May 20, 2016 - Friday in Nauvoo

We had a beautiful spring-like day, today.  It started off with temperatures in the low 50's and only got up to the mid 60's.  It was perfect walking weather and a perfect temperature, this morning, with overcast clouds.  After our morning devotional and prayers, we had a wonderful walk around Nauvoo and got home a few minutes before 7:00am.  

I had the site assignment at the Brickyard, again today, and mom was at the Printing shop.  We had another group of 174 elementary school children from Ft Madison visiting today. And, as usual, I had a fun time giving the school tours at the Brickyard.  However, there was one really fun part in my second tour.  I start off by suggesting to the students that they might all get a souvenir brick if they listen carefully.  I have them repeat certain words of the tour, like "iron oxide", (an ingredient in the clay), and "hacking", as I teach about the drying of the bricks in the hacking yard.  They gave me a big round of applause at the end of the tour.

After the tour the children were all very polite, and thanked me for my time.  As they were leaving the lecture room, one of the precious little 2nd grade girls tugged at my sleeve and  said; "Elder Lasher, we have two boys that come to our house with name badges just like yours!".... and then she whispered, "I think they are the Mormons!"  I could not pass up the invitation to her, to be sure and listen to their message, and make sure you come back to Nauvoo with your family and see me!  Sweet experience!

Then, last night at Rendezvous, I forgot to report another precious moment.  The Jeppson's will know this part of the play where I said; "for example, the story of Noah and Sophia Packard".... just as soon as I said Sophia, this precious little girl about 5 years old on the front row looked up at me and said, "hey, my name is Sophie!".  I did my best not to miss a beat, or a line, during that exchange, as hard as that was, but talk about a concentration breaker!  I flirted with her the rest of the night!

Mom and I were both off at 5:00pm.  We went home and got dressed and headed to the temple for the 6:00pm session.  We had two other couples from our cast at the temple tonight!  Then, as we were leaving the temple, we got these two pictures:

The sunsets over the Mississippi can be stunning!  It is fun to catch the different views from the front of the temple......  We just got word that our precious Emma broke her arm today.  That is so hard for a Grandpa and Granny to be so far away and not be there to comfort and help.  We love you precious girl!  We have your name on the temple prayer rolls tonight!

May 19, 2016 - Thursday in Nauvoo

Happy Birthday Mia!  Granny and Grandpa hope you had a fun day!  We were up this morning, bright and early, and ready to begin the day.  We had our morning devotional and prayers, and then took our nice and long morning walk.  It was a near perfect morning with the temperatures barely in the 40's with absolutely no wind.  We enjoyed the beautiful morning workout. 

The cool morning mist hanging over the lower flats!

Our assignments today took mom to the Post Office for an afternoon shift, and I got the nod to be at the Brickyard for a long morning shift.  We had our schedules changed from the Handcart site, today, since there were no tours scheduled there.  So I got to give the school tours at the Brickyard again today.  We had 175 second grade students come into Nauvoo for their annual field trip.  This was a fun group and they were very well prepared for their historical experience.

Then, just as I was getting off my shift, I noticed this Idaho Falls Police Car parked in front of the Brickyard!  I found out who the officer was.  He was heading back to Idaho Falls with his son after driving to Alabama to pick up his police dog.  And, he was well acquainted with our son!  Here is the action shot;

Met Jed and his son here at the Brickyard today!

After a good day at the Brickyard, I went home and took a nice one hour nap.  I was up on time and went over to pick up mom at her site by 5:00pm, and then we came home and got ready for Rendezvous.  We had an outstanding audience tonight, and mom and I got to do our parts.  It makes such a difference having an audience that openly appreciates our efforts!  And we were blessed to remember all of our lines!

Then, as we were driving home, the sun was just setting over the Mississippi.  I caught this shot at a very good time;

Sunset over the Mississippi

This picture made a nice ending to our day of service here in Nauvoo.  And we were so grateful we got to talk to Mia for her birthday!  Many happy returns precious girl!  We are looking forward to seeing you!

