These darling sister missionaries are assigned to the Cook Inlet YSA Ward. They are just as sweet and enthusiastic as their smiles. After dinner we gave them sprouting kits with alfalfa seeds and instructions;  they were so pleased thinking they would be able to grow something green and nutritious in their kitchen!  They work hard because of their love of the Savior.

 We are just starting our third, and last, semester of the Pathway "Academic Start" program here at the Anchorage Institute.  We have 17 students who are signed up for two BYUI online classes:  Math 100G and Teachings of the Living Prophets.  We have been together for seven months now and have grown close.  It is a thrill to watch these students succeed and look forward confidently to continuing towards a college degree.  Each has his own challenges which have heretofore made college look to be out of the question.

 This week we got to attend four early-morning seminary classes here in Anchorage to talk to the graduating seniors about the blessings of Institute attendance.  We were so impressed by these students who have completed four school years of arising early to meet at 6:00 am for religious instruction.  In this class of 25 seniors, 5 young men have already received their mission calls! 

Here some of the young people with whom we attended a special YSA session at the Anchorage Alaska Temple last Tuesday are gathered at the temple entrance.  Our beautiful little temple (second smallest in the Church) is such a blessing to the Saints here and impresses us as being especially intimate and quiet:  only whispers.