SHADOWING THE LORD FOR A DAY August 5–11, 2013

Jesus said, “I am among you as he that serveth”  Luke 22:27  I gave a talk in District Conference on Sunday about shadowing the Lord for a day and witnessing all the times that he served his fellowmen when it wasn’t convenient. (Read Matt. 9 to follow a day in the Savior’s life) Christ gave himself for his fellowmen; He was always available; He was ever conscious of what people needed; He met the real and true needs of those He served and He truly, completely, unconditionally loved all people.  As followers of Christ, we too should leave what we are doing and serve.  Opportunities for service to others are limitless.  One true key to happiness is to labor for the happiness of others.  Isn’t happiness what we are all striving for in this life?  We need to take Christ’s example and 1) serve even if it is not convenient; 2) heed the “spiritual promptings” for service and go where the Savior directs; 3) be aware of people’s needs and be quick to serve (remember Sister Burton’s conference talk – “First Observe than Serve”); 4) truly, completely, unconditionally love all people – our gospel is one of love! Mosiah 18: 8 – 9 & 11 “…Now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort……..And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts!” Let’s make this the desire of our hearts….to serve as the Lord served.

Amazing Monday, August 5th. It started with, of course, baking and then continued on with a walk, grocery shopping, Mbabane to help Nathi and Lungelo with his Uganda work permit and met Machawe for lunch.  He is setting up a fat (oops, I meant fast) food delivery business and this Chinese restaurant has signed up with him, so we wanted to try it.  Because Mac was with us, they treated us royally with appetizers and a dessert after.  It helps to know the right people…..thanks Mac!  We went and watched our elders play soccer with the Lobamba boys.  I love watching them play.  All the elders then met up at the Mbabane elders boarding for an evening of sharing testimonies around a fireplace and writing down a habit that is keeping us from becoming closer to the Savior and throwing it in the fire.  It was an incredible evening.  Can you imagine being surrounded by 17 (we had Mancoba from Gege with us) of our Saviors best young men and hearing them bear testimony of the work they are doing and their love for their Lord.  It was one that I shall never forget.  What an honor to be part.  We had goodies after and then they spent the night together while we went home to prepare for breakfast the next morning.

Everything but the kitchen sink brownies – yum; look at me – pure enjoyment

Tuesday the elders were over for breakfast at 8:30 a.m.  We have done these breakfasts before ZDMs since the second day we were here……that was 18 months ago.  I have enjoyed everyone single one.  A great time to be with the elders.  ZDM conducted and presented by Elders Lowry and Bingham was great.  It is developed around Pres. Zackrisons vision of the mission here in Durban – Mission Standards of Excellency.  They did a fabulous job restating what they had been taught at Zone Leader Training.  We read all of 2 Nephi 31 and part of Mosiah 28 and discussed as we went.  I really did learn a lot as we evaluated what it meant.  Dennis took Mancoba to get his passport and made it back just in time for the beginning of ZDM.    After we hurried to Mbabane to get some pictures developed and then Dennis was off to a meeting.   

Look at those pans – totally depleted

Our new elders with their signature Swazi key chains – a sign that they have served in Swaziland

Our amazing Swaziland Zone elders

I love this picture – I see love and joy – what a privilege to serve with all these young men

Wednesday we woke up to monkeys.  We haven’t seen them for a while so it was so good to see them back.  Dennis was up early to take Sibusiso to Mbabane to get police clearance for his mission papers.  Then he came back here to study for his chemistry test tomorrow.  We went back to Mbabane to get some shopping done.  When we returned we fixed Sibusiso, the zone leaders and Elders Weston and Adale some lunch.  I have a testimony of the loaves and fishes – there are so many times that our left overs just keep on giving.  Thank you Father!  Sibusiso then went with Dennis to the doctor to complete his physical exam portion of the papers.  Dennis dropped me off at the store because he had an appointment to talk to someone at 4:30 in Manzini and then I walked home.  Later he had District presidency meeting, so he was gone for most of the day and night.  I wrote my talk for Sunday’s District Conference.

Getting Sibusiso’s police clearance

Studying for chemistry exam

Thursday, August 8th started early with a visit to Sbu’s home.  He is leaving for the army and wanted a blessing from Dennis.  Boy, we are going to miss this young man. He has become part of the family.  We had to drive up to Mbabane to pick up a police clearance and then went on a drive to Siphofaneni through the backway – dirt road for couple of hours.  Beautiful drive.  Nonthokozo, Patricia’s daughter from Soweto, is here for the weekend, so they came over for dinner and games.  A delightful evening.  You should have heard them talk – it was nonstop.  They were so excited to see each other and hadn’t had a personal conversation in months.  It was fun to part of this reunion.

