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.

Spring Break

This week was our Spring Break. It didn't feel at all like a Spring Break. We've had a pretty crazy week. First off! Why do professors feel the need to ruin any plans you might have for spring break? The largest assignments were given to me for this week. I have a 14 page take home midterm...I thought I was almost finished with it, there was only one more section left--which directed me to another section online that is 16 pages of more ridiculous questions! So I am sitting by our really slow printer waiting for those pages to print. But I've been slowly working on this project all week.

One nice thing is we haven't had to flex our work schedules so both Jed and I put in the normal hours and didn't have to worry about staying later or going in earlier.

But Jed had some bad luck later this week...he was working on his jeep and left his glasses on the hood then drove away...so we spent Friday night looking for them but still no luck.
Then the next morning his laptop died. I don't know exactly what happened, it doesn't recognize the hard drive anymore. We've been expecting it but it is always sad and disappointing when something you love dies. Jed also had to give a talk on Sunday and also teach his Sunday School class.

It has been nice and sunny. It's been in the upper twenties all week, so I guess I can't complain too much. I've been wearing normal shoes...this is the perfect time before break up comes and it will be too wet to were anything but rain boots. I just miss the days where we could drive south for a few hours and feel the southern sun!

Well my papers are finishing up. I have a few big assignments dues the first part of this week. Also I have my THIRD interview to be a tour director tomorrow. I have to give a presentation as if we were on a bus and I am giving a tour! Wish me luck!

First Signs!

The First Sign: Today when I came home from work the sun was still shining. The Sun now rises at 7:39am and sets at 6:43pm...meaning we have 11 hours and 4 minutes of sunlight! It is so great to see the sun shining so much during the day! I can't wait for the long summer days!

The Second Sign: As shown in the video above...water dripping! Though it will freeze again this week...it is starting to slowly melt. It is the best sound in the world to hear spring coming (Slowly).

The Third Sign: While I paused to listen to the water dripping I heard the song of a bird singing in the background! That is a sound that we don't hear all winter...well we hear the loud crowing of the disgustingly large black raven's but they are really gross and don't count. But the birds are migrating back!!! There is sign of LIFE again!

Three signs that this awful horrible winter is almost over!!

Fur Rondy '11

It's Fur Rondy time again! It's Anchorage's big festivities to celebrate the big fur rendezvous and the start of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. It was a little warmer this year, the sun was out! But it was windy and really chilly. I thought it would be fun to ride the Ferris Wheel and Jed didn't argue too much, but once we got out on top it was SOOO cold! Worse idea ever! (This is us on top of the Ferris Wheel...FREEZING!)

We also had Flat Stanley with us, I took him to the Fur Auction...I think I am trying to smile, but I don't know...we couldn't feel our face after the that ferris Wheel ride.

Also ran into the Missionaries...we took their picture with Flat Stanley also!

The dog sled race, we didn't see too many of the real racers, but maybe next week we'll catch some!

On President's Day we also took a drive out to Talkeetna, Why? Just because...It was a little break from our daily routine. We saw a really beautiful bald eagle on the way and snapped a few photos.


AND if you are every in Talkeetna...which you should all visit one day! But if you are, you need to go to Mountain High Pizza Pie!! The most delicious pizza you'll ever taste! We got the Calzone, which is basically an entire pizza folded in half...mmmm--mmmm-mmm!

One way ticket to....

I really should post more often. But it is hard because I feel so negative lately, and I hate spreading the negative vibes. It is hard to be in Alaska this time of year. It is really cold and there is no hope for winter to be over. I heard that Utah is having a bit of warmer weather...to all of you in UT you may not realize but your upper 40 degree temperature would be heavenly right now.

For the last few days it has been hanging around -5 to -10 degrees. My energy levels have dropped, probably from the lack of sunlight and vitamin D. I stay in bed as long as I possibly can, which means I no longer allow myself the time to go out and start my car before I have to leave for work (Shhh ...don't tell Jed.) My car really doesn't do well in the negative temperatures, it growls really loudly. Trying to drive a car that cold is just painful, but what can I say? I would rather sleep in my warm bed for those extra minutes than bother to warm up my car.

Things are getting a little better though, when I leave for work (around 8-ish) I can see a glimmer of hope coming beyond the horizon...the sun?? Oh heaven's no, but the sky has changed from being full of bright stars to a midnight blue, I can see the silhouette of the mountains to the east. During the day the sun has been shining brightly, but just at the level that your car visor won't quite block it.

But even with the sun coming out more, there is still a thick layer of ice over all the roads, parking lots, and side walks. It is still painfully cold to be outside for more than a few minutes...and people are getting irritated by it. A friend brought to my attention not too long ago that February is the mean month...especially up here! People get very impatient and tempers get out of control...meetings are more stressful, people I work with (clients and co-workers) are more easily offended, homework assignments seem more demanding of your time. All because we are hating winter and just want it to be over with!

I find myself browsing the one way tickets on Expedia...Hawaii, Rio de Janeiro, or the Caribbean? At this point I would take Seattle! I just wish the winter would be over. I want to walk out side without my bulky (yet very cute) snow boots, gloves, hat, and heavy coat...I want to wear normal shoes!