Well, our computer is back working thanks to our wonderful son-in-law, Dan. I hope I can remember some of the things I have wanted to mention here. The trees and wild life have been phenomenal between the magnolia's, the cardinal's, the eagles, and the pelicans, we have been in awe. The eagles have gone now, but they were quite the sight as we would drive down along the Mississippi. We have come to love the river and the river birds that are so fascinating. The time is becoming more hectic as we approach the summer. We have so many new missionaries that our meetings are overflowing. Our preparation meeting s are held in the seventies hall and it is full! I can only imagine how busy it will be by the end of May. Wow, how can we be so blessed. We love our mission more each day and our love and admiration for those who built this little town, name of Nauvoo, knows no bounds. Sister Davis who is over all the shows here is back and we are working really hard to make the changes and improvements she wants. She is a little scary, but a really talented lady. Hope all is well with all of you. Love, MOM

The days and weeks are flying by. We are so busy that Sunday comes around and I can't believe another whole week has flown by and I haven't done anything with my blog. I must repent, and do better. Our Easter program is tonight. We have been working ever since we got here (well really most had been working a while before we came) Anyway we have a wonderful director, Elder Moffett, who has picked out such great music it has really been fun practicing with such a talented man. There are so many talented people out here. It's rather intimidating. I feel so lacking in talents, but I just keep plugging along and hope my meagre talents can make a worthwhile contribution.

I mentioned earlier that we would have our Relief Society birthday in the Red Brick Store. What an experience that was!!! The spirit was so strong that most of us were fighting tears most of the evening. We did the program twice so all of the sister missionaries (mission and temple) could attend. By the second performance we were all feeling overwhelmed by what we were experiencing. It was definitely a never to be forgotten event.

What a joy it is to serve in the various sites. The spirit we feel as we talk about those faithful saints and the sacrifices they made fills me with gratitude to my heavenly father and to them. I sometimes feel that the prophet Joseph Smith must just be in the next block or in the next house. His presence is so strong here.

I recently served in the Brigham Young Home with a very dear friend Sister Patricia Jones. She and her husband are on their 3rd mission and they are really spiritual giants I am so grateful to have their friendship.

John has become a star in Rendezvous. He plays the doctor in one of the scenes. He has been quite nervous, but is doing very well. Tonight we had Zone Conference. Sister Ludwig spoke about the need for change in all of our lives. She mentioned that we have all attended meetings where were motivated to change our lives in some area that was talked about, and we really want to change. Unfortunately, those feelings usually only last to about the parking lot. She said aspalt contains a secret ingrediant that absorbs good intentions. We MUST get our good intentions past the parking lot. She is a great speaker and I think everyone left feeling a real need to improve.

Time??

I realize it has been a while since I posted. Life is soooo busy, but so great. We have been very busy learning site scripts studying music for two programs, plus extra music for special numbers within the programs , plus a special number for the Relief Society Reenactment which will be held in the red brick store, which is where the Relief Society was first organized. The red brick store is owned and operated by the Community of Christ, but they have given us special permission to use it. It is not very big so we have to have two sessions. Should be very neat.

Well, John & I went on stage for the first time tonight. We both felt very lost, but it went much better than I expected. Very fun! The audience was great, several young children and they all responded very enthusiastically to the show. Even though we were only in the chorus, it was a great experience. One of the other missionaries commented "I have never been in a play before that we never had a practice on the stage. We have only practiced the music and when they think you are ready they give you a set of maps to tell you where to stand and you go. It's pretty scary and very humbling, but we are loving life in Nauvoo.

We had dinner at the Mission Presidents home on Sunday. We all took part of the meal. There were 5 couples and it was delightful. Pres. & Sister Ludwig are really neat people and made us all feel welcome and loved. Sorry I haven't had time to take any pictures. I will try to do better.

Love to all!!

Valetines

On Saturday Feb. 14, the single sisters in the mission had a valentines dance for all the couples.

They must have spent many hours baking cookies and making decorations and we all had to have our pictures taken. It was a very fun night

Week 2

Monday John Worked at the blacksmith shop. He's really an old hand at that all ready. I was in the Sarah Granger Kimball home. She was the one that started the forerunner of the Relief society. It was a very peaceful home Sister Evans, the site leader s, and I sat and crocheted and visited and enjoyed the view. (the temple, horses cows and geese landing in the field. Sister Evans looks and acts like she should be Lois Reeder's (Russ) sister. It seemed that she was an old friend the first time I met her.

On Tuesday we had more orientation and then went to Carthage, We had been there several times before, but having studied the presentation and delivering it a couple of times at the MTC, It really had a lot of meaning. I am so grateful for the courage and faith of the Prophet Joseph Smith and His brother. They were such an example of family loyalty and love. It was a really special way to end our orientation

Sites

Wednesday and Thursday I served at the Lucy Mack Smith home. What a faithful and stalwart lady. I t was such a treat to be there from 11:00 - 5:00 for 2 days. The stairs are very steep and narrow so I went down backwards ( no beeping) but I could imagine Lucy and her daughter & fmaily living there. They were only able to stay a few months before fear of the mobs drove them to Knoxville, then Ramus, then Lucy finally returned to Nauvoo and lived with Emma, who cared for her lovingly until her death. Friday I was in the sewing room which was very fun and relaxing??? John Had a ball working with the teams all week.



Wednesday morning we had a reenactment of the exodus. It was not nearly as cold as it was in 1946 and we were dressed warmly and were only out for about an hour, but I tried to imagine what it was like for them. Words fail me. I only know I love and admire them so much for their faithfulness and courage.

Siste Hughes gave the lesson on Sunday. It was excellant. Different but just as good as her Husbands