Largest baobob tree in the world

Congo

We just arrived home from Congo and as always I run to the computer to see if any of my kids have e-mailed. Often one of you has written or sent a picture and we love it. Thanks. My eyes are really tired (if that makes sense) from all the visuals we've had these past few days.

(Right now it is hailing and lightning like crazy!) I almost can't believe what me eyes saw in that very tired, poor country. I'm going to start at the end because that is on my mind the most. Running from the conference where 1700 members were in attendance we made a dash for the airport and I mean a dash!!!! President Waldram is quite the driver and he wanted us to get there. We wanted to get there too and there was another plane out until Tuesday if we missed it. We went through potholes and over "things" in the road. We drove on the wrong side of the street a few times to miss potholes and trucks and goats. In one area particularly there are dozens of people going here and there. They are walking, selling something, riding bikes,buying something, talking, laughing and generally just being busy. It is hard to describe, but the scene is just full of color everywhere and the color is on the people. The fabrics are fabulous.....bright colors with and unique patterns. The dresses are long....sometimes 2 piece and sometimes one. Often there are matching fabrics tied on their heads in the most beautiful fashion you can imagine. ....sticking out and up. If the women don't have head regalia on then they have wonderful hair. The hairs is either wigs or extensions fixed in hundred of ways. It is glorious. The men wear bright colors too.....a good to describe it might be "pajama-like". The surroundings are colorful and vivid. There are many things on the street to buy...furniture, car parts, fruit and vegetables stacked in beautiful ways. There are chickens and goats wandering and hardboiled eggs being carried on heads to sell one at a time, but the cartons are tens layers high. We see onions and garlic in mounds to sell, and beans and the white meal like stuff (can't remember the name, but it is not corn) that is the staple, but doesn't have much nutritional value. We've seen people hawking water in bags from the Congo river, fish hanging on a pole, and one I love are nurseries along the way where you can stop and buy plants that are planted mostly in plastic bags. There will be rows of these containers on the side of the road just waiting for purchase. It truly is a mass of humanity. We didn't take pictures because the people hate that and yell at you and raise their fist so our pictures will only be in our head.

The airport is another sea of people....everyone wanting to help you....crowding around you. Pres. Waldram has hired one man to help us and he took us through 7 checkpoints before we got to the waiting room. It was hot.....humid....and not air conditioned. Our luggage was searched 3 times before we boarded the plane. The last time was on the tarmac in the blazing hot sun. We were in the intense heat in the sun for about 15 minutes. We were dripping and soaked by the time we got on the plane Everyone was soaked and grumpy when they got on the plane. Some were very loud with complaints. Then this handsome blackman got on the plane. He was dripping....his shirt was soaked, his face was wet with perspiration. He stopped and smiled this huge smile and said, " the important part of the journey is getting home." He was saying this is hard, but we can do this because we are almost home. I loved it. People smiled back and some said, "yeh". It put a dfferent spin on the horrible 2 hours we had just spent getting through the entire ordeal. . At these various check points there were not any lines, only people surrounding the counters or desks, waving passports and boarding passes and whatever. Everyone is loud and of course speaking french so we didn't know what anyone was saying. In spite of Anton helping us, it is REALLY something and we were glad to get on that plane bound for our home in Joberg. We had all but one meal at the Waldroms home as there is only one restaurant that they dare go to. We had some whipping cream on something which was like gold as it was $13 for the pint. The food is soooo expensive and many things are not available. The Wardroom go home in July (mission president) after 2 years instead of the usual 3 because it is considered a hardship mission which it is. They have had some great experiences, but it has been hard and they are about ready to go. They have been great.

The meetings were great.....I think!!!! It was all in french so what ever my interpreter told me I believed. Actually, it was great fun. Auxiliary training is always my favorite thing and even with language barriers going on it is fun. Women are the same everywhere. They want to look pretty (and they do), they love their families and want to serve them, they are anxious to do their best in church and they were happy and fun. We laughed and cried together as women do. We testify of the Savior together and we sang together, which was so great. Let me tell you, those Africans really can sing and in the Congo they sing at the top of their lungs. Oh what a thrill. In the conference session with the 1700 people, I thought the roof would come off with the singing. I loved it...at times, I was in tears. These people are soooo very poor....,but to look at them you would never know it. They were groomed, clean and happy. The Gospel brings joy, service, education and oh so many things. There were baby twins on the front row and I couldn't take my eyes off them. They were soooo very cute.....2 little girls 3 months old dressed fit to kill. I just watched them every minute.....as I did the other children. I love the children. Josh, I met some 8 year old boys and I thought of you. I had the interpreter ask them if they had been baptized, and they said,"oui, oui". I winked at one of them on the first row and all of conference he tried to wink back. He couldn't so he took his finger and held one eye shut. How cute is that.

