There and Back Again: Week 42 MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I'm writing this early because who knows what the weekend may bring. Tomorrow is my Birthday! I'm starting off with a much needed massage. I must say that this week there were several projects that taxed my muscles with lots of hauling of heavy things, and repetative motions. That being said, the Lord has strengthened me and brought me up to the task!

One of the heavy things I had to do this week was help my dear friends pack up to move. They are going home 2 months early due to health issues. They are a miracle. They are actually MUCH MUCH stronger and clearer of mind than when they came but a recent accident neccitated better resting and recuperations that can only be done at home. Like the early saints of Nauvoo, they are being driven from the place they want to stay at by their trials. AND like the early saints the last thing they did before leaving was to attend the temple with friends and renew their covenants with God in order to have power to triumph over the trials of the next phase of life. The sister in the wheelchair is one of our Blue Belle Shiners, hard working and dedicated. The brother worked in Carpentry with Elder Cullen until we were moved to Carthage.

It was a real spirtual experience that all our close friends were able to attend that last session with them. We really do live in a covenant community. It's very wonderful. They also got to have their last Surrey Ride and we all waved "Hurrah for Israel" Flags as they passed. For those who don't know... in the early 1800s,two of our modern day apostles got called on 5 year missions to the Brittish Isles. They were very sick and so were their wives and children. As the men lay in the back of the wagon heading off on their mission, one said to the other, something like...."It's breaking my heart for them to see us leaving in this condition. They must be so worried! Let's give them a cheer" So they struggled to their feet and shouted "Hurrah! Hurrah For Israel" upon hearing this, their wives struggled out of bed sick but laughing and stood clinging to the door calling back "Hurrah! Hurrah for Israel!" Meaning that the gathering of Israel was going forth despite their trials. They were cheered. So as our friends are being sent home we shout "HURRAH, HURRAH for Israel!!!" Because we know that even after our missions, and despite our trials we will continue to lift our voices in declaring truth and those who are of the House of Israel will hear that truth and come out of the world and join themselves with the body of Christ.

In other fun news, I just picked TWO cucumbers and a tomato from my garden. I know you California people have been feasting all summer lol but this is my first attempt at gardening here and it's weird. I had these things in the ground back in May and I'm just getting results. Delicious results I might say.

Also Elder Cullen and I made another fun video! It's a parody about life as an FM Missionary in Carthage. PLEASE enjoy. And LAST but not least. If anything is stopping you from coming unto Christ. Please consider this.

There and Back Again: Week 41, 60 year wedding anniversary and raking at night time

This week my parents celebrated their 60th Wedding anniversary! How many people do you know are still married after 60 years? My parents came from very differnt and sometimes troubled backgrounds. HOWEVER, they had both been converted to Jesus Christ and had committed their lives to Him and the building of His Kingdom. I am the oldest of their 8 children. Our childhood was full of creativity, gospel learning, family activities, and camping/loving nature. I believe that the healing power of Jesus Christ was invited into their lives and it has been healing them ever since. Every year is better than the last even if only by millimeters. They are an example to me of obedience to God and perseverance. Thanks mom and dad! I love you. Here's to 20 more years!

The other day as evening began, Reg, who I think is fighting a bug, was asleep by 5:30pm. I was "boink" awake and felt like I had too much energy so went back outside to weed and rake. It was still very warm outside and the evening light was so soothing and lovely. As I worked my way down the the lawn near the pavers, a little family pulled into the parking lot. They got out and started walking down the path, reading each monument. I smiled and said, "Welcome to Carthage!". They replied. "We know you're closed, but can we please just look around?" Of course I said they could. Carthage grounds actually never close. After talking to them I discovered they were driving from St. Louis to Chicago and would not be coming back any time soon. I offered to take them on a tour. They were amazed and expressed worry that it would delay my work...not a problem. I called two different Sr. Missionary couples and Elder D. GRACIOUSLY offered to accompany me and spot me. AND SO I gave my FIRST tour. I did pretty good. It made me want to study the notes more and do it more often. I loved it. The family was so grateful. I was very glad I was out there weeding or I should have missed them for sure. After the tour I continued to weed and rake until 9pm. It was so nice. I came in when it was too dark.

I want to say something here about weeds...Two months ago I noticed a strange weed that looked like a little tree was trying to grow in the middle of the lawn. I tried to pull on it, but it was quite strong, so I decided just to mow over it instead. After a month or so I noticed that more and more of these little tree weeds were popping up. I decided last week I needed to actually dig them up. OH how I wished I had dug up that one little weed two months ago.

The more I mowed them, the fatter and stronger their roots had gotten.

