(Nauvoo) On the Road again.

Hello family!

On Saturday I went to Nauvoo on the Road--remember last time I went to a school? This time, it was for some tractor fair thing (I'm still not really sure what it is) with Sister Garner and one of the new sisters, Sister Etherington. This was such a random situation that I knew I was supposed to be there for a reason.  

Mostly what we were supposed to do there was go on the old fashioned stilts and play games to attract people to our booth so they would want to visit Nauvoo.  It took me like a million hours to figure it out (the stilts), but I finally kind of could hobble a good twenty steps (that's a big deal, btw).  Meanwhile, Sister Garner and Sister Etherington are having this intense gospel conversation with this non-member couple. One thing leads to another, and the couple fills out a referral card and wants a Book of Mormon. So, stupidly enough, there are no Books of Mormon anywhere to be found.  I offer up mine (the one I've marked, that we are all reading in 85 days) and alas, it is taken. Yay for that. But now my half-marked Book of Mormon is gone. 

Well, the giving away of my Book of Mormon is not the only reason I was at Nauvoo on the Road.   There were these two guys who were college aged that seemed pretty cool.  They were excited about making rope, which said something. I enticed them to come learn how to do the stilts--it wasn't that hard. . .to entice, that is, and the three of us talked for forever.  We touched on Mormonism here and there. It wasn't like a typical VC convo, where the focus tends to be more directly religious in some way.  

They definitely didn't understand the concept of a mission.  They kept saying stuff like, "Well, it looks like you're making the best of it. . ." Ha.  I want to be here guys! It's volunteer! 

They weren't religious (Which was quite helpful in this situation, to be honest.  Sometimes "religious" people, as we all know, can be the most close minded.) They had never really met any Mormons before either.  I tried to convey how I wanted to be on a mission, and how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ gives me peace and joy and happiness and truth.  Peace in knowing the truth, that's for sure.

It wasn't a super gospel-y conversation but I really said all they could handle.  Plus, they approached me as a total friend, so it would be fairly out of place and rude seeming if I started to randomly push things on them (which is basically the antithesis of who I am).  They kept wanting to talk to me, and trying to figure out how they could see me again--you know, to hang out like friends-ish.  They seemed mighty tempted to come to the Pageant but they legit had a cousin's birthday party to go to.  They seemed pretty down with coming to Nauvoo though, soon. And theydo go to a community college in southern Iowa just an hour and a half away.  

Eventually they had to leave because they hadn't eaten breakfast or lunch and it was like 3:45pm.  It was weird because, approaching these guys as somewhat of a civilian (ha ha), I was taken out of mission mode for a second. I am quite empathetic to others' viewpoints and was realizing what a weird and seemingly strict lifestyle I live, to not be able to hang out with new friends and whatnot.  I mean, I understand all too completely why people in general--at least like that--could initially see religion as being pretty weird. 

---Hey guys, I would literally be just like you. I am just like you.  Except I have had feelings and experiences and so many other testaments of the truth that I cannot deny it.  And the more you try to learn, the more you experiment on the word of God and see the goodness for yourself, the more you can truly understand.

Alas, it's hard to describe to non-religious people. At least the ones without the desire in their hearts. It's all about desire. Member and non-member alike. God isn't going to communicate to you something you don't have the desire to hear.  Which is why it's so hard to share the gospel sometimes. Baby steps.  

Well, I was feeling pretty weird after that. I mean, it was a really good interaction, so I didn't regret it. But I was feeling very world-ish.  

--And then I was finally able to understand what people mean when they say Nauvoo has a special spirit! --

Right as we were getting back to Nauvoo I could just feel the difference. It kind of felt like being in the temple. And I am so grateful that because of the gospel I can have that feeling of the Spirit, that feeling of refuge--I guess you could say all the time, if you look for it.

The pageant is over and many of the dear sisters go home around next Tuesday. Nauvoo, once again, will be a whole other place.  We will be calling many people because of the Pageant referrals.  (PS you know if anyone wants a free cd, I can hook them up. Nonmembers, of course. . .)

Love, Sister Rachel

ps, it hit me once again how weird the Sister/Elder thing appears. It's a good thing the gospel is true, and people are needing and looking for the message, or it would be hard to get people to listen. (Oh yeah, and the spirit is the mode of conversion not the missionary--can I get a hallelujah?) Straight is the gate and narrow the way, ya know?