Alaska: Week 18: To Anchorage and Back!

Dear Family and Friends,

So this week has been eventful, including a trip up to Anchorage for Zone Conference, speaking at church, elk on the side of the road of the Kenai River, eagles all over, a haircut, it's been crazy and also fun. I am starting to feel as if I will be taking more pictures of the nature in Kenai than of anything else. The other day the sun was shining only on this one point of the ocean- it was so pretty and you could see it from far.

About a block from the apartment -- looking at Old Town Kenai

You would be surprised at how many people up here lived in the Bay Area at one point, specifically Oakland, I feel like we are running into so many who are from home.

We have inherited an odd amount of food, specifically on Saturday, just from people who want to feed us. We are starting to compile a list of what they give us, bless their hearts. Everyone is so willing to help and to give, and as funny it feels to be on the receiving end of all of this giving, I feel so undeserving because there are people out there who do not have what they need and it just breaks my heart to not have the ability at this point to give this to them so that they might not go hungry.

We spoke at church yesterday. Sis. Sadlier about the Restoration, and I spoke about Joseph Smith and how we can all receive knowledge from God as we ask in faith. Afterwards, there were so many people who wanted to learn more, and who wanted us to teach them! I am so grateful that even though we did not have much time to prepare for a 15 minute talk, Heavenly Father directed our words as we did everything we could to prepare, just as the scriptures say. It was my own experience of the Holy Ghost working through me, and I am blessed to have these experiences every single day, and as they are sacred, sometimes I do not mantion them here, but I hope someday to share more about these in person.

Sister Wuehler and Sister Sadlier by their apartment

Elder Koelliker emphasized the power of prayer in our lives and in the investigators lives, and why THEY need to pray (this goes for each one of us). (He spoke at their Zone Conference). When we pray so that Heavenly Father can answer our prayers, we can be given an answer by the power of the Holy Ghost. As we learn of Christ's doctrine, then we can learn of it's truth through prayer and the spirit of the Holy Ghost. That is the source of all truth, and that is why we, as missionaries are asked to "be bold, and act with faith." We have been blessed so greatly, and we have the knowledge of this gift, but it is not only for us- it is for all children of God, which is everyone. The spirit can bring truth unto our heart, then, it is our part to recognize it and to receive it- it is like a present; but what use it the gift until you open it and use it. Also, we got to go to the temple.

All is Well here. Kenai is beautiful, and the people are even more beautiful. Love you all! Excited to hear from you and I love all of your letters

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scriptures: Mosiah 3, Ephesians 6 (putting on the armor of God), Doctrine and Covenants 138:53-56 "it is now the due time of the Lord" -Pres. Beesley

53 The Prophet Joseph Smith, and my father, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and other choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work,

54 Including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead, were also in the spirit world.

55 I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.

56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.