Tomorrow Sister Snow and I are going to the Twilight Boys Home to take pictures for Dwight Jackson's service project. He is have the youth of the stake make 70 quilts for these boys so we are sending pictures to show where they are going. We are also going to a children's handicapped place to teach the children how to play UNO. We had some little stands made to hold the cards because they can't hold them with the handicaps they have. I'm also preparing for the Mission President's Seminar in Cape Town that starts next Monday and then the next we the auxiliary women are coming. Sister Susan Tanner the General YW President is coming and the new General Primary President, Sister Lant, and Kathleen Hughes a counselor in the RS. We have a lot of preparing for them too. We will host them in Kenya and Uganda. They will really have more of an understanding of this part of the world very soon.

We loved our trip, but we are REALLY glad to be home. Congo is not an easy place to go, but it is worth it when we see the saints there. They are really pioneers as our ancestors were. They are paving the way for the generations to come. It is a blessing to serve. I'm so grateful for energy and good health. We miss you even though we are busy and we love you.

Love Mom and Dad

General Board Members

Cape Town Etc.

Dear Family,

We arrived home about an hour ago very tired but exhilarated too. We had a great trip, but a very busy one. i want to type this while it is still in my heart and if I wait until tomorrow when I have much to do it will not happen and then the moment and the memory is past. We leave for the Congo on Thursday Am so much has to be done. We were very busy with 4 cities, 4 mission tours and one leadership training and I taught RS today, so that is in 6 days time. I just feel very grateful that Dad and I have the energy to do all this and that my health allows such wonderful experiences, so I will not complain. We went to Port Elizabeth, East London, Cape Town and a city in Namibia which I can't spell and I am too tired too look it up or go find your father. We loved the missionaries in those cities and we were with them for about 5hours of training each time. I love being with them. They are exuberant, dedicated, happy but of course some are homesick or whatever, especially the new ones. It is wonderful to see the stages of growth as they go through the stages of a mission. It is a miracle in my mind to see these young people serving and testifying and growing. I love them. There are always one or 2 that I am drawn to to get to know a little and I love that.

Namibia is the place that stands out in my mind the most as that is where we were with the members of a tiny branch. They have a brand new building which replaces one that burned down about 2 years ago and it is lovely. They are so proud of their building that looms up and is quite a lovely sight in the middle of places that are not so lovely. First I have to tell you that we had trouble getting in the country. We traveled with the mission president and his wife and 3 assistants to the president so there were 7 of us, and when those young elders looking so neat and wonderful went up to the desk of immigration the officer saw all of us and said, "no, we will not let you into the country....there are too many of you." So we had to wait in a corner for at least an hour for someone to come and see us and then it took a long time to approve ;our entry. We honestly didn't know whether we would get in or not. We had to show return tickets and all sorts of documentations. That is the hardest it has every been for us, but we finally we given permission, found our luggage and were on our way to the hotel.

