August 29, 2019

Hello!!!!! 

Insights from the meeting with president lusvardi: 

He talked to us about "our next transfer" meaning our transfer home. Here's of his quotes: 

"When you want to be somewhere, and you are really there, you can make a difference there. You aren't home yet. You are here. So BE HERE." 

"Work right through to the very end. Get every minute from it. Enjoy every ounce of it." 

"These are your people forever. You may not know their names or remember all of them, but they are yours. Nauvoo is always yours." 

"This is not a common mission experience. You've been prepared for won't great things ahead. You will have rough patches. Your mission experience will carry you through them. Sister Lusvardi and I are not going to fade away after this. We've got more to do. The Lord is not done with us. It is the same with you. You have service yet to come.

Stand forever. Don't worry. Let not your heart be troubled or afraid. The Lord has prepared you for greatness. This is his work. You know it and I know it. And we are still in it. Make every second count. In the name of Jesus Christ amen." 

This week I served at the cultural hall, bakery, the visitors center, the streets of kuekuk, home, the wagon, land and records and facilities management! Such a variety of places, and a variety of people so I've had a variety of experiences! Let me tell you about a few: 

I met a 45 year old lady with special needs at the cultural hall! She was the cutest. She was on an outing with her social group. We talked about music and she told me she had a great singing voice, so I said I would love to hear it. She then sang amazing Grace for me. (All of her friends plugged their ears or left the building hahaha) but it was sweet because to me it wasn't the quality of her singing or voice - but rather the sincerity in her heart. In that way, it was one of the most beautiful singing I've ever heard. 

In the bakery I met a young mother and her new child of 10 months! We talked about the blessings of the temple and I felt inspired to ask a question. This led to her telling me she didn't feel like she got to the temple enough and I was able to tell her that she could still have the strength and power from the covenants, even if she wasn't able to go often. Some of the saints only went once in their lifetime! But it was their attitude to their covenants that gave them strength. So it was cool to be able to tell her that. 

Outbound workshop: Virginia Rose and don Eckers - I told you about them during our call.  The ones in keukuk that were like: wait. You believe in Jesus christ? And I was like YES! Haha 

Also! I joined the ward mission Choir! Finally! I've always wanted to, but none of my comps have been interested because it's so early haha but sister young said she would do it! 

Best part: the choir sang that day the song I need thee every hour. It was so good. 

Speaking of music and songs, I'm writing a song for Nauvoo. I've got the melody and the words and I can sing it but I'm going to get some other missionaries to help me come up with 

On the wagon i felt very prompted to talk about Gods love. Since that is what i has been studying i used a scripture from the book of mormon about being filled with gods love and testified that is how the saints got through hard times. This guy, i dont even know his name, but as i bore my testimony he was just so engaged and smiling a lot and at the end he was just like "thank you so much." I don't know what he needed but i'm glad the spirit was able to work through me! 

Me to this 5 year old girl: why are you so cute? Can you tell me your secret? What is your secret for being so cute? 

Little girl: well, it's my curly hair 

I died from her ADORABLENESS haha 

We played with toys at land and records while her parents did family history. She loved it so much she said she didn't want to leave! Aw! 

We got to do some fun weeding at Facilities management the other day! We had a jungle of weeds that we attacked with our clippers and knives and gloves. It was actually the best because as we weeded to make Nauvoo beautiful we talked with these senior sisters about life and about Gods tender mercies. I know for a fact that without the facilities management missionaries, Nauvoo would not be nearly as spiritually powerful as it is.  Also we found some way weird (but also cute) caterpillars haha 

That's about my week! Seems short. Weird. 

I also told you about how the spirit guides me to talk to my companion about things, what I learned from Zeniff and his people, why Isaiah used the word travail, what it really means to know christ and not just have a testimony of his existence and also how I'm trying to be extra consecrated these last 6ish weeks! 

You guys are the best! I love you! Have a stellar week! 

Love love love love love 

Sister Bush 

August 22, 2019

Hey! Short one this week, didn't have time to write much....

But I really felt impressed to talk about temples. So I wanted to tell you about Katharin Fleck. I don't know too much about her. All i know is that she is my 6th cousin, and was born in 1901 in Nebraska. Today was her special day! 

