Tender Mercies and Praying for Another Miracle

Dear Family & Friends,

A lot can happen in a week. You may have noticed we are very late this week
writing our blog. We have had a week full of challenges and tender mercies. We are praying for another miracle. Let me tell you what's been going on.

Fireweed in Alaska.

Last week was a great week. I felt like we were getting in a good rhythm again. We had a steady stream of people coming to our Visitors' Center. Elder Richards finished his mission here and brought his parents over to meet us and we took pictures in front of the temple. Tuesday afternoon we had our OAC meeting. I had an uplifting Tuesday evening again at the temple. Cookie Day finally pulled together at the last minute. We finished up our weekly report. Thursday evening we had a ward BBQ to celebrate Pioneer Day and enjoyed beautiful weather all week. July 24, 1847 is the day the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. In Utah there are parades, rodeos, fireworks, and festivities all over the state. Friday I manned the Visitor Center while Farrell took care of a medical concern. Friday evening we had a dinner planned with three other senior missionary couples.

A picture our grandson drew of
the Anchorage Alaska Temple. 

As you recall from last Thursday we met Bret Taylor and he kindly offered to take boxes back to Utah for us when he travels there every two weeks. He has served in a Stake Presidency with President Hobbs. The next afternoon we met with Shannyn Bailey and expressed our appreciation for the opportunity to live in her and her husband's beautiful 4 bedroom Airbnb overlooking both the Anchorage Alaska temples - the one in operation, and the one being built. We loved being able to walk around the corner to the temple or walk three doors down to her parents home and use their back gate. We shared our prayer that we could stay in this home for the rest of our mission. Both of these are divine intervention.

On Friday, July 25, Farrell went to the emergency room with some stomach issues. He has been mentioning stomach discomfort for about three months and thought it was ulcers. He had tried repeatedly to get into a primary care physician here, but some aren't accepting any more Medicare patients or are several weeks or months out for new patients. The mission nurse, Sister Joseph, had advised us before she left her mission to just go to the emergency room if you have any issues because they have all the diagnostic equipment. Farrell had extensive blood work done early last October at the Alaska Health Fair and all the blood work for pancreas issues came back normal.  

Friday evening we had that dinner with three other senior missionary couples. The food was decent, but we really enjoyed their company and returned home. I always Like sleeping in on Saturday morning. After getting ready I came downstairs. Farrell told me there had been more about the Dr. visit than he had shared the night before. He hadn't wanted to ruin my evening. After blood work and a CT scan, the doctor told him that he had pancreatic cancer. It appears to be stage 3. The blood work numbers were very abnormal. Definitive diagnosis comes with a later biopsy but the doctor really didn't express any doubt. Of course, Farrell likes to know all the details, so spent hours on the internet. Nothing was good news. When he shared it all with me, it was a tender, sober discussion which left me in tears and was the hardest thing he said he had ever done. His mother passed away shortly after our third child was born and losing a spouse has been a deep seated fear of mine ever since.

We immediately decided it was time to end our mission so he could get the best treatment possible or at least be home surrounded by family. Because projects are our families coping mechanism, I immediately started pulling everything out of the kitchen and storage room and sorting what to take, leave, give away, etc. This, of course, means that the family room and kitchen have pretty much been a disaster area ever since. Thankfully help is on the way.

Flowers at temple.

We discussed it and felt that we needed to talk to our mission president first thing. President and Sister Ledesma are newly called from the Philippines. He is very kind, so genuine, and faith filled. He travels all over Alaska meeting with missionaries, but miraculously happened to be going to the temple that evening and agreed to meet us at the Visitors' Center at 6 p.m. After telling him the news, Farrell asked for a priesthood blessing. President Ledesma didn't have an consecrated oil, but he knew there would be some at the temple. We walked over and at the recommend desk I asked if a member of the temple presidency was available. We attend the temple nearly every week and know all of them. It's a small temple:) They said President Newman was available. As I walked toward the office I saw our Relief Society President, Emily Olsen. She works in the office. I told her and Sister Newman what was going on and we all hugged. Emily came with us. We met in his office and Pres. Ledesma and Pres. Newman gave Farrell a priesthood blessing. Then they gave me a blessing. It is amazing to receive a blessing from the mission president and the temple president -- another tender mercy.

