We finally went to the Eagle River Nature Center. It was a short walk down to the river where there was a nice viewing deck. It was a pretty day for a short walk. There were others riding fat bikes and cross country skiing on the trail. During the summer people frequently see bears attracted by the salmon in the river. The Nature Center had some interesting displays with the bears and other furry animals. It was interesting to feel the fur of the different animals. The bear skins had very coarse hair for their outer coat and softer fur underneath. Moose have that too, a double layer of fur and hair. We learned that a moose's winter coat is so warm that at 23 degrees they pant because it is too warm. Their lighter summer coat is too warm at temperatures over 50 degrees.
The bighorn sheep horns were really heavy! We aren't sure if it is the mount they are on or the horns themselves. They felt like a wrecking ball.
It was a very hectic transfer week. Several missionaries who were supposed to travel to other areas or change companions were sick and had to isolate. Finally we had some missionaries just change companions and isolate with the new companionships. No one was very sick and their only contact this week has been with other missionaries. It was inconvenient but everyone is feeling better now. It took 2-5 days to get test results so they isolated assuming they had Covid but most of them did not. This is a picture of Elder Lucas who is from LeAnn's ward in Hayden, Idaho. He was supposed to go to Guatemala but had immigration delays and was assigned to Alaska. He speaks Spanish and will be in Juneau. It has been record breaking rain and snow in Juneau this year.
Sister Gailey is from Gilbert, Arizona. Her brother served in Alaska and was released in July. His sister received her mission call here as well. They come from a family of 13 (I think). He was such a great missionary and everyone is excited to get to know Sister Gailey too. They are a wonderful family.
Elder Willis and Elder Noriega (they are very tall!) are leaving to serve in White Horse Canada. They flew to Juneau, rode the ferry to Skagway, traded for the car with Elders Nordfelt and Barreto (who are going home) and then drove to White Horse 3 hours away. It is amazing the travel details and coordination it takes to get everyone situated.
Some of our favorite missionaries, Elder Nordfelt, Elder Taumoe'anga, and Elder Dearden. Only Elder Nordfelt is going home. He was here when we arrived and we have felt so grateful to get to know these genuinely good, hard working missionaries. They inspire me.
A new senior couple, Elder and Sister Hill, arrived just before transfers. They will live in Wasilla and work with Young Single Adult activities and whatever else is needed. They are from Colorado and have 8 children too that are about the same ages as our family. They just retired. She was a dental hygienist and he was an accountant. So fun to visit with them. We had lunch before taking them to Wasilla. The bench is made by running an electric current through wet wood and it makes the design. That's what electricity in wood looks like. Elder Robinson can never pass up a picture with a moose.
The ice is breaking up on the Turnagain Arm. Big chunks of black ice that look like rocks. The mud flats are black but I don't know how it gets into the ice.
Bison grazing at the Wildlife Conservation Center. It was a cold foggy drive to Seward but always something to see.
Water drips down the rock face of the mountain and then freezes.
This is the biggest auger we have seen for snow removal. This is outside of Seward. It started snowing more as we were coming home and the roads by Turnagain Pass were getting slippery. A few hours after we drove through there was a fatal accident when a car slid into oncoming traffic. We feel blessed for our safe travels
A mural of Seward as we entered town. It looks familiar from the Wildlife Cruise.
This was a clever name for a coffee shop. We like the sense of humor in Alaska.
This is Billy the mailman. He is so friendly and likes delivering to the office. Except when Elder Robinson orders big boxes of desks and chairs. He is retiring next year. This big letter was for one of the sister missionaries in Juneau. Billy said he took extra good care of it. Not a tear or bend in the envelope!
The top picture is of something called light candles. When it gets very cold the ice crystals that form are flat and reflect light straight up. This picture was from the lights at the ball field where I think they have ice skating. The Aurora pictures are from Elder Wintch who is serving in Fairbanks the past transfer. They went to make calls from their car just 15 minutes north of their apartment and saw an amazing display of lights. I was surprised a missionary phone camera could take such good pictures! He is very happy to be in Fairbanks now.
This is a sun dog. It is like a prism of ice crystals that reflects sunlight. It is hard to get a
good picture because the sun is so bright. This is just before the sun comes up at about 9 a.m.
These are pictures I took from the TV weather pictures. I like the prism effect of light crystals.
Sorry about the quality
Spiritual thought: I have been thinking about how really beautiful, intricate, powerful, and wondrous the earth and God's creations are. Seeing Alaska in different seasons, the variety of plants and animals, the beautiful mountains but also the wide expanse of wilderness, the natural wonders in the earth, sea and sky, it all is very humbling and awe inspiring. It reminds me of what Elder Uchtdorf said: "This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God." I like the scripture in Moses 1:35, "There are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them." I am grateful that God knows us and loves each of us. He sees the good in us and has a plan to help us to live up to what we can be if we trust in Him. I think it is interesting that depending on the light, temperature, and surrounding conditions you can see really amazing things. I think it is that way with people too. I hope to try to see people as God sees them. God can reveal our beauty under the right circumstances. We have to trust it is there and have faith to look for it.
We are at the point where everything feels like the last time we will get to do things in Alaska. We had our last transfer and orientation with missionaries. We are saying a real goodbye when we leave missionaries outside of Anchorage. We are trying to get things ready for Elder and Sister Schultz who will be taking our place. It is hard to leave what you know for what seems more uncertain ahead. But we do look forward to seeing all of you soon. We will arrive home around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 5.
We love you all!
Elder and Sister Robinson
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