JANUARY 13th to 19th

SUNDAY I think that this has been the busiest Sunday since summer. Awake at 4:30.SNOW ! About 2 inches; Reading, studies,got ready for Church then out to clean the walks then walked to church which starts at 8AM The wind was blowing just enough to make the walk "invigorating". I sat up on the front row for the first time as I was to give the closing prayer. The four talks were on the Creation and one of the speakers quoted the song "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" which is my favorite Primary song.We ended up over time and sang all the verses to "If I could Hie to Kolob" so my prayer was very short. We then move from the Stake Center to the Visitor's Center for the rest of our meetings. We sang"Love One Another" which brought tears to my eyes as it was my Mother's favorite. So after all the meeting and Choir Practice I rushed home, changed into my pioneer dress, ate breakfast and rushed off to the George Riser Boot Shop to serve today. We only had one couple and a sweet baby to come our way. I was reading most of the day but ended up having a nap because it was so quiet. After we closed at 5PM all the nine single sisters were invited to the Ritchie`s for dinner. It was so kind of them to do this and we appreciated it so much. Then off to the Visitor's Center for a Fireside on Emma Smith presented by Shantel Gardner. this was excellent. So the evening was topped off with a call to Benjamin for his 7th Birthday and then Skyped with Megan, Nathan and baby David who is so growing so fast. Quite the day. MONDAY The most interesting turn of events today after work. Seven of us single sisters went out to eat and a show,`Les Miserable. I really enjoyed it and was glad I had been invited along. The reason we had a free night was that they are working on the floor and painting in the Cultural Hall were we do the show Rendezvous.So we will will have the week off. WEDNESDAY At our 8AM training meeting the Mission Doctor tells us that we need to get Flu Shots if we don`t have them already as there is an epidemic here in Illinois so that will be on my agenda.After the meeting and as it was our Preparation Day... We headed to Montrose, Iowa which is directly across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo. It was a beautiful sunny day and even though there was ice on the River, the birds were hanging about. geese of course but the EAGLES, the BALD and GOLDEN ones were gathering. Saturday is actually the 29th Annual Bald Eagle Appreciation Days in Keokuk, Iowa and there will be seminars and live eagle and Raptor presentations....but I will not be able to attend as I will be working.We found the Pioneer Memorial where the Saints landed after leaving Nauvoo. After some shopping went to an all you can eat Chinese Buffet....it was great.Then the Cast for the Show went to the Temple so that was the busy day in my life here, I really am so grateful to be here and busy and able to serve. THURSDAY A crazy day for changes. I was dressed to do the mail when I got a call to go to the Wagon at 10 so I changed and got over there and S/Nunn who was to be there late got there on time so I started my day all over again. Mail etc. stopped and got my Flu Shot and then changed again to go to the Family Living Center. The snow is almost gone so I was able to ride my bike.Then after all the Sisters met at the Visitors Center Theater and practiced a new song called Grandmother`s Apron for the summer shop `Sunset By the Mississippi`. Home to change to go over to our Mission Presidents home for Dinner. There were the Nine of us Senior Sisters, and we had Hay Stacks and ice cream. So this was three times this week to eat out. FRIDAY Went for a walk down by the Mississippi this AM. There is quite a bit of ice on the river and then to go up by the horses and see them waiting to be fed. It was a slow and quiet day. I was the Wagon Narrator but there was no tour at 10AM so I headed for home to get caught up on my piles of paper. I had a young couple with their 2 boys for the noon wagon and despite the wind and cold the boys fell a sleep. No one for the 2PM.Tried to get a hold of Kalissa for her Birthday. SATURDAY 8AM we were at the Stake Center for cleaning the building and I spent all my time vacuuming.Then walked to the Visitors center to pick up the mail. then home to change and then walk to the Mail Room to pick up mail and the Van. Go to the post office but the truck was late so they hadn't sorted the mail yet so I went home to get my breakfast,next time I will take a book.After I got the mail sorted I headed home again and this time I managed to burn my lunch and discovered that our smoke alarms are not working,so I aired out the house and went on the the Family Living Center to serve. We were a bit busier than the other 2 days when I was there and actually need to stay till after. Got home to find my companion had the doors open an trying to get the smell out of the house. we finally get some lemon and spices boiling in a pot to act as potpouri.S/C wanted pizza so we enjoyed the tread. Later that night I did get a hold of Kalissa to wish her a happy Birthday. She had some friends over. Had a long talk with Dan which was very upsetting as his leg is not healing.