Building a Sure Foundation

January 23, 2022

Since we've been serving here in Nauvoo, we've only held Sacrament Meeting, until a few months ago, when we started having  Sunday School. This month we started having Priesthood and Relief Society and today was the first day for that. It was pretty exciting and special to meet together as Sisters in Relief Society. We talked about making sure we have our lives built on a firm foundation, so that when hard times come, we can withstand them. There are several ways that we can do that but attending the temple is one of those ways, along with reading the scriptures, praying, loving each other, learning to "Hear Him" and follow the Holy Ghost's promptings to us. There are many other ways that we can strengthen our spiritual foundations.

Today my spiritual foundation was strengthened by not only attending my church services here in Nauvoo and renewing my baptismal covenants by partaking of the Sacrament, but also by being able to attend, via zoom, the "homecoming" talks of President and Sister Rizley and E/S Elia. I have missed them since they left and it was so great to hear their voices, see their faces and learn, once again, from them. We were also blessed to hear from our new Mission President and his wife in Sacrament Meeting today. What a special day to hear from both of our Mission Presidents. I really didn't think that anyone could take President Rizley's place but I can say, without reservation, that President Dalton is who the Lord wants leading the Illinois Historic Sites Mission at this time. We were able to meet with him this week and I felt his spirit and his love for the Savior and the mission. We were also able to visit with Sister Dalton and she is so sweet. I know that I will love her as I do Sister Rizley. She even said that she looks forward to when she can come and pull weeds with us! I loved it when Sister Rizley did that and I look forward to pulling weeds with Sister Dalton! Also, that will mean that it's warm outside again and not so freezing cold! 

I'm one of the youngest missionaries serving here in Nauvoo. There have been times when that is very evident! Haha. Like today, one of the sisters said that she was married in 1969. I was 7 at the time.  The other day, the sisters in Conservation were talking about sewing clothes for their children and specifically sewing clothes made from Holly Hobby material. I had to laugh because, as they were talking about sewing the clothes, I shared that my mom was the one making Holly Hobbie dresses for me. I still remember that dress - pink seersucker on the back, sides and sleeves with Holly Hobbie print down the middle front. That was a blast from the past, but also a reminder that I am one of the youngest missionaries. That being said, as we are serving together, there is no "age difference" among us. We all serve to the best of our abilities and we are sisters! The Lord has blessed us to serve with such amazing people. Many different personalities but it works!

This week Elder Burns and I had the opportunity to attend the Nauvoo Temple again. We were able to participate in sealings. We sealed (a ceremony in the temple that makes a marriage not just for this life but for eternity) several couples plus two daughters and one son to their parents. During the sealing that joined the son to his parents, I had the warmest feeling come over me, almost like a nice warm hug, and I knew that Jesse, my 8th cousin 3x removed, had accepted the work that we were doing and that he was happy about it. It's hard to describe the feelings that I had, but I can't deny them and I'm thankful that I had that experience.

This week in Conservation we started deep cleaning the historic sites and I've been cleaning the ceilings. That's been a workout for my arms and they are so sore! I guess my muscles have gotten soft since I haven't been lifting buckets of mulch or wood chips. Haha! Time to get back in shape! The first day that we started cleaning, I made the comment that I wasn't looking forward to cleaning. I can now say that it is a blessing to be able to clean those sacred sites and I'm grateful that I get to do that. There is a special spirit in those sites. I love it! We truly are guardians of sacred grounds.

Thank you, my friends and family, for your love and support! We love each one of you!

My dear, sweet cousin, Sister Char Bowman. We didn't know we were

cousins until we served here together. She leaves in February. I sure love

this cousin of mine and look forward to lots of reunions when I return! Good thing

she only lives an hour or so away!

She's also an amazing piano player and is playing for Doug and I

as we sing a duet in Sacrament Meeting soon. 

This is in the Print Shop. Can you read it? 

I visited Lyon Drug the other day. It sure looks different in the winter 

but is still beautiful and will always be  sacred ground for me.

Good-bye Elder and Sister Cochran. Until we meet again - which we will!

 

Guess what! It's official!

January 16, 2022

First, the big news of the week! I'm sure this doesn't come as a surprise to anyone, but it's official! We have extended our mission until August 3! This will let us be here during the Nauvoo and British Pageants! When we first received our mission call, we were to be here for two summers and one winter and I was ecstatic! That would mean two summers of pageants and two summers of being in "Sunset by the Mississippi" and only one winter to deal with. Instead, well, you know the drill. Covid hit and all that changed. We were changed to one summer, no pageant and no Senior Missionaries (with one exception) in Sunset.

