Weekly Letter from O'Dells

Dear Family and Friends,


Well we are still serving it in South Africa and are still loving it as much as ever. We went to Port Elizabeth last week to zone conference. We left about 10:00 AM and arrived there about 6 PM. It is only a little over 4 hours drive, but we did some sight seeing. One place we stopped was at a bungy jumping area. It is the biggest one in the world at 216 meters. It was about the largest single expansion bridge in the world. It was really quite a view and spectacular sight.
We also stopped at a place before Knysna and looked at some arts and crafts. They had some amazing things there and we would like to get a few things before we come back home. The prices really weren't too bad. I was talking to the man who owns it for a bit and he said he would like to have missionaries, so I gave his number to the Knysna elders, as they serve in this area.
We stopped at another area where Elder Haugen had his scriptures recovered. He did it in crocodile and elephant skin with an imprint of the angel Moroni on the front and the Temple on the back. It was really nice. A lot of the elders are doing this. I also want to do this before we come home, but I am not sure with what yet. Im thinking of doing a briefcase in springbok and my scriptures in crocodile, elephant, ostrich, or a combination of several. Haven't decided yet. We then had lunch and drove some more. We went to one place on the beach for a bit.
We arrived in Port Elizabeth at about 6 PM. We stayed the night at another senior couples apartment by the name of Elder and Sister Stone. They were very nice.
We have been so busy with the young elders that we haven't had as much time to do our own missionary work as I would like. Its starting to get to the point where we will be able to. We have had a lot more time studying the gospel and reading the scriptures. Sister O'Dell and I have been praying together morning and night and reading the scriptures. It really makes our time together much nicer. She is such a wonderful person and gives me much spiritual strength. We have really loved our time together and have grown even closer together.
We are leaving tomorrow with Elder and Sister Johnson. They are about finished with there mission and still have not left Cape town. So president Probst wanted them to get away for a few days. The Johnson's will be driving a new car to P.E. We will drive our car from George because they will be flying home. It is really special that President Probst has given us permission to go so far out of our area for something other than zone conference. There will be 8 senior couples together to have a big farewell breakfast for Elder and Sister Johnson. Then to Grahamstown SA National Arts Festival thursday afternoon. On friday we are going to Pumba Private Game Reserve for a 2 hour game drive. Lunch and then another 1 hour game drive back to the main gate. It looks like we won't be returning to our favorite elders in George until Saturday morning. Then prepare my Aaronic Priesthood and Sunday School Lesson. Linda will be teaching the young woman. We have
another baptism coming up on July 18. we had 51 baptisms from our Mission last month. We better close for now as it is getting long and Sister O'Dell has to type it.

We love you all and be good. Stay close to our Savior.

Love Elder and Sister O'Dell