This weeks news? I am still in Carthage. I am still loving it. My companion is still amazing and the gospel is still true.
I would have much rather written you all on the 25th, 26th, or 27th. On June 25, 2009 it was 165 years to the day that Joseph Smith, the Prophet of God, and Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch, arrived in Carthage Jail to wait for the men who would eventually slaughter them to come find them. As I gave tours and stood in the room where those ten men spent their first night chills ran up and down my legs. As the days went on I had similar experiences. On the 26th I climbed the stairs that 165 years ago the man who "has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world than any other man that ever lived in it" (D&C135) climbed when the jailer George Stigall, who feared for the mens' safety, moved them upstairs to stay in his own bedroom. He must have noticed that their was something different about these men. Much different than any other group of men, let alone the prisoners, that usually graced his home with their presence. He moved them from room to room, hoping that they would be more comfortable, more secure, letting them eat with his family. They were different. And that difference was that these men were men of God. I was running my fingers along a railing that men of God had steadied themselves on. I hoped --- prayed --- that the people following me could feel it. The sound of our footsteps became the sound of their footsteps. I could almost hear their voices. The 27th was no less powerful than the previous two days had been. One- hundred-sixty-five years, to the day, that Joseph and Hyrum had been shot and killed. The spirit in Carthage is so strong all of the time, but on these three days it was especially strong. It was almost exhausting. The jail was crowded, but, for the most part quiet. I was grateful that the people who had come there on that special day had some sort of a grasp on how sacred that little jail house is. I never would have imagined that a place in which something so awful had happened could be what it is today.....a spiritual powerhouse. One that I get to spend most of my days. I am humbled to be serving here.
At 5:15 p.m. (the approximate time of the martyrdom) a special commemoration took place. The sisters from Nauvoo all came down to attend and to sing "Hark all ye Nations". I thought it was an interesting song choice at first, but it couldn't have been better. There were other musical numbers and a speaker. It was fantastic. We squeezed about four more tours of 50-60 people through the tiny little jail and then closed up for the night. When everyone had left all the sisters in the mission went over to the jail and sat in the room where it all happened. It had just barely been three hours since the time of the martyrdom. We just sat. Then we sang "We thank thee oh God for a Prophet", "Joseph Smith's First Prayer", and "Praise to the Man". Then we just sat there. As we did, I thought to myself, "we are the only missionaries in the world that get to do this. That get to come to Carthage jail after all the crowds have cleared out on the day that it all happened and sing praise to God Almighty. The only missionaries? The only people!". Sister Patterson then got up and started the tape (for those of you who haven't been to Carthage, the tape played in that room depicts the events that took place before the mob arrived around 5pm). After it was over we just sat again. It was an experience I'll never be able to explain accurately and will never forget for the rest of my life.
Today has been very relaxed. We've written letters, cleaned, done laundry and driven to Nauvoo. Filled up on gas, walked around Zion's Mercantile for a little bit and spent at least an hour in the temple. In short, It's been a good day.
I hope all is well with you. I love you all and pray for you always.
Sister Bailey
P.S. Funny story of the week: There is an Elder here who is Canadian but for some reason carries the American flag up to the stage for one of the performances. He's absolutely nuts so mostly it's just funny. There is a senior sister who has mentioned it to some other people who have just laughed it off. This Sister is completely baffled as to how the discrepancy is going unnoticed. It really gets under her skin and after a long discussion about it she finally just says, "Well now you know one of my pet peeves: People who pretend to be American!!! Go home and wave your maple flag! Leave ours alone!"
P.S.S. To keep things spiritual .....
"Perhaps some of us may find it hard to believe that we love enough, or that our lives are good enough, or that our power to testify is sufficient for any invitations to our neighbors to be accepted. But, the Lord knew we might feel that way...we must have the faith that we can love enough and that the Gospel has touched our lives enough that our invitation to choose can be heard as coming from the Master whose invitation it is" --- President Henry B. Eyring
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
We live, we learn, we laugh
"Get thee behind me Satan: Thou art an offense unto me: For thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Matthew 16:23
And that is the theme of this e-mail.
You can say it to almost anything! Temptation, sin, bad habits, discouragement, anger. Satan relishes in all these things and essentially, he is the one holding the silver platter it's being offered on. Don't give into his tricks and his deceitfulness. He's awful!
