Oops...

I think I'm in trouble. Here's this weeks email from Michelle:

Subject: Yo parentals...wud up?

Umm...anyways...
I love you both and it makes me sad that my inbox is void of emails from you both...:( Have a great week (and send me a letter!)! I love you!

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable."

(Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Live in Thanksgiving Daily," Ensign, Sept. 2001, 8)

In this new year, let us think less about what we think is owed us, and more about what we have already been given. Let us be grateful.

Phone Call!

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. I did! I was able to spend some time talking to Michelle. She is having a wonderful time up there in Alaska! She loves the work and loves seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ change peoples life for the better. She said it's so rewarding to see people become much happier.

She is currently getting over a cold that has had a grip on her for a while. We're grateful that our Heavenly Father has given us doctors to help us with these earthly bodies!

Michelle had spent a lot of time in Wasilla before being transferred to Eagle River. She has made some lifelong friends there and will miss them, however she is really excited to be in Eagle River. She knows that that is where she is supposed to be right now.

Michelle has developed a deeper love for the Savior and a stronger appreciation for His atonement. She knows that following the Savior is the only way to true happiness.

Apparently, this winter has been much milder than last winter. She was told by locals last winter that it was one of the coldest winters in a long time. This year's winter is just the opposite. It's shaping up to be one of the warmest winters in a long time. Michelle said they only have a couple of inches of snow on the ground and it's only been the last week or so that it hasn't all melted during the day. I'm not sure if she's happy or sad about that...

All in all, Michelle is having the best time of her life. There is nothing she would rather be doing. She wishes all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Mail Call!

Here's the latest.

Daddy,

My new place...okay! We live with the Goldberg's in the Alpenglow ward (but we're over the Meadow Creek ward). They have an extra room and bathroom in their basement so that's where we live. We have a spot in their heated garage and we share the kitchen with them, we have our own shelf in the fridge but, Sister Goldberg says her house is our house and we're welcome to anything in the fridge, freezer or cupboards. She has a son on a mission in Idaho right now. Her daughter, Katie, lives here and so does Brother Goldberg's daughter, Sam. Sam and Katie are both leaving on Sunday to go spend Christmas with their other parents. Brother Goldberg joined the church in his early teens when he was living in a Jewish orphanage back east. We did Hannukah with them and it was really neat to see him to the traditional Menora lighting prayer and everything - cool!

My new ward is great - I met some of the people last year when Sister Hubbard and I were in a trio helping Sister Sloan out. The family that we're spending Christmas Eve with (the Ramptons) is actually the same family we spent Christmas Eve with last year. :D I'm excited to be here.

Sister Preusz has been out for 3 1/2 months - she was in the MTC with Sister Lott and Sister Grace.

Well, I need to go email a few other people - I love you!

Love,
'chelle

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!