July 6, 2018

Hello! Quick highlights! 

This week I got to spend some time in the bakery- which in case some of you don't know, is one of the busiest sites here in Nauvoo. That probably doesn't have anything to do with the free cookies we hand out. I'm sure it's because of how amazing of a man L. N. Scovil was. anyways, we were so busy on the 4th of July. We gave over 48 tours and handed out more than 500 cookies. The cool thing is that also means I was able to bear my testimony to more than 500 people. I'm grateful for these opportunities to serve the Lord! (Even though it can be exhausting sometimes haha) 

Also on the 4th of July, we got to celebrate a little! We got some sparklers and enjoyed them on our roof! What a fun night with my companion and other members of my district! I'll send pictures!) 

Spiritual thought: "Every unselfish act of kindness and service increases your spirituality. God would use you to bless others. Your continued spiritual growth and eternal progress are very much wrapped up in your relationships—in how you treat others. Do you indeed love others and become a blessing in their lives? Isn’t the measure of the level of your conversion how you treat others? The person who does only those things in the Church that concern himself alone will never reach the goal of perfection. Service to others is what the gospel and exalted life are all about." 

- Elder Whetten 

I love this quote!! Because of it I've been trying harder to treat visitors the way Christ would every day (: 

Pageant starts soon and that's exciting!!! Come and see it and me if you can! Dates are from July 10 to August 4. 

(Ps this month I have a new pday- it's Friday this month.) 

Have a great week! 

Sister Bush

Email to family:

this week has been crazy. fast sunday was great. i decided to fast to become more selfless. during that fast i had many opportunities to practice! haha when my comp sis Moss was tired and needed some rest and food from fasting, (around lunch) even though all i wanted to do was rest for 20 minutes before heading to the log school house (our site for the day), i made her some food and helped her out.  its what the savior would do. i now try to jump at any opportunity to serve- no matter how small it is. sometimes its just running downstairs to grab something someone forgot before getting in bed or being the one to clear the table. whatever it is, i try to jump up and help because i know it is how the Savior would treat His companion. 

that fast sunday we had dinner with the Cordons. they are hilarious!!! elder cordons favorite scripture is 2 Ne 9:34. he told us that if he could pick his job after this life, he would want to be the thruster. read the scripture and it will make sense haha. he wants me to make a tshirt for him about it. 

on sunday night we watched the performance "Our story goes on" by the people who do Pageant. they did so good! it was about the plan of salvation and a familys role in that plan. it almost made me cry. i loved it. 

so this week ive been serving in the bakery and the lucy mac smith home! the bakery is one of the busiest sites in nauvoo. because we hand out free cookies after the tour. so everyone goes there. on the fourth of july we had more than 48 tours. we gave out like more than 500 cookies. it was insane. i was on my feet all day and we were both exhausted haha. the plus side is that means that on the fourth of july i was able to bear my testimony to more than 500 people as well! which is way cooler than handing out cookies. 

also on the 4th, we got sparklers and went out on the roof of our house and lit them! you probably saw the pictures and stuff. that was super fun. we didnt get to see fireworks but i think we will on saturday. we shall see!! i missed you guys a bit more on the 4th but it turned out just fine cuz of sparklers and prayers(; 

yesterday we were in the lucy mack smith home (and will be tomorrow). i love lucy mack smith. it totally makes sense that we named Lucy after her because mother smith was such a loving and loyal person. just like lucy. ive learned so many cool things about her! and best of all, felt her spirit and it seems that ive kinda got to know her while serving in her house, sharing her testimony with visitors, watching sister Archibald portray her and reading her stories. what an amazing woman with a firey testimony! so something really cool about that is that she was called mother smith. and that was not only because she was the mother of the prophet. she was also in a way the mother of the church. another thing is that she was called a mother in israel.  heres what the site guide says:

"the term mother in israel harkens back to the strong faithful women of the old testament, particularly Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Deborah. (see Judg 5:2-31; 2 sam 20:19) among the saints, the title was bestowed on exceptional women, usually through patriarchal or other blessings. these women were honored for their strength of character, devotion to family, virtue, spiritual gifts, charitable acts, and leadership. lucy mack smith was foremost among them."

btw this week i think ive hit my eating groove! i used to have an eating groove and budgeting that groove, but it was not a super healthy groove haha. right now i only have pasta like once or twice a week. how crazy is that for me to say! for lunches and dinners i usually have eggs, salads, soups, yogurts and fruits, veggies and chicken! my body feels healthier and i love it. also this week ive been taking vitamin E pills and i think its been helping with the bugs. with Pageant starting so soon, the bugs will really be an issue. cuz before the shows start we pre-greet and then after it ends we try to have faith building conversations with people. (post-greet). all this while we will be in the long grass at night. the STLs told us to get boots and socks..... so i need a good pair of boots and long socks haha. ill look today at walmart today cuz i am returning my fit bit and should have the money for it. but if i dont send a picture of my boots and socks today that means i need you to look for me mom! with pageant starting our schedule is changing. we will be getting up at 7, (half of the week we have meetings at 8,) then be at the sites from 9 to 530 and then dinner before being at pageant from 630 till like 1030 or 1045.... most nights we wont watch the whole thing and take a break at the visitors center to study (cuz we need personal study and companion study haha) but thats gonna be how it is in the summer! we wake up at 7 because of how late we get to bed every night. how hectic is that?! its so wack. i know it will be hard to just be going going going but im excited to serve and do my best. its just crazy cuz its like no other mission in the world!! 

this morning we did sealings as a district in the Nauvoo temple. I LOVE ITTTT 

im so grateful for you guys you have no idea. i love you so much, more and more each day. you two really are the best. 

love love love love love love love love love love 

Sister Bush 

MIRACLES HAPPEN HERE!!! i wish i had all the time in the world to tell you about them!