Blog #66
Kevin V Hunt
THINGS ARE WINDING DOWN BUT STILL MUCH TO DO
Sadly, things are beginning to wind down for us here in Nauvoo as our mission is rapidly coming to a close. We are down to “the last” of everything. And it is a bit traumatic.
Our coming plans and schedule is as follows:
TIME WITH OUR FAMILY
Our children have long planned to come to Nauvoo “sometime while we are here” but for various reasons, many procrastinated their visits to the end. We stand joyfully ready to welcome them – no matter when they come. We live in kind of a small place that is not overly conducive to a bunch of guests. So we told the family that they could not come at the same time as any of their siblings (though some wanted to) – simply because we did not have the space for them.
The children were obedient to the charge. Beginning September 23rd and continuing to October 11th, we have or will have had four families here. This with no overlap and with only two or three days when there as been no one here.
Lana and Spencer and four children (above) came from Idaho Falls, Idaho. They arrived on the 23rd of September and we had great times with them. They were with us until September 27th when they flew home. Then Keith and Kayla and their 8 children came the next day in their BMW (Big Mormon Wagon) – on September 28th and they were here until Wednesday October 1st. Talk about a houseful … that was it – with 8 children all in the basement of our place – until they saw a bug, however. And that is another story!
Above: Keith and family at the brickyard demonstration at the Family Living Cenbter
Kaylea and JD will arrive tonight (October 4th) late. We are to go pick them up at the Quad Cities airport in Moline (2 hours away!). We are excited about their arrival and time to be with them. We take them back to the airport on Wednesday – early morning on the 8th. We will then wait around Moline for about four hours and then we’ll greet Rusty and Fabriza and their two kids that afternoon. They will be here until Saturday October 11th late afternoon. How great!
PACKING UP AND CLEANING UP
There is a lot of work in the above five words. Packing … that has been an adventure! We are going through all of our “stuff” and are slowly getting it packed up. Having Keith and family here was a God-send. They truly were a blessing to us. They came in their big 15-passsenger van … and they traveled light this time. This meant that they were able to take home about a dozen boxes of our “stuff”. Wow! This saved us having to rent a U-haul for the return trip. (One of our MTC group friends had to do just that … their son brought the U-Haul to them from Montana to help them get home.) We were beginning to panic about our limited space and our abundance of “stuff’.
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt “stuff” sent home with Keith
We were packed to the gills when we came to Nauvoo from Arizona but with the passage of time and the normal accumulation of extraneous “stuff”, things seem to have multiplied.
We have taken a plethora of “stuff” back to the missionary D.I. room – where people take and give unwanted but still good “stuff” for the use of other missionaries. Much of what we are returning is “stuff” that we originally “borrowed” from there. And it was nice while it lasted!
Above: One load of stuff taken to the missionary D.I. operation
We have both also gone through our costume clothes. We are keeping many of them for future reference (Rusty and Fabriza and Jackie) but there are many things that we are turning in for the future use of others. I took a whole bunch of pants that are not too in with the current “period”.
Sister Hunt has been most diligent in collecting anything and everything to bag up. This means that she puts a hundred items into a large plastic bag, uses the vacuum and sucks out all of the air and compresses everything down to a shriveled up mass that is way smaller than she started with. We now have those bags sitting around everywhere.
Above: Vacuum packed “stuff”
I have had to nail down my underwear and socks so that she does not get over-exuberant and I am left with nothing.
And then there is the cleaning …! That has been an interesting activity. The mission (from whom we rent our Simeon A. Dunn home from) has a long list of cleaning tasks to be done soon before departure of missionaries. This includes cleaning behind the fridge and stove, pulling all furniture out from the wall and vacuuming and cleaning trim boards, washing windows, … and the list goes on … and on … and on. We have been making great progress – since we got an early start – trying to finish it all before our family arrives.
FINAL ACTIVITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN
I talked about “the last of everything”. That is what we have been participating in.
We were released from all of our various callings and assignments. A special gathering was held for our Hyrum Zone and all of the zone and district leaders were released and new ones were put in place. Out with the old and in with the new!
