Hello all!
These past couple weeks have been glorious. My companion sister John and I have recently been super sick but the amazing thing is we have had a lot of tender mercies and little miracles! Haha the other thing is that we've had many many adventures.
Here's one from yesterday:
We decided to make brownies yesterday and as we were making the recipe we noticed the brownie mix was not looking right. Someone looked at the bowl, paused and then asked, "wait, does the recipe say 4 cups of flour or 4 ounces?"
It was ounces. We had put in 4 cups. No wonder! Haha but we still wanted to save the brownies so we did the math and added more of the other ingredients. (In case you are wondering, we used 14 eggs, 10 ounces of cocoa powder and 20 ounces of sugar ect.) We ended up making 3 pans. 50 brownies total. (The original recipe was for 12 brownies hahaha) but it turned out well and we delivered the extras to our neighbors! Haha moral of the story, re-check recipes before you put in 4 cups hahaha. Such a funny memory.
I'll also include some pictures from these past couple weeks!
Also, I wrote the other half of Lucius Scovil's story! Again, it's just a rough draft, and it isn't official church publication but is just a way for me to visualize what it might have been like here.
Something you'll notice in this story is how Lucius was comforted by the spirit in this time of trial. He used different sources to feel the spirit: service, the temple, and the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. As he put himself in a place where he could feel Gods love, he was able to find answers.
Where can you go to feel Gods love?
How has the Lord comforted you in times of trial?
In what ways does the God answer your prayers?
How can you be more like Lucius when hard things come your way?
These are just some things to ponder as you read.
I know that God loves us. I know that He answers prayers. I know that He supports us in every trial, affliction and trouble we encounter: all we need is to seek Him and have faith.
Love you all and have a great week!
Sister Bush
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Early in the morning on January 31st, 1846, the sun slowly rises above the trees and clouds. A gentle fog fills the streets of Nauvoo, bringing with it a stillness to the town. Not many people are yet awake. But Lucius Scovil is. He has a full day of errands and tasks to complete at the bakery and cultural hall, so he and Heber are going to the temple before they start their work. He gets ready by putting on his best suit, trimming his moustache and washing his face.
Alice, his wife, is beginning to make breakfast for the children as he packs up his things. Lucius is thankful for the woman that Alice is. She came to Nauvoo from england, a recent convert with her husband and little daughter. She was also pregnant. Tragically, her husband was swept overboard on their journey to the americas and she was left unsupported and alone. She had a heavy weight on her shoulders to care for her children, settle in a new town and earn money for her little family.
In order to financially and emotionally support her, Lucius was asked by the prophet of God to take her as a second wife. Lury had been understanding and loving of this and they both took Alice and her kids into their home. Lucius now looks back and realizes that God knew all along that his beloved Lury would pass away and he would need Alice by his side to take care of his other kids during this time. Yet even though Alice is here to help, that doesn't make Lucius' loss any easier to bear.
That is why I must attend the temple with brother Kimball. I need the strength that only the Lord can give me.
Lucius notices Lurys copy of the Book of Mormon on the mantel. He silently places it in his satchel, and then puts the strap over his shoulder before hugging Alice goodbye.
"Thank you."
She smiles softly. "I hope you receive some answers."
He nods and waves at the little kids just stumbling into the kitchen, their sleepy faces and yawns causing him to chuckle. Just as Lucius is walking out the door, Heber Kimball arrives in his horse drawn carriage.
"Brother Scovil!"
He raises a hand in greeting and hops up into the seat by Heber.
"Good morning."
Heber smiles excitedly. "And to you! The sunrise is marvelous this day, wouldn't you agree?"
"It surely is." Lucius takes a breath of fresh air as the horses trot uphill towards the temple.
There, the Nauvoo temple emerges from the trees. This brilliant white and impressive structure makes his heart skip a beat. It isn't fully completed but the power within the walls is the same. Inscribed on the stone are the words "Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord."
During the next hours that follow, Lucius and Heber work on some wood furnishings inside the temple and then perform baptisms in behalf of their deceased ancestors. As they do this work by proxy, their family who has already passed on can choose to accept or reject this sacred religious act. Lucius is baptized in behalf of his great grandfather, and some great uncles as well. As he performs these ordinances, Lucius ponders the Savior. He thinks deeply about Christ's love for all men, women and children.
How can I feel Christ's love, even during this hardship?
They finish the baptisms, dry off and change. Heber is very quiet, and goes back to working on the wood furnishings. Lucius goes to the chapel to pray.
"Oh God...... How can I get through this? How can the love of Christ heal me? What am I to do? What am I to do without my Lury?"
He begins to cry, tears sliding down his face.
After a few moments, he thinks about Lurys copy of the Book of Mormon in his satchel. With a trembling lip, Lucius pulls it out of his bag and sets it in his lap. Just touching the binding and cover of the book causes more tears to leak from his eyes. He bows his head, not only in pain but also in an effort to pray again. The book falls open to a random page and Lucius opens his eyes to see what it says. One of the verses seems to jump off the page at him.
"O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me..."
A warm, gentle feeling surrounds him and touches his heart.
Let your soul be comforted. Be patient in your afflictions. Trust in Him.
Lucius knows that he is feeling the spirit of the Lord. The love of Christ seems to pour over him like a waterfall, and with it, a sense of calm. He holds the Book of Mormon to his chest and soaks it in. For the first time in days, Lucius doesn't feel cold and numb. He feels alive and well and strong. He knows that because of Jesus Christ, He will see Joel again. He will see his daughters, and hold them in his arms. He will once again be united with Lury. As Lucius imagines that wonderful reunion, as he pictures that beautiful moment, a firm ressolve comes into his heart: he will do anything the Lord asks so that he can be worthy to receive that blessing.
"Dear Father above, I will be patient. I will trust in Thee. I am determined to fill my mission, and do Thy will, even if it cost me all that I have on this earth. And this because I have faith in Thee, and in Thy Son."
As Lucius finishes his prayer, he smiles with gratitude, looking at a painting depicting the Savior in front of him.
Thank you. Thank you.
