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| Ann on phone with a grandchild on their birthday |
"Hello from Nauvoo to my sisters in Layton:
I can't begin to tell you what an incredible experience this has been. To be part of the missionary force in the church is such a blessing to us and to our family. It has helped us to see how much the church is stepping up the missionary effort. We had our first missionary grandson go out last July and a granddaughter and another grandson will go out this spring.
Of course, we miss our family so much but we could talk to them as much as we had time for. We skype with them especially on holidays and when they get together and other special times.. We also skype with individual families from time to time. When our grandson opened his mission call, we were able to share that experience via skype. We call each individual family member on their birthday and sing "Happy Birthday" to them. We call our children from time to time to see how they are doing and to share some of our experiences.
Seven of our nine children have been able to come to Nauvoo to see what we are doing and to share some of our experiences and the spirit that is here. Some were able to bring their families with them.
As many of you know, we have a blog site set up so that family as well as friends can follow many of our activities and experiences. Our daughter, Jodi who is living there in our home, made a change to the blog so that every time we make an entry to our blog, it goes to each of our children's email. So, it keeps them informed even if they were to forget to check the blog.
We were told that our family would be greatly blessed while we served a mission. Our family has been blessed. There have been many what we call Nauvoo miracles in our family since we have been in Nauvoo.
Our lives have been changed. Because of our experience here, we will never be the same. The incredible amount of love we feel for all the missionaries here, helps to look at life a little differently. You do not worry about things of the world. You learn what is really important
As we learn the stories of the saints who lived here, their faith and testimonies, the hardships they went through, we have come to realize even more how much our Father-in-heaven loves us. He has a plan for each of us.
The Gospel will bring us and our families more happiness and joy and sometimes sadness than we could ever find on our own. Christ didn't say it would be easy, but he did say it would be worth it. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and an incredible man and we will never appreciate what these people went through for us. The Church is true and we have a prophet today. I love you all and we will be home in April."
