Kisti going Home

Sunday, July 28, 2013
We didn't go to our ward at 8:00 am but we went to church at 10:00 am.  This man told us that with the pageant here that they counted 1,000 people came to their ward.  The chapel was full and back to the stage and people were on the stage and in primary room listening to Sacrament Meeting, it was amazing.  After lunch we went to look at the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds.  It was really cool. Elder Harris was talking to Elder Mengle who has been finding graves up there.  He showed Elder Harris where the two children of the Washburn family were buried.  There was a tombstone with only letters on it, not names.  It was so cool to finally know where their graves are.  Here are some pictures of the cemetery.

                                                        Here is the sign to the Cemetary.
 Beautiful flowers on the trail.
                     

Kisti with her children walking up the trail to the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds. Sister Harris taking the picture behind.

Jens, Grandpa Harris, Charity, and Joey Christensen.

                                     Grandpa Harris and Jens at the Old Nauvoo Cemetery.

                                   
Here Joe is pushing Matt up the hill to the Cemetery, his son and wife Liz are there to help.

Kisti says I think it will be easier to turn him around and pull him up the hill.

We walked into where there is a list of all the names that are buried in the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds.

                         This is interesting we found James Harris is buried in the Old Nauvoo Cemetery.

                   Kisti and Matt are reading this beautiful story on the back of this broad.

Here are some names that are on the wall related to Elder Harris.

 Joey and Grandpa Harris

                                                                                  Charity, Kisti and Liz- Best Friends together.

Families can be together forever.  This is at the Cemetery.

Matt, Joey, Kisti, and Charity looking around for Ancestors names

These names are the Washburn little children that are buried in the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds.

Elder Mengle helped Elder Harris find them.   It is so fun to finally know where they are.

I fixed these pictures so they were straight up and when I put them on the Blog they go back wrong and I don't know how to fix them.   Maybe someone can talk me though it. It is a cute picture of dad and the tomb stone.  After the cemetery we went and saw Hyrum Smith's home, here is a few pictures.

Here is Hyrum Smith's Home, you can rent it for a night or so.   A lot of family members can stay in it.

Kisit and Matt and the families all left to drive a while to catch their train.  We love the gospel and we love all of you.   Hope you enjoy our blog.

Saturday - July 27, 2013

Saturday- July 27, 2013
Elder and Sister Harris was at the Pioneer Past Time this morning until 1:30 pm.  This is at a park and children can play with pioneer toys.  It is fun to play with the children and teach everyone how to play the games.  Small children can dress up like pioneers and play in the log cabin and log house.  They have girl & boy cloths.  Parents take pictures of them and their children dressed up.  Kisti & Matt went to some of the home sites they wanted to see while the children played at Pioneer Past Time with us.
Kisti & Matt went to the Browning Gun, Riser Boot, John Taylor's home, Tin Shop, and Scovil Baker with the children later.   Kisti & Matt and their family with Liz's family went to the Cultural Hall and watched, " Just Plain Anna Amanda." It is a program for small children.  They have a little pupit show at first, then the do "Just Plain Anna Amanda"  It teaches you to be proud of who you are and your name, you are somebody special.

         When we got done we met them at the Brigham Young's Home.  Here are some pictures.

We went though Brigham Young's Home.  It was such a spiritual time at this site.  This picture is of Sister & Elder Harris standing in front of the Root Cellor.  Brigham Young built it on top of the ground because the water level was too high.  It is very cool inside.  Tours can go in if they want too.  Of course, the church rebuilt it in the 1960's at the time of the restoration because it was gone when the church bought the home.  Because Brigham Young kept Journals they knew what size to build and where to put it. 

 After we walked over to the Seventy's Hall just around the corner. Here is another picture of us all in front of the Seventy's Hall.

Then we went to Heber C. Kimball's home.  Joey, Grandma Harris, and Charity on the front porch.  Grandpa walked home because our house is next door we live in.  He was getting supper started so we could go to" Sunset by the Mississippi River" program at 6:30 pm and not be late.

Joey, Grandma Harris, and Charity, we just love having them visit us.

Here are some pictures at the" Sunset by the Mississippi."  Kisti took them while we were performing.

 Elder Harris does the flag every program that our cast does the "Sunset by the Mississippi."  He is very good, as he walks up through the people he marches slightly, but in the beat, with the drummer.  He even marches going up the steps.  He looks so good as he holds out the flag of America.  The other Elder just walks up even though Elder Harris has tried to show him how to march.  Of course, Elder Harris has been a Drill Sargent.  This is also the time that all the children that want to decorate a hat and march in behind the Nauvoo Brass Band and on stage we sing the "National Anthem." Then they all go sit with their parents and enjoy the fun program.

