This was my early morning after late night shift at the Library. In the morning I helped a guest, and I helped one of the other missionaries with a Case Study. I also completed listening to lessons on finding where one's ancestors came from through gathering records, searching immigration records and passenger lists, and searching other sources.
Then it was time for lunch, and I walked home thinking I might take a nap, but I was not all that tired at that point. I had been reading an essay by Louis Midgley, whose writing I enjoy, so I continued reading while I ate lunch. On my way back to the Library I put my cooler with some ice into the car, as it was my intention to do a bit of shopping when I finished my four-hour block of personal research.
I had expected to just work on my mom's relatives again, and that is how I started out. I found some microfilm records, took pictures with my iPad, and began attaching them to the pertinent people. During that process, I noticed that one can now attach sources through the Family Tree app, even using photos as the source! I did that for a couple of the records, but then I found one that was too long to get all in one photo. I thought I could use Irfanview to meld the images, so I tried sending the photos via email, but never was able to find them. Since that was frustrating, and I was getting tired, I tried to catch a bit of a nap [one nice thing about working in the microfilm area is that it is not only quiet, but dimly lit]. However, I did not doze off, so I thought I could try something else.
I suppose it was the Spirit which brought to mind the German Ortsippenbuchs--books of family groups from a specific location in Germany. I had used a few of these books years ago, and I remembered the one from Friesenheim, Baden, so I set out to find it. After pulling up the catalog entry I did not write down the call number, but relied on my memory--not a smart idea at this time in my life! As I was hunting in vain [there are LOTS of these books], I noticed the one for Eppingen. I passed it by, but then went back to it. I was thinking that this would be an area where I had done research for my late husband's first wife, so I took the huge volume back to the computer, and looked her lines up on Family Tree--NO! That line came from Ebsdorg [I think], which does start with an E, but is not Eppingen. I took the book back to the return area, and came back to Family Tree. As I was navigating back, and locating the family line that was from Friesenheim, I saw Eppingen! The Frey family from Eppingen had intermarried with the Baum family from the area around Friesenheim!
One of the goals for missionaries here is to find people whose temple work has not been done. So far I had been unsuccessful in finding even one person--I have found several already in Eppingen, and I suspect I will find more as I focus on this great resource during my personal research days. I reflected on the chain of events which led to my thinking about the Ortsippenbuchs and then thinking of Friesenheim and then of Eppingen. I am sure the Spirit was guiding me, even though my path was not smooth. This reminds me that even when things seem to be going wrong, the Lord makes lemonade out of lemons.
I did go shopping after I left the Library--to two dollar stores and a grocery store. I took my time wandering around, got the things I had intended to buy, and a few other things as well. I was grateful that the weather was not so hot as it has been, but was interested to note that it almost felt worse because we are due for storms, and the humidity has increased--it almost felt like I was back in Missouri!
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Visit and Computer Help. 29 June 2016
My daughter visited and brought not only some items from home that I am happy to get, but also her computer knowledge. Something had messed with my Chrome browser, so she loaded an anti-virus program and ran it. Hopefully that will have totally fixed the problem. I enjoyed visiting with her and her friend.
This was my late shift at the Library. I got to write up a report on what our group did yesterday, and I learned a few additional things today that I can share next week. I helped a German woman to do some searching, and encouraged her to start a family tree. I also helped with the closing down tasks.
This is a short post because it is late--and tomorrow's shift is early.
This was my late shift at the Library. I got to write up a report on what our group did yesterday, and I learned a few additional things today that I can share next week. I helped a German woman to do some searching, and encouraged her to start a family tree. I also helped with the closing down tasks.
This is a short post because it is late--and tomorrow's shift is early.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Good Study Group and Success in Staying Awake. 28 June 2016
I truly enjoyed a morning conversation with my Sweetheart. It was so nice to have some time together this morning. In less than three weeks our time together will be in person! Can you tell I am excited about that?
My daughter flew in to Salt Lake City airport today. She will come by for a while tomorrow morning to bring some things I will appreciate having from home. I am glad she arrived safely.
The second meeting of the Study Group went well, I think. We did more exploring of general Family Search topics, especially how to access items through the catalog.
After our group session was over I worked on my Polish information again, and also spent about an hour helping a woman with ancestors from the Philippines. Unfortunately we were not successful in pushing her lines back farther, but she learned some strategies for searching, and how to standardize names and dates and places in Family Tree so that the computer can better search for data. We also visited a partner site, which I was surprised to find that they had no collections from that area.
Two o'clock seems to me to be really late for lunch, but it worked out OK today. I did not get the afternoon sleepies as I usually do. I managed to even get to the afternoon prayer meeting--the first time I have done so on a Tuesday.
Once my shift was over I went immediately to the temple, and enjoyed the peace that I feel there. I enjoyed a short conversation with Gregory this evening, and a prayer together, and now it is time for bed. I surely hope I can sleep well, as tomorrow is my very late night.
My daughter flew in to Salt Lake City airport today. She will come by for a while tomorrow morning to bring some things I will appreciate having from home. I am glad she arrived safely.
The second meeting of the Study Group went well, I think. We did more exploring of general Family Search topics, especially how to access items through the catalog.
After our group session was over I worked on my Polish information again, and also spent about an hour helping a woman with ancestors from the Philippines. Unfortunately we were not successful in pushing her lines back farther, but she learned some strategies for searching, and how to standardize names and dates and places in Family Tree so that the computer can better search for data. We also visited a partner site, which I was surprised to find that they had no collections from that area.
Two o'clock seems to me to be really late for lunch, but it worked out OK today. I did not get the afternoon sleepies as I usually do. I managed to even get to the afternoon prayer meeting--the first time I have done so on a Tuesday.
Once my shift was over I went immediately to the temple, and enjoyed the peace that I feel there. I enjoyed a short conversation with Gregory this evening, and a prayer together, and now it is time for bed. I surely hope I can sleep well, as tomorrow is my very late night.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Very Good Preparation Day! 27 June 2016
The Elijah Choir sang "America the Beautiful" today for the Mission Devotional. I was not the only one for whom it was a truly moving experience. I managed to get through the song before I dissolved into tears. Our director emailed each of us choir members thanking us for our efforts, and said she had been overcome by emotion also. What a great way to start the day!
I met with the sister who will train me in my Relief Society assignment of coordinating the dinners for the young elders. We met with several people in the Mission Office, and that was also helpful. Walking back to my apartment I decided to stop and read the inscriptions on some of the Temple Square statues: Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, the Three Witnesses, and the passage from Revelation 14:6. I have not taken the time to explore Temple Square very much. Maybe I will do more of that when my Sweetheart is with me in three weeks!
I got a text that a dear friend is moving to Utah! And a message from my Relief Society President from Crystal City Ward with some exciting missionary news! I Skyped with granddaughters in Arizona, which was quite enjoyable. I did get laundry done this afternoon, and was cutting up watermelon rind to pickle when I knocked over the jar--big mess! I was grateful to have observed the installation of my electric stove a few months ago, as otherwise I would have hesitated to move this stove which is almost identical to my new one at home. As it was, I was able to pull the stove forward enough to clean up the mess.
One downside to being here is that almost everyone who has sent me snail mail has had it returned. Except for my internet bill, which seems to arrive every month without a glitch, only one personal piece of mail has been delivered. So it seems that the best way to keep in touch with me is email, phone, text, instant messaging, or comments on my blog! I will try always to respond in one of those ways for anyone who would like to be in contact.
I met with the sister who will train me in my Relief Society assignment of coordinating the dinners for the young elders. We met with several people in the Mission Office, and that was also helpful. Walking back to my apartment I decided to stop and read the inscriptions on some of the Temple Square statues: Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, the Three Witnesses, and the passage from Revelation 14:6. I have not taken the time to explore Temple Square very much. Maybe I will do more of that when my Sweetheart is with me in three weeks!
I got a text that a dear friend is moving to Utah! And a message from my Relief Society President from Crystal City Ward with some exciting missionary news! I Skyped with granddaughters in Arizona, which was quite enjoyable. I did get laundry done this afternoon, and was cutting up watermelon rind to pickle when I knocked over the jar--big mess! I was grateful to have observed the installation of my electric stove a few months ago, as otherwise I would have hesitated to move this stove which is almost identical to my new one at home. As it was, I was able to pull the stove forward enough to clean up the mess.
One downside to being here is that almost everyone who has sent me snail mail has had it returned. Except for my internet bill, which seems to arrive every month without a glitch, only one personal piece of mail has been delivered. So it seems that the best way to keep in touch with me is email, phone, text, instant messaging, or comments on my blog! I will try always to respond in one of those ways for anyone who would like to be in contact.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Lovely Visit and some possible leads from Ancestry! 26 June 2016
This morning I followed President Tate's affirmation of Mind over Mattress, and got up about an hour earlier than I had planned. I used the time to do a big batch of indexing and then checked out how to download my family tree from Family Search to Ancestry.
The family trees on Ancestry are somewhat different than the Collaborative Tree on Family Search, in that the trees are not editable by anyone except the person who creates them. There are positive and negative things about each way of managing the trees, so it is good to have both options. I will probably also eventually go back to using a stand-alone program, but for now that is not an option, so uploading from Family Search to Ancestry is a good back-up and doable for now.
Both websites provide hints or suggestions for sources, and I was delighted to get many hints and find that I will probably be able to attach many more descendants for my third great grandfather Grapatin, as well as some other lines. I found a firm date for my second great grandfather's birth which I should be able to verify at the Library this week. One of the family trees which was part of the hinting process is by a man in Germany who is willing to look up information, so he may be a great resource.
Before I went to the Tabernacle Choir broadcast I decided to call the sister with whom I was planning to meet this morning concerning an assignment for the branch and ask if we could have our meeting another day. My dear missionary and his wife were coming to visit--and that meeting would cut our visit to just the minimum. Blessedly the sister was more than willing to reschedule to Monday. In addition, in speaking with her I learned that she actually was also from Star Valley, and knows my missionary well.
The visit was so very enjoyable! We had sufficient time to catch up on each others' lives, and just rejoice in being together for a little while. As it turns out, we should see one another the end of July because we have tickets for the Saturday night Pioneer Day Concert on the 23rd. So they should get to meet my Sweetheart at that time. Then in September we will connect again during the Star Valley Temple Open House. Joy and rejoicing all around.
Music, meetings and visits in person and by phone make for a very blessed Sabbath.
The family trees on Ancestry are somewhat different than the Collaborative Tree on Family Search, in that the trees are not editable by anyone except the person who creates them. There are positive and negative things about each way of managing the trees, so it is good to have both options. I will probably also eventually go back to using a stand-alone program, but for now that is not an option, so uploading from Family Search to Ancestry is a good back-up and doable for now.
Both websites provide hints or suggestions for sources, and I was delighted to get many hints and find that I will probably be able to attach many more descendants for my third great grandfather Grapatin, as well as some other lines. I found a firm date for my second great grandfather's birth which I should be able to verify at the Library this week. One of the family trees which was part of the hinting process is by a man in Germany who is willing to look up information, so he may be a great resource.
Before I went to the Tabernacle Choir broadcast I decided to call the sister with whom I was planning to meet this morning concerning an assignment for the branch and ask if we could have our meeting another day. My dear missionary and his wife were coming to visit--and that meeting would cut our visit to just the minimum. Blessedly the sister was more than willing to reschedule to Monday. In addition, in speaking with her I learned that she actually was also from Star Valley, and knows my missionary well.
The visit was so very enjoyable! We had sufficient time to catch up on each others' lives, and just rejoice in being together for a little while. As it turns out, we should see one another the end of July because we have tickets for the Saturday night Pioneer Day Concert on the 23rd. So they should get to meet my Sweetheart at that time. Then in September we will connect again during the Star Valley Temple Open House. Joy and rejoicing all around.
Music, meetings and visits in person and by phone make for a very blessed Sabbath.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Unexpected and Welcome Visit! 25 June 2016
My work today at the Library went very well in the morning. My first position was as Greeter, which allowed me time to study some of the items we will go over in our group on Tuesday. Then I got to shadow at the German/Slavic counter. I helped a guest find several microfilms in the catalog which may enable her to get her family history back several generations. I was able to decipher a name for one of the other missionaries, which is always fun.
My first position after lunch was as Rover, which keeps me awake. During that hour I got to help another guest who was very surprised that her line in Family Tree extended back many more generations than what she had entered! In addition, there were lots of sources attached for these ancestors from the area around New Mexico. We learned that during the 20th Century, a man had gathered and compiled information from the available documents and had written the book from which the sources came. The book is still available, but is a little pricey, and the Library does not have it. I suggested that she try to get it through inter-library loan at a regular library, since she really wanted to check it out. I also told her that since apparently the man had received an honorary Master of Arts degree because of this book, so she could be pretty confident that his work was able to be trusted. In looking him up just now, apparently Fray Angelico Chavez was awarded not just a Master's for his various accomplishments, but also doctorates in Letters, Law, and Humane Letters!
