Uganda: Blessings

Here’s to old friends who fly from Kenya to Uganda to visit you because you’re in the neighborhood. ❤️

 The housekeeping staff at my hotel in Uganda just stopped by my room for the sole purpose of thanking me profusely for leaving her daily tips and gave me a big hug and a blessing! Wow. A good reminder that little things can be big things.

Uganda: Lake Mboro National Park

I traveled to Uganda on a work trip. We were asked to train the judiciary on a number of topics. While in Kampala, a good friend (a now US-citizen who came to the US as a Somali refugee and has been working in refugee camps in Kenya and helping her family there) will stay with me - yay! A few of us will then be flying to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where we will dedicate a house to support domestic violence victims and visit a community hospital which received a grant from us. After that, I'm taking a personal day to go gorilla trekking!

Rather than sleep after our arrival in Uganda, we opted for game drives in Lake Mboro National Park. It was spectacular to see these majestic animals in their natural settings. Truly a bucket-list kind of day. Zebras, giraffes and hippos - oh my! And warthogs, baboons, water buffalo, topi, impala, vervet monkeys, waterbuck and more!

Arizona Days 5-6: Part 2

We had the tremendous privilege of visiting the home and studio of Karen Clarkson, an incredibly talented Choctaw artist who spent much time answering our many questions about her work. She gave the girls pieces of her art along with much inspiration! It was truly a special experience for all of us, and especially for Jia, our resident artist.

 

 

 

We had the utmost pleasure of being welcomed into the home and art studio of Filmer Kewanyama, who shared with us Hopi cuisine, traditions and insights. The girls loved creating their own paintings beside him, and benefited from his expertise. He gave them Hopi kachina dolls and prints to take home. We truly appreciated his hospitality.  

 

Arizona Days 5-6: Part 1

After Joe finished his conference in Scottsdale, we drove to the gorgeous home of my aunt and uncle, Sandy and Jim, in Prescott. The girls loved climbing on the boulders in their backyard and at Watson Lake today (and giving me lots of near heart attacks)!

 

Arizona Day 4

Desert Botanical Garden: We love love love the desert.