AND they grew runners! I dug and dug and pulled and chopped until 30 of them were out of the lawn and there was no sign of any others. WHEW! If I had just dug up the one when I first noticed it!

So there's a metaphore here. When we sin, if we just cover it up and not root it out...it may look manageable/OK for a little while, but every time we cover it/mow over it, the root of that sin becomes stronger and stronger and starts birthing other sins and then you're lawn is ruined. BUT JESUS is our deliverer and healer. There isn't anything you can break, including your life, that He can't fix. I love the following quote from "Your Repentance Doesn't Burden Jesus Christ, It Brightens His Joy" by Sister Runia. "Your worth isn't tied to obedience. Your worth is constant; it never changes. It was given to you by God, and there's nothing you or anyone else can do to change it. Obedience brings blessings; that is true. But worth isn't one of them. Your worth is always "great in the sight of God," no matter where your decisions have taken you."

Tools of the Master Gardner! In other fun, Elder Cullen and I fed some young sister missionaries twice this week. They were SO adorable. They made up a thank you song and sang it to us. What creativity and hilarity. I really love those young sisters!!!

LAST of ALL...I performed the hula with my friends at the mission luau! One of our polynesian sisters and her companion taught it to us. May you ALL learn to dance and feel the love of your body like I do!

There and Back Again: Week 40 surprises, jokes, and parodies

We had a happy surprise a couple weeks ago when one of my adored cousins texted and said he and his family were in Nauvoo! SO fun. I love those texts. We were able to meet up, have a delicious lunch (we're loving that tradition here) and made a funny movie for his dad who is a trucker, one of the best.

So the scriptures warn us against light mindedness, but they also tell us to have joy even in our trials. I believe God has a great sense of humor. So what is the difference between light minded and light hearted? I think light hearted means to be happy and joyful and take a bad situation and see it in a hopeful, Godly view. Light minded on the otherhand is when your desire to be entertained or to entertain crosses lines of poking fun at sacred things, or distracts from God and His teachings. I claim that I am guilty of both sometimes and striving to tend away from light minded and would rather light heartedly poke fun at my trials and adventures which really does relieve them. It's like having a cup of tea to settle your nerves, or something like that.

So think of that when my next music video comes out....heh heh but that may take a week or so.... IN OTHER NEWS....I am experimenting with some chemical solutions to take care of mossy, moldy issues in Carthage. Elder Cullen WOULD have been experiementing with me but he's in bed with a sore throat, poor man.

I was told D2 would take care of the problem. It's not harmful to plants or animals and "gets the job done". I read so on the bottle that FM gave me when they also gave me the pressure applicator back pack. I felt like the exterminator. So the bottle says to spray on and let dry then when it rains nature will wash it off and the unsightly stains will go off with it...in a few months

So this morning bright and early I spray all the benches and the fence which was also turning green.

I was bothered that it wouldn't take care of the problem sooner. The bottle also said for more immediate results to let sit for 10 min and scrub with a plastic brush so it won't damage the stone or concrete surface. So I tried that too. Just on ONE bench to see if it made a difference.

Then I went to mow the lawns. As I mowed, I looked out west and saw a black wall of clouds in the distance. It made me stop and wonder what exactly I was looking at. I thought, "Wow...is that a storm coming or just letting loose over at Nauvoo?" then I continued mowing, thinking dang I'm going to have to reapply that D2 because it's supposed to sit for 12 hours before rain or hose. I begged the sky to hold off for just 12 hours and started trotting with the mower. 15 min later Carthage got DARK. I could hardly see the mower lines in the grass. This is weird, I thought. No wind, no rain, just darkness....creepy. I finished two lawns and went to blow and of course suddenly the wind picked up..what's the point of blowing in a windstorm? I began to sing Mr. Wind is a Mischief and packed up all my equipment into the new cart FM gave us and hurried to the tool shed. Then lightning struck and water came down in BUCKETS. I ran back to grab the mower and hurry it to the tool shed. In 5-8 minutes the shed was locked up and I was back at the cottage...DRENCHED. As if I had been swimming in my clothes. I stripped down and changed to dry clothes and check on Elder Cullen. Gave him more water and medicine and came out to the computer to work on this blog. It's been a couple hours of rain now, I'll go out and take a picture of the scrubbed bench verses the unscrubbed and see if there's a difference. FIVE DAYS LATER

OK, so unexpectedly three rain storms later...it does look better. I am pleasantly surprised. I was totally doubting that process. Let that be a lesson to us all. Follow the process on the bottle and give it time to prove itself. We can do that with the gospel. There may be things we doubt or start feeling wibbly about. BUT if we actually follow the instructions (i.e. pray for answers, read scriptures to receive answers, and meanwhile keep keeping our covenants while waiting for answers) eventually time will tell whether the thing is true or not.

