Filled with Gratitude

This weekend our beloved prophet passed peacefully away at the age of 101! He was clear minded and skiing into his nineties!! What a wonderful man. It wasn't until his late nineties that he fell and hurt his back and exclaimed he had never had such pain in his life. WOW! I love our prophet, I know he was called of God. I did NOT agree with him over issues regarding COVID, but I thought to myself, is he a prophet only when I agree with him or is he a prophet? I struggled for a year over this and continued true and faithful and Heavenly Father rewarded me with a testimony that Russel M. Nelson IS a prophet of God. I look forward to our NEW prophet, Dallen H. Oakes, speaking to us this week end at our general conference and invite all to watch one of the sessions. Three on Saturday and two on Sunday. California time:SATURDAY 9am-11, 1pm-3pm, and 5-6pm, then on Sunday 9am-11, 1pm-3pm. below is the link to the Sunday Session If you've never heard a real prophet or apostle speak, you will love this.

This Week we have had a lot of fun as we have filmed, and spent hours editing several videos sent to us from small groups of missionaries called districts. Each group was assigned a book from the Book of Mormon and to do a little skit to highlight two or three events in each book.

We will be showing this creation of inspiration and giggles to the Young Sister Missionaries to help them learn and remember the highlights of the BIG PICTURE of the Book of Mormon. Elder Cullen plays Mormon at the end of the video. It's very fun and funny like a youth camp skit..hahah! BUT also enlightening... In other news.... A sister missionary here is very good at crocheting and made me this adorable little turtle! It reminded me of the turtles I have loved that were made by my friend Linda back at home

When Elder Cullen and I first got here we noticed a couple of signs on the outside of our historic jail property that were in our right of way. They are extremely shabby and not owned by the church but because of their proximity reflect on us. We talked to the heads of FM and they hummed and hawed and said hmmmm.

So I took a chance and looked up the "Looking for Lincoln" office for one of the signs. They were WONDERFUL. I sent them a picture of their sign and asked how I could help them make it worthy of their standards. Within 2 months it was replaced this week. I was driving the mowing tractor along the inside of the fence and glaced up and noticed the new sign going up. I stopped mowing and took a picture and CHEERED the men putting it up. They appreciated the applause and cheers with smiles.

I can't tell you how happy I am about this! Now I'm encouraged to address the OTHER sign owned by the state of Illinois but a different department. I think the two pictures really are an excellent example of RESTORATION. The first sign was so weathered and damaged by people touching it and from neglect that it literally could not be read or understood. It was replaced by the exact same thing only fresh and new and un altered by weather or humans. This is why we refer to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the RESTORED church of Jesus Christ. It is exactly like the New Testament Church: Lead by Christ Himself through a prophet (like Peter) and 12 Apostles, 70's, baptism by emersion, gifts of the spirit, etc. It is not a protestant church because it was not formed from protesting any other Church. It was just restored by Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith. I do hope you listen in to conference this week end and listen to our new prophet and apostles tell us what Christ would have us focus on for the next six months.

Here's a great quote from our late prophet Russel M. Nelson "Virtue will free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts. Brothers and sisters, as the world grows more wicked, we need to grow increasingly pure. Our thoughts, words, and actions need to be unfailingly virtuous and filled with the pure love of Jesus Christ towards all men. The great opportunity before us is to become the people God needs us to be." HAVE a GREAT WEEK!

There and Back Again: Week 48 After the Trial of Your Faith comes the blessings!

In a lesson in church this week this beautiful painting came up. It's of a young mother and father with their little children and all around them are angels...Ancestors and Future Decendants holding them up and strengthening them. I bare witness that each one of us has this help available to us! Heavenly Father and Mother and our older brother, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are all part of that loving help too. We can do all things in Christ if we call upon Him. This week We had the daunting task of pruning all the hedges and Sweeping all of dead leaves and spider webs off of them and then CLEANING up all the debris.

The sun was so hot. We wanted to quit and do it another day so many times, but I would say this prayer, "Lord, can you help me just finish this sections?" and I would get energy...then "Lord will you help me with THIS section?" and I'd get another 15 feet done. A few hours later it was all done, then I could really feel good about going inside my deliciously cool little cottage and take a nap! That's one example of a trial, and act of faith (perseverance), and the blessing.

We had a super fun surprise. The Moores from my childhood town, have come out on a mission. They were the Youth Leaders for my three best friends in highschool (Clark, Tom, and Brian). They know many of my immediate and extended family so it feels like I have COUSINS out here! LOL they are full of energy and joy. I'm so excited they're here.

We also celebrated the Autumnal Equinox with delicious food and sang the "If you love Autumn" song while waving out hands to the sky! HAHAH We're silly but we used to do that with our kids and we still do it! Here's some pictures of our Autumn Feast

LAST but not least our dear friends the Christiansens came to Nauvoo and Carthage and took us out to dinner. WE LOVE THEM! and it's so fun to see our loved ones.

