YSA Christmas Dinner

YSA Christmas Dinner
December 28, 2012
Elder Tom Waldron & Sister Diane Waldron

Sister Jerilyn Olsen prepared a wonderful meal of chicken caserole, baked potatoes, beans, bread and pies.   Diane helped Jerilyn with the prepartions in the afternoon while I cleared snow from the side walks. 

Our Relief Society President, Elizabeth Munoz, and our Elders Quorum councilor, John Mikesell, prepared and decorated the room.  We will miss them both starting next week.  They are off to BYU Idaho.

Elder Knudsen from Kansas with John Mikesell and Elizabeth Munoz

 

A Kaufmann girl we don't know yet with Paula Munoz and Hannah Stauffer.  Paula has had a rough summer and fall recovering from serious foot surgery.  Now the other foot must have the same surgery.  Hannah is a BYU Provo student and the daughter of our Past Stake Relief Society President, Carol Stauffer.

 Leti "Hotsauce" Kelepi and Dillon Krywseski. Leti is our slap dancer and Dillon was just baptized two weeks ago.

Leti opening his white elephant.  Actually the kids brought pretty nice white elephants.  We wrapped up a couple of Tabernacle Choir CDs and placed them in a container of Diane's cookies.  At the end of the game they were grabbed until they could be grabbed no more.

Marshall Sargeant and Justin Brink
Marshall is a convert of two years and attends our Missionary Preparation class.  Justin returned from the Carlsbad, California mission two weeks ago.

These are the daughters of our first councilor in the Branch Presidency, Richard Welling.  Mallory is down front, Aubrey and Naomi in the back.  Naomi is in the Freshman seminary class and is quite the cross country runner.

Stacey along with Eric Schlechter and Tuavao Maake.  Stacey lives here in Juneau.  Erik and Tuavao are students at BYU Idaho visiting until next week.

Tuavao, Ky Clark and Gabi Larsen.  Ky and Gabi are students at a school down south and are engaged to be married.  Ky is the son of Bishop Clark from here in Juneau.  Gabi joined the church two years ago here in Juneau.

I haven't met the girl on the Left yet.  In the middle is Bethany Munoz who lives here in Juneau.  Bryce Anderson is a student at BYU Idaho and hangs pretty close to Bethany when he is home visiting.

Christmas

With no Institute being held and Seminary being off until school resumes in January, things are very slow here.  It has turned colder.  We have seen temperatures as low as 10 degrees.  That certainly isn't as cold as the rest of Alaska.  We in the Inside passage are protected by islands and the altitude of sea level.  There has been lots of snow.

We were well taken care of on Christmas day.  Bob and Sawa Francis invited us to a wonderful Christmas dinner.  They also invited Landon Goodman, a YSA member with no one to spend Christmas with.  Bob and Sawa appear to be close to fifty.  They met online several years ago.  She is from Tokyo and was working in SLC.  He was traveling to SLC 3 times each year with his job and it just worked out.  We enjoy both of them very much.  Sawa is a real help in the branch.  Bob works for the fisheries department of Alaska.

We enjoyed our Skype visits with our kids and grandkids.  They help to make being away from them easier. 

Last evening the Branch Presidency put on a wonderful dinner for the YSA members.  We had 40 there.   Lots of the YSA members had returned from their universities for the Christmas break.  We had a lot of new names to learn.  Diane and I went to the church to help Sister Olsen prepare and set up the dinner. 

Cold Spell

(This is Brother Pali on the Ukulele.  He and some other Polynesians here in Juneau organized a luau meal, along with Polynesian entertainment.  It we lots of fun and some of the entertainers were relatives of our YSA members.  Two of our YSA men performed a slap dance.)  
 We had been told that when the sun did come out the temperatures would plummet.  We have enjoyed some beautiful sunny days lately and yes the temperature did drop.  However it is no worse than what we have experienced at home in Utah.  Our lowest temperature has been 12 degrees.  We must step carefully as the snow has been packed into solid ice on driveways and sidewalks. 

We had a wonderful week of seminary.  Yesterday we capped it off by serving the seminary students breakfast.  While Diane and others were preparing the food, I had the students grab a folding chair and make a circle in the back half of the cultural hall.  There were about 38 students present.  We then played what I use to call fruit basket.  I changed the name to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  When each student had been given one of those names, we removed one chair from the circle.  That left one student standing alone in the middle.  That student would then holler out one of the gospel names.  Any kids with that name, and the student in the middle, would then scramble to find a different chair.  There would always be one without a chair.  If they hollered gospels then everyone had to find a different chair.  The longer the game went on the more aggressive it became.  The food was ready just in time, and no one was sent to the hospital. 

Mark Warner brought eggs and cooked them.  Donna Leigh helped cook up the hash browns.  Diane had cooked sausage and ham the evening before.  She also cut up some onions and peppers and grated some cheese.  There were some cartons of sour cream and lots of orange punch and salsa.  The kids then made breakfast burritos.  They were very appreciative and Diane received lots of thank-you expressions. 

