The Nauvoo Pageant has come and gone

Things were very busy here with the Pageant in town. (It ran from July 7 to Aug 1) It was quite exciting. Every Tues-Sat night there were pre-show activities from 7-8:30 then the pageant from 8:30 - 10:30. We could all hear the pageant from pretty much anywhere in town. What a sound system! So, now things have slowed down a bit. Well, there are two Nauvoo "Especially for Youth" programs, one is this week and the other one is next week. Last night was our cast's turn to perform "Sunset by the Mississippi" and the EFY kids were in the audience, all 200+ of them. Wow, too bad they aren't there EVERY night. They screamed and cheered and danced in the aisles and gave us several (about 7) standing ovations. It wasn't so much that we did a great show they were just a great audience. However that much energy is contagious and we all gave our best.
One more thing about the pageant that is fun. There's a website to access that will tell the relationship to any of the characters portrayed in the pageant. For example Joseph Smith is my 5th cousin 6 times removed. How about that for a close relationship!! Anyway, here's the website in case anyone wants to play: NauvooPageantCousins.org

Anyone who has been to Nauvoo knows that one of the must see sites is the Scovil Bakery. Everyone who visits there gets a little gingerbread cookie. In the early Spring I got to help make those cookies. There was a stash of about 40,000 of them in the freezers. President Ludwig called me in again this week and asked me to be in charge of making the cookies for next year. I will need to make sure that we have at least 40,000 cookies tucked away in the freezers before Ron and I really get into our duties with "Sunset" in January. I was told to start in 2 weeks when the Young Performing Missionaries leave, since right now we are using the kitchen for their meals. Then, yesterday, Pres. Edstrom (counselor) came to find me at Pioneer Pastimes and I guess with all the visitors this summer we've got ourselves a cookie crisis! So, my schedule for Saturday has been switched and I will begin baking right away. This mission is so fun! I am so lucky! I just keep getting to do all the fun and interesting jobs! Between this mission and having Ron as my companion there's rarely a dull moment.