..We arrived at Nauvoo right at sunset on Sunday night but was able to walk around the temple and get a few pictures.  We arrived at Carthage the next morning before they opened and decided to just take a couple of photos when a Sister from the Visitor's Center saw us and when we told her I was traveling to Utah to begin a mission, she opened the jail for us and gave us the full tour!  That was so nice of her.

Just a few of the many beautiful places we passed through that I have never had the opportunity before to see.  Heavenly Father has truly made us a great world and I hope I will continue to realize how we can see His love for us in all the beauty he made for us.

What a great way to end August.  I got to see Daniel and his sons, my grandsons, Spencer and Jacob - he is called Jake.  We spent the night in Sandy with my friend Sharon and they came over to visit.  Those boys are so handsome.  Of course, they do not know me, but they came around and it was wonderful to see them and watch them.  AND, I did get a kiss goodbye from each of them.  I hope to be able to see them several more times in the next 18 months.

I love my apartment..........

I hope I will always remember my feelings when I arrived for my orientation into the "Family and Church History Mission" and received my missionary badge and the table name place was for Sister Strange.  What a miracle!

My first Sunday in Salt Lake.  Sister Daniels and I went across the street directly from our apartment parking lot and went to the recording of "Music and The Spoken Word". Next Sunday they will return to the Tabernacle for their weekly broadcast.  Our branch does not meet until 2 pm on Sundays, so I hope we can to attend many of these broadcast.

While out Labor Day, we saw the Bountiful Temple from a distance, the Brigham City Temple under construction, and the Ogden Temple being repaired.  We also visited the grave site of President Lorenzo Snow and his family.

Lynette Widdison came down Labor Day (we did not train that day) and took me to Antelope Island.  The 'country' here is just beautiful and I love each minute of it.  I did see part of the Great Salt Lake and we even had a Buffalo Burger!  It was really quite good.

Missionary Experience

I have put in my missionary application to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bishop Nelson first spoke to me about it February 27, 2011 and it has been a really long process with physicals from Dr. Oneal and Dr. Shenoy, dental work with Dr. Poon, and lots of various test and test and more test. Finally that was all completed. After I was able to turn it in to Bishop Nelson, he held it for several weeks before sending to Stake President Harrison. He held it for many weeks, calling the mission home in regard to my health history, interviewing me, etc. I really felt he might not send it in and that was several tough weeks for me. He finally forward the paperwork (online and hard copies) to Salt Lake on June 3rd. On the 18th of June I received online a questionnaire to fill in. When I hit the submit button, it said the questionnaire and all paperwork would then go to the First Presidency and I should hear from them in 4 - 6 weeks. That was two weeks ago yesterday and I am honestly trying to be patient..... I am so excited for this opportunity and I cannot wait to see where I will be serving. Stay tuned and I will let you know as soon as I know.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Washington area

Cynthia and Adam gave me two tickets for a Wolftrap performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir who performed June 22, 2011. Arika Orizco went with me, and was kind enough to drive, YEAH. It was a wonderful night and I wish everyone had the opportunity to see them in person. You can tell from the photos how close we were; great seats. Thanks Cynthia and Adam and Arika for this truly fantastic experience.