Above: Final reunion gathering September 12, 2025 of the MTC group who all came out together April 1, 2024 –
We attended a final reunion gathering of our 13 MTC couples that we came out with. (The largest such MTC group that has come here while we have been here.) We had a fun dinner at the Family Living Center, and of course took advantage of every possible “photo op”.
By Mission tradition, we got to take a “final surrey ride” with our mission President Mehr and his wife. Elder and Sister Hart were with us for the excursion around old Nauvoo. And there were many cheering well-wishers who greeted us (many copying my standard, “GREETINGS!”) as they waved with great gusto. Such a fun activity. And of course, the trip was “happy-sad”. Can’t believe it is down to this!
On Friday the 26th, we attended the monthly welcome/farewell dinner for the mission. We welcomed a couple of new senior couples. Then they recognized about 30 of the young sisters who are leaving this month for their 6-month “outbound” missions elsewhere or to return home. Then they called up the 26th of us (13 couples) who are leaving within a week or 10 days of our October 1st release date.
The Mission Executive Secretary scheduled an “exit interview” with us and President and Sister Mehr. They came to our home for the visit. And they arrived only about a half hour after Keith and his clan of 10 departed. Talk about a scramble cleaning … that was it. But, we made it, and the place looked pretty clean after the whirlwind.
Above: Final ride – on the surrey – with President Daniel and Sister Rebecca Mehr – Teamster Elder Brett White, Kevin and Lou Hunt. Sister Selena and Elder Kevin Hart, Sister Rebecca and President Daniel S. Mehr
Per another mission traditiion, we created a farewell card to distribute to our many friends that we have made here. We found a cheaper way to make these than some folks but we are happy with it.
And today (October 4th) we are scheduled for our last service shift in “the sites”. I am pleased that the final shift will be in my favorite place – Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store (because of the many sacred and special things that occurred there – and which we get to share with our guests). The day there will be interspersed with guests (who have decided to ditch General Conference to experience Nauvoo) and precious snippets of watching General Conference in the few moments when no one is with us. I hope that this will not be our final tour … we plan to bring Kaylea and Rusty and families here for a tour next week.
Food … we were able to send a bunch of our leftover food supply home with Keith and family for their future use. This was good. And we are now trying to clean out the fridge, freezer and cupboards with each meal. We are making progress but we are a far cry from “Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard”.
WRITING AND WRITING MORE
Those who know me know that I am never at a loss for words – especially the written word. Thanks to all of you who have put up with me in this regard.
In these final weeks, there has been much to do as I have tried to finish up so many projects. I completed books about Church History study and travel in church sites in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. I was able to publish five new books on this subject.
President Mehr asked me to order two copies of all of the Nauvoo books. I received those and am looking forward to sharing them with him.
As the historians of the mission, we were delayed in getting the April history newsletter created (getting it through the many approval channels) so that set us back a bit. We have just finished and got clearance to publish up through July – so major progress is being made.
And there is my own personal blogging. You might have noted that these blogs have continued to come forth (even with the press of time and activity). I hope that you all have enjoyed them.
And although our mission is ending, that doesn’t mean that the blogs will come to a sudden and abrupt end. Not so! There are still many mission blogs left in me so I will continue to pursue all that I need and want to record (for my own record and a final book – if for no other reason). So, I will pursue this goal even posthumously (post mission) until those planned blogs are written. So stay tuned!
I also project a few more books. I see on the horizon:
The Hunt Family in Nauvoo
InNauvoo blogging with Kevin and Lou – Volume #3
A Photo book of Beautiful Nauvoo
2025 Mission History
GETTING THE VEHICLE (OUR WAGON) TRIP READY
Just like the pioneers, there has been much to do in getting our wagon outfitted and trip ready for the long journey. We got new tires installed on the front of the vehicle. This necessitated an alignment. We got a comprehensive oil change and fluid check. We have taken precautions to ensure a safe return trip home. Now we’ll pray for added safety and protection.
DEPARTURE AND THE TRIP HOME
Yes, and truly, “all good things must end”. And such is the case with us. Our official mission end date was to have been October 1st (since we entered the MTC on April 1st – 2024 … NO JOKE!). But family wanted to come here during their Arizona fall break. So, to accommodate them, we got en extension of a few days. As noted, Rusty and family will leave late on the 11th. We do not like to travel on Sundays so we asked for permission to remain here until the 13th – Monday. We will leave beautiful Nauvoo that morning.
