114 Days to Honduras

Wow . . . I'm having a little difficulty comprehending that in just 

114

days . . . we are moving to the middle of an amazingly different world.

The small country of Honduras.

Officially the Republic of Honduras.

Specifically . . .

the city of San Pedro Sula.

Honduras is bordered to the West by Guatemala, to the Southwest by El Salvador, to the Southeast by Nicaragua, to the South by the Pacific Ocean, and to the north by the Gulf of Honduras, a large inlet of the Caribbean Sea.

I'm sure you're thinking . . .

What on earth are WE thinking!!!  ??

Especially when I share the following information with you all . . .

I must admit I was a wee bit worried when I read this 

at travel . . . State . . . Gov

Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Honduras each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work. However, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country. Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world. San Pedro Sula is considered to be the world’s most violent city, with 159 murders for every 100,000 residents in 2011. These threats have increased substantially over the past several years, and incidents can occur anywhere. In January 2012, the Peace Corps withdrew its volunteers from the country to conduct an administrative review of the security situation.

Transnational criminal organizations conduct narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout the country and use violence to control drug trafficking routes and carry out other criminal activity. Other criminals, acting both individually and in gangs in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, commit crimes such as murder, kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery, rapes, and other aggravated assaults.

 (Pico Bonito - dense National Forest  - home to large number of endangered species)

(San Pedro Sula)

U.S. citizens should be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, especially when entering or exiting their homes or hotels, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. Whenever possible, travel in groups of two or more persons. Avoid wearing jewelry and do not carry large sums of money or display cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. Avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras, and do not walk alone on beaches, historic ruins, or trails. Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Honduras. Motorists should avoid traveling at night and always drive with their doors locked to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets.

I'm sure you're thinking . . .

What on earth are WE thinking!!!  ??

I think we'll be okay on the "travel in groups of two" we have that part figured out.  Avoid wearing jewelry  . . . don't really have any . . . but I may just have to stock up on the indigenous locally crafted earrings as I do love that sort of thing . . .

No chance we'll be carrying large sums of cash.

So I guess we'll have to be cautious AND smart . . .

so . . .

I guess you could say I experienced a few moments of anxiety.

Until I saw this . . .

and it took me about  . . .

5 seconds

to realize that I am going to love the people.  

I know it.

And I can hardly wait.

So stay tuned . . . because there is certainly

MUCH

more to come. 

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Inspired by this today . . .

There is so much incivility in the world today. Because of the anonymity 

of the Internet, it is easier than ever to say toxic or grating things online. 

Shouldn’t we, the hopeful disciples of our gentle Christ, have a higher, 

more charitable standard? The scriptures teach,

“Let your speech be alway[s] with grace, seasoned with salt,

 that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).

I like the idea of our words being clear as a sunny sky and full of grace. Can you imagine what our families, wards, nations, and even the world would be like if we could adopt this simple principle?

-- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

AND . . .

you can read the rest of the story

here . . .

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Easy DESSERT - Raspberry Log Roll

Today at book group we had an wonderful vicarious AMAZON adventure as we reviewed the book previously blogged about here!

(River of Doubt, Theodore Roosevelts Darkest Journey)

Once again I highly recommend the book . . .

Turns out it's going to be on my short list of favorite books ever.

If you're a bit adventuresome, like a little history and exploration . . . in a foreign country

with a smattering of science thrown in there . . .

Well then, it's a certain read for you :)

BUT . . .

What I really want to share is this yummy recipe that we had for dessert!

This is is Raspberry Log Roll

and is a specialty made by Sue

(so perfect for your favorite Valentines!)

and here's the recipe . . .
this is EASY . . . seriously!
But looks so impressive!

Ingredients

• 6 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sifted cake flour
• 
  
• Filling:
• 1T powdered sugar
• 2 -3 cups whipped whipping cream 
• 1 pint fresh raspberries

Directions

• Line a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. jelly roll pan with parchment paper and spray parchment with cooking spray.  Set aside. In large bowl, beat egg whites and salt with electric mixer at low speed until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. With whisk or rubber scraper, fold flour 1/4 cup at a time, into egg white mixture. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. 
• Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until cake springs back when touched in center. Cool on wire for 5 minutes. Cover with parchment paper, then a kitchen towel and baking sheet or bread board. Invert pan so cake lies flat on towel. 
• Gently peel away waxed paper from top of cake. Beginning with narrow end, roll cake with towel, keeping towel and bottom waxed paper pressed to underside of cake. Place rolled cake on rack to cool.
• Prepare filling by whipping cream and combining with powdered sugar.  Cover; refrigerate until ready to use. To fill cake, carefully unroll on flat surface. With spatula, spread whip cream evenly over cake to within 1/2 in. of edges. Sprinkle with 1-1/2 cups raspberries. 
• Using towel to lift edge of cake, gently roll as before, this time pulling away towel and waxed paper. Place roll, seam side down, on serving platter. Chill. Garnish with remaining raspberries and powdered sugar. Serve chilled. Yield: 12 servings.

