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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a picture of the temple at night taken from my apartment deck.  The sign behind it says "Zion's Bank"!  It was beautiful - the picture doesn't really do it justice.

This is my apartment complex.  The gate on the right you go in with a key card and the one on the left you go out with a key card.  My apartment section is the secnd row of decks and mine in the one the middle.

The one with the little America flag is my apartment.

Well - more of what is happening.  This week I have been training my 1st student.  The first couple of days were scary but after that it became fun.  She was born in Colonia Juarez, Mexico and just recently moved to El Paso Texas.  She is fun and easy to teach.

The flowers around the Church campus are absolutely beautiful, now and they just keep getting more beautiful!  I love my mission and am meeting some great people.

April 10, 2012  More Pictures - This is me!  I took a picture for some people and they took mine.

They call this the Temple Fountain - it looks like the Temple when it shoots up. 

I'm Going to try to send a couple of pictures. I'm so far behind on them.

Above is City Creek Mall with the creek running through it.  And the one below was a couple of weeks ago on Temple Square.  It is getting so beautiful around now.

April 2, 2012 - Yoo-hoo!  I received my first of three certificates in my certification of becoming a trainer.  I received it on Monday, March 26th.  I am busy working on the others, however this week my Zone leader is having me shadow a trainer with a Church Service Missionary and next week I will be on my own.  There is a new batch of full-time missionaries coming in and I will be training one of them.  I am excited but also a little nervous.
 General Conference was awesome!  It was also great to see some people from my home ward in Sweet.  A group of youth came down and I was able to spend an afternoon with them.  I also saw Mark and Tia Andelin but didn't get to talk to them. Darn!  I bet they are getting excited.  Sunday was the first time I went into the conference center and my first live conference sessions.  I went both AM and PM.  The first time I sat down on the floor (Plaza) and the second time was in the Balcony.  I didn't like the balcony, it made me nervous, it was too high up!  When I stood up I didn't dare look down!  But being there live was so wonderful!
I have a friend who is coming over this evening who is going to try to help me figure out how to get pictures from my Picasa to this blog.  Hope to be sending pictures soon.  I can't figure out how I did it the first time.  I think I accidentally did it and now I can't remember what I did!

My place of habitat

Well, to let you all know, I've been assigned to the Mission Training Zone.  So will be a trainer and that means after I get certified, I will be training new missionaries as they come in.  Very excititing!  I will go at 7:30 am and get off at 3:30, and I will have Saturday and Sundays.  Pretty awesome, huh?!

I'm trying to remember how I got pictures to the blog as I wanted to post pictures of where I live.  I'm going to have to call someone for help, so that will be coming. 

We've had lovely weather, in the upper 60's, until yesterday when it clouded up and we got lots of rain last night and snow today. However, it's supposed to clear up and be in the 60's again by Tuesday.  Sure hope so.

I have been to the Salt Lake Temple 3 times!  Once, to watch one of my ancestors be baptized, again the next day to go through initiatory and do her name along with some other names.  Then on Friday, all our group of new missionaries went to an endowmet session with the Mission Presidency.  The only other time I had been in the temple was in the late 70's and I don't remember much.  But, it is absolutely beautiful.  I can see why it took 40 years to build.  They still do the live session there.  It was great!  We all ate at the Temple cafeteria after the session.  It was really special.  Our group of missionaries is a very cohesive group and they are a lot of fun.  They are really some special people. 

I haven't had the opportunity to anymore sight-seeing.  We've all been busy.  But we will soon.

Time to close - will be sending some more pictures, soon, I hope!!  Love you all!

2-14-2012
     Today was exciting.  The training has been very intense and we all have been exhausted ("dead") at the end of the day.  But today, for me, it all came together!  I got it!  Woohoo!  That's pretty exhilerating when that happens!  Won't be long, Friday, and we will get our assignments.  We are all, excited and can't hardly wait.  After we find out our assignments, the Mission Presidency takes all of our group to the Temple for an Endowment Session and then we get to eat at the cafeteria after.  The Presidency are all nice and easy to be with, as is everyone we've been working with.

Mission week 1

This is the Three Musketeers
Sister Wellman from Arizona
Sister Calandra from Texas
& Sister Munger from Idaho

This is the training lab at the Joseph Smith Building where we
are being trained.  This is Elder Spiedel, my trainer and I
sit and work at that computer with him.  He is very good.  He is
the one that reminds me of Brother Al Moses and Brother Brian
Moses.  His build and mannerisms are similar to theirs.  And
he likes to joke around too!

