Monday, June 29, 2015
"Blue lanyards" means the person can help a guest with research at the computer. Our zone leader brought me one and said, "You're trained. Here you go!" Wow! I was so excited. I felt really official. We traded around to the different stations--an hour at a time. I was on the front desk, at the scanning area, helping guests on the floor. Amazingly enough, I was actually able to help some people and really loved it. It scares Robert, but we're learning more every day. The people who come in are very nice (at least everyone I've had) and they really appreciate our help. I want everyone who comes in to feel welcome and feel they've accomplished something. It's a wonderful feeling to help them.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
We Begin...
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Last Friday, the 26th, we completed our training at the Family History Library. We did a week of basic FamilySearch--mostly review, but depending on our experience and what all we covered with our trainers at the Joseph Smith Building, it may have been review and it may have been new. As we moved around the library we became more familiar with the layout of it.
There are five floors with books, microfilm, computers. The first floor, where we'll be, is United States/Canada beginning research. If they're beyond that we refer them to the second floor. There are also floors for the English Isles and an international floor.
We're on the schedule for next week. We switch stations every hour. My biggest concern at the moment is that when I'm assigned to the front desk or the exit desk, they're about chest high and we sit on a tall stool behind them and I can't get up there! Oh, woe is me for my shortness!
For a continuing saga: I got another pair of white shoes yesterday. We'll see if these work out. We also found an alterations shop, so next Tuesday (our P day--preparation day--day off) we're going to have them shorten Robert's new suit. The alterations Penney's did when we bought it were not well done and he's lost weight since we bought it and it's too long. I would do it myself, but they put about a 3 inch hem in the pants and I can't shorten them without cutting them off, so want someone else to do it.
Last Friday, the 26th, we completed our training at the Family History Library. We did a week of basic FamilySearch--mostly review, but depending on our experience and what all we covered with our trainers at the Joseph Smith Building, it may have been review and it may have been new. As we moved around the library we became more familiar with the layout of it.
There are five floors with books, microfilm, computers. The first floor, where we'll be, is United States/Canada beginning research. If they're beyond that we refer them to the second floor. There are also floors for the English Isles and an international floor.
We're on the schedule for next week. We switch stations every hour. My biggest concern at the moment is that when I'm assigned to the front desk or the exit desk, they're about chest high and we sit on a tall stool behind them and I can't get up there! Oh, woe is me for my shortness!
For a continuing saga: I got another pair of white shoes yesterday. We'll see if these work out. We also found an alterations shop, so next Tuesday (our P day--preparation day--day off) we're going to have them shorten Robert's new suit. The alterations Penney's did when we bought it were not well done and he's lost weight since we bought it and it's too long. I would do it myself, but they put about a 3 inch hem in the pants and I can't shorten them without cutting them off, so want someone else to do it.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Week 3
Monday, June 15, 2015
Back this morning for training. I like the days with few interruptions. We can just really get into our records and do so much. I'm really learning, just hope I'm really remembering!
This evening was the Aloha Dinner put on by our branch. It was to say hello to the new missionaries (like us) and good by to the ones who are leaving--there were more of them than of us. It was at the stake center and we had volunteered to set up tables and chairs and set the tables. Wow, did they set up for a crowd! I didn't try to count the tables or the place settings, but they must have prepared for at least 250 people. It was all very well done with centerpieces, etc. They had a couple of short skirts at the beginning, which were cute. They did the "Who's on First" thing with a guy from England, a guy from Japan and the American guy who was in charge of the dinner. It was funny. Then our branch president, President Klopfer, had arranged for an abbreviated version of the play "Our Own Story," which they put on in Nauvoo, to be presented. We'd heard at church on Sunday that he is very involved in music and knows the who's who of music in the church. So he had assembled a cast of 13, who had all performed in the play in Nauvoo in the past, to put it on for it and it was FABULOUS! They were all professional grade musicians, the accompanist was a marvel and they told the story having us laugh one minute and cry the next. What an evening. I've told a couple of people that every day we have been on this mission has brought new blessings--some little whispers, some gang buster events. This of course was one of the latter. But I keep thinking, "Surely we've used up all of the blessings that could possibly come our way" and every day brings more. It doesn't seem possible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
We start each day with a devotional and they're wonderful. One of our favorite parts is that Elder Thomas finds three or four clips on the computer that he shows us. Usually the first one or two will be something funny--cats doing crazy things, or some funny commercial, or a comedian talking about the differences between men and women. Then there'll be a more serious one, then maybe a very serious one that may bring a tear. We love them all.
Today we got to go back to the Church History Library to see some of the things they have and take the tour we missed last week. They have such great collections there. It's such an interesting place. We saw copies of the "Children's Friend" from the earliest day, one of the first Books of Mormon, shelves and shelves of interesting books and periodicals.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Today Sister Hutchins and I wrote down some things we wanted to search out in person, so she took me to the Family History Library for a field trip! I loved it, of course. We went to the second floor to the Special Collections room and I looked up my maternal gggrandfather and found his sealing to his wife in Heber C. Kimball's office. The Endowment House was closed for some reason, so they did it in his office.
Then we found a young guy who is a specialist in Irish records. My ggggrandfather on my dad's mother's side, was born in Tyrone County, Ireland, married in Ireland and their first four children were born there. Since we had dates and a place, we thought maybe we could find birth records on them. But it has to be narrowed down to the city or town, so he helped us look for books with indexes and a CD that helps you plot where certain families were numerous in what year (such a cool thing to use), and now I have some more work to do when I go back and look up the books.
After lunch we went to the Assembly Hall for a Mission Conference. President Workman and President Johns will both be released at the end of June, so they both spoke. It was very good. Pres. Workman talked for probably 30 minutes, without notes, on Christ and kept me on the edge of my seat.
