Grateful and Thankful

 

This has been a week of gratitude, thanksgiving and heartbreak.

First off, we said goodbye to our Webb Sisters, Sister Austad and Sister Sorenson. In case you're wondering why the "Webb Sisters", let me explain. When the Saints were forced to leave Nauvoo, the Webb Brothers - they owned the wainwright and blacksmith shop on Parley Street - were asked to be the last to leave. They were asked to stay and build wagons until the end. Sister Austad and Sorenson were the last of the YSMs to leave, hence the nickname, the Webb Sisters. With them gone, we have no more YSMs here and they are missed.

Wednesday, we had our Thanksgiving dinner with the mission and the FM employees and their families. Sister Wood was in charge and she did an amazing job. We, the Conservation sisters, went over to Pageant Headquarters on Tuesday where we set and decorated the tables. It was an enjoyable few hours. Wednesday after work, we all gathered for dinner, complete with all the trimmings. Nauvoo has been pretty slow but things picked up Wednesday so several of the missionaries stayed and gave tours instead of  coming to dinner. They had no regrets and loved serving those that came into town.  At the dinner, someone had made gluten-free stuffing and gravy and even a pumpkin pie so I was able to have some. That was really sweet and thoughtful of them! After lunch we had choir practice, then we gathered together at the VC and watched White Christmas on the big screen. 

That night we found out that one of the missionaries that we served with had had a stroke and died. We are all heartbroken. Elder Bingham was an amazing missionary and friend and he will be missed. We are so thankful that we were able to serve with him and his amazing wife, Jolene. I remember the day they left the mission. Doug decided that he wanted to give them a picture of the Nauvoo Temple that he had drawn so we stopped by their home on the way to work and gave it to them. There were tears shed and goodbyes were said. We talked of seeing each other at a mission reunion when we return. It's still unreal to think that he is gone now. Our reunion will wait until we are together on the other side of the veil.

The mission gathered for games, karaoke, line dancing, etc. on Thanksgiving day. We made it for games but missed the rest. Doug had a pretty bad headache so he slept most the day.  We made our own Thanksgiving dinner complete with almost everything - I forgot the sweet potatoes - bought them and then forgot to prepare them. Oh well. Haha. The best part of the dinner - the leftovers!!! The best part of the day - watching our children's Marco Polos of their day's celebrations. It warmed our hearts also on Saturday when most of them gathered together for activities. They were all together except for Austin and he had to work.  I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love my family and I love Marco Polo!!!

This week we also decorated the rest of the historic sites, the VC and President & Sister Rizley's home. I have loved, loved, loved being able to help decorate and bring a little Christmas cheer to these historic homes and sites. I love thinking of what it must have been like to have lived or worked in those places. I wonder often if my ancestors walked in those places.

I love this time of year! I love that we can more fully concentrate on and be thankful for all the blessings we have! As we move into the Christmas season I am thankful for the added emphasis on our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my Redeemer and I know that He lives! 

--

We tried recreating the American Gothic painting.

Haha! I'm glad we took one of us smiling!

The site President's home. We had all but a few

strands of lights working when the whole tree

went out so we had to take all the old strands 

off and replace them with new ones. 

The large tree in the VC

It's rare that we have all 8 of us together. Many of

the sisters serve in the sites one day a week.

Back: Sisters Burns, Wood, Peterson, Brown

Front: Sister Virgin, Levesque, Law and Heward

After decorating for the Thanksgiving Feast

These cute pumpkins are made from toilet paper rolls.

Someone was pretty creative! Haha

Everyone enjoying their Thanksgiving feast!

This week was also Sisters Wood and Dalton's birthday.

We celebrated in style in Conservation. Party hats 

and all! We even had pizza!

Farewell Webb Sisters! You are missed! We circled around

them and sent them off with a Hoorah for Israel shout and

a teary rendition of God Be With You.  

My Basket of Blessings

November 21, 2021

Today, in Sacrament Meeting, Sister Brown gave a talk on - you guessed it - GRATITUDE! She spoke on having a "Basket of Blessings" and mentioned many items that are in her basket. Today, I'd like to tell you some of the blessings that are in my basket. 

1) I am blessed to have an amazing mission companion, who is also my eternal companion, who loves me and serves me, our family and the Lord willingly and lovingly. He's not perfect, but he's perfect for me! We've definitely had our ups and downs as we've journeyed these last 38+ years together but I'm so blessed that we stuck it out! Looking back, our roller coaster ride of life together has been wonderful!

