EACH DAY IS A NEW BEGINNING 28 December 2015 - 10 January 2016

The new year has arrived with all its possibilities and wonderfulness! Each day is a new beginning with opportunities unlimited.  We shouldn't look at the entire year of 2016 but ask ourself what will we do with each day in 2016 to change, to move forward, to put into action.  I am excited for what each day will bring.

2016 will be spent here in Johannesburg as His servant.  I hope I fill each day with service to the people here.  Each day I can stand as an ambassador of Christ.  Each day I can express my gratitude to Him for my blessings by proclaiming His love and compassion to all.  Each day I can look forward to new people to meet and new experiences to enjoy. As a friend just wrote me....."enjoy each moment of each day in 2016".  That I plan to do.  

Monday, 28 December through 30th, we were back at the center ready to start checking off all that we had to accomplish.  But there was a mass exodus at the area office - there was literally very few people there.  We couldn't get to our printer because it is in another department's office and it was LOCKED for 3 weeks.  We had financial matters for our advisers but there was no one that could assist us. Working on our Church History poster was useless. It was really quite frustrating.  But the highlight of theses days was Aduma Stengile coming to the temple with his girlfriend, Analisa (before they left to go back to East London, she was his fiance).  It was so good to see him again, to meet Analisa, his mother and sister. We had a great visit over dinner in our home.

Sister, Mother, Analisa and Aduma

 The cute engaged couple

 Dinner and the dice game

 The elders that we served with in Swaziland are growing up and finding their eternal companions with no more transfers!

 There was a large group from East London and the canteen was closed for the holidays.  So I brought in pancake batter, grill and cooked pancakes for them.

2016 ARRIVES

We ushered in the new year in a clinic (hospital) in Swaziland!  Let's step back and I will tell you the story leading up to that.  The area office closed for New Year's, so Dennis and I decided to take advantage and headed for Swaziland to enjoy the new year with our friends there.  It was so good to see so many of our Swazi friends. (I'll share our visits with our pictures below.)  New Year's Eve we celebrated with Solomon and Busi Mahlalela at our restaurant at the Mantenga Lodge.  They had a special dinner and noise makers.  It was fun.  Then back to our place for games.  We took them home around 11:30, enjoyed fireworks back at our room and then to bed.  At about 3:00 a.m. Dennis woke with extreme pain - he knows what that pain is - KIDNEY STONES!!!  At about 4:00 I took him to MediSun - a clinic (hospital) that we used for the elders when we were there.  They called in a doctor, he gave him some morphine and then left!  Nothing else to do but take him back to the hotel.  But within an hour we were back because the pain was still unbearable for him and he was throwing up violently.  They called another doctor that we knew, he came, admitted him and gave him more medicine to relieve the pain. He was out before they finished putting the drip in.  He slept the rest of the day except for a few times to get to the bathroom.  We had scheduled to meet up with our Lobamba boys at 1:00.  I kept the appointment and then some of them came back with me to give Dennis a blessing.  What a spiritual experience for me.  Not sure how much Dennis remembers but it was pretty special.  Masisi spent the afternoon with me and then we went to dinner because I had not eaten all day.  Nathi came later and then Mac and Manqoba Shongwe.  Elder Jubber from the area office kept track of us and requested tests that they had not done. (He and others wanted Dennis to come back to Joburg -flying was out of the question, so I was going to drive him home. But I didn't want to drive at night, so we decided to wait to see how he felt in the morning). Dennis had many calls of well wishes from our Swazi family.  I spent New Years Day Evening alone in our room.  I had been up since 4:00, was tired and needed to sleep.  I had no internet to communicate with anyone which made me sad.  The following morning the chef at our lodge graciously accepted my request to make Dennis an omelet.  He was so grateful.  He was released around 10:00, showered back in our room and was ready to go.  He was quite a trooper.  He tired out by the end of the day but I was so proud of him.  We thanked Heavenly Father for the miraculous recovery that enabled us to stay in Swaziland for the weekend. So that is the story of our ushering in the new year.  Good and BETTER!!!! We got to witness a miracle and be able to finish visiting in Swaziland.  The rest of our New Year celebration follows in pictures:

The view from our porch at Mantenga Lodge

 Our walkway from our room

 Eating breakfast

 We met this cute family at breakfast.  He is a pastor for the Assembly of God.  The are presently serving in Mozambique.  He trains other pastors and will be transferred to Brazil soon.  Such good, dedicated people.  Their boys were just so friendly and nice.  A great family.