We are not going to be like Mike and Keith – who pretty much drove straight through. (Keith drove for 27 hours full speed ahead coming here.) That would not be the plan for us old folks. We are going to take our time. We are planning to drive along the old Mormon Battalion Trail route through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, etc. We plan to take it in three days – with two hotel stays along the way.
If you are keeping track of dates … that means that we are projecting a late afternoon or early evening arrival back at our home in Maricopa, Arizona on October 15th. Woot, Woot!
GETTING THE HOME READY FOR OUR RETURN
Our Larissa and Stu have been zealous in getting the place cleaned and ready for us. They stayed in our home for most of our mission (another great blessing … thank you) until they got in a panic and rented a home of their own. Another blessing!
Larissa and Stu have dogs … and such are not us. So, we let them keep our couches for their new place. And we bought a new set of couches and they have arrived and are ready for us – and our family and guests! (Come and enjoy them with us!)
We called Benjamin, our dedicated landscape guy and he came and did a thorough clean-up of our yard. That was before an Arizona storm that took down a couple of major branches off the front yard willow tree. We don’t know the status of those at present.
Mike made a routine visit to our home (thanks, Mike). And he noted that we have a healthy and hungry collection of termites! Are you kidding me? That is just what we needed at this moment. They had a friend in their ward who strives to eradicate such nuisances and they are scheduled to come to do their magic this week before we get home.
Larissa and Stu had their own WIFI company and they took that service with them. This means that we had to get our own new service. The new company is coming late this next week to do their install. Got to have that WIFI and internet connection … can’t live without it.
When we from our home, we jam-packed all of our household goods and “stuff” into two of our front bedrooms. These rooms are packed floor to ceiling. So, one of our first tasks will be to unpack these rooms. And paramount in that exercise will be to somehow have access enough to our own bed mattress – that is standing against the wall behind all of the packed “stuff”. Should be exciting. Maybe we will have to set up a tent in the back yard for the first couple of nights! We have spent much of our lives in tents – in the many Scout camps throught he years.
RETURNING TO THE HOME AND GRANDKIDS SCENES
With the grandparents gone for 18 months, our families are excited about our return. We already have a plethora of fun activities scheduled with many of the families, including trips to see out-of-towners, etc. We will jump into a full schedule.
Mike and Marinda have missed having us as babysitters – though their siblings have stepped up to the plate to help each other in our absence. Each of them has missed their date nights with the grands in our care. We have set an early date for Mike and Marinda for the 17th. Grant has been particularly excited about this and knows the date well. Each time we call, he mentions the 17th and how we are going to “tend them”. And Sadie, always the organizer, knows well our full routine for tending experiences which we have when we have the grands over. She knows the exact order of each “traditional activity”. So, we’ll have to get back into that routine that they (and we) have missed over these past months. And there are sports and other events that we will get into right away. Fun times ahead!
MISSION HOMECOMING AND REUNION ACTIVITIES
Our stake is having stake conference and we are getting a new stake presidency the weekend after we return. So, we arranged with our Bishop to have our homecoming meeting the following Sunday. We will have most of our family there with us for many reunion activities – and for the formal church meeting.
Our mission “homecoming” – report meeting – will be held Sunday, October 26th at 1:00 PM at the Maricopa Stake Center – located at 37280 W Bowlin Road in Maricopa.
You all invited to join us for the church gathering. If you send us an advance RSVP request, we would also welcome you for a group dinner afterwards.
Well, how is that for a flurry of activities? Much has been accomplished, but there yet remains much to do. I had better close and get on with it. (And don’t count our mission as done yet!) You will continue to hear from me/us!
Thanks to all of you for your interest, your support, and your prayers on our behalf as we have served here for the past 18 months. It has been such a grand adventure and blessing. The Lord has truly taken care of us, provided for us, and has given us almost daily new “Nauvoo Miracles”. It has been a great blessing to have served here in old Nauvoo! So many special memories.
One of my favorite scriptures is appropriate here:
From the Bible: 2 John Verse 12: “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink (I’ll use the computer), but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”
Still on the Nauvoo trail but making the exodus west (like true pioneers) soon.
On the Nauvoo Trail 