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.