I better get typing. Another fun and exciting week, with another 30 shows performed. The longer we are out here, the more my Sisters and I are realizing that we got here through our abilities to perform, but that's not really why we're out here. We've talked a lot about how we knew each other in our pre-mortal life, that we all knew we'd be coming to Nauvoo together. This is a summer that Heavenly Father knew would be in our eternal life plan. That's how important it is. We're out here to bear testimony of Jesus Christ, and his love for us. Everyday it gets easier to do that. When I sing I look directly into someone else's eyes, and I know that they can feel what I feel. It's amazing...everyday.
We just had an interesting experience this afternoon. The Bower's arranged for us to go on a tour through the Community of Christ sites. They own the Homestead, The Nauvoo House, Joseph, Hyrum's, and Emma's graves, The Mansion House, and The Red Brick Store. (well, actually they own more than that, but that's what's included in the tour.) The second we sat down to watch the video in their visitor's center I felt different. I felt heavy. The spirit was not there. Ah. It was just so weird compared to being on LDS property. The tour was all factual, and no testimony of anything. It was interesting, and I learned a lot, but I didn't really feel the spirit until the end. We were on the second floor of the Red Brick Store, and we sang "Nauvoo." It's a beautiful poem put to the music of Jupiter, from the Planets, by Holst. The spirit was there. It's so cool, because that's where the Relief Society was started, and many revelations were given, including the endownments for the temple. Anyway, there's lots more to say about the buildings, but no time to write about it. As we were driving back home down old main street past all of the shops, and homes I felt completely different. The spirit was there, and the people were happy.
A fun little fact about the Nauvoo Mission. It has the highest concentrated missionary population than in any other mission of the church. Most of them being Senior Missionary couples. I love them all. They're all grandpa's and grandma's to us. In the last couple of weeks we've received cookies, bread and jam, banana bread, muffins, ice cream, popsicles, popcorn balls, and fruit snacks from different senior sisters. They are so stinkin cute, and the only thing they want in return is a hug, and a song. Between all the senior couples there are 2,338 grandchildren, and 407 great-grandchildren in the mission right now.
I love the Nauvoo temple. The End. Oh wait, that's not all we did on P-day this week. We also did a very bad thing, and went to the Fudge Factory up on main street. Bad idea. I hope it doesn't become a weekly visit. ;) Speaking of really good food. The sisters and I are playing the Biggest Loser at our house. It's fun. We have our starting weight, and then for each pound we lose we get to write a star on the poster board. :) I've put up a couple of stars so far. ooOO! One sister has lost 18lbs since we've been here. She's lookin great.
I got to work in the Wilford Woodruff home and the Lyon Drug Store this week. Both great sites. The Young Ambassadors from BYU are here for two weeks, but we don't see them much. We're only allowed to go to one of their shows while they're here, and their fireside which is later this evening.
Oh, another cool experience. I met a 3rd great-grandson of Hyrum Smith yesterday. He and his wife are from Salt Lake, but don't know much about the church or Hyrum. We told them that we honor his heritage, and how lucky he is to be a desendant of Hyrum.
This week we've all been so tired, but Friday was bad. I was like asleep backstage, and then I'd run on stage to do a scene, and suddenly wouldn't be tired anymore, and then I'd come back off stage, and I would be just as tired. Just another Nauvoo miracle that we can function on stage. haha
I did see a family I knew this week! It was the greatest thing ever to have someone come tell you there's a family that thinks they know you, and they want to talk to you. It was my best friend (Ari) from high school, cousins. I've been on a bunch of boating trips with her family, and extended family, so that's where I got to know them. It was so great to see them, and have them recognize in a pioneer dress versus a swimsuit. haha. Their grandpa, (I call him Grandpa Booth), isn't doing very well health wise, but he loves it when Ari and I would fiddle. I played Orange Blossom at Sunset that night, and I told his daughter, (Ari's aunt) that I dedicated Orange Blossom to him that night, just in case he doesn't make it until I get home. If he does then I play it for him for reals. :) Anyway, it was so fun to see them.
We got some bikes to ride in the morning or evening after our shows, and we rode down to the Mississippi the other night. We were on a little bank, looking out over the Mississippi River, and a gorgeous sunset with the temple behind us. I DO NOT know how the saints left, (besides the horrible humidity) it's the greatest place on earth. But I suppose they left because the prophet told them to. I've learned that there are A LOT of things that we are told to do, and we don't know why, but we do them anyway, because we are obedient...if that makes any sense.
Last Sunday we went to the old Nauvoo Cemetary. It was a beautiful place. So peaceful. The Bower's got some stories together for us to read about families who buried their children there. So many children died each week, that they would just bring them all up once a week and have a big funeral. Some parents buried most, if not all of their children there. It's a very sad thing to have a cemetary of mostly infants.
Ok. You know that sissy rain showers in Utah? yeah, those don't exsist here. When it rains, it rains. Oh. My. Gosh. There is so much water. Yesterday morning we did one of our morning shows in completely wet clothes because we couldn't even make from the car to the cultural hall without getting drenched, even with umbrella's. How funny is that. I love the big lightening and thunder storms, especially at night. And there are the most gorgeous sunsets here.
Just in case you're interested in getting another point of view from Nauvoo another couple of sisters have their e-mails on blogs too, so check out, emilyelisechambers.blogspot.com , and sisterreynders.blogspot.com...or it might be janetreynders.blogspot.com. haha she couldn't remember.
Well I'm probably boring you now. I hope all is well at home, and I sure hope there's no more snow. I was going to share something insightful, but I don't know what to share...so I guess you don't get anything. Love you all
Love,
Sister Jones