Beautiful Nauvoo

Last Day of Pageant

Hi my most favorite family ever!

I love my life right now :) So much fun. It's going so fast and I've got so many things to do before I come home. But I am excited to see all my loved family :)

So much happens in week, and then I don't remember what happened...so I'll try to remember. :)

Yesterday was the last day of pagaent. We went to two Vignettes (where the core cast members perform) One of them was along Parley street (the trail of hope). They would quote and act as people from the time period. It makes everything come to life. The other Vignette was in the 70's hall. They would dress up like John Taylor, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and others and tell stories of being missionaries. We also got to go the the actual pagaent again. Which was a surprise. It was so good.

Sister Harmer (my companion)'s family was here this week. It was fun. Her brother actually got married in the Nauvoo temple. It was a wonderful time.

Today we recorded some of our favorite songs that we've played. We also recorded some of the songs we sing with the stage YPMs.

Our sociable went really good. It strengthened me. I think they'll be giving us a recording of it so maybe we can watch it when i get home. Maybe while i get my stinkin wisdom teeth out and sit on the couch for days :) haha just kidding.

My week has been wonderful! it's a little bit less hot, but not a whole lot. It's better though. I did get the notes. I got all the packages you sent. thank you so much! Those made my day. There were the most people ever yesterday (last night of pageant). I think this next week there will not be as many people. I saw Brother and Ssiter Condie a while ago (seminary teacher), I saw Michael Bertolio a while ago...random, There haven't been too  many people I know. But there have been quite a few from Cache Valley that I don't know. Also, whoever Brent Israelsen is... He seems to be quite known...2nd cousin?

I love you!

love,

Sister Israelsen

Sister Ludwig

Katie & Sister Ludwig, the Mission Mom

Goofy Sisters

Pioneering

Answered Prayers

Dear Family,

 

I'll get a little less time to write today because the computer wasn't working for a while :( But I'll try to type fast.

 

Today we (the YPMs), are putting on a sociable (fireside). It's going to be good, but we actually have never rehearsed it...so that will be today from 1 -5. :) It'll be really good though. It is centered on having a zion community. I'm excited to see how it turns out. The trumpets are playing "If you could hie to Kolob", a really beautiful arrangement. All the YPMs are singing, "make us one" and "invocation". you should look up the words to "Make us one" I would write them.. but it will take a while. The words are so good though.

 

I've experienced a lot of miracle this past week. I know the power of God's priesthood is real. I was given a blessing yesterday because I've got a infection by my wisdom tooth :( None fun... It really hurt, especially when eating, swallowing, sleeping, or playing the trumpet. (but don't worry about me, it's no big deal) So...I asked for a priesthood blessing. Elder Brague blessed me that I would be able to keep performing and the pain would leave so I could do my best work for the Lord. He also called to have angels help me. And I know that they have been with me, I've felt it. My mouth still hurts but when I play my trumpet, the pain leaves for me to play. I'm able to play just as well if not better. Although it still hurts, when it matters most I'm able to do what I need to. And I've been able to stay happy. I know angels are watching over me.

 

Yesterday it was raining pretty good right before pagaent. Before it started we said a prayer that included asking for the rain to stop so the performance could go on, if it was Heavenly Father's will. We began to play and the rain slowed to a very light rain during our first song. Soon enough, it had stopped.

 

This week has been our hottest week. Because of the heat we've had afternoon concerts inside each day, and Sunset by the Mississippi has been inside each day as well. I thought I knew what it meant to sweat before, haha :) I didn't. It's been great though. We kind of just laugh about it.

 

I love Nauvoo. I love the people who lived here and who are here now, serving missions and visiting. I love the prophets. I love serving in the homes. This week I served in teh Heber C. Kimball home and the Wilford Woodruff home. I feel like I'm getting to know these apostles and prophets. I love Wilford Woodruff. He was such a wonderful man. He loved the Lord and his family and was willing to do anything for them. I love it here!

 

I'm excited to see you all when I come home because I love you and miss you. But I'm going to miss it here. It is just going so very fast! I'm realizing I can serve the Lord so much more. I'm so grateful for all the missionaries, especially my friends who are out on missions. I know that they are serving diligently and doing their best. I love you all soooooooo much!

 

Love,

 

Sister Israelsen

July 2011 YPMs



Sister Trumpets July 2011

 Click on above title to see Bugler's Holiday,  Nauvoo Sister Style. I'm actually not sure in what venue  they are performing, obviously nothing formal, but it's fun to see them play. Katie's the one in the middle. I have to confess I teared up when I first watched this. We really miss her!  She's working hard and learning so much and having fun! It's been sooo hot. Somedays it's too hot for the animals to pull the wagon and they play inside the cultural hall or go street strolling instead.  I worry just a little, but know the young and older missionaries all really watch out for each other.

