July 27, 2019

This is the best place and the loveliest people under the heavens.


That's a quote from Joseph smith about nauvoo! It still applies today (; 

Hello my favorite people on this planet!! 

This one is gonna be a quickie haha I decided to just tell you stories by talking about people I met this week: 

The screamer: 

So I've probably talked about him before but this guy stands on pageant grounds as we welcome guests. He has signs. He screams offensive, irritating and provoking things about our faith. He yells at families. He wears ceremonial clothing and garments sometimes. He throws temple clothes and garments in the dirt and spits on them and stomps on them. He sings with a microphone praise to the man parodies with rude sayings. He has a video camera on his shoulder in case anyone says or does something stupid. He wears shirts that talk about homosexuals and Joseph Smith and other weird things. He's just not my favorite haha. We call him our loud friend. But the awesome thing is, no matter what he does, he can't even try to compete with the spirit. We stand on the other side of the fence and welcome people in with smiles, compliments and hugs. We answer their questions. We hand out newspapers that explain our beliefs and pictures of the savior. It's amazing because I've never felt the power of my setting apart so strongly in my life than when I am at that gate. The spirit is just so strong and I know that people notice the difference when they walk across. Plus also we have the bagpipes that play come thou font really loud and so yep it's awesome haha. 

Claire: on pageant grounds I met a girl that had just turned in her mission papers!! She was so excited.we talked about pageant and I invited her to go in with a question, and that it would be answered. She loved the idea! It was perfect. Because of the storm, that pageant performance only lasted 15 minutes before they had to close it down but I have a girl belief that they didn't close it down until she got her answer. I didn't get to ask her because it was wild but I have a feeling she did! 

Lauren: this little 10 year old girl is so cute! We were on the wagon that day, (and the weather was PERFECT) and sister Green and riddle dared me to do a whole wagon ride in an English accent.... I know I'm crazy haha but I did it. It was actually harder than I thought but super fun! Lauren loved it. When I saw her later that day she remembered my name! She ran up to me - "sister bush!!!" And hugged me haha. Then she started talking in an English accent hahaha so that was funny. I think she will always remember that 

Her parents thought I was actually from England tho even though I explained it was a dare so I guess my accent was pretty good hahaha 

Dr. Campos! What a sweetheart. Somehow it was the same doctor at the ER when I went as it was when I went in the first time. A tender mercy. She remembered me and was super nice. What I love about her is that she thinks out loud and walks you through her mental process- which helps you know why she does what she does and helps you feel like she really cares. So that was good. I was super grateful for that.  

Sister Decker (I already knew her haha but I got to know her better this week. I love her more each day!!) 

Boy she's a champ. We've been through a lot this week but we've bonded so much! There were some things the spirit told me I should do so that we could have a better companionship and so that she could feel more love and it has made a difference. I love her so much! We've planned district council in the hospital, gone on exchanges to help other sisters, seen miracles and laughed about the weirdest things haha. PS her mom is coming next week so that's exciting! 

Ellie Riley and William: 

3 youth from Houston that I got to talk to at the visitors center! They are super cool. We were talking for a bit and then the spirit helped me know what questions to ask. One thing I asked was: what do you hope to get out of your experience in nauvoo? 

Riley said he was prepping for a mission. Ellie said she wanted a stronger testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. So cool. I haven't been able to check back with them yet but whenever we see each other we give high fives or wave! We always remember each other's names haha youth are so fun.  

Carlos, Miguel and Alexis: I already told you about these bus drivers and how we got to give them copies of the book of mormon in our pjs haha they are so great. What a cool experience. 

Pretty hair lady: there was this lady walking down the street with a stroller and me and my comp were both like woah she has such pretty hair! But didn't get to tell her. Later, we bumped into her and told her! She thought it was so sweet. We invited her to look for a theme when she watched pageant. She said she would and was so excited. I wasn't sure if we would see her at the end cuz we had to run as soon as the performance was over but she was right there! Bumped into her again! She told us the theme she found was the power of the Book of mormon. We were able to testify and have a cool moment together. Her son is serving in Taiwan so that is cool. 

