Life is Good!

 

Hello!

This week was a fun, fast week! Monday I did the usual cleaning and organizing. I'm almost done with the Mechanic shop. I actually headed to the Welding shop and did some cleaning over there. It's mostly organized, just needs cleaning. 

Tuesday was a SNOW DAY for me! Haha! It started snowing on Monday. Elder Burns is one of the snowplow drivers, so he left very early (like 4:00 a.m.) to start plowing. I didn't even hear him leave, which is very unusual because I usually hear everything! He called me at 7:00 - the time we're supposed to be at work - and I was still asleep. He informed me that he was plowing, that some of the plows had broken down and that they were way behind in the plowing and he'd come get me when he could. I was up and ready pretty quick, but then he never came and picked me up so I had a snow day at home. I shoveled the walks and actually accomplished quite a bit. 

Wednesday I helped Elder Burns fix snow plows and also take apart the ox cart. The axles are being shipped out for repairs. I also was given a tour of the greenhouses on the FM Complex. I've looked in the windows but had never gone inside of them. They have quite the operation. They grow all of the plants - flowers, vegetables, herbs, etc., that are used at the Historic Sites. It was fun to look at and amazing to see all that they do. I took lots of pictures. They'll be posted on the blog. After work, we had a meeting with Jordan, our FM boss. As of right now, I'm still in the Mechanics shop but that might change. Time will tell.

I almost forgot, we also have a new Elder who is working in the shop! Elder Law is a mechanic and a great addition! He is definitely needed! He and Sister Law, along with another couple that just arrived, the Munoa's, live in our complex. I look forward to getting to know them better. 

Thursday and Friday were more of the same! I swept the entire shop and did some more organizing., I forgot to take the before shots but the after was great! It is so nice to see it clean and organized. It might be a mechanic shop (I was told by someone that it's a mechanic shop and it's supposed to be dirty) but it's also a building dedicated to the work of the Lord. I'm blessed to be a part of "beautifying" it. 

Friday we pushed the ox cart axles over to be crated. It gave me a small inkling into what our ancestors went through. A very small inkling. It was cold and at one point, it became stuck in the few inches of snow that I had to take it through. It was a struggle to get it going again. I thought of my ancestors as they left Nauvoo. I still don't know how they did it, except that their faith in their Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, was stronger than any trials they faced. This week is the anniversary of the start of the Nauvoo Exodus. There is usually a large reenactment but that won't happen this year.  Here's a link to an interesting article about the exodus.  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1997/06/the-pioneer-trek-nauvoo-to-winter-quarters?lang=eng

This Friday is a special fireside on the forced departure of the early pioneers, known as the Nauvoo Exodus, by an expert in the field. I'm so excited to watch it and learn more about this time in my ancestors life. If you'd like to watch -  Registration is online at: http://bit.ly/2021UNS

A few months ago, many of the missionaries helped make 52 adult bibs for the rest homes nearby. We finally made it to Carthage to deliver them and they were so appreciative of them. 

I've been asked to assemble a book of healthy, easy recipes for the YSMs. If anyone knows of an easy app or program that I can use to assemble it, I'd love the info! I've asked the Senior Sisters to submit recipes. I'm excited to see all of the recipes that I get from them. 

We hit single digits this week.  I'm not a fan of that but I'm remembering how hot the summer gets and trying to enjoy it. I'm thankful for the extended fall we had here. 

I'm thankful to be here in Nauvoo serving a mission with my husband. I'm thankful for the many opportunities and the growth that I am seeing in myself. I know I still have a lot of improvement to do but know that line upon line, I am learning.

--

Sister Burns

Elder Doug and Sister Jill Burns

975 Young Street

Nauvoo, IL 62354

Some of the adult bibs we made and delivered 

to rest homes in Carthage and Hamilton.

Elder Burns working on the plows.

Moving and putting things away in the welding shop.

A project for the teamsters that he fixed.

The ox wagon before we disassembled it. 

During the "reenactment" from last week, the oxen had a mind of their own 

and went into some trees and tore the cover 

(which was already weak from sun rot) and broke some stays. 

It'll look really nice after it's refurbished.

Positioning the wagon after the wheels were removed.

 Getting ready to "trek" over to the warehouse to ready the axles for shipping.

My Snow Day! 😂

Pictures from the greenhouses. 

These are starts from the plants that will be planted this year here in Nauvoo. 

The starts will be planted in Summer 2022.

I forgot to take a before picture, 

but if you can visualize a small winding path,

then you can visualize the before. 

The big, beautiful moon setting over the Sarah Granger Kimball home.

This picture does not do it justice. 

What a Blessed Week

                                                      After the reenactment. It was cold! 

Jan. 24, 2021

Now I'm all caught up! 

Hello all!

