Since it was the last time this Richards Bay Zone would all be together in their whites, I took the traditional last picture. The one showing their backs started because Elder Mokopotsa lined up that way – I decided it would be an interesting shot if all of them did. Of course, unless you are sister Mann, trying to get 10 elders to all cooperate in a pictures is almost impossible but this one came close. Elder Otieno and Elder Maremela wanted the last shot. Right after taking it I pushed them over – the Devil made me do it.

04 October 2009 – Sunday

Today was general conference day in Richards Bay. Members were transported in from all the branches with only a small glitch when no taxi showed up at Port Durnford. When President Machaka called to tell me the problem, I told him to grab one passing by and make the arrangements. They ended up needing 2 but that was great news. There were about 170 in attendance for the 5 hours of conference broadcasts. We got to see the Priesthood session and then the Saturday afternoon session.

I thought Elder Ballard’s talk to Fathers and Sons was excellent and should be used in local Priesthood meetings on the 4^th Sunday. I am going to suggest this to the branch presidents. Elder Choi’s talk about the ‘rowdy young boys’ who through his love and caring became powerful Priesthood leaders today was also inspiring. As usual President Uchtdorf’s recalling of his difficult, early life in Germany was an excellent back ground for his talk on the importance of work and learning. I especially liked his comment that ‘Retirement is not part of the plan of happiness and the idea that it is, is unworthy of a priesthood holder.”

President Eyring reminded us that we should not wait for the call to become prepared. We need to prepare young men for missions. It fits well with Elder Bednar’s talk of a couple of years ago about preparing to be missionaries not preparing for a mission.

President Monson gave a powerful talk on anger. Two comments stuck with me: “Anger does no build anything.” And “No one can make us angry, it is done by choice.”

My favorite talk from the Saturday afternoon session was Elder Andersen’s about repentance. I think the comment of the older couple who returned to the church is one that too many have had to say “We are back, but we are alone.” Their children and grandchildren who do not have the blessings of the gospel in their lives is a heavy burden.

President Packer gave me “Prayer is your personal key to Heaven and the lock is on your side,” to ponder.

After the conference sessions Mary went home to get things ready to feed the missionaries and I stayed to make sure everyone had a taxi to get home on. It is an interesting exercise to see the taxis straggle in and the members who are happily talking to each other board and leave for their home.

The elders seem to enjoy their food and we remembered to take a last zone picture of the 10 who will probably never be together again – unless it is on p-day – because Elder Richey is heading home in just 4 days. Today marked the anniversary of his going into the MTC and he plans to burn his coat to celebrate. I suggested he instead give it to someone who needed it but he pointed out it  had now served two missions – his brother had taken it on his mission – and it was far from being in good shape.

After the elders left, we cleaned up most of the mess and then watched the Sunday morning session of conference on the computer. I have to confess that I did not really listen very well and in fact fell asleep during parts of it. I am glad I can later go LDS.org and listen carefully to the words of wisdom that I am sure I missed.

The only part of the day that was not good was that sister B had managed to catch her son’s cold and felt terrible. She of course tried to soldier on but Mary and I managed to convince her that she really should go home after the Relief Society meeting and rest up because there is so much she will want to do in the next 2 weeks. In the evening Elder B came to dinner with the missionaries and brought more than their share of the things it takes to feed 10 hungry elders. Sister B wisely stayed home.

They are a super couple. The members in their branches will greatly miss them as we will. Of course they are going to also greatly miss the wonderful people who have touched their lives as they have served here in Richards Bay for almost 2 years.

How much are they going to be missed? Here is a good example: There was a planning meeting for the YM-YW activity that will be in late November. President Baldwin had originally thought to have it as a 3 day activity, then he cut it down to 2 days, and in the meeting he said that since Sister B would not here to organize it they would have it for just one day. Yes they will be missed.