Good evening everyone.  Here I am standing in the living room of Roger and Beth Cluff in Cedar Hills, Utah.  Bishop Cluff was our Bishop in 5th Ward in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  He certainly was the best bishop anyone could ask for.  They moved to Utah a few years ago and are doing well.  I went to my brother, Art's, home Saturday morning and then we went to the Cluff's home.  The purpose was for Art and Bishop Cluff to give me a priesthood blessing.  It seems I have one of the symptoms of aging with degeneration of two disks in my lower back.  This is causing a pinching of my sciatic nerves going down both legs.  I had a MRI and back xrays last week and the orthopedic doctor has referred me to a pain clinic.  I thought a blessing was in order before this appointment in early August.  I am so glad to have a brother who is a worthy priesthood holder and a former bishop that I love and admire give me this blessing.  Thank you Art and Bishop Cluff.  After the blessing we visited for awhile and then said our good byes.

I don't know when I will see the Cluffs again.  I hope it is soon.  I will see Art and his family again fairly soon and we are planning a trip to the Manti Temple some time in the near future.

On Saturday evening my friends and I went to the Conference Center for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Pioneer Concert.  Guest artists were Nathan Pacheco and Lindsey Stirling. Nathan is a "rising star in the world of classical crossover music."  What a powerful and beautiful voice.  So much talent!  Lindsey began with 12 years of classical violin lessons and played in a rock band.  She now is really popular on YouTube "with all her videos on Lindseystomp YouTube channel, which rings in at over 2.6 million subscribers --and has tallied over 365 million hits."  She dances as she plays the violin.  She was all over the stage as she played beautifully.  She has performed with the Piano Guys and Alex Boye.  Most of the pieces performed received standing ovations.  They performed on Friday and Saturday evening and the conference center was full both evenings.  It holds 21,000 people.  The performance was provided free by the church but you had to order tickets in advance.  I am in awe of all the choice opportunities I have had since coming here on my mission. My favorite piece of the evening was the last number performed with the choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square and both Nathan and Lindsey had parts.  It was "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" which is one of my all time favorites.  There was an immediate standing ovation at the end.

We continue to be very busy at work.  We were given the following statistics the other day.  For the whole year of 2012 our zone processed 10,000 cases.  So far this year - from January to the end of June we processed 33,000 cases.  Yes, we are kept very busy.  I feel that I am contributing a lot to the work.

On Monday our zone had a potluck lunch.  You know the adage of "all work and no play... "  Well, we know how to play, too.  It is a good way for missionaries and staff to talk, eat and get to know each other.

On Tuesday evening my Social Group had an activity.  We had a potato bar in the recreation room of one of the couple's apartment building.  It was good food and even better conversation.  After the meal the group went to a free concert in the park.

On Wednesday I meet Elder and Sister Givens at the Family History Library.  I brought my computer and Elder Givens loaded Root Magic on it and then loaded two files for me.  My PAF file and my Family Tree Maker file.  Soon PAF is going away--the church will lay it to rest in favor of FamilySearch and Family Tree.  I will use Roots Magic for my personal records because other people  have the options to make changes on my Family Tree records.  Roots Magic is authorized by the church to sinc with FamilySearch.  It seems very user friendly and the manual is easy to read and use.  Now I have a lot of work cleaning up my own records before I go out on the Internet looking for more information on my ancestors.  I have over 1,000 names on my personal files.  Glad Robb, Reanna and other of my children are working on our history, too.

On Friday I was assigned to give the spiritual thought for our zone prayer meeting.  With the assignment you also get to choose the hymn to get us moving for the day.  I chose "The Lord has need of Willing Men"  or "Put your Shoulder to the Wheel."  My talk was on assignments in the church and that we should willingly accept opportunities to serve.  I couldn't possibly list here how blessed I have been over the last 37 years for my willingness to accept callings.  For example, this calling to serve in the Church and Family History Headquarters Mission.  You have read many of my blessings since I came to Salt Lake City and it seems like the windows of heaven have opened to pour me out blessings and the windows are wide open.  I love you all and I pray the Lord's richest blessings on you and yours.  Love, Sister Winkie