May 17, 2015-Lots of new things, my walk in the Groves, and Elder Schultz speaking japanese

Dear Friends and Family,

            It has been three weeks since I last wrote and time seems to fly by so quickly. I apologize because this will be a long letter. Spring is here and Nauvoo is beautiful and green once again. We have had a lot of rain, and are still wearing sweaters and jackets, but it is warming up.

 Tonight we had our first district meeting with our new “Martin Harris” district. We have the Harwoods, who came out with our MTC group last year, and he is the first counselor in the presidency. We also have 2 young single sister missionaries, and two new couples; the Sullivans and Swensons, both from Utah. We had dinner here, and then discussed the principles President Gibbons was taught at the Mission Presidents training conference in Denver last month. All twelve apostles were there, which shows how important missionary work is to our leaders. This great work of bringing souls unto Christ is their first priority, and we surely feel it out here on our mission. We received the last 5 couples on Friday, so now we are up to our full quota for missionaries. And we really do need them! We are getting more and more visitors per day here; we average about 300-400 a day, and that will increase when school gets out.

Elder Schultz with Nauvoo Temple President James MacArthur. An old missionary leader from Japan. He was his AP.

            One big event here is the re-opening of the local grocery store, formerly named “Duck’s.” It is now the "Nauvoo Market," and was bought by 2 LDS men, and remodeled. It opened last Friday, and we are so glad! It is clean and very light, and has well stocked shelves. Now we don’t have to travel to Keokuk for everything!

            We have more new responsibilities added to our very busy lives. I became a wagon narrator last week, and narrated three school field trip wagons. It was a lot of fun telling 30 children on each wagon all about Nauvoo, and pointing out the different homes and shops. I only get to do it once a week, until we get busier. We only have six wagons and six carriages going out now, but starting next week, we will have 18 wagons and carriage rides. This is exciting!

            All of the new summer shows start next Saturday, May 23, including the outdoor "Sunset by the Mississippi" show. We are all busy learning our songs and actions to participate. They chose Harry and I to perform our song and jokes again. And then I will also be singing the duet with Sister Swindler and the blue grass band. That leads to Elder Schultz’s new job: he will be performing every night in that show, not just twice a week with our cast. That means we will not be doing our Peter and Abigail vignette, and I will go to Rendezvous show alone. The reason is that he is needed to play for several specialty numbers with his bass, in the small bluegrass band. Needless to say, he is in heaven!! One of the Young Performing Missionaries plays a five string banjo, so they have his bass, a guitar, a strumming banjo, and the picking banjo. A girl also plays a fiddle. So their band is playing “Dueling Banjos,” “Orange Blossom Special” and about 5 other numbers they are backing up. AND he is helping setup the sound equipment for the show, and making sure everything is hooked up correctly, so that the YPM sound intern can run it; lots of cords, cables, cordless microphones, and monitors. He is really  reliving his former life of shows and loving it!

            We are also very busy on the Public Affairs Committee. We are preparing for two BYU groups to come in the month of June: The Young Ambassadors and the Ballroom Dance Team. We have been setting up outreach events for them to help with service projects, and then perform at local cities i.e. Keokuk, Burlington, Fort Madison (our 2 cities), Carthage, Quincy, Hamilton and Montrose. This is to do missionary work, by getting people to come to Nauvoo to see them perform. We are also getting publicity materials out like flyers and posters- flooding the stores and public places. Elder Schultz and I are also hosting a VIP tour with all the leaders of Burlington on May 28- the mayor and 20 people are coming here (it is about an hour away) and we are providing a continental breakfast for them, taking them on wagon rides and to see some sites. A lot of planning has gone into this, so we hope it turns out!

            Elder Schultz also can’t get away from feeding the multitudes! 2 weeks ago he put on a “Grateful” breakfast to all of the FM (Facilities Management) people, men and women who literally run the place. There are about 60- he did a pancakes, sausages, and drinks, and they loved it. They have a big “break room” down at their complex, and he used their large griddle. This week he is feeding breakfast to all the teamsters: about 30 of them! He can’t get catering out of his blood!

             We continue to serve in the Visitor's Center as the site leaders, which means we are training lots of new couples on how to greet people, give them tours, help them plan their activities, show films, and be missionaries. We had a few familiar visitors this past two weeks. Buddy Youngreen, our good friend from Utah who was head of the Joseph Smith Sr. Family Organization for 33 years came with 2 friends. He is an expert on Nauvoo and Church History. We didn’t know he was coming, but we spent our whole Friday P-day with them, and he took us to special unknown places involving the Smith families. What a treat this was to listen to him explain many unique things. Then Devin Davis, or Elder Davis, who was a YPM last summer, came back to Nauvoo for a week-long visit, and he stayed with us in our extra bedroom. We really bonded and became his “other parents” last year, so we enjoyed catching up with him. Then yesterday, we saw and visited with Lacey Murdock and her new husband Barry ( I don’t remember their last name). She was in the Fullerton 8^th singles ward when Harry was the bishop. They live in Arizona now, and seem so happy! We love seeing old friends and meeting new ones. That is one great thing about being in the Visitor's Center.

