Do you know that there are digital cameras that will give you something to SMILE about. Some digital cameras have a SMILE MODE. The feature is said to “capture joyous moments that used to get away”. Simply switch the camera to SMILE MODE and once the smile shutter is activated, the camera automatically takes a photo when it detects a face with a smile. When our boss from Salt Lake, Matt Heiss, was in Africa, he was showing me the center’s new video camera and all its special features. It had the SMILE MODE function. As he was explaining to me what this feature did, I couldn’t help but SMILE myself. I told him he had better take that function off because it would be “clicking” all the time because the people in Africa are always smiling. Here is proof…
Now doesn’t that just make you want to SMILE?
Meeting people that come to the temple patron housing makes me SMILE…..
On Tuesday, 13 October we met this cute family from the DRCongo ready to be sealed.
The following day we met this family from the DRCongo – they speak French in this country. Hard to verbally communicate but our hearts speak as one!
Family from Madagascar
Elder and Sister Swan serving in the Nelspruit area
This sweet lady is from the island of Mauritius.
Let me introduce you to Karim and Elizabeth Naku from Kenya who were sealed for time and all eternity on 13 October, 2015.
This is Mabel and Thomas from Ladysmith, South Africa. He is serving as Branch President.
Thoba – daughter of Julia Mavembela, who was instrumental in Soweto during the early years of the Church after the revelation on the priesthood.
We attended the temple on Wednesday night and met a couple from George that had just been sealed. She had been a member for quite a few years and her husband finally joined a year ago. Among the momentous memories for this couple is that the senior couple from Utah that baptized him, came all the way from America to be with them on this special occasion. How fun for us to meet both couples. This made me smile!
Gerrold & Deseree Danjean (the ones being sealed) and LeeAnna & Sam Gardner (from Enterprise, Utah)
This couple from the DRC was sealed as a family for time and all eternity on 20 October 2015. I gave them a framed picture of the Joburg temple in remembrance.
Lunch in the canteen with Ian and Wendy Wrench from Cape Town. They are Church History Advisers from Cape Town. We were going to interview them but they were not aware that the temple was closed on Saturday because of “watching of conference” here in South Africa..so they left right after they did sessions on Friday. Shame…but then that means we have to get together again!
A few months ago we met a darling couple at the temple that came to be sealed….Rodney and Madeline Chikenge. We saw them again in Zimbabwe when we were there in August. Madeline said that she wanted to make me a skirt and Dennis a shirt. Someone brought them to us. My skirt is lined and I love it. She did a great job. What do you think……we match!!!!!
Having people over in our home for dinner, games and just downright fun puts a SMILE on my face….
Liz, Karim Naku, Elder Turnbow and Vusi Mamba – Wednesday night
Thursday night we had Leon and Liz Holmes and Matt Heiss over for dinner but didn’t take a picture. We took Matt Heiss to the African Market to get African gifts for his Primary class.
On Friday, we drove Matt Heiss to the airport for his return home and we picked up Elder Erroll and Sister Janet Merkley as they were returning from Zimbabwe and Madagascar observing some water projects. They stayed with us until Monday. We loved having them with us.
On Monday, 19 October we had some senior couples over for Family Home Evening. When we got home from work, the electricity was out. Luckily I had dessert made and flashlights to give us light. Dennis gave a great lesson and I got out of having to do a game because of the no lights
Caryll and Dan Bulter came for dinner on Wednesday 21 October. They are the Church History Advisers in Port Elizabeth. What a great couple. Had a great time with them. We are invited to Port Elizabeth. We need to make a plan!
Thursday, October 22, Mac Shongwe visited us. We picked up his girlfriend, Donna, from the airport. She is from Cape Town. We spent the evening eating, playing games and celebrating his birthday which will be on Saturday.
The DICE game
Donna doing her victory dance!
Breakfast – getting ready for the day.
