GEEZ! SHE'S SURE ONE BIG SUCKER!!

 Like I'm always preaching -- perspective is one of my favorite concepts. To help you to with a perspective of how big Alaska is, take a look at the map above. Now you know why the elders and sisters have to ride

in an airplane for most of the transfers!

AND NOW, FOR ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE --

THE LAP OF LUXURY!

Here a a few shots of our luxurious apartment located at 8530 Klaune Ave. Apt. 2. The mission spared no expense providing us with the newest furnishings and comforts of life. First of all, our apartment is located in the famous area of Anchorage, called Chugach (which means, "White man go home!" in some obscure Indian dialect). Nothing but the highest real estate values in the city and nothing but the best slums and trailer villages surround our apartment. The crime rate is much lower than downtown Watts in Los Angles and mid city Detroit. There is either an upscale bar or a church on every corner, both designed for the men and women stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base or Fort Richardson, which are only a stone's throw from our home.

A LOOK AT OUR APARTMENT

Wife, mother, grandma' at our door.

This is my luxury recliner next to my desk and stereo center.

(Incidentally, younger daughter/sister Cari spent many hours studying in said recliner.)

At the end of a busy day at the mission office.

Yours truly reclining in said recliner enjoying a
bit of libation after a hard day at the mission office.

 

 The expensive stereo center -- notice the expensive Pixar drawing light!

 Sister Campbell's desk and exercise center.

 Our restored antique couch

 Our Lewee the fourteenth dining furniture

 The spacious kitchen where the chef prepares sumptuous meals.

One such wonderful meal.

Our sleeping quarters. You can see the expensive bed cover shipped directly from a roadside home furnishings boutique in Mesquite, Nevada! We purchased the modern blow up queen size mattress from the designer shop at Walter World on Old Seward Highway in Anchorage (the pump unit is built in and is powered by the most expensive Energizer bunny batteries available).Underneath the bedspread is the expensive electric blanket/comforter with DUAL controls for the comfort of both sleepers. (We've only mixed up the controls once (for three days).

THE neighborHOOD

When we step out our door, this is the view across the "street."
Klaune Street, to be specific!

neighborhood left view --

neighborhood right view.--

The jogging wife, mother, grandmother in middle of
Klaune Ave. at the end of a Saturday morning run.

Sometimes we feel that we are still at home. The apartment complex to the left and across the street curiously resembles the cul de sac behind us in Provo.We've had police visits to the apartment building to the blue colored building two times. Both time it was because of a domestic disturbance. The first visit came because a Motha' was yelling at her young'uns who had gotten mud all over the seat fabric in the family vehicle. The kindly policeman was only there for a few minutes.

The next visit from the police came a week later. Actually, there were three cars and three police officers who paid the same apartment occupants a visit. The offices seemed to get their attention rather quickly. Peace and quiet reigned supreme and the kindly officers withdrew after only a few minutes

PREPARATIONS AND THE MTC

When our mission call came, the Missionary Department left us about 19 days to get everything ready before reporting to the MTC on Feb. 21st -- get shots, buy clothing, etc. And, on top of that, going through 30 years worth of "things" in our bedroom and boxing it up was a very daunting task. Then, packing on top of that was even worse --

Somewhere under there is our California King bed.

Messy!

...a hand grenade went off maybe?

 Skat thought maybe he could supervise--

and became tired of watching -- and fell asleep in a suitcase.

Even Lena Lee got involved...

and, became as bored as Skat.

Jan doing some actual packing.

More packing.

___________________________________________

DAH REE-SEPSHUN!

We also had a little "reception" at our place the Sunday before we went into the MTC. Mostly, it was family who came. First came the Updikes and then came the Campbells -- shift style, I guess. And, there were others also.

Margaret, Nancy, Jennie and Robert, Jr.

We Campbells, Robert and Margie, John and Janet and Nancy.

We even had some Bench cousins -- sort of. -- Martha Bench and

her hubby, Joseph Ballentyne.

Alaska or Bust!

 

Rick and Lorraine Roberson

Jan and Nancy -- sisters

Hugs all around.

 ...more goodbyes.

--------------------------------

At approximately 11:30 AM the next morning (February 21, 2011), our daughter Lisa with Lena riding as shotgun, dropped us off at the MTC. First, she had to drive us out back to the Couples Building where a gang of Elders waited to tote our luggage up to the third floor into our apartment. Then, Lisa hauled us back to the main entrance to drop us off. I got to hold my grand baby Lena for the last time for at least a year and a half.  I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek and told her, "I love you." and she repeated it back to me. Talk about melting my heart - it just about did me in. Then Jan and Lisa were crying. I hate goodbyes!
 

 This is the first picture I took in the MTC. Jan is reclining on
our apartment bed and reading her Triple Combination. There
was plenty more we had to read to acquaint ourselves with
missionary life.

Jan and I posing in front of a painting incorporating
The Standard of Truth from the Wentworth Letter.

Me, in front of one of the MTC landmarks.

Jan standing in front of another landmark --
the Prophet's younger brother, Samuel Smith, who
was the first missionary of this dispensation.

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

On the first Sunday, we strolled up to the temple. Opposite the Taco bell Chapel (as our kids call it) I had the bright idea that Jess' car would be in the parking lot (that's where he goes to Church). So, we headed over there to leave a note on the windshield of his car. What should we find in the car but Da' Man himself.

PICTURE TIME!

 The happy Mommers!

At the temple --

Some Samoan Elders -- the pure blood of Israel!

 Our best MTC teacher.

This was our second seek district.We were pointing to where we were going.The husband of the couple of the middle was a Navy Captain when he retired. He commanded a swift attack submarine for about five years.

 More senior couples in front of the big map -- couples
with whom we were together for the two weeks.

 The night we boarded the bus for the SLC airport.

 "...leaving on a jet plane..."

Jan talking to Ashley and Lena on the phone while we waited for our flight at the Seattle Airport. Ashely and Lena were in Seattle with family because of the pregnancy problems of her younger sister. It was nice to hear their voices.