When I finished the Rover duties I had three hours left to struggle to stay awake! I did manage to find a possible lead on a line I have been blocked on for decades, but so far the film I looked at did not produce any results. At the very end of the time I did find my 2nd great grandfather's will posted on Ancestry. I think I have a copy of that already in Memories, but the online posting will be easier to use as a source.
As I left the Library I had intended to join my Zone at the temple, but I got a text from a dear friend who used to be in my ward back home. She was just traveling through, so I changed my plans and had a very nice visit with her. She would like to come back to our Crystal City Ward when she finishes nursing school, but it waiting to find out what the Lord has in store for her. I enjoyed sharing with her the miracles which brought my Sweetheart and me together--a story I doubt I will ever tire of telling!
Tomorrow I will get another visit from my Star Valley missionary and his wife--again an unexpected and welcome visit!
My first position after lunch was as Rover, which keeps me awake. During that hour I got to help another guest who was very surprised that her line in Family Tree extended back many more generations than what she had entered! In addition, there were lots of sources attached for these ancestors from the area around New Mexico. We learned that during the 20th Century, a man had gathered and compiled information from the available documents and had written the book from which the sources came. The book is still available, but is a little pricey, and the Library does not have it. I suggested that she try to get it through inter-library loan at a regular library, since she really wanted to check it out. I also told her that since apparently the man had received an honorary Master of Arts degree because of this book, so she could be pretty confident that his work was able to be trusted. In looking him up just now, apparently Fray Angelico Chavez was awarded not just a Master's for his various accomplishments, but also doctorates in Letters, Law, and Humane Letters!
When I finished the Rover duties I had three hours left to struggle to stay awake! I did manage to find a possible lead on a line I have been blocked on for decades, but so far the film I looked at did not produce any results. At the very end of the time I did find my 2nd great grandfather's will posted on Ancestry. I think I have a copy of that already in Memories, but the online posting will be easier to use as a source.
As I left the Library I had intended to join my Zone at the temple, but I got a text from a dear friend who used to be in my ward back home. She was just traveling through, so I changed my plans and had a very nice visit with her. She would like to come back to our Crystal City Ward when she finishes nursing school, but it waiting to find out what the Lord has in store for her. I enjoyed sharing with her the miracles which brought my Sweetheart and me together--a story I doubt I will ever tire of telling!
Tomorrow I will get another visit from my Star Valley missionary and his wife--again an unexpected and welcome visit!
Friday, June 24, 2016
Star Valley Temple and Friends, Here I [maybe We] Come! 24 June 2016
Three months in advance may be a bit premature, but today I learned that I have approval to attend the Star Valley Temple Open House on 26 September 2016! If all goes well I will get to bring my Sweetheart along. In addition to the tour of the temple, I will get to visit with my dear Star Valley friends, one of the missionaries who taught my family in 1974 and his family. They and Star Valley are dear to my heart, and have been since 1986. For two decades my husband and I dreamed of moving to Star Valley, but it was not meant to be. However, it will be a privilege to be in the temple for the Open House.
My time at the Library was quite positive. I played the keyboard for our devotional, and despite some glitches in the prelude music I got through the hymn without difficulty. My first assignment was as Greeter, but no one needed a helper until after my time was over. Then I had two hours at the German/Slavic Counter, and learned much from one of the consultants during the first hour.
The second hour I spent helping a guest who wanted to find where her grandfather came from in Germany. This is technically not our area of service, but there were no other guests needing my help. I must have been prompted to suggest we look for his death record, and while we did not find the location of his birthplace in Germany, we learned that he actually came from Switzerland, and also the names of his parents! That is a find in which to rejoice!
I encouraged the guest to create a free FamilySearch account, as this would allow access to the image. It turned out that she already had an account, but then the program kept taking her back to the sign-in page. I asked one of the young elders to help--and while initially he did not think he could, he did suggest closing the program and coming back in--and that did it! I like to say that the young people are born with the computer brain chip--and computers obey them!
After lunch I had my first time as Floor Manager, and again there were very few who needed help, so I cannot say I got much experience. The last hour I was Rover--I like that position because I get to move, and I know what I am doing.
I took some of the flax seed crackers and some peanut butter to share in the break room, and by my lunch time at 11, they were all gone! This evening it had cooled off a lot, so I decided to make another batch. I am attempting to make a sweet version, so I subbed in honey for some of the water--not extremely successful. I will keep working on that project.
Talking and praying with my Sweetheart is a blessed ending to my day.
My time at the Library was quite positive. I played the keyboard for our devotional, and despite some glitches in the prelude music I got through the hymn without difficulty. My first assignment was as Greeter, but no one needed a helper until after my time was over. Then I had two hours at the German/Slavic Counter, and learned much from one of the consultants during the first hour.
The second hour I spent helping a guest who wanted to find where her grandfather came from in Germany. This is technically not our area of service, but there were no other guests needing my help. I must have been prompted to suggest we look for his death record, and while we did not find the location of his birthplace in Germany, we learned that he actually came from Switzerland, and also the names of his parents! That is a find in which to rejoice!
I encouraged the guest to create a free FamilySearch account, as this would allow access to the image. It turned out that she already had an account, but then the program kept taking her back to the sign-in page. I asked one of the young elders to help--and while initially he did not think he could, he did suggest closing the program and coming back in--and that did it! I like to say that the young people are born with the computer brain chip--and computers obey them!
After lunch I had my first time as Floor Manager, and again there were very few who needed help, so I cannot say I got much experience. The last hour I was Rover--I like that position because I get to move, and I know what I am doing.
I took some of the flax seed crackers and some peanut butter to share in the break room, and by my lunch time at 11, they were all gone! This evening it had cooled off a lot, so I decided to make another batch. I am attempting to make a sweet version, so I subbed in honey for some of the water--not extremely successful. I will keep working on that project.
Talking and praying with my Sweetheart is a blessed ending to my day.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Temple and Cherries--Good! Computer and some other matters--not so much. 23 June 2016
Today was my once-a-month temple day. I think I should not have had to go in to the library at all, but I was also scheduled for morning cleaning today. I think that will be fixed next month, but at least I did my bit today. I made up for missing Tuesday's prayer meeting, as I attended the one this morning and also volunteered to lead the music when the scheduled person did not show up.
The 8 am session was large, so I did not get done in time to do the 10 am session. Instead I went home with the intention of catching a nap, but some important phone calls changed that plan. I went back and did the 1 pm session which was fairly small. This evening I worked a bit on my Family Tree.
I picked up my mission photo from my Cuban friend, and then did a little shopping, especially for Sweet Red Cherries--so good! and so cheap compared to what we pay in Missouri. The downside is that I ate about a quarter of them just on the way home from the market!
Although today was still quite hot I decided to make flax seed crackers this evening. We are due for some cooler temperatures tonight, so once the sun goes down my apartment should cool off fairly easily. It is of interest to me that daylight comes earlier in the morning and stays later in the evening than what I was used to in Missouri.
I am having some issues with the Chrome browser on my laptop. That is sad because I usually like Chrome better than Firefox. I am hoping that this will publish OK.
The 8 am session was large, so I did not get done in time to do the 10 am session. Instead I went home with the intention of catching a nap, but some important phone calls changed that plan. I went back and did the 1 pm session which was fairly small. This evening I worked a bit on my Family Tree.
I picked up my mission photo from my Cuban friend, and then did a little shopping, especially for Sweet Red Cherries--so good! and so cheap compared to what we pay in Missouri. The downside is that I ate about a quarter of them just on the way home from the market!
Although today was still quite hot I decided to make flax seed crackers this evening. We are due for some cooler temperatures tonight, so once the sun goes down my apartment should cool off fairly easily. It is of interest to me that daylight comes earlier in the morning and stays later in the evening than what I was used to in Missouri.
I am having some issues with the Chrome browser on my laptop. That is sad because I usually like Chrome better than Firefox. I am hoping that this will publish OK.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Polish and German practice, plus choir--nice day. 22 June 2016
How often does one get good news that ones tires do not need to be replaced?!!! That was the news I got up to this morning [only because I deliberately stayed in bed longer than usual since I was scheduled for the later shift] and I did not mind that at all!
After my morning exercise I spent the morning deliberately doing just non-strenuous things, like writing birthday notes to a granddaughter and a great granddaughter. Nevertheless, after eating lunch I felt like taking a nap! Earlier I had thought that if I got sleepy at the library I could go into the lounge and jog in place for a few minutes--so I did that in the apartment. It was harder than when I stair-climb in the morning, as I felt really sluggish. But when I finished I did feel an energy boost, and I did not get sleepy the rest of the day.
Part of my wakefulness was due to being mentally engaged during every part of my shift. I started shadowing at the German/Slavic consultant desk. That gave me an opportunity to see an expert decipher some Polish/Austrian records. I was able to catch one item, which had to do with how dates are sometimes written. Otherwise I just tried to see whether I could see what the transcriber was seeing in the script.
The rest of the time at the desk taught me that even the certified consultants do not know all that is included in the topics our study group was given. That was comforting. The consultant spent some time learning, and that meant I got to learn too! I will have some experience to share in the study group.
I was given an additional assignment as a rover and did that for just half an hour before time for prayer meeting and in-service training. After training it was time to go to choir practice, then have a bit to eat before returning to the library. Just as my lunch time was ending I met with a branch leader, and was asked to help coordinate dinners for the young elders. It will be good to have a regular responsibility in the branch.
Very soon after I returned to the floor I was able to help someone with a Family Tree problem. Then I was asked to help a guest with some German deciphering, and after that I helped one of the young elders with more German. That interaction taught me some things I can apply to other instances. I learned that the German Genealogical Dictionary [one of the items on the study group list] is really quite helpful. Using that I found that what the elder thought was an occupation name was actually just an indication that the man was a property holder. I also figured out some of the headings I had not previously understood. There was another guest who needed just a bit of verification. Altogether, though, I spent about an hour just working on German script.
One of the less-strenuous activities this morning was to begin to write out a sample of a Polish marriage record correlated with the English translation. For the last hour at the library I continued working on that. I got about half-way through.
I reported to the trainer on the study group meeting from yesterday. She was happy to hear that it seemed to go well, and the group members seem to be happy to have the opportunity to learn together.
A short conversation and prayer with my sweetheart was a lovely ending of a very nice day.
After my morning exercise I spent the morning deliberately doing just non-strenuous things, like writing birthday notes to a granddaughter and a great granddaughter. Nevertheless, after eating lunch I felt like taking a nap! Earlier I had thought that if I got sleepy at the library I could go into the lounge and jog in place for a few minutes--so I did that in the apartment. It was harder than when I stair-climb in the morning, as I felt really sluggish. But when I finished I did feel an energy boost, and I did not get sleepy the rest of the day.
Part of my wakefulness was due to being mentally engaged during every part of my shift. I started shadowing at the German/Slavic consultant desk. That gave me an opportunity to see an expert decipher some Polish/Austrian records. I was able to catch one item, which had to do with how dates are sometimes written. Otherwise I just tried to see whether I could see what the transcriber was seeing in the script.
The rest of the time at the desk taught me that even the certified consultants do not know all that is included in the topics our study group was given. That was comforting. The consultant spent some time learning, and that meant I got to learn too! I will have some experience to share in the study group.
I was given an additional assignment as a rover and did that for just half an hour before time for prayer meeting and in-service training. After training it was time to go to choir practice, then have a bit to eat before returning to the library. Just as my lunch time was ending I met with a branch leader, and was asked to help coordinate dinners for the young elders. It will be good to have a regular responsibility in the branch.
Very soon after I returned to the floor I was able to help someone with a Family Tree problem. Then I was asked to help a guest with some German deciphering, and after that I helped one of the young elders with more German. That interaction taught me some things I can apply to other instances. I learned that the German Genealogical Dictionary [one of the items on the study group list] is really quite helpful. Using that I found that what the elder thought was an occupation name was actually just an indication that the man was a property holder. I also figured out some of the headings I had not previously understood. There was another guest who needed just a bit of verification. Altogether, though, I spent about an hour just working on German script.
One of the less-strenuous activities this morning was to begin to write out a sample of a Polish marriage record correlated with the English translation. For the last hour at the library I continued working on that. I got about half-way through.
I reported to the trainer on the study group meeting from yesterday. She was happy to hear that it seemed to go well, and the group members seem to be happy to have the opportunity to learn together.
A short conversation and prayer with my sweetheart was a lovely ending of a very nice day.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
First Study Group, Despite Glitches. 21 June 2016
In the Training Zone one of the sayings posted along the wall of an aisle is: "What mistake shall I learn from today????" In some ways that characterized my day, until evening when I was in the temple and afterwards had the blessing of talking and praying with Gregory.
When I got up this morning I decided to check my mission email. I am supposed to check that every day, but this weekend I forgot. I had several emails, including one inviting me to a meeting of the study group leaders--yesterday morning! Blessedly, because yesterday was my preparation day I was given the option of speaking privately with the trainer, but I had not let her know that I was going to use that option. So I actually went in an hour early to the Library, and met with her and spent some time getting prepared for the study group.
The lesson I learned is that I have to figure out a way to put the mission email on my phone through an app so that it will become a habit to check it just as I do four of my other email addresses. I have not been successful yet in getting that done, but I did figure out how to put that mail address in my iPad as a favorite, so I should notice it.
