DISCOVERY 30 September 2016

Every time I read the Book of Mormon, there is always a new DISCOVERY.  But can you really call it a discovery when you have read something so many times.  I think so.  Webster says that discovery is the act of finding or learning something for the first time; something seen or learned for the first time; a disclosure. So, the other day during our scripture study, I discovered a "new" verse that is quickly becoming a favorite.  It is found in Helaman 3:35:

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

Wow, that was quite a discovery for me.  That one scripture has so much meaning and direction and solution for making it through this earthly life.

• First of all, what did they do......fasted and prayed often.  Something we have heard so much and we all know the importance but look at the blessings that come from that. The importance of fasting and praying!
• Stronger and stronger in their humility:  "the development of humility is a strengthening factor that leads to greater faith and joy"  To be humble is to recognize our total dependency on the Lord - to understand that we have constant need for His support - to truly know where our strength comes from.
• As we do this we will become firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ.  Becoming firm in the faith of Christ is really only something we can do for ourself.  It is only us individually that can develop a firm faith in God.  Only us individually can have a passion for personal prayer. Only us individually can keep the commandments of God. Only we can repent. Only we can be worthy for the ordinances performed in the temple.  
• The blessing is to have our souls be filled with joy and consolation.
• The scriptures define sanctification as "the process of becoming free from sin, pure, clean and holy through the atonement of Jesus Christ".  What a beautiful definition.
• Yielding of their hearts unto God.- to surrender or give our hearts to God.  When one yields his or her heart to God, he is surrending his personal desires to exchange for the Lord's desires. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught "that yielding our hearts and souls to God is the highest form of consecration to the Lord."

Quite a DISCOVERY don't you think.  There is so much in that one verse that I have been studying it for quite a few days. There is still much to discover.  I have only begun!

PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE 20 August 2016

On August 20th we took a day and went to Pilanesberg.  I was feeling a little blue.  For months we had planned a weekend with our good friends from Swaziland, Solomon and Busi Mahlalela. Dennis and I had asked for Friday and Monday off so we could show them around Joburg and take them to a game reserve.  Spending some quality time with good friends was just what I needed.  Friday morning as they were getting ready to leave for the kombi rank to come here, Solomon got a call from his boss telling him he had to come into work.  The other employee was sick and couldn't come in. That call was so difficult to receive. Busi and I were just so sad. Needless to say, our such anticipated weekend came to a screechy halt. After the initial disappointment, we decided that we would go ahead with the plans to drive to Pilanesberg early Saturday morning.  It was delightful spending time with my husband enjoying the magnificent African animals.  And boy did we see animals.  We drove on our own but Dennis is the best animal tracker I have ever been with.  He saw animals that were hidden and would take me five minutes to focus on.  Eish, we had a great time.

We had made plans with the Mahlalela's to try again the following week, but the same employee did not return to work and Solomon could not get away.  We only have a few months left to get them here.  I am praying that they can find the time. (Busi had taken her week vacation time to come and had to use it up.)  Side note:  Busi works 10 hour days 6 days a week with Sunday off.  Can you imagine her disappointment.  

Enjoy the majesty of these amazing African animals that let us quietly encroach into their lives....

 These two elephants were playing.  It was the funniest thing to watch.  Kept us very entertained.

 We saw LIONS!  There are some couples that have come to Pilanesburg many times during their mission and have never seen lions.  We were so lucky to have seen 15 of them in three different sightings on our first time.  Our first sighting was right after a kill.  If you look closely, you can see the wildebeests leg.  It was the funniest thing to see them flip up the legs of the wildebeest to get the flesh under the legs.  We counted 7 lions enjoying their afternoon meal.

 Tug of war

 Our second sighting was along the road where there were 6 lions strolling.....two lions and 4 lionesses.  The third sighting was in some bushes and we couldn't get a picture because the camera kept focusing on the bushes.

 One of the big 5 ugliest African animals - the warthog.

 Scenes in Africa

We returned to work on Monday in hopes that there would be another day to enjoy the company of the Mahlalelas.

GREAT ARMY OF GOD August 2016

A friend sent this quote to me the other day.  I would like to share it with you...

"We have become as a great army.  We are now a people of consequence.  Our voice is heard when we speak up.  We have demonstrated our strength in meeting adversity.  Our strength is our faith in the Almighty.  No cause under the heavens can stop the work of God.  Adversity may raise its ugly head.  The world my be troubled with wars and rumors of wars, but this cause will go forward."  President Gordon B. Hinckley

Another great man (C. S Lewis) said this, 

       "I am a soldier in the army of my God.  The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.  The Holy Scriptures is my cod of conduct.  Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.  I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire. 

