I was not sure I would be able to post this evening because we lost our internet earlier in the day. Maybe it was the Lord telling me I was spending too much time on the web, but since I was trying to access a conference report when it crashed perhaps it was the other guy?

We went to District Development meeting this morning. Sister Pier’s slightly burned and undercooked banana bread/cake was a hit with the elders. But of course the elder tend to devour anything sweet. But seriously it was very good and amazingly moist. They ate most of it before the meeting because one of the group of elders was late. Elder Makono was taking his test for his learner’s permit. Unfortunately he crashed and burned – don’t worry it was a written test.

DDM is always an uplifting experience. To sit with 7 elders and the Bartholomews and share what is going on in each area, spiritual experience and some training from the District Leaders is one of the anchors of the program. In the meeting we had one elder who was having rather serious problems with an ulcer, another who has had back pains most of his mission, and the usual assortment of normal illness that seemsto be always going around, but in no case did this slow up the work nor bring real complaints. They just want to get well so they can work harder. I am always amazed at the strength and spirit of the elders we have served with.

After DDM we grabbed some lunch and then headed off to Esikhawini to meet with president Machaka for PEC. The elders reported that they are teaching some families and are starting to teach one of the men who has been attending our English class at the Mzamas. We are thinking of holding English classes in both branches on Saturday and the missionaries think they will be well attended. I have more hope for Esikhawini than Port Durnford by we will see. The president was excited about the calling of two counselors – he has pretty much been handling it alone up until now. He also reported that he plans to become engaged soon.

Our next meeting was with president Malinga of the Esikhawini branch. President Malinga is taking a computer class during his month off. He felt the need to know how to use a computer for everyday use. Some day I will write about how this wonderful, and humble priesthood leader overcame a poor education to hold a good job.

While we were waiting for him to get home from his class, we spoke to his lovely wife. She came from Mozambique and her first language was Portugues. So when we told her we were going to start English classes in a couple of weeks, she volunteered to be our first student.

We try to spend an hour or so with him each week to train him in his calling. He really wants to learn and is always telling us how grateful he is for our help. I keep reminding him that we are only advisors and that we have no authority in the branch. He embarrassed me a couple of Sundays ago when he talked about how I was helping him become a better branch president. Today we mainly talked about presidency meeting and the need to get home teaching organized. I suggested that he make that the main point of the presidency meeting.

On our way home from Esikhawini we were able to witness the burning of a cane field. At least we got to see the last few minutes. What an amazing site -a wall of crackling fire against the darkening sky. I tried to take some pictures but nothing – not even a movie – can capture the beauty and raw power of the wall of controlled flame. The field that was burned was one that we felt would soon be harvested. The bright green canes had turned to a field of soft tan.

 Next we stopped at the mall to go grocery shopping. Almost all the stores in the mall except for restaurants and grocery stores close up at some time between 4-6. Checkers – where we went shopping – stays open until 8:00. Checkers in on the second floor so we wheel our cart into an elevator to get down to the parking garage. Since it was after 6, it was not hard to pick out our car from the couple of dozen spread over the large parking structure.

When we got home, unloaded and put away everything, I checked and found the internet was back so I was able to write this post.

But before I post it I want to write about President Uchtdorf’s May conference talk during the  priesthood session. I had enjoyed listening to it at Mbabane the day after it was given and I had read it at least twice since the Ensign came out, but this time as I read it, but this morning when I read it again, it’s messages really struck home. I guess it triggered some of the other recent talks I have read about how distractions caused by paying too much attention to the things of the world can take our time away from the eternally important things of the spirit. I know that at times I let things that really interest me take time away from doing what I have been called to do here in South Africa. They are not bad things they are just not what I should be doing at the time.

I have often taught in class that it is not the choices between good and evil that will trip many of us up, but the choices between the good we feel comfortable doing and the good the Lord wants us to do.