Walton's 14 Year Wedding Anniversary

The day started out with homemade dried cherry and almond scones. The box holds Mint M and M's. These are sooooo good. 

We went out to eat in Burlington at the end of the day. It's only 20 min. away and we wanted to try a new restaurant that came higly recommended - The Drake. We couldn't resist this photo op while we waited for our table. 

Here we are from left to right - George, Agatha, Abigail and Peter. (Those are the parts we play in the Nauvoo production of Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo). In other words, Elder and Sister McKnight, Sister and Elder Walton. We even had an opportunity to talk to the owner and invite him to come to Nauvoo. He was even going to check out the historicnauvoo.net website. 

We'd found a 10 cent candle at the thrift store in Nauvoo which was about 4 inches tall. Awesome!!!

Of course we had to have "special drinks" for the special occasion. 

It was such a great way to celebrate 14 years of fun and adventure! 

Valentine's Celebrations Nauvoo Style

Our Valentine's Celeberations started early and lasted 3 days! (well almost) On Friday, Bryce made us lunch and look what he made! I've never had a face sandwich before, nor have I ever made one. He hadn't either. Cool! 

Then he surprised me with some beautiful roses. Hopefully, these last until Feb. 22nd for our wedding anniversary! 

Then we went out to dinner in Burlington, about 30 min away. We went with Sis. Joines and Sis. Webb so we could introduce them to our friend who works at a restaurant there. She has newly moved to the area and wants to come back to church. Sis. Webb and Joines serve in the Burlington ward on Sundays and we wanted them to meet. So after a delicious meal, we headed back to Nauvoo for the 8pm Valentine's fun. It started with a chocolate, caramel and vanilla fruit dipping frenzy and the munching included heart shaped sandwiches and cookies. Doesn't get much better than iced homemade sugar cookies with sprinkles!  

Then we had a concert by the Ukelele Buddies who have been practicing the ukelele for several months. This was their performance debut! Quite impressive! 

Then we danced the Viginia Reel. That was fun once we figured out our right do-se-do from our left do-si-do! Not as easy as you might think! 

Then some played 1840's games and some headed over to the original Nauvoo Cultural Hall for a dance. We even had live music. It was a thrill (really) to walk into that historic place thinking of all those who had walked on the same planks. 

This is us learning the Spanish Waltz. Thanks to the Winns who got a video of it but you'll have to go onto Sandy Walton's facebook page to see it. Bryce and I actually got the Spanish Waltz down by the very end. We're even in the video. 

This is a picuture of... yup... feet. But it's the historic planks that the feet are resting on that is the important part of this picture. We took a similar picture 8 years or so ago when we came with our family. It was a thrill then and it was a thrill last night. We love being in Nauvoo. Our goal is to let Nauvoo and the amazing stories of those early Saints change us forever. Those who come to visit may or may not know this might happen to them too. But if they let it,  it does. Being here and remembering the courage and faith the early Saints had, helps strengthen mine. Love it!

Today is actually Valentine's Day and Bryce and I are serving in Riser Boot Shop. We've had no visitor's today - probably deterred by the 4 inches of snow. But we have enjoyed emailing some of the visitor's we've met here in Nauvoo.  We may have also emailed a few family too. One thing we liked to shared was the link to the Provo City Center Temple open house. It's an amazing link to watch and share with our friends. It's like being there. Maybe you have someone you'd like to email it to as well. They might even ask you some questions about it. That's OK to!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/lXLEODwYTGk?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0

Exodus Re-enactment 2016

Each year the Illinois Nauvoo Mission re-enacts the exodus of the early Saints from Nauvoo. Many in the community and surrounding areas participate. Each participant was able to "walk" for an honored pioneer. This means that they wore a badge showing the name of the person who left Nauvoo from Feb through October 1846. The badge also told three bits of information about them plus their birth date and place and how old they were at the time of the exodus. This was such an honor. The missionaries had submitted their own ancestor's names and could represent 3 on the walk. Others, like shown in this picture, came and selected an honored pioneer when they arrived. There were 677 tags in all. I know because it was my privilege to type them all up. As I did so, I was able to learn more about these faithful people. 