Last night was the LAST night of pagaent. Boo hoo and what a relief! LOL Every night for the past two weeks I've been playing in the country faire band and it's been really fun!

I wrote my part for the recorder and the BEST moment happened when a THIRD grader came up to me and said, "Hey is that a recorder? I play recorder too" Being a past recorder teacher it warmed my heart. He was genuinely proud that he ALSO played recorder. I hope he never stops playing. It's really not a toy and when played well is so satisfying to listen to.

After the band finished their 1.5 hour gig for the night, Elder Cullen and I had pagaent security duties to fullfill. It was so pleasant to sit in the warm night air and hear the pagaent going on in all it's glory in the distance and just chill and chat.

We also used that time to call various relatives and chat and tell them we loved them. AND of course my favorite thing about Nauvoo...where ever you are you can see the temple. It's like a beacon in the night reminding you that Jesus is coming and our covenants are helping the living and dead prepare to meet HIM and Heavenly Father.

ALSO last week one of our church historians made all the Carthage missionaries a Tongan Curry feast. Elder Cullen and I provided homemade ice cream. It was very fun.

It's the method where you put a cup of half and half, 2 TBS sugar and a drop of vanilla in a ziplock sandwich sized bag. Then bag it again in a second bag to prevent leaking. Then in a GALLON sized bag fill 1/3 with ice and add a third cup rock salt. put the double sandwich bagged item in the salt and ice and seal that gallon bag tight. Then put that whole thing in a pillow case. Two people each take an end and shake it like crazy while singing your favorite songs. After 8 min. The ice cream is hard and ready to eat! HAVE a GREAT WEEK. ps To come full circle to the light minded vs light hearted issue...this quote came to my inbox today “As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are invited to cultivate the gift of reverence in our lives in order to open ourselves to a deeper communion with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, simultaneously strengthening our spiritual character. Had we more of such feelings in our hearts, there would be undoubtedly greater joy and delight in our lives, and there would be less room for sorrow and sadness.” Elder Ulisses Soares “Reverence for Sacred Things,” general conference, Apr. 2025, Gospel Library That is why we shouldn't be LIGHT MINDED...it's irreverant. Light hearted is just that...light hearted and still respectful.

There and Back Again: Week 39 Friends and Garbage Cans

Last Week I had the pleasure of having my friends from Petaluma, CA and my Old College Roomate both come visit me at the same time! What a party!

This gave us the opportunity to get up early and do our chores and take some time to take tours and see shows. Last Week was also my first of two weeks playing my recorder in the County Faire Band! My friend, Lorelei suggested that the Country Faire Band sounded a lot like the country BEAR band...hahahah! The impish me really really wanted to wear a ragged straw hat and bear ears just for fun, but it wasn't 1840s period. THE BEST thing about playing in the band was being with a bunch of great musicians. The SECOND best thing was all the fun people dancing to our music. THAT was very cool

I was also FINALLY able to go on the OX Cart Ride which I have been wanting to do for a long time! I learned something very cool. When a team is being trained, they start them very very young. They put them in a yoke together wide apart so they can't kick and bother each other. This is their "kindergarten photo" so to speak.

Soon they learn to work together and become reliable and steady...and here's a picture of them "Graduated from.....OXFORD" da dunt duh! What if people weren't allowed to get married (put in the same yoke) unless they had spent time working together while they were young...separated in the yoke...but still working together. Hmmmmm.

Elder Cullen took an interest in learning how to weave. I was super surprised by this. On his own initiative he made an appointment to be trained on a loom and is now weaving us a table runner!! He even picked out the cloth and colors and everything. I don't know why I'm so blown away. He's a very creative man.....it's just so CUTE!

LAST but not least, this week we finished a special project that we've been wanting to do for a long time. It's NOT really our job, but we did it because...we could.

This ragged trash can had a broken hinge and was so sketchy looking. It just bothered me EVERY day I looked at it. So we finally took it away to our workshop and fixed it up.

Elder Cullen is awesome. We have plans to do the other can now...then start on the pickets. Isn't it amazing that with all the work we have to do, Heavenly Father is helping us to be so streamlined and efficient that we have time to play with our friends AND do special projects that put that extra professional touch on this beautiful and sacred place. Someone from Arizona took the time to call the FM office and tell them that the historic jail site looked better than they have EVER seen it. We were tickled. Put the Lord first and you will have time to do all that needs to be done AND pretty much most of what you WANT to do too!

