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.......

MARCHING RIGHT ALONG

SUNDAY MARCH 10th
Time change so went to bed early and the body is already to wake up at 5AM. RAIN,RAIN RAIN. So the snow is melting very fast. I could see the grass finally and the temperature is 40 ( 7 ) Even a tulip is trying to show that it is spring. I even saw a robin . As I think back on the meetings today, I learned that my faith has taken hold in my heart and I have locked my heart to the Savior. I need to trust in the Lord more...everything will work out I need to be patient and in due time I will turn the corner. Pres. Monson said "The future is as bright as your faith." I have had a few hard moments today as I have wanted to be with family and "home" but tonight we had a musical fireside and the songs seemed to help take away the longing. Visited with Nathan, Megan and baby David tonight and got caught up with their news.David will be a year old when I see him for the first time.
MONDAY 11th
Heavy fog/mist this morning so the sun had trouble getting out today I was at the Heber C. Kimball/Willford Wood ruff home today and withe a new missionary so we had  time to learn the tour together. We had a family as well as two fellow go through today so that was wonderful and then tonight we had 50 people at Rendezvous tonight.
TUESDAY MARCH 12 ONE YEAR MARK
Yes it is one year today that I went into the MTC. I had stayed the night before at the Stocks and Dallin and family and then left that morning early as I met with Valerie for breakfast in Provo and then checked in at the MTC.Today my schedule got changed to go to the Visitors Center after I finished the mail.After work we 11 Single Sisters got together for a Pizza Party and homemade pie and icecream. It was great to welcome 2 new sisters and get acquainted. Then off to a practise.
THURSDAY
I lost two days as last night we had two shows so it was a very long day Meetings at 8AM.. on sites till 4 and then practices and two shows so home at 9:30. We have finally had the melt so almost all the snow is gone and the temperature was 57 today....We had over 150 teenagers in Nauvoo for the Spring school break so we have gone from famine to feast. It has been wonderful.
FRIDAY
The wait is over.....We have a new director for the Rendzvous show and I am NOT the one.I have wondered ever since I have gotten here if I would be chosen for that assignment because of my experience but not so...so we move on.  I saw a robin today and the eagles are returning but the weather is still very cool so Spring is very late I am looking forward to tomorrow as we will be doing the reenactment of the Relief Society of Nauvoo.

MORE SNOW !!!

FEB.26th Tues,
It started around 5 this morning and didn't stop till about 4 PM. Heavy wet snow. School was cancelled and some business were closed  as well.  I was on the mail run today so things got  interesting with so much snow. The fellows were out early with the plows and I got the walk in front of the house cleaned off before I left for the mail. The streets were cleaned off for an hour and then it built up again. The mail truck was late so I went down to the Family Living Center to work on a shawl and then got the mail picked up and sorted and delivered. I don't believe anyone was around the sites today. The power was off in the Workshops so life was very quiet around Nauvoo.
MARCH 10,Sunday
Sorry I have been negligent in keeping up with this blog. We were struggling with snow and more snow for the past two weeks. The temperatures have been hovering around freezing as well. I have been busy with the usual routine and we are now putting in extra practices for the summer show "Sunset By The Mississippi". I have opted out on taking a preparation day because we are so short of missionaries, so Sunday is my only day to get caught up. We also had an assignment of a paper on the Atonement to be given to President Gilliland.  How do you like all my excuses? One of the reasons I have difficulty writing is when I get so emotionally drained that I don't seem to have the energy and I am not able to put down on paper my feelings. I know that I need to get over it but will try. The reason for the emotion is the leaving of some of the Missionaries. If I thought I had difficulties saying good bye to family....who I will see again I have developed friendships here that will last forever. Even now the tears come as feel the love for them. It was different for those who were on the Westward Exodus. they took most of the family and friends with them. These Sisters especially will probably not be connecting with again and things will not be the same....sweet memories shared. I think of the words of Lucy Mack Smith " We must cherish one another, comfort one another, watch over one another,....that we may all sit down in heaven together." Just as I cherish my association with you all, it is in my heart that we will all sit down in heaven together too.