December 2010

I underestimated how wonderful it would be inside, for me to take my kids to Nauvoo... sort of like if I cold take them to an ever-present, always in process, personal sacred grove. I was surprised how much they were able to feel and wanted to absorb. I also underestimated how hard it would be to be in Nauvoo with children. We received many wonderful gifts from being there.



15 1/2years- "I liked the visitor center, the miniture map so popped up real, I liked riding in the horse drawn wagons even at that temp, and thinking about being barefoot there in winter. I liked looking at buildings they'd built and thinking they were there...my people, walking where Joseph walked, where my people walked. The plays were fantastic. I liked touring with nana and grandpa through the prophets/apostles houses. I'm taking D&C in seminary now, and it all came alive more real, I knew down deeper, that it was true."
14 years- "I liked learning about our ansestors, the things they did, the places they've been, Nana told us some stories, and I liked looking up names and finding them in the property center. 11years- "I liked the statue in the visitor's center of Joseph Smith, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We had a christmas candle walk to different houses, heard christmas pioneer stories and ate yummy cookies all the missionaries baked. They liked to see our family come. I liked the carriage ride. It was an adventure under lots of quilts, and still very cold. I liked our really cool cabin inside and out!"
10years- "I loved the movies of Joseph Smith. I loved staying in the real log cabins with real things inside that they used long time ago, like tools that Grandpa told us about and stuff, like big bunkbeds. I made ropes and was amazed they used strings of a huge plant that looks like an aloe vera(our herb girl). I liked getting to put mud into the brick forms. I felt that Nana and Grandpa respected that place very much and wanted us to feel it too. I loved, loved the plays. I loved the musicals. Everyone was really kind. I liked the milk jar candles that lit your way at night for christmas decorations. We were tired and we could go home but we watched the mayor light the Christmas tree and we talked to him and thanked him and the people from other towns that played band instruments real good for coming. Mom said we were missionaries for that, just as much as the missionaries with tags, because we knew someone should do it and no one else was. It was our city again, and we were thanking them( for blessing it, for visiting it)."
7years- "I liked the cabins, and Nana and Grandpa, and everything. Grandpa likes tickles. I'm going there for my birthdays! I love Nauvoo!"
3 years-"There were horses. Raggedy Ann... and Nana and Grandpa are there" (still).

For me: not the least, the blessing of looking back xmany years to being on the little cultural hall stage and now to be on the first row- and reflecting that it was because of the goodness of God's whole plan that I was once there, and and again here, so many blessings passing between those two points in time, like good water under the bridge; the children lined down the row, husband at the end, and I was blessed to have it all...so even though our camera was lost there, and we have no grand photo record now of the trip, these photos we do have, remind me how I felt that first night we pulled in to town. It was a feeling like heaven. Really coming home where you belong,, but better, because you were coming back into His presence with a family. Increased. Yet this was just a spot along the journey. So it goes.

The other pictures were taken from our bedroom in the cabins. We loved being with Nana and Grandpa, Mom and Dad. My favorite thing of that trip was the family prayer and 'home evening ' we had, right as Mom and Dad pulled into the cabin. Dad gathered us all in a little circle in that little cabin, and bore his testimony about, how and why, because of sacrifice, covenants and consecration given by our ancestors and required of us, we were on sacred ground, and took our shoes off. When he had finished, it was neat to see the Hatch house across the grass on the other side of the lot, and remember the others. We do leave traces. We had a short, but wonderful Christmas and missionary farewell in Nauvoo. I didn't feel like it was enough, especially as Mom and Dad drove away, but it was sufficient.



Having Sister Brinkerhoff/Grandma Brinkerhoff and Uncle Klark visit us for Christmas, on their way home from Grandma's mission in Rochester, New York, was also a blessing. Christmas is more fun when it feels more full- of people, love, and presents. Lots and lots of presents- Santa's workshop is a yearly happening around here, Starting in October but really getting into high gear in December, as sisters and brothers slip secrets, scissors, glue and crafty stuff around, making everyone presents. They are getting really good, coming up with thoughtful, useful, as well as beautiful things within their own resources to give. The "Middles" are the best at it. More than one per person! Those are the really wonderful gifts- they make for a love filled, thoughtfully others' centered Christmas and are always my favorite memories--