Baby asleep on mother's back
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Dear Family,
We had a Christmas party on our lawn last week for the staff at the office (about 80 people) and the missionary couples about 20 that day. Even though it was our lawn in front of our house, it wasn't our party. We were guests too. They roasted a lamb and had African food and it was delicious. There was a devotional first with a wonderful choir made up of some of the people invited and they had been practicing for about 2 months and it was beautiful. Bill and I were in the front looking at the audience and it became hard as the choir sang and I looked into the tear stained faces of some of the missionary couples (wives mostly). They were missing their children and then of course so did I. It is a sacrifice to be here especially at times like the holidays, but none of us would change that. We want to be here. It is a glorious place to be, but I have been going down memory lane this week and have been remembering some of our Christmas times together.
Remember when Michael was about 5 and the day before Christmas a little boy hit him in the eyes with a stick and all of Christmas Day his eyes were covered because the cornea was scratched. He was pretty brave. I remember when John got his skate board and all the paraphanalia that goes with it and Dad and I standing in the living room watching him go down the hill in front of the house time after time and we were holding hands and our breath fearful he would kill himself. Remember when Todd cracked the Christmas package code after I had taken days to try to fool everyone. He sat under the tree with pencil and paper for a day calculating and he did crack it.....although I didn't admit it to him until Christmas Day. Do you remember when Ann got a package of scarves and nightgowns and silky things from Goodwill so she could play dressup with Shelby. That box cost about $5 and she had some lovely clothes that were more expensive, but it was the Goodwill box that was the hit. I remember many times when the boxes the gifts came in were more fun than the gift. I didn't know until many years later, but remember when you took the hinges off the door that led under the house and saw your Christmas gifts and it ruined your Christmas? I remember eating See's candy as we decorated the tree and I remember lovely gifts from each of you that you had made in school....ceramic faces and vases, stamped fabric for a table runner, and cards and pictures and other gifts that I treasured more than anything. Of course the Christmas plays come to mind as we struggled to write it and practice it....the fun we had when you were younger and wanted to practice it over and over and the agony when you got older and we were begging you to write it and begging you to at least practice it once before we performed. What fun when we gradually added your spouses and chldren to our acting pool. John, I am sure is very grateful this year for the practice he has had in writing over the years as he has been asked to write the Christmas play for his ward. Somehow, I don't think it encompasses the nativity. ....but I'll bet it's great. The end results were always fun and worth it. I remember trying to get the pictures ready for the Christmas letter. Trying to figure out what you should all wear and trying not to have all of you in tears at the same time as we tried to get the picture. I remember with fondness killing myself to get the Christmas Eve dinner ready and that it was always worth it even though it twas always eaten in about 15 minutes. I loved Christmas morning as you opened your gifts and usually loved them after Dad and I spent weeks trying to figure out what would make you happiest. I did hate Toys R Us. That place was a nightmare, but we'd get it done early and then hide things at Mrs. Hardings or the McConnaugheys. Reading from Luke was a highlight for us. It was fun to watch someone put Baby Jesus in his manger. It is hard not to have you all close this year....hard not to run around shopping and trying to fool all of you about what you were getting....but mostly I will just miss being with you. Dad and I are going to keep busy with a trip to help us not get homesick...when you are old you can get homesick for old times. However, even though we are missing you we are loving being here. We pray you are being blessed because of our service. We feel so blessed to be here. My health is good, we are together, this place is beautiful and we love the experiences we are having. We feel needed and appreciated by everyone and we know we are in the middle of a miracle as far as the church is concerned. We love the black people we have met. We are in awe of their dedication to the Gospel and their understanding and love of the scriptures. They soak up everything they can about the Gospel and the government of the church. They want to do everything right. They have faith and knowledge that often puts us to shame. Yesterday in the Johannesburg Ward there were 4 deacons sitting right in front of me. They were amazing. They were all dressed in their white shirts and ties and I have to say I loved their hair....short and fuzzy and they even had a little lint in it. Those 4 boys were so reverent...oh they occasionally poked each other as you would expect but 95% of the time they were intent on the speakers and they looked up every scripture that was mentioned. They took notes when Dad talked and their scriptures were worn from use. I loved watching them and even learning from them. They will be the backbone of the church in the next decade...strong, good leaders. This is the kind of thing we see all the time.
Anyway, please know that my memories of Christmastime with you are numerous and wonderful. I hope you have good ones. Someday, I'd like to hear some of them. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year with your families and friends. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you. Sorry, that we can't be as generous as we have been, but know we love you and we love the Savior which is the most important equation of the season. I'm grateful for His life and His love for me. I've been learning even more about the Atonement these past few months and what peace that brings me. I love all of you and miss you, but am so grateful for the part you play in my life. You are all precious to me.....probably more than you will ever know.
Love Mom and Grandma
We had a Christmas party on our lawn last week for the staff at the office (about 80 people) and the missionary couples about 20 that day. Even though it was our lawn in front of our house, it wasn't our party. We were guests too. They roasted a lamb and had African food and it was delicious. There was a devotional first with a wonderful choir made up of some of the people invited and they had been practicing for about 2 months and it was beautiful. Bill and I were in the front looking at the audience and it became hard as the choir sang and I looked into the tear stained faces of some of the missionary couples (wives mostly). They were missing their children and then of course so did I. It is a sacrifice to be here especially at times like the holidays, but none of us would change that. We want to be here. It is a glorious place to be, but I have been going down memory lane this week and have been remembering some of our Christmas times together.