I know this first hand, and if you so desire, I would invite you to laugh about what I am about to share with you. Why? Because it is the dumbest, most trivial thing I have ever worried about in my life. It has also been one of my biggest trials on my mission.
To put it frankly, I suck at being a girl. I mean I am a girl, but when it comes to "being" one.....the hair, the nails, the outfits, the shoes, the delicate talents (like singing for instance), I am utterly awful at all of it. It's never bothered me. Ever. Until now. I felt like every time I would put forth an effort I would be reminded that "I just couldn't do it". I let this boil over into missionary work. I have no idea how I connected being a good missionary to being able to walk, talk and look like a girl but I did. Every time I failed to do something "right" I had automatically failed for the day as a missionary. And this happened a lot. It actually got to the point that I found myself fighting back tears in the restroom one morning at the Visitor's Center as I attempted to put my hair back. A thought crossed my mind as I did so. I had officially succeeded in being a girl. I was crying over my hair. "This is dumb", I thought and I moved on.
As stupid as my little story is, the principle is the same. Satan will drag you down. He wants you to fail and will do anything to try and get you there, or at least think you are there. So stand up and look one of the silver platters he has been offering you lately, one you may have nibbled on even, smash it back into his face and exclaim "GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN! THOU ART AN OFFENSE TO ME!" and move on! It will feel good. Nephi said it perfectly when he said, "Why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of my enemy? Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice oh my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."
2Nephi4:26-28
For those of you who know me it will come as no surprise to you that this morning, Sister Barry (not my companion, but an amazing sister) and I ran to the best playground I have ever seen and played our guts out for our half an hour of exercise this morning. It was THE best and I plan to send home pictures of the playground when I get a chance to. It's AWESOME. It's one of the old wooden ones and one of the coolest things in Carthage. THE coolest thing is of course, the jail. Sister Aston and I then got all our chores done, letters, cleaning, laundry and headed out exploring. We have so much more exploring to do, but we found a waterfall!! and took pictures. It was great and really pretty. We saw a snake!. We are going to the temple at four and so we're actually in a little bit of a rush (it's three right now). I still have to write my presidency letter too. Ah! so little time. Anyway, thanks for all your love, support, and prayers. They mean so much.
LOVE LOVE LOVE
Sister Bailey
"Come what may and love it"
"Your future is as bright as your faith"
And that is the theme of this e-mail.
You can say it to almost anything! Temptation, sin, bad habits, discouragement, anger. Satan relishes in all these things and essentially, he is the one holding the silver platter it's being offered on. Don't give into his tricks and his deceitfulness. He's awful!
I know this first hand, and if you so desire, I would invite you to laugh about what I am about to share with you. Why? Because it is the dumbest, most trivial thing I have ever worried about in my life. It has also been one of my biggest trials on my mission.
To put it frankly, I suck at being a girl. I mean I am a girl, but when it comes to "being" one.....the hair, the nails, the outfits, the shoes, the delicate talents (like singing for instance), I am utterly awful at all of it. It's never bothered me. Ever. Until now. I felt like every time I would put forth an effort I would be reminded that "I just couldn't do it". I let this boil over into missionary work. I have no idea how I connected being a good missionary to being able to walk, talk and look like a girl but I did. Every time I failed to do something "right" I had automatically failed for the day as a missionary. And this happened a lot. It actually got to the point that I found myself fighting back tears in the restroom one morning at the Visitor's Center as I attempted to put my hair back. A thought crossed my mind as I did so. I had officially succeeded in being a girl. I was crying over my hair. "This is dumb", I thought and I moved on.
As stupid as my little story is, the principle is the same. Satan will drag you down. He wants you to fail and will do anything to try and get you there, or at least think you are there. So stand up and look one of the silver platters he has been offering you lately, one you may have nibbled on even, smash it back into his face and exclaim "GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN! THOU ART AN OFFENSE TO ME!" and move on! It will feel good. Nephi said it perfectly when he said, "Why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of my enemy? Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice oh my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."
2Nephi4:26-28
For those of you who know me it will come as no surprise to you that this morning, Sister Barry (not my companion, but an amazing sister) and I ran to the best playground I have ever seen and played our guts out for our half an hour of exercise this morning. It was THE best and I plan to send home pictures of the playground when I get a chance to. It's AWESOME. It's one of the old wooden ones and one of the coolest things in Carthage. THE coolest thing is of course, the jail. Sister Aston and I then got all our chores done, letters, cleaning, laundry and headed out exploring. We have so much more exploring to do, but we found a waterfall!! and took pictures. It was great and really pretty. We saw a snake!. We are going to the temple at four and so we're actually in a little bit of a rush (it's three right now). I still have to write my presidency letter too. Ah! so little time. Anyway, thanks for all your love, support, and prayers. They mean so much.