       "I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.  I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out.  I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable.  If my God needs me, I am there. I am a soldier.  I am not a baby.  I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.  I am a soldier.  No one has to call me. remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me.  I am a soldier. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His kingdom.  I am committed.  I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.  I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.  i cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

       "When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing.  If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead.   I will win.  My God has and will continue to supply all of my need.  I am more than a conqueror.  I will always triumph.  I can do all things through Christ.  The devil cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me.  Sickness cannot stop me.  Battles cannot beat me.  Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me.  I am a soldier.  Even death cannot destroy me.  For when my Commander calls me from His battlefield, He will promote me to captain and then allow me to rule with Him.  I am a soldier in the army, and I'm marching claiming victory.  I will not give up.  I will not turn around.

       "I am soldier, marching heaven-bound.  Here I stand!  Will you stand with me?"

I am so glad to be part of the "ARMY OF GOD" and not only here on mission but for my entire time on this earth and in the here after.  I am part of His army and I declare my allegiance to Him. I will go and do the things which thou would have me do.

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August has been a difficult month for me.  I guess that is why it has taken me so long to write a post about it. The days have been long in the center.  The reason:  the temple has been closed and there have been no members in the patron housing which so fills my day with joy and happiness.  And without them, I am lonely.  They returned in September and things are looking up.

Here is our month in a nutshell (it probably won't be a nutshell though.  When I get going, I seem to have a lot to share...hahahaha)

1 - 14 August, 2016  Rene Gorman (the director of the temple patron housing whose office is by ours) invited us to go to their home in Vereeninging.  Her husband, Stan, joined us and we had a great time. It is about an hour's drive.  She lives in the patron housing during the week and returns most weekend to fulfill their church callings in their district.  What a blessing these friends have been in my life. The weekend was spent in Tzaneen doing annual history training and three oral interviews.  I love this part of South Africa and enjoy the opportunity to return. The following week, we took our new IFR couple, Elder and Sister Broadbent, to see Kayise Hlatswayo Shabambo and her twins.  Kayise lived in Nhlangano, Swaziland and went on a mission to Kenya where the Broadbents were her mission dad and mom.  What a great reunion and surprise that was for Kayise! Every Wednesday night at 8:00 we go to the Elder and Sister Blake's flat to watch The Mentalist. Friday night we had a Christmas Reunion with the couples that went to the Eastern Cape in our flat.  I made a DVD of everyone's pictures and put it to music.  It was so fun to watch it with everyone and enjoy that time again. That weekend we went to see Xolani and Futhi and their brand new little girl that was born on 20 July. She was born only a week after our newest grandchild - Luke.  So, it comforted me to be able to cuddle a new little one.

Growing up, Stan lived in Kruger Park where his father took care of one of the areas.  This is an elephant tusk that he obtained.  It was huge and heavy.  

 Rene's mother and sister live in their home and they welcomed us warmly.

 Their yard.....

 Rene is a very short lady...so we found a platform for her so we could take a picture.  Rene is an amazing seamstress and we bought material for her to make me a skirt and top.

 Their home....

African sights that I love....

 On the way to Tzaneen, we stopped in Polokwane (Seshego Township) to visit with Lebo Sele - she recently was married to one of the elders that served with us.

 Training in Tzaneen.  We had 100% unit and district clerks and branch presidents and district presidency. 

 After the Saturday training, we did an oral interview with Solomon Matome Matlou who is a pioneer in the Tzaneen area.  He was Lenyenye Branch President, Tzaneen District President and now Tzaneen Branch President.  I share a dream that he had in a past post.  After the interview, he embraced us and said, "I love you."  How often do you hear that from strangers?  How I love, love these people. They have unconditional love for everyone.

 The Tzaneen Chapel

 A great way to be welcomed in Lenyenye where we attended church on Sunday

 Lenyenye Chapel

 Don't you love the pink hair!!!

 After church we did two oral interviews...

This is Samuel Letsoala - long-time service in the church in Lenyenye

 President Kekane of the Lenyenye Branch

 After, Elder and Sister Hall invited us over to their place for dinner.  They are doing such a great job here as MLS.

 I had to capture this moon - it is a smiley face......different than what we get back home which is always sideways...I think

 I can't come to Tzaneen and not go to Kaross

 The women waiting to give their wares

 This is a project they are working on - cross stitching the faces of the ladies doing the work

 Dennis giving out suckers

 We bought this for a friend....the lady who cross-stitched it.

