Monday, July 28, 2008

Nauvoo, IL





























July 25-28, 2008:

OK. So, I have to say, this has been such a spiritual place for us to be. It was right around Pioneer Day, and we were here in this beautiful city built by the Pioneer Saints so long ago.

All along my drive, I have tried to imagine leaving my home and all I've known in the east and heading to the west...walking a really, really long way...with kids...and everything! I can barely do it with an air-conditioned Suburban and McDonalds for the girlies along the way. How the pioneers did it, I will never fully understand, but my gratitude towards them is probably more full than I have ever experienced right now.

Literally, I felt the spirit from the moment I arrived in Nauvoo. The first time I came here was when I was in school in St. Louis, and I travelled up with a Young Single Adult group. I remember specifically the strong spirit I felt at the temple site when there was no temple there as it has been destroyed in years past. I was elated to drive downtown and see the beautiful temple which now stands. (Yes, Temple #5 on my trip. LOVED getting the chance to do some work here!)

We stayed in a special place: The Nauvoo Family Inn and Suites. The second time I came to Nauvoo was when my husband, Tommy, came out to see me in St. Louis while I was still in school. We had gone to see Carthage, and we were totally shocked when we had the chance to ride over to this place because his mission president and wife (President and Sister Horne) were staying there!! This is a very special memory. I even got to sing for them in the lobby there along with Elder Kikuchi who had been staying there, as well, at the time!

And now, for my third visit to Nauvoo. It was too cool again to have my name up downtown and to get to sing and sign in the Latter-Day Harvest Bookstore. The people here were so kind. I even gained some fans...the guys from The Living Scriptures cheered me on after every song! They were too sweet!

We had the chance to take the girls to see the Nauvoo Pageant. WOW. First of all, Andi and I had so much fun taking the girls around to the various activities they had for kids and families before the show. Jaz and Luseane learned to braid, and we got to play with Pioneer toys. My little pioneers are perfectly precious!!! The Pageant itself was so awesome! The actors and actresses did so well at not only performing, but also conveying the message and truly sharing the spirit of Nauvoo with the audience. You could feel the presence and contribution of the early Saints. I LOVED it.

Then, to top it all off, I got to see the Nashville Tribute Band perform. I am such a Jason Deere fan now. Wow. I love both of the CDs they have put out, but experiencing this live was something I am so glad I did not miss. Jason's testimony was so deep and so touching about these early saints (especially his knowledge of Emma Smith and Porter Rockwell). He has done so much studying, and it has paid off in some truly touching ways for all of us listeners. What a night!

On our way out, we had the chance to stop at Carthage Jail where Joseph and Hyrum had been martyred. I had only been there once before, but the same tender spirit rests here (especially in the room where they were shot). I am glad I had the chance to experience that feeling again. (I also have gained more depth in my respect and love for Hyrum. I think this was enhanced by the Nashville Tribute's song "Brother I'll Follow You."

All in all, this was such a great weekend, one that I will never forget. When we attended church in Nauvoo on Sunday, their opening song was "Scatter Sunshine." I think it is here in Nauvoo that I really felt the depth of why I am out here doing this. I just want to Scatter Sunshine myself. That was my nickname, back in the day, "Sunshine." The Sunstone from the Nauvoo temple was a reminder of that. I am so thankful to have the chance to fill my soul with this light again, and I am more than happy and excited to continue scattering it.

Farewell, Nauvoo.

Columbus, OH



July 22, 2008:

I was so happy with how well the fireside went in Columbus. I really didn't know anyone here. I got it set up (thankfully) through Jackie Stucki (friend and--in a round-about way family member who grew up near me in NC). It is always so nice to be able to go somewhere far from home and still feel at home! The gospel just is that way! I LOVE being able to go to churches across the country and feel like I have family everywhere.

The kids had a great time playing at the Stucki house while Mommy was performing. The Stuckis have 6 beautiful children, so my girls were right at home!

I got to visit Temple #4: The Columbus, OH Temple. LOVIN' It.

