Take Care

Hi Jeannie,

Thanks for all you do and have done for us in the Farnsworth Family. I'm so glad you are one of us!
I'm glad you went to Snowflake and had a good time. I hope Kristi & Mike are doing better and the kids are OK.

I just got on the Blog and did see what you have done it was special to see and read what Jack put on it I got on and created an account but with my cox e-mail account. lindasue@cox.net with the password being lindasue10 I was on but when I went to get on to do something It said one and it had Google and some other signs and I couldn't get any farther.

I think my gmail account is
Screen name is XXXXXXXXXXXXX [X'ed by Jeannie for privacy]
Password XXXXXXXX [X'ed by Jeannie for privacy]
Password Hint: Who is your favorite singer George Strait

I have never used it, not sure how to get to gmail, but I know Chuck & Scott O'Dell set me up with one and this as the info. Call Chuck 480-XXXXXXX [X'ed by Jeannie for privacy] Chuck will know I think if he remembers the last night at Bonnie's house. I will keep trying to see what happens

Jeannie you must be getting bigger and with the heat in Tempe Please take it easy. Is everything going OK so far. I feel bad this is the first time I won't be there for you when the Baby comes. I hope all will go well and everything will be OK. I will be sorry to miss it.

Love you always
Kids the kids for me
Love Owen and take care of yourself
Love Mom & Grandpa Woody

Well it's hurry and wait today. It's also a good thing bad thing day. The nursing home called and said Diana's Mom fell and hit her head and had to take her to the hospital, then just after that call Denise called and said she went into labor and in the same hospital, does it ever end? Well I know where to find everyone when I wake up. We hope Diana's Mom is ok she was having headachs and dizzy. I'll keep ya'll posted on Denise and get some pic of the baby and send them on to ya'll. Well I'm off to bed, one more month and I'm out of SWA, hope it works out.
LOve ya'll and keep up the Lords work and know you are in ours prayers.

LOve
Jack & Diana & Mia

Ok, let's try this

Hope this finds you well. I'm trying to see how to use this thing. I've had couple of them for about a year and never used it. Maybe it will be easer than Face Book.

RE: Pictures

Linda & Woody,
I love these pictures! They are so great! Leo was just asking me tonight about when the next time he can see Papa Woody so he can be tickled on his belly with his head (he must really like that). I thought that was really sweet. When he was sitting on my lap and saw your picture at the map, he said he wanted to "go there RIGHT now!" It's so difficult to explain to a 2-year old the logistics or to even think that I can reason with him at all...

I'm so curious if the family you first met in George really is that big of a family! Wow!

Anyway, it's late and we just got back from Snowflake, visiting Kristi. It was a fast-paced weekend (2 days and 1 night), and travel with 2 young kids and being pregnant is not fun. You'd think 3 hours is not very long, but it felt like forever, trying to keep them entertained while trying not to feel sick. But it was still good to see Kristi and her family. Kennedy and Leo played well with her kids; Kennedy was a totally different child than a year ago when we were up there last--she absolutely loved being around Jenna, Kimmie & Tara who took her for a horse ride. I was glad for the cooler weather, too!

I'll have to write more later tomorrow. As far as the blog idea, tell me your gmail user name and password and I'll set you up. Please know that when we write, we mean for the message to go to you AND to Woody. You are so lucky to have a man willing to serve so far away and be away from family for so long. I thought it was so beautiful when he put it into such basic words of his gratitude to God for such a good life and that he felt he needed to serve so far away so that he wouldn't be distracted and do a totally good job of serving Him. I think that is an amazing example of gratitude, and I think you are so lucky to have found him and to have this experience with him. It's rare to find such sensitivity in a man, too, so I really think highly of Woody. We love you Woody, and we don't want you to think we have forgotten about you or that we don't love you either! We know that Linda probably wouldn't be in South Africa serving a mission if it weren't for you!

XOXO,
Jeannie & family

Pictures

Hi Jeannie & Owen
Thanks for the e-mails and trying to get the blog, I will try to get someone to help me. Now here are some pictures from us. See, I can learn something new!
Be Happy, Love you all, take care.

Well let's see if these pictures come through to you.


1. Woody and I at the Map in the Mission Home.


2. First Family we met when when we first arrived in George


3. The Missionaries we take care of in our Branch

RE: Blog Idea

Hi Jeannie,

This is a GREAT idea and Woody and I will be so appreciative if this works and it can happen. I tried for over an hour last night to get on to the Blog and could not get on. I set up and account with Google and it still would not let me on. I will get some young Elder to show me what I am doing wrong.

I just don't have lots of time to spend on the Computer. I do have time during the day much and in the evening sometimes we are out with the Elders tell about 9 or 9:30pm then when I come home I get on the computer about 10 or 1:30pm and Last night I tried to work the bolg and was on the computer tell 12:30 pm. Woody was not feeling well and get up several times and ask me to please go to bed because it was so late.

