By Kevin V. Hunt

BLOG #27

Fall is in the air and everywhere here in Nauvoo, and I can definitely say that I am really falling for Nauvoo this fall.  I stand in amazement of all the beautiful things around me/us.

A TIME OF CHANGE EVERYWHERE

We see change everywhere.  There is so much of it.  Being the newcomers here, we are kind of overwhelmed with all of the change going on all around us but it is great!

FALL LEAVES CHANGING COLORS

It is no secret that I am an Arizona Desert Rat.  Yes, I have spent much of my life in the desert.  This means that I have led a sheltered life with cactus and the same kind of scenery all year.  I have not ever really experienced fall and the changing of the leaves.  Now experiencing Fall in Nauvoo is amazing and fabulous.  I am loving every minute of it.  I am in total awe as I see the many colors of fall all around me. 

The maple trees are showing a deep red.  Other trees are orange, yellow, and some are just light brown.  Altogether they provide a kaleidoscope of radiant color that seems to get better and better (at the moment – until all of the leaves fall for winter).

Everywhere we drive, we have to stop to take more photos.  It is all so beautiful.  It is a great blessing to be here to experience this new-found wonder.  (Spring and new plant growth will probably also be fabulous!  And the jury is still out on the winter in between)

MISSIONARIES MAKING THEIR DEPARTURES

With the coming of fall, we saw the departure of the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries.  These young entertainers were so fun as they were here.  They were bursting with energy and enthusiasm everywhere they went.  Now, sadly, they have all gone home – leaving a major void without them.  Their departure makes us hopeful already for their return next May. We did go to their final “Sunset on the Mississippi” performance of this season and it was magnificent as ever.

Nauvoo Perfoming Missionaries – Final Performance 2024

We have seen major changes with the 65 young sister missionaries.  Half of the group have all now left for their own “outbound” missions elsewhere.  The sisters have departed for many missions through the U.S.  We found it fun that one missionary went to the Denver North Mission.  And it is exciting that our own granddaughter, arrived in the same mission from the MTC just as our Nauvoo friend arrived from a different direction.  We have enjoyed photos in which both ladies appear together – with many other missionaries.

Denver Colorado North Mission October 2024

These “outbound” Sisters will serve elsewhere for six months and then they will be back with us in Nauvoo for the summer of ’25.

The rest of the YSM’s (young sister missionaries) have completed their missions and are heading home.  We have had a handful of them leaving every week for a couple of months.  And now this week, the final batch of 12 has left for home.  We will definitely feel the void.  They have been great at giving tours and we have enjoyed being at their side.  They have had much energy and joy that has brought such a great spirit here.

Departing Young Sister Missionaries – November 14, 2024

And we just learned that our YSM count will rise to 80 next spring!  Wow!

And the Senior Missionaries are likewise making their departures.  Here in Nauvoo, we are on a cycle – like the Sisters.  Half of the missionaries come in the Spring and they stay for 18 months.  And this means that they all leave en masse in the fall – a year and a half later.  And that time is now.  Twenty or thirty of these couples have already made their departures.  This leaves the rest of us – the meager group – now left to carry on alone through the projected long winter ahead.

MISSION HELLO AND GOODBYE DINNERS

Each month, we have a mission-wide dinner to welcome new missionaries who are just arriving and to say good-bye to those who are departing.  These are always happy/sad moments.  It is so fun to welcome new friends, but it is rather sad to see those whom we have grown to love to depart for home or service elsewhere.

At each of the past two dinners, we have sung “Farewell Nauvoo” to twenty or so each time.  That is a “heart-string pull”.

THE MISSIONARY “D.I.” GETS INVENTORY MAKING IT BURSTING AT THE SEAMS

As all of the missionaries make their departures, they all try to downsize …  to get rid of all of the junk that they have accumulated during the missions (all of that Amazon stuff) – as well as stuff they no longer need.  And the logical place in Nauvoo to “dump” such items is our own “D.I. store”.   The little room is literally now bursting at the seams – overflowing with all of the stuff waiting to be claimed by some new, happy owner. As I have mentioned in the past, this is a place to find treasured items of all kinds – all for free.  You can’t beat the price.

Sister Hunt has always held thrift stores (all of them) as her favorite shopping places.  (And that is great for the budget … and I am grateful that this is her thing.)  And so now, she is in her element – in  “7^th Heaven” with so much stuff appearing there.  We have to make our daily pilgrimages there to see what is new – and generally, Sister Hunt will find two or three items that meet a specific need or want she has been having.  She “puts it out there” and the “universe” responds.  I guess that is okay for now.  We can reserve more U-Haul space later for the wagon trip back home.  We do have some time …!

EXPANDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND UNIQUE VISITORS

As ever, we have regular mission training meetings (centered around a monthly study theme) each Tuesday evening.  And on most Wednesday nights, we have “site training”.  And many weeks, there are such gatherings on Thursday – and even some weekend nights.  These are all enjoyable.

Being in Nauvoo also presents another really great opportunity.  We often get visitors – General Authorities and other dignitaries – from Salt Lake City.  Some of them come from the Church History Department … but others just seem to want an excuse to come.  But that is great.  We get to hear from them all.

One special group who came recently was the full presidency of the General Relief Society.  They created a video presentation in the Red Brick Store – for publication or broadcast next spring.  And while they were here, they wanted to see and experience literally everything.  It was a special blessing and opportunity to hear them each speak at one of our devotionals.  These are powerhouse ladies.

General Relief Society Presidency visit Nauvoo October 10, 2024

Our Daughter, Jenae, met Sister Camille Johnson, Relief Society General President, a couple of years ago when she was able to the be the photographer of the day trailing Sister Johnson through some special event in O’Fallon, Illinois.  Sister Hunt went up after the meeting and talked to Sister Johnson about Jenae.   Of course, hugs were a big part of the evening activity.

Sister Lou Hunt with General Relief Society President, Camille Johnson

Casey Griffiths Presenting in Nauvoo October 19, 2024

We also got to hear a special program staged by brother Casey Griffiths – a popular LDS podcaster.  I loved every word that he shared.  We have had a few visits from Brother Joseph Monsen from the Church History Department.  He always has great historical material to share with us.

NEW OPPORTUNHITIES FOR SERVICE

With the departure of so many missionaries that means new changes for those of us who remain.  It is time for the skeleton crew to come out of the closet!  The departing folks have been the seasoned veterans.  They are the venerable heroes that we have all looked up to over the past few months as we have been the “greenies” here.  They are the folks who have served as the mission leaders.  They have been in the mission presidency, as our zone and district leaders – and much more.

This means that the rest of us now have to step up to assume the vacant roles.  This means that Sister Hunt and I accepted calls to be the District Leaders for the Brigham District (of the Hyrum zone).  In this role, we are to stage a monthly meeting for district members.  We are also to administer the ministering assignments by couples within the district.   

