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.

B-day surprise

So here I am, dusting at the Brigham Young home when I here the door open. I hear voices, but concentrate on finishing the dusting before anyone gets where they can see me. The next thing I know beautiful voices are singing Happy Birthday to you. I look up and there in the door are Lisa, w/Michael, Shanna, and Abby; and Laree, w/Emma and Johnathan. I was so overwhelmed, I could hardly contain my joy and excitement at seeing them. It was the last thing I was expecting. After giving hugs and kisses and finally calming down my thrill, I gave them the tour. Then they went to other sites, saw Grandpa some where in there; and by the time we got home at 5:00 p.m. they had a wonderful birthday dinner prepared and even a Banana Cream Pie!!! I would never expect that kind of birthday on a mission, but it was wonderful. Today we went out to dinner with dear friends E/S Toone & E/S Jones. It's been a terrific two days. Life is great, the gospel is true what more could we ask.

I havn't blogged for a while, life just seems to carry us along with few opportunities for the non-essentials. We are happy, healthy, and having the time of our lives. I wish all of you could have this opportunity some time in the future. In our prep meeting this morning they announced that there have been 29 documented baptisms from referral cards at the pageant. There may be many others that have not been traced to the pageant, but that started there. What a thrill to be part of such a wonderful work. Some days we give tours all day long and don't think any thing special has happened and then you connect with one person and know that they are feeling the spirit . What a joy that is! I do believe that anyone who comes here will not slam the door in the face of missionaries when they come to their home.

Yesterday we served at Carthage. The first time we have had that priveledge. What a joy it was to feel the wonderful spirit of that place. We have come to love the Prophet Joseph Smith as never before. What a tremendous example he is to us all. If I work the rest of my life, I could not measure up even 1/200 th of what he has done; but I hope I can know and commune with him when I leave this life.

The spirit here in Nauvoo is so wonderful. We find such joy and satisfaction each day as we serve at the various sites. The gospel brings happiness to those who live it. May you all find that joy in your lives. We love you all so much

On Thursday while I was serving in the Brigham Young home, a middle aged couple and their son came in. I was impressed with their happy nature. In fact, the son never seemed to stop smiling. The only change was in how wide the smile was. After bearing testimony and sharing some personal things with them, the son asked if he could share his story.

At the age of 17 he was diagnosed with brain cancer. The tumor was between the lobes of the brain and it was impossible to remove more than a small portion of it. Removing that portion did help his headaches, but after several more surgeries they told him there was nothing more they could do. They said he should go home and enjoy what short life he had left.

While he was still in the hospital, two men in suits came in and asked if Elder ...... (his name) was there. He said "my name is ........" One of the men said he was Elder ....... of the seventy and he had been sent there by Thomas S. Monson to give a blessing to the future Elder ....... He received the blessing and was promised he would live to serve a mission and would have good health. He was not able to serve a regular mission because he has no short term memory, even though his long term memory is perfect. He did serve a full time mission in his own area and worked in the mission office helping with the records. It has been 17 years since that diagnosis and he enjoys really good health, and I believe his smiles show his gratitude for being alive.

We all cried together as he shared his story. I was really grateful that we were not busy that day or I could not have taken time to listen. It was one of those wonderful experiences that we are blessed with occasionally. I am sooooo glad to be here.

We had a great preparation meeting today. Sister Romney, a single sister whom I have come to love and admire gave the thought. She told of a friend of hers who was not a member, but who was impressed with the standards of her member friends and was baptized on her 18th birthday. (her parents made her wait until then) She loved the church, married in the temple and tried to do every thing she could to be obedient, including family history work. She made a trip from her home in California to Salt Lake to visit the Family History library. She checked out a microfilm and started searching, but it appeared to be a blank tape. She kept rolling through the tape and finally found one entry, the women she was searching for. She went to the desk to get the appropriate card to fill out and the woman suggested that she fill it out right there. She said, "Oh I can just go back and do it from the screen. The women said, "It won't be there, that is a blank tape" The friend assured her that it was on the screen, but was told "It often is but it will not be there when you go back, that Is a blank tape." Of course she finished the work right then, and continued working very hard doing family history. Sometime later she was in an accident with a drunk driver. She said that just at the moment of impact, she saw a group of people in earlier period clothing standing around her. Even though she was injured, she survived what should have been a fatal crash. She said she did not know if those were people whose work she had done or ones who still needed her to complete their work, but it did not matter. She would continue to do all she could. What a great way to start out our day.

Two of our very favorite missionaries have gone home. They added so much to our cast and to the mission. They are from Canada and have always done everything the very best they could, with total cooperation and positive attitudes they will be greatly missed. They are standing in the bottom right hand corner. Elder and Sister Hardy, we love you!!!

We just returned home from a sociable put on by Vocal Point, an acappella group from BYU. They were great and after doing a medley of primary songs, several of them spoke to introduce the song they wanted to sing and we would join in for one verse. We were surrounded by lightning on the East, West, and North, but quite a ways away. With it on so many sides you would think it would come over us, but it did not. One of the guys in introducing his hymn gave a quote. I don't know who it was by, but I really liked it. "Life is not about weathering the storm, it is about learning to dance in the rain." What a great thought. We all have spots of bad weather in our lives. We need to learn not to just get through them, but find joy as we do. Thinking about our wonderful family brings me joy every day. We are so blessed to have the gospel and a living prophet to lead us. I know we can get through anything if we will follow the prophet and what we have been taught. Nauvoo is an unbelievable experience. Every day brings new opportunities and challenges. Love you all!!!!

