what a wonderful week it was!
- I went to a game farm and hung out with Bison. They were so cool looking. I love them dearly. They had shot one that morning and I got to see the gut pile and kick it with the head! Haha pictures to follow. I decided I am going to start a collection of me with severed animal heads. Its macabre, but heck, when in Alaska do as the Alaskans. This doesn't change my future vegetarian plans though.
- new investigator! Her name is Christina and she's totally gonna be baptized. I can't believe her. She is so prepared and ready. I love her so much. She came to church without us even asking, stayed the full 3 hours AND enjoyed it. it was so neat. She is wonderful. And you know what? I really tried to be bold. The lord and his spirit are so good at conversion.
- we listened to Iditarod stories from an old grizzly dog musher. Man its so cool. I really loved it. the dogs were gorgeous. if it snows before the end of this transfer he will take us dog mushing.
- almost got attacked by a blond german shepherd. pretty exciting. got bit by a Chihuahua. not badly though.
- had a lady ask us to pray that Obama would be removed from office. she was quite the lady herself, but i'll allow you to use your imagination and knowledge of Alaska to tell what she was like
- I used a compost toilet! Haha it was indoors. Alaskans.....
Also I want to tell you about Richard Nelson. Background: We serve ice cream at a senior home every Friday. I have gone for enough weeks now that I pretty much know what ice cream flavor every resident and friend likes. One day, I started singing to a small group of the residents, and one older gentleman waved me over. He could barely see through one eye and the other eye almost couldn't open at all. He is a chocolate ice cream person. he beckoned me to lean over and said: "what exactly do your people believe?" and the spirit answered almost immediately "we're Christian, sir". this took him by surprise. he and I became rapidly engaged in a conversation. When he heard we taught straight out of the bible and the book of Mormon, that we believed strictly in morality, and that we went around serving others he was completely startled. He would frequently say things as: "well i'll be DARNED!!!! I was so misinformed about your religion!" he was truly incredible. Many of the residents at the home couldn't carry a long conversation but Richard (dick) was as sharp as a whip. He knew his bible, and he was incredibly smart but also very teachable. I began to look for him every Friday. We would talk for a long time, and we truly became great friends. He was always fascinated with us being Christian. One Friday I really felt us getting deeper into his thoughts and feelings. He told me that he was 99, almost 100, that he had long since had some pretty grave sicknesses. He expressed his belief: that sickness was always the result of sin, and that anyone who had enough faith would be healed. He could not understand the idea that sometimes God allows us to be sick in order to show his power. even when we discussed the story of the man born blind, he couldn't comprehend. He thought that his wife therefore, who had died several years earlier must have made some great sins in the past and didn't have enough faith to be healed. I was so overwhelmed by our understanding of the fall, that we know it was god's plan, and our knowledge of the incredible powers of the atonement. 
the next week I didn't see Dick. So we went in search for him. When we found him, it was clear to me that he was dying, and had retreated far into his soul. but he could still express how deeply moved he had been to meet us, and when we left him with a prayer the spirit was so strong.
I love being a missionary. there are so many events like this one that never get recorded in a progress record, never make it to a homecoming talk. But its this type of experience, this compassion that refines the godliness in us. I am so grateful for the opportunity to live, and be surrounded by living people, each with an individual story and a different pathway to god.
I urge you to try to notice the lifechanging moments in your week. Often the most life changing times are followed by the least fanfare. But we can have them and notice them by following the spirit, loving people, and serving. this is the purpose of life.
Have a great one. God be with you.
Sister Galli
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