Transition, Change, and a Little "Drama".

Goodness how the time flies here in old Nauvoo!  January is over, which is a good thing because it puts us closer to spring and a few more visitors.  Things at the sites have been slow as far as number of visitors, but we have been busy with other things getting ready for the busy spring and summer "onslaught".
Darcy and I were called to be the Site Leaders of the Family Living Center a month ago.  There is so much to do to prepare for the coming months.  Rugs and runners have to be made on the looms.  There is always a shawl on the loom for one of the sisters.  We have to have 3,000 ropes made by April 1 for the summer tourists.  We are at 1950 made and in good shape, but 25 have to be made daily.  We serve there 2 days per week.

As for transition, we said a sad goodbye to President and Sister Ludwig on January 15th.  They have been so good to work with, and have been so loving and supportive in everything we do.  We said "Hello" to our new leaders, President and Sister Gilliland.  They are so "down to earth" and have fit in immediately.  They have also made some changes.  The biggest is that we don't have a morning "Prep Meeting" with our groups.  We have been divided into 3 "Prep Groups" and have met at 8:30 am every day except Sunday for a prayer, spiritual thought, and announcements.  That ended today.  We now have just one meeting each Tuesday with the whole mission.  It is for training.  The other days we are to do the more traditional missionary schedule, and that is individual and companion study times.  President Gilliland wants us to study more and also get some exercise in the mornings.  We are happy about that.  We also have discontinued Sunday School after Sacrament meeting and replaced it with Priesthood meeting and Relief Society.  Good moves.

The Drama???  Well, we have been in charge of the "Sociable" (program) which proceeds the Exodus Reenactment.  Our "show" was on Sunday the 29th.  The actual reenactment takes place this Saturday the 4th of Feb.  Our theme for the show was "Hearts of the Fathers, Faces Toward Zion".  We had me (Elder McBride) play the part of my Great Great Grandfather George McBride.  I was the narrator.  Then we had 20 or so missionaries tell the stories of their ancestors in first person.  It was so great to have them play the part of their ancestors.  Many of the stories were amazing; some humorous, but most spiritual and moving.  The music was songs written by Pioneers, ie. Clayton, Phelps, Eliza Snow, and Jacques. We asked people to play the parts of the authors. We put the name of the ancestor they were playing up on the big screen as they told their story.  It was very professional looking.
The performance went GREAT!!!!!  It was so spiritual and well done.  All of the participants did better than they did at the 4 rehearsals we had.  The whole night was SO gratifying.  We truly were blessed.  On to February!  Love to you all.