Burns in Nauvoo: Grateful!

This week was so wonderful - except for the cold! It

made it back into the 20's, was very windy and I didn't like it at all!

Monday after work, I was able to help distribute bikes to the YSMs. I love anytime that I get to spend with them, even if it is just a few minutes. They were like kids on Christmas morning, they were so excited to get their bikes for the summer! These YSMs brighten up my day anytime I see them and they have made Facebook so much brighter! Their testimonies fill my page and I love it!

Sister Koop and I were cleaning up the Browning Gun gardens in the backyard and as I came to the front of the house, I saw a small family peeking in the windows of the Tin Shop and then come across the street and were looking in the windows of Browning Gun. I told them that I really wish we could be open so that they could go inside. They said they wished it also. Visiting with them, they had driven down from the Chicago area to see Nauvoo. As we visited more with them, we found that the mom was from Denmark and has only been in the states for about 4 years. An interesting thing that she told us is that they have prams for their babies and that the babies nap in them, outside, everyday. She said that during the winter they put lambs wool under them, warm blankets on top and warm mittens on their hands. She said if they go to a Cafe, then the baby stays in the pram outside the Cafe window. I found it very interesting.

This weekend was wonderful! I hope you all had a great Easter and enjoyed General Conference. Saturday morning, the couples from the condos and a few others, joined together for breakfast. We each brought our favorite Conference breakfast and shared with each other. We also said goodbye to the Steele's, another couple heading home.

Earlier this week, while Sister Koop and I were working, she wondered if anyone was providing lunch for the YSMs on Easter Sunday. She sent a text to Sister Rizley asking if anyone was doing it and what she could do to help. Long story short, Sister Koop and I, along with the help of many of the Senior Sisters, provided lunch for the YSMs between Conference Sessions. What a great bunch of YSMs we have here in Nauvoo! I love the joy and happiness that radiate from them. You can't help but be happy when they are around! I also felt like I was paying it forward for all of the Senior Sisters that helped my children while they were on their missions. It's a great feeling!

Most important of all - I have a new granddaughter! She is beautiful and perfect! I told my daughter that I really want to hold and cuddle the baby and she reminded me that sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven. I know that is true! I love my family and miss them a lot but I wouldn't trade this mission for anything!

One more thing, this week our Aunt Brigitte died. We will miss her but I know that she is having a great reunion with her husband, parents and others that have gone on before. She had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. She was an example of His love as she loved unconditionally. I remember being at her home and my daughter, who was a toddler, grabbed a breakable statue and took off with it. By the time I caught up to her, she had dropped and broke it. Aunt Brigitte was right there to let me know it was OK. She taught me a great lesson that day - she told me that my daughter was the most important, that the statue wouldn't go with her when she died but that family will. I've always remembered that.

I know that my Redeemer Lives! I am forever grateful for His sacrifice for me. I'm grateful that through Him, I can repent daily and work hard to become a better daughter of God. I'm grateful that through Him, I can be with my family after this life is over. Life does not end with death! I'm grateful!

Love to all of you!

Sister Burns

Elder Doug and Sister Jill Burns

975 Young Street

Nauvoo, IL 62354

burnsinnauvoo.blogspot.com