Today I went to the Nauvoo temple and did her work. I had the privilege in doing things and making promises in her behalf. I was baptized and confirmed for her, was endowed with power for her and sealed her to her parents as well. Overall, we were in the temple from 7:45 to 11:15 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. 

She will not be forced to accept the work I did for her, but now she has the choice. And that choice sets her free! 

I'm so grateful for temples. I know that they are sacred, and a place we can feel God's love most abundantly. If you feel like something was lacking with your week, please go to the temple. Or study temples. Or learn more about what temples are at comeuntochrist.org! This week wasn't the easiest for me, but because of my time in the temple, I came closer to Christ. Just like Katharin Fleck. And I know that you can too. 

Have a great week! 

Love, 

Sister Bush 

August 15, 2019

HELLO EVERYONE! 

I know it's been ages since I wrote an email to everyone with updates!
So sorry haha but I've been crazy busy with the Lord's work 

Pageant season was the best summer I've ever had in my life.
I met thousands and thousands of people, and with many of them i had great experiences.
Funny experiences.
Moments of joy and moments of sorrow.
And with that came many sacred experiences.
I will never forget the way that those people have changed me. 

Even though pageant season is somehow gone, Nauvoo is still alive and well!
My new companion Sister Young is super cool and
we both love attending the temple so we go as often as we can 

The other upside to having some study time now available
is that I can continue writing historical fiction for the people who lived here in Nauvoo. 

I'll just remind you that 

1. These writings are first draft, and havent been edited at all. 

2. The things I write are based on real people, real places and real events.
(But not official church history) I just add details to help myself  (and hopefully others) understand more how they felt. 

Today I've included at the bottom the continuation of the Riser family story. 

Background info: 

George and Christiana were both originally from Germany but moved to Nauvoo when they were little kids.
They met and were married in Ohio.
George had a very successful shoe shop there, but upon hearing of the
persecution of the members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints,
he felt inspired and wanted to know more. So they sold their shoe shop and
moved to Nauvoo to see what they could learn!  They wanted to find out why
these church members were willing to sacrifice so much.
As George and Christiana came to know the restored truths of Christ's gospel, they too chose to make sacrifices...... 

       ****************************

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 Christianas 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 hes 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 Christianas side, eyes full of concern.
A painful hour goes 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.
Christianas 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, 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."

       ******************************

Christiana rocks her precious one year old and begins to sing softly to him.
She sings the hymn she heard at church that has come to mind often since she first heard it:

"The time is far spent; there is little remaining
To publish glad tidings by sea and by land.
Then hasten, ye heralds; go forward proclaiming:
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven’s at hand,
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven’s at hand."

The hymn has new meaning to her now.
Christiana feels comforted by the thought that glad tidings are coming her way and
that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Soon she hears the door downstairs, and stops singing. I
t opens and closes, and then the stairs creek as her husband and the others climb up to where she is.
First emerges her George, then Elder Orson Hyde, and last of all comes the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Holding his hat in his hands, he looks at Christiana and then John.
"You were right to call upon us, he is gravely ill."
Joseph touches his fingers to the little boys head, and Orson Hyde does the same.
"We shall bless him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Christiana nods, tears filling her eyes.
Joseph then pronounces a blessing on the boys head,
using the power of God given to him to heal in the same way Christ healed when He was on the earth.
He speaks with power and authority, boldly declaring that John Jacob would live, and be instantly made whole.
The spirit fills the room and Joseph finishes in the name of Jesus Christ.
He puts his arm around Orson Hyde as they watch John.
Everyone's eyes on the little one, breathlessly waiting to see what he does.
John Jacob coughs, gasps for air and then sighs.
He eases into his mother's arms and blinks many times until his eyes close and he is breathing softly.
"I have never seen such a miracle as this." Christiana whispers, in awe.
Joseph smiles and shakes George's hand.
"The priesthood power - given to man- is one of Gods holiest gifts. It is meant to bless all His children.
Thank you for asking me to come."
"No, thank you. Thank you." George embraces him. "We were so very worried, but we can now rest."
"It was my privilege and honor. Let me know how he is in the morn."
Orson and Joseph leave and head back home.
George turns to Christiana. "Was that not miraculous?"
She laughs. "It is remarkable to think I was concerned about death only moments ago,
when he is now sleeping soundly and breathing as if he hasn't a care in the world. God be thanked for His prophet."
"And God be thanked for you my dear, and your beautiful faith.
We heard you finish singing a hymn as we entered the house."
Christiana smiles. "It was how the Lord was comforting me."
George kisses her forehead. "It was not comforting to you alone, but to me as well. Thank you."

