Christmas In Juneau

What a wonderful Christmas we enjoyed this past week.  We lazily got up and exchanged our gifts for each other.  Just like each Christmas when we are at home, Diane made German pancakes with maple syrup.  Yum.  We watched a Hallmark movie and put together a jig-saw puzzle.  And then we took the Brinkerhoffs with us to eat dinner at the home of the Sakonas.  We enjoyed meeting Sister Sakona's side of the family.  There was lots of Tongan being spoken and some basketball being watched.  The food that was prepared was absolutely unreal.  There was goose, ham, king crab, salmon, white sweet potatoes, salads, casseroles and vegetables.  The Sakona family has obviously done this a lot as they had lots of food warming dishes that you see when the caterer comes.  President Sakona sat right by the king crab legs and cracked one after another and gave the meat to the missionaries until they had each had enough.  He made it his personal mantra for the meal.  There is a tremendous amount of love in that family.  Margaret Sakona had just returned from a trip to Thailand and had lots of adventures to report.

Colt Franklin helping to prepare for the YSA Dinner.

After a great time we excused ourselves from their family activities and returned home to have our Skype visits with our own families.  We were able to connect with all of them.  My microphone didn't work but we used a telephone to visit with one another while we were watching their beautiful faces.  The grandchildren were excited and fun.  Our own kids each have their hands full.  We are so happy to hear of their successes and achievements.  We had no idea Aubrey was hurting so badly from 3 separate concussions.  Honestly Aubrey, three?  We have lots to talk with our Father In Heaven about when we say our prayers.  Tomorrow we expect to have our first great grandchild and are praying for Ashley and the soon to depart from her Heavenly Home, Avery. 

Sebastian Welling and Marie Holden bring in their White Elephant gifts.

We enjoy this "Season."  Even though our time is spent pretty much 24-7 in the work of the Savior, the focus of those around us, TV, advertising, music and business, point towards good will to men, and towards being more like Jesus Christ.  Couldn't that just stay with us and the world for a bigger portion of the year?  And even more, can't these values of loving our fellow man seep upwards toward our leaders so that peace would be more important than domination, power and money?  Dear Father In Heaven, bless mankind.  Bless us all to be more kind to our fellow man.

Amanda Mosher, Bryce Anderson and Macey Bettridge arrive for the dinner.

We can report that Elder Parker Bengtzen is burning 'em up in Long Beach as a zone leader.  He keeps working hard in spite of the problems he is having with gastroitis and Chrone's symptoms. 

We aren't holding seminary or institute during the two week Christmas break.  But that hasn't kept the branch from using us as teachers.  Diane taught Relief Society last Sunday and I have taught the Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School lessons the past two weeks. 

Sisters Luvinia Sakona, Karlyn Welling and Diane Waldron take a moment from their dinner preparation duties to pose for the camera.

We have both been concentrating on genealogy research big time.  I have actually found 19 names to take with us to the temple when we get home.  These are names on the Waldron side of the family.  Diane has prepared several hundred names on the Bengtzen side of the family.

Marie returned from BYU Idaho and excited us all that she was taking a semester off to make some money so she could return.  You better believe the branch is going to put this convert of two years now, to work.   Erik Mullen allows me to get a photo.  He is planning on leaving for a mission after this coming semester of school. 

We had a wonderful Young Single Adult activity on Friday.  The members of the branch presidency provided the meat dishes and the rest of us brought pot-luck salads, casseroles and desserts.  These items combined made for a wonderful dinner in the cultural hall.  It was decorated. . . a bit.  Diane took some Christmas things from our tree to put on each table for a center-piece.  After the meal we put everyone in a circle and played the IN-famous White Elephant present game.  There were about 50 attending including several non-members and a few guests brought in from out of town. 

There was lots of gift "stealing" and laughing at the silliness of the whole thing. 

The snow has been packed down into solid ice by the rain that followed it.  It is treacherous to walk here.  I noticed that Elder Brinkerhoff has been wearing the pull on metal spikes for his shoes.  That is certainly better than falling. 

Mallory Welling is the daughter of our first councilor in the branch presidency.  She fell in love with the remote control tarantella and used her skills to acquire it on the third and final "steal." 

There was an incredible sight behind the church and in the trees along the road from our church to our apartment today.  We counted 50 bald eagles in the trees.  I know there were many that I didn't see because I was driving.  For me it is a glorious sight.  One dead Sitka Spruce with bare branches had 16 in it.  I never tire of it.  And I'm sure I drive my companion nuts by pointing out the eagles and any wildlife we come across.

Marie Holden was so cute.  She asked if she could take my picture.  She noticed that I am always taking the pictures.  I told her yes if she would consent to be in it with me.

The church is providing some very wonderful  insight into church history and current social issues and other things on the lds.org site.  If you look under church news and then go to resources and follow up by going into the Newsroom, there is so much to help us understand our leaders, their pathway to decisions and even history on topics such as Priesthood (for every worthy male), same sex attraction, polygamy and hundreds more.  I am so happy the church has put these things up so the populace can get the answers from the source rather from those with agendas and ulterior motives. 

Luvinia Sakona is a wonderful asset to our branch.  She is very supportive of President Josh Sakona.  She opens her home to so many relatives and neighbors missionaries and friends.  The world needs many more just like her.

Serving a mission has given us many opportunities to help others understand the scriptures, strengthen their faith and build testimonies of their own.  At the same time, we have come to understand the scriptures better, our faith is stronger, and our testimonies are dear to us. 

We are looking forward to another year and the opportunities and challenges 2014 will bring, and along with that, looking ahead to coming blessings and family growth.