for it. Now, to create something worthwhile, and somehow overcome my frustrations. . . . .

My heart has been with my mom and LeRoy's mother today. And that is the way it should be--memories seem to take over as we celebrate these precious women in our lives. I am presently baking bread to take to a dinner we are having with friends tonight, and LeRoy commented on how the smell of homemade bread in the oven reminds him of his mother. He and Dick would often come home from school and walk in to these fantastic smells with the promise of a whole loaf to eat between them. He said they used to cut a slice of bread and then open the rotisserie oven where she was cooking a piece of meat--they would let the drippings from the meat soak into the slice of bread--now that is a memory that wakes up quite an appetite!

My thoughts are of memories with my mother and the sacrifices she made on my behalf. I know I never really appreciated the efforts she always made for me--like staying up all night during my senior year so she could sew hundreds of pearls on my prom gown, or the hours she spent sewing my wardrobe for me (and I always longed for store-bought clothes!). I can remember the looks of envy from my friends whose mothers did not sew--I'm sure I had a new dress every month and several to choose from for each school day. How I hope she knew that I loved my clothes and her. Expressing gratitude for our mothers needs to be done much more often while they are still with us. I think we become so caught up in the thick of thin things that we forget that precious time is passing, and they will soon be gone.

No, I did not find my lost pictures, but I have since taken a few that will have to suffice. I am over my pout, and will get on with worthy news of Nauvoo.

Don't you love the title picture? Those two "lizards", Elders Thompson and Hufstetler had stopped mowing on a cold, but sunny morning. It was just too tempting as they unzipped their many layers and stopped their mowers. Someone driving by yelled at them, "You look like two lizards sunning themselves on a log!" Great comment. So, we recreated this pose for your enjoyment.

The 23-mile walk to Carthage Jail was completed! In 1844, Hyrum Smith and his brother Joseph, were summoned to Carthage, Illinois, the county seat of Hancock County, to appear before a judge regarding the charge of riot and eventually treason. Both of them knew that if they could not somehow get help from the Governor of Illinois, they would be killed by the mobs that longed to spill their blood and hopefully get rid of those "Mormons". Even the confines of a jail would not prevent what was inevitable. So, on June 27, Joseph and Hyrum were killed by a mob of black-faced men filled with hatred and ignorance. No, the "Mormons" were not finished, and history has shown that truth will always prevail.

Prairie sunrise from Nauvoo to Carthage

  Years ago a Boyscout created this route following as closely as he could to the road taken by Joseph and Hyrum. He has clearly marked it with markers about every mile. We did not have any problem following it. There were only a couple of blisters, and some sore hips for a few hours, but overall we all did well. It was well worth the effort.

Second-half group

Sisters Mayne and Swapp

Elder Swapp was our group protector

Sister Murray

So, on May 3rd and May 17th, a small group of us walked the entire route on county, dirt and gravel roads which most accurately follow the old route to Carthage. One missionary rode her bicycle the entire route all in one day--the rest of us took the two Saturdays to complete the journey. This route is used by Scout troops as they can earn a merit badge for completing this trek, but we did not request a badge. Just knowing we did it is reward enough. The weather was cool and clear both days. It took us 3 1/2 hours to do the first half and 3 hours to complete the last half. We honored these men as they left their families and the people and land they loved, with a sure knowledge that they would never return.

Spring has brought out a myriad of creatures, just like us, who have cabin fever from the long, cold winter. That starts the cycle of newborns popping up everywhere.

Elder Hufstetler's large, safe hands

Raccoon visiting our bird feeder today. She is nursing babies

The last two weeks have been a blur of pulling tulips, having to explain why we do that, tilling, loading and unloading truckloads of plants, planting  (doing the Nauvoo stretch--a version of the splits in order to get to the center of a very wide flower bed), watering, and it isn't finished yet! This next week will be more of the same. There have been lots of groans, muddy knees, sunburns, but little real complaints--what a group of dedicated, hard working sister missionaries. This place would not be the same without our grey-haired army!

Sister Swapp

Even 80-plus year old Sister Olsen

Just me

These will remain nameless!

Next blog will be loaded with pictures of our newest grandson, Parker Lee Thompson. He, Brent, and Ashley are coming this week. I can hardly stand the wait!!

What if the hokey pokey is what it's all about?

 What if the Hokey Pokey is 

"what it's all about"?

I'm sure glad to know "that is not what it's all about!" In fact, serving a mission here in Nauvoo is teaching me more and more what life is all about. 

Life is all about time and what we do with it. For us it is amazing how quickly a year has flown! I just read my post of last April, and I was longing for spring at that time too. It is a little illusive right now--today we are having thunderstorms and tomorrow morning we are to have a few snow flurries. Yesterday it got up to 80 degrees! But isn't that what spring is??--we should dress in layers, carry a sweater, bring an umbrella, and just enjoy it!

