My day at the Library started with a prayer meeting that was a bit unusual. The person who usually conducts the meeting had a temple day, and the replacement did not show up until about noon, so the half dozen or so of us that were there did things a little differently. I was able to get the Power Point set up, and I asked one of the older elders to conduct the meeting. I played the keyboard and gave the spiritual thought by reading my blogpost about my Elijah Moment from 17 September that I did not post until the 26th. One of the sisters gave the prayer, and everyone had already done the in-service lesson, so we skipped that.
The first hour the Library was open to the public was extremely slow on our floor, but later we were rather overwhelmed with guests from Asia. One of our new Church Service Missionaries is of Chinese ancestry, and she did a great job of helping not only the Chinese guests, but also the Japanese visitors. I think that altogether she helped about a dozen guests in about 2 hours, and they all left happy with their searches.
I spent some time creating a PowerPoint for an in-service on tips and tricks with keyboard shortcuts, etc. I have not done a PowerPoint since I ended my last mission in 2012, but as long as no one minds that it is not fancy, I seemed to remember the basics.
I did help quite a few guests today, although most often I needed to turn them over to someone who knows more than I do. Sometimes the help was just to verify what I thought was correct, and sometimes much more extensive help was needed.
One guest had a copy of a large, elaborate pedigree chart in the form of a literal tree! Originally created in the mid-1800s, it was a bit of a challenge to figure out exactly what was going on. An unusual item listed on the tree was a note about a copper shield that gave different information than what was apparently available in the records in the 1850s. I asked for help in translating the word for copper shield, and when I went back to the guest he said, "Yes, I knew about that discrepancy on the shield"!!!
I cannot take any credit for the records of a grandfather that a guest found, but she gave me a hug anyway when I just went to check on her. In addition to her, "I found him!!" and the hug, she also said, "Please do not ever stop doing what you people do here in the Library!" I assured her that we would not stop, and that what she was feeling was the Spirit. It was another Elijah moment.
During my lunch break I decided to drive to the market to get more apples--and I got some Red Delicious which were being cleared out. I like them OK, but I decided I wanted to figure out how to use them in a recipe--and I actually made Tuna Waldorf Salad for my supper this evening! I enjoyed it and decided that the main difference between it and regular tuna salad was that instead of using pickle relish I used apples! Since I used a whole apple and two stalks of celery, I could barely taste the tuna. I like tuna well enough, but it was rather nice to have this be mostly waldorf salad!
When I was leaving and arriving back at the Library, I noticed some people with signs denouncing the Church. [My Sweetheart told me tonight that this happens on all General Conference weekends, so I would probably see more of them.] We talked about this during our afternoon prayer meeting, and the elder who was conducting reminded us of the principle of "opposition in all things". We must be doing something right when we receive such opposition. Later in the day I wrote to a FairMormon questioner and shared that principle.
I also thought about that principle in remembering an interesting observation in a medical conference I have been watching. The point was made that negative memories are much more powerful than positive memories in stimulating the brains of people who have diminished memory. I have heard that before, but I did not before put that thought together with opposition. Integrating these ideas reminds me that we came here to learn for ourselves to distinguish between good and evil. Perhaps instead of blocking negative memories, I can truly feel the emotions attached to them, learn from them, and then let them go. Too often I have run from negative memories. Perhaps I need to remember that without those negatives, I could not experience the opposite joy [I am borrowing that thought from my Sweetheart! When we talked about this idea he put into words what I could not figure out how to say].
When I finished my shift at the Library I stayed for a while and worked on my Eppingen records rather than going again to the temple. That work seemed to go better than it has before. I corrected some relationships, and figured out how to attach some sources based on the Ortsippenbuch. One of the parent-child relationships I corrected had parents attached whose names bore no resemblance to the child who was born about 25 years before they were! It is amazing to see some of the really strange things that are in the collaborative family tree!
Tomorrow is Conference and I should get to attend the afternoon session in person--a new experience!
Friday, September 30, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
P Day. 29 September 2016
For a P Day I spent quite a lot of time at the Library. In the early morning--7 am was cleaning. It is surprising how long it takes to wipe off the armrests on 25 or 30 chairs! That was what I had signed up to do, while others wiped the tables and counters and computer screens, etc.
I went back to the apartment via a different route, walking down North Temple Street to the West to 200 West, where I turned to go to 200 North. It was a pleasant morning, and I wanted to check to see if parking might be available for my friend with whom I will be going to Sunday afternoon's conference session. There is some unrestricted parking on the far west side of the street, but I suspect one might need to get there in the morning to get a spot!
I learned today from an article written many years ago that Harry S. Truman, the only US President from Missouri, stood up against his advisers, his cabinet, and military leaders when he granted recognition in 1948 to the new country of Israel. He followed his convictions, even though it was supposedly political suicide, I am personally grateful that he did this, because as a young child, the fact that Israel had been reestablished taught me that the Old Testament prophecies had not been done away by Christ or the New Testament, which is what I was taught in my childhood church.
Today I did another load of laundry, and I talked with my Sweetheart, and then I talked with my oldest daughter. Later in the day I also talked with my youngest, and this evening again with my Sweetheart, so I was not extremely surprised to see that my battery was down more than usual this evening.
In the afternoon I went back to the Library for some training, and also to work nearly two hours on more Eppingen records in Family Tree. There have been so many duplicate records, and also incorrect attachments, that there seems to be an infinite supply of work that needs doing! I got out the film with the actual church records to verify that one of the people attached was NOT born to my Wittmers, nor to any of the Wittmers in the book! I did also verify, however, that the wife of one of my 3rd great grand uncles came from Eppingen to the United States at the age of 2, in about 1848! I like her name: Regina.
A surprise was in the mailbox, a letter from a friend back in Missouri. It was very nice to hear from her!
A short time at the temple was all I could handle. I did not sleep extremely well last night, and that was the deciding factor as to which work to do.
Now I am off to bed with hopes I will sleep better or at least longer than last night!
I went back to the apartment via a different route, walking down North Temple Street to the West to 200 West, where I turned to go to 200 North. It was a pleasant morning, and I wanted to check to see if parking might be available for my friend with whom I will be going to Sunday afternoon's conference session. There is some unrestricted parking on the far west side of the street, but I suspect one might need to get there in the morning to get a spot!
I learned today from an article written many years ago that Harry S. Truman, the only US President from Missouri, stood up against his advisers, his cabinet, and military leaders when he granted recognition in 1948 to the new country of Israel. He followed his convictions, even though it was supposedly political suicide, I am personally grateful that he did this, because as a young child, the fact that Israel had been reestablished taught me that the Old Testament prophecies had not been done away by Christ or the New Testament, which is what I was taught in my childhood church.
Today I did another load of laundry, and I talked with my Sweetheart, and then I talked with my oldest daughter. Later in the day I also talked with my youngest, and this evening again with my Sweetheart, so I was not extremely surprised to see that my battery was down more than usual this evening.
In the afternoon I went back to the Library for some training, and also to work nearly two hours on more Eppingen records in Family Tree. There have been so many duplicate records, and also incorrect attachments, that there seems to be an infinite supply of work that needs doing! I got out the film with the actual church records to verify that one of the people attached was NOT born to my Wittmers, nor to any of the Wittmers in the book! I did also verify, however, that the wife of one of my 3rd great grand uncles came from Eppingen to the United States at the age of 2, in about 1848! I like her name: Regina.
A surprise was in the mailbox, a letter from a friend back in Missouri. It was very nice to hear from her!
A short time at the temple was all I could handle. I did not sleep extremely well last night, and that was the deciding factor as to which work to do.
Now I am off to bed with hopes I will sleep better or at least longer than last night!
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
One More Bit of Feedback! 28 September 2016
I was mistaken that I had no more feedback about the Training Modules. As I prayed this morning, I was reminded that there was another typing error about which I had not sent feedback. This was quite remarkable, in a way, because apparently the Lord cares that the modules be as error-free as possible. Maybe my feedback is actually important.
I had not expected to go out this morning, but I ended up going with my Japanese friend to her follow-up appointment with the retina specialist. Her eye is doing very well, and she may come back to work at the Library on Monday, which is really good news for all of us on the International Floor.
I watched an interesting interview with a neuro doctor who specializes in treating early Alzheimer's disease while I was relaxing before starting my late shift. He suggests that lifestyle causes much of our physical and mental degenerative diseases. I am grateful that I have been exercising regularly now for nearly 35 years, and that I have had this time to learn to eat somewhat better, and sleep somewhat better. Apparently those are three important aspects of staying healthy physically and mentally.
I had a lot of opportunities to help this afternoon at the Library. Lots of German translation, a Swiss marriage record with a funky date that no one has yet figured out [the staff member who does Latin was not there today], and another time to do in-service.
Choir practice was good as usual. We have begun practice for Christmas, and will soon be practicing Ukrainian Bell Carole, one of my favorites.
Tonight I worked more on Eppingen records--some of them are really messed up. Lots of duplicates and not very good records back into the 1600s!
There were some rain showers in the evening, but it is still nice and warm. I expect that will change before too long.
I had not expected to go out this morning, but I ended up going with my Japanese friend to her follow-up appointment with the retina specialist. Her eye is doing very well, and she may come back to work at the Library on Monday, which is really good news for all of us on the International Floor.
I watched an interesting interview with a neuro doctor who specializes in treating early Alzheimer's disease while I was relaxing before starting my late shift. He suggests that lifestyle causes much of our physical and mental degenerative diseases. I am grateful that I have been exercising regularly now for nearly 35 years, and that I have had this time to learn to eat somewhat better, and sleep somewhat better. Apparently those are three important aspects of staying healthy physically and mentally.
I had a lot of opportunities to help this afternoon at the Library. Lots of German translation, a Swiss marriage record with a funky date that no one has yet figured out [the staff member who does Latin was not there today], and another time to do in-service.
Choir practice was good as usual. We have begun practice for Christmas, and will soon be practicing Ukrainian Bell Carole, one of my favorites.
Tonight I worked more on Eppingen records--some of them are really messed up. Lots of duplicates and not very good records back into the 1600s!
There were some rain showers in the evening, but it is still nice and warm. I expect that will change before too long.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
A Surprise Call, and the End of Feedback. 27 September 2016
This morning I got a surprise call from my Sweetheart--and later a Stevie Wonder video of "I Just Called to Say I Love You". Sweet!
Today I finished up my feedback on the Training Modules. I was able to give some positive feedback, and some praise for the training, as well as pointing our a few more errors. I received back thanks for the feedback.
The study group was a bit small today, as one of our five members is in Europe. But we enjoyed learning about the French Republican Calendar, Ortsippenbucher [village genealogy books] online, and German Church Books.
I spent two+ hours in the Training lab. I got the study group notes typed up, the last of the feedback sent in, and had the time to begin to think about getting new in-service modules prepared. No one was there for any training, but I got to talk a bit with the Trainer that I am replacing.
The in-service on Deleting Relationships went well, I think, but a couple from Brazil needed a bit more instruction. I did some one-on-one with them, and later realized that I should not have kept them off the floor, as their were some guests who had been waiting for their help. There is a lot to learn about the logistics of helping guests.
About 15 minutes before the end of my shift I was able to help one of the study group members decipher some script which she had as a homework assignment from her class in German handwriting. I really enjoy doing that. I just looked up the village name, Eschelbach, cand, sure enough, it is quite close to Eppingen--about ten miles away!
I learned today in my research for the study group that St. Louis County Library has many Ortsippenbucher in their holdings, including one of my villages, Friesenheim, but not Eppingen. I think it is most providential that I have this time to work on the Eppingen records. I will get to do more of that on Thursday.
Today I finished up my feedback on the Training Modules. I was able to give some positive feedback, and some praise for the training, as well as pointing our a few more errors. I received back thanks for the feedback.
The study group was a bit small today, as one of our five members is in Europe. But we enjoyed learning about the French Republican Calendar, Ortsippenbucher [village genealogy books] online, and German Church Books.
I spent two+ hours in the Training lab. I got the study group notes typed up, the last of the feedback sent in, and had the time to begin to think about getting new in-service modules prepared. No one was there for any training, but I got to talk a bit with the Trainer that I am replacing.
The in-service on Deleting Relationships went well, I think, but a couple from Brazil needed a bit more instruction. I did some one-on-one with them, and later realized that I should not have kept them off the floor, as their were some guests who had been waiting for their help. There is a lot to learn about the logistics of helping guests.
About 15 minutes before the end of my shift I was able to help one of the study group members decipher some script which she had as a homework assignment from her class in German handwriting. I really enjoy doing that. I just looked up the village name, Eschelbach, cand, sure enough, it is quite close to Eppingen--about ten miles away!
I learned today in my research for the study group that St. Louis County Library has many Ortsippenbucher in their holdings, including one of my villages, Friesenheim, but not Eppingen. I think it is most providential that I have this time to work on the Eppingen records. I will get to do more of that on Thursday.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Certification on My Mind. 26 September 2016
I was reminded that I had planned to go to the Star Valley Temple Open House today. I guess it is for the best that I had to change my plans. Maybe in the spring my Sweetheart and I will stop there on our way back to Missouri.
I had signed up for two certifying sessions today, one at 11:15 and one at 4. I was there early for the first one, and had to wait, and I got there late for the second session and the person doing the certifying was out looking for me! I was able to certify in the last six sections, so I turned in my sheet to my Zone Leader. Now I do not have to worry that I will misplace it!
[That really is a worry, or at least a concern. I have been looking all evening for the letter which invited me to give a devotional talk next Monday to check on some details. As I began this paragraph I realized where it was, as I had earlier today seen an edge of a paper sticking out from under my laptop--I looked and there it was! Hallelujah! My Mom had a saying that I relate to now: "If my head wasn't attached I would lose it!"]
I found an interesting error in a case study which was part of the certifying process. I suggested that the certifier turn that one in, and showed him several more glitches I had discovered. This evening I found that I had already turned in feedback on the item I had been in error concerning, so I need to eat a bit of humble pie on that one. I wish I knew if there is tracking of the answers people give to the questions. I would like to know if I am the only one who read the question differently than how it was meant.