Kitty with Alex Boye.

We walked out to the car feeling uplifted and noticed we still had time to make it to the Alex Boye fireside that Jodi & Treg Taylor in our ward had arranged. He is the Alaska State Attorney General and his wife is totally his equal. They have a lovely family. They had told us about it the previous week during Sunday School and I had texted everyone I knew up here. We arrived a couple minutes late and walked inside the ward building. The place looked vacant and we wondered if we were in the wrong place or if it had been cancelled. We then saw Brother and Sister Johnson (ward family friends) walking down the hall toward us with some people behind them. She said the Relief Society room wasn't big enough so they had moved it to the chapel and we were now at the front of the line. The front row remained empty and we sat in the second row with our friends the Duggins. Two speakers shared uplifting stories including Alex Boye, and then he sang a couple of songs. He sang with the Tabernacle Choir, has an incredible voice, and is very animated. He is a member of our church, but the fireside was interdenominational. Twice as he presented his personal message he put his hand on Farrell's shoulder. 

The next morning we attended church. We didn't tell anyone else at church because Farrell didn't want the attention. After we arrived home we started calling all our children. It was heartbreaking to tell them the news and emotionally exhausting. They know how much time Farrell spent in the yard and gardens and immediately mobilized to try and get it back in shape before we could see it again.

On Monday we met with Josh Foote at Westland. We called Brad Hill, our project director. Then met with Courtney Howell, our site manager. Then we contacted Sister Peck, our Special Project Department lead. So many facets need to be addressed as we wrap up our mission. Our original release date was August 11, 2025 and was just extended to December 11, 2026. We expected to stay here until the Anchorage Alaska Temple was completed. We were hoping to finish our last report this week, but it remains right where we left it last Friday. This would be week #74.

Sister Christensen.

Tuesday morning we called Bret Taylor back to see if he was still all right with bringing back boxes to UT. He was so generous to still be willing to do that for us. Then we headed out to return some unused items to Costco and pick up moving boxes at Lowe's. These are big boxes. Just as we approached the temple we received a phone call that cookies were being dropped off. Farrell decided not to stop, but then changed his mind because they had come with lots of children and were standing in front of the Visitors' Center. It's a one way street and it takes about 5 minutes to drive back around through the neighborhoods. We checked and they were still there. He asked me to stop and explain the situation. I walked up to part of the group standing there. One pretty middle aged woman said she had been wanting to meet us for some time. Her son, Hunter Christensen, served as Farrell's executive secretary when Farrell was an LDS Bishop in Provo several years back. He had also been wanting to meet her and had been looking for her for two years. He wanted to tell her what a fine young man Hunter was. She lost her husband to brain cancer and had some good advice for me. I pulled out my ponytail and we took a picture. There was an amazing assortment of cookies. I usually don't have any, but tried a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin, since I hadn't eaten breakfast. The next morning when we put them out the workers were delighted. This day started out sweet and kept getting better and better. The Lord is truly involved in the details of our lives.

Car wash - our car far right.

We decided to get a car wash if there was time and there was no one in line! That never happens in the middle of the day. There are usually two or three deep in each line. A clean car makes me happy and we have more company coming soon, so thank you Farrell for indulging me. My grandkids in Texas call Quick Quack Car Wash, "Grandma's favorite place." I would get my car washed in UT almost every time I was out because it was so fast and convenient - and it made me happy. It helps to have a monthly pass:)

Much needed rain at temple.

