More Fun in Korea

More fun highlights of our visit with the grandkids. They are best told in PICTURES!!
First, Major Ben receiving a farewell gift from his company then having downtime with the little people in his life. He and Kwona make a very handsome couple and the children are beautiful in every way. Dillon made the comment the other day that he wanted to be a grown-up and not a kid....on further investigation he said he wanted to be a grandpa because he just gets to stay home and play. I had to explain to him that grandpa had to spend many years working before he could enjoy all the free time. He decided it was better to be a kid and not have to worry about going out and making money to take care of everyone else. His dad could tell him a thing or two about that! Enjoy.

Korean Adventures

We are under obligation to keep all informed of the activities of the family in Korea. The trip was long and tiresome but oh, so worth it!! We were met at the airport by Ben and Kwona and the littlest of the gang and the fun began from that moment on. The baby had no problem coming to her grandparents and shared many beautiful smiles with us. When we arrived at the apartment, the other three kids were pretending to be asleep in the bed set up for us...SURPRISE!
Cari spoke in church on Sunday and did a wonderful job.
Here are some pictures of the rest of the week's activities which included Ben's promotion to Major, climbing into an Apache helicopter, Thanksgiving meals with Dillon at school and another at the Branch with the missionaries, Devin's birthday and decorating the Christmas tree.

Happy 27th Birthday

Twenty-seven years ago a most wonderful event took place...a little baby girl was born and five days later was handed over to her new family (that had been praying for her for many years). She was worth the wait and just what we needed to complete our family. Every day has been an adventure for us as we have watched her grow, discover life and make definite impressions on those she met along her way.
She is a genuine and interesting person, wonderful friend and is open for what life has to offer her. There is more talent dripping off her little fingers than many have developed in a life time. She loves the beauties and creatures of the earth including sunrises, sunsets, flowers, ocean scenes, trees, bugs, dogs and kitties and has helped us appreciate them too. We love you and wish for you another great year.

Time passed too quickly

Our mission is at an end. In about 50 hours we'll be climbing on the airplane in Johannesburg and starting our flight home. How can such a joyful event cause such mixed feelings? We will miss so many things about this place. They say that Africa gets into your heart and it truly has in our case.
Listing a few of the things we'll miss:
*the beautiful wild life and exotic plants;
*the unexpected things that happened every day
like the stopped combies in lanes of traffic;
*the sweetness of the people and their
spirituality;
*other missionary couples who share a common
goal and will be friends forever;
*the beautifully harmonized singing and the energetic dancing;


*the smiles that brighten our days;
*the ward members who accepted and loved us;

*service to those in need;


*bearing testimony to golden people and seeing
the light come on in their eyes;
*and the emails from loved ones.

Amazing African Animals

The African animals have a majesty all their own. We love dogs, cats and horses, etc., but are really fascinated with the fantastic animals we find here. The Creator had to be so meticulous in making each one so they could survive their circumstances and particular features. For instance, the giraffe has to have a big heart to be able to pump blood all the way up to the brain and when the giraffe leans over to drink water the blood vessels have valves stategically place to prevent the rush of blood to the brain causing stroke or death and they can see for 3 kilometers. Zebras are striped to confuse their predetors and have a keen sense of hearing, rhino's have a great sense of smell and the crocodile can shunt blood away from an injury. So many amazing details we have learn while here.

July 4th Celebration, Swazi style

These six American's joined more than a hundred more in Swaziland to enjoy a special 4th of July celebration. There were hot dogs, hamburgers, potatoe salad, volleyball and softball, live music and fireworks. It was so wonderful because the fun was right next to our hotel!

Lesotho NRT

We spent ten days in Lesotho preparing for and then conducting the Neonatal Resuscitation Training course with the visiting medical specialist and his wife. It was so cold there that we all had to wear our jackets inside each day. One hundred and seventy midwives and doctors were trained over the four days and they were all excited to go back and train their colleagues throughout the country. So many of them work where they have no electricity or any medical equipment. Each hospital and clinic was given bags and masks and other equipment that they can use to save babies' lives. It was a great experience and tomorrow we will be going to Swaziland to do the same training.