"Live In Thanksgiving Daily" November 19, 2016

   With the Thanksgiving season upon us, we were very touched when we came across a very profound sign this week which read, "Gratitude Turns What We Have Into Enough". It was located in the "Dutchman's Store" in Cantril, Iowa.  This is an Amish store operated by the Mennonites.  It was simply amazing! (Visit dutchmansstore.com for more information) To get there, we traveled about an hour and 15 minutes from our Nauvoo home last Saturday with our next door fellow Temple Missionaries, Elder Tom and Sister Bev Cordova, where we had a very memorable experience.  This store featured fabric, groceries, local produce, cheese galore, kitchen wares, books, clothing and anything else you can imagine.  If you are ever find yourself in Cantril, Iowa, plan on scheduling a few hours to roam around this delightful "old time general store". Be sure to eat one of their special made to order Submarine Sandwiches. We finished our delicious lunch off with a freshly made Caramel Doughnut brought in by a local bakery.  We also loved seeing the horse drawn buggies traveling in their own lanes along the meandering farm roads surrounding the store.  The whole setting reflected the simpler life, offering very tranquil feelings inspite of the crowds in the store. There are huge farms every direction you turn in this part of the country, both in Illinois and Iowa. Since we have spent our life in the city, it is quite a change from what we are used to, however, we are finding that we actually like it alot.   

   Another fascinating discovery we have had since our last post was visiting the 2 lots that James Allred owned when he lived in Old Nauvoo.  As mentioned in our first post, he is the 3rd great grandfather of  Elder Peterson.  It turns out that we are living literally diagonally across the street from one of his properties and 2 blocks from his other property.  One of the pictures will show James Allred's land closest to us with his 3rd great grandson standing in the middle of it!  Each day now as we look out our window and see his land, we experience greater gratitude for the sacrifices of our pioneer forefathers.  It is very humbling as we live in this comfortable, modern warm apartment and reflect on how life was back in the 1800's.  

     Speaking of the early pioneers of Nauvoo, for our "Trail of Hope" feature in today's blog we would like to pay tribute to Patty Sessions.  She and her husband, David Sessions, lived in a small log house which has been rebuilt and is shown in the pictures below.  "Her husband answered several calls to missionary service.  She was affectionately known as 'Mother Sessions', having received the charge from the Prophet Joseph to serve as a doctor and midwife for women.  Utilizing her numerous skills and her compassionate nature, Patty nurtured young and old with extraordinary humanitarian efforts. Gifted in spiritual matters, she served with the founding sisters of the Relief Society, assisted in the temple and expressed as her 'greatest desire to live my religion, trust in God and follow the Prophet.' Mother Sessions delivered over 4,000 babies during her lifetime."  We owe a great debt of gratitude to Patty Sessions and her dedicated selfless service  and example throughout her whole life. Her greatest desires are also the ones we profess,  both  as we serve our misson here in Nauvoo and in our everyday circumstances, "To live my religion, trust in God, and follow the Prophet." 

     Our most recent church history adventure this week was a visit to Carthage Jail in Carthage, Illinois. This is the site of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum Smith by a mob, June 27th, 1844. "The jail was used for about 25 years and then became a private residence. To commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Martyrdom in 1994, the jail was restored to its appearance at the time of Joseph and Hyrum's death." Joseph Smith is recorded saying, "On my part, I am ready to be offered up a sacrifice in that way that can bring to pass the greatest benefit and good to those who must necessarily be interested in this important matter."  (History of the Church, 5:159.)  At Carthage Jail, the spirit was strong and the purpose eternal as we stood on that sweet sacred ground. We look forward to the day wherein we are blessed to personally thank both the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum for their sacrifice and love of God in behalf of all of us. We feel blessed to be there and to reflect upon the depth of their devotion that blesses all of us each new day.  

     In the Book of Mormon, Alma 34:38, we read, "Live in thanksgiving daily for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."  As we pray each day and each night, all year long, we humbly give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all the many mercies and blessings we have received in our life and continue to receive here in Nauvoo.  Our temple has been closed for cleaning the past 2 weeks and we eagerly look forward to resuming our service within that beautiful Nauvoo Temple this next week. As we do so, our conviction and appreciation is deeper for the pioneers and their sacrifices due to the experiences we have enjoyed the past 2 weeks through getting more familiar with this special area.  We count our blessings each day and we want our family and friends to always remember that we love you and that we both have very grateful hearts for God's continual goodness to us.  We know without a doubt that what we have is truly enough!