During Fast and Testimony today, a gentleman expressed his sorrow that so many of his friends have cracked, crumbled and dwindled in the gospel. What great verbs for what seems to be happening around us with strong members in the church. It has been disturbing to me as I listen to situations where some very stalwart members have taken a principle in the gospel that they don't understand and let it make a crack in their testimony. That crack has grown and grown until their entire testimony has crumbled and they have totally dwindled from what they know is true. Just recently I have heard of friends, bishops, mission presidents and senior couples that have fallen away from the gospel. How sad this makes me.
These have been long time members with strong, firm testimonies. How can such a thing happen? If it can happen to them, it surely could happen to me! This has been haunting me for some time. I have been thinking a lot about enduring to the end. "....and if they endure to the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb;" (1 Nephi 13:37) I can't imagine not returning to live with my Heavenly Father. Not being with my parents. Not being with my husband, children, grandchildren and posterity. I want so much to be "wrapped in His arms with those we love forever". But I know that I have to be firm and steadfast until the end of this earthly life. This is what I pray for daily.
28 - 30 January 2016 (Thursday through Saturday), we had a training seminar for some of the country and regional church history directors in the area office. Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa were represented. We have spent a great deal of time preparing housing and flights for those coming long distances, power point presentations, booklets, etc. for the seminar and we were excited to have the advisers finally gather. Thursday night we started with a buffet dinner at the hotel and then a short introduction and overview of the conference. Allan and Maria Lofstrand from Durban stayed with us. We had not met before, just communicated on phone, and it was delightful to have them stay in our home. The best way to truly get to know someone.
Dinner at the Sunnyside Hotel where the advisors were staying
Our introductions in the hotel conference room
Friday morning in the devotional room at the area office
Elder Hamilton began the seminar with his remarks
He talked to us about the importance of church history and recording. In Omni it reads "language corrupted because they had brought no record". We know how important it was to the Lord that Nephi go back to get the brass plates from Laban. He shared Wilford Woodruffs love for journal writing and if it weren't for him much of the church history would be lost especially the pre-Kirtland era. I love the statement "those who create history are given opportunities to ponder their role". This is what we find when we do oral histories. They start talking and are able to reflect on what they contributed to the growth of the church. It is so rewarding to us to see the excitement in their eyes and voices as they remember these things. He also shared a miracle during the time that the Prophet Joseph Smith was giving the King Follett address. There were 5000 people in attendance and they had no microphones. He prayed that the Lord would strengthen his lungs and they all were able to hear him. Also, there was a storm brewing and "winds he stayed until he had delivered his message". Such miracles are still occurring as the Lord reveals His messages to us today!! We need to capture these moments because tomorrow they will be history.
He talked to us about the importance of church history and recording. In Omni it reads "language corrupted because they had brought no record". We know how important it was to the Lord that Nephi go back to get the brass plates from Laban. He shared Wilford Woodruffs love for journal writing and if it weren't for him much of the church history would be lost especially the pre-Kirtland era. I love the statement "those who create history are given opportunities to ponder their role". This is what we find when we do oral histories. They start talking and are able to reflect on what they contributed to the growth of the church. It is so rewarding to us to see the excitement in their eyes and voices as they remember these things. He also shared a miracle during the time that the Prophet Joseph Smith was giving the King Follett address. There were 5000 people in attendance and they had no microphones. He prayed that the Lord would strengthen his lungs and they all were able to hear him. Also, there was a storm brewing and "winds he stayed until he had delivered his message". Such miracles are still occurring as the Lord reveals His messages to us today!! We need to capture these moments because tomorrow they will be history.
Dennis presented about annual histories
Atamlang and Mpho Mokgare are advisers from Botswana and there just happened to be a group from Botswana here attending the temple.
A tour of the Church History Center
Church History Advisers
Front: Mpho and Atamelang Mokgare (Botswana) Gary and Sheryl Human (East London)
Ian Wrench (Cape Town) Maria Lofstrand ( Durban) Sheila Nel (Gautang)
Amandio Matusse (Mozambique) Leon Holmes (Director) Riccardo Nyoni (Swaziland)
Dennis and me, Allan Lofstrand (Durban) Warner Molema (South Africa)
FYI - Sheryl is battling cancer at the moment and going through chemo therapy
After Friday's session we all attended a session at the temple.
Saturday we started at 8:00 and ended at noon.