 Sister Mayala in her craft market.

 I love this lady.  She is the one that makes all my skirts.  She is going to make me a skirt, blouse combo with the material she is holding...

John in Manzini market - his wife and two of his six children were here from Mozambique where they live.  He is holding the bowl he carved for us.

 

 I hadn't seen this sight for such a long time....

 The beautiful countryside

 Dennis, Selby Bulunga and his new wife.  Selby was the Nhlangano Branch President for a lot of years.  His wife passed away in 2010 of tuberculosis leaving him to raise 3 little children and fulfill his responsibilities as branch president.  He was released last year, found a new wife and looking forward to what is in store for him in 2016.  One of our desires is for him to be happy.  He is one great man.  

President Bulunga told us some sad news.  One of the men that we had the privilege of knowing before he was baptized and was at his baptism and became a great friend, passed away in November.....Bheki Hlope.  We were so saddened.  We were on our way to see him after this visit.  We had a gift for him.  My heart is aching.  I wish we could have seen him one more time and been at the burial.

He was fearful of blessing the sacrament.  He said that he would do it with Dennis.  So we got him and Dennis matching ties so they could do the sacrament together.

 This was when he was being taught....

Bro. Hlope in the middle after his baptism

Bro. Hlope's baptism - will miss him.  He is now in Heavenly Father's care.  He will be a great asset to Heavenly Father's kingdom!

 Downtown Nhlangano

 The children in Ma Zungu's homestead in Nhlangano.  Dennis passing out suckers.

 Tem getting her hair done.  We were at her baptism a few years ago.  She has had another child since we left....the little one in front of her.  This is one part of the gospel a lot do not understand.

 Ma Zungu finally arrived.  A happy reunion.

 We bought these New Year blow-out whistles (don't know what they are called) to give to the kids that we visited in Swaziland along with the Dum Dum suckers.  They thoroughly enjoyed them!

The children caught on quickly on how to use them...even the women were getting into it. 

 The beautiful countryside along the road to Nhlangano

Mahlalela's home in Manzini.  Waiting for the celebration to begin.

 Solomon and Busi opening their presents.

 We went to the restaurant and their tree was covered with balloons just like we do at home every New Year's Eve.  Amazing that thousands of miles away, they have the same tradition!

 HAPPY NEW YEAR

 How could we have known that just a few hours later, we would be here.  This is how he slept for the next 30 hours...in his clothes, on top of the spread, a fan blowing on him because it was hot and no air conditioning.

 Our Lobamba reunion under the tree.  I was proud of myself.  I drove down the road to get here by myself.  It is quite a bumpy ride.

 It was Zama's birthday, so, of course, we had cake!

 Even the older children enjoyed the noise makers..

 They loved them.  When I left, you could hear this noise all over.  

 Nhlanhla learned to blow two of them..

 Here's our boys - minus a few of them and missing my husband.  How we love these young men. We had ties made up that had CTR embroidered on them.

 Zweli, Sbu, Shakes and Sibusiso came with me to the hospital to give Dennis a blessing.  Zweli anointed and Shakes gave the blessing.  What a choice experience to watch these boys use their priesthood power.  The Lord continues to bless us.  

 Masisi and the boys were trying to figure out how to call Elder Jubber back in Joburg, on our phone. 

 Dinner with Masisi - she is as beautiful inside as she is outside.

 Nathi finally showed up....

Saturday after Dennis' release we went up a mountain that we had never been on before to see our dear friend, Tembi Zulu.  She has been having some difficulties at home so is staying in her family homstead.  We wanted to see her.  She owns a craft booth at the Ezulwini Market and her sister, Gcebile, has been running it for her.  Love these women.  The view of the valley was spectacular where they live. This view would be worth a pretty penny back at home.
Thembi, Me and Gcebile

The children in the homestead love the noise makers....All of Swazi will be ringing in the new year.  

