This is my "once-a-month" blog entry :) I'll work on that (really!). I just got back from Nauvoo, IL. I'm telling you, there's no place I would rather go. As a new member of the LDS Church, I really wanted to see the Nauvoo Pageant. It was soooo moving...a truly spiritual experience! Regardless of your faith, I think everyone will be moved by this pageant. There is also a pioneer festival, and that is really cool. I got to push a handcart, which is what many of the early Latter-Day Saints had to do to escape religious persecution (after Joseph Smith was martyred). Of course, the early Saints had to walk thousands of miles in the worst weather conditions pulling their families and any belongings they could take on those handcarts. Even before I started investigating the Church, I had a tremendous admiration for the sacrifices made by the early Latter-Day Saints. More and more, I appreciate what they have done so that people like myself can worship my Heavenly Father freely without persecution.
Well, back to the pageant. The pageant is held from early July to the end of July each year. Of course, I stayed at the Willard Richards Inn, which is an incredible bed-and-breakfast (of course, the inn keeper Karen Haering is an exceptional hostess). I met so many wonderful people there. Many times, I am shy around people I don't know and sometimes around people I do know. However, I was able to talk easily with people who were either participating in the Nauvoo Pageant or enjoying it as visitors.
As I was driving home from Nauvoo today, I realized I couldn't ask for a better summer vacation.I didn't spend a lot of money and time preparing for this trip, but sometimes I wonder what our intention is when we plan vacations: is it to create memories for ourselves and others, or is it primarily intended to impress others? I just feel that when we focus so much on the photos we take on vacation, we really miss out on the actual experience of being on vacation. Of course, if I might think a little differently if I didn't stop leaving my camera in my hotel room :)
