Light the World

Dear Family and Friends,

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Christmas Concert

The holidays are here, we've had a light dusting of snow, and Christmas carols
are playing. Our minds are turned more fully to the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ as our hearts are turned to family, friends, and our fellow men. Kitty writing this week. We pray you are enjoying this wonderful time of the year. We are so grateful for our dear family and friends. We are after all just walking each other home. We wish you a Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

Broadway Aladdin & Jasmine

We've really enjoyed watching Joy: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir concert. The music is heavenly and the production is amazing. Michael Maliakel sang (he looks like Aladdin and sure enough that's who he plays on Broadway) and British actress Lesley Nicol (television cook from Downton Abbey) narrated with her great accent. It's really a wonderful hour and a half program that's very entertaining and uplifting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gnwWsyDfkk&t=22s

It's been a week of festivities. We had a table laden with cookies this week for Cookie Day/Worker Appreciation Day. We had a group of Activity Days boys come to the Visitors' Center that evening. It is always a fun experience to be with the youth and their leaders. They love to see the temple being built up more each time they come.

Thursday evening we were able to attend the temple and do sealings. There were only two sisters and three brothers besides the sealer, so we were busy. It's always a special feeling to be in the temple. I love serving there on Tuesday evenings.

Light the World at Dimond Mall Anchorage Alaska.

Friday morning we were able to enjoy the festivities and ribbon cutting of the Light the World Giving Machines at the Dimond Mall in Anchorage Alaska. We go walking at this mall several times a week. It was decorated beautifully. Behind the machines, hundreds of chairs were set up as they had speakers and organizations represented. There were balloons, decorations, music, and a lot of positive energy.

Ribbon cutting by Elder Parks of left.

Both machines were brought down from Fairbanks after their time up there at the Santa House. We saw so many people we knew - Elder Parks (Area Seventy cutting ribbon), President & Sister Newman (Temple Presidency),
the Fishers (Area Communication), Tammy Hogue (talented singer), Treg & Jodi Taylor (Alaska Attorney General & ward members), friends from the Anchorage Alaska Temple and ward members, along with members of the community. 

Refilling machine.

All of the local & international charitable organizations like Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities, UNICEF, Care, WaterAid, etc. took part. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors and organizes the effort. Since 2017 the machines have raised over $32 million. One-hundred percent of all donations go to the charities. My favorite purchases are goats and chickens. This is the first time they have been in Alaska. After only about 30 minutes the machines had to be refilled:) Afterward we went to Costco to pick up a few things for the weekend. When we came out it was totally foggy. It was better closer to the temple.

That evening we were invited by the Anderson's to attend the Rabbit Creek Ward Christmas party. They had food from all over the world and we learned about the Christmas traditions from Italy, the Philippines, Alaska, and others. Sister Anderson, who is from Italy, is beautiful but she dressed up like a Halloween witch representing "Befana" from Italian folklore, who delivers gifts to children on the eve of Epiphany (January 6th), often including candy and sweets, similar to Santa Clause. She is depicted as an old woman riding a broomstick, often with a shawl and a basket full of treats. It was fun to learn about all the different traditions around the world. The desserts were amazing, of course.

We attended Swensen's Game Night again where I played Alaska Alaska again. This time Elder & Sister Kraut were there. They are senior missionaries serving the Young Single Adults in the Seminary & Institutes program. President Smith (mission presidency) & Sister Smith also joined us. We had finger food and then enjoyed the evening visiting and playing games. The Swensen's invented Alaska Alaska. I just found out last night that each of the cards has a different fact about the animals on them. We stayed later than usual, but since church is at noon on Sunday I wasn't worried about the time. Not sure what time it will be next year. We did see an accident on the way home involving at least three cars. Thankfully we made it home safely. I appreciate Farrell's careful driving.

We found out part of Elder Kraut's story of finding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was looking for two things. He wanted to know where the churches he investigated found their authority and he believed Christ had visited the America's and wanted to find a church that believed that. He found his answers on Temple Square in the North Visitors' Center. Christ did indeed visit the Americas and we know exactly when and where the priesthood was restored again upon the earth. We are excited to hear more about his journey. 

Cafe Rio for dinner at Maisey's tonight.

Well we are off to have dinner with our friends, the Maisey's. It's always a special treat to spend Sunday evening with their family and friends. The group is a little different every month. Everyone has been so welcoming and inclusive. We feel privileged to serve here in Alaska. It's already dark out now at 4:40 with the sun setting at 3:40 p.m. We had Cafe Rio at Maisey's tonight. Sister Maisey goes all out decorating and setting beautiful tables. Many friends have lived in Utah, including them. There are no Cafe Rio's in Alaska:) It was also Sister Anderson's birthday. 

Please keep in touch, stay safe, and know you are loved. For unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given. #Think Celestial

Love, Elder & Sister Badger