The Missionary Journal of Susan Elaine Olsen Part 2

 I finished reading the 200 page journal with an additional 44 pages of notes from conferences and meetings, and my autograph album. What a joy to reflect back on so many wonderful people. How I survived two months in the LTM, sixteen months in Guatemala, the earthquake and aftershocks, sleeping in the streets, amoebas, gamboo, gripe, monthly shots for whatever was required, etc. is a puzzle to me. We had two mission presidents and I am not sure how they survived me. Our first President Arnold was so amazing. It felt like he truly understood me. The second President O'Donnell was more business oriented. It was hard serving under two very different people. 

CURE Cancer Guide and Magazine

 Two years ago I was at home recovering from a hysterectomy and the removal of cancer from my body. My family and several close friends rallied around me. Once my doctor called and informed me that the results were that the cancer was positive and yet no further treatment would be necessary I felt a huge relief. Then for a year and a half I went in regularly for a check-up and continued on my path with her confirmation and support. This last September I advanced even further in not having to return for a year. 

2020 The Year of Staying Close to Home and Getting Organized

 As we prepare for the New Year it is great to reflect on what was accomplished this year. First of all a huge amount of sorting of cardboard boxes that I have been working on for a long time. These contained the school work and other items for our six children. I am down to five for our middle son. Oh, how I have loved reading the things that they wrote and looking at their creations. Each of them are so unique. When they were young I just did not have the time to enjoy each of them and the things that they did as much as I would have liked. They each one participated in Scouting or Camp Fire, after school activities, church activities, music, dance, Chess, sports, etc. Needless to say our lives were full and very busy. My goal was that they would explore many things in finding their paths in life. The other five boxes in the main part of the house are photographs from 1991 through the advent of putting them on the computer. Once I organize all of the photos I will select some for each of their albums and our family albums. The old cling pages albums will be replaced with 3 ring binders and acid free sheet protectors. That should take me through 2021, especially if we continue on in Covid precautions.

The Office From the Doorway – Genealogy Heaven in Progress

Now to show the rest of my sorting. First I must say how grateful I am to have a room for an office in our home. All genealogy related items are within this room. Most of it has been organized into fifteen large totes and five smaller size storage totes to help separate the collections. Over a year ago I did the initial sorting and have been able to maintain this progress. In the coming year I hope to get to the point that I can actually bring people into my office to work with them. I do have a lap top so we can work in the dining room, but I prefer the larger screen monitor in my office. This is where I spend a good deal of my time. If the door is shut I am participating in an online meeting or watching a webinar or talking on the phone. With my new hearing aids this is very helpful. The only cardboard boxes left in this room are the five from my mother's estate and personal collections, and two with genealogy supplies. My book shelves are full but accessible. This is the time of my life that I always looked forward to, and now that I am here I realize time is fleeting. The key parts of the collections are our family keepsakes. They need to be labeled and written about so my children will know who they are from and why they need to be preserved. It is a slow process and takes a lot of energy. Health has slowed me down, but I am happy to say progress is taking place.

Send Those Message Requests

This past week two people I worked with on their family history finally heard back from a message they or I sent to a DNA match from ancestry.com and/or as a contributor under latest changes at familysearch.org. Neither of them are genealogy matches to me.

Christmas Cookie Exchange 2020

 Well, we had our Christmas Cookie exchange today. It was a lovely drive to our daughter's house in Portland. There were eleven of us, our two daughters Sarah and Anne, two granddaughters Hannah and Sophia, two sons Daniel and Michael, David and I, son in law Charles and his mother Janice, and our youngest son's fiance Shelby. We had a delicious light meal of wings and tater tots, fruit, vegetables, and some Martinellis' drinks. Then we sampled about ten different cookies. We brought a few home to enjoy later. It was fun to play Mad Libs and then Pictionary on the pad which showed the drawing on their flat screen TV. Our youngest granddaughter actually out did all of us. By the time we returned home I was exhausted. It was nice to see all of them and I loved seeing their Crazy Christmas Sweaters.

The Missionary Journal of Susan Elaine Olsen

 

Last night I started reading the journal I kept during my mission service in Guatemala. Now I am trying to decide if I should type it up to share with family and maybe some friends. My service was from September 1975 to March 1977. The first two months were in Provo, Utah at the Language Training Center, which was probably the hardest part. Once we landed in Guatemala I fell in love with the country, the people both Indigenous and the Latins, the food, the history, the church members, the games people played, foods and recipes, church meetings, shopping, traveling and so much more, but not the earthquakes. I never went back after returning home, but my mission was a pivotal point in my life. It made me appreciate my family and friends. The two Christmas I spent there were amazing. My love for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the rock for my life. However you believe or what you believe surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, please know that he has been honored for centuries by people from all corners of this world and all walks of life. He can bring peace to your life. Now back to the question, should I type up the 200 page journal so it can be shared?

Christmas Food and Drink in Lincolnshire, England

Lincolnshire County in England I went to Lincolnshire County in England today, at least I visited via Zoom. The Lincolnshire Family History Society is where I am currently doing some family history research. Today they had a Zoom presentation on Christmas food and drink. The request was made by email to be invited to the meeting. There was some concern when my link came for logging in and it was for London time. Using an online time converter and testing the connection I determined the time they would be starting. There were nineteen of us in attendance. Once we adapted to our accents communication flowed very well. For over an hour they kept me very entertained. They discussed the Winter Solstice, Yule, New Year, The Twelfth Night, and the Medieval Feast. The longest discussion was on the Christmas Eve Dinner. They covered Fish, Fowl, Beef, Pork, Rabbit, Swan, Geese, Turkey and Boar’s Head among the main courses. Then there were the side dishes of vegetables, fruits, and deserts. The Christmas Day in the Workhouse was compared to what the rich would eat. Finally they discussed the drinks. If you search online there is surely further information. What you might not find is such a jovial, cordial, treat of mingling with the local genealogy group. It certainly was a Christmas treat for me. https://www.lincolnshirefhs.org.uk/