Kitty is still on the mend and is in the process of writing our weekly report to the church. So after a joint effort on that this morning, she is finishing it up this afternoon, I am moving on to the delayed blog. Not sure what illness took her down this week, but sure glad she is doing better.
Ahh Springtime in Alaska -- new life! Mama moose and two newborn calves right outside our front window. Kitty wasn't feeling well or she would have ventured onto the front porch to take better pics. It really lifted her spirits to see them. We think this is the sixth time we have seen moose in our yard since we moved here. They are definitely less than a week old. How would you like to run into her on a back trail? If she lays her ears back and raises the hackles on her neck, you are about to get stomped. There were two injuries in Anchorage over the last month. One was a young women's president in one of the wards who ended up with a broken arm and a fatally injured dog. So we'll keep the moose out in the front yard. I have to stop and look around now on my walk over to the temple site.
The essential tools of the trade include laser levels, scissor lifts (17 total), computer tablets with shop drawings, Trimble survey equipment, boom lifts (5) and boom forklifts. I don't think I have seen one square. There are a few tape measures. It is a complete revolution from anything I did in the construction world -- much more precise, efficient and advanced.
The third picture out our side window doesn't even do the size justice. They are so HUGE. She had gray hair, so definitely older, and looks a little rough for wear -- didn't do a proper job combing that hair when she got up this morning. We know she spent the night bedded down in the neighbors yard among the trees. See the flower bed in the first picture? The night before it was covered in bright pink Bergenia flowers -- very effective trimming job. Haven't seen any bears since coming.
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| Meadow Creek Primary from Eagle River AK |
Had some sweet time at the Visitors' Center. I have said this before, but one of the most spiritual experiences we have is to fill the place up with children and then sing with them.
We have lots happening in the mission organizationally. We will have a full turnover of the office staff Sr. missionaries including the Mission Leaders (President & Sister Larsen). It all happens this month. We don't do a lot of official business with them but over time they become good friends anyway. I find it extraordinary, the changes that take place in their characters. They soften. Because of our tenure here we now have moved onto welcoming some of them to their mission and saying goodbye to the same couples. The handoff isn't completely smooth so we scramble a little to put the pieces together.
I spent a little time in the yard Saturday. It is just getting warm enough to do anything. I planted some veggies in pots and trimmed up some flowers. It is now perfect pea planting time here -- compare that to Utah. It is the same temperature every night (mid 40s) and same temperature every day (mid 50s). Seems like a maritime climate.
It has been near perfect temple building weather, and the roof is nearing leak free status. The granite install is fascinating. Remind me never to apply for a sheetrocking job. The workers will cut the 10-12' sheet, with duct and pipe cutouts on the floor, then lift it 30-40' on a scissor lift to install -- and it fits perfectly. They are speaking Spanish I don't understand enough to know how they pull it off. Most are from Seattle or Portland.
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| Courtesy of Jonathan Hughes ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |
The big news this week is that they took down the backyard fences of all the neighbors to the north. A temporary fence now holds the space and they are actively working on a much better looking and stable fence.
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| New location of our Visitors' Center |
Note in the picture above, the trailer in the upper right -- the new location for the Visitors' Center. The existing Anchorage Alaska Temple is in the background. It has a row of flower pots along the front and hanging baskets. It really is something to spend so much time nestled in right next to an operating temple amid all the people coming and going. What a unique and uplifting experience.
Enough for now. We love you and think of you often. #ThinkCelestial
Love always, Farrell & Kitty
Elder & Sister Badger
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