Finally in the Zone

Another beautiful Sabbath to reflect on our past week. We have finished up with all the training outside our zone and actually got to spend 2 full days in the "Historical Families Reconstitution Zone".

Before I go any farther I want to clear up a possible misconception about this zone. It is not highly secret or clandestine in any way. We just happen to be in a secured room because that is where they put the project. Also, it is not a place for patrons to use until we get projects completed and then they are posted on the internet for everyone to use to research their lines. So, don't feel like I am breaking confidences if I tell any stories about what we are doing. It is not confidential, just very detailed. In fact, one of the projects was completed last Thursday and they were all so happy. They have been working on this project since 2003. So we may never get to see a project all the way through. I do want to tell you that the work is very exciting. Both days of it!

My days have been broken up a bit because I started Physical Therapy last week. I am walking a lot more now and the last couple of days have not even need to push the wheelchair in front of me to sit down. My new therapist is Oryslava from Ukraine. She was a luger with the Ukraine luge team who came to the Olympics in 2002 and decided to stay. Now, I have had therapy from 3 other therapists and have only had one bruise. Oryslava however bruised my right thigh the first day (Tues) so badly that she was surprised. So the 2nd day(Wed) she said she would leave my IT band alone and work on strengthening exercises for me. She had me doing so much that I actually became nauseated and had leave before they could ice me. I remained nauseated for the rest of the day and all day Thursday I was so sore and nauseated and even Friday morning every time I tried to walk or exert myself. Friday when I arrived at PT before they got me started on anything I said I needed to talk with her. When she learned what had happened she was very apologetic and said, "Most people when they come here will say " No, I can't do that..., etc. " but you tried everything I gave you and you have a positive attitude and were willing so I thought you could handle all this. You have to tell me to stop if it is too much!" I looked at her and said, " Stop, it's too much!" We had a good laugh. She promised to not beat me up so much but we still had a good workout.

I must admit that I am a little sad to be healing so quickly. I have enjoyed having Ed push me around everywhere and we both have enjoyed the handicapped parking. Most of all I have enjoyed the fact that Ed has prepared all the meals and served them to me. He, on the other hand, though he will miss the handicapped parking (not really) will enjoy the fact that I will be able to cook all the meals again. hahaha He will be very relieved that he will not have to haul the wheelchair in and out of the trunk of the car for me.

Ed and I have joined a SLCounty Parks gym facility up by the U and went up on Saturday. I did a little walking on the lap track (2 laps) above one of the skating rinks at the facility. There are two pools, one indoor and one outdoor, two skating rinks and a good sized weight room and a room with lots of bikes, etc. It is a nice facility and quite inexpensive. It will be good for us.

My mother has been giving me lots of the records she has had for our family. I think this is one of the reasons we have been called here. There is a lot of work to be done on my mother's side of the family. I have recently found that my great grandfather had quite a bit of land holdings in Houston, Texas area so I am anxious to look into that.

The Elijah choirs (missionary choirs) will be putting on a concert here at Temple Square sometime in December. When I find out the dates I will post them so if any of you come this way for the holidays maybe you would like to hear us sing some holiday favorites. You would think that practicing at 6:24am would not get a great sound, but we are sounding quite nice. Of course the mix changes every week with people coming and going into the mission, but we have some fun. Our director, Elder Brague, was the band director at Utah State and he is very humorous. He knows how to get us to wake up that early and how to get us to sing without having to lower the key because it is soooooo early!!!

Today Ed and I went to hear Kyle Schmieg give his return talk from his mission. He is surely a wonderful young man. He does not remember us at all, but it was so fun to see him and remember his young years in The Woodlands and see how he has grown. It was great.

I hope everyone has a lovely and safe week.