We are excited to be able to be here during the summer, although we will not be doing "Sunset" since they have decided to not include the Senior Missionaries in it again this summer. Our grandchildren are not excited that we have extended and that was a little tough to see their disappointed faces but we know we are doing the right thing.  We are excited to not only be here another summer but to also be able to be around the YSMs and NPM (Nauvoo Performing Missionaries - they changed their name from Young Performing Missionaries) some more before we leave. That will be a nice reward for surviving a second winter here! ;-) We'll only be serving a mission in Nauvoo once, right? 

As I mentioned in last week's letter,  Covid has hit the mission. We were all quarantined at our homes this past weekend and had Monday off. For some reason, my asthma has reared its ugly head and I was having some problems with it. Because it came on so suddenly and I had a cough with it, they made me test for Covid. I was, thankfully, negative! That being said, I was asked to stay home for several days so I did. I only worked on Friday and it was so nice to be back. The asthma is back under control and I still can't figure out what aggravated it, besides maybe the cold weather we were having? 

Speaking of weather, we had a big snowstorm Friday night and Doug started at 4:00 a.m. plowing the snow and finished up about 4:00 p.m. We have a lot of snow! 

I was able to join, via Zoom, my son's friend's funeral. I'm glad that I was able to do that.  I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father's gift to us of the Plan of Salvation, also known as the Plan of Happiness. I am so grateful to know that through the Atonement of our Savior, my sacred temple covenants and through being the best that I can, that my family and I can live together forever. That brings such peace to my heart! Tomorrow (January 17) marks 6 years since my dad died. I miss him so much! I don't know how I would survive if I didn't know that I would see him and my mom again! I know that death is not the end but a new beginning. I know that my dad is so proud of me and happy that we are serving a mission, especially here in Nauvoo! I feel that he has had many happy reunions with our ancestors who lived here and that they are sharing many stories and are a part of my life. I have felt of their spirits as I've served here. 

A quick example of that happened Saturday. Doug and I have been asked to sing in Sacrament Meeting on the 30th, which is also the day of the Nauvoo Exodus Reenactment Fireside. We chose to sing a song titled, To Those Who Came Before Me and as we were practicing it, the spirit overcame me and I couldn't sing. To think that I was singing a song, expressing gratitude to those who came before me, many who lived here in Nauvoo, while serving here in Nauvoo was not lost on me. I was told that I need to get all of the tears out before we sing. Haha

Here are the words to the song, written by Sally DeFord

To those who came before me in seasons long ago
To those who are the loved-ones that I have yet to know
To those whose noble names I bear,
Whose light within me burns
To them in gratitude shall my heart be turned
To those whose lives of courage prepared the way for me
Whose works became my heritage,
Whose harvest I may reap
Who left for me a legacy that I have yet to earn
To them in gratitude shall my heart be turned

To those who came before me in days and years long past
To those who are the family that I shall know at last
Who laid a sure foundation for the truth that I have learned
To them in gratitude shall my heart be turned

I am grateful to be able to serve here. I know I say that often and I thank Heavenly Father daily also. We are truly blessed to be here!

This one made me laugh! 

 

The Ups and Downs of Mission Life

This week has been an emotional but also fun week. Tuesday I was able to serve in Lucy's home again. Although we didn't have anyone come to do a tour, I still had an enjoyable time visiting with Sister Wessman and learning more about Lucy. After I left there, Doug and I were able to go on a sleigh ride!!! My first one ever! I might have sang a little "Jingle Bells" as we went on the ride. It was so cold but it was so fun! I really want to do it again! I had on layers of thermals - in fact I had to wear my sweat pants because I couldn't fit my levis over all my layers but I stayed warm. Haha

Tuesday night we had our final training with Pres. and Sister Rizley. Sister Rizley shared a quote from Elder Holland that I love: 

"I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future."

After the training, we gathered once again, in the VC to say farewell and give the "Hurrah for Israel" shout for Pres. and Sister Rizley. This time, we gave three shouts and then sang "God Be With You" or I should say, attempted to sing. I didn't sing too much - it's hard to do when one is crying. We also took pictures with them, but I didn't get one on my phone so I have no picture with them. ;-(

They left Thursday morning and then the Conservation sisters went to their home to take down the Christmas tree. It was really strange being there and not having Sister Rizley there. It was always fun when she would come out and visit while we were working in her yard. She was also there when we set up her Christmas tree. I will treasure those times. I will look back on them with fondness and love in my heart for this forever friend of mine!

