A Snatch of a Dream

We humans shouldn't complain about pregnancy.

Though senior missionaries have very relaxed rules compared to younger missionaries, the work is not without stress. Anytime we have lots of contact with the same people, there will be annoyances, injustices, and disappointments as well as fun, joy and happiness.

We worry about the people we love here, we get frustrated with elements of the culture, we feel pressure to do more all the time because there's SO MUCH that needs doing.

Not to say that I don't love being a missionary! I do! I love putting the name of Jesus Christ over my heart each morning, (in the form of my missionary badge) and I love times when I know I've (we've) made a difference.

With the intensity of missionary life, when the Ensigns decided to go to the Nairobi Temple open house and then go on safari in Amboseli National Park in Kenya, and invited us to come, we just couldn't pass it up!

We were gone 4 days and 3 nights. It was absolutely INCREDIBLE! The temple is a small one, but very beautiful. It's decorated in shades of blues and greens with "African" elements that make it extra cool!

Having seen the original in Copenhagen, I doubly love finding this replica all over the world.

There is a huge stake center on the property, beautiful gardens and a large facility for lodging temple patrons from distant places. Yes, it made me a tad jealous, since all but one of our church buildings are closed by the govt. The entire country meets in one building in five sessions each Sunday, and we long ago grew out of it!

Early the next morning we flew to Amboceli National Park.

Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa. This snowy peak is called by the local Masai tribe the Ngaje Ngai or 'House of God.' Obviously a highly appropriate place to go after the temple!

The above photo was taken from the little Cessna Airplane on our way back to Nairobi.

Of course people go on Safari to see animals and we did. But during the rainy season, (now) Mt. Kilimanjaro is often covered in clouds. It hid all day the first day, but the second day, it was gloriously visible almost all day. It's truly a majestic and awe-inspiring sight. Feelings of reverence and gratitude make me wonder if there's more to the Masai name than just the obvious height.

Amboseli is known for its elephants. These are two cows. There are an estimated 2000 elephants in the park.

There's "The House of God" with some obliging gazelles.

As you may imagine, I couldn't look at this scene without thinking to myself, "Is this really my life?" Not only are there unexpected challenges and heartache but also overwhelming joy and gratitude. (Inspired most often by family, but also by this beautiful earth.)

A handsome ostrich

I was disappointed that I didn't get to see any ostriches when we went to Australia last year. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know there were ostriches in Africa. We saw about a dozen of them!

These guys were running along with our vehicle as though we were after the same juicy leaves they wanted for breakfast. Nice of them to stop and pose.

Almost time for sleep.

We went for a night safari and saw LOTS of hippos. Now to all my girlfriends out there, after seeing this pregnant hippo, I would never feel sorry for myself again!

Same girl. That's one birth that would be hard to even watch.

Hyenas are scavengers. We did hear them calling, but it sounded more like weeping than laughing.

We saw lots of jackals. This fellow was kind enough to pose for me.

Elephants live in families with calves, mothers and aunts. The bulls go off by themselves most of the time.

Since Amboseli has been well-protected from poachers by the Masai tribe for many years, there are many old "tuskers" Since both males and females have tusks, you can tell the males by their isolation.

This is a momma who lost her left tusk. It's been raining so turned the dust she had tossed on herself to mud!

This old bull is a good example of a "tusker." The waterbuck in the foreground ran lickety split and then hid behind the tree, facing the direction he had come from. We hoped to see a lion chasing him. . .no such luck.

These cheetahs were chillin'. Probably brothers, (according to our guide.)

We got up before daylight and were richly rewarded!

These flamingos aren't as pink as others because they have a different diet.

These two crowned cranes were dancing together in a most modern and uninhibited way. I caught this photo in a moment they paused to catch their breath.

Safari afficionados know that there are the big five and the ugly five. This wildebeest is on the ugly five list with hyenas, vultures, warthogs, and marabou storks. We didn't see the stork but got all the others.

Hippos dont make the 'ugly' list, because they're so ugly, they're cute! The hippo with its mouth open is trying to drive off a younger male. Jeff caught him chasing the other out of the water on video.

We enjoyed baboons galore close to the Oltukai lodge. One walked right up to me while I was reading on the porch of our beautiful room.

These monkeys were everywhere around the lodge. No, he's not sitting on an egg. (How should I know why they're blue?)

Look who's peeking in the window! He's trying to figure out if it's safe to come in. "Yep, the old guy is taking a nap." A little later, a monkey pushed the door open and darted in. Jeff shooed it out and it retreated quickly.

Truly the trip was a memory to keep forever! In a couple of weeks, we're going to go on safari here in Rwanda. We hear that the terrain is very different, and that it's a little more "high adventure" than this posh lodge and safari vehicles and guides. I'm super excited for that!