The Brigham District – October 22, 2024

We have also been called to be the mission historians for the 2025 year. We begin this service on January 1^st.  The two sisters who have produced the history for this year wore really big shoes.  The history that they created has been so fun – full of energy. Photos, and great “dingbats” (a print shop term that we enjoy sharing with others on our tours.  We tell people that the definition of a “dingbat” is a “pretty little thing that takes up space”).  These historian ladies are great at adding these to pull together a great visual feast for all of us.

This assignment will be an extension from my 8 years as stake historian in the Mesa South Stake (of Zion).  Of course, I look forward to this assignment.  Sister Hunt wonders how she can be involved in the process.  I assure her that she can take great photos as well as be “eyes and ears” to what is happening in the “ministering mission” around us.

We continue to also serve as the Site Coordinators for the Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House.  This means that we clean the places at least once a week – as well as to be in tune with the needs of the places (maintenance, ordering supplies, etc.)

THE WINTER CONCIERGE SCHEDULE FOR OUR TOURS

In the summer, for the first six months that we were here, we were assigned to specific restored homes each day.  And that meant that we were assigned to different homes each day of the week (working 6 days a week).  We served in our places from 9 AM to 5 PM.

That all changed in mid-October.  With the coming of Fall, we find that our visitor tour counts are down.  The kids are all in school, it is starting to get cooler, and there are just not that many folks coming here. 

Sample weekly Concierge Schedule (We are HuntKL)

So, we are now on a new “concierge” schedule for the coming six months.  This means that we are now in a daily “queue” (along with the remaining 20 or so couples).  The scheduler for all of us missionaries have a yeoman job of creating a master schedule – that includes the absence of the 25 or so couples and 65 YSM’s who have departed.  He has a unique system of rotating us based upon who has not given tours.  And this also adds the number of individual tours to the scheduling mix.  So, if we give six tours in a day and some other couple gives only one, they will get preference above us in the queue of the next day.  It is all complicated but it seems to work well.

Under this new schedule, all of the restored homes are technically “closed”.  And at each place there is a sign directing our guests to either call a phone number to schedule an “appointment” with a senior tour couple – or else they can show up in person at the visitors’ center – where a missionary couple waits to greet them.

And once a guest couple or family is introduced to their missionary couple, we help them figure out what homes they want to visit.  And then we lead them there.  And once assigned to the family, we are free to be with them for as long and for tours of as many homes as they may desire.  So, they can opt for a single home tour – or we can be with to tour five or eight homes as they may wish.  We have a key to each place and we can just travel with them – and can get them into all of their desired places.

This really is a fun system – which has proven to be great for us and our visitors.  We are able to really connect with our groups and can get to know them much better than we would if we were just there with them- and like many other people on our tours.

The tour hours have also changed.  We are now open only from 10 AM to 4 Pm each day.

And with the decrease in guests, the shorter hours, and the whole “queue thing”, this means that we remain in our own home until we are called for a tour.  The desk coordinators (stationed at the VC) call us when we are about third down in the queue list.  In this way, we can hurry to get into our costumes and to report when needed.  We might get a tour call very soon – or the call may not come for another couple of hours.  We cannot predict when people will (or will not) arrive.

This means that we might have long periods of time without assignments.   We are free to remain at home (unless we have other assignments) and are free to work on our own projects.  (This actually works out well for me – since I always have many projects of my own to work on – like these blog articles – to keep me well entertained).  Sister Hunt is actually a major “home body” so she can enjoy just being at home – being a wife, talking with her children, tutoring grandkids via video, and other fun stuff.

With the concierge system, I have had the opportunity a few times (with Sister Hunt) to serve as the Scheduling Desk coordinators at the Visitors’ Center. This has been reminiscent of me being at the desk back in 1975. Very fun circle of time …

Above photos: Top: Elder Kevin Hunt at Visitors’ Center Desk – 1975 and below, Elder Kevin Hunt at VC Desk October 2024 (And notice the ties!)

BRICK MAKING          

Thanks to the heritage of sister Hunt’s father, Elder Belcher, the mission continues to create the mini souvenir bricks for all who come to Nauvoo and want this grand piece of nostalgia to take home with them.  All winter long, the senior missionaries work to create more brick for the coming summer season.  Last winter, the missionaries made a stockpile of some 23,000 of the small bricks.  We expected many more visitors than actually showed up.  This meant that we ended the summer still with 10,000 bricks remaining.  That does not stop us, however, from still making more and more of the bricks.

So, Sister Hunt and I have been assigned to work in the brickyard one day a week. This is a great assignment and we enjoy working to maintain the heritage and traditions of Elder Belcher.

Sister Hunt Making Brick at the Belcher Brickyard

LANDSCAPING ASSIGNMENTS

There is a whole cadre of “Facilities Maintenance” (FM) missionaries who carry the main torch of landscape maintenance through the year.  But, we have found ourselves helping them one morning a week for most of the last month.  We show up to the garden of the day and work with (and at the direction of) the FM missionaries (who are much more knowledgeable and capable).

In the summer, we showed photos of the glorious gardens at many of the homes.  These gardens were absolutely gorgeous and wonderful.  They were so amazing.

Kevin and Lou Hunt in majestic summer garden at Browning Home

Now, as winter approaches, each of these gardens are “chopped down”. 

Sister Hunt helps chop gardens in the fall

We pull many of the plants that will die anyway in the cold weather.  And many other plants that will return next year – need to be cut down to the ground.  This is almost heart-breaking to see these lush gardens depart.  But, I guess that is a cycle of plants and life.

Elder Hunt – Landscaping – looks as if guarding the Berlin Wall

On our recent garden assignments, I have taken on the task of using a hand-held battery-operated saw to chop down many of the plants.  This has proven a shock to the system of one who spends little time on such an activity.  I have discovered many new muscles that I had not previously known that I had.  And I suffer for many days after each such experience.  I finally start to recuperate just in time to do it all again.  (And I note that my kids are enjoying seeing the old man engaging in such activities.  I admit it is kind of a shock to the system.)    It is great to contribute to the cause, however, and the overall mission of Old Nauvoo.

 Missionary Landscaping Crew – November 13, 2024

There is also a new look on all of the streets. In the summer, Main and Water streets are lined with rail fence sections with large pots of flowers in between. Now, all of those have been removed for the winter. Their absence makes the steets look deserted but there is sure a lot of available parking spots now.

Photos: Above – Main Street in the Summer with fences and flowers and below: Main Street on a November morning.

Photo above: Sister Hunt easily “bucks” the plant urns at season end!

KEEPING THE MTC FIRE BURNING

I have recounted previously how there were 13 of us senior couples who reported together at the MTC on April 1^st (no joke).   We there developed a great brotherhood among the many couples (Elders and Sisters).  And having experienced that great time together, we want to continue that bond.  We decided as a group that we would stage an activity, dinner or whatever, generally every three months as we continue to serve here in Nauvoo.

We held the first event on July 3^rd (and I think that I probably reported on that already).  The second event was scheduled for October.  At first, we thought that the three of us Hunt cousins would be in charge of the event, but somehow it ended up being Elder Brad Hunt and wife, us, and Elder and Sister Parker.

From the beginning of our planning, I had the wild hair that it would be great to stage a Dutch-oven dinner event for our group.  The other two couples liked this idea and they were kind enough to let me move forward with the dream.

