May 11, 2016 - Wednesday in Nauvoo

Wednesday began with our early morning devotional and prayers in our little home.  And then, we prepared for the days activities, and left for our morning 7:30am training meeting, at the Visitor's Center, at about 7:00am.  We continue to be taught out of the Preach My Gospel manual.  The topic today was being taught by a senior missionary and a former Patriarch back in his home stake.  He gave a great lesson on teaching by the Spirit.  

Ever since this former Patriarch arrived here in Nauvoo, he has frequently mentioned how he has always been in leadership roles.  It is almost like he wants a leadership position here as well.  But I am trying to look beyond that aspiration of his, and recognize that he does have quite a background in listening to the Spirit.  It really was a good lesson and generated many positive responses and thoughts.

There is a lesson for me learn from this example.  People really don't necessarily care about who you are or what you have done, generally speaking, with your life.  But as the relationship is developed, then the experiences will be shared and edification will be more easily accomplished.  "If we only knew the power of our words, we would probably prefer silence, to almost anything we might say..." (One of mom's favorite quotes from??)

Then we headed off to our site assignments.  Mom was assigned as a wagon narrator for the early shift, and I got the nod for the Browning Gun shop in a split shift schedule.  Mom reported for her assignment at 9:00am, and I walked back to our home, had breakfast, and walked to my site assignment at 9:45am.  I left the car for mom to have available, and I elected to walk.  I was able to hustle down to the gun shop right before mom's first wagon came by the site!  Here is an action shot of mom as she passed the Browning Gun shop on her first ride;

Best Narrator e-v-e-r!

We had a little drizzle of rain around noon today, when I got finished with the first half of my assignment.  I walked back to the house, and had lunch, and took a 20 minute nap, and walked back.  I was able to get in about 3 miles of walking today... 

And here is a picture of things to come, in mass, in just a few short weeks!

One of two tour buses I saw today!

When the summer season starts on the Memorial Day weekend, we will see dozens of buses each day!  The crowds will be coming from all parts of the United States with youth groups, senior history tour groups and Church tour groups.  The gun shop had about 10 tours total today with an average of 2 or 3 per tour.  This summer that will swell to 40 plus tours with an average number in the tour group of around 25.  It won't be as busy as Carthage was last year, but it will be busy!  

Mom and I are looking forward to working the Handcarts two or three days each week this summer and then working the sites on the other days.  Right now we have two or three school tour groups each day for the month of May.  The tours take on a whole new format since we cannot teach anything regarding religion.

In fact, we are told we can't use the word "Saints", or give any messages relating to following a "Prophet".  It sounds so foreign to me to even write this down, but I have been able to modify the dialog enough to give them the idea that it is good to follow good leaders, and it is good to work together for a common goal.  

It is a lot of fun to talk to these school groups, and, so far, they have been really attentive and respectful.  And it is interesting to note that these school tours just stick with the production sites like the Brickyard, the Blacksmith shop, the Family Living Center, and the Stoddard Tin shop.  They won't let them come to the Gun shop??  Curious?  Really??

And finally, tonight, we had our first practice for the Sunset program on the Sunset stage.  It is so much better to be outdoors with all the room!  We have had a great day...