This may be my favorite moment on this mission. Mom and I were invited by Denise Butterfield to come over to the Butterfield home for a Sunday dinner last week. Her 4 children were there along with 9 of 11 grandchildren.  As we were about to have a blessing on the food, Arthur Butterfield, Denise's husband got everyone's attention and said pointing to me, "This man is responsible for all of you." He then went on and explained that I had baptized Denise some 48 years ago while on my mission in Rhodesia. Arthur concluded by saying, "Had your mother/grandmother not been a member of the Church, I would not have married her. Because Elder Shupe baptized your mom, I was able to marry her and you are all the result of that baptism." There was a moment of great joy in my heart.

Our daughter Meleah Borgquist and her husband Buck came for a visit over the New Year.  How appropriate that on the 3 day visit to Kruger Park the first animal we see is a Kudu "buck".

The hippos were very excited to see our family members. Mom brought her little boy over to get a closer look. He just blew his nose at us.

African sunsets are the best.

We came across a very large pack of wild dogs. Also known as the Cape Hunting Dog, it is the most endangered carnivore in Africa. 

If you ever come upon a sleeping lion, don't wake her up.

Well, somebody wasn't listening and she came very close to us.

The hyena is one very ugly animal but its cubs are cute. These guys had taken over a termite mound which had been dug out by a honey badger.

A tiny Steenbok. They don't get much taller than 24 inches.

As the sun was setting we came across 3 very large male lions. 

These guys really are the king of the jungle.

Our safari group.

We took a day trip up to Pretoria. This picture of the capital of South Africa was taken from the Voortrekker Monument.

Meleah, Buck and Nelson.

I always like to give him a high-5.

Stopping for a snack while on safari.

Mom getting up close and personal with a sleeping female lion.

The Baobab Lodge where we stayed.

As we were leaving Kruger this giraffe just had to take a peak at us.

At trip to Moyos a little African restaurant we like.

And a swing on the swings. Mom was in heaven having one of her girls here in Africa.