Remember when Michael was about 5 and the day before Christmas a little boy hit him in the eyes with a stick and all of Christmas Day his eyes were covered because the cornea was scratched. He was pretty brave. I remember when John got his skate board and all the paraphanalia that goes with it and Dad and I standing in the living room watching him go down the hill in front of the house time after time and we were holding hands and our breath fearful he would kill himself. Remember when Todd cracked the Christmas package code after I had taken days to try to fool everyone. He sat under the tree with pencil and paper for a day calculating and he did crack it.....although I didn't admit it to him until Christmas Day. Do you remember when Ann got a package of scarves and nightgowns and silky things from Goodwill so she could play dressup with Shelby. That box cost about $5 and she had some lovely clothes that were more expensive, but it was the Goodwill box that was the hit. I remember many times when the boxes the gifts came in were more fun than the gift. I didn't know until many years later, but remember when you took the hinges off the door that led under the house and saw your Christmas gifts and it ruined your Christmas? I remember eating See's candy as we decorated the tree and I remember lovely gifts from each of you that you had made in school....ceramic faces and vases, stamped fabric for a table runner, and cards and pictures and other gifts that I treasured more than anything. Of course the Christmas plays come to mind as we struggled to write it and practice it....the fun we had when you were younger and wanted to practice it over and over and the agony when you got older and we were begging you to write it and begging you to at least practice it once before we performed. What fun when we gradually added your spouses and chldren to our acting pool. John, I am sure is very grateful this year for the practice he has had in writing over the years as he has been asked to write the Christmas play for his ward. Somehow, I don't think it encompasses the nativity. ....but I'll bet it's great. The end results were always fun and worth it. I remember trying to get the pictures ready for the Christmas letter. Trying to figure out what you should all wear and trying not to have all of you in tears at the same time as we tried to get the picture. I remember with fondness killing myself to get the Christmas Eve dinner ready and that it was always worth it even though it twas always eaten in about 15 minutes. I loved Christmas morning as you opened your gifts and usually loved them after Dad and I spent weeks trying to figure out what would make you happiest. I did hate Toys R Us. That place was a nightmare, but we'd get it done early and then hide things at Mrs. Hardings or the McConnaugheys. Reading from Luke was a highlight for us. It was fun to watch someone put Baby Jesus in his manger. It is hard not to have you all close this year....hard not to run around shopping and trying to fool all of you about what you were getting....but mostly I will just miss being with you. Dad and I are going to keep busy with a trip to help us not get homesick...when you are old you can get homesick for old times. However, even though we are missing you we are loving being here. We pray you are being blessed because of our service. We feel so blessed to be here. My health is good, we are together, this place is beautiful and we love the experiences we are having. We feel needed and appreciated by everyone and we know we are in the middle of a miracle as far as the church is concerned. We love the black people we have met. We are in awe of their dedication to the Gospel and their understanding and love of the scriptures. They soak up everything they can about the Gospel and the government of the church. They want to do everything right. They have faith and knowledge that often puts us to shame. Yesterday in the Johannesburg Ward there were 4 deacons sitting right in front of me. They were amazing. They were all dressed in their white shirts and ties and I have to say I loved their hair....short and fuzzy and they even had a little lint in it. Those 4 boys were so reverent...oh they occasionally poked each other as you would expect but 95% of the time they were intent on the speakers and they looked up every scripture that was mentioned. They took notes when Dad talked and their scriptures were worn from use. I loved watching them and even learning from them. They will be the backbone of the church in the next decade...strong, good leaders. This is the kind of thing we see all the time.
Anyway, please know that my memories of Christmastime with you are numerous and wonderful. I hope you have good ones. Someday, I'd like to hear some of them. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year with your families and friends. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you. Sorry, that we can't be as generous as we have been, but know we love you and we love the Savior which is the most important equation of the season. I'm grateful for His life and His love for me. I've been learning even more about the Atonement these past few months and what peace that brings me. I love all of you and miss you, but am so grateful for the part you play in my life. You are all precious to me.....probably more than you will ever know.
Love Mom and Grandma
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
We had a wonderful time decorating the tree. There were 8 adults and mostly the men heckled us as we put the decorations on. Ann and I picked out the decorations at Mr Lee's and I brought them here becuase there isn't much here in the way of decorations. The men put on the lights and we did the rest. Then we had pizza and dessert. It was fun. It helped us all not to be homesick too much for our families. Wish you were here with us.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Monday, November 22, 2004
Dear Family and Friends,
We have had another adventure in Mozambique. The thing that comes to mind is rivulets of perspiration, no sweat, coming from our bodies. I have never been so hot in my life. As we taught in that auxiliary training meeting my hair became soaked and water was dripping from my head to my feet and every place in between. I was still wonderful. It was very exciting to be there as the church has had missionaries there for only 5 years, and we had 500 people at that district conference, and this year they will have baptized 800 people. The missionaries were outstanding and I really felt a fondness for the assistants who were with the women every minute taking us wherever we wanted to go...sometimes to meetings and sometimes shopping. They reminded me of my sons so much and I guess that is why I enjoyed them so much. There were so good at what they did and they were fun and they were loved by all the people around them. ....the shopkeepers as well as the members. They were wonderful. It was wonderful to be with Elder Bateman of the First Presidency of the Seventy. He is wonderful. He is a masterful teacher and so smart. He remembered every name and every detail of the church in all of Africa. It was fun to travel with him. He was a wonderful sport as sweat dripped off him too. The country is tropical and beautiful and right on the he Indian Ocean.....sometimes it is deceiving to see the coastline and the beauty of nature and then you see the poverty. They are a happy people. They are not hungry like the people of Kenya because there are so many natural resources. For our grandchildren, I want you to know I saw children playing with big leaves again. They are huge leaves, tropical leaves with a large stem that they take turns pulling each other on. It is like having a wagon without wheels. It is easy to pull because the earth is sand. I also saw some children making dolls out of mud and sand. They molded their little families into people and made eyes and mouths out of little rocks. I also saw children that had old wire rims.....maybe from an old bicycle that they would roll with a stick and chase it all over. They were very good at it. I also saw some children dancing to music on the street....little children....age 18months up to 6 or 7 years old. They were having a wonderful time. When you don't have toys, it is amazing what you can do to find things to play with. We loved the people even though they speak only Portuguese. The missionaries were such wonderful translators that it was easy to communicate and I've found it is pretty easy to communicate with my hands and heart.
