As I started my blog this week, I couldn’t come up with a theme or thoughts that I wanted to share. So I started my day to day review in hopes that I would be directed as I have been in the past. But it still did not come. I went to the scriptures where so often I am inspired, but nothing seemed right. I think what I am suppose to share is that these last two weeks I have been overwhelmed. It is not often that I talk about these moments – moments that I feel inadequate of what I am doing; moments that I wish I had an education or some skill that I could offer these people – nurse, entrepreneur, counselor of any kind, etc.; moments that I wish I had 36 + hours to accomplish all that I need to do, all that I want to do and promise people that I will do but don’t get done which leaves me with regrets ; moments when I am just so tired that I want to spend the day in bed watching a good movie or reading a good book; moments when I am just overwhelmed. I hope it is okay to share these feelings but feeling like this is something I want to remember when in the future I read about my mission. It is okay to have these feelings, because I still get up in the morning, pray for guidance and strength to get done what He wants me to do and then go do it. I may not accomplish everything, but I try to do my part and I know that He has promised that He will do the rest. He is in charge. I love this work. I love my husband and family. I love the people here in Swaziland. I love the gospel. But most importantly, I love my Heavenly Father and Savior and I know that they will take these moments when I am overwhelmed and direct me through them so I still accomplish what THEY need done.
I feel like that donkey so many times!
July 22, 2013 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVAN! It is hard to believe that my grandsons are getting so big and tall. When I left, they were young and children. Now they are growing and young men. And I will have to brag, they are quite handsome also. Evan is such a tender, sweet young man and we love him kakhulu! Hope you had a great day!
Isn’t he handsome!!
Monday, July 22 began in the wee hours of the morning – 4:30 a.m. We drove to Nhlangano where we picked up Elder Preslar to take him to the Petro Port where we met Elder Jaeger who transported him to the Clusters who took him to Durban where he would have his mission exit interview with the president because he is going home! (Quite a sentence – that is how it felt living it) But on the way we saw giraffes by the side of the road. I love these animals – they are so beautiful and graceful – non threatening. I am frightened of most animals but these create no fear in me. After we left Elder Preslar we drove back home – 7 hours of driving total. Dennis is incredible – he drives and drives some more and never complains and is cheerful doing it. Elders came over to say good-bye. Sure going to miss these young men. Our FHE/PMG was great. Two of the young people approached us with some problems and then Sibusiso came up and asked if we could talk. We went into the other room and he said that he was awaken early in the morning with a strong feeling that he needed to go on a mission now and not wait until 2015 (remember he had told me that just the day before) and said that he had that intense feeling all day and couldn’t wait to talk to us. Then he said, “ I don’t know what to do now.” We had that problem solved for him quickly. Dennis gave him the mission application and went through it with him. My heart skipped a beat! While he was going through the papers, he saw the part that asked for availability date. I asked when he thought he could go. He said school was out the end of November but he would have to wait for his results – end of February/March. That made me a little sad – that means we will be gone and Dennis won’t have the privilege to set him apart.
Elder Preslar, the trainer – Elder Nzioka, the trainee
Nhlangano District – Armstrong, Wilson, Preslar, Nzioka
Saying Good-bye at the Petro Port
Giraffes along the roadside
Signing Elder Goodwin’s guitar
Mbabane District – Goodwin, Lowry, Stengile, Bingham, Weston, Simkins, Norbert, Ogutu and then Elder Lombardi
Full moon over Swaziland
Transfers continued on Tuesday, July 23. Again, we were up early, picked up Elder Stengile and took him to Piet Retief where we would have met the Millers, but since they are home, it was New Castle’s Zone Leaders – Elder Jalla and Elder Jones. It was really hard to say good-bye to Elder Stengile but it was so good to see Lungelo Nyoni and to meet Elder Komakech. We drove to Nhlangano to introduce Elder Komakech to his new area and companion – Elder Wilson. They will make a great pair. Lungelo was returned home for a month before he officially begins his mission on August 22nd. We found out the Elder Caldwell’s grandmother passed away so we went to the Manzini chapel to be with him. They later came over to the home to skype his family. Then Dennis was off again to the border to transport Elders Caldwell, Goodwin and Lime and pick up Elders Daniel, Adale, Tibbitts, Rowley and Otigo. They arrived home late – 11:00. Dennis is quite a trooper.
