Week FIVE

Below is Sister Ashby's email this week.  [Included are a few amendments for clarification.]

This week has been good! I uploaded tons of pictures and videos to my Google Drive.  This week we got to perform for Brad Wilcox, so that was cool!

I did the solo for "Grandma's Feather Bed", too, and just had to alter the top belt note a little.  [This is a solo for the musical number in "Sunset by the Mississippi" that she has been waiting to do until her voice heals.]

This week has been quite entertaining! So the wasps seem to be gone but now there is lots of tripping. In the opening scene [of "The Promise"], Sister Smith face planted it on stage and it was the funniest thing EVER. IT WAS SO HARD TO STAY IN CHARACTER! Sister McCurdy has been tripping lots, as well. I haven't had any moments, yet, which is surprising but good! Elder Hernandez fell down the stairs while passing the sacrament and the gluten-free Rice Chex went flying. [We are assuming that it really was funny and that no one got hurt. ;P ] 

It was so great to see Family this week!  [Aunt Heidi, Uncle Mike, and Baby J visited Nauvoo last Wednesday as they were in Chicago for a family wedding.  Heidi was able to see Sister Ashby in most of the performances, visit with her a tiny bit (because they only have 2 minutes before they have to run off to another show), take some pics and video and then report back to her worried Mama that ALL IS WELL.]

Aunt Heidi, Uncle Mike, and Baby J

The Trail of Hope has been amazing! We had almost 700 people on Wednesday and my voice was killing me by the end. [Aunt Heidi was there that evening. She can attest to the numbers. Sister Curtis reported to Heidi the next morning that they had 672 people the night before that came down the Trail of Hope. The YPMs had to do their monologues 27 times to accommodate all the visitors coming through.  They had a couple of youth groups visit Nauvoo this last week for Youth Conference.]

Walking to the Trail of Hope

YPMs singing before Trail of Hope begins.
(Look at that crowd!!)

 It's getting a bit hotter here and the dresses are ovens but they are still fun!

"Sunset By the Mississippi"

Friday morning, I had the opportunity to go sing at Carthage. The morning was very, very wet and we had a fun drive there.  As we got to Carthage, we were able to sing for many of the youth groups in attendance. Afterward, we were talking to one of the senior missionaries and her husband. She proceeded to tell us about the day Joseph [Smith] was martyred. It was in June, a rainy, rainy morning that then turned very humid later that day. That stayed in my thoughts all day as the day became hotter and humid. It is always such a special time there.

Time is flying by so fast! I cannot believe it is already June. I am so excited for you to come to Nauvoo!

LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH AND MISS YOU!

Addendum (by Sister Ashby's mama):

With no intention of singling Sister Ashby out among the amazing young missionaries she serves with, I share this story:

Today, after church, this darling senior couple chased us down the hall and introduced themselves. President and Sister Stoddart.  (We had never personally met before.)  He was just called to serve as the Branch President to one of the two branches in our own stake. They proceeded to tell us that they had just visited Nauvoo this last week with their daughter's family and had met this performing missionary named Sister Ashby.  In visiting with her, they discovered that she, too, was from South Jordan. They tried to discover some SoJo ties, but didn't find any and the time.  They enjoyed talking with her and were very impressed with her.  During the next couple of days, they kept seeing her all over Nauvoo performing with her various casts and she continued to impress upon them even more.  They felt a connection with her.  Later this week, after their return, they were talking to President Harris (who is a counselor in the branch presidency and is from our ward) about their visit to Nauvoo. They mentioned meeting this amazing Sister Ashby who was a young performance missionary there. President Harris then said, "Well, you know she's in our stake, right.  In fact, she is in my ward!"  They could hardly contain themselves.  President and Sister Stoddart, after finding out that our ward block was just ending, ran over to our church building after their meeting was over to hunt us down. They just wanted us to know how impressed they were with Sister Ashby, her talent, and her Spirit.  She had touched them dearly during their short visit to Nauvoo.  They and their extended family had felt her testimony, her light, and her goodness.

These beautiful young performing missionaries serving in Nauvoo all have the ability to touch lives in ways they'll never know.  While they interact with visitors, their testimonies of the gospel shine through and they impress upon people young and old, member and non-member alike, the spirit of that special place.  Impressions that make a difference. Impressions that change people's lives.  Impressions that last! To the amazing group of missionaries who have been called to serve this summer in Nauvoo...Thank you!

