HALLELUJAH October 15–20, 2013

 

HALLELUJAH –  (halle – praise; lu – you; Jah – the Lord) – literal meaning: Praise You the Lord;   a word used to express happiness when a thing that was long awaited finally happens;  spontaneously expressing pure joy and happiness; the only word that fully crosses all languages…no matter where you go in the world, the same actual word is used.

Today we attended the baptism of two people from Gege…..Bro. Mbhuti Albert Nhleko and Sister Beauty Ntombini Sangweni.  Bro. Nhleko was first and when he emerged from the water, his hands rose and he exclaimed, “Hallelujah”.  Yes, Bro. Nhleko, Hallelujah!  What you have long awaited finally has happened….Praise the Lord.

Bro. Nhleko coming out of the baptismal font

…and before

His family….

…and Sis. Sangweni’s family

Families united

It has been a HALLELUJAH week for many people here in Swaziland.  Besides the two people that through baptism joined 15 million other people around the world who found the true gospel of Jesus Christ, there were two couples that were sealed for time and all eternity in the Joburg temple on Thursday and Friday……Stanley Motsa and Hloniphile Dludlu; Xolani Sithole and Futhi Precious Dube.  Hallelujah – they, too,  were filled with joy and happiness.

Stanley Motsa and Hloniphile Dludlu Motsa

Futhi & Xolani Sithole

Tuesday, October 15, was my most dreaded day on mission – TRANSFER DAY!  I was up early to fix chicken sandwiches, goodies, brownies, etc. and then sent Dennis off at 7:00 a.m. by himself because I have not felt well for a while.  I felt really guilty but knew my body needed to recharge before our busy schedule for the next few days.  I went back to bed and slept until 10:00!  The rest of the day I cleaned sheets, towels, made beds, vacuumed, defrosted frig, worked on our Africa DVD, slept some more and visited with elders that came over to check on me……. I did all this while Dennis drove to Nhlangano and then to Piet Retief – dropped off 3 elders and then waited for 6 hours so he could bring home 3 elders to their new mission area.  A productive day for both of us.  At one point I went outside just to get some fresh air, and was taken back at the beauty of what we see when we walk out our door.  It is breath-taking from our front porch.  It must be what the “Garden of Eden” was like for Adam and Eve.  By 9:00 p.m. all elders were in and safe including my sweet husband.  A good man!  He gave me a blessing that night that my body would have the energy and strength to accomplish all that I needed to do for the next few days.  The Lord answered that blessing.  I felt great for the next three days until Friday when we got home from Joburg and that night my body crashed and I was throwing up all night.  I was so much grateful for his tender mercy!

Our little piece of heaven

Our purple “snow” covering our ‘driveway’

 

Elders Hansen, Manhanha, Ogutu (leaving), Adale – Ezulwini Boarding

Vuzi Mamba, Elders Tibbitts (leaving), Akal, Donison, Rowley and Ogutu

Elder Tibbitts waving good-bye to Manzini

Nhlangano group – Elders Tibbitts, Kakaire, Otigo, Wilson (leaving), Komakech, Ogutu

Elder Wilson headed for Durban

Welcome to Swaziland

Elders Mkude, Ekom and Wilcox

Dennis’ didn’t want to be left out

Wednesday, October 16 – ETHAN’S BIRTHDAY…13 years old today.  It was a great day when this little bundle entered into the world and it has been a joyous adventure from that day.  Happy Birthday Ethan! What a handsome young man!!!

It was another busy but wonderful day.  I fixed lasagne, bread and brownies for the civil marriage celebration of Xolani and Futhi at the Manzini Chapel.  It was small but wonderful as Pres. Mahlalela performed the marriage vows.  A blessing to know that in just a few days, their eternal vows would be given.  After, Dennis went to meetings while I got ready for our trip to Joburg.

Futhi and her sister, Nosipho

Nosipho and Futhi’s mother

Xolani’s sister’s twins – we saw them when they were only a few weeks old

Pres. Mahlelale performing the ceremony

The group who witnessed the joyous occasion

Eating

This is how Xolani’s sister carries twins

Thursday we picked Machawe up at 6:30 and met Xolani, Futhi, Mpilo at the border.  When we got to the temple, we were informed that the church did not have record of Stanley Motsa ever attending the temple to receive his own endowments…even though he has attended every year since 1998.  Being 8 hours ahead of Utah time, the church offices in Salt Lake were closed so we could not get confirmation of this information.  So they encouraged us to attend a session first, then do the sealing after they were able to straighten things out….which we did.  I really believe this happened for a reason.  To attend the session first just added an additional emphasis on what the sealing was all about.  Witnessing Stanley and Hloniphile at the altar and hearing their eternal promises, war heart-warming.  We had not eaten breakfast or lunch so decided we had better feed our bodies, then returned to the patron housing and visited with the members and Portia and Sindisa and their new baby girl.  So good to see them.  We made it to our final destination, the Curtis’, at about 9:00.  After a brief visit, we went to bed so we could arise early the next morning.

We met up with the members from Manzini going to the temple also

Mac

Portia’s 1-month-old-baby girl – Tiniko ?

