Week 32: Floods, coincidence, and bus drivers

Dear Family and Friends,

The rain has been crazy here. It's sunny and warm (-ish) out today, but there has been a huge puddle/lake in our parking lot that comes up over my shoes every time I back my companion out. There have even been floods on K-Beach-- One mile way down out of our area the road is completely immersed in water and has been closed off. I even heard they lost about 30 feet off the bluff, and the apartments are being watched for evacuation. Luckily, we are safe though and all is well.
So I have never seen so many yellow buses in my life as I have seen in snowy places, especially here in Alaska. It seems like most everyone takes the buses to school around here. We have a couple of Bus drivers in our ward and they have the funniest stories! They bus anywhere from elementary kids to high schoolers. One is one of our High councilmen in the Stake and he has this voice that you can hear above all else. On his bus he has this seat for little kids who won't follow the rules and he call it the "sin bin" -- trouble is, everyone wants to find a way to come up and sit there with him. The other lady in our ward who is over the Relief Society shared a story from her bus yesterday about these little kindergarteners- one of the kids hit another little kid, and they went to talk to the principal about it. When the principal asked the first little boy why he hit the other he said it was because the boy told him he wouldn't go to his pizza party. The principal turned to the other boy and he simply said, "I wasn't hungry." The boy giving the invitation said then, "You didn't have to eat! you can play." the other boy just said, "I didn't want to." And thus we see the life of a kindergartener. Oh the Drama. The sister in our ward sat behind them trying not to laugh the whole time. Apparently she had some teenage girls who would drench themselves with perfume- and she is allergic. She decided to tell all the girls to stay on the bus for a minute while she let the boys off. The only way she could get them to wear less perfume was to tell them that boys liked it better when they only have a little bit of perfume on- they have to lean in closer. She is SO FUNNY. Here we are, shocked that she told these little kids that and all she wanted was to be able to breathe. Anyways, as those kids say, she is "just a bus driver"- as if any one is JUST something. haha, you have to be a special kind of person to do something like that.

It was homecoming this week for the High School here- reason I mention this is because there was this HUGE stack of pallets in there parking lot for the last couple of weeks and finally it's gone- wish I could have seen the bonfire!

We met a woman in our ward who is bed ridden, but has traveled the world over and over again. She is from France, and has raised all sorts of exotic pets- a baby elephant, giraffe, etc-- I wish I was as ambitious as her. Every time we call her on the phone, she always says goodbye in French-- which I am not even going to attempt to type out because I know it will be wrong. Something interesting she shared- she has been out of what we would call "civilization" for different reasons, traveling with natives of africa for years at a time and other people, and she discovered Alaska herself one day and moved to the bush, to teach at a village. She was saying how every time she came back to "the world" she would recognize how dark and awful it was becoming. People just began to do more and more things that made them unhappier, and we can see this all over the world today. She said how much it pained her to see. We do not always notice the change by increments of things we do to make us unhappy, but there is a huge contrast, and she recognized that. Each of our part in this is just to do the best we can, and to turn our hearts away from the things of the world- to be IN the world, but not OF the world. What helped her in coming back was turning to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our new investigator texted us this week after the second lesson we taught her- she said, "Hey I just wanted to let you know that I read the chapters and prayed afterward and got such a happy feeling and I can really feel God trying to work in my life." We are so excited for her and for her persistence in listening to the spirit she is feeling. We had a training for all missionaries in the mission this week and a recent convert in Anchorage shared her story, and I remember her sharing that she had felt the spirit all her life, but now she knew specifically what it was. It had carried her in everything, but now she can know that Heavenly Father is not only guiding her. She has sacrificed so much for the Gospel, but she knows that time can heal that, and that she knows that God is directing her now, and that all will be well.

My companion likes to say that coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous- well, we had one specific coincidence the other day with our investigator who has been going through a rough time with situations in his life and has moved out of our area. Sis. B and I had been driving on flat tire all day, even pumped it with air, but we needed to change it. We were bringing some cookies (that mom baked) to the Elders, and met at a halfway point, and guess who happened to be there, helping his friend fix his tire?! It was wonderful to see that he seemed to be doing alright and he asked us to give him a chapter to read. He is still going strong in the Gospel and I can see it helping him in the rest of his life.  (insert:  I wonder if he helped the sisters change their tire???)

