This trip was an unexpected treat to break up my endless pregnant summer. Marg and Nicole and Janae flew up to Kansas City from AZ, so I picked them up and chauffeured them around the Midwest Church History Sites, including Nauvoo. I think everyone's favorite and most exciting moments happened in Haun's Mill, which is, first off, a very sacred place that holds a special feeling, but it's also tucked way back in the woods on dirt roads, and we happened upon those roads on a very muddy day. So we had to do some serious 4 wheeling and mud-bogging to get to Haun's Mill and back. It was both spiritual and exciting. Plus we found a big, fat snapping turtle that put the icing on our cake. I also was especially moved by the Nauvoo cemetery and all the names and stories we read on the headstones. Those humble, noble souls bear such a stark contrast from the celebrity greats of our day, but they are the people whose footsteps I want to follow. They are my heroes.
I felt a strong spirit in the Women's Garden at the Nauvoo Visitor's Center, this time around, so I took a lot of pictures there. I have always been so grateful and proud to be a woman (a mother, a wife, a daughter of God). I love the very fulfilling roles and callings that come along with it. My life is so full and my Spirit is so satisfied. Even all the daily things i do (feed and dress and hug and hold and drive and serve and plan and create), stir up so much love and bring me so much joy. I guess it's because all the little jobs I do add up to the one big job of growing a family...and it's the best, best, best.