The above tulips are the earliest to pop open in the Women's Garden this year, and I actually had a hand in planting the 12,000 bulbs we put in all over Old Nauvoo. I won't show you a picture of my little garden here by our RV, because even with the scattering of deer repellent (aka moth balls), the deer have helped themselves to most of my tulips. My next door neighbor is about 20 feet away, and her tulips are not touched! Go figure.

Life is about change--we have a brand new Mission President, Larry Gibbons from Houston, Texas. He is just getting his feet wet, so we don't know too much about him.  It will be wonderful to have his guidance and direction.

Speaking of change, our new little home in Virgin is progressing. Our neighbor, Jean Krause, informs us that the drywall is almost all up. The outside insulation is all up and is being wrapped for the stucco to be applied. Brent, Ashley, little Parker, Lacey, Wes, Hailey, Georgia and Weston will be camping right across the river from our home this coming weekend. I hope they will send new pictures for all of us to see. I also wish I could be a bug on a branch to see what fun they all have without us.

Last Sunday, LeRoy and I had the "privilege" of teaching the Relief Society and Priesthood lesson. The subject was "the gifts of the Spirit". Life is also about being reminded that the Lord wants to bless us with all he has for us. Paul tells us in Corinthians that all we need to do is "ask" and He will give us any gift of the Spirit that we desire in order to perfect ourselves. We all have inadequacies. Why would we hesitate to ask for these special gifts of the Spirit? Perhaps because we would then have to stretch to learn about those gifts and to use them.

Life is all about not using the word "can't". I remember a first grade teacher, Mrs. Bonner, telling us first graders that there was no such word as "can't" in her classroom. I really did not understand what she meant by that, but I certainly never used it within earshot of her--she liked to spank little hands with a ruler when we were disobedient. To this day I seldom use that word. As my mother used to say, "Can't never could do anything but pee in his pants!" That was my mom.

Life is all about growth. "There is no comfort in a growth zone and there is no growth in a comfort zone." This week many new missionaries have arrived for the busy summer time. I look at the circles under their eyes and see their confused looks and  questions--remembering what I felt like this time last year. We are asked to do many things here which "stretch" us--from teaching classes, conducting meetings. performing in front of audiences, going without regular meals, memorizing and learning new information, and physical activity that is hard for many from daylight to dark. It is comforting to know that I know the ropes by now and find it a great experience. 

 The dark winter months are about over and we have just about finished transplanting and receiving plugs to transplant. The garden will begin to be planted about May 10th. I have loved being a part of the physical beauty of this place. The climate is perfect for tropical plants, so we enjoy the colors and textures of coleus, impatience, begonias, scented geraniums, Angel trumpet flowers, elephant ears, and many herbs. I just wish these varieties would grow in Virgin, Utah!

Sisters Harris, Bogaski, Swapp

Life is about helping and teaching others. I had the opportunity to spend a day in Bowling Green, Missouri, a small rural farming community. We have a van filled with hands-on activities which illustrate some of the things people can experience if they visit Old Nauvoo. The program is called "Nauvoo on the Road". Another missionary and I told these fourth-grade students about our Family Living Center where people can learn some of the skills and activities the early pioneers in Nauvoo would have used. We taught them about the "bustle" oven some of the early pioneer homes had--a brick oven built into an outside wall of the home which could be loaded with wood and burned. Then the wood was removed and the ashes scraped out. When the bricks surrounding the opening of the oven felt "just right", loaves of fresh, risen bread would be put inside on the brick floor of the oven. A wooden door soaked in water would be put over the opening of the oven. In about 20 to 30 minutes the loaves of bread would be finished baking and would fill the home with the beautiful aroma of baked bread. The bread would be removed and some bread product requiring less and less heat would be placed in the oven--like pie crusts, crackers, cookies. These fourth graders then got to roll out fresh molasses gingerbread cookies and cut them out--just for the fun of it. Then they got a fresh cookie to eat. 

Sister Phillippi

The other missionaries helped the students make a rope for their classroom. Others learned how the pioneers made candles, made bricks for the homes, or the games the children played during that time.

It was all about inviting these children and hopefully their families, to Nauvoo.







Life is all about loving others. One of those "gifts of the Spirit" I would like to have as I try to perfect myself is charity. To be able to accept and love others without harshly judging them because of their outward appearance or their actions, is a challenge for me. I want to feel love for them and acceptance--no matter what. 

And love is what life is all about--I think. Without love there is no meaning at all--and our Savior's love for us is the ultimate in love. He is truly our guide.

