This week both the Albanian Gospel Library app and Albanian LDS.org are unavailable.
....aaaand it's the week before General Conference.
Pray for our developers and all Albanian speakers!
(Albanian is referred to "Shqip" in Albanian, if you would like to see the bug for yourself.)
Update:
Persian is also not working.
Welcome to Church Headquarters Doom.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
March 27th: Zone Conference and General Women's Session!
Last week I kept feeling a bit more down despite the amazing times around me. Obviously Satan's doing, but I think I feel better in the evenings after the day is over because I feel very accomplished and satisfied with the work I do.
Tuesday I started training Sister Aversa to do my job, which is Intake and Validation. She is very good with coding and soon she will move onto the Repair phase and work more closely with uploading the correct files when issues arise. She serves with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but she will be moving quickly through these phases to begin. She and I spent a little too much time that Tuesday because we were hung up on a giant issue in which a ton of the Swedish General Conference talks on both the app and LDS.org play in English instead of Swedish. Nana and Grandpa commented on the fact that most Swedes speak English anyway, but then why would they bother changing the language to Swedish?
I was able to spend time Tuesday evening with my new friend, Clare, around City Creek, and then I dropped her off at LDS Business College. She is one of the first friends I've hung out with outside any other activities!
Wednesday we had Zone Conference on the 26th floor! From my understanding, it is basically every Young Church Service Missionary in Temple Square. I could be wrong, but I also know that pretty much all of the missionaries are under Elder and Sister Wright. Elder LeGrand Curtis Jr. and his lovely wife of the Quorum of the Seventy spoke to us. They are a very cute couple. On her copy of the pictures of the General Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Quorum of the Seventy, she has drawn a big red heart around her husband's face. She talked a lot about the calling of being a missionary and how we are all disciples and no matter what calling you have, it helps spread Christ's gospel. Elder Curtis spoke using D&C Section 4 as a guide about our purpose as a missionary. He explained that missionary work is definitely hard work, but it is the greatest work we will ever do.
The missionary choir sang and I was dead center of course because I'm an alto and a middle part. I was extremely nervous that I would mess something up, but it went pretty well.
Thursday I worked with Sister Aversa again and this time we received about eight emails from one Spanish-speaking brother. It seems he listened to half of the Book of Psalms and he reported every tiny issue concerning "distorted audio", or "fuzzy sounds", or "missing verses". Sister Aversa had the fun job of listening to certain chapters three times each: one on iOS, one on Android, and one on LDS.org audio. She knows some Spanish since she is Brazilian and she took a couple years of it, but it was very difficult to keep up with. She reminds me of me from two weeks ago commenting on every single funny email or response.
Friday, I attended my cousin's dance recital and I found it very fascinating. It was based on a book, and the performance was titled, "Elfwyn's Saga", so I assume the book is also titled the same.
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to serve at General Women's Conference! I gave out translation receivers for live viewers that struggle with hearing or just hearing English. It was an extremely rainy day, so don't believe those beautiful sunny shots you see in the introduction online! The process was simple, but soon hectic when attendees came flooding in as if they were rain themselves.
People came to our table and asked for a language. We asked how many, and asked them to fill out a card with their name, phone number, and ward. The language had a corresponding number on a sheet of paper. Spanish, obviously, was most popular and we had all of the receivers set to Spanish to begin.
Sister Ashby and I served at the same table and I tried hard not to be a show-off when I could address people in several different languages, but then Sister Ashby had me write down phrases for her to say. She made me feel better about expressing my talent because of her willingness to learn.
She was soon grateful she had done that because I was pulled away by an usher needing a Spanish translator for two women that spoke no English. Conference was soon starting and our table was swarmed, but Sister Ashby stuck to her Spanish notes saying carefully, "cuantos?" and "escribe su nombre y numero por favor", and "tenga un buen dia".