The next day after zone conference and a leadership training session with the leaders of this tiny branch we went to their branch dinner....the first they have ever had. There were probably 180 people there and they had gone to lots of trouble to cook a pig, chickens, and sausage on a spit in the back yard of the church. They had worked for days to do a few decorations and prepare the food. We were at the head table looking at the people and chatting as we were waiting to be served by the deacons and some YW. ( the boys always held one hand behind their back as they came in and served the food. They took this all very seriously. I loved them. In front of us were 2 1/2 tables of just children....ranging from about 3 to 13 years old. They didn't have any adults at their tables....I couldn't figure it out. When they finally started serving the juice (first) after about 45 minutes of waiting I watched as they put pitchers of juice on the tables. I could see that these children couldn't and were not going to pour the juice. I waited for their parents to help, but they didn't I supposed the were in the mad house kitchen trying to serve all these people. ..a first for the branch. I finally got up and went over and poured for them I loved it. I love the black children with their big black eyes and wonderful hair and great smiles. I told one little girl that I loved her hair as she had about 8 tiny ponytails sticking out all over. I asked her who did it and she didn't answer. i thought she maybe only spoke a tribal language so I asked slowly if her mother did it. She shook her head and said, "no, I did it". She was 7 years old. After I poured the drinks and encouraged a "thank you" the waiters brought a plate of rolls. Two or three of the boys stood up and started grab ( wanted to say BLC) the rolls. I took the plate and showed them how to take one and pass it and we did the same with the butter. While I was standing there with the children the served plates came with 2 salads and 1 sausage on each plate. I went to my seat and was a served plate with a big piece of pork, a sausage, and a half breast of chicken. On our table were salads served home style. I couldn't eat it. I knew the water wasn't safe....I knew the vegetables had been cleaned in the water. I had seen the kitchen. I wasn't hungry...actually I was tired. I didn't drink the punch because of the water. I moved the food around and just enjoyed the people that came by and just watching and visiting. After a while the children had finished their food and they were having a hard time waiting for people to finish and it was hard waiting for dessert, so the children were allowed to go out in the fenced in yard of the church while others finished. There was one beautiful little boy dressed in army fatigues that stayed at the table. He caught my eye and we smiled at each other....several times. I finally motioned with my finger for him to come to me. He looked around to see who I was motioning to and finally understood that it was him. He came over and I asked him if he wanted my juice.....all the children were thirsty and had had one cup. I he said, " no, I would like your meat.".. I gave him my plate......and he took it back to his table and started devouring it with his fingers almost in a frenzy. i couldn't believe my eyes. Dad and I watched this, and then 2 other boys came back in and sat by him and he shared and they did the same thing....devouring like they were really hungry. Then the children came in for dessert. Many had second helpings and I noticed they were wrapping some of it up in a napkin. A former branch president then sat by me and he noticed my interest in these children. He said, "do you see that little boy that is chewing on something? (he was my little friend and I had seen him chewing long after the meat was gone, but couldn't figure it out) HE IS ONE OF OUR ORPHANS. He is eating chicken bones. He won't stop until every piece of the bones are gone. He then finished the chicken bone and started on the pork bone that he had in a napkin. It all made sense all of a sudden. There were no parents to sit by them and care for them....the little girl had done her own hair, they were hungry. There is a woman in that branch who has opened her home to aids orphans. The ward helps when they can, but of course they are so poor there is not much they can do....but they gave them some food at the dinner. They bring them to church when they can, but there are only about 8 cars in the branch so that is hard. They put a new roof on her home recently and they do what they can. It was quite touching. I couldn't sleep thinking of that beautiful little boy eating the bones. I realized after and Dad noticed it too, that he had a distended stomach. They get one meal a day of a maize mush.....it looks like cream of wheat, but the elders say it is flavorless. It is simply for survival. I thought of all the food we throw away, of the blessings we have with food and home. This morning, when we went to church the orphans were all squeezed on the front row looking clean and neat and ready for church. I don' t think any of them are members. One little 8 year old had 3 inch heels on (sandals) that someone had given. She could hardly walk, but she took care pf the little girl next to her during the meeting. If she moved or looked behind her and squirmed, the older one shook her or chastised her. They all tried to sing...they loved the hymn books and during the meeting they took turns just turning the pages. I'm sure they don't have any books....when you don't have much food, you don't have books. My heart was a little heavy, but then I looked at the wonderful side of this....these orphans are not on the street. They do have some food. They have clean clothes. They have woman who loves them They all have Primary teachers and they love Primary. They have a roof over their heads and someone cares. I love those people for accepting them and helping them the best they can. I have tears as I think of it and as I think of my grandchildren who have wonderful parents in their lives who love them and feed and clothe them and teach them about the Savior. My cup runneth over with gratitude as I come home exhausted in a good way. I feel so blessed to have these experiences....to be with the people. I loved teaching RS and being witht he women today. We laughed and cried together as we would anyplace. Their lives are hard, but the Gospel brings them peace and purpose and they are learning self reliance as they learn about gardening and education and work and doing and leading. The beautiful RS president in her bright yellow blouse came up after the meeting and said I think I get it (I talked mostly about Visiting teaching and being our brothers keeper) now. I have only been a member 2 years and I have so much to learn, but I love the Gospel and I love helping the sisters. I"m going to be better. I gave out RS stickers again, and said put this where you want.....book, mirror, paper, etc. and a young girl about 19 or 20 up and said, "Look, Sister Parmley, I put my sticker on my cell phone, cause you know we girls are always on the phone.!!! I loved it. Many live in townships with one room houses, but they do have cell phones, and I can see that get much joy and communication....I can't judge anything anymore. Dad teaches so well as he instructs the missionaries and the leaders. He has a great ability to teach. He and I are ike frick and frack a little, but he always helps me with my suitcase and carries for me and opens doors and loves me. It is good. We miss you and love you. It is good we are busy. The Snows greeted us when we got home with an open door and food and love. We will miss them sooo much as their assignment has changed. They go back to Utah on August 1st. We'll enjoy them until then. I'm going to bed. I love you. Mom

