It’s always an adventure, right? All in all a good day though.

Deon and Aunica started off the day at the temple doing baptisms for the dead. Aunica’s choice to have her father accompany her this time, which I thought was sweet. 

Then the carriage ride we missed yesterday. I do love horses, especially draft horses. And history. It was a good combination.

Then we hooked up and pulled out. Deon said he felt a sense of foreboding, like he never wanted to leave. That wasn’t exactly the word he was looking for, but it filled me as such! Someday I would love to serve a mission for our church here as a costumed interpreter.

Our next stop was Carthage, IL, where Joseph and hyrum smith were killed. They were unfairly jailed and shot while incarcerated by an angry mob. We were able to tour the home and see the bullet holes, as well as the window Joseph fell out of.

   
    
 

Now, whether you believe in our religion or not, or any other religion, this is another example of the dark side of our great nation. Deon and I were both heavily weighed upon by our history of persecution, even to death. Our church members, native peoples, black Americans even (or maybe especially) today. It does not make me proud. He and I have really been doing a lot of discussing and self examination to begin change at home and within ourselves.

On down the road to our next state, Missouri. I would say our first southern state. We were struggling with a lack of wi-fi (which is unusual) and Deon’s need to work, so we drove to our church parking lot. The branch president kindly offered to allow us to pull out rig in to their backyard for the night. It’s late, we thankfully accepted and drove over. 

Unfortunately, it did not go as planned. As directed, we drove down (this is the key word) into his backyard to turn around. But were unable to get back up. Too steep, too wet, not enough power, not enough traction. We weren’t really stuck, just couldn’t get out. Deon (and the branch president) worked at it for a loooong time as my children slowly trickled into their house, until I had all 6 of them in there with me. I just couldn’t bear to watch. A more gracious woman I’ve never met. They finally got it out, at the devastating expense of their beautiful yard. Oh, my. These pictures were taken the next morning, but those ruts my kids are playing in are near-knee deep. I am afraid they will remember us for a long time.