Exhaustion!!!

I cannot believe that I haven’t blogged in a few days.  Jonathan keeps me trying because I know he looks every morning.  I honestly haven’t found the time this week to write down all of the thoughts that are swirling in my head. It seems like I am running from one place to the next and worrying about other things while I am doing it.  This mission is not for sissies!! I look at the other missionaries that are older than I am and I think, I couldn’t do this if I was their age!! I guess it will keep me young.  No couch potatoes here that’s for sure…….

This week has had me upset and nervous over being part of the Christmas Walk.  It was a very big deal here in Nauvoo.  It has been planned for two months now and I am just amazed. Most of the people that were here last year are no longer here, yet the baton gets passed and things go on, How does that happen? So I was a “story teller” in the tin shop.  I told a story for an hour while Elder McBride told it the other hour.  The festivities started off down at the visitors’ center.The mayor  was there, the Warsaw Choir and Jazz Band played, we sang a song and then the big tree was lit

. From there they gave horse drawn carriage rides down to the sites. 

The Family Living Center was full of food and a live band, piano, violin, drums, bass, and singer from our mission.  It was amazing.

Don’t you just love things that sparkle!!!!

  Richard and I danced a few songs and there were five tables piled high with food.  There was a live nativity in the Cultural Hall and our friends the Christiansens were the Mary and Joseph.  It was quite touching.  I think she cried through the whole thing.  The Wise Men sang and we had a heavenly choir as well.

All of the sidewalks along main street were lit with candles and we even had fires burning in barrels for warmth along the way. Carolers were strolling along singing.

Elder Haurand on the right is returning home this month to go back to being a police officer……

Once again it is surreal to think about the “real people” that were here in Nauvoo.  They strolled the same streets, singing the same carols, I can hardly take it all in. There were several children from  the kindergarten class that I work with that came through last night as well. So Christmas, away from home……

I am having such a difficult time thinking about being away from my family for Christmas.  I believe that Richard knows just how I feel.  As I started my day out in Land and Records yesterday, there on the counter was an envelope for me.  I opened it and to my huge surprise, there was an “advent” package for me.  Pictures, notes, candy and gifts from him and my children!  I have something each day until Christmas to look forward too. It will make this Christmas one I will never forget.  I am so blessed and so grateful.  So thank you, for your time, thought and effort at giving me a gift from your hearts.  I will take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate the birth of the Savior here in Nauvoo, but you all will be in my heart every step of the way.

hhhaaaaaahhhhaaahhhh, priceless……………………….