Lesotho

We had a wonderful trip for two days to Lesotho. This is a small country in the south of Africa. It is a tiny country ruled by Parliament and sovereignty. The purpose of out trip was to be part of a humanitarian effort where they were giving away 500 wheelchairs from the Church. We drove with Elder and Sister newby and we had a great time.
The drive took us about nine hours going because we were having a great time going a beautiful way to see the sights. ...and see sights we did. Truly, South Africa and Lesotho are beautiful countries with many beauties of nature. We went into a National Park by mistake and it was glorious. All four of us in the car were gazing at a beautiful golf course and missed the turn until we were all the way through the park and were we ever glad we had made a wrong turn. We were in the most beautiful mountains with glorious rock formations that were very reminiscent of Bryce and Zions. It was not quite the same but we saw similarities. However it was very lush and green from the rain the past few days, so it SW quite a sight with the rock formations and green hills and mountains and waterfalls. There we saw cattle being led by typically dressed Leshoto cowboys with pants and boots and beautiful blankets around them or over one shoulder. They had all sorts of hats from cowboy hats to baseball hats. It was fun to see. It was so wonderful that we got on the wrong road because on the way back through the park we saw rare mountain zebras that were beautiful and strange and they were by some cattle. Also on the way back through the park we saw many baboons climbing on the rocks and boulders. It was great.
We went with Elder and Sister Newby and they are great fun. He is the Executive Secretary and she is at the desk downstairs all day everyday so we see them every day several times and have gotten to know them very well.
There was a detour for about 30 minutes that took us through fields of corn and on narrow dirt roads that were full of holes and bumps and it was awful driving. At one point a huge truck was stopped because he was stuck in the mud and so cars were stopped in both directions and many people were standing trying to help and just milling around. It was a little unsettling for a while as we were pinned in between cars and ditches and mud on either side. We were glad our prayers had been specific that morning and we trusted and exercised faith. We were the only white people for miles and miles around and we'll just say we were thrilled to get moving.
We really felt quite safe, but your mind goes a little crazy knowing what can go on, but we arrived safe and sound and barely before dark which is good. Black people are very hard to see in the dark and there are few street lights and many people walking everywhere.
The next day was the highlight as we went to the palace for the ceremony. Your Dad presented the wheelchairs to the queen in a very sweet way and she accepted them formally and then the wheelchairs were brought out to 20 handicapped people. Many, many more were to be given the next two days in different areas. During the speeches the handicapped children and adults sat by their families who were struggling to hold them up and keep them comfortable. We could see the caregivers were really going to benefit as most were very disabled and had to be carried everywhere. During the middle of the ceremony we heard a person making tremendous noises.....very loud and almost like a warrior noise that you have heard in the movies. I thought it was one of the handicapped people in the back that couldn't control themselves. As it turned out it was a mother whose child was handicapped who was making these noises out of joy. She did it off and on through every speech and then when her child received his chair she went crazy with that noise and tears were streaming down her face. It was really touching. We found out it was a Zulu response of joy. It was so touching to see all of them receive their chairs. One wife was had feeding her husband and they were thrilled. One child was about 4 years old and had never been off his mother's back except to sleep at night. She has carried him all these years because he couldn't sit or stand. We all had tears of joy for them and are so grateful for a church who believes in giving and sharing. It was also very touching to see the members of the branch come in with their "helping hand aprons" with hands on the front and the name of the church on the back. They had put the wheelchairs together and were passing them out and then helping the people into the trucks to go home. It was fun to see some being wheeled home as we left. They waved and laughed and smiled as we passed them. What a thrill to see such joy and to see what a difference one chair will make in their lifetime. Many spare parts were sent also in case repairs are needed. It was quite an event. It is really hard to put into words the emotions feelings we had.
We had a great drive home....it didn't take quite as long, but it was beautiful every step of the way. There were acres and acres of sunflowers blooming. They were breath taking and the blossoms were huge...the size of dinner plates. They are harvested to make sunflower oil.We loved every minute of our two days. We stopped for meals and shopped a little and laughed a little and cried a little. We feel so blessed to be part of this. I must give credit for the wheelchair give away. It was arranged by Karl and Donna Snow who are over humanitarian services here. They are one of those wonderful couples who are serving away from them families and comfort zones and are having the time of their lives. This was another great adventure.

