Warners on a Mission

April 1, 2014

For the most part, the snow is fading from our memories and the weather has been beautiful! The Mississippi River is lazily flowing along in all her majesty and the beginning of spring is not to far distant. We are excited for a new season to come upon us and with it, we once again see more beauty of God's creations.

March 18th marked one year since we entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC), in Provo, Utah and on March 27th we arrived in our first area, in Manchester, Iowa. Time in the mission field is much like a roller coaster. One begins the slow assent to the top of the tracks waiting for the anticipated mission call to arrive in the mail. The steep assent continues as the waiting game begins to report to the MTC. The arrival in the training center in Provo finds one just at the crest of this marvelous ride, called a mission. Then, almost without warning, the descent begins and the steepness of the hill is immediately realized. There is a distinct ability to plan and organize one's time, but controlling the speed of its' passing is beyond hope. One would think that the descent would level off and slow for a while, but that has not been our experience. We simply do not know where last the last year has gone!

Nauvoo is once again coming alive with visitors. From spring break students, to weddings, to family reunions, they are beginning to come in large numbers. It is wonderful to see them and even more wonderful to begin to talk to "new" people. We have also been able to watch new missionaries arrive, see them at the Temple and on the streets of the City of Joseph. The local store owners have smiles on their faces as they observe the arrival of people from all parts of the country. We are thankful for this time of the year!!

We have been very busy teaching and have two investigators with baptismal dates. Sean Simpson will be baptised on April 26th and Cheryl Ayris on May 31st. Both are very committed, fulfilling their assignments and attending church on a regular basis. Both have miraculous stories and the Lord's tender mercies are always near. We are grateful for them and for their willingness to change their lives and come closer to the Savior! It is such a blessing to watch and feel of the saving grace of the Jesus Christ. We have been very blessed to be here in Nauvoo and to be able to serve the Lord. He has indeed been very kind and generous!

General Conference is next week!! Our investigators and our recent converts will join us in the Nauvoo Visitors Center to watch the sessions and feel of the spirit. This is a great time to invite friends and neighbors to watch and listen to prophets, seers and revelators. Their hearts will be touched and they will feel of the spirit of the Lord.

We pray that the Lord will bless you and your families with the spirit of missionary work. Someone near you is waiting to hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ and your full time missionaries are anxious and trained to teach of the Restoration, the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your missionaries have a purpose for being on their missions and that purpose is; To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. Please help them fulfill their purpose of bringing salvation to the souls of God's children. The Lord loves all of His children!