After this experience, George and Christiana simply cannot wait another day to be baptized.
So they choose to cut a hole in the frozen ice of the Mississippi river to do so!
It is an expression of their gratitude to the Lord and a desire to join His church.
As George comes up out of the frigid water, he cuts through the ice,
gets on solid ground and embraces his beloved wife as she wraps a blanket around his shoulders.
"I've n-n-never been ha-happier in my life!" He exclaims, shivering from head to toe.
Christiana laughs and hurries over to the waters edge for her turn.
Joseph stands in the frozen river, hugging himself to try to stay warm. She can see his breath in the air.
That moment, as the icy water climbs up her legs inside her dress, Christiana gasps and takes a step backwards.
She pauses and says a little prayer in her heart.
Father, please give me strength.
The words of the hymn from the night before re-enter her mind, this time the second verse.

"Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant,
But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.
Our little afflictions, tho painful at present,
Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end,
Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end."

Christiana smiles and wades even deeper, pushing forward into the freezing water.
Im doing this for you God. Thank you.

   ********************************

To be continued.......
Because George and Christianas story doesn't end there! The third and final segment of this journey
I will write later on(: 

I love the Riser family! They had such faith. And when they came to know the truth,
they were willing to make sacrifices for the Lord. That is a common theme among the early members of the church!
They sacrificed so much. 

A favorite quote of mine by one of those early saints said
"I make a sacrifice of my all for Christ's sake to do his work." 

Powerful. Why did they sacrifice so much? 

Because they knew the Savior. And they loved Him. 

What can we do to show our love for the Savior? What can we do to give our all to Him? 

This is what I've been pondering these past couple weeks.
I know that as we give ourselves to the Savior, as we offer Him our hearts and our lives,
He can make much more of us than we can by ourselves. 

Have a great week! Thank you for reading, I know it was a long one. 

All my love, 

Sister Bush 

August 8, 2019

What a week. Saying goodbye to a companion and saying hello to a new one is always a crazy week haha 

Last pday was a wacko one and I don't feel like I got to talk to you guys like at all but it was a great pday. I got to spend all day with sister Deckers little brother, Jakob. He is such a good kid and some of the sisters thought he was my little brother haha cuz of how close we were. A miracle was that he was having a bad day because we were doing "boring things" but I talked to my friend ypm sister cordova and she was able to get him to come on stage for sunset!!

Super fun. 

Also that night was the last night of British pageant. Last opportunity to sing in it as a missionary.... It was pretty fulfilling. The stage was so full! 

We got up there and I sung with my heart - I had tears but it didn't hinder my singing so that was good. It's hard to describe the experience when singing on that stage. I know I will come back later. Pageant is not over for me. 

One line that stuck out to me was when robert laird and Becky laird are leaving to go to Nauvoo and they are afraid of leaving their home but they have faith so they say "And wherever we go, it will be Scotland to us." 

And the spirit whispered "And wherever you go, it will be Nauvoo to you." So of course I stated sobbing haha. 

I'm going to miss pageant so much. Man, so many feelings.  

Saturday Aug 3 sister decker and i were Roving so we got to still hang out with her family a little! Then we had to say goodbye, which was sad. I'll miss jake, he's my new homie. He reminds me a lot of Gideon, which is why we got along so well. 

That night we had pageant strike which is always crazy. We watched the Nauvoo pageant one last time (yep cried that time too) and then started packing up! We put away all the chairs, stage stuff and lights. We were out working till midnight and didn't get bed till even later. Boy was I tired, especially since the next day was Sunday and we have church at 7:50am haha. But it worked out (: the Lord strengthens!! 

Sunday Aug 4 

This was such a good day, i was able to Receive revelation during Sunday school about my new companion (cuz I already knew it before they announced it remember) and so that was good. 