LOVE LOVE LOVE
Sister Bailey
"Come what may and love it"
"Your future is as bright as your faith"
Hello Hello I am On A Mission
And I'm really dumb!. I sent THIS one to Jodaiba59@gmail.com
E-mail kills me.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE BEST DAD AROUND! I LOVE YOU DAD.
This last week was really different and really good. Sister Brinkerhoff and I served on NRI (Nauvoo Restoration Inc.) on Thursday. It was my first time and I loved it!!!!! LOVED IT. We painted fence pickets for the Scovil Bakery while we listened to conference talks (speaking of conference talks someone has borrowed and misplaced my conference Ensign :( Those things are like gold! Besides my mommy sent it to me!). We painted in a warehouse because it was cold and wet outside. The whole place smelled thick of paint and paint thinner. It sent me back to the summer of '07 when I worked for Webb Signs with Marshall Cottingham. What an awesome summer.
On Saturday we were the first sisters ever to serve with "Nauvoo on the road", which is basically a missionary's version of a road trip! We packed up a ton of stuff in a trailer, decked ourselves out in Pioneer clothes, and headed for Quincy to help out at a "friends of log cabins" event. We didn't really know what that meant at first, we were just happy to be there! Come to find out there are some really old log cabins that are being threatened to be torn down and these people have all gotten together to save them. It was neat! and fun. Sister Brinkerhoff and I taught people how to make candles and play pioneer games. I don't mean to brag, but I would have been one rockin' pioneer kid. You get good at those games when that's all you're doing all day. It was so fun. A man that was there with his family thought I was a thespian until he saw my tag. This opened up a great conversation about our basic beliefs, that yes, we do believe in the bible! and Yes, Christ is my savior, my rock, my redeemer, my all! We also talked about our beliefs when it comes to the trinity, how they are three separate beings. God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. That they are one, but one in purpose, the same way in which a mother and a father are one in purpose. The same way that we may be one if we strive for that unity the prophets and apostles have called for. Anyway, it was awesome. A really great way to end the transfer.
Transfers. Transfers were on Sunday. I am back in Carthage. My new companion is Sister Aston. She is a stellar missionary and really has her mind on the work. The past 24 hours have been great! Sister Goodrich (one of my first companions here in Nauvoo) has come back to Carthage with me and we are living in the same apartment. In Nauvoo we were roommates! It is nice to be back. In fact, transfers couldn't have gone better for me. I wanted to go back to Carthage, but I wanted to make sure I loved Nauvoo before I left. And I do! I love it. I have also been saying all transfer that "if the Lord has need for me in Carthage again I wouldn't have any complaints". I am true to my word. Not a one! It should be a good transfer.
There is an exhibit here now that has been in Kirkland (Ohio) for a while but now it has come here. It is a series of statues that depict different events in the Savior's life. They are really powerful. They are done by an LDS artist and should be here through December after which they are headed to.......drum roll please........THE D.C. TEMPLE VISITOR CENTER!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO and the crowd goes wild!!! Seriously though, you should go see it. It should be there sometime after Christmas. Go see it. Go see it again! Bring a friend! My gosh, please bring a friend. Mom, Dad, Lindsey, bring Marshall and Dan. They would absolutely LOVE IT.
The BYU ball room dancers have been here all week and will be here all this week. They are fantastic.
My favorite part of transfers is probably our president's interviews. President Ludwig is so caring and so inspired. I had so many questions answered about things and we just have the best conversations.
I'm working on pictures I promise. Preparation Days are absolutely insane.
Sister Bailey.
Helaman 5:12 And Ether 12:4!
E-mail kills me.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE BEST DAD AROUND! I LOVE YOU DAD.
This last week was really different and really good. Sister Brinkerhoff and I served on NRI (Nauvoo Restoration Inc.) on Thursday. It was my first time and I loved it!!!!! LOVED IT. We painted fence pickets for the Scovil Bakery while we listened to conference talks (speaking of conference talks someone has borrowed and misplaced my conference Ensign :( Those things are like gold! Besides my mommy sent it to me!). We painted in a warehouse because it was cold and wet outside. The whole place smelled thick of paint and paint thinner. It sent me back to the summer of '07 when I worked for Webb Signs with Marshall Cottingham. What an awesome summer.
