Burns in Nauvoo: 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!