Week 24, Cooks Inlet YSA, Anchorage

Hello,

This week I actually have time to draft an email. Last week on p day
we were playing a very intense game of Settlers of Ktan so I ran out
of time. I won, if that's any consolation. I know it is for me.

The last two weeks have been crazy busy, and since I don't remember
what happened two weeks ago, it looks like I'm only giving an update
on this week. Sorry, but that's my long term memory for you. Weak.

Last Monday was crazy. The whole zone went hiking, but because Elder
Crawford doesn't produce body heat we didn't go because we didn't want
him to freeze to death. So we ran around all day doing random service
projects, shopping, and then playing settlers. It was a crazy day of
many adventures.

Tuesday was legit. We were tracting all day because we had no
appointments and we met this man named Adam. He's from Alaska, but he
was a ski bum who bounced around for years and then got his masters
from George Fox University. So he knew where Newberg was because he
lived there for seven years. He had a masters in religion, one in
philosophy, and one in psychology. So naturally he was very poor, but
talking to him was awesome. We taught him the whole plan of Salvation,
and he loved it. He's not a YSA so we passed him off, but he's one of
the coolest guys ever. He used big words. It was nice to hear someone
use big words again. Sometimes I miss big words.

Wednesday we met with this awesome person we're teaching named
Whitney. She's trying really hard to come back to the church so she's
super fun to work with. Plus, she's a returned missionary so she tells
us hilarious mission stories. Then we had a lesson with another man
named Adam, but it's a different Adam. This one was a referral from a
YSA's dad, which was strange, but he's super into learning more. He's
reading the Book of Mormon and loves missionaries. It's awesome.

Thursday we helped Adam move. He gifted us some sweet fishing poles.
I'm not talking week river fishing poles, I'm talking halibut fishing
poles. He just gave them to us. He also wanted to give us his skis but
we couldn't take them. I was upset because they were nice skis. Then
we had dinner with Rhiannon. We've run out of things to teach her at
this point because she's had all the lessons, so we just make sure
she's doing okay and help her with any questions. She is pumped to get
baptized.

Friday we tracted some more, and we actually found a potential YSA out
of it. Who'd a thunk it. His name is Joe. We also went around and met
a ton of people on our ward roster who we don't know. That's been one
of our goals this week, is meet everyone in the ward. YSA wards have
so many people in them because people leave and never have their
records transferred. So we have married people, people who work on the
slope, and people who go to college in Tennessee on our records. So
going through the list has proven pretty fun.

Saturday we tracted for four hours. We found five potential
investigators for other wards. It was awesome. I've come to greatly
appreciate knocking on doors. Some seriously crazy people answer the
door. That's probably just because it's Alaska, but still. I've met
gang members, satanists, cross dressers, hippies, overly protective
moms, and even combos of those. And they all have such interesting
stories to tell. I could write a book. I think I might. They'd all
probably sue me though.

Sunday at 1 30 am we got hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. It hit
across the Inlet in Kenai, but we got it in Anchorage. We were
shaking, I almost fell out of my bed, things fell off the tables, and
suddenly our water pressure in our shower improved. So that was a
plus. All the missionaries are okay, no one is hurt. Then we had a
really good Sunday. Erin Fleener (Rhiannon's best friend) gave one of
the best talks I've ever heard. Then we had to teach Gospel
Principles, which wasn't super fun, but it was a good class. So church
was good and then we had a bunch of lessons that night. Score.

So this week was busy and I'm exhausted, but it's a good feeling. This
was a great week. Hopefully all you peoples had good weeks too. This
week the zone is hiking again, if we go this time hopefully I'll get
some pictures. Alright, I'll talk to you next week!

John