Sister Janet Howard

Sunday, July 24, 2011

They warned us that the crowds were coming

Well, They warned us that the crowds were coming - be ready! Yep they are here!

It is humid here so everything grows weeds and flowers! I am really enjoying all that comes with this mission, even my growth, I can say that NOW. We have had some really incredible experiences happen here. The saints that gave so much to the early church, are not forgotten and we feel them often, they were good strong humans.

At this time the L.D.S. Church has 52,000 missionaries out, in the world and we are all paying our own way.
Here in Nauvoo there are about 500 missionaries, performers, musicians, Temple helpers and helpers that keep everything going, here now.

One man said “How does this all work? About 90 % of everyone here are volunteers and pay their own way how does the church get people to do that?! I don't understand.

The answer was *** How do we explain this to someone --- The pioneers (saints) didn’t go through all of this persecution because they liked Joseph Smith! If that was the case the church would have died with Joseph and Hiram Smith (the Mobs thought the church would die - the mobs were Satan driven - most mobs are).

We told him, The man, This church is CHRIST'S church, our prophets are chosen and guided by Christ just as in Abraham's day. God loves us in the 2000’s as much as Adam's children. When you read the Bible and read the Book of Mormon you get the whole picture of what Christ wants for this world. Now that you have intellectually read these books - Now Ask GOD if this is all true and asks for his spirit to tell YOU! IF it is TRUE. We believe in personal revelation, this means you can get an answer for yourself and don't have to believe me. Once you have felt the Holy Ghost tell you, you are willing to give all you can and that is why our church has so much. Yes we pay tithing but it goes to build temples and churches we meet in - and lots of it goes to humanitarian help all over the world. Our clergy and even our Tabernacle choir are all volunteers so our $ is used to help the world (the Red Cross will tell you we are there before they are!).

There are 5 main shows to see and vignettes too; I have tried to get to all of the vignettes I had time for. I went to one yesterday (Joseph Smith giving the King Follett funeral Discourse) the actors are superb and it was wonderful about 20 min. This talk was given at a funeral of Joseph's friend and He told of the spirit world and all of wonders and love that are there, how this world is for us to grow and serve God and each other. I have a copy of the whole discourse Joseph gave in 1842. There is so much more than this earth! I also went to Joseph's and Emma’s letters to each other vignette --- loved it!

Well enough for now, I will tell you some of the experiences when I see you. (9 1/2 mo. here and 9 1/2 mo. left)
I am soooo glad I'm here,

LOVE, Grandma/Sister Janet Howard

Friday, June 24, 2011

Yes, I'm still alive!

Yes, I'm still alive!  It is almost July and almost Billy's birthday !

The shows are in full glory and we do 2 a night . We have a lot of people here and when I am at sites, we are giving tours as fast as we can, alternating with another sister, actually we are giving tours at the same time, Wow It is so rewarding! Each group is different, I am told to say the story of the site but to be guided by the spirit what else I feel to say to that group. I have had some real experiences and some wonderful discussions. It is the youth I feel so impressed with and I have had parents say "they are so glad they came to my site". You know I feel so happy about the gospel and all that it gives us including inner joy, that I wish I could help others to feel this glow inside. The knowledge that I ,and all of you are children of God and he really loves us, is so filled with hope!

I come home each day exhausted so I take a quick nap and then go to put on a show. I bought a new CD yesterday (Mormon tab. = THIS IS THE CHRIST ) I love it, I fall asleep to it at night .
My Rellicinda skit is doing good ,they love it . It is a tongue twister and I have to keep my mind focused. I'll try to send a photo.

I bought a bike last week for $10.00 (used) It's so fun to ride. I am so looking forward to having the girls out here next month.

I'm kind of the happy one around here, They say I'm always smiling, I guess I am. I'm glad to be here. I miss all of you, especially the kids. I hope you all liked the pioneer hats I made you. did they fit ?

The essays I sent you,You better read them !!! ( pre-existence, intelligences, and who are you ) there is alot of knowledge in it, things you need to know. The next one is about done ( The Purpose Of Life and Why are we Here? )    You are going to get a new subject every month, this is hard for me to find time but I am so willing to do it .

We have fire flies!!! They are soooo fun to watch it looks like fairies all over the place.

   Well good night for now.
LOVE , S/MOM

Saturday, May 28, 2011

May 28, 2011

Hi,

We did our dress rehearsal tonight for the SUN SET SHOW- it was raining some but we did it anyway. It is an outside show, fun and cute, I did my solo (Rendacilla) this is funny I am BY MY SELF!!! And I memorized a story about Cinderella but it is all mixed up - yes I memorized it, WOW. It is cute and of course I made a funny costume for it. I get lots of laughs. Yes I will do it for you at home - but only if you beg ha ha .

Well it is so green here. The other night I went for a walk about 10 pm. It was windy and cool and dark with the moonlight, I think it was the most beautiful walk I have ever had. There were fire flies, and fields of grass, the moon and it was by the horses, over a bridge and on a dirt road, I just wanted to stay there, and Oh yes there was some water going under the bridge making wonderful noises. When the girls come here they will get to go on a hand cart trail for 1 mi. ,if they want and that is where I was.

All of our outlines have been re written so I have to kind of learn them a new. It is nice living around really great people, we are asked to do a lot, but it is wonderful to see how willing they all are and we are all in the same boat so we are all rowing together!!!

It is hard to get to all of you and the young women too and my ward family writes too, I feel guilty if I don't write, I really can't.

I am making pioneer caps for the boys in the family, everyone wears them here and they look great.

I have 12 months left in my mission. I'm Happy,

LOVE, GRANDMA

Monday, May 2, 2011

Pictures

Janet sent some pictures of her mission. It's fun to see where she lives, her outfits that she wears and the sisters that she serves with. We are so proud of her and thankful for her good example.

Janet's House

Janet got to come home for a few days in February to help Jannette with the baby

Riding the train home in February 2011

Bee Catcher

Saturday, April 16, 2011

I Love it here!

Hi I am going to write a new e-mail to you all. I haven't sent one for a long time.

Today I was assigned the prep. morning thought - it was on resurrection, judgment and immortality and I studied all week (that is whenever I had a chance) I learned sooo much on the subjects. Did you know the Earth is to go through a judgment, resurrection and it will be immortal and be exalted too?

I also (hang on to your hat) played the violin for prep meeting (who knew!). I played “O MY FATHER" I am so proud of myself I haven't played for others for 20 years. I bought a violin a few weeks ago. It is my goal to play the Lord’s Prayer before I go Home.

I don't think I told you we got to go to the St. Lewis TEMPLE a few weeks ago I loved it. I went to an OMISH town last week and bought food - they had grains and sprouts, nuts etc., really cute place.

I love it here and I love my NEW companion (as compared to my LAST!!!! YIKES!) My new one is older but so funny what a personality! Thank you heaven! My last one still loves to annoy me - if she was the last human on earth I would go to the other side - she would follow , she has to annoy someone and I've been told - I'm her main target.

The weather is beautiful and the Geese are coming back (babies soon). I love the horses here, they pull the tour wagons. Well enough for now.

Love, Sister Janet Howard.

I get to talk to visitors every day --you know I love that.

Friday, February 4, 2011

I think I'm coming home for a few days

Today is our big celebration for the exodus of Nauvoo. I have a part. No time to talk about that!

I think I'm coming home for a few days to help Jannette. I have to talk to the mission president this morning. I will come by train, tomorrow, it takes 1 1/2 days and stops in Salt Lake.

Thats all for now

Today is Dean's Birthday

Love Janet