November 21, 2015 - Saturday in Nauvoo

We woke up this morning ready to begin this day of service for the Nauvoo Stake missionary effort. It was this that caught our attention as we walked out the door just after 7:00am;

Yes, our first trace of snow for the season ahead!  The wind was cold and the snow was drifting horizontally.  I wanted a warmer day without the wind and, I included that in my prayers this morning! We went ahead and "plowed" through the day, (pun intended), and we were determined to make the most of whatever the Lord had in mind for us.

Of course, mom was up early this morning and I joined her at around 5:20am for our morning prayers and devotional.  I then had a good workout and then got ready for the day.  We had to forgo our walk this morning due to the time constraints, but we were anxious to get this opportunity started.

We arrived at the Stake center at about 7:30am.  We were set to gather at 8:00am so we got there early, (go figure), and turned up the heat and started putting the table set up plans in motion.  Most of our team arrived right at 8:00am and we started with prayer.  I had to take a few pictures of the startup;

How many to set up for???

Where do you want this table Elder Lasher???

Let's think about this....

Relief Society decorators!

Now we are talking!  Priesthood supervision!

A plain table to ......

An elegant table setting! 

We had a great team of missionaries here and on time to help get the tables set up.  Our goal was to have the tables and chairs and the kitchen set up by 9:20am this morning and be back at the Visitor's Center by 9:30am.  We made it!

As we gathered together this morning, the first thing we heard was that some of the folks coming from McComb were cancelling because of the weather.  That was not what we wanted to hear.  We decided to press forward and let the Lord take care of the numbers.  We were determined to prepare our fields....

Here was a fun experience today that we could not have planned for.  While I was in the Visitor's Center, a lady called wanting to take the 2:00pm wagon ride with about 20 students.  She asked if there was a place to have lunch indoors.  She left that message with the front desk and they approached me on the question.  I initially said no and turned my attention somewhere else.

Well, the Spirit had another idea, and that thought came to me as I was reviewing the wagon rides at the Family Living Center about an hour later, that we did have a place for them here at the Stake Center!  I went back by the Visitor's Center and let the missionaries working there today know that we would find a place for them at the Stake Center.

When they came, it was a group of International exchange students going to school in Quincy from from all over the world, coming to Nauvoo for a field trip to learn more about early American history.  We welcomed all of them to the Stake Center and even shared some of our desserts with them as we related the history of the Latter-day Saints in the 1840's.  By the way, they were all prospective members of the Church!

Their homelands were from all over Asia including China and Japan and Africa.  What a missed opportunity that would have been to not have a place for them to have lunch on this cold Fall day!

And the weather was tempered today!  By the time we were ready to start the wagon rides at 11:00am, the sun was breaking through the clouds.  We had almost 150 in attendance at the dinner and had food enough for all.

Perhaps you are already quoting my Scripture that defines the way I felt with the tender mercies that the Lord provided for us on this day of service;  "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren.... you have done it unto me".  And maybe even D&C 18:15-16;

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

Now, certainly, there was so much good accomplished today with all the missionaries involved. Elder Hall was able to talk to some of the college students who were from Africa about his mission to Africa.  And many of the missionaries went up and down the tables talking to those in attendance from the Nauvoo Stake, many of whom were less active or recently activated.  It was a festive event and went pretty smooth.  The only downside was that there was minimal Nauvoo Stake involvement for follow-up in the coming days and weeks and months.  

Here are a few more pictures from today:

We had three full wagons of this blustery day

The best help in the world!

Good memories .... ask mom!

Family Living Center - starting point for the wagon rides today

Yes, it appears that we had a pretty good day to teach and testify of our work here in Nauvoo.  We had such a great group of missionaries who stepped up and made this day a success.  Our success was magnified by the individual personal efforts of all those involved.