Spring is in the Air

Hi all,

Farrell writing this week.

Current Anchorage Alaska Temple. View from our Visitors' Center.

We had several simple but sweet experiences with workers on the temple site this week. There is a noticeable change in the openness with which they interact with us (maybe because they know we are the source of weekly Cookie Day 😉). It has usually been us approaching them to say hi or to wish them a good day. They are always friendly, busy, and professional. Now we notice that they have been approaching us. They seem to like us being around -- like friends or even parents or grandparents. Most have gotten used to us clicking pictures right and left even to the point of calling us over so we can get a picture of the latest handiwork they are proud of. We can't think of anything better than to acknowledge their skills and recognize the importance of what they are doing. 

I was watching one of the plumbers fit cast iron pipe into one of the drain line assemblies. They don't cut it but instead "break" it into the required length. They do that with what looks like a pipe cutter with long handles and chain. They wrap the chain around the pipe and then by closing the handles the pipe magically severs with a loud pop. I have seen them do 3" pipe that way. He paused in that process, looked at me and said, "You know this is not like working on any other project I have been on -- not like for one of the big oil companies that are up here. I was thinking last night that every nut and bolt here is the result of someone's sacrifice." I acknowledged that that was the case. His attitude was that it felt like a sacred privilege. No doubt his work will be top quality.

22 March 2025 Courtesy of Jonathan Hughes

Another plumber has been on the site since the beginning. He is probably in his late 50's or early 60's. Early on, he was plumbing the restroom in our Visitors' Center. It was rather unique pumping equipment with tanks. He was not all that sure how to put it together. I was becoming a little impatient, and just about said something less than complimentary, but held back. It is a good thing because we interact with him every day on a very friendly basis and I see him doing high quality work now that he is in a more familiar environment. He has been part of laying out and installing many plumbing runs underground, on the ceiling and everywhere else. He is the one I go to when I need to ask a "dumb" question to enhance my understanding and he is always willing. 

Overview of new temple & meetinghouse.

All the crews here use lasers and Trimble Total Stations, (at least that's what they call them -- it's a brand name), like a transit but much more sophisticated, to layout everything. They are very exacting. The reference points those instruments use are marked by the primary surveyor on plywood plates mounted to the walls. Those points match the gridlines on the plans. We walk into the building and green lasers are everywhere. I wish I knew how to use one of their Trimble devices. I think of all the times that would have made some project I was involved in easier. They also all carry tablets around that show the plans and the output from the Trimble devices. They can just move a real world pointer (like a tripod with a center downward facing point) around until it shows up in exactly the right place on the tablet plans and that's where they drill the hole or place equipment. All of the ceiling hangers for pipe and conduit are placed that way. They are hanging all over the place ahead of time. Amazing technology!

22 March 2025 Courtesy of Jonathan Hughes

We've had another concrete pour on the upper level (which we can now climb up to safely). Within a couple of weeks they will start placing the big equipment there. There are now air handlers, boilers, water heaters, pumps and other equipment staged for use. The big news is the first load of granite for the exterior walls arrived. Shown in the picture at the left of the entrance. Apparently it is the first of around 52 that will eventually arrive. This one came from Heber City, UT to Anchorage, AK over the ALCAN highway in the winter. The truck that delivered it didn't even have a sleeper on it. We suspect that the ocean barge will be used for some of the delivery. The installer just arrived after working on the Salt Lake Temple. He installed the stone or granite on the grounds and other projects on Temple Square. View the latest updates  at: https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/anchorage-alaska-temple/

Our Project Manager from the church came up for a visit. He does so once a month along with the architect and others. We were amazed that he spent two hours with us. I had another special little experience related to his visit. In our morning prayer, I had prayed for the ability to converse and address all questions we have had. They were crystal clear to me during the discussion and every question was asked and answered. It couldn't have been better. That was one of those experiences where it was obvious Our Heavenly Father assisted.

We learned the Fairbanks temple construction is moving forward. Kitty and I were joking we might sign up for that one too. It might be done before the Anchorage Temple since it is a smaller modular design. We could fly back and forth. Kitty didn't go for it. She feels busy enough and she is.

Our dear friends, Elder & Sister Gailey, came up from Soldotna yesterday. After attending the temple they were able to go out to lunch with us. We enjoyed an Indian Buffet and visited. The weather was beautiful and it was an enjoyable weekend. Looking forward to our Stake Conference this next weekend and then General Conference the week after. The current Anchorage Alaska Temple is closed for spring cleaning for the next two weeks so we will have our Tuesday and Thursday evenings free. We plan to catch up on a few things, get some spring cleaning done, and plan out more details of our spring and summer. 

Another fun bit of news. We both have our Alaska fish and game licenses now. They treat seniors so well here in Alaska. We applied online and printed the cards. It's hard to believe the first day of spring was on Thursday. We are looking forward to warmer weather. The days are getting noticeably longer. Sunrise was at 7:54 and sunset at 8:20. That is a 36 minute increase over last week! We still have some snow, but rarely see ice anymore, and the streets are dry. It's been in the low 40's and still below freezing at night. We love the clean air here.

Have a great week. Keep in touch. We love hearing from you. #Think Celestial

Love, Elder & Sister Badger