Come come ye saints~Nebraska/Iowa

I did my first mini vacation by myself! I have to say...I didn't really like going alone. I'm a social person and though I enjoyed this trip, I wish I would've shared it with someone. My mom was supposed to go with me, but long story short, she didn't and that's alright.
I decided to visit Nebraska and Iowa for several reason. #1- Southwest had $79 and $99 one way flights from Vegas to Omaha- shaa- #2 I could add another temple, the Winter Quarters Temple (in Florence- close to Omaha), #3 I could add two new states- Nebraska and Iowa and #4 last but not least- in doing my family history research to find conversion stories of my family members to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I discovered that I have four ancestors who died in/ around Winter Quarters, while crossing the plains as pioneers. William Stones (dad's side), Margaret Cameron Shirts, James McDonald and Newell Knight (all on my mom's side). None of them were buried in the cemetery I visited (more below about a possible semi relative) , but I'm certain that each of them had been in those spots where I stood. I cried a lot on this trip! It is funny how instantly you can feel the Spirit in such sacred places.

I arrived Friday night and picked up this fancy, lime green rental car and then, with only one turn around/lost moment, got to the hotel. I asked people "What do I have to do in Omaha or what should I eat of try?" I'm tellin' you- not one person could answer. They all said, "Ummm..." and kinda stared at me. I knew this trip would be interesting.

Saturday morning I went straight to the  Winter Quarters Temple and did a session. The temple itself is built on the cemetery. They had to move five graves (with permission from descendants) to build the temple. If for no other reason, that makes this temple unique, but there's so much more too it. In all temples, I feel the Spirit and they are reverent and amazing, but this temple seemed...more sacred? Can one temple be more sacred than others? Honestly no, but this one felt like...very hallowed ground! The Mormon pioneers spent some very trying times in this small place. My family members gave their lives for their faith here. I felt that in this temple and the visitors center next to it.
The Winter Quarter's Temple is a mini temple but two stories. Everything in it reminds you of the pioneers. The wood work is gorgeous and the chairs must honestly have been hand made with their cushions and backs needlework similar to the patterns the pioneers would have picked. The tissue boxes and waste baskets were even covered with embroidery and needlework (talk about attention to details). The windows were stained glass and had different pictures in them- a wagon, wheat, Brigham Young, etc. I've never seen anything like it.

visitors center window that
overlooks the cemetery

After I was done with the session, I went across the street to the Visitors Center. They have  a little tour of the entire pioneer journey starting at Nauvoo and finishing in the Salt Lake Valley. You can walk in a replica of one of the little log cabins the Saints actually made at Winter Quarters and hear their journal entries (need to be better about journaling!). You can pull a handcart   ( I didn't because I actually did a three day trip trekking with a handcart at age 16 and the lessons there haven't been lost on me- mole skin and I bonded ) or pet a stuffed oxen. They have a great video (only about 15-20 minutes long) that is a compilation of actual journal entries of pioneers. I cried a lot during that (good thing I was by myself- not another soul watching the movie with me at that time).  

The Visitors Center also had a Gingerbread Festival. Many wards, families, and local groups of boy scouts and girl scouts competed. Honestly it was really fun to see. (P.S.- I  put in the gingerbread house that looks like a haunted house for you, Melissa- see others do it too hahha)

After the Visitors Center I came back to look at the cemetery. It was there that I realized the Tree of Life depicted in the stained glass of the Celestial Room windows overlook the cemetery. How powerfully symbolic! I think I may have a relative buried there- well not a direct ancestor but one of their children. I will research that more. I took a picture of her name and grave site (the blank grass picture you see below and the name plate- Orpha Knight).

I then went over to Kanesville, Iowa (now known as Council Bluffs). I saw a replica of the Tabernacle where Brigham Young was sustained as the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I also read information about the Mormon battalion and watched a movie about it. I didn't realize I had an ancestor, Ephraim K. Hanks, who marched with them. How awesome is that!  While going to Iowa, I crossed the Missouri River and though it's not as big as the Mississippi, it would've been daunting to cross in the winter. The entire trip just made me very grateful for all my blessing. I'm so thankful for my pioneer ancestry and for their faith so I can have the gospel in my life!