NAU freaking VOO

I am writing you from balmy Nauvoo. Where the mosquitos are biting and so are the members of the Community of Christ. Come to think of it, the break off churches from the Latter Day Saint tradition are about as numerous as the mosquitos here on the Mississippi.

I had a really hard time at the first of the trip. I was really tired from the move and we were having hard times with Syd. We have got into a travel rhythm and we are really enjoying it. We did a session in the Nauvoo Temple. Phenomenal. Loved it. We met up with a friendof our grandparents who is an engineer at the temple. He took us into the clock tower where we stood directly underneath the statue of Moroni. Awesome.

I went running tonight in the Old Nauvoo. I ran past Joseph's home, his grave, and his business. He is a wonderful man. I appreciate him a lot more now. I really am a better Churchgoer after coming here. I needed this.

We have seen Adam Ondi Ahman, Far West, Independence, and Nauvoo. We go to St Louis tomorrow. This has been a tough trip but a good one. I really am privileged to have been able to come here. I took a lot of pictures that I will post when we get back.

Through all the doubt and confusion that accompanies our religion...I really cling to the peace of the Holy Ghost. I think of the sacrifices of the pioneers and the wonderful things they did in the name of truth. That buoys me up when the going gets tough and the philosophiesof men cloud our vision and perspective. We are here to be tested. We just need to continually check our answers on the test with the answer key in the sky. We should "lean not to [our] own understanding." I am a worldly man. I have really needed this dose of spirituality.

Carthage was amazing. To see the very place where Joseph sealed his testimony was amazing. That was the crowning moment so far. What a wonderful man.

Thanks to Toni for taking us to the airport!

Adios.