"A WEEK OF SERVING ELDER JOB"

Good Grief!

Oh my sick!

That's better!

"SURPRISE!!!!"

"I'll talk to you later!" He's talking to me, I'm in trouble.

Elder Pearson & Sister Oldham

Make a wish.......

Elder Thole, Sister Wood, Elder Pack, Elder Haws, Elder Lebala, Elder McDonald & Elder Brereton

Brain Banfield & partner, our IT guys, just happened to show up in time for the party.

Elder Wolfgramm, South Jordon, Utah, Elder Pearson and President Wood

The past three weeks have not been the run of the mill days in the mission for us. It all started with us returning from our holiday in George. Elder and Sister Oldham left on Monday for Johannesburg for their week off. We were told by them that while we were away Elder Pack from Eden, Utah had to go to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. He was staying at the office to recuperate. We were thrilled to be taking care of him. That night we invited him to come to our flat and spend the night, which he did.

On Tuesday Elder Pearson, from Cedar City, Utah, our office elder, who has been suffering with a surgery that had not healed went to the doctor. He was told that they would need to do an additional surgery and it could be done on Wednesday. Wednesday it was. That morning Elder Pearson, Elder Wolfgramm, Elder Henderson and I went to the hospital. Later that day we received word that the surgery went well, it was late so we didn't go for a visit that night. The next day we did visit, taking Elder Pack with us. Elder Pearson felt great but was totally bored. Each day came another visit and on Friday afternoon he was released. By the time the weekend passed Elder Pack was now feeling up to staying at his boring with his companions but Elder Pearson didn't seem to be doing too well. We started inviting him to stay with us at least during the evening while his companions were on their appointments. On Sunday afternoon Elder Pearson asked me if he could be allergic to his medication, then showed me the spots on his neck, which caused a trip to the doctor the next morning. At that time the doctor told Elder Pearson he had the measles. This poor guy.....what next? We felt that we he should be as confined as possible so Elder Henderson who was just recovering from the flu decided to stay home with him. They both spent the day in bed at our flat.
By Wednesday night Elder Pearson was not doing well at all and had a temperature of 102.2F. Doctor Callahan from the area office called and said he thought it was not the measles but a reaction to the antibiotics he was taking. He was having to take salt water sit baths twice a day so I had him make the water cool and he took some Tylenol, it seemed to help.  We are all calling him Elder Job now.

I was feeling really bad as Elder Pearson's birthday was the next day. Sister Wood had spoken to me about it and given me the OK to plan something. The next day the office elders, AP's & DL's, Elder & Sister Oldham as well as President and Sister Wood all crowed into our living room at the mission office and when President Wood led Elder Pearson into the office we all yelled surprise and sang "Happy Birthday!" I had baked brownies the night before and the Oldhams got ice cream and pizza. I had picked up 14 balloons that had Happy Birthday and 21st written on them. We each wrote a note and tied it to the string that hung from the ceiling. Boy was he surprise. He told he would get even with me later. In the end he forgave me:0)

WE DIED AND VISITED HEAVEN

This heaven is called Tenikwa. With my devotions for cats this was like a dream come true. As I have talked to others and they have expressed their fear and couldn't imagine us doing this. On the other hand I will never know how someone can climb or stand on mountain cliffs.....I freeze. But the soothing purr of a kitten or in this case "CAT" can just put me to sleep. It was all I could do to not put my arms around her and just lay down by her side. If I never go on another vacation the rest of my life I will feel satisfied. NOW......if I could only figure out how to take one home with me....hmmmmmmmm! I am in hopes you are able to open and view this short video.

OUR DAY AT TENIKWA 0N APRIL 2, 2012

I would like to introduce you to Duma.

Here Duma can hear some Baboons that are making racket across the gulch. Cheetahs are not aggressive cats but will stand their ground. 

When they want to run you just let go of the leash. In this case he wanted to leap on top of a ridge.

These are the cutest little creatures by the name of Meerkats, pronounced (mirror cat. ) They are very personable and really love humans. Because of this they are captured and used as house pets here in South Africa however, it is against the law to keep one. This little guy was taken from a family and today we are going to introduce another Meerkat in the side by side cage in hopes they will become friendly and eventually the whole family will be accept him.

Caracal cat. They are not as large as the Cheetah and are not as aggressive. We were able to pet and play with them a bit. Elder Henderson did get scratched as he was not quick enough.

One lazy leopard!

During the soccer Olympics someone decided it would be funny to paint this turtle with acrylic paint to look like a soccer ball. Tenikwa Game Preserve has been using an organic paint remover for over 1 year to remove the paint. We were privileged to help in the process.

So sad! This little guy didn't take too well to his neighbor. He jumped on to a dead branch in his cage and fell out. They took him into the clinic. He vomited his food and blood. The owner Mandy rushed him to the vet. They suspected he received a concussion. Sure hope he made it.

This is our grooming time. Oh my.....how good can it get. There are two cheetah's here, I am grooming the sister and Elder Henderson is with the brother just behind me. She was purring so loud. We made the most incredible video but having trouble loading it.

In appreciation she is now grooming me.

She couldn't get enough!

Elder Henderson loving his grooming as well.

Ahhhhhhhh! Sweet baby!

Play time!

I couldn't get enough either!!!!

Look how pretty I am now!

She likes licking the brush...maybe she'll lick me?

If I had only moved the brush.....dare I?

What a sweetheart!!! I truly did not want to leave this place. This was one the greatest experiences of my life. Stay tuned as I have more pictures to post when I get home.