The first scheduled hour of my shift I was assigned as Monitor, the person who is supposed to stay aware of what is happening on the floor. Some of the time, however, other workers took on that role as I needed to talk with the trainer about two of the six study group members who had schedule conflicts. One of those conflicts got resolved, but the other did not. So our group was one member shy.
Our German/Slavic group has one elder who is an expert on Netherlands research and one who is knowledgeable in Switzerland. One of the sisters is quite good at German research, one is willing to take good notes and write up reports of what we are learning. Today we learned where to find Word Lists for the various countries--the lists are not all in the same location, which can get confusing, but the information will be on the report as to where to find them. We also reviewed how to find "How to Guides for International Research". There are quite a lot of those, and we will make good use of them. I was pleased that we accomplished as much as we did. It will be nice to have a time designated for study. Our list of eventual skills has 65 items, some of which will take hours to learn.
Another mistake today was missing prayer meeting again! I forgot when I got back from a late lunch that it would begin in half an hour. I was focused on sharing with the sister who missed the study group the things we had decided and discussed--and I thought it was earlier than it turned out to be. By the time I realized my error, the meeting was over. That mistake I do not know how I will learn to overcome. I will see how things turn out next week!
This evening I reviewed a YouTube presentation on relationships and forgiveness. Mark Gungor suggests that forgiveness is not an emotion, nor an erasure of memory; that it is an act that has more to do with one's tongue than with one's head or heart. His counsel, and I think it is wise, is that our attitude towards those who have hurt or offended us needs to be: "I forgive you. I will never use it against you in the future. I will never speak of it again to you or to anyone else." He says: "If you are still talking it through, you have not forgiven. You need to hush. You need to let it go." I feel this lines up so well with the Lord's Latter-day counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 64:10 I, the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. 11 And ye ought to say in your hearts--let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to your deeds.
When I got up this morning I decided to check my mission email. I am supposed to check that every day, but this weekend I forgot. I had several emails, including one inviting me to a meeting of the study group leaders--yesterday morning! Blessedly, because yesterday was my preparation day I was given the option of speaking privately with the trainer, but I had not let her know that I was going to use that option. So I actually went in an hour early to the Library, and met with her and spent some time getting prepared for the study group.
The lesson I learned is that I have to figure out a way to put the mission email on my phone through an app so that it will become a habit to check it just as I do four of my other email addresses. I have not been successful yet in getting that done, but I did figure out how to put that mail address in my iPad as a favorite, so I should notice it.
The first scheduled hour of my shift I was assigned as Monitor, the person who is supposed to stay aware of what is happening on the floor. Some of the time, however, other workers took on that role as I needed to talk with the trainer about two of the six study group members who had schedule conflicts. One of those conflicts got resolved, but the other did not. So our group was one member shy.
Our German/Slavic group has one elder who is an expert on Netherlands research and one who is knowledgeable in Switzerland. One of the sisters is quite good at German research, one is willing to take good notes and write up reports of what we are learning. Today we learned where to find Word Lists for the various countries--the lists are not all in the same location, which can get confusing, but the information will be on the report as to where to find them. We also reviewed how to find "How to Guides for International Research". There are quite a lot of those, and we will make good use of them. I was pleased that we accomplished as much as we did. It will be nice to have a time designated for study. Our list of eventual skills has 65 items, some of which will take hours to learn.
Another mistake today was missing prayer meeting again! I forgot when I got back from a late lunch that it would begin in half an hour. I was focused on sharing with the sister who missed the study group the things we had decided and discussed--and I thought it was earlier than it turned out to be. By the time I realized my error, the meeting was over. That mistake I do not know how I will learn to overcome. I will see how things turn out next week!
This evening I reviewed a YouTube presentation on relationships and forgiveness. Mark Gungor suggests that forgiveness is not an emotion, nor an erasure of memory; that it is an act that has more to do with one's tongue than with one's head or heart. His counsel, and I think it is wise, is that our attitude towards those who have hurt or offended us needs to be: "I forgive you. I will never use it against you in the future. I will never speak of it again to you or to anyone else." He says: "If you are still talking it through, you have not forgiven. You need to hush. You need to let it go." I feel this lines up so well with the Lord's Latter-day counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 64:10 I, the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. 11 And ye ought to say in your hearts--let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to your deeds.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Visitors! 20 June 2016
Visitors are very welcome, so if any of you are planning to come to out to Salt Lake City before 27 April 2017, please do let me know and we'll see if we can get together!
My friend and her daughter came to see me today and we had a nice time chatting, and we had lunch at the Nauvoo Cafe in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. After that we went out to the University of Utah campus. We had a little while to enjoy the Red Butte Gardens, and then the two of them were off for a tour of campus.
I went back to the apartment to pick up one of my fellow International Zone missionaries. We went to Welfare Square, and then she showed me where an additional Deseret Industries Thrift Store was located. I did find a few items, and she got what she came for. Our checkout person had an American Sign Language book at her counter, and when I remarked about it, she said she has from her childhood enjoyed learning languages. Turns out she practices Hindu religion, but has enjoyed some interactions with fellow LDS workers. We enjoyed talking with her.
Whether it was the very hot weather, [95 degrees], or the turkey pot pie I had at the Nauvoo Cafe I was extremely thirsty all afternoon. I came home and enjoyed a very large slice of watermelon. I also looked up something I had been wondering about: are watermelon and cucumber related. I have been using the left-over pickle juice from my large jar of bread and butter pickles I bought over a month ago to marinate watermelon rind. I was hoping to find that cukes and watermelon are related so that I could count the rind as vegetable. Well, I found they are related--but technically, even cucumbers are fruit, not vegetable! I really enjoy the marinated rind, so I will continue to make that until the juice runs out--which may take a while!
After my watermelon supper I listened to a Sheri Dew BYU devotional from 2003: "You were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory". I posted that on Facebook, as I felt it was a very encouraging talk. I do recommend it. I think you can access it at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ossenGOmo
All this week the days are going to be very hot, in the 90s, but the mornings will be mostly in the mid-60s. What a difference from Missouri!
I had a new experience this evening--I actually had to cut my nails, as they were interfering with using my iPad! I guess when one is consistent, instead of hit-or-miss about taking calcium it really makes a difference!
My friend and her daughter came to see me today and we had a nice time chatting, and we had lunch at the Nauvoo Cafe in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. After that we went out to the University of Utah campus. We had a little while to enjoy the Red Butte Gardens, and then the two of them were off for a tour of campus.
I went back to the apartment to pick up one of my fellow International Zone missionaries. We went to Welfare Square, and then she showed me where an additional Deseret Industries Thrift Store was located. I did find a few items, and she got what she came for. Our checkout person had an American Sign Language book at her counter, and when I remarked about it, she said she has from her childhood enjoyed learning languages. Turns out she practices Hindu religion, but has enjoyed some interactions with fellow LDS workers. We enjoyed talking with her.
Whether it was the very hot weather, [95 degrees], or the turkey pot pie I had at the Nauvoo Cafe I was extremely thirsty all afternoon. I came home and enjoyed a very large slice of watermelon. I also looked up something I had been wondering about: are watermelon and cucumber related. I have been using the left-over pickle juice from my large jar of bread and butter pickles I bought over a month ago to marinate watermelon rind. I was hoping to find that cukes and watermelon are related so that I could count the rind as vegetable. Well, I found they are related--but technically, even cucumbers are fruit, not vegetable! I really enjoy the marinated rind, so I will continue to make that until the juice runs out--which may take a while!
After my watermelon supper I listened to a Sheri Dew BYU devotional from 2003: "You were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory". I posted that on Facebook, as I felt it was a very encouraging talk. I do recommend it. I think you can access it at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ossenGOmo
All this week the days are going to be very hot, in the 90s, but the mornings will be mostly in the mid-60s. What a difference from Missouri!
I had a new experience this evening--I actually had to cut my nails, as they were interfering with using my iPad! I guess when one is consistent, instead of hit-or-miss about taking calcium it really makes a difference!
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Happy Fathers Day! 19 June 2016
I started the day with prayer requests for my family and dear ones, since I have been trying diligently to just offer prayers of thanksgiving since the challenge by our mission president last Tuesday afternoon. I did put names on the temple prayer roll during the week--that is always a comforting option.
I usually do my scripture reading on one of my devices--and that device appeared to have died! Blessedly, the charger cord was one with a USB on the far end which had apparently pulled out, so the device is working fine now, for which I am grateful.
I texted my great sons-in-law and grandson-in-law, as well as my Sweetheart, Fathers Day greetings. If there are any fathers who are following this blog, I wish you all a Happy Fathers Day.
Gregory just sent me a You Tube video of O My Father with beautiful visuals. We are so blessed to know that God truly is our Father, and that we have a Mother waiting for us, also. The Restored Gospel makes so much sense--I am so grateful that I have this knowledge and witness.
I did a little indexing arbitration to help with the world-wide challenge for this weekend when I returned to the apartment after attending the Tabernacle Choir broadcast. We sat where we could see the monitor, and the visuals were spectacular. At the end it was announced that one of the pieces needed to be rerecorded. I enjoyed listening again to "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho"! I did not hear any difference--but it is such a fun piece, I am glad they had to do it again!
After choir practice and our regular services, my Cuban sister and i were joined for supper by the sister I had met my first Sunday here. We enjoyed getting to know her a little better. She is finishing her mission--after 7 years! However, she likes this area, and will be staying in this apartment complex! She plans to work at the temple again, as she had done for a long time before her husband died, and then apply to work again at the Library as a Church Service Missionary. The CSMs live locally and do not work as many days as regular Senior Missionaries. That is why she will be able to work both as a CSM and as a Temple worker--the best of both worlds!
I usually do my scripture reading on one of my devices--and that device appeared to have died! Blessedly, the charger cord was one with a USB on the far end which had apparently pulled out, so the device is working fine now, for which I am grateful.
I texted my great sons-in-law and grandson-in-law, as well as my Sweetheart, Fathers Day greetings. If there are any fathers who are following this blog, I wish you all a Happy Fathers Day.
Gregory just sent me a You Tube video of O My Father with beautiful visuals. We are so blessed to know that God truly is our Father, and that we have a Mother waiting for us, also. The Restored Gospel makes so much sense--I am so grateful that I have this knowledge and witness.
I did a little indexing arbitration to help with the world-wide challenge for this weekend when I returned to the apartment after attending the Tabernacle Choir broadcast. We sat where we could see the monitor, and the visuals were spectacular. At the end it was announced that one of the pieces needed to be rerecorded. I enjoyed listening again to "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho"! I did not hear any difference--but it is such a fun piece, I am glad they had to do it again!
After choir practice and our regular services, my Cuban sister and i were joined for supper by the sister I had met my first Sunday here. We enjoyed getting to know her a little better. She is finishing her mission--after 7 years! However, she likes this area, and will be staying in this apartment complex! She plans to work at the temple again, as she had done for a long time before her husband died, and then apply to work again at the Library as a Church Service Missionary. The CSMs live locally and do not work as many days as regular Senior Missionaries. That is why she will be able to work both as a CSM and as a Temple worker--the best of both worlds!
Saturday, June 18, 2016
More Learning, Some Teaching, and Great Watermelon! 18 June 2016
Two of the German/Latin consultants were on the floor today so I got to spend several hours with them. They said their main object is to provide translation services in those two languages, but the elder especially also takes the opportunity to teach about the records, about the history of areas, and of idiosyncrasies in the records.
The record the consultants were working with had been sent to them digitally, and it was a Family Book page from a Jewish record. The original scribe had beautiful handwriting, but the two later scribes did not--quite a challenge!
I was glad I was able to pick out the surname that one of the guests was looking for, and I got to spend some time helping him to find the records he needed on a microfilm. When he was ready to get copies I tagged along in order to learn the procedure of downloading microfilm images to a flash drive and to the Cloud storage that Family Trees provides.
This particular guest was visibly emotional when the first images appeared in Family Tree Gallery. I mentioned that we call that feeling the Spirit of Elijah, and because he had spoken of meeting his grandson later in the day I told him that he was linking the generations. He said he had felt he could contribute to the work by getting the records put online, and he is so right. The more we get sources and memories attached and linked in Family Tree, the smoother the work will be for those who come after us.
Later in the day I tried helping a sister with a microfilm, but the writing was so faint we could not make it out. That experience helped me with finding an earlier parish from the resources we have available.
For lunch I went to buy two more watermelons, and I made an impulse purchase of some caffeine- and high fructose corn syrup-free root beer. It was on sale, and I am waiting until it gets cold to try it--I hope it is good! My supper tonight, once my shift was over, was mostly watermelon! That was quite tasty!
Back at the library I had duties as a rover, refilling scratch paper and pencils, and tidying up. Then I worked on a case study from the Czech Republic. I ended the shift with taking screen shots and turning them into panoramic images with Irfanview.
I made out a request form today for leaving the mission boundaries to go to the Star Valley Temple Open House the end of September. The trip is just a bit over 3 hours each way, so I can get it in on my Preparation Day. We are hoping that Gregory can get time off to come at that time so he can come along and see the temple and meet my dear missionary [from 1974] and his family. At the end of that week is General Conference. I will so much enjoy attending conference with my Sweetheart!
