In the Details

Dear Family & Friends,

Beautiful lights Sunday night.

The lights are still on in many Anchorage neighborhoods. We had dinner this evening with the Maisey family and in Anchorage fashion, many friends, neighbors, family, and ward members were there -- they do this every week. There were about 24 of us there. It was fun to meet new people and find out what brought them to Alaska. Many have questions about the new temple.

Farrell checking the mail.

As usual, a weather report is in order. They have a big winter carnival in Willow  AK, up the road a couple of hours, to which we were invited but we just couldn't bring ourselves to go into the night cold at -37F to watch them. It doesn't get that cold where we live, only -20F for a low this week. It hovered around -8F to 5F. We kind of feel like we are in the banana belt compared to the rest of Alaska. Apparently, those temperatures are near record-breakers for here.

Snow and more snow.

We were invited to a fun family history fair Saturday night by Bro. Maisey. His mother invited us to dinner. They had lots of kids, teens, and adults there. Good desserts and games were the general fare. We were asked ahead of time to tell the group all about the new temple. Kitty spent time typing up a guide. We alternated the discussion and it went well. A Q&A afterward went on for quite a while -- everyone was anxious to hear and get an update. Questions like -- what is the earthquake design, which way does the temple point, was there an Anchorage architect involved, when does it start, how long will it take, what is the design motif, what will they do with the furnishings in the stake center, when does the stake center get torn down, has the design left enough room for pushing snow and many, many more. We at least gave partial answers to most of those questions. Some information we can share comes from the meetings we attend every week with the architect, contractor, and church and some comes from my (Farrell's) detailed study of the plans. Because many church members have had special experiences in the stake building, they are sensitive to demolishing it. I told them to take lots of pictures and to record/write those memories so that they can pass them on to their future posterity in their family history. As pioneers, they can do much good that way. I repeated that in the testimony meetings in two other wards.

Rome Italy Temple Visitor's Center stained-glass
 mural of Jesus Christ by Holdman Studios, Lehi UT.

Kitty has begun her temple service, so spent Tuesday evening in the temple as a worker. She wound up serving as a patron doing sealings. Then on Thursday evening, I attended an endowment session with the Elder's Quorum while Kitty did initiatory ordinances. That was followed by time alone in the bride's room studying ordinances for her temple service. The bishop spoke today about the Worldwide Event for Youth on January 29, and seeing the stained glass mural of the Savior when he visited the Temple Visitor's Center in Rome, Italy. We saw it when we visited Holdman Studios as they were working on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHrtOzslLcQ We realize it is a unique blessing to be building a temple and at the same time being able to attend a temple. This is not Utah where that would not be an issue. The decision to keep the current temple operating while the new one is being constructed is a tender mercy. The closest other temple now is Vancouver, BC, nearly 1400 miles away. Because there is a direct flight, I think it is still quicker to fly to Oahu -- 6 hours and 19 minutes $327 round trip:)

Our street. A winter wonderland.

The Project Manager (Joshua Foote) for Westland Construction, the general contractor for the temple, along with the Church Project Manager (Brad Hill) arranged to supply all the neighbors whose property borders the temple with a handout saying they would stop by to visit each individual family on February 7 to answer questions and resolve any concerns. They are flying up specifically to do that. The Westland Superintendent (Creg Norton) for the project, moved here with his wife on January 22. We had them over for dinner last Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed the three-hour chat. They are from Saint George, UT. 

The fine young man from our ward hired by
the church to shovel. He is such a hard worker.

We feel a kinship with all those we have worked with so far. It really is quite amazing what they pull off. The rest of Westland's team is moving up this month. Most are bringing young families. All our meetings start with prayer. We have been impressed with Josh's because they center on spiritual things. We are getting excited about the upcoming events -- we collect all of the supplies for the visitor's center on February 12. The last day for the wards in the building is Feb. 16. It will get emptied on February 17, by around 200 people and approx. 20 different organizations (our church, other churches, and non-profits). It will be another busy week. 

View of Turnagain Arm, De Armoun overpass.

We are grateful to see the hand of the Lord in the details of our lives and in the lives of those we love. Have a wonderful week and keep in touch. We love hearing your comments and what you are up to. #ThinkCelestial

Love always, Elder & Sister Badger