A MONTH IN NAUVOO!? What!?!

This week has been a good one.  Let me tell you! The Clements never fail to make the most delicious lunches. Yesterday, my Nauvoo Singers group was as we say #BLESSED! We were passing by Pioneer Pastimes (a little game and activity area near the cultural hall for families) on our way to the "singing tree". We were singing for them on our way and they gave us PIZZA! We then made our way to the "singing tree" where these nice people bought us Joseph Smith Red Brick Store Rootbeer!  Then, on the way back, we got Scovil Bakery Cookies (the old fashioned gingerbread cookies given as part of the tour for the Scovil Bakery in Old Nauvoo).

Nauvoo Singers walk the streets of Nauvoo (called "The Flats")

pulling a wagon with their water in it.  They stop to perform

for visitors along the way, "The Singing Tree"

being one of those spots. (lo res)

That day, I also got asked by an old lady if I had a baby in the wagon I was pulling. I eyed my missionary tag and then back at her really confused.  She asked again if I had a baby. I said, "Nooooo, but I have root-bear and water.  That IS almost as a good as a baby, right?" I WAS SO CONFUSED.

Anyway, I also had the amazing experience of getting to visit Carthage for the first time since being here in Nauvoo. The spirit was just overwhelming there. We stepped into the Carthage jail and walked up the stairs to the very room where I had decided [a couple of years before when visiting my grandparents who were serving a mission in Nauvoo] I was to audition for this mission.  I, of course, already had teary eyes beforehand, but the spirit in that room and also the room where Joseph was killed was overpowering. After the tour, we stepped outside and sang for some families.  We were all in tears after that.

The Trail of Hope has been one of my other favorite experiences. On the first night of Trail of Hope, we had 500 people attend! It isn't fun being under "The Spider Tree"... but the big moon that fills the sky, with breathtaking sunsets by the Mississippi waters, fireflies, and the Nauvoo temple in our view makes up for it.

Walking back after the "Trail of Hope"

To Dad:  Sister Isaacson and Sister Adams LOVE THE BEACHBODY WATER BOTTLES. There are some other sisters who are quite jealous, but the other two say thank you so much.

We also have had an interesting experience with the infestation of wasps in the west theater at the visitors center. "The Promise" was quite entertaining to act through when we had swarms of wasps landing on us and making beds in the fake flowers on our bonnets.

("The Promise" Bonnets)

I had a very spiritual experience this week. For the month I have been here, my sleep schedule has been rough. After a couple days of being here, I would wake up every morning at 2:15 AM.  I was so confused as to why this was happening. I wasn't homesick or anything; I adapt to new places easily and I have never had trouble sleeping before. I tried taking melatonin and everything but nothing was working. After about a week and a half of this, I was mentioning how much sleep I was lacking due to this issue. When one of the sisters (Sister Bills) told me of this really cool talk she heard from some of the general authorities about revelation and different ways Heavenly Father talks to us. She said, "Sister Ashby, it could be Heavenly Father trying to tell you something, giving you revelation for your questions." So, that night, I told myself I would wake up and try to study. Knowing me, of course, I went back to sleep. This went on for another two weeks and then I was waking up at 4:32am every morning. This week, on Thursday night, I laid my scriptures by my bed with a journal and a pen and prayed. I asked Heavenly Father that if He was really trying to tell me something, I was ready to hear it and seek for His answers. That night, I woke up twice, once at 2:15am and the second at 4:32am. Of course, I fell back asleep from the new medication I was on for my legs**. I was becoming frustrated with myself.  Why wasn't I able to just simply stay awake and study? Finally, Friday night, I went through the same process but prayed for strength to be able to wake up and earnestly seek for these answers.  And, if I was really having issues sleeping, then I asked for a blessing to be able to sleep. That morning, I woke up at 2:15am.  I was wide awake and grabbed my Bible and journal and headed for the lounge area outside my bedroom. I prayed for guidance and then began to study.  After 25 minutes, I wasn't finding anything...nothing that applied to what I was going through at all.  I was about ready to give up when I heard the prompting, "Get your Book of Mormon". I shrugged it off thinking, "No, I dont want to wake up my companion," and studied for another 5 minutes before the same prompting came again. "Get your Book of Mormon".  I did.  And after a bit of studying, I was guided to scriptures I needed. It was an amazing experience I will never forget. When sister Bills first told me of this I almost didn't believe it. I thought, "No, that's one of those cool things that only happens to the President of the Church or cool Book of Mormon prophets. But, as I tried to seek the spirit and His guidance, I was blessed.

