Kenyan Friends

Joseph, the Kenyan director of Kenya Keys and his nephew Emmanuel have been here in Oregon visiting for a couple of weeks.  This is their very first time out of Kenya and very first time on an airplane.  Can you imagine that 20+ hour flight being your first airplane experience?

Joseph is an amazing man.  He works tirelessly for the children of not only the large elementary school where he is the principal but for the children of the entire district.  Often parents walk for miles to talk to him with the hope of attaining a Kenya Keys sponsorship for one of their children.  I've blogged about this before in another post but I'll share again.  Education is free until 8th grade.  High school is $375 a year.  That doesn't sound like much but it is simply out of the realm of possibility for the majority of parents in the Taru, Kenya area.  Kenya Keys helps bright and exceptionally needy students fulfill their dreams of a high school and possibly a college or university education. You can learn more about this very wonderful organization at kenyakeys.org

Emmanuel was one of the first Kenya Keys sponsored high school students.  Without help he would not have been able to continue to high school.  With a sponsorship and because of his exceptional grades he was able to attend a very prestigious secondary school and continue onto the University of Nairobi where he recently obtained a degree in pharmacology.  Now he mentors younger students and has the ability to support his family.  I smile when I write about his family because his wife gave birth to their first child, a son named Ryan, while Emmanuel was here in Oregon.  When I questioned him about this he said that he and his wife decided that a chance to visit America was so important that he could miss the birth of their child.  She sounds like quite a woman!

"So many choices" is the phrase they use frequently when talking about America.  Choices like controlling the temperature in a room, so many varieties of food, vending machines, drive through banking, recreational opportunities all around, books & books & books - Powells Bookstore completely blew them away!

I had the fun of taking them to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

We toured the submarine, checked out all the fun exhibits, and saw the I-max movie "Into the Arctic."  I doubt that they had ever been into a movie theatre of any kind much less an I-max.  As we walked in I explained that sometimes I felt a bit sick in these theaters and if they started feeling it to just close their eyes.  Emmanuel looked at me and said "Now I'm scared."  But they loved it.  When I told them that there was a REAL polar bear at the Oregon Zoo, they immediately started trying to figure a time when we could visit.....and visit it we did! Fun even though the polar bear was asleep the whole time we were there!

As we left OMSI I made a little detour to take them through the drive through at Burgerville.  We ordered milk shakes (the first they'd ever had), sweet potato fries, and regular fries.  I love that as we pulled away, junk food in hand, Emmanuel said, "Who wouldn't love America?"

I do love America and I loved the opportunity to share it with two such amazingly wonderful men! Today they are at Disneyland!  Can't wait to hear their reaction to the "Happiest Place on Earth!"

Happy 37th Anniversary!

Thirty seven years ago tomorrow George and I got married in the Salt Lake Temple - sealed for time and all eternity!

I had no idea what an exciting adventure we were beginning!  The words from this Kenny Rogers song express my feelings so well:

I can't remember when you weren't there

When I didn't care for anyone but you

I swear, we've been through everything there is

Can't imagine anything we've missed

Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the years, you've never let me down

You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found

I've found with you, through the years

I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made

And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you

Through the years

I can't remember what I used to do

Who I trusted, who I listened to before

I swear, you've taught me everything I know

Can't imagine needing someone so

But through the years it seems to me, I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad

I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad

To be with you, through the years

It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away

As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you

Through the years

Through the years, when everything went wrong

Together we were strong, I know that I belong

Right here with you, through the years

I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out

I've learned what love's about, by loving you

Through the years

Boise Temple

I spent the weekend in Boise and all three boys and I went to the Open House at the recently renovated Boise Temple. The temple was built 28 years ago.  It closed in May of 2011 for an extensive renovation.  Now it will be open for tours until it is rededicated in November.  The day we were there was the first day of the open house and over 11,000 people were able to see the inside. After the rededication only members of the LDS church will be able to go inside.

 It is really strikingly beautiful and it was wonderful to be there with three of my favorite men!  The next time I have my picture made with them, I think I'll stand on a stool!

John's Visit

George and I always joke that we had to move to become empty nesters!  We do enjoy this phase of life but we also enjoy when one of the 'kids' comes to visit.  In September we had a two week visit from Johnny! This little apartment seemed pretty quiet and lonely after he left!

We made our 2nd annual trip with our friends to Skamania Lodge for lunch and to enjoy the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.  John especially enjoyed talking to our friend Larry, who actually WAS a rocket scientist!

George, John and Tad went hiking on the other side of Mount Hood to Tamanawas Falls. I'm not sure which of the three guys enjoyed the day the most!

George and John also took in a Portland Timbers game but forgot to take any pictures. 

 We are lucky parents to be able to have such fun times with our adult children! 

Visitors

We have two visitors.  Johnny and Tad!!!  It's always great to have one of our sons here even if I find all kinds of new games and apps on my phone and I-pad after John leaves!

Tad is our 4th foster dog.  First we had sweet Jordana.  She was like having a favorite aunt in our home - loveable and affectionate!  Then we had Howie.  He was more like entertaining your 96 year old Grandpa - calm and slow would be the words to describe life with Howie.  Next was Stan, a puppy full of enthusiasm.  Having Stan at our home was like babysitting an active 2 year old.  And since he was supposed to be 'resting' it was like trying to keep that 2 year old on bed rest!  Now we have Tad who is an active guide dog.  Tad qualifies as a perfect dog!  He is super obedient, highly intelligent and also lots of fun. This guy even sleeps in!  He loves to go on walks and he also plays hide and seek with us.  I will tell him to sit and stay and then go hide somewhere in the house.  When I yell, "OK Tad" he races around until he finds me and then is wildly excited.  Very entertaining!  I absolutely love having these foster dogs.

What could be better in the morning?

7:30 a.m., a roomful of teenagers, me and the New Testament!  The best way to start the day!

Swifts

As everyone knows Portland is a bit quirky!  Some of the quirkiness I enjoy like Voodoo Doughnuts.  Last night I added a new quirky Portland thing to my list of enjoyable....watching the Vaux Swifts at Chapman School in NW Portland.  In September thousands of these little birds make their way south to Central America and Venezuela and the chimney at Chapman school is one of their resting spots.  Estimates are that 2000 - 15,000 roost in the chimney.  And probably 1000-2000 Portlanders roost on the hills and yard around the school enjoying picnics and watching the show.

When we first arrived and joined the throngs of people, the swifts were just sweeping the sky acting as if they had interest in the chimney but not actually entering.  It seemed that one large group would fly in, buzz the chimney and then in a great choreography of flight swoop out.  I think the word is a 'murmuration' but that might apply only to starlings.

Then just as the sun was going down, as if on cue, they started spiraling into the chimney like a giant vacuum cleaner was sucking them in.  More and more and more came and entered the roost.  I can not imagine how they all fit.  On the 13th the count was 6000 but it could be more now.  Totally amazing!

Another part of the show was the occasional passing of a hawk looking for his dinner.  It was pretty easy pickings!  People cheered for the hawks.  I heard a conversation behind us between two young women.  One was appalled that there were cheers for the hawk while the other just commented that there were LOTS of swifts!  I don't think any of the hawks went away hungry.  I imagine the hawks are back in the morning for breakfast.  They must think it is too good to be true.....so much potential food in one place!

Here is what a Vaux Swift looks like up close and personal.  And no I didn't take this picture.  If you are in Portland and haven't seen this spectacular show, I highly recommend it!