We have both been give jobs in the little branch now. I'm the Young Women 2 Counselor and Woody is teaching 2 classes, one in SS and one in Priesthood. Then we take care of 4 sets of Missionaries every day and help them with what ever they need. Most of the time the needs are at meal time Lunch and Dinner. but that is fine with me you know that. I Love to Feed them and care for them.

I miss you so much and the kids, Kiss them for me . I hope I can learn to send pictures soon so I can do at least that.

It sure make me feel bad when I got the Blog from Liisa Berg and sew how wonderful it was some people just know how to do it all. There mission will be wonderful for all. They will be able to share everything, pictures & stories of it all.

Well it is now 8:30 I have been on this computer for over 2 hours now. I have a Lesson to prepare and get ready for Sunday and Church and YWomen's.

I need all the help I can get. It takes a Nation to help me do the things I need to do. The Young kids at work still can't get over how much time they have each day now that i"I am gone and they don't have to help me do all my work HA! HA!.

Love you and By for now and thanks for all you do for me my grandchildren & Owen. Just Love him he needs to be loved and understood. Thanks Jeannie. I LOVE YOU

Mom & Woody

Blog Idea

Hi Mom,

It was so fun and great to get your emails last weekend! Thank you for the update, and I am glad to hear all is well. We are looking forward to you having the Vonage phone. I'm so glad to know you are well. How is YW coming along for you?!

Father's Day dinner was a total hit with your roast, lemon jello, and chocolate cupcakes (among other things too); I think Owen and Kelly were in food heaven. So thank you, thank you for your help on those! I will have to repeat that recipe over and over! In fact, I recently got a stake recipe book that I LOVE and can't wait to use a lot.

I wanted to let you know that I started a blog for you: lindawoody.blogspot.com so that we can keep track of your email updates. At the end of your mission, we can have it all bound in a book for you to read over. I have pictures to add from Bonnie, too. I hope that friends and family in your circle are willing to post, so that you can look over all these messages in one spot. Don't worry. You don't have to do anything different. I'll help you along the way. :) Anything you want me to put on there, just forward me the email and I will do it. It's really easy.

Anyway, we love you and miss you, of course. All is well on the home front. Kennedy is learning to be a good swimmer and really enjoys the water. She swims about 2-4 times a day in 1 hour increments! Talk about cutting down on TV time! Leo's still a bit afraid but he's still young. I got a baby pool he splashes around in and is more confident about sitting in. We have art classes twice a week that we do together, and they have a friend or cousin over at least once a week. It's not the same without you here, but we are so blessed to have you teach people about Jesus!

Lots of hugs and kisses,
Jeannie & kids & your son, too!

Linda & Woody's Vonage Phone

Yaye for Kim and Kent who have spearheaded the idea of a Vonage phone for Linda and Woody so that we can have a local phone # to call them on:

I wanted to let everyone know that I got the Vonage box which I'll be setting up and then sending through FedEx to Mom and Woody. Once she gets it and sets it up (yes, I'll be helping her with that) then we can start calling her on their new number, and she can use it to call us. All you'll need to do to call her is dial the number, 480-626-5770, like any other 480 Arizona number. Until she gets the box it will go straight to voicemail.

We've been able to collect enough money to cover the 1st year of service. I've got the account set up through our debit card, so please send a check to either Kent or me for the amount you've offered to pay. Our address is 2080 W. Hayden Peak Dr., Queen Creek, AZ 85242.

I did talk to Mom about this, and she sounded excited about it. She asked me to say "thank you" to everyone for helping pay. As soon as she has set up the box in South Africa, I'll let you know that you can start calling.

Thanks so much!
Kim

Correction on Phone Numbers

We sent the wrong phone numbers in the last message.

Our phone (land line) here in South Africa is
011-2744-873-2716

We also have a Vonage phone which rings us here in S. Africa, but has a local Arizona number
480-626-5770

Hello from South Africa!

Dear Family & Friends,

Hi to every one, this is our first official letter to everyone. We have been gone now for a little over a month including the MTC. 

Our Flying time to Cape town from Arizona was 201/2 hours. We are a long way from home and the people and things we know best. First off we want to tell our Children and Grandchildren how much we love you and miss you already. You are in our thoughts daily and we pray for each one of you always. We thank you for your prayers for us as well. We Love you all. 

We arrived in Cape Town S.A. On Monday May 30th. We were there for 2 nights and 3 days then we left to go to a place called George. (where we are called to serve) It is a 5 hour drive from Cape Town. The area is beautiful here. We have a large mountain north of us called the Outeniqua MT. The George area is so green and beautiful with the ocean (Indian Ocean a few miles below us. The route from Cape Town to George to Knysna to Port Elizabeth is called the Garden Route. Especially from George to P.E.
We haven't had time to tour much even on our P-Day, but we will. We do have to go to Knysen every Friday to take the mail to on set of missionaries that are serving there in our district. That is right on the ocean. The area is great far whale watching but we haven't had time yet. 

