Out of Africa

Alan is sending emails to me quite often.  I have now posted these on his blog because he wants a record of his adventures (misadventures) in Ethiopia. I have posted in chronic disorder (that would be chronological order).  I have put his blog on our blog list so look for it at the very bottom to read all his posts.  Now if you'd like, you can also link to his blog (I think I've done this correctly.)  If you want to leave a comment, go ahead, he just won't see it for a month.  Everything is fine with him - he's not suffering, only from jetlag and not being with me every day - he might call that a blessing.  I'm pretty sure he's having the adventure of a lifetime. (I see I'm in a parenthetical writing mood today.)

Our Funny Little Conversation at 4:00 am

This morning at 4:00 a.m. I was awake, and had been for some time.  I watched the clock and at 4:08 I decided to wake Alan.  I nudged his foot with mine and said, "It's time to wake up. It's time for you to go to Ethiopia." 

"OK, I'm  getting up.  I need to go to Ethiopia today," was his reply.  He was still somewhat asleep. 

I thought it was funny. 

It is so dark at 5:00 in the morning.  We arrived at the airport at 6:00 am and Alan checked in. The airport was very crowded for Idaho Falls.  Both Delta and United had flights to SLC and Denver.  We said goodbye and Alan flew to Denver for the first leg of his long trip to Ethiopia.  He is very happy and excited to be up, up, and away. 

I drove home and went to sleep.  He called when he got to Washington Dulles airport.  He couldn't find Ethiopian airlines.  I didn't know if he was calling because he thought I knew where Ethiopian airlines was located, or because he just wanted to hear the sweet dulcet tones of his wife's voice. 

Let me assure everyone - Alan is having the time of his life. 

It reminds me of when we were in Hong Kong and Alan ventured into the part of the city (at night, no less), where the guide told us not  to go.  Black market amd illegal activities galore.  He loved it and was excited to tell me what he had done when he got back to the hotel.   

Alan has started his own little blog about his "Ethiopian Experiences."  Check it out if you want at

http://www.idahofarmerinethiopia.blogspot.com/.

Tomorrow is our ward primary program.  After I woke up from my morning nap, I got to work making carmel corn (six recipes) for my little primary sweeties after the meetings.  I put together, with Morgan's help, some really cute treat bags containing carmel corn, a tootsie pop  and licorice.  We made 55 bags altogether.  Check out the recipe for the carmel corn at ksl. studio five, recipes, desserts, cinnamon white chocolate carmel corn. 

After I got all the popcorn made, we went to the 2nd annual German Food Festival sponsored by the Zions Lutheran church here in Ashton.  And when I say German, I mean German.  Lots of strong cabbage tastes and smells.  Very good sauerkraut and brats and pigs in a blanket, which were just stuffed cabbage. And for those adventurous mormons who ventured in, yummy scummy kool-aid.  They (the Lutherans) did feel bad about the schalacking we (mormon BYU fans) were taking at the hands of TCU.  I almost asked them to say a prayer for us as we were leaving.  Anyway, I was glad we went to the Ashton version of Oktober Fest.  It was a good day - even though my better half is winging his way to Africa. 

Cartas de Argentina

Since Zack left, we have received three letters through the mail from him. I'm always so excited to see his handwriting on the envelope that I rip them open in the car and read them before I leave the parking lot. His letters give me incentive to get into town and pick up my mail at least once a week. This last letter was especially entertaining because he had illustrated "The armor of God" and also a hamsteak (labeled MMM... Ham.... Also know as ...... protein). I don't know what the ham was about; I wondered if I was supposed to remember some random inside joke. He is really growing and doing well so far, as you can tell by his letters and emails home. I'm going to put his letter that we got today here for you all to enjoy.
Dear Family,
(Picture of the armor of God) ?Como Estan? Or perhaps I should say, ?Como Estais? and use the vosotros form, but I have absolutely no idea how to conjugate in vos. Things have been a little different since Elder Clark left back home, but it's Okay. I've adapted. I gave him one of my ties, and the whole distrito escribieron letters to him before he left. I'll miss his presence, his Elder Clark way of doing things. But, most of all, it makes me realize just how blessed we are to all be here in a foreign country and in good health. Muchos misioneros no tienen los oportunidades mismos que nosotros tenemos. (Many missionaries don't have the same opportunities that we have.) Estan muchos misioneros en estos dias que no necesitan ir afuera del pais porque la iglesia tiene tantos misioneros de aqui en Sur America. (There are many missionaries in these days that don't need to go outside of their countries because the church has so many missionaries here in South America.) But I'm one of those few who gets to be here. I've often pondered why I'm so blessed . . . Eg.; born in the gospel, born in God's chosen land of America, with amazing parents, a great example for a sister, and extended family who live the gospel's expectations of them, and not only that, but blessed to have possessions of all kinds that I take for granted. Then there's all that about the earth being only one of perhaps millions and on this one in particular, our Savior came to be a loving perfect example and atone for our sins. And soon after he was resurrected and passed on this gift to us so that perhaps one day I won't ever have to endure another runny nose again, because believe me, I have had my fair share lately. I know there must be some reason for all of this and we all must have been prepared for this, as special souls, in pre-mortal life, Because of this, it's only fair to give two years (and what a small price it will be in the scheme of things), to serve these people here. I give you this simple testimony, that we are a blessed people. AMEN.