I have loved serving as an ordinance worker at the Anchorage Temple. President Hobbs set me apart when he was a counselor to President Metcalf. He called as I was getting ready Tuesday, to tell me he had spoken with President Newman. He expressed his love and appreciation for me and my dear husband. I wasn't sure if I would be up to attending the temple that evening, but felt I needed the spiritual comfort I always find there. Tuesday evening during our preparation meeting this week he shared the experiences he had when he became the Temple President. He sat in the Celestial room with his wife and prayed to know what Heavenly Father wanted him to do during his time here. He received three instructions, two of which he shared. The first was, "Open the Temple." Shortly thereafter the endowment session was shortened church-wide and three more sessions were able to be added. The second was, "Tell my children I love them." I know our Heavenly Father is perfectly loving. He only wants to bless us as we obey His commandments. Pres. Hobbs also shared that when he started serving three years ago there were 300 temple workers, now there are 787. That is astounding. And with all those workers he took the time to call me that evening. Sister and President Hobbs then shared their testimonies, telling us it was their last Tuesday at the temple. They are being released and moving to Idaho. I am so grateful I went. The timing of all these events was amazing. They are for our benefit and comfort.

I was assigned to work in the initiatory, but because they had two new patrons we waited outside the dressing room. I had a chance to say goodbye to sister after sister that I dearly love with lots of hugs and remembering us is their prayers. Sister Duggins, a treasured friend from our Temple View ward was there. Some gave me comforting advice and told me about special uplifting experiences she had had. These women are all so faithful. Sister Staley said "Bro. Bake said to say hi". I said, Mark Bake? "I don't know his first name, but he works at the Provo City Center Temple." I do indeed know him and his whole family. He married and sealed our youngest daughter in the Provo City Center Temple a year ago last August, right before we came on our mission. We have known them for over forty years. He asked where I was from and when I said Alaska, he asked which temple I attended? I told him there was only one temple in Alaska! He asked if I knew Brother and Sister Badger, the Temple Construction Missionaries. I told him she works with me as an ordinance worker on Tuesday evening. He couldn't believe it! There are no coincidences. 

Tuesday on my walk home from the temple, I saw our neighbor across the street, Kay, putting out her garbage. I told her we were leaving and gave her a hug. I mentioned to her we had some hanging plants and asked if she would like one. She said yes and said she usually gets one, but didn't this year. It rained most of the day yesterday, but during a break in the weather I walked over to bring her one of our hanging plants. She was on the phone with her daughter as it was Kay's birthday! I hung the beautiful plant by her front door. While I was there I asked if she had any dishwasher tabs, since we ran out. She brought me a new tub, but said she couldn't figure out how to open it, since her eyesight isn't good. I opened it and she offered by as many as I wanted. I took five to get us by until we can get to the store. A tender mercy for both of us. God is indeed the master choreographer.

I received a text Wednesday morning from Lois Swensen. Her and her dear husband invite us to game night at their home every month. Farrell just goes for the snacks and conversation. We were just there on July 19. They invented the game AlaskaAlaska which we gave to all of our family for Christmas. Her text read, "Jay and Pat Clark say hello." He was the sealer assigned to escort Evan (as sealer at the temple here) around the Mount Timpanogos temple. Clark's lived in our Mapleton ward and we have know them for over three decades. They have blessed our lives in so many ways over the years.

Farrell waving by new north fence.

We put out cookies Wednesday morning for our weekly Cookie Day, expressing our appreciation to the workers and getting hand shakes and hugs from our dear friends at Westland. Josh is attending his father-in-laws funeral this week. So many expressed their spiritual faith of God's hand in our lives. Most workers are not LDS. Many are very faithful in their congregations. It gives me joy to know we all come together as we have faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Yesterday afternoon at 2:56 I felt it was time to call our dear friend, Michelle Baer, in Utah. Unbeknownst to me she had texted me 14 minutes earlier. We had planned an amazing trip with the Baer's to Denali with our other dear friends, Elder & Sister Gailey, serving in Soldotna AK. We were going to take the Alaska Railroad up to Denali and stay two nights at the Denali Wilderness Princess Lodge, eat out, bus around the national park, see wildlife, enjoy great company, and the fall foliage. Due to our needing to bow out and another commitment, the Baer's also cancelled. We were able to cancel our train and hotel reservations. It was wonderful to share all the tender mercies and know our Heavenly Father is mindful of us. My new motto it, "Don't let future sorrow steal today's joy."

