How time flies when you're having fun. Feb 6th marked the day we entered the MTC a year ago. Feb 19th marked our first day here in the West Virginia, Charleston Mission. We noted the day by having dinner with some terrific, new lifetime friends, Charlotte and Andy Mazon, at a great fresh seafood restaurant called Jewel City. Always a great choice.
Our days stay busy but it all seems a bit routine now that we are on a roll and keep things fairly well scheduled, as well as we finally know what we are doing out here.
We still work with our Literacy tutors each Tuesday. They are progressing slowly, but they try hard.
We still teach two Institute classes each Thursday. Pat's are "in person" and mine are a "virtual" conferencing class. It is taking some to get used to teach and engage people while looking at each other in a computer screen. I first had to learn how to access the "Zoom Room", which is the website that Pathway Connect uses and got me signed in to use. Second, we were given training from Sis Davis in Idaho who tried to teach us how to use Zoom. She is very fast and I guess she assumes we all get technology as quickly as she does. But, I don't, not even close. So I was whining to our Emily about it. She uses Zoom in her doTerra business so she was able to show me how to set up a reoccurring meeting and then get that information out to the students to be able to call in each week. My goodness I am grateful for Emily's patience and knowledge.
The third step was to learn to use the cool applications in this software. Once again I went to Emily and she taught me how to do do some of the things that Sister Davis in Idaho told us were available. I have practiced so that I don't look so techno dufus when I use these apps during class. I have been blessed on two different occasions to have success on a certain item I wanted share. It was purely a gift from the Holy Ghost that things worked as they were supposed to at the exact time I needed them. That's one of the reasons you pray before lessons folks, Divine guidance.
We still facilitate our Pathway/Gathering class each Thursday after Institute. This years class is so different from last year. We have fewer students (6). Four have been endowed and 2 are pre mission age. Four are men and our 2 women are expecting babies, so quite a diverse group. The main difference is that we are a virtual Gathering. Having our "Lead Student" leading via the computer is very challenging. However the Pathway Connect support to the missionaries and students is quite helpful with powerpoint presentations and other materials to share.
We still do our monthly dinner for the tri-stake Institute/ Seminary inservice meetings. February's meal was great. We have a gal in our ward that is a regional manager/trainer for Qdoba. She offered a terrific bargain so I had it catered. It was so good. Every one loved it and I only fixed the Brownies.
We are still on the Stake YSA committee and just had a great progressive dinner Feb 17th. As always, those that came had a great time, met new people and had some great food. Those that come receive the blessings. The committee is always reaching out to them.
We still serve on the Stake Self Reliance committee. There are classes in progress right now so there is less to do for us at this time. It will rev up again soon.
Now for our new calling. We have been asked to learn a program called "Reading Horizons" and see how it can be used to help literacy challenged adults in the stake learn to read better which could help them to get jobs. Then we are to assist folks in each unit that will be the teachers who will work with the learners. The Reading Horizons teaching method will vary depending upon the student. In West Virginia, because of a lack of technology resources by individuals, direct instruction between the teacher and the student will probably be the primary method of instruction; however, Reading Horizons has a software program which apparently works well for students that have the technology necessary to run the program. Our stake is likely to use a combination of the 2 methods.
This is part of a new program here in West Virginia, from the Church, called Development Counseling Services, through Deseret Industries
Wow, that was probably TMI, but that 's what we are doing out here.
Now, just a quick word regarding our current missionaries serving in the field.
I LOVE THEIR LETTERS. My how we can see their testimonies grow as well as their maturity. What fine family folks we have. I am grateful to be a part of the Fred and Norma Arnett Family and I love you all.
Almost Heaven, Traynors
