Sharon Watkins - Nauvoo Mission Journey: March 2015

February 6,7 & 8th was the Exodus Reenactment Weekend when we honor our faithful ancestors who willingly (because they had to) followed the council of a Prophet to head West after being threatened and forced out by the mobs. February 4th is the actual day that they started across the frozen Mississippi River but we started our commemoration on Friday the 6th with the Untold Stories Symposium held at the Joseph Smith Visitor's Center. My good friend Glen Hopkinson (famous LDS artist) came from Byron, Wyoming to present at the symposium and participate in a major way in other events of the weekend.

This event was probably one of the spiritual highlights of my whole mission experience. I really felt the presence of my ancestors and appreciated their sacrifice as never before.

Here is Glen with two ladies from the symposium that are great fans of his artwork!

Saturday morning we gathered at the Family Living Center to begin the actual Exodus Reenactment. They had the biggest turn out ever! As you can see from the pictures - the place was packed for the breakfast and short program before we left to walk down Parley Street to the river. /the name badges on my chest are the names of my ancestors that I was walking in remembrance of!

Sister Nancy Schultz

Then we all went outside to get lined up for the actual walk. It was a BEAUTIFUL and actually pretty warm - it was in the low 40s. Much warmer than it had been earlier in the week. But as you can see there was still plenty of snow on the ground.

Sister Sue Brown and Sister Colleen Jones

The men reenacting the Nauvoo Legion

Everyone lined up and ready to go

Sister Lisa Brown

Some honored guests from Iowa Mormon Trails Association and Richardson Point. The woman on the left is Susan Sims - the Iowa Regional Public Affairs Director

Walking back I just had to stop and get this picture of the temple over my shoulder with my companion Sister Sue Brown

Sister Clark joined us in this picture. Sister Clark and her husband are in charge of the Family Genealogy Center here in Nauvoo

Elder and Sister Wright and Sister Sue Brown

Elder & sister Wright at the end of our walk by the Family Living Center

Tourism Executive Director from Keokuk, Iowa, Kirk Brandenberger, was kind enough to bring over his two luxurious vans to help transport those that were not able to make the walk. He drove them down Parley Street and back. Such a kind gesture!

Some of the single sisters had a very informal movie night in the neighborhood! Sister Thomas had quite the outfit! I couldn't resist taking her picture!

NOTE: After my last entry on February 24 all of a sudden my blog disappeared and I got a notice that it had been deleted for a spam violation! I was heartbroken. I had no idea what I had done that could possibly be in violation of any rules! I tried for a couple of hours to find out how to reinstate it and got so frustrated that I just had to leave it for a few days. Finally yesterday one of the men here in the mission helped me figure out how to submit a request to restore my site.

This morning I received notice that blogger had reviewed my blog and reinstated it with an apology for the inconvenience.......I feel like it was an answer to my prayers. So now I will try to get caught up with the pictures I have been taking!

January 30 it was suggested that I join a campaign to read the Book of Mormon by posting my picture reading it on Facebook!

Another snow storm happened on February and we got more snow. I actually love living in a place that has the four seasons so beautifully displayed. I just don't like it when there is ice and it is a little scary walking on it. I don't want to fall!