I began to put out feelers about Dutch ovens.  I figured that to feed our crowd, we would need four 14” ovens. I learned that there are many men (and women) who have enjoyed Dutch-oven cooking in the past and prowess in the past.  However, I learned that few of them had room in their Nauvoo wagons to bring their ovens with them.

Ironically, I knew where many ovens were located but they are all in our historic homes and are now “artifacts” and obviously could not be borrowed.   I thought that our Facility Maintenance warehouse might have some in the warehouse (where we can often borrow needed items).  Surprisingly, they had none.  Wow!  Was our request so unique?

I asked a local guy, a church leader (he being also a Facilities Maintenance supervisor)  if he might have some ovens.  He said that he thought that he could come up with some – “on condition”, he said, “that the ovens come back full!”  He never did come up with any ovens for me.

I found that Elder and Sister Ward had a couple of rather small ovens – helpful but not big enough to fit the full need.  I was delighted that Elder Reed (also from Arizona) had one 14” oven.  Elder Rieske had a very small oven.  I, of course, have a multitude of ovens at home, but they do not help me much here in Nauvoo.  I decided that if my plan was to go forward, I needed to purchase a 14” oven of my own.  I found a super deal on-line – at half of the usual cost for such a beast.  I ordered it, and it arrived two days later.  With my oven, and all of the others combined, I figured I could pull off the event.  (Having the new oven is great – though it will add to the challenge of when we go west in several months!)

The event date was set for October 18^th.  I found the absolute perfect location in a large ramada in the Nauvoo State Park – located just two blocks east of our own house.   This place has six large picnic tables – under cover – and a large grill that I knew would be great for the coals and the cooking.

Our group expanded a bit.  Although our MTC group was big and amazing, we realized that many other couples had come around our same time either individually or with just another couple.  We felt as if they “needed a group”.  So, we invited these folks.  And that brought our group to right at 40 people.

With our planning couple trio, we determined that “stew” would be the meal of the day.  And I told the others that I would take care of the dessert.  They each volunteered to bring five pounds of meat – one to bring sausage and the other to bring hamburger, per my recipe.  I decided to cook one of my favorite desserts – a “look-alike” recipe for Raspberry Bread Pudding (thanks to Kneader’s.  Never had it?  It is fabulous and you really should try it!)

Sister Hunt and I bought all of the ingredients and Sister Hunt and I worked all of the day of the event to pull it all together.  She agreed to make her famous dinner rolls.  And she got so much into this whole affair that she peeled all of my potatoes and carrots.  She cooked the fabulous vanilla sauce for the bread pudding.

The day for the big event came.  I had staged the event on our own “p-day” to make sure that I had enough cooking time.  Sadly, none of the other Die-hards had P-day the same day.  So, this left mostly me doing the cooking.  Elder Brad Hunt did come (after his teamster duties) about 45 minutes before the event and he was most helpful.I made two 14” Dutch ovens full of my stew.  (Using the 45-year-old recipe I had obtained from Muriel – the cook at Camp Kiesel – located east of Ogden).  And I used the other borrowed small ovens for the dessert.  I used charcoal and got there early enough to get the charcoal started in order to be of optimum heat for cooking – with the plan to serve at 5:00 PM.

Missionary Dutch Oven Cooking – Elders Reed, Hunt and Hunt

This was one of those rare times when everything came out to absolute perfection.  It had been a while since everything turned out to perfectly for me.

Elder Kevin Hunt with Dutch Oven stew October 18, 2024

And then the crowd arrived.  They came en masse.  We had invited the guests to come with their favorite salad (any kind) and a few more desserts (after we expanded our group).  Lou was there with her amazing rolls. 

Everyone was totally amazed and pleased with the food.  Elder Jones later commented, “Elder Hunt, I guess you know that you rose to pure hero status with that meal.”  There was plenty of food – so much so that we made “care packages” of leftovers – to be shared with the young sister missionaries).   The whole event was super fun.  Everyone present seemed to have a great time.

Now I will have to do some more Dutch oven cooking here in Nauvoo.  I need to make my oven investment worth it.

CORN HARVEST

For anyone who has traveled through Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois,  and other surrounding states, you will know that corn fields are everywhere.  And where there are no corn fields, there are an equal number of fields planted with soybeans. 

Photo: Nauvoo corn fields everywhere present

Here in Nauvoo, we certainly find this is true.  For months, we have become accustomed to the very tall corn stalks everywhere.  We have had “corny” discussions in all of our travels – wondering who would eat all of that corn, how is it harvested, and more.

Above: The corn fields have been chopped at season end

Then suddenly here in Nauvoo, it was fall and the corn harvesting time.  We continued to be intrigued as farmers began to harvest their corn.  And we were really interested as we watched the corn building up in a giant outdoor silo here in our town.

The Nauvoo corn harvest in the silo

“BOO-TIFUL NAUVOO”

We suddenly found ourselves immersed here with the community with their annual big festival – entitled, “Boo-Tiful Nauvoo”.  We knew nothing about it, but soon learned that this was to be THE MAJOR EVENT that would be staged for the whole world.  We learned that the town goes all out for this event – and that the activities surrounding it would extend over a couple of weeks – promising a lot of fun and Halloween excitement and hype.  And all of this for my Halloween birthday!    Thanks, everyone!  This was particularly exciting and wonderful for me.  I learned that this event has been the local tradition for twenty or thirty years.  (Our daughter, Jackie, was here in Nauvoo back in 2002 and I guess they had the event then.  She still says that it was one of the absolute best or funnest activities held while she was here with the BYU Nauvoo Semester experience.)  She said, “I love the Halloween spirit and “Boo-tiful Nauvoo.”  She lamented that she was not here to enjoy it with us.

SCARECROWS ON MULHOLLAND STREET

The first sign of the coming festivities was the emergence of fifty or more very interesting scarecrow characters.  We soon found all of Mulholland Street (the main drag) was to be lined with scarecrows – all sporting their unique personalities and scarecrow “wearing apparel” (an old Nauvoo term for clothes of all kinds).

Above: This poor guy got in an accident and was rear-ended!

Sister Hunt and I took an evening just to stroll the three or four blocks of the downtown area – just to experience the full scarecrow haunt.  We thought that the scene would last a few days but here we are almost to Thanksgiving and the scarecrows are still there (even though now the streets are abandoned, devoid of any people, and almost “spooky” with no one here.

Sister Hunt with Nauvoo Scarecrows on Mulholland Street

These scarecrows are fun to see, visit, and to have “photo ops” with us and them.  It is apparent from the looks of some of these folks, that they are like Christmas ornaments.  They may not be the greatest, but they keep coming out again year after year – and then are stored in some garage until the next year.  And yes, these characters (in this scenario) have begun to show their age.  They do make for an interesting and fun aura for the city, however.

PUMPKIN CARVING

The next part of the total festivities is the carving of literally hundreds of pumpkins to ultimately line Mulholland Street.  I mentioned that this whole pumpkin experience is a “community effort” but the pumpkins really are bought, and the activity is supported and staged by missionaries and the Church.  It could not happen without us.

