Burns in Nauvoo: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I thought last week was busy! I love this time of year and all of the activity that goes along with it but it sure makes me tired!

As you know, Monday through Friday we work in FM from 7:00 - 1:00. I am learning to once again bloom where I'm planted and am really loving serving in Conservation. The Sisters that I work with are wonderful and I am making many eternal friendships. There are so many different personalities but we work together to help build this Covenant Community - our little Zion here in Nauvoo.

This week was busy preparing for the Christmas Walk that was held Friday night. Monday morning, I was put in charge of lighting the path on Main Street between the Cultural Hall and the Tin Shop and from the Family Living Center to the Cultural Hall. With help from the Conservation sisters, we decided that luminaries would be a nice way to accomplish that so we headed that direction. Sacks and tea lights were ordered and we were set. Throughout the week, we had choir rehearsals, Elder Burns had rehearsals for the songs and groups he was a part of - he sang "The Innkeeper" from Forgotten Carols and was in the ukulele/banjolele group, "The Aloha Ukulele Strummers" unofficially named that by Sister Neve.

The day of the Christmas Walk it rained and rained and we were under a tornado watch. I was not able to put out the luminaries because of the rain but we'll use them for our Mission Christmas Party. It was planned during the evening that the wagons would transport the visitors around. The lead teamster said that it was too cold to take the horses out. However, we witnessed a miracle and within the hour, the temperature went up 7 degrees and the horses were able to do their service. Also, the storm moved to the south and we were able to have the Christmas walk.

I was saddened and heartbroken the next morning to hear of the tornadoes that had touched down and caused so much damage and loss of life. We pray for those affected by those and feel blessed that we were missed.

During the Christmas Walk, the VC was a happening place. We had the high school Jazz Band and Choir perform, along with the Mission Choir and the area Young Adults performing the Nativity. It was a humbling experience to sing of the Nativity but it was also a blast! It's been so long since I've been in a choir and I loved it!!!! There was also storytelling in several locations, music in the Cultural Hall and refreshments in the Family Living Center. It is wonderful to be open and able to do that this year!

Wednesday, we had the farewell luncheon for the FM missionaries who will be heading home on the 20th. I'm in denial that they are leaving - I don't want them to leave! E/S Brown, Elia, Law, Porter (all FM) and Munoa (Site) will be leaving. E/S Flanders leave tomorrow morning.

I also had a great wake-up Marco Polo this week from Sister Sheppard all the way from Germany! It was great to see and hear her! I love that girl! I miss our YSMs!

Thursday I did my first and second "Women of Faith" vignette over Zoom. The first one was for a large group (around 66 devices) from Brazil. There was a translator who worked with us on the Brazil end. The 2nd one was in English and was much easier. It's amazing to me that technology allows for me, here in Nauvoo, to share the stories of the faithful women of Nauvoo and the story of Relief Society to those all over the world. I, by far, did not give a perfect performance but I pray the spirit was felt and those that watched were touched by these amazing Women of Faith that were portrayed that evening. I figure that I have nowhere to go but up and I look forward to the next time that I get to participate in this. I was blessed to work with Sister Rizley the first time and Sister Brown the second, as they portrayed Emma Smith from the home of Sarah Granger Kimball. I told the story of the beginnings of Relief Society.

During the week, I walked into the Conference Room and there was Adele Parker, here for Pageant business. It was wonderful to see and hug her! It's always a nice surprise when I see friends and family from home!

FM had a morning devotional this week to meet our new area director. I can't remember the official title but he's Jordan's boss (Jordan in the FM boss). David has been reassigned and the new director is Kai. They both spoke to us and it was wonderful seeing and meeting them.

Saturday we went to dinner with E/S Koop and E/S Darton and then went to the Messiah performance in Carthage. It was wonderful to listen to it and a little strange not performing in it. I have to admit though, that I was singing several of the songs under my mask and very quietly - how can I not? I love the Messiah!

Elder Burns sang a beautiful solo in Sacrament Meeting this morning, He sang, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and did a great job. I love listening to him sing and he loves to share his talent.

After church, we had a Zone Meeting where we shared our favorite Christmas songs and why they are our favorite. Then we sang them, except for us and Doug sang it - "The Innkeeper". He sings that every year and has since the Forgotten Carols came out years ago. It's become a tradition in our family. One of the lines in the song goes:

He lets us choose,

Each hour of each day,

If we'll let Him in to stay

Let Him In

I invite all of us to choose to let Him in each hour of each day. I know that my life is blessed and better when I do. I love my Savior! I'm striving to become more like Him. I still have a long way to go but I'm working on it!

If you read to the end, you are amazing! This was a long letter but oh, what wonderful memories of a wonderful week gone by!