beautiful fall

Hey everyone!

 So this week was alright, we had zone conference on Friday. It was pretty good, we went up to Palmer/Wasilla for it, we had about a couple hours of training then we went to the reindeer farm for the rest of the day. It was good, we did some service for the reindeer farm for an hour or so and had dinner then we did a 'trek' since we were finishing up the zions camp training. The 'trek' was fun, the handcarts were down in Soldatna so we didnt use those. It was pretty much a hike with activities as we went along. The first activity we did, and Im not sure what we were supposed to learn from it but it was fun, was potato launching. We split up into districts and had some water balloon launchers and a big bag of potatoes and we were supposed to try and hit some wooden stick targets that the zone leaders set up before hand. I think it was all about working together or something like that, but im not sure though, all I know was that it was super fun. Then we kept hiking and then we had another group activity and this was definitely about working together, they had a few stacks of pretty heavy logs that we had carry up the mountain quite a ways onto the hillside. And since there werent enough logs for everyone they told us that if we need to we can switch off with people if theyre getting tired and to basically share the load. So that was pretty good, then we went down the hillside to the trail again and did a 'faith walk'. The district leader and his companion were in charge of leading the rest of their district(with their hoodies covering their face) up the rest of the trail. So I got to be one of the poeple leading the way and try to help them avoid running into trees and bushes and all that good stuff haha. Then at the top were some hay bales around a bonfire, and thats where we took zone pictures and did a little devotional/testimony meeting kind of thing. It was pretty fun, and Alyssa was there too, she was in the other zone that we did this zone conference with. It was fun seeing her again. So zone conference was pretty good, Palmer/Wasilla is a pretty cool place.
  Then we moved into our new apartment, its so nice and so big! We actually have carpet in this apartment, I love having carpet. Its probably one of the best apartments in the mission right now. Moving our desks was awesome though, we found out that theyre old military desks and theyre made out of steel and super heavy haha. But were pretty much all moved in, we only have a few things from the old apartment to go back and get, then we get to clean the old apartment haha, its gonna be super gross to clean. And you wont be able to see my apartment from google maps street view, its back on a private drive, fancy right? But heres the address 18101 Mall Circle, I think thats it at least. Its at the end of Bending Birch though, if that helps you find the location at all.
  We had stake conference this weekend, it was super good. The adult session was super good,  they talked alot about spreading the gospel as members and the importance of it. We had Elder Call and his wife hes an area authority I think,Stake President, President Perkins and his wife, the temple president here, and President and Sister Beesley speak along with a few high council members and stake calling people. I really enjoyed it, the stake president called on a few people out of the stand to bear their testimonies too, it was interesting but super good.
  We did more service this week taking care of the mess last weeks wind storm made. The elders quarom and the young men came and we hauled all the giant logs out of our old apartments backyard and took it to a member in the ward for them to use as firewood, even though its all cotton wood trees, they dont burn very well. But the member was super greatful anyways, so that was pretty awesome. They were all super heavy logs and I think everyone that helped was pretty sore for the next few days haha. And the windstorm last night wasnt nearly as bad as last weeks wind storm. I think Ive only seen a couple fallen/leaning trees from this last one, there were just a bunch of yellow and red leaves everywhere. But I guess they get windstorms like last week all during the winter but theres no leaves to act like little sailes to pull the trees down and the snow holds them in the ground. And no I dont think that Alaska gets tornados.
  We met with sister Hansen, we were gonna read from the BofM with her and her husband but they were both feeling super tired from work and kinda sick so they were only able to talk for a little bit and then they went to bed. So hopefully they get better soon so we can read some more. Then we have another appointment with Bill tomorrow, which should be awesome because hes pretty interested and wants us to keep coming over and to 'not give up' on him. Then we still have to get something set up with Terry, shes super busy, and also with Sierra and Austin. So hopefully we can get things set up with them this week as well as with other people too.  And other than that on the days that weve been able to do work in our area weve been trying to get in with less actives and setting things up for later this week or next week. Everyones been busy trying to get things done before winter hits, which will be soon because theres already snow on the mountain tops around us. So yea, things have been alright this week.
  And for your questions, Eagle River is definitely more upscale of an area, part of our area has people that are pretty well off and especially in Meadow Creeks area. Theres alot of dentists, doctors, radiologists, and people with high paying jobs in Eagle River. Our bishops an orthodontist and has a pretty big house overlooking the valley, inlet and he can see the city of Anchorage pretty well from his living room and kitchen.  And what alot of missionaries and people in the wards ive been in do to help stay away from depression and stay positive and happy without sunlight is they have a 'happy' light or 'blue' light or whatever you want to call it or they take vitamin D. And I think Im pretty set for winter, Ive got a suitcase with all my winter stuff in it and a that lion blanket and my coat at the mission home that I can go get once it gets cold again.
  Im glad you guys had a pretty good week over all, it sounds like everyone had fun this week between lagoon, the family reunion, homecoming and everything else. And hopefully this weeks even better for you guys! Hopefully BYU plays better this week (: and im pretty excited to get that camera, itll be nice to have a camera again haha, were gonna be in anchorage playing sports and hanging out with other missionaries and we have to go to the office to get a shower curtain so Ill be able to pick up the camera while were there! Oh and I just found out that the lady that was baptized while I was in Homer is still active, I was super happy when I found out from the missionaries down there. Anyways I gotta go, love you guys! Hope you guys have a great week this week!

 Love Elder Ashton Roney