October 1, 2019

What a week. Ive seen a lot of rain, shared a lot of testimonies and followed many promptings. I've also met a lot of different families this week! 

We've meet families from all over the United states as well as wonderful families from Poland, Japan, Guatemala, Australia and China! Way cool! 

The family from Pozan Poland was a lot of fun. They actually were not members of the church, and were visiting family in st Luis so they drove down here! She said they always take their family and friends to Nauvoo because of the special feeling here. They wanted pictures after pictures of me and with me haha so I decided to take one with them too. A great experience. They said I could come visit them! 

We had to say a lot of Goodbyes this week. It was hard to say goodbye to the munns and their new pony, elvis. But it worked out. We dipped Graham crackers and asked for life advice. Then i had to say goodbye to sisters Whitmer, Daugherty, Mitchell, Miskin, Taylor and Moss. That one was bitter sweet. I know I will see some of them pretty soon tho so it's okay. Sister Taylor haha was like "don't worry it won't be long I'll be at the airport when you get home" haha so cute.  

Anotber highlight for me was that there was a Little baby girl in one of our tours and i fot her to smile and then to laugh! Her whole family was so shocked. Some of them actually gasped. They said that she rarely smiles or laughs. I felt pretty special after that!!! 

In that same tour (we were at the bakery) i felt inspired to talk to the kids about how brother scovil was not a complainer. And how he was obedient and also cheerful as he obeyed. The parents seemed really grateful that i focused on that, so that was cool.  

Also this week i spent some time Messaging Dan Swope! From casper. I wanted to see how he was doing and found out that the lady who always let us teach him in her home passed away a week ago. In a car accident. So sad. But he seems to be doing good and he wants to go to the other ward. He said he finished reading the new testament this year! I'm so proud of him. 

On saturday we got to do a special assignment called Nauvoo on the road! This is where we take some of our classic games and activities to fares and things nearby to attract visitors! We got to go to beardstown Illinois haha. I was in charge of the stilt station. So I was walking on stilts like all day!! Boy my ankles were so sore. Everyone was impressed I could do it in a pioneer dress tho haha. And the best part was that the kids  kept coming back to our Nauvoo station cuz it was the favorite! Yay! 

I had a really really cool experience with the sacrament and alma 7 that I'll tell you about in our call (: 

On sunday i was Fasting for my companions who are going on outbound: sister john, sister pancheri, sister Decker and Sister young. I also wrote letters for them so that was good. 

I feel that we are making progress but it's also frustrating because she keeps choosing to do things that make her pain worse. (Physical and mental.) And so I'm really learning a lot about agency. And why it's necessary and how much God loves us to be able to let us choose - even when we choose wrong. And all He wants to do is help us. But often we don't let him. That's what I'm learning haha. But i won't give up trying. I'm still doing my best to reach out. Cuz that's what he does. He is always reaching out. 

 At Brigham young yesterday I got to bear my testimony a lot. It was awesome. It seemed that in every tour, the spirit helped me find a way to testify of the restoration or of the Savior and His church. It was so cool. I think I was blessed because I was trying extra hard to follow the spirit. One of my favorite tours was when I talked about how inspired Brigham young and the rest of the 12 were back then and felt the need to connect it to our day. And talk about conference. And promise that if they listened with the spirit that the quorum of the 12 would share something that their family specifically needs. How cool. 

 

Today in the celestial room i was pondering/praying about my mission. How to finish strong and not be distracted by so many people leaving and going home. Cuz every guest I met asks how long I have and what I'll do at the end. Every missionary wants to know. Emma messages me with her count down. And it's just everywhere!!! I can't escape it haha. My answer in the celestial room came from doctrine and Covenants 62. (I always read the doctrine and Covenants in the celestial room and I love it!) 

Anyways this is what the chapter says: 

1 Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted. (Tempted to be distracted or unfocused)

2 And verily mine eyes are upon those who have not as yet gone up unto the land of Zion; WHEREFORE YOUR MISSION IS NOT YET FULL. 

3 Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.

4 And now continue your journey. (Continue your service without hesitation.) Assemble yourselves upon the land of Zion; and hold a meeting and rejoice together, and offer a sacrament unto the Most High.

5 And then you may return to bear record, yea, even altogether, or two by two, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me; only be faithful, and declare glad tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, or among the congregations of the wicked.

6 Behold, I, the Lord, have brought you together that the promise might be fulfilled, that the faithful among you should be preserved and rejoice together in the land of Missouri. I, the Lord, promise the faithful and cannot lie.

7 I, the Lord, am willing, if any among you desire to ride upon horses, or upon mules, or in chariots, he shall receive this blessing, if he receive it from the hand of the Lord, with a thankful heart in all things.

8 These things remain with you to do according to judgment and the directions of the Spirit.

9 Behold, the kingdom is yours. And behold, and lo, I am with the faithful always. Even so. Amen.

So comforting. It was perfect. And so I know I have more work to do. In this next little bit, there are things I still need to accomplish! For he said that my mission is not yet full. And like lucius scovil, "I am determined to fill my mission if it cost me all that I have on this earth" 

And so every day I am going to pray in the morning to know what he wants me to do that day. Of course I've been doing that for a long time but I'm going to be more specific in my prayers. And I'm excited to see what work he has for me to do, and the miracles that come from it. 

This is the work of the Lord. I know it. And I am so grateful to be a part of it. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Love you so much!!!!! 

Sister Bush