After the conference Robert and I went to the temple to do sealings. I had ten names with me that I've needed to do for quite awhile. Two other couples from our branch were there, too, and they each had names. So we traded out the kneeling and worked on each other's names. We got all of mine done. I was very grateful.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
This was our last real day of training because tomorrow we will get our assignments and all go to the temple together. We went back over some of the things I learned last week--attaching pictures of documents in Family Search, ways to search, ways to organize information--I just hope I can remember it when I need it or someone I'm trying to help needs it.
For lunch we went to the Church Office Building cafeteria because it is prime rib day! Wow, a plate-sized piece of the tenderest meat imaginable, mashed potatoes and gravy and broccoli salad--absolutely mouth watering and under $20 for two of us.
I've worked on myself all week. With 19 zones in this mission, there are so many more places we could be sent than I even knew existed. I'm willing to go anywhere they need me. I know I'll learn things no matter where I'm sent. I want to have a good attitude about it. I've prayed that I can physically go wherever I'm needed and do whatever I'm asked to do and be happy about it. I know there are some things that I'm more interested in than others, but I don't want to be disappointed in any way.
At the end of the day, Dr. Ricks met with us and talked about exercise and staying healthy. The walking is good for Robert and me both. I feel I should be doing more exercise each day. I hope I can build up to it.
Friday, June 19, 2015
THE BIG DAY FINALLY ARRIVED!!
We met in the Training Zone for our devotional, spent a few minutes with our trainers, then went downstairs to the chapel. They had a homemade bread and honey butter snack for us--yummy. Then back to the chapel for our assignments. We sang, "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" and there were many chuckles. President Workman asked us to stand as he called us, listen for our assignment, then look at our Zone Leader, because we would meet with them after everyone got their assignments. He called our names and said "Hosting Zone" and I didn't even know what that was! My trainer was sitting next to me and she grabbed my arm and said, "You'll love it! You get to greet people. You'll be so good at it. You'll be in the Family History Library." I was still so stunned, I honestly didn't comprehend where we were going or what we would be doing. We met with our zone leader and his wife and they explained we'll be at the FHL, we'll greet people as they come in, there are many different stations and we switch every hour. We may be greeting, showing the video, explaining what all is done there, help them get on the computers, etc.
Basically, it's exactly what I wanted!! How did that happen? I was so afraid I would be in a room with a computer and a telephone helping people solve problems, or in a room with a stack of documents filming all day, and I want to be with people!! That's what I'll be doing! I'm so excited. It's so wonderful.
We went to the Salt Lake Temple and went through a session together--all of us, the mission presidency, the trainers, all of those who just came out. It was a great experience. Then we went to the temple cafeteria for lunch and felt spiritually and physically and emotionally fed. What an amazing day.
When we got home we called ComCast about internet service. The Jet Pack from Verizon just wasn't going to work. We had gone through two gigs of data (one in an hour) in a week and had been scared to death to get on the computer. I had checked our bank account once and looked at my e-mail twice. This wasn't going to work.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Since we have our own router/modem Robert was able to just plug everything in and we are finally on the internet. It'll be about $30/month. We can handle that. It's been a nightmare. So glad it's finally worked out. I got up at 6:30 and started trying to update the blog. Meg's been putting pictures on for me. It's been quite the process.
We went back to Rio Grande Street to the Verizon store to turn in the Jet Pack and the guy was very nice. Hopefully everything will work out. The bill should be a nightmare to figure out. I looked again for white shoes--no luck. I'll make it, if I have to wear my ugly shoes to the FHL every day and then change into something that looks better.
There is ALWAYS something going on in SLC and this weekend was an arts festival. They had the street closed off between the shops on Rio Grande and they were doing sidewalk chalk drawings. They were just so cool. Neither of us had a phone or a camera, so we ran some errands, came home and got phones and camera and went back. They were too wonderful to not have some of them to keep.
We went to the Dollar Tree and then to Deseret Industries. I got some crazy stuff at DI, but things we felt we needed. We have an ironing board in the apt., but it fits over the door and it's very unwieldy to use, so I got one for $3! We also got a crock pot ($8), some more glasses and plates (so we can feed the missionaries), and speakers for the computer--can't believe we left ANYthing electronic at home, but guess we did. Think we're pretty well set now.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Spent a quiet morning at home then walked to church. It was hot, but a pretty good breeze, which was very welcome. We had a lesson in Sunday School about the Parable of the Talents. The instructor had asked ten different people to tell us a talent they had been given. One Elder said his talent was to go on overnight camp outs with the scouts, sleep on the ground, and wake up refreshed and ready to go! Made me think of some of the great scout leaders our boys had, like Robert Ault and Alton Cryer who seem to be able to do that and taught our boys so much. We're very grateful for them.
We had a great Sacrament Meeting, too. The man who was the Scouter and his wife spoke. He is serving in the Temple building department and she told about the people who build the temples. They don't have to be members of the church, but they have to agree to abide by the rules of modest dress, no smoking, no cursing, no drinking. She said the vendor who has done the stained glass windows in the new Payson Temple and Arizona Temple is in Lehi and they give tours. I think that would be very interesting.
Back this morning for training. I like the days with few interruptions. We can just really get into our records and do so much. I'm really learning, just hope I'm really remembering!
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
We start each day with a devotional and they're wonderful. One of our favorite parts is that Elder Thomas finds three or four clips on the computer that he shows us. Usually the first one or two will be something funny--cats doing crazy things, or some funny commercial, or a comedian talking about the differences between men and women. Then there'll be a more serious one, then maybe a very serious one that may bring a tear. We love them all.
Today we got to go back to the Church History Library to see some of the things they have and take the tour we missed last week. They have such great collections there. It's such an interesting place. We saw copies of the "Children's Friend" from the earliest day, one of the first Books of Mormon, shelves and shelves of interesting books and periodicals.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Today Sister Hutchins and I wrote down some things we wanted to search out in person, so she took me to the Family History Library for a field trip! I loved it, of course. We went to the second floor to the Special Collections room and I looked up my maternal gggrandfather and found his sealing to his wife in Heber C. Kimball's office. The Endowment House was closed for some reason, so they did it in his office.
