Elder O in his Africa shirt
Sister O in her Africa Dress
Sister O Opening her Gifts
Elder O in his new pointed toe shoes
Sister O in the trunk of the car; she can't stand to say good by to the Elders on Transfer Day!
All the Elders going to zone conference
All the Elders around the tree on Christmas Day
December 26, 2009
Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,
Well it was the night before Christmas and now it is the morning after Christmas and we hope everyone had a GREAT Christmas and survived. We are a little behind in writing so we can't get into as much detail as usual. Our Branch Conference on Dec. 12 & 13 was Great. We had a really large and enjoyable SS class.
On Monday, P-Day Elder Caine & Cooney had to work as they took an afternoon off last week to watch some rugby. There were teams here from all over the world and it was fun to watch. I took Elder Mathipa & Moyo golfing. It was Elder Moyos first time and he really did good. I was happy as I was only 3 over and for an old man, I will settle for that.
We had a number of lessons and visits during the week and all seemed to go good and especially Gerard & Desiree. They left on Wed. to go to there farm and then to France for the Holidays. They gave presents to all of us and we thought that was so nice. We left at 7am on Friday to go to Zone Conference in PE. We stopped in Tsitsikamma to see George and to try and teach his Aunt. It was rainy and foggy and they were not there. We couldn't even see the bridge because of the fog. We the went to Storms River Mouth to see a large suspension bridge. It was about a 1k walk to get there and Sister O didn't go because she had no walking shoes. When we got there, there were actually 3 swinging bridges. It was really neat and see and walk over.
At Zone Conference we had lots of good pizza for dinner. Then we all watched a really good movie called The Christmas Shoes. Then the Elders did a talent show it was very good and entertaining and we all enjoyed it and most of the Elders did something. On Saturday we had a Great conference from 8am until 3:30pm. They had a lunch of chicken and salads etc. We got home at 9:30pm. Well that night I got really sick (and I mean really sick) with food poisoning. I was up all night. I went to church as I needed to take care of my SS class but they sent me home after Church.
For Sunday Dinner we had a braai of Hamburgers and Corn on the Cob. I had the Elders do the cooking. We found out that about ½ of the people at Zone Conference got food poisoning. Pres. Probst got really sick with it as well. Well this coming week we don't have a lot of Missionary work planned. On P-Day (Monday) we went to a place called Jubilee Creek. Sonja our RR President has wanted to take us there for quite a long time. It was close to Knysna there was a water-fall she wanted to take us to. It was about a ½ hour hike. Well the area is dry and short on water. They water fall was only a trickle. It was more like a garden hoes running. We will have to go when there is more water. There was a deep pool where a lot of people were swimming and jumping in. Where we parked the cars, there was a large grassy area with tables etc. The creek was running with more water there. We had a nice picnic when we got back there.
On the way home, Sister O and I stopped at an area called Buffel's Baai. It was beautiful we want to go back again when we can take pictures because it is so beautiful. That night we had FHE at the Pangel's house with Gary and John O Leen The Elders were there also. Sister O stopped and got some sweets for refreshments. Sister O essentially did everything. She did most of the Christmas Story, helped the children sing and then led us all in some carols. Then it was time to go home again, and I was really glad as I was getting sick again.
On Tuesday we went shopping for Christmas Dinner etc. We got a lot of toys and etc for stocking and things to wrap for the Elders.
We had 2 senior coupes by in the evening the Harms & Forsgren's. They wanted us to go and spend some time with them the next day. We met them and had a nice breakfast. We then went to Oudtshoorn to the Cango Caves and then to and Ostrich farm. I got nice bruise on my lip as the guide had 4 men hold a food in our mouths and the Ostrich would peck it off. Well she pecked it off really good, I guess I got a harder kiss then normal. It was time for dinner when we got home. After dinner we went to Victoria Baai and set on some rocks and visited and enjoyed the gorgeous view. We enjoyed the gorgeous view for about an hour.
On Thursday we took some sweets and cookies (that sister O cooked) to some families that we have bee working with and it was a lot of fun. Christmas is very different here. It is summer time, none of the homes we have been to decorate there homes, no trees up, no presents etc. They all talk about Christmas but you don't see much evidence of it. They mall is so crowded with shoppers so I guess some of them at least give gifts.
Christmas eve was very special for Sister O and I as the Elders took us out to a nice restaurant and stake dinner and they payed for it. They picked us up, opened the doors for us and everything. We thought that was wonderful on there part. On Christmas AM Sister O family called us at 3am our time and we got to talk to everyone. That was fun and great. We called my family at 4:15am. It is so wonderful to talk and hear from family. I wished we had talked to the grandchildren but we didn't. All the Elders came over on Christmas Morning and went through their stockings we opened gifts and so forth. We drew names for a small gift of each other. Sister O and I fixed a nice breakfast of cantaloupe, cinnamon rolls, bacon and eggs and french toast. We all ate too much. We then did the dishes and the Elders and I went to play Golf. After Golf we came home and had a Braai of stake, lamb chops, bor wors and sister O had potato salad, green salad and Vega's, fruit salad and all kind of sweets for desert. It turned out to be a wonderful day. It made it so special that we had a wonderful prayer together offered by Sister O. I love her so much! Then the Elders made their calls to home which took several hours. We let the American Elders use the Vonage phone to call home. They all left about 10pm to go home.
I tried to call Connie and her family but didn't reach them. Then I called my Sister Norma and Russ, and my Brother Wayne was there so that saved me a call. Sister O Called her best Friend Pam, her brother Jack but couldn't reach her sister Bonnie. All in all it turned out to be a wonderful Christmas. As good as it could have been with out being with family. We thank you for all the wonderful gifts you sent, we love them all and our beautiful day.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL ! Talk with you next week We hope you miss us as we miss you!!
Love Elder & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad Linda & Woody
Grandpa, Papa, Grandpa Woody & Grandma
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