A grandma: 

This cute old lady was researching her family at land and records and I found out she was related to jonathan Browning and I got so excited. I helped her find his house to take a tour, told her some of my favorite stories about him and was just thrilled to learn about her family. I don't know why I was so excited about someone else's ancestry haha but I was. After we finished she was very touched and told me "i just love how you are as excited as I am. Thank you for caring." So cute!!!  

family From American fork: 

 This family had an issue and I helped them out and then found out that he's a doctor in American fork and when I told him about your practice he knew where it was! So cool. Then I got super hyped cuz I found out they were related to lucius Scovil and Calvin pendleton. Haha way awesome!! The girl said if she went to Costa vida and saw my brothers she would say hi haha 

Sister mckenzie: 

She is from Jamaica and reminds me of Emma pena. I was able to spend time helping her know that she's loved. She loves playing with hair so whenever we didn't have a tour we would sit on the steps outside and she would play with my hair or brush my hair. She told me she was able to feel peaceful that day and so that made me feel good. Even though it was a long exhausting day I'm glad I spent time helping her feel loved. 

Anyways those are some people from this week and some experiences I had with them! Also the experience I had with the spirit in coming to know Christ better through 1 Nephi 11, 12 and 13 was also a super super super huge highlight

Have troy send me his trek talk!! 

Love you so so so so so so much!!!! 

Sister Bush 

Pictures

July 20, 2019

Hellooooooo

What a week. I know I say that every week haha but what a week. This week everything was just go go go go haha but that's how it is with pageant season!!

Sunday... I had another kidney episode. I had one at 3am and then another one at 8am. This time it was my left kidney and it hurt so bad I didn't make it through sacrament and stayed in the bathroom curled up. So we came home early, I slept, then we had district council and then I served in the Brigham young home. My kidney hurt again during sites but I took medicine and still gave tours. I just wanted to show heavenly father that I was willing to still work. Also that day there was a family who let their kids go over the fence to chase our sheep! Seriously?!?!?! That's not okay. So i had to go out there and tell the parents that it isn't okay. Haha people are so weird why do they do these things. Our sheep were freaking out but they calmed down later. 

Monday 

I went on exchanges with sister _____, and we served at the bakery! What a day. Whenever the crowds would get intense, she would go to the basement and hide out because she said she was afraid of having an anxiety attack. So at the moment when I would need extra help she would leave. Yikes! It was a long day but I did just fine, we only had 50 something tours instead of the usual 90. So God helped me out there haha. But it was good to spend time with sister-------, since she has been having a hard time. We had an awesome companion study during lunch and at the end of our exchange she just turned to me and said thank you. I said what for? And then she said "sister Bush, by far you have been the most nice to me since I have come to nauvoo. Thank you for being patient and being kind." It was so sweet. Kinda sad that I've been the nicest cuz I really haven't gone out of my way or anything but I'm glad she knows I care about her. 

After that I went on a district leader date with sister mckenzie! We went to Wal-Mart to get her some craft stuff, stopped by Wendy's for a snack and then sang at the end of British pageant. She's so fun and has a sweet spirit about her (: 

Tuesday 

we got to serve at the log school! 

We had lots of cute families come in, homeschooled families that connected with me, and I tried all day to follow the spirit. At one point the spirit helped me save a little girl cuz she was eating chalk and her parents didn't know! But I was able to notice and point it out. Phew! 

Sister Decker and I also had an adventure that day because we were finally able to arrange the furniture in a certain way to be able to open the trap door in the sitting room and discover the basement! Haha. The miracle is that no one came in while we were doing that hahaha 

That night we did sunset and I made the parmesan chicken in a crockpot for our lunches this week (: 

Wednesday 

We served in the cultural hall! With sis Norton and mckenzie. First, sis Decker re-enacted the whole movie called how to lose a guy in 10 days haha. Neither sister Norton and I had seen it (or any movie for a long time) So we felt like we got to watch a movie because of her acting skills haha it was hilarious. Because of that, I had the idea to let the families that came in do favorite movie scene re-enactments on the stage of the cultural hall so that they could have more fun during the tour! It totally worked! What a hit! Boy did those families and youth groups love it haha. My favorite was two dad's who did the song from the lion king. 

"I can see what's happening..." 

"What!" 

"And they don't have a clue..." 

"Who!" 

"They'll fall in love.. and here's the bottom line..." 

