Just One Soul

Five years ago in a little town in Brazil called Itaípu I met the most beautiful little family. It was in fact the only family still intact (mom, dad and four kids) that I ever taught. We met them only a week after their youngest was born, and Valdenia, the mom, was looking for a new church. This family was golden...but it was a slow process. The biggest problem was Valdenia and Renato were not married. It was so expensive to get married, just basic marriage license, that it wasn't a priority for them. We taught this family for months and they had many question for us, but it seemed like nothing could speed up the process for them to get married. The hardest thing for me was when my mission ended and the closest I had ever gotten to seeing a whole family get baptized slipped away.
I heard from other Sisters that the family was still investigating the church. We got in touch with each other again, through email...and now because of Facebook we keep in touch more regularly. After a couple years, I heard that their oldest two daughters were baptized and they were all still investigating and attending church. The last couple of years they were still trying to save money to get married.

Yet the greatest thing happened, I just got a message from her today saying that they were married on Friday, Baptized on Saturday, and confirmed a member of the church on Sunday! She said that was all because of a seed that I planted in her heart five years ago, and that she would never forget me!

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

I am so full of happiness right now that I can not sleep! I have often questioned why I served a mission, because all those I had seen get baptized while I was on my mission had fallen away and became inactive. I questioned if I wasted my time, and more so if I wasted the Lord's. But I feel the spirit so strongly tonight, and think of those words she said " all because of a seed you planted in my heart five years ago"...and I wonder, what if I had not answered my call to serve? Because we were there, and were willing to share the gospel this family has the opportunity to receive all the blessings of the priesthood and receive the ordinances so they can be seal together as a family. And again I want to shout! HOW GREAT SHALL BE YOUR JOY!! It's for this reason that I love sharing the gospel and I love sharing my testimony. You never know what kind of seeds you are planting along the way.

Walk A Mile in Her Shoes Event

A few of my co-worker participated in a really great event for sexual violence awareness. They literally walked a mile 'in her shoes' wearing women's high heels. They carried banners and signs as they marched through UAA's campus. It was really great and fun to watch. There were a lot of high officials who participated and they raised just over $2,000 for the cause.

Here is Colonel Mallard, from the Alaska State Highway Patrol, sporting some awesome red pumps.

This guy reminded me of Ron Swanson from the show Parks & Recreation, I think he was either the chief of police or a judge...either way, Way to go!
This construction worker, was awesome...he just wanted to walk in behalf of all the victims, and to bring awareness.

I thought this was a great event and I wanted to share it with all of you!

Living the Dream

Our neighborhood moose

It's been awhile...but we've just been living the Alaskan dream! Well not really, it is spring "break-up". All the snow and ice is starting to melt creating large pot holes in the icy roads. It is slowly starting warm up though. It was about 40 degrees today.

Jed and I went to the outdoor Sportsman Show today it was a lot of fun...we entered as many drawings as we could, hopefully, we win a free fishing charter, or an scenic flight or a free night in the Best Western !

The other exciting news is that my brother is probably moving to Alaska! I say probably because I heard that he got a job up here in Anchorage, and he is going to stay with us...but he hasn't really talked to me yet. I'm really excited though!

Other news, School continues on...it is busy and sometimes boring and typically really hard and frustrating. I have a new calling at church I am the 1st counselor in the Young Women's and so that keeps me really busy.