We started out in the Family Living Center with a muffins, hot chocolate, hard boiled eggs and fruit. Last year 500 people came but I'm not sure of this year's tally. What I do know is that's alot of muffins!

This is Sis. Sullivan, Sis. Reimann and I. We helped people find their tags. 

Some visitors had small children with them and so they pulled their kids in 

the handcarts. These are the handcarts.

Can anyone tell which flag Bryce is holding up? Go, Canada!

 Bryce was in the group that represented the Nauvoo Legion. 

He loved the experience and felt it an honor. 

This is the start of "the walk". The Nauvoo Legion was at the beginning followed by people 

carrying the flags representing the native countries of those early Saints. A few years 

ago it was 16 below but this year it was in the 40's. (farenheit not celcius)

Doesn't this look fun? Our new mission President and his wife, President and 

Sister Hall, are the passengers in this carriage. 

There were horse drawn wagons that followed the walkers. The route was down Main Street...

...and then turn right down Parley Street. This street is often refered to as the "Trail of Hope". Those who walked down it that cold February day in 1846 were full of faith and hope in finding a place where they could worship God in peace.

There is a plaque on the "Trail of Hope" of an personal experience of how they saw the Temple one last time before they left Nauvoo in 1846. The original Nauvoo Temple was burned by arsons in 1848. The Nauvoo Temple of today, built in 2002,  stands as a testament of the sacrifices of the Saints. As Bryce and I walked for our ancestors of Nauvoo, it wasn't hard to think of their courage. We are so grateful for the legacy of faith they have left for us to follow. 

The oxen also made the walk. They would have been very handy to have on the trek west. 

On Feb. 4th 1846, the first group left Nauvoo. Many groups followed thru February until October. It was cold that particular February and although the first wagons had to be ferried across the Mississippi, by Feb. 24th, the river froze and the wagons drove across on the ice. 

At the river's edge, there is a statue of Joseph Smith showing Brigham Young the 

way - west to the Rocky Mountains. 

We all gathered by the Mississippi where the flag was raised, 

and where we heard some touching remarks made by President Hall. 

Even our friend Stuart Deathrage came for the Exodus Re-enactment.

This is a picture of Bryce and I and the Hansons and H

elen Campbell - a fellow Canadian and my distant cousin. 

You can see our ancestor's we represented by the tags we are wearing. I walked for my 

only ancestor that was here in Nauvoo, Enoch and Elizabeth Burns. Bryce walked for 

a Legion member, Truman O. Angell, and two Walton ancestors and a 

Lyons (another ancestor). Bryce has several ancestors who were here. 

I like this picture of President and Sister Hall getting out of the carriage by the Mississippi. 

After "the walk" was over, Bryce and I took our time and walked back up Parley Street. We read the plaques and loved looking at the Temple. We love being here in Nauvoo!

Naida (Mom) Walton's Funeral Program - Remembered With Love

Remembering Naida Ruby Harding Walton - age 92

Not unexpectedly, Bryce's mom passed away on 9 Jan 2016. It was her 92nd birthday. She would have been happily reunied with her loving husband Ken Walton and her parents. She had not seen her mother for eighty years since her mother passed away when Mom was 12 years old. What a birthday present!!! Happy Day! Bryce and I were able to fly home from Nauvoo to attend the funeral. We were very happy to be able to celebrate her life. She will be missed and remembered.

Mom was a loving wife, a painter,  a friend,  a family album-keeper, a great grandmother...

... a game-player, a loving mother, an avid quilter, a fun grandmother, a singer and choir director, a talented poetess and valiant daughter of our Heavenly Father. We honor and love her.  

The Walton siblings: Bryce, Dianne, Jim, Janet, Jim

The Sandy and Bryce Walton Clan who attended the funeral: (back row from left) Kim and Finlay, Bryce,  David, Austin (hiding), Andrew, Joanne, Brad, Jenna, Annelisa, Kyle, Mark and Daniele. (front row from left) Sandy, Zoie, Nixen, Laila, and Rylin.

Christmas in Nauvoo!

Christmas in Nauvoo was wonderful! We've never received so many Christmas cards and goodies ever before - and all from the Senoir missionaires we love and serve with!

