Nauvoo Trip

So this past week we had the opportunity to go to Nauvoo and see Nick's sister Abby who is serving as a young performing missionary there. It was a lot of fun and we were able to surprise her. She had no idea that Patrick, Spencer or our family would be there. Patrick, Katy, Jerry and Brooklyn got to Nauvoo the day before us and so she was surprised to see Patch. Everyone else got there the next day (saturday) and we went to the pageant to see her. Our little family hid behind a van while everyone else went to say hi to Abby. She was thrilled to see everyone and was surprised to see Spencer. As soon and she was busy saying hi we snuck out to go shock her. We walked right up to her and the look on her face was priceless. She started bawling and grabbed the baby and almost passed out. It was so fun to be able to do that. We then sat in our seats to watch the pageant, and let me say it was amazing. It was so good. The spirit was so strong and there were no dry eyes in the audience. The whole cast was excellent. But I have to say my favorite actor was the guy who portrayed Joseph Smith. He was exactly what I pictured Joseph Smith to be. The next day was Sunday, but we were all too tired from our journey to go, so we stayed home. We went to Carthage Jail that day. I've been to Nauvoo and Carthage before, but I was young and couldn't appreciate it. It was so great to be there. The spirit was so strong and it made me appreciate the prophet and the pioneers so much more. Nick and I talked about how if Joseph Smith made it up then why would he keep telling the lies while being so persecuted and then being killed for his beliefs. What an amazing man, and what a testimony builder. The next couple of days we went and saw all the show that Abby performed in. She was wonderful. She has had such a great opportunity to be there and share her love of the gospel with others through her many many talents. Sydney loved seeing Abby in all of her shows. What a role model Abby is to her young neices. On Wednesday we were able to go to a session in the Nauvoo Temple. It is absolutely beautiful. How wonderful to be able to go to a temple that was destroyed so long ago and then rebuilt. What a blessing. We did a lot more than that, but I won't bore you with all the details. It was a wonderful, spiritual week, and I am truly honored to be a member of the true church. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the sacred grove and that he was the instrument they used to restore the gospel back on the earth. I know the keys of the priesthood were given to Joseph Smith and I'm so thankful to have a worthy priesthood holder in my home. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon in my life and the companion that it is to the bible. We had a wonderful time with family. I hope you enjoy these pictures. I'll post more as I get them from the other family members who were there.