This week there were several BIG logs on the burn pile. One was burned hollow like a big kiln! We had some branches fall in a wind storm and Elder Cullen had fun igniting them by holding them inside this burning hollow log!
One of our site missionary friends came with us to the burn pile. She had been living here for 5 months and never knew it existed. It was very exciting for her and a fun change of pace. We're excited because now that the LARGE groups of tourists have settled to a gentler pace, WE get to help with tours on Sunday. I love giving tours.
I want to reflect on the power of paying attention to details. With the weather getting deliciously cooler there also comes a HUGE amount of raking up leaves and acorns. I think we filled the truck and went out to the burn pile two and three times a day this week. So our work load has increased. I find my body is quite sore as it adjusts to the new work load. I am getting stronger! However, there are times when I see a mess and think...ugh...maybe tomorrow.
Then I say a prayer asking for energy and strength and say, I'll clean two feet of this then go inside and lay down. And I do the two feet and it looks so good I say "Two more then that's it for today", and so on.
There were PILES of acorns and dirt and debris under the outer fence. It looked so bad from the street. One corner of the lot is so bad, I called it "filthy corner". I started my "two feet" mentality because it was such a big job, and ended up finishing it in about an hour. It looked so good. I felt a huge burden lifted. I had been putting that area off for two weeks now! LOL but caring for little DETAILS makes the whole look so excellent it IS worth it.
Another job I've been putting off was the nasty webs nests left by the worm invasion. I've cleaned them before but they just kept coming back! The guests don't often look up so no one was noticing or at least not saying anything. As I cleaned windows I would look at those doors and think..OK Tomorrow...OK tomorrow....ugh tomorrow.
Then as I was exiting the Visitor's Center this week I looked up and saw THIS...worm guts dripping down because the doors had closed on them... SOOOO gross! I had to stop everything and put gloves on and scrub and scrub with bug windshield wiper fluid and green scrubby pad...I had left the disgusting job too long. It took an hour to clean it properly.
Now it will look SPLENDID until next Spring because it's so cold now the bugs are ALL gone! YAHOOOO!!!
So one of the sisters here is an artist and offered to teach me how to water color. This was my first attempt. The view from my bedroom window. If you know watercolor....you can tell this is a subpar job. BUT....it's my first attempt and it was so peaceful to just sit with a friend and fool around with paint and daub it clean and start over and erase and try again until it was good enough. Creating and being creative is very good for the mind and soul. I encourage all of you to MAKE something this week.
See how it makes you feel! The Autumn air is so wonderful, the lighting is equisite the trees are so beautiful it hurts to look at them. WHY? The joy is too much. Why? I don't know.
Is it because it reminds our souls of heaven and causes us to LONG for that place?
Maybe! But I just walk around and stare and exclaim "OH So BEAUTIFUL! Thank you Heavenly Father!"
This week we had some fun social adventures. One of our friends invited us to a tea party then watch The Enchanted April.
It was SOOO fun. Her husband and Reg had their own tea party and went upstairs with their delicious tea and treats and watched old black and white movies from their childhood and had so much fun!
We had 8 women there. Everyone but me was from the sewing room. They are a delightful bunch. Everyone brought something fun to eat.
Also this week, we had a good bye lunch for two of my dear Blue Belle Sisters...Their missions are done, they finished well. I will miss them a lot!
These women are so accepting and loving. I feel that God has blessed me with one or two people in each phase of my life who love me for who I am, who are not jealous of me or critical of my faults. I am just loved for who I am. THESE women were some of those. I will miss them.
Elder Cullen and I played pool this week. Unfortuneately he hit the 8 ball into the pocket so I won. HAHAHH!
Something else that is fun about this mission is that everyone is SO generous. One of the site missionaries gave us this beautiful gift just because when they came out to do tours here in Carthage.
So that's all for this week. I invite you to do something that brings you closer to Jesus this week. Serve someone, forgive someone, talk to Him about something that makes you happy, sad, or mad. Then write about it in your journal. LOVE YOU ALL!