(They both pretend to cry) 

"Our trio is down to 2" 

Hahaha so funny. 

Also that day we had a huuuuuge storm! A bunch of trees were knocked over, street signs almost fell on people, the tornado sirens went off and about 60 youth flooded into the cultural hall, sopping wet. We took them down to the basement and what happened was amazing. They all started passing around a roll of paper towels and rags they found, and began singing hymns. It was a beautiful moment ad I could hear the tornado sirens and thunder in the background but these youth had prayed and now we're singing songs like come come ye saints, I am a child of God and child's prayer. How sweet. 

Thankfully the storm let up, and people went. We had more tours and then we were told to close the sites early and go help on pageant grounds with all the chairs and mud so we could get the set, stage and entire thing ready so that pageant could still go on!! It was awesome. And pageant was amazing that night. I love the way the Lord helped us finish everything and put it all back in time for it to work out. 

Thursday 

Log school again!

It was actually surprisingly busy! Log school isn't super popular but all day we were giving back to back tours. So neat! It's my favorite to joke about phonetic spelling with people. Also we had a fun guy who loved puns even more than I do and was making new ones every minute. What a crack up. I gave him a few back haha. Also I met a cute cute cute lady from georgia, about 2 hours away from where I was born! She was just going and going on about how much she loves nauvoo, loves the gospel and is happy to bring youth here. Adorable. 

Friday 

Boot shop! I got to be Christiana almost all day! 

There was one family that really stuck out to me. The parents began crying when I talked about my family and how we listened to Joseph smith. The kids began crying when I talked about how I lost my son. As I explained how hard it was for my family to loose my little boy, the kids turned and looked at their parents. By the feeling in the room, I could tell that they had recently lost someone. The rest of that tour I'm sure they thought I was still portraying Christiana but I wasn't. I bore my testimony to them of eternal families and Christ. I quoted verses from the book of mormon and the spirit was so strong. The boot shop became a sacred spot for me and that family that day. I saw them later at sunset and the dad told me it was his kids favorite place that they went that day. How amazing. I love how special that was. 

Today is me and sister Deckers compiversary!! So I'm making a cake. It's a surprise but I'll send you pictures  (: 

I hope trek has been amazing. I can't wait to hear all about it! 

Oh also a verse that I pondered a lot this week was 1 Nephi 1:5 

"Wherefore it came to pass that my father, lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people." 

The thing that stuck out to me was that he prayed AS he went forth. Not before. Not after. But in the very act he was praying. And that's how I've been trying to give my tours, to have a prayer in my heart for the people I've been teaching as I'm teaching them. I think it's made a huge difference, and the amount of promptings I have received has increased. I love the power of prayer! I'm sure you've had a lot of in the moment prayers since you've been on trek 

Wellp, I think that's all I've got. I love you I Love You I LOVE YOUUUUAH!!! 

Sister Bush

July 13, 2019

Sunday 

This was an awesome fast sunday! I was fasting for my district, and it was just an awesome fast. Like I said, i just did everything I could to stay awake and be productive - which just made a huge difference in my fast. I feel like that just showed the Lord that I was willing to work to receive revelation. 

That night we had dinner with the whitings, and they are super cute! 

This was also the day I was pondering God's love and how to study it in the book of mormon. As I went down the trail of hope with this question in mind, every single part of the trail seemed to mention either God's love and his expressions of love or the love the saints had for each other. That's when it dawned on me! I chose to study with those 2 colors and schemes. Marking ways we show our love for God and ways he shows his love for us! I've learned a lot already, mostly because I've read a verse or two here and there and then went to work trying to apply what I learn as I give tours! I feel like we grow and learn much more when we are actually trying to apply what the scriptures talk about. So cool. 

Monday 

Crazy crazy crazy day! We were roving, so that meant we served at the visitors center, Heber C Kimball home, the Lyon drug store, wilford Woodruff home, and then the visitors center again haha. And biked in between all those places! Boy that was hectic haha.  

That was also the day when i met the cute  little boy and talked to him about the priesthood being the best super power ever. Adorable. 

Then we sang at British pageant that night 

Tuesday 

Researching family, at land and records. Always fun. 

