Update from Deborah Romney

The summer moves on! Already, we’re into July and the Nauvoo Pageant begins on Tuesday. I admit to being very excited to see for myself all of the things I’ve heard discussed since arriving here last fall.

The city is full of Mormon visitors. The core cast of 20 professional actors and a support staff of 25 have been here for two weeks. The families that will be in it for the first one or two weeks arrived more recently, with the others coming in time to rehearse and prepare for their own assigned shows. By the end of the pageant, over 1000 people will have participated in it. It addition, there are daily vignettes on The Trail of Hope, King Follett’s discourse, Women of Nauvoo, Letter of Emma and Joseph, Youth of Zion, and “Go Ye Into All The World” with Parley P. Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor,.Heber C. Kimball, and Brigham Young. I can hardly wait to see it all!!!!!

We continue to work at our sites and perform in our nightly shows. This schedule will continue until August 15th. Then our Young Performing Missionaries and Nauvoo Brass Band members will leave, the Pageant will have ended, and there will be a trickle of tourist until after Labor Day. All of these will leave great memories.

In our Fast and Testimony meeting today, I was moved by the testimonies of so many of young missionaries who have developed great testimonies of Joseph Smith, the Restoration, and the earlier, brave numerous residents of this old city. It is an honor to for us senior missionaries to learn about them, as well. We can’t help but compare our own struggles of daily survival with the incredible ones that they endured on a regular basis. My challenges pale in comparison to theirs. I will never be the same.

I have met some truly wonderful people here, missionaries and visitors. Serving a mission is a choice thing. So many of our Elders and Sisters here are on their third, fourth, or, in one case, eighth missions. Missions keep me thinking about others, and what I know that can help them. It’s a great way to live! I’m looking forward to serving others, as well.

Love from the Great Midwest. I have enjoyed hearing from many of you, and am excited to tell you all in person of the memorable times I have had. Much love, Sister R.