Sister Ripplinger's Letter, Nauvoo Pageant, July 9, 2013

My dear friends and family,

The Nauvoo Pageant begins TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All of the sisters and I are really, really excited and Nauvoo is buzzing with excitement. It is amazing to think about how much happens to prepare for Pageant. The members of the Church prepare for it all year and then it happens ONE month. It is obviously really important because the Lord puts so much effort into it. The other night, we were driving home with the windows rolled down and I could see the cast on the stage across the field, with bright lights shining on them. I could see them through the grove of trees and their bodies were illuminated in the light. As I looked at them, I felt the Spirit overcome me and I it looked like hundreds of angels were around the stage and the cast members were glowing like angels as they performed.  The Lord has many wise purposes for the Nauvoo Pageant and I am so looking forward to seeing the miracles that are ahead. This is the work of salvation and it is moving forward.

This week, I have just been so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be in Nauvoo, the City of Joseph. We drive past the beautiful Nauvoo Temple every day and we are in the midst of a House of the Lord all day long. There are so many opportunities to testify of Christ here and so many opportunities to teach the Gospel and help people recognize the Spirit for the first time. There are literally hundreds of missionaries in a few square miles, all working to build the Kingdom of God. There are sooooo many blessings and I am eternally grateful for them.

Next week, we get three new sisters in our mission and we are so excited to have them coming!

A lot of special experiences happened this week, but I probably shouldn't write about them in my email. But I will testify that miracles happen. Significant miracles. Someone that has been dealing with severe stomach pain for the last month, was given a Priesthood blessing that promised they would be healed, and this morning, I got a note from that person that said their stomach didn't hurt anymore. Another miracle is that a family is coming to Nauvoo from California that I have been praying for since I left and they get to watch Pageant. The Spirit is strong on Pageant grounds and I know that more miracles will happen. My testimony is growing stronger every day. I have been striving to make the very most of my study time and I can feel more power. I'm trying to teach Sister Newell and I dive into our companion studies and the time flies by, but we cover a lot of material and are taught by the Spirit. I just love being a missionary! We are off to the temple this morning! I love NAUVOO!!!!!!!

Love,
Sister Heather Ripplinger