April 30, 2019

Hello all! 

This week we served in the Bakery, Sara Granger Kimball home, Cultural hall, Facilities Management and the Visitors Center! 

The variety of experiences I have here in Nauvoo is remarkable. We got a visit from a dear friend, tried to stop our guests from chasing the cows, met a couple who drove over 5 hours (for the 4th time) to visit Nauvoo even though they aren't members of our church, shoveled rocks till our backs nearly broke, had a movie night with our mission president, made a successful parmesan chicken in the slow cooker, sung our hearts out in different languages and learned what true humility is. What a week! Am I right or am I right? Haha I love being here it continues to change my life every day. 

So! This week I wrote part of George and Christiana's story. Don't worry, i haven't forgotten about Lucius! The rest of his story is coming up, but the Riser family has been on my mind this week! So here's this clip: 

RISER FAMILY: 

George stares in fixation at a wooden shoe last, concentrating on poking the holes with the awl in the right place. His eyebrows wrinkle as he threads the flax seed string through the holes in the leather. 

Christiana watches him pull out the nails in silence. She's anxious to talk but doesn't want to interrupt his work. 

Finally she can't help herself. 

"George?" 

"Hm?" He's still staring intently, and doesn't look up. 

"I want to discuss something with you." 

He nods, but Christiana knows he isn't listening. 

"Sie da." She speaks German, their native tongue, to signify that she needs his attention. 

George looks up, sets down the shoe last and puts the hammer in his lap. "Ja?" 

"I wish to ask your opinion of the Prophet, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his words this morning." Christiana studies him, her heart pounding. 

George smiles. "I was contemplating the very thing at this very moment!"

Christiana laughs and then leans forward. "And? What are your feelings on the subject?" 

He rests his arm on his work table and runs his hand through his hair. 

"I cannot forget the feeling in my chest as he spoke...... as he explained eternal truths with such simplicity and testified of our Lord Jesus Christ with such surety. I feel as if the aching void in my heart has been filled with His restored gospel." 

Relieved and overjoyed with his response, Christiana jumps up. "I feel the same!" 

They nearly dance around the kitchen, rejoicing. He spins her and they nearly fall over, bumping into his work table. Shoe lasts and nails fall on the floor. Neither of them are bothered, because the feeling in the room and in their hearts is a deep, pure joy. 

George smiles from ear to ear, tears filling his eyes as he tenderly grabs Christiana's hands. "I know it's true. We must be baptized." Christiana agrees and they embrace. 

Only hours later, Christiana is awoken in the middle of the night by her baby boy. John. He was sick all day and now he's not only crying but he's struggling to breathe. She scoops him up in her arms and rushes to awake her husband. 

George runs down the stairs and gets a rag wet for the baby's head. He comes back up the stairs and kneels and Christiana's side, eyes full of concern. 

A painful hour go by and George gets up, pacing the room. 

"I cannot bear to see him like this. And he's only getting worse." 

Baby John gasps for air, coughs, and begins to wail again. 

Christiana's hands shake as she touches Johns forehead. "Should we call upon brother Joseph?" Her words are barely a whisper. 

George stares into the little candle flame and then back at their son. "He is a man of God. If anyone will know what to do, it will be him." 

He then begins putting on his shoes, coat and scarf. He kisses John Jacobs forehead and squeezes his wife's fingers. 

"I'll be back." 

As the night goes on, and John gets worse and worse, Christiana holds her little son tightly in her arms, listening to his feeble coughs and desperate gasps. A question continues to plague her mind. Why? If we are trying to be faithful, and even just decided to be baptized, why is the Lord letting this happen? 

She rocks her son back and forth, silent tears sliding down her face. 

"Oh God, please heal my son." 

*********************** to be continued.... 

The question that is plaguing Christiana at this moment often hurts us too. 

Why do bad things happen to good people? If God is merciful, why does He allow evil and suffering to occur? 

What do you think? 

I think there are many answers and quotes and scriptures and songs. But my favorite explanation are the ones the Savior gives himself: 

"that the works of God should be made manifest" (john 9:1-3) 

And 

"this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." (Mosiah 24) 

Christiana will soon receive the answer to her question. But until then, I want to testify that God loves you. He knows you. He knows your struggles and trials. And He is there with you every step of the way, blessing you and comforting you so that you can grow closer to Him. 

Have a great week! Stay tuned! 

Love, 

Sister Bush