Week 35

A portion of this poem was quoted by Thomas S Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Monson was speaking of trials and the strength God gives us to see them through. His wife died last May after experiencing a terrible fall a few weeks before.

Good Timber

by Douglas Malloch

The tree that never had to fight

For sun and sky and air and light,

But stood out in the open plain

And always got its share of rain,

Never became a forest king

But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil

To gain and farm his patch of soil,

Who never had to win his share

Of sun and sky and light and air,

Never became a manly man

But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease:

The stronger wind, the stronger trees;

The further sky, the greater length;

The more the storm, the more the strength.

By sun and cold, by rain and snow,

In trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth,

We find the patriarchs of both.

And they hold counsel with the stars

Whose broken branches show the scars

Of many winds and much of strife.

This is the common law of life.
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An update on the air conditioner duct. The duct tape covered over by the package tape held in place by thumb tacks gave way after a couple of weeks. So we reinforced the duct tape covered by the wrapping tape which is held in place by tacks with 3 small thin pieces of plywood screwed through all of the above into the original plywood that the duct was being fed through to begin with. I think this will get us through the hot season...winter time back in the states.

Where I had my blood drawn for my physical....the "Bleeding Room"  Actually, one of the best sticks of a needle I've had...no pain whatsoever...maybe because I was anticipating the worst stick of my life.

 To all you lying turkey hunters in the states to like to tell your tales of how hard it st to find and shoot a turkey...does it look like this turkey is having any problem hanging around me?  Actually came up to check me out. 

  Pam with a newly found flower  placed in her hair.

One of our new friends at the hospital...Julius mentioned in previous post.. A few months ago he was in such agony. Now is out and about in a wheel chair. 

And this pic...no need to buy an expensive turkey caller...just say, "here turkey, turkey, turkey" and they come right over to you.   All the tales of you hunters and fishermen..."the one that just got away", "turkey's are the smartest animal in the forest...patience, gotta know how to call one, blah, blah, blah...I always doubted you. Now I have proof.;

Shortly after this, as Pam was climbing into the front seat of the truck the turkey came over to her and butted her with his head.

 

 Love this shot of a a bag of jerycans being perfectly balanced on her head.

 

 Aunt on the left and grand-mama on the right, to Martin, our hospital friend.

We recently visited our young friend Martin in the hospital…had been going 3 times a week. One of the nurses, Sister Dorcus, told me that Martin had been leaving most nights after dark and not returning until mid-night or later. I learned from our other patient friend, Julius, that Martin had asked Julias to hide some betting/gambling receipts Martin had brought back to the hospital on Fri and Sat nites. Bottom-line, we had told Martin we would provide food for him and a hospital bed so long as he obeyed hospital rules and our rules. It was sneaking out at night that got him dismissed from the same hospital months ago and kater landed him on our front porch close to death. When we admitted him to the hospital we told him if he pulled any stunt like that we would no longer support him with food or clothing or medicine.  Having been given many witnesses that he had been lying to us, we devised a plan to take him to his grand-mama’s in the village.  We found them as sweet as they come, good Christians.  They said he had done the same thing to them when they had taken him to Gulu Referral Hospital, the government hospital.  He would not follow the rules and kept sneaking out.  They appreciated our efforts and also acknowledged that there are natural consequences for our behavior...good and bad. Some people only learn the hard way. Martin is one of those people. We hope he learns from this. His leg had been miracously healed…he only needed a place to have the bandage changed once a day.

 

For all my American friends who are worried about coming over here and not knowing what to do with your hair...I found this place for you....saloon, salon...what's the difference?

How to whack a tire from a tire rim.  Just keep whacking it til they separate.  No special tools required. I see them them do this regularly as I've been at the service station so many times as they put plugs into my flat tires. (Ps. Had another flat repaired on 31 Oct while in Kampala...think that is number 7.  While getting the jack out for the mechanic, I discovered someone had stolen the tire tools needs to loosen the lug nuts and crank the jack...now, that would have been great traveling home 6+ hours, getting my 8th flat and no way to change the tire..  Got a replacement the next day at the Nissan dealership we bought the truck from originally.)

