Nauvoo

We got back from Nauvoo last night after a gruelling 10 hour drive home. I say gruelling but the only thing bad about it was me being pregnant. We drove home through Wisconsin and saw some incredibly beautiful country. Before anyone scolds Rob he couldn't have gone home the shorter way if he wanted to. I wouldn't have let him. Even though I was uncomfortable the drive was so beautiful it made up for it. I think I like southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin the most out of all the country I have seen so far. Iowa was not pretty.

Nauvoo was the best birthday present. Everyone says there is a good feeling there and they are right. There was a subtle peacefulness that settled on me there. I felt so content. I loved watching Holly and Sam pretend to be pioneers. I loved talking to the cute sister missionary in the school house. She invited us to see the show Sunset on the Mississippi and we loved it.

The temple is beautiful. I went to Nauvoo when I was 14 and then again when I was 19. I sat on the temple plot at night and watched fireflies. It is even better to see the temple sitting there.

Carthage was a great experience. I have been before but it was satisfying to see Rob experience it. Sam was a two year old in all of his glory there. I took a risk and let him go on the tour. He of course threw a fit just when everyone else was contemplating in the last room. I was so embarrassed but then the thought occured to me that if Joseph Smith were in that room he would not be offended by Sam. If President Monson where in that room he would not be offended by Sam; and if the Savior where in that room he would not be offended by Sam. I hope we didn't create feelings of anger for the others in the room but I felt like Heavenly Father was glad we were there.

The whole trip has become my favorite experience of the summer. There were moments of extreme grumpiness from children who had too little sleep but the feelings there and the feelings I took away with me more than made up for any difficulties. If you ever get a chance to visit Nauvoo do it. It will leave you happier than you were before.