Here Comes the Ox Cart....

Hi Family,

We start performing this wednesday. We'll be doing random performances for those who hire us. We'll start on the wagon sometime soon, and our first performance of  Sunset by the Mississippi is on Saturday. It's going to be GREAT!! :) I'm so stoked. Sunset is really fun. We have most of the acts that were here when Nate did it. such as the "audition" (making eggs...) which is HILARIOUS...the actors are really good. We also are doing a dance number, the stage and band YPMs. it's called frog kissin'. It is a great number. We get to go all out. Another sister and I are doing The Devil went down to Georgia. That's way fun. We push people out of the way and go crazy. That's what you do when your a devil's demon. haha It's interesting as missionaries acting or dancing. Like when they tell the girls to pretend to be in love with the guys or something...yep. it's...interesting haha.

Our mission president asked us not to get up before 6:30. (We'd been getting up at 6:00 to get ready on time, and excercise). So we had to change our schedules around a bit. Now we have to squeeze in excercising or anything like that whenever we can. I'd still be up for running in the morning, but when you have to schedule showering for 14 girls it gets a little crazy!!

We did baptisms in the Nauvoo temple the other day. It was a beautiful experience. I was able to be baptised for Elder Bragues relatives. It was amazing. All of Nauvoo is beautiful. There is always a gorgeous sunset or sunrise, the Mississippi looks great. Either it's gleaming in the sunlight or there are crazy waves during a storm. I saw my first mayfly ) the other day. Woot!

Since the no-waking- up- until 6:30, Sister Carroll and I have been doing companionship study at night or during the middle of the day. A few days in a row we went into the Visitor's center garden and read in the sunlight. It was the perfect temperatue. Soon we won't be able to because there will be so many visitors, but for now we can. It is wonderful studying the scriptures or gospel while in the nature. It's so wonderful outside! The Lord loves us!!

We got our pioneer dresses the other day. One of mine is purple and pink (really cute) :) The other one is a goldish color (semi-cute) I'll get you some pictures some time. Speaking of pictures. I sent some last week, but I don't think they sent. I'll try again.

We have a few different leaders here. The Mursets - They are sooooooooo nice and fun. Sister Murset reminds me of the most amazing young women leader I've ever had. She is so happy and smiley and kind and good. Elder Murset is funny and really organized. They both are terrific. The Bragues - Elder Brague is the band director. He is fun and goofy :) He knows what he is talking about. And he puts up with us :) haha Sister Brague. She is very much a grandmother for us while we are here. She's always looking out for us and giving us advice. ALWAYS. She's got a lot of experiences to tell us about :) She is kind! Then there are the Ludwigs. My mission president and his wife. I'm guessing we see them more than a typical missionary would see their president. Sister Ludwig is our cheerleader. She's always smiling and telling us how we did so great. Think of the stereotypical Relief Society president giving her lesson, this is her. She is wonderful! We all love her :) President Ludwig is a very good leader. He is a little strict, but you have to be as a mission president. He is very kind. I love my leaders!

I've learned that on a mission it's really up to you how much you'll change or what kind of missionary you'll be. You could easily sleep in or not study when you have time. Those who came back from their missions a better person didn't just follow directions of leaders, they had to have so much discipline and a desire to become better.

I love you guys!! I've realized what a wonderful family I've been blessed to live in! Just reading about you makes me soooo happy. I'd love some more pictures of you all, if you want to send some in the mail :) That'd be great. I've also realized how blessed I've been to have the friends I had in highschool and further on. My friends that are serving missions are really inspiring me. I know they are the kind of people who will work so hard as missionaries and become close to the Lord. I also am so grateful for my other friends who are at home and college and anywhere else. I know they are always working to become the best thems. (I know that last word didn't make sense...but I wrote it like that on purpose) :)

In our District conference with the Ludwigs, President Ludwig talked about Urgency and Sustained Effort. He talked about how we need to work with an urgent pace with everything in our lives. (not frantic...urgent). When we are told to do something we need to go and do it right away. Sometimes we may follow something in an urgent matter and it may take months or even years for it to make a difference. That's where sustained effort needs to come in. We need to work hard and endure to the end. I want to challenge anyone who reads this to find something in their life they can work on, and work on it NOW (don't procrastinate), sustain the effort. and keep smiling too :D

As Sister Ludwig said, "I'm going to be better today than I was yesterday."

I love this church. IT IS TRUE!! I know that as we pray sincerely we will feel closer to our Savior. PMG is inspired. READ IT! I love you all soooo much.

Love,

Sister Israelsen