 

 

 

 

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Yesterday we visited an eleven year old boy in intensive care.  Several weeks ago he and his brother were badly burned when their hut caught on fire in the middle of the night.  His brother died a few days after the incident.  He, his  mom and grandma were grateful for our visit, but we were more grateful for what we learned about patiently enduring from them.  The people here suffer from many hardships, but they are so resilient and faithful during their trials. 

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President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency taught that  when we follow the Savior’s example during hardships, it helps us endure our personal “bitter cups”: “Many members, in drinking of the bitter cup that has come to them, wrongfully think that this cup passes by others. In His first words to the people of the Western continent, Jesus of Nazareth poignantly spoke of the bitter cup the Father had given Him (see 3 Ne. 11:11). Every soul has some bitterness to swallow. Parents having a child who loses his way come to know a sorrow that defies description. A woman whose husband is cruel or insensitive can have her heart broken every day. Members who do not marry may suffer sorrow and disappointment. Having drunk the bitter cup, however, there comes a time when one must accept the situation as it is and reach upward and outward. President Harold B. Lee said, ‘Do not let self-pity or despair beckon you from the course you know is right.’ The Savior set the compass: we must be born again in spirit and heart” (“A Second Birth,” Ensign, June 1998, 2).

 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught that Jesus Christ’s mortal wounds are tokens of His sacrifice:

“However dim our days may seem, they have been a lot darker for the Savior of the world. As a reminder of those days, Jesus has chosen, even in a resurrected, otherwise perfected body, to retain for the benefit of His disciples the wounds in His hands and in His feet and in His side—signs, if you will, that painful things happen even to the pure and the perfect; signs, if you will, that pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn’t love you; signs, if you will, that problems pass and happiness can be ours. Remind others that it is the wounded Christ who is the Captain of our souls, He who yet bears the scars of our forgiveness, the lesions of His love and humility, the torn flesh of obedience and sacrifice.

 

IN CAHOOTS WITH CAHOON

Last trip to  Kampala we felt we needed  to stay over the weekend to complete some of our unfinished business.  Not only was it enlightening to see how well the branch we attended was functioning, but most significant was a wonderful Sunday evening with all the Senior couples residing in Kampala and special guest Dr. Drew Cahoon, an LDS Canadian dentist  who also resides part-time in St. George Utah.  Dr. Cahoon has been coming to Uganda and Rwanda for 10 years, this being his 21^st trip!  The wonderful service he is doing here to provide equipment and training for dental clinics is truly phenomenal.   

 

Dr Cahoon to Pam's left.

He mentioned coming to Gulu later in the week, so we asked if we could assist him in any way.  We were delighted to have him stay with us for his short visit, which included attending the Gulu Rotary Club.  Rotary is very big and significant here in Uganda.  Dr. Cahoon was invited to share his work in Uganda.  He explained the unique qualities of these clinics and the outreach programs in the schools that are benefiting tens of thousands of children.  He also pointed to Pam and explained that our Church ships all the equipment, thus paying tens of thousands of dollars in just this shipment alone. The gratitude expressed by some of Gulu’s distinguished business leaders regarding the Church’s service here certainly negated much the disturbing radio messages against us in previous weeks. 

Dr. Cahoon had to travel to western Uganda early the following morning and was unable to meet with the head dental surgeon at the hospital receiving the new dental equipment.  We volunteered to do this for him.  Initially the head surgeon was confused thinking the equipment came from Uganda’s  Ministry of  Public Health.  He thought the government had purchased and provided the equipment.  As he came to understand how the equipment was made available to Gulu, he became warmer and commented on Pam’s nametag.  He told her that the missionaries had begun teaching his family and although his son was very interested in our church, the father was doubtful about “our Bible”.  After we explained that we have the same Bible as they do and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, he became became more receptive.  He had not yet received a copy of the Book of Mormon, but said he would like one and would begin reading it.  There was a wonderful spirit as we closed our meeting with this good surgeon.  Once again, we left marveling about how the Lord opens doors to forward His work.