At the Trainers Meeting I presented the idea I had yesterday about taking snippets from the Training Modules to use for in service presentations. None of the trainers had any objections. I will be developing those ideas over the next month or so. Apparently I will be learning how to do PowerPoint presentations. I actually did some of those on my first mission, but I have not done any for a while. I will be taking those Training Modules apart to find ways to help the other missionaries understand the principles thoroughly before they ever need to take the quizzes.
I decided not to get up to read scriptures during the night, so I still have that to do, but I did not have to fight sleepiness today, even though I had to be up at 5. Maybe the Sleep Doctor has the right idea about consistency in sleeping habits.
My daughter called because of a business type phone call I had received. We talked a while and I learned that she has not seen our resident groundhog for more than a month. We hope that she has moved on for good.
My Sweetheart is on his way back from West Virginia. He texted me from Kentucky, and I hope to talk with him tonight.
I had signed up for two certifying sessions today, one at 11:15 and one at 4. I was there early for the first one, and had to wait, and I got there late for the second session and the person doing the certifying was out looking for me! I was able to certify in the last six sections, so I turned in my sheet to my Zone Leader. Now I do not have to worry that I will misplace it!
[That really is a worry, or at least a concern. I have been looking all evening for the letter which invited me to give a devotional talk next Monday to check on some details. As I began this paragraph I realized where it was, as I had earlier today seen an edge of a paper sticking out from under my laptop--I looked and there it was! Hallelujah! My Mom had a saying that I relate to now: "If my head wasn't attached I would lose it!"]
I found an interesting error in a case study which was part of the certifying process. I suggested that the certifier turn that one in, and showed him several more glitches I had discovered. This evening I found that I had already turned in feedback on the item I had been in error concerning, so I need to eat a bit of humble pie on that one. I wish I knew if there is tracking of the answers people give to the questions. I would like to know if I am the only one who read the question differently than how it was meant.
I decided not to get up to read scriptures during the night, so I still have that to do, but I did not have to fight sleepiness today, even though I had to be up at 5. Maybe the Sleep Doctor has the right idea about consistency in sleeping habits.
My daughter called because of a business type phone call I had received. We talked a while and I learned that she has not seen our resident groundhog for more than a month. We hope that she has moved on for good.
My Sweetheart is on his way back from West Virginia. He texted me from Kentucky, and I hope to talk with him tonight.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Amazing Tympani! Amazing Sabbath! 25 September 2016
Today I began reading The Book of Mormon over again. Yes, I have read this book dozens of times in the 42 years since I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By this time reading it is like visiting an old friend--and learning new things! I am so grateful that for me so many promises in The Book of Mormon have been fulfilled. The Book of Mormon was the point that proved the line for me in regaining a testimony of The Bible. I love the way that foundational doctrines of Christianity are taught in The Book of Mormon, especially the Atonement, and the plan of salvation. I am blessed to be reading it again.
Since I was on my own to go to Music and the Spoken Word I decided to switch to the North side of the Tabernacle. For the rehearsal I was in the balcony, so I could see and hear pretty well--except for the tympani. I first heard tympani as an 8-year-old at the Christmas concert at the church my family attended when we moved to St. Louis--and I was enthralled. [At the same time I first learned to love cello music, but that is another topic!] From the South balcony at other times I had been able to watch the tympani, but I decided to see if I could get a seat on the ground floor on the North side--and that was successful. Except for the organ solo, the tympanist had a part in each of the pieces, and I was no more than 15 feet away--it was awesome! Others might think it a little strange that I did not care that I could not get a balanced hearing of the performance, but for me it was perfect. Of course, several of the pieces brought me to tears: Love is Spoken Here [especially in the verse that talks about having a home where priesthood power is a blessing--I so look forward to that!]; a Hallelujah Chorus by Beethoven; I Sing the Mighty Power of God, with words by Isaac Watts, set to the same tune to which we sing I Saw a Mighty Angel Fly; and How Firm a Foundation [the tympani really shone in that piece]. I will probably end up back in that spot a lot.
Our Relief Society lesson was based on an article from the August Ensign which was taken from a FairMormon Conference talk. I so much appreciated that talk [found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTg4ZKwtwQ ] and the article [found at
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/08/being-a-woman-an-eternal-perspective?lang=eng ]. The lesson was well-done, gave me a chance to share my testimony of the principles included, and gave me also an opportunity to share this here.
Today two other sisters and I got to host two Young Elders for supper. The missionaries who were assigned used to work on the International floor, and they had taught the Preach My Gospel lessons to my Cuban sister and me, so we were acquainted already. We all miss them on the International floor but they are now assigned to Data Quality, the zone that fixes Family Tree problems. It was so good to learn more of their experiences, and they seemed to enjoy the food. I actually tried a couple of new dishes today, Basmati Rice cooked in Onion Soup and a Baked Broccoli dish. My Cuban sister brought salad, and my Ukrainian sister brought dessert [pumpkin pie, ice cream bars, and frozen cream puffs--way to yummy!]. The elders were happy to take home leftovers for tomorrow, too.
I have a new home and visiting teacher--my Zone Leaders! They came and brought a message, which I so much appreciate, and we talked a little shop, since our shop talk is about the Lord's work. I had gotten an idea for in service lessons, and they liked my idea. So I will get to learn how to do Power Points really well, as we prepare our floor missionaries for the new training they will be experiencing.
I am grateful for the Sabbath--and tomorrow starts another week at the Library [although we get the day off Saturday for Conference.] Yes, the time is going quickly.
Since I was on my own to go to Music and the Spoken Word I decided to switch to the North side of the Tabernacle. For the rehearsal I was in the balcony, so I could see and hear pretty well--except for the tympani. I first heard tympani as an 8-year-old at the Christmas concert at the church my family attended when we moved to St. Louis--and I was enthralled. [At the same time I first learned to love cello music, but that is another topic!] From the South balcony at other times I had been able to watch the tympani, but I decided to see if I could get a seat on the ground floor on the North side--and that was successful. Except for the organ solo, the tympanist had a part in each of the pieces, and I was no more than 15 feet away--it was awesome! Others might think it a little strange that I did not care that I could not get a balanced hearing of the performance, but for me it was perfect. Of course, several of the pieces brought me to tears: Love is Spoken Here [especially in the verse that talks about having a home where priesthood power is a blessing--I so look forward to that!]; a Hallelujah Chorus by Beethoven; I Sing the Mighty Power of God, with words by Isaac Watts, set to the same tune to which we sing I Saw a Mighty Angel Fly; and How Firm a Foundation [the tympani really shone in that piece]. I will probably end up back in that spot a lot.
Our Relief Society lesson was based on an article from the August Ensign which was taken from a FairMormon Conference talk. I so much appreciated that talk [found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTg4ZKwtwQ ] and the article [found at
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/08/being-a-woman-an-eternal-perspective?lang=eng ]. The lesson was well-done, gave me a chance to share my testimony of the principles included, and gave me also an opportunity to share this here.
Today two other sisters and I got to host two Young Elders for supper. The missionaries who were assigned used to work on the International floor, and they had taught the Preach My Gospel lessons to my Cuban sister and me, so we were acquainted already. We all miss them on the International floor but they are now assigned to Data Quality, the zone that fixes Family Tree problems. It was so good to learn more of their experiences, and they seemed to enjoy the food. I actually tried a couple of new dishes today, Basmati Rice cooked in Onion Soup and a Baked Broccoli dish. My Cuban sister brought salad, and my Ukrainian sister brought dessert [pumpkin pie, ice cream bars, and frozen cream puffs--way to yummy!]. The elders were happy to take home leftovers for tomorrow, too.
I have a new home and visiting teacher--my Zone Leaders! They came and brought a message, which I so much appreciate, and we talked a little shop, since our shop talk is about the Lord's work. I had gotten an idea for in service lessons, and they liked my idea. So I will get to learn how to do Power Points really well, as we prepare our floor missionaries for the new training they will be experiencing.
I am grateful for the Sabbath--and tomorrow starts another week at the Library [although we get the day off Saturday for Conference.] Yes, the time is going quickly.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Lots of work on Eppingen. Lots left to do. 24 September 2016
It is always a pleasure to listen to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf speak at conference. Tonight he told us at the General Women's Session of how he met his beloved Harriet. He prefaced that story early by saying he fell in love with her at first sight! If you did not get to listen yet to the session you are in for a treat when you do!
Saturday morning is an early one for me, as I am scheduled to give the in service at morning prayer meeting. Since this was the third presentation of the material [I did Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons previously] I was very comfortable and enjoyed sharing the tips on deleting relationships. I do not know how I will do when I have to come up with Power Points myself, but I do enjoy presenting to a small group--the ham in me comes out big time!
I got to help several people during the two hours that I was scheduled as Helper--the morning started out slow, but then was consistently busy. The third hour I was Floor Manager, and I actually worked through the first 15 minutes of my lunch time, because the scheduled person was helping two French guests. That was not a big problem because I had decided to bring my lunch and work through on my research time so that I could leave an hour early [I actually decided to leave an extra 15 minutes earlier than that to make up my missed lunch time]. I had decided to attend the Conference Session at the stake center where the stake Relief Society was providing supper at 4:30. I did not make it there until nearly 5, but I had plenty of time to enjoy the nice food. One of the Japanese sisters saved a place for me, which was really nice of her.
During my research time I decided to work in the Training room, so I would be able to spread out the papers and the big Eppingen Ortsippenbuch, with the added advantage of being more or less out of sight. Sometimes, especially if a missionary is not dressed in casual clothes, people do not realize one is their for one's own research. I worked quite steadily and got a lot of documents attached. I ran across one record which had a weird name attached, so I sent a message through FamilySearch and actually got a reply! I think we will be able to fix this without too much difficulty. However, it will take many more research hours to get all the information on my lines into FamilySearch from the book.
Once I got home after the Conference Session I did some things to prepare for feeding two Young Elders tomorrow. My Cuban sister and my Ukrainian sister will join me in host them.
Saturday morning is an early one for me, as I am scheduled to give the in service at morning prayer meeting. Since this was the third presentation of the material [I did Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons previously] I was very comfortable and enjoyed sharing the tips on deleting relationships. I do not know how I will do when I have to come up with Power Points myself, but I do enjoy presenting to a small group--the ham in me comes out big time!
I got to help several people during the two hours that I was scheduled as Helper--the morning started out slow, but then was consistently busy. The third hour I was Floor Manager, and I actually worked through the first 15 minutes of my lunch time, because the scheduled person was helping two French guests. That was not a big problem because I had decided to bring my lunch and work through on my research time so that I could leave an hour early [I actually decided to leave an extra 15 minutes earlier than that to make up my missed lunch time]. I had decided to attend the Conference Session at the stake center where the stake Relief Society was providing supper at 4:30. I did not make it there until nearly 5, but I had plenty of time to enjoy the nice food. One of the Japanese sisters saved a place for me, which was really nice of her.
During my research time I decided to work in the Training room, so I would be able to spread out the papers and the big Eppingen Ortsippenbuch, with the added advantage of being more or less out of sight. Sometimes, especially if a missionary is not dressed in casual clothes, people do not realize one is their for one's own research. I worked quite steadily and got a lot of documents attached. I ran across one record which had a weird name attached, so I sent a message through FamilySearch and actually got a reply! I think we will be able to fix this without too much difficulty. However, it will take many more research hours to get all the information on my lines into FamilySearch from the book.
Once I got home after the Conference Session I did some things to prepare for feeding two Young Elders tomorrow. My Cuban sister and my Ukrainian sister will join me in host them.
Friday, September 23, 2016
Blogging Errors! 23 September 2016
Imagine my surprise when I found upon opening the blog page that I had published yesterday's writing 3 times! I apologize to whomever read more than one!
I was even more surprised to find that somehow I had not published the writing from 17 September, which recorded a really special event--refinding the book from Eppingen and helping a guest from the same area!
I am sure both of these errors were user-errors. I undoubtedly did not tell the computer appropriately what to do! Anyway, I will try to be more careful in the future.
Today at the Library we were short of helpers--and two of our most needed couples go home next week. It will be difficult to do without our expert in China research, and our lovely couple from France. In addition, our Japanese sister had to have surgery, so we will be without her help for at least one week and maybe many weeks.
I had some interesting guests. One couple was looking for a German ancestor that turned out to probably be from Poland. Although our two best Polish researchers were at the Library, they each had other guests. One of them did take some time to come and show us a site I was not familiar with, and the guests kept busy exploring that site.
A dear German brother was sadly disappointed when we eventually figured out that there are no known records located anywhere for one of the ancestors he was looking for. Another line needed research in a microfilm from England, which is on a different floor. It was a pleasure to work with him though.
While I was the Greeter I observed something that the French missionary did for three French guests she was getting ready to help. Sometimes I am a very slow learner, but I have not ever focused on giving the guests pamphlets from a wall display, nor Research guides from the file cabinet by the Greeter's desk. A little later I was reminded of this display when a Japanese guest was about to leave because we had no one to help him much. I took those items to him, and another missionary thought to take him to the book stacks where there are Japanese books. When I checked on him a few minutes later he was thoroughly enjoying reading a book of Japanese history. He said, "Who would have thought I would find this here in Utah!"
I had worked through part of my lunch-time, so I did not eat as well as I might have, and by the time I left the Library I felt hungry but I was not sure for what. I also decided I did need to go to the Dollar Store to get some lightweight gloves. I have several pair of heavy gloves, but somehow neglected to bring gloves suitable for chilly weather. Well, I definitely won't get any points for fashion. There were no women's gloves or mittens available, so I ended up getting some utility gloves. Although they are not pretty, I think they may work as well or better than the thin ones I had expected to find.
I did not get any of the goodies that are prevalent at such stores, but I did notice they had eggs in the refrigerator case.
When I got home I knew I wanted to use one of the heads of cauliflower I bought the other day, so I went looking for recipes on the internet. I was delighted to find recipes for cauliflower patties--which use just cauliflower, egg, a little flour and salt, and are pan-fried in a bit of olive oil. That made a very nice supper. I do not think that ever before I have eaten nearly a whole head of cauliflower in one sitting--but tonight I did!