Saturday lunch at the conclusion of the seminar
Allan and Maria with Graham (a bishop in Durban that also attended Nathi and Masisi's wedding)
Sunday morning we picked up the Mokgares and went to church before they caught their bus home to Botswana
Saying good-bye to the Mokgares
Sunday, 31 January, we attended the Joburg 1 Ward with the Mokgares. We thoroughly enjoy the Sabbath day in Africa. It was the fifth Sunday and they were having a special combined meeting about the ASEA area plan. Great meeting.
Loved this young man's outfit (Bret can this be called an outfit?)
Monday, we evaluated our seminar and how we can improve for the ones that we will be going out into the field. Tuesday, 2 February, Mac and Mbongiseni visited us in the center. Always good to see our Swazi boys.
Wednesday night we were suppose to have Happy over again for a second investigator lesson, but she had to work late so it was postponed. That night we had an activities committee meeting.
Friday night, 5 February, we went with the Weeks to "Singin in the Rain". It was fabulous. We were on the 7th row - perfect. Far away enough that we didn't get soaked by the dance. Before we had dinner at an Italian restaurant at the Monte Cristo Mall. A fun, happening place.
Dinner at Donatella - excellent Italian food
Saturday, 6 February 2016 we were up early to meet the Beckstrands for a day of fun! It is Linford's birthday on Monday and Mary wanted to do something special. So we were going to Irene Market and then off to the Monkey and Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort. The following is the day in pictures:
We met some other senior couples at the market
Dennis, Lis & Chuck Walton, Mary & Linford Beckstrand, Marva & Doug Peterson, Charlotte & Rion Needs
This is the tool that he uses to chip away at the rock to make his creations. They never cease to amaze me at the talent they have. They have just won my heart!
Elephant/Monkey Sanctuary
On our way home, there must have been a rainstorm in Johannesburg (we missed it) because the ground was wet and there was the most beautiful rainbow; in fact, two of them. These are only a few of the hundreds that I took.
Sunday, 7 February 2016 we were up and out of the home early for a 8:00 a.m. meeting in Krugersdorp (around 45 minute drive). We had an oral history that we were doing with Mark and Michele Shaw and we wanted to attend their meeting with them. To our surprise it was the home ward of a lot of our office friends. So good to see them. Then the Shaw's had invited us over for lunch before the interview. We loved getting to know them and their two daughters, Jessica and Rachel (they have a son on a mission that gets home in around 5 weeks).We spent all afternoon with them and then walked down two homes to visit Debbie Pinnear who works in the area office and has been so helpful during our getting to know the computer! She is the cousin of Mark Shaw. It was a great Sabbath. Home around 7:00 and then went to Duke's Court to visit with the Jubbers.
This cute lady just got accepted into BYU-Idaho. She has been working on My Path - a self-reliance program that the church sponsors to help people receive education. She has a son at BYU right now, another son coming home from mission in a few weeks and will also attend BYU-I. Not sure what her husband will be doing in Idaho while she studies. But isn't that awesome!!! So excited for her. They are leaving the live they know behind in South Africa and starting a new adventure. I guess we are never too old to learn.
Jessica, Mark, Michele, Rachel
Some amazing grandchildren have had their birthdays this week. I am truly a blessed lady with so many special spirits that I call grandchildren.
JAXON LOMBARDI turned 17 on 30 January.
He is our first born grandchild and has been such a delight and an amazing example to all the other grandchildren. Jaxon, we love you. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
Two days later it was his sister's birthday, MALIA (11 years old...when I talked to her, she had to correct me because I thought she was 10...where did the time go). She is has such a sweet countenance about her. Always a smile for us She has had to learn to find her special space having three older brothers. Malia, love you sweetheart!
LEONA LOMBARDI turned 13 on 6 February.
This granddaughter of ours has been such an example of "never give up" and "keep trying". She has been such an inspiration to me. What a beautiful young teenager she has become. Love you Leona.
He is our first born grandchild and has been such a delight and an amazing example to all the other grandchildren. Jaxon, we love you. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
This granddaughter of ours has been such an example of "never give up" and "keep trying". She has been such an inspiration to me. What a beautiful young teenager she has become. Love you Leona.
Enduring to the end requires faithfulness to the end, as in the case of Paul, who told Timothy, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." This is what I want! The gospel teaches us what we need to know and how to achieve our ultimate goal of returning to live with our Father in Heaven. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love being a disciple of Christ and representing Him here on mission. I not only pray that I may endure to the end, I pray for my children and grandchildren that they may be strong and firm in their testimonies so they may be able to withstand the evil that surrounds them daily. I pray that we all may return to our Father in Heaven at the end of this sojourn in life and be "wrapped in His arms" with all those we love.
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