While we were visiting Tembi, we received a phone call from Pres. Siko Ntshalintshali that he was at the hospital to see Dennis.  Eish, we felt so badly.

Off to Manzini to visit with Xolani, Futhi and Sivuse Sithole.

Sivuse with two neighbor girls.  We all played the dice game.  Had a great time.

 A great way to celebrate the New Year....with some of those that we love.

 Futhi cradling her little one.

 The new US Embassy building going up in Ezulwini.  They had just begun it when we left....now look at it!

 Then up another mountain to visit the Shongwes.  They had a lebola negotiation going on.  There were a lot of family members there to do I have no idea what!  But the entire extended family get together.  This is Sebe Shongwe, me, Gogo (Elizabeth) Shongwe and Dennis.

Thoko Shongwe with her new blanket that she received as part of the negotiations. Now remember we are in the middle of summerand it is hot, hot.  Have no idea why they are wrapped in a awfully big blanket.

The perspective groom and bride.  Can't remember how many cows he had to pay....

 Traditional dancing for all......

As part of the negotiations, they kill a cow to feed the family.  This man had just finished the skinning of the cow.  Eish, Dennis took this picture,not I!

Gogo of the bride....

 Manqoba Shongwe's new home that he built - it is on his family's homestead.

 This is our first time seeing Jerome Shongwe since we have been back.  So good to see him.

 Sunday, we were up early to attend Sishweni Ward in Mbabane.  It was so good to see them but for some reason I do not have pictures....this is the view of Ezulwini valley from Mountain Inn.

 Lungelo and his new wife....darling young lady.  She and Masisi Dlamini are the new counselors in the District Primary President.  She is is recent convert.  Good catch, Lungelo!!

 Then we drove to Manzini to attend Sacrament meeting where both branches were meeting together.   Sister Simelane and Tip Top

 Bro. Silvawe and Bro. Mantinto

 ? and Vusi Mamba

 Relief Society

 Sister Lukhele - Relief Society President

 Me, Futhi's sister who is engaged to Riccardo Nyoni and Manqoba Shongwe's girlfriend (don't know names).

 Lungelo Nyoni, Mandlenkosi Mantinto, Mpilo Nkambule

 Our dear friend Solomon Mahlalela

 Mfundo Mavundla (just returned from mission in Joburg, Lungelo Nyoni (return missionary in Uganda), Solomon and Dennis

 Jubilani Motsa (District Clerk) and his children that we had never met.

 Aren't they handsome

 Busi and Tip Top

 A lot stayed around to get a picture

 Then we drove to the Ntshalintshali's where Tilungile invited us for dinner.  She surprised her family and came to visit from Washington DC where she is doing a special schooling with the Humphrie Scholarhip.  She is a lawyer (the one with the scarf around her neck).  Sasi just arrived with material and I was picking out one to have a dress made.

Monkeys outside our door at the lodge.

 Execution rock from the restaurant

 Our porch.....

 Like the twin size beds???

 Our silver smith - Momba

 Mark at the silver smith

 View in Emalongani (?) - going to see the Msibi family

 Road to the Msibi family

 Brought them some Christmas presents

 Babe Msibi - he is HIV positive and tuberculosis.  He cannot hear or walk

 Homes along the way

 Sister Zulu's craft booth at Ezulwini Market

The first week of 2016 started out a little shaky.  The first few days were awesome.  We got a lot done in the center with cataloguing stories, doing oral histories and some RPC items.  We worked on the posters, finalizing travel arrangements for our advisers' training seminar.  The area office was still very barren.  A true skeleton crew.  But there were a few people in the patron housing. We met a family from George that we had met when we were there.  He was a member of the Branch Presidency and had been there from the beginning.  We set up to do an oral history with him and his wife.  We also had a lunch appointment with Thoba to talk about getting her mother's journals for the RPC.  But a lot of things changed....Tuesday, Dennis knee started hurting him - so much that he couldn't sleep at night.  He would get up and this is how he finally found some peace....don't ask me how but this is how I found him two consecutive nights.  So sad!!!!

