Singing in Nauvoo

I am adding just a few more videos of this great group of Nauvoo Singers.  So much personality.

 

Where there’s Promise there is Peace

 

As you progress in anything it continually gets harder. Which is the way by which we grow and improve and continue to press forward with faith. This place has helped me more and in different ways than I ever thought it would. I am realizing my faults and being humbled so that soon I will be able to have the strength to dash away a little more of my pride and come to the Father a bit more on my knees.

Scene from The Promise – Sister Smith, Sis Hammond, Sis Gardner, Elder Cottam

Julia meets Chance – Sis Smith, Elder Muncy, Sis Gardner, Elder Tate, Sis Hammond

Today during the testimony meeting my good friend from home who was a stage manager for pageant said “”Through refiners fires we can find God” It has helped me to look at what Nauvoo and coming home from Germany has been for me. It has helped me to look for the love of God for me and then try and dish that out to the people around me. It has opened my eyes.

Emsemble – Riverboats a Coming

I don’t have much time, but I have much to share so I think I will tell a few stories by way of bullet points.

• Our Director Elder Schultz had a stroke earlier this week. It was very shocking yet somehow I felt peace. He is getting better but is still in the hospital. We have been praying for him, but it is amazing how the work has continued even while facing this great trial.
  

  Elder Muncy and Sis Gardner

• I have been talking with one of the sisters about serving a mission and I am so glad that I am able to give my perspective of the value of missions and what giving a year and a half of your life to the Lord does for you.
  

  Sis Gardner, Sis Smith, Elder MacDonald

• I have a great story from yesterday: During afternoon  Nauvoo singers, we were not sure what we should do after the start of the second show we were down in the Bistro (the room where they eat lunch) and we sat on the couches . We decided to pray, I prayed to know where God needed us to go. We finished the prayer and Elder Tate suggested the temple. Most wanted to got the flats. I suggested we go to the flats by way of the temple and see if there was someone there. As we sang for a family six motorcycles drove up. We walked over and asked if we could sing for them. They were a tough looking bunch. Tattoos, beards, Harley t-shirts, skull rings and bandanas. They looked pretty cool. We worked together to answer their questions. We sang two songs for them and then one of the elders and I started talking with Tom. He is a heavy weight lifting champion. He told us he had dated a Mormon once. He told us about the trials he had faced in his life and we started talking about the temple and the Book of Mormon. I was able to leave him with a  copy.
  

  ” All is Well”

• We sang as YPM’s outside the temple as it was lit up for the pageant and it was so spiritual. I really felt the love of God.
• He is sustaining me each day…. I love Him.

Elder MacDonald, Sis Smith, Elder Sykes, Sis Kelly, Sis Gardner, Elder Muncy

I have to go….

Sister Gardner

 

 

 

And in the fullness of Your Heart Exclaim Oh Fair Nauvoo

This week our director Elder Schultz declared the Week of Happy!
It was a week of happy, but it was also the week of, Sister Gardner gets a cold and a cough and a giant spider bite, but still tries to be positive and was really successful…..mostly.

The Promise – with Elder Tate

It is hard to believe how the time has flown here in Nauvoo.
We see miracles most everyday, some times the miracles are smaller, sometimes they are enormous.
It was different this week to have my companion doing the Anna Amanda show instead of Nauvoo singers, but Sister Welch is great. She was a technician missionary who served as a performer last year. She has been able to step in and fulfill some of the gaps left by the loss of our dear Sister Wadsworth.

Sister Hammond and Sister Greenwood – Youth of Zion

We had a rehearsal on Sunday where we put the new people into The Promise. It was a speed through and lots of funny things happened. It made me really appreciate the people around me.
I have been thinking a lot about The Promise this week. Trying to figure out how to tell the story more and as I have talked with my fellow actors we have made new discoveries that have helped to make the story more meaningful. I am so grateful for my Promise cast.
We added a sort of ending to The Promise this week. After we bow we come down on the front steps of the stage, take off our bonnets and put on our missionary tags. We then sing one more song for the audience. It has been so spiritual for me.
I loved having my family here again for a while. I was surpised to see my mom. Other missionaries also had their families here and it was so nice to talk with them and get to know them. Elder Sykes’ family was here and his little nieces were so sweet and I got to talk with them a lot.
We have added a few new songs to our Nauvoo singers group. I love singing to testify. I can teach through the words of the songs. So even though I am not really set apart to teach preach my gospel lessons, the music we make testifies of those principles.
I have loved being part of the Nauvoo and British pageants. They tell inspiring stories, and it is so unifying to be with all of the performing missionaries.