               This is our first song, "Hello everybody" then we do the "Mississippi Mud" song.

This is the end of our "Hello Everybody" song. Sister Harris by Sister Broadbank with the white hair.  She is just a neat woman.  She has had 11 children and is a widow on a mission.  The older sisters that are alone are wonderful here on a mission.  They do the poka dance with the young singing performing Elder Missionaries.  They look so good out on stage.  Some of the other couples perform with them but Elder Harris wouldn't do it at first but I think he would now so maybe next year he'll do it with me.

Elder Harris is to the right side of Elder Allen with his arms up.  After we went back to our home, Kisti and Matt and family stayed with us.  We have an extra bed and a couch that has a bed in it, so if anyone wants to come and stay with us, come on down or up or across to Nauvoo, love to have you.

More Nauvoo

Friday, July 26, 2013
  We had a early morning training meeting at 7:30 am and Apostle Dallin H. Oaks came and spoke to us.  Wow! what a wonderful day to start your day off with one of the Twelve Apostle's. Then Sister Harris spent the morning in Land and Records until 3:00 pm. Kisti & Matt and her family went to the Nauvoo Temple in the morning.   Elder Harris  spent his morning in the Blacksmith Shop.   Kisti-Jo and her family went there so Elder Harris could give them a tour and get a praire diamond ring.
                                                         Here are some pictures.

The first thing Elder Harris did was to show everyone how to make a wheel for a wagon.   

Charity is helping Grandpa Harris.

Here is Elder Harris making a small horse shoe to give to one person in a family.  I think Liz's child got it but everyone gets a praire diamond ring.

Elder Harris talking to everyone in his tour at the Blacksmith Shop.

Joe and Elder Shumway getting a praire diamond ring.

Kisti-Jo and Matt and their family went to the Visitor Center and they saw " High Hopes and River Boats"  Kisti said " that was the best show."  She really enjoyed it and I also think it is a greatest program.  There are so many really good programs to see in Nauvoo.  Then they went to the Family Living Center and made a rope and all the children worked together to make it.  Went to Supper and later that evening, at 6:30 pm they came to the Rendezvous and watched Elder Harris and Sister Harris do Noah and Sophia.

                       Sister Harris saying her part at the first.  Elder Harris start the verses as a rap.  The choir behind repeats what we say in a rap.   This is Grandma Sophia's new hat she had made and Grandma made her cape.
                                           This is the end part of Noah & Sophia in a picture frame.

         This is where the Relief Society is singing as we sew. Sister Harris is sewing and singing.

                      Elder Harris singing in the willingly song with all the men.

            Elder Harris walking down the stairs singing the last part of the willingly song.

              Sister Harris singing the last song at the end of the program as she is leaving.

This is after the show with Grandpa Noah and Joey, Jens, Charity outside the Cultural Hall.
                      
     Joey is proud to wear Grandpa's Noah Hat.

Joey, Jens, and Charity with Noah and Sophia. 

Charity is wearing a different hat that Grandma Harris wears at the end of the program. Doesn't she look cute!!

                                            Noah Packard and Kisti-Jo and Sophia Packard.

                               Elder and Sister Harris and Liz's parents, Elder & Sister Shumway

                                            The cute couple- Noah and Sophia Packard.
                                                         This is the end of the day.

Kisti and her family

Thursday- July 25, 2013
     Elder Harris and I went and marked our seats at the pageant early.  Then Kisti & Matt's family and Liz & Joe's family and Liz's parents, Elder & Sister Shumway went on a carriage ride.  It was a nice cool day and what a beautiful ride we had in the country. Here is all the group in front of the carriage and horses.   One horse was the oldest and one was the tallest.  Here are some pictures we took.

     This is the land of Lydia Spencer Thompson, daughter Sarah Marinda Thompson her fathers land,         Samuel Thompson.  This is though Elder Harris's ancestors.

 As we stopped at this corner we could see the Mississippi River and a barge was passing by.  This is the engine that was pushing the barge.

 Sister Harris & Elder Harris & Matt & Jens seating in the back of the carriage.  Matt was able to stay in his wheel chair.

 After the ride we went on the Community of Christ Church tour.  This is at the Joseph Smith's Sites.  We watched a movie which was good but I didn't feel the spirit like I do on our sites.  Daniel this young man that is hired by the Community of Christ Church is not a member of there church but every week is going to our Sacrament meeting to learn about our church.  He is very interested I hope he will be Baptized.  He was our tour guide at the Joseph Smith sites.

         Here we have left the Community of Christ Visitor Center walking to the Mansion House.

