Weekly highlights

This week we did the last Nauvoo site that we hadn’t yet done - the oxen ride. It’s the most authentic pioneer experience- in a wagon the same  size as the pioneers used pulled by the same kind of animals. The ride is nothing spectacular but it was interesting to learn about the oxen. I guess they’re pretty easy to drive - you just walk along side them  calling out “gee”, “haw”, “get up” and “whoa”, tap them occasionally with a goad,

and the oxen do the rest. (Probably not quite that simple but kids often drove them).

Monday evening the young sister missionaries did a concert. It was beautiful music and inspiring to think of young people like them serving all over the world. We love to see them in the temple each week also.

On Friday night we watched President Nelson’s birthday celebration in the visitor center theater. It was so amazing- if you didn’t get to see it please do!!  Such a variety of fabulous music and musicians and video clips from his life. President Nelson even played a classical piano solo. It was such a wonderful program and fun to watch on the big screen.
I’ve been to the Land and Records office a couple times this week. That’s where you can find out more about your Nauvoo ancestors - and we have more than I thought - some direct line ancestors and some “cousins”.   Dad and I also walked the Trail of Hope again and loved reading all the experiences of the saints who left their homes and a bit of their hearts in Nauvoo.  Another good week in the City of Joseph!