Katie's Mom

I actually love the sticky feeling of humidity

What does dry air feel like?  just kidding. It's pretty hot and muggy but I'm getting use to it. I'm also use to just sweating all over and not really caring. Though I'll be excited to have my makeup not be all sweated off in an hour when I come home :) haha. I actually love the sticky feeling of humidity...except the sweat and the hard to breathe while playing.

 

Sister Bjarnson and I started switching off more often so that we wouldn't be as tired. So my lips are feeling better. I'm glad about that :)

The Nauvoo Crud

Tonight we are having an ice cream social with Mary N. Cook from the YW Presidency. I'm really excited for that. She is going to speak to us. :)

 

A lot of the missionaries have been getting sick. (the nauvoo crud) or so they're calling it. I'm not going to get it though. There have been so many senior missionaries sick, so we've had days when we don't ride the wagon so we can work in the sites because there are not enough seniors. I've worked in the print shop 3 times now...so i'm a pro :) I love working in there though. We got to lock up and close the sites. It was exciting :)

Remember

Elder Claudio R. M. Costa came this week. (in the Presidency of the 70). We saw him walking around a lot with President Ludwig. He spoke this morning in sacrament meeting and also in a meeting to all the YPMs and young sister missionaries. So 50 ish of us. He took time to shake each of our hands. He did a question and answer session for that meeting. It was amazing. He basically talked about a bunch of different topics. But I think the top one was Follow what the prophets counsel and be the best person you can be. Continually working to be better.If you focus on that, everything else will work out in the end. He talked about how we are not learning while here, just remember things we've already learned. We need to REMEMBER. We were prepared before this world. I just realized how, more than anything, it is important that in life we focus on becoming closer to Heavenly Father and if we are doing that then we will be fine. I could major in anything, I could live in a teeny little house, It really doesn't matter (I mean I should work my hardest), but in the end it's just what I make out of each situation I'm in.  He also told us to tell our parents thank you for sending us and preparing us. We are noble and choice spirits. And I say that too. Thank you so much for preparing me!!!

 

Street Strolling

Every Sunday we go "street strolling" We talk to people on the street, helping them out, asking for referrals and bearing our testimonies. Last week went really well. We were able to feel the spirit present so strongly. Especially as we talked to a Bishop for Guatamala. He knew very little english, and his translator didn't know much Spanish. (I've never wanted to know spanish as much as I did then.). Although I didn't know spanish I could feel the spirit through his testimony. He has been waiting and saving up money for 20 years to come to Nauvoo. He's also been studying up this whole time.  He wanted to have his testimony strengthened and to see where Joseph Smith lived. He did not consider himself a tourist.

 

I know that this church is true. I love it with all my heart. Please remember the importance of the gospel in your life. Think of people to serve, and try to have missionary experiences. Meet people, share the gospel. The Lord will place words in your mouth, just go out of your way to have those experiences :) I love you all!!

Joy in every Minute!

On monday -  we played for a flag raising ceremony. It went really well, we played a lot of marches that day! :) I also talked to a lady after one of our concerts who seemed kind of stressed. I wasn't sure if I should bother her, but then I did anyway. :) It was cool because I was able to answer a prayer for her. I don't know what I said, but as I was bearing my testimony she started to cry and afterwards she said I had said just what she'd needed. That was really cool.

 

 

I worked in the print shop on Wednesday. When I got there the two sister missionaries working there were already giving tours, and then a group came in. So I gave my first tour without knowing very much. that was funny :) I just compared tools in the print shop to the gospel, bore my testimony and made it work. It was kind of funny though. We were busy the whole day. There were only a couple of minutes without tours.

 

On Friday, a few of the temple missionaries invited us over for breakfast. They're really cute, I'm glad we got to get to know them.

 

On Saturday, Elder Packer (Stage missionary), opened his mission call. A lot of people have been getting them. He's going to New Jersey - spanish speaking. I think I already told you about the others, but I'll tell you again, in case. Elder Loveless (tuba) - micronesia - guam, and Sister Higinbothom (clarinet) - California, San Jose Spanish speaking.

 

Elder Marlin K Jensen (quorum of 70 and historian of church) is here. It's been really neat. We've got to hear from him a few times. Apparently he played cornet. AWESOME! He whispered to the trumpets as he walked past "cornettists are the best kissers" :) That was funny. We've been taught by him a few times...it's been really cool.  I've basically realized there are so many things I need to work on!! I've also learned I need to have joy in every minute!!

 

I love you all so much. sorry my email seems kind of rushed again. It's so good hearing from you though! It makes me happy! :) I can just see you doing all the things you write about! So much fun! :) I love you

 

I know this church is true!

 

love,

 

sister israelsen