There and Back Again Week 38:Accountability

Today During Companionship study, Elder Cullen and I read this quote. "When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates" (quoted by Thomas S. Monson, "Thou Art a Teacher Come from God," Improvement Era, Dec 1970, p. 101)

I started thinking about the importance of goal setting (to keep growing...'cause if you're not growing you're decaying...there's no status quo in life). HOW do I measure my "performance". I sort of balk at that word "performance" since I have been a theatre director for decades it makes me feel like it's a theatatrical performance or something sort of fake. So I will say, "HOW do I measure the positive or negative change in my thoughts, feelings, and deeds"

For example: A goal I have been working on since middle school is to be more patient. Thoughts: How often in middle school would I think "Geez how stupid can you be?", "What's the matter with you?", "Get this moving!", "PEOPLE PLEASE!!" So I check myself: Am I thinking it all the time?, Often?, Sometimes? Never? If I'm working on my thoughts and I want to be more patient I will STOP the negative thought and concientiously replace it with how I WANT to be.

For example instead of the afore mentioned thoughts...."I need to ask this person or myself what their thinking is so I can understand them.", "Why would a rational, smart person choose to do this?" then seek to understand by asking questions in a emotionally safe tone of voice so we really can understand each other. "Heavenly Father, what can I do to help this situation be more effective and efficient?" then listen to His guidance and do it. "What example can I set to make these PEOPLE want better than they have?" Again, listen to the Spirit and do as HE directs. This system works. It keeps God in the process who is EAGER to help me and you. HE has great ideas and is fun and often funny even when a situation is NOT either of those things.

MEASURING: OK so I can measure my "performance" by assessing myself or others I have stewardship over by holding them up to the immovable standard of Jesus Christ and comparing myself or them to HIM only. THIS will keep us humble because...we are all so far below Him, and this will make us less condeming of ourselves and others because NONE of us measure up so who cares? BUT are we better than we were yesterday? IF yes, then good enough! If no, then repent and be better than yesterday tomorrow. REPORTING:

Who do I report to? When I set goals I first and formost keep a journal and can write my progress and struggles in honest and real ways. Then take that journal to the Lord in prayer and go over it with HIM.

I can also share those goals with a trusted friend, like Elder Cullen who can help me. I will never forget the time when we had only been married a few years and had three children under the age of three. I was using a loud voice to make something happen. I don't remember what, but I do remember this. Elder Cullen said in the kindest voice, "OH, My love! We don't want to use that kind of voice in our house do we?" I was startled because I WASN'T angry. But I was bossing people around...lol in a loud voice. I really really appreciated his remark. I WANTED to be a quieter person when I speak. I have become more self aware. I often have wished that I had a volume control, like my electronic keyboard, so that no matter how hard I pound it's always quiet enough to not bug people... LOL I remember my good friend Ms. James at school in the staff lunch room telling me once, Heather your voice is SO LOUD right now! I apologized feeling chagrined...and then thought, "Well, I am getting better." WAH! I do get loud when I'm excited and that's not fun for some people.

So those are my thoughts on that great quote we read. We can be better faster in anything we do if we set goals, measure our progress, and report to someone what our progress is...isn't that how Weight Watchers works? Someone fact check me on that. These pictures have nothing to do with my thoughts...They are just fun photos of activities I did this week after our work was done. Soybeans as far as the eye can see, Mud Truck Obstacle Course at the County Faire (this one jumped the ramp and landed so hard his battery fell out. He had to reconnect then finished the course). Minature horse pull (County Faire) then teaching my friend how to play Beat Saber with my VR. It's a great form of exercise when it's too hot or too cold outside.

ALSO another new adventure. Late last night, Elder Cullen and I were already in bed when we received a call from some young sister missionaries. "Sister Cullen! We need help! I'm in the bathroom with the door shut, my companion is in the bedroom with her door shut and there's a BAT flying around our kitchen! We can't open our doors or he'll get in where we are. We're scared."

I called around to the emergency numbers and was asked by the FM night person to take care of it. So Elder Cullen and I read up on it quickly, said a prayer and asked for help and inspiration, then outfitted ourselves in thick clothing and gloves so the bat couldn't bite us then went to the rescue.

I brought a small trash can and a floppy cutting board mat to use as a lid, but ended up just using both items as a "clapper/flapper" tool to drive the bat from the third floor appartment, down to the second floor, then the first..shutting doors behind us as we went. We remained calm and firm. As it flapped towards our faces and try to swoop back up to where it came from (the third floor apartment kitchen) I would just flap and clap my tools and say,"AH, Ah AH, head on out please, no no, wrong way. Suddenly felt I was back teaching middle school! While vocalizing calmly and doing this I was also praying that the bat would comprehend our intentions to not hurt it and allow us to drive it down down down to the main level and out the open front door. As we herded it down each level we turned off lights and shut doors so it couldn't go back. Finally 20 min later, it was outside. The sisters CHEERED! We felt like heroes. But God was the real hero of course. He gave us the good idea.