Now, we look forward to the arrival of President and Sister Dalton, who arrive in one week.

We've been in quarantine since Friday night. A couple of Elders came down with Covid so out of an abundance of caution, they closed the sites, canceled church and asked us to stay home. Hopefully we open up again tomorrow.

It was cold here last week! It hit -17 real feel. Brrrrrr! Makes me look forward to summer!

All of the Christmas decorations are down from all of the Historic Sites. They sure come down a lot faster than they go up. Now to finish inventory and start the deep clean of all the sites.

There are days here and there when I long to be home. Yesterday was one of those. My momma's heart was aching to be with my son, who is going through the loss of a good friend. I just wanted to hold him, wrap my arms around him and let him know that I'm there for him. I even looked up flights for home and road conditions to drive.  One of my sweet YSMs shared this saying on her facebook page:

“Trust in God. Do your duty. Remember your prayers. Get faith in the Lord, and take hold and build up Zion. All will be right.” -Wilford Woodruff

This was a tender mercy to me, an answer to prayer and was what I needed to hear. Even though I still shed a ton of tears and still long to be with my son, I know that he will be alright and that he knows that I love him. 

I've been reading the stories of my ancestors and I am so thankful for their testimonies and their fortitude to stay strong in their faith, even during the hard times. I am grateful to stand on their shoulders and look forward to the day that I can give each of them a hug and thank them for their great examples! I love them!

Have a great and blessed week! Love ya!

               Frosted window panes. I was fascinated by them this week. They are so pretty! 

               If I remember correctly, these are from Brigham Young's home.

Sister Wessman and me at Lucy's home.

Just another beautiful sunset on the Mississippi. 

The river is pretty much frozen over. These were taken

at the bottom of Parley Street.

Doug fixed the tongue on the wagon. He redesigned 

it and the teamsters loved what he did!

 

Happy New Year 2022

January 2, 2022

Happy New Year!!! 2022 came into Nauvoo bringing lots of snow and cold. Brrrr! I've been freezing! It was so cold that my weather app was using a picture of an igloo where there is usually a sun or clouds or rain etc. Doug spent most of New Year's Day plowing snow. One of his assignments is to drive the snowplow - he's one of several missionaries and full-time employees that plow. 

President and Sister Rizley leave this week ;-(  

So, yesterday (Saturday Jan. 1, 2022) we had a mission lunch at the Family Living Center. After lunch, we moved to the Visitor's Center, where a special program for Pres. & Sis. Rizley was held. There were special songs by Elder King - he sang "You Raise Me Up," and Elder Macfarlane, Merkley and Rees sang "When a Cowboy Rides Away," with the words changed to fit the occasion. 

There were talks, presentations made and then it ended with the video Pres. Alston put together with pictures and videos taken through the Rizley's time here. It was amazing and brought back so many special memories! The video ended with the mission doing the "Hurrah for Israel" shout and singing of "God Be With You." To make this for the video, we all met at the Seventies Hall Monday night, most of us in our period clothing. It was a special experience to do the Hurrah shout in a place where so many early saints received their mission calls. We also gave them a Nauvoo picture book that all of the missionaries wrote in. 

The program ended with some words by Pres. & Sis. Rizley. How do I sum up almost 15 months of serving with them? My life is forever blessed by their kindness, love, teachings and encouragement to step out of my comfort zone. It's because of Sis. Rizley's encouragement and faith in me that I decided to participate in the "Women of Faith" vignette and also serve at the Lucy Mack Smith home. I'm forever grateful for her friendship and look forward to reunions!

