Week of October 2, 2016

Sunday we watched conference on the internet. Our daughter’s family came for dinner. We had parked our car in a lot across the street to save them a spot. The parking is unbelievable since we’re just across the street from the Conference Center. We babysat their younger children they attended conference. It was fun to see them again.

Monday we had a class in the morning then met Heather for lunch at City Creek. We had a good visit. After eating we walked on Temple Square but it was super cold. We stopped in at the Tabernacle then the Visitors’ Center. The other kids really enjoyed walking around looking at the displays. It was fun.

Tuesday I taught a class on FamilySearch Partners and we had 29 stuffed into our room that holds 23 so we turned people away. Shortly into the class one of the missionaries found the other lab was empty (it holds 32) and they allowed us to move the class. It was much better—everyone had a computer and the rows are more spacious so it is easier to walk in to help the missionaries. I thought it went well. I was a little surprised at the turnout, but I was pleased that so many wanted to take the class. 

We had another class in the afternoon in the larger classroom and we filled all but one seat. Several people came early to reserve seats. After class we went to the temple. It was nice not having to rush over to make the session. I enjoyed it.

Wednesday we had a packed room again for my Sources class. I assumed we would move to the other lab, but we weren’t able to get it so we had people in the aisles. Before class started I heard a lady compliment to her friend. That made me feel good. I had decided to teach using real examples from my own tree then have them look on their trees for a similar source and practice attaching. This was a last minute change so it wasn’t as smooth as it could have been, but I thought it went very well. We are thinking we will teach one class on just internal (FamilySearch) sources and one class on external sources. I can see the value in both approaches. I really enjoy teaching it so I hope I get that opportunity.

In the afternoon we had a class on Correcting Relationships. The computer didn’t do what it was supposed to for some people, but it was a good class. There had been an accident on the freeway—a tanker had dumped ammonium nitrate and traffic was closed both directions for several hours. Some of the students were late arriving and I’m sure some were concerned about getting home. It was going to rain in the evening so my weekly walk with my French friend was shortened.

Thursday the class was full and overflowing as well. There wasn’t room for me in the classroom, so I worked out on the floor. I met a couple after lunch to help with family history. What I had prepared was not what she needed. I gave her the information I had, but she mostly wanted some suggestions on how to involve people. I gave her what I could but it was mostly off the cuff.

Friday was our Temple & Research day. We spent most of the afternoon at the library doing research. Ted worked at attaching sources to his American family—I spent most of the time attaching sources to records for Finnish families and resolving some merging of people.

In the evening I went to the French sister’s apartment to make the dessert for the Branch International Dinner on Saturday. I am on the French committee and was assigned to do the desserts. She helped me mix kefir (a milk based culture) with frozen fruit. The original plan was for us to pour it into cups over Vanilla Wafers and put a berry on top then put it in her refrigerator, but she had something come up and may not make it to the dinner, so we just mixed the berry/kefir blend and put it into containers to store in my refrigerator.

Saturday morning I put the cookies in the cups, sweetened the kefir mixture and poured it into the cups. The biggest challenge was that some of the cookies floated and I had to force them to the bottom again. I didn’t put the fruit on top yet, hoping it would set up again before evening. Ted and I drove to Ogen for my aunt’s funeral. It was so good to see the cousins again and we were able to have a good visit with two cousins I haven’t seen for years. It was a lovely funeral. One of my cousin’s daughters was a pallbearer which was unusual but very sweet. It was so good to hear the many wonderful things that were said about my aunt. Funerals are wonderful occasions to learn all the best there is about people.

After returning I finished the desserts and we attended the international dinner. It was lovely. There were about 12 countries represented so it was difficult to choose what to eat and I ate more than I should, but it was fun. It was a good activity.

100 Years Old - Utah State Capitol Building

We found out there would be a fireworks display in the evening to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the State Capitol Building. After the dinner we walked up to watch the fireworks from across the street. We sat on the wall in front of an old building. When the test firings went up they seemed really close, especially with the wind blowing our direction. When the actual display started I thought I got something in my eye and had to shut it for a minute. After a few minutes a fireman came to have everyone move back to the building. It was only about 20 feet further away and probably not much safer. I have never been so close to a fireworks display. They were literally right on top of us. It was spectacular but a little scary. I even got a little ash on my jacket. Afterward we enjoyed a nice walk home. The night air was refreshing.