Happy New Year! I’m realizing that January is becoming one of my favorite times of year. That’s because it’s oftentimes full of two things: hope and snow. Snow is cold and can be a nightmare to drive through, but in my mind, snow equates to fresh starts and clean slates. January is full of hope. […]
Kindness that Can Never be Forgotten Read More »
At my firesides for the past 20 years, I have been telling people who didn’t understand why Emma stayed behind, that I felt there was a much bigger reason than just wanting to be buried beside her husband and family—though she may not have realized it at the time. If she had not stayed in
Kimberly Smith’s Statement on the LDS Church’s Big Announcement Read More »
“We assume so many things that aren’t so,” said Karen Ihrig. Ihrig has lived in Nauvoo for 50 years and she’s been engaged in civic involvement for the last 30 years. “It’s not what you know that ain’t so,” said Ihrig. “It’s what you think you know that ain’t so.” Originally from Chicago, Ihrig came
A Pillar of the Community: 50 Years in Nauvoo Read More »
Across the fields of western Illinois, there is a little-known trail, which follows the footsteps of the prophet Joseph Smith as he left Nauvoo for the last time, and rode 21 miles to his eventual death at the hands of a mob at Carthage Jail. The “martyrdom trail,” as it is known, takes a long
The Forgotten Trail: A Solemn Journey to Carthage Jail Read More »
One of the best parts about living in a small town is the community events. I especially love the LDS church history events. This Saturday, February 3, 2024, there’s a special annual event called the Nauvoo Exodus Commemoration. Finding A Safe Haven Living here now, when the population is around 1,000, it’s difficult for me
We Are All Refugees Read More »
If you were to meet Karen Blunier, owner of Nauvoo Yoga, your first impression of her would probably be that she is an incredibly calm and mellow person. In first meeting her, you would, of course, have no idea where she’s been and what she’s been through. You wouldn’t know that she’s a nurse with
Rooted in Balance at Nauvoo Yoga: How One Woman Found Peace Read More »
Participation in Petticoats Over the summer, I participated in the National Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. I was part of the “Buckskin Village,” the mountain man section of the camp, where old men dressed like mountain men. My Aunt, a capable seamstress, equipped me with wonderful regalia that was identical
On Friday, September 22 at the Nauvoo Stake Center, a chapel full of people came to learn about the history of the life of Joseph Smith. That particular Thursday and Friday marked the bicentennial of an important event in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On those dates in 1823,
The Book of Mormon: A Wondrous Work Read More »
My husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary. With a little help from my friends, I was able to plan a fun surprise for him! Disclaimer: As of September 2023, I am a promotional partner of The Nauvoo Grand Bed & Breakfast This means I promote their business for compensation such as discounts and
Surprise: A Weekend Away at the Nauvoo Grand Read More »
It was just another typical summer morning. Make breakfast. Get dressed. Take the kids to the park. Put the baby down for a nap. Get my morning workout in. But then, the sky turned green. We hid in our basement closet and waited for the storm to stop. When it was over, we went outside
Facing Destruction with Remarkable Bravery and Faith Read More »