I'm posting this finally on Sunday afternoon. The Carthage memorial booth we were in charge of was a BIG success. That's the second example of a trial, and act of faith (perseverance), and the blessing. To me the greatest thing was that 15 people took information for our FREE Emotional Resiliance Classes. If you are interested in taking one let me know. IT's SO good.

Speaking of emotional resiliance...we are fasting and praying for the victims of the Michagan shooting and burning of their chaple. Peace be Still.

There and Back Again: Week 47: Attack of the Webby Worms!

My Google Photos just popped this photo up from when the Windsor Connection Magazine did an article about me. I stare at that picture and think to myself. "Should I have let my bangs grow out on this mission? That looks kinda cute in that picture." LOL shallow but important! I ALSO thought, "Wow, I have learned so much more since then." I've learned more about medicinal plants, about tractors and lawn care, about being patient with adults (I'm pretty good with kids), being more self aware, my relationship with Reg has grown stronger, and my relationship with Jesus is stronger too." This mission is hard and fun and the best thing about it is it's helping me grow to be the person I want to become. I do NOT want to be the same person today that I was yesterday.

This is the BIG DEAL about following Jesus Christ. He's easy to please and hard to satisfy. When you bind yourself to Him through covenants he will make more of you than you can make of yourself. It's always hard and always amazing AND he's really good at giving rest breaks. If you are not getting rest breaks you may be driving yourself too hard instead of letting HIM drive you. Once you get something under your belt, He IS going to raise the bar. Don't dismay...embrace it. This movie, by the way, is awesome AND my little sister plays the mom in it. SHE's wonderous.

The challenge of the past two weeks is the attack of the webby worms. They look harmless, but in MASS they are horrifying. They are dropping from trees, climbing the Visitor's Center doors and walls by the hundreds, making webby cocoons in every nook and crany of the wood work and in the hinges. I am constantly scraping green goo from the walls and corners. It's sickening. I enjoy joking with the Young Sister Missionaries that I wish my mom was here to do this dirty job. They laugh and express how glad they are that I am doing it and not them. I often wish for my mom when there is any distastful job to do. She is the cleaner extaordinaire. Love you mom! When we share our light, we bring the relief of Jesus Christ to others! (Camille N. Johnson)

Sadness this week...the belt on the tractor mowing deck broke, the starter thingamajig broke, and the alternator went out! WAHHH...I didn't do it.. Luckily FM was quick on the rebound. They took it away and a day or two later it was good as new!

GLADNESS this week! We had our first REAL planned activity night. Getting to know you games! About 90+ people showed up. We divided them into five groups. FIRST we ALL played a fun kahoot that Elder Cullen and I made about teachings from the Book of Mormon, then started the small group games. Station one a dice game where you line up at a table and the person across from you is your partner. You roll the dice to pick a question (1-6) then you both have to answer it. you have one minute then you shift down a chair and roll the die again. Station 2 was a memory game "I'm going on a trip and...", 3 was charades, 4 was a name remembering game, 5 was a trivia game.

Everyone except two super shy men were having a wonderful time. Every 8 minutes the groups would rotate to the next game. By half way through the night, the super shy guys were way more relaxed and laughing. Mission accomplished!

I was SO worried no one would come, or if they did they wouldn't like it, etc etc. Heavenly Father really blessed the whole thing. Our efforts were rewarded. People did get to know each other better and had fun doing it. I guess the moral of the story is...stress and worry is a waste of time and energy...if you've done the work...it will be what it will be....and I have found, that if you pray over it, it is more likely to be successful.

Elder Cullen made homemade Spanish Hot Chocolate this week! Our friend Sister Malpica sent us the recipe.

AND he sanded down and repainted the hood of our car which was starting to develope rust spots. HAVE a GREAT WEEK and choose to be happy. Doctrine and Covenants 104:17 "For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves."

There and Back Again: Week 46 Peace, Be Still

This has been a week of filling the world with Love. I was in awe of the beautiful temple once again. In the blackest of night it shines like the MOON. The Moon is always a reminder that the sun is always shining...ALWAYS even when the earth has turned her back on the source of light. The moon and the temple are a contant reminder that the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, is always there. We can be the "Moon" to others who are in the dark because it's night time in their life, through the actions of others, or because they have turned from the source of light. There are times when my friends and family are "Moons" to me. Shining bright as they come to serve and love me.

This was a stressful week for me because I was entangled in several levels of conflicting leadership as I was doing my new job (in addition to the one I'm already doing) Activities Director for the Mission. I'm excited about it. I LOVE doing it, and immediately I had responsibilities for activities in the mission, in our Carthage Community, and in the state of Iowa, representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Historic Sites Mission. I'd be told to start on one thing only to be chastised by someone else for going too fast or to check in with someone else first.