We have had another adventure in Mozambique. The thing that comes to mind is rivulets of perspiration, no sweat, coming from our bodies. I have never been so hot in my life. As we taught in that auxiliary training meeting my hair became soaked and water was dripping from my head to my feet and every place in between. I was still wonderful. It was very exciting to be there as the church has had missionaries there for only 5 years, and we had 500 people at that district conference, and this year they will have baptized 800 people. The missionaries were outstanding and I really felt a fondness for the assistants who were with the women every minute taking us wherever we wanted to go...sometimes to meetings and sometimes shopping. They reminded me of my sons so much and I guess that is why I enjoyed them so much. There were so good at what they did and they were fun and they were loved by all the people around them. ....the shopkeepers as well as the members. They were wonderful. It was wonderful to be with Elder Bateman of the First Presidency of the Seventy. He is wonderful. He is a masterful teacher and so smart. He remembered every name and every detail of the church in all of Africa. It was fun to travel with him. He was a wonderful sport as sweat dripped off him too. The country is tropical and beautiful and right on the he Indian Ocean.....sometimes it is deceiving to see the coastline and the beauty of nature and then you see the poverty. They are a happy people. They are not hungry like the people of Kenya because there are so many natural resources. For our grandchildren, I want you to know I saw children playing with big leaves again. They are huge leaves, tropical leaves with a large stem that they take turns pulling each other on. It is like having a wagon without wheels. It is easy to pull because the earth is sand. I also saw some children making dolls out of mud and sand. They molded their little families into people and made eyes and mouths out of little rocks. I also saw children that had old wire rims.....maybe from an old bicycle that they would roll with a stick and chase it all over. They were very good at it. I also saw some children dancing to music on the street....little children....age 18months up to 6 or 7 years old. They were having a wonderful time. When you don't have toys, it is amazing what you can do to find things to play with. We loved the people even though they speak only Portuguese. The missionaries were such wonderful translators that it was easy to communicate and I've found it is pretty easy to communicate with my hands and heart.
Elder Bateman and Elder Nelson were traveling together and before we went to Moz. we were with them at a Mission President's Seminar. I loved that. Those mission presidents and their wives are so wonderful and we loved being with them and learning with them. We had a department for the wives which turned out well, I think. We feel blessed to be here. We're having spiritual experiences and funny experiences and educational experiences and all kinds in between. Especially after last year, I feel so blessed to be here....to have my health and energy. We miss you all and think about you often. I even talked about one of my grandchildren in this last conference and the people loved it.....how do I know that? ...they smiled and laughed with me. Someday, I'll tell you who and what I said. We love you all. We love your e-mails. Please keep them coming.....they are wonderful.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Dear Family,
We have had a nice few days. Today was church and we went to a ward in Soweto. None in the Primary Presidency showed up nor did any teachers.....just the secretary and nursery leader......so I taught them for an hour off the top of my head and it was fun. They love the missionaries, so I taught them "I hope They Call Me On a Mission" and they didn't know it and they loved it...and stood and sang it and learned it so quickly. African people are wonderful musicians. They don't have pianos. So we did it without a piano. They usually use tape recorders and CD"S. There were a few who only speak Swahili so they didn't understand anything I said, but they were so reverent and they actually learned the song, even though they didn't know what the words meant. It was really fun. I told them about my grandchildren and showed them pictures of all of you. They laughed and smiled. It was a fun day...we had 6 people to dinner and now we are collapsing, but I miss all of you...especially on Sunday night. We talked to John and his children for a few minutes until the connection broke up and it was great. Claire kept saying, "Poppa". I miss you but know you are all doing your very best. We are too.
Love Mom
We have had a nice few days. Today was church and we went to a ward in Soweto. None in the Primary Presidency showed up nor did any teachers.....just the secretary and nursery leader......so I taught them for an hour off the top of my head and it was fun. They love the missionaries, so I taught them "I hope They Call Me On a Mission" and they didn't know it and they loved it...and stood and sang it and learned it so quickly. African people are wonderful musicians. They don't have pianos. So we did it without a piano. They usually use tape recorders and CD"S. There were a few who only speak Swahili so they didn't understand anything I said, but they were so reverent and they actually learned the song, even though they didn't know what the words meant. It was really fun. I told them about my grandchildren and showed them pictures of all of you. They laughed and smiled. It was a fun day...we had 6 people to dinner and now we are collapsing, but I miss all of you...especially on Sunday night. We talked to John and his children for a few minutes until the connection broke up and it was great. Claire kept saying, "Poppa". I miss you but know you are all doing your very best. We are too.