On Saturday we were the first sisters ever to serve with "Nauvoo on the road", which is basically a missionary's version of a road trip! We packed up a ton of stuff in a trailer, decked ourselves out in Pioneer clothes, and headed for Quincy to help out at a "friends of log cabins" event. We didn't really know what that meant at first, we were just happy to be there! Come to find out there are some really old log cabins that are being threatened to be torn down and these people have all gotten together to save them. It was neat! and fun. Sister Brinkerhoff and I taught people how to make candles and play pioneer games. I don't mean to brag, but I would have been one rockin' pioneer kid. You get good at those games when that's all you're doing all day. It was so fun. A man that was there with his family thought I was a thespian until he saw my tag. This opened up a great conversation about our basic beliefs, that yes, we do believe in the bible! and Yes, Christ is my savior, my rock, my redeemer, my all! We also talked about our beliefs when it comes to the trinity, how they are three separate beings. God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. That they are one, but one in purpose, the same way in which a mother and a father are one in purpose. The same way that we may be one if we strive for that unity the prophets and apostles have called for. Anyway, it was awesome. A really great way to end the transfer.
Transfers. Transfers were on Sunday. I am back in Carthage. My new companion is Sister Aston. She is a stellar missionary and really has her mind on the work. The past 24 hours have been great! Sister Goodrich (one of my first companions here in Nauvoo) has come back to Carthage with me and we are living in the same apartment. In Nauvoo we were roommates! It is nice to be back. In fact, transfers couldn't have gone better for me. I wanted to go back to Carthage, but I wanted to make sure I loved Nauvoo before I left. And I do! I love it. I have also been saying all transfer that "if the Lord has need for me in Carthage again I wouldn't have any complaints". I am true to my word. Not a one! It should be a good transfer.
There is an exhibit here now that has been in Kirkland (Ohio) for a while but now it has come here. It is a series of statues that depict different events in the Savior's life. They are really powerful. They are done by an LDS artist and should be here through December after which they are headed to.......drum roll please........THE D.C. TEMPLE VISITOR CENTER!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO and the crowd goes wild!!! Seriously though, you should go see it. It should be there sometime after Christmas. Go see it. Go see it again! Bring a friend! My gosh, please bring a friend. Mom, Dad, Lindsey, bring Marshall and Dan. They would absolutely LOVE IT.
The BYU ball room dancers have been here all week and will be here all this week. They are fantastic.
My favorite part of transfers is probably our president's interviews. President Ludwig is so caring and so inspired. I had so many questions answered about things and we just have the best conversations.
I'm working on pictures I promise. Preparation Days are absolutely insane.
Sister Bailey.
Helaman 5:12 And Ether 12:4!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Rejoice! Rejoice! It is the last dispensation!
SOOOOOOO THIS IS LAST WEEK'S E-MAIL... I SENT IT TO jodiba59@byui.edu (an e-mail address that does not exist). MY BAD.
Come Sunday another transfer will be over and I will have a new companion. I Love Sister Brinkerhoff and will miss her dearly, but change is good, and fun if you choose to make it fun. I love all of the Sisters here and can't think of one that would make for a hard transfer. The only thing missing in Nauvoo so far is Pagent. It has been so nice to be so busy. This week I met the Abram family. They are getting sealed in the temple TODAY!!! I cannot get them off my brain. I feel so blessed to be able to take part in their joy. What a stellar family! They are wonderful and bright. The spirit they carry with them is so powerful and I wish I knew who had taught them so I could write them and tell them how wonderful they are. Rex and Reatha have two daughters, Raleen and Gabriel. Every time I see them it's like we have been friend for ages. We even took pictures! (I will try and send some home). They are going to come find me in the visitor's center on Friday and tell me all about the sealing. I can't wait. They have loved Nauvoo and Rex has said that he is trying not to think about this morning for fear he might "pee himself". They have such a grasp on the eternal nature of things. Their testimonies shine through their faces. They can share the peace they have found with out saying a word. I hope that I can do the same. That I can remember always that we have "great cause to rejoice" and that that rejoicing can shine through my face, that it can be found in my smile and in my eyes, in my embrace. I would love to get my hands on Joseph B. Wirthlin's "Be of good cheer" talk. The Abrams bring that talk to my mind. What a joy to be able to look adversity in the face and grin as we shout "the gospel is still true"! And when you think about it, thanks to continuing revelation and a prophet on the earth, it only gets truer and more complete everyday. We certainly DO have GREAT reason to rejoice! (John 16:33, 3Nephi 1:13)
Nauvoo is a place thick with the spirit. Happiness runs as rampant as malaria and yellow fever did back in 1839 when the Saints first arrived here. Miracles happen everyday. I can't remember if I already included this in my last e-mail (I know I wrote my family about it) but I promised myself a while ago that I would only write in my journal on days where something amazing happened. I have written everyday since.
