Week of August 14, 2016

Sunday my foot/ankle was hurting so I stayed home from the Tabernacle Choir broadcast. I got some sources attached and enjoyed the time. Church was good. I was able to walk slowly to church so I was OK. We did Preach My Gospel with the young elders and I found some more sources during Sunday School. After church we invited a couple over for dinner. They work with us on the Swap Meet and the husband does a lot maintaining things around the apartments for the missionaries. We really enjoyed the visit.

Monday we had a staff meeting to review everything for Capstone this week. Capstone is the set of classes for missionaries getting ready to go home. I felt the program would be much better this time around. A large part of it is dependent on my teaching so it puts a heavy burden on me, but I think it will work out. This is the Lord’s program and I’m hoping He will help me. I worked a little in the afternoon, reviewing my presentation for Wednesday and preparing more for Thursday.

Tuesday we had a full room for Capstone—48 students on 40 computers. Several were sharing and some brought laptops to use at a table in the back. I think it went well. I spent most of my time loading files on flash drives for the students to take with them. The students didn’t need much help, but I did a little of that as well.

In the afternoon we attended Mission Conference. One of the counselors in the mission presidency is going home so he and his wife spoke. His wife always wears a flower on her suit jacket so the women and some of the men were encouraged to wear flowers. I had made one out of green wrapping paper with a FamilySearch pin in the center. Pres. Tate also spoke to us about the Book of Mormon. He is a great man with wonderful insights. In the evening we walked to the concert in the part. It was really a good group and I loved being in the outdoor air. It was a good day.

Wednesday was a big day at Capstone. It was my opportunity to teach how to do Descendancy Research. It gets a little involved explaining it, so I was thrilled when the majority of the students got it and told me they really thought this was great. We kept busy helping the students when we set them free to research on their own family tree. I felt the Spirit guiding me and it was a good experience. I was so grateful for the opportunity to do this.

Thursday my class went well in the morning. We helped the students go from a completed worksheet they had done on Wednesday to writing a lesson plan to teach someone to find a name to take to the temple. There were some very favorable comments. One lady said she was so excited she was going to write some plans for her grandchildren to present to them so they could get excited. Another man commented on how easy it was and he was excited to be able to do it. I felt really good about the whole thing.

We have felt so blessed to be here on this mission. We have learned so many new things and so many different ways to approach the work of family history and ways to share it with others. We feel strongly that we are where the Lord wants us to be and we feel His hand in our lives. This week we have been so grateful for the many tender mercies He shows to us.