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.

We May Plant Seeds. . . We May Water Those Seeds. . . or . . . We May Harvest the Seeds. . . We are all helping build the Kingdom of God. . .

   Yesterday was another wonderful day at Carthage. . .   I would like to share  several experiences that I had there.   It was my turn to take 6 people through the jail, 2 couples and 2 gentlemen.   The spirit is always there, its as if Joseph and Hyrum are there.   We got to the Martyrdom room and went in and talked for a few minutes and played the 4 minute tape.  I like to sit for a minute or two after and let the spirit whisper to our spirit.   I then bore my testimony and ask if any one would like to say any thing.   One of the women ask about the cry Joseph uttered as he fell from the window, "My Lord, My God".   That is a Mason cry for help, and Joseph was a Mason.   I have a different take on the cry and was able to share my thoughts.   I believe that Joseph Smith knew Jesus Christ in a personal way and feel that as Joseph leaped or fell from the window he saw Jesus Christ, our Savior, who, I feel had come to take him home.  We probably will not know the true answer until we see Joseph Smith in Heaven and can ask him personally.  Some how it makes my heart feel better.   Everyone left the room and had started down the stairs when I noticed the other women sitting in the Dungeon Cell, she was crying so I felt I should just let her be alone in her thoughts.   Everyone was down the stairs when she came out and held me in her arms.  While crying she ask if she could bare her testimony to me which she did as she held me.   It was a beautiful testimony and when she finished she thanked me for listening and said she didn't want the others to hear.   I shared, that my testimony was much the same, and thanked her for sharing with me.   We walked down the stairs together, and when we were outside she ask if we could stay in touch.   We visited a little longer and then said goodbye.

    On my second tour it was a party of 7, 3 couples and 1 woman who was by herself.    After the tour was over and we had all left the jail one of the women came back to find me and said, "I believe that we will see each other again even if it is in Heaven,  we will know each other."   What a beautiful concept.

    My third experience, a couple came into the Visitor Center in Carthage and said they just wanted to see the Jail, they didn't want to see the film or anything else.    Her great grandfather was one of the guards that guarded Joseph that day and she couldn't understand why they killed him.   We explained the best we could and assigned Elder Horlacher to take them through the Jail.   Elder Horlacher will finish the story a little later, but what a thrill to meet someone from the other side whose relative was there and knew of the martyrdom.   They were from Oregon and had come a distance to see the jail, and find out why someone would want to kill him.

     I was asked to conduct the tour of the couple by Sister Price which I was glad to do.  The couple told me that their great grandfather had been assigned to be a guard inside the Carthage Jail.  The film which we show in the visitors center shows Joseph teaching the guards.  I told the couple how special it was to meet them because I tell the groups (especially the youth groups) that when you are involved in a bad situation it is alright to leave and not be part of it.  This is what the guards did.  They left saying that they wanted no part of this and that Joseph was a good man.  The replacement guards were instructed not to talk with Joseph.  The great grandfather had written about this experience in his journal and said that if they had known what was going to happen to Joseph and Hyrum Smith they would not have left.  The couple also told me that Joseph Smith had given a scriptural reference in the bible.  The couples daughter is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints  and had the specific information.  I tried to give the couple a Book of Mormon but they refused, however we left as friends. It was a thrill to meet the non member folks and to testify that like their great grandfather, Joseph Smith was a good man and I know that he was and is a prophet of God.

   Coming to Nauvoo brings history to life.  It is one thing to read about it, but quite another to walk the streets and visit the homes and feel of the spirit of the Saints who walked, laughed, cried, died, suffered and gave everything they had for our Father in Heaven and his Kingdom.   On the way to Carthage Joseph said "This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens."    As the Saints were leaving Nauvoo, walking down the Trail Of Hope, they were singing "All Is Well".   My dear family and friends, could we do the same if we were ask?    We Love You All so much.

It's Time to Step Up. . . . . It's Time to be the Leaders. . . . The Missionaries who were here before us have gone Home and on to the New Chapter in their Lives ! !

     At our Rendezvous last night we said good-bye to the remaining cast who will be leaving us.  Our cast went from around 60 to 30.    The show must go on,  we were promised they will keep all 3 casts even though that means we will be doing 3,4,5, even 6 parts or more.   Now, can we remember it all, is the challenge.   We truly love our mission.

     In our mission choir we are singing the Hymn "More Holiness Give Me,"  page 131 in the Hymn Book.   I'm not sure if I really, I mean really, listened to the words.   I want to invite each to find the hymn and take a few minutes in home evening or wherever you can find a quite moment to read the words,  I would like to recite just a    few, "More patience in suffering, More sorrow in sin, More faith in my Savior, More sense of his care,  More joy in his service, More purpose in prayer,  More gratitude give me, More hope in his word, More Savior like thee."