May 18, 2016 - Wednesday in Nauvoo

We certainly got our workout today.  Since we could not take our normal walk this morning, I suggested to mom last night that we could walk to our FM gardening assignment today.  We talked about it and then decided to do it.  I was about four miles round trip.  We had our morning devotional and prayers and then left for the Wednesday training meeting at 7:00am.  We got to the meeting at about 7:20am with plenty of time to spare. 

After the meeting at the Visitor's Center we walked down to the FM facility to begin our day.  Since we were assigned to the Handcart site again today, and there were no scheduled handcart treks, we helped plant some more beautiful flowers and plants.  We planted another 2,000 or so today.  Here are some "before" and "after" pictures!

The sunny side of the Women's Garden

The walkway along Main Street near the Cultural Hall

Look at the "Richard" technique of placing the plants!

This soil (not dirt!) is so soft and fertile.  Your footprint sinks 6 inches!

Women's Garden on the shady side

Mom is getting the "placement" technique down really good!

These Banana Trees weigh up to 200 pounds!

Louie and Richard placing the Banana Tree - full sun!

And then the master places the plants highlighting the Banana Tree

Richard was so excited to try this Banana Tree in the Women's Garden this year.  It has been around for a few years, in the greenhouse, and he thought that this might be the last year for it.  They have not tried the Banana Trees in the Women's Gardens, before, as I understand.  It has been a real treat to work with Richard the past several weeks.  

And I liked the Banana Tree because my mom had a Banana Tree that she and my dad planted in the backyard of our home at 1435 West Normal, in Fresno, California.  I was always waiting for the Banana Tree to produce bananas, but it never did??  Maybe Richard's tree will??  I know my dad loved to work in the yard there.  It was the first, (and the last), home they owned together.  It was in this yard that my sister and I decided to dig our own swimming pool.  That effort lasted about 3 shovel's full of dirt!  Sweet memories!  I even taught my first puppy, "Puggy", a boxer, how to drink water.  I was about 5 years old at the time and so mature!

Mom and I were scheduled in the Handcart site again tomorrow but our assignment changed.  I will be working at the Brickyard tomorrow for school tours.  They plan on having about 270 students coming for their annual visit and I will be giving those tours in the Brickyard.  

And finally, we had our first dress rehearsal tonight with the Young Performing Missionaries for the Sunset Play.  Our Emma Hale cast opens the season on Saturday May 28th!  That is now less than 10 days away!  This will be a fun show as some of you already know!  These young performing missionaries are so full of energy and talent and enthusiasm!  Bob, Mary and those precious grandchildren are in for a real treat!

May 17, 2016 - Tuesday in Nauvoo

It was a perfect day to be outdoors, today.  The weather was cool and there were no flying insects!  Mom and I were assigned to the Handcart site today.  However, since we had no scheduled treks today, we helped out in the gardens.  We had our morning devotional and prayers and then went to the FM offices for their 7:00am daily prayer meeting.  

After the meeting we loaded up the trailer with assorted flowers and plants, and went to the Visitor's Center here in Nauvoo.  Here are some action shots of our morning labors;

Plants that have literally grown up here over the winter

Freshly turned soil in the flower beds at the entrance to the VC

 

Mom artistically placing the assorted plants and flowers

Richard - the master gardener!

Oh those aching knees - with a smile!

The transformation of a bed of soil into a garden paradise!

How's that?

The morning sky in Nauvoo today!

We ended up planting another 2,000+ plants this morning.  We planted both entrances to the Visitors Center, and the Kiosk at the front of one of the main streets into Nauvoo from Keokuk.  Here are some of those pictures that we took this morning along Highway 96;

Let's work some more soil!

Richard placing the various plants - what an artist!

Ten minutes and the bed was completed!

Bob and Mary and family will get to see this beautiful place in two weeks!

Well, it was a good day to work outside today.  It was a little chilly at temperatures in the high 40's.  And, I might add, a perfect temperature to keep the bugs at a bare minimum.  You can't believe how satisfying this work is to create a garden scene that will be viewed by 10's of thousands of visitors over the next 90 days!  