The adult Institute class went well on Thursday.  We talked about the calling of an Apostle in the time of Christ and the calling and role of Apostles today.  We also discussed the Sermon on the Mount.  There was enough time to discuss in some depth a couple of the instances of those who are blessed. 

Thursday evening we had our monthly seminary in-service meeting.  We make it available to the outlying teachers through the church's vidyo site and also with polycom calling systems.  There are a couple that take advantage of that, but we still have some who have yet to join us.

This time of year we have found a great amount of joy going to the mail box.  There we have received wonderful cards from many friends and family.  There have been missionary Christmas care packages.  We have enjoyed each of them.  My Father's sister, Mable, sent a wonderful Christmas envelope with a Christmas letter.  Also she included some of her memories of Dad from their childhood until his death.  What a precious and much appreciated gift that is. 

Like you, our hearts have been wrenched as we read of the tragic events from New Haven, Conn.  How have we become this kind of a society?  The answer to overcoming these types of events lies in the strength of our individual homes.  Our society has not placed enough importance on the development of virtues of tolerance, love, and the true meaning of who we are, that being children of a Heavenly Father. 

Now the debates begin anew, as with each mounting tragedy.  The cries descend on us through the media of "We need Gun Control."  "We need armed officers in every school."  "We need guns off of the streets."  "We need to arm every citizen."  Our President is demanding of congress to write new laws restricting our rights as citizens.  Wouldn't a much more effective cry be "A Proclamation on the Family in every home, in every classroom, and in every prison cell"?

I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas.  May your families be close to you.  May you feel the love of the Savior.  And may you find happiness at every turn.

End of the Institute Semester

There is no event that has ever occurred during the history of the earth, that has had the impact on each individual that has lived on the earth, that can equal that of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I enjoyed giving this lesson more than any I have ever taught.  Unfortunately, we only had two YSA members in attendance.  There were a few adults and a married couple that came in toward the end of the lesson.  University finals really took a toll on our attendance.  Two of our most dedicated were out of town. One was in Hawaii to visit family, and one flew to Anchorage on business.  But, the low numbers do not indicate the impact of the lesson.  I grew immensely in my understanding of this greatest of all sacrifices.  I learned that during Jesus' 40 day tarry after his resurrection, the Apostles were instructed by Jesus to meet him in Jerusalem.  (Luke 24:49)  (That wasn't new to me.)  The fact they were told there they would be endued with power, this time caused me to study deeper.  Joseph Smith had been told to go to the Ohio.  There he was also to be endued with power.  (D & C 38:32)  I believe that power was the endowment. 

Peter, James and John may have received their endowment on the Mount of Transfiguration we are taught in our seminary manual.  But the other Apostles now received their endowment before being sent to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all in the world.  I was thrilled to teach that. 

Sometimes certain things grab you and wake you up, like they have never done before.  And this lesson did that for me. 

The adult Institute class yesterday was a second chance for me to do a better job on the beginning of the Savior's ministry.  We discussed the beginning of his miracles and the cleansing of the temple.  The first time the Savior declared, after reading from Isaiah, that he was the one of whom Isaiah spoke.  The Nazareth leaders wanted miracles, or proof just like they had heard him do in Capernaum.  But Jesus taught, in his way, that faith precedes the miracle.  And they had none.

Justin Brink returned from his two year mission serving in California.  Many of our YSA members are glad to have him back.  The airport flash mob dance had been a success. 

We now have two new YSA members.  Dillon was baptized last evening by his recently returned friend, Justin Brink.  Our Young Single Adult Family Home Evening head, Nani, met Dillon 4 years ago.  She was a senior in high school.  Dillon was a freshman.  Dillon's mother asked Nani to take him to a dance as he didn't have a date.  Nani did.  They have had a close friendship ever since.  Dillon expressed some desires to have some questions about religion answered.  Nani said she knew some missionaries who could help with those questions.  The missionaries tell us that Dillon was the quintessential 'Golden Contact.' 

His parents, who are non-members, were very supportive and attended the baptism.  They had their arms around their son and actually recorded the program prior to the baptism.  (I think that's the first time I've ever seen anyone bring a paper-container of Starbuck's Jo in to an LDS chapel. :-) 

If this is too lengthy, I am posting a few more pictures from our Juneau Sunny Day of two days ago.  That way you can read this much like I read the National Geographic, looking at the pictures.

December Sunshine

While driving to Office Max, to get a new cartridge for the printer, I noticed an incredible thing.  The sun was shining.  The clouds were hanging close to the ground.  I know.  Most of us call that fog.  But it had this Alaskan quality about it that made it so beautiful.  Upon returning home, I knew I had to get back out in it and take pictures of the Alaskan sun; with the incredible laces of vapor weaving in and out of the valley and crawling across the mountain sides.  I still can not believe I am so blessed to be in this beautiful part of the earth.