The first step in the process is the acquiring of 200 or more pumpkins for the event.  FM brings these in by the wagons full.  They are brought to the giant warehouses that are a part of our large FM complex. 

Then goes out the plea for anyone and everyone – with any free time – from 8 AM to 8 PM to come to help carve the pumpkins.  This activity was actually written into the mission scheduling to make sure that it happened.

Doing our duty – but also wanting to join the fun, Sister Hunt and I showed up to assist in the carving process.  As we arrived at the big open warehouse, we thought that it was “party time”.   There were stacks and wagons of pumpkins in every available space.  There was a table with a gourmet collection of goodies to reward those willing to assist.

We were first given some instruction by the “carving supervisor” (who obviously had been doing this since puberty).  We were guided to a collection of a dozen or so notebooks – each one packed to the gills with designs for carved pumpkins.  There were 200-300 possible designs that could be carved.   I am not known for such creativity, so I had to choose a design that was really basic – just a mere step up from the basic triangle face design that has become traditional for those without greater imagination.   Sister Hunt was able to perform on a bit of a higher plane.

We joined about ten other creative people.  Each one was intently working to create their chosen pattern masterpiece.   We were shown how to use a marker to “create” our chosen design.  They also showed us some liquid that would erase “boo-boo’s” if needed.

We were given creative liberty to choose any pumpkin – any look or any size – that would best match our projected pumpkin design.  It was like an “Armour Hot Dog Commercial …”  (fat ones, skinny ones, … and you get the picture!)

I picked a medium sized pumpkin – not wanting to waste one of the bigger pumpkins on a basic design such as mine would be.  We had to draw on the pumpkin what was to remain and what was to be carved away by the future carver.  Drawing on one pumpkin stretched me to the ultimate level of my creativity.  Sister Hunt was able to pump out two special designs. 

And after we finished the job, we were to put a colored check mark on our design – to indicate that this design was already used – and “off-limits: to other pumpkin designers.  This system ensured that no two pumpkins would be alike.   We added our special uniquely designed pumpkin to the large collection of drawn pumpkins – that was taking up a large part of the FM warehouse.  Of course, we could not resist taking photos of the many pumpkins that were everywhere around us.  It was quite the scene.

We stoked up on goodies and headed out – feeling that we had at least made a bit of a contribution to the cause.

PUMPKIN GUT SCRAPING AND CARVING

The next steps in the pumpkin creating process was to scrape the guts and to actually carve the pumpkins.  A local teenager was very dedicated in cutting the tops out of or into the top of pumpkins.  His was a big job.

We reported the next day for more pumpkin duty.  There were many tables set up and a plethora of die-hard carvers were meticulously going at their pumpkins.  They were really immersed in their carving projects.

Sister Hunt and I both decided that this carving action was way too detailed for us.  We noted that one lady who had done her best, got “told” by the carving supervisor (a different lady) that her efforts were not really up to par.  She was told of several very small dots or whatever that needed to be better carved.  Anyway, we were glad that we did not subject ourselves to that level of scrutiny. We took “the low road”. 

Our mission was to scrape out all of the “goodie” from several pumpkins.  We were left to pick and choose which of the pumpkins we would take on.  This was a case where bigger was not better.  We found open spots on the tables to begin our efforts.  We were provided with flimsy plastic tools that were obviously not engineered for the right purpose.  (Where was Keith, our product-design engineer son when we needed him?).   We wished that we had brought some of our large catering spoons which we had brought with us to Nauvoo.  Anyway, we got into the action. 

I determined that it was less hassle to bring two or three pumpkins to the table – rather than to make multiple trips to the large “to be scraped” section.  I determined right away that I would make it my mission to scrape out ten pumpkins.  I went after the job.  We scraped out the guts – with the wrong utensils or just by hand (yuck!).  One lady said, “This is more fun than the time when the pig ate my little brother!”

Sister Hunt is bothered at times (of over-exertion) with arthritis or whatever hand problems.  Her hands are often in pain – and there are some things she cannot do (like squeezing open a bottle).  She did well on this pumpkin activity but her hands were soon feeling the effects of the actions.  She was on pumpkin number three.  She thought that this might be her limit.  She asked me how many pumpkins I had gutted and she was very surprised when I told her “eight”.  She decided that she could push herself to gut five.  I continued my quest and finished my ten.  We decided that this was our best effort for the day.

We put our pumpkins in the new (but large) stack of “already gutted” pumpkins. And we marveled in awe at the large trailer already filled with the “already carved” pumpkins.  Admittedly, it was quite the system evident everywhere around us.

POPCORN POPPING

Another missionary assignment was to assist with the popping and bagging of hundreds of bags of popcorn. 

Sister Hunt with bags of bagged popcorn

This was really a “corny” activity.  Sadly, however, it was not quite the right season to find “popcorn popping on the apricot tree”.  We wanted to return another day to help with this effort but when we called the missionary supervisor (Elder Green), we learned that some super go-getter types had already completed the task. Shucks!  We tried again at the actual “Boo-Tiful” event but even there, they had way more staff than they needed.  But, the big “kettle corn” process was interesting.

And with the missionary effort, there was a free bag of popcorn for probably everyone who wanted one at the event.  We got our own bags and the caramel tasting corn was wonderful.  Thanks, folks!

THE PUMPKIN CANNON

For years, our family enjoyed the “potato guns” that Richard Hale used to bring to father and son and neighborhood events.  He made these most impressive,  But I think Nauvoo has him beat.  The first scheduled event of the great “Boo-Tiful Nauvoo” festivities (October 26^th) was the expulsion of pumpkins from a “cannon” created just for this purpose.  This was scheduled to go from 3-4:00 Pm.  This was one of those days that we would have wanted to finish our site tours a bit early.  But, it turned out that we got to the scene just barely in time for the final boom of the last couple of pumpkins.

The scene …set at the crest of the hill below the Temple was perfect.  There was a truck bed with many pumpkins.  And a couple of experienced guys manned the cannon.  They had created a cannon and one guy brought over a medium sized pumpkin.  And then somehow, the pumpkin was propelled into the air.  The pumpkins were shot down hill and they got a lot of boom as they hit the skies.  It was challenging to actually see the pumpkin as it took off but all eyes were on it.  It was an amazing and fun thing to watch.

This activity made me wish that my sons and sons-in-law could have been here to enjoy these few moments.  This was right up the alley for most of them!

“THE NAUVOO PUMPKIN WALK”

Now it was time to get into the main event.  Sister Hunt and I had not had time to go home to change out of our pioneer costume clothes – but it was kind of like wearing the Scout uniform.  I was comfortable in my skin.  It was all good.

The Nauvoo Pumpkin Walk – 2024

It wasn’t quite dark, but we used this time to take the “Pumpkin Walk”.  We passed the missionary popcorn operation and they had a lot of folks waiting for their bags.  We got bags for each of us.

