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……………………….

JUST A VIEW OF WHAT I DO IN OLD NAUVOO……

So Rosa was here with Billie and came to Rendezvous.  I guess the show was okay, they were rolling in the aisles.  I have never ever acted and it is not in my comfort zone, but every once in awhile, it is kind of fun. So these are just a few views of what takes place.  No applause, just awed silence!!! 

Elder and Sister Ward from Malad, Idaho.  He is probably all of 5’4” and so funny.  He grabs his tie every time I am around him, I have a habit of untying it….

Just before I pull the napkin out of Richard’s shirt and readjust it…….

I don’t see a flying horse!!!

You will not carve those worthless ducks in this house!!

Why don’t you love me like you used too???

Looking pretty hot in this pioneer garb………………………………………..

He’s trying to take me away!!

I don’t think this is what came to mind when they said “pole dancing!”

I’ve seen this look many times in 37 years…………………………

So just a little taste of what we do at Rendezvous.  We do this show every other night now, including Christmas!!!!! Then in May it starts two shows a night.  So heaven help me remember this part.  I never did like the name Agatha!!!!!!!

My Very Own Proofing Box!

Well, today is Thanksgiving.  Happy Thanksgiving one and all.  I am trying so hard to not cry and to count my blessings.  So here I start.  I volunteered to make my Mother’s homemade rolls for the mission dinner today.  Thank goodness it is our preparation day.  So I spent most of the day making rolls.  I have discovered in this new little home, my very own proofing box.  Remember a proofing box here in Nauvoo is to raise bread in……..Having said that here is a picture………

My bathroom!  Now keep in mind I had cleaned it this morning.  It has a fan in it that has a heater on it.  Set the dough in the bathroom, turn on the fan, and shut the door.  Magic!!

Finished product, the pioneers have nothing on me!

Then on to the stake center for our dinner.  It is nice to have it full of my friends. 

All of these good cooks here in Nauvoo, there was no shortage of food to eat, in fact we all got to take platefuls home.

Then we had a little program.  Sang some songs and then we have a professional musician here and he played a Tommy Dorsey song on this trombone.  It was amazing.  Then on to the Nauvoo Visitors’ Center to practice for the tree lighting ceremony.

Before it is lit. We stand upstairs and sing a song with flashlights on about turning on the lights on the tree and then wallllaahhh. Pictures to follow.

In the visitors center we have a beautiful nativity.  It is by Fontanini.  I think that is supposed to be very high class. This is before the tree is lit and up close.

So here I sit at 7 PM in the evening and my celebration is over.  I think of everyone at home enjoying one another and I am trying so hard to remember I am here to serve the Lord.  Next year I will be home and I will make the pies and the rolls, but for this year, I am grateful for the privilege to wear a badge that serves others and hopefully is a gift of my gratitude to my Father in Heaven who has given me so much.  I am so blessed in a million ways.  At dinner the other night I got a question, “Who would you trade places with if you could be anyone?”  I thought for only a little while and replied, “I wouldn’t trade places with anyone, I am so blessed, I have the greatest family, the best memories, opportunities, and I have worked hard to get to where I am.  No, I wouldn’t trade places with anyone, and I guess that is what Thanksgiving is about to me this year.  I am blessed and I know it and am so grateful to each and everyone of you who has helped me to be who I am.  THANKSGIVING……………………………………………………..