Can I say how much I love and appreciate the letters! I got a letter from someone this last week, and I can tell you that they have helped me so much! thank you for the support! Love you all!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

ism: "Something I have learned about Alaska since moving here-- on almost every corner there is a church and a liquor store"

Scripture: Mormon 9:9,11, 15-20, 27-28
For do we not read that God is the ^asame ^byesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no ^cvariableness neither shadow of changing?

11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of ^amiracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same ^bGod who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do ^ano miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

16 Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous ^aworks of God?

17 Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his ^aword the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was ^bcreated of the ^cdust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?

18 And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty ^amiracles? And there were many ^bmighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.

19 And if there were ^amiracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he ^bchangeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do ^amiracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should ^btrust.

27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. ^aDoubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and ^bcome unto the Lord with all your ^cheart, and ^dwork out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

28 Be ^awise in the days of your ^bprobation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your ^clusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and ^dliving God.

Week 31: zone conference, zion's camp

Dear Family and Friends,

Last Monday we hiked Skilak outlook with the Elders- the view was awesome!


 

Skilak Hike


 

We had zone conference this week- and the focus or theme we have had for the last three months is on "Zion's Camp." We went to the Jackson's Garden for most of it and they made us dinner from their garden, we were able to help them with their garden a bit and to be trained by our mission leaders. It was good to see everyone-- Anchorage South Zone came down and also four other sisters, including Sister Peterson, Sadlier, Poudrier, and Rivera. It was great to see them all. The sisters stayed at our apartment- I don't think our apartment has ever had so many people inside-- at least since there have been missionaries living in it! All opted out to sleeping on the bunk beds for how rickety they are. I don't blame them.

 


Soldotna Zone



Service Project--the Sisters got to cut flowers from the gardens!

Flour on our faces!!!

 Sister Burbank and I have been sick with colds ever since. Not fun!

We have been doing a lot of Service here this week, and on Saturday our Ward had their day of Service where we all work on specific projects. There were many different projects to go to, but we helped with a family who needed their siding up as soon as possible before the snow, and put siliconing on their house so they could paint as soon as the rain goes away. Some of the priesthood leaders in the ward who were there noticed we were lifting some things that should have been lifted by someone else. They said to us, "you are not here to serve man- you are here to serve God, and only man if it helps to bring them closer to God." As much as I love to do all I can, I sometimes don't put a limit to when those types of things are too much too ask, or too far or dangerous to health. I was grateful for them telling us this, even though I think I could normally do this, but there is a point of "too much" for everyone. They are really looking out for us here in Kenai, and that was a message I needed to hear.

We were able to see the stars this week just for a moment. A woman in our ward told us this last week "God did his best work when he made Alaska." She shared of how whenever she looks at what God has created, she is able to know of his love and in seeing his great creations, she comes closest to God. Alaska is really one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It is interesting in many places around the world how man has figured out how to place and create their own buildings and places, but Alaska seems so inconquerable by man. It really is in it's simplest form. I notice this the most when we drive down to Kenai from Anchorage. From the inlet you can see the village "Hope", it is so close but it still takes about an hour to get there because there is no bridge. The water and mud between might make it impossible to build a bridge. I don't know all the details, but it is interesting to see that we are living in an amazing world, with capabilities far beyond our own imagination or control.


I have been reading the September Ensign this last week, and there have been many things that have stood out, but one particular article stood above the rest to me- It was the last article "What am I Worth?" by Adam C. Olsen (Ensign, September 2012; http://www.lds.org/ensign/print/2012/09/what-am-i-worth?lang=eng&clang=eng) He talks about how it is the Buyer that determines the worth and goes on to say this:
"Here is the key: it is the customer who looks at the price, evaluates the product, and decides if it is worth the cost. And in this life there is only one Buyer of consequence.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, evaluated “the product”—us, both collectively and individually. He knew of the depth of iniquity that would be connected with the human family.¹ He understood the awful, inestimable price He would be required to pay, “which suffering caused [Him] even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit” (D&C 19:18).
And knowing all, He still decided I was worth it."


We are all worth the price our Savior had to pay. There is no doubt about that. I love my Savior and I am grateful for all of your support! Love you!


Love,
Sister Wuehler

ism: Anyone who says they are too small to make a difference has never spent a night with a mosquito.
"women are trouble"..."and men are weak"-- i love our missionaries! they are too funny!

