CHRISTMAS

TEMPLE AND RESEARCH DAYS

 

Jordan River Temple

 

December 2015

 

Of interest about this temple - they had an escalator.

 

Oquirrh Mountain Temple - February 2016

 

Of interest:  they handed out cards with your session.  When the cards were gone then the session was full and anyone coming after that would go to the next session.  They had us return the cards as we entered the endowment room.

After the temple, we went down the street to a shopping center for lunch.  We ate at the Himalyan Kitchen.  It was a great buffet.  The above dessert - Gulab Jamon - was excellent.  It tasted sort of like a donut, but it was soft in the middle like custard.

Provo City Center Temple Open House - February 2016

WINTER IN SALT LAKE CITY

Good Samaritan - A young girl's car was stuck in the snow outside our apartment.  She tried everything, going forward, backward, trying to clear snow from under her tires, but to no avail.  She looked like she was going to cry.  Just then a man came across the street from the church with a shovel.  After much effort, he was able to get her unstuck and on her way.  He then proceeded to clean off all the other cars that were parked in front of our apartment and clear a path so they wouldn't be stuck.  We don't know who is was but JoAnn called out a big "Atta Boy" to him from our deck.

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY CENTER

Arnold needed to keep up on his physical therapy.  We found the Salt Lake Community Center not too far from our apartment.  They do not have all the machines that he is used to in Las Vegas, but we are able to get by.

They have a nice walking track that JoAnn uses.

They also have a pool that we will take advantage of when the weather gets nicer.

We are only able to go once a week because of our schedules, but we feel this is better than nothing.

The price was fairly reasonable compared to other facilities in the area.  We signed up for a year, with unlimited use of the facilities, for $100.

A TRAINER - ME?

We have been assigned to the International Floor.  I know why we were assigned there -- because my husband speaks French.  But I have been having a hard time finding my nitch.  I don't know a language or how to research in any foreign countries, and I barely know Family Tree.  So when the Zone Leader called us in and gave me a "special assignment" I felt like maybe there was a place for me here.  Then when he told me they wanted me to be a trainer, I actually laughed out loud.  I told him that I most likely knew the very least of anyone in our entire zone.  But now I have a nitch and will give it my all.  I will be helping train the brand new missionaries and will conduct a short in-service twice a week during prayer meeting.

Two of the new full-time missionaries that I helped train when they first arrived on the International Floor.  William and Sharon Seider (sounds like cider).

RECOGNITION

We had a Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday.

It was to recognize those who had completed certain levels of training.  We both finished our Level One training and received a nice certificate.

It was funny, because at the meeting, JoAnn was up in front for almost everything.  They honored her for her birthday (got a nice chocolate bar), then they honored her with the other new missionaries, and finally they honored her for completing Level One training.  Pictures were taken at all of those, but somehow, she got left out of the only one they published in the newsletter, The International Express.

But at least Arnold got in the picture, so we are represented.

January 21, 2016

At this recognition, Arnold and JoAnn both completed Level 2 training and received certificates.  Arnold was in a class at the time and missed getting in the picture.

Also pictured from left to right are Sister Lamb, Elder Lamb, Sister Bass, JoAnn, Elder Wurtz, Sister Wurtz, Elder King, Elder Wheatley and Sister Wheatley

Each day at Prayer Meeting we have a short In-service presentation.  We are then given an assignment to complete in connection with the subject taught.  The first go around we had a picture of a bare tree on our lockers.  Each time we finished an assignment we got a different colored leaf (representing the subject of that in-service) for our tree.  After we had completed 10 cycles of lessons, those who completed all 10 were presented with the card above with a Bliss chocolate on it.  The card says, "As the trees on your lockers have blossomed with new leaves, we hope your skills for helping our guests have blossomed as well.  We commend your dedication and commitment.  May you find BLISS-ful joy in your missionary service."

Now we are using a toolbox and tools to represent the different tools we use to help the guests find their ancestors.

From left to right front row:  Sister White, Sister Miller, Sister Dolber, Sister Appell
From left to right back row: Sister Van Weingarten, Elder ___, Elder ____, Sister Aromaa, Sister Chernesky, Sister ______, Sister ______, Sister Lemon.

From left to right Elder Lamb, Sister Lamb, Sister Bass, Sister Miller, Elder Wurtz, Sister Wurtz, Elder King, Elder Wheatley, Sister Wheatley.