Sbu picking some fruit for us

His nieces and nephews

Our drive

Some young men we met along the way

We got lost so stopped at this school to find out where we were…..

and it was lunch time. Filling their bowls….

The children were bringing their food to their classrooms…

…and then they would line up to receive it.

I love this picture

More scenery

Scary bridge -

It took me too long to take this picture, but if you look closely there is a lady that is on her knees walking.  She had two club feet and was walking across the street.  Boy, I wish I had a wheelchair for her.

Patricia and Nonthokozo (happiness)

August 9th around our home there are two very special occasions – Sara’s birthday and Cameo and Jeremy’s anniversary.  Sara, HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY.  Seriously, I cannot believe that she is that old.  Sara you are a sweet, intelligent, talented young lady and we are so proud of you. We were surely blessed the day you were born.  You have a lifetime of happiness ahead of you….enjoy!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JEREMY and CAMEO.  What a wonderful 6 years it has been watching the two of you become one. 

Dennis spent Friday morning with Elder Tibbitts and Elder Whiting while I baked three cakes for tonight’s meeting.  We then did some shopping and missionary errands (there is always missionary errands to do) and then went to the Manzini chapel where we met President and Sister Zackrison and Elder and Sister Cook.  Elder Cook did a presentation for the district and branch presidencies about the new Africa policy for church facilities – no longer buildings for chapels.  We will just have leased or rental properties except for Stake Centers.  It was good to be with two powerhouse couples!

Elder Cook and Xolani preparing for the presentation

District President Ntshalintshali and Elder Cook

Weddings bells rang on Saturday, August 10, 2013 for Sandzi Mhlanga and Micheal Tresler.  They were married at the Manzini Chapel and then will travel to England where they will be sealed for time and all eternity in the England temple.  Michael is from England where he is employed with the navy (submarine specialist) and that is where they will be making their home.  Machawe was the MC, Futhi and Banele were the bridesmaids and Lungelo was the best man.  It was pouring rain in the early morning hours but it stopped and turned out to be a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding.  The only problem was they started quite a bit late so we had to leave before they served the food – shame!  It was our District Conference Training meeting at 2:30 at the Mbabane Chapel where I was presenting in the Young Women department on the Personal Progress Program.  Then at 4:00 we had our adult session.  After, Mancoba from Gege had his interview with the president for his mission.  So one more young man is ready for his papers to go in.  The Zackrisons and us went to dinner after.  Eish, Dennis and I was hungry.  We had not eaten breakfast because we thought we would eat at the wedding.

The groom – Michael, and Dennis

Lungelo, the best man and Michael

Waiting for the wedding to begin – there were many dressed in traditional  attire

Ring bearer and others

The bride and her mother

Pres. Mahlalela, the officiator

Didn’t make it through the ceremony

Xolani and Futhi – theirs is coming up in October

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!   It is my father’s 96th birthday.  He was one that followed the Savior’s example is entire life.  What a great example to not only his family but to everyone that ever knew him.  I love you Dad!

Our children took my father to the temple – why is this picture so bad?  But I wanted to include it.

District Conference was Sunday, August 11, 2013.  Our theme was “Follow the Saviors Example”.  It was really a great meeting.  There were a lot not there (only 247) but I think the ones that did come were spiritually fed. As I mentioned earlier, I was asked to talk as well as Muzi Gama, Faith Simelane, Gift Zulu, Pres. Ntshalintshali, Sister Zackrison and President Zackrison.  Fourteen were ordained to the Melchezedek Priesthood.  Pres. Zackrison interviewed Mbongiseni and Sibusiso for missions – two more on their way.  Dennis and I came home extremely tired.  We relaxed in the afternoon before we went out visiting.  We went to see Thandeka and her family to deliver the picture I did for them, but only the children were home.  Then we visited with Liz and Joan, our neighbors/landlords.  We had a delightful time with them.  We are truly blessed to participate in the gospel in this part of the world.  I am constantly being humbled by those that surround me.  They are “spiritual giants”.  I am learning so much.

“When ye are in the service of your fellowmen, ye are only in the service of your God.”