Here it is almost May. The flowers are blooming, trees leafing. Garden rototilled. Tomatoes in their walls of water already blossoming. Spring is a wonderful time of year and coincides with celebrating the Resurrection. What a glorious time of year.

Hope you enjoy these paintings. I have so enjoyed painting them.

We met with Stake Presidents, Bishops, and Mission President Dance and his wife. There was such a need for Toms skills there. We are very disappointed and sad about having to leave Anchorage. This is the only other picture I was able to take. The area was beautiful (and cold).

After leaving the MTC. we drove to Boise, then on to Seattle where we met with the Social Service employees and they taught us the 2 computer programs we would be using. It was in Boise that my back began to hurt.
We put our car on the barge and then flew to Anchorage , Alaska. We met so many wonderful people in our short time in Anchorage but because of the pain, were not able to see anthing of the area. This is the lake across the street from the office. So beautiful. Tom was able to walk around it. Even saw a moose on the sidewalk. A BIG bull moose. He was thrilled.

We learned so many things about how the Church is helping people all over the world. We are so blessed to be members of a Church that helps all people, no matter where they live, what religion, what color of their skin.
Our time at the MTC was like being in a section of heaven for 2 weeks.

I do want to share some delightful pictures with you. The first is a picture of new missionaries luggage. I have never seen so many suitcases. On Wednesday, there were 500 new missionaries at the MTC.

Mission

Well, our mission experience was wonderful but short lived. I came down with bad back pain and after seeing dr.s was advised to go home and get treatment. So, in November we flew home. I have had 2 cortesone shots in my back and scheduled for the 3rd next week. Hopefully I will be back to normal. We have not been released. When I get better, we will be reassigned in this area.

Here we are in Alaska. It was 24 degrees this morning. We have seen 3 moose right outside our apartment. We have been to Costco, Fred Meyer, Office Depot, and Wells Fargo bank. Anything you need, it's here. We start working tomorrow in the office. Not too many sessions yet. We met with a Stake President and 6 Bishops last night to explain what services we will be able to provide.
Our office is in a chapel. Across the street is a small lake surrounded by trees. The geese fly over everyday so far and we hear their honks. I suppost they will go south for the winter soon. Every one we have met is nice and says, "Welcome to Alaska" then "What do you think of Sarah Palin?" I shall write again soon. Be happy, love your family.

Shopping

They have Costco and WalMart, who needs anything more?

blogpage

Tonight, Jackie showed me how to make a blogpage. Actually, she did it for me. She is soooo sweet. I love her very much.

Missionary Couple

Here is a picture of us getting ready for our mission!