I ran to the receivers and picked up two for the women and we hurried down the stairs to get to their section, but when we walked in on the opening hymn, the usher standing next to their row explained that it was full. We heard the opening prayer and the choir began to sing again as we became panicky. I had never been in the conference center before and I wasn't sure how to fix the problem. Soon, another usher ushered the women to a row near the very front, which was all fittingly underscored by the choir singing, "I Feel My Savior's Love".
As the translation receivers' table was less busy, Sister Ashby and I tried to stand at the very very top and very back of the Conference Center to listen, but women were whispering and it made it difficult to pay attention. We decided to go back down to the table to listen on the receivers.
I must say though, I don't think I've ever seen so many women in my entire life. I've definitely seen plenty of people, but not specifically women.
At the end of the night, I drove Sister Ashby home, and she set all of my car's radio stations for me, since she listens to the radio mostly and I hadn't fixed them yet.
Sunday, I was called to be part of the Family Home Evening Committee!
Tonight, I finally went to FHE, so that was cool. I am meeting more people and I'm so glad to be part of my ward.
Tuesday I started training Sister Aversa to do my job, which is Intake and Validation. She is very good with coding and soon she will move onto the Repair phase and work more closely with uploading the correct files when issues arise. She serves with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but she will be moving quickly through these phases to begin. She and I spent a little too much time that Tuesday because we were hung up on a giant issue in which a ton of the Swedish General Conference talks on both the app and LDS.org play in English instead of Swedish. Nana and Grandpa commented on the fact that most Swedes speak English anyway, but then why would they bother changing the language to Swedish?
I was able to spend time Tuesday evening with my new friend, Clare, around City Creek, and then I dropped her off at LDS Business College. She is one of the first friends I've hung out with outside any other activities!
Wednesday we had Zone Conference on the 26th floor! From my understanding, it is basically every Young Church Service Missionary in Temple Square. I could be wrong, but I also know that pretty much all of the missionaries are under Elder and Sister Wright. Elder LeGrand Curtis Jr. and his lovely wife of the Quorum of the Seventy spoke to us. They are a very cute couple. On her copy of the pictures of the General Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Quorum of the Seventy, she has drawn a big red heart around her husband's face. She talked a lot about the calling of being a missionary and how we are all disciples and no matter what calling you have, it helps spread Christ's gospel. Elder Curtis spoke using D&C Section 4 as a guide about our purpose as a missionary. He explained that missionary work is definitely hard work, but it is the greatest work we will ever do.
The missionary choir sang and I was dead center of course because I'm an alto and a middle part. I was extremely nervous that I would mess something up, but it went pretty well.
Thursday I worked with Sister Aversa again and this time we received about eight emails from one Spanish-speaking brother. It seems he listened to half of the Book of Psalms and he reported every tiny issue concerning "distorted audio", or "fuzzy sounds", or "missing verses". Sister Aversa had the fun job of listening to certain chapters three times each: one on iOS, one on Android, and one on LDS.org audio. She knows some Spanish since she is Brazilian and she took a couple years of it, but it was very difficult to keep up with. She reminds me of me from two weeks ago commenting on every single funny email or response.
Friday, I attended my cousin's dance recital and I found it very fascinating. It was based on a book, and the performance was titled, "Elfwyn's Saga", so I assume the book is also titled the same.
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to serve at General Women's Conference! I gave out translation receivers for live viewers that struggle with hearing or just hearing English. It was an extremely rainy day, so don't believe those beautiful sunny shots you see in the introduction online! The process was simple, but soon hectic when attendees came flooding in as if they were rain themselves.
People came to our table and asked for a language. We asked how many, and asked them to fill out a card with their name, phone number, and ward. The language had a corresponding number on a sheet of paper. Spanish, obviously, was most popular and we had all of the receivers set to Spanish to begin.
Sister Ashby and I served at the same table and I tried hard not to be a show-off when I could address people in several different languages, but then Sister Ashby had me write down phrases for her to say. She made me feel better about expressing my talent because of her willingness to learn.
