I recently took a trip with my family to Nauvoo, Illinois. Aside from a plane ride to North Carolina when I was 22, I had never been east of Texas. So this was quite the adventure for all of us. Not only that but we were meeting up with our extended family members for a reunion.

We traveled through New Mexico, staying in Albuquerque for one night. Next, we stayed with my sister and brother-in-law in Oklahoma for a few days. They showed us the Land Run Monument and the Oklahoma City bombing memorial. I was impressed by the solemnity I felt there.

The next day, we drove through Missouri, passing by the arch in St. Louis, and up along Illinois's western border. We arrived in Nauvoo during a torrential rainstorm.

Nauvoo was known as the city of Joseph in the late 1830's. There, the Mormons built a township on the banks of the Mississippi River. We had so much fun visiting the historical sites and watching the pageants that were put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

A few days later, a small group of us drove into Springfield, Illinois and visited the presidential museum for Abraham Lincoln. I
The wonderful exhibits, so artistically and carefully arranged, impressed my children. I know they will never forget what they saw! We learned so much from this road trip. We learned of the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf.

We developed a greater appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy in this great nation: the freedom to worship, the freedom to vote, and the freedom to express ourselves. The freedom to love our fellow men and the opportunities to better our lives are the foundation of our lives in these United States of America. Yes, I'm a proud American. I'm also a member of the LDS faith. And I have high hopes for our country, especially if we stand together during these difficult times. God bless America! If you would like to see pictures from our trip, visit www.lauralwalker.com/destination-nauv...