Lunch with Elders Cossey & Chapman and Dinner with the Chase's

We made arrangements to do the flat inspection of the Elders in King William’s Town today on our way to Grahamstown.  We inspected the flat of Elders Cossey and Chapman and then took them to lunch.  This was also a flat that the Elders had cleaned and was in good shape. They received a 10 for their efforts.

After the inspection we took them to McDonalds for Lunch.  The McDonalds had just opened up in King William’s Town.  After lunch we were on our way to Grahamstown.

When we arrived in Grahamstown, I had arranged a meeting with the Branch Presidency along with Elder Chase.  We reviewed a number of issues that needed review or clarification.  All in all it was a good meeting.

When we were done we went with the Chases for dinner.  Good food and good company.

Lunch, New Cookies, Christmas Decorations and an Evening Beach Walk

After District Meetings we had a bunch of errands to do today.  I lost count of all the stores we had to go in.  This was necessary to get supplies for the Elders.  Sister Thomas finally broke down and took me to lunch.

Later Sister Thomas put up our huge Christmas tree and the few Christmas Decorations that we have. She also made a batch of test cookies called a S’more Cookies.  Actually, they tasted really good.  They are not as sickly sweet and sticky as real S’mores.

We ended this day with a walk along the beach at sunset.

District Meeting and a Package from home for Elder Dean

We attended the District Meeting of Elder Manqane.  He had assigned the main training to be provided by Elder Matini.  This was the first time Elder Matini had lead this type of discussion.  He did a wonderful job.

We had driven out to the airport prior to District Meeting to pick up any post that had arrived.  There were three boxes.  In one of these boxes was a package for Elder Dean.  He was surprised and very pleased to see a few packages of Beef Jerky from his family.  It actually made my mouth salivate just a bit.  The rest of the Elders were thrilled for him and all hoped for a small piece.  I am sure that Elder Dead will guard this carefully.

Any time a package arrives in the mission field there is joy that is brought into the hearts of all the Elders!  Thanks to the Dean family for this bit of joy.

Flat Inspections of the East London Zone

We did the flat inspection of the East London Zone today.  They were as clean as we have seen them as a group.  In fact, the East London 2nd Ward Elders, shown in upper right, Elders Mmusi and Matini and in lower left, Elders Manqane and Shabalala received perfect 10’s.  Elders Manqane and Shabalala are shown with the Landlords dog, Diesel, who is a close friend with the Elders.  Those 10/10 flat ratings don’t happen very often.

In upper left are Elders Wells and Malpage showing their 9.9 rating.  In lower left are Elders Crowell, Ludvigson and Monyo with Elder Thomas busy fixing a mop head.

We celebrate Elder Moliki's Birthday Just a Bit Late

Elder Moliki’s birthday was a few days ago when Sister Thomas and I were out of town.  We brought over a birthday cake to give to Elder Moliki.  We then discovered that his companion, Elder Mukonda’s birthday is on Friday.  We sang happy birthday to both of them.  That box that Elder Mukonda is opening has a small snake in it.  Sister Thomas was trying to scare the Elders but they were more curious than scared.

Elder Hoffman eventually took the small snake and pried open the jaws of the snake so see what kind of fangs it had.  All the Elders crowded in so they could see.  That was when I yelled and grabbed two of the Elders as I did it.  That was when the jumping and screaming took place.

In lower left you can see Sister Thomas, Elders Moliki, Mukonda, Ndlovu and Hoffman.  Elder Hoffman also entertained us with his yoyo tricks.  He is really good.

