06/05/2016: Last Sunday,
I got to see Becky Briscoe and her family! They used to live in my home ward
(congregation), and she was one of my Young Women leaders. Seeing a familiar
face was exactly what I needed at the moment to give me a boost and keep me
going.
This
week, Mark Lusvardi is here. He has a lot of roles, but he is also one of the
writers of Preach My Gospel (and basically has it all memorized by page
number). Tuesday, he spoke to us Young Performing Missionaries. He spoke a lot
on the power of the Spirit and the ability we have through music to help others
feel the Spirit and the importance of following the guidance of the Spirit, especially
while serving here as missionaries. Super cool experience!
Wednesday,
we had our preparation morning. Sister Grounds (a band sister) and I stayed in
town and had a lot of fun exploring Mulholland (the main road). There is a
picture of me with a handcart that is out there. Thursday, stage and tech got
to have our first of our weekly temple trips. It was such a wonderful
experience to gather in the Nauvoo Temple as missionaries.
Friday,
I had the opportunity to be a company captain for the Trail of Hope,
the road the saints walked down as they left Nauvoo to go to the West. There
were a lot of children in the group who wanted to only touch my lantern from
the moment I told them the flames were all real and not to touch. As we
progressed down the trail, I noticed they calmed more at each stop and
increased in focus on the actors portraying those who walked the trail through
journal entries and published words. All the children who come to visit here
are the best, and I have loved every moment with them. As I was told I would
be, I have been blessed to remember the names of all I meet despite there being
so many and names not really being my thing.
Yesterday, two of the
elders got mission calls for 2 year missions. It was an experience that was wonderful
beyond description to gather in the 70s Hall (the original missionary training
center), sing Called to Serve with the band playing it,
hear from our mission president, and watch Elders Smith and Johnson open their
calls. They are going to Houston, TX Spanish and Charlotte, NC.
For
the second half of the week, the techs had companion exchanges until 1:30 each
day. I did Anna Amanda with Sister Harmer while Sisters Young and
Robinson worked on the Outdoor Stage sound system. It was a lot of fun to be
able to work with both casts and Sister Harmer.
I
read a great quote this week from David O. McKay: "True Christianity is
love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an
unselfish love for your fellow men." I love this quote because
it is an eternal truth but can be difficult to remember at times. Reading it
was a good reminder of how important all are in the eyes of God.
Pictures: (1) me with a handcart, (2) Elder Smith opening his call, and (3) the Temple at night.
- Sister Sylvestre
06/10/2016: Photo provided by Thomas Garrett of the Memphis North Stake.
