June 25, 2015 - Thursday in Carthage

We woke up to a downpour this morning that finally let up around 7:00am.  There has been a tremendous amount of rain here this past few weeks.  I don't think the ground can hold much more water!  The fields are literally saturated and the rain keeps coming.  I keep hoping that we will have a good clear day on Saturday when we commemorate the martyrdom of Joseph Smith.  I think that it might happen!

We had a very busy morning with larger family groups coming to visit Carthage.  Our first three groups all consisted of guests numbering over 40 per group.  The BYU Ballroom dancers were a part of the morning groups and I always enjoy those presentations with these young people.  The day was cooler than usual and we had a nice breeze most of the day.  And the rain did not return!  However, there are big puddles of water all over the Visitors Center grounds.

Here is the entire group of the BYU Ballroom Dancers.  They are a very talented group of young performers.  And so very kind to the missionaries.

 Finally, at around 4:00pm this afternoon, Jared and Ali and Cody and Maddie and Landon and Mackenzie arrived here in Carthage!  What a wonderful reunion with these precious family members!  This is a priceless picture of the two precious grandchildren, Cody and Maddie, peeking around the tree in front of Granny and Grandpas house in Carthage.

We were in the process of getting their car unloaded and getting everyone settled and fed before Granny and Grandpa went with them to Nauvoo for our Sunset Play on the outdoor stage.  What a blessing it is to be a part of this family!

Here are some members of the Nauvoo Brass Band singing Happy Birthday to Cody!  Today he was celebrating his 8th birthday....... with Granny and Grandpa Lasher in Carthage!!

It has been so much fun to get to know these band members this summer.  They are all here after going through some extensive auditioning.  They are very talented and continue to develop those talents here!  They are just finishing up their Thursday performance here in Carthage.

Here, on the Sunset stage, is Landon!  He is centered between the two American Flags!  Somehow he got separated from Cody but he was quite a trooper going through the kids parade by himself!

And here is Cody.  Happy, confident and eight years old!  What a way to celebrate your 8th birthday, - on the Sunset stage in Nauvoo!

We are so grateful to have this special privilege to serve here in Carthage and Nauvoo and to have family come and join us in this wonderful experience!