More Cheetahs

Dad and I had a great time at the Cheetah Game Reserve. We went with the missionary couples and had a great time. The cheetahs are magnificent animals and we loved seeing about a dozen up close and personal.

Relief Society Stickers

A few weeks ago, Bill and I attended a branch here in Joberg. I can't remember the name, but it was about 45 minutes away and a very small, humble branch it was. They are meeting in a temporary building which is reminiscent of a trailer.....a triple wide trailer. Anyway that morning the attendance was low, because in December people travel home to there villages to for the holidays and many places simply close down. This particular morning I was really touched by what happened in Relief Society. There were 8-10 women there and they passed out the new David O. MacKay manuals. You'd have thought they passed out the crown jewels. Those women were exclaiming, touching the manuals like they were gold, hugging them and even kissing them. They were SO THRILLED TO HAVE THIS BOOK OF THEIR OWN TO READ. THEN the RS president passed out once RS sticker to each woman there. Again, they went into spasms of joy....touching and trying to decide what to do with this precious addition to their lives. Finally, they decided they would put them on the new manual. Again, they touched and loved and really caressed their new possessions...all the time exclaiming and expressing joy and laughter. it was quite a sight.

Soooo, when I went to train in Zimbabwe, I took RS stickers. They are easy to carry and have no weight. The weight restrictions are tough between countries. Anyway, I cut them up and had someone give each woman in the training session a sticker as they left. I gave about 125 stickers. I didn't see much of a reaction because they were leaving and I was answering individual questions. Well, low and behold the next morning at District Conference we were sitting on the stand and all of a sudden it came to me that the women were wearing them on their dresses. At least half of the sisters had come adorned in their RS stickers. Quite a fun sight and very humbling to see that so little could bring such joy.

Zambia and Zimbabwe

Dear Family,

We had a wonderful trip to Zimbabwe and Zambia. We were busy every minute and it was sooooo hot that you can't believe it, but we loved it. There was not any air conditioning in any church or hotel, or even the mission home and it was very humid, so often my whole head was wringing wet, but we still loved it. We traveled the entire time with the mission president and his wife and they were great fun and great leaders and that was good. It was hard to see the terrible things happening in Zimbabwe. Mugabe is a cruel and wicked man and he is ruining the country. The situation of white Africans that were killed or run off their farms is soooo sad and the black people who took their lands don't know how to farm so that beautiful fertile land is going to weed and is being ruined. The people are hungry and out of work. The unemployed is 80% so you can see the problems. It is beautiful country and we drove many hours going from conference to conference so we really saw the land. It is beautiful.. some parts are green and hilly and the acacia trees are magnificent. Other parts are very much what you think the land in Africa should look like.....very open and many thorn trees and bushes. It isn't too dense in those places, but we loved that landscape. In some parts we were very high and had to climb. We didn't know the elevation as there were no markings, but there was tremendous beauty. There were many flowering trees....tulip trees, flame lilies, jacaranda, plumeria, and many we couldn't identify. It is a beautiful part of the world. There was one area that had huge balancing rocks that were fascinating and beautiful at the same time. We were reminded a little of the boulders used in Cuzco in Peru, but these were not man placed and it was intriguing. The landscape was wonderful. My favorite part were the rondeval villages. I hope I have spelled that right. Anyway, they are round houses made of mud with thatched roofs. The inside wall were smeared with cow dung as were the floors. This hardens and they are able to sweep and clean it. The roofs have to be replaced every few years as do the floors. There is a bench all around the inside of the house and there is a fireplace in the middle. They sleep on the floor on mats if they have them and roll them up during the day. There are often smaller square buildings close to the round one and that is for food storage....mostly the maize which they grind and eat at every meal. If they have it they add chard and a few other vegetables.. If they are really well off they will add the protein of chicken or snake or whatever. (Grandpa ordered crocodile for dinner the other night and loved it. He said it tasted a little like chicken) We often saw women bending from the waist sweeping the dirt around their little round house. It is red dirt and they sweep about 4 or 5 feet away from the home. We thought it was crazy to sweep the dirt, but we found out why. If a snake comes crawling into their house they know it because the snake leaves a trail in the newly swept dirt. Oh me!