     Every once in a while a question is ask or comes to mind,   "What does the Savior ask of us?"  He asks us to follow him.   We each will interpret the meaning for our own self.  But I find it humbling to ponder the question.   Am I trying hard enough?  This life is a test, will I pass?   There are so many questions we must ask our self as we prepare to return to our Father in Heaven.    Our Father in Heaven has set the standards we must follow.   We can look at the Parable of the "Ten Virgins" to perhaps understand how important following the standards completely is.   All ten virgins I'm sure were good women, perhaps even great, but only 5 were allowed into the wedding.   Why?

     We have a Sister here in the mission whose granddaughter came for a visit.   She is 10 years old, her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother during the week and with her father on the week ends.   Her father is the son of this sister.    The mother is on drugs so this young girl does not have a wonderful home part of the time.   Sister Mamales took this young granddaughter around to all the sites, to Rendezvous and a Wagon Ride, etc.   She had a wonderful time.   She was asked what she enjoyed the most and she replied, "I loved how part of God came out of the missionaries and everyone was so kind."   My dear family and friends, we never know what even a smile or hello will mean to someone.    Please stay the wonderful people that you are. . .    We love you all so very much, we couldn't be more blessed than having you all a part of our lives.   Thank you.

         

A few odds and ends! ! !

Main Street in Old Nauvoo, an other flower pot, the Cultural Hall where Rendezvous is performed nightly.  Elder and Sister Horlacher with their wagon loaded on the fairy ready to cross the river.  

Sister Horlacher weaving, actually it is very relaxing.                                                                        

 

   
   

Even though this is not a sunset, it was very beautiful!


This week I had an interesting experience while at the blacksmith shop.  The picture at the bottom is of a family which our son Charles taught while on his mission in Wisconsin.  They asked about my name tag and wondered if I knew if  there had ever been a missionary with that last name serving in Racine, WI?  I told them about Charles and the connection was made.  He had taught them but they were not baptized until after Charles was transferred.  We had such a wonderful visit and I was so excited that I called Charles to tell him.  It is a thrill to learn of my sons missionary success. Our world is very small when we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I also had an experience with some folks from Sweden and Norway.  I tried to make a connection with Denmark but they said that they also couldn't speak Danish either! (Ha..Duaine..I'm trying)

How the time can fly ! ! !

    Tomorrow September 9, 2015 marks one third of our mission completed.  I can't even realize we have been serving for 6 months.   We just keep learning. . .  The sites have slowed down as far as guests and we have learned  "sometimes it is more tiring to do nothing, than be extremely busy, because you can't rest from it. . . . . . . . . ."   Our hours are shorter now, basically 10 am to 5 pm.   Makes it easier to get to Rendezvous at 6:30 pm.    We have time to get to know our companions, what a special treat it is.

    The Young Sisters have a baptism coming up, September 23.   A woman in her 30's.   She is married with a young son, 7.   Elder Horlacher had given them a tour in the blacksmith shop and they have included him, us, in part of the excitement.   Her husband had been a member of the LDS Church since he was a boy but had become inactive.   He hadn't been to Nauvoo since a boy, and the family was trying to find something to do, when he remembered Old Nauvoo.   They came and fell in love with Nauvoo as well as the missionaries.   They are here going through the sites every chance they get and have been to 4 of the Rendezvous.   They have invited us to dinner on the 25th.    It is so cute to see the excitement they have.   It is interesting to me that many of the people who live right here, have heard of Nauvoo, but don't have any idea about what it is or what is here.   Her mother knew about the mormons and has a great dislike for them.   If they would just learn about us with a open heart they would find we are not so bad, ha, that we just want to follow Jesus Christ.   This family just moved to Carthage so they can be in the Nauvoo Ward.  Their son was child of the week at school and for his favorite song he chose "I Am a Child of God".   It is so fun to be a part of someone coming into the church.

     I have been thinking a lot about service lately and how important it is to give and even to receive.   In Matthew 6: 3-4 it says "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seethe in secret himself  shall reward thee openly."

      Pres. Thomas S. Monson said, "Loving service anonymously given may be unknown to man - but the gift and the giver are known to God.   Of this truth I testify."      I also testify that blessings truly come when we are in the service of our fellow men, for we are in the service of our Father in Heaven.   He needs each of us to help him in caring for each other.   I once heard, he only has you and I to send to do his work as he is not here to do it himself.   When you think of it like that you can't help but feel it a privilege to give service to each other.    We love you all so very much.