We often talk about "Nauvoo miracles". Wednesday I did not go to Rendezvous because I had such a deep wracking cough and very little voice. On Saturday we went and I asked how much they believed in "Nauvoo miracles" because sometimes I had a voice and sometimes only a squawk. They decided I should try it. Many of the cast were praying for me and although there were a few week notes, they all came out and it was OK. As we sang the last song "This little town" my voice was just one big squawk, but we made it through "Thomas and Elizabeth." It was quite an experience for me and many members of the cast.

Today we went to Carthage for the Commemoration of the Martyrdom. The band played, the YPM's sang "No Ordinary Brothers," Pres. Peterson, our temple president spoke, and the young sister missionaries sang "Joseph, the Seer" Nothing really new. We've heard it all before, but hearing it there just outside the jail, with the wonderful spirit that was there was really neat and very touching. Someday I hope I can sit at the feet of the Prophet Joseph Smith and listen to him teach. I've really come to love and revere him. Well, it's been a great day, but a long one. We expect the Hunsakers to be here soon so I will say so long for now. I love you all so much, and I love our Savior and His restored gospel. So much joy comes from living it!

We had a combined meeting this morning encouraging us to give short tour and include a gospel concept and our testimonies. It was great and at the end, Pres. Ludwig asked us to thank our families for their prayers and for sharing us with the mission. It's a good time for me to express my gratitude to all of you for the good lives you live, the service you render both in the church and in your neighborhoods and families, and for your love and support of us as we serve here in Nauvoo. As I listen to other missionaries speak of problems with their children, I am overwhelmed with how blessed we are to have such wonderful children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We love and appreciate you all so much. Life is so good and we are loving our mission more and more as we see the ending coming near. We look forward to being with all of you; and again, thank you for who you are. We could not ask for a better family.

As most of you know, I have been struggling with my knee since surgery in January. Sometimes I just get really frustrated because I feel I'm not contributing as much as I could with two good legs. One of the missionaries here made me a wooden crutch so I could go on stage. (No aluminum crutches in the 1840's) I've even had people see me in the sites the next day and say "Oh, so that wasn't a prop last night." So, despite trying to be cheerful and see the humor in my situation, I sometimes get really irritated by it all.

On Sunday Apr. 25 We gave our going home talks ( I know we still have nearly 4 months, but their are so many going home that we have to start early to get everyone in). Anyway I talked about my 3rd great-grandparents. Drucilla and James Hendricks. James was wounded at the battle of crooked river and was crippled the rest of his life. No light aluminum crutches for him. No comfortable wheel chairs. No air conditioned, shock absorbed cars. etc. etc. etc. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for him and her with life as it was in the 1840's. Yet, they did manage to get to the rocky mountains, raise their family and James served as a bishop and mayor for a number of years. So maybe I should forget the inconveniences of having to use a crutch for a few months and just be grateful for all the wonderful blessings we enjoy. We are so grateful for all our wonderful family. Being here in Nauvoo is really the most wonderful privilege we could ever hope to have. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is such a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father and His Son. Life is full of joy and exciting opportunities. I have NOTHING to complain about. God bless you all. Love from both of us.

Dear family and friends, no I have not dropped off the face of the earth. Just been caught up in the daily stuff and trying to keep up. I am still using one crutch, which is a huge improvement over two. Still, I am kind of slow at doing the most mundane everyday tasks. The eagles have gone. The pelicans are back. Our magnolia tree has outdone itself this year. Wish I could figure out again how to show you a picture. We have had some wonderful experiences with visiting general authorities.

Elder Richard Hinckley, son of Pres. & Sister Hinckley came and spoke to us. Sister Ludwig spoke first. She told of her grandson who was given a CTR ring and said it was "specialer" than a diamond. Pres. Ludwig told of a time when he was Stake Pres. down in Arizona and then Elder Hinckley was coming to speak. They had crammed thousands of youth into the Stake center. They received a call that Elder Hinckley was sick and may not be able to come then a call that he was coming. This happened twice, but Elder Hinckley came and gave a wonderful fireside to the youth. He said he could not disappoint the young people.

