I love this quote from Ezra Taft Benson and have heard it a number of times over the years, mostly just the very first sentence. This
week the whole quote has had a little more meaning to me as I have thought about how our service as missionaries here in Nauvoo has changed me. Those promises from President Benson have been fulfilled and continue to be fulfilled as we try our best to serve. I look at each blessing and can think of many times my joy has been DEEPENED when I walked these historic streets and think of the strong pioneers who also walked here...my vision EXPANDED, my mind QUICKENED, and my muscles STRENGTHENED as I go to the mission office each day and attempt to do things I've never done before and have no idea where to even start...my spirits have been LIFTED when I sing the songs of Zion with joy and with my whole heart and I learn at the feet of apostles and prophets...my soul has been COMFORTED as I witness the daily miracles that take place... so many meaningful friends have been RAISED UP that inspire me to be better, and I constantly feel an overabundance of peace POURED OUT on us in this sacred and holy place. God truly has made more out of our lives than we ever could alone.
Pictures from the last few days...
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| Such a beautiful perspective with the temple as the backdrop for the Nauvoo Pageants. We were there to see "Our Story Goes On" (which is kind of a sequel to the other two pageants) and the storm clouds rolled in, lightning flashed and rain began to fall. The Pageant director decided that the situation was not good and cancelled the performance. Scott and I walked home in the rain and as soon as we arrived home the rain stopped and the skies cleared. Go figure. |
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| Trying to keep cool backstage at "Sunset" with our otter pops! Sisters Flanders2, Davies, Bailie, Whiting, Flanders1 & Keeton. |
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| Gotta wave to the crowd :0) |
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| Scott loves "Stouthearted Men"!! |
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| The finale - "50 States" This week Scott had three former students visit...  Nicole Lewis Cowley, Class of 1998  David Vawdrey, Class of 1996  Christy Turnbow, Class of 1994 Christy was actually a member of the Bingham High School Madrigal group that sang Scott's proposal song at the Sterling Scholar Assembly.  The flowers at the Nauvoo Visitors' Center are looking amazing!  The 4th of July We helped with the flag raising ceremony at the Nauvoo Visitors' Center then went to the parade in Carthage. Nothing like a small town parade.      Friday morning we had the chance to attend the pageant core cast performance of "Go Ye Into All the World" which tells of the missionary calls of the Twelve to preach the gospel in England. I thought about Scott's ancestors who were the beneficiaries of that missionary service.    Never disappointed. I just had to share a few of Matthew and Shannon's engagement pictures that Cami took. They turned out amazing. I don't want to steal their thunder, but I think I can get away with just a few :0) We're pretty excited for August 17th!     |
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