Challis Power

Even after meetings last week, we are not sure how the merging of zones will affect our responsibilities in the zone.   The next few months are likely to be a challenge for me with my “ducks-in-a-row” mindset.   The “ducks” probably won’t be in straight rows for a while.   Library leadership has some long range goals, but for now the goal is to see that all missionaries can help set up Family Search accounts and aid guests with research.             Speaking of merging, we’ve been doing hours of that in the new training. I wanted to be working on my own lines, instead of merging fictitious individuals in beta.      But, I reminded myself, “Missionary first; researcher, second.”    Or more to the point, “ Trained missionary first…”               The new training did motivate us to learn how to add audio files in memories.   I am delighted to share the voices of Grandpa and Grandma Mitchell.   In 1977, they sent a cassette tape to Kansas on which they had recorded memories and th

We were late for our Saturday shift at the Library on Saturday for good reason:   The 100 th birthday of Elder Challis’ Aunt Ella, his mother’s sister.   A wonderful family celebration!   It was nice to connect with dozens of cousins and see the strength in the “rising generation.”   Many are carrying on the good works started generations ago.     And thanks to the family historians, we know about those generations.   We went to an endowment session at the Salt Lake Temple on Friday afternoon.   Even as often as I’ve been there since starting this mission, I am still struck by its beauty and its testament of the love of those who built it for God. I know it took them forty years, but still…   I hope in the next four years of renewal that the lights will still shine at night.   Friday night, we cheered for bikers competing in the “Tour of Utah” as they rode up Capitol Hill on day four.   It was crazy the size of the escort and support teams—and crazy how fast many of the bik

A week of meetings.   We started the week attending “The Big Picture” on Monday, an all-day presentation by Family Search.   It is mostly for new employees-- young “techies.”   We learned that FS runs with 900 employees and over 5300 missionaries, the majority of the latter working from home.   Over 50,000 new accounts are opened per week. Most are opened by non-church members.   That agrees with our experience in the library.   We heard much that was inspiring—my three favorites:   Elder Bednar promised youth that if they would engage in family history they would be protected throughout their lives—I would like that blessing for my grandchildren;   Elder Holland said there are familiar spirits from the other side of the veil who are helping us gather our families—I have felt them, especially when I am in Parowan;   gathering my family not only redeems the dead, it redeems me.             There were back-to-back meetings on Wednesday, the first about the new training pyra

We were granted a leave from the mission July 24-26 to join some of our kids in Parowan.   Autumn’s family came from Kansas for a week and were joined, at least for a few days, by all of our kids who live in Utah Valley and their families. Wonderful to be in Parowan celebrating Pioneer Day and family.   With delight we watched our kids share with their kids many of the places and traditions that they enjoyed as kids. Carry on! Carry on!   Carry on!   I think that those who have “gone before” were smiling.   We had all four 2019 babies there, with only one daddy, besides the “grand daddy,” but that didn’t stop us from hiking from the top of our Dry Lakes property to the cabin.   What a blessing that it is still so green.   We even got our feet wet.             The “party” moved from Parowan to Utah Valley the next week so we drove down after library shifts most days.   Monday night, though, the party was at our apartment when we had Ruth (10), Jimmy (8), and Hank (almost 8) come for