Sister Hinckley took a few minutes talking about her ancestor Joseph Young that was here in Nauvoo, and the miracles that occur in family history work. Then Elder Hinckley suggested that we all stand up and stretch before he started speaking. We did and he said we sounded like a great big bowl of Rice Crispies. After giving some great training, he told of a time when his mother was asked what she had done to contribute to a happy marriage. Her answer was " I lowered my expectations." It's a funny answer, but maybe one we all should think about when things are not going quite like we hoped. He also mentioned that he thought the health requirements for senior missionaries were too strict. He said " If you have a pulse and can recognize yourself when you look in the mirror in the morning, we need you."

A week later Elder Holland came and spoke to us. After talking a little about Sec. 121 - 123 of the D&C, he told us some statistics. Currently we have 3900 senior missions serving. we need 6500. He told us of a sign on Pres. Hinckleys desk "DOn't QuIT" with the first two and last two letters in red. Do It! and Don't quit! good advise. He also said that Apostle are to go forth and bear witness and all missionaries are apostle's the difference is the capital A and the small a. Well, I've got to get to my site. We have been really busy the last few weeks, just a preparation for the crazy summer months that are coming fast. Love you all. Hope you are all preparing to serve a mission in the future. God Bless you with His very choicest blessings.

Some of you may remember Elder & Sister Dove and their Downs syndrome son. They are only here for a year because they didn't know how their son would do. He has been amazing. They spoke in church Sunday because they will be leaving soon. I understood very little of what young Elder Dove said, but there was no mistaking the spirit with which he spoke. Very touching. He performed in our variety show. It was a number from "High School Musical" He danced without inhibitions and would come to the mike and say things which we couldn't understand, but with great enthusiasm. He loved it when the Young Performing Missionaries were here, and they were great with him. He really loves the Prophet Joseph Smith and kept thinking he would come. I'm not certain he ever really understood that the actor that played Joseph in the pageant was not him, but anyway he was really happy while he was here. One day this fall, young Elder Dove was blowing leaves in the women's garden. He was cleaning around the statue of Joseph and Emma. After he had cleaned all around Joseph, he turned off the leaf blower and wrapped his arms around Joseph. Then he cleaned around Emma, turned off the blower and again embraced the statue of Joseph. The simple faith and capacity to love of this dear young man has touched our hearts this entire year. What a privilege it has been to have him in our midst.

In our combined meeting on Sunday our teacher, Elder McMinn played a video of the stakes of Zion that have come into being since the restoration. Of course it started our very slowly. One Stake in Nauvoo and then gradually some in Utah. The Spirit of God was playing in the background softly and kind of slow. Gradually it sped up, the first stake out of Utah was in Hawaii then South America started going then Canada, it was all kind of slow with a light flashing for each new stake and then a red dot to show where it was. As the dates flashing at the bottom got closer to the present, they started coming faster and faster until large areas were flashing all at once and several areas were all red. The music got louder and faster and at the end it was like a huge lightening storm. It was very exciting. Then Elder McMinn had one of the missionaries read "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

There were few dry eyes by the end of the video and maybe none at the end of "The Standard of Truth. What a thrill is to be part of such a great work. We are so grateful to be here in Nauvoo. We miss you all, especially at this time of year, but we pray for the Lord's choicest blessings to be with you and that you may feel the joy that comes from living the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is true and the greatest thing in our lives. Love you all!!!!

Those of you who saw Sunset by the Mississippi this summer will remember Sister Ora Mae May. She is a single sister and played the marimba for the walkerette routine. I like to tell you about her son. When he was 14 her husband died. Soon after this son started with the rodeo crowd and picked up the habits of chewing tobacco and drinking. He was ordained a Priest, but that was the end of his activity. He married out of the church and had several children who weren't members either. Sister May said this son, wife and children came out to Nauvoo to visit her in July. They were here the first 3 nights of the Pageant. The first night, even though it was quite rainy and coo., they stayed for the whole performance. They came the nedxt two nights also. Sister May asked her daughter-in-law at the end of her stay, how did you like Nauvoo? The lady said: "it is the first vacation that I ever went on that I cried every night and loved every minute of it. Sister May told us that the son, his wife and the children were taking the missionary lessons. The son was trying to live the word of wis dom so he could baptize his wife and children. Sister May later told us that her son had been interviewed to b e ordained an Elder. He was so excited because he was going to baptize and confirm his wife and his children.
Sister May said that she will forever be grateful for the Pageant and what it had done to bless her family. Her greatest blessing from serving this mission is that it brought her son here so that he could have his family with him in the gospel.