The people are wonderful. They are happy. They smile and wave and love it when you smile and wave back. The church members are so happy to have the Gospel in their lives and they love anything we teach. They are the pioneers of Africa. Almost all are first generation members and have much to learn about the government of the church, but they try so hard and are doing well. We are always absolutely amazed with the depth of their understanding and the knowledge of the scriptures and the testimonies that they share. The baptisms are astounding in that area. There are wonderful missionaries, and there is a spirit here that is almost touchable.

They love and believe what they hear. The church is doing great things there with humanitarian services and CES is there and Employment help is on its' way. A new missionary couple will be there in a week to help with that. In Johannesburg that program was implemented last year and 2000 members either started their own business, or found employment or improved their employment because of that education and help. That means 2000 families were impacted, which means thousands more because they care for their own here so well, so that means many more mouths were fed. The church is doing much with teaching keyboard skills, health training, and oh so much more. There are sad cases and happy ones. We choose to focus on the good we see. Of course AIDS is an unbelievable problem, and we are helping with orphanages, etc, but it rages on. In Uganda where the president of the country said, "abstinence before marriage and fidelity after marriage" has helped make incredible progress. The rate of AIDS has gone from 35-40% of the population to 15-17%. In the other countries they teach "use condoms", so we wish the presidents of those countries would change their slogan. Those that join the church are changing their lives and that is going to make a difference on a small scale, but many of course were infected before they became members. It is a tragedy to behold, but one by one lives are being changed. It is the next generation that will have a big impact as children are taught correct principles. Oh I have just gone on and on. I do want to add another Mugabe has done.......he is cracking down on the church and the missionary effort. The church has been red flagged, which means visas are not being extended for more than 30 days at a time and in some cases missionaries are being kicked out. While we were there 8 were sent to Zambia and a missionary couple who has done great things teaching gardening were given 48 hours to leave. We all have faith that as soon as the elections are over things will settle back down to normal. That man really is evil.

Now, I want to tell our grandchildren about Noreen. Noreen is a little black girl who is 5 years old and she lives in the mission home because her father is the gardener. He takes care of the big, big yard, and cleans the mission home once and week and does all the handy work that needs to be done. She was the cutest little girl. She had beautiful big, brown eyes, and short kinky hair that often had lint or leaves in it. She was lonely because there wasn't anyone else to play with. We would wake up to her singing outside our bedroom window some mornings. She would always run and greet us when we came there. One time we were sitting in the living room talking. It was very hot outside and her mother had given her a squirt bottle to keep cool. She decided to cool us, I guess and she sprayed through the window and really shocked him. She got in a little trouble but we thought it was funny and Grandpa thought it felt good. The very cutest thing was how she played with her doll. President and Sister Jenkins gave her a white little doll for Christmas. She had never had a doll. She doesn't have very much at all. There is only one bed in their tiny house so she sleeps with her parents. She follows her daddy around as he gardens and works. Anyway, she loves this doll. She carries it. She sings to it. She talks to it. We saw her out the window, AND the cutest part is she has her mother tie her dolly on her back like all the African mothers do and she would carry that doll for hours as she danced on the lawn and followed her dad and sang and jumped. One day as we left she had her back to us and did see us and she was just jumping and jumping with that dolly on her back. The thing that was so cute......Noreen is very very black and her dolly is very very white. We loved her. More nest time. We love you and miss you.

Baby asleep on mother's back

This woman showed me how to wrap her baby on her back

In a small branch

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

Children in traditional attire.

Party on the lawn

Dancing

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.

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More nativity sets

Assorted nativity scenes