Burns in Nauvoo: I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world!

This has been a wonderful week! I spent a good share of it outside and I needed that! There is something about being out in nature that just fills my soul and rejuvenates my spirit. One morning, as we arrived at work, I heard the birds singing and the sky was so blue that I couldn't help but sing:

"Whenever I hear the song of a bird or look at the blue, blue sky.

Whenever I feel the rain on my face or the wind as it rushes by.

Whenever I touch a velvet rose or walk by a lilac tree,

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heav'nly Father created for me".

I hope you all sang that as you read the words!

As I spent time this week gathering sticks and branches (I lost track of how many trailer loads we gathered!) off of the Historic sites here in Nauvoo, not only did I love being out in this beautiful nature, but I loved the thought that I was cleaning the land that my ancestors worked so hard to make livable. This ground was "mucky stuff" when the Saints arrived in Nauvoo. They had to dig ditches to let the water run off. Some of those ditches are still visible today. It amazes me still that I am serving here where my ancestors lived and walked.

Having spent most of the winter indoors working in the shop, my body was shocked by the exercise it was getting, gathering and carrying sticks and branches and it let me know the next day - ouch - sore muscles! It felt so good though! I also bought a mini-trampoline and I'm loving working out on it.

One of the special experiences that I had this week was walking down Parley Street and clearing the ground as I walked. For those who haven't been to Nauvoo, the Trail of Hope is down Parley Street. This is a Memorial to the pioneers as they were leaving the city. They lined Parley Street, waiting for their turn to cross the Mississippi. As you walk down the street, there are plaques with quotes of those who lived here. I'll go down again and take pictures. My hands were full of sticks as I was walking it. My heart was humbled as I thought again of the sacrifices they made so that I can have the gospel in my life today. It's always a spiritual experience walking the Trail of Hope.

At Christmas, we were given a picture that says, "We are Guardians of Sacred Grounds" then has a quote by Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr that says, "It's a blessing having you there preserving sacred space." It is truly a blessing for us to serve here in these sacred spaces.

This week I also attended, via Zoom, Relief Society in Ivins and here in Nauvoo. We also had a great "Zoom" call with all of our children and most of the Grandkids. I LOVE technology that allows us to do that.

I also, with Elder Burns help, finished cleaning and organizing the last corner in the Auto Mechanic shop! I'll be serving mostly in the gardens/grounds department now but will still serve in the shop as needed.

We were also invited a couple of times to go on walks this week. It was wonderful to get better acquainted with Elder and Sister Law, as we walked around the lake here in Nauvoo and then we walked with Elder and Sister Chestnut down on the flats. I love the missionaries here and I love that Covid restrictions are loosening up a little bit so we can do things like this again!

This past month, the missionaries here gathered items for the rest home in Carthage. Elder Burns and I delivered those items this week. They were very appreciative of our service. I love being able to serve on the Community Outreach Committee.

The amazing and wonderful Sister Dixon is helping me with the cookbook. I was at a loss as to how to format it since all I have here is my little tablet. I tried several different ways and nothing was working. She has a great program and experience using it, so she's adding in all of the recipes and it looks wonderful so far! I'm excited for it and I'm so, so grateful for her help!

This week has been so full of great things and I'm so grateful to serve here. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that he was called to restore His gospel to the earth. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are aware of each one of us, that they know our names and our desires and needs. I know that, as I strive to be my best (some days are better than others!) I am blessed. There are still struggles and hard times, but I am comforted and know that with His help and the guidance of the Holy Ghost, I can make it through them and be better because of it.

Thank you for your love and prayers! We love you!

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