I have said how being on a mission has been good for our marriage. This time has been especially sweet. I can't imagine my life without my husband, but I try not to let myself go there. He is in the Lord's hands. Please pray for a miracle for Farrell. We are combining our faith and prayers as we fast for healing for him this Sunday. Please join us if you are willing and able. We love you. Texts are welcome, but we are overwhelmed right now and may need some space. Thank you for all your love and support. #Think Celestial

Love always, Elder & Sister Badger

Seek and Expect Miracles

Dear Family and Friends,

Sunset Friday in Anchorage.

Kitty writing this week. Another busy week on our mission here in Alaska. Our daughter and family left late Wednesday evening. We tried to show them all the beauties of Alaska in one week. It's impossible, but I think they left with good memories. It's hard to believe the summer is half over. Since June 21 the days are getting shorter and it's getting darker sooner. Friday evening, I actually stayed up late enough to see a beautiful sunset. I feel blessed more than I deserve.

Kinkaid Beach in Anchorage.

Most of the beaches around here are mud flats from glacial silt and are very dangerous. Tuesday, I took the boys down to the beach at Kinkaid Park while Farrell manned the Visitors' Center. It's the only safe and sandy beach nearby and they played for two hours. Someone had made some teepees with driftwood. The boys made forts with rocks and wood, collected and skipped rocks, and made friends with other children. It was very peaceful and expended a lot of their energy. The weather was perfect.

Yearling moose at Kinkaid Park.

Meanwhile Laurel & Dan took Ebikes and rode all over the Tony Knowles trail and Kinkaid Park. They really liked the off pavement and cross country trails. Meanwhile we walked back up the path, then drove to our meeting place. On our way to pick them up we saw a yearling moose! We watched it cross the trail and then saw cars and people stopped looking at it on the side of the road. Moose are everywhere up here, but they can be hard to spot, and it's always a treat to see one in the wild. As usual it was busy grazing and ignoring us. Thank goodness. 

Wildflowers and mountains at Alaska Conservation Center.

On our last day here with them we drove to the Alaska Conservation Center. The four young grandsons took our make a lot of noise to scare off the bears advice for hikers and mistakenly applied it to the outdoor bear habitat. Understandably, we did not see any bears. We did see some amazing elk, bison, deer, a huge eagle, an owl, and some odiferous porcupines. The views were incredible. I love seeing all the wildflowers blooming everywhere along with the green mountains still patched with snow. We took the boys while Laurel and Dan rode the bike trail back to Indian Creek along Turnagain Arm. It's about 24-26 miles and two miles of the trail are right along the highway. I do not like riding next to traffic. It turned out well and they still made it back to the parking lot before we did. 

Indian Creek wayside overlook.

We have new mission leaders, President and Sister Ledesma. Tonight they talked about the miracle we all witnessed Wednesday morning. Laurel and family had driven to Eagle River Nature Center while we worked at the Visitors' Center. Farrell received the first ever text reading: Tsunami Warning - evacuate immediately. Our internet had gone down, but Farrell used his hotspot and found out there had been a 7.3 magnitude earthquake off Alaska's Aleutian Islands. Communities spanning a 700 mile stretch of Alaska's southern coast had advised residents to evacuate. 

I loaded up my purse, computer, and guest book and we headed back to the house. I told him I would rather be safe than sorry. We could head to Flat Top, a local high elevation, if needed. We would have time to go home and gather a few things first. We called Laurel to made sure they were safe. They were hiking and we wanted to make sure they were not in the low lands. They were higher up, but headed home anyway. The temple and our home are about 220 feet above sea level, but it would still take hours to get to us. I prayed everyone would be safe and Laurel's family would make their flight that night without delays. We have all watched YouTube videos of tsunamis and they are no joke. The tsunami warning was first downgraded, then cancelled. Another tsunami warning was cancelled after a 7.4 earthquake hit off Russia's coast. President Ledesma said it was a miracle and I agree. We feel our prayers were answered. They made their flight without incident.