That day sister decker and i for some reason got super Stressed about pageant and missions, and knowing how to feel successful. So I did what my good mom taught. We made lists of our stressors and found out how to eliminate things and made a plan of action. Haha thanks for that. It was a good comp study. 

Then our closing shift was at the tin shop and we had fun making tin pans with people haha. I always make sound effects for the kids hahaha 

Also that's when sister Decker eye got hurt. So we stayed home and I did a date night with sister young! We made treats and went on a walk. 

Wednesday 

I only got in 2 verses before the crowds came haha. But I flipping love it! I love being such a constant instrument, you can just feel  the spirit flowing all day it's amazing. 

Then we sang at the end of sunset, and that's when sister Deckers grandparents surprised her! She was so excited haha.

Thursday 

This was the day i did christiana and was Praying for strength when sick in the morning. It was a great day, I connected with a lot of people! Besides hitting my head on the dustpan, I seemed to touch a lot of people haha. The best was these two ladies that just got a look in their eyes and it was so tender! 

Also we met an awesome youth named Bradley and just kept running into him! Such a good kid. He's so excited to go on a mission and loved pageant. We wished him luck and so that was great. 

Friday 

Heber C! 

Packed all day! Can't remember much else haha. Just a spirit filled crazy sweaty long energizing amazing day. Lots of testifying moments. Also we went and watched the 

Joseph and Emma letters vignette, so sweet. 

Pageant is awesome. Extraordinary. I have no words. "There is nothing more powerful than truth. Except. Truth in a musical setting." The music of pageant and the songs that go along with the restoration of Christ's gospel just makes it so personal, so powerful and so influential. My favorite part is singing at the end of the British pageant as I get to sing redeemer of Israel and testify of christ. Oh what a joy it is to be a missionary in nauvoo. I just wish I had more time here, it's going by too fast. 

So I don't have time to find those teen stories of trek for you, but I know there are some mentioned in conference talks and such so you could do some research and look some up if you want. Sorry  I didn't realize I wouldn't have time today haha when I asked to help. 

Trek is gonna be so good!!! Enjoy it!!! 

Love you both SO SO SO much 

Sister Bush 

July 6, 2019

Note: Sister Bush's pday was changed to Saturday, so we had a long time between pday emails!

HEY everyone!! 

I apologize that it has been so long since I've sent out an email.... 

Nauvoo is up and kicking! The core cast for pageant has been practicing, the bagpipes have arrived and the chiggers are waking up. 

Just to give you perspective of how quickly this place is becoming popular, we had over 4,000 people visit the bakery in May and in June we were way over 8,000. It will just get busier!!! Who knows what the numbers will be for July hahaha. I love meeting so many people every day, I love the way the Savior blesses me with His love for each person or family that comes to my assigned site (: 

Also I have a new companion! Sister Decker is literally the best. She even makes me macaroni and cheese sometimes, how did I get so lucky?? Haha we have so many good laughs, as well as see miracles every day. God definitely knew I would need her this summer 

One awesome experience I had was when we met a young man who was on leave from his mission because of a hand injury. He couldn't go back until he was better, and I could tell he was struggling. The spirit inspired sister Decker and I to talk about Carthage jail and how it is a place of revelation. It was amazing and I knew it was an answer to his prayers. I'm sure his experience at Carthage the next day was life changing. I love being an instrument for God. 

Anyways, I also wrote more historical fiction for Nauvoo! This true story is about Phebe Woodruff, a spiritual giant who took care of her family while her husband served missions..... 

JULY 18, 1840 

Phebe Woodruff walks down the east side of main street, towards a stone house. She's  holding a letter tightly in her hands. Just hours ago, with her best penmsnship she wrote to her beloved husband to tell him the things closest to her heart. 

The post office, which operates out of Sidney Rigdons kitchen, seems quiet. Phebe knocks on the front door and George Robinson answers. George is Sidney's son in law and the newly appointed post master in Nauvoo. He welcomes her with a soft smile and notices the paper she has in her hands. 

"Come in." 

He doesn't ask any questions about the letter or even ask how her week has been, but he watches her with concern in his eyes. 

Im sure he knows. 

