When we are home in Provo for Christmas we usually share breakfast with 15-20 family members. This year we got to share our Christmas breakfast with 150 or so elders and 6 wonderful senior couples.
All morning I wandered around taking pictures – 183 total – some were because we served with or knew the missionaries. Some I took because of the great ties or hats they were wearing and of course with some I killed two birds with one stone.
Elder Nwokendi was the first one I took because of his great horns. Elder Riley had one of the most imaginative hats – Santa stuck going down the chimney. Our friends elder Segil is always easy to spot because of his tie – he is also showing off the plate of food each elder received. Elder Whitesides serves in the Vaal zone and we inspect his flat. Besides his companion is elder Rogers who served with us in Potch. Not only was his tie spectacular it also played Christmas carols.
Elder Clegg went conservative on his tie choice but he was anything but conservative with his plate of food. Elder Harris served down in Klerksdorp and we miss his smile but we know he is doing a great job in his current area.
The only red head in the mission is elder Johnson who as far as I can tell has been at every large group meeting we have attended. I kidded him that he needed a red hat to go with his hair. Later you will see that he did found one somewhere. Our dear friend Elder Perez was one of the few that showed up in a suit. We really miss him but he is doing a great job as district leader in Witbank as the Lord knew where he needed to serve his last 3 months.
When the elders were all assembled for breakfast president Dunn asked one to give an opening prayer and a blessing on the food and the stampede begin. The couples dug in and served – big missionaries like elder Lyon need lots of fuel to keep going. If you look closely there is elder one of the Vaal zone leaders – elder Togiatomai, our friend elder Harris not smiling – which is really unusual, elder Perkins who served in the district, and elder Nwokendi stands out because of his horns!
Since it is summer in South Africa Santa used his SuV and trailer instead of a sleigh. Each elder was given a wrapped Christmas present. See the post above on how these came about thanks to the sisters Shaw and others who pitched in to make sure each elder has some present for Christmas. Mary and sister Dummer enjoyed breakfast while eating in the Dummer’s folding chairs that they keep in the trunk of their car.
 
 
 