Friday we attended the 6:00 a.m. session at the temple.  We couldn’t believe that it was a full session at the early in the morning….eish, it was early!  We then went to do some business in the Area Office.  We saw Murdocks, Larsens, and worked on getting satellite reception for our elders for Bednar’s conference that our missionaries do not get to attend.  I took Mac, Mpilo, to see Elder Cook.  He is such a gracious man and though I know he was busy, took the time to visit with them.  He is a great man.  The time arrived for Xolani and Futhi to be sealed at 10:00.  What a beautiful ceremony – the two of them are a “perfect fit”.  After I arranged for some food platters to be brought in for a small celebration after at the patron housing.  Sister Curtis came again to my rescue with table cloths, plates, a cake and support to help me get ready.  Her mansion in heaven is going to be huge!!  We cleaned up and headed for home after we visited another China Market where we bought some ties for the elders going out on missions.  We arrived very late to a rainy Swaziland but it is always good to be home.  We drove Mac to the Manzini chapel where he had to get some meat for tomorrow’s reception.  By the time I arrived home I was not feeling well again.  I spent the rest of the night in the bathroom….shame but so grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with health while in Joburg!

Mpilo, Elder Cook, ?, Machawe

Saturday was another big day for Xolani and Futhi – the time when all their friends and family gathered to celebrate their union.  And it was a huge success.  Another miracle, it rained all night but in the mid morning it stopped and was a beautiful day.  We had to go to the chapel to pick up the chafing dishes and take them to Thokozani Shongwe’s place – who was fixing the food for 250!  The bride arrived late again – 1 1/2 hours – but she looked spectacular.  The program was nice especially when Mac sang to them the song…”I Will Be Good to You”.  A true friend that will suppress his fears and give a gift of LOVE.  The food was superb, the company fantastic and bride and groom in love.  Couldn’t be better!.  When we got home, Dennis let me sleep for 3 hours…I don’t think I moved during that time.  I cut Dennis’s hair, got ready for tomorrow and went to bed again.

Most of the women helping set up were at the temple with us….they left Joburg at 4:00 a.m. arriving at 9:00 and helped set up and stayed until late.  It took the entire Swaziland District to make it such a great success.

Sbu and Thokozani preparing the trifle

The cake

Xolani watching his bride come down the red carpet

Futhi and her father

Jerome – our MC

Thoko Shongwe and Busizwe Mahlalela

Mac getting ready to sing

Sasi, Tilungile, Carol and Pumi

The first dance

Xolani, Futhi, Pres. Mahlalela, Hloniphili, Stanley

The wedding party – a perfect day

Sunday, October 20th is Anthony Lombardi’s birthday!!!!  Happy 7 years-old to a special young man.  Anthony is always so welcoming and lets you know that he loves you.  I miss his smile and hugs!  Next year we will be there for his celebration.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTHONY

Sunday, we were at meetings at 7:00.  I attended with Dennis so we could drive to Nhlangano after.  I love the drive to Nhlangano.  It is so beautiful and so many interesting people on the way.  When we arrived the members from Gege were already there waiting for conference to begin.  I love those members.  By 10:00 the chapel was full and we watched Saturday sessions of General Conference.  WOW.  I seriously think conference is my favorite time of the year.  I am always so motivated and inspired by the talks…..but as they say, if they do not change us, it was in vain.  My part is to become a better person because of their words.  Quick run down:  Two men spoke that are close ties to where we are serving here in Africa – Soares was a recent counselor in the SE Africa Area spoke on meekness and Elder Dube who was former Zimbabwe Mission President to Machawe and Xolani and is now I think over Africa somehow spoke on looking forward; Carol Richards – how the priesthood and woman work together; Bednar on the subtle blessings of the tithing (I think one of the best talks I have ever heard on tithing); Uchtdorf on coming back to the fold; Packer on making our homes a safe place to raise children; Christofferson – mother’s influence in the home; Nielsen – (what a dynamite speaker – I wanted to get up and cheer) on how members and missionaries can work together; Valenzuela – they are waiting for us; Holland on depression; Ballard on now is the time for members and missionaries to work together and the challenge for every member to reach out to just 1 person by Christmas and millions will feel the love of their Savior.  Then I loved what he said – “Pres. Monson – we have listened and we will find the one.”  We have yet to see Priesthood or the Sunday sessions.  Not sure when it will be but can’t wait.  After conference, we had the two baptisms that I talked about earlier.  I want to share a few more things.  Derrick, who is a counselor in the Branch Presidency conducted.  He was baptized just 10 months ago on Nov. 25.  He shared his testimony and during it he said, I didn’t know where I came from – now I know.  I didn’t know my purpose here on earth – now I know.  I didn’t know where I was going – now I know.”  What a glorious reminder of the what the gospel has to offer – the plan of salvation. Then after Bro. Nhleko and Sister Sangweni were baptized they bore their testimonies.  Bro. Nhleko said at one point…”I left my demons in the water” and Sister Sangweni’s was in siSwati which I couldn’t understand but while listening heard the word kakhulu throughout which I do know – very much.  The gospel changes and blesses lives.  How grateful I am to be have it and to be part of sharing it with others.

Pres. Bulunga greeting his congregation

Full house for the watching of conference

Elder Kakaire and some investigators

Derrick conducting the baptismal service

I made some chocolate pudding cake and invited some of the elders over- they came with with Swazi attire.  Dennis got his so he could be a part.

Elders Adale, Hansen, Wilcox (he is brand new to Swaziland, so does not have his shirt yet so borrowed Dennis’), Manhanha

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”  Revelation 19:6

Some of the grandkids at the Dinosaur Museum – eish, they have a good time!