I am so grateful to be here Nauvoo serving. I have met so many amazing people and have so many new friends. That is all I have for now! Love and miss you all!

**Sister Ashby had been battling a nasty rash on her leg from an allergic reaction to the adhesive spray they were using for her shin splint wraps.  We thought it was only on one leg, but apparently it is now on both legs.  She came off stage after a performance this past week to see her legs turning purple (where the rash is).  She was taken to the local doctor.  She was diagnosed with bad case of Dermatitis and was given Benadryl and a steroid shot.  She was prescribed steroids for the next two weeks and lots of unscented lotion slathered on the legs.  She is on the mend and in very good hands.  All is well. She appreciates all the prayers on her behalf.

Week THREE

The Full Cast of YPMs

Sunset by the Mississippi

This week has definitely been an eventful one here in Nauvoo!  This weekend, we opened all of our shows!  Our opening for "The Promise" was a full house...a large youth group and very exciting! You never can know what reactions you will get with youth audiences.  It keeps us on our toes for sure.

(WARNING: SPOILER ALERTS AHEAD)

The ending scene in "The Promise", when William comes back to Nauvoo from England to find Julia now being courted by Chance, to then end up with Rachel (aka me) was intense. Many funny things were being shouted and it was HARD to stay in character.

Since, we are on the topic of "The Promise", here is another funny story about that. The very, very last scene, when we are being forced to leave Nauvoo after the news of Joseph Smith in Carthage, is supposed to be a very serious and spiritual scene. One day, during a dress rehearsal with an audience, Elder Egan (who plays William) and I were on stage sitting down with our "luggage". Elder Egan opened the chest and inside were only two things: a paper filled with tic-tac-toe games and some cheese & peanut butter crackers. I was fighting SO HARD to not bust into laughter, when Elder Egan looked at me with the most serious face and said his line, "Do think this is all we will need?" .....I LOST IT!!!

Sister Ashby plays Rachel in "The Promise"

The Promise

So far our shows are going quite well. I had a really cool experience with one of our other shows "Just Plain Anna Amanda". My voice has been completely gone and I was really struggling with the song I had to sing, and it was also only the second time I had ever heard it. I also play the Hostess at who introduces the whole show at the beginning and starts the puppet pre-show. There was a small audience and we were supposed to start in a few minutes. I had only seen the script for the pre-show once and was about to perform for that for an audience. With my part, being a page long, I said a quick prayer and was able to ALMOST perfectly recite every line. I have a strong testimony of the work we are doing here in Nauvoo. I know that nothing we have done and will be doing would be possible without the Lord's hand.

"Just Plain Anna Amanda"
Sister Ashby (mother) & Sister Bills (Anna Amanda)

Good news! My shin splints are healed up! Bad news... I had an allergic reaction on my right leg to the adhesive spray used to wrap my legs and now I look like a leper. I call it the "leper leg".

I also got the solo for "Grandma's Feather Bed" in our Sunset show...so that's fun!

I have loved meeting all the different people here in Nauvoo! We met this really cool old guy named Larry who was writing a book about the history of how the church started. He is not a member but allowed us to sing for him. We took a picture and then asked us if we were like nuns. It was a question I have never had to answer before so I'm glad I had Sister Bills to help out with that one.

I will hopefully have more pictures to send in next week! I have not had much time to take any! The "Pre-Promise Naps" have started already and we have only done four shows.  It will be a long summer, but I am so excited to be here.

That is all for now! Peace out!

Week TWO

Hello friends and family!!!

I am doing amazingly well here in the beautiful place of Nauvoo... other than my already trashed voice and shin splints in BOTH legs!  Everyone here is so amazing and I have the best companion!  (Sister Hoagland)

Sister Ashby and Sister Hoagland

We learned 19 different songs in the first two days of being here and sang 11-13 hours a day.  The missionary home I'm living in is the cutest.  It's called the Hatch House and is definitely accustomed for the 14 performing sister missionaries living in it...thankfully!

This past week we have been learning all of our blocking, dances, music, and lines for our different shows. "The Promise" is my favorite one that we do. We have learned over 12 dances (boy are they tough) and still have a few more to learn. Our first choreographer Mic (the once was one of Michael Jackson dancers) was very intense but fun. He left last week.  Now we are working with the other two choreographers, both previous YPMs.

