Busy week Nov 22

 I always enjoyed driving to work after a snow storm and seeing the bright blue sky backdrop against the fresh white snow on Timpanogos. It amazed me how beautiful and peaceful it looked. I think it was a precursor to how beautiful Alaska is. I feel the winter will be worth the cold to see the snow, frost and ice crystals on bright sunny days. The pictures don't capture what it actually looks like. I wish you could all see it. 

This has been a really busy week. Since the flood in our apartment, we spent a few days at a hotel and then moved into a different apartment this week. Another senior couple completed their mission and left for home on Tuesday so we have moved into their apartment. Elder and Sister Curtis were from a small town in Washington about 2 hrs north of Spokane. Elder Curtis taught Elder Robinson how to manage apartments which involves contracts for apartments, maintenance and inspection. Another couple just arrived to take over management of the office that Sister Curtis had done and also Finances that Elder Curtis had also done. We will miss them but are so grateful that we have the office staffed so their work will be covered. They really contributed a lot. It is hard to take someone's place but it is also exciting to learn to do new things and take ownership of the job. 

Elder Robinson is doing great. I enjoy being able to go with him to see and help the missionaries with housing concerns. We also got to visit with a couple about an apartment the missionaries could use. We stood in their yard and visited for about 30 min. while they were on their porch. It felt like 30 degrees but they talked and talked. They have lived in Alaska 50 years and commented that when the sun is shining it is a "dry cold" and not so bad. Sounds like Arizona "dry heat" right?  We were bundled up but they just had light jackets. I really enjoy talking to people and hearing their stories of what brings them to Alaska and why they love it. People here are quite friendly even with Covid. We just keep masks on and distance. I feel when we talk with people you can see the good in them and enjoy the interaction. Even with the cold temperatures people like to be outside. I liked seeing this man in shorts yesterday. It was 32 degrees but if it is over 30 degrees it is shorts weather.

It was interesting to try some Filipino food this week. We have some elders who were called to Alaska to teach Filipino people and also some who were transferred here from the Philippines. We found a Filipino takeout restaurant and tried chicken adobo, pansit, lumpia and turon. It was really good. But you can see from the menu that some things you need to be a little more brave to eat. I thought it was interesting that "Adidas" meant chicken feet. The ice cream flavors were very different too. There was Avocado, Queso (cheese), Ube (purple sweet potato), and Buko Pandan (coconut and screwpine). The Filipino missionaries help Elder Robinson a lot with service projects so he took them to lunch. They were so happy and loved visiting with the employees in Filipino (Tagolog). 

I want to show you some pictures of our new apartment. We have been busy at the mission office so it is taking a little longer to get settled. Some things I really like and some things I miss from our old apartment. I feel like how the missionaries probably feel when they transfer. It is hard to let go of the familiar for the unknown but you learn to adjust to change. This is a small townhome with a bright blue door (I like the color). We are in the middle unit. The bottom floor has a bedroom, bathroom and washer/dryer. It has an attached double garage which is heated, so, very nice. You go upstairs to the living area (don't like the stairs so much, but it is nice to not have someone living above us). There is a big kitchen, family room, nook and small deck. There is also a bedroom and bathroom upstairs. There are no linen or storage closets and the bathrooms have no drawers or cabinets. It is good to problem solve and find ways to store things. It is bigger than the other apartment so if anyone wants to come stay with us we have some extra room. 

We have been so excited for the repatriation flight for the Samoan missionaries on Friday, Nov. 27. As I have been trying to meet the requirements I realized there was no way we could get the Covid testing and results completed within the 72 hours of when they would leave. As I was talking with Elder Robinson about it I received a call from Pres. King telling me that arrangements had been made for the missionaries to fly to LA on Sun, Nov 22 where they would stay and complete the Covid testing and medical exam on site before the flight leaves. It was such a relief! With Thanksgiving and the difficulty in mailing the test and getting results completed with a paper copy of results, I didn't see how we could possibly do it. It really was an answer to so many prayers. The missionaries are so, so happy to go home. Even with a month of quarantine (2 weeks before and after). Other missionaries are getting assigned to return to their original missions too. There are missionaries going to Poland, Germany, Paraguay and Japan. They have been so patient and optimistic through all of this. They do inspire me to not complain and make the best of any situation.

There has been no change in the Smith's granddaughter's condition who was left paralyzed after surgery. They have found a lot of people are willing to help with whatever she needs. They are building a stair lift so her wheelchair can be transported up and down stairs. A car dealership is donating a van that is wheelchair accessible. As hard as it is to go through, it has helped them to see so much kindness in people around them who want to help. There was a really good talk in church today (via Zoom) by a woman who served a mission in an area where there are tornadoes. They lived 1.5 hrs from church. One Sunday they knew there was a storm coming but they thought they could get home safely if they left for home shortly after church. After church they spent a little more time visiting than they had planned. As they were driving home they could see the storm approaching and it was harder to control the car in the wind. They could see the tornado off to the side and didn't know how to get away. She had the impression to let go of the steering wheel. She was too scared to let go because she was holding the wheel tightly at a 45 degree angle just to keep the car straight on the road. Again she felt she should let go of the wheel. She didn't know what else to do so she let go of the wheel. For about 2 min., without any steering, the car continued straight down the road. As the tornado passed she felt impressed to start steering again and they were able to get safely home. She felt that God steered the car for her when there was nothing they could do. And as the storm passed they could again steer the car. She said sometimes you just have to let go of the wheel and allow God to steer the course. It takes faith to let go. Sometimes when there is nothing else you can do but let go, then you will see the miracles. And miracles come in the most unexpected ways. I don't know what lies ahead but perhaps they will see unexpected miracles too.

I have enjoyed hearing from so many of you. I am so grateful just to know you are thinking of us. We are doing well. Each day I wake up and wonder what new and interesting thing I will see in Alaska today. There is always something. I do like seeing how they handle cold, snowy weather. Here they are clearing sidewalks with an auger, the ultra snow blower.

This is a beautiful place but I especially love the people we see and work with. There really are good people everywhere!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving even if it is a bit different. You can always find something good, if you look for it.

Love and miss you!

Elder and Sister Robinson