10 May 2010 – Monday

Still not 100% but well enough to run some errands and do some shopping this morning.

The Zone Leaders called and came over to print off their graphs for a leadership meeting. I called and found that the garage door opener is still not back from repair. We went to the PO box and found one bill – water – for a whole R12. Also found that the cleaners had moved to above the mall without telling us. After some confusion about where they were – their address is on one street but the business is actually on another – I was happy to get back my two pair of pants. I was finally able to get the maps of Esikhawini for the elders. Third time proved again to be charm. We ate a nice lunch at Maxi’s and then did our shopping.  

As I wrote the above I realized that it does not sound very much like missionary work but being on a mission as a couple is much like being on one at home. Everyday things still have to be taken care of.

By the time we got home my body was ready for a nap. I really must be getting old. While I was napping we got a call from President Vilane asking if we could pick him up at the Engwelezane hospital. Mary answered the phone and said of course we would. When we got there we found him very weak and in some pain. Hopefully what ever they gave him and some rest will help him recover. He is such a good and humble servant of the Lord and the glue that holds that branch together.

We got lost trying to deliver some things to a member. We finally found her house but only after getting a really good tour of one side of Enseleni. The members here are very special and we are happy to be of a little service to them. Something that seems trivial to us is of great importance to them. We really do live in another world in America.

We had not been home long when we got a call from President Baldwin saying that the mission calls had come for Solo and Khulekani. We immediately got back in the car and went to pick them up. While we were there the President invited us back later in the evening to watch a cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan. We were happy to accept.

While at home we got some bad news. Larry Bartholomew called to say that they had to cancel their visit because Karen became ill again. We were saddened by the news of her illness and also that we would not get to see them. I know many of the members will be very disappointed. Brother B told us that Sister B was not unpacking her luggage just in case she somehow got well enough to still come, but it is highly unlikely that will happen. We will pray that they find out what is wrong and get it cured.

It turned out the game we thought we would watch had been played earlier in the day – South Africa lost – but we watched the first 20 overs of a match between England and New Zealand. Unfortunately it was a pretty dull game – New Zealand only got 149 runs in their inning – and I was not unhappy to come home before England got to bat. (I just checked and England was not much better but did manage 153 in 19.1 overs to win and move into the semi-finals.)

09 May 2010 – Sunday

I decided to do the sensible thing and actually make today a day of rest so my body could throw off the effects of my illness. While it was the right thing to do, it still did not feel right.

We listened to a number of Conference talks – I think I have heard President’s Uchtdorf’s talks at least three times each and perhaps more. Hopefully his talk on patience will someday get through to me. President Eyring’s talk on Diligence also rings a lot of bells – especially today when we were at home instead of out in the branches.

In the evening Elder Tueller and Elder Mohale came over to make their Mother’s Day calls home. Cindy called and managed to get through to Mary. Later we found that other children called and left messages but we have not figured out how to retrieve them yet.

By the end of the day I was really bored – I do not think I will take any more days off unless I am really, really sick.

Read in the Mickelsen’s blog that Elder Mickelsen had thrown out his back. I called to see how he was doing and found that they also stayed home. Hopefully he will fully recover before they leave a week from tomorrow.