We then began the walk to check out all of the carved pumpkins – that we had helped with throughout the week.  The pumpkins had been lit with candles.  It was fun to see each unique carved design.  We walked behind the restaurants and hotels that formed the scene of the walk.  We then walked down Mulholland Street two or three blocks and then back on the other side.

We were very surprised at the throngs of people who had gathered in this usually remote and quite village.  There were people everywhere.  I could tell that many of the folks were “imports”.  Most of the men were wearing hefty beards (so obviously they were not missionaries).  Excitement was high with everyone.

Of course, I was in awe of all of these people who had gathered with me for my Halloween birthday.  Such a great activity for the occasion. 

THE “BOO-TIFUL NAUVOO” PARADE AND FESTIVITIES

Let’s face it!  Halloween is kind of a zany “holiday”.  It is fun just to see people kick back and be crazy.  It is a time to look bizarre and think that it is okay.  And today was no exception.  The parade proved to be pretty decent for such a small town.  Spooks, goblins and witches seemed to come out of the woodwork – there amidst the scarecrows.  People were “stacked” five or six or more people deep all along the parade route.  We had been sitting over by the “Fudge Factory” but we pressed our way forward a bit with the hope of some good photos of the action.  And this basically worked well for us.

“Boo-Tiful Nauvoo” Parade

Of course, a couple of our favorite parade entries were missionaries.  The traditional mission horse drawn wagon was filled with senior missionaries.  And they played the “kazoo” and other fun instruments that were fitting for the occasion.  We joined the cheering section for them.

Another missionary entry was about 20 of our young sister missionaries.  They were all dressed in black.  And atop their heads, they had a long and giant dragon.  This was very colorful.  The Sisters wove back and forth across the street as they pushed their upper skin up and down to the delight of the crowd.  We gave the dragon a big cheer.

All too soon, the parade was over but it had been so fun.  Then the crowd milled around to check out the food booths and other activities.  We joined the crowd.  We bought some pie – at just $2.50 a slice – as sold by the local Historical Society.    I am definitely hooked on pie – so I could not resist the urge to buy myself two or three slices.  And that pumpkin pie was amazing.  We were so surprised and pleased that the custard was still warm.  Talk about fresh!  Wow!

Nauvoo “Wagon Wheel Giant Cinnamon Roll” made by Annies

We also found an outdoor booth manned by folks from the local Annie’s Custard place.  We have been to the place previously and have enjoyed visiting with her.  She comes from the Mesa, Arizona Ray family so we have known many of the same people.  We bought a couple of pulled pork sandwiches that were fabulous.  (But fun to eat dessert first, too … it doesn’t get much better than that.)

We would have liked to have seen the carved jack-o-lanterns lit up in the dark, but it wasn’t quite that time.  And in our rush to get to the festivities, we had arrived without coats.  And the chill and the need for warmth won over the thrill of the lanterns.  We headed for home – impressed with the whole celebration.  Quite an affair for such a quaint little town.

SINGING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE AMIDST A MARSHMALLOW ROAST

With many missionaries now gone, we have smaller crowds of missionaries.  This makes some fun activities doable – and easier to stage.

One such event was held at the “Parley Street Campfire Bowl”.  We had not been to the place before – but found it perfect for the occasion.  The event had been billed as a marshmallow roast and s’mores event.  Who can pass those up?    They were as good as ever – enjoyed by all.

And then, after the roast, the entertainment missionary couple staged a little “reader’s theater” reading.  This was about missionaries sent out by Brigham Young.  And then we gathered around (in medium weight coats) and enjoyed a song fest – by a Sister who once sang with the “Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square”.  We sang a multitude of church songs that went well with the guitars of a couple of the brethren.

Being in this setting my mind was drawn naturally to my many Boy Scout campfire programs that I have attended through the years.  It brought back much nostalgia and, I admit, some yearning for the “good old days”.  Sixty years of Scouting is kind of hard to forget.

BREAD MAKING AT THE FAMILY LIVING CENTER 

In our Family Living Center there is a wonderful 1840’s kitchen – complete with a fireplace, cast iron gear of many varieties, and with a “bustle oven” for breadmaking.  In the pre-COVID days, missionaries actually created bread and baked it in the brick oven (after heating it with real fire for a couple of hours).   Sadly, COVID stopped the experience.  But the nostalgia remains as we still “talk” about how bread was made “back then”.  Some of the senior sisters  decided to give the oven a try.  They recruited Elder Ward to man the fire for them. 

Breakmaking at the Nauvoo Family Living Center

The Sisters let the young sister missionaries (who will soon depart) help mix up the bread dough.  They then put the dough in the large wooden “proffer” box.  This box (powered by bowls of steaming water) helps to “raise” the dough.  The system worked well.

Elder Ward preparing heat at the Family Living Center Bustle Oven

The fire did not work exactly as the bakers would have hoped but Elder Ward was soon able to supercharge his charcoal with a fire atop of them.  This was the boost that was needed and soon the bread entered the oven (minus the wood and coals).    And we were all excited to taste the hot bread as it came out of the oven – only about twenty minutes later.  Sister Workman had brought some bread of her own “just in case” so there ws plenty of delectable bread for everyone. 

And this, of course, brought back many warm memories of my own mother, Alura, who made bread two or three times every week of her married life.  Those thoughts of her were most pleasant.  I really miss her bread! 

PREPARING TO WELCOME A RUSH OF NEW SPRING MISSIONARIES

I have mentioned the “cycle” of outgoing and incoming missionaries here in Nauvoo.  And now that the huge contingent of missionaries have departed, it is time to look forward.  And our mission has already received notice of missionary couples who have already received their mission calls to enter the MTC next March.  (A terribly long time to wait … but it is so worth it).

As district leaders, it is our job to welcome new missionaries, to give them phone or on-line training and to help them get excited about coming to Nauvoo.  We have been notified of two new “Teamsters” missionaries who will arrive in March and will be in our Brigham District.  I assigned one other couple to “minister” to one of the new couples and Sister Hunt and I assigned ourselves to minister to the other.  We called the couple and had a great visit with them.  They were so excited about our call.  Once a call is received, one cannot hear enough about the coming mission.  It was fun to add to their enthusiasm. 

VISITORS AND CONTINUING MIRACLES

Just because we are on a new schedule, that doesn’t damper the hope that miracles will still happen.  We love the way the Lord connects people – friends we know and some known by people we know.

OUR BOWLES “IN-LAWS” CAME FOR A VISIT

We knew ahead that they were coming, but we were excited with the opportunity to welcome the Bowles (the in-laws of our daughter, Jackie).  They did not stay the nights with us, but they spent most other times at night with us.  We fed them for a couple of nights.  It was kind of fun one night.  It was the birthday of their son (our son-in-law).  We suggested that the four of us call him.  We did so and all sang ‘Happy Birthday” to him.  He loved this (and he talked about it for a month afterwards).

SISTER HUNT IS VISITED BY TWO COUSINS

Yes, Sister Hunt was visited by two cousins – one from her mother’s side, and one from her dad’s side.  These were both “Nauvoo miracle” connections.  Neither cousin knew that we were here and we did not know that either one was coming.