The record the consultants were working with had been sent to them digitally, and it was a Family Book page from a Jewish record. The original scribe had beautiful handwriting, but the two later scribes did not--quite a challenge!
I was glad I was able to pick out the surname that one of the guests was looking for, and I got to spend some time helping him to find the records he needed on a microfilm. When he was ready to get copies I tagged along in order to learn the procedure of downloading microfilm images to a flash drive and to the Cloud storage that Family Trees provides.
This particular guest was visibly emotional when the first images appeared in Family Tree Gallery. I mentioned that we call that feeling the Spirit of Elijah, and because he had spoken of meeting his grandson later in the day I told him that he was linking the generations. He said he had felt he could contribute to the work by getting the records put online, and he is so right. The more we get sources and memories attached and linked in Family Tree, the smoother the work will be for those who come after us.
Later in the day I tried helping a sister with a microfilm, but the writing was so faint we could not make it out. That experience helped me with finding an earlier parish from the resources we have available.
For lunch I went to buy two more watermelons, and I made an impulse purchase of some caffeine- and high fructose corn syrup-free root beer. It was on sale, and I am waiting until it gets cold to try it--I hope it is good! My supper tonight, once my shift was over, was mostly watermelon! That was quite tasty!
Back at the library I had duties as a rover, refilling scratch paper and pencils, and tidying up. Then I worked on a case study from the Czech Republic. I ended the shift with taking screen shots and turning them into panoramic images with Irfanview.
I made out a request form today for leaving the mission boundaries to go to the Star Valley Temple Open House the end of September. The trip is just a bit over 3 hours each way, so I can get it in on my Preparation Day. We are hoping that Gregory can get time off to come at that time so he can come along and see the temple and meet my dear missionary [from 1974] and his family. At the end of that week is General Conference. I will so much enjoy attending conference with my Sweetheart!
Friday, June 17, 2016
Study and Learn and Help. 17 June 2016
Much of my shift today I spent studying various topics that are required for full competence at the consultant desk. Some of the topics I had previously researched, but I had not taken notes. Retracing my steps was probably not a bad thing--just somewhat annoying, especially when I could not find some of the books that I found earlier in the week. Eventually I looked them up in the catalog, and located them on the shelves. I feel a little more prepared for leading the study group on Tuesday. I decided I need to find out if the list I was given was designed to make one search, or if a "cheat sheet" could be developed to make it easier for new missionaries coming in. I hope that our study group will be allowed to develop that.
It was fun to observe one of the missionaries share with another the online resource "If I Can, You Can: decipher German Records" which during my first week I had shared with a third missionary. When we help each other find resources, the work goes smoother.
I was able to help a guest today with finding an immigration date, although even if the passenger on the list is her the list does not provide the name of the village she came from, so the information was less-effective. However, I was able to point out to the guest that her grandmother had to have at some point used her middle name, since that was the name appearing on an aunt's marriage record.
With another guest I asked a more experienced missionary for help when we could not find records going back any farther in the catalog than what the guest had already researched. He pulled up meyersgaz.org, and I observed how he used it--which was one of the items on my list of things to learn!
I talked with my dear friend in Star Valley, Wyoming, the wife of one of the missionaries who taught me 42 years ago, about my plan to bring my sweetheart up for the Open House of the Star Valley Temple. I need to get approval to leave the mission boundaries, but I do not think that will be a huge problem since we can make the trip in one day up and back. I will just use my Preparation Day, so it will not impact my zone negatively. I will be very happy for it to work out.
It was fun to observe one of the missionaries share with another the online resource "If I Can, You Can: decipher German Records" which during my first week I had shared with a third missionary. When we help each other find resources, the work goes smoother.
I was able to help a guest today with finding an immigration date, although even if the passenger on the list is her the list does not provide the name of the village she came from, so the information was less-effective. However, I was able to point out to the guest that her grandmother had to have at some point used her middle name, since that was the name appearing on an aunt's marriage record.
With another guest I asked a more experienced missionary for help when we could not find records going back any farther in the catalog than what the guest had already researched. He pulled up meyersgaz.org, and I observed how he used it--which was one of the items on my list of things to learn!
I talked with my dear friend in Star Valley, Wyoming, the wife of one of the missionaries who taught me 42 years ago, about my plan to bring my sweetheart up for the Open House of the Star Valley Temple. I need to get approval to leave the mission boundaries, but I do not think that will be a huge problem since we can make the trip in one day up and back. I will just use my Preparation Day, so it will not impact my zone negatively. I will be very happy for it to work out.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Polish puzzle and pictures! 16 June 2016
I did have some minor struggles with staying awake today, but nothing like last week after my late night. Maybe I am adjusting?
After prayer meeting I was the Greeter, and actually spent the time reading about the German or Prussian Empire. There is a lot of history that I did not previously consider necessary to learn, but which can help in our family history work. I hope that much of what I am being exposed to will stick--or at least come back when I need it.
I do have a mystery to solve tomorrow. I cannot find the Jewish records for Ploch, even though I observed that the missionary who is an expert on Polish research had found them for a guest. Tomorrow she has indicated she will help me with Polish research, so that should allow me to solve the puzzle. I may also find her to be a good resource for the study group which will begin next Tuesday.
Part of my duties will be to find people or resources to help the group learn the necessary background information in order to be successful in helping the guests with Central European research. When I first saw the list of skills, I was really intimidated. But I have had a chance to find out more about some of the resources, so I think it will be OK. I believe the study groups are a pilot program. If we can be successful in learning how to access the resources that are available, and if we leave clear instructions on how to do that, the missionaries who follow us will not have to reinvent the wheel. There are a lot of good resources, one just has to know where to look.
One of the pleasures today was to access the images of records I researched for my husband's relatives thirty years ago. Another was to attach pictures of Polish documents to my Mom's great grandparents. As I was contemplating how to use my research half-day, I was impressed to get this part of the work done, as I can pretty well decipher those Polish documents, thanks to great resources on FamilySearch.
My Cuban sister had been given a piece of mail for me that had finally made its way to the Training Zone. When I went to get it she had a snack ready to share. Then I invited her to go to a market that had good prices on produce this week. I am grateful to replenish my supply of cherries, and watermelon and mangoes!
The weather was a bit cooler today--quite a contrast to what family and friends are dealing with back home, where it is around 100 degrees! I hope it cools down for them, and does not heat up to much for us here!
After prayer meeting I was the Greeter, and actually spent the time reading about the German or Prussian Empire. There is a lot of history that I did not previously consider necessary to learn, but which can help in our family history work. I hope that much of what I am being exposed to will stick--or at least come back when I need it.
I do have a mystery to solve tomorrow. I cannot find the Jewish records for Ploch, even though I observed that the missionary who is an expert on Polish research had found them for a guest. Tomorrow she has indicated she will help me with Polish research, so that should allow me to solve the puzzle. I may also find her to be a good resource for the study group which will begin next Tuesday.
Part of my duties will be to find people or resources to help the group learn the necessary background information in order to be successful in helping the guests with Central European research. When I first saw the list of skills, I was really intimidated. But I have had a chance to find out more about some of the resources, so I think it will be OK. I believe the study groups are a pilot program. If we can be successful in learning how to access the resources that are available, and if we leave clear instructions on how to do that, the missionaries who follow us will not have to reinvent the wheel. There are a lot of good resources, one just has to know where to look.
One of the pleasures today was to access the images of records I researched for my husband's relatives thirty years ago. Another was to attach pictures of Polish documents to my Mom's great grandparents. As I was contemplating how to use my research half-day, I was impressed to get this part of the work done, as I can pretty well decipher those Polish documents, thanks to great resources on FamilySearch.
My Cuban sister had been given a piece of mail for me that had finally made its way to the Training Zone. When I went to get it she had a snack ready to share. Then I invited her to go to a market that had good prices on produce this week. I am grateful to replenish my supply of cherries, and watermelon and mangoes!
The weather was a bit cooler today--quite a contrast to what family and friends are dealing with back home, where it is around 100 degrees! I hope it cools down for them, and does not heat up to much for us here!
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Went in 2 Hours Early--and Took a Nap! 15 Jun 2016
I am not sure why I thought I was due in to work at 11, instead of 1--I am thankful it was not the other way around! And it turned out quite nicely, anyway. I needed to talk to the zone leader about a scheduling issue, so I got that done in good order. Not until after that did I realize that I was 2 hours early!
My sleep had been interrupted as usual for about 2 hours from 3:30 to 5:30, then I stayed in bed until 7, which is very unusual for me. Instead of doing active things once I finished my exercise routine, I did a bit of mending, and organized my purse and found another compartment--that purse is almost as good as Hermione Granger's [from Harry Potter]--and did a few other none-tiring things.
Then at the Library when I discovered my error, I decided to stay and work more on my Polish microfilms. The microfilms are in a dark area, and I chose the most out-of-the-way one I could find--and took a nap before proceeding with my research! When I woke up a short time later I felt refreshed, and actually did not get sleepy the rest of the day, which was a huge blessing!
When it came time for my shift to begin, I was greeted with a guest needing help with Polish research! I was glad I have been getting refreshed in that area, but I was not of extreme help to her because the place she needed did not have microfilms of the type she needed. I did show her FamilySearch resources in the Wiki and the Learning Center--and when I went to the Floor Manager to suggest they page someone to help her, our resident Polish expert was right there and available!
One of the floor trainers asked me to head a study group for missionaries who, like me, are preparing to work as consultants at the Central European desk. I was glad I had already begun to learn some of the things so I could feel good about accepting that assignment. I will not be teaching, but apparently I will be responsible for determining when we can learn things on our own through the Wiki and the Learning Center, and when we need the trained staff to teach us various items.
Next it was time for choir practice and then Mission Conference. Each month we have a two-day conference, with the first day for one half of the mission and a repeat for the other half. I get to go to both days because of being in choir. Yesterday I dozed through most of the talks, but today I was awake, and even took notes of President Tate's talk, especially because I wanted to make sure of the name of the motivational writer he had mentioned: Og Mandino. After conference we had another choir practice to get ready for next Monday and then for July 18th when we will do many numbers in honor of Pioneer Day.
I was back to the Library in the evening, but the time went quickly because the niece I had not been of much help to yesterday was back along with her uncle who was still finding a lot on his own. This time the niece and I found quite a lot, and she did a lot of record cleanup and merged many records into her family tree. We both had a good time, and she was a ready learner.
Tomorrow is an early day, so I will close for now.
My sleep had been interrupted as usual for about 2 hours from 3:30 to 5:30, then I stayed in bed until 7, which is very unusual for me. Instead of doing active things once I finished my exercise routine, I did a bit of mending, and organized my purse and found another compartment--that purse is almost as good as Hermione Granger's [from Harry Potter]--and did a few other none-tiring things.
Then at the Library when I discovered my error, I decided to stay and work more on my Polish microfilms. The microfilms are in a dark area, and I chose the most out-of-the-way one I could find--and took a nap before proceeding with my research! When I woke up a short time later I felt refreshed, and actually did not get sleepy the rest of the day, which was a huge blessing!
When it came time for my shift to begin, I was greeted with a guest needing help with Polish research! I was glad I have been getting refreshed in that area, but I was not of extreme help to her because the place she needed did not have microfilms of the type she needed. I did show her FamilySearch resources in the Wiki and the Learning Center--and when I went to the Floor Manager to suggest they page someone to help her, our resident Polish expert was right there and available!
One of the floor trainers asked me to head a study group for missionaries who, like me, are preparing to work as consultants at the Central European desk. I was glad I had already begun to learn some of the things so I could feel good about accepting that assignment. I will not be teaching, but apparently I will be responsible for determining when we can learn things on our own through the Wiki and the Learning Center, and when we need the trained staff to teach us various items.
Next it was time for choir practice and then Mission Conference. Each month we have a two-day conference, with the first day for one half of the mission and a repeat for the other half. I get to go to both days because of being in choir. Yesterday I dozed through most of the talks, but today I was awake, and even took notes of President Tate's talk, especially because I wanted to make sure of the name of the motivational writer he had mentioned: Og Mandino. After conference we had another choir practice to get ready for next Monday and then for July 18th when we will do many numbers in honor of Pioneer Day.
I was back to the Library in the evening, but the time went quickly because the niece I had not been of much help to yesterday was back along with her uncle who was still finding a lot on his own. This time the niece and I found quite a lot, and she did a lot of record cleanup and merged many records into her family tree. We both had a good time, and she was a ready learner.
Tomorrow is an early day, so I will close for now.
Mission Conference in the Middle. 14 June 2016
I did not sleep well again last night, or at least not as long as I wanted to, so I tried to get back to sleep after reading scriptures, but was not successful. I got up about half an hour later than usual, and did not get out to do my stair-climbing until about 7. As I watched other missionaries depart for prayer meetings, I got to feeling maybe I should catch the early meeting, since I would not be able to attend an afternoon session due to singing in the choir for mission conference. So at 7:12 I decided to see if I could make it to the 7:30 meeting--and I was successful!
