MAY 13-19TH Tornado Warning and such.

As I write this we have lighting and thunder. And it rolls. It is very close as I was only able to count a few
 seconds. I think I will close this down till the storm stops. We even had a tornado warning. Some of the community went down into their basements but we were oblivious to the whole experience as we were waiting for the siren to go off. It got pretty dark around 5 PM but it was a hard rain that went south and did a lot of destruction in Iowa.
We finally have had some heat like it has not been below 60/16 and even got up to 90/30. The weeds have grown so fast that we are cutting the lawn but mowing mostly weeds. The Trees and lawns look beautiful.
My assignment changes this week as I helped out at the Facilities Management area called Conservation as we cleaned out an old attic in the Heber C.Kimball home - like I know how to vacuum up mouse droppings.We also delivered some clean mops to the different sites and some equipment to the missionaries homes. So it was a great change in my schedule. Even got home early to work on my lawn and weeds.
We are also outside rehearsing with the Young Performing Missionaries and doing some of our songs and dance the polka with them....That is FUN.  but I am still working on trying to heal that toe of mine.So I have been driving everywhere in hopes that it will heal. quicker if I stay off of it.
I did end up taking a nap today so perhaps I need some catch up time before the really busy season starts.

MAY 6-12 & 4 MONTHS TO GO

MONDAY -This was a good day as I was at the Masonic/Cultural Hall . A couple came in from  Montreal,Quebec and not able to speak  English but it was fun to visit with them and take them on a tour. I connected them with an Elder that could speak French  so they went to the Visitors' Center. So many people come to Nauvoo and really don't know why they are here and also nothing about the Church.
 It has been a beautiful sunny day today and when I wasn't busy I was learning some lines for a narration for an introduction for the song Grandmother's Apron. It was such a beautiful day that we even practiced outside tonight and was reminded that we have only 5 more rehearsals before the real show....
TUES. - It got up to 80 degrees today.I really felt that it has been such a long winter. Mail Room Day and then to the Family Living Center and worked on the shawl. Got home to help prepare supper for the Young Single Missionaries who were coming. We had Taco Salad - imagine that. Made a cake and they got to take that home with them. Today the  May Ensign Magazine came in so I am glad that I can study Conference.
WED. - was another hot day. After out 8 AM training I was in the Garden. Glad to have had a hat today. We were working at Brigham Young Home, I pulled weeds all the time We finished at 1PM When I got home I started to work on my flower beds in front of our house.When S/Higham got home we went to Keokuk to shop at Walmart.The Mississippi is really high still and I even saw a Heron fishing and the turtle were out on the logs sunning them selves/ After supper I went to the show Rendezvous and as there were two bus tours in town, we had two shows. So I am tired tonight.
THUR. - Can you believe that I broke my fourth toe AGAIN! As I explained this to another Sister today she said "Oh, you mean your ring finger toe?" YES! I hit a box in the bedroom this AM and I have been in pain and it is a beautiful black and blue color and is swelling magnificently. I still did the Mail today and went to the FLC but I am home now to keep it up and hopefully the swelling will go down. The other news is that my Face book Acct. has been hacked so I am about to try to get that mess straighten out.
FRI. The toe is better as I tried to stay off of it and got some ice packs on it but I still did my "job" on the wagon narration.. Some folks from Norway today. After I finished I got Elder W. to help with my computer problem so I believe I am OK for awhile.I sure appreciate his kindness. Sent out a message so that I hope everyone else is not compromised.so now I wait and see.I also went to the temple and interesting enough I did some Norwegian names. Curfew...
SAT./SUN I was very busy with the mail on Sat. as we had lots of parcels and mail for Mothers Day. When I went home for lunch the foot was swollen so I stayed home to get the swelling down as I had the Rendezvous show that night. Sunday the foot was much better and I found a decent pair of shoes to go to Church in. We received some photo's and poems on the Women's Garden from the Mission. When I got home there was a message from Spencer in New Zealand and he phoned me later on , so that was wonderful to connect for a few minutes. Talked to Dan  and Ellen and they are getting ready for the last leg of this campaign for the Conservatives and the Election is Tuesday. Also had a great moment with Dallin and Sariah and kids o Skype. As I speak I am waiting to connect with Nathan and Megan our first time MOM and Kari and family too. As far as the Facebook saga it ain't over yet and ML is working on it. I have finished the day with the Senior Sisters getting together and the food was wonderful and getting to know the
new Sisters there are 19 of us now.  So it has been a great day.