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President Thomas S. Monson explained the value of anonymous service:

“I approached the reception desk of a large hospital to learn the room number of a patient I had come to visit. This hospital, like almost every other in the land, was undergoing a massive expansion. Behind the desk where the receptionist sat was a magnificent plaque which bore an inscription of thanks to donors who had made possible the expansion. The name of each donor who had contributed $100,000 appeared in a flowing script, etched on an individual brass placard suspended from the main plaque by a glittering chain.
“The names of the benefactors were well known. Captains of commerce, giants of industry, professors of learning—all were there. I felt gratitude for their charitable benevolence. Then my eyes rested on a brass placard which was different—it contained no name. One word, and one word only, was inscribed: ‘Anonymous.’ I smiled and wondered who the unnamed contributor could have been. Surely he or she experienced a quiet joy unknown to any other. …
“A year ago last winter [1981], a modern jetliner faltered after takeoff and plunged into the icy Potomac River. Acts of bravery and feats of heroism were in evidence that day, the most dramatic of which was one witnessed by the pilot of a rescue helicopter. The rescue rope was lowered to a struggling survivor. Rather than grasping the lifeline to safety, the man tied the line to another, who was then lifted to safety. The rope was lowered again, and yet another was saved. Five were rescued from the icy waters. Among them was not found the anonymous hero. Unknown by name, ‘he left the vivid air signed with his honor’ (Stephen Spender, ‘I think continually of those—’ in Masterpieces of Religious Verse, ed. James Dalton Morrison [New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers], p. 291.) …
“May this truth [service] guide our lives. May we look upward as we press forward in the service of our God and our fellowmen. And may we incline an ear toward Galilee, that we might hear perhaps an echo of the Savior’s teachings: ‘Do not your alms before men, to be seen of them’ (Matthew 6:1). ‘Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth’ (Matthew 6:3). And of our good deeds: ‘See thou tell no man’ (Matthew 8:4). Our hearts will then be lighter, our lives brighter, and our souls richer.
“Loving service anonymously given may be unknown to man—but the gift and the giver are known to God” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1983, 73–74, 76; or Ensign, May 1983, 55–57).

Week 34

Went to Kampala again this week.  Anyone planning on a senior mission needs to read the fine print…how many hours a couple is expected to be on the road each month.  You might want to reconsider the mission …just kidding!   This trip was actually optional: one of our senior couples was going home and a special dinner was held in their honor.

 

There is always stuff to buy and things to do in Kampala that we can’t buy or do in Gulu.  We were heading back to Gulu Saturday, but Pam wasn't feeling well, too many undone things, mailing Christmas packages, getting the equipment for the Cerebral Palsy baby, etc., so we'll stay a few more days.  Will be our first Sunday outside our area. 

 

Speaking of Praise, our Cerebral Palsy child: within a day of our blog request, we received a response that ATMIT had been obtained!  Thank you, thank you to our dear Bountiful friends, D and D.  Still working on details, but another set of angels have come to the rescue of one of Heavenly Father's children.  

Many of you have heard of the very successful and long running Broadway play titled The Book of Mormon.  Written by the same characters who did the TV show, Southpark.  Even Ms Hillary Clinton went to see it.  It's been a big hit around the world, but it is not accurate and certainly does  not portray a favorable picture of the Church.  A lot of profanity, falsehoods, crude humor, etc.  The Church's response was simply to take out an add in the playbill, which I haven't seen personally but reads something like, "Now that you've seen the play,  why not read the book." and then gives contact information for viewers to telephone or go on-line to order the Book of Mormon to read for themselves.  That is typically how the Church responds to negative publicity, if we respond at all.  That said....   