As it turned out, since I was not due to start until 10. I could have skipped out--tomorrow, when my shift starts at 1 pm I will not go in early. It is good to know, though, that in a pinch I could get up 20 minutes before I was due at the Library and make it in on time! That is not something I ever plan to do, but it is nice to know that I could.
At 10 am I was the monitor, but at about 10:45 a guest asked for help, and I worked with her until 11 when I was the rover. I like having the positions of monitor or rover or greeter on my schedule, because it is somewhat structured, whereas in helping the guests anything could come up. But that is part of the adventure of family history--one never knows where it might lead. This guest had brought some well-organized notes, and we found records that proved her family stories true.
I got through replenishing pencils and papers as the rover when an older man came in with his niece. Because they wanted to search from Family Tree, free accounts were required. The niece got hers set up easily, but the uncle had some issues because in our basement location his cell phone was not working. He went upstairs to get service--but there continued to be issues.
Mission conference was held this time in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. One of the mission presidency is finishing his mission, so he and his wife spoke. Then the choir sang "The Hearts of the Fathers Will Turn to Their Children" another song that is difficult to sing without getting choked up. After our number, President Tate spoke. He told of his journey to living life more positively. He reminded us of our mission affirmation: I will greet this day with love in my heart, a smile on my face, and gratitude for my blessings. He challenged us to ask "How can I help?" and "Who can I help?" and "What really matters?" Another challenge was to make all our prayers for the next 4 days prayers of gratitude. I hope I can live up to the challenges.
When I came back to the library after more than three hours the uncle and niece were both still there working. The tech people upstairs had helped the uncle with his account issues and he was able to print out a lot of pedigree charts. I worked a while more with the niece, and we found a book online which contained records of her family. In what seemed like a very short time, my shift was finished. I had decided to go to the temple for a bit, and had a good experience there.
I was sad that I missed my sweetheart's first two calls, as my phone was still on silent from Mission Conference, so I lost out on 6 minutes of talking with him. I was prompted to check my phone and then we had a few minutes to talk and pray together. And now it is time to close for the night with gratitude for the good events of the day.
As it turned out, since I was not due to start until 10. I could have skipped out--tomorrow, when my shift starts at 1 pm I will not go in early. It is good to know, though, that in a pinch I could get up 20 minutes before I was due at the Library and make it in on time! That is not something I ever plan to do, but it is nice to know that I could.
At 10 am I was the monitor, but at about 10:45 a guest asked for help, and I worked with her until 11 when I was the rover. I like having the positions of monitor or rover or greeter on my schedule, because it is somewhat structured, whereas in helping the guests anything could come up. But that is part of the adventure of family history--one never knows where it might lead. This guest had brought some well-organized notes, and we found records that proved her family stories true.
I got through replenishing pencils and papers as the rover when an older man came in with his niece. Because they wanted to search from Family Tree, free accounts were required. The niece got hers set up easily, but the uncle had some issues because in our basement location his cell phone was not working. He went upstairs to get service--but there continued to be issues.
Mission conference was held this time in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. One of the mission presidency is finishing his mission, so he and his wife spoke. Then the choir sang "The Hearts of the Fathers Will Turn to Their Children" another song that is difficult to sing without getting choked up. After our number, President Tate spoke. He told of his journey to living life more positively. He reminded us of our mission affirmation: I will greet this day with love in my heart, a smile on my face, and gratitude for my blessings. He challenged us to ask "How can I help?" and "Who can I help?" and "What really matters?" Another challenge was to make all our prayers for the next 4 days prayers of gratitude. I hope I can live up to the challenges.
When I came back to the library after more than three hours the uncle and niece were both still there working. The tech people upstairs had helped the uncle with his account issues and he was able to print out a lot of pedigree charts. I worked a while more with the niece, and we found a book online which contained records of her family. In what seemed like a very short time, my shift was finished. I had decided to go to the temple for a bit, and had a good experience there.
I was sad that I missed my sweetheart's first two calls, as my phone was still on silent from Mission Conference, so I lost out on 6 minutes of talking with him. I was prompted to check my phone and then we had a few minutes to talk and pray together. And now it is time to close for the night with gratitude for the good events of the day.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Reflections on Mortality. 13 June 2016
The video Gregory sent me of "I Stand All Amazed" touched me so much that I reposted it on Facebook. The hymn and the visuals remind us of the love our Savior, Jesus Christ, has for each one of us. His death and resurrection make possible our eternal life. I do not thank Him often enough for His great gifts to me.
During the very early morning our choir practice of "Oh, My Father", set to a Stephen Foster melody "Gentle Annie", brought me to tears, making singing nearly impossible. The hymn reminded me of the celestial homesickness I experienced as a small child, although I did not recognize it as such at the time. I just remember thinking that it felt like I was not with the right family, or did not have the right parents. Not knowing then that I came from the "royal courts on high" led me into a lot of confusion, and false paths. I am just now beginning to feel a great desire to complete "all I was sent here to do" so that I can return to my Heavenly Parents with honor.
Lest I create the wrong impression, my earthly parents were very good people, and did the very best they could with the knowledge and tools that they had. I am very grateful that I have had the opportunity to be sealed to them. I know our reunion will be joyful when my journey is completed, for they also came from those royal courts, and are my celestial siblings, as well as my dear parents. Our relationship began long before this life, and will continue throughout eternity.
Today after the mission devotional, I did two loads of laundry and then went on several shopping trips. There were intermittent thunderstorms, and reports of hail, but I just got a little damp at times. I stocked up on items that were in the ads, being especially glad to get flax seeds for $1.29 a pound. I think I now have enough to make crackers every two weeks until time to go back to Missouri.
Speaking of which--it is nearly the middle of June! Time surely seems to be flying as I look back.
A dear Missouri friend called today and we will get together next Monday before her daughter does a tour of the University of Utah campus. I actually know how to get there, as the Botanical Gardens are part of U of U! Every time I drive I seem to find a new street to explore. For instance, today I thought I would travel up 200 West, instead of 300 West to get to the warehouse stores. Now I know why that is not a good idea, as that street stops at a rail crossing. I am becoming pretty good at U-turns! The rail tracks had stopped me earlier in the day after leaving Welfare Square, as a long, slow-moving train blocked my passage back to 300 West. The cloudiness and coolness of the day was quite a blessing as I sat for a good five minutes waiting.
This evening for Family Home Evening I listened to a Roots Tech 2016 class about doing more Advanced Searches in FamilySearch. This will help me here with guests at the Library, and also when I get back home. There are many videos from the Conference accessible at http://www.rootstech.org/video2/4741844756001
During the very early morning our choir practice of "Oh, My Father", set to a Stephen Foster melody "Gentle Annie", brought me to tears, making singing nearly impossible. The hymn reminded me of the celestial homesickness I experienced as a small child, although I did not recognize it as such at the time. I just remember thinking that it felt like I was not with the right family, or did not have the right parents. Not knowing then that I came from the "royal courts on high" led me into a lot of confusion, and false paths. I am just now beginning to feel a great desire to complete "all I was sent here to do" so that I can return to my Heavenly Parents with honor.
Lest I create the wrong impression, my earthly parents were very good people, and did the very best they could with the knowledge and tools that they had. I am very grateful that I have had the opportunity to be sealed to them. I know our reunion will be joyful when my journey is completed, for they also came from those royal courts, and are my celestial siblings, as well as my dear parents. Our relationship began long before this life, and will continue throughout eternity.
Today after the mission devotional, I did two loads of laundry and then went on several shopping trips. There were intermittent thunderstorms, and reports of hail, but I just got a little damp at times. I stocked up on items that were in the ads, being especially glad to get flax seeds for $1.29 a pound. I think I now have enough to make crackers every two weeks until time to go back to Missouri.
Speaking of which--it is nearly the middle of June! Time surely seems to be flying as I look back.
A dear Missouri friend called today and we will get together next Monday before her daughter does a tour of the University of Utah campus. I actually know how to get there, as the Botanical Gardens are part of U of U! Every time I drive I seem to find a new street to explore. For instance, today I thought I would travel up 200 West, instead of 300 West to get to the warehouse stores. Now I know why that is not a good idea, as that street stops at a rail crossing. I am becoming pretty good at U-turns! The rail tracks had stopped me earlier in the day after leaving Welfare Square, as a long, slow-moving train blocked my passage back to 300 West. The cloudiness and coolness of the day was quite a blessing as I sat for a good five minutes waiting.
This evening for Family Home Evening I listened to a Roots Tech 2016 class about doing more Advanced Searches in FamilySearch. This will help me here with guests at the Library, and also when I get back home. There are many videos from the Conference accessible at http://www.rootstech.org/video2/4741844756001
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Beautiful Sabbath from Beginning to End. 12 June 2016
My Sabbath began with the video my dear Gregory sent to me last night of Josh Groban singing "You Raise Me Up". Tears came as I thought of how much my sweetheart lifts me, but the song speaks to me on so many levels: our Savior, of course; but also family members and dear friends. I am grateful for all who help me to grow beyond what I could do on my own. We need each other to become more than we can be alone.
Another visit to the Tabernacle for the Choir broadcast brought more tears, although it wasn't until the second or third song. Then every piece spoke to my heart, even during the actual broadcast. In order to get good seats we go for the rehearsal as well as the broadcast. Then I go back for the rehearsal that the choir has for their up-coming European trip. It is interesting to hear them learn pieces in different languages.
On to my own choir practice, where the director had decided that she wanted to make a major change in the piece we were singing today. It all turned out OK. Still, the last-minute change was a bit unnerving. And I am very grateful that my musical talents do not extend to directing a choir. That seems to be a very complicated skill. I am happy to sing, though. In fact, in Relief Society today I decided that I would just sing alto. Our meeting is held in a huge room [called the Empire Room!!!], and there are maybe 200 sisters in attendance each Sunday, so I did not feel out of place singing rather loudly. I was pleased that the sister sitting next to me was happy I was doing harmony, rather than complaining.
Supper with my Cuban sister was nice. She invited another sister to join us who is getting ready to leave the mission after 22 months. I was glad to get to know her.
My home and visiting teaching couple came, and I was very happy that the brother shared a message with me. One of the points was that Heavenly Father has given us the tools we need to be successful in the work we have to do, even technology. I had not previously thought of that, but on reflection I know it is true. I know my family history efforts would flounder if I still had to do it just with paper and pen. There is too much to keep track of without the aid of the computers.
The sister brought me a loaf of homemade bread, which was wonderful as always. I just had to put it in the frig so I would not eat it all tonight! Yummy!
Tonight I will talk and pray with Gregory, a beautiful ending to a beautiful Sabbath day.
Another visit to the Tabernacle for the Choir broadcast brought more tears, although it wasn't until the second or third song. Then every piece spoke to my heart, even during the actual broadcast. In order to get good seats we go for the rehearsal as well as the broadcast. Then I go back for the rehearsal that the choir has for their up-coming European trip. It is interesting to hear them learn pieces in different languages.
On to my own choir practice, where the director had decided that she wanted to make a major change in the piece we were singing today. It all turned out OK. Still, the last-minute change was a bit unnerving. And I am very grateful that my musical talents do not extend to directing a choir. That seems to be a very complicated skill. I am happy to sing, though. In fact, in Relief Society today I decided that I would just sing alto. Our meeting is held in a huge room [called the Empire Room!!!], and there are maybe 200 sisters in attendance each Sunday, so I did not feel out of place singing rather loudly. I was pleased that the sister sitting next to me was happy I was doing harmony, rather than complaining.
Supper with my Cuban sister was nice. She invited another sister to join us who is getting ready to leave the mission after 22 months. I was glad to get to know her.
My home and visiting teaching couple came, and I was very happy that the brother shared a message with me. One of the points was that Heavenly Father has given us the tools we need to be successful in the work we have to do, even technology. I had not previously thought of that, but on reflection I know it is true. I know my family history efforts would flounder if I still had to do it just with paper and pen. There is too much to keep track of without the aid of the computers.
The sister brought me a loaf of homemade bread, which was wonderful as always. I just had to put it in the frig so I would not eat it all tonight! Yummy!
Tonight I will talk and pray with Gregory, a beautiful ending to a beautiful Sabbath day.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
More German Practice--and a Free Snow Cone! 11 June 2016
I began the day talking with my good friend whose daughter pet sits for us. She had emailed me last week, and I thought I had replied, but could not find any evidence of my sending an email, so I thought I would just call, since it was Saturday. I am glad I did. I knew there were changes coming up in her work situation that she was worried about--and the changes proved to be huge blessings! Tender mercies of the Lord, we Mormons would call them! I am proud of my friend because she has made great progress in overcoming challenges and cultivating a positive attitude.
At the Library I continued work on the list of skills I need to gain. During the time I was supposed to be shadowing at the German consultant desk, I was asked to help a guest with German--but what she wanted to find had little to do with German. The consultant was busy helping the guest I had helped yesterday, so it was not a big issue. However, I did help the guest learn how to clean up her records, and she seemed pretty pleased with what we accomplished.
