THE ALASKA CAMPBELLS: FROM THE LIFE OF A COUPLE OF CHECHAQUOS

Newcomers to Alaska are known as Chechaquos.It's from the Indian tongue called Chinook and is a word meaning "newcomer." Alaskans who have been here awhile are "Sourdough" meaning well seasoned -- I guess. The sourdoughs are the ones that refer to people like Jan and me as Chechaquos (pronounced Chee-Cha-Koes). Chechaquos are the people who make a big deal out of seeing a moose and pull the car over to take pictures.

We are guilty as charged.

Coming back from a Picnic from the beach at Turnagain Inlet, we "ran into" this big shaggy rug, nonchalantly strolling along, eating grass on the other side of the road. Like a Chechaquo, I pulled over, hauled out the camera and started taking pictures. In about thirty seconds or so, we were joined by a red Chevy pickup with some more Chechaquos who had to have pictures of this fearless moose.

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On Friday afternoon of May 6th, we drove to the Anchorage Airport and picked up Carilynne and drove her to the mission office. She ran into the ladies' room and changed into a blouse and skirt and joined us in the office. After hello's and meetings all around, Cari started helping Mom with a huge mailing she was working on. During that time, several pairs of elders and one pair of sisters came in and out and met her.

Finally, President Dance came in, after interviews with missionaries at the Breton Chapel and started walking by the front desk (without noticing Cari) until Sister Campbell called him back. Surprise! They gave each other a big hug -- which I missed. But, I did get this picture:

Cari and President Dance

The Campbells

Later, there was a Coming/Going dinner at the Mission Home. We had one Couple arrive and one Sister who was leaving on the same day. The Dance's always have a dinner for both the new missionaries and the ones going home. Cari finally got to see Sister Dance at the mission home.

Cari and Sister Dance

I should probably change the order of the last two pictures. When
Sister Dance saw Cari, she fairly did a whirling dance for a moment
before grasping Cari in her arms. I suspect that Sister Dance counts
the Sisters as part of her own children.

This is a picture after the dinner -- a new recoding
group -- The Three Campbells

Cari with the Dances.

This picture includes not only the mission office staff, the arriving and leaving missionaries, but also Elder Paul Christensen, who is the Area Seventy for Alaska and part of Canada. He is in the middle on the back row of the picture. It was nice to be able to meet him and listen to his testimony.

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As noted earlier, we went on a picnic with hamburgers to the other side of
Anchorage. Here are a few shots from said occasion.

picnic

Munch, munch --

Downtown Anchorage from the park and across Knik Inlet.

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Saturday night we celebrated Jan's birthday and Mother's Day at the
same time.

preparations

The slave, as Mom called her.

Frosting the cupcakes.

Mom lighting candles --

I'll huff and I'll puff --

after blowing them out --
(cute smile!)

It's the mother and daughter reunion!

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On Mother's Day, we were standing at the back of the chapel
after sacrament meeting, talking with members, etc. A sister from
the Samoan ward, which meets after we do, came in with both arms
loaded with candy lays. I remarked how beautiful they were. She
took one off her arm, gave it to me, so I plopped in over Jan's head.

At home, after church.
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This is our mission vehicle. It's a Shelby Cobra. It only gets about 7
miles per gallon, but she'll outrun everything except a F-22.

It only cost about $60,000.00.

Eat your heart out --

All we have to do is buy gas and pay for the oil changes.
Not bad for $150.00 a month!

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Now, if you believed that, I have a bridge in Fairbanks to sell you.
Actually, we are driving a modest little 4 door Malibu -- a 2008. It
gets about 20 miles per gallon and has a peppy little 4 banger under
the hood. It gets us where we are going.

When Cari saw the license plate, she insisted that she and her
companion drove it at one time.

Clean little car, but no Shelby --

The Dances with the Assistants in a meeting.

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We go to the Anchorage temple every Wednesday night and do an endowment session. You have to call ahead and make an appointment to insure that you get in. Actually, they will make a place for you, one way or the other. We never have been a full session yet.