Day Eight; Monday, the 7th of July, 2014

Written on Monday, the seventh day of July in the year of our Lord 2014

Dear friends and family,

Greetings.

I am writing this letter from the campground in Nauvoo, Illinois.

I thank you at my whole family’s behest for the many kind wishes 

we have received.

I am glad to report that we are all healthy, and happy. 

Lately more joy has come into our lives as we have made friends with many of the friendly people on the bus tour.

There are five girls on the tour who are around my age. I have become friends with all of them.

Most of the people on the tour are more ‘mature’ (meaning they are probably 50ish). There is no one younger than 14.

Enthusiastic has in particular adopted two people, a lady from Germany, and a younger girl from Australia.

Associating with these lovely people has really blessed our lives.

We started out with a tour through the Mansion House, the Nauvoo House, and the Homestead (three of Joseph Smith’s homes). All are owned by the Community of Christ church, and it was they who led the tour. They are on excellent terms with the church, and the tour guide was very friendly.

Then we headed on to the Red Brick Store.

In this room, which is on the upper floor of the Red Brick Store, the Relief Society was organized and –more importantly – the first Endowments were performed (the first Initiatory was done across the hall). It truly was holy ground.

The store (gift shop) downstairs was lots of fun.

They had the best root beer I have ever had. We had fun picking out souvenirs (I finally got to taste horehound candy!). Enthusiastic got a harmonica, which she has been playing almost nonstop since. Surprisingly, it doesn’t sound too bad.

Then we went to Aaron Johnson’s brother’s house. Aaron was one of my ancestors. He owned the lot across the street from his brother’s house.

We went swimming in water that was so chlorinated that it made us all cough.

Then we went to the ‘home (as Enchantress says) to prepare to go the temple.

We went to the Nauvoo temple.

When we got there, I pulled out my recommend. If you will recall, I got it early on the morning we left. I did a double take and stared at it blankly, in utter disbelief. For it, like my gaze, was blank!

I know it was filled out before I left. I still don’t know what happened to that ink (I did spill perfume on it…maybe the chemicals took it off? If so, I am not wearing that perfume again!!)

Luckily, my long-suffering bishop was available when we called. And he filled out another one for my dad to bring. Thank you Bishop! I haven’t touched this one, so hopefully it won’t lose itself.

I have never thought the Nauvoo temple was that pretty.

I was wrong. I was totes legit cra-cra (slang, not out of control typing machine).

As we came along Mississippi the magnificent, we drove up a hill, and there it was. The world was dark, and the temple shone as a beacon. It was stunningly, beautifully, magnificent.

Grandpa then bought us soft serve ice-cream cones (they had cool flavors, like green apple, blue raspberry, and my favorite, black cherry). Love you Gramps!

Afterwards we tried to go to the dress-rehearsal of the British Pageant. It was lots of fun...then it suddenly got a lot more fun with a bang and a crash, as lightning flashed, and thunder boomed.

And then…There was a downpour of rain, the likes of which I have never seen. I thought we were all going to drown where we stood!

The manager hastily cancelled the remainder of the dress-rehearsal, and a general stampede for the cars ensued.

By the time I got back to the motorhome, I was dripping wet. We were all soaked. I had to wring out my hair and clothes, and dry myself with a towel!

It rained steadily for several hours.

To sit in a warm house, cozily snuggling up with some blankets and a book, while the thunder booms, the lightning turns night into day, and the rain pours a steady deluge of water over everything, is… exhilarating.

That exhilaration is written about so much. It is very satisfying in a primeval way. As you sit and watch the rain that is pouring over everything – that is, everything but you – you feel a sort of triumph, a mastery over the elements. 

I fell asleep to the steady pounding of the rain.

And so I bid you all an affectionate farewell. I shall await your replies anxiously.

Yours,

Emma Engstrom