During my lunch time I went outside for a while to the FamilySearch Block Party. Rain had dampened some of the planned events, I think, because the entrance area of the library had become an auditorium of sorts. Outside the rain was just minimal, for which I was grateful because I had left my umbrella at home. The bounce house and a rock-climb were in operation, so there were children having fun despite the rain. I walked around to check out the food vendors, and decided that the only item I wanted enough to pay for was a mini snow cone! Then the vendor refused to take my money, so I got a pina colada snow cone for free. Even though it was small, it was definitely enough, and I did enjoy it.
Not long after I returned to the International floor, I was asked if I would like to help another guest with German. Once again, the guest was looking for an immigration record! This time, however, after trying unsuccessfully to accomplish that goal, she showed me some of her book of remembrance pages. I noticed extracted records were referenced, so I was prompted to ask her if she would like to try to find the parents of an end-of-the-line ancestor. She was agreeable, so we went searching for microfilm. We did find her relatives parents because we found his birth record. It was in German script, but in beautiful hand-writing. We also found the marriage record, which confirmed some of her previous research, and gave her the wife's parents, There are many more films from that area, so she will have lots more work to do! The writing on the marriage record was not as clear, so I asked for help, and found that most of what I had indicated as the translation was accurate. I was very glad to have helped the guest find another generation, and now she has the tools to go back even farther in her lines.
I was a bit down when I realized that this day would, under ordinary circumstances, have been quite a milestone in my life. But a text from my sweetheart reminded me how blessed I am, and bumped me out of my down mood. I am blessed beyond measure!
At the Library I continued work on the list of skills I need to gain. During the time I was supposed to be shadowing at the German consultant desk, I was asked to help a guest with German--but what she wanted to find had little to do with German. The consultant was busy helping the guest I had helped yesterday, so it was not a big issue. However, I did help the guest learn how to clean up her records, and she seemed pretty pleased with what we accomplished.
During my lunch time I went outside for a while to the FamilySearch Block Party. Rain had dampened some of the planned events, I think, because the entrance area of the library had become an auditorium of sorts. Outside the rain was just minimal, for which I was grateful because I had left my umbrella at home. The bounce house and a rock-climb were in operation, so there were children having fun despite the rain. I walked around to check out the food vendors, and decided that the only item I wanted enough to pay for was a mini snow cone! Then the vendor refused to take my money, so I got a pina colada snow cone for free. Even though it was small, it was definitely enough, and I did enjoy it.
Not long after I returned to the International floor, I was asked if I would like to help another guest with German. Once again, the guest was looking for an immigration record! This time, however, after trying unsuccessfully to accomplish that goal, she showed me some of her book of remembrance pages. I noticed extracted records were referenced, so I was prompted to ask her if she would like to try to find the parents of an end-of-the-line ancestor. She was agreeable, so we went searching for microfilm. We did find her relatives parents because we found his birth record. It was in German script, but in beautiful hand-writing. We also found the marriage record, which confirmed some of her previous research, and gave her the wife's parents, There are many more films from that area, so she will have lots more work to do! The writing on the marriage record was not as clear, so I asked for help, and found that most of what I had indicated as the translation was accurate. I was very glad to have helped the guest find another generation, and now she has the tools to go back even farther in her lines.
I was a bit down when I realized that this day would, under ordinary circumstances, have been quite a milestone in my life. But a text from my sweetheart reminded me how blessed I am, and bumped me out of my down mood. I am blessed beyond measure!
Friday, June 10, 2016
Lots of German Script Practice, and a Hand Bell Concert make for a Good Day! 10 June 2016
Yesterday's naps were absolutely essential, but getting to sleep in a timely manner was not happening. I took L-tryptophan, which gave me a 20-minute kick-in time during which I rearranged the furniture in my apartment! I had gotten the idea earlier in the evening that during the warm weather I need not worry about blocking the baseboard heaters, so I could move my bed in front of the air conditioner--so I did it! Last night I did not get everything to where I wanted it, but I slept well with the cooler air blowing over my head. When I awoke it was about an hour later than my usual time, and I felt pretty rested most of the day. At lunch time I did take a brief nap, setting my alarm, as it was towards the end. I suspect I will generally sleep much better now. The wall air conditioner does its best, but it really cannot cool the whole apartment unless I turned it way down. This is a better alternative.
I started my time at the Library as a Greeter again. The first 45 minutes or so were pretty slow. Then a guest came and asked if there was someone who was good at German translation available. Not only was I not feeling confident in my translation skills, but as Greeter I was not supposed to leave the desk. It turned out I was the only one available with any skills in German script, so the floor manager covered the Greeter position and sent me to help the guest. 2 1/2 hours later the guest had exhausted her list of records to transcribe--and I was feeling some of my previous skill had returned. I felt very blessed to have been given that opportunity. I recognized some of the words I had been reading in the German word list, which was very handy and informative. The guest was actually pretty good herself--but lacked confidence to do the job on her own. No one came to get me and no one complained once I emerged out of the microfilm reader area, so I think everything else got covered. I actually worked with that guest into my lunch time--but it was worth it to me, and she was very happy for the help.
After lunch I decided to work on more Polish record deciphering. Then one of the trainers came to me and showed me a multiple page list of various skills that a missionary is supposed to have before being allowed to work at the consultant desk solo. I had been given a copy of this list before, but had not been told what its purpose was, and I felt intimidated. I have not had to do the kind of "research" that most people seeking their ancestors in Germany and Poland have to do, because I have known the small localities where my people came from. Therefore I am not very familiar with even the common resources. I spent the next hour becoming familiar with a lot of those resources, and got a big blessing because of it.
One of the sets of resources is "How to" guides from the Research Wiki. One of the tasks in the document was to become familiar with the How to guides. I decided to choose Poland--and found that the hard work of deciphering the hand-written forms had already been done. I went through and wrote out for myself the birth record form. In the next week or so I will do the same for the marriage and death records. It is then just a matter of deciphering the names, dates and places to find ancestors--so I now feel I will be able to help the guests with the Polish research, also.
My last hour was as Rover, the person who tidies up the place, making sure trays are filled with scratch paper, and pencils are sharpened and chairs are pushed in from the aisles. Not a bad way to end the day, especially since staying on my feet keeps me from dozing off!
I went straight to the temple when my shift was over. I had not planned to go, and I did some things that did not take long--except for waiting occasioned a lot by the shift change there.
This evening my MTC group met for the Dancing with Bells hand bell concert in the Tabernacle. The concert was very nice and I was glad I had the opportunity to attend. We had to be there pretty early and I got to talk quite a while with my visiting teacher, and that was very nice.
Tomorrow we start an hour later than during the week, and for one hour I shadow at the German/Slavic Consultant desk--I am sure it will be interesting.
I started my time at the Library as a Greeter again. The first 45 minutes or so were pretty slow. Then a guest came and asked if there was someone who was good at German translation available. Not only was I not feeling confident in my translation skills, but as Greeter I was not supposed to leave the desk. It turned out I was the only one available with any skills in German script, so the floor manager covered the Greeter position and sent me to help the guest. 2 1/2 hours later the guest had exhausted her list of records to transcribe--and I was feeling some of my previous skill had returned. I felt very blessed to have been given that opportunity. I recognized some of the words I had been reading in the German word list, which was very handy and informative. The guest was actually pretty good herself--but lacked confidence to do the job on her own. No one came to get me and no one complained once I emerged out of the microfilm reader area, so I think everything else got covered. I actually worked with that guest into my lunch time--but it was worth it to me, and she was very happy for the help.
After lunch I decided to work on more Polish record deciphering. Then one of the trainers came to me and showed me a multiple page list of various skills that a missionary is supposed to have before being allowed to work at the consultant desk solo. I had been given a copy of this list before, but had not been told what its purpose was, and I felt intimidated. I have not had to do the kind of "research" that most people seeking their ancestors in Germany and Poland have to do, because I have known the small localities where my people came from. Therefore I am not very familiar with even the common resources. I spent the next hour becoming familiar with a lot of those resources, and got a big blessing because of it.
One of the sets of resources is "How to" guides from the Research Wiki. One of the tasks in the document was to become familiar with the How to guides. I decided to choose Poland--and found that the hard work of deciphering the hand-written forms had already been done. I went through and wrote out for myself the birth record form. In the next week or so I will do the same for the marriage and death records. It is then just a matter of deciphering the names, dates and places to find ancestors--so I now feel I will be able to help the guests with the Polish research, also.
My last hour was as Rover, the person who tidies up the place, making sure trays are filled with scratch paper, and pencils are sharpened and chairs are pushed in from the aisles. Not a bad way to end the day, especially since staying on my feet keeps me from dozing off!
I went straight to the temple when my shift was over. I had not planned to go, and I did some things that did not take long--except for waiting occasioned a lot by the shift change there.
This evening my MTC group met for the Dancing with Bells hand bell concert in the Tabernacle. The concert was very nice and I was glad I had the opportunity to attend. We had to be there pretty early and I got to talk quite a while with my visiting teacher, and that was very nice.
Tomorrow we start an hour later than during the week, and for one hour I shadow at the German/Slavic Consultant desk--I am sure it will be interesting.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Resolve to Study and Some German and Polish Success! 9 June 2016
I awoke with a resolve to devote more time to study of German and Polish. My first assignment this morning was as Greeter, which was not extremely busy between 8 and 9 in the morning, so I got out the German word list and began to go through that.
A little later I was asked to help a young woman with a German record. It was a beautifully written document which had been indexed, and I was able to confirm that the child was a twin, and read the names of the boys, as well as the names of the parents. The guest wanted to get copies, so I got some experience making copies from the microfilm scanner. We did some cropping and zooming and fiddling with the contrast and brightness. She was very happy with the results, and I was glad I had been able to help.
My "I'm getting older, doggone it!" realization kicked in as it was time for lunch--I took an hour-long nap instead of eating! I was grateful that I did wake up at that point, as I had not set any kind of alarm. But I did wake up and then I got to do research on my own lines for the rest of my shift! I had decided to work at finding the records in Poland for ancestors on my Mom's father's line. I was able to access the FamilySearch.org class on reading Polish Handwritten Records class on my computer, and went through each microfilm record to make sure I had extracted the correct information a few decades ago. Then I took pictures of the microfilm records with my iPad and attached them. I was especially glad that with the help of the online class, extracting the pertinent information seemed to go well--I am sure it was the help of the Spirit that brought to my remembrance how to decipher the Polish writing fairly easily. This definitely brought home to me that despite my weakness, this is the Lord's work and He is willing to help.
A little later I was asked to help a young woman with a German record. It was a beautifully written document which had been indexed, and I was able to confirm that the child was a twin, and read the names of the boys, as well as the names of the parents. The guest wanted to get copies, so I got some experience making copies from the microfilm scanner. We did some cropping and zooming and fiddling with the contrast and brightness. She was very happy with the results, and I was glad I had been able to help.
My "I'm getting older, doggone it!" realization kicked in as it was time for lunch--I took an hour-long nap instead of eating! I was grateful that I did wake up at that point, as I had not set any kind of alarm. But I did wake up and then I got to do research on my own lines for the rest of my shift! I had decided to work at finding the records in Poland for ancestors on my Mom's father's line. I was able to access the FamilySearch.org class on reading Polish Handwritten Records class on my computer, and went through each microfilm record to make sure I had extracted the correct information a few decades ago. Then I took pictures of the microfilm records with my iPad and attached them. I was especially glad that with the help of the online class, extracting the pertinent information seemed to go well--I am sure it was the help of the Spirit that brought to my remembrance how to decipher the Polish writing fairly easily. This definitely brought home to me that despite my weakness, this is the Lord's work and He is willing to help.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Tickets Received and Haircut is Done. 8 June 2016
This was quite a busy day. I went to the ticket office at 9 o'clock to try to get tickets for the pioneer day concert. The ticket office wasn't open until 10! This was not as big a problem as it could have been because the ticket office is about two blocks away from where I live. I went back at 10 and by 10:05 I was on my way to South Jordan to get my haircut.
I don't know if Laurie the stylist really remembered me, but I enjoyed talking with her. She is quite talented with her scissors, and by 11 I was traveling back to Salt Lake City. I made a few stops along the way, and got back to my apartment about 12:15, in plenty of time to eat before my shift at the library.
As usual I had to fight to stay alert for the first hour or so, but then there was help needed with a German record. The names were pretty easy to figure out, but a note with the record was beyond my ability.i
I made it to prayer meeting at 3:30, and then off to choir practice. After a little bit of supper I went back to the library. I was so pleased to get a visit from the daughter of a dear friend back in Missouri. She and her family had been to the Discovery Center earlier in the day and her children had the spirit of Elijah . One of the young elders shared how to do some research and I was able to help get temple cards ready. Do come visit me if you are in Utah in the next 11 mbonths!
I don't know if Laurie the stylist really remembered me, but I enjoyed talking with her. She is quite talented with her scissors, and by 11 I was traveling back to Salt Lake City. I made a few stops along the way, and got back to my apartment about 12:15, in plenty of time to eat before my shift at the library.
