Nauvoo Pageant

        We were able to go to Nauvoo this weekend to see the two pageants that are being performed.  Next week is the last week.  This is the bridge and Mississippi River we are crossing over by car.  It sure beats the way the Saints left many years ago.  But, they did come over into Iowa when they were driven from the state of Illinois.

        When we arrived in Nauvoo, we met another missionary couple we didn't know was going to be there.  So, we went to Pete's Diner and had a quick meal before the Pageant began.  This couple is Elder & Sister Melin, who actually serve with us in Independence, Missouri, working in the Visitor Center.  They also live in the six-plex with us.  It was fun to see someone we knew.

        Before the Pageant began, we listened to the Bagpipe Band.  They played at the beginning of the program as the American Flag was being carried in.  Those who wanted joined in the march as they hoisted the flag on the stage.  I love patriotic music and songs.  We all joined in with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

        This is Paul.  He and his family sat by us during the Pageant.  He is from Chicago and comes every year to see the Nauvoo Pageant.  He joined the church when he was 24 and wasn't able to serve a mission.  He wants to go with his wife later (when he is older) to Brazil.  He is from South America, but loves the country of Brazil and wants to serve there.  He was great fun and has a strong testimony.

We also met another lady from Brazil who saw the missionaries when she was a child.  They read stories to her and she loved the feeling they bought.  But, her family didn't join.  Later in life, when she had forgotten about them, she searched for a church that could answer her three questions: Why was she here on the earth?  What would happen to her after this life? and Why were there no prophets?  So, when missionaries knocked again, and answered her questions, she remembered the same feeling.  I love to listen to the testimonies of people out here.  They sincerely love the gospel.  And so do I!!

        This is a picture of the final scene in the pageant.  The missionaries came out in the end and you can see them in white shirts, center and both sides.  The Pageant was about the Saints in the British Islands who joined the church and came to build up the city of Nauvoo.  It was a great intro to the Nauvoo Pageant the next night.  We were able to see both Pageants; Friday & Saturday.  This is the first year that the British Company has done the pageant here in Nauvoo.

        This is Elder Nyholm and Elder Parry.  They both live across the street from the Mission Office here in Independence.  They are always helping Elder Atwood load furniture or whatever he needs.  They are both great workers.  I put this picture in because I love their T-shirts.  They came into the office last week with these.  It was a big hit for all of us.  I had to take their picture.  Elder Nyholm was just transferred this week, but Elder Parry is still here.

July 24 Celebration & other

        For the 24th of July, we had a big stake campout and picnic throughout the day.  There were games, singing, program, and of course food.  This is Elder Atwood standing by Bishop Munger of the Riverview Ward that we attend.

        This is Sister Atwood dressed up for the pioneer spirit.  She sang at the festivities with the ward choir.  We had five sisters in the choir.  But, they sang well.

        Of course, some of the best food was provided in the Polynesian Ward.  They had roasted pig.  We had to taste it to make sure it was edible for the others.

        They also had these bananas coated in something.  They didn't look too appetizing but they actually tasted good.  The Polynesian people eat them with all their meals, like we do with potatoes.  In fact, they taste like potatoes.

        This was a baptism we attended also.  The two young people are Kellie and Cesar Wong.  They were both baptized after the missionaries taught them.  Their parents are not yet baptized, but they were both at the baptism and I'm sure will follow suit.  All the missionaries who taught them were able to come back to the ward to participate in the baptism.  It was great to see all these Elders who we knew and who we have missed from our Ward.  Elder Anderson, Kolomoa, Kiene, Santa Cruz, Elwood, Brother Wong (their uncle) Elder Huston, Brasseaux, and Elder Hart.  We've grown so fond of most of these Elders who we have worked with in the past.  It was like a fun reunion.  The two brother & sister were then confirmed Sunday morning at church.  They were such cute kids.

Fourth of July weekend

We worked in the office until 3:00.  Closed early for the celebration of our Wonderful Country!

        We went first to the Rasmussen's home for a picnic with all the FM and Office Missionaries.  We each brought our own meat and a dish to share.  There was plenty of food.  Elder Rasmussen set up the Bar B Q and the rest of us visited and ate.  This is Elder Atwood looking for what he wants to eat.  Sister Rasmussen is fixing food beside him and Sister Flint is in front.  There were 16 people there.

        After dinner, we drove to the RLDS Auditorium where the Churches joined together with the city, under the direction of Stake President Cato to put together a free concert for all the people in Independence.  The George Dyer family from Branson, Missouri, sang.  George is an Opera singer, who sang with the Tabernacle Choir.  He, his wife, two daughters, and two sons sing in shows together.  One son is serving a mission in Mexico, so he wasn't there.   This is Sister Dyer and her daughter singing one song together.  They were very talented.

         The next day, we had our President's Devotional where new converts share testimony.  This is Doris, who joined the church after searching for years.  She was tired of looking when, Sister Moody and Sister Raymer approached her house, as the last home they would go to for the day.  She wouldn't let them off her porch without asking and talking for a long time.  She just couldn't get enough.  It was like coming home.

        This is Kayla with Elder Alvey and Elder Moss.  She wasn't religious at all and has only attended church a couple times in her life.  She is very scientific and didn't believe without proof.  But, after listening to the missionaries, asking questions, reading, and studying, something happened to her and she discovered that there is more to life than science.  When science runs out and can't explain things, there is another source.  She is converted to truth through the eyes of a Supreme Being.

        This is Kristina with Sister Atwood.  She is fifteen years old.  She was introduced to the church by a boy friend who was LDS.  He gave her the Book of Mormon.  She attended Seminary and read the Book of Mormon 7 times.  She knew it was true, and loves reading it for more and more answers to her questions.

        This is Trisha with Elder Gardner and Elder Colemere.  She was another person who had searched for answers to her questions.  She had been in several churches.  When she met the missionaries, they invited her to the Visitor's Center.  It was there, sitting by the Christus that she felt something she had never felt before.  The feeling encompassed her entire body.  She knew that the message of the Gospel was accompanied by the Holy Ghost, which she felt in that sacred place.
        The night ended with President Vest and Sister Vest, our new President, sharing their testimonies and their desire to continue this great work in bringing souls unto Christ, the only name whereby we can be saved.  He said, "The Gospel and Jesus Christ is the only thing that can mend the broken world we live in.  It is the only way we can be forgiven.  It is the only way we can find true happiness and inner peace."  God loves each of his children.  He is trying to get our attention and help us back to him. I pray that we will open our ears and listen to Him instead of the chaos of the world and the deceptions all around us.  It is a straight shot to Him!  And down deep, we know it is!