The cold I have had is getting better.  If I had to measure the degree to which I am improving I would guess that I am 1/100th better each day of the past week. 

Can you imagine what happens when over two feet of snow gets rained on?  Our every step is taken with extreme caution.

These pictures are of the area where we live.  I just drove a mile from home and got out of the car and started clicking the shutter. 

We had a very fun YSA home evening activity last evening.  We decorated ginger bread houses.  There were so many packages of pocket candy to decorate with.  There were many, many young people there with us (young men and young women age).  They were learning a dance to do at the airport sort of like a flash mob.  A very well liked young man is returning from his mission in California and they want to surprise him at the airport.  They have the airport manager's permission.  Because he arrives around 9:30 p.m. tomorrow evening, we will be having Institute earlier to accommodate them. 

December Zone Conference

I think that we have been able to achieve a work load that is compatible with our age and our abilities.  The adult Institute class and the Missionary Preparation class have helped to fill some empty areas of time.

My preparations for the YSA Institute for Wednesday evening were centered on the crucifixion.  While the preparations for the adult Institute were centered around the birth of the Savior and the beginning of his ministry.  It was interesting to study and present for me.  It caused me lots of thought as to just how important this belief is to me in my life.  How grateful I am for the Atonement. 

The chest colds that you can get while in Alaska are every bit as big as the state of Alaska.  I think today I am seeing considerable improvement.

We have had so much snow. Where it hasn't been moved by snow plows you can see over a foot and a half of snow.

As usual there is a great deal of time spent reading scriptures and lessons, making lesson plans and organizing presentations.  Sister Waldron and I each taught a seminary class this week. 

Mike and Heidi Malin taught a lesson and incorporated the Feast of the Tabernacles.  They had candles and nuts and dates and olives for a Tabernacle meal.  They let the kids wear their jammies, and set up their blankets over the chairs like tents.  It was very effective. 
In my reading I came across the verses that tell us Elizabeth and Zacharias are Levites.  And in the same preparations I read that Mary was a Jewess highly favored of God.  I started wondering how Mary and Elizabeth could then be cousins.  I wasn't finding an answer.  I went to Jesus the Christ.  I went to several other sources and was able to find nothing.  So then I googled it.  The answer was in the scriptures, I just hadn't picked up on it.  It is in the Genealogy.  Mary's father was Heli (Eli) and he married a Levite woman, Anna.  Anna was Elizabeth's mother's sister.  And therefore they are cousins.  It is little things like this that are making my mission very valuable for me.  It is that, and the people I meet.

Our attendance at YSA Institute was only 4.  I expect next week to even be worse.  It is finals week.  Between that and people going home after the semester it will get lonely around here.  We did pick up another sister in our Thursday morning adult class though. 

Our second zone conference was held this week.  All of the missionaries from Whitehorse, Canada on the North, to Ketchikan on the south flew in to Juneau to get instruction and training from President and Sister Beesely.  The zone leaders did a fine job of preparing this conference.  They played hard early in the morning at basketball and some sort of floor hockey.  They studied hard afterwards and did tracting together.  They then returned for wonderful instruction.

I was trusted with teaching them how to incorporate the Book of Mormon more effectively in their teaching.  I gave a few examples and then related to them the similarities of the languages of the Athabascans, Tlingits, Navajos and Apaches.  I hypothesized that it was possible that the Asian immigrants to Alaska and the Lamanite had settled their lands and moved 10-12 miles at a time until they came into contact with each other.  Could it be possible they would inter-marry as they met? 

I then told of my experience on the Chinle reservation with a Navajo Singer.  I had an opportunity to teach him only one time.  (He had told me I had one shot to teach him, and then I was not to bother him again.)  So I put away my Elder Brown discussions and told of the history of the Book of Mormon, the coming of a Great White God and his promise of a return, and the Gold Plates.  I then taught this Shaman, or Singer, the story of how Joseph Smith received those same Golden Plates.  He accused me of having obtained this information from another tribal elder or Singer.  There was not other way I could have known of the history of the ancients.  I then challenged the missionaries to not ignore the Lamanites in their areas.  This same Book of Mormon was written for the Lamanites.  They, the Lamanites (Native Americans)  would be blessed by this book through the means of the Gentiles.  It was fun to be in front of their enthusiastic countenances.

At the conclusion they had a white elephant game.  There were a lot of laughs as we unwrapped each present.  Each one showed us the fun personalities of those who wrapped the gift, and the fun personality of the missionary that received it. 

This morning was our Missionary Preparation class.  We had 5 in attendance.  I put them outside of their comfort zones by having them actually teach from the "Preach My Gospel" manual.  As always, they enjoyed staying after and chatting and eating. 

When I stepped outside this morning there were 12 or more Bald Eagles in the trees and flying around the air.  At one time I saw 5 in one tree.  I ran in to get my camera but only 3 were left when I returned.  They seemed to be playing King of the Sitka Spruce.  They all wanted to perch on the top.