As usual I had to fight to stay alert for the first hour or so, but then there was help needed with a German record. The names were pretty easy to figure out, but a note with the record was beyond my ability.i
I made it to prayer meeting at 3:30, and then off to choir practice. After a little bit of supper I went back to the library. I was so pleased to get a visit from the daughter of a dear friend back in Missouri. She and her family had been to the Discovery Center earlier in the day and her children had the spirit of Elijah . One of the young elders shared how to do some research and I was able to help get temple cards ready. Do come visit me if you are in Utah in the next 11 mbonths!
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Whoops! I forgot...7 June 2016
Today was a later starting day for me--10 a.m. It was a bit of a challenge, as I do not have projects here to work on like I do at home. My home computer was acting sluggish, so I was frustrated as I tried to merge some records. As there was still about an hour until I was due at the Library, I decided to make some phone calls. That worked out well, even though the calls were brief. It is just nice to keep in touch that way.
I had a good time in my first official library position--monitor. My downfall is that it is hard for me to just sit, so I found a lot of reasons to get up and move. I was able to connect guests with helpers which is one of the jobs of the position, allowing the floor manager, who figures out which helper will best help a guest, to be free to make those decisions. We had guests that hour from Germany and the Netherlands and Denmark. The Greeter does Scandinavian research and she was very enthusiastic in her interactions with the guests from that area. Later in the day I completed my case study for the Netherlands (very appropriate since one of the calls I made was to my Dutch friend who drove out with me to Utah) after I figured out that the very nice website with Dutch records really works best when you get the names spelled correctly! I also learned that with a good word list, I can probably help someone transcribed the beautifully written Dutch civil records, which go back a long way.
The next hour I mostly worked on more training, but the 3rd hour a guest came in with German ancestry. I am still not experienced enough to have recognized that she was really going to have to go to the US-Canada floor to find the film she needed in order to verify conflicting indexed information. Nor did I think of telling her that naturalization applications were a good resource she might want to check---hopefully someone on that floor gave her better directions, and I have to look at it as a lesson for me.
I also received a lesson in how to use a different photo editing program. I like it better than the one I previously got training on. Another lesson was in using Access Services to retrieve a film from High Density to use for a case study. It has been decades since I used microfilm! It was rather nice, even though the digital images are very good. But it is similar to sometimes wanting to use an actual print book instead of the online version. Someone suggested I shadow a helper who was working in Polish research. That taught me about a website that will find the German name of a Polish area and vice versa.
One of the sisters came over to ask if I was interested in going to the Pioneer Day concert, 23 July. As she was walking me through my unsuccessful attempt to reserve tickets, I noticed the time--4:15. Whoops! I was supposed to go to prayer meeting and training at 3:30!!! It will be a challenge for me to remember all these things in a timely manner!
I was excited to see an email from the young French woman that my Cuban friend and I had hosted for lunch a few Sundays ago. She is back home, and does plan to continue to read The Book of Mormon, but realizes that for her it will likely be a long process before she can make the commitment that conversion would require. One of the calls I made today had a similar theme. I am so grateful for the trials which brought me to my own fairly rapid conversion. Once I was willing to listen, I loved what I heard. And now I get to do a Family History mission! Quite awesome!
I want to mention an ongoing difficulty at home. My daughter and I switched cars when I drove out--and now the 2005 Honda has needed lots of service. I am so grateful that she is taking care of this and that I do not have to try to deal with it. I pray it will not give her any more trouble until I can get back and deal with it.
I hope you are all well and happy. Tomorrow is my very late day, followed by an early day. I will still try to make a brief post. Thanks to all of you for your friendship.
I had a good time in my first official library position--monitor. My downfall is that it is hard for me to just sit, so I found a lot of reasons to get up and move. I was able to connect guests with helpers which is one of the jobs of the position, allowing the floor manager, who figures out which helper will best help a guest, to be free to make those decisions. We had guests that hour from Germany and the Netherlands and Denmark. The Greeter does Scandinavian research and she was very enthusiastic in her interactions with the guests from that area. Later in the day I completed my case study for the Netherlands (very appropriate since one of the calls I made was to my Dutch friend who drove out with me to Utah) after I figured out that the very nice website with Dutch records really works best when you get the names spelled correctly! I also learned that with a good word list, I can probably help someone transcribed the beautifully written Dutch civil records, which go back a long way.
The next hour I mostly worked on more training, but the 3rd hour a guest came in with German ancestry. I am still not experienced enough to have recognized that she was really going to have to go to the US-Canada floor to find the film she needed in order to verify conflicting indexed information. Nor did I think of telling her that naturalization applications were a good resource she might want to check---hopefully someone on that floor gave her better directions, and I have to look at it as a lesson for me.
I also received a lesson in how to use a different photo editing program. I like it better than the one I previously got training on. Another lesson was in using Access Services to retrieve a film from High Density to use for a case study. It has been decades since I used microfilm! It was rather nice, even though the digital images are very good. But it is similar to sometimes wanting to use an actual print book instead of the online version. Someone suggested I shadow a helper who was working in Polish research. That taught me about a website that will find the German name of a Polish area and vice versa.
One of the sisters came over to ask if I was interested in going to the Pioneer Day concert, 23 July. As she was walking me through my unsuccessful attempt to reserve tickets, I noticed the time--4:15. Whoops! I was supposed to go to prayer meeting and training at 3:30!!! It will be a challenge for me to remember all these things in a timely manner!
I was excited to see an email from the young French woman that my Cuban friend and I had hosted for lunch a few Sundays ago. She is back home, and does plan to continue to read The Book of Mormon, but realizes that for her it will likely be a long process before she can make the commitment that conversion would require. One of the calls I made today had a similar theme. I am so grateful for the trials which brought me to my own fairly rapid conversion. Once I was willing to listen, I loved what I heard. And now I get to do a Family History mission! Quite awesome!
I want to mention an ongoing difficulty at home. My daughter and I switched cars when I drove out--and now the 2005 Honda has needed lots of service. I am so grateful that she is taking care of this and that I do not have to try to deal with it. I pray it will not give her any more trouble until I can get back and deal with it.
I hope you are all well and happy. Tomorrow is my very late day, followed by an early day. I will still try to make a brief post. Thanks to all of you for your friendship.
Monday, June 6, 2016
A Different Kind of Day. 6 June 2016
Today was rather different than usual. Instead of having our Mission Devotional, the whole mission gathered outside t the Conference Center for a group photo. The actual photo, of course, took about 15 seconds, but getting hundreds of people arranged was quite the job!
After the photo, since this was my day off, I did a couple of loads of laundry, mostly the swap meet clothes. I was so pleased that all of the clothes seemed to make it through the washing process, especially a nice grey blazer which I was a little worried about.
As I came out of the laundromat, one of the building people stopped me to at that she would send the maintenance men to fix the lock on the sliding glass door. Because of that I decided not to travel to South Jordan to get my hair cut. I may do that Wednesday, or even next Monday. I decided to replenish my supply of flax seed crackers nod also make some no bake peanut butter cookies. The cookies were a definite experiment, as the recipe calls for butter--and the only fat I have is olive oil! I was surprised and please that this worked! My other cooking for the day was to cook more wheat.
I did eventually go out to shop a bit. I took a different route and went to Welfare Square, to the Home Storage Center. I bought a can of black beans, a bag of hot chocolate mix, and some sugar. My goal is to manage without the sugar, but one never knows when it might come in handy. This afternoon I was asked to take a sister a meal in a few days, and I just might make a regular dessert to go with that.
The repairmen had been in while I was gone, so I now can open the sliding glass door, which is very good. Although I have an air conditioner, sometimes it is nice to just have fresh air.
This evening one of the couples in our MTC group hosted a family home evening. About half of our group came. We each shared what our assignments are like. Helping in the Family History Library is one of the least complicated, actually. I am glad to be serving there!
After the photo, since this was my day off, I did a couple of loads of laundry, mostly the swap meet clothes. I was so pleased that all of the clothes seemed to make it through the washing process, especially a nice grey blazer which I was a little worried about.
As I came out of the laundromat, one of the building people stopped me to at that she would send the maintenance men to fix the lock on the sliding glass door. Because of that I decided not to travel to South Jordan to get my hair cut. I may do that Wednesday, or even next Monday. I decided to replenish my supply of flax seed crackers nod also make some no bake peanut butter cookies. The cookies were a definite experiment, as the recipe calls for butter--and the only fat I have is olive oil! I was surprised and please that this worked! My other cooking for the day was to cook more wheat.
I did eventually go out to shop a bit. I took a different route and went to Welfare Square, to the Home Storage Center. I bought a can of black beans, a bag of hot chocolate mix, and some sugar. My goal is to manage without the sugar, but one never knows when it might come in handy. This afternoon I was asked to take a sister a meal in a few days, and I just might make a regular dessert to go with that.
The repairmen had been in while I was gone, so I now can open the sliding glass door, which is very good. Although I have an air conditioner, sometimes it is nice to just have fresh air.
This evening one of the couples in our MTC group hosted a family home evening. About half of our group came. We each shared what our assignments are like. Helping in the Family History Library is one of the least complicated, actually. I am glad to be serving there!
Sunday, June 5, 2016
72-hour Kit and Wonderful Music. 5 June 2016
After talking for a little while with my granddaughter, I met my Cuban friend and her brother to go to the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast. We left 15 minutes earlier than was our habit, because the crowds were very heavy last week. We were close to the front of the line, and sat in the middle of the Tabernacle. Although I enjoyed the view from the balcony last week, I could hear much better on the ground level. Tears came as usual as I listened to Climb Every Mountain.
This was Fast Sunday, so even though I slept really well last night I struggled to stay awake during the testimonies. I decided to go to the Sunday School class on FamilySearch, and I was able to stay awake through that meeting and through Relief Society.
I was really glad that the Relief Society president presented us with a challenge--to prepare a 72-hour survival kit. I have had such kits at home since early in my membership in the Church, but I had not prepared one for my apartment. We were asked to get a backpack, and put in it a flashlight, a whistle, and a roll of toilet paper. Each week we will be challenged to add four more items. I was so glad for this reminder that when I got back to the apartment, while my supper was heating, I got out a backpack and put those items into it. I also found a place to hang it up close to the door of my apartment so that it will be handy, but out of the way.
My Cuban friend took her brother back to Sandy, Utah, after testimony meeting, so I started walking home after the other meetings on my own. A sister came up even with me, but did not speak. After a little bit I decided [was prompted?] to say "hello". What a treat to talk with this sister. We actually talked about some important things in our 10 minute walk home, and she taught me a good lesson. In our Relief Society lesson on humility, I made the comment that recording every day in my journal the things that occurred that I was grateful for helps me recognize blessings, and reminds me that Heavenly Father is in the details of my life. The sister told me that when she has done this in the past it helped her feel Heavenly Father's love for her. I confessed that I did feel His love for me, but I have a hard time with feeling that I love Him. She said, "Even if you do not feel it, He has asked us to tell Him that we love Him, and doing so can increase our feelings of love." I had never thought of doing this! I do want to increase my feelings of love for Him, and for His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. So my goal is to remember to tell Heavenly Father on a regular basis that I love Him and Jesus.
I had been fasting more than is required, so I ate when I got home. Then my Cuban friend called me and wanted me to come share a bit of food with her, so I ate another meal with her. She makes very good food!
I have finished four of my 10 indexing batches, so I am going to see if I can finish them up tonight. Tomorrow will be busy with a haircut, and with laundering many of the great clothes I got at the swap meet!
This was Fast Sunday, so even though I slept really well last night I struggled to stay awake during the testimonies. I decided to go to the Sunday School class on FamilySearch, and I was able to stay awake through that meeting and through Relief Society.
I was really glad that the Relief Society president presented us with a challenge--to prepare a 72-hour survival kit. I have had such kits at home since early in my membership in the Church, but I had not prepared one for my apartment. We were asked to get a backpack, and put in it a flashlight, a whistle, and a roll of toilet paper. Each week we will be challenged to add four more items. I was so glad for this reminder that when I got back to the apartment, while my supper was heating, I got out a backpack and put those items into it. I also found a place to hang it up close to the door of my apartment so that it will be handy, but out of the way.
My Cuban friend took her brother back to Sandy, Utah, after testimony meeting, so I started walking home after the other meetings on my own. A sister came up even with me, but did not speak. After a little bit I decided [was prompted?] to say "hello". What a treat to talk with this sister. We actually talked about some important things in our 10 minute walk home, and she taught me a good lesson. In our Relief Society lesson on humility, I made the comment that recording every day in my journal the things that occurred that I was grateful for helps me recognize blessings, and reminds me that Heavenly Father is in the details of my life. The sister told me that when she has done this in the past it helped her feel Heavenly Father's love for her. I confessed that I did feel His love for me, but I have a hard time with feeling that I love Him. She said, "Even if you do not feel it, He has asked us to tell Him that we love Him, and doing so can increase our feelings of love." I had never thought of doing this! I do want to increase my feelings of love for Him, and for His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. So my goal is to remember to tell Heavenly Father on a regular basis that I love Him and Jesus.
I had been fasting more than is required, so I ate when I got home. Then my Cuban friend called me and wanted me to come share a bit of food with her, so I ate another meal with her. She makes very good food!