I watched an interview with a sleep doctor--Michael Breus--and learned that most likely my issues with memory are related to sleep issues. I seem to sleep a little better now than I used to, but often still wake up in the middle of the night, and can have some difficulty getting back to sleep. The doctor said that getting up at the same time every day is important, and not taking naps, so I guess I have several changes to make!
I am going to post this now--and then check to make sure it got where it needed to go!
I was even more surprised to find that somehow I had not published the writing from 17 September, which recorded a really special event--refinding the book from Eppingen and helping a guest from the same area!
I am sure both of these errors were user-errors. I undoubtedly did not tell the computer appropriately what to do! Anyway, I will try to be more careful in the future.
Today at the Library we were short of helpers--and two of our most needed couples go home next week. It will be difficult to do without our expert in China research, and our lovely couple from France. In addition, our Japanese sister had to have surgery, so we will be without her help for at least one week and maybe many weeks.
I had some interesting guests. One couple was looking for a German ancestor that turned out to probably be from Poland. Although our two best Polish researchers were at the Library, they each had other guests. One of them did take some time to come and show us a site I was not familiar with, and the guests kept busy exploring that site.
A dear German brother was sadly disappointed when we eventually figured out that there are no known records located anywhere for one of the ancestors he was looking for. Another line needed research in a microfilm from England, which is on a different floor. It was a pleasure to work with him though.
While I was the Greeter I observed something that the French missionary did for three French guests she was getting ready to help. Sometimes I am a very slow learner, but I have not ever focused on giving the guests pamphlets from a wall display, nor Research guides from the file cabinet by the Greeter's desk. A little later I was reminded of this display when a Japanese guest was about to leave because we had no one to help him much. I took those items to him, and another missionary thought to take him to the book stacks where there are Japanese books. When I checked on him a few minutes later he was thoroughly enjoying reading a book of Japanese history. He said, "Who would have thought I would find this here in Utah!"
I had worked through part of my lunch-time, so I did not eat as well as I might have, and by the time I left the Library I felt hungry but I was not sure for what. I also decided I did need to go to the Dollar Store to get some lightweight gloves. I have several pair of heavy gloves, but somehow neglected to bring gloves suitable for chilly weather. Well, I definitely won't get any points for fashion. There were no women's gloves or mittens available, so I ended up getting some utility gloves. Although they are not pretty, I think they may work as well or better than the thin ones I had expected to find.
I did not get any of the goodies that are prevalent at such stores, but I did notice they had eggs in the refrigerator case.
When I got home I knew I wanted to use one of the heads of cauliflower I bought the other day, so I went looking for recipes on the internet. I was delighted to find recipes for cauliflower patties--which use just cauliflower, egg, a little flour and salt, and are pan-fried in a bit of olive oil. That made a very nice supper. I do not think that ever before I have eaten nearly a whole head of cauliflower in one sitting--but tonight I did!
I watched an interview with a sleep doctor--Michael Breus--and learned that most likely my issues with memory are related to sleep issues. I seem to sleep a little better now than I used to, but often still wake up in the middle of the night, and can have some difficulty getting back to sleep. The doctor said that getting up at the same time every day is important, and not taking naps, so I guess I have several changes to make!
I am going to post this now--and then check to make sure it got where it needed to go!
An Elijah Moment! 17 September 2016--posted 23 September 2016
My day started with a brief but lovely call from my Sweetheart. I needed to go a bit early to the Library to set up the in service lesson I was giving, so my 7:25 we needed to say Goodbye.
After prayer meeting and in service I worked on an indexing batch and got that submitted. Then I did another training module quiz. I helped only one guest, but he precipitated an Elijah moment. He came with a puzzle--family records of his surname line which led to a location in Baden, and confirmation of that including microfilm numbers. But another record from a FamilySearch source showed someone with the same name and the same father's name from a small location about 30 miles away that took the pedigree back several more generations.
We checked out the marriage record on the microfilm, and the film quality was not very good. I could not read all of the writing included with the father's name, and I suggested we needed to put it on a film reader with a magnifier. However, I let myself get distracted from that with the idea that we needed to check out another film from the second place for a birth record.
We were unsuccessful in finding any record except the marriage record. There seemed to be no evidence of a connection between the family records and the FamilySearch source. The guest's wife was working with a more experienced missionary, and I suggested that the guest might want to see if she had any further ideas.
About half an hour later I checked back and the guest had left but his wife was still working. A thought came to me [that is where the Elijah moment occurred] that we had not looked at the marriage image magnified. I decided to get the microfilm and take a look--and sure enough. The father was designated as having come from the location 30 miles away!
The guest's wife was still working and the couple had cell phones, so she tried calling him, but service in our basement location is less effective. She allowed me to take her phone and go outside where I was able to reach him and let him know the evidence I had found. When he praised me for going the extra mile, I told him "I am not all that good--the Spirit would not leave me alone!"
I was able to make a copy of the record and I highlighted the name of the town, so I had that to give to him. We located a film from the location, but were unable to find a birth record, and the couple had to leave. As I mentioned to him, his people came from the same area as some of my ancestors.
As it turned out, I spent half of my research time researching in that same area. I think I will just be merging records, not really finding new people to add to my lines, but that is an important work in this time. I am glad to have the opportunity to be here where I can look at original records and make photos to attach to the records of my ancestors.
Once I got back to the apartment I did a little more rearranging in my apartment; watched and listened to a great version of one of my very favorite hymns, "If You Could Hie to Kolob" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OdUBvB3Ots&list=RD7OdUBvB3Ots#t=0]; cooked some dal, an Indian legume; and cleaned up the kitchen. It has been another good day!
After prayer meeting and in service I worked on an indexing batch and got that submitted. Then I did another training module quiz. I helped only one guest, but he precipitated an Elijah moment. He came with a puzzle--family records of his surname line which led to a location in Baden, and confirmation of that including microfilm numbers. But another record from a FamilySearch source showed someone with the same name and the same father's name from a small location about 30 miles away that took the pedigree back several more generations.
We checked out the marriage record on the microfilm, and the film quality was not very good. I could not read all of the writing included with the father's name, and I suggested we needed to put it on a film reader with a magnifier. However, I let myself get distracted from that with the idea that we needed to check out another film from the second place for a birth record.
We were unsuccessful in finding any record except the marriage record. There seemed to be no evidence of a connection between the family records and the FamilySearch source. The guest's wife was working with a more experienced missionary, and I suggested that the guest might want to see if she had any further ideas.
About half an hour later I checked back and the guest had left but his wife was still working. A thought came to me [that is where the Elijah moment occurred] that we had not looked at the marriage image magnified. I decided to get the microfilm and take a look--and sure enough. The father was designated as having come from the location 30 miles away!
The guest's wife was still working and the couple had cell phones, so she tried calling him, but service in our basement location is less effective. She allowed me to take her phone and go outside where I was able to reach him and let him know the evidence I had found. When he praised me for going the extra mile, I told him "I am not all that good--the Spirit would not leave me alone!"
I was able to make a copy of the record and I highlighted the name of the town, so I had that to give to him. We located a film from the location, but were unable to find a birth record, and the couple had to leave. As I mentioned to him, his people came from the same area as some of my ancestors.
As it turned out, I spent half of my research time researching in that same area. I think I will just be merging records, not really finding new people to add to my lines, but that is an important work in this time. I am glad to have the opportunity to be here where I can look at original records and make photos to attach to the records of my ancestors.
Once I got back to the apartment I did a little more rearranging in my apartment; watched and listened to a great version of one of my very favorite hymns, "If You Could Hie to Kolob" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OdUBvB3Ots&list=RD7OdUBvB3Ots#t=0]; cooked some dal, an Indian legume; and cleaned up the kitchen. It has been another good day!
Thursday, September 22, 2016
A Taste of Autumn. 22 September 2016
What to do on P day is a continuing issue. I slept [off and on] until 7:30. My plans for the day were to talk with my Sweetheart, to go the temple, do my laundry, and go to one grocery store. There was only an outside chance that I would go to the warehouse store to get a rotisserie chicken for feeding the Young Elders on Sunday, but I did end up doing that, too.
My daughter had texted me early, and we finally talked in the afternoon.
My Sweetheart called not long after I awoke--but we encountered cell phone issues, so it took another hour before the phone issue got solved. During that wait I got the dark marks in the bottom of my bathtub taken care of. I used dish liquid and washing soda and a bit of elbow grease. I am glad that got resolved.
After that I exercised and ate breakfast, and still made it to the temple for the 11 am session. That turned out to be a really good time to be there, and I did another ordinance also. At some point while I was there I heard someone mention that the weather was supposed to turn pretty bad around 4 pm. That bit of information tipped the scales in my decision to go to the warehouse store today, as the forecast indicated that once the storms start they will be here for several days.
The storm clouds did begin to roll in about 4--there was not much rain, but the temperature dropped dramatically. I got everything, including my laundry, into the apartment without getting drenched.
I tried something a little different for supper--a microwaved sweet potato topped with a few tablespoons of chicken and drizzled with barbeque sauce. Not bad!
I practiced the music for the Elijah Choir. I am very happy that for Christmas we will sing "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's Messiah. My history with Messiah goes back to a performance at the old Kiel Opera House when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old--and I was bored! Then my oldest daughter gave me a cassette tape with the complete oratorio and I began listening to it on my bi-weekly 45 minute drives to and from visiting my Mom. After a few months I had the whole oratorio in my memory--but that was many years ago, and the memory is no longer as good as it once was, so it is a treat to be studying this wonderful piece with a knowledgeable director.
Now I will do a little family history while I wait for my Sweetheart to call again. Tomorrow is an early day at the Library.
My daughter had texted me early, and we finally talked in the afternoon.
My Sweetheart called not long after I awoke--but we encountered cell phone issues, so it took another hour before the phone issue got solved. During that wait I got the dark marks in the bottom of my bathtub taken care of. I used dish liquid and washing soda and a bit of elbow grease. I am glad that got resolved.
After that I exercised and ate breakfast, and still made it to the temple for the 11 am session. That turned out to be a really good time to be there, and I did another ordinance also. At some point while I was there I heard someone mention that the weather was supposed to turn pretty bad around 4 pm. That bit of information tipped the scales in my decision to go to the warehouse store today, as the forecast indicated that once the storms start they will be here for several days.
The storm clouds did begin to roll in about 4--there was not much rain, but the temperature dropped dramatically. I got everything, including my laundry, into the apartment without getting drenched.
I tried something a little different for supper--a microwaved sweet potato topped with a few tablespoons of chicken and drizzled with barbeque sauce. Not bad!
I practiced the music for the Elijah Choir. I am very happy that for Christmas we will sing "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's Messiah. My history with Messiah goes back to a performance at the old Kiel Opera House when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old--and I was bored! Then my oldest daughter gave me a cassette tape with the complete oratorio and I began listening to it on my bi-weekly 45 minute drives to and from visiting my Mom. After a few months I had the whole oratorio in my memory--but that was many years ago, and the memory is no longer as good as it once was, so it is a treat to be studying this wonderful piece with a knowledgeable director.
Now I will do a little family history while I wait for my Sweetheart to call again. Tomorrow is an early day at the Library.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Grateful This was a Late Start Day! 21 September 2016
Late last night I received transcripts from two of the FairMormon Conference talks. I was able to proof one, which was so very well done that I sent it on to be published. The other needed a bit more work, and even some additional transcription, so I spent several hours this morning getting that in order. I actually finished it up this evening, and have sent it to another transcriber. I had many hours this morning due to my late start day, so I even got in a nap, which was very helpful.
At the Library I was supposed to work at the German/Slavic desk for the first two hours, but I got pulled away to help several different guests with German translation. I learned some new words for sicknesses, and I was also able to share with one of the very experienced missionaries a good online resource for German names, occupations, illnesses, etc.
The in service presentations went even better today, despite a few technical issues. I really like leading small groups in discussion. Apparently I talk loudly enough, as a friend thanked me that she could hear even in the back of the room.
In choir we learned new a technique--singing staccato with just one syllable through a whole piece. We also got two new pieces of music to learn, "Jehovah, Lord of Heaven and Earth" along with our first Christmas piece, "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's Messiah.
In my mailbox was a delightful treasure--a card from my Sweetheart. Then tonight he traveled to a better location for his cell phone so that we could talk, since last night we had some trouble with reception. That was definitely going several extra miles!
At the Library I was supposed to work at the German/Slavic desk for the first two hours, but I got pulled away to help several different guests with German translation. I learned some new words for sicknesses, and I was also able to share with one of the very experienced missionaries a good online resource for German names, occupations, illnesses, etc.
The in service presentations went even better today, despite a few technical issues. I really like leading small groups in discussion. Apparently I talk loudly enough, as a friend thanked me that she could hear even in the back of the room.
In choir we learned new a technique--singing staccato with just one syllable through a whole piece. We also got two new pieces of music to learn, "Jehovah, Lord of Heaven and Earth" along with our first Christmas piece, "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's Messiah.
In my mailbox was a delightful treasure--a card from my Sweetheart. Then tonight he traveled to a better location for his cell phone so that we could talk, since last night we had some trouble with reception. That was definitely going several extra miles!
Eppingen, again & Whoops! 20 September 2016
This morning I was able to talk a bit with my Sweetheart. He stopped during the night at a rest area in Ohio, and slept a little while before continuing his journey to West Virginia. I expect we will talk again tonight.
As usual, study group got started late because the room is used for a group that is studying German script. Despite that we were able to learn about Movable Feast Days, and how to figure out what calendar day an event fell on even if it was recorded only as a feast day. [In the afternoon I observed one of the staff indicate that an unusual entry in a family book was a feast day.] There is a comprehensive site that has all that is needed to figure out those dates, or one can use a book by the same people.
Then we learned about Archion, a German online databased church record site. This is a fee-based site, and even the Library has not been allowed to film or digitize the records. This precipitated a bit of talk about certain churches not liking Mormons. I could confirm from my own experience that this can be so. Some of the group had a hard time comprehending this.
A question arose about village books, usually found in Southern Germany, so we decided to take a field trip to the stacks where these books are found. Wonder of wonders, there was the Ortsippenbuch for Eppingen! The binding is nicely repaired. I was so happy to get to use it again! I am grateful that the images have been available through microfilm, but the book is much more convenient to see and use.