We connected to both cousins in a like manner.  Both of them went to participate in the events in the Family Living Center.  Both opted to hear the presentation about brick making in Nauvoo.  And after the presentations, each one said to the missionary giving the tour, “My uncle started the Nauvoo Brick”.  Thankfully, both guides worked to get us together.  They said, “That is very interesting.  There is a sister missionary here who is the daughter of the guy who started the bricks.”

One guide told Lori Belcher where we were serving for the day.  (And we are glad that she did this.)   Sister Hunt and I were coming out of the John Taylor home and were returning to the Print Shop.  (This tour includes both places.)  Sister Hunt was on the brick path and she saw a couple of ladies coming toward her.   One was excited and said to Sister Hunt, “Don’t even try to tell me that you don’t know me.”  The Spirit whispered to Sister Hunt who the cousin was – even they had not seen each other for some time as she heard her voice.  There was great rejoicing and hugs together.

Photo above: Lori Belcher (2nd from right) with her cousin (from her other side of the famiy)

With the other cousin, we were actually on our P-day.  Our missionary friend knew that we would want to see the cousin.  She called Sister Hunt and said, “There is someone here at the Family Living Center who wants to talk to you.”  Sister Hunt was baffled about who it might be.    We hurried down there.  As we entered the building, the light was not in our favor and it was hard to see who we were supposed to see.  There was a couple there.  The lady came forward and said, “You may not remember me, but you are my cousin.”  (They had not seen each other for decades.  They had known each other at the same high school but after that time, they had both gone different directions and had not had an occasion to be together since.  Sad there were not greater family connections!)

Anyway, this Cousin JoAnn Perry Madsen and Sister Hunt’s mothers (Verna and June) were Betteridge sisters.  Sister Hunt and her cousin had a nice conversation, and of course we got our photo to show that the conversation and the Nauvoo visit happened.

WELCOMING A LONG-TIME SCOUTING BUDDY

I love serving at the Visitors’ Center.   This is a place where miracles often come together.  This one particular day, it was kind of unique that I was even at the Center.  I was over at a side couch – doing my computer thing as I awaited my time to be assigned to take a tour.

A guy entered from the west door.  There were other people between us, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw this guy from the back and thought, “That guy looks familiar.  I think I know him!”  And just then, he turned around … he had had the same experience as I had.  We focused on each other and at the same time, realized that we did indeed know each other.  It was Chris Wagner from Mesa, Arizona.

Chris and I grew up in the same neighborhood and ward.  We were good friends together in the ward and as Scouts in good old Troop 155 (“155 – the best alive!”).  We broke into a long hug as long-lost brothers.  (This came as a bit of a shock to others who were watching us.)  It was great.  Chris had recently lost his wife of nearly 50 years and was kind of sad.  He had come to Nauvoo with his older sister who lives in Missouri (and whom I also knew)- hoping for an emotional boost.  We had a great conversation.  So cool that the Lord arranged this meeting for us!

VISITORS FROM CORTEZ, COLORADO

We were serving one day at the Lucy Mack Smith home and some folks came from Cortez, Colorado.  I perked up as we have some good friends in this town.  We first met the Brocks when we all lived in Santa Paula, California.  It has been years since I have been able to contact my friend.  Anyway, this guy who came to our tour knew my friend – who was formerly his Aaronic Priesthood leader.  This new friend gave me contact information for Andy.  I later corresponded with Andy and we had good conversation.

OTHER LONG TIME FRIENDS FROM MESA, ARIZONA

On the same day that Chris came to visit, we were also visited by some other long-time friends, Ben and Nanette Allen.  I went to high school (Westwood – “War Eagle) with Ben and later he and his wife were in our Mesa, Arizona Acacia ward for a while.  They somehow knew that we are serving in Nauvoo, so they came looking for us.  The fact that there were 3 Elders Hunt here led them on a bit of a goose chase.

They did finally corner us at the Visitors’ Center that night just as we had our hands on the door (literally) to depart for the evening. It was a little miracle that we all showed up at the same time.  We had a fun visit with them.

We were surprised when we went to the Temple to see our friends, the Ridings – also from Mesa. We connected with them the next day for visiting and a photo.

Sister Hunt and I made a random visit to the local Zion’s Mercantile gift store up on Mulholland Street. We met Joseph Johnstun who is the Director of the “Tomb of Joseph Museum”. (More to come on that subject later. In talking with Joseph, we discovered that he and our son-in-law, Paul, were together on the Church’s 1997 Sesquecentennial Commerative Trek. Paul was then 14 and was a teamster with his grandfather, Robert Lowe.

MORE FUN WITH THREE HUNT COUSINS IN NAUVOO

I have mentioned a few times about how great it is to have three “Hunt Cousins” together here in Nauvoo.  We all enjoy this brotherhood … and it is fun to talk to others about our unique situation.  Often people come on our tours and say, “We just met your cousins.”

3 Nauvoo Hunt Cousins – (L to R) Lou and Kevin Hunt, Sandy and Jake Hunt, Tammy and Brad Hunt

I guess our fame is spreading.  I received a phone message the other day that was fun.  This lady wrote to us and said that she is a writer for the “Church News” and wanted to interview us for a possible article.  I had to chuckle out of the opening line of the message.  It said, “To Elder Hunt, Elder Hunt, and Elder Hunt …”  I became the spokesman and wrote back to her.  Just to humor her, I said “Greetings!  This is Elder Hunt …”

My “Cousins” came to my place and together we participated in a “Face-Time” conference call with the reporter, Mary Richards. This was a fun activity. Earlier in the day we had staged a photo op with the horses – the companions of my Teamster cousins. We submitted the photo to Sister Richards.

The article made its debut on Sunday, November 17th on the “on-line” Church News. Here is the link to the article:

thechurchnews.com/members/2024/11/17/nauvoo-senior-missionaries-all-named-elder-hunt/

COMING FULL CIRCLE ON THE MISSION

The current mission historian, Sister Walters, suggested that I write a page about what it means to come “full circle” in Nauvoo.  She had learned that I served here as a young missionary and noted how unusual it was to be back here in my very same mission 50 years later.  I did write her desired article.

And at the same time, another “full circle” event occurred.  Sister Hunt and I were serving in the Family Living Center with many other missionaries.   It was a rare quiet moment with no visitors for us to help.  There were about six young sister missionaries – as well as two or three couples together there.  One young sister posed a question to us Seniors.  She asked, “Where did you serve on your young missions?”  Sister Hunt was pleased to talk about her service in the Australia Melbourn Mission.    (I remind her that she got her call from Lorenzo Snow!)

When it was Elder Robert Ward’s turn to talk, he said, “I was in the Florida-Tallahassee Mission.”  That got my attention.  I said, “Wait a minute …!  That was my mission!  (That is where I was before Nauvoo.)    

I said, “Wait … how old are you?”  He said, “69”.  I said, “Then we had to have been there together.”   We realized that we were both in northern Alabama in the same zone at the same time.  I was limited in my computer resources at the Family Living Center, but I found this fact in my letter home to Mom and Dad about a zone conference held January 7, 1975.  I tried to open up my journal of the day, but it would not open. We were both dumbfounded over our dommon mission experience.