She was soon grateful she had done that because I was pulled away by an usher needing a Spanish translator for two women that spoke no English. Conference was soon starting and our table was swarmed, but Sister Ashby stuck to her Spanish notes saying carefully, "cuantos?" and "escribe su nombre y numero por favor", and "tenga un buen dia".
I ran to the receivers and picked up two for the women and we hurried down the stairs to get to their section, but when we walked in on the opening hymn, the usher standing next to their row explained that it was full. We heard the opening prayer and the choir began to sing again as we became panicky. I had never been in the conference center before and I wasn't sure how to fix the problem. Soon, another usher ushered the women to a row near the very front, which was all fittingly underscored by the choir singing, "I Feel My Savior's Love".
As the translation receivers' table was less busy, Sister Ashby and I tried to stand at the very very top and very back of the Conference Center to listen, but women were whispering and it made it difficult to pay attention. We decided to go back down to the table to listen on the receivers.
I must say though, I don't think I've ever seen so many women in my entire life. I've definitely seen plenty of people, but not specifically women.
At the end of the night, I drove Sister Ashby home, and she set all of my car's radio stations for me, since she listens to the radio mostly and I hadn't fixed them yet.
Sunday, I was called to be part of the Family Home Evening Committee!
Tonight, I finally went to FHE, so that was cool. I am meeting more people and I'm so glad to be part of my ward.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
March 19th
This week I've been a bit down, and it's obviously depression combined with an extrovert's hatred of loneliness.
Two days this week my manager, Gary, and Sister Henrie were out sick with some bug that's been going around. I was alone in the hugicle (a huge cubicle), and I was nervous about messing up my work. I'm learning and I'm getting better, but this is a struggling point.
Sometimes I wish I had a companion so that I wouldn't have so much alone time, but I know that my trial of this mission to is to be without a companion.
Depression is just getting stronger and stronger and I've felt so weak and exhausted because of it. I know that I can overcome this with the help of my Savior, Jesus Christ. He reminds me that I am not alone. He has experienced all of my pain and He understands me perfectly.
Despite my depression this week, I had some greatly positive experiences!
Tuesday, my grandparents and I drove up to attend my cousin's band concert. She is the only 7th grade oboe and she is very talented!
Wednesday, several other missionaries and I walked over to the Tabernacle to watch and listen to Elder Jackson play the organ. He has been playing since he was seven! It was wonderful to finally hear how amazing he is.
Wednesday evening, I went to the YSA's Relief Society Birthday activity where we learned new skills like hand-lettering, yoga, guitar, and nutrition. It was hardest to eat a nice birthday cake after learning about the benefits of nutrition. I'm slowly getting to know more people here. This can help me feel less lonely and of course, help me serve the members of my ward.
Thursday night, my aunt and uncle came over for dinner and we had great intriguing conversations.
Friday morning, Nana and I went to the temple to perform ordinances for our Italian ancestors. It was a wonderful experience. We also got dinner together and played cards that evening, so it was a fun bonding time with her.
Also we went out Saturday and she bought me my own new temple clothes!! I no longer have to rent a white dress and other temple clothing in order to be temple-appropriate.
Hope everyone is enjoying their week. You deserve to be.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Sunday March 12th
I've been thinking about hope, and what it means to me. Hope means that I can try again and there might be a better result. Hope is like optimism, but towards the future. This church gives me so much hope.
As you can expect, the young church service missionaries are kids with diseases, disorders, or other disabilities. The challenges of their life did not extinguish their desire to serve, and with that desire, God has provided a way for them to serve.
Doctrine and Covenants 4:3 says "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work."
All you need is desire to serve. It seems too good to be true compared to the many different challenges that stand in the way. There's a missionary in a wheelchair, a missionary with bipolar disorder, a missionary with autism, several missionaries with back problems, and so many more problems that aren't things that we asked for. But none of this stops anyone from serving others, because He provides a way.
