Birthday WOW (that's MOM spelled upside down)

           I know I make worse of situations inside of my head than how they really are – especially if I haven’t gotten a proper amount of sleep.  I know I shouldn’t be uptight and I know I shouldn’t dwell on what I can’t change – like missing dishes that have made their way out of the kitchen and haven’t been returned.  My imagination runs away with me and I get carried away – which reminds me this skit of Ernie returning a vacuum cleaner. 

        Often when I allow things to get out of hand the real life situation will have the opposite results and I find I have worked myself up for nothing.  Yesterday I had gone to the temple though Satan had done his best to keep me away.

 After the session had ended Richard and I continued to Ashland to collect Jaime to bring her home for the next four days.  She presented me with a cup that has an owl on the side.  She said it was for my birthday (which is today).  After lunch we hit a vintage store where Richard purchased a pin and a cute bag for me as well as a pig bank for himself. 

Before we pulled up to the house Richard stopped by the mailbox.  Inside was a card from Tony and his family.  That was cool.  Receiving the card right before my birthday.

When we arrived at the house the other three were in the room and were waiting for us.  Ally greeted me with “Happy Birthday, Grandma.”

            How did she even know it was my birthday?  Claire had baked brownies which she spread with a peanut butter frosting.  Ally had wanted one but Claire made her wait until we got home.  I hadn’t even noticed the banner hanging over the door.  

As soon as all of us were gathered in the room they presented me with a bag which I had assumed was from all of them, but the card in the bag was from Richard.  I pulled this gift out first and anxiously pulled out more in hopes of finding the other two wise men. 

I found a box of chocolates and a big foot paw (more chocolate) but no more kings.  

I don’t recall ever having received a Christmas ornament on my birthday before.  Before I was able to remove the ornament Richard told me that the other two kings were on each side.  Oh, wow!  What a cool idea.  I love it! 

  

spoiler alert: Christmas card this year has same pic

Claire told me my card and gift were in the kitchen.  Heavy brownies in the form of cupcakes.  Yum.

 Turned out to be a really great day which was totally opposite of what had been running through my head the day prior.  And I'm grateful that I was mistaken with my worked up thoughts.

Today I was presented with more gifts from one of my ministering sisters.  Garden stones, dishtowels. Another surprise.  Wow.  

In addition I have heard from all three of my sibs.  I received Shelly's card earlier this week.  We have emailed back and forth and she left a birthday wish on facebook (along with 25 others) and Steven texted a birthday wish.  Keith and Nat sang to me in voicemail and Tony just called with his troop and sang to me.  Life is good. 

    Our dinner for tonight will be along a Thanksgiving theme. What an awesome birthday 2023!

 

Three Houses in Nauvoo

 
          I was not the only one signed up to tour Nauvoo yesterday.  I thought we would see more of the city, but it was raining and thus we did not see much of the outside.  The tour covered only three houses. There was a set of missionaries for each house we saw.

Those residing at the homes had names I was not even familiar with – nor did I have the correct spelling on the first and so had to look it up – though I still did not find many references for those residing in the first house. This first house belonged to William and Ester Gheens (here)

The final pic shows the outside view.  

They did not take us outside but did show a picture

inside - just behind the yellow door (from above)

standing in the kitchen of the Gheens home

Behind the tree is the Nauvoo Temple.

The second house we saw was that of William and Caroline Weeks (here). 

The ceilings are quite low and everything
looked so small - like we were in a playhouse.

First they showed us where the house was in relation to their neighbors and to the temple. 

I think this is the Hunter house from a distance

I think the house in the background
is Gheens where we had come from

We were shown some architect samples and tools. 

The waste basket represents some original designs that had been discarded after a conversation with Joseph Smith. (See here for more information)

This next pic shows a parlor bench with two hats which represent the Relief Society sisters who would have made their visits.

We were shown the bedroom  and were told that though there were eleven children born to the couple, only three lived.

The last set of missionaries showed us the house of Edward Hunter who was the third bishop to reside in the Church (here)

The pineapple paper is not authentic to the house but the missionaries explained the symbolic welcome message and imagined it could have been part of the characterization of the house as it seemed to represent the Hunters.

The temple can be seen out this window and up the stairs (we did not view beyond the stairs) was a “hideout” room where we were told the Prophet would sometimes use to escape his persecutors. 

My understanding was during one of these moments is when Joseph had recorded the revelation of baptisms for the dead

The sisters had also taken us to the “pantry” which was known as the bishop’s storehouse as the members of Nauvoo were able to build up supply for those in need.

Members back then did not pay tithing in money as many members
do today; they filled baskets with trade items (such as produce or livestock)

a collection of blankets and other items

The final picture was a view outside the window of the Hunter house

notice how there’s no snow in this pic

 Back to the Gheen’s house. 

Wm Gheens died June 15, 1845.  Chairs set up
for those who had come to pay their respects