17 July 2025  Courtesy of Jonathan Hughes

We are excited about the progress of the new Anchorage Alaska Temple. The entrance is on the south where you see the large arch. The granite Eclad system, which started on the west, is coming around to the north side and progressing on the level 2 screen walls. The roof membrane is finished on level 2. The roof peak is taking shape with metal studs. The fence is going in on the west, north, and east sides. The utility building, the gray building in the back on the right, is almost finished. It's been interesting to see things go from rough construction to very nice in a matter of months. You can see intricate details in the granite both on the ground in crates and on the temple. The fireweed motif in the granite is visible now and looks beautiful. We took some great pictures on site Saturday and are excited to write our weekly report on Monday. I'm looking forward to working at the temple Tuesday evening. It seems like we have more ordinance workers every week.

17 July 2025  Courtesy of Jonathan Hughes

We met Brett Taylor, of Taylor Fire Protection Services, on Friday. He and an assistant were hosting a luncheon for the workers in front of that cream slanted roof Conex building in the left of the picture and we were invited. They served hoagie sandwiches, chips, soft drinks & water, and desserts. He has homes in Alaska and Mapleton and is good friends with our LDS Stake leader in Mapleton UT, President Lewis who set us apart for our mission. President Lewis asked him to say hi to us when he was up at the temple site. It was fun to meet him. We found out he lives exactly one mile away from us in his second home there in Mapleton. He flies back and forth every couple of weeks. It was great to visit about the growth and happenings in Mapleton and reminisce about friends we had in common. He even volunteered to take stuff back for us since he travels light. We very much appreciate the offer, since we drove up. Thank you, sir!

President Nelson said, "Seek and expect miracles. Believe in God, pray, and exercise faith. The Lord will bless you with miracles." We see His hand here almost daily, from the beauties of the earth, to faithful followers of God, to the desire in all our hearts to be better. Our Savior's infinite atonement is hopeful, loving, and healing. We are so grateful to our family and friends who have made this journey in life richer and shared your faith with us. We will always be humbled that the Lord has brought you into our lives. Have a glorious week. #Think Celestial

Love always, Elder & Sister Badger

There's No Time Like the Present

Hello to all,

Fireweed at Alyeska Resort.

Farrell writing this week, while Kitty adds in the pictures. I was going to say, "time marches on" but a more accurate statement would be, "time fades away never to be regained." That's not intended to be a negative statement but more of a statement of gratitude and our condition in this life to make use of the gift of time we have been given. I have said before, probably in these blogs, that I wish I had the ability to remember all the people I have come across in life. What a myriad of unique souls that recollection would be. The wonder of people, like the stars in the sky, is truly an amazing salute to our Great Creator and Father of us all. It is a treasure. What got me thinking in this vein was coming across the obituary of my cousin who passed away July 9. We have learned that there are few if any coincidences in the realm of people. We meet people all the time that we have some kind of connection with.

Geese & goslings at Alyeska 
Resort Pond.

It is feeling a little more like Utah here this week -- very dry. We are just not used to it and expect the rains to come as August/September arrive. We will see. It is so cool, that I neglect to water outside plants and will find them wilted. They still dry out with 55-60F temperatures. The peonies are just wrapping up their bloom. Kitty has made the most of them with cut flowers and fragrance in the house. We both love that. It reminds her of her grandmother, Alice. Lilacs are also just finishing in cooler areas. You can still walk down the street and have their beautiful smell float in on the breeze. So timing is a little different in this north latitude 61d06'06"N.

Laurel, Dan & boys at Hatcher Pass.