Evening Visit to Elders Carniletto & Faitauvand a phone call

Wonderful day to be in the mission field.  We had a day on the go and as we blinked the day was over.  Most days are like that.  We helped arrange, through Sister Petersen, for Elder Carniletto to go to the Doctor today.  He ended up having Sinusitis.  On Monday he emailed his family and let them know he was not feeling well.  On Monday night his wonderful Italian Mother dreamed that he was deathly sick and made Elder Carniletto’s Father call the mission home to find out about her son.  President Merrill gave permission for Elder Carniletto to call his Mother for five minutes to let her know what he has and that he is not near death.  I love missionary parents.  Of course, all parents love their children, but the heart strings are wound just a bit tighter when your son or daughter is in the mission field.  Someday I hope to meet Elder Carniletto’s parents so I can let them know in person how wonderful their son is.

This is the bathroom that had a leaking sink.  We managed to get it fixed and so we bought a new bathmat set for the Elders.  It looked good by the time we were done.  While we were there, we let Elder Carniletto use our phone to call his mother for five minutes.  We also helped the Elders clear up just a bit.  It was 9:30 in the evening and that is why Elder Faitau is not in his whites.  Elder Faitau is a good missionary who always seems to be happy and is very willing to pitch in and help.  He even humored Sister Thomas with the picture with the bathmat.  Sister Thomas made some soup and homemade rolls for them for dinner so they were anxious for us to leave so they could eat!

Elder Chapman's Birthday

Elder Chapman spent much of Monday morning at the Dentist getting an abscess taken care of.  Later this afternoon as the Elders gathered to play some volley ball at the church we took a cake over to celebrate his birthday.  He is working in King Williams Town so is not always around in East London.  It was nice to have him here with his Zone so we could celebrate his birthday together.

Leaking Sink at Elders Carniletto and Faitau's flat

The Elder’s have had a leaking sink and we needed to get it fixed.  We did this repair this morning.  We did get the leak under control but we tracked water though the flat and needed to mop much the floor by the time we were finished.  Both Elder Carniletto and Faitau pitched in to help.

Stake Conference in the East London Stake

Today was Stake Conferece.  We also attended the Saturday afternoon and evening sessions where President Bell ask me to speak to 2 minutes.  I bore my testimony about the need for members to work with the missionaries in order to individually help with the goals of splitting the stake one year from today.

The Sunday session was actually a prerecorded video where Elder Robert C. Gay, Sister Jean A. Stevens, Elder David A. Bedbar and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke.  Each of them provided a wonderful message on living the whole gospel of Jesus Christ and when required, leaving prior traditions behind.  They specifically spoke of having large weddings and paying the traditional Labola, spending too much on funerals and delaying marriage.

Sister Thomas is shown with the members who are departing from Conference with a Pumpkin Pie spice mix and recipe that she was delivering to the KWT Elders.  I also managed to get a picture of the East London 3rd Ward Elders who had parked close to us.  Shown are: Elder Crowell, Ludvigson, Pitsoane and Monyo.

The Port Alfred Harbor from the End of Plymouth Hoe

Early this morning we went for a walk through the Royal Alfred Marina.  At the end of Plymouth Hoe, the road we were staying on, we took this Pano view of the harbor with Sister Thomas on both sides of the bay.  Take a look at that wonderful blue South Africa Sky! "The Sky is so blue it hurts your eyes just to look at it." (From the movie Field of Dreams)  Today we have to leave early so we can get back to East London for Stake Conference meetings.

Game Drive with Some Senior Couples at the Kwantu Game Reserve

Some of the Senior Couples had to drive home following breakfast at the Fish River Sun.  Others took the opportunity o go on a game drive at the Kwantu game reserve.  We joined the Chases, Stapleys and Kjars on the drive.  We saw Elephant, Rhino, Lion but missed Water Buffalo and Leopard (the big five).  The Water Buffalo were down in the valleys near the thick bush and the Leopard is nocturnal and hard to see in the day.  After the game drive we had dinner waiting for us.  It was a wonderful outing.

Elder Rasmussen & Branch Cash in on Thanksgiving Leftovers

Elders Rasmussen and Elder Branch cash in on the Thanksgiving left overs.  You could not believe just how excited they were to be able to come and load up their plates and take some food home to be warmed up and eaten later.   You can sense their excitement in this picture.

