Burns in Nauvoo: It's the most wonderful time of the year!

December 13, 2020

This week flew by! I can't believe that we have already been here for two months. This was Sister Allen's last week serving with me. She and Elder Allen leave on Wednesday to start their return trip home. We will also lose another great couple this week, Elder and Sister Stapley. Like I've said earlier, and I'll probably say again - saying "Good-bye" is one of the hardest parts of the mission.

Elder Burns and I have been busy and we love it that way! As I mentioned in an earlier letter, we were called to be the chairmen of the Outreach Program for the missionaries in the Nauvoo Historic Sites Mission. We have been busy doing a food drive and helping with Bright Angel helper, which is like the Angel Trees we have in Utah. We have a great group of missionaries who are making our part easy!

We have also been asked to organize musical/entertainment numbers with the YSMs (Young Sister Missionaries). It has been so much fun to work with them, even if it's mostly been over text and voicemail because they are busy! They are so willing to help though and I am looking forward to seeing it all come together.

I am also doing the 12 Days of Christmas for two of the YSMs that I have been assigned to watch and minister to. It's been a blast pulling that all together and I'm excited for the next 12 days!

We had some beautiful weather this week so Elder Burns and I took advantage and took one last bike ride before the winter sets in. I love being outdoors (when it's not freezing cold!) so it was a real treat!

Each week, we are fortunate to have a missionary training with our President. He is an inspired man and we look forward to these meetings. The last four weeks we have studied faith and I have learned so much. I'm learning that I have a lot still to learn but I am grateful for the faith that I have in my Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. I have peace knowing that they love me and that they are always there for me. I know that there are times that my Savior has carried my burdens through the hard times in life. I have felt that burden lifted many times and I can't deny that I know He lives and is there for us. I also know that He makes up the difference when we do all that we can. I love my Savior and I love this time of year when we put extra emphasis on His birth and life. He is my light, my strength and my hope.

Two reminders:

1) #LightTheWorld by visiting lighttheworld.org

2) See Nauvoo in all her Christmas glory by taking a virtual live tour of the historic sites! They all are decked out in Christmas decor and are beautiful to see.

Visit nauvoohistoricsites.org/live to schedule your tour. Small and large groups can participate. I had the idea today that it would be a fun evening with your family to tour the Scovil Bakery and then make Gingerbread cookies together after the tour. If you can't find the recipe online, let me know and I'll get it for you! They are so good - you'll thank me later!

I pray that we will all find peace and happiness during this Christmas Season and into the new year!

I love you!

Sister Jill Burns

P.O Box 215

975 Young Street

Nauvoo, IL 62354

burnsinnauvoo.blogspot.com

We need to learn how to take better selflies! 😂 This was a beautiful day for December! We took our last bike ride and then put the bikes into storage for the winter. This was taken on the walk home. It's always a great walk when we can see the temple!

We are in and out of these doors multiple times a day! I can actually say now that I'm excited to walk through these doors and see what I can accomplish during the day!