 

Monday evening we had the special opportunity to help clean the Nauvoo Temple. It has been closed for two months while they remodeled and it opens this week! You've heard me talk about Nauvoo miracles or tender mercies. Well, this was one of those. Last Friday, on the 24th, we had an FM brunch for the missionaries. The employees had the day off. However, one of the employees had to come in to check on something and was invited to come join us. He had his wife with him, so they both came and joined us. After the brunch, I went over to talk with Jamie. She and I  worked together on the city's Bootiful Nauvoo committee and I've also heard that she paints glass ornaments and I wanted to talk to her about that. Well, I never got around to asking about the ornaments because the subject of the temple came up and she told me that they needed people to come help clean the temple or it would not be ready to open. She's the cleaning supervisor. Long story short, I reached out to Pres. Alston, who contacted Jamie, and the mission had the opportunity to help clean the temple. What a blessing! If I hadn't gone over to talk to her, this might not have happened. If they hadn't come at the right moment, they wouldn't have come to the brunch. If the Elder that invited them to join us hadn't asked them, it wouldn't have happened. So many small things that fell into place to give us this wonderful service opportunity. We've been told that there are no coincidences and I believe that. 

That night at the temple, I spent two hours cleaning baseboards. I was able to clean in the wedding waiting room. This was special to me because my daughter, Rochelle, was married in this temple and we waited in that room. I was also able to enter the sealing room where she was married for time and all eternity to her sweetheart, Isaac. I then walked over to the spiral staircase and looked down from the top to the bottom, just as she did after her wedding. I loved being reminded of that special day and feeling the spirit that is in that temple. Another neat thing that happened that night is that we were able to climb to the top of the temple. It's a spiral staircase up to the top. The view from the top windows was beautiful. It was really dark out but I could see the Joseph and Hyrum statue out one window and could see the Mississippi and the lights across it. One more story from that night. I also cleaned in the youth waiting room. I opened an armoire door and it was full of white infant and toddler clothing. I thought of the many children that must have been in that room, waiting to be joined with their families forever. What a special feeling enveloped me as I thought of them. I am so grateful for my temple sealing and blessings that allow my family the opportunity to be together forever. I can't feature eternity without each one of my family members there.

I love my family! They are my everything!!

.

Tuesday I was able to serve in Lucy Mack Smith's home again. Although we didn't have any visitors join us there that day, I enjoyed my time reading scriptures and visiting with Sister Wessman. I love the spirit that is in that home. 

Wednesday night, we had a showing of Forgotten Carols at the VC. It was fun to see Adrien Swensen in it. She's a friend of ours and plays Connie Lou. 

Thursday I was able to participate in Women of Faith again. I'll admit that I started the day with a negative attitude about doing it. I was tired and I just wanted to go home and stay home. We've had so many activities going on and I've loved all of it but I was tired. I told Doug that I wanted to have someone else do it and he asked me if I was going to call in sick and was I really sick? I decided that I needed to humble myself (again!) and pray for the Lord's help. He answered my prayer by giving me renewed energy and an excitement for doing it. I struggle with memorizing things so the idea came to me to print off the script in large letters and have it held by the camera so I could read it. It worked great for me. As it turns out, one of my angel friends from Ivins, Annette Eddy, was watching from her home and we were able to talk for a few minutes after. I thanked Heavenly Father for giving me the desire to serve Him that night. It really is a great experience to share the story of how Relief Society came to be and to share the faith that our early Saints had.

On New Year's Eve we had another movie at the VC and then came home to watch over an hour of Marco Polos. Our children and grandkids were all together having the family Christmas Party and were sharing it with us so we could be a part of it. I love them and miss being with them but love that we can still be a part of the celebrations.

What the FLC looked like after we set it up for the luncheon.

Funny story about this picture. When we do inventory, we have a book with pictures of all of the inventory items. I was looking for this picture and couldn't find it. I kept looking for one with a sunset on it. I even had Sister Wood looking for it. Finally, it dawned on me that the "sunset" was actually a flash from whoever took the picture. Duh!!! Haha! It brought some much needed laughter!

We collect Nutcrackers. Although I bought several this year, these two have special meaning to me. The fireman one was given to me by Sister Wood. She is always bringing sweets to work and I can't have them because they usually have gluten in them. She said she felt bad that I couldn't have them so she bought me this. I thought it was so sweet and thoughtful of her. I really am ok not having the gluten items - I'm pretty used to it by now. The other one is from Sister Rizley. When we visited the Amana Colonies, she knew that I was looking for a nutcracker but wasn't having much luck. She saw this one at a store and thought of me, so she bought it for me. Again, so much love and thoughtfulness from those I love in this mission! I will treasure these nutcrackers because I treasure those who gave them to me!

As we begin a new year, I pray that you and your families will be blessed with the knowledge and testimony that Heavenly Father knows you and that He loves you. He is there in the hard times and the good. I love Him and I'm grateful to be serving Him here in Nauvoo.