Our Branch is small but they are wonderful people. Our Branch President is Pres. Matsaluka and great man. We have been so busy helping and working with 6 Elders. Their last names are Farr, Ratelolahy, Corbitt, Haughen, Khuzwayo & Christoferson (He is compleating his mission this week). Transfers are next thursday.

We have been able to go on a number of lessons with the young Elders. We will be going on a few more this week. We have to move two Elders to a new Flat, because the lease is up and they have to be out. We have to find them a new home and do the lease. This is part of our job in taking care of the Elders. We also have to inspect each apartment regularly. 

We had 4 baptisms yesterday. We had the largest attendance ever today in church, we had to open the overflow. (This is the first time they have ever had to open the overflow. They asked Sister O'Dell to be the 1st Counselor in the Young Women's today. The new Young Women's Pres. Is Sister Vuyokazi (Wo-o-Kazi) she is only 23 years old. They are trying to get the people to be self sustaining in there training instead of depending on us for everything. They called me to teach the Gospel Essentials Class and also Priesthood for younger people in the Gospel and new converts. I told Pres. Matsaluka that I would try to do what ever he needed me to do. 

Again to our wonderful families and friends we Love You and MISS you all. We will right again and keep you posted and up to date
Love Elder & Sister O'Dell 
(Mom & Dad) Grandma & Papa Woody 
Phone (land line) 
100-27-044-873-2716
Phone (Vonage line - rings us here in S. Africa)
480-626-5770

Address is 
118 B Wellington Street
Denneoord
George 
6529 South Africa

YES WE ARE HERE

Yes, we are hear. In George, South Africa. I always knew I would make it to George some day and here I am. Well not George Strigh but George S A 

Jeannie I have had a hard time getting e-mails to go through and if I ad a lot of addresses it doesn't go through at all. I'm not sure why so I have just been sending them to only one member of the family and since Owens' is in the "K" He has been getting the E-mail I will send them to you from now on. 

It is Saturday about noon your time and 8:30pm our time there is 9 hours difference It is Saturday night and we are going to bed and you are just getting started. 

I loved the not about what Kennedy & Leo said about me and our mission I do miss the kids soooooo much. Kiss them for me and tell them how much I love them and miss them. 

About the roast Yes it is a cross rib roast. Brown it on both sides with a small about of spray or oil. Then I salt, pepper & add Lowreys (sp) Season all salt Then I cut up and onion and slice it them and put on top of the roast Then I put 1 can of Campbell beef consomme over the roast .. Now put a lid on the pan put in the over at about 300 for 4 hours or 350 for 3 or 31/2 hours or if you want it to cook for 4 or 5 hours put it on 250. But check it about ever 2 hours to make sure it doesn't get too dry if so add water to keep the juice on it cook until it is tinder and falls apart. 

Give this to Owen. Hi from Africa. I just want you to know how much I love you and thank you for being such a GREAT Son and a good Father and Husband. Always know how much you mean to me and I always look up to you for all you have done in your life so far and for what you will keep doing. Remember who you are and what the real reason we are hear. I'm always hear for you and your sweet family. Take care until we see each other in 21 more months. 

LOVE YOU ALWAYS MOM

Are you There?

Hi Mom,

Are you there?  I have heard about the email you sent, but I haven't gotten it myself.  Owen keeps saying he will forward it to me, but I haven't read it myself.  Kim and Pam have told me about it.  I hope you are doing good.  About 2 weeks ago, Leo cried for about 10 mins, throwing a temper tantrum that he wanted to go see grandma and that we needed to go to Mytah (he calls Utah, "Mytah" thinking it's You-Tah and changes it to My-Tah--I don't know why--can't decide if it's really smart or not).  He begged, cried, and then fell asleep with tears streaming down his face.  I couldn't explain to him how far away you were and that we couldn't drive over to see you.

Anyway, and today, Kennedy was telling her friend that she was going to Africa to see Grandma so that she could deliver a very important package (we've been making lots of projects and putting them in a care package for you) but that she couldn't go until she was 6 and that was only in 2 years (I think she thinks that is a very short time).  When asked why her grandma was in Africa, she said that there are people who don't know Jesus so Grandma is there showing them pictures of Jesus.  Isn't that sweet?

So obviously we all miss you very much.  I know you are doing good, and I know that all of us are very blessed by your service.  So much so that your son has requested that I somehow track down your roast recipe (all I can recall is cross rib roast, seared, and cooked on low temperatures all day.  I have no idea to ingredients...) for Father's Day dinner.  Of course, it wasn't until tonight when I cornered him to see what he wanted for dinner so that I could buy the food tomorrow.  So if you get this in time, and you have time to jot down the recipe, that would be great.  I understand if it's too late.  I'm going to call Kristi to see if she can help me.

I love you very much, and you are in my prayers constantly.

Love,

Jeannie