            I had a wonderful personal experience yesterday. I went on a walk down on the flats of Nauvoo, in what we call “The Groves.” They are next to the pageant stage, and it reminded me so much of The Sacred Grove. There is a winding path with “reader boards” telling about sermons given in the groves around Nauvoo by Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young and others. They had to meet outside because there were no buildings big enough. It was a beautiful sunny day, with a quiet breeze blowing, and the birds were singing. I just sat on a bench and took it all in- I took time to ponder things, and just listen to the sounds. It was an amazing time and it really fed my soul. I was overcome with gratitude of being on a mission in this sacred place, and how much I have grown to love the former saints who lived here, but also the new people we have met; fellow missionaries, and Nauvoo citizens. I will really miss them when we have to leave in 7 months.

            I was privileged to give many tours these past weeks to nonmembers, and share my testimony. I met a great family from Japan yesterday who were here visiting, and chose to come to Nauvoo; a grandfather with his daughter and 3 grandchildren. They were not members but loved the history. I gave them Japanese Books of Mormon, and told what our church believed. Elder Schultz spoke Japanese to them and it was a special time. We have these experiences several times a day.

I am so grateful that I have this gospel to guide my life, and grateful for the Lord making it possible by restoring His church on the earth in these latter days. We are having an awesome mission!!!

Love to all of you,

Elder and Sister Schultz

Or (Mom and Dad)

April 27, 2015- Babies, Talent Show, Richardson's Point, Visitors and Artifacts

Dear Friends and Family,

            Greetings from Nauvoo! So much has happened here in the past two weeks since I last wrote! First and most important; Matt and Amber (our daughter) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on April 21, (which is also our daughter Christy’s birthday). She weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. and they named her Ivy Louise Buhrley. She has tons of dark hair, and is so cute (even though I am a little biased)! This is their fifth child, and Amber is our fifth child, which also makes it extra special. She had no complications, and the baby was born very quickly. We are so happy for them, but sad we couldn’t be there.

            This past week has been full of birthdays for our family; Poppy turned one year old on April 20, Christy and the new baby on April 21, Archer Steimle turned 5 on April 22, and Heather and Wendy Williams (Ryan’s oldest) had birthdays on April 24. Whew! And this week we celebrate Harvey Williams and Cooper Watene (Mossi’s oldest) birthdays. April is a great and busy month!

            

Last week, we had the Nauvoo Mission Talent Show, which is an annual event. Many of our new missionaries participated, and there is so much talent in this mission. There were over 24 musical numbers and what a variety; vocal solos, quartets, readings, violin numbers, a jug band with banjo, guitar, bass, rhythm instruments such as tambourine, jugs, and washboards! Elder Schultz and I did our same song and jokes as we did last summer in the Sunset show, and I sang a duet with Sister Schwindler who played guitar; “Walkin’ in the Sunshine” (a song written by Roger Miller). There was a comedy skit called Nauvoo Goo, and 3 excellent piano solos by an 83 yr old sister, President Brinley, and our mission secretary, Sister Brown. It is never boring around this town!

            Last week we also had 3 special experiences; the whole mission drove out to Richardson’s Point, we had 45 Amish people come into Nauvoo, and we had the privilege of giving tours to 24 women from The Second Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo. 

Richardson's Point

     Richardson’s Point is about an hour from Nauvoo on the original pioneer trail of the Mormon saints who left Nauvoo in 1846. It is a special place because it took 3 weeks to get there in the wagons, due to the terrible cold weather, rain, and mud. They had to stay and camp there for 2 weeks before moving on. Three people died there, and are buried, including an 18-month-old baby boy named John Tanner. It is owned by a nonmember family who has made a special monument to the saints and their struggles here. This family built a fence and walkway down to the grove where they are buried.  We felt it was important to all go out there on a Sunday night and have a devotional, to honor these pioneers and the people who have preserved their memories. We had music, the owner gave a brief history, and there was such a beautiful spirit there. It had been raining that day on and off, so it was muddy, and we felt a little of what it might have been like for them. He told us that the farmers who own the property along this pioneer trail do not plow over the wagon ruts, but around them. That is how much they honor the sacrifice of the saints!

