This was our first trek. This is our missionary district experiencing what the "real" trekkers will experience. The picture is us crossing the Sweetwater river. We couldn't take the handcarts across as the water was above the hubs which would rust.

The over riding question here is, "For what?" This sign is posted as we exit the missionary village onto the main highway between Rawlins and Martin's Cove. There is clear highway for two to five miles in each direction. Also very interesting is the fact that in the 7.5 stretch of highway between the village and Martin's Cove there are three passing lanes; but no one to pass.

Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission

Finally getting started on our new adventure. We have been called to serve in the Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission. This is a historical site commemorating the great faith and sacrifice of the individuals in the Willie and Martin handcart companies. We purchased a trailer and truck to pull it and are now camped with 60 other senior missionaries and engaged in learning the history of this location. More to come soon.

Road to Exaltation

Angie and Dani were a great help in re-doing our "Path to Exaltation" bulletin board. It's a lot more colorful than our original.

Hair plaiting

Penny, Dani and Angie visited us for a couple of weeks. On their last day we hosted a "Hair Plaiting" party. We had six sisters from our branch doing the plaiting. It took about seven hours including breakfast and lunch. It was a fabulous time.

Hands of Friendship

Love this picture. It was taken right after the hair plaiting party.

We got mangos!

Yeah, we got mangos. Right outside our apartment we have a mango tree. They are huge. There is also an avocado tree with similar fruit. They do fruit in Uganda.

We are back to our YSA Activity Days. Above we are playing "Four Square", destined to become a favorite. Below we are playing "Pressy Pressy", one of the favorites for the locals.

Some of the local fauna in uganda. The bat was found in our apartment. It took quite an effort to capture it. We then took a picture of it and let it go. It was really mad.
The dogs are purebred Uganda dogs. They are "free range" and everywhere. They come it three colors; brown, black and brown and black.

He ain't heavy. He's my brother.

This is a very common scene here in Africa. It's very apparent; the love and support siblings have for one another. Very nice to see.

Helping Hands

We participated in the Church's "Mormon Helping Hands" event. We visited a babies orphanage. They are licensed for 50 children ages 0 to 4 year and currently have 40. They have a great facility but it is a challenge for them to keep it up. We prepared food, cleaned play areas and rooms, sorted clothes, cleaned the building and planted trees. About 75 of us had a great day. And darned if I know why I can't make this post look like I want.

Cardboard clock

The clock at our institute had been broken for about eight months. So I took another broken clock and used the parts to create this beauty out of cardboard. The locals are impressed but don't truly understand how.

Out-The-Door

This is our new mission president(Jackson). The Church has a very sussinct transfer program. President and Sister Christensen picked up the Jacksons at the airport Wednesday afternoon and spent the evening together at the mission home. They did some business thursday morning and all the seniors met for lunch. Prior to lunch we all said goodbye to the Christensens and they were off. The rest of us had a very long lunch getting to know each other. The previous Sunday night the senior couples met with the Christensens for dinner at the Rotheys and had an emotional departure. Change is one of the constants in the mission field.

Christine

This is Christine and Sister Beachley making Chapattis. They are considering making a cookbook of Ugandan foods. Chapatti is a staple that everyone knows how to cook. However, Christine makes the best.

Christine leads the music in our Ntinda bramch. She also teaches Sunday School and is in the Branch Relief Society Presidency and teaches Institute. We often caller her President Christine.

Meet Nephi. He is the grandson of a couple Sister Beachley and I home teach. As you can see, he's not nearly as excited to see me as I am him. I did get him to wave at Sister Beachley as she took the picture. The kids here are so much fun.

This is our Family Home Evening group of young
adults. We are playing a scripture game. It started
quite small but is now regularly about 20. I think
a lot of them come just for Sister Beachley's treats.

Career Workshop

This is our latest "Career Workshop" class. Two days, sixteen hours. A really good class. I think Sister Beachley and I are getting more tan. What do you think?

What is that noise?

I noticed this tree trunk under Elder Barlow's truck one afternoon. I approached him and asked if he had been hearing any unusual noises. He obviously responded in the affirmative. He said he had been listening very carefully but couldn't figure what could be the problem. When I showed him the problem we had a great laugh. They are often taking expeditions in the wild, uncharted country and this is not a totally out of the ordinary expectation.

These are the tomato plants we are growing on on our balcony patio. This is one month's growth. Should have some edible fruit in another month. Penny is sending some more seeds. Those should arrive in about a week, or maybe six months. Ya never know.