After the many wonderful Nauvoo Christmas activites that we enjoyed participating in - Christmas Walk, Handel's Messiah, and The Miracle of Christmas program -  it was nice just sitting at home cozy and warm on the 24th (our Prep-day) and Christmas Day. Then, because of technology -  our kids and grandkids were "face to face" with us!  We watched the kiddos practise walking, open their gifts, do tricks and be goofy! Almost like being there but without the mess and the dishes! (Blatant plug for you senoir couples out there to go on a mission!)

The mission hosted a wonderful ham dinner on Christmas Day followed by a short program. Bryce was the MC of the program and he wrote a poem for the occasion. Hope you all enjoy it! 

All in all, this was a Christmas to be fondly remembered! 

The Rescue                 December 2015                                   by Elder Bryce Walton

Santa’s sleigh ‘s on outside of town, Completely broken down.

And Rudolf’s crashed the whole team so they’re tangled on the ground.

If Rudolf had just seen the lighted Temple on the hill,

He wouldn’t have hit that silo where all the gifts would spill.

Oh glory goodness, what a mess, now what would Santa do?

He’d have to get them out of there before the night was through.

And what of all the children who lived in Nauvoo town.

He could not bear to see a single face that had a frown.

Now not to far away President Gibbons watched the sky

He thought for just a minute he’d seen Santa’s sleigh go by.

Yes, there was a trail of stardust but it suddenly took a dip.

Oh what if Santa Clause had crashed and couldn’t complete the trip.

He tried to use the Internet but that thing never worked.

I guess I’ll use the telephone he nodded with a jerk.

President Venkeer and President Hyte got quickly out of bed.

It sounded like the President thought Santa Clause was dead.

His counselors soon got to work to notify the troops.

Have the District Leaders gather them in groups. 

We had better wake the teamsters and get them out of bed,

And we’ll need the sleigh and horses especially Mic and Ned.

By now all lights in houses were on in town and flats

And all were grabbing tools as they donned coats and hats.

Zone leaders called the Districts and they called every one

The Senior Missionaries were all moving on the run.

But oh when they arrived upon the crash site what a start.

Packages were everywhere, all harnesses torn apart.

The reindeer were exhausted; they lay as in a daze

And all the reigns and traces were tangled in a maze

When all the sewing room sisters arrived upon the scene

They saw that Santa’s great big bag was torn from seam to seam.

Quick, grab your threads and needles; we’ll fix up that old pack

Then everyone pick up the gifts and help us put them back.

There’s no time now to fix this mess the Teamster boss cried out

Now Santa’s sleigh is broken so he’ll have to use our sleigh

We’ll hook it to the horses then he’ll be on his way.

Now the Belgians did not know that it would be a busy night

It would be somewhat difficult without the gift of flight.

To speed them on their way we will need to say a prayer

But Santa sprinkled stardust and they rose into the air.

Whoever had seen 8 Belgians adrift upon the sky.

Mythical beasts I hear you say but I see them flying by

Now off they went into the air to finish Santa’s run.

But without the missionaries he’d never have gotten it done.

Prophet of God

Yesterday was Sunday and Bryce and I were assigned to serve at Carthage Jail Visitor's Center. We had been there in the spring and early fall, as visitors ourselves, but had never served there as the missionaries who conduct the tours.  

It was a sacred experience to be in the room where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were murdered, making them martyrs for their belief in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ here in the latter days.  In that setting, it is a deeply spiritual experience to testify that you know Joseph was a true Prophet of God - just as Moses of old.

How grateful we are for the sacrifice of both Joseph and Hyrum. They were righteous men of God who were true to their knowledge that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints IS Christ's church on the earth. How grateful we are that God continues to provided us with Prophets today. We know that President Thomas S. Monson is God's Prophet today. The following quote is from the talk Pres. Monson gave Sunday morning this last October General Conference: "To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever.

How reassuring are the Savior’s words: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Of Him I testify. He is our Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father. He is our Exemplar and our strength. He is “the light which shineth in darkness.” That each of us within the sound of my voice may pledge to follow Him, thus becoming a shining light to the world, is my prayer in His holy name, even Jesus Christ the Lord, amen."