Goodbyes and New Opportunities

Hello..... I'm in Anchorage!.... and I don't have my audio recorder. I didn't do an audio this week though. I've been really busy with transfers and such. I have been transferred to the Sand Lake Ward in the Anchorage Stake to be a Zone Leader. I'll be serving with Elder Helaman Higley from the Ozark region of Missouri. Elder Beirne will be in the Fairbanks 3rd Ward still, and his companion will be Elder Woolbert. I love Fairbanks and I'm kind of sad to be leaving it. But I am really excited to be serving closer to the center of action in the mission here. President and Sister Beesley actually live in my zone. Looks like I'll probably be here right in the middle of when we get all those new missionaries. I have to admit though, it's a little weird being back in Anchorage again =). It's almost like I never left, lol. Only this time I'll be in South Anchorage.

This last week was an interesting one. With all the Goodbyes, packing, and whatnot, we weren't able to do quite as much as normal. We also had some interesting truck issues... =) But life is good and even though I'm a little sad to be leaving, I'm happy to have a new challenge ahead that will test my abilities and leadership skills. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I know he is our savior. The more I come to understand Him and His atonement in my life, the more I am filled with a desire to share it with others. I'm grateful for all of my family. I'm so happy to see how much fun you all are having in the new ward. I love you all, and it won't be long before I see you again...Christmas =) I love the Book of Mormon. I know it's true. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Question: If life were a color, what color would it be and why?

Well I think life would be white. Not only because it is white up here, but because it is filled with so much hope and promise it's like writing on a fresh sheet of paper.

Love, Elder Record

Transfers

Elder Record is involved in transfers this week. There are nine new missionaries in the Alaska Anchorage Mission. He drove from Fairbanks to Anchorage to help in the logistics of the transfers. I expect to hear from him in the next day or two after things settle down.

I got to watch their transfer meeting and see Elder Record via a live video stream. It was great. The video stream allows the other missionaries in the mission who cannot drive to Anchorage to see the new missionaries and participate in the meeting. They showed a short video of the new missionaries each getting assigned to their trainers. Elder Beirne from Honolulu, Hawaii has been assigned to Elder Record to be trained. Elder Beirne is a half head taller than Elder Record. So when President Beesley called Elder Record as Elder Beirne's trainer, it was fun to watch Elder Record come up to this big Hawaiian Elder and give him a big enthusiastic hug. They also brought each new training companionship up in front of the cameras at the transfer meeting to introduce them to the mission. Let's pray for Elder Beirne that he will adjust quickly to the highs of 55 and lows of 39 degrees in Fairbanks. He is going to Fairbanks 3rd Ward to serve. Good luck, Elders! Unfortunately I did not hear where Elder Conlin was going to be assigned. They seemed to focus on the nine new Elders.

Transfer meeting streamed live

Elder Beirne and Elder Record introduced to the mission.

Elder Beirne on his first day in the mission field.

Elder Beirne and Elder Record

Email: 4 June 2012

I encourage anyone who hasn't gone to the temple or hasn't been in a while to go, and if you can't yet, prepare.  There isn't a better place on earth.  There isn't another place where you will feel more love and at home than perhaps with the ones you love in your home because that is the purpose.  To have a family like our Father in Heaven has forever, and then to help others to do the same.  If you haven't read the Book of Mormon please read it.  It has the power to change your lives.  It was written for our day.  The bible can tell you what Christ did, but the Book of Mormon can tell you why.

I love you all, sorry I didn't prepare an audio update.  I've been kind of busy with transfers and everything.  I found out that I'll be training again, but this time in Fairbanks 3rd ward.  I don't know what my companion's name is yet.  Apparently I'll live in a very nice apartment with members.  I'll miss everyone here in my area especially my companion, who is going to be the senior companion to another trainee just finishing training.

Here is something I studied this week I thought you guys might enjoy.

I love the story in Acts 19 I think where it gives a story about 7 exorcist Jews.  Paul was going around teaching people about Christ and the exorcists go to someone possessed with an evil spirit.  They say in the name of Jesus, who Paul is preaching about, come out.  Then the evil spirit says, Jesus I know, and Paul I know but who the heck are you!  haha! I love that story.  It cracks me up every time.  And it’s a good example of how having the proper authority is necessary.  I love the gospel.  I’m thankful that we have such a merciful Savior.  I know that our Heavenly Father leads and guides us and his church through his authorized representatives.  I never have to wonder about where to turn to.  It is always very clear.