Early Thanksgiving with the Senior Couples in the Eastern Cape

The Senior Couples came to Port Alfred to enjoy Thanksgiving today.  It is a week early but Elder and Sister Wheeler have family coming next week so we are meeting a week early.  We had a wonderful dinner and then I presented a spiritual message on Faith.  The Senior Couples joined in and actually trained themselves.  I was able to just lead the discussion.  I spoke about the grandeur of the universe, the number PI, and developing more faith.  It was a good discussion.

After that we played some games.  Sister Wheeler had everyone say two truths and one lie about themselves.  It was a good way to get to know each other.   Then we had PIE for supper.  We had blueberry/blackberry pie, pumpkin pie, pumpkin crumble, banana cream pie, german chocolate pie and sour cream lemon pie.  A sweet ending to a lovely day.

Giraffes, Tortoise and Golf at the Fish River Sun

I worked on some paper work for Elder Petersen getting the Elders in the correct flats, with the correct church HID number and addresses, correct phone numbers and the correct vehicles assigned to them.  It become a bit messy when there are 55 Elders and Senior missionaries with 20 boarding and 21 vehicles and just over 30 cell phones.  Elder Petersen was struggling to get these all correct across the whole mission.  I was just trying to help him with those here in the Eastern Cape.

Following that, we went to play golf with President Wheeler at the Fish River Sun.  It was a pleasant experience.  On the way there we saw four giraffe on the side of the road and enjoyed the tortoise on the course.  It was strolling along eating only the purple clover flowers.  It was a nice day golfing.  That is my ball just short of the green on the par three.  I hit my driver into the wind but held back just a bit.  President Wheeler hit a full driver into the stiff breeze onto the green and then parred the hole.

Dinner with the Wheelers

We completed several errands in East London and then drove to Port Alfred arriving in the evening.  We had to meet up with the person that was going to give us the keys to Alan Martin’s house in the Royal Alfred Marina.  With all the Senior Couples coming for Thanksgiving, we wanted to make sure that there was not a problem with getting the keys and that we had the house prepared for those that would be arriving.  We ended up joining the Wheelers for dinner.

Just prior to dinner I joined President Wheeler in a conference call with Brother Rodney Siems who is one of the Church Accountants to review several of the Branch’s accounts that are overspent.  There were suitable solutions for each of these.  It was a good review and helped me complete one of the actions that had been assigned to me by President Merrill.

Flat Repairs and a visit with Elder Carniletto & Faitau

Monday morning we went to Elders Carniletto and Faitau’s flat.  They called to let us know that they have a leaking sink in their bathroom.  We called the landlord and let them know it needed to be fixed.  While we were there, we noticed that the drain had become plunged so we had to dig around in the muck to get it cleaned.    That is Elder Faitau on my right and Elder Carniletto on my left.  Elder Faitau had a sore leg which he scraped when he was playing soccer in the MTC in Johannesburg. Sister Thomas took a look and we are going to get him some disinfectant to use on it as it heals.

We then went over to the Summer Pride house and worked on the filtration system and the counter top.  We had to scrape the old contact paper off the counter and recover it.  We also covered two of the shelves.  I was also able to install the Water Flirtation system in this new boarding so the Elders would have filtered water.

New Boundry Maps for the East London Zone

The EL Zone Leaders, Elders Malpage and Wells, came by this evening.  They had three dropped appointments.  We put this unfortunate circumstance to good work and finished the maps that show the new ward boundaries in the East London Wards.  We also made one so that we could send to the President.  It was fun watching the Elders’ coloring skills.  Unfortunately, Sister Thomas and the Elders fired Elder Thomas who they determined did not have the skill set to continue coloring.