Pittsburgh, PA


July 20, 2008:

Nice to return to the land of the Steelers again!

I was very happy to get to put on a fireside here. It was a nice, spiritual evening, and I enjoyed having the chance to perform here. Thank you to Auntie Annie and Uncle Dave for getting this set up!

Probably the best part about Pittsburgh is always family time. Got to eat sushi buffet with Auntie Janie, shop with Cousin Melia....Got to visit again with Mother-in-law Wynnie (we keep running into each other!!!) And my girls just LOVED time with Grandpa Meva and playing with their "Uncle Stoney" again!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Palmyra, NY











July 18 and 19, 2008:

We arrived in Palmyra. That was a DRIVE, but its only the beginning!

It was cool to pull up to the store downtown and see the sign with my name. Yay, Artist (spoken mentally with a French dialect).

Luckily, I had my fan club with me....we met up with the Kinston, NC Stake Youth (ahhh, home). They made a big deal over me, even though they see me everyday....Ha Ha...:)

The people at the Latter-Day Harvest Bookstore were awesome. I got to sign alongside Traci Hunter Abramson (an LDS Author from Virginia) and David Stitt (another LDS Author).

The highlight of Palmyra, though, was going with my girls to the Sacred Grove. We met up with the youth from our stake. (These Young Men love the girls so much!)...(and Oh, my...check out the smile on my baby girl). I have only been there one time before, and I remember the strong spirit I felt when entering the Grove. I could feel that spirit from the moment we walked in. It is definitely sacred ground.

That night we saw the Hill Cumorah Pageant. It was great (minus the protestors....) Very, very picturesque.

And, I finally met up with THE BABYSITTER! Hallelujah! I could not do this without her! All hail Andi Nock...my cousin, amazing babysitter and traveling companion!

The 19th was Daddy's birthday. The girls especially missed celebrating with him while he's home working.

Temple #3: Palmyra, NY. I LOVE visiting 3 temples in one week. I should do this all the time!

Washington, DC





July 17, 2008

Today was a very special day.

It started with an in-store performance and signing of my CD at This Is The Place Bookstore. (Boy, I kind of felt like Brother Brigham when he said, yeah, baby this is the place....It was so hard to find the store itself!!!)

The DC Temple, I have to say is my favorite. It truly feels like a castle rising above the bustling city....in the world, but not of the world.

Of course, I'm partial to the DC Temple. It's where I was married and sealed to my favorite people ever forever. It was great to have my girlies with me. They stood in awe. Eternity: I would never want to do it with out them!!!!

I got to perform at the Temple Visitors Center. I actually had the chance to perform with my parents and sisters there when I was a little girl as the "Musical Michels," our own version of the Von Trapps:). The small theatre there was full, and I was so excited to have a nice kick-off performance of my fireside.

Special guests included my Aunt Alice from Baltimore, and, (miraculously) my Mother-in-Law, Wynnie, who happened to be coming through DC on one of her many cross-country travels. She brought Uncle Stoney, and even had cousins Lenny and the other Stoney who helped to babysit while I did the show. (This was especially lucky as I had to do the first leg of the trip alone without a babyistter on the road----eeeek!!)

Raleigh, NC


July 15, 2008:

We packed up the Suburban and headed out on the road.

First stop, Raleigh NC Temple. We went there so that I could go through the temple with our cousin, Loni Anne Nock, who was getting her endowments in preparation for her mission! She will be serving in the Salt Lake Temple Square Mission.

Hurrah for Sister Nock!!!

Summer Tour 2008

OK, so I have not yet really begun the whole blogging bit before, but here I go!

My debut album "The Gift of God in You" was released in February.

Amidst having a newborn (born in December), having two very dramatic and active, eager and restless older girls (ages 3 and 5), plus completing a semester of teaching private voice to around 30 individuals, and with my husband in Grad School....well, I really have not had the time I have wanted to get out and share my music and my message.

This summer has proven to be perfect timing thus far, and I hope you will enjoy reading about and seeing pictures of our adventure.