I was able to serve in Carthage on Saturday again! It was wonderful. Carthage usually is. It was an "emergency" change in the schedule. Sister Brinkerhoff and I found out the night before. I couldn't have been happier to be flexible. There was a youth conference here and also a "Joseph Smith Family reuinion" bus tour that have come through. Both groups were so cool.
I had so much to write about in this e-mail. Now it's all escaped me. Sometimes I feel like getting on here and just saying "Everything is still more wonderful than you could imagine" and then be done with it. That's not to say I don't love writing them, it's just hard to scramble for the words to accurately describe all that goes on.
Oh! Practice for the "Sociable" is going well! When I really bring people down I just mouth the words, but even that isn't happening to often. I was also given an assignment for the Sociable. I am suppose to take pictures on the topics of "Prophets and modern day revelation" and "Temples and family". It has been a joy! It has been so nice to get back into photography and I have grown so much just being able to try to find shots to represent both of these tender topics. They are both things that mean so much to me and I have really tried to do them justice. Maybe I can send some home with the label of each topic and my mom can post them.
I hope all is well at home. Thank you for your letters! They are answers to my prayers. I think of you often and pray for you even more.
Sister Bailey.
Suggested reading for the week: Joseph B. Wirthlin's "Be of Good Cheer" talk. If you don't have a copy you can get on on LDS.org under general conference talks. And if all else fails, ask my family.
Come Sunday another transfer will be over and I will have a new companion. I Love Sister Brinkerhoff and will miss her dearly, but change is good, and fun if you choose to make it fun. I love all of the Sisters here and can't think of one that would make for a hard transfer. The only thing missing in Nauvoo so far is Pagent. It has been so nice to be so busy. This week I met the Abram family. They are getting sealed in the temple TODAY!!! I cannot get them off my brain. I feel so blessed to be able to take part in their joy. What a stellar family! They are wonderful and bright. The spirit they carry with them is so powerful and I wish I knew who had taught them so I could write them and tell them how wonderful they are. Rex and Reatha have two daughters, Raleen and Gabriel. Every time I see them it's like we have been friend for ages. We even took pictures! (I will try and send some home). They are going to come find me in the visitor's center on Friday and tell me all about the sealing. I can't wait. They have loved Nauvoo and Rex has said that he is trying not to think about this morning for fear he might "pee himself". They have such a grasp on the eternal nature of things. Their testimonies shine through their faces. They can share the peace they have found with out saying a word. I hope that I can do the same. That I can remember always that we have "great cause to rejoice" and that that rejoicing can shine through my face, that it can be found in my smile and in my eyes, in my embrace. I would love to get my hands on Joseph B. Wirthlin's "Be of good cheer" talk. The Abrams bring that talk to my mind. What a joy to be able to look adversity in the face and grin as we shout "the gospel is still true"! And when you think about it, thanks to continuing revelation and a prophet on the earth, it only gets truer and more complete everyday. We certainly DO have GREAT reason to rejoice! (John 16:33, 3Nephi 1:13)
Nauvoo is a place thick with the spirit. Happiness runs as rampant as malaria and yellow fever did back in 1839 when the Saints first arrived here. Miracles happen everyday. I can't remember if I already included this in my last e-mail (I know I wrote my family about it) but I promised myself a while ago that I would only write in my journal on days where something amazing happened. I have written everyday since.
I was able to serve in Carthage on Saturday again! It was wonderful. Carthage usually is. It was an "emergency" change in the schedule. Sister Brinkerhoff and I found out the night before. I couldn't have been happier to be flexible. There was a youth conference here and also a "Joseph Smith Family reuinion" bus tour that have come through. Both groups were so cool.
I had so much to write about in this e-mail. Now it's all escaped me. Sometimes I feel like getting on here and just saying "Everything is still more wonderful than you could imagine" and then be done with it. That's not to say I don't love writing them, it's just hard to scramble for the words to accurately describe all that goes on.
