February 28, 2016 - Sunday in Nauvoo

Today was my half birthday!  How fun is that?  We woke up to some heavy winds, but the temperatures were holding in the high 40's.  However, we decided not to walk to the Church today because of the windy conditions.  

We had a busy Sabbath Day that began with our morning devotional and our prayers.  We are reading the Book of Mormon together each morning and discussing some insights as we read.  This is probably one of the most enjoyable activities that we participate in, together, each morning.  Mom has some wonderful insights as she studies and reads, and I am grateful to have her share these with me, and I enjoy sharing mine with her.

Our meetings for Sunday begin in the Stake Center, and mom and I like to arrive early and enjoy the prelude music.  It brings back wonderful memories of listening to Brother Kenny and his music!  Today was the Fast and Testimony meeting, and those missionaries who were attending their last Fast meeting were invited to share their testimonies.  

As the speakers were sharing their testimonies, one sister gave this thought; "instead of crying because it is over, (this could be the ending of any wonderful event we have had), rejoice because you have had the experience"!  That is such a great way to look at life's tender mercies!

After our meetings, mom and I went home to break our fast.  We then drove to the Ramsey's home for lunch.  We had a wonderful dinner of roast and potatoes and salad.  I wanted to keep eating!  However, I weighed in this morning, dressed in my suit, to the lowest weight I have been at over the last 15 years.  I have just 10 more pounds to go and I will be right where I want to be!

Also, today, we attended a baptism of a man in the Keokuk Branch.  We met him and his wife a few months ago in one of the gift stores in Nauvoo.  We shared some things with them about the Church, after finding out that the wife was a member, but her husband, Bill, was not.  She said that she didn't want to go back to Church until he was ready to be baptized.  They had been married over 25 years during this "waiting" time!  

We invited them to the Visitors Center to learn more about the Plan of Salvation.  It was suggested that they come on our next day of serving there.  Well, they could not wait, and we are not sure what we said that motivated them to go right down to the Visitors Center......except the prompting of the Spirit!  We did not see them again for two months.  Then, when I went to Rendezvous last Monday, they were there and his wife, Jane, remembered me and let me know he was getting baptized.  

She invited mom and I to come to this wonderful event today at 1:00pm.  When we got there, we saw no less than 12 other senior missionaries, and several young missionaries, along with a loving branch of members, there to support him.  Talk about the Gospel in action!!  There were so many contact folks there to help Bill along the path to the tree of Life, and, ultimately, to partake of that sweet fruit of baptism!

Bill on the left and a faithful Branch member on the right!

This was a wonderful part of our day!  Bill looked so much better today, as he took that first step into the waters of baptism, and beginning his journey in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He will have a great support team from this branch!

Mom and I concluded our day at Zone Conference.  It started at 7:00pm tonight with the slide show production.  This night marks the end of the Heslop's as the photographers, and marks the beginning of our time in this responsibility.   This should be an interesting experience..... They had done an amazing job!

In addition to the slide show, the conference was on teaching the Gospel.  Mom had a small part in the presentation by sharing part of her experiences while investigating the Church.  She shared a marvelous testimony while sharing some insights to her conversion.  I think it is important for people who have grown up in the Church, and with multiple generations of members, to see and hear about how adult converts view the religious teachings in the world today.  There is a lot of confusion in the world, and knowing how people came to the truth of the Gospel, can really help us in our missionary efforts.