Simple pleasures

Life has settled into a comfortable routine. It consists basically of temple service, exploring Nauvoo sites, and in my spare time - family history work and reading. I finished Trail of Hope first - a wonderful book about the pioneers journey, filled with so many excerpts from their journals that really gave you a deeper understanding of their lives. Then I read Heroes of the Restoration - each chapter written by a general authority about one of the early church leaders. I read a fun fictional book about a young family in Kirkland.   And I just finished Window Maker - written by the man who designed and built the windows for the Nauvoo temple. It gave me such an appreciation for the work and inspiration that went into every aspect of rebuilding the temple. I’ll never look at the exterior of the temple in quite the same way. It is beautiful at first glance but knowing a little of what went into it makes you see it in a different and holier “light”.   For variety I’m reading Huckleberry Finn in preparation for an August trip with our PDay group to Hannibal Missouri, home of Mark Twain. It is one of the books uncle mike wrote about in his book on fictional characters who can teach us gospel principles so I’m eager to see what I can learn from Huck.  I also read a few pages every night from David’s 700 page book on Nauvoo that I borrowed- very detailed and informative. And when I wait in the car each day for dad (I pick him up in front of the temple to spare him the walk to the parking structure) I’ve read some interesting articles from a less likely source - a Mormon Dialogue.   On a higher note, when I have time in the temple I read the scriptures. I’m grateful for how much I can read in those moments. I also have opportunities to memorize scriptures and review The Living Christ when I can’t read. Reading is truly a major joy in my life. My little bookshelf here still has several volumes eagerly inviting me to indulge in many hours of pleasure and inspiration. Isn’t it lovely that there are always simple joys awaiting in the covers of a book!

Another simple pleasure is driving the river road into Nauvoo which we do at least every Sunday going to church in Keokuk and sometimes other days too. It’s lovely - the wide Mississippi on one side and lots of wooded areas on the other. Wildflowers line the road and water lilies are now in bloom in parts. There are several scenic turnouts with historical markers.