Recharge, I recommend it!

October 30, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been a week of recharge.  Both of us have been sick with the whole throat, chest, cough, and that kind of uck; so we took the weekend off to recuperate and get over it.  

 

We had sites, "Bootiful Nauvoo", Sunday School lesson to teach,  Rendezvous debut, and a dinner to host for District Meeting but we postponed it all. Everything will hold, except for "Bootiful Nauvoo" and it will be fine and was fine without us.  I know getting better was much more important.  And today.....We feel great! 

Lesson learned, "See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength" (Mosiah 4:27)

Really, I hope you will all take this advice and stay home and get better when you are sick.  Besides the people you don't get sick by trying to be diligent will appreciate it.  Some things are better not shared.

Since it was a recharge week, there is really not much to tell.  The truck is running great,  the Lord's work is moving forward, the Church is True with the Savior at the helm.

Looking forward to a great November.  A challenge I am going to take is to think and write about something each day for which I am grateful.  One of those blessings is all of you.

Sincerely,

Sister and Elder Long 

Changes

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow, what a week! Actually today has put quite a change in what will go on in Nauvoo.  "Rendezvous In Old Nauvoo" will be cancelled after November 30th.  That's right, no more plays after that, at least for now. We had heard changes were coming but were not expecting one quite so drastic. The President was surprised but of course we are all supportive. I think there are big changes on the horizon for Nauvoo.

We were supposed to debut as Sophia and Noah Packer in last Friday's show but I honestly lost my voice. I think Elder Long took his prayer too far this time.  Well, we'll try again this coming Friday.  I would rather be well and just do it. Besides after November, it will be over.

We are working on the "Bootiful" Nauvoo community activity.  

  

It will be loads of fun.  If you're in the area, it is worth your time. (Saturday, October 28th) Activities will start with a pumpkin canon shoot sometime in the afternoon, be followed by a parade, and then a pumpkin walk.  Go Nauvoo!

 

We are also working on the Christmas lighting and fun night coming up on December 1st.  After the lighting, program, movie in the Visitors' Center and a live Nativity; the festivities will continue with refreshments in the Family Living Center along with entertainment, rides on wagons,(maybe pulled by tractors TBA), and stories in four of the historical sites.  All of Historical Nauvoo is decorated for the occasion. We're over the story sites, maybe because I love to tell stories. Again should be fun. 

Elder Long is enjoying doing oxen rides.  They changed the narration to include some of the carriage ride stories so it is a wonderful missionary tool. They also run the rides until 4 :30 to give more visitors a chance to ride. Last week there were over 700 guests at the oxen. Unusual for Mid-October.  It shows how much this sort of thing is needed in Nauvoo.

I had the most interesting day in the Visitors' Center today.  The descendents of Jacob Whitmore (a second great grandson and daughter) came in to see the movie about the formation of the church at the Whitmore farm.  They were impressed and came to talk to me after and tell me why the family had apostatized from the Church.  I assured them that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that their ancestors were witnesses of the Book of Mormon.  They knew that; but felt Joseph Smith had fallen.  I again bore testimony and the 91 year old woman said her heart was soften and she wished she had time to change. I assured her it was not too late.  They left as friends and hopefully something will come of it.  Powerful things happen each day here.

We have been thinking about Christmas. We even bought a tree and lights and since we can't be home with all of you, thought it would be good if you each sent an ornament to put on our tree.  Each time we look at it we will be with you.  We don't want anything elaborate or expensive just something to remind us of you.  Your picture, name, team, color, hobby, or the like.  If you can, if not send a card and we'll hang that. No pressure, things are hectic and busy and we don't want to add to the list. (Address: 975 Young Street     Nauvoo, Ill. 62354)

Hope you are all well and happy.  We are because we are where we are supposed to be.

Sister and Elder Long

PS Lightning McQueen is home (AKA Bob's truck) and Sherman's family is still on schedule for baptism! Yeah!

Shine On

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm looking out my window at the beautiful calm Mississippi River. Gorgeous morning but crisp. It was much different over the weekend when there was a tornado warning. Wind and rain whipped the river into a froth. Yesterday waves of silt passed by, but this morning all is quiet.  

This week we received word that Sherman will be joining his family for baptism. He was older than Elder Long thought and his teenage children are attending Mutual. It's remarkable that 8 people will enter the waters of baptism because of a simple prayer in the hall of the ER.  Let your light shine; you never know who might be affected.

Crowds have picked up this week in Nauvoo. Many fall tour buses are coming. We are again having two shows each night at Rendezvous. The sites are steady which makes the days go quickly. The young sister missionaries go outbound this week. (They serve at a different place for six months while Nauvoo is less busy and come back for the spring/summer season) So we will be on longer schedules at the sites to keep them open. The horses are still not giving rides to the public so the teamsters take them out for exercise. I know the teamsters are getting anxious for some word from Salt Lake on the long range plan for the horse and oxen rides. Patience is not easy. They've been closed down since Labor Day.

