Friends...

This is Michelle with her cousin that she's been staying with. Although they are four years apart in age, they have become close friends. They are both better for having spent time together.

Da Plane! Da Plane!

So she has finally arrived! Four hours late, but she's here. I'm actually still waiting to hear from her...

Open House October 29th, 2006

Just a reminder that Michelle will be speaking in church at 11:00 am, on October 29th. Everyone is invited.

There will be an open house for Michelle that same Sunday, October 29th, 2006 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. It will be held at her grandparents home in Auburn. Come and wish her well as she prepares to serve the people of Alaska.

Because this blog is posted to the world, for security reasons, please email me here if you would like addresses or more information.

Thanks!

Update

So, from what I hear, Michelle's talk in church went very well. I talked to both her and her bishop. Her Bishop was very impressed with her preparation and delivery, and she thought she did a good job too. As soon as she is able to email me her talk, I'll post it here for all to read. She'll be speaking in our ward here at home on the 29th of this month.

Talking in Church Tomorrow

I talked to Michelle for quite a while today. She was preparing for her talk in church tomorrow. Her subject will be about how missionary work helps families. She is supposed to talk for about 12 minutes and not have her talk written out. Her Bishop just wants her to use a few notes and talk without reading. She's struggling with it just a little because she has never done that before. I know she'll do a great job though! When I get the notes from her talk I'll post them here.

Michelle is also busy getting everything together for her mission. She's done a lot of shopping for warm clothes. She also had to get a passport, as some of her mission area covers the Yukon Territory in Canada. She has met a couple of women who have actually served a mission in Alaska, and they have been a great help to her as far as what kind of clothing to get.

Where is Michelle...

Under the "Links" heading on the upper right side of the page, click on "WHERE IS MICHELLE NOW?". This will bring up a map of Alaska with flags of where Michelle is and where she has been. Cool, huh?

You've heard of baby showers...

Today Michelle had a "Mission" shower. What a cool idea! A bunch of the women in her Ward in Utah threw her the shower. She said it was really fun. She received several gifts and some cash to help with her expenses.

It was raining and drizzling there today. She loved it. All her friends down there think she's crazy for loving the rain. That's my Michelle!

Seamstress

This week Dawneen has been helping Michelle make a skirt. Michelle informs me that she hates sewing, but thinks the skirt will turn out cute. She's preparing to be a happy homemaker, when she returns from Alaska. :)

Mission Info

Here's just a little information about the "Alaska: Anchorage Mission". This mission covers all of Alaska and part of the Yukon Territory. Michelle will serve for 18 months and could be sent anywhere within the mission. For the most part though, "Sister" missionaries serve in the bigger towns and cities.

For those of you that do not know, Missionaries fund their own missions. Michelle has been working two jobs all this year to save for her mission. I'm a pretty proud dad.

Before Michelle heads to Alaska, she'll spend three weeks in the Provo, Utah, Missionary Training Center (MTC). She reports to the MTC on November 8th, 2006. There she will spend most of the day studying and preparing to serve.

On October 26th (I'm kind of going backwards here... ) Michelle will be flying up here to spend time with family before she goes into the MTC. She will be speaking in church on October 29th at 11:00 am. At 7:00 pm there will be an open house for her at her Grandma & Grandpa Barrett's home. All are invited to both.

To Keep Family Informed

Hi everyone! I've started this "Blog", or online journal to keep our family updated on Michelle's Mission to Alaska for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Please check back often for updates!

Also, this is for family members and friends, so feel free to comment on any of the posts and share with family and friends.

While Michelle is on her mission, she won't be able to read or post to this journal, but feel free to ask questions and I'll make sure she gets them.

Chris