hot and humid

So this week was pleasant until it decided to hit over a 100 degrees while we were on the wagon. But I can tell you that the complaining is not as bad as it usually is..... hahahaha sometimes it doesn't even happen.

It has been a hard week because of that. Everyone is feeling it and we all are trying our best to overcome it. But I am writing this email, which means I am still alive and haven't died from the heat.

I had a wonderful experience last Sunday when we were helping with the Trail of Hope. I led a group down the trail. It was full of Youth and I am allowed to bear my testimony at the very end. Throughout the trail I was praying for what I could bear testimony of and when we got to the end I had this overwhelming feeling to talk about how God answers our prayers and that He is mindful of us every moment of every day. He keeps us close to Him if we are willing to draw near unto Him. Some people thanked me and others went on their way. I don't know if they needed to hear it but I know that the Spirit was with me and I spoke truth. Then I went back to the beginning to take another tour (we had over 600 people waiting). I was talking with this family and they asked me to be the one that led them down. And at the beginning and the end I bore testimony. It was a very cool experience, one that I will treasure always. The mom of that family came to me afterwards and thanked me for the spirit that I had. She said it made their experience that much more special.

Sometimes I think that is why I am here.... To bear testimony. Not necessarily to become a better musician or learn leadership... etc but to share with others the things that I know to be true.

Wed we went to a nursing home and played a concert for them. WOW! What a cool experience! The sisters and I were talking and discussing our feelings. The overall topic was how their spirits were not their bodies. (A lot of them were disabled seniors) When we played you could see a light that shone through them. It didn't reflect their mortal bodies, but instead of their valiant spirits that they were. Perhaps that is why they were given that particular body. Our father wanted to protect them on the Earth and gave them these bodies that would ensure their return to the Father. What a GREAT experience!

A man named Lemoyne Taylor, the reinstater of the Nauvoo Brass Band and the arranger for over half of our songs popped by because it is the 10th anniversary of the reinstatement of the Band. Some band members from 2003 came as well. what is funny is that they are married to the other members of the band. Like the tuba and trumpet player got married and the Trombone and Clarinet player got married..... kinda funny to think about.... But it was fun playing for them and hopefully they enjoyed their time here.

A new favorite thing in Nauvoo is our Teamsters. Those senior elders are hardworking people. they have amazing stories and we have begun asking them to tell us a story of their choice. About 99.999999% of the time, they share a story pertaining to a struggle they had and how some principle of the gospel changed them for the better and helped them become better.

I love Nauvoo..... so much. I love how it is constantly changing me and helping me become better. I love that God is shaping me through the experiences I have been having. I am His daughter and He loves me a lot.

I know this Church is true...

I love you all!

Sister Jex
letter #10