Life as a Family History Support Missionary has started. However, I am finding that training will be ongoing for as long as I do this work. The work is moving so fast, changes are constant, and one needs to be open to change in order to function. Lately, I have been on the support line from 7 - 10 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I will be working on Saturdays shortly. What a wonderful opportunity. I have the privilege of talking to many people who are learning to use the new.FamilySearch.org software.
What is interesting is that I do the same type of work all day, every day, but I enjoy it so much more in the evening. I think it has something to do with passion and the reasons that we use the software. During the day I work with Pension Plan Administrators who are frustrated using new software to submit their companies retirement contributions. During the evening I work with individuals who are finding their ancestors and seeing to it that the ordinance work is done to seal their families together. There is a difference in the approach each is taking to the task and the tools to complete the task and the "long term" effect of the work.
The contribution will affect to some degree the quality of life during retirement (provided there is anything available when retirement comes). Given the market lately, that is very questionable, but I am optomistic enough that I am putting away funds with each paycheck. The contribution software is temporal and good for this mortal life. It is important, but it is not eternal.
The newFamilySearch software is a tool to help with Family History work. It helps us find, organize, and prepare to seal our ancestors into eternal families. The work is valid for eternity. It is not just for here and now. The people doing this work are serving their ancestors as well as their progenitors. Their reward is to know that they have done work for their ancestors that must be done on Earth but will be valid for eternity.
Did I tell you that I love doing this work? I really do. The people that I have had the opportunity to get to know, the trainers, training assistants, mentors, mission leaders, etc. have all been exceptionally wonderful. I pray that I will have the opportunity to continue doing this work for years to come.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Up, Up, and Away.......
At the end of last month the Senior Family Home Evening group that I belong to provided hot air balloon flights to a variety of individuals from the Ward. What started out as an FHE activity progressed into a High Priest activity, a great way to start a full day. Those attending were High Priests, their families, and all single sisters and any of their children, grandchildren, etc. It was a great family activity that will hold many wonderful memories for the rest of their lives.
It has been a while since I had the opportunity to help with a ballooning activity, and now I have the bug again. I loved seeing the kids eyes light up as they had an opportunity to help get the balloon ready for flight. While we were cold filling, the pilot let the children go inside the balloon to feel the cold wind, see the sun coming through the envelope, and to have their picture taken. They got to help hold down the crown line, and they got to help pull out excess fabric as we were cold filling. There was a lot of jumping, screaming, and tears when the burner started because it is so loud. However, it did not take long for the kids to get used to the sound.
Some of the older "kids" were just as nervous on their first ride as the younger children. However, all were ready for the second and third trips. The rides were not high or long. They went from one side of the field to the other. Once on the other side of the field, the strong men and boys would grab hold of the ropes and the pilot would lift the balloon a foot or so off the ground. The "haulers" would then walk the balloon back to the loading zone where there was a small step ladder available to facilitate getting in and out.
One trip included an unexpected landing in the trees. It added some excitement but did not daunt anyone's enthusiam. The "ground team" quickly removed the balloon from the shrubbery, and visa versa. Then the balloon was reinflated and walked back to the loading zone. Thank you Brother Jones for sharing your special talent. We all had a wonderful morning.
It has been a while since I had the opportunity to help with a ballooning activity, and now I have the bug again. I loved seeing the kids eyes light up as they had an opportunity to help get the balloon ready for flight. While we were cold filling, the pilot let the children go inside the balloon to feel the cold wind, see the sun coming through the envelope, and to have their picture taken. They got to help hold down the crown line, and they got to help pull out excess fabric as we were cold filling. There was a lot of jumping, screaming, and tears when the burner started because it is so loud. However, it did not take long for the kids to get used to the sound.
Some of the older "kids" were just as nervous on their first ride as the younger children. However, all were ready for the second and third trips. The rides were not high or long. They went from one side of the field to the other. Once on the other side of the field, the strong men and boys would grab hold of the ropes and the pilot would lift the balloon a foot or so off the ground. The "haulers" would then walk the balloon back to the loading zone where there was a small step ladder available to facilitate getting in and out.
One trip included an unexpected landing in the trees. It added some excitement but did not daunt anyone's enthusiam. The "ground team" quickly removed the balloon from the shrubbery, and visa versa. Then the balloon was reinflated and walked back to the loading zone. Thank you Brother Jones for sharing your special talent. We all had a wonderful morning.
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