Sunset will soon be over. It has been really fun, but it will be good to have a little more time. If this looks triumphant, that's the way we feel. We actually made it through the pageant season. Whew!!!!

more....

How many ways can you say thank you to our wonderful family for the good lives you live and for the inspiration you are to me daily. Having visitors here so much this month has been a tremendous blessing. Some of our favorite visitors......

I've been really bad at blogging lately. There always seems to be so much more to do than I have time to do. John and I have been working really hard on a new part for Rendezvous the last few weeks. We had our debut performance on Thurs. We had 4 daughters and 3 grandchildren with us that night. Our mission President and his wife and a visitor from the mission department in Salt Lake were also in the audience. That made my heart beat a lot faster that I would have liked. It went better than I expected. (still lots of room for improvment though) We have really enjoyed the many visits from family and friends. It has been wonderful to see you. We love you all!!

Preparation day was very fun this week. 4 couples and 1 single sister went to Hannibal and took a ride on a river boat. It was a great change from routine, very pleasant and relaxing.















Anna Jean & Lamon Perkes have been here this week. We have seen them and their family several times, but on Sunday we spent much of the day with them. They are such a wonderful family and we feel such a connection with all the children as well that it was almost like being with family. It was a great day. we are so grateful for good friends. We are really looking forward to having friends and family here during the summer. We have talked to many that are friends with our family and friends and that is really fun also. What a blessing and a privilege it is to be here.

Well summer hours are here and so are the crowds. I'm sure it will get more crowded as summer progresses, but it is all ready really something. The wagon rides were going 3 times daily, now it is up to 15. I did one wagon tour with only 2 people but most of the time we were quite full. Delray Hobbs and his wife were on a tour and she recognized me. She said "You were at that youth conference when we met. He was recently returned from his mission and she was a graduating Senior. By the end of youth conference we all knew they would be getting married. It was really fun to watch. They have 7 children and several grandchildren. How time does fly.

Today John and I served in the Jonathan Browning home and gun shop. Neither of us had ever worked there before so it was a learning experience. I even learned how to do the rifle making demo. Just picture pounding a thick piece of metal into a barrel. Do you know what these words mean? Skelp, mandrill, forge-weld....Just like I knew what I was talking about; but it was fun. Well, exhaustion has hit and I'm going to bed. Love to all MOM

What a great Sabbath this has been. Two couples that are leaving soon spoke in Sacrament meeting, We had a fun dinner with our two closest couple friends and then walked across the Mississippi. We even visited the old rock bridge (you know where Joseph and Emma first kiss in the movie). Then we went to a sociable with Susan Eastman Black. She really loves Nauvoo and knows the history better than almost anybody. We knew that Lucy Mack Smith had been designated a mother in Israel, but didn't know the story. It was common to call older women mother. Lucy wondered if she was still entitled to that title when so many of her children had died. Brigham said he didn't know and in general conference they took a vote on it, and they voted that she should still be called mother. A very precious title indeed. Emma Smith is the only patriarchal blessing given here in Nauvoo that did not include the word if. No "if you are faithful" just "you will be exalted. The rest of her talk was about Mary Fielding Smith from the perspective of Joseph F.

The sisters were donating pennies to pay for windows for the temple. The drawer that held the pennies was left open and Joseph F. saw them and thought it would be fun to have them jingling in his pockets. He scooped a handful into each pants pocket and went out to play, and soon forgot about them. A man heard them and told his to empty his pockets, when he did, the said you are a thief, the son of Hyrum Smith is a thief. When he took him home and said that to his mother, she asked Joseph if he had taken them with the idea of stealing them, of course that had never even crossed his mind. Mary told the man to get out of her home that he was no longer welcome there and that her son was Not a thief.

When Mary was told of the martyrdom, Joseph F. heard her sobbing all night; but the next morning when they went to see the bodies, she put on her finest clothing and dressed him in his and they went. She did not shed a tear in front of others. She lifted Joseph F. up and said "Look at your father, He died for the truth, now you must live for the truth". He said that throughout his life he would see has father in his coffin and hear his mother saying "now you must live for the truth." She told several other stories about Joseph F. Smith, but the last one was when he was in his late 20's he was walking and met Brigham Young. Brigham asked him who he was and who his parents were. After he answered, Brigham said I have a blessing for you from your father do you want it? Of course he said yes and they found a private place and Brigham placed his hands on his head and gave him a blessing of love, and comfort and council from his father; but before he closed, he also ordained his an apostle and made him a member of the first presidency. Joseph F. was very surprised, but not as surprised as Brigham was. Brigham said "You will notice I made you an apostle and a member of the First Presidency; but we have no vacancies at this time, so don't say anything about this for a while. It was a really interesting fireside.

It has been a great mother's day. I've heard from all of our children and even a grandchild and got to talk to a great-grandchild. It was wonderful to hear from you and I enjoyed it very much, but I hope you all know that the thing that brings me the greatest joy is the good lives you all lead. May you all find joy in living the gospel and drawing close to our Savior. Love MOM (Grandma - Great Grandma)