Early morning transfers begin – Elders Wilson, Ogutu, Stengile
Elder Stengile leaving to be Zone Leader in Bloemfontain – going to miss this young man kakhulu
Piet Retief gathering – Jalla, Stengile, Jones, Nyoni, Komakech
Elder Komakech entering Lungelo’s country for the first time
Elder Komakech meeting his new companion, Elder Wilson
Lungelo’s brief visit to his home before he leaves for two years
Final gathering
Three elders leaving – Lime, Caldwell, Goodwin
Keys were locked in the bakki – mission accomplished
Wednesday, HAPPY 24th OF JULY - I think I enjoy this holiday more than the 4th. There is just something about the pioneers making such a sacrifice to come to Utah and establish the land that I call home and love. As much as I love it here in Swaziland, Utah is and always will be my home. I am grateful for my pioneer heritage and I pray that I will never disappoint my ancestors for they gave me so much.
It felt strange not being in the fireworks tent for the 24th. My body and soul automatically go in fireworks mode at this time of the year. But this year our 24th was spent making cookies for our visits, visiting our new elders, less-actives, the Msibi family and searching for a replacement glass pan for cooking my brownies – seriously, it made perfect brownies and when I broke it, I cried. I have bought a few but eish, nothing is working. Dennis went to his district meetings and I cooked, emailed and blogged.
Elder Adale living next door to us
Sister Dlamini and her children and a friend
We saw these sweet kids along the road – look at that smile
I had made cookies in the morning and had just a little batter left over, so put them in the oven. We left for around 4 hours delivering and visiting and when we came back, it smelled like something burning but thought it was outside. As I got closer to the door, I thought that I must have left the oven on but then remembered, eish, I had cookies in the oven. I seldom throw away anything because our young men will eat anything, but these were not eatable for anyone!
Thursday, July 25th began spending two hours at the Lobamba clinic with a young 16-year-old girl that is pregnant and not feeling well. She has not been to a doctor yet, so we wanted to make sure that she saw one. Later, we went to visit some more new elders – Elder Tibbitts and Rowley, hunted for some more suckers and snacks, shopped for Saturday’s party, visited Senzo’s homestead, visited with Ned and Lydia Silavwe in their home and ended the evening with the Manzini elders – one of the young men is not feeling well and we gave him a blessing.
Women we met at the clinic
Angel – she will be baptized on Sunday
Senzo’s sisters new school uniform – her old one burned in the fire
They love Dennis
Elders Whiting and Tibbitts came over on Friday for breakfast before they had their Web Ex training for trainers and trainee. We love having these young men in our home. The spirit follows them and our home is blessed when they are here. The rest of the day was spent picking up baptismal clothes for Ezulwini’s baptisms on Sunday, getting ink and magnetic boards for the branch presidents, fixing lunch for Xolani and Machawe, shopping for tomorrow’s party, baking and enjoying The Work and the Glory DVD. Our internet went down in the early evening and I was heart sick because we were waiting to hear from Cameo – she had a doctor’s appointment and could have her little girl at any time. I worried all night and into the morning because not only was our internet down, the electricity went out during the night and stayed off all morning. So I called our dear friends, the Holts, and asked them to call and let Cameo know that we couldn’t contact her. It made me reflect on how difficult this would be if we did not have internet ever. When my parents served their mission in New Zealand, we just had hand-written letters to communicate and when they left I had a brand new baby and had another one while they were gone. How sad for me and my mother that we did not have the conveniences that we have now to share in these joyous moments. I need to stop complaining and be thankful when I do have it.