Then we found a young guy who is a specialist in Irish records. My ggggrandfather on my dad's mother's side, was born in Tyrone County, Ireland, married in Ireland and their first four children were born there. Since we had dates and a place, we thought maybe we could find birth records on them. But it has to be narrowed down to the city or town, so he helped us look for books with indexes and a CD that helps you plot where certain families were numerous in what year (such a cool thing to use), and now I have some more work to do when I go back and look up the books.
After lunch we went to the Assembly Hall for a Mission Conference. President Workman and President Johns will both be released at the end of June, so they both spoke. It was very good. Pres. Workman talked for probably 30 minutes, without notes, on Christ and kept me on the edge of my seat.
After the conference Robert and I went to the temple to do sealings. I had ten names with me that I've needed to do for quite awhile. Two other couples from our branch were there, too, and they each had names. So we traded out the kneeling and worked on each other's names. We got all of mine done. I was very grateful.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
This was our last real day of training because tomorrow we will get our assignments and all go to the temple together. We went back over some of the things I learned last week--attaching pictures of documents in Family Search, ways to search, ways to organize information--I just hope I can remember it when I need it or someone I'm trying to help needs it.
I've worked on myself all week. With 19 zones in this mission, there are so many more places we could be sent than I even knew existed. I'm willing to go anywhere they need me. I know I'll learn things no matter where I'm sent. I want to have a good attitude about it. I've prayed that I can physically go wherever I'm needed and do whatever I'm asked to do and be happy about it. I know there are some things that I'm more interested in than others, but I don't want to be disappointed in any way.
At the end of the day, Dr. Ricks met with us and talked about exercise and staying healthy. The walking is good for Robert and me both. I feel I should be doing more exercise each day. I hope I can build up to it.
Friday, June 19, 2015
THE BIG DAY FINALLY ARRIVED!!
We met in the Training Zone for our devotional, spent a few minutes with our trainers, then went downstairs to the chapel. They had a homemade bread and honey butter snack for us--yummy. Then back to the chapel for our assignments. We sang, "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" and there were many chuckles. President Workman asked us to stand as he called us, listen for our assignment, then look at our Zone Leader, because we would meet with them after everyone got their assignments. He called our names and said "Hosting Zone" and I didn't even know what that was! My trainer was sitting next to me and she grabbed my arm and said, "You'll love it! You get to greet people. You'll be so good at it. You'll be in the Family History Library." I was still so stunned, I honestly didn't comprehend where we were going or what we would be doing. We met with our zone leader and his wife and they explained we'll be at the FHL, we'll greet people as they come in, there are many different stations and we switch every hour. We may be greeting, showing the video, explaining what all is done there, help them get on the computers, etc.
Basically, it's exactly what I wanted!! How did that happen? I was so afraid I would be in a room with a computer and a telephone helping people solve problems, or in a room with a stack of documents filming all day, and I want to be with people!! That's what I'll be doing! I'm so excited. It's so wonderful.We went to the Salt Lake Temple and went through a session together--all of us, the mission presidency, the trainers, all of those who just came out. It was a great experience. Then we went to the temple cafeteria for lunch and felt spiritually and physically and emotionally fed. What an amazing day.
When we got home we called ComCast about internet service. The Jet Pack from Verizon just wasn't going to work. We had gone through two gigs of data (one in an hour) in a week and had been scared to death to get on the computer. I had checked our bank account once and looked at my e-mail twice. This wasn't going to work.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Since we have our own router/modem Robert was able to just plug everything in and we are finally on the internet. It'll be about $30/month. We can handle that. It's been a nightmare. So glad it's finally worked out. I got up at 6:30 and started trying to update the blog. Meg's been putting pictures on for me. It's been quite the process.
We went back to Rio Grande Street to the Verizon store to turn in the Jet Pack and the guy was very nice. Hopefully everything will work out. The bill should be a nightmare to figure out. I looked again for white shoes--no luck. I'll make it, if I have to wear my ugly shoes to the FHL every day and then change into something that looks better.
There is ALWAYS something going on in SLC and this weekend was an arts festival. They had the street closed off between the shops on Rio Grande and they were doing sidewalk chalk drawings. They were just so cool. Neither of us had a phone or a camera, so we ran some errands, came home and got phones and camera and went back. They were too wonderful to not have some of them to keep.
We went to the Dollar Tree and then to Deseret Industries. I got some crazy stuff at DI, but things we felt we needed. We have an ironing board in the apt., but it fits over the door and it's very unwieldy to use, so I got one for $3! We also got a crock pot ($8), some more glasses and plates (so we can feed the missionaries), and speakers for the computer--can't believe we left ANYthing electronic at home, but guess we did. Think we're pretty well set now. Sunday, June 21, 2015
Spent a quiet morning at home then walked to church. It was hot, but a pretty good breeze, which was very welcome. We had a lesson in Sunday School about the Parable of the Talents. The instructor had asked ten different people to tell us a talent they had been given. One Elder said his talent was to go on overnight camp outs with the scouts, sleep on the ground, and wake up refreshed and ready to go! Made me think of some of the great scout leaders our boys had, like Robert Ault and Alton Cryer who seem to be able to do that and taught our boys so much. We're very grateful for them.
We had a great Sacrament Meeting, too. The man who was the Scouter and his wife spoke. He is serving in the Temple building department and she told about the people who build the temples. They don't have to be members of the church, but they have to agree to abide by the rules of modest dress, no smoking, no cursing, no drinking. She said the vendor who has done the stained glass windows in the new Payson Temple and Arizona Temple is in Lehi and they give tours. I think that would be very interesting.
