There and Back Again: Week 4

Question of the WEEK: Will Sister Cullen (Heather) be allowed to learn how to drive the snow plow? I have put in my request! LOL Doesn't that look amazing? I think the first test is can I climb one story up to get to the cab. This thing is as tall as my house. So speaking of what job will I be doing....We arrived at Nauvoo LAST Wednesday, a mere five days ago. We had interviews by the head maintenance leaders and were then taken on a tour with another couple to see all the different options we had to serve. It was very much like Hogwarts! Different Houses included: Appliance repair and electrical, Glass cutting and repair (historic glass is harder to cut!), wood working and carpentry (learning to make doors with beveled adornments with NO nails (period style)and other items, small engine repair, automotive repair, irrigation installation and repair and maintenance, Green houses (think professor Sprout!) and landscaping, housekeeping (Dobby and company), HVAC, welding, etc. We were asked to list our top three interests, I couldn't choose. I told them to pick the one no one wanted or was hardest to fill and I'd see if I liked it. They are praying about the assignments and will tell us tomorrow morning before 7am devotional.

This is a picture of our condo complex. Maintainence missionaries don't live in historic Nauvoo. I have called our humble abode "The Shire" because its' over the hill, small, and full of merry and lovely powerful friends who love each other and work hard.

Historic Frolick: On our preperation day we went to Hanibal, MO to visit the Mark Twain Museum and sites. IT was absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed any of Mark Twain's books.

Spriritual awareness: Today at church a sister compared us to untrained horses and Jesus as the horse whisperer. He stands at the middle of the pen and the horse soon learns that there is more peace and rest as it learns to come to the master in the center of the pen. The pen being our world. Whisperers also require the horse to give them BOTH eyes, because horses eyes are on the sides of their heads their vision is two dimensional, also because they are prey, not predators, they need to see behind themselves to survive. When We give Christ BOTH our eyes we are are in essence telling Him, "I trust YOU to watch my back and I will do whatever you ask me to do." Here's hoping I become tame here. NEIGHHHHHHHHH!

WANT to VISIT us in Nauvoo?

This Link below will give you all the information you need. There are hotels and air bnbs here. Book early. We've been told 10,000 people come here every summer! https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/history/sites/historic-nauvoo?lang=eng

There and Back Again: Week 3

THE Mission Training Center (MTC) was a marvelous place where we gathered with 4,000 other missionaries getting ready to go out into the world and learned about the Character of Christ and how to invite people to know Him better. We focused on principals of Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance (use that atonement!), Baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. We were in a district of 8 missionaries the whole week we were there. Some missionaries who are learning foreign languages are there 9 weeks! We grew to love our teachers and our classmates. Then we drove for days, stopping at our daughter, Autumn's house to play, then arrived at our NEW home in Nauvoo, Illinois. We were met by about 10 other Senior Missionaries (old people lol) who helped us unload our car in minutes. We unpacked and made a dinner of sorts...we REALLY need to find the nearest grocery store tomorrow...and headed out to a very fun game night where we met about 40 other senior missionaries who are serving in Nauvoo. Something that was put on my radar: There are so many ages and stages of lovely humans serving here. God will take you as you are and bless you for doing whatever you can. There is no competition or comparing.

OUR Mission Farewell Speeches and song at Church.

There and back again:week 2

Today we blessed a second grandchild, Wells Thomas Cullen. Our second week after being set apart as missionaries we are spending in Missouri with our son, Benjamin and his wonderful wife, Courtnie. Being a part of two blessings really drives home home how grateful I am for the power of temples. Temples are a place where families can be sealed together with priesthood authority for time and all eternity. this week will be filled with delicious food, fun games and yardwork. then on to the Mission Training Center in Provo, Ut.

There and Back Again: A Heather's Tale

So our journey began last Sunday. My mom was able to come for our actual farewell talks and song. All else watched it on Zoom. We left Sunday afternoon to stay at cousin Aileen's house near Tahoe to break up the arduous drive to Eagle Mountain, UT where we would stay to spend time with our daughter Spring and her husband Calen and her daughters, Caluna and Lillian. Lilian was being blessed that Friday. Also, our youngest, Ephraim is living with Spring's family. Uncle Ephraim is a favorite in that house. So much love in their home. We will leave our Toyota with Ephraim for the duration of our mission. Halloween was a delight. the kids were adorable 🥰 We will fly to Missouri for our Ben's son's baby blessing then return to Eagle Mountain and then drive to the mission training center.

WHAT is CONVERSION?