We purchased tickets to attend an choral presentation called, "King Island Christmas."  There was a piano accompanist, a director and a choir.  The story tells of the residents living on King Island some time ago.  Their priest had been sent to get the yearly supplies and return with them on a freighter.  Winter came a bit early and the ice was quickly forming on the sea.  The waves were higher than would be safe for the people to transport their year's worth of supplies from the freighter to the shore.  By radio they decided to go to the leaward side of the island.  There the waves would be smaller and they could meet the freighter there.  However they only had 3 hours as the ice was quickly forming.  They had to carry their umiak (a large canoe) over the mountain to cross the island and reach the leaward side.  Through trials they completed their mission and were able to get their priest off of the freighter along with the crates of supplies that would keep them alive for another year.  We enjoyed the show a lot.  There were several from our stake singing in the choir.  They have plans to take the show to Scotland next summer.  By the way, the story is true.

 

Fast Sunday

Marianne and Allison Holtkamp came to Sacrament meeting today in the 3rd ward.  I attended with them rather than going to my Priesthood meeting.  I hadn't intended on bearing my testimony as it was actually the first time I had attended that ward.  However, I felt the impression that someone needed my testimony that morning.  So I bore my testimony of the Savior.  This week my lesson preparations have been towards his Atoning Sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane.  This was for Wednesday evening.  And my preparations for the adult class have been for his birth.  Studying both ends of his life has been good for my understanding, and for my appreciation for the sacrifice made in my behalf.  Bishop Calderwood came to introduce himself to the Holtkamp's.  Marriane had hoped to fly out Sunday afternoon.  Just as when she arrived, she had a day wait before the plane could see the required two miles.

Snow! Snow! Snow!  My goodness does it snow at times in Juneau.  The piles of snow from the snow movers is piling up.  The roads are packed in snow.  The boughs of the trees are sloping more steeply because of the weight of the snow.  The sight of bald eagles that now and then perch at the tops of those trees is fun to see.  The crows have a harder time finding something to eat and they get more cheeky by the day.  (Reed; I'm so sorry that I will have a wait before I can get a picture of the sunny day you want.)

We had a wonderful break the fast on Sunday evening.  The second ward had put up a walk through of Christmas Creches in the cultural hall.  The tables lined the hall and were decorated with lights and boughs to show off the beauty of each setting.  It was beautiful to see.  We walked through the cultural hall and then after eating a wonderful pot luck dinner we assembled in the chapel to watch the First Presidency Devotional.  That was a beautiful hour.

These were phone pictures.  I forgot my camera.

More Teaching Responsibilities

I was finally able to get into the 2nd ward's council meeting.  I presented to them the proposal of an Institute in the daytime for any adults that would like to attend.  They were quite cool to the idea.  However, we held our first Thursday morning Institute and it was a success.  We had fourteen attend and 11 of those were from the 2nd ward.  We gave the introduction and discussed the history of Palestine in the 730 years prior to the birth of the Savior.  We discussed who Christ was in the Pre-existence.  There really was a wide range in the ages of those who attended.  We had couples and stay at home mothers and grandparents.  I am really going to enjoy these people.

 

Afterwards we all dug into the potluck dinner they had brought.  I had my first taste of black deer sausage.  It was very good.  The Rosenbrooks were there.  He is a hunting and fishing guide.  I understand that he has taken out President Monson and President Uchtdorf for some salmon fishing. 

 

Wednesday evening was a wonderful Institute with our YSA members.  We are into the final week of the Savior's ministry prior to being crucified.  We did a lot of reading out loud from Matthew and John.  I'm learning as I read, that John had a very wonderful understanding of the relationship the Savior and the Father had with one another.  He understood the mission of the Savior and was able to express that understanding in a very spiritual way.  It is no wonder he was one who was loved. 

 

Today we just finished our missionary preparation class.  We actually had a couple of 15 year old boys show up.  That's a bit early but we welcomed them.  Matt and Heather stayed afterwards and chatted with us while we snacked on Diane's snacks.  The 15 year old boys went to clean the church.  Matt stayed for a couple of hours just chatting.  He expressed the trials of being in the world but not of the world while he is in his freshman year of school.  He gets tired of the profanity and the low moral standards of the students in his dorm.  It is no wonder he likes to hang around. 

 

Allison Holtkamp, a student of mine from Brighton, is in a production of "Oklahoma" here in Juneau.  She is playing Ado Annie.  We went to watch he performance.  The production people really did a good job with the small theater.  The singing and dancing was very good.  The actors were worth the price of the tickets.  Allison's parents flew up to Alaska for the weekend but only got as far as Sitka the first day.  The Juneau airport was socked in.  The finally arrived a day later.  We had the three of them over for supper last evening.  We had a wonderful visit with three wonderful people.  Jim Holtkamp is the bishop of a Hispanic ward in SLC. 