Week 2
Monday, June 8, 2015
Made the trek back to the JSMB--still huffing and puffing. But it helped to go by ourselves at our own pace. The lights at the corners are LONG! We heard from so many different people and moved from place to place. I met my trainer, Sister Hutchins from California. She's very sweet. I really like her. We took pictures with the mission president, President Workman, and then pictures of the whole group. more pictures and received our security passes. I came home totally exhausted and everything became a blur. I napped awhile then called and talked to Meghan. I feel bad that I may have sounded negative. I was just so exhausted.
We had a BEAUTIFUL lunch in the Jade Room with the mission presidency. We sat at the table with President Johns and his wife. They had lived in El Paso for several years, but they live here in Utah now. The lunch was delicious--salad, spinach lasagna, melt-in-your-mouth rolls from the Beehive House, with honey butter, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. In the afternoon we went over to the Church Office Building.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Today was better. We walked through the underground tunnel/parking area to the Church History Library. We'd never figure out how to do it on our own! But we didn't get to have our training there, a mix-up on the rooms. So we were dismissed early. We were excited that our internet Jet Pack would be here, but it wasn't. We called and were told, "No, Wednesday. They should not have told you Tuesday." Bah, humbug.
Pat and Courtney surprised us today and we met up with them in the Joseph Smith Building. We had a good, but short visit. They had come up and stayed with Courtney's brother. It's fun to have people we seldom see just drop in for a visit!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Good day of training. I'm learning a lot. So thankful for Sister Hutchins and her knowledge and her patience.
The Jet Pack was almost delivered, but we weren't there to receive it. More hassle on the phone, maybe tomorrow.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
This morning we watched the most amazing video by President Beardall, who used to be in the mission presidency. He talked about genealogy--the enumeration of ancestors and their children in natural order or succession and history--a narration, or account of circumstances and events pertaining to something, such as a family. Thus, we have Family History. He explained that we need both, the facts of genealogy and the stories of our history. Neither is complete without the other. He described how you can write the story by carefully studying the documents that make up the genealogy--much as I tried to do in my farewell talk with the census records of my gggrandmother. He told the story of his wife's aunt, who had died when she was only five. The story was so very touching, not a dry eye in the room. He told us the African proverb, "When an old man dies, a library burns." How many of us knew our grandfathers? our great grandfathers? Usually within two generations of a person's death, there will be no one left who knew him personally. If we don't write our own stories, our history will be lost.
At the end of the day a nurse from the medical unit talked to us. The unit is there in the middle of the Training Zone. There is a GP, a dermatologist, an orthopedic doctor, an ENT and several nurses on the staff. There is no charge to see any of them. We don't need an appointment to talk to one of the nurses, but we need appointments for the doctors. If they have to run x-rays or do lab work, there is a charge for those. It's amazing that all of this is available to us.
The Jet Pack arrived--glory hallelujah, but more hassle. It ate up over a gig of data in about an hour. This has to get better.
Friday, June 12, 2015
We had interviews this morning with the mission presidency and their wives. Each couple spent about ten minutes with each missionary couple. They're great people. As we were leaving President Workman he said, "We are so grateful for you. We prayed you here." I couldn't help but think, "No, you didn't. I wanted to come so very much. I'm here because I asked to come and Robert was good enough to support me and you granted my request." Later I thought, "Maybe that's why I wanted to come so very much. From last fall on, the desire just got stronger and stronger." Maybe we're here because he prayed us here and maybe because it's an answer to my prayers and maybe one goes hand in hand with the other!
We ended the day with a presentation by the Data Administration people--the folks we contact when we're having trouble with our records on Family Search. That would be a tough job. They also continually change and "improve" things on Family Search. They're above the Training Zone in the building. So Sister Hutchins says she sometimes wants to take a stick, tap on the ceiling, and say, "Hey, what are you doing up there? Why don't you warn us when you're changing something?!" She cracks me up.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
We got some housekeeping chores done this morning and then headed to the Verizon store to return some extra things they sent us that we didn't want, need, or want to pay for. I also wanted some white shoes. The ones I brought have been eating my little toes with all the walking. Sitting in church for 3 hours is nothing like walking to church and home again. There is a difference!
We found the neatest shopping area--The Gateway. It's part of the old Union Pacific Railroad station and I remember being taken there as a girl. It's on Rio Grande Street and there's a Children's Museum, a splash area for kids, a big Dick's Sporting Goods complete with a climbing walls, two levels of shops, an IMAX theater, so many cool things. We want to go again and can't for little people to come see us so we can take them there.
We went to The Walking Store to look for shoes and they took an interesting picture of my feet and said I put all the pressure on the ball of my left foot, none on the heel--I guess because of my left ankle fusion--weird. But I decided to go to Sandy to the SAS Shoe Store and I bought a pair of white shoes there that I think will be great.
Then we came back to Salt Lake and met Dave and Trish for late lunch/early dinner at the Red Iguana. We had heard it was good. Good thing we got there when we did. We only had a short wait and when we left there was a looong line of people waiting to get in. It's Mexican food and very good.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
We met Dave and Trish at the Tabernacle for the choir broadcast. It had been many years since I had been to one of those. It was wonderful. I was thrilled that one of the songs they did was "These are a few of my Favorite Things." At the end they sang to us, "God be with you til we meet again." I cried over that one. I usually do anyway, but to hear the choir sing it was amazing. They're leaving next week for a tour back east and around the 4th of July they will sing the national anthem at a Yankee baseball game. I think that is very cool. We said good-by to Dave & Trish. They were headed home. It sure was good to see them and have such a good visit.
Later we walked to and from church (in my wonderful new white shoes) and now I have a blister about the size of a penny on the side of my right heel. So much for that good idea.
