Bell Tower View

Letter #7

SO...I am getting really bad of keeping track of certain things that happen during the week that I want to tell you about so I may forget a few things...

But this week was fantastic in many different ways.

I served in the Post Office on Wed and gave out a few guest cards. When we went to the temple, we were able to schedule a session to do. I felt the same as you mom, I could have stayed in the Celestial Room all day. But I think I feel that way EVERY time. :) We were just about to exit the room when one of the sisters asked the worker if we could get a tour of the Bell Tower. I didn't even know we could do that. She said to go ask the Temple President. We couldn't find him but another worker offered to show us instead.

I got to go to the tippy tippy top of the building (inside) and although it wasn't pretty to look at or clean, it was still sacred. We could look out of the windows and see all of Nauvoo. I will forever cherish that experience. (oh, I got to go inside the sealing rooms too because no one was in there!!!!)

We saw Vocal point on Tuesday night and boy do I miss popular music...hahaha.  But I do have to admit that when they sang I need thee every hour, I remembered my purpose as a missionary and what a great blessing it is to be here. Although when they sang the Frankie Valli medley I was in Heaven. My new favorite song, "Walk Like a Man" ...hahaha

Thursday was the commemoration day. We had a meeting at the graveside where the Community of Christ conducted. It was a nice ceremony, but it was all about facts and information, not about his life or what he left behind. Later we went to Carthage where the LDS church conducted. President Gilliland spoke words that I wish I could remember exactly, but the spirit was felt, intensely and I loved every minute of it. Vocal Point sang A poor wayfaring man of grief. The stage sang the song that they perform in the show "High Hopes and Riverboats" No ordinary men. We played Praise to the Man and We thank thee of God for a prophet, and spirit of god. What an experience.

Saturday was the 100th celebration of the building of the Keokuk dam. We went and performed a few songs, watched Vocal point again, and then went and talked to people. I had a wonderful time and my companion and I handed out a few pass along cards to tell them to come to Nauvoo. When we got home though Sister Reid was having a hard time and I kept asking her what was wrong. She admitted to having higher expectations of handing out stuff and talking to people and "being a missionary" as she said it.

I asked her if I could be blunt and she said yes. I told her straight up that expectations of that nature get us no where in life except hurting us. I said that we are missionaries every single moment. "Being a missionary"doesn't mean handing out pass along cards and books of Mormon to people. It is bringing people unto Christ and our calling here is to do that through music, our performances and our testimonies when we are in the Garden.

It helped us drawing closer to one another.  I am grateful for all of these experiences..

Today I am serving in the Sarah Granger Kimball Home!! Then Wed I will be in the bakery!

Love you lots!

Sister Jex

PS did you get my b-day and father's day cards??