Two very full weeks


Where to begin?  The mission is a constant moving target of young energetic boistrous beutiful young people whom I adore.  I love my job. Each morning in that nanosecond we spend between sleep and awareness, I realize I am in Africa, and I am joyful for it (once I loosen up from this pitiful thing they call a mattress).  The energy and enthusiasm for life the young missionaries carry with them delights and inspires me everytime I'm with them.  They are constantly in motion; losing things, teasing each other, complaining to me of aches and pains, jumping and running and crashing bikes and cars, and filling my heart with each and every encounter.  They are a tight-knit brother- and sister-hood, they love the Lord, and they love me!




The past two weeks have been full; we had transfers which is mayhem as 82 young people gather all their belongings, mix up their companionships, and move about the mission between two countries...

                                  

...I lost my adorable brother Brent, the kindest most gentle man who ever walked the earth and who leaves a hole in my heart that will never fill because one has only one Brent to love...

                                  

                                     

                                              
                    My family in 1975.  Brother Brent has his arm around me.  He never let go.

                               
 Forty-two years later, my siblings and I in 2017 as Brent buried Terri, the love of his life...

                                                 
…I survived African Tick Bite Fever. It started with dreadful fatigue, malaise, and fevers before 3 ugly quickly digressing wounds appeared on my ankles. A trip to the ER, the ministrations of a loving husband, a priesthood blessing, much prayer, and a round of doxycycline, and I am on the mend! Whew…

                                           

...we scooped up from the airport incoming missionaries, these from Tonga, Kiribati in the South Pacific, and Africa…

        

...this adorable young missionary, one I feel particularly close to, lost his mom while still a teenager.  In remembrance of her and to wish me well, he brought me roses for Mother's Day along with a very sweet card.  How will I ever find the heart to let these young people go home?...

             

             

...my gorgeous oldest daughter joined my gorgeous youngest daughter at commencement as she earned her Master's Degree in Speech and Language Pathology.  I am bustin' with pride!  Besides being drop-dead beautiful, she is the most talented and amazing mom, wife and daughter to walk this earth...

                            

             

...my youngest son enjoyed his first trip to New York City with the darling Nicole...

                                                      

...we attended a stupendous BYU Ballroom Dance performance...

               

              

...our young elder who had a seizure a month ago but recovered well (or so we thought) had another grand mal seizure which now means he is officially deemed an epileptic, and he will return to the United States there to continue his mission from home as a service missionary.  We love you with all our hearts, Elder Debry.  You touched us deeply with your humility and commitment to the Lord and His restored gospel, and you are irreplaceable...

              

           ...and we photographed some hilarious signage for your amusement and befuddlement.




For all your panel beating needs.


Is there a bum cream for weekends? Holidays?




One wonders if what happens here truly stays here.  


Yikes! I'll not be joining this lifestyle-choice group anytime soon.

                                               

And finally, a slightly leaning abeit stunning piece of art in my neighborhood we call Rock in Wire.

                                               

The beautiful algae green of the swimming pool in our apartment complex seems to be a deterrent only to us silly Americans.


Africa
Africa Africa
Africa Africa Africa
Africa Africa
Africa

Comments

  1. Karon EverettMay 12, 2024 at 9:14 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine not having my sweet brother. Thank you for sharing you mission with us! Hope your feeling better!

    ReplyDelete

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