A Full and Happy Week (or Two)

 

     There has been a lot going on the past 2 weeks and I got a little behind on writing for the blog. I have tried to keep in touch though through texts, calls and Christmas cards. We were busy last weekend with a Mission Christmas Party and farewell to Elder and Sister Smith who have served here almost two years. They were able to return home a few weeks early so they could be with family at Christmastime. It has been great working in the office with them and sharing this missionary experience. We share a common love for the missionaries, the gospel and our families. They welcomed us from our first day here. We lived next door to each other the first few months. We often had dinner together and played Mexican Train on the weekend. They became very good friends. We will miss them. 

     Our Mission Party was with all of the senior missionaries in Anchorage. The senior couples in Fairbanks, Juneau and Craig were too far away to attend. For the party we had a steak and crab dinner that was so delicious! Elder Tracy provided the steak and crab, President Smith in the Mission Presidency cooked the meat and the rest of us enjoyed it all. 

     As a gift to each missionary President and Sister King gave us a mission T-Shirt with the logo Elevate and Accelerate represented by an eagle and dogsledding team. The eagle stands for vision and focus and the dogs for endurance, loyalty and teamwork. I have my shirt on backwards so you can see what the logo looks like.  President King calls us "The Chosen Frozen". It takes choice people to be willing to come to frozen Alaska!

     It has been so cold the past month. When we went to church last week the wind chill at noon was 16 below. The pipes for the radiant heating in our apartment froze and we have been using space heaters for the past 5 days until the pipes thawed and the heat was working again. We also had a missionary in Fairbanks call because he thought he had frostbite on the top of his ears. He was talking to someone outside for about 15-20 minutes while it was 30 below and did not wear a hat. The next day his ears were very red, painful and swollen. He had a mild case of frostbite which is called frostnip. Since his ears were already rewarmed we treated it like a sunburn with Aloe Gel. His skin will peel and be more sensitive to cold for a few months. It is warmer today (20 degrees) and we had a Samoan member at church in a lavalava and sandals with barefeet. I would think you would hurry to a warm car when you are dressed that way but it doesn't seem to be a problem.

     One of the other challenges with the cold weather has been when missionaries lock themselves out of their apartments and are stranded in the cold. That has happened four times this week. I think until this week there had only been about six or seven times it has happened during the whole mission. We have gone to the apartments to help them when we can. Otherwise we have to get a locksmith. Hopefully this week they will all get spare keys to keep in their car or with the zone leaders. I have enjoyed seeing some pretty scenery along the way to bring the keys. The drive to Palmer is pretty on a clear day.

     One of the best activities this week was going to Palmer to see the display of nativities that the Palmer Stake hosts every Christmas. The members decorate the church to look like Bethlehem and have nativities donated by members displayed in all of the rooms. They have rooms with nativities from around the world, a room for all-wooden nativities, Native Alaskan nativities, children-themed nativities, and lots of different themes for the nativities. I saw some nativities that were like ones I have at home too. We were having missionaries to dinner so we were hurrying at the end to leave. There was one last room that we went to even though we were late. I was so surprised to see a man who had been a patient when I worked for Dr. Crump. He had married a Native Alaskan woman he met in Utah and they had moved back to Alaska. It was so nice to see a familiar face from home. He was surprised to see me too. He also asked about Lisa who he had seen in our practice. It amazes me how paths cross. I'm so glad we took the time to see one last room.

     The past week was transfer week and we had a few challenges with missionaries coming. The missionaries coming to Alaska left the MTC at 3 a.m. on Wed morning, the day of the big snowstorm in Utah. Their flight was delayed so they missed their connecting flight in Seattle. Instead of arriving here at 2:30 p.m. as planned, they had to rebook to have two arrive at 6:30 pm on Wed, seven arrived at 3 am on Thursday,  and another seven arrived at 12:30 pm on Thurs. In between we had missionaries departing at 10 pm and 1 am. Poor President King was at the airport all night. Elder Robinson had to go get luggage at 3 am and 1 pm the next day. The missionaries were pretty tired when they got here. Although the last group was able to stay in a hotel by the airport until they departed the next morning. It was good to see how everyone was able to adjust and get the things done that needed to be done. We changed the meals and orientation activities to the next day. It all worked out. 

     It is getting harder to see the missionaries going home. Most of them we have known the whole time we have been here. They have been good examples to me, always so kind, helpful and faithful. They have faced a lot of challenges in the mission and at home. They seem so young at times and yet have such strong spirits. They really do remind me of the Army of Helaman. I'm so grateful to know them. I had helped three of the missionaries with health problems and they were so grateful they were able to complete their mission. 

Spiritual thought: With Christmas this week I have been thinking about the story of Jesus' birth. I thought of how Mary and Joseph felt as they traveled to Bethlehem. I don't think anything went as planned. How hard it would have been to have a baby alone in such a humble setting. Jesus' birth, his life, his crucifixion and resurrection is not what you would expect to happen to the Son of God. But through all of these things there are signs that God is aware, He is close and He provides what is needed, not what is expected. My favorite Christmas Carols are "Away in a Manger" and Silent Night". I like to remember on that night the love of Mary for her baby and the love of God for all of us to give us His son. It is a time to rejoice. It is also a time to look for what God gives, even if it is not what we expect, it is what we need.  I am grateful for the unexpected answers to prayer.

     It is Spencer's and Max's birthdays this week. It will be Russell's 8th birthday and Zack's 18th birthday the following week. I know birthdays in the month of December (and early January) may not always be the most exciting because they seem overshadowed by Christmas. But I loved having a Christmas baby that first Christmas. You bring an added measure of joy this time of year. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Love,

Elder and Sister Robinson

The moose are starting to come out of hiding. We saw three this week. Also a really pretty sunrise even if it is a little obscured by the apartment. The colors were so beautiful. We enjoyed watching some ice skaters at the mall while we waited for Covid booster shots. They were very talented, doing all kinds of spins and jumps. Lastly, the new Miss America is from Alaska. She is the first Alaskan to win. Her platform is the Special Olympics. She has a Down Syndrome brother. She was very well spoken. Sorry I don't have a picture!