July 28,2024

 We have had a full week!  Today one of our busier Sundays with meetings!  We spoke in the Hmong Branch this morning! Gary told me his talk was short but then I took a long time and of course he did not get to give his whole talk!  I should learn!!  It was a very small group but I felt a connect because Tanner went Hmong speaking to Sacramento!  Maybe three families there. We were told about 4,000 Hmong here in Anchorage!!

After we went to our YSA ward and it was good as two of the returned missionaries spoke!  A highlight was one of our missionaries that just went home three weeks ago was back to work for the rest of the summer. Elder Tally, a favorite district leader!  Fun to see him back!

Then we had a north stake seminary intro fireside and felt really good about our friends in that stake. The stake Presidency are our good friends so love how they care for this!  Justin spoke also and he is an amazing teacher that we always appreciate!

Yesterday we realized again how short our time is here so we went on an adventure to hike into the Russian River Falls down by Cooper Landing! It was about a 5 mile hike and Gary isn’t all the way back from bronchitis so was tough on him but a beautiful hike and day!

Kenai River 

 At the falls we stood and watched and the Salmon are jumping up the falls!  Pretty amazing!  This is a big run and a lot of our friends were down fishing or dip netting their limit.

 It is subsistence rules so the can get like 50 fish!  A lot of them can it or dry it for long term use!  They told us they eat salmon 3-4 times a week most of the year!  Truthfully that is how they survive with the cost of food up here! Two different friends Kincaid and Micheal Metcalf brought some to us!!💜. Anyway we left at 12 and after an ice cream stop we got home at 8:30.  Couldn’t have asked for a prettier day!

Thursday night we taught institute. Gary had to hold his breath some to keep from coughing but did it! Great lesson on law and tolerance and love! We had another activity with the ward scheduled but still had 19 kids there. It went well! Wednesday I went to the temple to work and evening session but Gary mostly stayed home coughing!  The Dr said his cough could last 4-8 weeks! Very discouraging cause we will be home before 8 weeks

Tuesday we spent the afternoon at the institute and Cherish who I’m fixing her wedding dress came for final fix.  So after a couple of hours lengthening her sleeves I believe I’m done! She seems happy!  Also the door repair guy came to look at our stacking doors and he is a member from San Diego. We had a great time visiting with him!  Somehow our afternoons always fill up there!  Monday we had a great District meeting even though we had Zone Conference Friday too!  Learning to love this new batch of missionaries and their good hearts!  Zone conference was fun as Elder Martz our new Ap was our zone leader last week! Also glad to help put on the meal and clean up! Nice be to be with friends and get to know Sister Jenkins ( a new senior couple) better. Sister Esplin was back bringing the food even though she works full time now!  Stake Pres.  wife!!  She is amazing!  It was a good week! One thing that made our week was a long chat with Tanner(who is coming to visit), Joshua, Jarilyn, Tricia and Staci!   Love and miss our family!!

Grateful to serve and help build the kingdom! We will always love Alaska! And hold this experience close to our hearts!