Coming Along

Hello All, 

Angel Moroni on top of existing Anchorage Alaska Temple at Sunset.

Farrell writing this week. I have seen some beautiful sunsets in Utah and other places but if the weather cooperates, we see them here almost every night. It's because it takes the sun so long to set here.

We have had lots of sunny days here this week. The days are getting longer by about 30 minutes over a weeks time. Twenty degree days with the sun on your back isn't all bad. Although we exercise almost every day (walk or gym) I can't wait to get the bike out. I am not brave enough to do the studded fat tires that are common here in winter. Kitty has been wishing for a remote start for our car like many people here have and love. It didn't come with one and I was unable to find an aftermarket version -- until yesterday. So that's her Valentines Day present which I should have installed by then. She loves flowers -- almost always has a fresh bouquet somewhere in the house. Long ago we agreed that I was just fine with her picking it out and gifting it to herself from me anytime she wanted. Thanks to Costco it has worked out very well. My favorites are the little carnations with the spicy smell. So between that and the car start, hopefully she knows she is loved and appreciated.

We had an Alaska tragedy occur this week. One of the members of our church, who was the Bishop of the Mt. Baldly ward in a neighboring stake, was on the plane that crashed on the sea ice on the way to Nome. Ten people died with no survivors. We knew him because he and others brought their whole ward primary (47 kids) to our Visitors' Center summer of last year. One of the Sr. Missionary couples serving here has a daughter and son-in-law who live in that ward. I learned today that a family in a neighboring ward close to us (Huffman Ward) lost a son in the same crash. Seems planes are falling out of the sky lately in various places. It used to be a common cause of death in this state but I think the frequency has declined. What a tragedy to lose these good people. Thank goodness we know there is life after death and the continuation of the family can be eternal. We have the Savior to thank for that.

On Saturday afternoon we had a wonderful visit from a group of 22 youth and their leaders from Soldotna (2 1/2 hrs. SW of here) who had come up to visit the temple to do proxy baptisms for their ancestors. Kitty led the presentation/discussion and did a great job. We find these kids to be delightful. They ask great questions, and have a special light about them. Of course, I love to share what's going on with the construction. Most of the kids think that is great and some, well should I say, show less interest.

The steel work (decking) continues on the temple and they poured more concrete in the basement where the future twelve oxen will stand under the baptismal font. Again, amazing steel workers are on top of the tower. Their safety lanyards are now obvious. They use the kind that are in a large reel which lets them move all over without hinderance. They work like seatbelts. If the cable is jerked it locks preventing a fall. We haven't seen our old friends the concrete workers for months, so it was great to see them back. They have tons of flatwork to do over the next month or so. Our Utility/Grounds Building now has a sealed roof and due to big construction heaters it is warm. They will grade the inside floor this week and shortly thereafter pour it. 

We heard this week that the contract for the Fairbanks Alaska Temple has been awarded to Westland, the same General Contractor that is working on the Anchorage Alaska Temple. We don't know the schedule but wouldn't be surprised to see it come in about the same time this one is finished. It is a modular design built on permafrost. They will put piers 80 or so feet into the ground to support it.

Incredible moonrise on our way to church this morning. 
This picture doesn't do it justice. It was huge!

The computer skills I picked up going through life have been invaluable. We find ourselves working here, there, and everywhere. Kitty's church computer is back on our dining table with two big monitors, my church computer is in the Visitors' Center, my little laptop is here in our house from which I can remote in to wherever I need to work. Kitty's other computer is also in our house and we can do almost the full requirements from there. So sewage tank or no sewage tank, the work continues. Kitty is the primary picture editor. She is a perfectionist so nothing goes out the door without her sharp eye spotting and correcting the defects. It takes about a full day to put one weekly report together.

We find ourselves in a rather unique position. All our friends we went to the MTC with are headed home. Their 18 month missions are coming to an end. The Newman's will leave North Pole and head back to Idaho Falls this month. Others left 6 months ago returning to Idaho, Utah, and elsewhere. That's the way the story goes. The Stephenson's who we only know from the MTC and now serving in TX are wrapping up. When we were practicing teaching with them we had some very spiritual experiences that were enough to bind us together. Their mission was nothing like ours. They were called to do Member Leader Support and theirs was full of baptisms. Whatever the case, our lives are richer for having run into them. I often wonder what it will be like to have the association of all the people we have known in this life. Also our ancestors who we have never met in this life. That has got to be a joyful occasion. I hope my mental capacity far exceeds what is available now. I have met so many good and wonderful people. Jeff, a new friend, came to church today for the 4th time. He is planning on getting baptized soon. Kitty has some heritage in common with him. Both have family from the Wrangell AK area that were Norwegian and Tlingit.

Beautiful hoar frost covers everything.
It is about 2" deep in this picture.

Our prayer is that you will have the faith and joy that comes from trusting in the Savior of the World. Love you all. #Think Celestial.

Love, Farrell & Kitty

Elder & Sister Badger