genealogy work

So I might have previously mentioned that our tiny branch here in Siena happens to have a database of over 600,000 names they need entered into another database so that their temple work can be done for them. Over the past couple weeks I have spent numerous hours at the genealogy center at the church building helping to input these names. We all fight for the opportunity to put our names down on the list when it gets passed around sacrament meeting every Sunday, and it is unfortunate that they only have 5 computers available for use and only 2 nights a week open for the work. But nevertheless, the work is pressing forward and we are making progress. Fertelli Rotelli (don't know how to spell his last name for sure, that is just a guess from how I hear his name spoken…) is the sweetest local man in the branch and is in charge of the genealogy center. This last Sunday he got up and bore his testimony to us and very sincerely thanked us all for the work we have done. He stated that on average each girl inputs 300 names per hour, and with around 30 total work hours being done each week we are really starting to make a dent in the huge amount of names. It feels so good to be able to give back to the branch in any way possible. I love when I have the opportunity to serve them and be able to show my appreciation for all that they do. The members here really go out of their way to accommodate us and with the language barrier it is often difficult to express our gratitude. I am so thankful that through doing this genealogy work we not only have the opportunity to show thanks to the branch members, but we are also able to bring the opportunity for eternal exaltation to many other Italian spirits that anxiously await on the other side of the veil.