Love Mom
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Kinshasha, Congo and Brazzaville, DR Congo
Dear Family and Friends,
We thought we'd drop another note after our 6 day trip to Kinshasha, Congo and Brazzaville, DR Congo. It was a wonderful trip and every single moment seemed to be a journal entry. We arrived at the airport which was a beehive of confusion. Luckily President and Sister Waldram met us to help us through all the red tape and there was also a beautiful member of the church (Josepha) who works there who helped us and believe me, we would still be there if it weren't for them. It was crazy with jillions of people trying to carry your bag and stopping you at check points, etc. They made what could have been impossible so very easy. Our ride into the city was quite a visual. There was and always was a sea of people everywhere....walking and walking and walking. There are cars also, and there are crazy, crazy drivers. I wish I could describe well what we saw but it is hard to put in words. ...I'll try. The women were in beautiful colored dresses....African prints that took your breath away. With their beautiful black skin these colors were magnificent.......very bright and lovely. Many had the fabric tied on their heads in the same matching fabric. Some had other colors on and of course some were in western dress, but not the majority. A lot of the men were in western dress, but there were many who had the same wonderful fabrics in their clothes. They were often designed like a hospital scrub outfit....some wear long dresses of beautiful fabric. The clothes tend to be loose because it is so hot and humid there. Many babies ride on their mother's backs again held there with these beautiful fabrics. We only saw a handful of white people the entire time we were there.
It is tropical, so there was much rain which turned the black dirt roads into mud. There are some paved roads, but many many areas were dirt and it was good we have a four wheel drive to go around in. The markets except for 5 or 6 were stalls with tin roofs or people just sitting or walking at the side of the road selling things. We loved the onion and garlic stalls. All products were stacked in a beautiful way as the people sat on the ground waiting for people to buy.....wall to wall stalls of all kinds of merchandise.
We had to cross the Congo River to get to get to Brazzaville Stake Conference and that was an experience of a lifetime. There are not bridges only boats. There are 2 kinds of boat. One was a motorboat which wasn't as nice as the African Queen and the VIP boat was a little nicer than the African Queen. We traveled on each boat..... the small one going and the VIP coming back. It was so crowded on that little boat. There were supposed to be maximum of 9 passengers and there were 11. It only took about 10 minutes but we were packed in with these life jackets and the fun part was getting in and out from about a 4 foot drop. Honestly, we weren't very gracious in our church clothes. The men had on suits and I know we were a sight, but climbing in and out was hard.....no ladder....only from boat to shore with people pulling and pushing. It was quite a deal. Lots of red tape on the other side. Again, there were people to help us get through.....no computers....everything done in triplicate and many check points. We were going into a different country. The church officials met us and were very glad to see us...dressed in their suits and ready to leave for meetings. I did auxiliary training while Bill trained priesthood. Actually, I did it with Sister Waldram, the mission president's wife. She doesn't speak french either, but she read hers in french and I had a interpreter. It is hard to do it that way, but I am learning and the women were wonderful. They were dressed beautifully in their dresses and head pieces and they took notes, but I don't know what they wrote, cause I don't know if the one translating got it all. We had to start and stop, but the spirit was there and many came up and kissed me on both cheeks and were so wonderful. There were 3,000 at stake conference.....85%. The singing was so fun.....loud and vigorous. The choir was the same....all young adults with big gold bow ties and matching skirts (bright blue satin) and white blouses. There was a new member meeting before conference with about 50 new members who bore testimony and who had lights shining through their hearts and eyes. There were tears of joy as they bore testimony. That was a very moving meeting to be part of. It was Bill and I and the mission president and his wife and the new members and the missionaries who had converted them. Those missionaries were also "shining". We were given huge bouquets of flowers, which of course we couldn't carry back on the boat, cause it was about all we could do to get ourselves and our suitcase on board, so we gave them to our drivers to give to their wives. Our drivers were CES people and our vehicles were trucks. The cars take quite a beating because of the roads......We hit many potholes very hard as we traveled about for the 6 days. We loved being with the Waldrams. They were so gracious and fun and helpful. We are so impressed with their upbeat attitudes with hard living conditions. They are a great blessing to the people there and are doing a wonderful job in everything they do. They took us everywhere to see the churches there and the sight which they hope will be for a temple one day. Mostly the saints meet in houses, but we saw one lovely building and the ground had just been broken for the next one so they are making great progress. Those saints know there scriptures very very well and are very educated in the Gospel, and are learning much about the church organization. We have only had the Gospel 13 years in Congo, so these people are the pioneers. They are very teachable and humble. It was wonderful to be with them. Language was a barrier, but we felt the Spirit together and learned together and worshiped together. It was a blessing to be there and we loved it. We get tired sometimes with all that is going on but it is a good tired. The missionary couples continue to inspire us. Those in the Congo have a very hard life, because of the living conditions, but they are doing it and are sooooo needed. They are something else. We miss all of you and love your e-mails....it is an experience of a lifeline. We love what we are doing and are getting ready for our next adventure. We go to Durban in 2 days, so must do the laundry and get ready. We want you to know that we feel very blessed to be here and we know this is the Lord's work and it is a privilege to be part of it. The Gospel is true.
Love S
Please keep in touch.....
We thought we'd drop another note after our 6 day trip to Kinshasha, Congo and Brazzaville, DR Congo. It was a wonderful trip and every single moment seemed to be a journal entry. We arrived at the airport which was a beehive of confusion. Luckily President and Sister Waldram met us to help us through all the red tape and there was also a beautiful member of the church (Josepha) who works there who helped us and believe me, we would still be there if it weren't for them. It was crazy with jillions of people trying to carry your bag and stopping you at check points, etc. They made what could have been impossible so very easy. Our ride into the city was quite a visual. There was and always was a sea of people everywhere....walking and walking and walking. There are cars also, and there are crazy, crazy drivers. I wish I could describe well what we saw but it is hard to put in words. ...I'll try. The women were in beautiful colored dresses....African prints that took your breath away. With their beautiful black skin these colors were magnificent.......very bright and lovely. Many had the fabric tied on their heads in the same matching fabric. Some had other colors on and of course some were in western dress, but not the majority. A lot of the men were in western dress, but there were many who had the same wonderful fabrics in their clothes. They were often designed like a hospital scrub outfit....some wear long dresses of beautiful fabric. The clothes tend to be loose because it is so hot and humid there. Many babies ride on their mother's backs again held there with these beautiful fabrics. We only saw a handful of white people the entire time we were there.
