Well, it's been a while.  I've been busy - doing my own in what spare time I have, I'm working on a Family History Book on one of my lines.  I've also been volunteering in the FamilySearch Center when they have tour buses.  They sometimes get from 30 to 40 people on these buses and they don't have enough workers so they ask for volunteers to help.  It's great fun.  You meet people from all over and you have about 40 minutes to help them find an ancestor on FamilySearch.com.  Some people say they aren't foing to do it - and so I type for them and ask for information on a deceased ancestor and then we find something, a census, an immigration record, a marriage and then they get excited.  Sometimes they cry, and I've even had one tell me that he loves me!
I went to the parade on the 24th - 2 hrs. long - but I had a front row seat - President Sessions, one of the new counselors and who came in my group, has an apartment with an apartment overlooking the street.  He invited the March Fourth Group to his apartment.  It was great fun.

This is just one of the many floats - they were all good,

This is President Eyering in the parade = notice the security?

This was our (my) stake float - it won a prize!

This one is for Ron Terry!  They had lots of antique cars!

Yep! you guessed it!  It's the Elder Missionaries float!
 
Well - of the news is not so good - as you know I've had trouble with my legs, but it's really gotten bad - So I finally went to the doctor.  It seems I've worn my hips out and my right one is really bad and I need hip replacement.   All the walking I've been doing has escalated the problem.  I was hoping to outlast it but that's not going to happen.  My doctor, said if I didn't it soon, my left hip would be really bad soon, too.  If I have the surgery now, I probably can get by from 2 - 5 years with my left hip and once there is no extra stress on it, I might not have to have it done!  So I'm going to the doctor, Wed. and have him set up an appointment with a specialist.  I'm hoping I can get it done in Sept. Then I will be recuperated in time for the Holidays.  He said it could take 6- 8 wks for recovery. I'm hoping not that long.

But -- I'm still blessed!  I love my mission!  Just put me in your prayers!  Love you all~!

July 16, 2012 - Our training zone all went to the Logan Temple  last month.  We had lunch after at the Bluebird Cafe and then visited the Cheese Factory.  It was a super day!  Here is a photo of the group.  Quite a crew - don't you think!!

It's been really hot here and we are all suffering - but you know - "Carry On, Carry On, Carry On".
We have two new counselors in the Mission Presidency.  President Eccles and President Sessions.  Pres. Sessions came in my group - and is in my Activity group.  How cool is that? 

I went to a concert at the Abravanal Hall, Friday evening that featured a Choral Arts Group and Symphony and also featured Nathan Osmond.  Yep, he's one of the Osmond family.  It was very good.  Saturday afternoon, BYU Dance Alliance performed at the Conference Center Theater.  It, also, was very good.  I enjoyed both. 

It is so cool to be here on the Church Campus, walking the same grounds as the Prophet and   Apostles!  I have seen any of them yet - but that's OK.  I can look out the east window of my training center and look down at President Monson's office.  Of course, it is beautiful again - they've planted summer flowers and it's a virtual "Garden of Eden" here.  I love my mission. 

I received letters from some the Young Women and their leaders, what a joy that was.  Thank You!

Oh my gosh - it's June, almost July!  Time flies when you are having fun!  Summer gets crazy around here.  On top of working in my zone there is always something going on!   Free entertainment at the Brigham Young Park or the Assembly Hall.  I also have been volunteering to help at FamilySearch when they have tour groups come in.  They don't have enough workers to go around when the tour groups come in.  So they ask for volunteers.  I go in the evenings when they need help.  It is great fun and I have met some interesting people.  It's getting HOT here, but I guess that comes with summer.
I have made some wonderful friends.

I did get to go to Boise and Emmett the week-end of the 15th & 16th.  I left Friday for a doctor's appointment in Boise at 2:45 pm.  Saturday, my sister and I had a 90th birthday party for my mother in Emmett.  It was great, I think she had a good time, but she got very tired towards the end.  I then drove back to Salt Lake on Sunday - had to be back by 2 PM - in time to be there for Tyler's ordination as an Elder.  I made it with 15 minutes to spare!  I had a great visit with my sister and friends and cousins.  Idaho sure looks a lot better than Salt Lake.  But I do love my mission.

I am trying to get some pictures up, but not having any luck.  It's getting late and I have to get up early so will again tomorrow.  So long for now.

Gosh, can't believe it's June already.  Time flies around here.  I've been busy as usual, but now I am also volunteer to help at the Family Search Center when bus tours come in.  We help the people get on the computer and find a relative.  It's really fun.  I have done it twice now and it's really fun.  I am learning so much and I am so excited to show you all what I've learned and what you can do.  Here are some fun pictures.  Above is our March Forth group at our monthly activity.  We had one couple missing.  They are so much fun.

The three of us went to Antelope Island (a fairly big island in the middle of the Great Salt Lake) on a Saturday.  There are buffalo herds and antelope on this island.  When Brigham Young came they designated this as the Church Ranch to raise cattle.  They did this for quite some time.  The State of Utah now owns it.

 The Saturday, May 26, that we were there, they were having a Cowboy Poetry gathering .  We actually went on the wagon ride. I sympathize with the pioneers!  The band below is called the Saddle Strings and they were very good.  I want to get some of their CD's someday.

On our way back we saw this group of buffalo on the beach - you can see part of the Wasatch in the background. 

They have started having concerts in the Brigham Young Park across from the Church Headquarters.  They will have them all summer on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Went this last Friday - they had a dance band playing all the tunes we are familiar with - some people even danced!   They also have concerts in the Assembly Hall too on Saturday evenings.  These are all free. 

I have now had 3 students (new missionaries) that have "graduated" from the Training Zone now.  Start my 4th on Monday.    Love my mission!   Love you all - Jean

Isabella's & Tyler's birthday parties

This is our Isabella - turned 1 on 5/12

 She lovesEmily who is holding her.

She really liked the frosting! 

 This is Peyton and he was dancing for me.

This is Tyler and he turned ... 21!!! on 5/16 

 You guessed it!! Lined up to feed themselves. Only one boy missing there! 

It was fun getting to be at my grand children's brithdays. 
Missionaries are finding out that I sew - so have been asked by an Elder to mend his suit.
Heard an awesome devotional where Elder Bednar was the main speaker.
Well, love you all
Jean

May 6, 2012 - No new pictures - have been really busy.  So far I have "graduated" two students, one FTM - Full-time Missionary and 1 CSM - Church Service Missionary.  And I've got another FTM for the next two weeks.  I love it!  Went to the Temple last Tuesday to our Branch Sealing Session - it was a neat experience - felt the spirit there so close.  I did get a calling in the Branch - Asst. Compassionate Service leader.  Sister Pilz is the Compassionate Service leader and she is in the Training Zone with me.  The other lady that works with us is Sister Judy Norton and I don't know her yet.

At our Monday devotionals on a couple of Mondays per month, FTM's are asked to talk and give a 3 minute bio.  I was asked by Sister Petersen, wife of the Mission President to give mine tomorrow.  I'm very nervous about this.  It's scary, especially when most of the people I don't really know and all the others that I've heard have been really good. Oh well, Go Forth!  that's our  motto around here!

Fun on my Mission

 What a fun bunch of YW and leaders!

 The Bishop checking up on me!

 This is what happens when you go on a Mission? (Had a tooth pulled!)

 The Church Campus is absolutely gorgeous at this time of year! As you will from the next few pictures.