Prairie Grass Fire

 It was the annual prairie grass fire demonstration.  One acre of land is natural grass of the prairie, and each spring, the firemen come and burn it.  If you are late, you miss it, because it burns so fast!  The grass wasn't as long this year as some, but you can imagine how dangerous it would be to face such a thing for real. 

 Before the fire, the mission sponsored a hot dog picnic for all the missionaries and the community.  750 hot dogs were purchased, and I don't think there were many left!  They also cooked kettle corn in a HUGE kettle, and fed the mass of people.  Always well organized, it went quickly and smoothly. 

The temple is always a symbol of hope and peace. 

Welcome to Nauvoo, Illinois, 2014

 We are here again!  Happy to be serving in the Illinois Nauvoo Mission.  We live in Illinois, get gas in Missouri, and shop in Iowa.  It is amazing to watch the traffic on the Mississippi.

 We feel like we live in a wildlife refuge.  There are so many creatures that live in or by the river.  We were greeted by the friendly deer the first evening we arrived, and another night we counted nine of them in our back yard. 

 The cardinals are always fun to watch, and the first daffodil is now blooming in front of the Print Shop. 

 Our little apartment has one room for the kitchen, dining room, and living room, but at least I have a piano!  We also have one bedroom and a bathroom.  Not much to clean. 

 We have served at many of the sites so far, including the Family Living Center and Cultural Hall.  It is nice that so many of the things we learned before come back to our minds easily.  Almost like we never left!

 We have been performing in the Rendezvous show since our first week.  We are in the Sarah Granger cast.

 This picture of the ruins of the temple, drawn by an artist of the time, and hanging in the Heber C. Kimball home, has always been touching to me.  To imagine that beautiful temple destroyed is heart-breaking.  The new temple is so beautiful.

And, this is my view from behind the piano while playing for the Rendezvous show.  It is nice to be back!