Sun Still Coming Up

Hello All!

Yes, we are still here in the Last Frontier. Farrell writing today … I started a travel log a few years ago when I retired with places we wanted to go, the places we have been and places where I have been for work. Earlier today (Saturday, our usual P(reparation)-Day), I started updating our Alaska adventures. The snapshot looks like this:

Anchorage, Seward (Resurrection Bay Tour), Valdez (Port of Valdez/Prince William Sound Glacier Tour, Thompson Pass, Keystone Canyon, Solomon Gulch Hatchery, Robe Lake Lodge), Whittier (Whittier Tunnel, Portage Lake/Glacier, Prince William Sound/Multiple Glaciers), Fairbanks, North Pole, view of Denali, Palmer, Wasilla, Hatchers Pass, Willow, Talkeetna, Girdwood, Tok, Homer, Homer Spit, Cooper Landing, Kenai River, Soldotna, Sterling, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Matanuska Glacier, Kenai, Kasilof Russian Settlement, and Flattop Overlook, etc.

I intend to add to the list. One of my fears is that after being here for 3 years someone will say, "Oh, you really should have gone to so & so." Send us your favorites so we don't miss something amazing. We will work them in. We have done almost all of these with other people. We are still stunned by most of the places we have seen. Even now I'm struggling to put into words as the views cross my mind. It makes me want to become an artist and just sit in some of those spots, painting and absorbing the view.

Anchorage Alaska Temple at sunset.

Kitty is always after a beautiful sunset. Almost every day she pulls out a camera and says, "Farrell, come and see this -- you just have to see this sunset" or the clouds or other view. I want to become more camera savvy so that I can help her make the most of her eye for beauty.

On to other things …

Addy as a baby with her older siblings.

We had the special privilege of watching the baptism and confirmation of our granddaughter, Addy, in TX via a video call this morning. This cute little one is now 8 years old and we love her family dearly. The Wi-Fi at the church wasn't very good but it was great to see her father baptize her, confirm her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and bless her with the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Seeing all of their smiling faces was so joyful and we could feel our Heavenly Father's Spirit. This is a very special day for all of us since this granddaughter was born with HLHS and has had some major health struggles throughout her life, including three open heart surgeries. I spent many days with her and her mother at Primary Children's Hospital in SLC or babysitting grandchildren. We love her and her family and are so happy she made the choice to be baptized. We also both have our talks prepared for church today. Kitty is talking on the power of prayer and I am talking about the Savior as Advocate and Mediator. We have had many prayers answered with the sweet little one and her precious family.

Although the number of visitors at the Visitors' Center has dropped off, we have had some treasured moments this week. One older friend brought two of her friends -- friends for over 30 years. We had a sweet discussion about going to the temple. We talked about what will be important at the end of life -- family, friends, and our relationship with the Savior. Nothing else will matter much. A mother brought her four young children and they enjoyed the show and tell, glow-in-the-dark wristbands, and hot cocoa. The young missionaries visited us with a young man (Jerry) who is joining the church Dec. 10. He is from Puerto Rico. He is so excited to be baptized and come to the temple to do proxy baptisms for his ancestors. We talked about the love of Christ for each individual. We watched a short video and talked about pausing to consider the impressions that come to us through the Holy Ghost. There are times like that when those feelings are pervasive.

While we were with the missionaries another Sr. Couple dropped off a table for the Thanksgiving dinner at our house. They are pretty new. She speaks with a strong German accent and he has none and is not German but their last name is Kraut -- figure that one out. We really enjoy their association and are looking forward to having dinner with them and the other senior missionaries on Thursday at our home.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I have been nominated to be the Turkey chef. It will be a brined, spatchcocked turkey, smoked on a pellet grill. This may be a brave undertaking. There is a high of 9°F forecast for that day -- will see if the grill has enough power to pull it off. We will have 13 present including our Mission President and his wife -- they call them both mission leaders. It is unusual that they slow down enough to do something like this.

24 November 2024

People often express amazement at how fast the temple construction is proceeding. Of course, to us it is a little slower because we are watching daily i.e. like watching the pot boil. I have lost count of how many truckloads of steel have arrived from Nanaimo BC. One this week came in late at night with a woman driving and a little dog. The iron workers are staging the beams and columns all around the perimeter of the site -- in order to make the lifts organized. They are everywhere. One worker, a white hair native, marks the center of each beam so it will balance when they lift it with one choker strap. The big crane (not a tower crane) was fully extended moving beams around. Its hook was right at the edge of the current temple parking lot. Kitty said, "if that falls over, it will land on our house." This picture was taken today by Jonathan Hughes. The huge crane is barely visible on the far side.

https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/anchorage-alaska-temple/photographs/

And now for the weather report -- COLD. Most nights are single digits -- warming up this week a bit as snow is expected. January & February bring the minus numbers. I smile because the days have been beautiful blue sky days. The General Contractor complains about how the weather is slowing things down. What he means is that some of the labor is diverted to covering and heating. We did have one day warm enough to pour some concrete (mid-20s).

Our Church sets up "Giving Machines" this time of year in places all around the world. Two are in North Pole (that's North Pole, Alaska by Fairbanks not The North Pole). The link below is from the church newsroom. They partner with local charities, community groups, and churches to identify needs. Then people choose from the selection and "buy" that item as a contribution. All proceeds go to the charities. I was surprised this time because the items are all local needs -- everything from education items to vouchers for medical care, food, housing, etc. We have been to North Pole, AK and it was very festive and had a special feeling. We feel the love of God and all men especially this time of year.

Giving Machines in North Pole

Have a great Thanksgiving! #Think Celestial

Love, Elder and Sister Badger