These are our APs and they are in Dads and my district! Sisters Pugmire and Hintze. 

The 2 women in bonnets are the owners who are no members.

Meeting Amish Families

            Then, the next Saturday, we had the wonderful experience of bringing 5 Amish families to Nauvoo from their community near Cantril, Iowa. Since they do not drive, our vans went out there (about an hour/half from here) and picked them up. They have always wanted to come, but felt it was too far with their buggies. Many of our Teamsters (who take care of the horses) have gotten close to these families, because they purchase our Nauvoo horses from them, and buy many of the supplies like bridles, feed, etc. from them.  So these Teamsters worked out all the details for them to come. All of us missionaries also shop out there at their big store called “Dutchman’s”- where they sell whole grains, and all kinds of organic natural whole foods; meat, dairy, produce, etc. They came into the Visitors Center first, so we were able to give them a tour of the Women’s Garden and the Center, and show the film “Remembering Nauvoo.” They were all reluctant to see it at first, because they do not watch television or movies, but when Elder Schultz called it an “historical documentary,” then they would see it. I bonded with a cute family of parents and 8 children; John and Marie. They had 2 sets of twins; girls who were about 7, boys who were about 5 and 3 teenage boys and a baby girl. They were all so friendly, and open-minded. The children were well-behaved. I felt a real kinship with the mother, because we both had 8 children. I bore my testimony to them out in the Women's Garden when we got to the family circle statue, that families are eternal, and that we can be together forever. They were all dressed in the typical Amish attire; homemade plain clothing, and the girls wore white hats, while the boys and men wore straw hats, and had beards. It was such a rare experience which I shall always cherish.

More Visitors

            Then this past weekend we had a visit from 25 Baptist women who came on a weekend retreat to see Nauvoo. We helped plan their days and evenings with wagon and carriage rides, films, the Rendezvous show, and visiting the historic sites. They couldn’t believe everything was free. They travel to other places like the Lincoln Museum, which usually cost a lot of money. They wanted to give donations, but we can’t accept them. After the film, Elder Schultz held a question and answer time that lasted half an hour! They had so many questions about the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith- but they weren’t confrontational or negative at all! They were so delighted to be here, and loved every minute. I packed all of them bags with brochures and a Book of Mormon, and challenged them to read it. Then I also gave a tour of the Women’s Garden, which is in full bloom right now with gorgeous tulips! This also was an amazing experience that will be a lasting memory for me.

            I forgot to tell you that in the first week of April, we had a special one-on-one experience in the Red Brick Store with Lach Mackay (I told you about him a few letters ago). He is the head of all the Community of Christ historic sites, and a wonderful man. He is a direct descendant of Joseph Smith through a daughter of Joseph Smith III. So we call each other “cousin.”  He told me that in the basement of the store are a lot of artifacts that are from the Nauvoo era. We met him there, and he showed us bins and bins of things from the property of Hyrum Smith. I was so flabbergasted to see this! There were bottles, fence, chains, and pottery, pots, dishes, utensils. And spread out on tables in the center of the room were items from Joseph and Emma’s homes; glasses, dishes, bowls, pitchers, etc. He even allowed us to take pictures. This was such an awesome experience, I can’t even put into words! To realize that these were items actually used by my ancestors was so amazing. We truly felt honored to have this experience.

With Lachland or "Lock" McKay head of Community of Christ historical sites: Kirtland temple, Independence, and Nauvoo.  Great great grandson of Joseph Smith III. Same generation as me so my cousin

            I want to express to all of you my great testimony of this restored gospel. We are so honored to be here in Nauvoo on a mission, to represent these great people. We call this city the “crown jewel” of the Mormon faith, to visitors who come here, because of all it represents to us; Faith in following a prophet, and love for the Lord, who organized a perfect church on the earth to help us return to Him and His Father.              

Love you All! The Schultzes

March 26, 2015- City Presentations, RS Reenactment & New Assignments

Dear Family and Friends,

            How are you all? Time just seems to fly by so quickly! And every week is packed with so many activities here in Nauvoo. After my last letter, on March 18, we had the presentation at Burlington for their Mayor, and 50 Chamber of Commerce members. It went well, except for when we showed the 3 minutes video of Nauvoo, there was no sound- so the silence was embarrassing. We were using their computer, and they said it was working fine when they tested it. But other than that, it was very successful. We have followed up by scheduling a VIP tour for several of them to come to Nauvoo in May to have a wagon ride and short tour of the historic sites. We are hoping this will unify our “region,” and that they will want to refer many visitors to Nauvoo.