Made the trek back to the JSMB--still huffing and puffing. But it helped to go by ourselves at our own pace. The lights at the corners are LONG! We heard from so many different people and moved from place to place. I met my trainer, Sister Hutchins from California. She's very sweet. I really like her. We took pictures with the mission president, President Workman, and then pictures of the whole group. more pictures and received our security passes. I came home totally exhausted and everything became a blur. I napped awhile then called and talked to Meghan. I feel bad that I may have sounded negative. I was just so exhausted.
We had a BEAUTIFUL lunch in the Jade Room with the mission presidency. We sat at the table with President Johns and his wife. They had lived in El Paso for several years, but they live here in Utah now. The lunch was delicious--salad, spinach lasagna, melt-in-your-mouth rolls from the Beehive House, with honey butter, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. In the afternoon we went over to the Church Office Building.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Today was better. We walked through the underground tunnel/parking area to the Church History Library. We'd never figure out how to do it on our own! But we didn't get to have our training there, a mix-up on the rooms. So we were dismissed early. We were excited that our internet Jet Pack would be here, but it wasn't. We called and were told, "No, Wednesday. They should not have told you Tuesday." Bah, humbug.
Pat and Courtney surprised us today and we met up with them in the Joseph Smith Building. We had a good, but short visit. They had come up and stayed with Courtney's brother. It's fun to have people we seldom see just drop in for a visit!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Good day of training. I'm learning a lot. So thankful for Sister Hutchins and her knowledge and her patience.
The Jet Pack was almost delivered, but we weren't there to receive it. More hassle on the phone, maybe tomorrow.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
This morning we watched the most amazing video by President Beardall, who used to be in the mission presidency. He talked about genealogy--the enumeration of ancestors and their children in natural order or succession and history--a narration, or account of circumstances and events pertaining to something, such as a family. Thus, we have Family History. He explained that we need both, the facts of genealogy and the stories of our history. Neither is complete without the other. He described how you can write the story by carefully studying the documents that make up the genealogy--much as I tried to do in my farewell talk with the census records of my gggrandmother. He told the story of his wife's aunt, who had died when she was only five. The story was so very touching, not a dry eye in the room. He told us the African proverb, "When an old man dies, a library burns." How many of us knew our grandfathers? our great grandfathers? Usually within two generations of a person's death, there will be no one left who knew him personally. If we don't write our own stories, our history will be lost.
At the end of the day a nurse from the medical unit talked to us. The unit is there in the middle of the Training Zone. There is a GP, a dermatologist, an orthopedic doctor, an ENT and several nurses on the staff. There is no charge to see any of them. We don't need an appointment to talk to one of the nurses, but we need appointments for the doctors. If they have to run x-rays or do lab work, there is a charge for those. It's amazing that all of this is available to us.
The Jet Pack arrived--glory hallelujah, but more hassle. It ate up over a gig of data in about an hour. This has to get better.
Friday, June 12, 2015
We had interviews this morning with the mission presidency and their wives. Each couple spent about ten minutes with each missionary couple. They're great people. As we were leaving President Workman he said, "We are so grateful for you. We prayed you here." I couldn't help but think, "No, you didn't. I wanted to come so very much. I'm here because I asked to come and Robert was good enough to support me and you granted my request." Later I thought, "Maybe that's why I wanted to come so very much. From last fall on, the desire just got stronger and stronger." Maybe we're here because he prayed us here and maybe because it's an answer to my prayers and maybe one goes hand in hand with the other!
We ended the day with a presentation by the Data Administration people--the folks we contact when we're having trouble with our records on Family Search. That would be a tough job. They also continually change and "improve" things on Family Search. They're above the Training Zone in the building. So Sister Hutchins says she sometimes wants to take a stick, tap on the ceiling, and say, "Hey, what are you doing up there? Why don't you warn us when you're changing something?!" She cracks me up.
My friends David and Trisha Downer were in town from Henderson. Trisha and I were born three days apart in the same hospital. Ours mothers were in the hospital together. In sixth grade Trisha and I were in the same class and became best friends. Her family was such an inspiration to me. The first time I ever had family prayer was in their home and they would talk to me about my mother. I feel I owe much of my desire to have a strong, righteous family and warm, welcoming LDS home was because of Trisha's family. They're very dear to me. Her older sister, Louise, was my Beehive leader before I was ever baptized into the church and I still remember the lesson she taught us on the Word of Wisdom. Anyway, Trisha and I double-dated in high school, we were in each other's weddings, and we've stayed in touch all of these years. We went out to eat with them tonight and they treated us to Rodizio's Grill--yummo, yummo! It was excellent. A great salad bar followed by waiters coming around with skewers of all sorts of meat and you could have as much or as little as you wanted. We tried just about everything. I passed on the chicken hearts, though not much else.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
We got some housekeeping chores done this morning and then headed to the Verizon store to return some extra things they sent us that we didn't want, need, or want to pay for. I also wanted some white shoes. The ones I brought have been eating my little toes with all the walking. Sitting in church for 3 hours is nothing like walking to church and home again. There is a difference!
We went to The Walking Store to look for shoes and they took an interesting picture of my feet and said I put all the pressure on the ball of my left foot, none on the heel--I guess because of my left ankle fusion--weird. But I decided to go to Sandy to the SAS Shoe Store and I bought a pair of white shoes there that I think will be great.
Then we came back to Salt Lake and met Dave and Trish for late lunch/early dinner at the Red Iguana. We had heard it was good. Good thing we got there when we did. We only had a short wait and when we left there was a looong line of people waiting to get in. It's Mexican food and very good.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
We met Dave and Trish at the Tabernacle for the choir broadcast. It had been many years since I had been to one of those. It was wonderful. I was thrilled that one of the songs they did was "These are a few of my Favorite Things." At the end they sang to us, "God be with you til we meet again." I cried over that one. I usually do anyway, but to hear the choir sing it was amazing. They're leaving next week for a tour back east and around the 4th of July they will sing the national anthem at a Yankee baseball game. I think that is very cool. We said good-by to Dave & Trish. They were headed home. It sure was good to see them and have such a good visit.