Oh! Practice for the "Sociable" is going well! When I really bring people down I just mouth the words, but even that isn't happening to often. I was also given an assignment for the Sociable. I am suppose to take pictures on the topics of "Prophets and modern day revelation" and "Temples and family". It has been a joy! It has been so nice to get back into photography and I have grown so much just being able to try to find shots to represent both of these tender topics. They are both things that mean so much to me and I have really tried to do them justice. Maybe I can send some home with the label of each topic and my mom can post them.
I hope all is well at home. Thank you for your letters! They are answers to my prayers. I think of you often and pray for you even more.
Sister Bailey.
Suggested reading for the week: Joseph B. Wirthlin's "Be of Good Cheer" talk. If you don't have a copy you can get on on LDS.org under general conference talks. And if all else fails, ask my family.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN BELLOWS!!! I cannot believe it has already been a year! I love you so much and am so thankful for the updates I have been receiving from your mom!! She is the best! Not being there as you learn to walk and talk has been one of the hardships of serving my mission. I LOVE YOU LITTLE GUY!!!!!! Be good. :)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
This is a dumb email. Sorry.
To be honest I can never remember what I write in these e-mails. So much happens in the seven days in between that I can't remember where I left off. It doesn't help that every one of those seven days is a Monday either. Ma, you wrote me this week and said that writing my day to days in my e-mails might be a good idea. I've tried not to just because they are boring, but we'll give it a go.
Nauvoo is great. Things are really picking up. You would think it would be hard to memorize all the information for all the different places I serve, but when the Lords asks you to do something and you show your willingness to do it, He gives you all the help you need. And when you are really incapable of the task, it's almost like he does it for you, but you have to be willing. Memorization is NOT my strong point. I've felt that it's one of my downfalls actually, but as long as I put in the time to study and do my best to get it down He will make good on His promise from D&C section 100:6, "[that] it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say". You can do absolutely ANYTHING the Lord asks.
In response to some of your questions...I change companions every transfer, I do cook my own meals (thank goodness) and I will try to get you a picture of me in my dork, I mean, my pioneer clothes. Living arrangements in Nauvoo....get ready to laugh. I, Sister Bailey, who in the past have gladly avoided much female companionship at all, now lives in one house with 13 other sisters. Thirteen. We have three bathrooms, three fridges, three vanities and four bedrooms so it could be worse. It's been okay. I've learned a lot. The thing I am most grateful for is that I have yet to learn how to dress myself. Many of you know this, but matching, along with memorizing , is not a strong point for me. Nor do I care much about it. In Nauvoo I have the opportunity to live with 12 outfit police and as a result I can walk out the door knowing that, even though I am not in a pair of jeans or sweats, my top does indeed match my skirt, no matter what the color or pattern. Also, apparently black shoes don't go with everything. This is news to me, and I haven't exactly figured it out. Who knows, maybe I'll get there someday.
The best part of my week was Sunday. The whole day was on fire! Sacrament meeting, district meeting and service!!! I was able to go to Carthage to serve for the day. It was such a blessing. I hadn't noticed how much I missed it. Everything about it, the tours, the video, the Rebers (a senior couple serving there), the drive!!!! I can't remember a drive that had me that excited. I haven't smiled that much since transfers. It was so good to be back. The drive down was stunning. The Mississippi was sparkling with sunlight. It looked as if Barrett Crow (the 7 year old autistic boy I had in summer camp last year and adored) had dumped all the silver glitter he could get his little hands on into the water. For some reading this that description won’t make much sense, and I apologize, but it's the best one I’ve got. When I arrived Elder Reber was walking up the walkway. I smiled as we shook hands. With that familiar grin he said, "Welcome home Sister Bailey!". It was the cherry on top of the sundae! I almost ran into the Visitor's Center, hugged Sister Reber, and took the first tour. I was able to take the last one too, and both were so good! Oh the feeling in that room! I will never get over the feeling in that room. I love to be there. I love to teach there. I love to learn and think in there. It is hard to believe that a room in which such an awful scene played out could later be so sacred, so special. The ride home was just as peaceful as the ride there. The sun was just starting to set and the reflection off the water was almost blinding. My thoughts have been revolving around Joseph Smith lately. As I stared out the window at the trees and that water and the riverbank and the sun I couldn't help but recall Joseph's description of the first vision. "I saw a light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun which descended gradually until it fell upon me...and when the light rested upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air". Above the brightness of the sun. The sun reflecting off the water on that drive was brighter than I have ever seen. I can't even imagine what it must have been like. How do you accurately describe such an experience? How do you do it justice?