We have encountered quite a bit of radio persecution in Gulu .  Different political and religious leaders have been warning the people to stay away from the Mormons: the missionaries just after your money; they have multiple wives; the missionaries are gay and trying to get all the men in Gulu to act likewise, etc.  While those of us here from the states are used to such tripe, this has been very disconcerting to many of our local members so new in the church.  The mission is continuously taking steps to befriend other ministers and to help political and media leaders understand what we teach and do, but there are always weak areas that take more time and effort.  We frequently remind the members of all the persecution the Savior when through as well as what Joseph Smith affirmed nearly two hundred years ago during the resstored church's darkesst days of unrelentant mobbings,  pillaging, persecution  and murder:   

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." (Joseph Smith - History of the Church, 4:540).

About thirty years ago Brooks and I were invited as guests of another religious group to spend two weeks in Japan and Korea. It was a wonderful trip with no problem, but one day when we turned on the tv in our luxury hotel, CNN was reporting massive riots in Seoul. Since that was where we were, we were quite surprised and a little nervous. The media made it out to be a major threat to the country's stability when in reality there were only a handful of students protesting individual rights on a college campus.  It wasn't even newsworthy, but CNN was making it into a major event.

If you have a missionary out in the field, don't be concerned.  The experiences here and in most places are nothing like the early days of the church.  Fearmongering is one of Satan's most effective tools to create unnecessary anxiety and worry to slow down the work.  Everything really is fine.  We are continuing to grow at a phenomenal pace. Attendance has never been higher at our institute classes and Family Home Evening.  Those seeking the truth are not diswayed by false accusations

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A couple of weeks ago in Kampala I was chatting with our mission doctor.  He was a little concerned about my weight loss and suggested I get a physical just to make sure nothing serious was going on.  I wasn’t worried but decided to do it anyway.  A perfectly clean bill of health, but Bishop Peterson…I still do not do hikes (like I told you in the beginning) so don’t plan on any calling like that when I return next September.   Pam, however, would be thrilled to join the next scouting  high adventure activity.

Actually, the Gulu doctor was really surprised at my blood pressure which was 124/74.  He had never seen that in a 63 year old man. (Probably because most men in Northern Uganda don’t live to that age). I assume the  weight loss has contributed to my lower BP.  My first trip to our mission doc last March my BP was very much on the high side, where it has been for years.  An equally plausible explanation for the drop is the Melaleuca vitamin/mineral  supplement Pam has us on.  We try to take them "religiously" and when we do, we feel great.  When we forget, not always so good.   My doctor in Flower Mound scoffed at the idea but the product, loaded with grape seed and grape skin extract…clinically proven to reduce BP.  I had been taking it before the mission but sporadically.  Pam’s is 117/73…perfect pictures of health we are.  We call it Miracleleuca.

over four foot long lizard in our front yard.  Below is better shot of this fellow's length.

The missionary elders had just found him - very rare for this area and brought him over to our place to try to get a scare out of us. Instead, we suggested they play a joke on one of the new missionaries, so they took it and put it on his study desk and put a jacket over it.  When the missionary discovered it, you should have heard the shrieking.  Pam went over  (not more than 20 feet away) to see what was going on.  She picked it up and put on her shoulder to prove it was harmless.  He still declined.  I suggested they put it tail first down the commode with its head sticking out, but the missionaries are a little more sophiticated than us seniors.  (I'm guessing we worked too many years at Zion National Park with Bear, Walker and the likes.) We also thought it would be fun to call our sweet landlord and landlady to let them know there was something wrong with the toilet, but the missionaries wouldn't do it.   

A young girl at Church playing jump rope.  Takes 3 of them.  Two wrap a cord/sting around their bodies, back up to tighent it and the third or fourth child gets inbetween the two on the end and jumps, over, under and through the cord.

