Mission Tour and Outdoor Fun

 

     The highlight in the mission this week was having Elder Scott Whiting of the Seventy visit. The missionaries were so excited to be able to be together. More and more are getting vaccinated and restrictions have loosened in Anchorage but still it was an odd feeling to see so many gathered close together and without masks. The meetings were very good and uplifting. I think sometimes you feel alone in what you are trying to do and it felt good to realize how we can work together -- how we listen and learn from each other. I was reminded this week about the story Sister Eubanks shared about the 1936 Olympic rowing team and how important it is to adapt to each others' strengths and abilities, to row in "swing" to get the most from your effort.  Sister Eubank said, "Rowers must rein in their fierce independence and at the same time hold true to their individual capabilities. Races are not won by clones. Good crews are good blends [...] if they are to row well together, each must adjust to the needs and capabilities of the others--the shorter-armed person reaching a little farther, the longer-armed person pulling in just a bit. Differences can be turned to advantage instead of disadvantage. Only then will it feel as if the boat is moving on its own." The account she shared comes from the book, "The Boys in the Boat" and the PBS documentary, "The Boys of '36". I love seeing how different each missionary is but, with practice, missionaries working together are able to accomplish great things .  Good talk, book and show. Great life lesson!

     Elder Robinson was able to golf for the first time since we have been here. Jed and Kate arranged to bring golf clubs here for their summer stay. Jed and Elder Robinson golfed on a chilly day on a very hard course so I don't think the scores were that great but they had a good time.  They started at 6 pm and finished at 9:30 with sunlight to spare. 

     This weekend is finally warm summer weather. Not Utah or Arizona hot summer weather but beautiful, great to be outside Alaska weather. It was 70 degrees and sunny with a light breeze. We spent the day in the Wasilla-Palmer area (Mat-Su Valley) north of Anchorage. There was the "Why Not Tri?" triathlon and Annie had signed up in the kids division. They swam 4 laps in the pool, road a bike 3 miles and ran a mile. Jed was able to go alongside except in the pool. Annie finished first in the 6 year-old girl division! She was the only 6 year-old girl. She was the last one to start and so she did finish last of the day with lots of cheers from everyone, especially the volunteers. I'm so excited she finished everything and had a smile on her face with energy to spare.  

     The missionaries were helping as volunteers so it was fun to see them too. After the race while we were packing up Annie and Jed's bikes and things I thought I'm so glad I don't have to take everything down (tents and race markers). It was the missionaries taking everything down. They are such hard workers and finished with a smile too. 

     Afterwards we went to the Colony Days celebration in Palmer. There was a parade but we were in Wasilla and missed that. They had food trucks, craft booths and kids activities. You could ride a pony for $10. Kate told Annie it was too much money. Annie asked how much a pony would cost and Kate thought it was be about $2000 to have a pony. So Annie thought $10 wasn't a bad deal. I don’t think she got to ride though. It was a long line.

     In our quest for delicious pie we tried Sweetie-Pies Fried pies. They were absolutely delicious. The fillings were delicious, strawberry/rhubarb, cherry, blueberry and key lime. And the fried crust was flaky but not greasy. It is run by three young moms in Palmer that set up a booth 3-4 times a year. Elder Robinson felt bad they didn't have a regular store so he could buy pie every day! We got some Chinese dumplings and buns, BBQ sandwich and the girls favorite cotton candy and shaved ice. Food eaten outside tastes so good! I thought of Phyllis when I saw the cookie dough booth. They sell cookie dough with mix-ins just like ice cream. It was pretty popular. 

     Here is the salmon dinner Kate made from fresh caught Sockeye Salmon. It was so delicious. And the big hook Jed used to catch the salmon.

     It may not look as beautiful in pictures as it really is here. Everything is green now and flowers are starting to come out. We like how big and fluffy the clouds are. I also liked seeing the inlet at high tide. 

     I didn't get a good picture of the seagulls today. They were by the parking lot at church today. Between meetings we had gone for a walk around the church and heard a lot of squawking birds. We saw a nest of seagulls and some baby birds on the roof. I was taking a picture when I heard a horrible scream behind me and Elder Robinson yelled, "Duck". I was being attacked by birds, screaming birds! Elder Robinson tried to take a picture too and I was going to catch the birds attacking but they were too fast. So we ran away.  It was really so scary. The Birds movie took on new meaning. Bizarre but true.

     We are excited that LeAnn will be coming at the end of the week. She will be babysitting for Kate and Jed for a week while they visit Alaska with friends who are coming to visit. What a nice sister! Also Celina, Alex and little Spencer are going to Florida to visit Celina's family for a few weeks. Some summer fun. Sister Hall is serving in Aurora, Illinois, to start her mission. Lisa is excited to get to talk to her tomorrow and get details. 

     That's it for this week. We are enjoying working together and helping the missionaries. We are grateful for answers to prayer and the things we are learning. This really is a wonderful time in our lives. We love you and are grateful for your kind thoughts and prayers too. Have a good week! (A good thought for the week from Annie’s triathlon shirt, “Why not tri?” It’s good to try hard things.)

Love,

Elder and Sister Robinson