Anyway, I'm running out of time and can't remember what else I was trying to say. I'm now lost in the first vision.
I love you all.
Sister Bailey
p.s. this e-mail doesn't make much sense. Sorry about that. I'll try to do better next week.
Nauvoo is great. Things are really picking up. You would think it would be hard to memorize all the information for all the different places I serve, but when the Lords asks you to do something and you show your willingness to do it, He gives you all the help you need. And when you are really incapable of the task, it's almost like he does it for you, but you have to be willing. Memorization is NOT my strong point. I've felt that it's one of my downfalls actually, but as long as I put in the time to study and do my best to get it down He will make good on His promise from D&C section 100:6, "[that] it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say". You can do absolutely ANYTHING the Lord asks.
In response to some of your questions...I change companions every transfer, I do cook my own meals (thank goodness) and I will try to get you a picture of me in my dork, I mean, my pioneer clothes. Living arrangements in Nauvoo....get ready to laugh. I, Sister Bailey, who in the past have gladly avoided much female companionship at all, now lives in one house with 13 other sisters. Thirteen. We have three bathrooms, three fridges, three vanities and four bedrooms so it could be worse. It's been okay. I've learned a lot. The thing I am most grateful for is that I have yet to learn how to dress myself. Many of you know this, but matching, along with memorizing , is not a strong point for me. Nor do I care much about it. In Nauvoo I have the opportunity to live with 12 outfit police and as a result I can walk out the door knowing that, even though I am not in a pair of jeans or sweats, my top does indeed match my skirt, no matter what the color or pattern. Also, apparently black shoes don't go with everything. This is news to me, and I haven't exactly figured it out. Who knows, maybe I'll get there someday.
The best part of my week was Sunday. The whole day was on fire! Sacrament meeting, district meeting and service!!! I was able to go to Carthage to serve for the day. It was such a blessing. I hadn't noticed how much I missed it. Everything about it, the tours, the video, the Rebers (a senior couple serving there), the drive!!!! I can't remember a drive that had me that excited. I haven't smiled that much since transfers. It was so good to be back. The drive down was stunning. The Mississippi was sparkling with sunlight. It looked as if Barrett Crow (the 7 year old autistic boy I had in summer camp last year and adored) had dumped all the silver glitter he could get his little hands on into the water. For some reading this that description won’t make much sense, and I apologize, but it's the best one I’ve got. When I arrived Elder Reber was walking up the walkway. I smiled as we shook hands. With that familiar grin he said, "Welcome home Sister Bailey!". It was the cherry on top of the sundae! I almost ran into the Visitor's Center, hugged Sister Reber, and took the first tour. I was able to take the last one too, and both were so good! Oh the feeling in that room! I will never get over the feeling in that room. I love to be there. I love to teach there. I love to learn and think in there. It is hard to believe that a room in which such an awful scene played out could later be so sacred, so special. The ride home was just as peaceful as the ride there. The sun was just starting to set and the reflection off the water was almost blinding. My thoughts have been revolving around Joseph Smith lately. As I stared out the window at the trees and that water and the riverbank and the sun I couldn't help but recall Joseph's description of the first vision. "I saw a light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun which descended gradually until it fell upon me...and when the light rested upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air". Above the brightness of the sun. The sun reflecting off the water on that drive was brighter than I have ever seen. I can't even imagine what it must have been like. How do you accurately describe such an experience? How do you do it justice?
Anyway, I'm running out of time and can't remember what else I was trying to say. I'm now lost in the first vision.
I love you all.
Sister Bailey
p.s. this e-mail doesn't make much sense. Sorry about that. I'll try to do better next week.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
P.S. I.m not sooo bad...
I know I said my companion was an awesome runner and that she puts me to shame, but, as time has gone on, I have really come to realize that she is more than a runner... she's a flippin' MACHINE!!!! I mean, I really began to feel like I had really gotten awful and out of shape. But I learned this week that there is a 5k here that the sisters get to run (and I'm totally doing it!) that my companion ran last year. She totally came in second place! HAHAHAHAHA second! I don't think I've gotten all that bad, she is just way out of my league. Thank goodness for her patience or I might never get out to run.
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