I love you all very much, and pray for you always. Love Elder Zachary A. Baum



He is changing, and yet he's still our Zachary (still wondering about the hamsteak). What I should say is that his testimony is growing and strengthening. Hope you all enjoy this letter.

P.S. The amazing sunset picture on our title was taken the evening that Zack received his patriarchal blessing. We stepped out of the patriarch's home and were met with the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen. It covered the sky from the north to the south and was even more intense and rich than this picture shows. It was a special evening for us, topped off with a beautiful sunset.

A Little Additional Info.

Alan and I will be able to come home periodically to visit. Christmas, a few weeks in the summer, when Zack comes home, etc. We're not on a mission yet and we will be able to come and go as long as we have the funds and we aren't leaving at key periods. I hope some of you will consider visiting us also.

YOU'RE WHAT?!!!!

Dear Family,

I'm really poor lately at keeping up my blog, but I feel like the news I have this week is so important that I need to get it out to everyone very fast. It is one of the following scenarios:

....

1. I'm going back to school to get my PhD so I can teach at BYU-I

...

2. I'm pregnant!

...

3. Alan and I are seriously thinking of moving to Ethiopia

...

Pause and think, which would be the most crazy and unlikely. OK time is up. Those of you who guessed #1 or #2 are WRONG! So it must be Ethiopia. I know, you're in shock, but it is true. We have been approached by Andrew's close friend, Wes, who is employed as the project manager of a humanitarian venture that a succesful businessman from Logan has started. Alan has been asked to be a farm advisor to a new large farm that he is starting. He has already done alot of work with housing for orphanages, started a dairy farm in Ethiopia, and now wants to develop a large dry farm. Alan met with him on Tuesday in Logan and now he would like Alan to go over to Ethiopia on October 24, stay for a month, help on some preliminary tasks and research and get a real good idea of what this project will be all about. Also to see if Alan and I can take living in Ethiopia for two years. If we decide to do it, he would expect Alan to go over and stay starting in February. The farms are an 8,000 and a 27,000 acres of dry-land grain which produces seed for the government and Alan will be the so called expert on farming. I could, if I want, help start a school for the farming children. The Ethiopians have a very poor diet and do not eat a lot of good wholesome grains like wheat and barley and their government is trying to introduce grains into their diet. Most Ethiopians do not live through their mid fifties, and there are many orphans because of starvation and Aids. Alan is really positive in his thinking and I feel good about it too. I know some of you might think it is a crazy idea and so different for us, but we are really wanting to do this. I want all of you to be very positive about this and try to see the good that we could be doing as a couple for a very needy nation.

I really hope that you will support us at this time and that you will pray for this to succeed. We really want it to.

The church is very new and small there. Only about 900 members total in the country. Elder Oaks just recently visited the capital and dedicated it for the preaching of the gospel. So the church is there, and we can be part of that growth too.

Maybe some of you will be thinking of what this could mean for you, as in visits to Africa. Egypt and Kenya are very close and Rome is the stop-over to Ethiopia. Well, I know this news is a total shock, but it will be a good thing for us. Only two years. Think of it as a mission.

.

.

This is a video of the project agronomist at one of the farming villages who will be working with Alan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG3rCtmObo