Christmas Day

 Erin and Tom came to Nauvoo on December 19th to spend Christmas with us.  Tom was happy as usual to get any gift.  He got jello from Erin.

Erin was the first of our daughters to receive her hand made cutting board.  

Tom received his new FM sweatshirt.  He was very excited about that.  He also got a new cell phone.  I don't know if he really needs a phone, but it is nice that he has one.

Erin was also the first to receive her horseshoe necklace made by Elder Jensen.  We also got her a fuzzy sweatshirt.  

The other thing both of them got from us was Covid-19.  We didn't feel well when they arrived and by Wednesday both of them didn't feel well either.  It didn't last very long and they both felt better.  Erin left for home on the 27th.  She called the next day to say she tested positive for Covid.  We both went for testing.  Pat was positive and I was negative.  Tom tested positive on the 29th.

Covid.  The gift that keeps on giving!

Erin in the Wood Shop

Erin and Tom came for a visit for Christmas.  On one of the days when we didn't have to work, Pat took Erin to the wood shop to have her help him prepare our new benches.

She was cutting out some of the pieces on the band saw.

She did some routing and ultimately she did some sanding.

These new benches will go around our fire pit at home.  They will need to be assembled in the spring, but they will be a nice addition to our yard.   I'm glad she got to use the tools in the shop as we are no longer allowed to use the wood shop or any other shop for personal use.

YSM Christmas Walk

We as senior missionaries had the opportrunity to create a "Chirstmas Walk" for the young sisters.  It was held on the 23rd of December.  They had the same route as we had several nights before.

When they returned to the the Family living Center, Elder and Sister Burns sang to them.

At the Visitors' Center, Sister Chestnut and ElderWessman played a few clarinet and oboe duets.  They were amazing.  Elder Wessman made up the harmony parts.  He plays in the Orchestra at Temple Square.

Elder and Sister Poll sang to the sisters at the Seventies Hall.

Elder Dixon gave the Grinch at the Cultural Hall.  He was really good.

We had the opportunity to tell/act out a story at the Browning Gun Shop/Home.

We used Thomas S. Monson's "The Christmas Train."  

I played the part of Tommy's mom while my companion had a great time being Tommy Monson.  The Sisters really enjoyed watching my husband play that part.  We had a lot of fun too.  
 

Cloud Formations

Last week one day this bank of clouds was coming in from the west.

When I say it was like a blanket, that's exactly what it looked like.  It appeared to be a blanket of clouds coming in to cover our bright blue sky.

Earlier in the day the reflection of the sunrise made the bank/blanket of clouds look like they were pink.

I had to stop on my way to the Engel house and snap a few pictures as there's not a good place there to get such a sight.  It's always interesting to see what God can do with his paintbrush and our sky.
 

Senior Christmas Night

There may not have been an official "Christmas Walk" this year in Nauvoo, but we certainly had one or two.  One on the 21st for the senior missionaries and the other on the 23rd for the young sisters.  The young sisters put together some beautiful things for us to enjoy.  

One group of sisters gave us the Nativity in the west theatre of the Visitors' Center.  They sang to us and it was really beautiful!

The teamsters took us around on the wagons to the various stops.  We were distanced on those wagons and out in the cold wind it was rather nice to wear a mask to keep our faces warm.

We were given blankets and a hot brick to help keep us warm!

Our second stop was the Cultural Hall where we were sung to by several of the sisters.

Back on the wagon to make our way to the Seventies Hall!

There was a lot of singing on our wagon as Cooper Chapman was with us.  She certainly liked to sing!

I always  like the decorations put up by the Conservation sisters.  This Nativity is made all out of rope.

In order to keep our groups small, there were four wagons of senior missionaries.

At the Seventies Hall we were told a story,

sung an original song,

and sung to by a group of sisters.  So pretty!

Finally at the Browning Gunsmith we were told a story and sung to by Sister Yorgasen.  Some of these sisters have absolutely angelic voices!  It was a pleasure to listen and enjoy.

Mortals Awake with Angels Join

President Rizley had this idea to have some missionaries sing outside the Mansion House for Joseph Smith's birthday.  He needed to have permission from the Community of Christ to film it since it is their property.  He didn't get it.

Before we knew we didn't have permission, we still practiced this song.  It is not a song I would ever choose to sing on purpose.  It was very high.  Still, it was so much fun to sing with those other couples.  Looking back, a lot of those missionaries were later diagnosed with Covid-19.  I do not know about the Burns but both Dixons, both Polls, Sister Carlson and my husband all tested positive.  

Any song written with four sharps is just plain cruel!  I also found out that Elder Poll can sing any part.  He was quite the task master.  I suppose it is from his years singing in the Tabernacle Choir.
 

Morning Visitors

I'm pretty sure these three are more than just morning visitors.  Two days ago I caught them outside the window eating birdseed.  I was thinking I had some really piggy birds but always wondered if the real culprits were the deer.

After finally having some newly fallen snow, I could see the deer tracks leading up to and away from my feeders.  No more!  This little family may be brave enough to hang outside our home this closely, but I refuse to feed them!  Since we moved here, we've seen so many deer in the back and side yards.

I've also seen a coyote and turkeys and a lot of geese.  Sometimes at night I can hear an owl across the street in the state park and on occasion we can hear the young coyote pups yipping and barking.  They sound like they're right outside the window!