For years now I have been trying to tell people why it is I love to go to Nauvoo. What does this Illinois river town have that tugs on my heart so? Unlike some of you who may read this blog, I have no ancestral ties that bind me to this small mid-western town. The ties that bind me to this lovely place are very tender and I hold them close to my heart.
It is the Nauvoo Pageant and the spirit fills me when I am there, but is is also more than that.
It is Gratitude for being able to spend these choice moments with the ones I love...
It is being spiritually fed each day by those around us....
It is Gratitude for being able to spend these choice moments with the ones I love...
It is being spiritually fed each day by those around us....
It is meeting up and renewing old friendships from earlier pageants.....
.......and making new ones
It is the good feeling you get when you work hard for hours and hours everyday giving it all you have in spite of the heat, the humidity, the bugs or the strained,sore muscles, and knowing that your Father in Heaven is pleased with your efforts.
It is trying to be better than myself, to be the best I can for those I am serving with .....
...it is the satisfaction in overcoming doubts and feelings of inadequacy and knowing that for this moment I am enough...
It is the wonder of how all this can happen in such a short time...
It is just plain fun to be a part of something so good and so special ....
It is the strengthening of testimony as we portray each night the lives of those who sacrificed all for the Kingdom of God...
It is a chance to teach others ....
...and help them see what the Gospel of Jesus Christ can do for them in this day and time...
It is, for a few short weeks, a way to "Come Unto Him" and be closer to my Savior...
....and to invite all I meet to come unto Christ.It is an opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father, and it feeds my soul.
2 comments:
Nicely done. The first time I went to Nauvoo was with the youth conference as an adult leader, I believe your girls were there because I know Corey was. I was totally smitten with Nauvoo and the spirit there. As the years have passed, I have spent more and more time there with family and with friends. Corey and I spent an anniversary there alone one year and that was such a special trip. I wore the nail from the blacksmith shop for over 10 years. Then there have been many family trips. I organized a relief society trip a couple of years back and will always remember that time with those women. We watched you in the pageant and spent time with you on the porch of the cabin we rented. I remember Jason telling me that Shiloh was behind a tree during the beginning festivities so I went to find her. She was sitting on the ground nursing a two week old baby. I know it is silly but the picture came to my head of how the indians just squatted and gave birth and went on their way. I remember one year finding Sharon Herrington sitting on the big rock at the edge of the river, thinking and crying. She would go there in the middle of night when she couldnt sleep and sit and think. I love this little cafe there that also serves ice cream, its behind the temple. OH the temple, we watched as it was being built and the finished product is undescribable. I love the feel of that temple, the wooden floors and lockers, the spiral staircase, the spirit. I remember going on the tour for the first time that the rlds has, the spirit was so different. It was during my anniversary trip and I couldn't believe the difference I felt. It was a testimony to me of the rightness of our church. I guess honestly I could go on and on about what I love about Nauvoo. I have never been in the pageant but always love watching you and your family in it. We have found that Corey had family there. But even before that Nauvoo was special and I hope it always will be.
Hello! It's Beau Weger from Brazil! I stumbled on to Cali's blog and I had to say hi. Your family is so wonderful and I am very happy that everyone is doing so well. My absolute best wishes for you all. I blog too at www.benweger.com I try to keep things updated but, sadly, school and work keep me busy. Take care and happy to see you all doing so well.
Beau
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