With all the spring berries that are now available

you can experiment . . .

Try blueberry log roll

or with strawberries . . .

OR 

combine all three for a yummy

BERRY log roll cake!

See . . . yep, it's perfect for Valentines day!

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I Hope they call me on a Mission

¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ i hope they call me on ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ a Mission! ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ WHEN I have grown a foot or two ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ I hope by then I will be READY ..... ♥ ♥ ♥ to teach and preach ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ AND work ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪...as missionaries DO ! ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫

It's a song

that Primary children everywhere

as members of the

have sung since they were little . . .

Many of the young men especially have contemplated, worked for, saved for and spiritually prepared for through

daily scripture study, seminary classes,

mission prep classes, family home evenings

and much more . . .
throughout their lives
so that they might serve in this manner.

And now more of the young women of the church

as well are making similar preparations.

And this is the big moment they all anxiously anticipate . . .

I am touched and amazed by this video

and marvel at the outstanding youth

of the 

and their desire to serve their Heavenly Father as volunteer representatives 

 who engage variously in proselytizing, church service, humanitarian aid, and community service. Mormon missionaries may serve on a full- or part-time basis depending on the assignment, and are organized geographically into missions. The mission assignment could be to any one of the 347 missions organized worldwide.^[1]

Perhaps many of you are aware that 

Norm and I will have the great opportunity to serve

alongside these many young men and young women as Norm has been 

called (LDS terminology for asked by our Heavenly Father through his

representatives here on earth) to serve as a Mission President and preside

over a Spanish speaking mission of the church

somewhere in the world. 

Mission Presidents typically supervise 100-200 missionaries

and direct their missionary labors.   

One of these first days . . .

We hope to have a similar moment as we discover the location

where WE have been called to serve . . .

While it will be a sacrifice and a challenge to say goodbye to so many dear loved

ones and family for so long (Mission Presidents serve for a period of three years)

We are EXCITED to be of service.

Somewhere in the world  . . .

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It all began in 1933 . . . that was a very good year

I guess you could say our story really began way way back . . .

in the year 1933.

That was a very good year . . .

Both my parents were born in 1933.

Dad in Lawrence Kansas . . . to Col. Francis E. Morawetz and Helen Edwina Myers
and
Mom was born in Rocksprings, Wyoming to Issac Christofferson and Mildred Mouritsen

Mom was raised in the LDS faith . . . (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and was the youngest of 9 children.

Dad was a convert to the Church and that is a story for another day.

I couldn't begin to do justice to my favorite memories growing up at home in this short post . . . but since we are celebrating 80 years "young" with dad this week . . . I thought I would share a few favorite thoughts . . .

I love that my dad taught me to appreciate many of the finer things in life.  The quiet, the outdoors, the wildflowers, rocks, trees, leaves, soil.  He was an avid gardener.  I can still picture the beautiful yard of our childhood home.  It was humble to be sure but beautiful with green lawns, flowering beds and fruit trees heavy with ripening fruit.   His current summertime home  . . .  the yard during the summer months resembles something right out of Better Homes and Gardens.  I think I learned / earned my green thumb from my dad for certain . . . but I still can't match his tomatoes, pumpkins or green peppers.

We enjoyed the symphony together . . . he taught me how to listen for and identify each instrument and pick out their own unique sounds, rhythms from a full orchestra.  He relayed over and over again the story of Peter and the Wolf.  He would lay on the floor with us and read poetry - the Jabberwocky, Little Boy Blue, The Owl and the Pussy Cat.  Which are all included below so I can read them and reminisce  :)

HaPPY BirthdAY to You DAd!

Here's to another 80 years . . .

Oh . . . and did I forget to mention . . . where I inherited my love for traveling?

From Dad of course!  That's why we had to make a temporary trip to Hawaii for a fine Hawaiian Luau to celebrate his 80th birthday!  Aloha!   The best part is I get to take mom and dad to Kauai for a week in April!  

Little Boy Blue - 
The little toy dog is covered with dust,
   But sturdy and stanch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
   And his musket moulds in his hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was new,
   And the soldier was passing fair;
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue
   Kissed them and put them there.

"Now, don't you go till I come," he said,
   "And don't you make any noise!"
So, toddling off to his trundle-bed,
   He dreamt of the pretty toys;
And, as he was dreaming, an angel song
   Awakened our Little Boy Blue---
Oh! the years are many, the years are long,
   But the little toy friends are true!

Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,
   Each in the same old place---
Awaiting the touch of a little hand,
   The smile of a little face;
And they wonder, as waiting the long years through
   In the dust of that little chair,
What has become of our Little Boy Blue,
   Since he kissed them and put them there.

"Jabberwocky"

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-CAT

I

The Owl and the Pussy Cat 1 by Edward Lear

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

II

The Owl and the Pussy Cat 2 by Edward Lear

Pussy said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?'
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

III

The Owl and the Pussy Cat 3 by Edward Lear

'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.'
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

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