We have marveled at the wonderful experiences we have had on this mission.  Serving in Carthage for almost six months.  Then serving at the Nauvoo Visitor's Center and sites for another seven months.  And now serving in the gardens the last two months.  These experiences have been wonderful, and we will add to these choice experiences this summer by working with the youth groups coming to do handcart treks!

Mom and I got home at around 2:00pm this afternoon and took nice hot showers.  Boy did that feel good!  And then we enjoyed our afternoon meal together, after which, we both answered the call to take a nap.  This has been a wonderful day and very relaxing evening here in Nauvoo.  We've done some good today, and that feels great!

One more fun fact... my blog has over 10,000 views!  Not too bad since I went to the private mode over a year ago!  Thank you for checking in with us tonight and for your comments, on the blog site, and for your love and support this entire mission!  We love you!

May 16, 2016 - Monday in Nauvoo

Our P-day was well spent today!  We were up early for our morning devotional and prayers.  And we left for our morning walk at 5:30am in mid 40 degree temperatures.  The morning walk was wonderful and invigorating.  We got back to our little home at about 6:45am and got ready for the 9:00am temple session.  I took some interesting pictures along our walking path, and in front of the Temple!;

Such magnificent cloud formations!

The only Angel Moroni facing west!

A safe haven in the storms of life

We have been able to attend the Nauvoo Temple 67 times so far.  It adds so much to be able to attend a session on our P-days, and it helps us in our focus to be the best missionaries we can be.  The Scripture; 2 Nephi 2:11 - is very much alive and well here in the mission field.  But the prayers from our family and friends have been such a great blessing for us to overcome the opposition that presents itself in the mission field.  

In our pre-Rendezvous play time, before each show, we have a thought and prayer together as a cast.  The thought tonight was fairly simple and yet profound... "what if you woke up tomorrow morning only possessing the things that you thanked Heavenly Father for today?"...

We have had a great day!  After the temple session we drove to Keokuk for our weekly grocery shopping.  The time we spend driving there and back gives us an opportunity to talk with family.  We look forward to seeing how things are going back home, and we hope you enjoy the things we are experiencing here in Nauvoo, as recorded in the blog!

Mom and I have been working on our Sacrament talks for May 29th.  I have been reading up on the topic for these talks, "parables of the last days", as recorded in the New Testament.  Mom has settled on speaking about the Ten Virgins.  I am working on the parable of the goats and the sheep.  But I am not fixed on that one quite yet.  Although I do like the message it suggests on how to treat people and making the right choice!

CS Lewis may have expressed it more accurately when he said; "Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won't last forever. We must take it or leave it."  Source: “Mere Christianity” (1952)

May 15, 2016 - Sunday in Nauvoo

What a powerful Holy Sabbath Day today!  I trust many of you had a wonderful day as well!  We started off our day with our morning devotional and prayers.  The temperature dropped into the high 30's last night and this morning.  However, the skies were clear and cloud free!  We had an assignment to set up chairs at the Stake Center this morning with our district.  We got there a few minutes before 7:00am.

Mom and I were able to pitch in with the chair set-up and we were done within just a few minutes.  It always seems like those folks who come early just jump in and help others in their service.  It is really pretty fun to serve together when so many want to participate.  Never pass up an opportunity to serve!

During our marvelous Sacrament Meeting we were able to enjoy the Sacrament and renew promises and covenants together.  Then we had some significant teaching moments in the Sacrament talks from two relatively new senior missionaries.  Sister Moench spoke with her husband, and was explaining the feelings she had when a friend of hers lost a child to a drunk driver.  She indicated how upset she was that a person could be driving in that condition and do such a terrible deed upon this family.  Actually she was a little more upset over the fact that her friend was able to have compassion on the drunk driver!