Work Project for Elder and Sister Thomas - Cleaning out a Flat

As we moved Elders around during the transfer day, we ended up with one flat that we will most likely be giving notice and returning to the landlord.  Sister Thomas and I went and cleaned out the flat and did a deep cleaning so we could return this when we formally give notice.  It was missionary clean when we began but when we finished it was “Sister Thomas” clean. 

Calming Walk Along the Gonubie Beach

We started this day with a walk on the beach.  It was a beautiful South African morning.  As the day progressed, we attended District Meetings and then visited several of the Elders’ flats and put in light bulbs and finalized the order for filters for next year.

Unwanted and Wanted Visitors to our Flat in Gonubie

We had a full day working with all the Elders fixing little things for them in their different flats.  We had to finish hanging the curtains in the new boarding in Summer Pride and Sister Thomas needed to give a hair cut.  (I did not get a picture of that one.)  When we finally arrived home Sister Thomas was vacuuming our home.  Her work and sacrifice is never quite done.

While she was doing this, she found an unwanted visitor in our boarding which Elder Thomas was called upon to usher out the door.  By the time I got this done Sister Thomas was in tears of laughter because snakes are not my best friends.  We also had a small gecko visiting but we let him stay in doors with us.

Transfer Missionaries Arrive Safely in East London

After the run to the airport where we picked up 14 Elders, the group to meet them at the Church was another 14 Elders to meet their new companions.  The collecting Elders took their companions to their new boardings.  Some of them from Queenstown and Mthatha had to get moving so they could drive the 2 and 3 hours in order to get home before dark.  We all got caught in a torrential downpour of rain.  Fortunately, it passed over quickly.

Humor on Transfer Day

Transfer day brings a great deal of activity and as always some humor.  We deliver to the airport first thing in the morning and then pick-up and deliver to the Bus station around noon and them collect again at the airport the new arrivals from Cape Town in the afternoon.   This is a picture the group in the morning and Elder Bradley leaving on the bus to travel to Port Elizabeth.  Elder Ebong was having some luggage problems and had to repack.  He had this special mirror which he had to take with him so he could see his good looks.  You can’t really see it but Elder Smith wrote on his planner the word “Son” welcoming the new missionary he will be training as the 14 Elders arrived at the airport in the afternoon.

Train the Trainers in the East London and Mdantsane Zones

This morning we were able to invite the Zone Leaders to our home so that they could provide the “Train-the-Trainers” training for those Elders that are going to be training new Elders on this transfer.  These are some of the choicest missionaries in our mission who are called upon to train a new missionary.

Sitting on the floor is Elder Smith and Elder Marty.  Seated from left to right are: Elders Moliki, Wells, Woodward, Malpage, Trepaneir, Judd, Carniletto and Mchunu.

Airport Trip to pick up Mail, a NewBbattery and some Ostriches

 We went to the airport to check on a shipment of packages.  We also had to go the Red Alert Security company to purchase a new battery for our alarm system.  While we were there, they had a small area fenced off with some Impala as well as those two Ostriches.  I took the picture of the female and as soon as I did the male came in between the female and me and was “hissing” at me.  Nice experience.
We went to the airport to check on a shipment of packages.  We also had to go the Red Alert Security company to purchase a new battery for our alarm system.  While we were there, they had a small area fenced off with some Impala as well as those two Ostriches.  I took the picture of the female and as soon as I did the male came in between the female and me and was “hissing” at me.  Nice experience.

Three East London Wards Split to Make Four Wards

Today we had the opportunity to attend church where the 1st, 2nd, 3rd East London wards of the East London Stake met together.  The purpose for this special meeting was to create a new 4th ward.  The meetings began with Priesthood/Relief Society, followed by Sunday School with Sacrament meeting last.  The Aaronic Priesthood did a good job of blessing and passing the sacrament to a large group of members who extended into the hall - like a mini stake conference.  

It was wonderful to watch the process and feel the special spirit attending with us as we viewed the Hastening of the Work first hand.  President Bell, President Van Heerden and President Mangwane did a wonderful job of presenting the new ward boundaries.  I took a picture of the map used during the presentation of the new ward boundaries so I could help the missionaries understand where the changes will take place.

