Our Cup Runneth Over: LASTS - December 1

On 27 March, 2012, my blog entry was entitled FIRSTS. I listed all the FIRSTS that I was experiencing as I started our mission in Swaziland. My first birthday celebrated away from home, leaving our family for the first time, starting our first mission, my first week in Swaziland, first time waking up to a rooster crowing, first time seeing more people walking than driving cars, first game reserve visited, first time seeing woman carrying items on their heads, etc...... but most importantly for the first time truly seeing how the Lord loves these humble people in Swaziland.

So December 2013 was filled with our experiencing our LASTS. Our LAST zone conference in New Castle, our last baptism to attend in Swaziland, our last Sabbath days in each of the branches (eish, I am going to miss Sundays in Africa), sending off our last missionary, our last transfer, our last Christmas in Swaziland, our last FHE/PMG Monday night with our Lobamba group, our last time taking a family to be sealed in the Johannesburg temple and most of December was saying farewell to all these wonderful people that have become our family. So, "I thank my Heavenly Father for opening my eyes and my heart to this wonderful country and magnificent people".

Thanksgiving Dinner with our Swazi elders - 2 December

Family Home Evening - 2 December

Zone Conference with Pres. and Sister Cook - 4 December 2013

A day of spiritual feasting

The day after we returned from Kruger Game Park with the Wildings (an earlier blog entry), the Carlile's from Bloemfontain arrived to visit us. It was great introducing them to Swaziland.

There is a Chinese place in Joburg that we bought over 200 ties for R140 each which is $1.40. We then took these ties to a place in Swaziland called Dixies that embroidered Swazi Forever or Swazi Warrior - warriors were for our elders who served with us and for those in Swaziland that served missions. We gave Swazi Forever to the rest of the men that we knew in Swaziland. Just a gift of our gratitude for the opportunity of serving with them the past two years.

Saturday, 14 December was a day of celebration. Bowers Kanyembo and Lenhle Mcina came over to inform us that her father had finally given them permission to marry. A Christmas miracle. We are so excited for them. We took them to the Silver Smith to find an engagement ring. Then it was off to Manzini for their Christmas party and then drove to Gege for a party that the Malinga's held for the return of Muzi Vilakati. They know how to throw a party. Such a delightful day.

Lenhle Mcina and Bowers Kanyembo