Girls playing jumb rope at Church. 

Brother and sister? Just friends? Don't know, This is just the way they were walking down the street. Folks here very affectionate. See a lot of guys holding hands as they walk down the streeet. Not a gay thing...they wouldn't live long for doing that in public if they were gay. Just a sign of true friendship. I like seeing it. Tells me here are two guys who would give their lives for one another. Nonetheless, there is NO KISSING in public. Even at a couple's wedding -- even when a couple is older and has a bunch of children and is finally getting married -- NOT appropriate to show affection between man and wife.

Firewood at Pope John Paul II School, at least 30 feet long.   Used by the kitchen to prepare meals - always rice and posho, a very runny porridge for breakfast.  Each student brings his own plate and cup and  washes it out when through.  With the posho is hard, so it  is used to sop up the beans..  These kids are up 3-4 o'clock in the morn.  Exams and classes till late in the afternoon, then again until 11:30 or 12 at night.  They dare not fall asleep in class or the discipline can be very severe.  Very grueling routine at all the private schools.. But they are learning and not subjec to all the PC stuff in the states. 

Traditional dress.  Notice the wing tipped shoulder pads.

 

Some local entertainers at a conference on woman empowerment.

 

beautiful beads made from rolled paper for sale.

A small play underway.  Thelocals where laughing very hard .  We didn't understand it.

This devise used to haul water or milk on a foot journey.  She says this gourd like looking devise keeps the water VERY cool

 

 

More work on the AC.  My duck tape, covered by my wrapping tape, supported by my thumb tacks wasn't quite holding, so we cut some small pieces of plywood to screw in over the duct tape, which was covered over by the package wraping tape, held in place by thump tacks.  I think this will do the job.  A few months away from really needing this and then we expect much of our govt supplies power will be sold to other counrties, leaving things very hot around here.

Caught a snap of a baby riding on the back of a boda on Mom's back.  This picture also gives you a good look at the ratio of bodas to car's on Main Street.  Count em.

OHHH...so true!  (I know there are 1 or 2  of you who have been living on Mars the last few years who will not recognize the man on the right.  That is Alabama's Head Football Coach...Nick Saban).   The above speaks for itself but all you haters will enjoy the following article by Chris Low of ESPN:

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"That's where we are right now in the college football season. Every snap, every decision, every turnover, every missed tackle and every injury are magnified. I think the cumulative effect of the season probably affects every team to some degree," Alabama coach Nick Saban said.

The same goes for being at the top of your game each week.

"I think, psychologically, the grind of trying to get ready to play your best football every game gets more and more challenging, especially when guys are trying to overcome more and more adversity," Saban said.

Each of the last two seasons, Alabama has lost at home in November and still managed to work its way back up the BCS standings and into the national championship game. (AND WIN IT)

I'm going on record right now, Chris Low says..... If Alabama loses in November for a third consecutive year (or even in the SEC championship game on Dec. 7), you're not going to see the Crimson Tide in Pasadena,Calif., playing for the national championship this season. 

I know this will make all of my friends and associates outside the Alabama family very happy.  It's lonely at the top!

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·         Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized:

“Prayer is an essential part of conveying appreciation to our Heavenly Father. He awaits our expressions of gratefulness each morning and night in sincere, simple prayer from our hearts for our many blessings, gifts, and talents.

“Through expression of prayerful gratitude and thanksgiving, we show our dependence upon a higher source of wisdom and knowledge—God the Father and his Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 89; or Ensign, May 1992, 64).

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how we may become one with the Father and the Son:

"Jesus achieved perfect unity with the Father by submitting Himself, both flesh and spirit, to the will of the Father. The Savior’s ministry was always clearly focused because there was no debilitating or distracting double-mindedness in Him. Referring to His Father, Jesus said, ‘I do always those things that please him’ [John 8:29]. …

“Surely we will not be one with God and Christ until we make Their will and interest our greatest desire. Such submissiveness is not reached in a day, but through the Holy Spirit, the Lord will tutor us if we are willing until, in process of time, it may accurately be said that He is in us as the Father is in Him. At times I tremble to consider what may be required, but I know that it is only in this perfect union that a fulness of joy can be found” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2002, 76–77; or Ensign, Nov. 2002, 72–73).