Turkey Favors for the Thanksgiving Celebrations

 We are going to be able to get together with the Senior Couples on the East side of the mission for a Thanksgiving celebration.  This will take place the week prior to Thanksgiving. 

Sister Thomas made some small Turkeys decorations for the tables and I wanted to record it here because they are so cute!  It is nice to have a creative companion while in the mission field.

District Meeting in Grahamstown with Elders Smith & Woodward and Elder & Sister Chase

On the way back from Port Elizabeth we arranged in advance to attend the District Meeting with Elders Smith & Woodward and Elder & Sister Chase.  Elder Smith did a wonderful job on the training at District meeting.  It was on receiving personal revelation and on what we need to do to help our Investigators receive personal revelation.  Elder Smith’s first area in the mission was serving with us in the Sada ward.

Sister Chase was very thoughtful and brought some lunch to the church for those that attended District meeting.  It was wonderful food, just as Sister Chase always prepares.

After lunch we we went and looked at two boardings here in Grahamstown and then we got on the road back to East London.

Baptismal Inteview and Dinner with the Blatters and Silcocks

We were given an assignment to go interview an investigator in Port Elizabeth.  We were able to make arrangements to get this done at 6 PM.  After dropping Trisha off at the airport, we drove over to Port Elizabeth where we met up with the Blatters.  They were willing to give us a ride out to meet up with the Elders.

Sister Thomas stayed at the Elders’ boarding with Elder and Sister Blatter and they helped the Elder continue to get moved into their new boarding.  I rode with the Elders to the house where the interview was to take place.  I had a pleasant surprise because Elder Kupka showed up (now as a District Leader - dressed appropriately in a suit, in order to complete his Priesthood assignment) to complete a baptismal interview for a different investigator who lived in the house.  We spent a wonderful portion of our mission serving in Queenstown with Elder Kupka.

When we finished with the interview and walked outside, it was just going dusk and the full moon was out so I caught the picture of the Elders who went to the interview.  Shown in the picture from left to right are: Elders Welsh, Decebel-Cuza, Truscott and Kupka.

Later that night we had dinner with the Blatter’ and the Silcocks at a Chinese restaurant in Port Elizabeth at the  “The Boardwalk” where the mall is built around a small lake.  We did not think to get a picture of the dinner but we did catch this picture with the Blatters’.  It was an enjoyable evening.

Saying goodbye to Trisha at the East London Airport

Dropping Trisha at the airport this morning was a special but sorrowful experience.  As she was checking in, I spoke to the attendant and ask her if she would make sure that South Africa Airline would take special care of this special daughter of ours.  At that point she said of course she would and both she and Trisha began to get teary eyed.

Trisha is a special daughter of our Heavenly Father and we are grateful that she was able to come and visit us for a while.  I could see that she was thrilled to be here but she was very mindful of her husband and children at home who were struggling along without her.  She was missing them and wanted to be home as well.  Believe me, after being on a mission for 13 months, we know it is difficult to be in two places at one.

We wished her well and then a nice stranger waiting to catch the plane volunteered to take a picture of us. 

A last walk along Gonubie Beach with Trisha - an African Rock

One last walk along the beach before Trisha catches the plane to go home.  It was at low tide again and the estuary was draining back into the ocean.  As Trisha was walking along the beach talking to Sister Thomas, she looked down and found this rock in the surf.  A rock that looks like Africa!  How sweet is that? She will take this back with her and will keep it so she has a small bit of South Africa with her.  Her trip here to visit friends has certainly reminded her just how much she loves this country.  The small rock was a wonderful find on her last morning here in South Africa.

Trisha and Mom with Leapords and Elephants

The Senior Couples Skype call was held today at 10:00.  In this meeting we are given the chance to discussion items of interest to all the Senior Couples.  We also shared the results of the Mission Leadership Council.  I was quite pleased with the outcome of the meeting and did receive several emails offering support.

