June 28, 2016 - Tuesday in Nauvoo

The temperatures were a little cooler today here in Nauvoo.  On the Sunset stage, tonight, there was a constant cool breeze blowing across the stage that kept us very comfortable.  We felt this on our morning walk this morning as well.  Even though the cloud covering was minimal, we had reduced humidity in the air and the temperatures stayed in the low 80's all day.  I did catch the geese and goslings on a family outing this morning as they took off for a swim in the Mississippi right at the end of Parley Street; take a look...

Great turnout for the swim party this morning!

Mom had the assignment to work at the Sarah Granger Kimball home, and I got the nod for the Blacksmith shop.  Mom recorded six tours at her site all day, and the Blacksmith shop had over 40 tours.  We were busy all day long!  But one of my favorite tours came this morning with a young family.  The focus I had was on the Primary aged children in this family. They were so attentive! As they came up to the Blacksmith shop, the mom was taking a picture of the wagon, just outside the shop, on display.  I asked if she wanted to have the children sit on the wagon for a picture and she was excited for the photo opportunity.

Then I gave them the tour of the shop and had some fun with them.  They heard, from me, about the faith of the Saints, to leave Nauvoo, and follow a Prophet; they heard about the horseshoes and the ox shoes that the  Blacksmith made and fitted for the animals; and, they heard about the Prairie diamond story.  When I ended the tour, the oldest girl, who was about 7 years old, stood up, and with a big smile said; I can't wait to come back here!"....  That was a sweet boost to my ego!

We continue to try and teach the new senior missionaries the ropes of the mission.  Soon, all the seasoned veterans will be heading home and the new ones will have to fill in.  There are lots of great new missionaries here and they will be heading up the new training forces to keep the Nauvoo Mission well staffed!

Our Sunset play had over 400 visitors in attendance tonight.  Since mom and I do the counting, we get to see the audience up close and personal.  While we were wrapping up the count, I got a shot of our cast on the stage with a Young Performing Missionary doing his juggling routine.  

This young man juggles an apple, a machete, and a toilet plunger in his final act.  As he juggles the three items, he takes one bite out of the apple, on each of three rotations, and then while continuing to juggle, slices the remainder of the apple in half.  The audience gave him a standing ovation and it was awesome!  Here is an action shot as he prepares the machete on his right foot to begin the act;

Juggling a machete, an apple and a plunger??

We have had a safe day and a busy day here in Nauvoo.  We are grateful for the wonderful people we get to meet here and who are here to feel the Spirit of Nauvoo!  The pageants begin next Monday and we will be in the height of the visitors season!  Bring it on!