Week 33

 

Mary and Praise

We became good friends with Mary, an emergency nurse at Lacor Hospital, when we admitted Martin for extensive care of his leg.  Mary is a celestial person…you know them when you meet them…no guile, doesn’t ask for any help, money, food. Doesn’t complain, or talk about her problems, but with some prying on Pam’s part, Mary shared why she personally couldn’t help Martin.  She has a 3 year old girl, Praise, who has cerebral palsy and many health problems.  She is very tiny (much smaller than our granddaughter Stella!) and still weighs less than 18 pounds. 

Shortly after the baby was born, her husband left her. He has provided no support since Praise was born.  She shed tears with Pam because the medical needs for this child are beyond her economic abilities.  She knew about the miraculous healing of Martin’s leg and requested a priesthood blessing for Praise.  Two of our young missionaries met with her and others in her family to give this blessing. 

With trips to Mbale and Kampala it was several weeks before we could visit with her in her home.  It was a very nice visit. We learned that not only does Mary take care of her own three children, she has several others she provides for. For example, during the war with the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army Kony), a stranger from Kitgum (two hours away) who had several family members killed and abducted brought his teenage daughter and asked Mary to take her in.  Mary and her husband had jobs so they took in a number of people like this.  After Mary’s husband left, Mary took the girl – now grown woman with a child -  back to her father’s village, but he refused to take her back because she would suffer too much living in the village, so Mary continues to support her and her little boy.  Mary’s estranged husband also continues to send his family members who are sick to her knowing she will not turn them away, but does not communicate directly with her and has not provided assistance.

Mary told us with much gratitude about the blessing the missionaries had given to Praise. Praise’s normal routine had been to awaken at 11:00 PM each night and stay awake crying the rest of the night. You can imagine how difficult this has been for Mary, a full time working Mom with no help from a husband. Praise also had sores or boils that would break out on her body.  Since that blessing the missionaries gave Praise, she has slept through the night EVERY night beginning that night.  And the sores? They have not returned.

In the meantime, a friend from the states sent our son a donation to be used however we saw fit for this mission.  After getting their approval, we decided to use it for the wheelchair with a special neck brace Praise needs.  The donation was the exact amount needed for the chair.  Mary was overjoyed, especially because that same day the money she had been slowly saving toward this purchase had been stolen and squandered by her stepson.  Her faith was renewed after tearfully questioning the Lord why she had to suffer so much when she was constantly trying to do the best she can to serve Him.

Last week Mary traveled to Kampala to purchase the wheelchair for Praise, which has to be fitted to the patient so the body and head are properly supported.  It should be ready in a week or so.  While she was there, another marvelous miracle took place to bless the two of them.  Mary shared the details with Pam and concluded with, “It is you that has done this for us.”  Pam explained, “NO, it is not us, it is the Savior that has done this.  Then Mary, a Catholic, said, “It is your God” who has done this.  Pam explained we worship the same God and our – hers and mine – God who brought all this to pass. As Pam was crying, concerned Mary said “Do not let me upset you.”  Pam explained that her tears were tears of great joy for this wonderful manifestation of God’s love that she has experienced  in spite of all her trials. 

 

Can anyone doubt that the power of faith such as Mary’s, and  the power of the priesthood administered by these faithful elders (missionaries), coupled with ministering angels on both sides of the veil can assist in performing miracles?  We know that this life is a time of great tests and trials to see if we will stay faithful to God, but we are so grateful for the continuous manifestation of the Lord’s tender mercies to those who exercise their faith by trying to do all they can to better their circumstances. 

