Mt. Roskill Indexing Fireside

Tonight Larry did a presentation on indexing for Mt. Roskill stake.  He did a great job!  I'm quite skilled with FamilySearch and Ancestry.com, but I don't do indexing at all. I'm familiar with what it is and why it is important, but I can't speak about it at all from personal experience. Fortunately, my sweet husband is getting quite good at it, so he was able to give some great examples and explanations.  We've done other trainings at Mt. Roskill so we feel very comfortable meeting with that group.

Sister Patricia Leung Choi organized the meeting and invited us to present to the group

Brother Koula is the new High Council advisor for Redoubt Stake.  This was his first meeting to speak to a group in his new calling.  He was a little bit nervous, but he did a terrific job.

Brother & Sister Hildebrand have been leaders in Family History work in Redoubt Stake for many years.  They have now been released from their positions (she as FHC director and him as high council advisor) as they are preparing to move to Waiheke Island.  They will surely be missed in their Stake!

After the meeting there were some nice refreshments and visiting.  We very much enjoy working with members here, sharing their testimonies and feeling their love.  The people of New Zealand, both in and out of the church, have all been so kind and gracious to us throughout this mission. The culture here in steeped in generosity of spirit, courtesy, and respect.  Folks are just plain nice.  There is no sense of anyone trying to put on airs or put themselves above anyone else.  No one seems one bit concerned about relative status based on income or background.  There is an openness and authenticity that has completely won over our hearts.  I hope I can always follow there example no matter where we may live in days to come.

Mt. Roskill Stake Training

On many Saturdays we have gone out sight seeing or enjoying some sort of adventure on our usual "day off".  But today we had an opportunity to participate in the Mt. Roskill Stake Family History training.   It went really well.   There was a good turn out of Consultants and Priesthood leaders (Bishops and High Priest Group Leaders).  Everyone seemed very engaged in the training and enjoyed the way the various topics were presented.   

Larry met with the Priesthood leaders to talk about the role of High Priest Group Leaders in supporting Family History in wards and branches.  I did a segment to the family history consultants on the way partner sites like Ancestry.com work together with Family Search.  The whole morning came together great and we were glad to be a part of it.  

Bush walks are nice and I'm always up for discovering another waterfall.   But THIS is why we are here.  We love teaching this stuff.  It feels so good to be a part of something that matters, to know our efforts are contributing to things of eternal consequence.  It truly is a privilege to be serving this mission.

Larry and Brother Hillbourne setting up chairs for the meeting

The Mt. Roskill team; Sister Wihongi, Sister Hillbourne and Sister Leung Choi

Putting the FAMILY in Family History - Mt Roskill FHC Director Sister Hillbourne talked about the importance of making the centers a welcoming place for all family members.  This FHC keeps a toy box for little ones to play with while Mum & Dad are busy searching out ancestors.

President Otukolo - Counselor in Stake Presidency over Family History & Temple Work

Art & Heather Schwencke, new Area Family History Advisors for the Auckland region

Sister Leun Choi talking about where information about Family History callings can be found online

Sister Schwencke teaching about the "Memories" section of FamilySearch

Sister Hillbourne shows how to keep microfishe sorted by using place markers whenever you remove one

Sister Wihongi did a brilliant job of illustrating how we all need to work together to have a strong family history program in our wards and branches

 People were divided into groups.  Each group was given a set of paper strips with words on them. The group I was in had a list of ingredients - things like sugar, flour, eggs, chocolate chips, etc.

 Another group had bowl, spoon, baking sheet, spatula,   The next group had words like stir, mix, bake.    The final group had pinch,  teaspoon, 2 cups.

By ourselves, none of the groups could put together a batch of biscuits (the Kiwi word for cookies).  But when she had us all get together to bring what each of us had to share, we were able to build a proper recipe.

 Likewise, in the  wards and stakes of the Church it takes Family History Consultants, Priesthood leaders, Patrons, and the Spirit all working together to make Family History programs really come together.

Afterward we got to eat some of the real biscuits from that recipe.

Brother Collins, High Priest Group Leader for Mt. Roskill Stake gave the closing remarks

A good time was had by all!