Word travels fast in Nauvoo, especially news of loss. Just the day before, Phebe had said goodbye to her little 2 year old daughter, Sarah Emma. Sarah Emma was such a bright, happy girl, it was so hard to see her as ill as she was. It was even harder for Phebe to lay her to rest, knowing she would never hold her again in this life. And now, Phebe has to inform her husband, who is hundreds of miles away, that their daughter is gone. 

I wish I could tell him face to face, I wish it was not by letter. 

George leaves the room, probably getting the sealing wax. 

Phebe stands by the sorting box and opens her carefully folded paper to read over her words about Sarah's passing one more time. 

"Yesterday I was called to witness the departure of our little Sarah Emma from this world- yes she is gone- the relentless hand of death has snatched her from my embrace. When looking on her I have often thought how I should feel to part with her. I thought I could not live without her especially in the absence of my companion-" Phebe's vision blurs as tears fill her eyes. She takes a deep breath, uses a handkerchief and continues reading. 

"but she is gone, the Lord has taken her to himself for some wise purpose." 

Phebe feels the gloom of this news settle over her, imagining how it will affect her beloved. Even though she has walked all the way to the post office and is now standing in front of the box, she is still unsure how to finish the letter. Words fail to describe the brokenness of her heart and how she longs for Wilford to be with her. 

All these feelings begin to overwhelm her and she begins to cry. George Robinson comes around the corner with an ink and quil, notices the tears and quietly hands her a handkerchief. 

"Please, sit down." 

He motions to a rocking chair by the fireplace. 

She nods and sits in the chair, sobbing at this point. 

George waits in silence for a moment as Phebe weeps. After a moment, he touches her shoulder lightly. 

"I know not how to comfort you at this time. But I, and many people in this town are praying that the spirit of the Lord will attend you. And that He will bring peace to Wilford as well." 

"Thank you. Thank God for you." Phebe wipes her eyes, tears still sliding down her cheeks. 

"I know the letter writing must be difficult." George gestures to the ink he just brought into the room." You may use my quil if you desire, and if you need me I will be in my study. But I wish to give you your privacy." 

"You are too kind." 

"I only wish to serve." George nods at her and leaves her alone in the room. 

Phebe looks at her letter on the counter by the sorting box, and the ink beside it. 

Oh my Father, what will I tell Wilford? How can I comfort him, when I am still suffering? 

Suddenly, Phebe realizes the biggest reason why she broke down in tears, and her prayer becomes more sincere as she asks the questions that have been in her heart. 

Why can I not feel Thy spirit comforting me? Why am I still in anguish? Wilford is so very far away and this burden is hard to bear alone. Dear Father, I need to feel Thy grace. Please help me to feel Thy love. 

In this moment, the pure love of Christ gently wraps around her. Her mind is filled with memories from these past couple days. Vilate Kimball showing up on her doorstep to care for her sick little girl so she could get some rest. Patty Sessions coming to dress Sarah Emma for burial so that Phebe wouldn't have to. Mary Ann Young putting her arms around her and holding her tightly during the funeral service. Hyrum Smith saying a prayer over the grave and offering to give her a blessing of comfort. Leonora Taylor offering to watch Wilford Jr so that Phebe could rest and write her letter. George Robison offering his handkerchief and kind words. And many many other people just like them. 

The spirit then whispers words from the bible in her mind: "lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." 

A sweet peaceful feeling enters into her heart and she knows that the Savior understands her. His infinite love calms her troubled mind and soothes her hidden wounds. 

Because of Christ, I will have my little Sarah Emma again. 

Gratitude for the Savior and Redeemer of the world swells inside her and she walks over to her unfinished letter on the counter. Taking the quil in her hand she adds an extra line on the bottom of the page. 

"It is a severe trial for me to pass through particularly so in your absence but the Lord has stood by me in a wonderfully manner." 

After writing this she barely has space to sign her name. 

She folds it up and gently touches her lips to the paper. 

I love you Wilford. The Lord will not leave you comfortless. I trust you into His care. 

********Part 2 will come when Wilford receives the letter*********

Thanks for reading! I hope this story reminded you to look for the Lord's hand in your life when you go through hard things. Often He answers our prayers through other people. Just like how I got to help that young man, there are other people out there who God will use to lighten your load and answer your prayers. Always remember that He loves you!!!! 

Yours truly, 

Sister Bush