Elders Tibbitts and Whiting for breakfast
Receiving training instruction over WebEx
Machowe and Xolani for lunch and of course, Dennis gets in on the benefits
Our mediators – the Holts
Saturday began with no electricity and me in a panic. We had a party for the YSA’s at noon and I had cooking to do. Luckily, I had all the meat browned for sloppy joes so I just combined all the ingredients – but how do I warm it up? I also had planned on baked beans and cole slaw - which was no problem. All the brownies I already had cooked. So Dennis got out our propane cooker and we started warming up the meat. Around 10:00 the electricity came on so I hurried and made the beans but then about 30 minutes later it went out again. No problem, we will just heat the beans up on the propane burner also. Dennis had an audit meeting at 10:00 on our patio and then the youth started coming at noon and within around an hour we had over 50 YSA’s enjoying the food, games and just being together. We have a few that are beginning new adventures in their lives – Muzi Gama is going to America to UVU for school and Sandzi is getting married and will be living in England and Sanzi will be in Ethiopia for work. So it gave us an excuse to get together. They had a great time which they always do when they are with each other. Dennis was called away to take care of a sick elder around 11:00 and he did not return until it was almost over. But the young men were there to help get ready, dish up the food, clean up……I love these youth. It ended around 4:00ish and after clean-up Dennis and I went to find Mbongiseni to call him to the District YM Presidency. Machawe – our District YM President wanted him to be at Nhlangano’s Branch Conference the following day. We found him and invited him into our “office on wheels” as the call was extended. You should have seen his face – pure excitement. We have the best job in the world! We went to see how our sick elder was doing. A full but good day!
District Audit meeting – Vilaphi Simelane, Jubulani Motsa and Pres. Solomon Mahlalela
The YSA’s start arriving
Our stick game
Volleyball – we couldn’t afford the net, so Dennis ran a rope from one tree to another – it worked perfectly
Our cheerleaders
Sandzi – the one sitting in the middle – is getting married on August 10th; Futhi, behind her, is getting married October 18th; and Banele, the one in white, goes to university in Richards Bay, SA
How did I get so lucky to be part of this….
Some of the group
Sazi and Carol
Muzi – the young man going to America for his studies; returned from his mission in England
Bahle – in Form 5, Sphiwe – just found a job, Collette – attends school in Richards Bay
Sunday, July 29, was Nhlangano’s Branch Conference so we were up and going early. We picked up Mbongiseni, who was waiting at the car wash at 7:00 a.m., and went to Manzini chapel where the District leadership was gathering to get rides to Nhlangano. When we arrived in Nhlangano, they had a tent up to accommodate all the members including Gege and we did fill it. It was a great conference – sacrament meeting was spiritual and the classes which were taught by the District, were amazing. The gospel is in good hands in Swaziland. When we arrived home I made dinner for the sick elders and Dennis took it to them on his way to do home teaching. Later, we went and picked up Elder Whiting who was sick and had him stay with us for the evening. Ezulwini elders at 4 baptisms today. We hate missing these special occasions but so proud of our elders and their hard work! Now, we just need to make sure they stay strong in the gospel.
The District leaders arrive
Mfika playing prelude – remember, he is the one that taught himself and now waiting for his mission call
Elders Wilson and Komakech and some youth in front of the tent
District Presidency, Branch Presidency and Mission Presidency – Dennis
Sister Silavwe – District YW President – and the Nhlangano young women
Relief Society
It was a great week. I am surrounded by people that I love and enjoy working with. There is a lot I want to accomplish but I may not be able to do it all. But I pledge to do what I can and have strength for and will let the Lord do the rest.
I received this email from Sister Reber who serves as the “mom” at the Johannesburg MTC. It expresses my feelings on why I do what I do here in Swaziland.
“Today was another busy day and I am so far behind....but I thought I'd take a break and write to you.
It was Elder Oscar's birthday. He is from Uganda....and turned 22. We had a birthday party for him (very simple) right after dinner (so we could start our fast). Some of the missionaries played "Happy Birthday" on chimes....we sang a few songs for him....then we had the cake and ice cream. He was so sweet and loved it all. An Elder from Zambia thanked and thanked me for the cake. He said "It was the nicest cake I ever did have. I've never had anything like it before in my life. My belly couldn't believe there was such a good cake". That kind of response makes it so worthwhile to spend the time and money and effort. I could buy a cake....but then I wouldn't feel the love that I felt today.
Thanks for knowing how I feel!
Love,
Janet
I love the sparkler – I need to find one of them