More celebration of our upcoming 50th wedding anniversary next year with a visit from Laurel, a middle daughter, with her husband Dan and family of four sons, 10 and under. They are a lively bunch. Except for the youngest, they hiked the north face of Alyeska the other day. That's known as a difficult hike because of an elevation gain of 2,200 feet. Some of the trail has steps but some are big lifts. Benson, who is six, danced around them without any problem. Kitty and I enjoyed the youngest, Calvin, down at the bottom and then road the tram up to greet the already arrived hikers. It took them about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Kitty also went with them to pan for gold at Hatcher Pass, take a short cruise on Portage Lake, and hike to Byron Glacier while I manned the Visitors' Center. I personally love to get to know the grandkids personalities better. There is nothing like living with someone for a week to understand them better. All four of them will get out on the back lawn and have a major all out wrestling match. Usually it ends with everyone exhausted and happy. 

Wildflowers and grandsons and Byron Glacier.

We had a special visit from a young lady at the Visitors' Center with her boyfriend and others. They were from Denver. He was a member of our church but said he was "non-practicing" but she was not. She is in architecture school so was intently interested in the temple construction. She made it clear that that's what she was interested in and not the church. As we were wrapping up, I shared my testimony of the Savior, which is what I usually do. Her eyes betrayed the deep feeling she was experiencing. Her whole demeaner changed. Such a sweet presence of the Spirit. She left with a challenge to visit some temple open houses where she could learn and feel more of that Spirit. 

Glacier at Portage Lake.

I have been enjoying the temple fence construction of all things. Keeping up and/or taking pictures of the mechanical work inside is a bit overwhelming. You can't point the camera in one direction and get anything other than a mass of steel, wires, ducts, sheetrock, etc. I have to single something out, zero in on that one item, and then describe it in text format in our weekly report. You can do it with a 360 degree camera which we use occasionally. But the fence is another story. The one on the north perimeter along the back yards of neighbors is cedar. They picked that to blend in with the neighborhood. The posts are 8x8" x about 12'. Eight feet is left above the ground. They are set in cement (4000psi) with rebar cages. Two men can barely muscle in one 275 lb. post. They are eight feet apart. Not necessarily intended, but this is a moose proof structure. The fence along the front road has a full concrete stepped foundation with concrete columns. It all gets covered with a granite façade. Iron work goes between the columns. it's so fun to watch. 

Waterfalls at Portage Lake.

Little Susitna River. 

They are also in the process of bringing in 3 phase power. That is done with horizontal directional boring equipment. I think the power company is making use of the opportunity by running five pieces of conduit to serve the whole neighborhood. The largest two are about six inch diameter. They all go in one hole with no open trench. I want to be the one to flip the switch on when it is all run -- not likely. Some big trees had to come down on the east side because they were right on the fence property line. What more could you want than a beautiful new fence, new big trees plus additional professional landscaping thrown in for good measure. Lots of granite going up on the temple walls. It is a methodical process -- like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.

We just upped our cookie needs to 14 dozen a week -- all to thank the workers and
let the members make a connection with their new temple under construction. That is a lot of cookies. We wonder how long we can keep this up. Wednesday is a big day here -- everyone smiles.

Have a great week and enjoy summer. We love you all. #Think Celestial.

Sincerely, Elder & Sister Badger

Land of Liberty

Dear Family and Friends,

View coming back down from Hatcher Pass.

Kitty writing this week. Hope you had a happy 4th of July! We had the special privilege of having a treasured cousin visit us after her cruise this week. Dianne is my mother's first cousin. She celebrated her 81st birthday on the cruise. My grandmother is her aunt. My cousin traveled with her best friend, Laura. They are both Catholic nuns and live with the Franciscan Sisters in Wheaton Illinois. It's always a treat to spend time with them. Dianne knew my parents well and we have a special love for all of our Egan relatives. Her grandmother, Anna, was born in Wrangell AK and is full-blooded Tlingit Alaskan Native. I wanted Dianne to take the cruise from Vancouver so she could see the land of our ancestors. Anna was my great grandmother.

Wildflowers on trail.

McHugh Falls.

My sister was also invited to share in the Alaskan Adventure. As soon as I heard they were coming I called my sister, Anne. I hoped she might be able to get away, and knew she would love spending time with Dianne. We were able to squeeze in a short hike up past McHugh Falls and attend the existing temple Saturday before Dianne and Laura arrived. It was a real help to have her entertain our guests while we were busy over at the temple site.     