I also taught Elder Ward how to find his own Nauvoo ancestors on the “Family Tree” application.  He was jazzed about this.

Back at home, I was able to find my journal entry of the day (on my big jump drive).  I found the referenced zone conference and read about it.  It was a tri-zone conference held in Birmingham, Alabama.   After Elder Franklin D. Richards, an assistant to the Council of the 12, spoke, we divided into our three zones.  The record reflected that I gave a talk or presentation – using the example of Ammon as a missionary to the Lamanites.  (Ammon has long been my favorite missionary hero.  I have continued to study him and in Alma Chapters 17 to 27, I have now found 200+ ways to be a great missionary.)

I realized that Elder Ward would have been in attendance as I gave that presentation.  He was a greenie and had only been out a couple of weeks.

Digging still deeper, I continued to read in my journal (knowing that I got transferred out of the area on January 25^th – and would not have seen him after that transfer).

I found a journal entry for a district meeting held January 17^, 1975.  I learned that we were also in the same district.  I was then in the town of Cullman and he was in Guntersville.  The entry said, “We then went to a district meeting.  Elder Ames, as our new district leader, conducted the meeting.  He and Elder Howard (ZL) gave talks as did Elders Ward (greenie of 1 month) and Adams.  The Elders present included Ames and Birrell (Gadsden), Adams and Wheeler (Scottsboro), Zumwalt and I (Cullman), Howard and Rich (Huntsville) and Montgomery and Ward (like the store) of Guntersville.  It was a good meeting.  Elder Ames and Howard interviewed all of us.  Elder Rich conducted a study class.  We played a game of football gaining touchdowns as we answered questions right.  Elder Z and I won the rest of them.”  Wow!  So amazing and wonderful!

Huntsville, Alabama District – January 17, 1975 – Elder Ward 3rd from Right

it keeps going …  I dug deep into my mission slides and found a great photo taken on the actual day of the January 17^th district meeting.  This showed the greenie, Elder Ward and six others. Sadly, I was taking the photo.  And everyone to whom I have since showed the photo loved the hair look of Elder Ward.  He has lost some of that poof over the years.

I was very excited to find Elder Ward to show him the journal entry and photo.  I tracked him down at the horse carriage depot where he was working for the day.  We were both excited and dumbfounded.  I stand in awe and amazement at how the Lord puts all of these miracles together.  It is so great!

Elders Robert Ward and Kevin Hunt – Nauvoo 2024

OUR HANDS ON THE PLOW

On one occasion, Jesus met various people who had varying commitments to Him and His work.  It is recorded in Luke 9:61-62:  “And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee, but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

That kind of applies to us in our mission service.  Most of the time, this is not a problem with us.  We miss your children and grandchildren greatly but we know that we are in the right place and time here on the mission.   We miss many of the activities that we would typically do with our grandchildren (sports, plays, events, birthdays, and more) but we know that they know that we would be there for them if we could.

We pray for them (generally by name for specific needs) each day and we know that they are all praying for us as missionaries. That is a great thing to have that many grandchildren all praying for us!  Wow!

When we came on our mission, we both said that We are going on this mission FOR THE GRANDKIDS … all 43 of them.”  And that is really true.  We wanted to set an example for each of them so that they would know that missions are a priority and we have hoped that our service might inspire each of them (all of them) to likewise serve.

We think of the family members often.  Gratefully, we have Zoom, FaceTime, phones, messages and e-mail messages – and all of the modern technology by which we can communicate with them.  Our family “WhatsApp” phone application does much to keep us all connected (as we are spread about in five states).

Occasionally, however, we experience some sadness in not being able to be there in person to enjoy some of the special moments of life with the family members.  That has been the case over the past couple of months.  We had a new granddaughter, Maylee, born.  Sad to think that she will be over a year old when we first meet her.

In October, there were a plethora of family events that tugged at the grandparent heart strings.  Two granddaughters – Abby and Katelyn – both went on missions.  Abby is serving in the Dallas Texas East Mission and Katelyn is in the Denver Colorado North mission (with a couple of our Nauvoo outbound sisters who arrived at the same time as our Sister Merrill).

Our grandson served a very successful mission in Argentina (down at the southern tip of the continent).  He returned home to Arizona (rather than Texas – where he had lived only a short time before his mission.  He wanted to return to the welcome of friends and family in Arizona.  And our daughter and family made the trek from Texas to Arizona to welcome him home.  Many of the local family members were able to be present at the airport for the joyful reunion.

Normally, it would have been Sister Hunt and I who would have welcomed the Stoddards to our home to stay, but this time it was our daughter, Larissa, and family who were gracious enough to host them for several days.  (And Larissa is the “perfect mom substitute” in such situations.)  Thanks, Laramie Sue!

A couple of days later, Bryson was able to bear his mission testimony in sacrament meeting (though it was fast Sunday – and not a time for the usual talks).  In the same sacrament meeting, our little Maylee girl was blessed by her father.  Many of the testimonies of the day were from our family members.  Thankfully, we were able to join the meeting via Zoom.  It was great that we could kind of be there with them.   We still felt the joy of the occasion.  Most of the “local” family members were present for this grand event.

Later in the day, Larissa and Kaylea staged a little open house for Elder Bryson.  Many friends and family came and were able to hear him share memories and testimony from his mission.    Bryson and his folks soon headed directly up to Provo, Utah – where he will live near his brother and will attend College in Orem.

That is a lot of family stuff in just one month!  Wow!

We talked about it ahead of time, and we could have made the trip home for the major weekend of gatherings.  We could have received permission to leave for a few days.   We decided, however, that we needed to do our duty and remain at our missionary post in Nauvoo.

In doing so, I was reminded of the quote that we share from Lucius Scovill, the Nauvoo baker, as we give tours in his home.  He left a new wife, his five children remaining from the recent death of his first wife, his new wife’s two young children from a previous marriage, and their one child.  They were out on the mud flats of Iowa about a month out from Nauvoo when he received a mission call to England.  He would be gone for a couple of years.  He said,

“It seemed a painful duty for me to perform to leave my family to go into the wilderness and I to turn and go the other way.  But inasmuch as I had been appointed to go, I was determined fill my mission if it cost me all that I had on this earth … I thought it best to round up my shoulders like a bold soldier of the corps … and assist in rolling forth the kingdom of God.”

Our mission sacrifice is not nearly so deep as that of Elder Scovil, but we can relate a bit to him.  We decided to “keep our hands on the plow”.

A WAGON BREAK-DOWN ALONG THE TRAIL

We had a bit more excitement, recently, than we had planned – or would have liked.  We suffered a challenge with our vehicle.  One night, we suddenly noticed that the battery light was going on and off.  Then the next morning the vehicle started chugging intermittently and powerfuly.  We could tell that it was having a power challenge. We were in trouble out here in the middle of nowhere, America.