            Later that afternoon, I was able to attend the Relief Society Organization Reenactment in the Red Brick Store. All of us 40 sister missionaries wore our pioneer dresses, and rode in wagons down to the store.  We took pictures together as a group, and then went upstairs. Several missionaries took the parts of Joseph Smith, John Taylor, and Willard Richards. And then there were also many sisters depicting Emma Smith, Sarah Kimball, Lucy Mack Smith, Bathsheba Smith and others. What an amazing experience this was! I can’t even put it into words, to do it justice. To be there in the actual place the Relief Society was organized meant so much to me and all of us.   We sang the same hymns they sang, and the same words were spoken, taken from the notes of Willard Richards. Then I felt very honored to be asked to give the closing prayer as one of the only relatives of Emma Smith. (My great, great aunt)

            Last week, the director of “Rendezvous,” Sister Jones, handed us the script to learn a new vignette. Right now the 3 casts have been dwindling as missionaries go home. We are the only Peter and Abigail, until new missionaries can learn the part. But now she wants us to learn “Thomas and Elizabeth” who sing a song together at the end. We are working on memorizing and blocking it too. We are still very nervous, but have faith we can do it.

            Elder Schultz was also asked to be the new Audio Visual missionary for the mission! This is in addition to his other regular duties, and extra projects, i.e. updating the new website and directing the Visitor Center. He basically is in charge of setting up all the microphones, computers with power points, and lighting in the theaters for every training, sociable (fireside), Sunday meetings, etc. I guess he knows a lot about sound and lighting from his years of show experience! He also recently finished writing the whole script and introductions for the Easter program/concert that will be held this Sunday at the stake center. We have over 6 churches participating in this Interfaith Program, with 3 choirs, a string quartet, a family of 9 singing together, male and female soloists, and other various numbers. It should be a wonderful evening of music and spoken word; different from our Miracle of Christmas, but just as good.

            We were so excited and happy to welcome 12 new couples to our mission this past week. They are from all over Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho. About 18 more couples come next month! We have been so short staffed, that many of the sites are shared by one set of missionaries. 

            We continue to have wonderful missionary experiences in the Visitor's Center. A Young Men's quorum from Arkansas- about 12 of them, plus leaders came to ride bikes down the Carthage trail, for a scout patch, and then tour Nauvoo.  Their leader said that he was helping to prepare future missionaries, and wanted them to “feel” the spirit here. Elder Schultz gave them a tour and was able to share his testimony as he told about these valiant saints who lived here, but had faith to follow a prophet to leave and go west.

 We also had 17 German exchange students come in today. All of them nonmembers, and had not even heard of Mormons. We gave them a wagon ride, they watched our 20-minute movie, and we handed them a bag with brochures and pamphlets. Also this week we have had numerous families on Spring Break from Idaho and Utah. It is so fun to help them plan their visit here, to make it memorable for their children.

We are surely very busy! We perform twice a week now, and we practice for the upcoming Sunset by the Mississippi show twice a week. We are also in the Mission Talent Show next week, performing our song and jokes from last summer. But I am also singing in a duet with another sister in my cast. So we spend extra time practicing for that and learning our new parts in the musical. Whew! But we love it here, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

We have also gotten to know many of the people who live here in Nauvoo as permanent citizens. We work with Kim Ourth, head of tourism, and a descendant of the Baxter winery people. She is a young mother, expecting her second baby, and such a hard worker. She is a strong and valiant Catholic woman, and we love her. We also have grown close to LuAnn, who has been the owner of the Nauvoo Pharmacy for 35 years, and a nonmember. Also I love Marian, a Lutheran here who is our postmistress in the little Nauvoo Post Office. Craig Dunn, the chiropractor, and his wife conduct tours down the Carthage Trail, and are great people. Lachland McKay, head of the Community of Christ sites and descendant of Joseph Smith has also become our good friend. We bond over being Smiths together, and he always pull me aside to tell me the latest “information” he has discovered about our ancestors. We love many members, too, who helped us and performed in the "Miracle of Christmas" show. The Miller, Saunders, Evans and Seaman families are awesome.  I taught all of their young children in the program, and we loved seeing them at Stake Conference last week. And many more that I can’t mention, but we understand now why it is so hard to leave here when our mission is done, because you grow to love the local people so much!

I better close now, because it is getting late. We surely love it when you write us back, even if it is only a few lines. We feel so distant and out of touch with everyone, so it really means a lot to us. If any of you are planning a trip here this summer, please let us know in advance so we can help reserve tickets for shows, and plan your itinerary. That is what we do best! We love you all, and we love serving this mission for the Lord, and sharing his restored gospel to all we meet!

Love Elder and Sister Schultz