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.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Job Hunt is on Again......
I currently work in Broomfield, north and west of Denver, and live in Southeast Aurora (also south and east of Denver). It is 46 miles from my parking spot to work. The commute is generally during high traffic times as Denver is high traffic about 16 out of 24 hours per day. If you drive between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM you miss some of the traffic, but it is still surprising how much is out there. Add the traffic congestion to the cost of gas, and you get a less than desirable situation. Now, add to that the fact that the company I work for is not exactly paying top dollar (at least not to me) and you get a less than satisfied employee. As a result, you are right, I am on the job hunt again.
To that end, I have set up a Website with jobfox.com. The URL is http://www.jobfox.com/people/SharleneJustus
Feel free to look at the site, and recommend it to anyone you know who might be hiring a Project Manager. I would love to keep the commute to 10 miles or less, and I am definitely interested in raising the pay rate to something more commensurate with my experience.
The good news is that I am employed while I look for a better situation. After the last couple of years with no income, it is good to have "something" coming in. Now I am working on making that "something" enough to actually support us, Mother and me, though the entire month. We have pared down to bare bones, and now need to supplement our income.
Well, "lunch" is nearly over, and I need to get back to work. I hope your day is going well, and I hope you will help in this networking effort.
Thank you,
To that end, I have set up a Website with jobfox.com. The URL is http://www.jobfox.com/people/SharleneJustus
Feel free to look at the site, and recommend it to anyone you know who might be hiring a Project Manager. I would love to keep the commute to 10 miles or less, and I am definitely interested in raising the pay rate to something more commensurate with my experience.
The good news is that I am employed while I look for a better situation. After the last couple of years with no income, it is good to have "something" coming in. Now I am working on making that "something" enough to actually support us, Mother and me, though the entire month. We have pared down to bare bones, and now need to supplement our income.
Well, "lunch" is nearly over, and I need to get back to work. I hope your day is going well, and I hope you will help in this networking effort.
Thank you,
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
FHE.... It's good for everyone
Last night I had the opportunity to attend our monthly Senior Family Home Evening (FHE). It was a delightful evening. This is a very special opportunity for 8-10 single seniors to get together, discuss the gospel, sing together, pray together, learn more about each other, and enjoy a snack as we visit. We have a really fun and motivating group. Our "family" gathers together on the second Monday evening of the month.
Last night David drove and Mother, Teresa, and I were escorted to Bill's home. He treats us with such respect, opening and closing doors, making sure we are safely to our destination. The door was open and Bill was waiting for us with a smile on his face and open arms. We visited, laughed, and joked until everyone who was available was there. The evening started with prayer and a song. Now, you need to understand that we love to sing. Not only that, but we have some wonderful voices in our group. We also have a very good organist David, and a back up Teresa, and if neither of them are available Bill can step in also. As you can see, music is important to our "family".
We discussed our "family business". This week we decided that our hot air ballooning activity will be on Sept. 20th and "0 dark thirty" in the morning. The object is to lift off just as the sun is coming up in order to maximize our time prior to high winds and heat destroying the peace and serenity of the activity. We are hoping that we can get two or three rides done that morning. Most of the "family" have not been ballooning before so it will be new to most. David is also going to bring his boys (4 and 6) to the activity so that will add another layer to the fun. The next activity we discussed was to begin putting together a fireside for the stake. We have designated the fifth Sunday in November (11/30) for the activity. We are asking Brother Handy to present the program "Evidence of Christ in the Americas", which is a slide show that he has put together as a result of several trips to Central and South America as well as many years of study. He has done it previously for multi stake single adult conferences, but we felt that our stake general population (over the age of 12) would enjoy the evening.
The next order of business was a personal profile by Chris. She told us about growing up in Colorado, being in the Air Force, stationed in Japan, and some of the more bizarre places she has been while part of the military. She said that she has been escorted (blindfolded) to top secret facilities, done the necessary electrical work without moving very far one way or the other, and then being blindfolded until she was returned to the starting point. She has seen experimental aircraft, ordinance most of us never hear about, and been in a variety of missile silos. She has worked in telecommunications as a result of her military background and continues in that area today. She is an avid Family History buff and has specialized in Scottish history and "clan" lore.
