One Year Anniversary

Hello All!

Farrell writing this week ... 

Denali 9/8/2024. Not our pic;(

We crossed the year mark for our mission this last Wednesday -- Kitty mentioned that it was coming up in the last blog. We took our good friends, the Cox's, from Malad, ID, to the airport that day for their trip home at the conclusion of their mission. We were in the MTC with them. What an adventure! Leaves are falling everywhere. A little further north, Fall is on full display. A couple from Clinton, Utah at church today said they were astounded by the colors and the miles and miles and miles of trees they saw as they have been traveling the state. The picture to the right is Denali on Sep. 8th. -- not mine. Unfortunately, don't have the time to drive the four hours north to see it. Will wait for it to arrive further south. We might find some opportunity for a small plane trip there someday. The scenery is truly magnificent and untamed here in Alaska.

Sunset from back deck.

Alaska goes on forever. Tourist season is coming to a close so the demographics of the people we see is changing. We were thinking that the Visitors' Center might be dead during the winter but a local gave us a different perspective. He expects the visitors to increase -- everyone is looking for something to do in the winter. Many find the winter the best season -- snowmobiling and X-country skiing. We heard that Alaska has eight months of winter, two months each of fall & spring with two days of summer. Not sure we had a full two days:) We did see and smell a reblooming lilac Friday evening! The fuchsia, hydrangeas, and potentillas are loving this cool moist weather.

Kitty dressed for rain & mud.

What I didn't know about Alaska was the extent of the "rainy season" -- August thru September. It rains almost everyday. Boy does it know how to rain here. There was another flood warning this last week. Gratefully it didn't develop quite like they expected. There was 1 1/2" of rain followed by another 3/4" a couple of days later. Too bad we can't send a little of it to put out the fires in CA. The construction site has been a muddy mess. Picture 40 workers, five different trades, all working within a small area, along with a couple of skid steers, a couple of mini track hoes all actively laying conduit and pipe in the pouring rain, in the mud. As the civil contractor would open a trench, the water would buildup on the sides until the bank wouldn't hold and then the water would cascade over the side in a small waterfall. Amazingly, they managed it. The saving grace was the bedding gravel they placed in the trench which would raise the level to make the footing solid enough to continue working--that is as long as they placed their popup canopy over it. The other positive factor is that the ground is more sand than clay.  We were jokingly making plans to go get the hip waders. (Which they no doubt use for fishing on their days off.) The weather broke a bit on Friday, the sun came out, and they poured 80 cubic yards of concrete into massive footings for a set of retaining walls. We were out there all week with them taking pictures and encouraging them on. I was amazed by their generally pleasant demeanor.

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Elder Gailey & Elder Badger.

The Gailey's from Farmington, UT are a missionary couple serving in Soldotna, AK on the Kenai Peninsula (here they just say the Kenai). They came up on Friday to do some temple work for his late brother. I had the opportunity to baptize Elder Gailey who acted as proxy for his brother. It was a sweet experience. We claim this as the first baptism of our mission.

They stayed the night with us before heading out for some sightseeing the next day on their way home. It is about a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive back to their area. We always eat good when they come up -- salmon on the grill. He was a project manager for a medical devices company. We enjoyed their company, and will return the favor at the end of the month by going to their part of the state. We will make it to the towns down that way all the way to the Homer Spit which is a very narrow neck of land that extends out into the Cook Inlet (part of the Gulf of Alaska). 

View from De Armoun Road.

We are speaking in two wards that Sunday at the invitation of the two respective Bishops. It is a 5th Sunday in the church building where the men and women all meet together during the 2nd hour of the services. That is an informal setting allowing us to use a screen making the job a lot easier for us. Both of the wards (congregations) meet in Kenai. One is the Kenai ward and the other is the Kalifornsky ward. We wondered where they come up with those names. We know now thanks to Google AI.

Beautiful sunset in Anchorage.

The name of the Alaskan village of Kalifornsky comes from the surname of its founder, Qadanalchen, a Dena'ina Indian who took the name after working in the Russian American colony of Fort Ross in California. The name "Kalifornsky" is the Russian equivalent of "Californian". Believe me though it has no resemblance to the Southern state.

We enjoyed listening to Pres. Nelson's 100th birthday party celebration last Monday.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=247cZrmpFyU

I mentioned today in church that it was a little intimidating. Just a man who has been blessed with so many talents and such a long life. We are so grateful to have him leading our church with all his experience and wisdom. Hope he lasts a few more years. What amazes me the most is his mind is still sharp. He is truly a humble servant of God.

Just saw this on YouTube about the new Anchorage Alaska Temple renovation!    http://youtube.com/watch?v=A4f1_UL_x8U

Well, that is the state of affairs here. Keep in touch! #ThinkCelestial

Love you all, Elder & Sister Badger