Basketball with the Lund Family

Sean and Elder Spendlove playing basketball in the Lund family gym. I guess in Alaska, you have to have a gym at your house. Wouldn't that be fun!... I'm sure Sean loves playing there.

This is part of what Sis. Lund wrote:

" Attached are a few photos of the elders in our gym playing basketball with my family and friend. I think they like coming over here for dinner as they always head out there for a quick game afterwards.

I know they're working hard and had a baptism last week end that we were unable to attend. We took them out to a restaurant last Friday as I didn't have time to make a dinner. They had wanted Italian, so we went to a place called Evalgelos. And low and behold, they both ordered steaks! I guess the idea of spaghetti didn't sound so good after they saw the menu. (-:

The name of our ward is Cottonwood. If you go onto the church website, you could see a photo of the building. It is officially in the Palmer boundary, but it feels more like Wasilla. We are a large ward and have three wards using the building. Elder Stoker is also serving in the Single Adults ward.

We have roadshows tonight, so I may see them and if I do, I'll say 'hi' to them for you.

Hope you're enjoying your fall leaves. We are getting a rare Indian Summer up here and loving every minute of it.

Sis. Lund"

She is the sweetest lady. I so appreciate her taking such good care of the Elders.

Dinner at the Lund's Home

I received a surprise email today from a ward member of the family ward Sean is serving in. It made my day! This is the email and picture she sent:

"We had the elders over for dinner last Sunday and just wanted to send you a quick photo to let you know they're doing well. Even though Elder Stoker has only been serving in our ward for a few months, we're enjoying him very much. Right after dinner and right before this dessert photo, my kids and the elders enjoyed an intense game of dodge ball. I wanted to send you a photo of that, but they called it quits by the time I got out there. So eating cake was the next best thing.

My son served in the Utah Provo Mission a year ago and I was always excited to receive the occasional photo. Hope you enjoy this. I'll send some fun ones later.

Love, Sis. Lund

P.S. My kids think it's quite cool that our elder's names are so similar: Stokes & Stoker. What are the chances!"

Service at the Musk Ox Farm

Sean and Elder Stokes have been providing service at the Musk Ox Farm. He told Robert... "yeah it is pretty fun, but that they are pretty aggressive at times... so we kind of had to brace ourselves during the pictures."

I guess it can be for no apparent reason, just like when the baby musk ox attacked him while he was bottle feeding it. How deceiving...they look so cute and sweet. Just like a family dog.

New Companion - Elder Stokes

Sean's new companion is Elder Andrew Stokes. He is is from Monument, Colorado. Sean believes that they will only be serving together for 1 transfer. Sis. Dance told me he is very tall. Sean will feel like he is living with Jake (although I think Jake is taller):)

Goodbye to Elder Yates and transfer to Palmer

In the midst of Sean receiving a concussion, he also received a new companion and was transferred on August 3. Sean is sad not to be serving with Elder Yates anymore, but President Dance wanted Elder Yates to serve the remainder of his mission in Soldotna, a beautiful little fishing town by Sterling. It's a good thing he loves to fish. Elder Yates goes home the first part of December. Sean and Elder Yates became great friends and I know Sean will miss serving with him. I will also miss having the local contact with his sister.

He is still serving over the same single's ward in Wasilla, but he and his new companion, Elder Stokes, (yes Stokes) have also been given a family ward. They will be living in Palmer, AK, which is only a few miles away from Wasilla. He believes he will only be serving with Elder Stokes and living in Palmer for a short time and then may be moving back to Wasilla.

Sis. Dance told me earlier in the week, that the addition of a family ward will be very good for Sean right now. Although he will be in church most of the day on Sunday, going to both wards. At least he won't be bored. :)

They will be participating in the baptism of a young man named "Adrian" on August 14. Adrian wanted to be baptized in the lake, but Sean thinks it will probably be at the stake center.