Being a Missionary. . . Has so many thoughts. . . .

    Living the gospel by thinking of others before yourself. . .  Is being a missionary.

    We had our Stake Conference this last week-end and as you know they are wonderful.   Ours was no exception.   A young sister missionary, newly returned home, spoke.   She served in the San Diego Mission. She told of an investigator  who was having trouble with the Joseph Smith story.   They had come to visit him and his family when they meet him on the street and he was drunk.   He was saying terrible things to the Sisters, yelling and cursing them.   She ask Heavenly Father to help her understand this man and what they should do.   She also ask God to let her see him through his eyes.   How could anyone love someone such as he.   She felt a warm come over her and she felt a love that only Heavenly Father could give.  She felt as if she were in a bubble, and she couldn't hear anything the man was saying.   She knew she loved him as before this had happened and she knew that Heavenly Father loved him no matter what he said or did.  She knew Heavenly Father loves each of us, it doesn't matter what we say or do.  We are his son or daughter and he wants each of us to return and be with him, just as we want each of our children to be with us, (those of us who have children.)   As a missionary,( we are all missionaries,) we can see the Saviors hands each day in our lives.   We must learn to recognize his hand in our life and know that we are never alone.  We must ask for his help in all we do.   We must ask for help to be worthy of the help from our constant companion, the Holy Ghost.

   We must make the Book of Mormon more important in our life.   Many of the problems the early Saints had was because the Book of Mormon wasn't considered that important in their lives.   The Book of Mormon was written for our day, the answers we seek each day can be found in it.

   Many times when we receive promptings we may feel or wonder why.  Another story was told of a man who was on a business trip and he was impressed to take a Book of Mormon with him.   He sat by a gentleman who was reading, so this man thought he would ask the question, "Do you like to read?"  of course, the gentleman liked to read and so as the conversation went on the man ask if he could give him a Book of Mormon.   He explained what the book was about.  But the answer was "No".  The business man ask several more times but the answer was always no. . .   He felt discouraged, exited the plane and went on to his meetings.   Several days later as he found his seat on the plane going home, a gentleman sat down next to him.   One of the first things this gentleman said was that he had sat in front of him on the flight there and he had heard the conversation about the Book of Mormon and wondered if he still had it, and if so, could he have it.    We never know when we act on a prompting just what is in store, but we must try to always act on them.   After all,  Heavenly Father only has us to do his biding.

 

Here we are toward the end of October and our Boooootiful Nauvoo is coming this Saturday.  Tonight Elder Horlacher and myself will go and carve pumpkins,  we have artists draw the faces and designs and then we get to carve them.   We have around 500 altogether, so it will be very interesting.
We sure get to do fun things, ha ha.

The autumn leaves looking from our porch toward the temple.  The leaves are starting to be beautiful, even though, many have fallen without color.

This picture with the Doying was taken back in May before Elder Doying had medical issues, and they had to leave the mission.   He is home from the Huntsman Cancer Center and in rehab now,  it will be a while before he is fully recovered, but the good news is that he is on his way.  We love you both, Ray and Barbara Doying.

Nauvoo On The Road,  This time we
went to Hannibal Missouri, to the Folklife Festival.  We had close to four hundred folks visit us and around 40 ropes were made.  It was a fun time, however, it was pretty cold.  We were able to take our coats off around 4:00 pm as we were packing up to come home.   Main Street of Old Nauvoo just about Dawn, on our way to Hannibal.

We love you all and remember you in our prayers, we thank you for your support and pray our Father in Heavens choicest blessing are yours.   We are going into the Holiday Season with many activities here in Old Nauvoo, as you come into each season we wish you joy and happiness and pray we will all have gratitude for the many blessing with are ours and for our Savior Jesus Christs birth.

The joys of serving. . .

   Today was another wonderful day, each day has it's special feelings and happiness, and each day we are grateful to be hear in this beautiful place.   To be serving our Father in Heaven and show our gratitude for our pioneer Saints who gave an example, and such faith in our Father in Heaven and kept the Kingdom of God moving forward.   I served at the Log School today on what we call a "D" shift, 9:45 am to 5:00 pm, we had 7 tours which for the little school was great.   Fall is in the air, the wind was blowing and it was chilly.  The leaves are starting to fall even though they still aren't as colored as they say they can and will be.

But today was very special.  You can always tell when the spirit of Nauvoo is high, and today was one of those days.   Sunday Elder Horlacher and myself had served in the Brigham Young Home, and I had given a tour to a party of 3, husband and wife, and female cousin.  They seemed very interested in everything I had to say, but didn't have many questions.  They were very nice and we had a great tour.   Today, they visited the little school, and it was my turn to give the tour.  Many times when it is slow, as companions, we will share a tour, one giving information about Mr. Pendleton and the other about the school in Nauvoo.   Today we each were giving the whole tour.   They were surprised to see me, but must have been comfortable with me because they begin to ask questions, not only of Calvin Pendleton and the school in Nauvoo, but about every and any thing, and especially about Joseph Smith.  Their son and daughter-in-law are members of the church, and they, the couple knew a little about the church.  They wanted to know about our names, Elder and Sister, and about the Priesthood.  The cousin didn't know anything about the church and was so interested, she lives down by Quincy, about 60 miles away.  She plans to come back for Booo-tiful Nauvoo in about 2 weeks and again for Christmas.  Anyway, we spent about an hour together which is usually a no,no but they ask if I had time and then thanked me for sharing with them and I thanked them for letting me share.  I think I more fully understand, the joy of seeing people who really want to know about the Gospel, and being able to share it with them.  It was such a wonderful day. . .

