Margaret Sekona, the daughter of our Branch President, loves to fish. Here she is showing off her King crab for the day.
Scott is an outdoors man and wanted to do some fishing. So the following day, Friday, I drove him out to Echo Cove for some salmon fishing. We fished hard for a bit over two hours and only caught 4 nice pink salmon, but I enjoyed the drive and the company. The no-see-ums were out in force to try our patience. A few mosquitos found their mark as well. After the breeze picked up a bit we found some relief.
One of my beautiful and precious sisters, Connie, arrived by cruise ship for the day. Except for the fact we were born a year apart, we could have been twins.
Our attendance numbers have been wonderful this month. We have as many as 70 attend our branch block meetings. We have an occasional visitor who finds our time schedule fits the schedule of their cruise ship. This past week two couples from the Ogden area visited. After the meeting one of the couples asked if I would assist in giving the husband of the other couple a priesthood blessing. He was having miserable back problems and sitting hurt him. Standing and lying hurt him as well. He said his sciatic nerve was the problem. I anointed and his friend sealed the anointing with a blessing. After we had a nice visit. I hope he was helped and able to enjoy his trip.
Connie had mentioned that Clyde wanted to hike to Nugget Falls which is by the side of Mendenhall Glacier. It is always a wonderful walk to these falls.
We had a very small number at FHE this week. The cruise ship schedules have been long and heavy in numbers. If 4 ships dock, the town population increases by at least 8000 for the day. The YSA members work long hours when this happens. We experience many 5 cruise ship days during the week. However our overall YSA experience has improved greatly with wonderful lessons prepared in advance. The starting times have improved as well.
Wednesday evening institute the past two weeks have each seen 30 or so in attendance plus a few adults. My challenge as the discussion facilitator is in getting all to participate. We will have one or two that want to respond to every question, and most have to be encouraged to share even a single thought. I think I let my exasperation show at one point as I asked one young man to hold off a bit so we could share the thoughts of others. I was beginning to feel like he and I were team teaching. I hope I didn't offend him. I think not, as he responded appropriately during the remainder of the lesson.
Diane loves getting out of her missionary skirts and into some warmer pants when we go out. It turned from a rainy morning to a beautiful (partly cloudy) day for us.
The lessons are wonderful. This week we discussed the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We also discussed the gathering of the house of Israel in the latter days, as prophesied by the prophets. We had some fun referring to the recent history of the nation of Israel and the Jews.
Once again the hit of the evening was actually Diane's meal. She got quite adventuresome and made some root beer sugar cookies with a creamy white frosting. Most went nuts over them. We did find one dissension though. At the end of the evening we discovered one cookie in the garbage with a bite missing. Well, to each his own.
The ride up the Roberts Peak Tram is a beautiful experience. The tram makes a trip every 15 minutes.
The highlight of the week, no the month actually, for the time we have been here, was yesterday. I have been looking forward to it like we all do as we look forward to Christmas. My sister Connie, her husband Clyde, and their friends Rod and Vicki Fife stopped for a day in Juneau while cruising on the Island Princess. They opted to spend the day with us rather than with the wonderful cruise options. When I saw her at the harbor I could hardly contain myself. My heart was so full to see a family member I nearly lost it.
The Island Princess makes a weekly run into Juneau. One week it sails in from the south and the next week it returns from the north. It is literally a human cargo vessel.
They graciously went to our Thursday Institute discussion and pot luck. They added greatly to the spirit of the lesson in addition to doubling our attendance. The locals have dwindled due to summer activities. I have assured them we would continue as long as anyone would come. Our discussion was from II Corinthians, "The Lord Uses Our Afflictions to Help Us Become Sanctified." I believe hind sight helps us to see the application in our own lives much better than the present does. We often have a tendency to plead with the Lord to remove from us the very afflictions that will qualify us for eternal blessings.
Rod Fife and his wife Vicki were wonderful company for the day. Yikes! My picture of Vicki didn't take. I must not have actually pushed my finger hard enough on the shutter.
After cleaning up we were off to show Connie and the group the sights of Juneau. We walked into Glacier Gardens so they could get a feel for the flowers in there. Clyde had mentioned he was ok with wherever we went as long as he saw a bear. So I (had) it arranged. While driving up to Mendenhall Glacier a black bear wondered across the road in front of us. From the squeals in the car you would have thought we just hit the vertical drop of a roller-coaster. It was a great moment. That is only the fourth time I have seen a bear in the year we have been here. And later in the evening I would see another off the highway in the river by the dump.
We walked up to Nugget Falls next to the Mendenhall Glacier. Clyde and I had a wonderful time together as we discussed our children and where they are in their lives. One thing for sure, I know Clyde loves his family as much as I love mine.
The day was so wonderful. But at the end of it we had to say our 'good-byes.' Thanks Clyde and Connie for going out of your way to make the day a special one for us.
We then drove up to the Sanctuary of St. Teresa. It is a beautiful spot on the coast with a promontory extending between two beautiful coves. A small chapel for meditation is built at the end of the promontory.
The fish hatchery seemed to fascinate them as much as anything. The dog salmon (chums) are still gathering at the stream head, frantically fighting with one another to enter the ladder which takes them to be stripped of their eggs and seed, followed by a swift execution. (In as much as they would die anyway, their carcasses are used for fertilizer and pet food. Waste not, want not.)
The exercise club we go to allowed us to use corporate passes so we could ride the tram owned by the Tlingit Indians. It climbs 1800 vertical feet providing a beautiful view of the Gastineau Channel and the surround mountains. We viewed a short documentary on the Tlinget Indians and finished that portion of our day with a wonderful light seafood dinner.
The day was nearly spent, and Vicki and Rod chose to return to the ship. I can see why Connie and Clyde enjoy the Fifes so much. Rod can give and take just as hard as Clyde can give and take. Vicki is a sweet wonderful person.
Connie and Clyde stayed with us another 45 minutes while we showed them Perseverance canyon that works its way behind downtown Juneau to the Perseverance gold mine. It is now a museum. After driving through some of the streets to give them a feel of the town, we delivered them to the ship in time for their departure to Skagway.
Today feels like the day after Christmas. I can't believe it is over. There truly is something to the saying "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Only I would actually have penned it, "Absence alerts the heart to the strength of the bond."
There is so much truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Try Mormon.org.
I use to always end my letters to my missionary children this way:
Remember, Obedience is Freedom.
I loved your account of the day. Thanks for being so generous with your time. We all agreed Juneau was our favorite day, and you guys made it that way.
ReplyDeleteLove, Connie (twin)