 Suckers for the ladies on the street

 Watering their fields

 Orange rinds.....they have hundreds of orange trees in the area.  

 Lunch at the Red Plate in Haarentsberg - a little quaint town

 Our lunch - chicken schnitzel

Visiting with Kayise Shabambo, from Swaziland, and her twins with Julie and Steven Broadbent - Kayise's mission parents!

 One boy and one girl...

 Everyday life in Africa....

 Preparing for our Christmas reunion dinner and showing of our DVD of pictures. Dennis was so sweet and got out our Christmas tree for the occasion.

 Paul and Ginny Graf, Janet and Vernon Jubber, Liz Walton (Chuck Walton was called away at the last minute)

 Asilindi Sithole - 3 weeks old

 Big brother - Sivuse.

 Sithole family

Asilindi, Futhi, Xolani, Sivuse

 Tilungile Ntshalintshali invited us over for dinner.  It feels like home being with them.

 Tilungile was cheering on "Bolt" during the Olympics and got so excited that she threw up her arms and spilled all the rice.....

 Tilungile's nephew that took a liking to Dennis

 Concelia, the mom....

 It was Masisi Dlamini's birthday on 14 August, so we went by to wish her a very special day. It was a surprise!

 Her special gifts

 Masisi was talking in church so gave us a preview.

 More African sights......

Brian Jackson, the area OGC supervisor, and his wife, Tina, invited us over to dinner with a few other couples.  We had a grand time.  They are paid employees and are here for 4 years.  They have a beautiful home.

Paul and Ginny Graf and Tina Jackson

 Julie and Steven Broadbent, Brian Jackson, Me, Tina Jackson, Ginny and Paul Graf

15 - 28 August 2016  Lately I have just been so tired.  When I come home from work, all I want to do is sleep.  Not like me.  I tell my kids that they will not recognize me because their mom goes to bed at 10:00 p.m. not 2:00 a.m.!  This week we had Stan and Rene Gorman over for dinner and a movie along with Maria who works with Rene.  We discovered late in our mission that we both like movies.  Shame.  Thursday night we went to visit Mohau Sele and his family in Kagiso.  His niece is suppose to get baptized but his having problems getting her father to consent.  We had some gifts for her, so we took them to her.  It was a fun visit. The weekend of 19 - 21, the Mahlalela's from Swaziland was suppose to come and stay with us.  They were to leave on Friday morning, and just before they were to catch the kombi, Solomon's boss called and said the other employee was sick so he couldn't go.  We were all soooooo disappointed.  How I was looking forward to them coming.  We had planned to take them to Pilanesberg Game Reserve on Saturday.  I was so blue about them not coming, that Dennis took me anyway.  We had a great time.  It is a game reserve park that you can drive yourself and Dennis is a great tracker.  We saw animals galore.  We had such a great time.  Just wish we could have shared it with the Mahlalelas.  We had people for dinner on Monday night, we took a turkey dinner to the Powells where we watched the highlights of the Olympics (we do not have television, so we rely on others), guests for dinner on Thursday night, went to a live play with Thoba (Ubo and the Truth Commission) which we had no idea what was going on, couple party at the Blakes and  on Sunday after church went and visited with Victor Miti (I wrote his story about finding the Book of Mormon in a rubble and it was published in the Liahona). The week ended with a devotional with Elder Mark Palmer and his wife, which I have already written about.

Dennis, Rene, Stan, Maria

 Mohau Sele and his family....this little girl (I have to find her name) turned 8 and is waiting to be baptized

 We are documenting the Sunnyside chapel in Pretoria as a historical site.  We came and took pictures of outside and inside.

 John and Catherine Pace and Marcia and Jeff French for pizza and games

 This is Makhosi Zondi.  She was part of a 5-person team that translated the Book of Mormon into Zulu.  We had the honor of interviewing her.  A lovely lady with such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon.

 Couples party at the Blakes

 Muncieville for church

 Counselor in the branch presidency and his daughter

 This young father is on the high council from Khutsong and was here on assignment as the speaker.  His family joined him.

 Muncieville

 Chickens for sale

 Dennis, Victor Miti and Paul Graf.  Victor has been having health problems and has missed a few weeks of church.  It was nice to visit with him in his home.  We wanted to make sure he knew that his article had made the Liahona and we gave him a lot of copies to share.

 Sunday Fireside with Elder Mark Palmer and his wife, Jacqui

 We had a men's quartet

 Margaret Blake is an amazing artist.  She painted this for the Palmer's which we presented to them.

The month of August is over and the patrons will return.  As I look back on the month, a lot was accomplished.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6; 10 - 11