ONE VOICE
Sister Hammond rewrote some of the words so we could sing it.

This is the sound of one voice one spirit one voice the sound of one who makes a choice to follow God and in Him rejoice this is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of voices two. The sound of me singing with you helping each other to make it through To spread His light and proclaim the truth. This is the sound of voices two.
This is the sound of all of us. Singing with love and a will to trust. Leave our fears behind and press on we must with faith in Him who gave all for us this is the sound of all of us.
This is the sound of one voice.

We had a little pause this week during Nauvoo singers and we decided to have a devotional.
We talked about the atonement and then Elder Muncy posed the question of why Obedience is the first law of heaven . It started a great conversation. If we can choose to be obedient then everything else goes easier. We gain the desire to follow God and our Hearts are changed.

Saying goodbye to my brother before he left on his mission to Barcelona, Spain

I am so glad that the Lord has allowed me to serve here. I love seeing the people feeling the spirit from the music we sing. It is the most rewarding part.

All is wellllllll

Love, Sister Gardner

Elder Cottom, Elder Muncy, Elder Sykes, Sister Welch, Elder Larsen, Sister Hammond, Sister Gardner and Sister Greenwood

It’s a Pioneer Feeling in the Morning

https://youtu.be/BGrAjTAOQSgIf I have already titled an email this please excuse me… It is a pioneer feeling every morning.

This week everything has started to pick up. We have had sold out shows of The Promise every day, for both shows and crowds at Youth of Zion. It has been an adventurous week. On Monday it was stormy and we had to cancel Sunset by the Mississippi… The air had a tangible feeling to it. It was sticky… we went home because there was no show and suddenly a loud cry rang out across the sky. The TORNADO warning alarm. We all freaked out a bit but did our best to stay calm and we went down in the basement, in the closet. One of the sisters had visiting family and they had to come down there with us. Ha ha, the first time everyone came down to the basement to visit us. Sister Meikle was away at her other show.
We sang songs and it was actually a jolly time, the all clear alarm sounded and that night we still were able to rehearse outside.

The next day it was so hot they had to cancel the show again. Finally on Wednesday they could do it, but I could feel myself being drained. I was glad I made it through the show. I think I might sweat a lot compared to some people. Ha ha. But it is good. I just kind of have condensation “So this is what a glass of water feels like”   Ha Ha.

We also almost got rained out for pageant. The YPM’s went and sang for the people taking cover in the tents. WE were soaking soaking wet. It was so wonderful. Then we sang the Nauvoo song and as we came to the part that talks about the temple, we ran up the hill so that it was in our view a shining beacon. It was a really special moment.

I tried really hard to battle satan by being positive and I was glad when some of my humor started to come out. I felt more confident and we actually had some great moments of laughter. I have really come to love the song. “Along Came Jones” in the sunset show. It is a melodrama of sorts. I am the Boo sign and I make that part everything it can be. Haha

Also we had youth groups in to see the promise and they were an extremely interactive audience which made my part as the love interest in the triangle really funny, because they were all into it.
I love talking with them all after the shows.

Nauvoo is treating me well.
Pray for my voice and elder Dewitt who hurt his knee. I’m praying for you.
Shout out to my brother who is leaving on his mission soooooon! I love you all
-Sister Gardner

 

 

 

Old Fashioned Day in Nauvoo

 

The weeks fly so quickly here. I remember them flying by in Germany too, but really here I feel like I am always so shocked because it is Sunday again.
I am really getting excited for pageant. We got to do our first rehearsal with the family casts. It was a lot different to do the dances when there were little kids running around and probably about a hundred more people on stage.

Nauvoo Emergency Alert System

The Promise has been going well. I had a show this week where I felt like my voice was almost at full voice.. of course I feel again like I am still only at 75 percent, but it was a tender mercy to be reminded of what My voice can do…
I am pleased with the way the day goes. I feel most at peace when i am talking with people after a performance.

 

Dance Scene in The Promise

There have been some hard times this week. Satan is really good at making me feel small. I am always having to pray for strength and in so doing, I have started to communicate with my Heavenly Father more and more.
I was reading in the Book of Mormon about Alma the older when he is found by his old co worker Amulon outside of the main city. Amulon knew Alma when they were both priests to King Noah and he makes their lives very difficult. When the people pray he even puts guards to stop them from praying physically. But they continue on praying in their hearts. God helps them make it. They are able to endure and are then freed.
I was so excited this week when the elders who serve in one of the Nauvoo wards brought their investigator to our show! We got to sing for her and I felt so happy to be involved with her journey to God.

