I am playing CATCH UP. Life has been crazy and it is getting harder and harder to sit down in front of the computer when I get home from work and write. As I reflect on the last few weeks, we really are not much busier just maybe my energy level is weakening. But I am driven to make sure that my life here on mission is documented. So I am going to highlight the last few weeks and then I think in the future I will just share my feelings on certain events instead of the whole week. Here is my attempt to catch up!
We love it when senior couples outside of the area office stop in to get acquainted.
Elder and Sister Roberts
Elder and Sister Woolston's serving in Welkom, South Africa. They leave for home in just a few weeks and invited us to visit for the weekend.
Let me introduce you to Vuyokaze (name means happiness which suits her perfectly) Sonku. We first met her in Salt Lake City. She was there serving a Temple Square Mission. Upon meeting we found out that she was from East London, South Africa and we asked if she knew a brother Aduma Stengile who served with us in Swaziland. A small world - her best friend was Aduma's sister (who was also serving a mission in Ghana and her mission president is now our boss). The next time our paths crossed was in the Swahili branch where she was there to attend a baptism of someone she helped teach. We returned numerous times to temple square to visit. Right before we left for mission, we tried to find her just to discover that she was on her 3-month extension of mission in Oakland, California. Upon her return from mission, she came to the temple and found us here!!! I love this girl.
We introduced Vuyokazi to Elder Jubber who was also born in East London and then moved to Canada and served his youth mission there.
Vuyokazi was not alone. She had a young man with her (we shall see how serious this becomes).
The following day she came in with this adorable African dress. I loved the pattern and had to take a picture.
Dominic and Moipone Tshabalala are up from Durban visiting his mother. Tuesday night, 28 June, they invited us over for dinner and the watching of Cokeville Miracle, which I had Misti bring from America for them. I love this family. We always have such a great time when we are with them.
Amahle, their youngest
Amahle, Bokang (who wasn't feeling well) and Ntando
I brought birthday cake for Ntando (5 June), Awande (20 June), and Amahle (24 June)
Minenhle was also not feeling well
Dominic's mother
Wednesday, 29 June we were invited to dinner with the Public Affair couples from the area. Elder and Sister Davis spent Wednesday night with us. They are sitting next to me. Can't believe that I did not get a picture of them in our home. Shame!!!
Thursday night we were invited to dinner at the Jubbers. Elder and Sister Grundy were also there. Elder Grundy broke his hip while they were serving in Gulu, Uganda and was emergency transported to Johannesburg for a hip replacement. They have been staying in Duke's Court for a few weeks while he was healing and was headed home the following day. We had a great time just talking until the late hours of the evening.
Saturday, 2 July 2016 was booked from morning to evening. Up early to go to Irene's Market, birthday party for Mary Letsebe and then going away party at for Elder and Sister Egan at President and Sister Dunn's home.
We took the area office van to Irene's Market with French's, Jubbers, and Grafs (Grafs were off shopping).
Jubbers, Frenchs and me
We hurried home from Irene's and rushed to Mary Letsebe's home for her birthday party. It was to start at noon but of course, for two and 1/2 hours we were the only ones besides her family. We had told Mary that we had to leave at 2:30 for another engagement. I had brought her a birthday cake and meat, but we had to leave before the food was ready and we had cake. We understand that people started showing up around 5:00 and were there until 10:00.
Mary's family - John, Thabang, Wonderboy, her grandchildren and some friends that were helping her get ready.
Mary is a special lady.....she is the one that gave me the jacket I am wearing. Is that me choking her?
Dunn's home is definitely the party house. They so willingly share this beautiful home to everyone in Johannesburg.
President Michael and Sister Linda Dunn
Last words from Sister Martha and Elder Robert Egan (IFR Representative)
HAPPY 4th OF JULY
For lunch the temple and area office senior couples gathered in the courtyard at Dukes Court for an old-fashioned 4th of July barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, desserts, American flags and wonderful company. How I love these people that I am privileged to serve with.