Today we have been in the Mission Field 7 months . . . Where is the time going. .

   There has been a lot happen since we last wrote.  We'll try to get it all in even if it is not in order.   We told about Jamie Kennedy to be baptized on September 23.   It was a beautiful baptism.   Many of the Senior Missionaries, as well as all of the Young Sister Missionaries, many of the Temple Missionaries, and many of the 2 different ward members were there.   It was a large number, including the Stake President.   She and her family are now visiting the family history center rather than the sites.   They just got a recommend to do baptisms for the dead using there own names.   She said that many of the names already have had their work completed.   She is so happy.   They have invited us to help this Sat. with the baptisms for the dead  but we have to work.   It is so special to see them so excited and to see the ward members fellow shipping them.   We had dinner with them the following Friday.   They went all out.   A wonderful dinner.   They came to dinner here with us last night, we had Chili Cheese Dogs.   That being her favorite,  they were good, even if I say so myself.

   We have been attending a lecture serious by Susan Easton Black on Joseph Smith.   She and her husband George Durant are here for several months on a mission to clean up Land and Records, doing more research, etc.   It has been so educational.   She talks way to fast to keep notes, but it is so enlightening,  we have about 8 lectures left.   What a special treat.

Romy Snyder

Roundy's and Bishop's

   We have seen so many wonderful people.  We were in Rendezvous and as we looked in the audience, we were so surprised to see members from our ward in St. George, Val and Cathi Stewart and Bill Cowser.  It was wonderful to see them.   A few days later I was in the little school and the door opened and to my surprise there walked in  Jim Morris, he came personally to tell Elder Horlacher and myself that we had been released as Temple Prep Teachers,  I will say that is going on and beyond the call of duty, ha ha.   It was so wonderful to see them all.   Yesterday I was serving in Guest Services and there walked in Elder Horlachers cousin Mary Sue Bishop form Woods Cross, Utah, and her husband, Bob.   It really is wonderful to see so many people that we know.   We are still getting letters for dear friends from the ward.   We love you all so much.   Please take good care of yourselves.   While serving at Family Living Center I meet Romy Snyder whose son, Elder Zachary Snyder, is serving with our grandson Elder Trevor Horlacher in Mexico.   Our daughter-in-law Tonya has set up something on the Internet about the mission they are in and she has joined in, so they communicate.   She loves it and loves Tonya.   While serving in Guest Serves I meet Sally Hall, from West Jordan, a neighbor 30 or so years ago.   She was with her daughter Laurie and her children.   She didn't recognize me but after several trips in and out of the Visitor Center I had the courage to ask her name.   She looked so familiar but I couldn't place her until I ask her name.  It really is a small world.

Sally Hall

   I have served in Guest Services and see so many Book of Mormons handed out.   People are really open about learning about the Church.   They come here to Nauvoo curious but want to know why the Saints were driven out.   What kind of people would drive them out and what kind of people would leave rather than fight.  The Book of Mormon  does have part of the answer.   They really want to know and understand.  We often ask what they, our guests, have enjoyed the most about coming here and they often reply, the kindness and the messages that are shared.   Our messages apply to everyone, not just to members of the church.   Our Father in Heaven loves us all, and wants only the best for us.  He wants us all . . . to return and live with him again.   We are all his children and brothers and sisters.

   My thought for today.   "Come As You Are"  from a MTC Sisters notes.   When you were called to work in this missionary (ward or stake) capacity, you were not required to pass any tests or furnish any proof that you were qualified.  No one quizzed you to find out how much you knew about the Gospel, or inquired about your previous experience or training.  The only requirement was that you be willing to accept the responsibility of the position you were being asked to fill.   Your Father in Heaven accepted you "as you are" when He called you.  He was aware of your weaknesses, your problems, and your knowledge of the Gospel.  He knew of your capacity to learn and your potential ability.  He knew that with His help, you would be able to fill the position if you sincerely try.   You have our Father in Heaven to help you.   I think about this often, when I feel I just don't know enough, or can't express myself well.  I know my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to be successful.  He is always there for me and for you.  No matter what. . .

 

The last group of missionaries that left. We still have a few more to leave soon.

The corn fields have dried up and the farmers are ready to harvest.  This is the way to farm.  They prepare the soil, plant, and then wait for fall to harvest.  No watering is needed, at least most of the time.  They have the big, expensive machines that do most of the work.                                                      



The geese on the Mississippi.   It is fun to watch them.   They are everywhere.