WAVE

An elder was having a bad missionary day.  He and his companion were on bikes and he was having a hard time staying on his bike.  On his third fall of the day, he just sat there.  His companion said, “Before I help you up, I want you to look up to heaven and wave.  When you die and you are watching your “highlight” film you will see yourself looking up and waving and remember this day.”  From this day on whenever they would go tracting -  before they knocked on a door not knowing what would happen in the next few seconds,  they would both look up and wave.  This moment was being recorded in their life story.    As they were sharing this companionship secret, I thought what a great concept to have with our approach to life.  Can’t you just imagine in the hereafter them watching their life stories pass them by and there they were looking up to heaven and waving.  What a smile on their faces that would bring.  Whether we are having good or bad days, lets look up to heaven and wave.  First of all it is a reminder to us that we have a heavenly home and we are thinking of them and they are looking down on us.  Secondly, it will lessen the hurt of bad times and increase the joy of the good times.  Thirdly, it would just lighten the moment!  And boy, don’t we all need that.

Monday, November 5th, started extremely early  We met the Mbabane District elders for a trip to Hlane Game Reserve.  The animals were being uncooperative but we were able to see rhinos, giraffes, wildebeests, hippos, zebras, snake and lots of deer.  But the day wasn’t without excitement.  First of all, our bakki got stuck in the mud.  Swaziland has been having a lot of rain and the dirt roads in Hlane were extremely muddy with literal water holes all over.  Dennis did the best he could to get past this one spot but he could not maneuver the bakki through it to safety.  The harder we tried the worst it became.  So the elders got out pushed, laid a path of rocks, dug, got bit by a unknown bug until finally all the above worked and they pushed us out.  The other bakki was not so lucky.  We were separated during the day and where they got stuck was worse than ours.  They called for help but when we arrived there was no way our bakki could even get to them and their was no way the elders could improve the situation.  So we drove back to the lodge and asked the rangers for help.  They were hesitant at first but after much coaxing they agreed to go out and look at it.  They ended up pulling them out with their big jeep.  These boys were one muddy mess.  What a great bunch of boys.  They were disappointed in the lack of animals but enjoyed the adventure.  Luckily, Sbu was over that night to wash our car.  He had his work cut out for him.

Tuesday was another day that began early.  Up early to make brownies and no-bake cookies so I could have treats for all the places we were going.  First on the agenda was the Manzini’s DTM along with their boarding checks – both received Celestial awards.  It is transfers again next week, so two of these young men will be leaving our zone.   Then off to Nhlangano were we stopped in to visit with Bro.Bheki  Hlope to see how his kitchen was progressing.  We had some extra time before we had to be at Kayise’s home for her last temple prep class, so we decided to visit Sis. Zungu and her daughter, Tem, which we haven’t seen in such a long time.  We have seen both of them be baptized.  As we drove up, they both came out and was so excited to see us.  They said that they had just been talking about us and and wanted to call but didn’t have our phone number and then we show up.  We are the hands for our Heavenly Father if we but just listen and follow the promptings.  Sis. Zungu is leaving for Mbabane for 2 weeks to help her sister who is sick.  She was worried about leaving her family because they did not have any food in the house.  She was embarrassed to ask anyone but said that she felt she could ask me.  We talked to Pres. Bulunga and he said he would take care of them while she was gone.  We exchanged phone numbers and told her we would visit.  Then we finally found two of the Mabuza sisters at home.  They are so cute and gave us a tour of their home.  For being alone they are doing a great job of washing and cleaning.  They have added a few other children to their homestead.  Along with the three sisters they now have a cousin, a friend and a half-brother living there.  Their father comes over sometimes to be with them.  They said they get frightened at night.  Sister Zungu and Tem have them over at night when they are scared.  If you wonder why I make so many “sweets” as they call them, you would just need to see them light up when I bring them out and offer them.  They do not have ovens to bake and besides,it is expensive.  They are so excited to receive it and enjoy every bite they take.  I just couldn’t go empty handed to all these wonderful people.  The oldest sister was not home so we called and met her and her cousin who is living with them, at the KFC in downtown Nhlangano.  What a cute pair.  Then our final destination was Kayise’s for the temple prep class.  The next step for her is the interviews, MTC and temple.  She is so excited.  We saw Pres. Bulunga and the elders then we drove home.  It was Presidential election day at home and I was too nervous to even see how things were going.  But Trina called me early the next morning to share the bad news that Mitt Romney had lost.  I guess the Lord has another plan for the next four years. 

Elders Mabena, Sele, Guthrie, Zsembery, Luddington, Dickerson, Gideme, Maclean

The progress of the new kitchen at Bro.Hlopes

Bro. Hlope’s fields that he is planting – maize (corn)

Sis. Zungu, Me and Tem

Mabuza Sisters and others

Mabuza sister, cousin and me – I have to find out their names

November 7th – Corbin’s 10th Birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our sweet grandson.  What an incredible young boy he is and we are so proud of him.  Wish we could have been there to celebrate with him.

We started Wednesday with the Mbabane district elders at their DTM.  They are having some difficulties with some of their investigators and problems in the area, so we decided to have a fast after lunch.  We had lunch and a great visit with Nathi Nhlabatsi – return missionary.  These young men are powerful!  He is hoping to start school in Joburg in January.  We will miss him.  Dennis met with Pres. Mahlalela and I worked on our leadership meeting coming up.  Quite a few elders came over and visited with us for the evening. 