This is a view from the JSB where we work.  Isn't it beautiful!

Here we are again at the Beehive house.  Sister Wellman,
Sister Munger and Sister Calandra.



This picture the next are taken of a Tibetan protestors
march.  They were marching to the Utah State Capitol.
Their purpose was to wake up America about war crimes China
had done to Tibet.  In the next picture you might be able to
see the boxes on their head which represent coffins.

It has been a very busy week !  I am learning so much about using the computer.  It's awesome!
Friday we were interviewed by the Mission Presidency.  Each one interviewed us individually with
their wives.  Next Friday, we will be given our assignments.  Then we go the Temple as a group.
I am just learning to insert pictures.  Haven't got the hang of how to put them where I want!

Whew - busy, busy.  They and orientation luncheon for us on Friday.  We met our individual trainers.  Mine will be Elder Speidel.  He is great and funny.  He reminds me a little of Brother Al Moses.  This is a small group of new missionaries coming in.  There are 2 Elders, 4 Senior Sisters and about a dozen couples.  One of the Sisters is from Germany and this is her second time here.  She is staying with her trainer.  The other 2 sisters are staying in the same Apt. complex as me and we have been become friends.  One is Sister Wellman from Suprise, Arizona, she is a petite little lady with lots of spark and has had 10 children!  The other one is Sister Calandra, can't remember where she is from and she has 2 sons.  I've had to a lot of shopping to get my apt. completely furnished, but I'm almost there.  The other 2 Sisters have had to do some too.  We've been doing everything together.  Monday, we will really hit the training! I will be unable to answer calls from 7:00 am until 3:30 pm.  But you can leave me messages and I will return your calls in the evening.

I finally am on my mission!  Left, Wed. 2-29-12 and what an adventure that was!  Ran into white knuckle driving at the junction past Burley and Switzer pass was horrible.  Passed 3 upside down cars off the road and two jack-knifed trucks off the road.  I had to pass a truck stalled on the road and when I went to pass the slush pulled me right off the road.  Boy, was I praying - with the Lord's help I managed to get back on the road.  Then, again, when trying to get around a stalled truck, it was really slick and my tires had no traction. I know that if the Lord and Darrell hadn't right there with me, I would not have made it out of that mess.  When we dropped down off Switzer, the roads weren't too bad.  However, trucks trying to make up time and were really flying and it was still snowing and slushy.  On the other side, going up Rattlesnake pass I passed another upside down car on the road.   That pass was nasty too.  I was so glad to drop down into Tremonton!  I had been praying all the way.  I had called my kids and they were praying for me too.  I was sure glad that the Lord was with me and that Darrell was right by me telling me what to do.  I'm sure he was wishing he could take the wheel!
Next day, trying to find where I was to go downtown S.L.C. was bad too.  Cars whizzing by, downtown, and I didn't where I was going.  Was supposed to park in the Convention Center Parking, but missed it, because it just goes down in the middle of the street!  With no sign to warn me! Whew.  I did make it. Once I get my bearings from landmarks (the Temple) it will be OK.  My apartment is nice, but they didn't tell me it wouldn't have dishes or pots or pans, glasses, sheets, bedding etc. Oh well, an adventure, right. 
I have a luncheon and orientation meeting today, starting at noon. I get my badge then.  Yoohoo!
Well, until next posting, God be with You.

I had my farewell this last Sunday at Church.  Stacey and her daughter Maya and Cody and his son Tyler were there.  It was great - we had such a fun time Saturday evening together.  Stacey and Cody spoke in church with me.  I have such a fantastic ward.  They had an open house (with  food!)for me right after church.

I'm off on a great adventure.  I'm leaving Wed. (29th) and will stay overnight with Cody and his family that night and on Thurs. I report to my mission.  I am so excited.  I will miss Sweet and all my friends and my ward family.

I'm Going on a Mission!

New adventure coming up!  Sold house and put everthing in storage and turned my mission papers in.
Received my call and I am going to the Church and Family History Mission in Salt Lake City.  Wow!
I'm really excited! 
In honor of me going on a mission, the sisters wore purple to church last Sunday.  It was awesome!
I report to my mission on March 1, 2012.  OOPS!  That's not very much longer!  WooHoo!