Sunset By the Mississippi – Grandma’s Feather Bed

I know that these notes are short. but I am learning and growing. I am being humbled all the time. And I see how God is teaching me all the while.

Love You!
–Sister Gardner

Feel Free to Shout Out

“Feel free to shout out “over and under as you run.” I wind the long tail of the massive maypole ribbon around my wrist and prepare to take off to start the weaving. the stage is at a slant and the enormous lines of fabric stretch out across the whole stage. I am helping to create the beautiful dance inspired by Preston, the place of my MTC.
It was a good week, besides running and polkaing down dangerously slopped stages, we had a wonderful week of performances.

Singing in the Visitors Center

 
It has been a focus for me this week to really recognize what does and does not bring and invite the spirit, and then change my behavior and attitude based on that. We are not perfect human beings, we make mistakes, but the important thing is how we handle the mistakes;  if we really truly try to improve from them and keep a growth mindset of learning.
This week we sang at the commemoration of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, both at the Community of Christ Church and at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They were both wonderful programs. It is interesting to think how the work of this prophet has influenced so many people. you look at Nauvoo and think that it is a lovely town and everything, but the saints had no idea how this faith would spread forth across the whole world. There is still much work to be done. My grandparents and aunt and uncle came to visit with their children. She shared with me that she really feels that Nauvoo is a place of healing for me.
I think that she is right. Each day of course has its own trials and difficulties, but over all, I am feeling like I am healing from being back from Germany. I am adjusting to the realization that my whole life, through the arts, I will be able to testify of my Savior. I will be able to invite people to come to Christ.
I am so grateful for the temple here. I love going inside, but also just the beacon of light it is up on the hill.

The Promise

Last night we had a pre- fourth of July celebration. The band played with the Nauvoo community band. They had a concert in front the of the temple. We went to watch and started talking with some families. Then we went down to the river where trail of hope ends and watched the fireworks being launched across the river in Montrose.
I love how the stories I tell in the promise become alive as I learn more about the history of this place, and the geography. It is truly splendid to see how my theatrical presentations fit in with the world I am living in. It is not just a story we are telling. it is truly what happened.

Nauvoo Singers – Youth of Zion

We have been working on a song to sing for Nauvoo Singers. It is I am a child of God set to the accompaniment of Blackbird. I love the song and the idea created through their juxtaposition. I will try to send a recording. I love how music speaks to the people here. I also loving singing ‘Whenever”: “I know that my heavenly Father loves me” outside as the birds sing and the wind is literally rushing by. Nature is god’s theater.

The Promise

I am filled with hope despite my insecurities of the future and my feelings of inadequacy I face daily.
As I turn to prayer and the Scriptures and most importantly to serving others, that is where I find my solace. That is where I find the strength to overcome everything I face.

All My Love,
Sister Gardner

 

There’s Something in This Place That is Different

With the clock ticking ever closer to the half hour, I don’t have much time to write. So I will start with the most lovely miracle in the form of a story.

Once upon a time after Sunset by the Mississippi someone came back stage and said “Sister Gardner, German!” So Sister Gardner sprints gleefully away to meet the next adventure. He was visiting on a road trip with the young man who’s family years ago had welcomed a German teen into their home for an exchange program. years later, the friendship is still strong and the American is now a returned missionary eager to see the sights with his German friend.
She convinced him to stay for Trail of Hope promising that Philip (That’s the German man’s name) and I could talk after the trail. She was worried she would not be able to find them, but to Sister Gardner’s Joy, she saw him and the American friend walking up from the River. She talked with them excited to speak in the language that she so loved. She invited them to stay for the evening prayer and devotional. it was lovely to watch as her fellow missionaries shared simple testimonies of God’s love and plan. Then to her excitement and amazement the group chose to sing a song uncommon to their nightly meetings, “A Child’s Prayer”.  To her joy Elder Muncy even went and got his guitar and Sister Zamora had her violin. “A Child’s Prayer” is the only song that Sister Gardner still knew every single word to in German. So as they played, she sang along standing next to Philip. She watched as he looked to the stars and wiped a tear away from under his glasses.
This eternal investigator who had been in a town in her mission felt the spirit again after a long time. She joyfully gifted him another copy of the Book of Mormon. He said that though he was scared to accept what he knew to be true, frightened to be different than his family and accepting all the teachings, he would really try and figure it out this time.
Even in Nauvoo, I am able  to meet and teach the investigators of my Sisters teaching and serving in Freiburg in my beloved Alpine German speaking Mission.