Love, Elder Record

Photos: 1 December 2011

The Clarks from Whitehorse with Elder Record

On the road to Anchorage, AK - First transfer

Arriving in Anchorage, AK - First transfer

Anchorage, AK Apartment - Interior

Anchorage, AK Apartment - Exterior

Icicles on the Northern Lights Ward building

Thanksgiving Party, Samoan style

Northern Lights area maps

Elder Record and Elder Curtin, his current companion

Transfer: 7 November 2011

We do not expect a detailed update tomorrow from Elder Record. He is being transferred to the Anchorage North Zone in the Denali District in the Northern Lights/Chester Valley area with Elder Spencer Curtin as his senior companion. He will be serving in a Samoan ward. We are not exactly sure yet if that means he will be learning Samoan or not. It appears he will be serving in the Northern Lights Ward (Samoan) with Bishop Filoialii. More details to come.

We are so excited for this new assignment the Lord has for him.

Email Dated: 29 August 2011 - Part 2

Elder Johnson and Elder Record in Whitehorse, YT

NOTE: I asked Elder Record for more details about his first days in the mission home and his transfer to Whitehorse. His response follows:

We drove from the airport to the mission office [15 Aug 2011]. We met the people at the mission office. Very nice people. Then we left for the temple and took pictures. We met some of the elders at the church behind the person taking the picture of the temple. It was their p-day and they were going to play basketball.

Then we drove to the mission home, unpacked the luggage from the van, and got some orientation. We talked for a while too. Love President Beesley, coolest guy ever. We went out that evening for our "Greenie" tract. I went with an Elder named Elder Collins who is Samoan and was actually trained by my trainer Elder Johnson. So we're brothers. Elder Johnson even helped Elder Collins to learn English. Elder Collins knew some English, but Elder Johnson really helped him become able to speak it effectively. Anyway we went to teach a less active youth in the Samoan ward. Then I taught with another new missionary from my district back at the MTC, Elder Kearns, the first lesson at a family home evening with another Samoan family. They gave us food to take with us. It's their culture they just feed you. After that we went home and went to bed after dinner and other orientations. We were also told where we would be going. Elder Blackhurst (MTC companion) went to Fairbanks.

Alaskan glacier with the Chugach Mountain range to the right

In the morning [16 Aug 2011] I was interviewed by President Beesley and Sister Beesley, they did that to everyone. I was told who my trainer would be, "officially". Later we went to Eagle River to the chapel there to transfer. We all met our trainers got ready to go and had a short devotional/farewell meeting. After that Elder Johnson and I, since we had to leave in the morning unlike the others who left that day because we had further to travel, went tracting the rest of the day with some other elders who were the zone leaders for that area. We stayed at their house that night. I had taught the plan of salvation with Elder Ankney to a less active member.

In the morning we left at 5am [17 Aug 2011] for our 18 hour bus ride which left at 6am. We arrived in Whitehorse at midnight and got to bed at 1:30am. The other days were kind of crazy with tracting, planning, etc. We finally got settled into our new apt about 2 days later because it was being finished. We got our truck and about the 4th day out were finally independent, on our own, and more capable of doing the work. That's about it.

Love, Elder Record

Email Dated: 15 Aug 2011

New missionaries arrived safely in Anchorage, Alaska
standing in front of the Anchorage Alaska Temple.
Elder Record is 4th from the left.

I'm here! I love President and Sister Beesley. Sister Beesley is the sweetest lady I have ever met. The assistants to the President are awesome. They are Elder Richmond, Elder Starkie, and Elder Calk. Elder Starkie is leaving tomorrow so Elder Calk is replacing him. The flight went great. Dinner, lunch I guess I should say, was amazing. Everyone here is so nice. I have been assigned to Whitehorse, Canada. President said most of the work is here in Anchorage, so he only sends people he trusts out into the boonies. Elder Blackhurst is going to Fairbanks. Elder Richmond said my trainer is an incredible missionary. He said he has never met a more organized missionary before. President Beesley said to us that the missionaries in Whitehorse, and the missionaries he sends to Whitehorse, are top notch missionaries. I can't wait to meet my trainer. Anyway cya later.

Love, Elder Record

NOTE: Whitehorse is in the Yukon and approximately 500 miles due East of Anchorage, Alaska. It is the capitol of Yukon with a population of about 26,500 people.

Phone Call from Elder Record

Delta's web site let us track his flight.

We just got a phone call from Elder Record. He is at the Salt Lake City airport, and sounds great. The most important information is his new mailing address:

Elder Jason W. Record
Alaska Anchorage Mission
3250 Strawberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99502

P.S. - Elder Record made it safe to Alaska.

Elder Record has Reported to the MTC

Elder Record reported to the MTC and is ready to go to work. Good luck Elder Record, we will be praying for you and your success.