As I was walking home for lunch I decided to take a quick trip to the market for apples and onion, both of which were on sale. As I entered the store I noticed a bag of bananas for sale, as was a double pack of cauliflower. When I was prompted to look at the receipt I noticed I had been charged the regular price. Of course, I was able to take care of that fairly easily. But on the parking lot I was approached by a panhandler. I gave him 2 bananas, which was not the money he wanted, but he did take them. I hope he enjoyed them.
Back at the Library I completed the rest of the training modules. I am now going through to proof-read the slides and the quiz answers. I needed help understanding why one question was marked as answered incorrectly.
I went on to my next assignment [I thought], but it was a blessing that I happened to notice the clock, since I thought I knew what my schedule was. My Whoops was that I was supposed to be setting up for the in service lesson I was to teach. Blessedly I still had five minutes, and it was not hard to get that set up. The in service presentation itself went well, with lots of discussion generated.
I helped some guests today who had ancestors living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri! It was fun to recognize our wonderful Missouri Death Certificates online. I taught the guest how to use Tree Seek to attach the url as a source in Family Tree. I also taught her how to name her files to make them easier to find--and she recognized that this would be a big help. I was happy to pass on what I had learned from my trainer.
I am not sure why, but when i left the Library at 6, I was quite tired. I am glad I can sleep a little later in the morning.
As usual, study group got started late because the room is used for a group that is studying German script. Despite that we were able to learn about Movable Feast Days, and how to figure out what calendar day an event fell on even if it was recorded only as a feast day. [In the afternoon I observed one of the staff indicate that an unusual entry in a family book was a feast day.] There is a comprehensive site that has all that is needed to figure out those dates, or one can use a book by the same people.
Then we learned about Archion, a German online databased church record site. This is a fee-based site, and even the Library has not been allowed to film or digitize the records. This precipitated a bit of talk about certain churches not liking Mormons. I could confirm from my own experience that this can be so. Some of the group had a hard time comprehending this.
A question arose about village books, usually found in Southern Germany, so we decided to take a field trip to the stacks where these books are found. Wonder of wonders, there was the Ortsippenbuch for Eppingen! The binding is nicely repaired. I was so happy to get to use it again! I am grateful that the images have been available through microfilm, but the book is much more convenient to see and use.
As I was walking home for lunch I decided to take a quick trip to the market for apples and onion, both of which were on sale. As I entered the store I noticed a bag of bananas for sale, as was a double pack of cauliflower. When I was prompted to look at the receipt I noticed I had been charged the regular price. Of course, I was able to take care of that fairly easily. But on the parking lot I was approached by a panhandler. I gave him 2 bananas, which was not the money he wanted, but he did take them. I hope he enjoyed them.
Back at the Library I completed the rest of the training modules. I am now going through to proof-read the slides and the quiz answers. I needed help understanding why one question was marked as answered incorrectly.
I went on to my next assignment [I thought], but it was a blessing that I happened to notice the clock, since I thought I knew what my schedule was. My Whoops was that I was supposed to be setting up for the in service lesson I was to teach. Blessedly I still had five minutes, and it was not hard to get that set up. The in service presentation itself went well, with lots of discussion generated.
I helped some guests today who had ancestors living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri! It was fun to recognize our wonderful Missouri Death Certificates online. I taught the guest how to use Tree Seek to attach the url as a source in Family Tree. I also taught her how to name her files to make them easier to find--and she recognized that this would be a big help. I was happy to pass on what I had learned from my trainer.
I am not sure why, but when i left the Library at 6, I was quite tired. I am glad I can sleep a little later in the morning.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Long, Busy Day. 19 September 2016
Unless there is a holiday, Mondays start quite early for me, and today was no exception. I was grateful I had set the timer on the stove for an alarm, because I had forgotten to turn on my phone alarm. Since I had a rather restless night, I would have overslept, I am sure.
Choir practice is pretty amazing now. We learn new techniques every time. I noticed that I am getting back a slight bit of my high range--very squeaky, so I would not actually "sing" those notes; nevertheless it is fun to observe. Our rendition of "Guide Us O Thou Great Jehovah" went well. We also practiced "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" a favorite with the 7-fold Amen.
On my way back to the Library I called to talk to my Sweetheart for a few minutes. He is traveling to West Virginia today to visit his son and his family. He still took the time to send me a song today--amazing!
I started my time in the Library as helper, so I had the time to go over the review class I presented in the afternoon. Then I got to do some German deciphering. After that I helped a woman who had a lot of information, but not very organized. Thanks to the training I have been getting I was able to encourage her to find records here in the States in order to provide evidence that what we found today made sense.
After lunch was the Trainers meeting. Our two-hour meeting actually went a bit over, as we decided we needed to take advantage of the Lab offerings to learn how to do Research Interviews. That will help us to implement the training modules when we are the ones to do the training.
The next hour was the Review class which I presented. There were seven of us in attendance. All seemed glad to have the review. I learned, or relearned, a few things myself.
I have found some time this evening to work on attaching documents that I had taken pictures of on Saturday. This seems to be the work I am supposed to do in research right now. There sure is a lot to do.
I enjoyed talking with my youngest late this afternoon. Soon my Sweetheart will call with an update on his travel. That will be a lovely end to my day.
Choir practice is pretty amazing now. We learn new techniques every time. I noticed that I am getting back a slight bit of my high range--very squeaky, so I would not actually "sing" those notes; nevertheless it is fun to observe. Our rendition of "Guide Us O Thou Great Jehovah" went well. We also practiced "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" a favorite with the 7-fold Amen.
On my way back to the Library I called to talk to my Sweetheart for a few minutes. He is traveling to West Virginia today to visit his son and his family. He still took the time to send me a song today--amazing!
I started my time in the Library as helper, so I had the time to go over the review class I presented in the afternoon. Then I got to do some German deciphering. After that I helped a woman who had a lot of information, but not very organized. Thanks to the training I have been getting I was able to encourage her to find records here in the States in order to provide evidence that what we found today made sense.
After lunch was the Trainers meeting. Our two-hour meeting actually went a bit over, as we decided we needed to take advantage of the Lab offerings to learn how to do Research Interviews. That will help us to implement the training modules when we are the ones to do the training.
The next hour was the Review class which I presented. There were seven of us in attendance. All seemed glad to have the review. I learned, or relearned, a few things myself.
I have found some time this evening to work on attaching documents that I had taken pictures of on Saturday. This seems to be the work I am supposed to do in research right now. There sure is a lot to do.
I enjoyed talking with my youngest late this afternoon. Soon my Sweetheart will call with an update on his travel. That will be a lovely end to my day.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Starting the Sabbath out Right. 18 September 2016
When I leave Utah in a little more than 7 months, I do not think I will miss the mountains--I am not a very visually aware person, and unless I happen to open my door and go out on the balcony, I rarely even see the mountains. I understand I will not miss the winters--I am not a winter sports enthusiast. But I think I very well may miss going to the rehearsal and broadcast concert of Music and the Spoken Word each Sunday morning. Especially in the Tabernacle I get so choked up, usually by the music, occasionally by the Spoken Word portion.
Today it was the music that got to me. My Cuban sister tends to be very sociable, and she may feel I am ignoring her, but once the music is being played and sung, I am in a world nearly by myself. I so much appreciate being so close to the orchestra in the Tabernacle. We have so far always sat on the violin side of the instruments. I enjoy seeing the percussionists change their instruments. Today I saw the triangle being removed from its hook and being held in the air as it was played. Sadly my hearing is no longer good enough to have distinguished its tinkle, but even to see how that was done was amazing.
Also today, the Bell ringers were there, and it amazes me to watch and hear them. I thought that the bells and their ringers are practically one giant instrument. The piece they played today was accompanied by the orchestra. The first time through I only noticed that the drummer was also playing, but the second time I noticed the strings, especially during a part where they were playing by plucking the strings rather than bowing. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to observe and be a part of this wonderful tradition. I think that because it is a repeated experience I will not soon forget how I feel every time I am in the Tabernacle.
I got word from my Sweetheart that he was able to attend stake conference, and I am so glad for him. I look forward to being there with him and my daughter next fall. Stake conference here will be in October and I wonder if the Saturday evening adult session will be like at home--the best meeting of the year!
I did a batch of marriage indexing which was amazingly simple--6 in the whole batch, all on one image, and very little information on each record.
Then I started on cleaning up more of the Eppingen records. Taking the photos with the iPad is such a blessing. I can do a lot of what I need to do right here in the apartment. I will work more on those records in a little while.
The rest of my day was pretty standard, except that in the branch choir I am now singing soprano instead of alto. I actually felt like "this is where I belong!" The pieces we practiced today did not have any extraordinarily high notes, so I was able to sing everything. I still sang parts during the hymns in our meetings--I like doing that. But to be back singing soprano in this choir is a treat, When I took voice lessons briefly a few years ago my teacher identified that I am a mezzo soprano, and I am inclined now to accept that designation.
Today it was the music that got to me. My Cuban sister tends to be very sociable, and she may feel I am ignoring her, but once the music is being played and sung, I am in a world nearly by myself. I so much appreciate being so close to the orchestra in the Tabernacle. We have so far always sat on the violin side of the instruments. I enjoy seeing the percussionists change their instruments. Today I saw the triangle being removed from its hook and being held in the air as it was played. Sadly my hearing is no longer good enough to have distinguished its tinkle, but even to see how that was done was amazing.
Also today, the Bell ringers were there, and it amazes me to watch and hear them. I thought that the bells and their ringers are practically one giant instrument. The piece they played today was accompanied by the orchestra. The first time through I only noticed that the drummer was also playing, but the second time I noticed the strings, especially during a part where they were playing by plucking the strings rather than bowing. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to observe and be a part of this wonderful tradition. I think that because it is a repeated experience I will not soon forget how I feel every time I am in the Tabernacle.
I got word from my Sweetheart that he was able to attend stake conference, and I am so glad for him. I look forward to being there with him and my daughter next fall. Stake conference here will be in October and I wonder if the Saturday evening adult session will be like at home--the best meeting of the year!
I did a batch of marriage indexing which was amazingly simple--6 in the whole batch, all on one image, and very little information on each record.
Then I started on cleaning up more of the Eppingen records. Taking the photos with the iPad is such a blessing. I can do a lot of what I need to do right here in the apartment. I will work more on those records in a little while.
The rest of my day was pretty standard, except that in the branch choir I am now singing soprano instead of alto. I actually felt like "this is where I belong!" The pieces we practiced today did not have any extraordinarily high notes, so I was able to sing everything. I still sang parts during the hymns in our meetings--I like doing that. But to be back singing soprano in this choir is a treat, When I took voice lessons briefly a few years ago my teacher identified that I am a mezzo soprano, and I am inclined now to accept that designation.
Friday, September 16, 2016
The End of the Day was Better than the Beginning. 16 September 2016
I did not sleep much or well through the night--up at 1 after some restless sleep, and slept off and on through the rest of the night until about 6. I wanted to be at the Library by about 7:20, so that did not give me a huge amount of time to get ready. I could not remember if I was scheduled to do the in service lesson [I was], and if so I needed a few extra minutes.
The in service, which was a geography quiz, suitable for the International Floor, went well. It was an online Trivia quiz, and we did pretty well.
My first assignment was to be in the training room. and then I was the Pager, both of which positions gave me plenty of time to study and to prepare feedback for the new training modules. I also decided to sign up for some certification, even though that would have me stay an hour later than my scheduled time. Since I went to the temple yesterday, I figured it was a wise thing to do. With 6 more modules to get through, I needed to just plow on through.
Two hours on the desk were pretty quiet--until the end, when one of the guests kept me over about 15 minutes. I was able to help her learn some important techniques in Family Tree, but it wasn't typical of the work we do at the desk. I did have a nice experience a little earlier with a couple looking for family from Armenia. I have not ever helped anyone with research from that country before, so it was nice that we found some records. The man recognized his grandfather and grandmother, and he was visibly touched by this. They did not have much time to spend, but said they would enlist the help of their grandchildren to put their information into Family Tree.
My lunch time was quite late, really, and when I got back I had an hour in the Training room and an hour as Greeter. Then came the certification process. I was pleased to learn that the process is all supposed to be open book, bring whatever tools needed, etc. The things I was asked to demonstrate did not have as much relationships to the instructions as I would have liked, but overall I learned some new techniques and now feel more comfortable with the process.
When I got back to the apartment I was still a bit hyper, so after some supper I began yet again to rearrange my apartment. I am hopeful that I will sleep better tonight.
My talk with my Sweetheart was not as long as we would have liked. Still, we are grateful for the technology that allows us to communicate over long distances, and share our thoughts and experiences and prayers.
The in service, which was a geography quiz, suitable for the International Floor, went well. It was an online Trivia quiz, and we did pretty well.
My first assignment was to be in the training room. and then I was the Pager, both of which positions gave me plenty of time to study and to prepare feedback for the new training modules. I also decided to sign up for some certification, even though that would have me stay an hour later than my scheduled time. Since I went to the temple yesterday, I figured it was a wise thing to do. With 6 more modules to get through, I needed to just plow on through.
Two hours on the desk were pretty quiet--until the end, when one of the guests kept me over about 15 minutes. I was able to help her learn some important techniques in Family Tree, but it wasn't typical of the work we do at the desk. I did have a nice experience a little earlier with a couple looking for family from Armenia. I have not ever helped anyone with research from that country before, so it was nice that we found some records. The man recognized his grandfather and grandmother, and he was visibly touched by this. They did not have much time to spend, but said they would enlist the help of their grandchildren to put their information into Family Tree.
My lunch time was quite late, really, and when I got back I had an hour in the Training room and an hour as Greeter. Then came the certification process. I was pleased to learn that the process is all supposed to be open book, bring whatever tools needed, etc. The things I was asked to demonstrate did not have as much relationships to the instructions as I would have liked, but overall I learned some new techniques and now feel more comfortable with the process.
When I got back to the apartment I was still a bit hyper, so after some supper I began yet again to rearrange my apartment. I am hopeful that I will sleep better tonight.