It is tropical, so there was much rain which turned the black dirt roads into mud. There are some paved roads, but many many areas were dirt and it was good we have a four wheel drive to go around in. The markets except for 5 or 6 were stalls with tin roofs or people just sitting or walking at the side of the road selling things. We loved the onion and garlic stalls. All products were stacked in a beautiful way as the people sat on the ground waiting for people to buy.....wall to wall stalls of all kinds of merchandise.
We had to cross the Congo River to get to get to Brazzaville Stake Conference and that was an experience of a lifetime. There are not bridges only boats. There are 2 kinds of boat. One was a motorboat which wasn't as nice as the African Queen and the VIP boat was a little nicer than the African Queen. We traveled on each boat..... the small one going and the VIP coming back. It was so crowded on that little boat. There were supposed to be maximum of 9 passengers and there were 11. It only took about 10 minutes but we were packed in with these life jackets and the fun part was getting in and out from about a 4 foot drop. Honestly, we weren't very gracious in our church clothes. The men had on suits and I know we were a sight, but climbing in and out was hard.....no ladder....only from boat to shore with people pulling and pushing. It was quite a deal. Lots of red tape on the other side. Again, there were people to help us get through.....no computers....everything done in triplicate and many check points. We were going into a different country. The church officials met us and were very glad to see us...dressed in their suits and ready to leave for meetings. I did auxiliary training while Bill trained priesthood. Actually, I did it with Sister Waldram, the mission president's wife. She doesn't speak french either, but she read hers in french and I had a interpreter. It is hard to do it that way, but I am learning and the women were wonderful. They were dressed beautifully in their dresses and head pieces and they took notes, but I don't know what they wrote, cause I don't know if the one translating got it all. We had to start and stop, but the spirit was there and many came up and kissed me on both cheeks and were so wonderful. There were 3,000 at stake conference.....85%. The singing was so fun.....loud and vigorous. The choir was the same....all young adults with big gold bow ties and matching skirts (bright blue satin) and white blouses. There was a new member meeting before conference with about 50 new members who bore testimony and who had lights shining through their hearts and eyes. There were tears of joy as they bore testimony. That was a very moving meeting to be part of. It was Bill and I and the mission president and his wife and the new members and the missionaries who had converted them. Those missionaries were also "shining". We were given huge bouquets of flowers, which of course we couldn't carry back on the boat, cause it was about all we could do to get ourselves and our suitcase on board, so we gave them to our drivers to give to their wives. Our drivers were CES people and our vehicles were trucks. The cars take quite a beating because of the roads......We hit many potholes very hard as we traveled about for the 6 days. We loved being with the Waldrams. They were so gracious and fun and helpful. We are so impressed with their upbeat attitudes with hard living conditions. They are a great blessing to the people there and are doing a wonderful job in everything they do. They took us everywhere to see the churches there and the sight which they hope will be for a temple one day. Mostly the saints meet in houses, but we saw one lovely building and the ground had just been broken for the next one so they are making great progress. Those saints know there scriptures very very well and are very educated in the Gospel, and are learning much about the church organization. We have only had the Gospel 13 years in Congo, so these people are the pioneers. They are very teachable and humble. It was wonderful to be with them. Language was a barrier, but we felt the Spirit together and learned together and worshiped together. It was a blessing to be there and we loved it. We get tired sometimes with all that is going on but it is a good tired. The missionary couples continue to inspire us. Those in the Congo have a very hard life, because of the living conditions, but they are doing it and are sooooo needed. They are something else. We miss all of you and love your e-mails....it is an experience of a lifeline. We love what we are doing and are getting ready for our next adventure. We go to Durban in 2 days, so must do the laundry and get ready. We want you to know that we feel very blessed to be here and we know this is the Lord's work and it is a privilege to be part of it. The Gospel is true.
Love S
Please keep in touch.....
Monday, October 25, 2004
Driving on the wrong side
Dear Family, It is a beautiful day here and in a few minutes I'm going to walk 4 blocks out of the compound with Sister Brown to the fruit stand. We are quite brave to do this, but it is great to get out. The street we will be walking on is lined with jacaranda trees which are all in bloom and it is breath taking. They are huge trees (like oak) so it is a canopy over the street. The blossoms are beautiful lavender. Saturday we went with 2 other missionary couples to Pretoria to see the trees which are more abundant over there and then to a wonderful monument honoring the men and woman who trekked from Cape Town to avoid persecution. ...in about 1835. The had covered wagons and were heroic as our pioneers were. It was a very familiar story, however instead of Indians attacking they had Zulus attacking and killing. When you come we must go there. We saw some animals roaming around but I can't think of the names......beautiful with long straight horns black stripe down the center. I am going to buy an animal book, a flower book and bird book.....there are so many unusual kinds here. We went to church in a ward about 20 minutes from here. A very small ward. I visited the Primary of 12 children and it was fun. I was asked to play piano there and in Sacrament meeting because the don't have any who can play. This wonderful black chorister came up and asked me if I played, by any chance. I said I hadn't done if for years and years, but I would try. He said he had prayed for an angel to help him with music that morning. I looked at him with a chuckle in my eyes (if that is possible) and he got very serious and said, no, I really did pray for an angel to help me. I guess I was the angel, but I had a little trouble with 3 sharps. Jenna, keep practicing those hymns. You are going to be needed.