The Gospel is true, God is Good.
Bis Aufwiederhoren.

Sister Gardner

Nauvoo Singer singing Sweet Violets

Sunset by the Mississippi – Orange Blossom Special with Elder Larsen

“Along Came Jones” – Melodrama

Whenever I Feel the Rain on My Face

There is a big tree that grows out next to the road across from the Printing office. We call it “The Tree”. It is funny how we refer to it. It is a part of our life here. Part of serving and loving this place, of calling it home and driving and walking along those streets everyday.
The Tree now has more meaning to me as It was where I was able to spend some happy time with my family.
Because of the unique aspect of performance in this mission families are able to come visit and watch the shows. I sat under the tree on a bench after our afternoon show of Nauvoo singers with my brother. One of the Elders had let my brother borrow his guitar. He played the song we performed together a few years ago and then entertained us with his other song from Nacho Libre. I was laughing so hard. It was a good reminder of who I am and the happiness that is the plan of God. He intends us to find peace and love within our families. It is the second point of the first lesson in Preach my Gospel. “The Gospel Blesses Families”
I loved seeing how the messages we share through our performances touched my family and the multiplicity of visitors that come. Other people’s families.
There was some rain this week and we where all set up to do Trail of Hope. I was so worried we would not be able to finish it because of the oncoming storm. I prayed with all my heart that the rain would hold off so that my family would be able to go through the whole street and that everyone would get to hear our message. The storm stayed off in the distance, the clouds so dark and ominous around us but the rain stayed far enough away. I could see lighting streaking through the clouds. It was beautiful and another one of our Nauvoo miracles.
It was hard to say goodbye to my brother there under the tree the next day, but I know he will serve the people of Spain valiantly and bring many to the knowledge of the gospel. I loved seeing him on stage with me. I loved dancing with my little sisters and seeing my parents happy. It made me think about how I get to help so many families feel that way.
We were wondering where to find some people during Nauvoo Singers. There was no one by the tree and it was a bit of a slow day. We decided to pray and Elder Cottam felt like we should go to the brick yard, The day before we had also felt like we should go. Anyway, We stop and sing a bit on the way, but then we get there and there is no one there. unlike last time. We are wondering what to do, and then we see this mother and father and little girl. We start singing as they approach and then they came over to us. We sang primary songs with the little girl and she was so happy. As we continued to sing and play with her a huge crowd gathered. We finished off with a big audience. In the group I saw a girl wearing a name badge. I went up to her and and said “hello Sister” She did not have a companion around and then I realized she was with her family and coming home from her mission. She had served in Missouri. I was able to put my arms around her and tell her that it will be ok.
Even though finishing my mission was hard, I realize that I have a message of peace to offer to the other full time sisters serving here. Who will be leaving. I love having the perspective I do .
This week after the first Wednesday show of the promise, I was standing outside greeting our audience. This girl comes up to me in tears and hugs me. She explains that she is going through a similar problem as the character I play. He boyfriend is not a member of the church and she is trying to figure out what to do. I did not know exactly what to say except, I know God love you and has a plan for you and you can do what ever it is that He intends for you. But I think that was just what she needed to hear. She said that the show really touched her and taught her.
I love when we get to sing our arrangement of the Lord’s Prayer for those who are of other faiths. I like that they are included.
After Trial of Hope Friday night, I went down to the river and I talked with a girl who was crying. She was so lovely. We talked about how God shows He loves us by the way He paints the sky with storms or clouds or sunsets… and as she put it… On the days he is content. A clear blue sky. She said as we parted, until we meet again.
I know that even if I don’t have all the time in the world to talk to these people, or any of the people I have known in my life, there will be time in the eternities to be together. For such is God’s Plan of Happiness.

Another Nauvoo Miracle

This phrase started out sort of as a joke and has perpetuated itself a multiplicity of times. Whenever something goes right that probably should not have, the phrase “Another Nauvoo Miracle” pops out. From found granola bars to beautiful sunsets, costume malfunction repairs, and a whole myriad of escapades, Nauvoo has this way of making everything work out. It is a joke, but it is also true.