My talk with my Sweetheart was not as long as we would have liked. Still, we are grateful for the technology that allows us to communicate over long distances, and share our thoughts and experiences and prayers.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Domino Effect and Culinary Experiments. 15 September 2016
The Domino Effect today was started when I started the engine on my car, and the tire pressure warning light came on. I was not entirely surprised by that, what with the weather turning so much colder. I had actually asked the fellows who changed my battery a couple of weeks ago if they had a gauge and could check the pressure, but they said they didn't and I did not yet go to get a gauge, although I know I should have.
I was extremely blessed that the closest gas station had one of the machines that for a small fee has an automatic readout and shutoff when the pressure is reached. Back in Missouri I had used that type of machine several times, so I did not have to figure it out [I am somewhat mechanically challenged, at least until I have used a machine a couple of times]. So it did not seem to be a big deal to get the tires aired up.
The first indication I had that this was going to impact my life a bit more was when I got a voicemail from my credit union. Even though I did not listen to the whole message, I knew that they were questioning my credit card, and I remembered I had only told them I would be gone until September, thinking I would update in increments--which I had not done.
Sure enough, my card had been blocked, so I had to pay for my apples, beets, carrots and a few other items with cash, which really was not that big of a problem. Once I got back to my apartment I called the credit union and explained I really needed the card to allow me purchases in Utah until May! So I think it is now all taken care of, but I am very grateful all this happened on a P day when I did not have much that was pressing.
I had just gotten back to my complex when my Sweetheart called, and I did not lose the signal even though I picked up my laundry which was in another building. We had such a good time talking, because we have been trying to reconstruct our timeline, and while I had downloaded some of our many text messages, his phone kept them all, while mine does not. It was so fun reminiscing together.
I also talked today with my youngest daughter--and she inspired me to try fermenting some carrots. When she first said she could send me the recipe, I felt less than enthusiastic, but as we talked and she told me the process, I thought I would give it a try. On my counter is now a towel-covered jar of carrots in brine, topped by a cabbage leaf with a lid lightly atop. Apparently in about a week I will have a source of friendly bacteria--lacto-bacillus, no less, the most common probiotic found inn yogurt. If I like them, I will probably need to buy more carrots than I had anticipated when I did my food inventory last week.
At the market I had gotten fresh beets, and that was the basis for my supper. I have really liked beets ever since I was a little girl, and these were quite good. I pressure-cooked them first, and then sauted them in a bit of olive oil. Yummy!
My other experiment is in the oven, I decided I should do another batch of flax seed crackers, since it is so cool. The difference came because I decided at the last minute to do quite different flavors. One of the batches has the sweet spices: cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. I sprinkled the top with a bit of brown sugar, too.
The second batch has curry powder as the seasoning. They are smelling quite good--I hope they taste good too!
In order to make up for not going shopping much today I went to the temple. I got things done for three women, and although I struggled again with sleepiness [rats!], I am glad I did that.
I did some reading about one of my favorite authors, Hugh Nibley, while I was eating supper and a little after that, so I did not work at all on family history things. As I walked past the Conference Center I stopped to look at the concerts available. I know a lot of the missionaries take advantage of those offerings, but I am quite content to just go see the Tabernacle Choir each week. I am very glad to have that experience nearly each week.
I was extremely blessed that the closest gas station had one of the machines that for a small fee has an automatic readout and shutoff when the pressure is reached. Back in Missouri I had used that type of machine several times, so I did not have to figure it out [I am somewhat mechanically challenged, at least until I have used a machine a couple of times]. So it did not seem to be a big deal to get the tires aired up.
The first indication I had that this was going to impact my life a bit more was when I got a voicemail from my credit union. Even though I did not listen to the whole message, I knew that they were questioning my credit card, and I remembered I had only told them I would be gone until September, thinking I would update in increments--which I had not done.
Sure enough, my card had been blocked, so I had to pay for my apples, beets, carrots and a few other items with cash, which really was not that big of a problem. Once I got back to my apartment I called the credit union and explained I really needed the card to allow me purchases in Utah until May! So I think it is now all taken care of, but I am very grateful all this happened on a P day when I did not have much that was pressing.
I had just gotten back to my complex when my Sweetheart called, and I did not lose the signal even though I picked up my laundry which was in another building. We had such a good time talking, because we have been trying to reconstruct our timeline, and while I had downloaded some of our many text messages, his phone kept them all, while mine does not. It was so fun reminiscing together.
I also talked today with my youngest daughter--and she inspired me to try fermenting some carrots. When she first said she could send me the recipe, I felt less than enthusiastic, but as we talked and she told me the process, I thought I would give it a try. On my counter is now a towel-covered jar of carrots in brine, topped by a cabbage leaf with a lid lightly atop. Apparently in about a week I will have a source of friendly bacteria--lacto-bacillus, no less, the most common probiotic found inn yogurt. If I like them, I will probably need to buy more carrots than I had anticipated when I did my food inventory last week.
At the market I had gotten fresh beets, and that was the basis for my supper. I have really liked beets ever since I was a little girl, and these were quite good. I pressure-cooked them first, and then sauted them in a bit of olive oil. Yummy!
My other experiment is in the oven, I decided I should do another batch of flax seed crackers, since it is so cool. The difference came because I decided at the last minute to do quite different flavors. One of the batches has the sweet spices: cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. I sprinkled the top with a bit of brown sugar, too.
The second batch has curry powder as the seasoning. They are smelling quite good--I hope they taste good too!
In order to make up for not going shopping much today I went to the temple. I got things done for three women, and although I struggled again with sleepiness [rats!], I am glad I did that.
I did some reading about one of my favorite authors, Hugh Nibley, while I was eating supper and a little after that, so I did not work at all on family history things. As I walked past the Conference Center I stopped to look at the concerts available. I know a lot of the missionaries take advantage of those offerings, but I am quite content to just go see the Tabernacle Choir each week. I am very glad to have that experience nearly each week.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
A Turn in the Weather. 14 September 2016
Getting up was a bit challenging this morning, even though I seemed to sleep pretty well. I remembered some dreams, though, so I think my REM sleep has some problems. However, as long as I avoid the cakes, cookies, candy, etc. I seem to not be having as many issues with daytime sleepiness.
Once I got myself up and moving I started on a project I had decided on a few days ago--switching out my wardrobe from summery clothes to fall and winter items. I was pleased to see that I do have plenty of warmer clothes, although I won't know exactly what I will need here until I experience the weather. I made some decisions about items I will pass on to the swap shop. I left a fairly complete wardrobe, summer and winter, back in Missouri, so I put aside several items that I will not miss if I give them away.
Maybe my project brought on the chilly, rainy weather we had this afternoon? When I went to the Library at 1 it was a little cool, but when Mission Conference and Choir practice ended at 5 it was cold and rainy. I was grateful I had thought to bring my umbrella! I shared with a sister who had served with me in the St. Louis Temple, and this proved a blessing to me because I learned how to cut through the Conference Center to stay out of the bad weather for a portion of the distance back to the apartment.
I passed two more training module quizzes today, so I think I just have 4 or 5 to go. I worked on those this evening, as I was not needed to help any guests. I was asked to help with some French guests, but one of the French-speaking staff members was able to come help them out, for which I was grateful.
I talked with my oldest daughter today and learned about my dear grandson's plans for the next few months. I also got to talk with my Sweetheart for a nice amount of time this morning, and that helped me figure out some things I needed to get done in my own research. We only had a very brief time tonight to talk and pray together.
The Mission Conference went better for me today. Although the General Authority who spoke was from Germany, I could understand most of his presentation. He actually did a rather interactive talk, which was nice. The topic was to remember. The scripture he used was one for which I had made notes concerning the blessing that resulted in my serving this mission, So I definitely remember that!
Our choir director seemed very pleased with our rendering of More Holiness Give Me. Then during practice he shared that when he is working with us he feels much younger. Maybe that is how it will be when we sing in the celestial choirs above.
Once I got myself up and moving I started on a project I had decided on a few days ago--switching out my wardrobe from summery clothes to fall and winter items. I was pleased to see that I do have plenty of warmer clothes, although I won't know exactly what I will need here until I experience the weather. I made some decisions about items I will pass on to the swap shop. I left a fairly complete wardrobe, summer and winter, back in Missouri, so I put aside several items that I will not miss if I give them away.
Maybe my project brought on the chilly, rainy weather we had this afternoon? When I went to the Library at 1 it was a little cool, but when Mission Conference and Choir practice ended at 5 it was cold and rainy. I was grateful I had thought to bring my umbrella! I shared with a sister who had served with me in the St. Louis Temple, and this proved a blessing to me because I learned how to cut through the Conference Center to stay out of the bad weather for a portion of the distance back to the apartment.
I passed two more training module quizzes today, so I think I just have 4 or 5 to go. I worked on those this evening, as I was not needed to help any guests. I was asked to help with some French guests, but one of the French-speaking staff members was able to come help them out, for which I was grateful.
I talked with my oldest daughter today and learned about my dear grandson's plans for the next few months. I also got to talk with my Sweetheart for a nice amount of time this morning, and that helped me figure out some things I needed to get done in my own research. We only had a very brief time tonight to talk and pray together.
The Mission Conference went better for me today. Although the General Authority who spoke was from Germany, I could understand most of his presentation. He actually did a rather interactive talk, which was nice. The topic was to remember. The scripture he used was one for which I had made notes concerning the blessing that resulted in my serving this mission, So I definitely remember that!
Our choir director seemed very pleased with our rendering of More Holiness Give Me. Then during practice he shared that when he is working with us he feels much younger. Maybe that is how it will be when we sing in the celestial choirs above.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Happy Bookends, Happy Singing, Happy German Translation. 13 September 2016
The happy bookends are getting to talk with my Sweetheart for more than a few hurried minutes both morning and evening. Of course, being together in person is our happy goal, but for right now, the days when we can talk twice are about as good as it gets.
Today was my four month interview with one of the Mission Presidency and his wife. It was nice to converse with them, and report on what I am doing in my zone. I am grateful that I did not go in with a bad attitude like I might have last week until I got my head on straight about some changes in training at the Library. From the response I got when I just mentioned it, I think the mission leaders are already aware. I got to talk just a bit about my Sweetheart, and confirm that there was no point in asking me to extend my time here--the year is way long enough to put my life on hold! Maybe someday we will come out to serve together, but probably not soon, as there is plenty of work for the kingdom that needs to be done back in Missouri.
I had worn one of my pink blouses to the interview, having forgotten that since the Elijah Choir was singing today for Mission Conference, I needed to wear a white blouse! Fortunately, one of the other choir members noticed and reminded me, so I went back to the apartment to change. It is a good thing that I have a lot of white tops, as the two I usually use were both in the wash. I will need to wear that one again tomorrow, as Mission Conference is for two days each month. As a choir member I get to attend both sessions. This month we have two different speakers, but our music is the same, a beautiful rendition of "More Holiness Give Me". Our director gave us a new way of singing this and it worked very well.
Back at the Library I worked first as a Rover, and then got to finish up my time by translating a couple of German documents. That really was enjoyable.
Today was my four month interview with one of the Mission Presidency and his wife. It was nice to converse with them, and report on what I am doing in my zone. I am grateful that I did not go in with a bad attitude like I might have last week until I got my head on straight about some changes in training at the Library. From the response I got when I just mentioned it, I think the mission leaders are already aware. I got to talk just a bit about my Sweetheart, and confirm that there was no point in asking me to extend my time here--the year is way long enough to put my life on hold! Maybe someday we will come out to serve together, but probably not soon, as there is plenty of work for the kingdom that needs to be done back in Missouri.
I had worn one of my pink blouses to the interview, having forgotten that since the Elijah Choir was singing today for Mission Conference, I needed to wear a white blouse! Fortunately, one of the other choir members noticed and reminded me, so I went back to the apartment to change. It is a good thing that I have a lot of white tops, as the two I usually use were both in the wash. I will need to wear that one again tomorrow, as Mission Conference is for two days each month. As a choir member I get to attend both sessions. This month we have two different speakers, but our music is the same, a beautiful rendition of "More Holiness Give Me". Our director gave us a new way of singing this and it worked very well.
Back at the Library I worked first as a Rover, and then got to finish up my time by translating a couple of German documents. That really was enjoyable.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Meetings, a Happy Conclusion to my Shift, and a Nice branch activity. 12 September 2016
Choir practice and then Mission Devotional started my day. My zone leaders spoke at the devotional and told of some Elijah moments--successes in family history--of missionaries in our zone. They are a cute couple. I appreciate being in their zone.
I got to go to the nurse's office to weigh myself. and despite eating lots of peanut butter my weight is down a little. I think the 3 apples a day, one before each meal, is actually having a positive affect.
I spent some time today working on the training modules. I passed one quiz, and should be able to take another one tomorrow. I was in the Training room with 2 new missionaries, but they will be working with our Chinese special missionary for the next 2 weeks before he leaves the mission. They are both native Chinese, I believe.
The Trainers meeting this afternoon set up a regular in-service schedule. Because tomorrow and Wednesday we have Mission Conference in the afternoon, we will not have afternoon prayer meetings. Therefore we are not going to do a regular in-service. We will do a geography trivia instead.
My last hour at the Library was quite enjoyable as I helped a guest who had some questions on how to do things in Family Tree. She had never come to the Library before, although she had a fairly extensive pedigree in place. When she left she was so glad to have found what she was looking for, and she said, "I actually did family history today! I am so excited!" She had sent files to her children that showed their pedigree, and how both she and her husband descended from the same 2nd great grandfather. I was glad to have such a nice ending to my shift.
There was a letter in my mailbox from my dear friend back in Missouri. She has sent me a letter every month since I got here, although it took the post office a while to figure out where I was. I am grateful for her friendship.
This evening was our branch activity, a Hail and Farewell, which we do every other month. Some of my friends, including a couple I worked with in the St. Louis Temple, are leaving. I hope that some of those who have just arrived will become good friends, too.
I got to go to the nurse's office to weigh myself. and despite eating lots of peanut butter my weight is down a little. I think the 3 apples a day, one before each meal, is actually having a positive affect.
I spent some time today working on the training modules. I passed one quiz, and should be able to take another one tomorrow. I was in the Training room with 2 new missionaries, but they will be working with our Chinese special missionary for the next 2 weeks before he leaves the mission. They are both native Chinese, I believe.