 

We have had lots of snow this week.  The temperatures have dipped into the teens when the skies clear. 

 

 

 

Winter Has Visually Arrived

The snow storm I have been waiting to see has finally arrived.  Six inches of heavy, wet snow has slowly fallen and turned everything into a wonderful fairyland of white.  Our Subaru Outback has proven to be the perfect choice for an automobile here.  The all wheel drive lets us go where we want to go. 

 

We held a missionary preparation class on Saturday morning.  Heather Malin was the only one to show up.  Our two 17 year olds had a basketball tournament, and Matt Adamson told us he would be camping up on the mountain

somewhere.  We had a wonderful lesson on the importance of being personally worthy to serve.  We then discussed the importance of the Temple.  As wonderful as it is to serve a mission, it is a bigger blessing to receive the blessings of the Temple.  She stayed for another hour visiting with us and asking all sorts of questions about missions, the gospel and the temple. 

 Sunday I woke up with the impression that I needed to let Carolyn Chenoweth know that she was thought of and loved.  I texted her and told her I was coming to give her a loaf of bread and see how she was doing.  She is doing better this week and did a very good job of teaching our Gospel Doctrine class. 

I have had a cold again.  Hopefully this will go away quickly, as this is a big teaching week.

I visited with the 2nd ward Ward Council, to present to them the daytime Institute class

Proposal.  They didn't jump all over it like the 3rd ward did, but they did announce it in their meetings.  We begin on Thursday.  I am anxious to see what kind of a response we get.   I substituted for the Sophomore Seminary class this morning.  The kids were very attentive and they participated a lot.  The lesson was the miracle of turning water into wine and Jesus cleansing the temple.  I've often thought it would be good to read the Book of Mary.  Wouldn't you love to see it all from her perspective?  We use the new Bible Videos whenever one is appropriate for the lesson we are on.

It is fun experiencing the sun coming up at 8:30 a.m. and then going down at 3:30 p.m.  Our hours of daylight are short.

Thanksgiving in Alaska

Our Missionary Prep lessons on Tuesday are not going as planned.  Our stalwart, Nia Ma'ake, is in Idaho visiting family for a couple of weeks.  Without her to round up the others, the others don't make it.  Vika is in California visiting family for Thanksgiving.  It is very important to these people to go south as often as possible to avoid the shorter days and the cold wet weather.

Wednesday at Institute we had a great turnout.  I announced on our YSA facebook page that Diane had fixed a wonderful meal, which she did.  She had a salad and some cheese Tortellini with pine nuts and asparagus.  There was a wonderful pistachio pudding and cook whip desert layered with chocolate grated cookies.  They loved it but she cooked enough for twenty I think.  We sent Matt Adamson home with the bowl of pudding.  He was so excited to have that. 

The Thanksgiving school break was going and so we had several show up that we don't see when school is cramping them for time.  Our discussion was a fun one to prepare, "The Signs of the Times."  I learned something I hadn't known, or thought about before.  That is, when the Savior comes in all of his glory there will be two left standing in the field and will be taken, and the other will be saved.  Then in trying to learn more about who these two individuals will be, the D & C teaches that those saved must be living at least a Terrestial law.  Those living a Telestial law will be burned as stubble.  This comes from the "The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith" as well.  Bruce R. McKonkie also preached this doctrine.  We used the parable of the Ten Virgins to apply this to ourselves.  We also discussed "Hypocrisy" into some depth.  It is a Greek word meaning to act or to deceive.  In other words, it is bearing false witness and would qualify one for the Telestial Glory.  The Savior was very forward in calling the Pharisees and Herodians hypocrites.  He then taught his disciples to not be as them.    We also discussed the signs of the times spoken of by the Savior in Matthew 24.  We included D & C sections 45, 101 and 133.  Then we included the fate of the unprepared in section 38. 

 

Should we fear that time?  No.  We should be able to recognize the signs, know what they are announcing, and keep our lamps trimmed and full of oil.  It was a fun lesson for me.

 

I made some more bread.  Diane baked a pecan pie and she made a salad to take to the Olsen's.  Pres. and Sister Olsen invited to eat Thanksgiving dinner with their family.  We were very appreciative of that.  We had a wonderful visit and the meal was absolutely spectacular to look at and wonderful to eat.  We enjoyed being with their son, Eric, and his wife Courtney, their daughter Jaimee and her husband Zac Kirkpatrick.  They had also invited Matt Adamson.  He is a student from Valdez and is very active in the branch.  He also attends the Saturday missionary prep class. 

Skyping is a wonderful tool.  We were able to be with Gregg's family in South Jordan as our grandson, Parker, opened his mission call.  He will be leaving February 27 for the Long Beach, California mission for two years.  Thank-you Skype.

Another Week

The week has been beautiful in so many ways.  Our trip to Yakutat was special.  We returned to colder weather in Juneau.  It has snowed a bit.  The snow is the kind you would see in a chick flick.  It is soft and powdery and there is no wind.  Then when the sun shines the temperature drops down to 20. 