Lunch with Nathi

We woke early Thursday morning to see how the elders were doing over at the Ezulwini boarding.  The Mbabane elders were already dressed and on their way home.  So we headed over their to help them clean.  We worked on that boarding for 4 hours.  There was a lot to do!  It was fun seeing the transformation happen.  I hope they have the desire to continue keeping it that way.  Dennis ran errands while I made cookies and did office work.  Later in the evening Dennis and I went over to the Mbabane elders place and played Mormon Bridge until it was their bedtime.

Playing Mormon Bridge

A crazy weekend began!  Friday started out with a nice walk and when we got home the electricity was out for a long time.  I was suppose to make breadsticks for lunch with the Manzini 2 elders but I ended up having to buy some savory bread.  But lunch was fabulous.  Elders Dickerson and Gideme invited us for lunch consisting of spaghetti and salad.  We appreciated the invite.  We drove to the mall to get pictures developed and helped the elders pick up people that they were working with.  We visited the Manzini’s branch ward mission leader at his little shop.  I have no idea how these people support their families with a shack that sells bananas and tomatoes.  But he is so nice.  We bought a few things from him.  Then we proceeded to see Sister Chozen.  When we got there we found out that a young lady that has been staying with her while she was sick, passed away leaving a 6 month old and a two year old.  Chozen was just about to tell her dad who is also very sick.  She is asking the community to help with funds to bury her and has no idea what will happen to the children.  This lady carries a whole lot on her shoulders.  She is an example of the Savior’s words of “love thy neighbor”.  She takes care of everyone.  A big heart!  We met up with the Clusters, Employment Specialists,  from Durban at Summerfield.  I came home and made Rainbow cookies for the primary children.  Dennis and I stayed up until after midnight so we could be a part of the ultrasound that Trina was having……it’s a BOY.  It was great being on the phone and hearing his heartbeat and finding out that we are having our 10th grandson.

Lunch with the Manzini 2 Elders

Andile Msibi – Manzini Branch Mission Leader

Rainbow cookies – thanks Trista.  They were a hit!

Trina’s Ultrasound

 

Saturday, November 10th is my wonderful friend, Shelly, birthday.  Her friendship means the world to me.  She has extended her kind heart to my children.  While I am gone, she is fulfilling my motherly responsibilities in making sure that birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions are remembered with cards and gifts.  Dennis calls her my children’s “surrogate” mother.  She is a blessing in my life.  Thank you Shelly and Happy Birthday.  My daughters took her out for her birthday to “thank” her for all she has done.  Thank you girls for doing what I wished I could have done.

My daughters -Cassie, Gina, Trista, Cameo, Misti, Logan, Trina and my friend – Shelly

We drove the Clusters around the sights in this part of Swaziland.  I love showing this country that I love to other people.  Then we went to the Manzini’s Primary Presentation practice which I was playing the piano.  Again, remember I do not play very well.  Tilungila asked me on Thursday if I would play for their primary presentation.  I must really love her because I said yes.  Major stress began.  I had no place to practice or time so I show up Saturday with fear in my heart and my hands.  I somehow made it to the end playing most of the time with one hand.  I have to tell you, a few years ago I had a strong impression that I should take piano lessons again to relearn how to play.  I even went as far as to ask someone about finding a teacher but never went any further.  I think Heavenly Father is teaching me a lesson that I need to listen to him and has given me opportunities that I should have been prepared for.  The very first Sunday here, I was asked to play for Sacrament Meeting and I continue to be asked.  So all of you senior couples that are thinking of serving a mission, do not be like me and ignore promptings.  Listen and go for it.  Practice the piano, learn to sing and lead music, prepare Primary, YW lessons, etc.  It will ease a lot of fears. Later that night the Zawacky’s came for the Seminary/Institute graduation on Sunday and stayed with us.

What a busy but spiritual Sabbath day.  It started early with getting roasts in the crockpot, breakfast made and then off to Manzini for rehearsal at 9:00.  Of course, no one showed up until 9:45 which was fine with me because it gave me a chance to practice the piano.  Actually, it went okay.  I did play a lot of the songs – 11 of them – with one hand but the children sang loud which drowned out my mistakes and inabilities.  After Sacrament meeting I presented the Primary children with a CTR zipper pull and the rainbow cookies.  They were a hit and hopefully made them feel special.  Then we had to hurry to Ezulwini where there were three baptisms and Dennis was performing one of them.  He was honored to be asked and it was wonderful to be part of it.  Dennis baptized Nkosinathi Sikhumbuzo Ndwandwe (saying that name was a struggle), his wife was also baptized and then Bhekiwe Shongwe – our dear YSA friend.  A great day.  Two of the four things were then accomplished.  We rushed to the Mbabane chapel for the Seminary/Institute Graduation at 3:00 where I was doing the refreshments for 120 people.  I had made brownies and I put ice cream with chocolate syrup over it.  The talks, songs and food was great but seeing everybody was the best.  They came from all over Swaziland to attend.  Having the Zawacky’s and Clusters for dinner was a great ending of an amazing day.  Exhausted but filled with the spirit of the Sabbath day.  The elders came over for transfer news.  Elders Mokoena, Dickerson and Luddington are leaving us. 

Surprises after the presentation

Dennis, Nkosinathi, his wife, Bhekiwe baptized by Nathi Nhlabatsi

Elder Mokoena being supported by his Lobamba boys

Seminary/Institute Graduation

Branch Presidents – Ntshalintshali, Nhlangano’s 1st Counselor, Shongwe, Mahlalela

What a group!

Zawacky and Clusters

“And Ammon said unto him: The heavens is a place where God dwells and all his holy angels.  And king Lamoni said: Is it above the earth? And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.”  Alma 18: 19-37

Look up to heaven and wave.