Can't help myself take two...Spring in Nauvoo is breath taking, and Guests are arriving by the hundreds or at least dozens.

Peonies are blooming all around Nauvoo.

 These were taken at the Sarah Granger Kimball home where the Relief Society women's organization was organized in 1842.

 These were taken in front of our house.

 These were taken on our morning walk.

 Note that along the road and between the growing crops are beautifully manicured carpets of grass.

 Between houses and fields are more rolling hills of manicured carpet. Remember, that I was raised in Phoenix, Arizona where brown is the norm and green comes in colored rock or spray paint.

 This is not a golf course! No, it's just a normal Nauvoo neighborhood.

 The grape vines above have plastic coverings to prevent roaming deer from eating away at the plants. Note the grass carpet between the rows of grape plants.

Pioneer Pastimes:

We've had hundreds of school kids come to Nauvoo on field trips this month. This will be the last week since school will be out. However, as you see below, the kids have been replaced by families--lots and lots of them.

Kids, and families dress up in pioneer costumes for pictures.

Thought for the week. 
Remember the Parable of the Prodigal Son that Christ taught and is recorded in the New Testament? (Check out  the reenactment at the link  Prodigal Son .)

Well today in Sunday School, we studied the parable and spent quite a bit of time talking about the jealous older brother. I thought about the approach we took with our children when they showed signs of jealousy. It didn't always work perfectly, but our underlying philosophy was to reinforce the child's value when they were feeling jealous of someone else. Think how the father responded in the video above. He was gentle and kind reassuring his older obedient son that he will be well rewarded for his good choices. All that the father hath shall be given to him while his younger rebellious brother will get far less. However, all can rejoice over the prodigal son's return.

I think that in general most children feel insecure about their acceptance and self worth more than they feel jealous and don't want others to be successful or rewarded. Hence people generally respond better by addressing the "real" problem and building them up and reinforcing their value. It's probably true for adults too, don't you think?

So, my challenge to you and myself is to look in the mirror before attempting to correct anyone else. Then, focus on others' importance and value.

Inspiring quotes from Prophets:
Here are a few notes I took at church today.
If today you are a little better then you were yesterday, then that is enough.  (Elder Bednar)
If envy were an illness, all the world would be ill. (Didn't catch the author)
Life is to be enjoyed not just endured. (President Hinckley)
Happiness is in your own hands (Elder Holland)
Fill your mind with thoughts that give hope. (Didn't catch the author)
Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved. (Didn't catch the author)