2) I am blessed with 9 amazing children, 5 that I gave birth to and 4 that joined our family through marriage. They are all mine and I couldn't be happier! They are doing a great job raising our 11 grandchildren in the Gospel, they are all really good people, who would help anyone in need. They love each other, support each other and I love them! I'm blessed that they are mine forever! They are very supportive of us serving our mission and for that, we are blessed!  We are blessed that most of those children have been able to come visit us while we have been serving here in Nauvoo.

3) I am blessed that, like Nephi, I was born of goodly parents who taught me the Gospel and set a wonderful example of faith in our Savior, of hard work and also having fun together. One quick story - when my brother was on his mission, my Dad was diagnosed with cancer but was able to have it all removed which was a miracle in itself. The tumor was the size of a basketball and hadn't ruptured. The doctor was amazed and didn't know how that could be. A few years later, my other brother was on his mission and my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a total mastectomy. At this same time, I had an ectopic pregnancy. My mom asked me to come to her home so that my Aunt could help us both in our recovery. While I was there, my grandma, dad and I were in the living room. My grandma made the comment that she wasn't going to allow any more grandchildren to go on missions because something bad always happened. My dad, without missing a beat, replied,  (and I still remember it even though it's been over 34 years) "We have been blessed because my children have served missions! I'm alive because of them serving and so is Myrna (my mom)!" I know the blessings that come from serving.

4) I am blessed to be able to serve a mission here in Nauvoo. This is my dream mission! We first came to Nauvoo 26 years ago and I felt the spirit so strongly. We have returned so many times that I've lost count. I've been drawn to this beautiful city for a long time. I'm blessed that I've been able to help keep Nauvoo beautiful, whether that's planting flowers or cleaning the mechanic shop, homes or historic sites. I'm blessed to be surrounded everyday by amazing Elders and Sisters that I get to serve with!

5) I am blessed to have ancestors that lived here in Nauvoo. I was so excited the day that my dad told me that we have many ancestors that lived in Nauvoo. I love those ancestors and love learning about them! This week, we were decorating the Cultural Hall for Christmas. Several of us stood on the balcony, overlooking the ballroom on the third floor. We were talking of Joseph and Emma and what it would have been like to see them dancing there. The spirit bore witness to me that my ancestors also danced on that floor. I closed my eyes for a short time and visualized that. Oh what happy times that must have been for them! 

6) I am blessed to have made many friends here on my mission, that will be eternal friends! Several of those will be going home next month. That will be really hard but I've been blessed to serve with them and there will always be reunions!

7) I am blessed to have served in many different capacities while serving here in Nauvoo. Each assignment that I've had has brought growth, challenges, new friendships, and brought me closer to who my Savior wants me to be. 

8) I am blessed to have been able to serve with so many YSMs and YPMs. They added so much joy to our mission. Our last YSMs (aka the Webb Sisters) leave this week. They have been a blessing to the mission and will be missed, as are all of the young missionaries!

9) I have been blessed to serve here with President and Sister Rizley as our leaders. They are both spiritual giants and I've loved being trained and taught by them. Sister Rizley is a great friend to all and I've learned so much from her! From organizing activities, making aprons, doing yard work together, to even a bike ride together, I have enjoyed every second spent with her. They leave the first part of January and they will be missed! I love them both so much! 

10) I am blessed to know that my Savior and Heavenly Father know me and love me! I am blessed to have been raised in The Church of  Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am blessed that I continue to have experiences that strengthen my testimony and bring me closer to them. They are always there for me - just a prayer away!

I could go on with so many more blessings. As you can see, my  "Basket of Blessings" is overflowing and for that, I am truly blessed!

I challenge each of you to take time this week of Thanksgiving and count the blessings that are in your "Basket of Blessings."  Each of you are counted in my basket! You have each blessed our lives in great ways. We love you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elder Burns is singing "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy" 

with Elders Mills, King and Rasmussen 

at tonights devotional. They sound amazing.

This is the view of the Cultural Hall dance floor

that Joseph and Emma would have danced on.

The Christmas tree in the Family Living Center.

                                      Sister Virgin, Wood, Burns and Law in the Cultural Hall.

