"An Elephant's Faithful - one hundred percent!"

Saturday, P-Day, we headed to the elephant sanctuary. It was a beautiful drive. We went on the outing with our friends the Hansens, the Thompsons, and the Jones. (Elder Jones is Sister Hansens' Brother-in-law. He works in the area office with Elder Cook) 

First view of Hartbeespoort reservoir. There was a huge bike race going on.

Elder and Sister Thompson. It's their 41st anniversary today!

Mango tree

Mangos

Just Us!

I love this rock wall

Me and Sister Hansen taking a selfie. Took us three times to get this one, then a worker saw us struggling and took the one below.

Should have bought this bag!

African painting on a cloth

Our group just monkeying around!

We walked through the monkey village to get over to the elephants.

This little monkey tried to take something from Sister Hansen's pocket.

He walked away with nothing.

Wooden elephant carving

This is the platform where we waited our turn for a ride.

Elder Allred climbing on. I am already on the elephant. See my hands around the trainers waist? 

Away we go!

Pretty fun to ride this big guy. It's amazing how rough their hide is. Almost scratchy. And I was surprised that their hide is reddish brown. I thought elephants are grey!

The trainer told us elephants can walk 45-50 kilometers per hour.  They don't run, they walk that fast. (about 30 miles per hour) 

One of the trainers was having this elephant lay down. It was amazing how fast they go down, then when told to stand up, they rock to get a momentum then stand.

It was fun to be up close and personal with these big guys! He looks like he's smiling.

Can you believe those eyelashes? They are very soft.
The tail was like a wire brush.

Brushing down the elephants

Walking the elephant

They would have followed Elder Allred anywhere!

We quickly washed the slime off our hands :)

The elephant gave me a big wet kiss!

It was as expected...wet, slimy, and dirty!

1. Many African cultures revere the African Elephant as a symbol of strength and power. It is also praised for its size, longevity, stamina, mental faculties, cooperative spirit, and loyalty. South Africa uses elephant tusks in their coat of arms to represent wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity.
2. Did you catch all those descriptive words that symbolize the elephant?
3. Strength...power....longevity......stamina....mental faculties....cooperative spirit.....loyalty.....wisdom...moderation.......Eternity!
4. WOW, so powerful!
5. The new symbol for the South Africa Johannesburg Mission is the Elephant! As missionaries and as children of our Heavenly Father, we should be like the elephant.
6. There are many ways we can parallel the mighty elephant:
7. - Faithfully LIVING the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us strength and power to do whatever comes our way. 
8. - Work and gain a cooperative spirit and attitude with family members, companions, or any we serve with. Develop discipline and practice moderation in all things and be Loyal to the 'Royal' within us. 
9. After all, aren't we working for more than just instant gratification and rewards in this life? YES we are! We are doing all of this with great purpose, to show Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, gratitude for life and for the Atonement that makes it possible for us to return HOME. 
10. Keeping that purpose in mind gives us direction to become 'faithful - one hundred percent', to create a happy and successful life, and to Endure to the End!
11. I love the phrase from Dr. Seuss;  
12. 'I meant what I said, and I said what I meant …
An elephant's faithful – one hundred per cent!' 
(Theodor Seuss Geisel, Horton Hatches the Egg, 1940)
13. In the story, no matter what, Horton would not leave the nest. DON'T LET ANYONE PERSUADE YOU TO LEAVE THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH!
14.  After our experience Saturday, I'll never look at an elephant the same way again!
15. May we be kind, supportive, smart, and faithful to family and friends and in church callings. 
16. May we all seek for greater things in our lives. Look beyond the everyday and focus on living better, being better, and becoming a valiant Child of God, 'faithful - one hundred percent'!
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