Sunday Aug. 5, 2018

Again....another great week !!   Jim had his cardiologist appointment in Quincy on Wed. and he recommended that Jim was a good candidate for an oblation procedure which is when they cauterize some nerve in the top of the heart that would prevent the heart going into A-fib.  We told him that we wouldn't be doing that until after we return to Canada.  So until then, we will be hoping that the new medication will keep his heart in rhythm and we will be looking into that when we return. 
     On Monday, we had a mission fireside with Susan Easton Black Durrant.  Some of you will recognize this name as she has written several books.  She has done alot of research of Nauvoo and showed slides and gave some interesting facts.  Her husband died some years ago and she remarried (George Durrant--who was a widower)   You will recognize his name as he was the author of the Christmas booklet that we would read every Christmas time (That Thy Alms May Be in Secret)  ...also a good author.
There she is.  One thing that I found interesting was that Nauvoo had no banks and that there was hardly any money.....people would barter and trade for everything !   I wonder how that system would work today !!! haha
   Thursday was our mission training meeting.We were privileged to be trained by Brent Nielson--a General Authority 70 who is the executive director of the Missionary Dept.   Some of things that I remember about his training were:  #1.  The early Saints were NOT your average settlers.   They had a focus on education and refinement and stable homes wherever possible.  They "set the bar" in terms of service and sacrifice. #2  The pioneers had (a) faith (b) followed the direction of prophet.  We will succeed as we do the same.


He went on to point out that the Restoration is ongoing...meaning that Joseph Smith and the early Saints set the pattern but we are still helping with in as the gospel spreads and grows throughout the world.  He then challenged us to NOT sleep through the Restoration, referring to this talk (Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk:   Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?)  I got thinking about the growth of the Church just within my lifetime and it really is astounding.  He quoted stats that were amazing...like..20,000 baptisms per month world-wide and the urgent need for 6000 more senior missionaries.  I am grateful to be a small part of this restoration and am determined to be wide awake and not miss a moment.
        Saturday was spent with Nauvoo On the Road at the Thresher Days Fair in Hamilton Illinois.  It was a fun event and we visited with about 400 people and the elders made rope with 90 kids while others of us played pioneer games and entertainment with others.  At the end of our day, I got to wander around alittle and saw this booth that sold barn quilt blocks and had a fun conversation with the lady.  She didn't know if there was a connection or meaning to them but she enjoyed telling me about some of them and their titles.  I'll  show you some of her creations. I still think that we should be creative and come up with one of our own for our family !!  I'd even put it up on the garage!

    Oh fiddlesticks !!  I got them upside down!  Well....you get the idea.... hahaha!!

   ALSO  ran across this cutest merry-go-round that kids of every age were having a blast on.  I am thinking that it would be a fun addition to our playground at home (wink!)



  Till next week....Love you all.   These words from one of my favorite Primary songs says it all:  Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way

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