March in Nauvoo

There are signs that Spring may actually come. Some of the daffodils are coming up and we've had a few warm days. But, the last couple of days have been cold again.

There were some nice events and happenings in March. Elder Richard Hinckley from the Missionary Dept. was here for a mission tour. Monday March 8th he spoke to us for an hour and a half or so and we didn't want him to stop. He was really great, and funny. About halfway into the meeting he had us all stand and stretch. When we sat back down he said that we sounded like a bowl of Rice Krispies! He spoke of the need for senior missionaries, especially couples. There are 3900 senior missionaries serving right now and 6500 are needed so that's a shortage of 2600! He said, "When you go home, even if you had a terrible time, tell your friends that it was great!" He asked for suggestions and comments from the missionaries as to how to simplify the process. We discussed the difficulty of the medical forms, then he said, that basically "if you have a pulse and can recognize yourself in the mirror, we want you to serve a mission". We all enjoyed his visit.

Then Elder Jeffrey Holland and his wife were in town for a Stake Conference March 14. We were instructed in no uncertain terms NOT to try and attend Stake Conf. because there wasn't room. So, Elder Holland spoke to us that Sunday evening. Again, it was a great event and we could have listened to him for another hour or so. He told us of his experience when he was called as an Apostle, he answered questions and then told us the Book of Mormon story of the Savior's visit to the Nephites. He talked about how the Lord was ready to leave and he saw the tears of the people so he stayed and healed the sick and blessed the children. He said that we can have what we want if we pray in faith. He said that we believe in vicarious righteousness. It's what we do in the Temple and we can do it for our family. He said that missionary work is a legacy to leave the grandchildren and will reach to the 10th generations. He gave us all a blessing and told that the righteous desires of our hearts will surely be ours. As he said those words I felt a warmth fill me and I knew that it was true. It was a very spiritual, wonderful evening.

March 17th was the Relief Society Commemoration meeting in the upstairs room of Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store. There were 3 sessions to accommodate everyone. The Temple missionary sisters went in the morning and there were 2 evening sessions for the rest of us. The ladies who were in charge of this event did am amazing job. It was perfect. We met at the Visitor's Center in our pioneer dresses and had a carriage ride to the store. The meeting was wonderful and the Spirit was very strong. It was very easy to imaging those early sisters being there. We each received a beautiful program and a crocheted handkerchief.

And there's more exciting news: Ken and Jane Myers will be joining us here in Nauvoo on April 23. They are coming on a 6 months service mission. We're really excited about this! Woohoo! Party in Nauvoo!!