Maternity Pictures

Lance and I had some pictures taken of us before our little girl arrives. We had a fun time! Here are some of our favorites.

Trip to Nauvoo, IL and Carthage Jail

Hi all! Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Lance has been in the process of applying for fellowships post graduation and has needed his laptop 24/7 (literally).

 Shall we pick up where we left off? We left North Carolina August 17th and broke the trip up into 3 days which was great for me! Being pregnant makes a long car trip almost unbearable. Our first stop was in Tennessee where we met up with Lance's brother Brett for dinner. It's nice that his job takes him in our direction! The next day we visited Carthage Jail which is where the prophet, Joseph Smith, was martyred. It was a very spiritual day for us. Once we were done there we drove about 20 more miles NE to Nauvoo, IL. Nauvoo was the last settlement for the early saints before moving west to live and worship in peace. We had an amazing time! Everyone was so kind. The stories and history there are not something to be missed!

 John Taylor (one of the 12 apostles) said of Joseph Smith, "[He] lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!"

 Carthage Jail. Where Joseph Smith and his brother were martyred. 

 Joseph and his brother Hyrum

Nice view of the Mississippi River.

The saints cut these stones from the river bank and moved them up hill to where the temple was constructed. No cranes...

Cultural Center

The saints lived in log cabins before their homes were constructed. The saints dedicated every tenth day to building the temple while simultaneously building their own homes.

 John Taylor's house

 School house

 Brigham Young's home

 A replica of a wagon used during the time of the migration. They were really narrow!

 Beautiful sunset over the Mississippi river. The saints crossed this river with their wagons and supplies they needed to make it to the Salt Lake valley.

 Nauvoo Temple

Joseph Smith and Hyrum's last ride. They were on their way to Carthage jail to face trial. They were falsely accused of rioting and treason. Joseph Smith said, "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men. If they take my life I shall die an innocent man..."

A stone used to construct the Nauvoo Temple.

 We made rope! We also learned how to make candles, bread, pottery, rugs, wool, bricks, and barrels!

 Cool, huh?

At the gunsmith

 Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith's grave