The big news is that I'm learning to drive.....on the wrong side. I know it doesn't sound too hard especially for you Ann. I know you are going everywhere over there in Australia, but here it is different for several reasons. There is lots of traffic, with not too polite drivers. They tend to be impatient. The street names can change 2 or 3 times in a 2 mile stretch, but the main reason is the problem of safety. You really can't stop and ask for directions unless it is a service station and they are not too plentiful and the people who work there do not drive, so they can't help. Many , many people do not have cars and they are in the middle of the street selling things like glasses and fruit and newspapers and all sorts of things. It is a little nerve wrecking, BUT the good news is that I now can drive to 2 shopping centers and I don't feel trapped. The grocery stores are in the shopping centers for security reasons and there are guards to take care of the cars while we shop. We tip them a few rand to do that.
We hope you are all well. You are in our prayers morning and night and in between. I now you are all busy and that is good. We have a meeting in the morning with humanitarian missionaries. They are amazing and are doing wonderful things. They are coming from all over Africa. It will be fun to See them as we meet them and get to know them as we travel. Dad is speaking. We go to Congo on Thursday which will be quite a trip I know. We will not do much when we are not in meetings, but stay in hotel or mission home.That is one place we have to be careful, but I am thinking that mission president's wife will take me shopping...That is a must, don't you think. I am taking her some books, because she can't get them there. It is a french speaking country. I am also taking them a few treats that they can't get there. Will e-mail on return. We are fine and it is good to feel needed.
We do miss you though and love your e-mails. Here is some news that i know:
Carol is busy as PTA pres. , Michael is busy with practice. John is busy with trials, Elizabeth is busy as soccer coach, Todd is in play about atomic bomb, Ben is busy traveling with work, Ann is busy learning new city and is new counselor in Primary.I love you all and really love your e-mails even if they are short. Did you think about Skype and a t least a microphone? I am gong to spell check on orders from John, or should I say because of criticism from John. Be safe. Love Mom
The big news is that I'm learning to drive.....on the wrong side. I know it doesn't sound too hard especially for you Ann. I know you are going everywhere over there in Australia, but here it is different for several reasons. There is lots of traffic, with not too polite drivers. They tend to be impatient. The street names can change 2 or 3 times in a 2 mile stretch, but the main reason is the problem of safety. You really can't stop and ask for directions unless it is a service station and they are not too plentiful and the people who work there do not drive, so they can't help. Many , many people do not have cars and they are in the middle of the street selling things like glasses and fruit and newspapers and all sorts of things. It is a little nerve wrecking, BUT the good news is that I now can drive to 2 shopping centers and I don't feel trapped. The grocery stores are in the shopping centers for security reasons and there are guards to take care of the cars while we shop. We tip them a few rand to do that.
We hope you are all well. You are in our prayers morning and night and in between. I now you are all busy and that is good. We have a meeting in the morning with humanitarian missionaries. They are amazing and are doing wonderful things. They are coming from all over Africa. It will be fun to See them as we meet them and get to know them as we travel. Dad is speaking. We go to Congo on Thursday which will be quite a trip I know. We will not do much when we are not in meetings, but stay in hotel or mission home.That is one place we have to be careful, but I am thinking that mission president's wife will take me shopping...That is a must, don't you think. I am taking her some books, because she can't get them there. It is a french speaking country. I am also taking them a few treats that they can't get there. Will e-mail on return. We are fine and it is good to feel needed.
We do miss you though and love your e-mails. Here is some news that i know:
Carol is busy as PTA pres. , Michael is busy with practice. John is busy with trials, Elizabeth is busy as soccer coach, Todd is in play about atomic bomb, Ben is busy traveling with work, Ann is busy learning new city and is new counselor in Primary.I love you all and really love your e-mails even if they are short. Did you think about Skype and a t least a microphone? I am gong to spell check on orders from John, or should I say because of criticism from John. Be safe. Love Mom
Friday, October 22, 2004
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Madagascar II
Dear Friends and Family, I thought I had sent you all our latest experience last night, but I think I forgot to push the send button. Anyway, if yo have already received this....I'm sorry. I can't find it. We arrived home last night after touring th Madagascar mission for two weeks. We spoke at several sessions of conferences, firesides, Mission Conferences, Auxiliary Training and met with the missionary couples alot. Our cup is overflowing. This will be a brief synopsis as we leave in just a few hours today. We are going to New York to see Todd's play and then to conference in SL. We loved our trip to these 3 islands. I am only going to mention one experience although we had many, many more. When we arrived in Madagascar we were immediately taken to an out lyingvillage where a humanitarian missionary couple took several of us to see their finished project. There is a small qne room school there that had it's roof blown off by a typhon. The couple asked the church finance this project and they did. A new roof was reinforced and replaced.....doors and windows were put in and a cement floor replaced the red dirt. Crude benches and desks were put in and we were going to visit so these people could thank the church for this gift. It was a bumpy trail on red dirt and up and down hills and through drainage ditched that took us to the school. It was on top of a little mountain with an exquisite view of the countryside. We saw terraced farms of rice, banana trees and other wonderful products. Chickens and mangy dogs were all over as well as women in bright colors with babies on their backs and loads of things like sticks, water, laundry, bread or whatever on their head. Everyone smiled and waved as we went by. They have nothing materially, but are a happy people. When we arrived at the school they were waiting for us. All the little pre school students were on the frist 3 rows and all of their parents and famililes were sitting behind them quietly waiting for us. We were greeted with song and smiles and gratitude for this humble little school house for their children. On the wall in front of us as we walked in were the words "thank you" pasted somehow on the cement wall in fern leaves. They had added a blossom or two to make it more beautiful. There were 3 or 4 vines hanging to decorate the other walls. Some vines were only 7 or 8 inches long. Some of the people had shoes and some did not. Bill and I were then asked to present each child a book bag that we presented to each child. Some wonderful RS had put these simple bags together and had sewn the bags and how grateful they were. They touched and loved those bags....as did their parents. Bill and I spoke briefly and then at the end the eldest man of the village came to the front in tatterd but clean clothes with his pants rolled up because they were way too long and he had barefeet and very few teeth. He had tears in his eyes as he thanked the church for this generous gift to their children. We all had tears as we watched this wonderful event unfold. The had all had a ameasles vaccination before we arrived. That has been the project of another missionary couple. These couples are making such a difference and are having the adventures of a lifetime. Non of these childre at that school were members of the church or were their families. It was a blessing to be part of that and to see such overwhelming gratitude from these humble people. The school project cost the church $3,000 and kept 2 people in work for months as they built it.
