A Flag Of Love

Christmas 2008, brought many emotions, one being gratitude and love. Tiffany made me a flag with several stripes and colors. Each strip and color having a significant meaning for my journey to Africa and my trek on Mt. Kilimanjaro. The gift made me cry, as each member of the family had put their hand print on it, written a message, and signed it. I LOVED IT! It gives me hope and encouragement that everyone is behind my African quest. Along with the flag, which I will carry with me and proudly fly while on the mountain, was a card explaining each color and meaning: Tiffany has always had a way with words, however this time the words mean so, so much to me. The meaning of my one of a kind flag are:

First: each persons hand print means:

I'll have my families helping hands should I need them.

Second the meaning of the colors are:

Red: ENERGY & VITALITY,

Grey: FRIENDSHIP (friends forever Tiff)

Green: LIFE

Yellow: LOVE

White: COMPLETION

Blue: INSPIRATION

It is hard for me to believe that I encompass any of the above, but hopefully by the time I get back from Africa, my name and the above words go hand in hand.

Fulfilling A Dream, Is Like A River

After graduating from nursing school in 1975, a humanitarian mission was one of my goals as a nurse, a goal I set thirty-three years ago. In November of 1975, Buck and I moved to Preston, Idaho, so he could do a lineman apprenticeship for UP&L. January 1976 I found myself working on the Orthopedic Unit at the old Logan Hospital I was there that I that I became best friends with a CNA, by the name of Mabel. Mabel, was from West Africa, here in the United States going to school. Mabel and I were the out casts of the unit as she was very black and I very non Mormon. Though were were treated rude by racial patients and arrogant staff, we had each other and we were just fine with it all. Thirty-three years ago I expressed to Mabel, my desire to see Africa. Mabel and I visited each shift about her home land. I know she would be amazed to hear I am going to East Africa, I can see here smiling at fulfilling my dream. Here's to you my old African friend, here's to you Mabel!
I suppose a dream is like a river, ever changing as it goes, and finally both dreams are becoming a reality. A reality that I often wondered about, but held on to the dream!!
While listening to the radio the other day and thinking about my upcoming journey,"The River" by Garth Brooks came on, it says it all. I'll sail my vessel, 'til the river runs dry! Not only iwth my upcoming trip, but with life itself.


You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin' as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores...
And I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
Til the river runs dry
Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away'
Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
Has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance the tide...yes
I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all...yes
I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Yes, I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
'Til the river runs dry

Off I Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder

My ticket is bought, my bags are getting packed...it is off I go into the wild blue yonder. I will be leaving Salt Lake on the 27th of January. Bitter cold here, but summer in Africa. The rest of the departing flights and returning flights look like this:

Itinerary
LAURA ANN WALL
Reservation code: KJRONZ
E-ticket number:
0127386073374 - NW/KL
0317386073349 - Precision Air

Tue, Jan 27
Flights: KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES, KL 5167 From: SALT LAKE CITY, UT (SLC)
Departs: 8:30am To: MINNEAPOLIS ST PL, MN (MSP) Arrives: 12:30-- 15A Mileage: 990

Flights: KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES, KL 6042 From: MINNEAPOLIS ST PL, MN (MSP)
Departs: 3:15pm Tue, Jan 27 To: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (AMS)
Arrives: 6:30am Wed, Jan 28 Duration: 8 hour(s) and 15 minute(s) Mileage: 4155

Wed, Jan 28
Flights: KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES, KL 0569 From: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (AMS)
Departs: 10:10am To:TANZANIA (JRO) Arrives: 8:35pm Duration: 8 hour(s) and 25 minute(s) Mileage: 4288

Wed, Feb 4
Flights: PRECISION AIR, PW 0725 From: KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA (JRO)
Departs: 7:40pm To: NAIROBI KENYATTA, KENYA (NBO)
Arrives: 8:30pm Duration: 50 minute(s) Mileage:147

Tue, Feb 17
Flights: NORTHWEST AIRLINES, NW 8566 From: NAIROBI KENYATTA, KENYA (NBO)
Departs: 10:50pm Tue, Feb 17 To: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (AMS)
Arrives: 5:30am Wed, Feb 18 Duration: 8:40 hours Mileage: 4147

Wed, Feb 18
Flights: NORTHWEST AIRLINES, NW 0041 From: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (AMS)
Departs: 10:20am To: MINNEAPOLIS ST PL, MN (MSP) Arrives: 12:30pm Duration: 9 hours

NORTHWEST AIRLINES, NW 1897 From: MINNEAPOLIS ST PL, MN (MSP) Departs: 2:20pm
To: SALT LAKE CITY, UT (SLC) Arrives: 4:08pm Duration: 2 hour(s) and 48 minute(s)

Oh Boy looks like fun....really the scariest part for me are the airports adn making sure Bryson ( my guide) is there to pick me up. Thank goodness I have long lay overs so I can find where I need to be, find it, sit and wait for the next leg of the LONG flight. I was given two MP3 players for my birthday. My plan is to put music on one and movies and books on tape on the other. I think I'll pack me a lunch along with a Phenergan or two ( it makes me really sleepy) for the eighteen plus hours into Africa. Sure hope they have Diet Pepsi on this airline!!!