The Trainers meeting this afternoon set up a regular in-service schedule. Because tomorrow and Wednesday we have Mission Conference in the afternoon, we will not have afternoon prayer meetings. Therefore we are not going to do a regular in-service. We will do a geography trivia instead.
My last hour at the Library was quite enjoyable as I helped a guest who had some questions on how to do things in Family Tree. She had never come to the Library before, although she had a fairly extensive pedigree in place. When she left she was so glad to have found what she was looking for, and she said, "I actually did family history today! I am so excited!" She had sent files to her children that showed their pedigree, and how both she and her husband descended from the same 2nd great grandfather. I was glad to have such a nice ending to my shift.
There was a letter in my mailbox from my dear friend back in Missouri. She has sent me a letter every month since I got here, although it took the post office a while to figure out where I was. I am grateful for her friendship.
This evening was our branch activity, a Hail and Farewell, which we do every other month. Some of my friends, including a couple I worked with in the St. Louis Temple, are leaving. I hope that some of those who have just arrived will become good friends, too.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Tabernacle Choir Rehearsal and Regional Conference. 11 September 2016
Today was a Regional Conference, involving 20 or so stakes in the Salt Lake Valley. As a branch in one of those stakes we were invited to attend via satellite in the stake center just across the street from my apartment. My Cuban sister had suggested we get there early, and named 9:20 as a good time to leave for the 10:00 meeting.
I did not want to miss Music and the Spoken Word entirely, so I went over to the Tabernacle, knowing that I could not attend the actual broadcast, but I could catch most of the run-through. As I entered the Tabernacle at about 8:30 I almost immediately teared up at the sounds of "Amazing Grace." Since I was alone I went upstairs, and sat as close as I could get to the choir and orchestra. One of the things I like very much about the Tabernacle is that it is such an intimate setting. I still felt the Spirit in the Conference Center, but in the Tabernacle I could hear the instructions Mack Wilberg was giving, I could observe the tympani from just across the way, and just enjoy the choir close up and personal.
I did not know that a great blessing was in store. Usually the run-through starts at 8:45, but today, perhaps because of the Regional conference, perhaps for a different reason, the run-through began at 8:35, so I was able to enjoy the entire program. What a blessing! I count being able to regularly attend the choir broadcasts as a wonderful blessing of serving this mission.
On my way back to the apartment I tried unsuccessfully to contact my Cuban sister to see if she wanted to leave a little earlier. It turned out not to be an issue. We arrived about 9:25 and had many seats to choose from. The chapel accommodated all, or nearly all from our branch who were in attendance.
The conference had references to the last days, to judgments to come if repentance is not forthcoming, along with encouragement to stay on track with the simple requirements of the gospel of Jesus Christ--pray, study scriptures, serve and love fellow humans, keep the Sabbath holy, pay tithes and offerings, attend the temple, remember the Savior. These practices result in happiness--but each gets to choose for him or her self. I was glad I could call my youngest daughter and share some of these items with her.
This afternoon and evening I have spent quite a lot of time attaching titles to pictures of document I have attached in Family Tree. My excuse for not doing this earlier was that at least I was getting these items in--maybe someone else would do the grunt work. My changed attitude reminds me of a time decades ago when the rules changed in family history and temple work. I complained a lot, until I realized that each of my relatives is worth whatever time it takes to get this right. So, hopefully, I will stop complaining and get to work.
Dinner with my Cuban sister is always delicious, and we got papers prepared for our feeding the Young Elders assignment.
Just waiting now for my Sweetheart to call. I counted it up today, and my mission will end in exactly 7 1/2 months--the time is indeed going quickly.
I did not want to miss Music and the Spoken Word entirely, so I went over to the Tabernacle, knowing that I could not attend the actual broadcast, but I could catch most of the run-through. As I entered the Tabernacle at about 8:30 I almost immediately teared up at the sounds of "Amazing Grace." Since I was alone I went upstairs, and sat as close as I could get to the choir and orchestra. One of the things I like very much about the Tabernacle is that it is such an intimate setting. I still felt the Spirit in the Conference Center, but in the Tabernacle I could hear the instructions Mack Wilberg was giving, I could observe the tympani from just across the way, and just enjoy the choir close up and personal.
I did not know that a great blessing was in store. Usually the run-through starts at 8:45, but today, perhaps because of the Regional conference, perhaps for a different reason, the run-through began at 8:35, so I was able to enjoy the entire program. What a blessing! I count being able to regularly attend the choir broadcasts as a wonderful blessing of serving this mission.
On my way back to the apartment I tried unsuccessfully to contact my Cuban sister to see if she wanted to leave a little earlier. It turned out not to be an issue. We arrived about 9:25 and had many seats to choose from. The chapel accommodated all, or nearly all from our branch who were in attendance.
The conference had references to the last days, to judgments to come if repentance is not forthcoming, along with encouragement to stay on track with the simple requirements of the gospel of Jesus Christ--pray, study scriptures, serve and love fellow humans, keep the Sabbath holy, pay tithes and offerings, attend the temple, remember the Savior. These practices result in happiness--but each gets to choose for him or her self. I was glad I could call my youngest daughter and share some of these items with her.
This afternoon and evening I have spent quite a lot of time attaching titles to pictures of document I have attached in Family Tree. My excuse for not doing this earlier was that at least I was getting these items in--maybe someone else would do the grunt work. My changed attitude reminds me of a time decades ago when the rules changed in family history and temple work. I complained a lot, until I realized that each of my relatives is worth whatever time it takes to get this right. So, hopefully, I will stop complaining and get to work.
Dinner with my Cuban sister is always delicious, and we got papers prepared for our feeding the Young Elders assignment.
Just waiting now for my Sweetheart to call. I counted it up today, and my mission will end in exactly 7 1/2 months--the time is indeed going quickly.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Temple and Inventory and a Definite Chill in the Air. 10 September 2016
I was able to complete three sessions back to back today--either Saturdays are just way different than evenings, or the fall weather contributed to smaller groups. Anyway, my temple day went well, and since I finished in good order, after going back to the apartment and eating lunch I put in an hour cleaning up records in Family Tree. I sure hope one or both of my young women granddaughters gets to get some of the baptisms done for the names I have given them.
This morning the weather was downright chilly. I actually put on some warmer clothes when I got back to the apartment, and even the cozy slippers a dear friend had given me. But a little while ago when I took out the trash the air was nice and warm. I decided I should at least start the engine on the car, as I had not run it since Thursday and I may not be taking it out until next Thursday. I decided to set the clock--when the battery died a couple of weeks ago, the time got messed up. The instructions for doing that were it the section on the Audio System! Of course, I had overlooked the clock button earlier, but I am not sure I would ever have figured out that the H and M on one of the audio buttons was the way to set the hours and minutes. The process was not hard--once I knew how to do it!
I made a pot of lentils for next week [and had a small bowl immediately--yummy!], but opted not to cook any wheat, as I have 4 packets in the freezer. Making the lentils prompted me to do an inventory of my foods on hand.
I will get to talk with my Sweetheart soon, and then I will probably head for bed after that. All in all it was quite a nice day.
Just a note of warning: this next section may not be very interesting to anyone but me. I am putting it here so that I can refer back to it easily.
Inventory of foods and other items:
This morning the weather was downright chilly. I actually put on some warmer clothes when I got back to the apartment, and even the cozy slippers a dear friend had given me. But a little while ago when I took out the trash the air was nice and warm. I decided I should at least start the engine on the car, as I had not run it since Thursday and I may not be taking it out until next Thursday. I decided to set the clock--when the battery died a couple of weeks ago, the time got messed up. The instructions for doing that were it the section on the Audio System! Of course, I had overlooked the clock button earlier, but I am not sure I would ever have figured out that the H and M on one of the audio buttons was the way to set the hours and minutes. The process was not hard--once I knew how to do it!
I made a pot of lentils for next week [and had a small bowl immediately--yummy!], but opted not to cook any wheat, as I have 4 packets in the freezer. Making the lentils prompted me to do an inventory of my foods on hand.
I will get to talk with my Sweetheart soon, and then I will probably head for bed after that. All in all it was quite a nice day.
Just a note of warning: this next section may not be very interesting to anyone but me. I am putting it here so that I can refer back to it easily.
Inventory of foods and other items:
- 22 pounds of peanut butter on hand already, and I have just 7 1/2 months until I go home, so I do not think I will need any additional. The prices on peanut butter have been incredible around here.
- Legumes--with about 40 pounds, I do not need any more of them.
- Wheat does not even need to be counted--I still have nearly a year's supply, because even though I eat wheat almost every day, since I also eat other things, I am not going through it very quickly.
- My supply of oats will probably run out at about the same time as I leave. I have been eating oats for breakfast for so long that I knew exactly how much I needed, and I use it at the same rate: 1/2 cup uncooked nearly every morning.
- I will need 6 more 5-pound bags of carrots, as I use about 1 bag a month and I have 2 bags on hand.
- I have lots of salt, enough cornstarch and baking soda, boullion, and spices [I think].
- As long as I do not cook with honey I have enough to have a little sweetness every day [move over, Pooh Bear!].
- OK or close to it on the brown sugar, as long as I just have it with my breakfast oats/wheat mix. 10 pounds of nuts should be enough
- About six pounds of flax seed--that may be a little shy now that I will be making crackers probably every week in the cool weather time, but I will wait and see how quickly it seems to be getting used up.
- I will probably decide to get more dried cranberries when the warehouse stores put them on sale--but not dark chocolate covered ones, as I cannot trust myself to leave them alone!
- Once a month I will expect to buy a rotisserie chicken to serve the young elders and two other sisters--and then have some left-overs for the following week.
- I have enough tuna to have about 2 times a month--if I remember to use it
- I have enough toothpaste and I definitely have plenty of floss sticks.
- I will probably need to get more hand and bath soap
- I should be fine on dish detergent, laundry detergent [I make my own, and have plenty of washing soda and borax left in the box of each that I brought with me].
Friday, September 9, 2016
Sometimes the Universe Conspires....9 September 2016
I really had not intended to spend 3 hours at the temple today, even though my Sweetheart would be in the St. Louis Temple longer than that, and despite the fact that this is a special temple anniversary for us. I expected to just go for an hour, and then spend the evening working on the computer on a personal project relating to my service in the Library.
The conspiracy started towards the end of my shift as I was bumped from Greeter to Helper to Pager. This gave me the opportunity to clear 2 additional names to add to one I already had. I took those name cards and was sitting in line awaiting my turn, when my Relief Society President, who is a temple worker, brought me two names on a temple file sheet. "You are not in a hurry, are you?"
No, I really wasn't, since my dear one would not call until late, and I enjoy thinking of him when we are in the temple together 1300 miles apart.
When I finished about half an hour later, one of my cards was missing! I am not sure what happened but I knew I should have three cards, not two! I even knew the name on the card--pretty remarkable for me. So hunting unsuccessfully took a little while.
As I was leaving the temple, I saw Gregory's blind friend come inside. It did not register at first that the woman with her was not at all dressed in appropriate clothing for entering. I stopped them though, and spoke to our friend. The other woman asked if I could help the rest of the way, which I was glad to do. Then our friend asked if I would stay until her other friends arrived an hour later. I have to admit I was hesitant--and there was a bit of a glitch. But then the better angels of my nature kicked in and I did stay with her. As she was preparing I went back to the previous area--and, sure enough, the card had been found.
One of my reasons for hesitation was that I prefer to be with my Sweetheart when I am in a sealing session--and I was blessed in that it turned out my only service was to be an escort for our friend. I did enjoy thinking more about my dear one, and I learned some interesting procedural things, too. So the universe was kind in conspiring to keep me in the temple tonight.
My day in the Library went pretty well. I was able to figure out something in a German document, not because I could read the word that was at issue [very tiny writing, not helped much even by a magnifying glass], but because the record column was recording how long a person resided in that place, and most of the other records had a number of years. So the person in question was born in that place.
Another success was helping a fellow missionary with a person who had been incorrectly attached in her family tree. I was able to offer evidence that the particular woman in question was a single school teacher in Massachusetts 1870, not a married mother of two children in California!
The conspiracy started towards the end of my shift as I was bumped from Greeter to Helper to Pager. This gave me the opportunity to clear 2 additional names to add to one I already had. I took those name cards and was sitting in line awaiting my turn, when my Relief Society President, who is a temple worker, brought me two names on a temple file sheet. "You are not in a hurry, are you?"
No, I really wasn't, since my dear one would not call until late, and I enjoy thinking of him when we are in the temple together 1300 miles apart.
When I finished about half an hour later, one of my cards was missing! I am not sure what happened but I knew I should have three cards, not two! I even knew the name on the card--pretty remarkable for me. So hunting unsuccessfully took a little while.
As I was leaving the temple, I saw Gregory's blind friend come inside. It did not register at first that the woman with her was not at all dressed in appropriate clothing for entering. I stopped them though, and spoke to our friend. The other woman asked if I could help the rest of the way, which I was glad to do. Then our friend asked if I would stay until her other friends arrived an hour later. I have to admit I was hesitant--and there was a bit of a glitch. But then the better angels of my nature kicked in and I did stay with her. As she was preparing I went back to the previous area--and, sure enough, the card had been found.
One of my reasons for hesitation was that I prefer to be with my Sweetheart when I am in a sealing session--and I was blessed in that it turned out my only service was to be an escort for our friend. I did enjoy thinking more about my dear one, and I learned some interesting procedural things, too. So the universe was kind in conspiring to keep me in the temple tonight.
My day in the Library went pretty well. I was able to figure out something in a German document, not because I could read the word that was at issue [very tiny writing, not helped much even by a magnifying glass], but because the record column was recording how long a person resided in that place, and most of the other records had a number of years. So the person in question was born in that place.
Another success was helping a fellow missionary with a person who had been incorrectly attached in her family tree. I was able to offer evidence that the particular woman in question was a single school teacher in Massachusetts 1870, not a married mother of two children in California!
Thursday, September 8, 2016
P Day. 8 September 2016
This P day I did not exactly invert--I worked split halves, which is an Historical Records strategy I learned on my Internet mission several years ago. I washed my laundry, but then went shopping and got gas before coming back to the apartment to hang up the laundry to dry. Most of my clothes are not subject to wrinkling, and I smoothed out the one blouse that is before I left for stores.