District council we did a book of mormon read together of 1 nephi 8 and also we accidentally got locked into the council room haha the door was locked from the inside and outside! President Lusvardi almost knocked it down. We ended up getting a screwdriver and screwing off the doorknob haha so that was a fun adventure 

Then sis Decker and I went to the Sunday concert! Oh man I just love how much music opens the heavens. I really have such a testimony of that. 

Even though I should have packed on Sunday to be prepared to move I didn't haha I just talked with Sis Decker 

Aug 5 

Monday we served at Land and records 

I was So sad cuz I will miss sister Decker! We spent as much time together as possible because we have just gotten so close and will miss seeing each other every day. 

That night we also had the Ice cream dinner(: I tried something new! Maybe you've had it before but it was my new favorite. I got vanilla ice cream and I got a unfrosted strawberry poptarts and crushed it up in there and it tasted like a strawberry cheesecake kind of thing. It was pretty darn good! It almost tasted like one of dad's milkshakes haha 

Also that night sister Decker, robison, Mitchell and I decided to have a Traveling notebook where we all take turns writing in it and giving it to each other. Cuz we just want to keep talking a ton haha 

Aug 6 

Tuesday - my Last day with Sis Decker! 

We spent it serving in the Boot shop. It was actually pretty slow. We only had like 7 tours. Which is really slow compared to the normal 50 during pageant season haha. 

We did a little photo shoot and so that was good. Also studied on charity and enduring trials together (: 

Then we went to sunset that night to sing! 

Aug 7 

Land and records! First day with sister young. 

After talking a bit, sister young and I decided that she is the hulk. (It's not an insult, she likes it.) Haha she just talks about how she's always angry. And i talked about how i try to help her so she told me that i am black widow. It was a kind of funny connection but later I found out It was actually true. 

 

After that we did some family history, had lunch, then closed at the print shop. when we left I prayed sincerely for the spirit, I prayed for charity and for us to be able to work in unity. And the spirit flooded into my body to confirm I was doing the right thing. 

I just want her to know that she's loved. And that even though the mission is hard I will stand by our leaders and show that I care about her. And so this week I am going to serve her every day and pray for her all the time and just love her the best i can. Because I think all the issues she has stem from the fact that she doesn't feel like anyone loves her. 

So I will flood her with my love everyday. And be as kind as possible. That's why I'm so glad I studied charity so in depth last transfer. 

I hope that all makes sense haha. 

Overall, she's a wonderful person with so much potential!  And so no matter what happens I will just do all I can to love her. Because that's what Christ would do (: 

Anyways, love you both. Thank you for being such amazing examples of love and kindness, no matter what. You are both the kindest people i know and I want to be more like you. Also dad thanks for sending that spiritual thought about love, it really helps! 

Sincerely, 

Sister Bush 

August 2, 2019

Hey I don't know how much time I'll have to write a good email to you guys. 

We've been all over the place. Right now I'm waiting for the play called the promise to start....

But basically just make sure to tell dad about my decision to volunteer to be with sister young, how my appointment went with the urologist  and my experience with that girl Kelsey from the ysa on pageant grounds (: 

Yep it's gonna be a quickie. Sorry..... 

Please pray for sister young and I. I'm praying it will be everything it needs to and that I will be able to help her. 

Scripture thought for this week: 

1 nephi 18: 11 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness; nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he had spoken concerning the wicked.

This is when Nephi is tied up on a ship but he explains why the Lord is letting these bad things happen. "Nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power." 

It is through hard things that we come to know God. It is through the bad days that we learn to recognize God's hand. It is because of the trials, persecutions and afflictions that we learn to rely on the Lord. And feel His power in our lives. Working in us and through us. And I know that that is true. I've seen it in my life and in countless others. 

I love you guys so much. More than you know. Seeing sister Decker united with her family was making me a little homesick at first but it was good to be able to talk to you guys, that made me feel better! Plus her little brother is way fun to hang out with. 

I'm already past pday curfew haha but I just had to finish typing it out. I've done like a line every 30 minutes or so throughout the day. 

Just know that I love you and I'm thinking of you and praying for you guys all the time. Good luck with all your craziness!!!! 

Love love love you 

Sister Bush