Mail Call!

Sorry it's taken me so long to post this. Here's what Michelle emailed last Monday.

Daddy,

So...today is transfers. I'm being transferred to the Meadow Creek Ward in Eagle River with Sister Preusz who is from Gig Harbor. :D So, here's my new mailing address:

22501 Eagle Glacier Lp
Eagle River, AK 99577

It was really weird to leave my ward yesterday...so weird. They're like my family - I've grown so close to them all. The Beus's are going to swing by and visit next November on their way home from picking up their son from his mission in Tucson, AZ. There's a young man I know in Wasilla who leaves for the Washington Seattle Mission in January..maybe he'll serve in our ward!

Whenever I talk to missionaries, I always like to ask them what they have learned on their missions. In my last email to Michelle, I asked her the same question. Here is her response.

What have I learned?
So much...I've learned how important it is to rely on the Lord...we are small and simple creatures but, with His help we can accomplish great and marvelous things. I loved President Packer's conference talk about the weak and simple things of the kingdom. :D I've also learned more about patience.
I've learned sacrifice.
I've learned how to love more freely.
I've learned how to make Banana Bread...and Apple Crisp(I made my first ever apple crisp yesterday morning when I should've been packing....it was really yummy!). :D What part of my testimony has been strengthened the most?
Well...every part really...but, if I had to say just one I'd say that I've gained a increased testimony that there are no coincidences. We have a Father in Heaven who has a plan for our return to live with Him again. Everything happens for a reason. We are placed in specific places and situations with our specific talents and abilities and personalities for a reason.

Well, Daddy. I'm short on time today...I'll try and write you a letter later today. I love you!

Love,
'chelle

Page Updates

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know that I've done some "housekeeping" here on the Blog. The "WHERE IS MICHELLE NOW?" link on the right, shows Michelle's new area of Eagle River. Also, the weather forecast on the bottom of the right sidebar has been changed from Wasilla to Eagle River.

I hope everyone enjoys reading this blog as much as I enjoy keeping it up. My plan is to turn this blog into a book that I can give Michelle when she gets home. I'm pretty excited about that.

Next time you drop by here, leave a note and say Hi!

New Address

New Address Alert! Michelle has been transferred to a new area in her mission. Click the "Current Address" link on the right for the new address.

Mail Call!

Here's the latest from Michelle. Short, but sweet.

Daddy,

Your first snow, eh? Way good. We haven't had any fresh stuff in awhile. We still have some on the ground but, it's all crunchy and frozen. Lately (lately being yesterday and today) we've had some crazy wicked winds. It was 20 degrees out last night but, we figured with the windchill factor it's probably closer to -20...brr! We tried tracting for like 20 minutes yesterday and almost got blown over..lol.

I'm glad you got the package...it was lots of fun to make those tapes...I've got another one that's almost ready to send.

Well, I've got to go...a student needs the computer here at the library. I love you! Have a great day!

Love,
'chelle

Voices from the past...

This is exciting! I received two audio tapes from Michelle. They were recorded between November '06 and September '07. They are really fun to listen to. They are kind of a recorded journal, plus several other events she has been involved in.

Until I figure out how to get them on the website, anyone is welcome to come over and listen to them. It's great fun!

Mail Call!

Here's the latest from our little Eskimo...

Daddy,

I am feeling better now. I got a blessing on Friday and that helped tremendously. I should've gotten one on Wednesday after District Meeting though...Thanksgiving was not the most fun event of my life...being sick for holidays where you eat alot of food stinks...I didn't even have any pumpkin pie...*tear* Thanksgiving was fun though. We went over the the Allreds and they had the Beus's over too (two of the neatest families). So, we had thanksgiving with the Allreds and their 10 kids who still live at home and then the Beus's and their 4 kids who are still home - it was way fun. We stayed there all day because I didn't feel like moving around enough to go visit other people.

We have Thanksgiving again this week on Wednesday with our recent convert and her family. She just got baptized (and married first) on Saturday. Her husband and step son were baptized several years ago but, they've been less active until just recently.

I love you!

Love,
'chelle

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello all!

This is just a quick little note to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for all of your love, support and friendship - I appreciate each and every one of you. I hope you have a wonderful week and that it's filled with all of the things that you're thankful for. :)

Love,
Sister Michelle Barrett

~*~*~*~*~*~
Sister Michelle Dawn Barrett
Alaska Anchorage Mission
It's the finest, greatest mission, it's the best!

Christmas Package

Hi everyone. I'm getting a package together to send to Michelle for her Mission Christmas Party. I'll be sending it by the end of November. If anyone wants to include cards, letters or small gifts, just drop them by and I'll include them in the box. Thanks!

Mail Call!

Here's the latest from Michelle. It's short and sweet, like her! :)

Daddy,

The Iditarod thing was pretty cool. I don't know how specifically we got involved - I think it's something the missionaries help out with every year. Yay Missions!

It is a really small world. The Allreds in my ward used to live in Puyallup (like 6 or so years a go) and one of their 24 year old sons (he's a twin) had his first job at the Super Mall too. :D Yay Super Mall!

Well, if you're working have fun in the rain - at least it's not snow. We've had snow off and on since Saturday afternoon.

Well, we're gonna head out and shop before Bloodsport and Deathball. Love ya!

Love,
'chelle

Mail Call!

Here's the latest. I received this on Monday.

Daddy,

I'm glad you liked the pictures...I'll probably send more home in awhile. We helped twice with the Iditarod - the pictures you see are from the 2nd time when we were trail guards. Sister Sloan and I stood at one end of a tunnel and yelled "team" to the Elders at the other end so they could clear the trail for the teams. :D It was pretty cool. :D

It's mostly just been cold, windy and clear. We have had some snow but, not a whole lot...we've got a few spots that look frosty....but that's about it.

I am having the time of my life! :D MISSIONS ROCK! :D We played Bloodsport and Deathball for Halloween - it was super fun...except that I jammed my finger...but I'm good. Speaking of injuries...they stabbed me with a needle today...a.k.a. I got a flu shot...argh...not exactly how I wanted to start my Pday...

Well, gotta go...not much room here at the library!

Love ya!
'chelle