February 26, 2016 - Friday in Nauvoo

Working in the sites, and particularly at the Riser Boot Shop in the slow months, makes for a very long day!  We had no visitors there during the 7 hour shift.  I took a few walks around the area even though the temperature was in the brisk high 30's!  I served with Elder Davenport and mom was over at the Tin Shop for the same shift.  However, she got one tour today.  Bring on the summer crowds!

Mom and I had mixed feelings about leaving the Visitors Center responsibilities.  Mom was elated and all I could think about was the longer hours at the different sites.  Here is a telling picture or two;

I'm handing off the keys to the Ramsey's

The Ramsey's are trying to give the keys back to mom!

We had a great opportunity to serve in both Visitors Centers as the site leaders over the last year.  Now, the time has come for us to learn some new things.  Mom will begin serving next week as a wagon narrator.  She was initially told she would not start for several weeks, but, surprise!  She was on the schedule for next week.  She is looking forward to the new experience there, and with the photography assignment.

I will be back in the different sites four days each week.  That will be interesting.  My only responsibility will be shared with mom and the photography.  We are still waiting for the training to begin.  It was definitely not scheduled for next week for us to begin the transition.  

From my site assignment at the Riser Boot Shop, I did a little exploring around the building.  It got so boring inside that I went out to see if I could flag someone down to take a tour!  Not finding any cars driving by I spied a great tree fort tree!   Take a look;

Possible tree fort opportunity?

The trees here in Nauvoo are very similar to the trees in Carthage.  They draw water from a very high water table.  That means that since they have such a ready supply of water, they soak it up quickly.  This leads to faster growth, but with some problems.  You see, the trees can drink as much water as they want at any time.  That means they don't grow slow enough to take in other nutrients.  The slower growth, combined with plenty of water and nutrients would lead to a more solid fiber growth in the tree.

Taking in too much of one good thing in your life does not give you the balance you need.  These trees grow so fast that they are hollow inside.  The trees probably have an 8" to 12" diameter hollow core.  The trees, then, are very week, and cannot hold the same amount of weight, or opposition, that  a tree could get where the struggle to get water is greater, (like Wisconsin, where the Saints had to go for their lumber needs).  

For us, that means that we can also take in too much of any one thing, and neglect the balance needed to grow strong, Spiritually.  Too much Scripture reading, or too much temple attendance, or too much pondering and praying, all at the expense of not developing a balance in our lives, will limit us in gaining our full potential.  

Scripture reading needs to be coupled with Scripture study, pondering and application.  Temple attendance needs to be coupled with family history work and developing extended family relationships to gather this valuable information.  And pondering and praying without action in getting up and doing the Lord's work, will leave us missing some wonderful service opportunities.

It is all about balance in our lives.  That is what mom and I now have ahead of us as we begin the last eight months of our mission here in Nauvoo.  We have learned so much and we are grateful for those experiences we have shared together!  Serving in the Carthage Visitors Center, and then in the Nauvoo Visitors Center, and now in the sites, and the photography area, will surely round out this wonderful mission opportunity.