Temple President Eppel
Sister Powell roasting marshmallows over the braai
Temple and Area office senior couples
Dinner again with the PA couples. They just arrived after 5 days in Kruger....again the Davis' were spending the night with us.
Tuesday, 5 July we did an oral interview with Samuel and Nene Kapongo. I am going to write a post on their story. This is two of the children that stay with them. This is one of the soccer balls that Misti brought with her from America.
Portia, our Swazi daughter, that works in travel at the area office, was admitted in the hospital with an asthma attack. We went to visit her on Wednesday, 6 July. The teddy bear has a story. When we were informed about her condition, I thought that it was her daughter, Tinyoko, that was admitted. So we went and bought a teddy bear for the child and flowers for Portia. What a surprise when it was Portia laying in the hospital bed!
Sindisa and Portia Mabasa
Thursday, we went to the temple with the MTC missionaries. As we entered, Opu Shai, greeted us. We had met him in Tzaneen in President Manzini's home. He is going to the Madagascar mission learning Malagasy. We were so thrilled to see him.
This young man came into the office. He knew us from our previous mission where he served in Durban while he was waiting for his visa to go to Kenya. Don't remember his name.
The Weeks had such a busy week, that we invited them over for dinner on Thursday night for a relaxing evening.
Friday, 8 July, 2016 was such a fabulous day and I have no pictures! Can't believe that it just got by me. I had heard that many of the office employees had not seen MEET THE MORMONS. Everyone was so excited that Meet The Mormons was going to be broadcasted on local television on 2 July but it turned out to be an anti replica. So, I invited all who would like to see the movie to join us for lunch and viewing of the movie on Friday. We set up the devotional room, brought pulled chicken sandwiches, chips, cole slaw, and brownies and enjoyed the 1 hour 15 minutes together. They loved every minute. It was so delightful to experience the movie again with them. They were mesmerized and couldn't stop talking about it for days after. It was a spiritual high for me.
Saturday and Sunday we spent in Kroonstad and Welkom - about a 3 hour drive from Johanessburg. Belinda Nothnagel is our regional church history advisor for the Free State. After an oral interview, we copy the audio on a CD so that the interviewee can have their history recorded for posterity. Belinda expressed her desire to be able to do the same for those she interviewed. So, we copied them for her and hand delivered them. What a gracious woman she is and has trained her family to be just like her. Belinda is next to me, then her son-in-law, Reaford Beldon, daughter, Marcelle and her grandson, Kevin. Her husband, Paul Nothnagel who is the Bloemfontein Stake Patriarch, is not pictured.
An old church in Kroonstad
Me and Charles Dlamini
Elder and Sister Woolston - great hosts
Our Charles!
This is Boipelo Molale. She has been waiting for this day for four years! Her parents would not give her permission to be baptized four years ago when she first gained a testimony. They told her she had to wait until she was 18. But she continued to attend faithfully every Sunday. Here she is today ready for her membership into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after her long wait. I have never seen anyone so excited.....downright giddish.
Brother Pitso Senoge baptized her.
Brother Beldon, a life long member of the Welkom Branch. Belinda Nothnagel interviewed him a few months ago. It was so fun for me to put a face with an interview.
Sister Woolston, me and Boipelo.
Sister in Zion.....those who came to support Boipelo at her baptism
Look at the youth in this branch
A tender moment that I was able to capture....
Saying good-bye to Charles...
The making of new friends......
The Welkom chapel was one of the first chapels built in South Africa
There is almost two weeks in a nutshell. Of course, in between all this is our work in the center. Probably won't mean much to you but for your information, so far in 2016 I have processed 127 oral interviews, Dennis has processed 92 records for the RPC and evaluated 70 annual histories plus many other responsibilities. We have full days in the office but we make sure there are opportunities to get out to meet the people. Serving mission for the Lord completes me.
Mom, I love the jacket you are wearing. It suits your perfectly. I don't know if you are American or African now.
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