Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday

 Happy Birthday today, Dec. 20, to Spencer. And to Max who will turn 18 on Dec 23. In honor of birthdays (and Scott's request) we have been trying bakery specialties this week. Sister Powell and Sister Young had birthdays this past week too.  For a birthday treat the sisters get cruffins from Benji's Bakery. A cruffin is a croissant shaped in a muffin cup with cream filling. Crispy on the outside and light and flaky inside. We also went to a Dutch European Bakery. They have a sale box for $10 with a surprise mixture of pastries. It's a good thing we have been active this week (and sharing treats).

We have had a lot of snow this week. It is starting to pile up. The bottom layer of snow looks like Cookies and Cream ice cream with the grit frozen in the snow. The snow plows work non-stop when it snows but the roads are still very slippery. There are now dump trucks that empty snow piles from the parking lot and take it to fields to pile up there. It will be the winter solstice tomorrow, the shortest day of the year. I think for as stormy as it is we may not see a lot more sunshine during the day. But it is good to know that each day after tomorrow brings us closer to spring. 

It has been interesting each morning when we go to the mission office we pass by the FedEx warehouse. We see these huge semis being backed in to the tiniest bay opening. The clearance between the warehouse and fence is about 30 feet and the semi looks like it is 29.5 feet. The bay looks like a 2 inch clearance from the top and sides of the truck around the opening. There is a cuff that fits around the truck to seal the opening between the two. That would be the most complex parking job ever. But if they have a backer like the missionaries have it would be so much easier, right? It does accomplish the purpose. 

With all of the snow, the car wash keeps pretty busy just to get rid of the slush. The car wash is like a heated garage bay that has a motorized arm that circles around your car for the wash cycles then opens up at the end so you can drive out all clean. I tried to get a picture but it didn't show the fog that surrounds your car when you come out. It looks like a scene from Knight Rider (a TV show from the 80's starring a car). It amazes me the innovative ways people adapt to the weather conditions. 

Elder Robinson is still changing apartments and moving missionaries. He is almost done and everyone is getting settled in the Anchorage Bowl area. We will go to Fairbanks Dec 31-Jan 1 to move 3 apartments there and then he should be done. I'm nervous about Fairbanks. It is sooo cold! The missionaries move everything, we just help as back up.  They work pretty quick. Also it is a chance to see the Northern Lights. Some of the hotels there have Northern Lights viewing rooms in the hotel. They will call you if the lights are out. It is pricey though ($250-$600/night) and no guarantee you will see them. Or you can stay in a regular hotel and stay up late and watch out for yourself. Location though makes a difference. Plus we need to be ready to work the next morning. We'll scope it out for anyone though that may want to come visit us.

The elders helped move furniture last Saturday. We fed them sandwiches when they were done. They came to the apartment and I had the fireplace with music on the TV. They had fun standing by pretending to warm themselves by the fire. It was fun to have some time to visit. It was interesting that they said this has been the best time to serve a mission, during Covid. Their friends at home are not able to go to school or work at home in things they had planned. Their friends have felt isolated and like their lives are on hold. Many of the missionaries are excited with the things they are learning and doing. Some were serving in other areas and transferred here. They have been in the Philippines, South America, Korea and Japan PLUS Alaska. They really enjoy teaching, doing service, learning life skills, and immersing themselves in the gospel. It is a time of blessings and miracles. They are contacting a lot through Facebook with a lot of interest. They also are well known for their service activities. They delivered ice blocks to a man who does ice sculpting throughout the city. I really feel that the Lord does appreciate effort. When you try, then things happen. We have seen that too in being able to get the apartments when and where they are needed. 

We have so enjoyed receiving Christmas cards and hearing from you. You can see we have the cards where we see them each day. We were especially excited that each missionary received a Christmas card from the First Presidency. That is a first for me! We are so grateful for family and friends that remember us. While we miss all of you, it feels right being here at this time and place. I don't know that we are here to change to world or even change others as much as experiencing a change in ourselves. Life is simpler and more focused on others. It is a good feeling to let go of things that don't make much difference and remember what matters most in life, relationships with each other and God. We hope you have a very happy week with Christmas celebrations and seek for those things that bring light into your life. At Christmas it is especially good to " remember that every good gift cometh of Christ". I hope you see a lot of GOOD gifts!

Love,

Elder and Sister Robinson