We also had the wonderful opportunity to sing for the President of the Church,  President Russell M. Nelson, and his amazing wife, Wendy. They stayed and spoke to us for an hour, it was amazing. Elder Schultz said it's like getting the dessert before dinner.

Now, this next week we will be running shows over and over until we are able to do them in our sleep. We already have an audience of 180 youth coming for our dress rehearsal of "The Promise" this Friday.  No pressure, right?

The NEW COSTUMES we have this summer are BEAUTIFUL! Our SEAMSTRESSES have done some AMAZING WORK.

It's so weird to think that I have been here for 16 days! Sometimes, it feels like I have been here for two years with all the work we have done. Then again, sometimes it feels like I have been here for two because all the days mesh together.

I am so excited for you to come and see the INSANE DANCES WE DO!  My clogging number is over before it starts.  They have some clogging in there for the actual cloggers. I just stand on the side and clap. My goal is to be able to do it by the end of the summer.

I got cast in the Trail of Hope. I will play the role of Eliza Clayton Margetts.

I am feeling tons better! I received a blessing last night from some of the elders so that really helped. My voice is making its way back and my shin splints are quickly healing!  I am so glad that my sister, Dakota, is doing so well.  That makes me really happy.

For fun, I thought I would include some of the hilarious quotes and moments from these past two weeks:

     "WOW, I feel moist" - Sister Isaacson

     (In the van on our way to Walmart listening to missionary approved music when

     "The Chronicles of Narnia" comes on) " I LOVE THE CROCK KNUCKLES OF NARNIA!" - 

     Sister  Ashby

     "THANKS A LOT, SATAN!" - Sister Ashby

     "Can't we just endure to the middle and then go play?" - Elder Schultz

     "Sister Adams, makeup is off today... YOU'RE NEXT, SISTER ASHBY!" - Elder Dickson

Miss you all!

Week ONE

Happy Mother's Day!  There is not much of an email to share today because we spent most of the time talking on the PHONE!!!

This was a sweet surprise sent via fb on Mother's Day.

Mother's Day phone call
(Sister Ashby receiving news that her little sister, Dakota,
was still in the hospital after her brain surgery.)

Notes from our phone call:

Apparently, they had quite the turbulence on one of the flights.  Sister Ashby sent hilarious footage of them on the plane trying to contain their screams.  (It's too long to post here.)

She loves Nauvoo and says it AMAZING.  She loves her companion and everyone else, too.  They are having a lot of fun, but are working very, very hard.

All the stage sisters live in one house.  It's so fun and they all get along very well.

Choreo is crazy!  Everyone is sooooo talented.  She can't believe the caliber of people she is surrounded by in Nauvoo.

She has really bad shin splints in her right leg and has lost her voice.  She ices her legs down every night and throughout rehearsals. This has made her parents really worried.  She has a lot of people praying for her to heal quickly. 

She will play the part of Rachel in "The Promise" and the Mom in "Just Plain Anna Amanda".  Others parts will be assigned as they go.

She apparently under-packed and needs more dresses. (Really?)  She also wants a CD with mission approved music for their car rides to Walmart, essential oils, her ukulele, and chocolate.

She sent various photos of their first few days.

May the 4th Be With YOU!

Today, we sent Sister Ashby off at the airport.  It was just me and the two other girls because Daddy took Dakota to the hospital early this morning for her brain surgery.  Ya!  This "May the 4th" is one for the record.  It's been absolutely crazy trying to get a missionary ready AND preparing another child for major surgery.  Both are in good hands.  We trust in the Lord in all things.

UPDATE:  Dakota's brain surgery went well. However, complications with swelling in the brain caused an extended stay (12 days) at Primary Children's Medical Center while she received intensive rehabilitation services.  Follow her story on my IG@keylimerz and/or Facebook accounts. She is back at home and will continue to be monitored closely and evaluated for further rehab needs.  We thank all of you who fasted and prayed for our family and continue to do so.  We couldn't do this without you.  All is well!!!

Saying goodbye to Dakota as they both embark
on different journeys today.

Sister Ashby - It's Official!!!

Brooklyn was set apart tonight as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as she prepares to leave tomorrow morning for Nauvoo.  And, just like that, she's a full-time missionary.

Sister Ashby - Nauvoo, Illinois Mission