Scriptures: 3 Nephi 18:16, 20-21, 30-32, 19:9
And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my ^achurch, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the ^blight; I have set an ^cexample for you. 20 And ^awhatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

21 ^aPray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.30 Nevertheless, ye shall not ^acast him out from among you, but ye shall ^bminister unto him and shall pray for him unto the Father, in my name; and if it so be that he repenteth and is baptized in my name, then shall ye receive him, and shall minister unto him of my flesh and blood.

31 But if he repent not he shall not be numbered among my people, that he may not destroy my people, for behold I ^aknow ^bmy sheep, and they are numbered.

32 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your ^asynagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall ^bheal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.

19:9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the ^aHoly Ghost should be given unto them.

Week 30: 'legacy of love'

Dear family and friends,

Zone Conference is tomorrow- Anchorage South Zone is coming along with some sisters from Chugach and Wasilla! So excited! We also saw two male moose fighting outside yesterday- I know- there are a lot of moose here- for some reason, it is still always exciting to see them each time. We had experiences this week that have been very special and also very sacred, so I may keep information out for those situations as it would not be appropriate to share some of it without their permission.

Hiking on the ski hill in Soldotna last week

 

On my planner I wrote a quote from (President) Thomas S. Monson from this last conference: "The Apostle Paul likened life to a race. To the Hebrews he urged, 'Let us lay aside... the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us'. In our zeal, let us not overlook the sage counsel from Ecclesiates: 'the race is not the the swift, nor the battle to the strong'. Actually, the prize belongs to him or her who endures to the end." I love the words that are shared there and have seen it in many different ways this week- specifically on a couple of individuals and their families this week.

We talked to a man who said this this week, "It's one thing to know about religion, and it is another to actually have a relationship with God." To know God, and to know of his infinite love for us and what he has in store for each of us is what makes the difference in any one life. The woman who I shared about having cancer is a woman who I have only known for a few months but she knew God so well. She was not scholarly, but she emmanated in her actions the pure light of Christ. She passed away this last Thursday, and Sister Burbank and I were priviledged to sing the song, "O my Father" at her funeral, as she had asked that we would before she passed. We got to visit her several times this week and with her children gathered around, we sang her hymns and got to see her try and mouth the words as she did not have energy to speak or to lift anything else. She has been taken home and I know that it was a joyous reunion for all. Yesterday, at the service, all I could think of was the joy in knowing that her spirit was happy, and she wasn't suffering anymore. There was no need for tears of sorrow, even though she will be dearly missed, but this seperation will only be for a short time in comparison to the joy eternity can bring. The words "legacy of love" were often shared, speaking of her unconditional and non judgemental love she shared with everyone she knew. I know that that is true of her.

It is amazing the blessing you see associated with the temple, and the Gospel- the things of eternity. A woman spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday about the Gospel and the church, and about her experience with becoming offended a time back- she said the people probably did not even know what they had done, but she said "If you're going to take offense, you'll find it anywhere-- but if you know the truth of the Gospel- that is what matters." As we remember the light the Gospel brings, it really doesn't matter what comes our way, those wheat and tares will separate- we will be able to forgive freely, and to let go of those experiences that might turn us from that.

Something really interesting that is found in Luke 24, if you read verses 15 and 16, you see that the people do not recognize Christ is with them, their "eyes were holden that they should not know him." As it goes on you see them speaking about Christ, as Christ expounds scripture to them and finally they realize that he was there all along. God is always in the details. There is never a time when his grace is not present. Over all, something I saw this week is that it is our consistency and obedience to God, not miracles we see, that build our faith in God. It is through that consistency that our testimony grows and we know that he knows us each individually.

Hope you all have a great week! We are getting so excited for general conference out here!

love,

Sister Wuehler

ism: "It's kind of sad when you wake up in the morning and say, 'what do I need to do to get back to this place?

Scriptures:
Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-9
And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

3 Nephi 15: 9
Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.

3 Nephi 14:7-11
 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

3 Nephi 5:20-26
20 I am Mormon, and a pure descendant of Lehi. I have reason to bless my God and my Savior Jesus Christ, that he brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, (and no one knew it save it were himself and those whom he brought out of that land) and that he hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls.

21 Surely he hath blessed the house of Jacob, and hath been merciful unto the seed of Joseph.

22 And insomuch as the children of Lehi have kept his commandments he hath blessed them and prospered them according to his word.