Holland Cruise ship docked in port.

After attending church, we picked Dianne and Laura up in Whittier from their cruise. The tunnel is always an interesting experience. It's an engineering marvel and can be a little nerve racking driving over the train tracks with dim lighting. I was glad Farrell was driving. 

Glacier right of Whittier tunnel. 

We drove around for awhile after picking up our company before heading back through the 2 mile long tunnel through the mountain. There was a spectacular glacier just off to the right as we waited in line. It is one of the 100,000 estimated glaciers in Alaska.

View to right of Portage Glacier.

                                          After exiting the Whittier Tunnel we stopped at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. They had nice displays. We walked around and then had a nice picnic lunch surrounded by magnificent views while it sprinkled. 

View of Portage Glacier.

Next we stopped at the pullout overlooking Portage Glacier. The wildflowers were blooming and the view is always stunning. The rugged beauty and fresh air make you feel so blessed.

On observation deck at Alaska SeaLife Center.

It was short week at the Visitors' Center due to the 4th of July. The workers mostly left on Thursday for a long weekend. We had internet connection issues on Monday, but were able to finish our report on Tuesday. We headed to Seward, enjoyed the Alaska SeaLife Center. It's one of the few places we can see the sea life up close. We especially enjoyed the starfish, sea lions, harbor seals, puffins and other sea birds. They are so cute and colorful. 

View of mountains, glacier, and meadow from train.

Then the four girls took the train back to Anchorage. We had a nice boxed dinner. The scenery on the drive there and the train ride back were amazing. It's a relaxing scenic experience. I loved it.

View of seven waterfalls from train.

It's a 4 hr. 15 min. train ride and only about a 2 hour drive, so Farrell stopped and bought a hamburger in Seward. The service is always very slow and expensive, but at least he didn't starve. I hope he enjoyed the peace and quiet on the drive back:) 

View of glacier fed river from train.

View of lush green mountainsides from train.

View of quaint wooden bridge in shadow from train.

View of lily pads w. yellow flowers from train.

View of Turnagain Arm from train around 9:15 p.m.

View from Flattop Overlook.

                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                        We dropped off my sister and the next day were able to take a short drive and walk to the Flattop Overlook. It never disappoints and is a favorite. The view of the city, water, mountains, and sometimes a sunset are just spectacular.

Independence Mine. 

On the 4th of July we took a short tour of Independence Mine. It's around 4,000 feet and surrounded by rocky peaks and alpine tundra. Then we drove further up Hatcher Pass. There was still snow on the small Summit Lake. 

View heading up to Summit Lake.

Hatcher Pass watching hang gliders.

Fearless Laura and I hiked up a few rocky hills at Hatcher Pass and had an amazing time watching hang gliders take off all around us and sail right in front of us. She said it was the best 4th of July she had ever had. It was truly incredible. 

Laura watching hang gliders take off, glide, and land.

We learned a lot about hang gliding. They were actually waiting for the wind to die down a bit so they could take off. The young man who we asked to take our picture said he had just been up in the air for three hours! 

Watching the hang gliders at Hatcher Pass.

We sat on that big rock as we enjoyed the scenery. We had no idea there would be hang gliders! It was quite windy, but we were dressed warm enough and really enjoyed ourselves. It was too steep for Dianne so she sat in the car with Farrell to watch the spectacle. 

We are so grateful to be able to enjoy the beauties of nature. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us more than we deserve. We feel so privileged to be serving up here in Alaska. The winters are very very long, but the summers are spectacular. Have an amazing summer. Remember you can never go so far that our Heavenly Father cannot reach you. He is always as close as a prayer. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, His son, has already atoned for our sins. Lay them at His feet and rejoice in the Good News that He lives. Families are forever. #Think Celestial

Love always,

Elder & Sister Badger

The Work and the Glory

Dear family & friends,

We hope everyone is doing well. Farrell writing this week.

Sunset Thursday evening around midnight.