So, enjoy some pictures of our grandchildren I love. Family is always top on the list--and I don't have current pictures of them all at this time, but here are some I have recently received. All of you who read this blog are certainly on my list of people I love--and thank you for taking the time to read the posts. You are dear to me and to LeRoy also. Thank you.

Emily Thompson

Parker Lee Thompson

Weston Lee Beard

Hailey Ruth Beard

Georgia Lynn Beard

"Frozen"

   "FROZEN"

The new Disney movie by the same name could have easily been made here in the Midwest this year. This is the Des Moines river in Iowa yesterday. And the Mississippi river here by Nauvoo is a solid sheet of ice. It should be awesome when it starts breaking up--maybe by the next post.

As I begin this new post, on Sunday night, March 2nd, it is 0 degrees outside with a projected low of -6 degrees tonight. Yikes! LeRoy spent all morning pushing snow so all the missionaries could get to their Sunday meetings--which he did not get to attend. Some mission, huh! But by next week we will see temperatures during the day in the 40's--now that is a heat wave for sure. Bring it on.

 I continue this post on March 9th, and it is a sunny, warm Sunday afternoon, so miracles do happen here in Nauvoo. We went for a Sunday afternoon drive today and saw a huge flock of Snow Geese above us moving south. I am going to miss the birds here so much when we are gone. They fill the air with their calls, and they often stop to rest in the fields near us. This great Mississippi River provides their flyway to guide them--what a marvelous place this is.

February 8th was the commemoration of the Nauvoo Exodus which took place beginning in February of 1846. We did a re-enactment by walking down Main Street and then Parley Street to the river where these families and livestock crossed on solid ice, and then later crossed amid ice floes on rafts.

They left Nauvoo because of persecution from mobs. They literally moved their entire community and businesses of thousands in order to find a safe place to worship God and live peaceably. They left all they had behind--homes newly built and a temple they had sacrificed to build with their own hands. This route used to be called the Trail of Tears, but under the Lord's direction we have grown into a worldwide church and have flourished--so today this trail is called the Trail of Hope. 

I had the privilege of writing the program for the short presentation we had before the march. I read many journal entries of what it was like for these families to leave their homes and move to an unknown destination in the West. I then took excerpts of these and we had seven people reading the accounts as our string quartet played in the background. It was beautiful and very moving.  There are some things we must simply never forget!

 And would you believe, the weather even cooperated for us. We had no wind and a very light snow, which actually warmed it up for us. After the march, we met for homemade cinnamon rolls and hot cider and chocolate. 

Many of us walked honoring ancestors who lived here and made the trek west. LeRoy and I found the names of a valiant couple who had lived here and worked on the temple day and night to complete it before the mobs desecrated it.

Men representing the Nauvoo Legion

LeRoy and I also began our acting career on stage as Peter and Abigail in our nightly play, "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo". What is funny about it is that we did our lines perfectly that night, and since then we have managed to forget some small line in each performance we have done! One night, LeRoy had said a funny line regarding "Ezra can't even read" and the audience of a group of 90 young people cracked up because one of them was named Ezra. Well, their loud response threw me off, and for the life of me I could not remember what came next. It was so noisy that I could not hear the prompter. I finally had to turn around and look at the prompter and read his lips. Boy, these senior brains of ours can sure short out at times!

LeRoy and I and some friends celebrated his 71st birthday by driving to Burlington, Iowa, where we ate at "The Big Muddy" restaurant which is along the banks of the frozen Mississippi. We then went to see a movie, "Monument Men". It was great fun.

On Valentine's Day we celebrated by having a dance for all the missionaries. With our great missionary band playing we all had the opportunity to dance on the very floor so many pioneers here in Nauvoo would have danced on. It took place in the Cultural Hall, where we have our plays, and the third floor has the actual flooring which was preserved all these years. Brigham Young and Joseph Smith and their wives would have danced there!!

Keith and Linda Hufstetler

Many days have been spent by the sister missionaries making the 80,000 molasses gingerbread boys and girls that we hand out at the Scovil Bakery during the summer. I had fun making about a thousand of them one morning. You can see that we sampled a few off this tray!

I guess I will end this post by sharing "birdie" pictures. I wish I could claim to be the photographer, but not so. We do have some amazing photographers here, and obviously many things picture-worthy. Next post will show evidence that spring is right around the corner!

Male Cardinal

Female Cardinal

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Black-and-white Warbler

Oh, I have been asked to be in charge of the Women's Garden this summer. This is a special garden dedicated to women and their influence on others.  That means that I will be responsible for keeping it clean and presentable to the public each day. I am really looking forward to it. What a great way to end a mission!

LeRoy will be working on the grounds mainly mowing. That means no "Big Bertha" water truck for us--Yahoo! Two missionary couples have been asked to do it this year--that way they can have some variety by working in the sites also. 

Our Virgin, Utah, home as of last week!