We learned that one of the FM supervisors moonlights as a mechanic.  He diagnosed right away that it was likely the alternator.  He agreed to fix it.  And by some miracle, a senior couple ended up here with two cars – and they really didn’t need two of them.  The counselor in the mission presidency, knowing our plight, called and asked them if we could borrow their vehicle while ours was being repaired.  I do not like to borrow or lend cars to anyone.  Too often, there are problems.   Doing so, never seems to work.  But, we were kind of stuck – with really no other option.  We could have rented a car out of Carthage – but this really was not a great option.  Anyway, we used the loaned Toyota truck from the Hales. And their generousity was a very major blessing – for which we were grateful.

Our three sons-in-law made quite a team a couple of nights before we left on our mission.  Together they masterminded a replacement for our alternator.  So, the alternator was still under warranty.  We went to Keokuk and paid for a new alternator (to save time on the repairs.  (And then we got a full refund after the repair when we took the old unit back to them. And the Auto folks could not figure out why the “new” alternator lasted only seven months!)

Kendall took a full two weeks to repair the vehicle.  We learned that the guy – though excellent – has way too much going on in his life.  He works for the church full time.  He moonlights with his auto garage business.  He is the lead in the local volunteer fire department (which includes ambulance service), has six kids and is in the Bishopric.  We asked him what he does in his free time.  Anyway, he did ultimately have time to make the repair and got the new unit into the car.  And it now works fantastically.  We were grateful for his able assistance.

There were a few miracles in this trauma.  I mentioned the use of the Hale vehicle, and Kendall being able to fix the vehicle.  Also there was the fact that there was nothing else wrong with the vehicle.  It could have been worse.

Sister Hunt realized another miracle in us not going to Arizona for the baby blessing, missionary activities, and the family reunion festivities.  She did the math and realized that if we had gone to Arizona and if the alternator would have gone out at the same time that it did, it would have happened as we could have been on the freeway going to St. Louis to the airport.  Wow!  So, once again, the Lord protected us (like on our way to Nauvoo from the MTC and our tire problems).  We are grateful that the Lord is in the details of our lives and that He is protecting us continually in our mission service.  

SISTER HUNT AND I CELEBRATED OUR ANNIVERSARY

Kevin and Lou Hunt on 46th Anniversary – September 14, 2024

It was fun, recently, for Sister Hunt and me to celebrate our 46^th wedding anniversary here on the mission.  (And we’ll celebrate #47 here also!).  We went out to eat at a new restaurant – the “Fireside BBQ” here in Nauvoo.  We loved the BBQ food and the little place where they hide out with their great food.  It was a pleasant evening out together.

I SURVIVED AND LOVED MY 70^TH BIRTHDAY LOVE FROM MY FAMILY

I devoted a full blog with reflections about my 70^th (Halloween) birthday – which I wrote and posted on the big day.  And I note that this blog was totally spur-of-the-moment.  I had not planned this blog ahead – as I do for most of the blogs.  It never made it to the 3×5” cards!    The thought to write a blog was spur of the moment early that day, but I acted on it.  Turns out, I really was not alone for the day – though we were 1,400 or more miles away.  My family would never let such an occasion pass quietly.  They pumped on the energy and excitement for my big day and surprises seemed to keep coming all day.

Special 70th Birthday Computer Generated gift from son, Keith Hunt

One of the great developments of the day was the receipt of 70 cards from the family.  Without Sister Hunt and I in the count, we have 61 descendants.  Each of the 61 wrote a card and sent it to arrive close to the birthday.  And to make it to 70, our own children were tasked with the chore of writing twice.  One family used their extra card to send a message from “Mo the dog.”  Thanks, Mo!  And thanks to all of the family – with Jackie as the master-mind – for making this come together.   Seventy cards!  Wow!  That must be some kind of record.

The mail deluge was a shock to the mailroom lady.  In the mailroom, each missionary has his/her/their own mailbox.  And this Sister sorts the incoming mail to the boxes each day.  I wasn’t really expecting mail (I just don’t) but it was interesting that for several days there was nothing in our box.

Then on the birthday, Sister Hunt was especially anxious for us to go to the mailroom.  I should have smelled a rat!  Three packages had come earlier in the week – and she returned these (unopened) to the mailroom to make it appear that they had just arrived.  She had chatted earlier with the mail lady (and the substitute for the day) to expect 70 letters from our posterity – with instructions to “watch for them”.  She went into the room on the big day and was shocked to find our assigned box totally empty.  She was totally baffled.  She called the mail lady and was told that with the decrease of missionaries, they had just condensed the boxes – so that they only take up a third of the room – rather than the whole room.  So, with this clue, Sister Hunt went to our newly assigned box.  That is when I saw it too!

Our box was jam-packed with letters.  They were there so tightly that I don’t think another one could have been squeezed into the small box.  Wow!  This was amazing and wonderful!

Then at home, I began to open the cards and letters.  I loved each message – all in the personality of the person (no matter how young or old) sending the card.  These all made me so happy.

I also received phone calls from each one of our nine children.  I felt like Joseph Smith and Moroni:  “Our conversations must have taken in most of the day”.  Another surprise was that most family members also created a card, drawing, etc., which was posted to our “photo frame” where we receive photos regularly from our family members.  Many of the family members sent me gifts.  I got several bags of my favorite candies – root beer barrels, Chick-O-stick, Idaho Spuds, and of course the fall favorite of candy corn.  (It is not fall unless I get at least one bag of candy corn … and this time I received a year supply of the stuff.)

So, in summary, I didn’t know what was going to happen at any moment, but there was a full day of various excitements and surprises.  Wow!  This was all so fun.  Thanks, family.  You are the best!  I love you all!

I later posted my thanks on our family WhatsApp site:  “Wow!  What a great birthday!  It was worth turning 70 just so that I could feel the love and attention from all of you.  And worth being away just so that I could get a card from all 61 of my posterity! Wow!  That was magnificent!  I loved each card and message!  And thanks for all of the gifts, candy, and more.  Definitely a special birthday to remember forever.  We truly have a “bootiful” and wonderful family.  I love you each collectively and individually!  Love Dad!”

And incidentally, I printed out my full birthday posterity message and physically mailed it to each family.  I also had this added to my “white box” (“just in case”) instructions – so it may resurface again sometime in the future.  I hope that this message will be a special “keeper” for everyone through the years.

WEATHER CHANGING

Being Arizona desert rats, Sister Hunt and I have been somewhat challenged as we look forward to the unknown winter ahead.  We are kind of in a panic – not knowing what to expect.  We thought that we would be in igloo mode from about the first of October – through April.  We have been very grateful for the fabulous weather so far.  We really have only had a couple of really cold days.  All the other days have been fabulous.  And here it is the middle of November and the weather has been amazing.    We are so very grateful for this great blessing.

I’M DEFINITELY FALLING FOR NAUVOO!!!

The winter ahead is kind of unpredictable, but for the moment, we are loving it here.  We can say that we are truly “falling for Nauvoo”.   (And we’ll keep praying in faith for future Nauvoo weather miracles.)   It is a great time to be alive, and it is great to be missionaries together, here in Nauvoo.  It’s great to be here  this fall on the Nauvoo Trail.