It was pretty painful to be praised and "slapped down" every couple of days... After the third time I sent a message to all four leaders from all four different rungs on the "in charge" ladder and expressed my frustration with the confusing leadership style and asked for grace as I tried to figure it out. I explained that I don't like to procrastinate and I like to be prepared early because there are ALWAYS surprises when you put on community events and if you have your ducks in a row and a back up plan in your pocket you can problem solve faster and still deliver a GREAT product. I gave examples of the contradicting experiences pushed "send" and went outside and hoed the heck out the weeds around the trees on the lawn with tears leaking out of my eyes.

As I took out my frustration on the poor weeds, Elder Cullen was calm and loving and supportive. He was gentler on the weeds and making jokes until I softened and started praying for my enemies real and imagined. I prayed that our hearts would be softened and we would be friends. I prayed and prayed the whole time we worked. Later a young sister missionary said she saw me weeding out the window of the visitor center and praised me for how hard and fast I was working.. HAHAHAH I didn't tell her why, but it made me giggle inside. Elder Cullen says we're all still in middle school and at times I have to agree.

When I went in to change for another activity I had four texts or emails waiting for me full of apology, love, and gratitude and good ideas for moving forward. I was SO grateful to Heavenly Father for this. The miracle of a change of heart is greater than the parting of the seas! All is well. THIS week I had the pleasure of teaching a house full of homeschoolers about crystal structions and chemicals moving across permeable membranes.

I had 12 students ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade. It was very fun. They all learned alot and had a great time.

We also made lunch for some friends and spent time getting to know them better.

Last of all, every day...several times a day I look out my kitchen or living room window and see this.

And I remember daily that the prophet, Joseph Smith, and his brother, Hyrum, were murdered because of their beliefs. The constitution did not protect them. While their families and friends wept others partied and congratulated each other. I met a man this week who came to use the Visitor Center rest room who told us his family helped drive the "Mormons" out of Nauvoo so he didn't feel he deserved to have a tour. As he scuttled away my missionary friend shouted out, "We still love you. You are not the actions of your ancestors!" He didn't turn around.

There's nothing that has been done to us, or by us that Jesus has not already paid for. The slate is clear for all those who accept Jesus Christ and the atonement He suffered. As he was napping on the little fishing boat during the storm at sea his friends woke him in a PANIC. WHAT in the WORLD!? HOW can you SLEEP when we're all about to die? He chastised them for not having faith and stood up and said, "Peace, Be Still" and wind the the waves died down. THIS can happen in your life. Keep Jesus in your boat AND enjoy this beautiful song. I have sung this before with my Vinyl Revival friends. I LOVE IT!!

There and Back Again: Week 45 Blessings in Yard Work!

We had the extreme pleasure of getting permission to go to Tennessee to visit Autumn and Aaron in their new home. We celebrated Autumn's birthday, I got to tell bedtime stories every night. Elder Cullen and I made a scary movie directed and thought of by Emmet. AND we got to do what we do best these days... LOTS of YARD WORK!!

We all worked hard together. Unfortuneately we didn't get BEFORE pictures...of the original state, but we got some "mid" pictures and "finished little project Pictures"

Autumn has really good ideas about beautifying her yard. She IS a Master Gardener. This mailbox was surrounded by weeds and HARD clay and after an hour and a half...

We really loved being with Autumn and Aaron. They were very gracious and fun. I noticed that Heavenly Father is blessing them a LOT! In small but important ways. They are a young family on a tight budget, so Heavenly Father directed Autumn to place a few calls and got that pile of mulch for FREE! She was inspiried where to go to get cardboard for laying the mulch on as better protection against the weeds. They needed yard tools and we found a thrift store having a 50% off yard tools sale! Unbelieveable!! When we rented the rototiller from Home Depot, they were having trouble getting the cap off the gas tank so gave Autumn 50% off the rental for wasting her time! It goes on and on with a SUPER sale on sheds...they got one at 1/4 the cost...crazy. So many "trials" became huge blessings and it was clear that they were being helped by outside spiritual sources.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thy own understanding and He will direct they paths...it's TRUE HE WILL.

When we got home our missionary friends had been helping out with the chores in Carthage! We were so grateful. I forgot to ask anyone to water my pots in the back yard! YIKES. My little flowers in the back yard were so happy to see us! They needed water bad and we gave them a good soaking and they sprug back all cheerful and fresh!

Then it was back to work...wait...we never stopped working! LOL Just a change of yards.

I have to say. I could do this job until I drop. I want to die in the saddle so to speak.

Not because yard work is SO fun, but I love the feeling of strengthening help from Heavenly Father as we do this job and the feeling of joy we get when we've finished a good hard days work.

My dear sweet friends took pictures of us working! They said they knew we were hard workers, but didn't know just how much we were doing until they had to do it. It was awesome to feel appreciated. OK so I'm going to end with Emmet's scary movie. Please don't be freaked out.