I think this tree is one of the most popular trees in 

Nauvoo right now. It's by Sara Granger Kimball's home.

The Family Living Center decorated for Christmas.

Lyon Drug with Sister Heyward, Law, Peterson, me and Wood.

That's one skinny tree!

I love this nutcracker in Lyon Drug.

Doug trying to fix our car on a cold morning.

Sister Wood and I trying to get two pillows out of this little bag. 

They were in there pretty tight. Haha! We did finally succeed! 

The Conservation Sisters (minus 3 of us) on the Cultural  Hall stage.

The 70's Hall 

Sister Wood, myself and Sister Brown upstairs 

at Browning Gun.

Setting up the tree at the Carthage Visitors Center. 

The lights on the pre-lit tree were all burned out so 

we spent hours taking the old lights off. 

I didn't get a picture of the completed tree. 

The Conservation Sisters with Sister Wessman and Sister Jensen.

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I know, it's before Thanksgiving but we had snow Friday, we started decorating the historic sites for Christmas this week and it was really a lot of fun!  We were able to finish five sites on Friday and will work on the rest during this week. It was really special to help with that and to imagine what Christmas must have been like for those who lived here during the 1840s. I took a few moments in John Taylor's home to feel the spirit that is there and to think about his family and the many sacrifices that they made by being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the early days of the church. I'm so grateful for their faithfulness and testimony that carried them through the hard times, as well as the good times.

Decorating the sites put me in the Christmas spirit and we decorated our place on Saturday. I usually don't decorate until the day after Thanksgiving, but this year is different. I'm totally enjoying the trees we have up. One is just ornaments that we have received/purchased since we have been here in Nauvoo. As I placed each ornament on the tree and remembered the missionaries that gave us that ornament, I was filled with a special feeling and remembrance of the love that I have for them. Most of them have returned home and I will forever love them! Many of the ornaments were sent to us from our children and grandchildren last year (homemade nutcracker ornaments) and we treasure each one of them - the kids and the ornaments! Family, friends and the Gospel is what life is all about!

A few weeks ago, a senior couple lost their son-in-law to Covid. A few days later, another couple lost their brother-in-law to complications from a car accident. This week, a friend of mine (a former Sunshine Generation student that has kept in touch with me) was killed in a car accident as she and her family were traveling to St. George for a rodeo. As I've thought of these losses, I've felt so blessed for the testimony and knowledge that I have that families can be together forever. Death is not the end!  I still miss my parents everyday. There are so many times that I want to call them and tell them what's happening, get their opinion on something or just talk. I don't know how those who don't have the knowledge of eternal families get through the loss of a loved one. I remember, as a junior high school student, going to the funeral for a fellow student. It was held in a different religion from mine and I was seated behind her parents. I remember the Preacher saying that Amy is no more, she's now just dust, as he would hold up the urn holding her remains. Her parents would wail in sorrow and loss. I remember wanting to tell them that there is hope, that they can see Amy again, that she still lives! 

I love this quote from Joseph Smith - "How consoling to the mourners when they are called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that, although the earthly tabernacle is laid down and dissolved, they shall rise again to dwell in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer, or die any more, but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ." It brings great peace to me to know that we will be together again with our loved ones! I'll be able to unite again with my parents and grandparents and meet all of my ancestors that walked these streets of Nauvoo. I look forward to meeting them and thanking them for all they did, so that I can have the gospel in my life today.

I am so grateful for my Savior, who through Him, all things are possible. I'm grateful to be serving here in Nauvoo. I'm grateful for you! You make a difference in my life!

Love and blessings to all!

Picture taken from the Post Office window,

 looking toward Browning Gun. I guess I should have

removed the fly from the windowsill first. Ooops!

John Taylor home after we decorated for Christmas.

This one didn't turn out as well as I hoped it would

but it's still pretty. Taken from a window at Browning Gun.

 

Building Zion, One Ah Ha Moment at a Time

 This was an amazing week with so many ah ha moments given to me, that have strengthened my testimony of this gospel, of the scriptures and of a Heavenly Father who loves us. It also humbled me.

