Day 4- Amish settlement in Jamesport, Dinner in Quincy, Arrival in Nauvoo

We packed up and left Morrell Ranch today. Did I mention the rental car the Eppersons were driving got a flat tire on Saturday night? But, all was taken care of and we set off to visit an Amish community in Jamesport. Sara and her sister Rachel were our tour guides, and they answered our questions openly and honestly. They were so kind, and we learned a lot from them. Sara is 22 years old, and has a boyfriend in another Amish settlement in another state. Rachel is married and has two children, and they, along with one of their brothers, take care of the Graber family farm. It was an eye opener to see how they live without technology, focusing on taking care of family and community members. We learned that ;the reason they don't use electricity isn't because of  the electricity itself, but what comes with it-- tv, video games, computers, etc., which they see as distractions from worshiping God and doing more important things. We also learned that they take turns having church in their homes, and that there is a "bench wagon" that holds all the pews they use for church meetings. They hire drivers to take them places that are too far to go by buggy, as they often visit other Amish settlements in other states. They have a phone box where they can go listen to their voice messages, as all of the adults have phone numbers that they use to leave messages for each other. They can also use the phone in emergency situations to dial 911, as they do seek medical care that is beyond what their home remedies can take care of. They home school through the 8th grade, and they learn high German, Dutch, and English in school, since they read scriptures in high German. Most of the group went on a buggy ride with Rachel, and we learned that within 100 miles, there are many Amish communities, each with varying rules according to their own traditions. Some do not use any type of power tools, while others, like the Graber farm, use pneumatic tools, and some do not allow outsiders into their communities, unlike the Graber's community. It was very interesting to learn about their way of life and recognize that though they do live very differently, they really are not all that different from us. They are an industrious people who strive to be self-sufficient, and who love their families and their God, and want to be able to worship as they see fit. 

Next, we visited an Amish store that sells handmade wooden toys, Adirondack chairs, porch swings, wind chimes, quilts, and many other beautiful things. They also had Christian books for sale (they even had Elizabeth Smart's book), as well as children's books. A few people bought some souvenirs here, and then we visited a bakery run by a disabled Amish woman who works very hard to take care of herself. Many of us bought baked goods here and were amazed at how this woman did what she could to provide for herself and her community.

Then, we got on our way towards Nauvoo, stopping in Quincy for dinner, where we had good barbecue and fun times together, including some arm wrestling matches.

Arriving in Nauvoo, we made our way to the Woodruff Hotel, where we got settled in and then explored a little. We can see the temple from the hotel, and we are looking forward to doing baptisms there tomorrow and feeling the Spirit here.

Pictures (if you don't see your child, I apologize. I'm not the best at getting pictures of everyone, but I am trying to do better):

 A few last pictures of the Morrell Ranch. . .

This is the area we used for gathering the whole group at Morrell Ranch to hear presentations by the Bishop. As you can see, I failed to get any of the whole group here, but you get the idea.

All of the cabins had a number and a name. 

Kai waiting to help change the flat tire

Our passengers for the day. . .

. . . or so we thought. We had a great time with these guys. Joseph had us all rolling with the funny voices he can do.

After our adventures in the rain and mud, our cars need a good washing sometime before we return them.

 

 

Corn fields are everywhere you look around here.

Here comes the rain again!

Entering Jamesport

Amish buggy- did you know the lights on the back are solar powered?

If it's not a corn field, it's probably hay instead.

Here we are at the Graber farm in Jamesport. The Amish ask that we don't take pictures of them, but we can take pictures of objects and other things as long as we don't get them in the picture. They view pictures of themselves as "graven images."

Some of the boys visiting the pig pen at the farm.

 Warren and Kai enjoying the handiwork at the Amish store

Jared and Bradlee admiring the craftsmanship of the beautiful grandfather clocks

The price of the middle clock in the picture above

Noah and Melanie relaxing in the Adirondack chairs outside the shop

Bird houses outside the Amish shop

Anna's bake shop

Inside the shop

Watch out for the buggies on the road. . .

. . . and the tractors.

Crossing into Illinois over the mighty Mississippi

Dinner in Quincy, Illinois

Waiting patiently for their food

Playing games before dinner arrives

Um, that box that says "Lite" is holding bottles of barbecue sauce.

Bishop makes the round talking to all the youth. Joseph is ready for a nap.

Card games are great for passing the time and having some fun. . .

Bishop gets in on the action, too.

Arm wrestling!

Arriving at the Hotel Woodruff in Nauvoo

This is where we checked in and where the girls and some of  the adults are staying.

This is the original Woodruff Building where the boys and some of the adults are staying. 

This statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith lies in the courtyard between the two buildings.

Woodruff Hotel- boys' rooms.

Woodruff Hotel- girls' rooms.

Wilford Woodruff's portrait in the foyer of the original Woodruff Building.

Gathering in the living area at the girls' rooms

Another view of the gathering area in the newer building of the Woodruff Hotel