23 Yea, and surely shall he again bring a remnant of the seed of Joseph to the knowledge of the Lord their God.

24 And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth.

25 And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.

26 And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen.

 

Week 29: When it rains, it pours...

Dear Family and Friends,

 

 

 

So as we were teaching this week, Sister Burbank had said she would get butterfingers for one of the teenagers whose family we visit. We brought them to him, and the next day when we were over, they gave us an awesome board full of candy with a message.  It says, "Mormon Missionaries, We thought we would be 'goobers' and come up with some good twix (tricks) to pay you back for bringing us butterfingers. We 'rolo'-over a kitkat which we hoped would really make you 'snicker'. We wish you 'good and plenty' of 'joy'. Love, 'sugar babies' of God". They are so awesome, but now we have way too much candy in our apartment that we need to figure out what to do with so that we don't end up being the ones eating it. haha.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is funny how many returned missionaries from Alaska move back up here. We have met a few in our ward and one served in this actual ward ten years ago or so. It is awesome to see and hear their experiences from that. (The missionary couple who are the) office missionaries came down and fixed some things in our apartment this week.  One of the things they fixed was our door, which was hanging on one hinge! That was great, but I did think that door had alot of character before it was fixed. We did some painting for our ward mission leader's family this week. They are building a new house, and every time we talk about things with them, the phrase "in the NEW house" always comes up.  We love that family!

 

There is a woman who we visit who calls us her angels. It is so funny to see how the Lord can work through each of us to help others, even in what would seem to be the smallest things. This woman has been through alot and is so lonely, not too close to town, but I hope that someday she will be able to accept the Gospel and recognize how good it is.

 

We got news this week that a woman that we visit often, who goes to dialysis and is not able to make it to church often, was diagnosed with cancer, and only has a few days left to a couple weeks. She started sharing her testimony with her family soon after she heard this and it reminded me of Lehi and his children.  He speaks to them in his last days and with that, he was able to share what really mattered. It is amazing to see this family coming together now, even closer than they were, and desiring to go to the temple together. I hope and pray that one day they all will.

 

We taught our investigator about tithing last week, why it is there, why it is important, and most important, the blessings that come when we follow what God has asked of us. He was a little nervous because of how difficult it is to make ends meet these days, but also excited and very willing. He decided to pay it before he even had to and he came back to us and shared with us the immediate blessings he found from it. He said that after he paid it, his boss called and said that he has a raise and paid him for three days he hadn't been paid for working as well. He saw the immediate blessings and was able to make it. The Lord does not ask for much, and he always blesses us way more than we would expect for it, however, it may not always be in the way we would expect. I thought that was such an amazing thing to see how immediate those blessings were firsthand. He asked for a blessing to help him with things that he struggles with, and I am so excited to see his faith in God. He is going to be baprtized this weekend, and we are so excited for him.

 

We had a close encounter with a moose yesterday on k-beach as we were walking up to a house- Sister Burbank stopped suddenly and I didnt know why, until I looked up and saw this young moose running away; and they are so fast- dont worry- there was no momma moose around and that doesn't happen too often- we were safe. It has been raining like crazy this week and there have been some awfully long and hard days, but with all the tender mercies that the Lord shows, I know that someday, all will be made right and will be okay. Hearts are sometimes softened with time and with the Holy Ghost. I know that everything will be alright.

 

 

 

 

Love you all! Have a great week, I know I will!

 

Love,

 

Sister Wuehler

Scriptures: Alma 40:11-12

Now, concerning the ^astate of the soul between ^bdeath and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are ^ctaken ^dhome to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of ^ahappiness, which is called ^bparadise, a state of rest, a state of ^cpeace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

 

Helaman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the ^arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your ^bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

 

Helaman14:30-31

And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto ^ahimself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are ^bfree; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a ^cknowledge and he hath made you free.

31 He hath given unto you that ye might ^aknow good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might ^bchoose life or death; and ye can do good and be ^crestored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.

 

 

Alaskan-ism: A five year old says to his mom: "mom, I want to bury my testimony" mom:"you mean, bear your testimony?", five year old: "Thats what I said, bury my testimony"

Week 28: 6 months mark from the MTC

Dear Family and Friends,





After our baptism this week - Sister Burbank yawning!