Let me give a little background. Here in the mission, we have missionaries that are called to be either FM, Site, Family History or Teamster missionaries. It's been a "tradition" that when a Site missionary leaves, the Site missionaries have a farewell dinner or something similar that only Site missionaries attend.  The same happens for FM or Teamsters. This last week, we had two couples leave - a Family History (Land and Records) and a Site. Normally, that would mean two different farewell parties, but this time, Pres. Rizley asked that they be combined and that all missionaries be invited. We didn't go because we felt like the Site missionaries really didn't want us there (from comments that I had heard) and because this was "their time". Another thing is that the Site missionaries have had their own Come Follow Me study group, which was recently made available for everyone. We didn't go for a while because we felt, again, like we were invading on Site Missionary time. Since I humbled myself, (and I learned that I wouldn't have to teach it) we started going and we love it and we are learning so much! 

 This week in training, it was on creating Zion. A scripture was read from 4 Nephi 1:15-17 that tells what a Zion community looks like - 

15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

Doesn't that sound wonderful! I look forward to the day when we have that again, when Christ personally reigns here on this earth! 

Verse 17 really hit me and I had a huge ah ha moment! Where it reads, "nor any manner of -ites", the spirit bore witness to me that I need to see the mission that way also. I need to see the mission as President Rizley always says - "A missionary is a missionary is a missionary". I thought of that scripture this way, "Nor any manner of -ites, no Site-ites, no Teamster-ites, no FM-ites, no Family History-ites". We are all here, serving as missionaries, to build up Zion here in Nauvoo! We are all here serving the Lord for the same reason, just in different capacities and one is no more important than the other. We are all needed. Whether serving a mission or serving in a Ward, this is true!

I am so thankful for that moment because it humbled me and I needed that! I was being stubborn, a bit rebellious and I was missing out on great opportunities and experiences. I've since repented and I'm so grateful for my Savior's sacrifice that makes that possible. That was Tuesday night. Wednesday night, we were in the temple participating in sealings with two other couples from the mission, E/S Heward and E/S King. The spirit was strong in the room as we sealed each other's family members together, giving them the opportunity to be together forever as family. As I looked around the room at these other missionaries that I love dearly, the thought came to me that we each represent a different aspect of the mission. There was a site, teamster and FM couple there but we were there, united in temple service for our ancestors and it was glorious! There were no manner of -ites in the temple that night! Also, I was able to be a witness for the first time and that was a humbling, sacred experience for me.

Saturday, we were able to go to Adam-Ondi-Ahman again. This is such sacred ground and we felt blessed, and again, humbled, to walk there again. Some of my ancestors lived there before they were driven out and eventually ended up here in Nauvoo. I found out where Benjamin Johnson, my uncle, lived but was not able to go there because it was too muddy. There is a place there called "Preacher Rock". It overlooks a valley that is a natural amphitheater. Doug was asked to stand on Preacher Rock and sing as we all stood in the valley below. He sang "The Spirit of God" and we could hear him perfectly. It was another special moment where, again, the spirit bore witness to me. I wonder if Joseph Smith stood on that rock and preached to the Saints when they lived there. I wouldn't be surprised if he did. 

Another miracle happened this week! In 2005, when we participated for the first time in the Nauvoo Pageant, I saw a picture hanging in the Carthage Jail Visitor Center that I fell in love with. It is a painting of "The Standard of Truth". I have searched for a print of this ever since then and even took pictures of the print. Well, this week I was able to obtain a copy of that picture and I am so excited! Prayers are answered - sometimes it takes a good long while but I have my picture!!! Oh happy day!!!

One last thing - I was able to help the temple gardeners plant tulip bulbs this week! It was so fun to be outside again! I love Conservation and those that I serve with, but I love a nice day outside! Tomorrow is supposed to hit 70, then it's back to the 40's. 

I am so eternally grateful for the blessings that have come into our lives from serving a mission. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows me and loves me and knows how to humble me. He knows my personality and teaches me so that I can understand His desires for me. 

I pray that you will each be able to identify things that are holding you back from living the life that Heavenly Father intends for you to live. I pray that you, too, will have your ah ha moments to help you identify those things.

May we all be grateful for our many blessings!

A gorgeous fall day in Nauvoo! 

The colors are definitely richer in person.

The board from Sister Rizley's training.

I love this quote from George Q. Cannon. Today (11-7-21) the 

Pocatello, Idaho temple was dedicated. Having been born and 

raised there, this is an exciting day.

Standing behind Preacher Rock with the valley in the background.