 Here we are in front of the Mansion House.  We just visited the house, it is beautiful inside, this was the first time that Elder & Sister Harris has had the chance to go though the home.     Matt, Sister Harris, Joey, Jens, Charity, Liz'z mother, Liz and her children, and who knows where the rest of the men are.  Kisti was taking the picture.

 We went inside the back door of the Red Brick Store and walked up stairs.  Joe carried Matt on his back up stairs because this was one site that Matt wanted to go see.   It was cool to be up stairs where the Relief Society was organized  but the feeling there wasn't the same as our sites. 



We had a drink brake in this park right by the Red Brick Store.  Sister Harris, Kisti-Jo, and Elder Harris drinking our Root Beer we got at the store.

Kisti-Jo and Sister Harris walked over to see Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith's tomb stones.

Here Sister Harris is standing between the two parents tomb stones.  They are just a little way down from Joseph Smith's, Emma's, and Hyrum's tomb stones.

After this we went to some sites.  Here are the pictures.

                                                     This is Lucy Mack Smith's Home.

                                                       This is the Brick Yard in the front
 Elder Harris, Kisti-Jo, Elder Shumway, Sister Shumway, Liz, and Joe.
 Front row Left- Matt, Charity, Liz's son, Joey, Liz'z son I think Caleb.   Sister Harris taking the picture.

Elder Harris is doing the tour for family at the Brick Yard.

                 Here are the six children at school.   Charity is the only girl.  Drawings on the Modern I-Pad.

                                       Sister Harris and Joey with the Grandmother quilting.

                              The girls with the woman.  Kisti, Sister Harris (Mom), Charity, and Liz.

  We went and ate, all you can eat at the Nauvoo Inn.  After we went to the Country Fair and then the Pageant.  It was the high light of the day.  Here are the pictures at the beginning of the Pageant.

Steve and Lisa Palmer are with a church tour group and just happened to be at the Pageant when we were their with Kisti and Matt's family.  It was great to see someone from Blanding. 

These are young men carrying the two flags.  

 The Bag Pipers led everyone up to the stage behind the American Flag.   Then the colored flags went up on stage and the Nauvoo Brass Brand followed and are marching on stage.

                                        After everyone are on stage we sang the National Anthem.

This is Parley P. Pratt and he says, " When You Are Here, We Are Here!!!!!!"

 Here we are waiting for the Pageant to start.  Liz's parents, Elder & Sister Shumway from a Wisconsin Mission was able to get a few days off to spend with their daughter in Nauvoo.  They are behind Sister & Elder Harris.  Jens is sitting by Grandpa and Joey by Jens,  The little girl behind is Liz's daughter.

                                     This is a picture of most the people performing in the Pageant.

 This is so cool.  The Nauvoo Temple goes up in front of us and as the program goes on the Temple falls down and the Nauvoo Temple is lit up in the back ground. AWESOME!!!!!

Here is the Nauvoo Temple lit up in the dark of the night showing how families can be together for ever. You can't see the stars but I look up and felt like my parents,that have past on were very close to me. The spirit is

so in this program and you can't help but to be touched by the spirit.  There are non members that come to the Pageant I hope they will feel the spirit that is here in Nauvoo.  I understand now why DeNene, my Sister-in-Law, says when she left the Nauvoo Mission she left part of her heart.  It is so wonderful here. The high light at the end of the day.

Wed. July 24, 2013

Wednesday- July 24,2013
We didn't have to go to a 8:00 am Training Meeting to day because we are having it on Friday morning when Elder Oaks will be here.
    Sister Harris served in the Pendleton Log School House and Elder Harris served at the Brick Yard site.
In the afternoon Kisti's family arrived.  It was so fun to have them come to our home.  We fed them dinner  then we had to run to Sunset Program.  They went and settled into the motel after the sunset we went and spent some time with them at the motel.  They had some problems with the motel but things worked out great.  I think they got a bigger room than the original one Kisti thought she had. We have our preparation day tomorrow so we are planning to spend the day with them.  Later this night Liz and her family came to the motel and her parents are with them.  They are serving a mission in Wisconsin. They were able to get some days off to spend with their daughter, Liz.  It was great to see everyone and meet her parents.

Kisti-Jo Coming

Monday- July 22, 2013
Elder Harris and Sister Harris served in the Nauvoo Visitor Center in the afternoon from 1:15 to 7:00 pm so that means we lock up the place.  We meet a lot of people and families in the Visitor Center.  They show two different times the program called," High Hopes and River Boats".  This is done by the Performing Missionaries that are only here for 31/2 Months.  They had so much joy and make us feel so young.  They have so much energy I can't believe all they do, their GREAT.