Once the conference call was completed, we went to the Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve with Trisha to ride the Elephants and to see some Cheetahs.  It was a special afternoon and we are grateful that we could share it with Trisha.  Our daughter has always had a special fear of cats.  These rather large “kittens” made her nervous more that a just a little bit.  When one of them moved just a bit quick it bought a little scream from her.

The Elephant ride was fun.  As it turned out, there were not enough care takers and I was given the opportunity to walk along with Sister Thomas and Trisha as they rode on the Elephants.  In fact, I think that my walk alongside was better that riding along with them.  Our young guide, Brandon,  was a wonderful young man who had attended Jeppies Boys High in Johannesburg.   

Mission Leadership Skype Call

Trisha arrived in East London for a short visit.  It was raining when she arrived so the only picture that I got at the airport was this rather strange picture of Sister Thomas and Trisha Cutrer through the front window of the car.  By the time we arrived to our flat in Gonubie, the rain had let up.

I cannot express how excited it was to have a daughter come all this way to spend a few days with us.  I wonder if this is how our parents felt each year when we traveled all that way back to the United States from South Africa.  Now all these years later, one of our daughters travels all that way back here to South Africa to visit us.  A strange turn of events.  I would guess that our parents were so excited to see us because we brought their grandchildren back to visit them.

We are grateful to have our daughter here for a couple of days.  We will be taking her with us as we perform our labors so she can see what we do and also experience where and how the Elders live.  We see that joyful, sorrowful, painful look in this mother’s eyes, when we ask here how long it is until her oldest son is ready to leave on his mission.  Right now that is about four years away.

In Upper Left clockwise beginning in lower left: Elders Malpage & Wells, Sister Thomas, Trisha Cutrer, Elders Judd & Mchunu.

Trisha Joins us for our Activities for the Day

Trisha arrived yesterday and we took her with us on our planned activities for the day.  Early morning was a walk on the beach for a bit of exercise.  Then we drove up to Sada and Queenstown to complete a Baptismal Interview and to bring back a vehicle that they had been using while the Sada Vehicle was being repaired.  We drove in two cars back to East London and then went to one of the missionary flats so we could finished fixing some items.  Sister Thomas and Trisha cleaned out some of the drains and also cut the new shower curtain down so it would fit the tub better.  Finally, it was dinner at one of the local restraints in Gonubie.  It was a full day on our “Preparation Day”.

Trisha Arrives for a Visit

Trisha arrived in East London for a short visit.  It was raining when she arrived so the only picture that I got at the airport was this rather strange picture of Sister Thomas and Trisha Cutrer through the front window of the car.  By the time we arrived to our flat in Gonubie, the rain had let up.

I cannot express how excited it was to have a daughter come all this way to spend a few days with us.  I wonder if this is how our parents felt each year when we traveled all that way back to the United States from South Africa.  Now all these years later, one of our daughters travels all that way back here to South Africa to visit us.  A strange turn of events.  I would guess that our parents were so excited to see us because we brought their grandchildren back to visit them.

We are grateful to have our daughter here for a couple of days.  We will be taking her with us as we perform our labors so she can see what we do and also experience where and how the Elders live.  We see that joyful, sorrowful, painful look in this mother’s eyes, when we ask here how long it is until her oldest son is ready to leave on his mission.  Right now that is about four years away.

The Mdantsane Zone and the Stapleys Help Clean the New Boarding

We had a busy day planned with the Elders in order to clean up the apartment prior to the Elders moving in.  We also had to deliver some beds, then go pick up two fridges, a range and a washing machine.  Elder Stapley and I went on these errands and Sister Thomas and Sister Stapley kept the Elders focused on different tasks cleaning up the new flat.  We finally got done around two in the afternoon and then we went to lunch with the Stapleys just prior to their departure back to Queenstown.