Later we walked to and from church (in my wonderful new white shoes) and now I have a blister about the size of a penny on the side of my right heel. So much for that good idea.
We're OFF!
Friday, May 29, 2015
We had packed for days. Robert had said, "No more. That's it. We're full." Then I went into the front closet to get my scriptures and saw our jackets. I came out with my arms full and said, "Jackets, Robert, we have to have jackets in Salt Lake City. He stuffed them in. Then I went in our closet and there were all of our shoes. He found a bag and put them in. Finally I said, "Why don't we ship that box of winter clothes UPS and then we'll have room for another box." The problem was, that was the first box we had packed and it was on the very bottom. He found another box and just unloaded it--stuffed things into corners and empty spaces and we kept putting in more. I couldn't imagine how we would unload it when we reached the apartment, but that was a problem for another day.
Thursday night Matthew and Meghan and Mason came to say good by and brought us a beautiful leather-bound missionary journal. Now if I can just get up the courage to write in something so pretty! Brenda and Laura brought a bag of goodies for the trip--including what I consider "book club" cookies--yumm. Scott Schabatka brought Robert the other laptop and Debbie Childress came to say good by. She had just gotten home from New York City and had great pictures to share. We dropped into bed at ll:00, exhausted.
We made a last sweep through the house. Surely we had everything we could possibly take and everything was as neat as we could leave it. The fridge wasn't cleaned out. Matthew and Meghan said they'd get it later.
We passed lots of flooded areas in Texas. There has been so much rain for weeks. We were headed for Lubbock to see Josh and Blanca and Robert's "Little Buddy" Aaron. We were talking, I guess, and passed one of our turns. Josh called and Robert told him, "We're getting close now. We just passed the sign to Midland-Odessa." Josh said, "You ARE kidding, right?" Midland-Odessa is west Texas! No, we weren't kidding. We had to head back. We met up with them at Jason's Deli and had a good visit. Aaron had tubes put in his ears that morning and we felt the noise in the restaurant hurt his ears. But it was fun to visit.
We got back on the road and headed toward Clovis. We had forgotten to get gas in Lubbock, so had to pull in the first station we saw. You couldn't pay at the pump, so Robert headed into the station just as the sky bottomed out. There was sleet mixed with rain and it was freezing cold! He got back in the car soaked through. The storm alert alarm on the radio kept going off. We had a hard time understanding the guy. Finally realized he was saying, "Danger! Alert! Danger! Tornado warning. Seek shelter immediately. Your life is in peril! Danger!" Wow, where? Finally realized he was saying "Roosevelt County" and I found us on the map--sure enough, we were in Roosevelt County! The sky was totally black and the rain was coming in sheets. The streets were immediately flooded and we were driving through several inches of water. I felt we should get a motel and stay there. Robert could see it clearing ahead and we kept going. The sky cleared and it was so bright we could hardly see. It looked like bright white rocks along the railroad tracks and we realized it was sleet piled up. There was even a snow plow ready to clear the roads! We made it to Santa Rosa before we stopped. Quite a start to our Big Adventure.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Lots more driving, then got into Provo Saturday night. We drove through town and found the MTC (the Missionary Training Center).
We'd go through those gates on Monday! It's all seeming more "real" all the time. We found a motel and tried to just unpack what we would need for two nights. On Sunday we picked a road and drove until we found a steeple and pulled in about 5 to 9:00. Sure enough, we were there in time for church. They announced some missionaries who had just gotten their calls--two for Japan. They have adventures ahead of them, too. It was good to go back to the motel, relax, do some laundry, and get ready for Week 1.
Monday, June 1, 2015 (We're not going to the middle of the ocean; that's as far as I could reach!)
Our first day at the MTC! We checked in about l0:00 A.M. and received our orientation materials. In the afternoon we met the MTC presidency and their wives. The opening song was "Called to Serve" (surprise!) and as we sat there singing, I had like a little electric jolt--I would never have believed I would one day be sitting in the MTC, singing with a room full of missionaries. It brought me to tears. What a special experience this is--to meet other couples from so many places, going all over the world--to Thailand, Bulgaria, Atlanta, Nauvoo, the Polynesian Cultural Center--each so wonderful and so exciting. When I asked the Nauvoo sister if they were going to sing and play instruments, she put her arms out and started singing, "Welcome to Nauvoo!" I asked the Polynesian Cultural Center sister if she had requested that and she said, "No." I thought, "You just said you'd go and they pulled the PCC out of a hat?!" Amazing! The couples are so fun and so interesting. One sister, headed to Atlanta, is here and so is her granddaughter, headed to Canada. How cool is that?
Elder Taylor, the senior couple coordinator, urged us to get a journal and record impressions as they come. We have the beautiful one M & M gave us before we left, so we got a spiral notebook at the bookstore and are using that for now.
David Chinn is over teaching the senior couples, so he told Elder Taylor we were coming and Elder Taylor loves teasing Robert, who loves it. When Robert introduced us he said, "We're from southeast Texas and we hope to be able to understand the foreign language in Salt Lake City." Everyone seemed to pick up on that and they all laughed and many came and commented to us later. As Lola said before we left home, when we leave the mission, even if I know the computer better than he does, if someone mentions my name, someone else will say, "Oh, you mean that lady who was here with Robert?" Exactly.
All of the mission presidency have been mission presidents somewhere. One of them told us to leave behind any concerns we have about home or family or anything else. It will be resolved. He told us when he and his wife were going to leave for Brazil for three years (as the mission president), their daughter in Tennessee was expecting her fourth child. The doctor decided the baby had spina bifida, but could have surgery in utero, but the mom would be on bed rest for 15 weeks. His wife said she would have to call the brethren, she couldn't leave then. Their daughter said, "No, Mom, you go. I've promised the Lord if you do what you're supposed to do, I'll do what I'm supposed to do and I'll be fine. The mom went for the surgery and lined up family members to be with her a week at a time. She flew home for 2 weeks when the baby was born and all was well. They Skyped with their family. When they came home their kids in this area were there to meet them and then he saw the daughter from Tennessee and the little girl ran to meet her grandma! Wow, not a dry eye. What a precious miracle. I know God will work miracles when we're obedient--in His time frame and according to His will.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Today, Brother Petersen, the head of the teaching department said, "You are missionaries first and whatever your assignment is second."