I have finished four of my 10 indexing batches, so I am going to see if I can finish them up tonight. Tomorrow will be busy with a haircut, and with laundering many of the great clothes I got at the swap meet!
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Personal Reflections. 4 June 2016
Today is the anniversary of the first overt contact between my sweetheart, Gregory, and me. During this year when we are physically separated, we reflect often upon the miracles that brought us together. The conference talk which I read today was by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home", in which President Uchtdorf speaks of how the Savior rescues us. Surely His hand was in the Linked-In Request that Gregory sent me and I received when I was in the depths of woe, and I desperately needed rescue, and that message was the beginning of the rescue. I am eternally grateful for the miracles that brought us together.
Although in subsequent weeks Saturday will not be my preparation day, I decided to spend a few minutes to clean the apartment. Tuesday the possibility exists that my apartment will be inspected by city health officials. So it seemed to be a good thing to get things in order. In addition, I read today an article by Hugh Nibley about imposing order upon chaos being a function of the temple. I highly recommend this article, found at http://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1123&index=4
At 9:30 a.m. I went down to the swap meet which is held on the apartment complex parking lot. This will likely be my last opportunity to participate, and I took full advantage of it. Usually my yearly clothing shopping is done on New Year's Day at the Arnold Salvation Army store, because on that day all clothing is half price. Of course, free is even better! I had reviewed my wardrobe and had determined that I would need more winter clothing--and there was quite a lot available today, some of which even fit me! I first found the non-clothing items I had hoped to get: more teaspoon and a wastebasket [for gathering items to recycle], Then I looked a first time at the clothing and picked out a few things. All in all I was there more than an hour, and was blessed to find at the end several skirts that I had not seen on earlier rounds, so I like to think the angels kept them hidden until I could get them! They are summer weight, and I like them a lot. For the winter I got quite a lot of tops and a skirt or two. I picked up several jackets, also. At the end I also got a few more dishes, 3 shower curtain rods which will be useful as drying racks, several ballpoint pens [which I had been thinking I needed to get a supply of], and several handbags.One of the handbags is more like a briefcase, and is of a water-resistant material--that will be needed when the weather is severe.
Two of the brothers who help with the swap meet helped me carry my items home, a cause for much gratitude. Then I attended to the serious business of trying on the new items. That process took an hour! One of the brothers was still at the sheds when I went out later on, so the items which were too little or too big I was able to already give back already. I will be having plenty of laundry to do in the next week or two. That is a small price to pay for a great new wardrobe!
I decided to make a trip down to South Jordan to see if I could find the woman who cut my hair six weeks ago. I went into the shop, and could have gotten it done pretty quickly, but I decided to ask for the other stylist. I was told, "She only works Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m." That fits my schedule exactly! But how did she happen to be at the shop six weeks ago on a Saturday? Seems to me like another miracle! I will be able travel back down the highway fairly early on Monday to tend to that business. Coming back I traveled a different street, so I found more stores I might need to access in the next 11 months.
Although in subsequent weeks Saturday will not be my preparation day, I decided to spend a few minutes to clean the apartment. Tuesday the possibility exists that my apartment will be inspected by city health officials. So it seemed to be a good thing to get things in order. In addition, I read today an article by Hugh Nibley about imposing order upon chaos being a function of the temple. I highly recommend this article, found at http://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1123&index=4
At 9:30 a.m. I went down to the swap meet which is held on the apartment complex parking lot. This will likely be my last opportunity to participate, and I took full advantage of it. Usually my yearly clothing shopping is done on New Year's Day at the Arnold Salvation Army store, because on that day all clothing is half price. Of course, free is even better! I had reviewed my wardrobe and had determined that I would need more winter clothing--and there was quite a lot available today, some of which even fit me! I first found the non-clothing items I had hoped to get: more teaspoon and a wastebasket [for gathering items to recycle], Then I looked a first time at the clothing and picked out a few things. All in all I was there more than an hour, and was blessed to find at the end several skirts that I had not seen on earlier rounds, so I like to think the angels kept them hidden until I could get them! They are summer weight, and I like them a lot. For the winter I got quite a lot of tops and a skirt or two. I picked up several jackets, also. At the end I also got a few more dishes, 3 shower curtain rods which will be useful as drying racks, several ballpoint pens [which I had been thinking I needed to get a supply of], and several handbags.One of the handbags is more like a briefcase, and is of a water-resistant material--that will be needed when the weather is severe.
Two of the brothers who help with the swap meet helped me carry my items home, a cause for much gratitude. Then I attended to the serious business of trying on the new items. That process took an hour! One of the brothers was still at the sheds when I went out later on, so the items which were too little or too big I was able to already give back already. I will be having plenty of laundry to do in the next week or two. That is a small price to pay for a great new wardrobe!
I decided to make a trip down to South Jordan to see if I could find the woman who cut my hair six weeks ago. I went into the shop, and could have gotten it done pretty quickly, but I decided to ask for the other stylist. I was told, "She only works Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m." That fits my schedule exactly! But how did she happen to be at the shop six weeks ago on a Saturday? Seems to me like another miracle! I will be able travel back down the highway fairly early on Monday to tend to that business. Coming back I traveled a different street, so I found more stores I might need to access in the next 11 months.
Friday, June 3, 2016
I Finally Get It! 3 June 2016
Today I finally understood some of the functions of a Helper on the International Floor! I worked on case studies from various countries this morning, including the Norway one which had me stumped. I had thought I was doing the DigitalArkivet search correctly but got no results. I had gone to ask for help at the Scandinavian desk, but before the consultant got back to me I figured out that I had been using too many variables. Once I backed off I was able to access the required records for the case study!
I was able to complete the Germany case study, and the one for Poland. Then I looked at some One Minute Training Power points, and found the duties of being a Helper are actually pretty simple: find out what the guest knows, and what the guest is hoping to find; have the guest do a search in FamilySearch.org historical records; do a search in image only collections; do a search in Ancestry.com; check out the WIKI for tips on researching in a particular area; and then check the Catalog for films or books that might be available. If the guest needs more help than that, turn them over to a consultant! I think I can actually do this!
I got my schedule for next week, which apparently will not change much for a while. My research half-day is Thursday afternoon. The time off for choir will be two hours, but that is also my eating time--still not bad for having a break on my late day. Next week I start off on Tuesday as Monitor. and the last hour on Thursday I will be the Rover. I will have two hours, Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m, to function as the Greeter. Then, on Saturday, I will have one hour in which I shadow the Germany/Slavik consultant! I need to be very diligently studying to get up to speed on my German and Polish script deciphering.
I got some positive feedback on the book I recommended yesterday, "If I Can, You Can", and shared the information with a few more people. It is such a great resource to have available on line for anyone who has German ancestry--and frankly, many of us do.
I had slept quite well last night, so during my time at the temple this evening I was able to stay pretty alert. Definitely a blessing.
I was able to complete the Germany case study, and the one for Poland. Then I looked at some One Minute Training Power points, and found the duties of being a Helper are actually pretty simple: find out what the guest knows, and what the guest is hoping to find; have the guest do a search in FamilySearch.org historical records; do a search in image only collections; do a search in Ancestry.com; check out the WIKI for tips on researching in a particular area; and then check the Catalog for films or books that might be available. If the guest needs more help than that, turn them over to a consultant! I think I can actually do this!
I got my schedule for next week, which apparently will not change much for a while. My research half-day is Thursday afternoon. The time off for choir will be two hours, but that is also my eating time--still not bad for having a break on my late day. Next week I start off on Tuesday as Monitor. and the last hour on Thursday I will be the Rover. I will have two hours, Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m, to function as the Greeter. Then, on Saturday, I will have one hour in which I shadow the Germany/Slavik consultant! I need to be very diligently studying to get up to speed on my German and Polish script deciphering.
I got some positive feedback on the book I recommended yesterday, "If I Can, You Can", and shared the information with a few more people. It is such a great resource to have available on line for anyone who has German ancestry--and frankly, many of us do.
I had slept quite well last night, so during my time at the temple this evening I was able to stay pretty alert. Definitely a blessing.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
More Worksheets completed, Cherries and Mangoes at the market, and a dry run to the Airport, 2 Jun 2016
This morning I had a little extra time, so I worked on arbitrating some indexing batches I had downloaded on Sunday. This evening I finished that up. We were told in the Training Zone that if each arbitrator could do 400 batches, the back log of arbitration cases would be taken care of. If I do ten batches a week, in a year I would get more than my 400 batches done, so that is my goal. I have to admit that I am just trying to do whatever is priority, even if it is beginner level. My head can't handle much more than that with all I am trying to learn at the Library.
I started on more worksheets today, thinking that I would get as much done in this week as possible, but I was encouraged to go out on the floor to be available to help guests. I was able to get four worksheets completed, and I did help one guest--by suggesting she search Google for what she wanted! That was fairly successful, and I was glad to be able to help. I attempted to help a fellow worker with some German script transcribing, but that was less successful.
I did find that a book I left back home which is very helpful for German research is available online! "If I Can, You Can" is the name of the book, and it is so useful, as it has word lists with examples of script for all sorts of categories, like occupations, relationships, and sicknesses. I am glad I now know that this is available.
I decided when I got home to do some laundry, and then I went to the Hispanic market to get more fruit: mangoes, cherries, bananas and watermelon were all nicely priced. I splurged on Muenster cheese, which was a manager's special--I already ate a slice, and it is really good. I ate half the cherries before I got home, they were so yummy! I will share the watermelon with my Cuban sister on Sunday, as she had mentioned wanting to get some when we went shopping on Monday. The very ripe bananas went into the freezer, as frozen bananas are a great ice cream substitute!
When I left the market I decided to see whether the cross street led to the discount store I found last week. Instead it led to I-15, and when I got on I saw the sign for the airport. I decided to do a dry run in anticipation of picking up Gregory the end of July. I appreciate knowing how to get this done, and it truly is less than a 15 minute drive from my apartment. Coming back I just took North Temple, and while that is the shortest in distance, I see now why the navigator recommended a different way. Anyway, I am now prepared for July 18! Can hardly wait!
One of the young elders offered to help with my groceries when I got back to the apartment. The watermelon was about the size of a basketball, and he took it and carried it in one hand. I was grateful for his help.
This evening I am cooking some lentils, as I finished up the kidney beans for supper.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Lots of Good News! 1 June 2016
Very happy news! My Sweetheart will get to come visit me at the end of July as we had planned! His visit will come just a few days after my daughter is here in Utah. I will see her a little, although she will mostly be visiting her good friend. All very good news!
Another very happy bit of news was confirmed today by my zone leader. Because I sing in the Elijah Choir, our mission choir, I will have a two-hour break in my late day of work to go to practice. Since I am pretty much a morning person, and afternoons are the time when I am least alert. So a three block walk, and singing for an hour are about the perfect combination to perk me back up.
This morning I shadowed for the Rover position, and got to help a guest with finding the parents of a couple on a German record. Such a blessing for me, since I had wondered how much of my German script deciphering I had retained. Of course, the handwriting was very nice, the record was clear, a near-perfect situation for bolstering one's confidence. Along the way I got a review of using the microfilm reader, and learned how to use the machine that sends pictures of microfilm frames to the printer. I bought a $5 print card, just to have one handy. I do not know how much I will need to use of it at five cents a copy, but maybe I will find some of my relatives that have been hiding for a long time.
After the shadowing experience I finished the final review for Level 1 Certification, so that at the Recognition meeting I would actually have completed everything I needed to do. After the meeting we had a sumptuous potluck luncheon--way too much way too good food! Even better than the food were the greetings from various other missionaries, volunteers and staff members. I spent quite a while talking with one sister who is on the floor as a Church Service Missionary twice a week, and who comes the other days to work for clients. She does German research, and it was fascinating to talk with her.
After lunch I worked on my Level 2 Certification--way harder than Level 1! There are three courses and 10 case studies to complete, along with some research on partner sites. This will definitely take longer than two and a half days! And next week I will actually be out on the floor helping guests! So I will not have hours to spend at the computer, which is actually a good thing for me. I pray I will be able to be of help to those who come to the library to search out their relatives. I know how important this work is, especially in this day and time, when families are so often unraveling. I am grateful to be able to help in the work.
Practice for the Elijah Choir went pretty well. Afterwards I talked with one of the other missionaries, and I think we will be good friends. We both have been nurses' aides, and we both provided help, she more than I, for our mothers. So we have some things in common. She told me she thought I would not want to be friends because she was old--turns out I am three years older than she is! That taught me though that I need to make an effort to connect with as many of the other missionaries as I can, in case they need a friend and think for some reason that I would not want to be friends. Perceptions are so easy to be inaccurate.
We had an awesome spiritual thought this morning at devotional. A young man had a falling out with his parents and left home at an early age. Years later, he saw two elders passing his house, and thought, "There go those stupid Mormons. I used to be one of them." A few minutes later the elders returned. One of them asked him if he knew a certain street in Idaho. He said, "Yes, my parents live there." The elder replied, "I know. I am your brother." Thus, the man was reunited with his family.
Our work here in this mission is to reunite families. I hope we will all do what we can to keep our families united and happy.
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