Diane taught seminary for Erin Willis on Thursday.  I taught for Erin on Friday.  The kids were very respectful this time around.  Usually they understand after one experience with me that fooling around isn't so easily done without consequences. 

We did have a successful Missionary Preparation class yesterday.  Heather Malin came.  She is 20 or 21 and has a good job at one of the gold mines here.  She was called into the office and thought she was going to be laid off.  Instead they offered her a pay raise.  Matt Adams is a student at the University of Alaska S. E.  He is from Valdez.  We had been going 10 minutes or so when in comes the twins, Josh and Vili Tupou.  They are seniors in high school.  I met there priest advisor in a ward council meeting.  When I mentioned the Missionary Prep classes he asked if he could bring them.  They may two of the sharpest seminary students we have.  They will be tremendous missionaries.  Their Priest Advisor is their Uncle, Ongo Tupou. 

I think we are off and running with another Institute class.  It will be held on Thursday mornings for anyone that would like to come in the Juneau Stake.  We will start at 10:00 a.m. and at 11:30, after we finish, we will have a pot luck.  It sounds like the Relief Society sisters are the most likely to attend. 

I received a text from our Sunday School teacher again.  She was having problems with a sore throat and did not think she would be able to teach.  I grabbed the manual and read the lesson book and the first 6 Chapters of Ether so I would be ready.  I sent a text message to Carolyn, our Gospel Doctrine teacher, and asked if she would like a blessing.  She said she would.  She is living with her brother and also working with him laying ceramic and wood floors.  Her parents are in Provo.  Her mother decided she wanted her degree after Carolyn left home.  I took Landon with me.  Diane taught him the Temple Preparation classes.  He didn't act nervous at all and anointed her head with the consecrated oil for healing the sick.  I then gave her the blessing.  Her plans are to go to BYU Idaho for the next two semesters and then she will probably return to Juneau in July to continue making money for the next year of school.

Since keeping this blog, I have noticed that many from around the world have checked in to see what we are doing.  It would be interesting to know who you are and what draws you to this site. 

Earthquake

I can't believe that I was so focused on our assignments in Yakutat and then reporting them, that I forgot a most heart leaping into my throat experience.

Diane was studying at the kitchen counter on Monday and I was on the couch watching something on TV.  We had experienced that John's clothes dryer would vibrate quite uncontrollably while we were in the Red Roof Inn in Yakutat.  But we ignored it as you do.  But out of the blue, the furniture we were sitting on began to shake and wiggle.  It lasted for about 15 seconds.  We both recognized that were experiencing an earthquake.  We found out that it actually registered 6.4 or 6.5 on the Richter scale.  It occurred about 20 miles outside of the bay where we were located, and approximately 37 miles below the surface.  There were no Tsunami warnings.  It had been a "typical" earthquake and the locals say they happen all the time.  It was exciting though....for a bit.

Yakutat

12 November 2012

Diane and I have come to Yakutat, Alaska.  Our purpose is twofold; 1) The Burt Adams family, and 2) the Yakutat Seminary program.

I received an inquiry from CES about a Stephen Adams.  He is a returned missionary from Yakutat.  CES wanted to make sure he was on the CES rolls where ever he was.  I found out from the stake high council that Burt Adams Sr. was very active in the Yakutat branch.  I called him.  He verified that Stephen was his grandson, that he had been on a mission to New Hampshire (I think that is what he told me), and that he is now registered in school at the Church college of Hawaii. 

After getting the above information from him Burt Adams Sr. said to me, “When are the missionaries going to come up to Yakutat and teach my grand children, Cassia, age 16, and Christian age 10?  The stake promised me missionaries so they could be ready to be baptized when Stephen comes home from Hawaii for Christmas?” 

Of course I knew nothing of this promise from the stake.  In talking with him I find out the Stephen is the son of Burt’s son, Burt Jr.  (He doesn’t like to be called Jr.  So I got the telephone number of Burt Jr. and called him to confirm some things.  He told me that he did want the missionaries to come and teach his kids the missionary lessons.  I told him I would look into it. 

I called President Beesley and asked him if he would be ok with Diane and me being those missionaries.  There are none assigned to the Yakutat branch.  He said he would like that if I could make it work.  I then called Don Huntsman, our Stake 1^st Councilor and asked what he thought.  He said it sounded good to him and to see if I could make it work.  I then sent a proposal to CES in Seattle for permission for funds to fly us to Yakutat round trip and stay in a bed and Breakfast for 3 nights.  Finances for our travel can be a problem.  Sometimes we travel on the CES dime, and sometimes we travel on the stake dime. We told CES Seattle we would be visiting Penny James’ home school seminary class.  She teaches her three children, twin girls Geneva and Julia, and a son Josh. 

