Training, GC Preparation Meeting, PLUNET, Check-in, GC Missionary Helpers

Brasília Brazil Temple

We didn't have any events this past week except for our final General Conference Preparation Meeting on Saturday. I spent most of my time this week training Elder and Sister Sapp. Elder Wilcox did some training as well as Elder and Sister Linford. I tried to take advantage of other people's training so I could work on the other things I needed to get done.

Monday is a bit of a blur. We started the day with our Mission Conference. It was very good, but I honestly can't remember who spoke or what they spoke about. 😒 The rest of the day was jumping from one thing to the next all the while trying to get the Sapps up and running on their temporary computers. They will be moving into the Linford's cubicles this coming week, but in the meantime, I had to get them set up so we could train and have them practice. I think everything was finally working correctly by Thursday. 

Bentonville Arkansas Temple

I updated our check-in spreadsheet for Saturday's GC Preparation Meeting. We got an RSPV spreadsheet from the survey Baptiste sent out and I extracted the data I needed into my spreadsheet. Several people RSVP'd more than once because they wanted to change the day they were attending or their General Conference ticket preferences. I only wanted them 1 time in the Check-in spreadsheet. Also, I needed things like their status and email addresses which my spreadsheet would automatically retrieve. Curtis was doing the GC Ticket drawing and he kept insisting he could just use the RSVP spreadsheet for that. Well, he finally decided that because of duplicates and missing emails in that spreadsheet, could I please help him. So, I spent time adding two new fields to my check-in spreadsheet to capture if they wanted tickets and their session preferences. If they responded multiple times, I had to take the last response. Curtis will supply me with the list of winners. Baptiste will send out the electronic tickets and I will send out instructions on how to retrieve them. 

Monday evening, we had a wonderful, fun Family Home Evening. Steve was in charge of the lesson and did a very good job. We talked a lot about personal revelation. It was a great discussion. Then we played Pictionary. We laughed so hard. The Sisters won!!!

Tuesday started with our Zone Devotional. The Sapps joined me in my cubicle for the devotional. I got them set up so they could join on Thursday. I spent all morning working with them and didn't think I was going to get anything done. We had our Team meeting in the afternoon. It was shorter than usual. I think Elder Wilcox spent the afternoon working with the Sapps, so I was able to work on my to-do list. I finished updating the PLUNET check-in order so those who attended on September 9th could get paid. I also sent out invitations to all my General Conference Missionary Helpers for tours if they want. I will give several tours over the next two weeks. It is one of the things I love to do.

Moses Lake Washington Temple

On Wednesday I was able to pick up my new work laptop. The battery on my old laptop was swelling so badly that the case was splitting open. Not good. I did a lot of busy work for Curtis, Baptiste, and of course continued working with the Sapps. 

When I got home, I connected my work laptop to my hub so I could use my multiple monitors and keyboard. The keyboard worked, but the monitors didn't. I was very frustrated. I can't use my personal laptop because the power cord won't stay in a position to actually charge my computer. I am planning on getting a new laptop before we go on our next mission, but I wanted to wait until we get back to Oregon to avoid taxes. So, I've been using my work laptop at home. Without monitors it is a pain.

So, on Thursday after our Zone Devotional and my morning tasks, I finally took my laptop to the ICS center to see why my monitors wouldn't work. After the tech installed about 20 or 30 updates, we got the monitors to show up. When I got my laptop, I fully expected it to be all current and up to date. I knew it wasn't a NEW laptop but was told they had provisioned it, so it was good to go. I figured that meant the latest and greatest. Not so. Anyway, it is all better and I am a happy camper. After work we went to the Temple. I don't think we are going to make it next week because of several events, so I'm glad we went on Thursday.

Friday was a good day. I got caught up on many little projects. The Sapps are able to work independently for a time now. We are still training but trying not to overwhelm them with everything at once. In the afternoon we went for our final checkup at the Dentist. Of course, Elder Wilcox has some cavities that he will need taken care of before we go home. We went back to work so we could get things set up for our GC preparation meeting on Saturday.

Saturday was a very long day. It was the final day of our General Conference Preparation meetings. Again, we had two sessions. One from 9:00 to 11:00 and the second one from 1:00 to 3:00. We didn't have any technical difficulties this time so that was a relief. We didn't have quite as many people for either session, but we still had a good turnout. Aaron was sick, so Curtis had to conduct the meeting as well as do his presentation and cover Aaron's training. It all turned out well.

I had Elder Wilcox drop me off at home so I could finish up the hours for the GC Prep meeting event. He went grocery shopping. We needed ingredients for our potluck dish for Tuesday. We are having a farewell luncheon for the Linfords and Venky. Several of our other team members who are no longer on our team are coming too. It will be fun to see Jeanpierre, Sara, and even Sister Petty again.

Sunday was an historic day for the Church of Jesus Christ: 3 Temples were dedicated on the same day. We had the privilege of supporting two of them, the Bentonville Arkansas Temple and the Moses Lake Washington Temple. 

The following is a short article from LDS Daily.

"The Brasília Brazil Temple, the Bentonville Arkansas Temple and the Moses Lake Washington Temple were all dedicated on the same day, Sunday, Sept. 17. This marks the first time that three dedications have been scheduled for the same day. 

Elder Neil L. Andersen was in Brazil with his wife Kathy to dedicate the Brasília Brazil Temple. He presided over what was the Church’s Brazil South Area in the early 2000s and has accepted many assignments to visit the people in Brazil since. 

Elder David A. Bednar dedicated the Bentonville Arkansas Temple. He and his family have a special connection to the area as they lived in Bentonville for almost 20 years during the 1980s and 1990s. 

Elder Quintin L. Cook presided over the dedication of the Moses Lake Washington Temple. 

Scheduling overlap shouldn’t be a surprise as we go forward. The Church has 315 total dedicated, under-construction or announced houses of the Lord."

I loved the talks for each dedication. It was a very special experience.

Next week marks the beginning of 3 weeks of 19 different events/sessions, including 5 sessions for General Conference. It is possible a few more may be added between now and October 8th making it even more events. 😵

I hope you have a wonderful week. We officially start fall this week. YAY!!!

All our Love and Prayers,
Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa
Great Grandma and Great Grandpa
Steve and Leslee
Elder and Sister Wilcox