This was quite the exciting week! First off, on Monday, one of the YSMs was returning home so Elder Burns and I were asked to take her to the airport in St. Louis so we had a nice drive to the airport and a really nice visit with this sweet missionary. After she was on her way at the airport, we did a Costco run! Call me crazy, but it was so fun to be in Costco again! 

Tuesday was Elder Burns' first day back after quarantine and he was ready to go!  He did admit that after sitting around for so long, he was pretty sore after his first day - he did a lot of physical work. He also went with another Elder serving here and they played racquetball on Thursday. It was his first time since surgery and he's paying for it. He's pretty sore, but he had fun!

Several of the missionaries have ukuleles and are learning to play them. I decided that that sounded fun so my ukulele arrived this week and I'm having a lot of fun learning to play it. My fingers aren't happy but they'll adapt. I've also started knitting. I have a lot to learn but need to keep my mind active! We also bought an exercise bike. The saying is that in the Nauvoo Mission, you'll put on the "Nauvoo 30" - 30 pounds. We were climbing the ladder to that amount and don't want that so we now ride the bike everyday and I'm loving it!

Wednesday, we had a nice Zoom visit with the church's head of FM. He just wanted to get to know us better and see if we had any concerns. He asked what departments we were serving in and when I told him I'm in the Auto Mechanic shop, his facial expression was priceless! He was totally surprised that I was serving there. I told him I was too! Haha

Thursday night, we always have a missionary training with President Rizley. This is done over Zoom for right now, until we can meet in person again. We are studying the characteristics of Christ. They are amazing meetings and we look forward to them each week. We will be so glad when we can meet in person again but are also  so thankful for Zoom. Zoom also allows us to "attend" our home ward in Ivins, which allows us to also participate in Relief Society/ Priesthood and Sunday School meetings. 

Friday we were asked to help in a reenactment of the Nauvoo Exodus. We donned our pioneer clothing and walked to the Mississippi. It was cold - around 20 degrees and I definitely didn't layer up enough. I  know what we did was just a small token of what our ancestors did. I am so thankful that they were strong enough to stay faithful during the times of trial. I can't imagine the suffering and heartache that they went through, yet they remained true to the faith. For that, I am forever grateful! This reenactment was recorded and will be broadcast. When I receive info on that, I will pass it on.

Saturday is our Prep day and I crashed! Haha

Today, Sunday, was a special day in that we were able to attend our meetings from home, prepared dinner for a YSM district and had a zoom call with our family! I love them so much and it's great when we can all get together!

The church is true! Jesus is our Savior. He loves and knows each one of us. He carries our pains and afflictions. I know that He has been there for me so many times. I love Him and am so thankful that I can serve in this small corner of His kingdom. I know that if we trust in Him and strive to become like Him, we will be blessed and strengthened. 

I love you all!

-- 

Sister Burns

Elder Doug and Sister Jill Burns

975 Young Street

Nauvoo, IL 62354

                                                    Sister Didier on her way home. 

                                                     I'll sure miss this sweet sister!

The snowstorm we drove in coming back from St. Louis.  

Of course, Elder Burns thought it was nothing. 

The wagon train, between takes. I walked alongside one of the horses  - they are huge! 

Also, they are beautiful! Below is our Oreo oxen. My grandson thinks they are pretty awesome! I do too.

A beautiful sunrise. It wasn't one of the amazing colorful sunrises, 

but it was a simple reminder that the sun does rise each morning 

and we are given another chance to improve our lives and draw closer to our Savior.

I never tire of seeing this beautiful temple! Today, with the flag flying in the breeze, was a special reminder that we have a loving Savior who is in control and knows all that is happening. As I put my faith and trust in Him, all will be well.

Back to Work

Do you spy the eagles?

Note - this was last week's letter - that I failed, again, to send. I'm blaming it on Covid brain! 

Jan. 17, 2021

Hello! 

Exciting news! Elder Burns and I are free from quarantine jail! I was freed on January 6 and he was freed on Saturday, Jan 16. I find it interesting that I'm the one that had Covid and I had a shorter quarantine than Elder Burns did, who never had any symptoms of it. Anyway, we are both happy to be out and about again. I am still struggling with being tired a lot and hear that is common with Covid. I have started on some supplements that should help me get over that! Other than tiredness, I am feeling great!

I started back to work this week and feel like I accomplished quite a bit! I'll share pictures. I do have to admit that there was a day that I was feeling "why me", about working in the Auto Mechanic shop. Some background - the Senior Sister missionaries had made aprons for the YSMs and were also gathering other gifts for them for Christmas. Elder Burns and I had made a keepsake for them (little vials filled with dirt from Nauvoo so they'll always have a piece of Nauvoo with them!) and I took it up to Conservation to add them to the gift bags. I was visiting with the senior missionaries who work in Conservation and it was so fun to visit with them. That is where I visualized myself being when I received my call to Nauvoo. So, back to my "why me" feeling. I prayed to feel peace, again, about where I was serving. Satan is real folks and discouragement is one of his biggest tools! Later that day, I was checking out Facebook. A friend from years ago, that I hadn't heard from in ages, requested that we be friends. She posted a poem that was an answer to my prayers - isn't it amazing how Heavenly Father is aware of us and sends answers to us, quite often through other people. Here is the poem -

An answer to prayer and I was humbled. Honestly, I do enjoy my time in the shop and I get to listen to some amazing books. Deseret Bookshelf is full of great books to listen to. I learn so much from them.

