May 24, 2021: greenery+greenie?!

 Seems like the trees have bloomed overnight! Alaska is heaven on earth! An Australian lady that I met this week offered me to stay at her house for a week in Denali National park to do photography with her! I had to explain to her that I couldn't on my mission but that I'd take her up on her offer after!

Sister Hakala is a woman who trusts in the Lord with all her heart. She has 4 callings at church, 5 children, 3 dogs, and a bunch of chickens! She never gets a break for herself because she is always trying to help lift others up and serve them. She is the definition of true christlike charity!

 
This week, we had a lesson with Imre and needed a third female. We had asked around to women in the ward, and no one would make time to come with us for a short 30 minute lesson. Then Sister Hakala called us and said she would be willing to come. We were in awe! She told us before, that this week was super busy and she didn't know how she was going to make time for anything extra. But she heard that there was a need in Gods work and offered her time to help us fellowship this man that she had never met. She told us after that she had prayed for the Lord to make time for a missionary opportunity this week and her answer was us! Wow. I am truly inspired by this woman's diligence and ability to listen to the spirit. I love her:)

Emmy's friend Faith called me this week and asked to get FroYo! She was a lot like my cousin Brooke Krueger and it made me happy to spend time with her and talk about why I was serving a mission.

This week, an old lady asked us if we were "Mormons". I nodded my head because this lady seemed not-so-nice. Ever since then, I have been pondering, "Why didn't I have the courage to say, We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". Maybe because it is a long name? Maybe because I didn't want to hear what the lady would have expressed if I did say it. This was a waking up experience for me! I love Jesus Christ and his gospel with my whole heart. I need to show it and speak up for it!

It was Sister Durfees last week as a missionary! She is VERY excited to go home. I liked to use her as an excuse for people to come to church. For example, we helped clean out a garden area for our friend Jim and after I said, "It's Sister Durfees last Sunday as a missionary, it would mean the world if you came to church with us!" And GUESS WHAT. JIM CAME! So sweet.

Oh also, I'm training a new Sister next transfer. IM SO HYPED! I already have a list of hikes to do with her! I'm probably getting ahead of myself... I pray that she likes to hike! :)

 

Choose joy,

Sister Elly Rex

Anchorage Alaska Mission

3250 Strawberry Road

Anchorage, AK 99502

Pics:

-the zoo

-faith & froyo

-helped plant flowers at the temple

-Katie, Kaebri, & us making muffins

-Sister Attla's birthday party w/Sister Hakala