Frequent visitors to our back yard.

Singing to the Relief Society who provided lunch at the Nauvoo Zone Conference. We are fed well by these good members.
July 4th corn. Just a tad higher than my knee.
AP's filming our new video we take to the wards regarding 1120. It is our Field of Dreams. Build it they will come. If the members build sincere friendships with their neighbors and the missionaries build trusting relationships with the members they (Friends of other faiths) will come to church. New goal is 1,120 during the four weeks in September. Momentum is building. Sister Erickson and I in a members Gator that takes us through the trees, bushes, river to get to the pond on the members 47 acres in the back woods in Galena, IL. This takes us to the natural pond that will be the place of a baptism this Sunday, July 27th. What a way to travel. It would be a great golf cart.

Portrait of Sisters Conference. We have the greatest Sisters in the Mission Field. We had them do a 30 minute presentation at Zone Conference right after this meeting. They did a great job. R to L front row: Sisters' Forsey, Bills, Erickson, Pres, Olson, Montgomery, Halgren, Back row: Cahoon, Hewitt, Witt, Pfeiffer, Mower, Bradley, Nilsson, Evans & Stratford. Weaving a tight testimony through an activity using yarn. This was showing how we can have our testimony strengthened through others.


An emotional testimony meeting down in the grove after talking about the Restoration.
The AP's mixing up the ingredients that make up a "Pure Testimony" at leadership meeting. Elder Anderson back and Elder Johnson forward.

Historic Nauvoo

Nauvoo temple
Pres. & Sister Erickson Joseph and Emma's home

Joseph and Hyrum buried under this structure until they found their final resting place 20 feet to the right. Gunsmith shop. Where Browning got started.

With the Mississippi river rising everyday many are rushing to the aid of the Historic city of Joseph. Within the city of Nauvoo the spirit continues to touch hearts and build testimonies of the restoration of the gospel and the heroic efforts the early saints put forth to allow all of us the comforts we enjoy today.

Mormon Helping Hands-June 18-20, 2008

Nauvoo gathering before exodus to Quincy
A sea of sandbags. Some 1 million over the few days we were there. Our Sr. Couples were a great help. A little shade helped them out alot.

Sister Erickson, Sister Witt and President Erickson Illinois, Peoria missionaries engaged in the Quincy cause.

90 of the Lord's finest( Peoria mission) were deployed to the town of Quincy, Illinois to feel sandbags and to work along side of those who were affected by the flood waters. The church sent relief supplies (shovels, gloves, bottled water) to assist in the effort. The army of Helaman was outfitted with yellow "Mormon helping hands" t-shirts. It was a humbling experience to see the 150 missionaries from the Illinois Peoria, Missouri St. Louis & Illinois Nauvoo missions clad in yellow shirts turning a hand of service for the good people of Quincy who assisted the early saints some 170 years earlier. There were many opportunities to have quality gospel interchanges with those we served along side with. What a blessing it is to serve the Lord in any and all capacities he calls us to do.

Leadership mtg in the Grove

Elder Blake & Wardell working on UnityZone & District Leaders in the backyard prior to our sacred grove leadership meeting
Singing Joseph Smiths first Prayer in the grove.
The knots were to tight for some.

Visitors

Cathie and Steve Plothow arrival - June 10, 2008
Arrival in Peoria-June 10, 2008
In our back yard
Good friends at the Nauvoo visitors center

Steve & Cathie Plothow, Aug 2007

Tiny & Kohen, Meeting Grampa for the first time, May 2008
Kay & Sandra Larsen, April 2008
Pat and Fred, Nov 2007 ,On our deck
Trent, Chantel & Tennison, Oct 2007
Tiny & Trav, Pre-Kohen Aug 2007