Tuesday- July 23, 2013
Elder Harris is serving in the Family Living Center today.  He makes rope and people really enjoy his personality.   He also can do weaving the rugs that are put in all the homes that are sites.  He shows how to make pottery and to make a tight barrel.  You keep busy when you serve in this site.

Sister Harris served at the John Taylor's home.  I love to show tours in this site.  Their is such a special feeling in his home but then all the homes it seems you can feel the men are there.  We did Rendezvous again this night.  The Scott's do Noah and Sophie this night.  We do it the second time in the week, which will be Friday night when Kisti & Matt and family will be here.  It is so exciting because they will be here TOMORROW.  Their friend Liz & Joe and family are coming with them.  It is really fun when family come to visit Nauvoo.

July 19, 2013

Friday- July 19, 2013
  I served in the Family Living Center.  I always love to serve in this site.  It is a really fun place.  Today I got to make two batches of bread, which makes 12  loafs, they were cooked in the bustle oven.  The first batch some other sister missionary made the bread, it is all home made and you knead it by hand.  I ended up cooking it in the bustle oven and it turned out wonderful.  Then I made the 6 loafs of bread all by myself and kneaded it and then I went home at 3:00 pm and sister Ballard baked my bread.  She said all the breads that day were beautiful texture and color.  She is the perfect bread maker so I was pleased that she really liked my bread.  I also gave some tours how to bake in the bustle oven while my bread is raising.  Some of the families were so thrilled to watch be kneed and divide the doe into 6 loafs and then raise one more time before I baked it.  I felt like I was on a cooking show on TV.  They just laughed and said people don't get to see this part of making the bread and that is true.  At the end of my tour about the cooking in the bustle oven everyone gets to test the bread we make.  It is really good home made bread.

Elder Harris served in the Blacksmiths Shop.  It was a hard day this day because he stayed in by the fire making a small horse shoe on each tour.  We were really having busy days so he was their for 6 hours.  The other elder should have traded at times so not one person is in their all that time.  Their is not air conditioning in this building so the doors are opened the whole time.  The other elder was talking how the wagon wheels were made.  At the end of the tour Elder Harris would give one horse shoe to one family but each person would get a prairie diamond ring.When Elder Harris got home he was really tired but he made it.
At 6:30 we went to our Rendezvous and did two programs this night.  Because there are so many people that want to see it we now do it twice in one night all of June and July and part of August.

Saturday- July 20, 2013

Elder Harris served at the Print Shop.  He quite likes it at this site.  He does a really good job is what some of the other elders tell me.

Sister Harris served at the Lyon Drug and Variety Store site.  It was fun to talk about two in one site to the people and families that come there.  Then we ran to do Sunset by the Mississippi River program at 6:30 pm.  This is were we watch a half hour Nauvoo Band Program then our program starts at
7:00 pm

The Pageant is going from July 9 to Aug. 3, 2013.  A lot of people are everywhere in Nauvoo at this time.

Sunday- July 21, 2013
 We went to church at 7:00 pm to help set up chairs.  We have very spiritual meetings.  Elder Harris and I served in the Lucy Mack Smith's Home.  It is hard for him to go up stairs a lot because of his sore back at times so he gave the tour down stairs and I did the tours up stairs.  I climb a million stairs that day but it was fun to meet the families and people that came to see Lucy's home. Wonderful Day it was!!!!!

Pageant- July 18, 1203

Thursday, July 18, 2013
 We also in the evening at 8:30 pm went and saw the Pageant.  What a marvelous program that was and to see what everyone had done in Nauvoo.  They had set up very large lights everywhere around the stage where the Pageant was to be performed and the 1840's Country Fair at 7:00 to 8:30 pm.   It was the high light of the day.  Wow!! The professional performers were awesome.  On last Monday I was in the Heber C. Kimball's home and was giving this man a tour of the home.  He told me that he was in the Pageant and I didn't know until Thursday night that he played the part in the Pageant as Heber C. Kimball. Boy, was I glad I didn't know who he was when I gave him the tour of Heber C. Kimball's home.  Since then I have seen him a lot and he still remembers me giving him the tour.  He said it was great what I told him and to hear my Testimony.  He was the one that talked a lot to Matt when they came to Nauvoo and watched the Pageant.  He really enjoyed spending time with him while the rest of us was doing the Country Fair.  When I see him he ask me how Matt is doing and how much respect he has for Matt in the way he takes care of himself. We have seen the Pageant three times and each time I think of Dad and Mom and wonder what they are doing at that moment in paradise.  As I look into the heavens and see the stars my heart is touched with the spirit of God and know what I am doing is what the Lord wants me to do.  The spirit here in Nauvoo is incredible.  The Gospel is true and I love you. Sister Harris