Madagascar
Dear Family and Friends. We just arived home after a 2 week trip that was absolutely wonderfu. I am tried and we leave tomorrow for New York to see Todd's play (we can't wait) and then off to conference in SL. Iwanted to share sn expereince or two while it is fresh in my heart. By the time I get back to Joburg the moment maybe will have passed. We have been to La Reunion, Mauritius and Madagascar and we traveled with President and Sister Harmon of that mission. We had a wonderful time with them. One of the sweetest moments happened in Madagascar. They picked us up at the airport and took us immediately to a little country pre-school way out in a remore village. The last 20 minutes of the ride was in a very hilly area on red dirt through the ditches and fields. This little school house had one room. The roof had been blown off in a typhoon so a missionary couple took this on as one of their projects. They got the church to fund help there. They shored up and put on a new roof....changed the red dirt floor to cement ...put in crude benches for the little ones and painted and cleaned and put in a door and window. We were going to the school so the people could thiank the church through us for the school. We we arrived to this humble tiny one room schoo the children and their families were all sitting on the benches waiting for us. On the walls written live pieces of fern was "Thank You". The were tattered and torn but clean. About halfof the people had shoes but allhad a smile. The children sang to us. I taught them "open Shut them, and we shook every hand and wept as we felt such tremendous gratitude from these people. After Bill and I said a few words, then the builder said a few things with a hammer in his hand, and then the oldest "little old man" in the village came to the front in his rolled up pants and bare feet and thanks us on behalf of the entire village. They clapped for us, then we for them. Bill and I then passed out book bags to each child as their name was called. These bags were made by some wonderful RS. Their eyes were big, and they were so excited, but oh so reverent and polite. The cost to the church was $3,000. What a beautiful gift. The missionary couple that found this project, started and saw it to fruition were so very touched too. Their hearts were full and their tears very evident through the whole time. What a way to spend 18 months after retirement. Everyone who serves that way doesn't always have such a defined success. Of course none of these children or families are members of the church. There was a measles project going on by another couple. They saw to it that hundres of children were given the vaccine. They were all saving so mnay lives....the couple had made up songs about the measles innoculation day and the members took flyers into the neighborhoods and hundreds were done in 3 days. The death rate from that disease has been tremendous......thousands and thousands of children have been dying. Another remarkable expereince. WE had many more things happen. We feel so blessed to be able to do this. ...more than words can express. We love you all....More when I'm not so tired. Love Grandma and Shanna We will send pictures of this when we get back from SL.....too much tonight. Hope you have a visual, though
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Uganda
Hi everyone: This is us in Uganda at the head of the Nile. Our hotel was right there on the waters. We saw a few monkeys playing around....the hotel had hot water if you asked for it daily and it was a lovely location, but aa little hard as afar as some things. We were very careful with water and food....but we loved it. The animals were from that watering hole in Tsavo National Park in Kenya.
Have some disappointing news. It lookks like we won't be seeing any of the California people this trip. We are ging to stop in New York to see Todd's play. (How do you feel about that Todd?) We are very excited about that...but after that there are too many meeting and medical things we both have to see about. I will be in Alamo for a day and a half...but really in SF at the clinic getting a mamogram. Dad will stay in SL to get a colonoscopy and then there are meeting and just too much. We are leaving for Madagasca on Tursday of this week plus Reunion Islands and someplace else and we will be gone about 10 days with 1/2 day before we leave for NEW York. ....so you can see we are super involved right now. Tonight we speak at the MTC in Johannesburg. We are about settled, just a few more boxes to unpack but that will take time as it is papers, etc. We love you and wish we could be with you but not this time. Maybe we will come home in April...I don't know. We'll call you all from the USA when we get there. We don't know what hotel we will be in in SL but we'll let you know. It is great to hear from you. I am hungry for info from you....Love Mom, Grandma and Shanna
Have some disappointing news. It lookks like we won't be seeing any of the California people this trip. We are ging to stop in New York to see Todd's play. (How do you feel about that Todd?) We are very excited about that...but after that there are too many meeting and medical things we both have to see about. I will be in Alamo for a day and a half...but really in SF at the clinic getting a mamogram. Dad will stay in SL to get a colonoscopy and then there are meeting and just too much. We are leaving for Madagasca on Tursday of this week plus Reunion Islands and someplace else and we will be gone about 10 days with 1/2 day before we leave for NEW York. ....so you can see we are super involved right now. Tonight we speak at the MTC in Johannesburg. We are about settled, just a few more boxes to unpack but that will take time as it is papers, etc. We love you and wish we could be with you but not this time. Maybe we will come home in April...I don't know. We'll call you all from the USA when we get there. We don't know what hotel we will be in in SL but we'll let you know. It is great to hear from you. I am hungry for info from you....Love Mom, Grandma and Shanna
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Ha-de-da
This message is for only these people: Jenna, Allison, Josh, Eli, Ethan, Zane and Isaac>
I want you to know there are some funny birds that come to our front yard every day. They are very very loud and they often wake us up. They are called Ha-de-das. They are much bigger than a chicken and they have a long skinny beak, and they come to our grass and stick there beak in looking for things to eat. They must find things because they come every day. I like them even though they are noisy. The top of their head is a little bit yellow and their body is black. I wish you could see them. Love Grandma
