Week 5: I can hear!

06/12/2016: Monday marked one month since I got here. It honestly feels like a year with how much we pack into each day though. Overall, this week was the same as last week since it is performing season, but we did have the first of the BYU performing groups arrive, so it has been an adventure to strike the outdoor stage super fast after Sunset by the Mississippi while the BYU folk dance ensemble set up for their show that starts 30 minutes after we end. Most days, we only did one show of The Promise, which meant I actually got to have dinner those days! This week, we had the first of our weekly district meetings. Most in my district have not served another mission, so we do not have a clue how they should be since President Hall (our mission president) isn't giving us much direction in how they should be.

Exciting news!!! I finally have a monitor in the light booth that has mics, meaning I can actually hear the show and my cues!! Being able to hear and not just watch in silence has made the show so much more interesting, and it definitely helps me stay awake better too. For the mornings we do not do Anna Amanda we have (another) new assignment, and it seems like this one will last. Last week, President Hall met with people from the church mission department who came here, and they came up with a plan for us to be stationed at a central point in town and to talk with people who visit here since those in the sites do not really have the time to once it gets busy and people have to wait in line for tours. We will have maps and pass-along cards that list all there is to do in Nauvoo, and we will help people plan their experience. I think the goal to make sure all get the most out of their time here by being aware of all there is to do and through getting to have some personal interaction.

This week, I got to see some familiar faces. During Friday's Trail of Hope, I interacted with Tom Garrett and his wife, people from Memphis who I haven't seen since I was young, and they recognized me by my last name, which was exciting. The other is Michael Morrise who served here as a tech YPM last year and came for a visit with a couple of the stage YPMs from last year. I was beyond excited to see him when I spotted him, and they spent a few days here. It is always exciting to run into people I know.

Pictures: One is of me with Michael Morrise and Sister Grounds (a band sister). The other is of me in front of the tin shop.... I think Mr. Stodard spelled his first name a little wrong though ;)


-Sister Sylvestre