Sunday in Nauvoo

Sunday May 5th, Sacrament Meeting starts at 8 AM  and we had to sit in the back even though we were there at 7:45. There were over 300 people because of the \Temple Missionaries as well. As it was Fast and Testimony meeting  the Testimonies were brief and very touching especially the Young Performing Missionaries who have just arrived as well.
Today was a heart flutter experience as I was asked to teach the Sunday School Lesson .It was on the Sabbath Day D&C 59. The reason I was overwhelmed was that there were over 200 people in the class which is held in the Theater in the Visitors' Center. We each get an opportunity to do so but with the influx of new missionaries it will take a while for this to happen and it is not alphabetical. Anyway, I am glad to have had the experience and I learned much.. I have been greatly blessed for my desire to keep the Sabbath Day Holy and to take the Sacrament. When I have had moments when I thought I was not able to get to meetings the way has been made open to me to do so, and I have been blessed for this. My thoughts take me back to Hill Spring when Fred was sick and also when I was taking care of my Mother before they passed on.
One of the things I felt - that I was the messenger and how important it is to prepare for the Sabbath Day not only physically but to prepare yourself spiritually. To find the moments to de-clutter and think of the Savior and the Atonement.  I made reference to the Nov. Ensign talk of Elder Don Clarke on the Blessings of the Sacrament as well as Pres. Eyrings April First Presidency message. Next, our Relief Society Lesson was on Obedience from the Joseph Smith Manual . Then to end the day we had a Zone Conference and President Gilliland talked about the Atonement. So it has been quite the day to be edified by all these experiences.

RAIN

It has rained all night and all day and it is raining still as I do this. We have needed the moisture for sure, so I believe the drought they have had in this area is over.
 I was to do wagon narration today but only had one tour. It was very cold and the wind was blowing as well. The geese have had their babies so that was fun to see 6 of them scurry around mom. I came home to a hot drink and made some soup for supper. I am getting over my cold and have been taking my nana naps today. I hope to be feeling good enough tomorrow to go to the temple.
Talked to Dan tonight and he is on the campaign trail for the Conservatives in their up and coming election on the 14th so stay turned for the adventures of the Brooks Clan.

Thurs,May 2nd

Gray Skies and cool temperatures today and it finally started to rain around 5 PM.I had a full day and was not feeling 100 %. Mail Delivery etc. 9-noon and then I did the narration on the wagon from 12-1 and then back to the mail room to finish up and then to the Family Living Center to get the shawl finished. So it will probably be taken off tomorrow. I also had rehearsal  for Sunset by the Mississippi. We are anticipating the new missionaries joining us next week so more changes. Well, I just caught myself closing my eyes so I had best end this moment in time. S. Higham made muffins today that were delicious.She's a keeper.
Be of Good Cheer.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

So I am going to try again to do this blog thing.Welcome to MAY.The weather has been great Two days of 70-80 degree temperatures. The only problem I have  is that I have either a head cold or I have a terrible allergy to the pollen/ grass that they have been cutting around here. This is the First time I have been under the weather since I came to Nauvoo.Knock on Wood!So the 24 antihistamine  didn't work so I tried some other stuff and it seems to have helped for a little while. I even worked in the garden for a couple of hours and went to Rendezvous tonight.We had a show that needs some help but the Director thought if was a good show. so what ever.... we will have lots of shows to practice to get it perfect.
I enjoyed having a visit with Leila and family last night. Good to have a visit with someone from Home. They were here for Tyson's  missionary companions wedding. We had a good visit and something to eat at Webbers and then frozen custard at Annie"s.
So I bid you all adieu.

17th of MARCH

What a special day. After work we met at the Visitors Center dressed in our Pioneer dresses and coats as we took a wagon ride to the  Red Brick Store. We were supplied with quilts to wrap around us as it was a very cool and almost rainy day. Our wagon was drawn by a team of four black horses on their first time together trip. Elder Dahl was teamster and E/ Rogers gave us the story of Joseph Smith and the Red Brick Store and what would be happening in Nauvoo in 1842. The drive took us down Partridge Street to Main  and to the Red Brick Store owned by the Community of Christ Church. They had consented for us to go upstairs in the Store to do this re-enactment of the Organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo. The only ones not in period clothing was our Mission President and Sister Gilliland. So I will send pictures and maybe even a video as it appears that I could insert a video....not sure how to do this at this time. This program was first put together for one of the Sisters for her ward in Florida and it is taken from the Minutes of the First Relief Society meeting in Nauvoo.  I was not able to take any pictures in the Red Brick Store but I hope to get this video in a week or two and attach it. In the meantime I hope you are enjoying Springtime in.......