FAITH IN EVERY FOOTSTEP…….

This phrase has new meaning for me since being in Nauvoo.  Saturday was the “Exodus” walk down to the frozen Mississippi, in commemoration of the Saints who were driven out of Nauvoo.  Lots of preparation has gone into this weekend and it was a once in a lifetime experience for me to participate in.  It also happened to be pretty realistic considering it was biting cold. It was in the low 20’s and the wind was blowing!!

One of the stories shared talked of their relatives starting out with seven children, five of whom had no shoes…………………

Most of the people here have relatives who were in Nauvoo.  Working at Land and Records, we did research and put together cards for people to walk on behalf of  their ancestors. Richard and I walked for Brigham Young and for Elizabeth Young Ellsworth. He was part of the Nauvoo Legion.

Interestingly enough I have been learning some more about the legion.  It was the largest armed force in the state, (compared to our National Guard today. ) It was sanctioned by the state of Illinois when they filed for their city charter.  They could have fought their way out of any confrontation, easily.  They willingly laid down their arms at the request of Joseph Smith before he went to Carthage……….

Followed by those of us carrying flags to represent the countries that our ancestors came from.

I was supposed to carry the Irish flag, but Brother Buchanan begged and since he served his mission in Ireland I let him.  I understand that this is the flag of the rebellious sect.

Richard got to post the colors!

Our friends, the Christensens’ who are going home this week, were chosen to be Brigham and Mary Ann Young and lead the procession in their carriage.

What an appropriate tribute to them.  They are certainly my heroes. 

It’s hard to explain the sense of reality that you get here as you participate in these re-enactments. How could I have done this? These people didn’t have a real choice except to denounce their faith.  As I was walking along side one of my friends we were discussing many things.  Then the thought came to me, I could do it if my family and my friends were walking beside me. I could try to do it.  I don’t know how they buried their dead at the side of the road, how they watched their children walk with bloody feet and no shoes, how they starved and froze to death, other than to say, “They walked with Faith in every footstep…..” They walked with people they loved and whom they had depended upon. They walked with the fire of the covenant and the temple ordinances burning in their hearts. They walked with a conviction of following a prophet of God. They walked knowing that they were following and being disciples of Jesus Christ.  Can I do any less under the conditions that we have today?

We started off with a breakfast in the Family Living Center.

Sister Christensen and her 6’9” son, Brian.  He brought his family to help get them home.  I have to say that all of us will be in mourning when they leave.  They have made such an impression on us that can never be dimmed.  I had them all over to dinner on Sunday evening.

Set the table for her four little grandchildren.  I have stolen many hugs and kisses! I miss my grandchildren so much………………………………………………….

Then this evening, the Exodus Sociable was put on.  Elder Openshaw and the Allens were in charge and it was wonderful.  It celebrated pioneers and their stories, both old and new.  I represented my mother in the presentation.  Of course, I cried through most of it, but my mother’s picture was up on the screen for all to see.  I was so grateful and proud of her at the same time.  She is my “pioneer,” and my life would be totally different without her choices those many years ago.  So here is to my blessed Mother.  I am trying to walk in her footsteps of faith and to make her proud.  Thank you Mother.  You are my pioneer hero!

This is also for Taryn!!

My wonderful little (but oldest) grand daughter gave me the neatest Christmas present – a Christmas Tree – actually 3 Christmas Trees in “seed” form.  Well, to let Taryn know how they have been doing and to let her know that I have been dutifully caring for these three little seeds, I post the following evidence:

As you can see, only two have sprouted, but I have not given up on number three.  COME ON #3!  Thank you Taryn!
Poppa

THIS IS FOR YOU TARYN…………

Growing up is hard to do, especially in this old world. My oldest granddaughter is 12 years old, and as we all know, starting into the hard years of growing up.  Worrying about what other people think of you has taken me much to long to figure out. It is what I think about myself that is most important, but I sure didn’t learn that anywhere near 12, more like 50 I would say.  Maybe that is part of our life journey, learning to love ourselves.

Taryn has auditioned for a part in her school play.  It is based around fairy tales and I think she wanted to play the part of a princess, or Snow White.  She however checked the box stating that she would do whatever was asked of her.  Her role came back as “Grumpy,” from Snow White and also one of the “Tree Blind Mice.” Needless to say, she was not happy.  It was not what she saw herself as.  It was not the role she wanted.  Tears and anxiety followed and a lot of anguish along the way.  I think she has finally come to grips with her part and I know will go forward and do her very best.  That is the most important lesson she can get out of this experience.  She is doing what she committed to do, she will do her very best and I pray in the process will have a ball a throughout this whole experience.  I also pray that she will learn that we need to take life a little less seriously, find the joy and laughter along the way, learn to laugh at ourselves and care more about what Heavenly Father and we think, than anyone else.  It is freeing.