Anyway, I'll stop preaching to talk about the week.
Sister Reid went in for her first surgery in a long string of surgeries over the next few months on her jaw. Please pray for her. Her last day was Wednesday. She will work on answering emails from home, but it's all up to me now.
I will have help from Sister Henrie, on the repair side, and Gary (Brother Christensen), but I'm anxious about being so responsible already.
I finally moved into the basement apartment that includes a bedroom, a bathroom, laundry machines, a sitting room, and a kitchen. I can't wait to start getting into a routine and cooking for myself. I was previously in a guestroom while Uncle David and Aunt Teishi and the girls were staying here visiting from France. Speaking of them, I really enjoyed having them here and I'm encouraged to practice my French after seeing how fluent the older daughter is.
I joined the mission choir and that's that. Now there's 3 in every section, so clearly I was meant to join.
The missionaries had a pi day party on Saturday the 11th, so you can tell we're not that good at math. Nana helped me make a Key Lime Pie and it was so excitingly easy. I'm really falling in love with my mission and the people I am getting to know. As I always say, missions make you love things.
Today was my second Sunday at the YSA (Young Single Adult) ward. It was a lot better than last week because I was crazy nervous last week. I'm teaching people about church service missions. "I'm a part-time missionary, like a hybrid normal person and missionary. No, I don't have a companion. I actually live with my grandparents. Yes, I can use technology. Yes, I wear my tag on Sundays. No, I don't wear it all the time."
Everyone at this building seems to think that maybe I lost my companion in this old building, but I explain and they think it's interesting, which it is. I hope someday church service missionaries will be as well-known as proselyting missionaries, but that's why the other YCSMs and I are trail-blazers.
Love you all. I might not be posting Fridays because my off-day is changing. I'll update when I can and when I'm in a better routine.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
March 1, 2, 3, 4
Day 1 included my training with the system called FogBugz. It was a bit overwhelming with all the information, especially since I've been having headaches spring up and making everything too bright.
Day 2, I was able to complete emails on FogBugz, which is half of the Intake and Validation part of assessing Non-English feedback. I spent the day responding to people explaining that I will forward the message to the responsible party to review their problems.
I couldn't get into WorkFront to categorize the problems efficiently, but I certainly got a lot done. I went through a series of several emails in Spanish from about a month ago. This was when the Gospel Library app updated and Feedback was swamped with the same problems over and over again. I made sure to ask if they are still having the same problems as before, as well as thank them for their patience.
I am glad to refresh my Spanish writing skills.
I couldn't get into WorkFront to categorize the problems efficiently, but I certainly got a lot done. I went through a series of several emails in Spanish from about a month ago. This was when the Gospel Library app updated and Feedback was swamped with the same problems over and over again. I made sure to ask if they are still having the same problems as before, as well as thank them for their patience.
I am glad to refresh my Spanish writing skills.
Day 3 (Friday)
Fridays I am off. I went walking with Katherine and Nana, and I thought a lot about my health while walking. It wasn't a difficult walk, but I intend to make Fridays my day to exercise and go to the doctor. I've been having stray symptoms for a couple months now and back in Keller, they weren't ever fully resolved.
Fridays I am off. I went walking with Katherine and Nana, and I thought a lot about my health while walking. It wasn't a difficult walk, but I intend to make Fridays my day to exercise and go to the doctor. I've been having stray symptoms for a couple months now and back in Keller, they weren't ever fully resolved.
Day 4, Saturday
Nana has been preparing the house for tomorrow night's family dinner including Uncle David and Aunt Teishi and kids. I've been singing the primary tune "Saturday is a special day..." in my head.
Nana has been preparing the house for tomorrow night's family dinner including Uncle David and Aunt Teishi and kids. I've been singing the primary tune "Saturday is a special day..." in my head.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)