Thursday morning I got up and was going to go to the center by myself  - our boss, Leon Holmes, was returning today after three weeks and we had some decisions to make on a lot of matters.  I got dressed and started to eat and suddenly my vertigo hit me.  Now I haven't had an attack for at least 6 years - why now?  Dennis got up and found me on the bed.  I took my medicine that I carry everywhere I go, and it knocked me out.  When I am out like that, I don't know that the world is spinning and I don't throw up. He went to the center and I stayed home.  So our day switched very quickly.  I did get out of bed at 6:00 to go with Dennis to do an oral history with Elder and Sister Turnbow.   I was having a hard time staying awake and then our timer stopped working - frustration plus!  I went to the center Friday morning but came home and slept some more.  The Jubbers brought dinner over and then we went over to their flat to watch a movie.  Just as we got the title of the movie, electricity went out!  So we talked and then we came home.

Jan Nel from George - he was showing us on Google maps the places where the branch had met for church

His wife and daughter and family...

 Lunchtime - Elders Graf, Weeks and Lombardi

 Elder Richard and Sister Suzanne Turnbow - they leave for home in a few weeks.  They began their mission in Kenya with PEF and after a year their visas were not renewed.  So they brought them to the area office where the finished their mission helping with VISA...ironic, huh?

Saturday we joined some senior couples at the South Africa Johannesburg mission office where they gave us a tour of it and the MTC facilities that are on the same grounds.  After, Sister Linda Dunn, the mission president's wife, treated us to lunch at the mission home.  It was great spending time with everyone including, Ike and Edwin Swartsberg that came to talk to us.  (We have invited them to dinner on Wednesday).  We came home, I slept and then Greg and Sherry Weeks brought dinner over.  We are surrounded by so many amazing people.  Truly blessed.  

 

 Sister Dunn (black and white stripes) at the MTC lobby - the smallest MTC in the church.

The young lady is an instructor.  She served her mission on temple square in Salt Lake.

 MTC cafeteria

 Look at these cute sisters at the MTC - they are going to Zambia

 The lady responsible for all the great food at the MTC

 The mission home

 Ike Swartzberg - he has been part of so many events in the church in South Africa.  We have his oral history and he has given us so many artifacts.  Today he gave us the architectural designs for the Joburg temple that will go into our RPC

Sunday, 10 January 2016, Elder and Sister Graf picked us up to take us to the Munsieville Ward.  We had met some people there that we wanted to talk about doing some oral histories.  It was a great branch.  It took us an hour to get there but so worth it.  The electricity was out - just part of living here.  The members were so friendly.  We enjoyed our visit and got an appointment for an oral history.

Dennis, Bishop Manzini and Elder Graf

 Suckers for the kids outside looking in...

 This man, Mpumelelo Victor Miti,  we have an appointment with next week.

 Their building

 Just over the church property fence

 The courtyard

 This young lady just received her mission call to London, England

 The pulpit....Elder Graf was speaking

 Relief Society

 She sat in Relief Society with us because there was no Primary because there were no children but her.  Everyone else was gone.

 Part of Munsieville

 Elder Walt and Sister Susan Peterson had us over for dinner.  Love these people.

I want to share something with you.  Sunday morning while reading the scriptures, Dennis was sharing about Abinadi and his teachings to King Noah.  His words touched my heart....and I thought I would love to know more about him.  We know nothing about his life before he declared the gospel to King Noah and the priests and then was burned.  How was he taught? How did he stay strong and firm in the gospel when there was so much evil around him?  How did he receive his call to go preach to the wicked? Was he like Jonah and say I don't want to go?  They will kill me.  Did he have a family?   I am looking forward to asking him these questions (hopefully, if I make it) in heaven.  I want to know his story.  This is why we do oral histories.  To capture all the "wonderfulness" of the members of the church. 

Here is one wonderful lady and her recipe for enjoying each new day!!!

I am excited for tomorrow......I love our mission and serving our Heavenly Father.  Each day I see His hand at work not only in my life but those around us.  EACH DAY IS A NEW BEGINNING for me! Bring it on....