We are currently hosting another group of visitors. We picked up Kitty's sister, Anne, on Thurs. from the airport around midnight. We were waiting in the park and wait and saw a beautiful sunset. Anne also saw it coming in on the plane. Of course our photos never do it justice. Take what you see and double the scale and color. Kitty invited Anne because their mother's 1st cousin, Dianne, and best friend Laura were coming to Alaska. Kitty talked them into taking a cruise from Vancouver and we picked them up Sunday in Whittier. Dianne's grandmother was born in Wrangell AK and was a Tlingit Alaskan Native. She celebrated her 81st birthday on the cruise. It is an adventure for them and Kitty is so excited to show her the beauties of Alaska. The girls and Dianne were very close as children and adore her.

We have gotten to know & love Diane over the years. She provided some exceptional service to our daughter Amy in Michigan after the birth of her preemie twins so she has earned a special place with us. Diane and Laura are both Catholic nuns. They are relaxing now and visiting a few places of interest. It is great to have Anne here to be the host when we are busy at the temple site and Visitors' Center.

Mike Kennedy fireside.

Kitty was excited when she met Mike Kennedy selling Traeger grills at Costco. He is the 4th great grandson of Joseph Smith. Turns out I had sat by him in church Priesthood Meeting the week before without an intro. He wanted to go to the temple, so Kitty called to make sure there was an opening. Kitty and Anne saw him that evening in the Celestial Room. He joined us again Sunday morning at church before work. Then she arranged a place for him to give a fireside Sunday evening at Evan and Lois Swensen's home. They are also good friends and he is a temple sealer. Seven were able to attend on short notice. I was a little skeptical but I guess it turned out OK. I did not go to fireside, but Kitty and Anne loved it. He has many inspiring histories and personal experiences to share.

Here is his father's story. I think you will find it inspiring as well as very entertaining.

https://josephsmithjr.org/missionary-moment-the-michael-kennedy-conversion-story-third-great-grandson-of-joseph-smith/

Elaine Jesse Rawle

We received the news this morning that our dear friend, neighbor, & past ward member, Elaine Rawle, passed away last week at the age of 93. We first met her and her family in about 1984. Kitty was pregnant with Ryan when we moved in next door to the Rawle's. She had such a calm and gentle personality, always speaking with a quiet voice and encouraging tone. We would bring her a little Christmas gift every year until we left on our mission. We haven't seen a lot of her since we moved to Mapleton in 1994, but always had and will always have a soft place in our hearts for her. She is one of those people in life that you feel blessed to have crossed paths with. I don't believe that is by accident. So we send our condolences to all who loved and admired her, especially her children and grandchildren, many of whom are also dear and treasured friends. We look forward to seeing her again in the eternities. We will ever be grateful to our Savior Jesus Christ for making resurrection possible.

Temple construction progress is quite amazing -- at least to me. They formed the arch in the main entry and poured it with concrete. I have seen a lot of concrete but have never seen the type they used for this pour. It was almost as thin as water with aggregate floating in the water. It is called self consolidating concrete and I understand it has been around for awhile but gained widespread use in the US in the early 2000's. Usually excess water makes concrete weak. It has to go in water tight forms to contain it. It has a high cement (8 1/2 bag mix vs a normal 5 bag mix for any who care) content and gets it's full strength quickly. It has polymers and other "magic" ingredients to keep the rock in suspension. They use it for architectural pours i.e. exposed concrete that has to look pretty. That's not the case here -- gets covered with granite. The plywood in the front rectangle is the arch form.

Drone view of the Temple from the Front.

They have also been framing the top "dome" (can't see it in the picture). So that is a couple or three guys working at high elevation putting metal roof joists from a center point to the edge. The have it almost done in one long day. It is beginning to look like the rendering picture.

Our Visitors' Center visitors have been coming in a steady flow. We have a pretty standard presentation that seems to work for most of them. I have lots of show and tell pieces which makes the dialog easy. But, the part I enjoy the most is sharing a testimony of the Savior and our connection with Him in the temple. There is always a strong special Spirit. Many sweet tears of joy have been shed.

Love you all, Elder & Sister Badger