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Sister Bursie (in our district--going to Atlanta to be in the Employment Services Office) told the story of a sister who wondered why 30% of the Book of Mormon was about the wars. Later someone told her they were so worried about their grandchildren growing up in today's world. She said, "It's like Satan is in a war for their souls," and she realized Moroni was such a strategist and she started re-reading the things he had done. He stayed one step ahead of the Lamanites, but he always had to realize how much he had to work to stay ahead of Satan. We have to be ever watchful to stay ahead of Satan.
We went to dinner with David and Rachel and darling Harrison. So fun to visit and catch up on people we love. Rachel's folks, Bishop Kirk and Janet, received their mission call yesterday. They're going to Frankfurt, Germany!
This was our Zone at the MTC. We think this elder looks like Trey Ruggles--such a cute, sweet guy. The lady in the back with white hair is Sister Bersie, who came in the MTC the same day as her granddaughter! The lady in front to my right is going to the Hawaiian PCC. These were really fun people. We thoroughly enjoyed them.
Friday, June 5, 2015
We had class in the morning and then were dismissed to attend the broadcast of L. Tom Perry's funeral. I remember when he spoke at our stake conference maybe a year or two ago and he said they always sit in order of their call and I think even sometimes refer to each other by number. He was #2 to Boyd K. Packer. He said he often prayed for Elder Packer's health and well being. I've thought of that a lot the last few days. Russell M. Nelson is #3.
I had a coughing fit during the broadcast. (I've been doing that for a week--I think it's the dry air) and had to get up and leave. Elder Taylor brought me a bottle of water, which was so kind. We back inside to finish watching it in a classroom. It was very touching to see and hear it all.
We left at noon and drove to Salt Lake to sign the lease on our apartment. It not only has 2 bedrooms, it also has 2 bathrooms--wow! A happy surprise.
We unloaded for several hours. They provided grocery carts, so we loaded one with loose stuff and rolled the suitcases in--over and over again! We tried to "put away" as we brought it in. By evening we decided we had to make a WalMart run--we have only the one little box of canned goods Robert packed. The WalMart is in a diverse neighborhood--every kind of food imaginable available there. Our $50. gift card plus $100 was our first shopping trip.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
After more "putting away" we went to the Swap Meet. The new missionaries had a 20 minute head start on the others. It was GREAT! They gave us BIG shopping bags and said "Fill them up--do you need clothes? sheets? kitchen supplies? Here it is--take whatever you need." There was no charge for anything. I got a casserole dish, a towel, a wonderful over-the-door shoe rack, cinnamon, a book--yay! Robert got a vegetable steamer, a clock, a dish drainer, a bathmat--all treasures. We put stuff away and headed back to WalMart. We had another full list. Every time we go to get something we realize we don't have it. Another trip, another $100 (plus the $40 gift card).
We came home and took a nap, then went to the Family History Library Block Party. We missed the bag pipers, but sat on the first floor with a guy who has come up with a way to search putting in minimal information--pretty interesting. We spent about 3 hours there.
We don't have internet yet and made some calls to check out prices. Time Warner isn't up here, so no $14.95 service. One said $50, one said $66--yikes! A week without internet--we're feeling cut off from the world.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Church isn't until l:00 so Robert decided to call Verizon and order a Jet Pack--$20/month. That's much better. It was a hassle on the phone, but it should be here Tuesday. We're ready for that.
We met others in these two apartments and walked to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building together. I had forgotten my name tag and we had to go back for it. But of course we were early, so we left with the others. They walked a little fast for me--I was huffing and puffing. Sea level vs. 5000 ft--huff, puff!
The temple grounds are so beautiful and lots of tourists are everywhere. We have Relief Society and Priesthood first. Then we went to Sunday School in the President's room with the pictures of the church presidents on the walls. There's also a breath-taking view of the Temple. Sacrament Meeting was in the chapel--so beautiful--white wood, beautiful chandeliers. We introduced ourselves in every meeting. Our branch president and his wife and a counselor and his wife are all locals. One couple are missionaries. Even though that's my usual nap time I stayed awake just fine. Maybe the time will be o.k.
We had packed for days. Robert had said, "No more. That's it. We're full." Then I went into the front closet to get my scriptures and saw our jackets. I came out with my arms full and said, "Jackets, Robert, we have to have jackets in Salt Lake City. He stuffed them in. Then I went in our closet and there were all of our shoes. He found a bag and put them in. Finally I said, "Why don't we ship that box of winter clothes UPS and then we'll have room for another box." The problem was, that was the first box we had packed and it was on the very bottom. He found another box and just unloaded it--stuffed things into corners and empty spaces and we kept putting in more. I couldn't imagine how we would unload it when we reached the apartment, but that was a problem for another day.
Thursday night Matthew and Meghan and Mason came to say good by and brought us a beautiful leather-bound missionary journal. Now if I can just get up the courage to write in something so pretty! Brenda and Laura brought a bag of goodies for the trip--including what I consider "book club" cookies--yumm. Scott Schabatka brought Robert the other laptop and Debbie Childress came to say good by. She had just gotten home from New York City and had great pictures to share. We dropped into bed at ll:00, exhausted.
We made a last sweep through the house. Surely we had everything we could possibly take and everything was as neat as we could leave it. The fridge wasn't cleaned out. Matthew and Meghan said they'd get it later.
