Last Letter in October

October 26, 2010

Dear Family, Friends, & Loved Ones,

Well today is Tuesday. Our letter this week will be primarily about our wonderful 5 day weekend. We left last Wednesday morning to go to a leadership training in Capetown. What an experience! On the way we stopped to see and visit our Africa son George. He is so strong and wants to go on a mission so bad along with his friend and partner Charles. The big problem is that they live & work in South Africa but they are from Malawi. It deals with paper work etc. We will work on it and try and help all we can so they will be able to go. Then we went on into the town of George to see and visit some dear friends there. We visited with Gary & JohnOlean, the Pangles, Mitsobilies, Hein Adendorf, the new Senior Couple the Ladles. We spent a lot of time visiting and talking with Desiree & Gerard. We spent 2 nights with them in their home. They have 2 rooms like a B&B that was really nice and comfortable. We left George and went through the Outeniqua pass which is really beautiful. The Plateros were following us in their car and had never been there. Then on to Oudtshorn and to Capetown by a different route. The mission would have paid for us to fly etc. "BUT" I know that Sister O wanted to visit in George so we elected to drive. We stayed Friday & Saturday night in a B&B that the Mission provided for us.

On Saturday we drove to the Bellview Stake Center for our meeting at 9am that lasted until 12:30pm. We had elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12, Bishop Burton (the Presiding Bishop) Elder Rineland, Elder Watson & Elder Cebala (sp) all of the 70's. What a wonderful meeting. Pres Platero, Pres Matsaluka and I were on the front row right under the pulpit & probably 5 feet from Elder Holland. Then he came down to the floor and talked most of the time about a foot & a half away. What a treat! After it was over we all got to shake hands and talk with each of the General Authorities. I got a hug from Elder Holland and Bishop Burton. WHAT A PLEASURE THAT WAS FOR ME.

That evening at the mission office we had a get together with some of the Senior Couples. There were 16 of us and we really enjoyed our visits and dinner. Sunday morning we wanted to go to the conference being held at the same location. It started at 10am and we were told that if we wanted a good seat that we should be there by 7:30am. We skipped breakfast and left early as it was close to a half hours drives away. We got there at 7:15 and had our pick of where we wanted to sit.

We got to hear from Elder Cabela, Elder Burton and his Wife, Pres. Armstrong, the Jo Berg Temple President, & Elder Holland and his wife. Plus they had 4 people bear their testimonies from the audience. They had the most beautiful choir that we had ever heard. Almost as good as the Tabernacle Choir. It was so good and enjoyable, that Elder Holland asked them to sing one of their songs over again. Sister O and I felt that this was the best and most enjoyable and most spiritual meeting that we had ever had the opportunity to attend. There were over 2,000 in attendance plus it was video broadcast to 4 & 5 other chapel locations. After the Conference session, Elder Holland & Bishop Burton and their Wife's met with all the missionaries (Young & Old) for another meeting. It was so special for us all. Elder Holland is so powerful to hear and spiritual to be with. I was asked to say the closing prayer. What a privilege to do so. Elder Holland was so kind as he cane up to me and said what a beautiful prayer. Then we got to shake hands and talk to them again. The week-end meetings were worth the whole mission. All the other blessings and experiences are also a once in a lifetime experience.

We left to go back to George & spend the night with Desirees. We had a good rain all the way and a lot during the night. On Monday we met the Robinsons and the La Prays for lunch and then we picked up Elder Dodoo at the air port to bring to PA to finish the last 2 weeks of his mission & see if he can help our 2 Elders get along better. He was and AP earlier (Assistant to the President). What a great 5 days week end experience we had! We wish everyone could experience the same. It has really strengthened our testimonies along with many other experiences!Well it is time to close. We want to thank our families for the experience and opportunity of being here in South Africa to serve our Heavenly Father. What wonderful experiences and opportunities we are having. Please know how much we love and miss you all. You are simply the BEST!

We love you so much and are
grateful for being your parents.

All Our Love
President & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Linda & Woody)
Grandma & Grandpa Woody