Speaking Assignments

This new calling has given us some new opportunities.  We have been to five of the six stake presidencies to give them our vision and some training on the importance of this work and let them know how we can assist them.  Our sixth stake presidency will meet with us in two weeks.  One of the other unique opportunities I've had is to attend a CCM (coordinated council meeting).  That's where the six stake presidents in Wisconsin, along with the mission and temple presidents meet together under Elder Scott's (area Seventy) direction.  It was fun to watch these brethren interact with one another and discuss topics pertinent to their callings as stake presidents.  I could tell, just by listening, which of them have served the longest. 

On a side note, Elder Scott usually calls people by the title President, Brother or Sister.  But he always calls me Heidi.  I think it's interesting but I like it.  I think, perhaps, it's because we have a more personal relationship.  Ours is the first home he stayed in when he visited our stake.

In the 13 months since Pat and I were called to be Area Temple & Family History Consultants, we have taken the opportunity to speak in any of the units in our six stake area that will invite us.  To date we've spoken in Prairie du Chein, Stoughton, Rhinelander, Antigo, Wausau, Shawano, Stevens Point and in Gresham just a few days ago.  We have plans so far in 2018 to go to Appleton 2nd, Baraboo, Iron Mountain, Sturgeon Bay and Marinette.  We have also been invited to go to Houghton, Marquette and Verona units.  Travel is a part of this assignment.  I look forward to being able to meet and speak in many more units throughout our area.

We are sharing our experiences with finding names to take to the temple as well as putting memories on our familysearch.org web page.  I share some wonderful memories of my own as well as some of those from my parents' lives.  I will admit that preparing to speak in Gresham was a little different as most people there knew my parents and they all know us.  I didn't have to give any background information about my parents which allowed me to share more memories. 

As a result of our speaking, several people let me know that they went on to their own pages and shared a memory or did some research.  Our granddaughter, Camille was one of those individuals and she's only 10 years old!  I'm so proud of her.

I think our message resonates with people because it is very personal. I change up some of the things I share but I always share "Letter to my Grandmother" written by my mom in 1979.  She writes about memories she has and then asks a bunch of questions.  I felt so impressed to share this while preparing for our very first speaking assignment.  That hasn't changed.  I still feel it is very important to share.  I also share some scriptures of the importance of keeping records.

This is such an important message.  We need to leave memories for our posterity who will come behind and not get to know us.  We also need to find those who are waiting to be found.  I think being able to serve with my husband is the best part of this calling.  I think it is preparing us for when we are missionaries.

Below is "Letter to my Grandmother"written on November 1, 1979.

Dear Grandmother, I'm sending this invitation -- I hope you will accept it. On November 19th, I am going to Washington, D.C., to the temple. I hope you will be there with me on that day. You see, Grandma, I joined the Lord's Church just over 11 years ago. In 1968, I received my own endowment and was sealed to my husband and children for time and all eternity. This has been such a blessing in my life -- I want you to have that blessing, too. You were so special to me, Grandma, my almost-mother for 4 years after my difficult birth which left Mother so weak and slow to recover due to my sister's impatience to come to this earth so soon after I did. I remember that you read "Farmer Brown's Boy" to me every day, and more than once a day if I had my way! Then, when the book fell apart due to old age and hard use, you crocheted it together with red yarn. I remember how you rocked me and sang "Darling Nelly Gray" after you finished the story. I remember the slipper socks you knitted for us and that we all called "zochs" with your German accent. I remember you taught me a little German prayer: Ach du Lieber Vatter, but I don't remember the rest or what it meant. How proud you were that I could say it in your native tongue! I remember also, Grandma, that you died when I was only 4 years old and I looked all over the house for you, sure that you were hiding, because I had never known anyone that had died before, and I checked your room each morning to see if you had come back. Four years to know you was much too short a time, Grandma. There are so many things I want to know about you. Did you like to sing? How did you feel about leaving your homeland at age 8, and coming to America on a big boat? How did you get from Baltimore to Wisconsin? Nobody has ever been able to tell me. I have the sea chest you brought with you from Germany, the wooden one with the curved top and the dovetailed corners with the adz marks on the top. Did your father, my great-grandfather, make it? Both of my daughters love this "coffin" as we call it. I wish you knew my girls, they are blue-eyed blondes, where your daughters were dark and brown-eyed. They are taller than you, Grandma, but most everyone is taller than 4'11". I have the black jet beads that were yours. I love to wear them and wear them often. Did you know they came back into style? I know there are missionaries over there, Grandma, and you probably know more about the gospel than I. Mother said that you were a religious woman so I am sure you accepted the "Good News" of the gospel when it came to you. She told me that you always fasted on Sundays when you took the sacrament, or communion, as it was called in your church. Did Lutherans fast, or were you some other religion at one time? I wish I knew. Anyway, Grandma, I am writing to invite you to the Lord's House. There I will take your name and be baptized and confirmed for you in the Lord's way. I will receive the endowment on your behalf and be sealed to Grandpa and your daughter -- my aunts -- Tillie and Amanda, for time and all eternity. I am doing this part to repay you for all the "Darling Nelly Gray's" you sang to me, partly because my own salvation depends on my doing the work for you, partly because I'm selfish and want to see you again, but mostly, Grandma, because I want to renew, in eternity, that love that we had for each other some 40 years ago. I hope you will be at the temple. With love, Your granddaughter, Carol