It is always a dilemma for me as to whether I really need to do much shopping, and where to go. I knew I wanted to go to the Hispanic market, and I was rewarded not only with a better price on Gala apples [which I knew about from the ad], but also another bag of apples marked down. I did check the price on flour, not really for me, but for my Ukrainian sister--and chose to wait to get that item.
I stopped at Welfare Square, and would have gotten a pouched bag of flour there, but the store part was not open yet, as they've changed their hours again, and don't open the Storage Center until 10.
Next stop was to get gas at one of the big warehouse stores--and I went inside to check on flour. The price per pound was better than I had yet seen, but purchasing a large bag was necessary. Again I opted not to buy it.
Then I traveled back past my apartment to the store which supposedly still had a great sale on peanut butter--not! I did decide to look at their flour, and that is when I felt that I had been led there. This price was the best--so I got it.
Back at the apartment I was just beginning to get my laundry hung up when my Sweetheart called. We had a good amount of time to talk. Partly we talked about how we ended up as nurses later in life. And for way too long he patiently listened to some dilemmas I am currently facing here. Once I finished going on and on I felt really badly that I had spent so much time on that topic when we could have found something more positive to talk about. But he loves me anyway, which is so wonderful!
I had decided to make flax seed crackers, and it was already well into the afternoon when I began--and then put that on hold while I talked with my daughter. She also listened to my dilemma. We talked about other things, too. I sent her a link to a book review of a book that I ordered today for my oldest granddaughter: Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families. I hope to share this book with all of my family some day.
This evening I was prompted to do something positive about my dilemma. I am going to meet the challenge with strength instead of weakness. I already feel a lot better about the situation through this change in attitude.
The flax seed crackers turned out very nicely, despite sitting for an hour or so. I sprinkled the top with salt, and I hope by eating these regularly I will leave the pretzels in the break room alone!
A short but positive talk and prayer tonight with my Sweetheart made a very nice ending to this P day.
It is always a dilemma for me as to whether I really need to do much shopping, and where to go. I knew I wanted to go to the Hispanic market, and I was rewarded not only with a better price on Gala apples [which I knew about from the ad], but also another bag of apples marked down. I did check the price on flour, not really for me, but for my Ukrainian sister--and chose to wait to get that item.
I stopped at Welfare Square, and would have gotten a pouched bag of flour there, but the store part was not open yet, as they've changed their hours again, and don't open the Storage Center until 10.
Next stop was to get gas at one of the big warehouse stores--and I went inside to check on flour. The price per pound was better than I had yet seen, but purchasing a large bag was necessary. Again I opted not to buy it.
Then I traveled back past my apartment to the store which supposedly still had a great sale on peanut butter--not! I did decide to look at their flour, and that is when I felt that I had been led there. This price was the best--so I got it.
Back at the apartment I was just beginning to get my laundry hung up when my Sweetheart called. We had a good amount of time to talk. Partly we talked about how we ended up as nurses later in life. And for way too long he patiently listened to some dilemmas I am currently facing here. Once I finished going on and on I felt really badly that I had spent so much time on that topic when we could have found something more positive to talk about. But he loves me anyway, which is so wonderful!
I had decided to make flax seed crackers, and it was already well into the afternoon when I began--and then put that on hold while I talked with my daughter. She also listened to my dilemma. We talked about other things, too. I sent her a link to a book review of a book that I ordered today for my oldest granddaughter: Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families. I hope to share this book with all of my family some day.
This evening I was prompted to do something positive about my dilemma. I am going to meet the challenge with strength instead of weakness. I already feel a lot better about the situation through this change in attitude.
The flax seed crackers turned out very nicely, despite sitting for an hour or so. I sprinkled the top with salt, and I hope by eating these regularly I will leave the pretzels in the break room alone!
A short but positive talk and prayer tonight with my Sweetheart made a very nice ending to this P day.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Glad tomorrow is P day! 7 September 2016
It is not that today was all that bad. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed an hour-long talk with my Sweetheart this morning, and we got to talk and pray together for a few minutes tonight, so the bookends of the day were great.
I actually went in an hour early today in order to participate in the Recognition meeting, but ended up filling in on the floor for one of the Young Elders who was receiving his Level 2 Certification. There was a guest that I was able to help a little while I was acting as Monitor for him, but eventually sent her to a consultant, I do not know how that actually turned out--I hope she was able to find the records she was looking for.
At our potluck luncheon I ate mostly vegetables, although I had 2 slices of bread with butter, also. But I was able to avoid both the desserts for the luncheon and the pretzels later on.
I was supposed to be at the desk for two hours, but got pulled away to help patrons on the floor. That was just fine with me. After that I went into the Training room for an hour and then was off to choir. Our director has us do breathing exercises and singing exercises at the beginning. I do think that has helped my voice a lot.
I was able to help a few people when I returned to the Library, although we did not have records available for the last guest I worked with. I asked a more experienced missionary to help--and he did not have any better ideas than I had, except to advise the guest to come in the daytime when we have consultants available. But it is kind of a downer when I don't know how to help.
I finished one more section of the Training modules and also worked a little on my Family Tree during the last two hours of service. I passed the module I worked on. [Yay!] Even though I started another one, I left the quiz for when I am more alert.
Two young elders escorted me most of the way to my apartment. I just woke up from dozing off, so I think I will say "Goodnight!"
I actually went in an hour early today in order to participate in the Recognition meeting, but ended up filling in on the floor for one of the Young Elders who was receiving his Level 2 Certification. There was a guest that I was able to help a little while I was acting as Monitor for him, but eventually sent her to a consultant, I do not know how that actually turned out--I hope she was able to find the records she was looking for.
At our potluck luncheon I ate mostly vegetables, although I had 2 slices of bread with butter, also. But I was able to avoid both the desserts for the luncheon and the pretzels later on.
I was supposed to be at the desk for two hours, but got pulled away to help patrons on the floor. That was just fine with me. After that I went into the Training room for an hour and then was off to choir. Our director has us do breathing exercises and singing exercises at the beginning. I do think that has helped my voice a lot.
I was able to help a few people when I returned to the Library, although we did not have records available for the last guest I worked with. I asked a more experienced missionary to help--and he did not have any better ideas than I had, except to advise the guest to come in the daytime when we have consultants available. But it is kind of a downer when I don't know how to help.
I finished one more section of the Training modules and also worked a little on my Family Tree during the last two hours of service. I passed the module I worked on. [Yay!] Even though I started another one, I left the quiz for when I am more alert.
Two young elders escorted me most of the way to my apartment. I just woke up from dozing off, so I think I will say "Goodnight!"
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Led...Not Knowing Beforehand. 6 September 2016
When I awoke the first time this morning close to 5 am I did not intend to sleep an extra hour after reading scriptures, nor to go in for morning prayer meeting. But the thought persisted after my hour-long nap that I did need to go in to observe the in-service given by one of the experienced trainers as I was on the schedule to present this afternoon, and I did not even know what the presentation was about. So I hurried to exercise--a blessing that the mornings are cool enough that I just washed off a bit, got dressed, grabbed an apple to eat on my walk over to the Library and slid into prayer meeting just as the announcements were being finished.
Not only was it good for me to be there for the sake of the presentation, but the sister who gave the spiritual thought told of remarkable blessings that she had observed for the families of missionaries who served and patrons who provided ordinances for their deceased relatives. I am glad I was there to hear those stories.
I debated about coming back to the apartment, since I had not prepared anything for study group, and I was to do my first one-on-one with staff to check my competence in the new training modules. I decided that I really needed to eat a decent breakfast, or I would succumb to the goodies that others had brought into the staff room. Back at the apartment while I ate my oats and wheat I watched several episodes of the Family Search 5 Minute Genealogy series, since I was blocked from accessing the lessons to review.
When I got back to the Library, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the other trainers. As it happens, she has also had some concerns about the training modules.
Then I did a few minutes of preparation for the study group, while the previous class was going longer than scheduled. I decided that we would go on a "field trip" to the staff and the reference book shelves to get the books we would be using in our study. That was rather a fun thing to do, and was well-received. We spent some time refining our understanding of Kartenmeister, which is an online only gazetteer covering areas in Poland, Russia and Lithuania; worked through how to use the Prussian Gemeindelexikon; and found the Feast Days books [although we did not go through any learning with those].
The next hour was mostly spent demonstrating that I really did know how to Gather records, Choose a person to find out more about and figure out what information I still needed to find out. This process was less stressful than reading through the training presentations.
A short while later another trainer approached me. She thanked me for sending the email addressing my concerns about the training modules. When she read that she decided to add her own concerns and also sent an email, and highlighted some other concerns that I had thought of originally, but had not put into my email.
We did receive feedback this afternoon which acknowledged some of the difficulties and outlined steps to address our concerns.
With all sorts of other responsibilities I do not get a whole lot of time out on the floor. The time I was available allowed me to help several people. The first had some German phrases she needed translation for-- I knew almost every word and was able to find out the few I did not know by using the Thode dictionary and for one, Google translate, which just confirmed what I thought the cause of death was, I helped a woman who is setting up her own database of a particular surname in Virginia, but is open to the possibility of encouraging her son to fill in the lines on Family Tree in Family Search. I helped a brother get a marriage record standardized by getting rid of instances that were not standard.
Almost at the end of my shift I was asked to help a guest with Danish research. Although I do not exactly know how to do that particular special area, I did encourage her to go through all the Wiki materials and study the language, and to come back tomorrow when one most expert volunteer would be working in the evening. She committed to doing so.
Although I usually go to the temple on Tuesday, my MTC group was having a gathering not far from my apartment, so I opted to go to that. I am glad I did. It was nice to spend some time with the group. I will probably go with them to the Christmas Concert by the Tabernacle Choir on the 2nd Thursday in December if enough tickets can be acquired. The "light refreshments" turned out to be a very nice supper. I did have a very small piece of fresh apple cake for dessert, but instead of ice cream I opted for an additional serving of Cowboy Caviar, a marinated bean and veggie dish. One of the couples who lives in the apartments next to Garden Apartments walked back with us single sisters, which was nice.
My Sweetheart had a stressful morning at work, but we did get to talk for a while tonight. We are so blessed to be able to support one another when tough times happen. I am glad that I can be of some help to him, just as he is for me.
Not only was it good for me to be there for the sake of the presentation, but the sister who gave the spiritual thought told of remarkable blessings that she had observed for the families of missionaries who served and patrons who provided ordinances for their deceased relatives. I am glad I was there to hear those stories.
I debated about coming back to the apartment, since I had not prepared anything for study group, and I was to do my first one-on-one with staff to check my competence in the new training modules. I decided that I really needed to eat a decent breakfast, or I would succumb to the goodies that others had brought into the staff room. Back at the apartment while I ate my oats and wheat I watched several episodes of the Family Search 5 Minute Genealogy series, since I was blocked from accessing the lessons to review.
When I got back to the Library, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the other trainers. As it happens, she has also had some concerns about the training modules.
Then I did a few minutes of preparation for the study group, while the previous class was going longer than scheduled. I decided that we would go on a "field trip" to the staff and the reference book shelves to get the books we would be using in our study. That was rather a fun thing to do, and was well-received. We spent some time refining our understanding of Kartenmeister, which is an online only gazetteer covering areas in Poland, Russia and Lithuania; worked through how to use the Prussian Gemeindelexikon; and found the Feast Days books [although we did not go through any learning with those].
The next hour was mostly spent demonstrating that I really did know how to Gather records, Choose a person to find out more about and figure out what information I still needed to find out. This process was less stressful than reading through the training presentations.
A short while later another trainer approached me. She thanked me for sending the email addressing my concerns about the training modules. When she read that she decided to add her own concerns and also sent an email, and highlighted some other concerns that I had thought of originally, but had not put into my email.
We did receive feedback this afternoon which acknowledged some of the difficulties and outlined steps to address our concerns.
With all sorts of other responsibilities I do not get a whole lot of time out on the floor. The time I was available allowed me to help several people. The first had some German phrases she needed translation for-- I knew almost every word and was able to find out the few I did not know by using the Thode dictionary and for one, Google translate, which just confirmed what I thought the cause of death was, I helped a woman who is setting up her own database of a particular surname in Virginia, but is open to the possibility of encouraging her son to fill in the lines on Family Tree in Family Search. I helped a brother get a marriage record standardized by getting rid of instances that were not standard.
Almost at the end of my shift I was asked to help a guest with Danish research. Although I do not exactly know how to do that particular special area, I did encourage her to go through all the Wiki materials and study the language, and to come back tomorrow when one most expert volunteer would be working in the evening. She committed to doing so.
Although I usually go to the temple on Tuesday, my MTC group was having a gathering not far from my apartment, so I opted to go to that. I am glad I did. It was nice to spend some time with the group. I will probably go with them to the Christmas Concert by the Tabernacle Choir on the 2nd Thursday in December if enough tickets can be acquired. The "light refreshments" turned out to be a very nice supper. I did have a very small piece of fresh apple cake for dessert, but instead of ice cream I opted for an additional serving of Cowboy Caviar, a marinated bean and veggie dish. One of the couples who lives in the apartments next to Garden Apartments walked back with us single sisters, which was nice.
My Sweetheart had a stressful morning at work, but we did get to talk for a while tonight. We are so blessed to be able to support one another when tough times happen. I am glad that I can be of some help to him, just as he is for me.
Monday, September 5, 2016
Holiday Shopping. 5 September 2016
Ordinarily I try not to shop on holidays. But I made an exception today, as it is the only day for quite a while when I could take the sister from Japan and the sister from the Ukraine to some stores farther away. They each are going to be hostesses for an International Social in October, so they each were able to find some of the supplies they will need. It was nice to be out with friends instead of just staying in the apartment.
This morning I was able to send an email to my zone leader to express some concerns I have over some new training materials. There are some technical issues, but my bigger concerns are over barriers to learning for older adults. For the first 50 years of my life I relied on my excellent memory when I was confronted with new tasks. Then chemotherapy happened, along with some other medical challenges. Now my short-term memory is not very good at all, which makes learning new things in an academic way very difficult. I am grateful that my deciphering ability has come back with some intense practice, but to incorporate new concepts is very difficult. Maybe I have had this experience in order to know what is would be like for others who never had the advantage of an excellent memory.