Well, she left that funeral service still very shaken over the loss of the child and the irresponsibility of that driver.  Then, just 10 days later, her two and a half year old child was hit and killed by a drunk driver....  (There was a audible gasp in the congregation of about 300 missionaries and friends).   This precious sister then told of the feelings she had for this drunk driver, as she left the hospital, when a voice told her that her innocent little girl was "safe and sound", and that the driver was the one who was in very serious pain....  Her entire attitude changed, and she could feel that compassion that the Lord helped her to feel, for the consequences this young driver would feel for the rest of his life...

The message was this; "Everything that challenges us comes from the temporal world"... Every solution to these challenges comes from the Spiritual world".  That was a powerful message.

Then she spoke about her day of service at Carthage a few weeks ago.  She was giving a tour to a family and explaining the details about the events that took place there on June 27, 1844, with the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum.  Interestingly, a young boy about 7 years old was named Hyrum.  He asked her why Joseph had to die.  She tried to explain to him that this was part of Heavenly Fathers Plan, for not only Joseph and Hyrum, but for members of the Church, to have this foundation of the Church put in place, and this sacrifice of Joseph and Hyrum given and accepted.

He wasn't convinced... He asked why Joseph didn't jump under the bed, or climb up the chimney?  Again she explained that Heavenly Father has a plan for each His children, and that these men gave their lives, so that the Gospel message would be firmly set and sealed with their sacrifice.  He finally understood.

Here is a 7 year old young man whose life will never be the same after his experience at Carthage.  Nor will any of our lives be the same as a result of our experiences with learning about the Gospel Plan in its entirety.  We just need to put these marvelous principles into practice every day!

And then we were taught by her husband that "we don't teach the Gospel to convert people, but we teach the Gospel to give them a choice between good and evil".  First of all, we can't convert anyone.  We can only present the Gospel message and hope and pray they will be receptive enough to receive it.  Our charge is that we make the effort!  Anything less will bring upon us the judgements of Heavenly Father.  Our mandate is to fulfill our responsibilities of  taking His Gospel to "all the world"... After all, we are all missionaries as we were taught by David O. McKay, and all the subsequent Prophets and Apostles!

And during our site assignment at the Brigham Young Home today, we had a visit from a member of the mission presidency.  He asked us to speak in Sacrament on May 29th, (Memorial Day weekend), on the topic of "The Parables of the Last Days"...  We gratefully accepted this wonderful opportunity!

May 14, 2016 - Saturday in Nauvoo

How cold can it get in May in Nauvoo?  Well, this morning we saw temperatures barely in the 40's.  Mom and I both wore extra layers to take our walk!  After we had our morning devotional and prayers, we started our four mile walk at about 5:30am.  I have to admit that the air was crisp and clear and clean, and the sky was filled with clouds.  The wind was blowing pretty steady, so it sure felt good to wear our heavier coats and gloves!  We snapped this picture early this morning;

                      Barges being driven by one tug!

This picture is of the tug pushing these barges.It has to be a pretty powerful tug..They call this a barge tow.  Each one has 15 barges that the tug pushes and these barges together contain the equivalent of 870 semi trucks.  It is a very economical way of delivering the grain or whatever.  Sixty percent of the grain shipped elsewhere is taken down the Mississippi.

I had the late shift at the Riser Boot shop, from 11:45am to 5:00pm,  and mom had a split shift at the Heber C. Kimball home.  As I was resting in my chair, before getting ready for work, I noticed that the sun started to come out.  I decided to get up and jump on mowing the lawn.  I haven't been able to get that job done, this past week, because of the rain and the work schedule!  You can only imagine how high the grass was getting.  I started at about 9:15am and got done with most of the lawn by 10:30am.  

It usually takes me about two full hours to complete the entire job, but, today, I needed to leave the house by 11:00am to be at my assignment.  The walk to the Boot shop takes about 30 minutes and I wanted to stop by mom's site on the way.  I just barely made it with taking a shower and getting dressed in the 30 minutes of remaining time!

Then, our final assignment was our practice doing the Sunset play.  Since the weather was clear, (meaning no rain), we rehearsed on the outdoor stage.  Mom made sure I took my coat, and boy was I glad I had it!  It must have been in the low 40's with the wind chill, and that coat kept me pretty comfortable for the 90 minutes we were out there.