Beneath the Black Walnut Trees

This morning we all got to sleep in! We took our time getting ready for the day and then took a drive to Carthage to see the place where Joseph, and Hyrum Smith were jailed and eventually martyred on June 27th, 1844. Elders John Taylor and Willard Richards were also there during the attack, but survived. 

As we began our tour a few of the boys began pushing and shoving and one of them ended up in tears. Daddy hauled them both out to the van while the rest of us finished up inside and then it was decided that they would like to catch the next tour group going through. The kids said it was a good experience and they learned a lot. I think seeing the actual place and the holes in the door where the gun was shot made it more of a reality for them. To know that these events really happened has strengthened their testimonies of the prophet Joseph Smith and all that he did in restoring the full Gospel to the earth.

Lily hadn't napped all day and I knew performing would be tricky with her tonight. When we arrived back stage in the evening, I scooped her up and slowly wandered into a nearby grove of black walnut trees. I found a tiny cobblestone bridge and began swaying and dancing back and forth to the sound of hymns being played on the bagpipes and the chatter from the gathering crowds. 

It didn't take long for her head to start slipping off my shoulder as her body became heavy in my arms. I slowly wandered back to the stage area and tucked her into the wagon where she stayed asleep for half of the show. She always makes sure she is there for her big bow at the end!

"The Gallant Ship" is a favorite scene for many in our family! I'll often catch a few of the kiddos humming it throughout the day.

There is one scene where we are singing "Beautiful Zion" as we enter from the back ramp and make our way to the bottom corner of the stage. During this song there are parts where the lights change and we are supposed to freeze. Mr. Stannix nailed this pose everytime and Ollie was such a champ sitting in the awkward "falling" position for close to a minute during each freeze pose. 

It was interesting watching the transformation in our older kids who were a little bit apprehensive about spending a good chunk of their Summer dancing and acting on stage. They quickly grew to love it, and crave it, and I hope it will be a memory they always cherish and tresure!