There and Back Again: Week 37 Family from California and Oregon!

What a WONDERFUL week it has been. My Uncle and Aunt and several cousins (first cousins once removed) came into town to see all things Nauvoo and Carthage. Isn't is interesting how you can be just bopping along in life doing your thing and you see someone you haven't seen in a great while and suddenly you realize just how much you've been missing them? I have hundreds of family members and hundreds and hundreds of friends. If I was sad to not be around someone, I'd be very sad all the time. But luckily our brains don't work that way. My brain puts things, and people that I'm not immediately in contact with in the back of my brain and when I encounter them it brings the memories forward and it's like no time had passed. When Uncle Cliff and Aunt Linette and Bethany arrived with kids and grandkids my heart just swelled with so much happiness. It was really GREAT!

We were able to arrange our schedule to spend time with them for some of the events in Nauvoo and on one day they came up to Carthage to take the tour and we were able to feed them breakfast! Something we LOVE to do is feed people.

Waffles with homemade maple carmel sauce and homemade strawberry sauce and "As you like it" Omlettes by Elder Cullen (they got to pick what to have in their own personal omlettes). Also apple juice, orange juice, milk, cherries, watermelon, and home fry pototoes.

We were going to spend Friday night together watching the Brittish Pagaent before they left but then...

Double Whammy Tornado and Flood warning! LOL Earlier we got word that Ephraim was coming down with a family from Kansas City, MO (where he's living now) to see the Pagaent. We were going to meet him there, PLUS my brother, Adam, and his wife Holly, and Cheri, another friend, were also coming into town from Oregon on Friday night. Aunt Linette had reserved 17 seats for ALL of us....and then the lightning warning and we had to get to our cars, then the wind and rain started in hard. Elder Cullen and I tried to get back to Carthage but the wind and rain were so heavy we literally could not see one inch in front of us WITH the wipers going full blast. The family Ephraim was with invited us to come over and wait for a break in the storm. They were across the street from the gas station where we had stopped to get pizza. So we slowly made our way over and SURPRISE/ NOT SURPRISED Ephraim and one of their kids, Becci, were out running around in the storm laughing and shouting and completely DRENCHED as if they had been swimming. It was funny and made me so happy that he was still his kooky old self no matter how old he gets. Around 10pm there was a break and we zoomed home. The next morning Adam and Holly and Cheri came over for brunch: Homemade Naan and curried beef and watermelon. Then, we went to an ancient mounds museum. Ephraim and Becci met us there in their own vehicle.

Elder Cullen stopped at an antique shop and found me a STACK of Richie Rich Comic Books which I have been collecting since I was 8! LOL I know, I'm silly, but it's still just as fun to read them as it was back then. After the museum we headed to Hannibal to tour the Mark Twain Museum

and go on the Mark Twain Riverboat Dinner Cruise.

That cruise was magical. The live band was SO GREAT! It sounded like a Bugsy Malone Jr. Musical sound track. So old fashioned in the BEST way. I couldn't help but get up and dance! The food was delicious and the company was FUN!

Ephraim and Becci sat at the Kids table...lol Ephraim was her old uncle Scrooge.

So it's Monday afternoon and Adam, Holly, and Cheri are the only one's left. They leave tomorrow. (This is why my blog is late, too much fun, no time to sit at the computer) When we finish our Carthage chores we'll go back into Nauvoo to go to dinner with them and say goodbye. It's been a whirl wind of joy and adventure. Back to the calm happy routine of "Guardians of Carthage"

I was cleaning larva out of the letters of the monuments.

I had just done it two days before, but these bugs work fast!

I was reminded that just as I GENTLY brushed the sticky webs and juicey green worms from the golden lettering we also must be gentle and firm with ourselves as we repent daily and stay golden.

When our lives are filled with purpose and service, we avoid spiritual apathy; on the other hand, when our lives are deprived of divine purpose, meaningful service to others, and sacred opportunities for pondering and reflection, we gradually become suffocated by our own activity and self-interest, risking losing our savor. The antidote to this is to continue to be involved in service—being anxiously engaged in good works and the betterment of ourselves and the society we live in.” Elder José A. Teixeira “Bonded to Jesus Christ: Becoming the Salt of the Earth,” general conference, Oct. 2024, Gospel Library