We arrived in Yakutat about noon.  Penny drove us around Yakutat and gave us the grand tour.  It originally was a Tlinget village and the Tlinget tribe is very prominent here.  Penny’s husband, Darrel James, is a Tlinget.  The Adams family are Tlinget.  Burt Jr’s wife is actually from a Pacific Island between Samoa and Fiji.  It is a small Island where the highest point on the Island is only 16 ft. above sea level.  That height is smaller by the year because of the rising ocean levels. 

The drive around the area proved to be a beautiful fishing mecca.  There are rivers and inlets and ocean fronts everywhere.  The rivers have cut throat trout in them right now and chum, or dog fish.  These are the final salmon to migrate.  The Bald Eagles hover over the river waiting for the chum to arrive.  They are slow this year.  We did see a lone Trumpeter Swan and a singlet in the river. 

A drive around the shore was beautiful.  The waves are great for surfing.  There were three young men in our bed and breakfast visiting for two days of surfing.  The snow was falling.  The snow was turning into slush and there was about 4 inches of it.  But they were dressed head to toe in neoprene and spent literally two full days in the surf. 

Penny took us to the local market, which reminded me of Anderson’s store in Thatcher.  Only it was much bigger.  We picked up some juices, fruit and snacks to get us from one meal to the next.  She then dropped us off at the Red Roof Inn.  Don’t picture in your mind a modern inn.  It isn’t.  It reminds me of Uncle Johnnie’s lodge in Buckhorn.  The owner lives alone and so there is absolutely no woman’s touch.  It is rustic.  And is a definitely a man cave situation for sports fishermen who come here to fish during the season.  In the winter he gets a few missionaries and surfers it appears.  John is his name.  There was no breakfast waiting for us Sunday morning so our fruit and juices got us through until Sunday afternoon late.  The surfers said you have to let him know if you expect breakfast.  Silly me.  What was I thinking?

We met Burt Adams Sr. at the airport when we arrived.  He has a vested interest in our visit.  He is counting on our visit to wake up Burt Jr. and his family to be more involved in the church.  Saturday evening at 6:00 he picked us up and along with Cassia and Christian we drove a few miles to the LDS church where the five of us found a comfortable room in this small church and taught the first discussion. 

It became very apparent as we taught that even though the kids attended church now and then, they were quite uninformed as to what the church is.  They were receptive though and seemed pleased to be learning the things they were.  When we gave the Moroni 10:4 challenge, Burt asked if he could tell the kids about his experience with the Holy Ghost.  He had been testifying throughout the hour to the truthfulness of the things we were teaching his grand children.  He told the kids that when he put this to test, praying to know if the things the missionaries were telling him were true, this happened to him.  He felt a whoosh over his head.  It seemed to call him to attention and he felt he was literally being told that the Book of Mormon was true, and that what the missionaries were teaching him was true.  And after he submitted to those feelings, he felt another swoosh as if the spirit had finished and left him. 

We explained prayer to them and then asked Cassia if she would be the mouthpiece for us this night.  She was reluctant.  So I got on my knees.  Shortly all of us were on our knees and she began the sweetest rookie prayer.  She asked that she might know these things for herself.  When she was through there were tears streaming down her sixteen year old cheeks and she was very humble and sweet.  Christian seemed happy. 

Burt Sr. then took us to his son’s home where we met Mina, Burt’s wife and the kids little brother Arthur.  I think he is eight.  Christian is 10 but is tall.  He is about 5 foot 5.  The whole thing reminded me of being in the mission field again.  Here we were among Native Americans again.  Burt is the local high school basket ball coach, girls and boys.  Cassia wrestles.  Christian is basketball crazy as is Arthur.  Burt didn’t want to join us in teaching his kids because he didn’t want to miss the BYU vs Idaho game.  When we walked in the home he was cooking some beautiful steaks he had his brother bring in from Anchorage on the plane with him.  The served us a wonderful meal.  It was kind of buffet style and we watched the kids fill their plates and return to the table and dig right in.  Diane and I took just a moment to pray silently over our food.  I tried to take long enough they would notice what I was doing.  We had a wonderful visit getting to know them.  Burt is the Tlingit tribe representative for the Yakutat region.  It is his paid job. 

After eating and watching the first half of the football game with them, Burt brought us back to the Red Roof.  Our room was around 85 degrees.  I figured out the thermostat and cracked the window for some fresh air.  I heard the rain and snow falling throughout the night.  In the morning, the slush had frozen into solid ice.  It was treacherous to walk on. 

At a little before 10:00 a.m. Penny James picked us up and took us to the church.  They had Sunday School first.  Penny’s sister Laura taught the lesson.  Her son, Elisha was there as were Penny and her two daughters.  Another sister, Becky was visiting from California.  She had a son and his wife deliver a baby in Anchorage and she came to see her new granddaughter.  Having never been to Yakutat, she decided to visit her sisters here.  After was Priesthood.  Burt Sr. came along with his wife Lorraine.  He suggested we all meet together as we were small in number.  The branch president, Penny’s husband Darrell, had to fly to Anchorage. 

