National Day of Prayer

Hello to all, 

Driving along Turnagain Arm. 

Farrell writing this week. The buds have broken on the trees and they are turning green. We are amazed at how spring is so condensed here. One day there is nothing indicating spring and the next week everything is green. It is quite unusual that nature has been adjusted for this climate. It is usually cloudy with some sprinkles.

2 May 2025 Courtesy of Jonathan Hughes

We will be happy when the roofing materials are on the temple to keep it from dripping inside. Portions of the roof are done but they have several sections to go. A second load of granite for the outside walls arrived. They are working hard on the wall prep and hanging brackets for the install. A major milestone is the arrival of the window install crew (not the art glass). They came with a load of extruded aluminum window frame which they carefully install one section at a time. It has multiple rubber/plastic seals inserted into slots around the frame. One of the workers was installing related brackets. I noticed he was being very meticulous so asked him about it. He said it helps to have OCD and it's great to be able to use what the Lord has given you. That was a tongue in cheek comment, but I was impressed by the level of detail he was going to. They have one small frame installed and it looks beautiful. Not sure when the glass shows up or how it all goes together. So the temple building continues.

Elder & Sister Gailey & Badger

We were invited by another Sr. couple, the Gailey's, to come and support them in a community event. They are involved with the local interfaith group. Thursday was the National Day of Prayer and they were working on an evening program. Elder Gailey had been nominated to take a major role. He did much of the organizing and conducted the event. It was music based and had groups from the Soldotna area as well as Anchorage.

The borough mayor gave welcoming remarks. We had run into him about a year ago as he participated in the dismantling of the Brayton Stake Center before temple construction started. Each performed their contribution. The Methodist pastor gave the opening prayer (more of a reading), the Thai Buddhist monks recited a chant (they were thrilled to be there), the Hebrew synagogue did a prayer for healing (with the Cantor part done by an LDS woman), and the Baháʼí member had a drum and song in Persian. The local Kenaitze Alaskan Native Tribe used their Mother Earth Drum, a large drum with a tree bark exterior, to perform. They were all women except for one man sitting with his back to us who we learned later was a member of the local LDS Stake Presidency. The contribution from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was choir numbers, sung by an interfaith choir, Oh My Father, I Need Thee Every Hour with a beautiful violinist, and A Child's Prayer sung by a local family. Four young children sang along with their parents in a two party harmony accompanied by the piano. It was so spiritual, it gave Sister Badger chills. I noticed some tears in the audience as that last number was performed. We sat by a new friend, Janet, who told us about her Jewish upbringing and she was delightful.

National Day of Prayer Celebration May 1, 2025

The monks who performed were more than happy to pose with a group of young LDS missionaries for pictures. Later in the foyer, we learned that monks don't shake women's hands, speak with them, or even stand by them in pictures. As Kitty attempted to compliment a monk and shake his hand, she was gently corrected with a smile from the photographer who accompanied them. No harm done with smiles all around. The monk immediately shook my hand. All of this assorted group with such a wide range of beliefs, enjoyed the association one with another. I came away knowing that these were all brothers and sisters with a common Heavenly Father. There is so much more light and knowledge for all to gain.

Kitty brought the meal ingredients down and prepared a nice meal for us and the Gailey's before their event. They let us stay at their apartment and returned the meal favor the next day. I call Elder Gailey the gourmet chef. He prepared a beautiful multi component breakfast the next day followed up by a late lunch of ground moose. That is moose cooked with bacon (it is normally very lean), peppers and asparagus. Delicious.

Looking for agates on the beach.

We did do a little exploring while on the Kenai -- walked the beach along the Cook Inlet looking for agates at the Nikiski Captain Cook State Recreation Area. Cook Inlet is loaded with silt from all the glaciers that flow into it, so no clear Caribbean water. The air is so pristine and it was a beautiful day. We enjoyed the company and the relaxation. We feel blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.

Have a great week! We love you all. #Think Celestial

Elder & Sister Badger