Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay

Dear Family and Friends,

We continue to watch the progress of the new Anchorage Alaska Temple build. We have been in Anchorage for nearly 7 months. We met in the Brayton Stake Center for our meetings and events. Then we watched as the communities in Alaska took what they could use before the meetinghouse was demolished. Demolition continued until the ground was completely bare. As soon as they outlined the new temple and started digging the hole 12 days ago we could feel a difference in the Spirit on the site. The words highlighted below keeps running thru my mind. It is a privilege to be involved in this sacred work.

The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done. - Joseph Smith, 1842

We have been working hard and putting in long hours at the Visitors' Center. We take lots of pictures, sort & label them, and write a weekly report to SLC. We visit with workers and our friends at Westland. Last week we strung hoses across the parking lot from the temple to fill up the 500 gal. water tank and power wash the Visitors' Center trailer in between sessions. We have heat and water, but are still waiting on sewer.

We took a nice break this weekend to drive down to Seward with another senior missionary couple, The Cox's. It was cold, windy, and overcast. We went to the Alaska Sealife Center on the shores of Resurrection Bay Friday afternoon. The water in the touch pools was freezing cold. After about 5 minutes our hands felt like they did as a little kid when coming in from playing in the snow. We decided if we fell overboard we wouldn't survive the cold, especially with all our heavy clothes. We saw so many interesting species at the Center. We especially loved seeing the cute puffins. 

We had reservations at a place in Seward to stay. The local high school was having their junior prom at a building right behind us. It was so cold, yet dozens of girls were wearing gowns with bare shoulders and standing outside. 

The next morning we went on a Kenai Fjords wildlife 4 hour cruise in Resurrection Bay with two other missionary couples, the Kuerth's and Cox's. Three other senior couples went with another cruise line.

It was a tender mercy that we had clear blue skies, the temperature was a little warmer, and the water was calm and beautiful. The boat holds 150, but there were only 75 passengers on our cruise. The brochure says, "Feed your soul." It did just that. The glacier fed waters are breathtaking shades of blue. 

Past the large rock protecting the bay from harsh weather, it is a straight shot south 10,000 miles to Antarctica. If you get lucky you might run into the Hawaiian Islands first.

Kitty took so many pictures that her battery died before the end. We all felt profoundly grateful to be able to see so many sea creatures and experience the beauties of the earth. We saw humpback whales and orcas. We saw the four mammals from the area - sea otters, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, and Dall's porpoises. We even had Dall's porpoises swim with the boat for the last part of the cruise. Because the water was crystal clear, we could see them speeding along underwater before they breached the surface. We also saw mountain goats, an eagle, and some other birds. It was fun to share the experience with dear friends. 

Six sets of missionaries went to church at the local meetinghouse in Seward. One couple drove home the night before. So five senior couples and two young elders were there. We doubled the membership this morning in both Sacrament meeting, Relief Society, and Priesthood meeting. The sisters sat in a circle and we had a great lesson. 

Four of us traveling together went to a local place to have lunch and a Christian group of about 6-7 young adults were playing the piano and singing Christian songs I didn't recognize. It's always uplifting anytime anyone stives to grow closer to our Savior. The proprietor said it was the first time this young adult group had been there and he loved having them there. We were seated off the main room. Before they left he closed up and had a prayer with them. Since they were singing we didn't have a chance to introduce ourselves earlier. A waiter came by and said his friend was investigating the church and took him to all the meetings. Farrell invited him to attend church again and meet with the local missionaries. 

The ride home was also beautiful. We stopped at most of the lookouts to take
pictures. 

There is a peculiar sound of grating ice as we walked along the shore here. The wind blows the ice and as it's breaking up it rubs against the other pieces. The colors of the water and ice are so gorgeous. 

The weather continues to amaze us. We came back home here to about half the snow left in the front yard and almost all the snow melted in the backyard. Winters here are a wonderland, dark and long, but spring just seems to explode. We are looking forward to milder weather.

We took this picture a few minutes ago. At 10:50 the sun
is still setting. 

We wish you all a wonderful week and pray for your health and peace to your soul. #ThinkCelestial

Love always, Elder & Sister Badger