Back to Winter

Dear Family & Friends,

Our youngest daughter with her new baby. 

It's great to be back in Alaska, but I
loved being in Utah. I was able to hold our precious new grandson, visit most of our family and a few friends, and speak at a grandson's baptism. The weather was beautiful in Utah. The flowers were blooming at our oldest daughter, Anna's, home when we arrived. We were able to go trick or treating in nice weather with her family and then they had two evenings of killing frost and the flowers all died. The leaves had just started to fall when we left. Anna and her dear husband hosted a family Thanksgiving dinner while I was there. They also had their 8 year old son get baptized and I was able to give a talk on The Holy Ghost. 

Our youngest daughter, Heather, was on the verge of having a C-section due to a cord wrapped around her baby's neck. The doctor was busy with another patient so on the advice from her midwife, decided to try for a natural birth. She had already had an epidural and was instead able to deliver a healthy baby boy with no further complications. I have been putting both their names in the temple and feel that angels were watching over them and their caregivers. She is a wonderful mother. Holding grandbabies is a rare privilege. The are so perfect, pure, and loveable. I keep telling my children that after they have had children they will know how much I love them.

I had an ENT appt. while I was there and found out I had a double ear infection and was put on antibiotic drops. They are just starting to feel normal after nearly two months. Since I was already in Provo, it was a short drive to Mapleton:)

Jan, Kitty, and Michelle:)

Our wonderful next door neighbor and treasured friend, Jan, invited our dear friend Michelle and I over for a delicious lunch. The Baer's put in their mission papers after us, were called before us, and have already returned home from Long Island, NY serving in the Church Educational System. I miss these dear friends and so many others. It was great to go for a short walk on the trail. I was also able to stop by to see our sweet neighbor, Kelly, for a few minutes and visit. 

Leaving dear family and friends has been the only sacrifice while serving a mission. It will be equally hard to leave the dear friends we have made here in Alaska when we return home in two years. I will ignore that truth for now. I enjoy growing, learning, and having a divine purpose. I love serving in the temple on Tuesday evenings and attending on Thursdays. 

Farrell and I are learning best practices as we take and label pictures and write our weekly report. I had to renew my antibiotic prescription for my ears and spent 2 1/2 hours at Costco today as they transferred and filled it. While we waited, we had them give us our yearly flu and Covid shots. We pray it helps. I should have tried getting in my 10,000 steps while I waited! Farrell decided to get a hot dog and take a nap in the car. We left around 4 and the sun was just at the horizon and it was 18 degrees after a 4 degree morning. He had to stop at Lowes to see if they had a snow blower tire replacement. Then we headed home. As a result we will finish our weekly report tomorrow morning. 

Have you ever heard of reverse sticker shock? Compared to Alaska the prices at the Utah Costco were amazing! Even with a 3% food tax, food is about 20 - 25% cheaper in Utah. I told Farrell I wasn't looking forward to going back for our weekly shopping trip, but since it's just the two of us I really don't look at the prices, buy the same stuff almost every trip, and am grateful we have three Costco's in Anchorage. There is also one in Fairbanks and Juneau. I wish I owned more Costco stock:) We do get free salmon, halibut and other fish from neighbors and friends. We get invites to eat with local families 2-3 times a month. We are usually asked to bring a salad or dessert.

While we were waiting we received a call to speak in church on Sunday. Because they gave us plenty of notice I said yes. I don't accept many last minute things anymore. Farrell is going out teaching with the young Elders Wednesday evening.

Grandma with 18 of 27 delightful grandchildren.

Mom with 7 of 11 amazing children.

We had a special experience on Saturday welcoming the Muldoon (Hmong speaking) branch to the Visitors' Center after they had been to the temple. The 27 people who came filled it wall to wall. We have had 47 primary kids there but these were all older teenagers and adults. Most are first generation members of the church. Their parents/families were evacuated from Vietnam when the US pulled out. They had helped the Americans and found their lives in danger. One man had been a POW. Whatever the case we thoroughly enjoyed them while talking about the temple.

The temple building continues with snow, cold or shine. The concrete batch plant won't mix concrete below 17°F and don't blame them. It does affect the schedule sequence. The workers shift gears a bit and move on to something else they can do. Putting up ICF walls and steel erection are the big tasks at hand. When a day in the mid 20's shows up they pour concrete. Four big heaters and the natural gas lines to each were brought in. We will have about five months of this. Kitty is trying to stay warm in snow pants and a hard hat over her hood while she takes pictures on site:)

Have a great week. You are in our thoughts and prayers. #Think Celestial

Love always, Elder & Sister Badger