Chap. 3 ARRIVAL - BEAUTIFUL NAUVOO!

I wanted to put in just one picture of the miserable storm we were in across Iowa. You can see 1 car in the median, there were many that afternoon. I wish I would have gotten the big rigs that jack knifed. The snow quickly turned to ice after it fell. It was so scary!



The the next day was beautiful and clear. Such a big difference!

The fresh white snow was marvelous to drive through after the storm was over!!!!!!



Our hearts jumped with anticipation and excitement as this big sign came into view.
Yippey!!!! We have arrived!!!!

We have the privilege of living in the John Taylor Home. You can see the show home in the front and we live in a small apartment in the back. There are two doors that go directly into the show home from our house. They are locked and we have to mind our manners, because we can hear the tours going on, and that means they can hear us also. We don't have to worry much because we are usually not home when the tours are being given. One day the people that lived here before us were home when a tour was being given. She was upstairs in the bedroom. Someone asked the tour guide, what is behind that door, and she said "I am, it's my bedroom". Maybe I'll get a chance to say that before we leave. I can't wait to serve in the John Taylor site home.

The weather is very unpredictable here. Our first full day was a bright clear spring day, temperature about 35 degrees, the next morning we got up and there was snow all over the ground, as you see in the picture. The very next day we awoke to thunder, lightning and rain. It was so fun. However most missionaries say it's not always that much fun!!! Our little tree will tell the story of our seasons, so watch for it again.


The view of the Mississippi was delightful right after the rain. This was taken just before sundown. We were not able to view the sunset that evening.

We captured the praire fire demonstration vividly. They allow 1 acre in the flats to grow praire grass just like in they would have found in the 1800's. Then once a year they burn it just like what would have happened in the 1800's naturally. In many journals there is recorded that the grass is taller than most men.



As you can see here, even today it is quite tall.




The Nauvoo Firemen are ready for any problems. You can see a small bit of the back burn that was done just before, we hardly knew it from where we were.




Elder Bitner who is in charge of the grounds in Nauvoo, was in charge of the burn. He came to Nauvoo the same time we did. He and his wife are fun people.


Elder Bitner walked about 1/4 of the way around the acre,and lit the fire with his torch as he walked.


Soon the blaze was high and so hot we had to move way back! The Temple was still peeking through the flames at this point.



It burned extremely fast and the flames got so high we could no longer see the Temple in the background.



Within seconds the fire moved and left the charred, blackened and burned grass.



Literally, from start to finish it was no more than 5 minutes, the back burn and the burn. Then the Temple was in view again with just a little smoke.

And before we could turn around, the smoke had nearly dissipated and the Temple was again in full view. The praire winds pushed these fires so fast I can't imagine anyone being able to outrun one. But this charred grass brought the buffalo back to the areas because it signaled new young growth and breathed life to the inhabitants, mostly Indians and pioneers in the area, with their meat for food, fat for candles and coats for warmth. Most of the early settlers wasted nothing! I want to be a wise steward over the things I use daily that a loving Heavenly Father has provided!