This week we have our debut as Noah and Sophia Packer in Rendezvous. It's certainly not something we want to do but will because we were asked. I now understand stepping out of your comfort zone and Elder Long is way beyond that. He doesn't enjoy the lime light in the slightest degree but he does his best.

We're still riding our bikes each day. We average between 6 - 8 miles. It really feels like we're getting in shape. At least for old folks. Next spring we want to ride to Carthage, a distance of 23 miles. We are loving our bikes.

Elder Long just texted me that they are running the oxen rides today.  Hallelujah! Do a happy dance. He's working the oxen today so he's ecstatic.  

I'm serving at the Cultural Hall so I'd better go and get ready.

Love you all and remember to let your lights shine!

Sister and Elder Long

Growing

Dear Family and Friends,

Today is Billy's birthday! We never imagined all that would happen since the birth of our first child. Wow!  Here we are serving in Nauvoo. I'd like to say a dream come true but I could never have even dreamed of such a marvelous place to be.

This past week, we moved to a home over by the river. It's heavenly to look out the huge pictures windows and see the great Mississippi roll by. Sunsets are breath-taking. What a privilege to live here. We'd love to have you come see.  We have 3 bedrooms and a screened-in porch. The door's open, and  we'll even feed you.

Front of our new place!

Sunset from the porch: A bit of Heaven!

From inside, view of the Mississippi River through the screened in porch

Barge tow going past

Jerri and Dean Belliston were here this past week and we had a grand time.  Nauvoo will refresh your soul like few other places on earth can. Julie and Doug Brown are staying with us now. I think they are finding just how much there is to take in.  This past weekend we saw Randy and Toni Tatton and their beautiful children. So nice to see neighbors that have moved from Morgan. They all looked just super! Hopefully we'll see them a few more times while we're here.  Maybe they'll even get Kathy out here to visit.  

Missionary work is moving ahead. We're now being trained to work on the missionary training center (people contact us for B of M or bibles). We send their names to local missionaries to deliver the requested materials. People are very receptive. The world is looking for truth and peace in their lives. So happy to be a small part in moving the gospel of Christ throughout the world.

Elder Long performed a part in the Rendezvous play last Friday.  He was scared out of his mind but he came through like a pro.  Who knew that he would ever perform in a play? The Lord has a way of helping us grow. I'm not sure Elder Long appreciated this growing experience.

I'm serving at the Post Office today so I'd better get back to my site. I am on the shift that goes home in the middle of the day  for a couple of hours.  I seem to get this shift on Monday. I think it's so I can send this email.  

Hopefully you enjoy reading it as much as I love sharing our mission with you.

We love each of you for the unique experiences you have brought into our lives. The Lord has a plan for each of us. May we all strive to do our part!

Love,  

Sister and Elder Long

Missionary Miracles

Dear Family and Friends,

This really has been a miraculous missionary week.  Remember Sherman. (The young man Elder Long prayed with, in the ER hallway) Elder Long gave the referral to the missionaries in his home area and when they went to see Sherman, he was still in the hospital but his family was all home. The Sister missionaries invited them to listen to conference with them at the local ward house. They all went and as a result, the whole family of 7 is being baptized on November 25th.  The youngest child in the family is turning 8 on the 24th of Novemberand that is why the 25th was chosen. You never know how the Lord will reach his children.

 I have also had some wonderful experiences. I have placed 4 Book of Mormons to different people.

 One experience happened in the Visitors' Center. I was serving alone at the desk when a couple came up and asked many questions about the Church. I answered them and gave them several pamphlets. They seemed so happy.  I then felt prompted to give them a Book of Mormon. Just as the prompting came a tour bus with 50+ people got out and came in to get maps, etc. It was extremely busy at the desk. Again, I had the prompting to give a book to this couple. I silently asked the Lord to send them to the desk so I could. Out of the corner of my eye I saw them leave the building. I thought "Oh well, I did my best and they did get wonderful pamphlets". Just moments later, the same woman came back in the building and up to the desk. She said "I'm supposed to ask you something, but I forgot what it was." I said " Would you like a Book of Mormon?" She readily agreed and I pointed out 3Nephi 10 - 20, where Christ came to the Americas. She said that she and her husband were wondering if Mormons believed in the same Christ that they did. Again, The Lord will reach His children.

We are humbled and grateful to be serving here in Nauvoo but all of you can share the message of Christ with others. The Lord will help you. We know that to be true more than ever before.

Update on the truck. (Fondly known as lightning McQueen) Ten computers have been replaced and 20 or so sensors. Maybe this week.

Also Elder Wayment is continually recovering. It is a slow process to him but truly a miracle to see.

We love you all and know the Lord blesses us each day. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Love,

Elder and Sister Long