Mac and Donna were headed to Swaziland. Donna just received her first passport and leaving South Africa for the first time. Mac introduced Donna to Rene who is over temple patron housing and knows Mac very well from all his visits to the temple. She has been prodding him to find a special girl for a very long time. After the introduction, Rene took off her wedding ring and gave it to Mac and said, “Here is the ring. Now ask!” Awkward!!!! But so funny. We laughed hysterically. Donna did say that she would have said yes!
On Saturday, 17 October there was a party for two elders that have been serving a mini-mission in the area office and temple…Elder Molema from Johannesburg and Elder Nyandoro from Zimbabwe. Elder Nyandoro is legally blind and Elder Molema has Asperger's. They have been fabulous – working in Self-reliance, Family History and temple ordinance workers. Such great young men. They are going home and it is Elder Nyandoro’s birthday. We are interviewing them tomorrow.
Elder Nyandoro sang for us
Meeting our Swazi family always makes me SMILE…….
Friday, 16 October. the three Swazi Warriors serving in the Johannesburg mission stopped by after they attended the temple. The one next to me is Elder Mfundo Mavundla with his companion on the other end. The one in the middle was just enjoying the excitement.
Vusi Mamba and Mfundo Mavundla – both from the Manzini Branch
Dennis, Mfundo, Zweli, Sifiso and me – 3 great reasons to SMILE
This sign makes me SMILE every time I see them…
We worked long and hard while Matt Heiss was here from Salt Lake. Busy at work. This even made me SMILE….
The Sabbath Day in Africa always make me smile inside and out. It is the best…..I have said it numerous times and I stand by it!
Sunday, 18 October we watched the morning sessions of conference in the Ennerdale Branch. What a special time.
Having lunch in between conferences.
Growing gardens on church grounds
Oops!!! Someone is learning how to drive.
Ennerdale – it was taken while we were driving
Just being in Africa makes you want to smile……
The majestic Voortrekker Monument
After we went to the Fountain of Love Orphange (earlier post) on Saturday, 17 October, we drove to Pretoria to see the Voortrekker Monument. We had no idea how fabulous it was going to be.
The Voortrekker Monument is a unique monument which commemorates the pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner and is situated in a beautiful setting. The monument was inaugurated on 16 December 1949 after 12 years of construction.
There just happened to be a group doing traditional dances in front…..
The view from on top – sorry about the poor quality
These carvings go around the entire lobby telling the story of the pioneers in South Africa. Even the Swazi’s are mentioned.
Top of the world
My beloved purple trees
Me, Janet and Errol Merkley
Dennis and his two glasses
The basement has an entire wall of the tapestry honoring the women that offered so much during this time
This is the Cenotaph which is situated in the center of the hall. It is the central focus of the monument. There is a dome at the top of the building which is directly above. Through an opening in this dome a ray of sunlight shines at twelve o-clock on 16 December annually. falling onto the center of the Cenotaph, striking the words, “Ons vir Jou, Suid-Afrika ( Afrikaans for “We for Thee, South Africa”). The ray of light is said to symbolize God’s blessing on the lives and endeavours of the Voortrekkers. 16 December 1838 was the date of the Battle of Blood River.
WE FOR THEE, SOUTH AFRICA
Reminded me of the Spanish steps in Italy
But my greatest enjoyment and the source of my biggest smile is:
MY FAMILY- each and every one of them! When I am around them, my heart is full and my SMILE is the outward notification to everyone how much I love them.
16 October is Ethan Lombardi’s birthday – a most wonderful grandson. He is such a sweet young man that is always so respectful. This picture was last year but it is all I have. The picture below is his family and you can pick this handsome young man out. He turned 15 – I thought he was 14…where did the years go!
20 October is Anthony Lombardi’s birthday. He turned 9 and this is his first day of third grade. Anthony is always the first to give me a hug and boy do I love them. I miss this young guy.
His family picture
Can you tell I am missing all of these amazing people in my life. I am truly blessed with the most incredible family ever!
There is no longer a case of saying “One, Two, Three, Smile” then taking the photo. Instead you can press the “Smile Mode” shutter and your camera will automatically take the photo when your subject smiles. But you need to be careful with that function here in Africa and when you are among the Lombardi family, because your camera will be “clicking” non-stop.