I want you to know there are some funny birds that come to our front yard every day. They are very very loud and they often wake us up. They are called Ha-de-das. They are much bigger than a chicken and they have a long skinny beak, and they come to our grass and stick there beak in looking for things to eat. They must find things because they come every day. I like them even though they are noisy. The top of their head is a little bit yellow and their body is black. I wish you could see them. Love Grandma
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Nairobi and Kenya
To all who are interested: Our trip these past 2 weeks have been incredible and unbelievable. We seens sights and learned so much that it is almost impossible to describe.Arrived in Nairobi running as we were met by President and Sister Barger, the mission president and wife. We traveled to Chulu, Kenya frist which I'll never forget. We traveled by car leaving at 5:30 AM. It took 4 hours of hilarious driving....first crowded streets with millions of cars driving on the wrong side of the road, with people selling everything they could as they approached our window when we stopped for lights...if we stopped for lights. About 2 hours out the highway became very rough and narrow and it got worse as we approached our destination.. We found ourselves on a red dirst narrow lane with people walking on either side of the car...some on bicycles with live chickens on the back or a person or water....many ealking were carrying water or children or bundles of sticks on their heads or bananas or something. we also shared the road with many goats and even one pig...the people waved a smiled as we drove by ....mud huts were spaced among the thistled trees with wash hanging on makeshift lines and women bending over washing in tubs....either their clothes or their children. the road often became river beds and our teeth were about jarred out but we loved seeing the sights....out of the blue we rounded the corner and out of nowhere we saw a beautiful little brick chapel, with a wall around it and gates and beautiful grass and a few flowers. It was like an oasis in the desert....which it was....Did basic auxiliary training with a translator (have a presidency meeting, be on time, start with prayer, have FHE...here are some ideas), 12 were there when meeting started.....about 25 by the end....they all walked....Then went into the district conference....it was right after as people couldn't go home and come back....ABout 650 saints were there. ....as we sat on the stand we looked out the window and saw 2 trucks arrive with people smashed together standing in the back of the truck....they had come to conference....the branch had hired the cattle looking trucks so the saints could come....it was a sight that brought tears to our eyes as they came in ...some in bright traditional dress and some in modern dress.....all looking clean which was amazing as they also came over the dusty red dirt road...Everything was translated for us so we didn't say much. I told the children I wanted to say something to them....I said, "watcha" in sort of the whisper I had learned and they replied, "ahhhh" in a whisper which is sort of a respectful hello to their elders. I then asked them to stand and sing "I'm a Child of God" with me....just the children. I couldn't sing because of the tears that flowed. They couldn't speak english but they knew every word of tht song in english. I will never forget them or their smiles or the smiles of their parents as they sang. That night we stayed int game reserve because that was the only place to stay....It was right by a watering hole and becasue of the drought the animals never stopped coming....elephants, zebras, giraffes, baboon, wildebeasts, gazelle, hyenas, warthogs and others. It was sight to behold....all day and all night. We kept looking all night to see what was there. We also went to a river and saw Hippos. We then traveled to Uganda and also did a mission tour their a fireside and a district conference....a different landscape...very tropical and lush....best pineapple in the world...missionaries are incrdible....very few from north america...the most amazing thing is that 95% of missionaries are converts of 1,2 3 or more years. They are first generation members and are so good a faithfu.....many never recieve letters from family....they sing like angels as all the people do......their skin is all variety of black from light brown to very very black....they are beautiful. i love the missionaries...One commented that their chldren will be the first to be born under the covenant.....the missionary couple are amazing and are crucial to the church...some are on humanitarian missions and are out in the boonies looking for place to dig wells, or are doing things about eyes or prenatal care or are in the office, taking care of missionaries.....just serving and loving it....they touched our hearts....We then went to Tanzania, where again the landscape was different....more humid as we were right on the Indian Ocean....we have been eating fish like crzy....from there, from Lake Victoria and even from the Nile. We slept rigth next to the Nile in Uganda. In Tan. we trained agian ina little more advaned way than Chulu and had conference and firesides again....had that in each place...so we are talked out and handshake out, but we loved it. i've held beautiufl black babies and watched the mothers as they showed me how they warp their babies to carry them on their back. We have felt very safe, butwe are careful...always locking cars, always locking doors...watching our things which aren't much but we are careful There are guards at every airport, every gate, every branch, everyhome we have been in. The church buildings have gates and bars on the windows and the libraries have steel doors and combination locks to protect their hymn books and maybe a manual or two. We love the people...they are so hapy to see us....a little shy but wonderful....They have a grasp of the Gospel which is wonderful to see. We are so blessed to be here. Bill and I still love being together .....we l great. My energy is amazing. We are back to our "HOME" in Joberg and it is good to drink the water and to feel relaxed and clean. This is a small summary of the last 2 weeks. Hope you are not bored with it all. This is an experience of a lifetime and we feel so blessed to be a part of it. We love the people we have met here...the Snows are across the hall and are great....we feel safe....you have to pass guards and 2 security fences and we have grills on all of windows...the view is beautiufl and the temple is a 2 minute walk right behind us. We are going for the first time tomorrow night. We love you and want to hear from you. We miss you. Love Mom and Dad Ps I will not proof read this...I am too tired.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Lion Cubs
It was fun to pet these cubs. Our friend let them suck her thumb. They are 3 and 6 months old. Look at there big feet. They are soooo cute. Love Grandma and Grandpa
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