weeks 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57. June 2--July 27,2014

Hello again:

It seems like a long time since we last undated our blog.  In fact it has been almost two months. But of course it has been our busiest time of the year and much has happened.  June brought a big jump in the numbers of visitors (17,000) while July has been even busier.  With both the Nauvoo Pageant and British Pageant the numbers of visitors has more than doubled.  We are seeing over 2,000 folks per day in the Visitors Center and will have a total number of guests by the end of the month probably over 50,000 for July.  There have been about 50 bus loads of visitors (mostly youth) during July.  In fact, right now we have 8 bus loads of youth(over 450) from the Kady Stake in Texas that are here to experience Nauvoo.  And we get to see most of all the visitors when they come to the Visitors Center.  We have met many friends and friends of friends.  We love it!!!

The month of June started off with the BYU groups coming to perform on the outdoor stage each night.  The first group was the Living Legion  Group.  This was a delightful combination of Native Americans, Central Americans and Polynesians.

Living Legends dance group from BYU

Their presentation was excellent and the participants were so helpful and polite people.  As part of our Public Relations job Elder Pincock and I were assigned to take care of these groups and help them and follow them to their performances.  So we had many opportunities to see their shows and be with them.  We got to go to surrounding communities to accompany them and see their day shows.  They also performed in Nauvoo almost every night right after the Sunset by the Mississippi show.  The other group that came the middle of June was the Jazz Band and Contemporary Dance Group.  They all had extraordinary talents and abilities.  It was all so fun for us because of the opportunities that we've had in past years to help with the International Folk Dance Festival in Rexburg.
                                                                                                                                                              We have had other special experiences this month.  We got to go with the directors of  Nauvoo On the Road to make arrangement for our van and displays to be a part of events in Ft. Madison, Bonaparte, the Illinois State Fair, and events in surrounding communities.

making a rope at Nauvoo On The Road

We had a special event called Thank You Quincy Days for their help to the pioneers when they were driven out of Missouri.  We did many service projects for the town of Quincy as a combined effort with the stakes in the Des Monies Mission area.  About 400 people showed up to do clean up, painting, and other service. 

We got to wear the "yellow shirts" that are worn by members as we do Humanitarian efforts around the world.  Our job was to hand out flyers at the farmers market that morning to advertise the concert and performance of the Jazz band Contemporary Dance Group.  They did a performance in the town square park as part of the Thank You to Quincy Days.  It was a very successful Day.

Gazebo at Washington Park in Quincy, Illinois
(Quincy will always be a very special in the history of the Church)

From there David and I went to St. Louis to catch an airplane to fly home.  David's father is suffering from kidney failure and we decide it was appropriate to make a visit and spent a couple of days with his parents.

David's parents with our daughter Jennifer

We had an enjoyable time with his family.  We also got to see all of our children and grandchildren and be with them for a few hours.  I loved going to our home in Rigby and walking through the yard and house.  It helped to bridge the gap of leaving the Mission Field and returning home-only 5 months away now.  We thank David's brothers and sisters for keeping us updated and part of the loop as to the changes in their parent's conditions and the events taking place in their lives.

Another special event in the Mission was the commemoration of the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum.  It was held on the grounds of the Carthage Jail.  A special program of their sacrifice and remembrance included special musical numbers by the Young Sister Missionaries and the Performing Missionaries.  The Mission President spoke about their lives and events at Carthage.  Two riderless horses were guided through the crowd and bells tolled marking the exact time of the martyrdom.  What a privilege it is to be part of these special events.

Tribute to Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage Jail
(Rider-less horses at the Martyrdom Commemoration on June 27)

That day also marked the beginning of an eventful month of visitors.  We love to have guests!!!!! Cammie and Lucas arrived on June 27th and got to go to the Martyrdom Program with us.  We truly enjoyed their stay.

Ingram family on their rented bikes in Nauvoo

A few days later, our friends Jack and  Francis Holmes arrived and we had a delightful time with them.  They were here during the flooding of the Mississippi in Nauvoo.  The river rose up Parley Street to the grassy area where the statue is.  There was no damage in Nauvoo.  They were also here for the beginning of the Pageant presentations, the 4th of July and a special visit to the Tukuafu Home.

E/S Holmes and E/S Pincock at the flooded Mississippi
(the bank of the river should be out passed the trees)

Our daughter, Annette and  family were the next house guests and the unique opportunity of staying in a missionary apartment and all that goes with the great food we shared, air mattresses all over the floors and having only one bathroom for all to share!  It's amazing how well it all works out.

the Buhler family at Anna Amanda
(a children's musical)

The Buhler and Ranson kids at the Mississippi River
(notice that the river is not as high as the previous picture with the Holmes)

Jennifer and Quinn were next along with Quinn's parents to have this experience and share precious time with us.

Ranson family at the horse-drawn carriage ride

Ranson's at the Sunstone by the quarry where the limestone for the 1st
Nauvoo Temple was gathered

Shannon and Todd just left a few days ago with their family, Mitchell, and Georgia and Sherwood Ricks. What a great time we have had with everyone.

Todd Ricks family, Mitchell, Sherwood and Georgia Ricks

dinner at the Hotel Nauvoo (where else)

As with all of our other visitors we attended the temple, watched endless shows of "Rendezvous", "Sunset By the Mississippi", Vignettes, Carthage tours, both Pageants,  carriage and wagon rides,  "The Promise" and the darling show "Just Plain Ana Amanda".  Did I forget anything?  Oh, don't forget the many trips to the Nauvoo Hotel for that delicious meal and delightful time at the wonderful buffet and the trips to visit the Amish store, "The Dutchman".

Amish men with their horse and buggy

Dozens of tours were taken of the Historic sites.  I especially enjoyed giving tours to all at the Visitor Center. We truly do love serving here.

We miss you all and hope you treasure your experiences in Nauvoo.  Those experiences enhance our knowledge that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.  The early saints made great sacrifices to help this all to happen and that we can and do receive the blessings of their efforts.  I'm so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that I know the purpose of life and what happens after this life experience.  We invite everyone to be part of this message and live your lives the best you can.  We love each of you and pray for the Lord's blessings to be with you in your journey through life.

Love,
Elder and Sister Pincock

PS.   We have loved seeing so many others who come into the Visitor's Center on their visit to Nauvoo. What a delight to have met our new neighbors, who moved in across the street from us in Rigby, Kim and Nathan Smith and children and it all happened here in Nauvoo.  We have seen Coach Wade Anderson and family from Rexburg, James and Brenda Hancock (son of our friends, Buddy and Zola).  We saw our friends the Watkins who served in Armenia.

E/S Watkins dancing on the Sunset By The Mississippi Stage
 (they replaced us in Armenia)

Ryan and Ana Korina (niece of David) Lisby spent a couple of days while Todd and Shannon were here. We saw Craig Cobia and his wife ( from Rexburg).  Their son is one of the Young Performing Missionaries. We also had a nice visit with Brother and Sister Lloyd Newell.  Bro Newell is the host with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and his daughter is a young sister missionary here. (Our granddaughter, Brenna, replaced Sister Newell in the Richmond Virginia Mission where Sister Newell served on her outbound mission from Nauvoo.   We had met Bro Newell a few times when we had attended the Tabernacle Choir broadcasts in Salt Lake.  What fun that was!