An Elder from my MTC district who is serving in Homer right now reminded me this week at interviews that we were hitting our six month mark from the day we entered the MTC. I can't believe how fast the time flies by. We got our transfer calls, sometimes known as "transfer doctrine" out here- and Sister Burbank and I are staying in Kenai! It's funny that also all of the other sisters are staying in their areas as well for another six weeks, so we won't be heading to Anchorage today, so it means a less stressful Preparation day for us. Our zone is pretty much doubling which is not hard to do as we only had four companionships in the whole peninsula this last transfer. They are opening Cordova, Kodiak, and Seward to missionaries.





The "Zistrict" - Our Zone

This week we moved couches, prepared for a baptism, had interviews and training with our mission president and kept busy. We got a text late one night that woke us both up that the aurora was out in the sky, so we peeked through the window and saw the Northern lights- it was really faint but it was kind of a light green and it was beautiful.

A cool thing that happened while our mission president was here in Soldotna was that there was a family from Wasilla who had been down here for a game, and they rolled their car while they were here, and didn't have a way back to Wasilla, and didn't have money for food at that specific time. They just went out onto the streets to find someone who could help them and they wandered into the church while we were all there, the three kids and the mother. It was amazing that the Beesleys were there and were driving toward Wasilla that night and could take them there, and that the family was directed to where they could find help. I know that Heavenly Father was watching out for them.

We were teaching someone this week and we shared the talk by President James E. Faust, "The Voice of the Spirit." (http://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/06/voice-of-the-spirit?lang=eng or June 2006 Ensign).  He shared that he has been able to feel and recognize that good before, and he wants it back, but didn't know how to find it. It is the Gospel that helps us to allow ourselves to feel of that spirit, but often the world speaks so loudly in our ears that we choose to listen to it instead. It also makes me think of those who know nothing of the Gospel, and how sad it is to me that they do not know of how good it really is- people are afraid of the unknown, and not knowing what the Gospel is can sometimes intimidate or confuse, but God wants everyone to have the necessary good that comes from the Gospel. It is not just for this life- it is for forever, and we have to continue to have faith, repent, renew our covenants we make at baptism, receive the Holy Ghost and continually change in order for it to work. The feature in the Gospel that makes the difference is to endure to the end. This is so necessary that we have been asked to help rescue those who cannot find their way back. We are here to be instrument in his hand to guide those back to the Gospel who will receive it. Whether they are just finding it or have seen it for years.

The wife of an investigator is going to the temple soon and just received her patriarchal blessing. I have noticed the light and peace that has come into their home even more since I first met them. It is so exciting to know the true happiness that this has brought into their lives and that we live the Gospel because it truly frees us. Too many think of it as a restriction, when it is amazing to see how freeing it really is.

The Baptism for the nine year old boy went so well this week- His family came and he was supported by so many. He was beaming and so excited. He tells us of his dad when he decided to get baptized and his dad told him he has never regretted it. I know this boy will be a strength and a light to his family. He has a long road ahead of him, but he is such a strong little boy. He said that he is sad that he can't have us teach him as much anymore, and I know I will miss it too. Such a sweet boy. He picked the songs "Nephi's Courage" and "The Wise Man Built his House upon a Rock" for his baptism- both primary songs that I wouldn't pick at first but it is amazing how those songs really communicate that our foundation and dedication are what help us stay anchored in Christ and his Gospel- that with his help we can do all things which he asks of us. This is true of me and every one of us on this earth, and who has ever been on this earth. We are here in Alaska, and there are even missionaries in the northern most city in the world- atleast for part of the year and it is amazing how Christ mentions that the Gospel will be preached to everyone (Mark 16:15), and to all nations-- even to the farthest parts. Doctrine and Covenants 112: 4 says, "Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face; and thou shalt bear record of my name, not only unto the Gentiles, but also unto the Jews; and thou shalt send forth my word unto the ends of the earth." Alaska seems to be one of these ends of the earth. God forgets none of his children.

The Baptismal Font--the light were left on and the only way to turn them off was
to go down into the font since we didn't have keys to the doors!

Love you all!


Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 105:39-41, "lifting burdens" Mormon Messages (http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=910937379001)

39 And lift up an ^aensign of ^bpeace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth;

40 And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and ^aall things shall work together for your good.

41 Therefore, be faithful; and behold, and lo, I am ^awith you even unto the end. Even so. Amen.

Alaska-ism:
"By the time we make ends meet, they move the ends" saw it on a board here in Kenai.

Mt. Redoubt - it is not always in clear view, so when we see it, it looks
so AWESOME and you can see it all the way to Soldotna and Sterling.