I love you guys! Thank you so much for the love and support that you send our way!

--

Sister Burns

Elder Doug and Sister Jill Burns

975 Young Street

Nauvoo, IL 62354

Elder Burns working on filling the vials with Nauvoo dirt and the finished product! I think they turned out pretty amazing!

The before 👆and

the after 👇

If you look close, you can see the eagles in the tree.

The before and after. One more of the projects I've accomplished.

Christmas, Covid and Carthage

The Nauvoo Pageant Stage with the always

 beautiful Nauvoo Temple in the background.

 I must have Covid brain! I wrote this letter last week and forgot to send it. Oops!

Jan. 10, 2021

Hello friends and family,

It's been a few weeks since I've written. I hope that you all had an amazing Christmas and that your New Year has been great so far!

Our Christmas was wonderful! Thanks to Marco Polo and Zoom, we were able to watch a lot of our children and grandchildren celebrate their Christmas day. We were also able to participate in our family Christmas party! Family is what it's all about and I couldn't ask for a better family! I sure love them!

Our mission was hit with Covid but we have been very blessed. I had to go to Carthage for a test. Because I had felt some pressure on my chest, the doctor made me get an EKG. Everything was fine. Doug was going stir crazy from being in quarantine so we took the "scenic" route home.  We found the grave of my 4th great-grandmother, Anna Pixley Johnson.

She is the wife of Joel Hills Johnson.  The two of them had amazing faith and joined the church in the early days. He also wrote the words to "High on the Mountain Top" and "The Glorious Gospel Light has Shone".  When the Saints  moved to Nauvoo, they moved to Ramus (now Webster) that was not far from Nauvoo. They were friends of the prophet, Joseph Smith and have left an amazing legacy. 

During quarantine, we watched a lot of different "Come Follow Me" video podcasts (is that the word I'm looking for?) We have decided that we really like "Unshaken" and Our Turtle House "follow Him" with John Bytheway and Hank Smith, and Doctrine and Covenants Central. I love these and learn so much from them. Elder Burns and I are so excited to study the D&C this year and learn more about the people that lived here in Nauvoo and the events that lead to the beginnings of the restoration of the Gospel. 

Elder Burns wrote a little update that I will include here: 

Jill and I are doing well..... sort of. COVID has been going around our mission since Christmas Eve. Jill came down with symptoms and tested positive. I have had no symptoms. Many of the missionaries here have tested positive. Only one was hospitalized. She is home now and gave her testimony during our zoom testimony meeting. Our whole mission is in a “quarantine/isolation” status. We will remain this way for another week. 

Jill just had a slight cough and more tired than usual. I am getting tired of not being able to go out the front door. I need to exercise. It has snowed here and one of my responsibilities is to plow the snow. I’m not allowed to do that yet so the parking lots are still full of snow. 3-4 inches. 

Jill and I are FM missionaries. We are assigned to the auto mechanics and welding shops, heavy equipment operator, fix what is broken or damaged and create the new items that are needed. 

I have created “period” gate latches for the picket fence around some of the sites here. I have built the metal attachments for the oxen yokes, redesigned and built the clean out for the forge at the blacksmiths shop, built signs for the addresses on some of the new sites, put new wear plates on our snow plows, and many odd jobs. It keeps me busy, especially since I am the only welder here. 

One of the benefits of Covid is Zoom. It makes it possible to keep up with our family at home as well as our ward/Stake family. 

We do try to attend the 10th ward meetings when we can.

We also have a new granddaughter that we were able to see in person as we were coming here to Nauvoo. We were only at their home one day, so it was hard to leave her. Video call has made it less difficult but Jill still yearns to hold her. 

Take care,

Jill and I miss you all

It looks like mountains in the background but it's a huge cloud! 

An hour later and it looked like this  This picture doesn't do it justice. 

This cloud was huge and the most interesting cloud formation I've ever seen! 

Before long, the whole sky was covered by it. 

Fondue is a Christmas day tradition at our home. 

Our makeshift fondue pot! It worked! 

The nutcracker and other ornaments our children 

and grandchildren made for us. ️

The little footprint belongs to Zara, our newest granddaughter. 

She's 3 months old. I miss her like crazy!

These are the new ornaments and other misc. that we bought/received this Christmas 

(except for Waldo - the bowling pin - I'm not sure what he's doing in this picture!)

This nativity is made from rope and was displayed in the Family Living Center.