Daily Archives: February 13, 2010

12 February 2010

12 February 2010 – Friday

We had a really nice call from the Bartholomews. We brought them up to date on many of the things that were going on in the mission and how they might help. They are itching to get back to South Africa so they can work with the people here. Sister B said for me to ask President Mann if they could come back every other month and serve in Richards Bay. I guess it could be like a service mission at home where you serve a couple of days a week while living at home.

In the morning we went to Engwelezane to meet with President Mngadi about the temple trip planned for the end of the month. There are some logistics that must be worked out to get those who have not been to the temple interviewed by President Mann. He is so busy that we probably will have to drive them down to Durban for the interviews.

While we were in the area we stopped by the two Empangeni boardings and met some of the new missionaries in the district. I imagine we will meet them all over the weekend or if not for sure at the Zone Development Meeting on Tuesday.

Our afternoon got wiped out when President Vilane could not come to our English class and then we got the good news that we could get our car out of the panel beaters late in the day. Lucky for us the Richards Bay elders did not have any appointments so they were able to help us get the rental car returned and then take us to the panel beaters to pick up our repaired car.

The paint shop was one of the cleanest garages I have ever been in. The whole floor was not only tiled but pretty much spotless. I complimented the owner on the quality of his work and the looks of his place of business.

It was a nice way to end the week with both my wonderful companion and our car both out of the ‘shop.’ It had not been the best 2 ½ weeks of our mission.



10 – 11 February 2010

10 February 2010 – Wednesday

After breakfasting with the couples, we packed our bags and said goodbye to the Wilsons and Knudsens. The Coxes were picked up by the Markums and headed off to learn what they would be doing for the next 18 months. We will see them again next week and then for couples conference in early March.

We drove home to Richards Bay. I am glad that I was trying hard to stay within the speed limit because there were at least three places where the police were taking pictures.

When we got home Mary was very tired so we did not do much the rest of the day.

11 February 2010 – Thursday

Mary had half of her stitches taken out and the rest get removed on Tuesday. In the afternoon we went to Port Durnford to hold Seminary and Youth.

After Youth, Mary had a first piano lesson with Lugani – he is taking some music course in school and wants to learn. It would be a real blessing to the branch if he could play some of the hymns.  It was good to get back into the work but I was worried that Mary did too much.On the way home we stopped at Bongamusa’s home to say hello to him and his mother. He told me that he is really enjoying school this year. He is one of the most positive young men that I have met in South Africa. Hopefully some day he will want to join the church.

 



09 February 2010

09 February 2010 – Tuesday

We woke to a wonderfully soft morning. There was enough overcast that it was cool and peaceful. Vic and I sat out on the patio and just talked before breakfast. Mary spent the morning resting up for the afternoon activities. After the sun burned away the cool morning, I spent a short time trying to get my pure white body a little tan. I had to be careful because you can quickly burn under the South African sun.

After lunch the Swazi and Ladysmith Wilson arrived and we sat around discussing what was going on in our areas. It is always a lot of fun to share experiences that have happened since we last got together.

We all went to the mission home where everyone rushed to find out what transfers were going to take place on Thursday. It is going to be a busy week for the office and especially President Mann. The Coxes are coming in tonight and 11 new missionaries are coming in tomorrow. On Thursday every companionship except for 7 in the original mission area will be changed. It should almost be like an All-Zone meeting!

We then held a presidency meeting where we talked about a number of things that are going on in the mission. It is amazing how quickly 2 ½ hours fly by. While the men are working, the sisters get to sit and talk about families, mission experiences, and what ever else they find to talk about.

After the meeting we all went to the Butcher Boy restaurant for dinner. We were joined by the Markums and the Mickelsens so that all the couples were there except for the Griesmers. The Markums are leaving for home on Saturday morning. We had a nice dinner – I chose steak and ribs –and lots of good conversation.

After dinner, the Markums and Manns left for the airport to pick up the Coxes and then the Markums brought them to Little Haven where they will stay until the Makrums head home. We stayed up to meet our old friends and welcome them to the mission. It has been years since we have seen them.  They only live up in Taylorsville but we just never have gotten together. Perhaps when they get home in early 2012 we will socialize more.



08 February 2010

08 February 2010 – Monday

It is a very good day or at least morning – Mary has been released from the hospital  and is at home sitting on our couch. When I went to pay the bill, they said they will charge it to the mission and I can pay them. That works well because then we only have to pay a single bill and not each one separately. I still do not have any idea of what the total charge will be but I am sure it will be only about 20-25% of what it would have been in the US.

I did make one big mistake. Last night I told the elders that there would be boarding inspection this morning. I was not confident that the doctor would release Mary so I decided I should do something useful  and this is the last P-day of the transfer. When Mary called to tell me that she could come home at about 9:00 I forgot to call the elders to tell them I would not be around. We were just leaving the hospital when Elder Wengert called and asked when I was coming by. I had to apologize for not calling and telling everyone that there would not be any inspection today.

However I did get a call from the Richards Bay elders asking us to stop by to pick up some things that President Vilane had given to Elder Nare. So while we were there, I did a quick check and found everything was good except Elders Reeder and Lemmon’s fridge needed cleaning as did the floor of the shower. I will check them again next week to see if it was done.

We made a quick but safe trip to Durban and after a brief stop at the Mission office where we got to talk to sister Mann, we drove to Little Haven and checked into our room. It is always a treat to stay with the Rawlings who are so kind to all their guests but especially I think to the couples that stay there.

Mary was tired so except for going out to eat, we did not do much of anything else today. It is just wonderful to have my companion back and in good health.