 

Mary, Praise and some of the other children.

Because of Praise’s low weight and inability to eat most foods, we are trying to see if we can get some ATMIT for her, a special porridge with lots of vitamins and minerals, specifically for malnourished children. The church ships it to third world countries, but delivery within the country is the choice of the government. Gulu was on the list for the next delivery, but there is currently none in Uganda and it will take many months before it would arrive in Kampala, then  more months for it to get here, if even possible. It is very expensive to ship so the church is looking for a place in Africa that might prepare it, but that will take more than just months to materialize. In the meantime we heard from our former humanitarian missionaries that there is some in Utah. If anyone has any connections to get ATMIT, even just 10 pounds, my brother can bring it when he comes here December 8. PLEASE, if you live in Utah and you know how to get ATMIT, let us know ASAP. Or if you know of another good alternative, let us know right away.

A REMINDER, WE NEED MORE SENIOR COUPLE MISSIONARIES IN UGANDA! Any inconveniences you hear about are more than compensated by the wonderful spirit of these people and the work that is done here.  And with SKYPE you can still be close to your children and grandchildren. 

 

This is a typical bore hole (water pump) where locals go to get their water for cooking, bathing, washing clothes. Mary’s  house is the only home we've been in since we've been here that has running water.

Pretty neat ladder I stumbled across. Built like a tripod. The ladder legs on the front and the back tripod leg centered in the rear.

Looking up the ladder...you can see how high this thing goes. Straight up into the top of a very tall tree.

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Took a mini-safari not long ago on a “Preparation Day” with the missionaries. Heading down the dirt road to Chobe Lodge we came across this mess. I really couldn't figure out what had happened. The large truck with a load of propane tanks is listing heavily to the left but most of the tanks are on the road to the right of the truck. We got out and simply moved them off the road. They felt empty. Then we motored on by. We kept asking the driver, who was just sitting in his truck, if he was OK and he kept saying "no". I don't think he was hurt (because he did get out and started moving tanks also), other than a badly bruised ego and the likelihood he'd just made his last haul for his employer...probably former employer by the time this post goes out.

 

 

 

We were inside the lodge when an employee ran inside to get us....ELEPHANT, he shouted. We ran outside the lodge and here it was...maybe 20 feet away when I took the shot above. Not a place the safari employees wanted me to be  (pretty dangerous actually) but bingo...there he was so what am I supposed to do. He's eating foliage from the trees and headed toward the Nile so we circled back and soon enough he appeared on the other side of the trees at the water's edge. This guy has a name, it's not "Dumbo", hangs around the lodge a lot. We've been blocked from getting out of the lodge driveway when he has pushed over a tree so he could get to the leaves at the top of the tree that otherwise would have been out of reach. He has turned over a car  in the lodge parking lot at night after he got mad about something...probably just a bad dream. Certainly was for the car owners.

 

This seems to be his favorite pose. Beautiful derriere wouldn't you say? Certainly a large one!

Seeing double? I know u r probably tired of seeing the wildlife but in person one just can't get enough of it. And to see the giraffe run...pure grace and beauty.

 

 

We were this close! Could have fed him a carrot.

Believe it or not, saw this on the way from Kampala to Gulu last week The Big A-Mobile…not really. But with the progress I'm making with new Alabama Alumni Association Recruits, it may not be long before we see this very motif all over Africa. (Actually, credit goes to my daughter, Ceci Sandoval, for seeing this pic on-line and sending it to me) BUT STILL...I do have this African vision!!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!

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In his classic discourse on pride, President Ezra Taft Benson characterized the many facets of pride:

“Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of ‘my will and not thine be done.’ …

“The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works.

“… The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s. …

(Ezra Taft Benson (August 4, 1899 – May 30, 1994) was an American farmer and religious leader, serving as the thirteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (LDS Church) from 1985 until his death and was United States Secretary of Agriculture during both presidential terms of Dwight D. Eisenhower.)