Burns in Nauvoo: 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!