We're Here!

Week One

After driving 2,496 miles across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois we finally made it safely to beautiful Nauvoo.  Below is listed the ten most notables of the drive:

1. Cheapest Gas ~ Oklahoma at $2.47 gal
2. Best Native American Jewelry ~ Indian City, New Mexico
3. The Only Gas Station without Gas ~ Amarillo, Texas
4. Biggest Cattle Herds ~ Texas
5. Strongest Sustained Wind ~ Oklahoma
6. Best Scenery ~ Arizona
7. Best Meal on the Road ~ Torchys Tacos, Amarillo, Texas
8. Most Farmland ~ Missouri
9. Friendliest People ~ Nauvoo
10. Best Place to Sleep ~ Home! 

We arrived Wednesday morning just before eleven. Just a few minutes later a group of Elders and Sisters showed up and completed unloaded our truck for us.  They were such a welcome sight!  Shortly thereafter one of the horse drawn wagons drove by our home and Chris literally ran over to pet these beauties!

We had a wonderful lunch and orientation meeting in the afternoon with our mission president who, by the way, is absolutely incredible.  Returning home from the meeting we were welcomed home by many of our fellow senior missionaries who brought us plenty of goodies and household supplies to get us started.  They made us feel like we are all part of a big loving family.

We live in the Cutler home, which is just down the street from the beautiful Nauvoo Temple.  The original home was built in the early 1840’s.  This home, built on the foundation of the original home, is a replica of the original house based on drawings and artifacts   We are very pleased to report that it has indoor plumbing, running water and electricity, which is a lot better than what the original occupants enjoyed!  We are very comfortable here and love it.  By this time next week our home will be surrounding by beautiful daffodils that are already popping up.

The beautiful Nauvoo Temple is the very first thing we see every morning making each day a celestial morning.  Additionally we often enjoy watching deer grazing in our front yard. 

As historic site missionaries we will be dressed in period clothing as we give tours of beautiful Nauvoo.  Pictured below is the sewing room where Chris was fitted for her dresses and her picking out her dress fabrics.

Chris isn't the only one to have fun. I had the opportunity to work in the blacksmith shop on Thursday night.  It was both challenging and fun working at the forge and the hammering the heated metal into a horseshoe...well, at least that's what it was supposed to be.  I will do better next time, at least I hope!

Hope you have enjoyed our first post.  We assure you there are many more to come with lots of photos and interesting facts and historical information about amazing Nauvoo.  As for now, just know that we love this beautiful covenant city and all those who work here.