As you all know I have been struggling with my voice. On Sunday I fasted that it would get better and planned on starting a medication i had received to help it on Monday.
The next day we had the performance of The Promise. And For the first time since the day they cast the show, the high note I sing came out! I was actually able to sing the high note, it was clear and not as strong as It has been in the past, but I was able to do it. My voice has been improving since. I really believe it was a little miracle for me because of the faith and prayers and fasting… and now as it has been strengthening, the medicines of man that has helped me to work on this healing process.

I tried to make everyday this week a good day and I am glad to report that they were all good days.
I live for the times after a performance when I get to talk to the people. It is interesting. Three years ago, I would not have said that. I was not the biggest fan of talking to strangers. I love to see how my missions have helped me to progress in this area.
Sister Curtis, the director of the promise and the other shows was talking about how each show has something it testifies of. Anna Amanda: Self worth, Sunset by the Mississippi: JOY, Trail of Hope: Faith and The Promise: Jesus Christ. We don’t ever say that, but I think that is what comes across. I have loved helping to form The Promise with my own ideas. I have loved how Sister Curtis has listened to my perspectives with my character and how we have formed this show as a cast.
Something really wonderful happened Friday night at Trail of Hope.
As I was delivering my lines to the people who came down Parley Street. My mind was filled with images of my mission. People and places that I had not remembered or been able to think about. situations or lessons where brought to my remembrance. It was so beautiful. It was like finding an old journal entry. I was just filled with this enormous feeling of gratitude and joy for the service I was able to give.
I realized that since coming home from my mission I have often mourned the fact that it came to an end. I thought, oh, why would my Father in Heaven have me be finished if there was still more I wanted to give. As I stood out in the clover field after Trail of Hope, I saw thousands of fireflies. and I realized that it was not me that was giving, but rather my Father in Heaven who gave me the blessing to be there. He is the one who made it possible for me to have those memories. It is i who should have gratitude for that which he gave Me. The time and the year and the months in his service, was actually serving me. I knelt down and for the first time I really really thanked Him. For my mission in Austria. It put it in a good perspective. Nauvoo is healing me in ways I did not know I needed. I am so glad to be here and serving and singing and loving.
I invite all those who will come to Nauvoo or who study about its stories to do so with an open heart. This place changes lives.
I know that the gospel has been restored. I know that the temple ordinances are God’s gift to help us return to Him. I know that my God has a plan. And I am so grateful for that.
-Sister Gardner

 

Riverboats a Comin’ Up the Mississippi

Greeting from Nauvoo!
I have started calling people folks and I am afraid to say I have even thrown out a few “Ya’ll”s They are infiltrating my vocabulary!
This week has been so quick. I can hardly believe I am writing you again. I am always tired, but it is a wonderful feeling to be exhausted. My voice is still just taking it’s own sweet time getting better. That is really hard. But everyday I see how I am still able to bring the spirit and fulfill my duties and desires as a missionary despite my limitations.
I have had an amazing miracle this week of meeting someone almost every day who speaks German. Sister Greenwood had forgotten her tag, so I let her use mine and slapped on my German tag I had in my backpack. I was talking with a family after a performance. The kids were shy and it was not going as well as it usually does. Then the teenage daughter noticed my tag, She smiled and I was a little embarrassed because I had forgotten. Her mother comes over and she points it out to her and then her mom starts rattling off in German! She was German and also served her mission in Austria. She is from my mission. The Freiburg zone where I did not serve, but she knew all these places that I knew. We ended up talking for a good 20 minutes about her conversion and her mission and her children. All in German. It was a wonderful emotional experience. She was so glad to speak in German.
and I felt so glad that The Lord was letting me use my language in the middle of Nauvoo. I have run into people in other places too, but that was a big miracle for me.
I have loved seeing the youth groups that came in this week. It was nice to perform for a full house, and then at Sunset by the Mississippi there was a huge group from BYU I. I love doing The Promise and even though my voice is a struggle in Nauvoo singers, I love that too. Just walking around and singin for people. Or doing the little play by the tree called “Youth of Zion”
Today we will perform our first Sunday Concert. It is a new idea that I think is wonderful.

Amid feelings of Stress and inadequacy and sometimes wondering if I fit in over here. I find that the best solutions to “old man Satan’s” brew of trouble and negativity is to serve. When I look outside myself, I am always rewarded with someone to love and inspire.
I love when we get to sing at the visitors center next to the Christus statue. I feel privileged to be able to share my testimony of Christ.
I know he is our courageous older brother, and the bringer and supplier of peace… In deed he is the Prince of Peace.
Till next week

All My love! -Sister Gardner