We passed lots of flooded areas in Texas. There has been so much rain for weeks. We were headed for Lubbock to see Josh and Blanca and Robert's "Little Buddy" Aaron. We were talking, I guess, and passed one of our turns. Josh called and Robert told him, "We're getting close now. We just passed the sign to Midland-Odessa." Josh said, "You ARE kidding, right?" Midland-Odessa is west Texas! No, we weren't kidding. We had to head back. We met up with them at Jason's Deli and had a good visit. Aaron had tubes put in his ears that morning and we felt the noise in the restaurant hurt his ears. But it was fun to visit.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Lots more driving, then got into Provo Saturday night. We drove through town and found the MTC (the Missionary Training Center).
Monday, June 1, 2015 (We're not going to the middle of the ocean; that's as far as I could reach!)
Elder Taylor, the senior couple coordinator, urged us to get a journal and record impressions as they come. We have the beautiful one M & M gave us before we left, so we got a spiral notebook at the bookstore and are using that for now.
David Chinn is over teaching the senior couples, so he told Elder Taylor we were coming and Elder Taylor loves teasing Robert, who loves it. When Robert introduced us he said, "We're from southeast Texas and we hope to be able to understand the foreign language in Salt Lake City." Everyone seemed to pick up on that and they all laughed and many came and commented to us later. As Lola said before we left home, when we leave the mission, even if I know the computer better than he does, if someone mentions my name, someone else will say, "Oh, you mean that lady who was here with Robert?" Exactly.
All of the mission presidency have been mission presidents somewhere. One of them told us to leave behind any concerns we have about home or family or anything else. It will be resolved. He told us when he and his wife were going to leave for Brazil for three years (as the mission president), their daughter in Tennessee was expecting her fourth child. The doctor decided the baby had spina bifida, but could have surgery in utero, but the mom would be on bed rest for 15 weeks. His wife said she would have to call the brethren, she couldn't leave then. Their daughter said, "No, Mom, you go. I've promised the Lord if you do what you're supposed to do, I'll do what I'm supposed to do and I'll be fine. The mom went for the surgery and lined up family members to be with her a week at a time. She flew home for 2 weeks when the baby was born and all was well. They Skyped with their family. When they came home their kids in this area were there to meet them and then he saw the daughter from Tennessee and the little girl ran to meet her grandma! Wow, not a dry eye. What a precious miracle. I know God will work miracles when we're obedient--in His time frame and according to His will.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Today, Brother Petersen, the head of the teaching department said, "You are missionaries first and whatever your assignment is second."
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Sister Bursie (in our district--going to Atlanta to be in the Employment Services Office) told the story of a sister who wondered why 30% of the Book of Mormon was about the wars. Later someone told her they were so worried about their grandchildren growing up in today's world. She said, "It's like Satan is in a war for their souls," and she realized Moroni was such a strategist and she started re-reading the things he had done. He stayed one step ahead of the Lamanites, but he always had to realize how much he had to work to stay ahead of Satan. We have to be ever watchful to stay ahead of Satan.
We went to dinner with David and Rachel and darling Harrison. So fun to visit and catch up on people we love. Rachel's folks, Bishop Kirk and Janet, received their mission call yesterday. They're going to Frankfurt, Germany!
Thursday, June 4, 2015
David A. Bednar--"The 20 Mark Note story"--Be good, be obedient, do what is right. When you look back, you see the hand of the Lord.
This was our Zone at the MTC. We think this elder looks like Trey Ruggles--such a cute, sweet guy. The lady in the back with white hair is Sister Bersie, who came in the MTC the same day as her granddaughter! The lady in front to my right is going to the Hawaiian PCC. These were really fun people. We thoroughly enjoyed them.
Friday, June 5, 2015
I had a coughing fit during the broadcast. (I've been doing that for a week--I think it's the dry air) and had to get up and leave. Elder Taylor brought me a bottle of water, which was so kind. We back inside to finish watching it in a classroom. It was very touching to see and hear it all.
We left at noon and drove to Salt Lake to sign the lease on our apartment. It not only has 2 bedrooms, it also has 2 bathrooms--wow! A happy surprise.
We unloaded for several hours. They provided grocery carts, so we loaded one with loose stuff and rolled the suitcases in--over and over again! We tried to "put away" as we brought it in. By evening we decided we had to make a WalMart run--we have only the one little box of canned goods Robert packed. The WalMart is in a diverse neighborhood--every kind of food imaginable available there. Our $50. gift card plus $100 was our first shopping trip.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
After more "putting away" we went to the Swap Meet. The new missionaries had a 20 minute head start on the others. It was GREAT! They gave us BIG shopping bags and said "Fill them up--do you need clothes? sheets? kitchen supplies? Here it is--take whatever you need." There was no charge for anything. I got a casserole dish, a towel, a wonderful over-the-door shoe rack, cinnamon, a book--yay! Robert got a vegetable steamer, a clock, a dish drainer, a bathmat--all treasures. We put stuff away and headed back to WalMart. We had another full list. Every time we go to get something we realize we don't have it. Another trip, another $100 (plus the $40 gift card).
We came home and took a nap, then went to the Family History Library Block Party. We missed the bag pipers, but sat on the first floor with a guy who has come up with a way to search putting in minimal information--pretty interesting. We spent about 3 hours there.
We don't have internet yet and made some calls to check out prices. Time Warner isn't up here, so no $14.95 service. One said $50, one said $66--yikes! A week without internet--we're feeling cut off from the world.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Church isn't until l:00 so Robert decided to call Verizon and order a Jet Pack--$20/month. That's much better. It was a hassle on the phone, but it should be here Tuesday. We're ready for that.
We met others in these two apartments and walked to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building together. I had forgotten my name tag and we had to go back for it. But of course we were early, so we left with the others. They walked a little fast for me--I was huffing and puffing. Sea level vs. 5000 ft--huff, puff!
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