Teresa gave the lesson on Testimony. It was a simple and beautiful lesson that lifted my spirits. She stressed that the gospel is "Simply Beautiful and Beautifully Simple". She referenced the most recent conference talks on testimony to remind us that a testimony is not a travel log, health or family update, a thank you note, a sermon, or an expression of our love of family. It is bearing our knowledge of the Godhead, prophets, scripture, the atonement, and the truthfulness of the gospel. She reminded us that a simple four sentence testimony, in the presence of the Holy Ghost, is more powerful that any prepared speech or lesson.
We had a closing prayer and sang another song, "There is Sunshine in my Soul". Refreshments were fruit, cheese, and cookies interspersed with plenty of conversation, stories, and more enjoyment of each others company. After a pleasant ride home, again dropping off Teresa, we bade good night to our escort and visited awhile with Porter, my grandson who has been visiting and spent the evening dining with his Aunt Anna. A very pleasant and uplifting evening right to the last.
Last night David drove and Mother, Teresa, and I were escorted to Bill's home. He treats us with such respect, opening and closing doors, making sure we are safely to our destination. The door was open and Bill was waiting for us with a smile on his face and open arms. We visited, laughed, and joked until everyone who was available was there. The evening started with prayer and a song. Now, you need to understand that we love to sing. Not only that, but we have some wonderful voices in our group. We also have a very good organist David, and a back up Teresa, and if neither of them are available Bill can step in also. As you can see, music is important to our "family".
We discussed our "family business". This week we decided that our hot air ballooning activity will be on Sept. 20th and "0 dark thirty" in the morning. The object is to lift off just as the sun is coming up in order to maximize our time prior to high winds and heat destroying the peace and serenity of the activity. We are hoping that we can get two or three rides done that morning. Most of the "family" have not been ballooning before so it will be new to most. David is also going to bring his boys (4 and 6) to the activity so that will add another layer to the fun. The next activity we discussed was to begin putting together a fireside for the stake. We have designated the fifth Sunday in November (11/30) for the activity. We are asking Brother Handy to present the program "Evidence of Christ in the Americas", which is a slide show that he has put together as a result of several trips to Central and South America as well as many years of study. He has done it previously for multi stake single adult conferences, but we felt that our stake general population (over the age of 12) would enjoy the evening.
The next order of business was a personal profile by Chris. She told us about growing up in Colorado, being in the Air Force, stationed in Japan, and some of the more bizarre places she has been while part of the military. She said that she has been escorted (blindfolded) to top secret facilities, done the necessary electrical work without moving very far one way or the other, and then being blindfolded until she was returned to the starting point. She has seen experimental aircraft, ordinance most of us never hear about, and been in a variety of missile silos. She has worked in telecommunications as a result of her military background and continues in that area today. She is an avid Family History buff and has specialized in Scottish history and "clan" lore.
Teresa gave the lesson on Testimony. It was a simple and beautiful lesson that lifted my spirits. She stressed that the gospel is "Simply Beautiful and Beautifully Simple". She referenced the most recent conference talks on testimony to remind us that a testimony is not a travel log, health or family update, a thank you note, a sermon, or an expression of our love of family. It is bearing our knowledge of the Godhead, prophets, scripture, the atonement, and the truthfulness of the gospel. She reminded us that a simple four sentence testimony, in the presence of the Holy Ghost, is more powerful that any prepared speech or lesson.
We had a closing prayer and sang another song, "There is Sunshine in my Soul". Refreshments were fruit, cheese, and cookies interspersed with plenty of conversation, stories, and more enjoyment of each others company. After a pleasant ride home, again dropping off Teresa, we bade good night to our escort and visited awhile with Porter, my grandson who has been visiting and spent the evening dining with his Aunt Anna. A very pleasant and uplifting evening right to the last.
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