We then had Sacrament meeting.  Darrell’s brother is the second councilor in the Branch.  He came with a granddaughter.  A few others arrived as well.  There were probably 20 of us all together.  And they were all related to one another.  Burt Jr. brought his family to Sacrament meeting.  Darrell had invited Becky to give a short testimony.  It ended up being a bit longer than that and Diane cut her talk quite a bit to make up for it.  I cut back on mine as well. 

The members had a pot luck dinner at 3:30 p.m.  They do this when they have special guests as a token of respect for the guests and for a good family get together.  The meal was unbelievable.  Penny brought a moose roast.  Lorraine brought a baked salmon.  Burt Jr. brought some turkey.  There was rice and mashed potatoes and salad and pie for desert. 

We sat around and visited.  As I was visiting with Laura she mentioned that she and her sisters had attended Brighton high school.  I told her that I had taught a Rebecca Burnham.  She said oh that wouldn’t have been Becky as she had graduated the year before I started at Brighton, 1981.  I got more curious.  I approached Becky and said, “Did you happen to attend Butler Middle School?  I taught a girl there named Rebecca Burnham.” 

She replied, “I kind of thought your voice sounded familiar as you spoke today.  And I wondered if you could be the same Waldron that taught me choir.” 

It is such a coincidence.  She just happened to visit this same week that we did.  The sister’s father worked for the church building temples.  They lived in Honeyville when they were young and then in Cottonwood Heights.  Their Father has an Indian heritage.  Now her sisters are married to Tlingits here in Yakutat.  We had a wonderful visit together.

After cleaning up the dinner, we had our second discussion with the Adams family.  I had asked Burt and Mina if they would please attend with us.  We discussed the Plan of Salvation and Joseph Smith some more.  Their Grandfather Burt added bits of Testimony and explanation.  At one point I couldn’t remember the second tree in the Garden of Eden.  Burt helped us with the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge.  (Getting Older can be embarrassing.)  I had warned Christian that he would be asked to say the closing prayer this time.  We again got on our knees and we joined that family as Christian offered his prayer.  He addressed our Father In Heaven and then paused.  After a lengthy pause I reminded him, “What are you thankful for?”  He then named each family member by name and included us. 

There was another lengthy pause so I helped him again.  “What would you like to ask your Father-In-Heaven?”  He then asked that they might know for themselves if what they were learning was true.

At the close of the prayer, both kids had tears on their cheeks.  It was beautiful to see how they had been affected by the spirit of the Holy Ghost.  Arthur went prone to the floor in tears.  And his tears were mixed with little spurts of laughter.  He couldn’t explain what was happening, but he had been touched with the spirit of love and didn’t know how to act. 

I had been a bit forward in the lesson.  I challenged Burt to take a more active role in leading his family with the Priesthood, and to also lead his family in family prayers.  I also challenged the family to become regular attendees at their Sunday meetings with the rest of their family.  I explained to him that with his Priesthood, he could be a great influence for good on the Tribe here in Yakutat.  He could be a great tool for his Father In Heaven if would honor his Priesthood.

We have one more lesson tonight before we must go back to Juneau.  Hopefully we can give them what they need to be ready for a baptism interview.  This is wonderful to me.  I love teaching as a missionary.  I enjoy administrating, but I love teaching. 

Monday and Tuesday morning Penny James picked us up from the B & B at 6:00 a.m. and drove us to her home where we joined them for early morning seminary.  The kids are pretty sleepy and lethargic but by the time the 50 minute lesson is over they are thawed out pretty good.  Everyone warms their home with Franklin stoves or wood boilers.

We spent Monday preparing for this week’s seminary and Institute lessons.  Penny’s sister, Laura, picked us up and took us back to Penny’s for lunch.  We had a nice visit and returned to the B & B to spend the afternoon.  In the evening we were again picked up by Penny and taken to the church for dinner.  Again we had a nice visit with Becky, Laura and Penny. 

They left a bit before 8:00 p.m.  At 8:00 p.m. the Adams family came for our final discussions with them before we have to leave.  We talked about the commandments and the commitments we make when joining the church, i.e. the fast offerings, the tithing, word of wisdom, taking callings and the like.  I then challenged them to consider letting Cassia again attend early morning seminary.  When I had visited with Burt on the phone about seminary he said Cassia didn’t go.  They had decided to keep her home.  They have had some sort of a disagreement with Penny over something she said one morning.  I promised the family that if their children would attend seminary their home would be blessed in some way. 

The B & B was quite pricey.  I had been told the rate would be $50 a night instead of $110 which is the usual price.  He likes to give church people a break.  What I didn’t realize was it was $50 a night per person.  When the fishing season is going he charges $120 a night per bed or person to stay here.

We came home to snow.

After posting this, I notice I don't have a picture of Penny James.  I'm so sad about that as she was so instrumental in making all of this happen.