Now you may ask, Nonna what do you know about this all?  You aren’t having to be Grumpy, you aren’t having to do something that will make you uncomfortable, and stretch.  You aren’t being laughed at! You are not out of your comfort Zone!!!!! I would say, “Taryn, Nonna understands and I have empathy.  Believe me if you will just have some fun, learn to laugh, and trust that it is a growing experience, it will all be worth it” Learn from Nonna now, not when you are fifty.

Love,

Agatha

Wear that beard with pride Taryn Begaryn, cutie patootie, funny bunny, sweetie pie, and just plain, my girl!!!!

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!!!

So we get into the car on Wednesday to go to our training meeting at 8 A.M. This is what the temperature in our car read…………………………………….

That doesn’t even take into consideration, the wind chill factor.  It is cold here in Nauvoo.  Because of that little factor, here is what has happened to the Mighty Mississippi!

You probably can’t tell too well from the picture, but it is completely frozen over. Now you know that when the saints left Nauvoo, they walked across the frozen Mississippi.  How grateful I am that this is as close as I will get to having to do that unbelievable task. 

I had to have my chance at walking “ON” the Mississippi as well.

So the re-enactment of the Exodus west will take place in a little over a week.  It is going to be a pretty telling experience as we remember those who were driven out of Nauvoo.  Richard and I will be walking for Brigham and Miriam Young, his great-great-great grandparents.  I will be carrying the flag of Ireland as well and Richard will be part of the Nauvoo Legion.  It should be an amazing experience………..

HI HO HI HO, IT’S OFF TO THE HOSPITAL I GO…

Remember, I told you about all of the “old” people here and how important you were if you were still walking and doing minimal physical things?  Well, I hit my limit yesterday.  SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO….I got to see the inside of the KEOKUK Horse pistol today.  I was there by 7 am ish and had a  house call this afternoon by my Nauvoo dr.,  as well.

Remember two years ago this November, I had a “Staff,” infection and nearly lost my eye? I had a shunt in my arm with an IV drip three times a day for six weeks.  My ear was affected, along with the glands in my neck etc.  ….Well, I had an ear infection in December of this year and took my second round of anti-biotic here in OLD Nauvoo.  Several days ago, I woke up with another ear infection (A 6 on the unhappy face chart!) So  Blessed Dr. Miller comes to the Brigham Young Home and makes a house call. I go back on another, my third round of antibiotics, since November. He told me if I got worse during the night to go to the horse pistol.  I got worse!!! My face hurt, my teeth, my neck, etc.  So, I got to meet a very nice Dr. Rofer and no “staff,” infection, but baaaadddd ear infection. (Remember I said at least a 6 on the “unhappy!” face chart!)

  Add drops to my regime and a few pain pills. Come home and look up after a few minutes in bed and lo and behold, there is my Nauvoo dr.  I think he is so kind, but maybe it wouldn’t look so good on the record here for someone to you know, “Pass,” on to the other side.  Needless to say, I am down for the weekend, can’t hear out of my left ear, taking horse pills, but on the mend.  Ho, ho, ho, ho, it’s back to bed I go………………………

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NEW FLOORS FOR OLD PEOPLE..

Nauvoo is old.  I mean really old, just like most of the missionaries here.  We all need a little “refurbishing” every once in awhile.  I keep telling Richard that I would love to go in for an overhaul but he seems to pay me no mind.  That is when I get the statement, “You are pretty enough just like you are!” Richard wouldn’t know if I had three eyes, or if my hair all fell out.” (It has to do with the money factor) So needless to say, no overhaul for me.  But the buildings here are treated to maintenance routinely. 

So this week the Cultural Hall is having the floors redone!  YAHOO!  NO RENDEZVOUS for a whole week.  The pole will get cold and my lines may be a little fuzzy, but I am enjoying every single minute. 

Of course, we are filling our time with FHE, a temple session for our cast, rehearsals for the Exodus, song practices for the new Sunset, and one night, one night, we went out for dinner!

The single sisters found a place called “Gators,” in Burlington.  It was actually very good and we had a waitress that was really fun.  We being the shy group of people that we are even pitched in and sang  Happy Birthday to the only other people in the place.

I stuck my finger in the Gator’s nose for my brother. Lots of fun, laughter, food, and love.  I sure hope the floors have as good of a week off as we did.

Here’s looking at you kid!!!!!

Zone Leadership, Not For Sissies!

Being in the Zone Leadership requires a lot of running, sorting, conducting, sherpherding, assigning, praying, meeting and watching over.  It is a great privilege, but also responsibility.  There are three couples who will be in charge of 260 missionaries this summer.  Right now we have fewer missionaries and are practicing on the ones that are here. As leaders over 8 of the sites, we also train site leaders and make sure the sites are run and cared for properly.  In our meeting Sunday we were talking about making sure the leaders knew they were appreciated.  We needed to thank them for their service, and I said I am great at “frou, frou!” The men ask what is “ frou, frou?” It is kind of like a “ding bat,” I tell them.  Something pretty that takes up space.  So here is to “frou frou,” and hopefully gratitude and appreciation in the deal.