I had a good time Skyping with two of my granddaughters. I talked with my youngest daughter for quite a while, and I just finished a nice talk with my Sweetheart. I am glad I had this nice holiday.
This morning I was able to send an email to my zone leader to express some concerns I have over some new training materials. There are some technical issues, but my bigger concerns are over barriers to learning for older adults. For the first 50 years of my life I relied on my excellent memory when I was confronted with new tasks. Then chemotherapy happened, along with some other medical challenges. Now my short-term memory is not very good at all, which makes learning new things in an academic way very difficult. I am grateful that my deciphering ability has come back with some intense practice, but to incorporate new concepts is very difficult. Maybe I have had this experience in order to know what is would be like for others who never had the advantage of an excellent memory.
I had a good time Skyping with two of my granddaughters. I talked with my youngest daughter for quite a while, and I just finished a nice talk with my Sweetheart. I am glad I had this nice holiday.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Quite a Sabbath! 4 September 2016
I was late to bed last night, so when I awoke at 6, I fell back asleep while reading the book of Jacob. My alarm at 7 got me up to talk with my dear Virginia granddaughter, and then my daughter. It was really nice to catch up on things, especially the visit of my oldest granddaughter and my great-grandchildren.
Shortly thereafter I walked over to the Conference Center, entering just as the rehearsal was starting for the Labor Day Special of Music and the Spoke Word. The choir sang several pieces that I really like the music for,: "Praise to the Lord" and a new-to-me song set to Sibelius' Finlandia. The organist played his own arrangement of an Edvard Grieg piece, Norwegian Rustic March--that was amazing! Getting to hear this particular concert twice was such a treat. The tears definitely were near the surface many times.
I had about an hour before I needed to go to choir practice, so I did a few indexing names and finished my scripture reading. Choir is a bit light now on sopranos, so I will probably sing soprano until more people come to help us. We will sing an interesting piece in two weeks called "In This Very Room". I did not bring my own set of music home, but another sister had forgotten to turn hers in, so I told her I would take care of it. I did not know at the time that I would switch parts, but I think it was providential that I have the music to practice, since I have been singing alto since I got here. My range is actually mezzo soprano, but altos almost always are in short supply, so that is the part I have been singing. I will continue to sing alto in the Elijah Choir.
For Sunday School I went to the FamilySearch class, and I am so glad I did. I learned how to download 4 generations at a time from the FamilySearch collaborative tree to Ancestry's individual tree. I no longer use a stand-alone program, so I feel better having two trees in the cloud: the FamilySearch tree which other people can change, and the Ancestry tree that only I can change, although I have it public, so anyone who wants to can see it and contact me if they wish.
One of the sister missionaries from the Ukraine came to eat supper with me, as my Cuban sister went this weekend to visit family. We had a nice dinner together, and then she spotted tomato plants on my balcony. I was grateful to learn that she very much likes tomato--and that she would very much appreciate having the plants. She also has a balcony, but it faces south, not north, so the plants should be delighted to have more than the tiny bit of sun they got on my balcony. She talks to the plants, too, so they should be very happy [whether that just gives them more carbon dioxide, or if they really understand speech!
My day ended with a nice talk and prayer with my Sweetheart. A Blessed Sabbath, indeed!
Shortly thereafter I walked over to the Conference Center, entering just as the rehearsal was starting for the Labor Day Special of Music and the Spoke Word. The choir sang several pieces that I really like the music for,: "Praise to the Lord" and a new-to-me song set to Sibelius' Finlandia. The organist played his own arrangement of an Edvard Grieg piece, Norwegian Rustic March--that was amazing! Getting to hear this particular concert twice was such a treat. The tears definitely were near the surface many times.
I had about an hour before I needed to go to choir practice, so I did a few indexing names and finished my scripture reading. Choir is a bit light now on sopranos, so I will probably sing soprano until more people come to help us. We will sing an interesting piece in two weeks called "In This Very Room". I did not bring my own set of music home, but another sister had forgotten to turn hers in, so I told her I would take care of it. I did not know at the time that I would switch parts, but I think it was providential that I have the music to practice, since I have been singing alto since I got here. My range is actually mezzo soprano, but altos almost always are in short supply, so that is the part I have been singing. I will continue to sing alto in the Elijah Choir.
For Sunday School I went to the FamilySearch class, and I am so glad I did. I learned how to download 4 generations at a time from the FamilySearch collaborative tree to Ancestry's individual tree. I no longer use a stand-alone program, so I feel better having two trees in the cloud: the FamilySearch tree which other people can change, and the Ancestry tree that only I can change, although I have it public, so anyone who wants to can see it and contact me if they wish.
One of the sister missionaries from the Ukraine came to eat supper with me, as my Cuban sister went this weekend to visit family. We had a nice dinner together, and then she spotted tomato plants on my balcony. I was grateful to learn that she very much likes tomato--and that she would very much appreciate having the plants. She also has a balcony, but it faces south, not north, so the plants should be delighted to have more than the tiny bit of sun they got on my balcony. She talks to the plants, too, so they should be very happy [whether that just gives them more carbon dioxide, or if they really understand speech!
My day ended with a nice talk and prayer with my Sweetheart. A Blessed Sabbath, indeed!
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Some Small Wins Keep One Plugging Away! 3 September 2016
Wow! I will actually get a full holiday, and have a full P day to boot! That is a happy result of my new schedule. Only Thanksgiving will fall on my P day--the other holidays will not be on Thursday.
This morning was my first time to give an in service lesson. I did not have to prepare the Power Point, as it has been used all week long. There was some discussion so we went a little over, but there were few guests, and several missionaries already out on the floor to help. We all participate in prayer meeting, but we are only required to do the week's in service one time. The topic was on four little-known aspects of FamilySearch. Two of these are especially interesting to me.
The first is standardizing dates and places in Family Tree so that the search engines will work for us, and not ignore the people we have put into our lines. Standardization is also necessary in order to print temple cards, so it is totally worthwhile the effort. Here is the link to some instructions: https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/
The second is the one I am most delighted to know about. The Source Box which can be found at the drop down list by ones name is available for storing one's own personal information. One can create a new folder, name it whatever [I started my name with AAA so it would stay close to the top!], and put whatever links or info is desired that one wants to remember. I can see it being a great place for passwords [not just for FamilySearch].
The other two are adding an unconnected person to the tree, and inverting colors on the pedigree chart.
My first hour on the floor was at the German/Slavic desk. No guests were needing our help so one of the elders pulled up a record he had been sent through Yammer to translate one name. My small win there was that I actually [probably was inspired] asked if the tricky letter might be a "V"--and although I was pulled away to help 2 guests from Switzerland, the others found an index for that set of records, and it was indeed a "V"!
Working with the Swiss guests was also a win. They were probably in their mid-20s, and were wanting to learn what resources were available. I followed my usual pattern, searching indexed records first, that showing them how to access Image Only collections--at which point the man was able to access records through the way points to small towns he was quite familiar with. Although they were so young that we did not have records of family members they could actually connect to, they seemed happy to learn about resources through the catalog, the wiki, the learning center, and Ancestry. They also seemed pleased that there is a Family History Center within an hour of their home. They both expressed amazement at the available resources.
I used half of my lunch time to go to the market close by for more apples. Then I went back to the Library for my research time. I was able to standardize a lot of records, do some merging, find some films that I can explore, and print off a set of temple cards, so next week and the following week I will be working for relatives! That is always a very happy thing to do.
I was pleased to get the transcript for the closing speaker at the FairMormon conference. Now there is only one talk and lots of Q & A sessions to get done.
My supper was another bread-less BLT and a few other items as well. I am now preparing some kidney beans for the coming week--and to share with my Cuban sister.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Little Ways to Help. 2 September 2016
I was able to help a few people today in small ways. One guest had a record in German which seemed to be undecipherable, even to the German sister who has worked with these records for decades. I had a thought to go to find the actual microfilm--so I did. It still took having a consultant come to look at the record in the context of the whole, but the guest was very pleased with the outcome.
Another guest found that the record of her ancestor had some extra wording, and while I needed help to know the location, I correctly determined that the baptism was performed in a different place than where the record was recorded.
I was asked to review the Sweden Case Study, and was pleased with how the zone leader implemented my suggestions. We will still need to make refinements when the engineers fix the online collection, but for now it is good to go.
I did take an offered piece of candy this morning, but was easily able to refuse when a second was offered.
At the temple I was able to stay awake, which had not happened for several weeks. I wish I knew for sure to what to attribute this. I hope it continues.
Although I know other things happened today, my brain has shut down for the night, so off to bed.
Another guest found that the record of her ancestor had some extra wording, and while I needed help to know the location, I correctly determined that the baptism was performed in a different place than where the record was recorded.
I was asked to review the Sweden Case Study, and was pleased with how the zone leader implemented my suggestions. We will still need to make refinements when the engineers fix the online collection, but for now it is good to go.
I did take an offered piece of candy this morning, but was easily able to refuse when a second was offered.
At the temple I was able to stay awake, which had not happened for several weeks. I wish I knew for sure to what to attribute this. I hope it continues.
Although I know other things happened today, my brain has shut down for the night, so off to bed.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
P Day Inverted. 1 September 2016
My day actually started at midnight! I went to bed at about 9:30 p.m., last night, but not being able to get to sleep soundly I got up about 11:15 p.m. One of my goals for today was to rearrange my apartment yet again--and that is what I started at 11:15. The impetus is the approaching cool weather, when I will need the baseboard heaters to be unobstructed. I had planned to just scoot my bed towards the opposite wall, but last night I decided to turn it 90 degrees. I also decided to face the air conditioner and the patio doors, instead of having my pillow up against the air conditioner. I think that will work OK. When I went back to bed at 12:30 a.m. I had the desk against the bed and all my electronics by the wall. This morning I decided I would split the homes of the electronics--and thanks to the travel surge protector my daughter had gotten for me while she was visiting, my devices are now all protected despite being in different locations.
When I got up about 6:30 I felt the desk and the chest of drawers needed to be moved, and the recliner, also. I think I like the way things are arranged now--but who can tell for sure until I live with this configuration for a while.
All this impacted my time for exercise, and I even considered waiting until the afternoon to do that--but thought better of it. I did, however, decide to try my Sweetheart's way of using the 3 apples a day, so before I left the apartment I just ate one apple, and no other breakfast. Apparently that will not work out for me. I was hungry within a fairly short time, and did not resist some of the purchases and eating I might have done otherwise--I will just have to pay attention to whether this is a pattern.
I nearly always shop the ads, the way my Mom did years ago, and I had a list of items to purchase. But kind of at the last minute I decided to go to a "warehouse" store that my Cuban sister had told me about. I was not sure how to get there, so I asked my phone, and was taken to a different one than I had anticipated. The good news was that my little green car got to do a fair amount of highway time. I was pretty impressed with the store, and, of course, bought a lot of items I probably could have done without: for lunch I had Tropical Krab Salad from their deli counter--not expensive at all, and quite delicious; from their huge bulk section I got dark red kidney beans, golden raisins, and a small piece of dark chocolate [which I devoured all of after I ate the Krab Salad!]; and items I have not bought in quite a long time that were fairly inexpensive [cottage cheese, bacon, kale, salad dressing, and frozen orange juice]. The store is too far away to go to every week, but I expect I may do a monthly run there.
I do have a bit of a question: how many drops of rain count as a shower? There were clouds much of the day, and a few drops of rain for about five minutes, but not even enough to use the windshield wipers. I suppose whenever the rainy season starts I will be wishing the rain would go away. Apparently Missouri is getting more than its share of rainy, muggy weather. Out here pretty much nada.
Once I got back to the apartment for good, I sure enjoyed the delicious smells of frying bacon, and I had a protein-style bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich [no bread, and no added dressing] which I thoroughly appreciated.
I was just finishing my laundry when my youngest called. I told her how grateful I was again for the electronic devices she supplies me with. We chatted for a little over an hour.
A good conversation and prayer with my Sweetheart made a perfect ending to my inverted P day.
When I got up about 6:30 I felt the desk and the chest of drawers needed to be moved, and the recliner, also. I think I like the way things are arranged now--but who can tell for sure until I live with this configuration for a while.
All this impacted my time for exercise, and I even considered waiting until the afternoon to do that--but thought better of it. I did, however, decide to try my Sweetheart's way of using the 3 apples a day, so before I left the apartment I just ate one apple, and no other breakfast. Apparently that will not work out for me. I was hungry within a fairly short time, and did not resist some of the purchases and eating I might have done otherwise--I will just have to pay attention to whether this is a pattern.
I nearly always shop the ads, the way my Mom did years ago, and I had a list of items to purchase. But kind of at the last minute I decided to go to a "warehouse" store that my Cuban sister had told me about. I was not sure how to get there, so I asked my phone, and was taken to a different one than I had anticipated. The good news was that my little green car got to do a fair amount of highway time. I was pretty impressed with the store, and, of course, bought a lot of items I probably could have done without: for lunch I had Tropical Krab Salad from their deli counter--not expensive at all, and quite delicious; from their huge bulk section I got dark red kidney beans, golden raisins, and a small piece of dark chocolate [which I devoured all of after I ate the Krab Salad!]; and items I have not bought in quite a long time that were fairly inexpensive [cottage cheese, bacon, kale, salad dressing, and frozen orange juice]. The store is too far away to go to every week, but I expect I may do a monthly run there.
I do have a bit of a question: how many drops of rain count as a shower? There were clouds much of the day, and a few drops of rain for about five minutes, but not even enough to use the windshield wipers. I suppose whenever the rainy season starts I will be wishing the rain would go away. Apparently Missouri is getting more than its share of rainy, muggy weather. Out here pretty much nada.
Once I got back to the apartment for good, I sure enjoyed the delicious smells of frying bacon, and I had a protein-style bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich [no bread, and no added dressing] which I thoroughly appreciated.
I was just finishing my laundry when my youngest called. I told her how grateful I was again for the electronic devices she supplies me with. We chatted for a little over an hour.
A good conversation and prayer with my Sweetheart made a perfect ending to my inverted P day.
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