Friday, August 26, 2011

Inevitable departure

We are down to days… 12 to be exact.

Each day, there is a gentle reminder that Taylor will be leaving soon.
Today was a not-so-gentle kind of day… she received her roommate list.

So far, this has been the biggest bite of reality we have had to swallow.

This, combined with Kylee’s yearnings to move out,
just might make us empty nesters FAR TOO SOON!!
I am not ready to swallow that.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Hospitalized


Test results back in 2-3 weeks.
We are hoping for a positive diagnosis.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Ancestry

This month marks both the passing and the birthday of my late father-in-law. 
His birthday is this week, and this has been an unusually significant birthday. 
I attribute this to my upcoming lesson in Relief Society… Temple Work and Family History.
Up until his untimely death, he was diligent in his search for his ancestors.

As I have been making preparations for this lesson, I have been doing a little research.

I have spent more time than usual on familysearch.org,
the family history site for the Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Because his family is a convert family, I decided to focus on searching for the same ancestors.

I have volunteered for world wide indexing so that I can gain experience
and understanding as I present this topic in the lesson.
(Ironically, indexing became the tool that has given me a lead on some of his missing family members.)

I must confess, this “research” has been more of a distraction than help.
I have located more family names that need temple work.
I have found some leads on a few “dead ends” on the family tree.
I have re-dedicated myself to attending the temple more often.
I have indexed over 500 names.
I have realized that you cannot take for granted that someone else has already done the work.
I have completely ignored the lesson book.

Here I am, days away from teaching, 
While I have not outlined a script for a lesson, my usual method of teaching (because it gives me security),
I have gained something much more valuable… loads of personal experiences to share with the sisters.
And, if I get a response to an email I sent to a stranger, possibly a miracle or two.