Sunday, July 26, 2009

Nauvoo makes quite an "Impression"



JoAnn "connected" with artist Julie Rogers, an amazingly talented impressionistist artist. She has a website that you might check into: www.JulieRogersArt.com

She and JoAnn spoke for an extended time, not only about art, but of life and such (at her showing here in Navuoo). I too, was impressed with her work, especially, we loved a piece she did with Joseph and Emma. The interpretation of the scene with Emma in the arms of Joseph is for each viewer to determine. It could be Emma receiving comfort from losing a child or of them celebrating a joyous occasion. I chose to think of them weeping for joy on the occasion of the placement of the temple corner stone...on the House of the Lord, that they sacrificed so hard for, and of them contemplating the eternal significance for Saints seen and unseen. Maybe they saw in vision, us and millions of others attending temples "dotting the earth".

Monday, July 20, 2009

The Nauvoo Pageant



The lilies are blooming on the river welcoming the arrival of hundreds of Pageant goers.

Pageant time is here and so are the tourists. It is great to see Nauvoo full of activity (including the temple). The production features a cast of 20 performers who deliver their lines on live microphones and a volunteer family cast of 150 playing ensemble roles. The pageant depicts the settling of Nauvoo in the mid-1800's and commemorates the building of the original Nauvoo Temple. It celebrates the themes of faith, family, and community.

Saturday, July 18, 2009




Friday, July 10, 2009

Letters of Emma and Joseph




We saw a vignette today entitled, "Letters of Emma and Joseph". The actors were from the cast of the Nauvoo Pageant. The setting was appropriately staged on the lawn in front of the Mansion House. The vignette offers poignant insights into the life of the Prophet Joseph and his beloved wife Emma through quotations from their actual letters.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Springfield, IL






















It was a nice surprise when we received an invitation from the Lincoln family to attend a White House celebration for President Lincoln's 200th birthday...so we drove our buggy to Springfield and spent July 4th there - what a fun time we had.Springfield was Lincoln's home for 31 years. He was a devoted husband and father, worked as a lawyer in a thriving business and still had time to campaign for his 4 year political career. It was a thrill for us to be there and take in all sights and sounds of Lincoln's legacy.



The new Lincoln Museum is amazing! We were immersed in Lincoln's world and time and shared the joys and sorrow of a family and a nation.