Doug singing on Preacher Rock and I'm down in the valley. 

 He's to the left of the big tree in the center of the picture. 

We heard him perfectly.

Those who went with us gathered around Preacher Rock. There was no manner of -ites with us here!

The Lord Needs Valiant Servants

October 31, 2021

It's definitely fall around here! The temperatures are getting colder and the leaves are changing color and falling from the trees. I'm not a fan of the cold nor of the shorter hours of daylight. I really struggle to get up when it's still dark out and since we start work at 7:00, that means getting up when it's still dark. That being said, I am looking forward to the beautiful sunrises that I get to witness because I'm heading to work at that time of day. The colors here are gorgeous and so far, I haven't had to put on my down-filled coat! I did buy a warm vest the other day though because I do get cold easily. Sister Wood is the same (we both get cold easily and would take the summer heat over the winter cold) so we are two peas in a pod.

In Conservation this week, we cleaned the Bushnell Home, a home that the YSMs stay in. It is beautiful and I love the woodwork that is in it. As I looked around it, I could imagine the family parties that must have taken place in it back in the day. I'm sure the YSMs had their share of fun times in it - along with the spiritual times also! FYI - we miss the YSMs and YPMs!

Our new mission President was announced this week. Craig and Sandra Dalton from Hyrum, UT will be our new Site President. President Rizley said that he has met them and that they will be great for Nauvoo Historic Sites.

I've seen several articles this week on the need for senior missionaries. They all show a couple in Sunday best dress. My mission looks a little (maybe a lot!) different from that. While I dress like that on Sundays and for training, I'm usually wearing levis and a blue shirt. My mission, as a Facilities Maintenance missionary, has looked like this - cleaning greasy mechanic shop tools, organizing and cleaning the mechanic shop, many months of getting odometer readings from over 60 vehicles (sometimes out in the freezing cold!), planting flowers, pulling tulip bulbs, planting tulip bulbs, weeding, mulching, wood chipping, cleaning homes and apartments, sewing curtains, sewing aprons for the YSMs, many service projects - sewing adult bibs for several rest homes, gathering items for those same rest homes, gathering food for the local food pantry, helping with the "Bright Angel" program here in Nauvoo, which helps provide Christmas for the local children, along with backpacks for them for school.  I've made fleece blankets with other missionaries, young and senior, that will be donated to some great causes and many other things. I helped with Boo-tiful Nauvoo.

I've attended many mission training meetings where I have been spiritually fed and learned how to be a better missionary and person. I've had the opportunity to have Apostles visit and speak to us. I've made new, eternal friendships. I've drawn closer to my Savior and to my ancestors who walked these streets of Nauvoo. Their strength, courage and love of the Savior move me forward during my hard times.

I've missed my family and I love Marco Polo so that I can stay close to them and see my grandchildren grow. I miss my hugs from my kids, the cuddles from my grandkids and the family gatherings, especially at this time of year. However, I know this is where we are supposed to be and I wouldn't change it for anything! 

If you are able to serve, the Lord needs you! We here in Nauvoo need missionaries! For senior missionaries, you can serve for 6,12,18 or 23 months. I encourage you to go online to https://seniormissionary.churchofjesuschrist.org/ and see the opportunities that are needing to be filled. As of right now, there are almost 1500 mission opportunities that need to be filled. Put your faith in Heavenly Father and apply! We have one couple here who are serving their 7th mission; another on their 5th, many on their 2nd. We definitely plan on serving more. 

I love my Savior! I am so blessed by His atonement for me. He loves me! He knows me! As we attended the temple this week, that was again strongly confirmed to me.

Families are forever and I want nothing more than to have my family all with me! My mom always said that she doesn't want any empty chairs in her Heavenly home and I feel the same way! I want each one of my children and grandchildren with me, always and forever!

I love you! Have a blessed and grateful November!

--

Sister Burns

Elder Doug and Sister Jill Burns

975 Young Street

Nauvoo, IL 62354

burnsinnauvoo.blogspot.com

The Bushnell House. I love all of the woodwork

in this beautiful home. Top right pic is Sis. Wood and me.

Fall is slowly coming and it's spectacular!

I love this quote! 

Sister Brown working on the loom.

A cold, drizzly day as we came out of the temple

but the scenery is still breathtaking!

This just made me laugh - a lot!!!

I should be one of those ghosts by now!