Burns in Nauvoo: Happy Easter

April 18, 2022

Hello my friends and family!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter as you celebrated the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Whoever said that Sunday is a day of rest doesn't serve in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission! Haha! I had to be at the VC (Visitor's Center) for song practice at 7:20, church from 8:00-10:00, then I served at Lucy's home with Sister Wood from noon-5:00 while Doug was trained in how to serve at Pioneer Pastimes. After that, we had dinner, prepared for and then attended a mission devotional from 7-8:00. In between those times, we visited with family and watched Marco Polos of the grandchildren enjoying their Easter Celebrations.

Doug and I sang our duet in Sacrament Meeting and it went very well. Thank you for your prayers! They were felt and appreciated. I sent a Marco Polo to our kids from a rehearsal and Eleena said she kept wondering how her alto mother was hitting those high notes - prayers and practice! I love the message of the song that we sang and I'd like to share the words with you:

They heard his voice; they saw his face

The promised Savior come to earth in days long past

They saw him heal the sick and cause the lame to stand

They watched as wind and waves were stilled at his command

And though I did not see him calm the raging seas

His hand has calmed my troubled heart

And I believe

They heard his voice; they saw his face

They heard his teachings of forgiveness, love and faith

He blessed their little ones; he taught them how to pray;

He fed the multitudes who hungered by the way

And though I did not taste the bread he bade them eat

His word is manna to my soul

And I believe

They saw him scourged and mocked to scorn

They heard the angry crowd, they saw him crowned with thorns

They watched him bend beneath our burden in the streets

They saw the bitter nails that pierced his hands and feet

And though I was not there to watch with them at Calvary

My spirit weeps

I have not seen

Yet I believe

They heard his voice; they saw his face

The risen Jesus, crowned with vict’ry o’er the grave

And though I did not see his triumph over death

Though I did not see him draw immortal breath

I know he lived and died and lives again for me

My faith is sure

I have not seen

Yet I believe

We know that Jesus was seen by Mary Magdalene, by the apostles, the Book of Mormon shares his visit to the Nephites and to the Americas after His resurrection. He appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove and then again in Kirtland. Although I have not seen Him, I do know that he lives. I have seen and heard too many things for me to doubt that he lives. I have felt His comfort and peace that can come only through Him and his atoning sacrifice for me. I love Him and I try hard to live so that I am worthy of His sacrifice and love for me.

In other news of the week, Diane, Colleen and Scott came out for the week and we were able to spend some time with them. It was so fun to have family here again and to be able to share our beautiful Nauvoo with them! We spent several afternoons and evenings with them, ate way too much and totally enjoyed their company! Thanks for coming to see us!!! Blaine and Diane, aka E/S Anderson, also came with us to several of the outings that we did. It's great having friends who are more like family serving here with us.

Saturday Doug and I traveled to Costco in Iowa City (2 hours away) to get new tires for the car. They had the tires but couldn't install them so we have to go back next Saturday. Boo! On the way home, we drove the road that the Saints took when they left Nauvoo, after they landed across the Mississippi in Montrose. We drove to what we think is Sugar Creek, where the Saints camped in the freezing cold. It's a beautiful area but the wind was blowing and it was cold. As I thought of the Saints camped here, in the cold, with very little to keep them warm, my heart again turned to my ancestors and their faith and love for the Savior. I am grateful for them.

I love you, my dear friends and family.

“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29