2. Members in the church yard getting ready for the Baptism
3. Elders & members having fun cleaning & working in the yard
Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,
Greetings again from beautiful South Africa. Yes, we really do love it here BUT
we are really getting anxious to be home to see our family and friends. We love you all so much! We are so grateful that we have been able to serve and the most wonderful experiences we have had and are still having. Many times its been trying at times but the rewards are worth every minute.
A few weeks ago our branch did a service project where we did our "Mormon Helping Hands" service project at a home for homeless children. We did a lot of work but it is fun when you do it all together. We cleaned up the large yard, cleaned and prepared a number of flower beds, trimmed and pruned a number of trees and shrubbery, weeded the yard, cut and raked the yard, cleaned and swept 4 patios. They were having and open house there a few days later. The children are really lucky to have such a nice place.
Sister O and I have been busy making a number of visits. Sister O has visited a number of Young Women in her class to help them understand their personal progress projects etc. so that they can qualify for this. Also for the Young Men to work on their, Duty to God Awards. We have some great youth in our branch and Sister O is really doing a great job in the Young Women's program.
We had the zone leaders come from East London and spent 2 nights with us. They had some baptismal interviews to do plus doing exchanges with our elders. They also were here for our district meeting. On Monday for P-Day which was also valentines day we took our Elders to Bathurst to see the Big Pineapple and to get some pictures of them at the big pineapple. We sent some pictures with the last letter.
On Saturday the 19th we had President & Sister Probst here for a district training meeting and then interviews. It was a good meeting and Sister O prepared a nice lunch for all of us. (8 in all) I then had a few interviews set up for President Probst which he needed to do. They then went to Grahamstown but were back with us for Sacrament meeting on Sunday Morning. Everyone always wants to hear from President & Sister Probst. We had a very large turn our for church with a large number of investigators. We have really had way above average attendance for January & February. We have really been pleased and excited about the progress in our branch.
After church President Probst had a few a few more interviews to so and then we had a disciplinary counsel to do with a Sister in our branch. This is not much fun but I know that she will be okay and strong in the church. It was a long-day as we were at the church from 8am until almost 4pm.
On Monday P-Day the Elders and I went to the driving range and Sister O went shopping. Two of the elders had never swung a golf club but they really seemed to enjoy it. The other 2 elders, Lebala & Bangerter have golfed here a few times and really love it. After this Sister O and I made 5 visits to people in our branch. We try to visit as much as we can and when we feel we should.
On Wednesday evening we had a steak braai with Patrick & Hazel and Elder Bangerter & Rako. Patrick & Hazel are investigators and are wonderful people. They remind us of The Dangine Family in George except in George it was the wife that was interested, with Pat & Hazel it is the husband that is interested. They both told us it was the most fun and enjoyable night that they can remember in a very long time. We are so glad and wish that they could be to church this week but they will be out of town.
I am speaking in church Sunday and there are some things I wanted them to hear and I prepared my talk with them somewhat in mind, but a talk that I feel we all need. I am speaking on commandments.
We spent Thursday February 24 with Elder & Sister Platero. We found out it was their 44th wedding anniversary. The girls went shopping and just visited and Elder Platero and I went golfing here in Port Alfred. The people at the golf
course have been really good to me. We get a senior discount and a reciprical membership discount plus now they are giving me a clergy discount. We played 18 holes and it cost us R85 apiece. This is about $12.00 a round. I wish I could do that in America. I doubt that I will be able to play very often back home as it is so much more expensive.
Well Friday morning we had district meeting again and then we took the Elders out for Chinese food as that is what they wanted for our big meal of the week. Elder Austin our district leader only allows us one dinner a week with the Elders.
On Saturday afternoon we had 2 baptisms at the church in our new portable baptismal font. They were 2 sisters by the names of Zoleka Hans-Nokonya (baptized by Elder Labala) and Nontombi Dosi (baptized by Elder Austin) It was a beautiful service. We had a talk on baptism by Elder Rakotoarivelo and on receiving the Holy Ghost by Elder Austin. Sister O made 10 doz cookies again and I think they were all gone. We have such a lovely back yard at our church for things like this.
On Sunday we had a wonderful service with the confirmation of these 2 wonderful sisters. Elder Lebala confirmed Nontombi and I confirmed Zoleka. I then had them bear their testimonies and it was so wonderful to hear them. I gave a talk on commandments which was about 20 minutes. I liked the talk but I need to try and shorten it. I want to give one more talk that I prepared last week on "Preparing for the 2nd coming"
Last week Sister O and I received an e-mail from a member of my family. It was a most wonderful and heart warming message that was so special to Sister O & I. They will never know how much it meant to both of us and touched our heart and feelings. Thank You! We only wish all of you could know the feelings in our heart of how much we love and appreciate each one of you and how special you all are. Sister O and I both love you with all our hearts. We love each others families with all our hearts. Thank you for being so wonderful.
In closing I would like to say one thing to my family. I'm sure you each know what a wonderful mother you had and have. There is nothing that would bring more joy and happiness to her as she looks down on us than to have each of us love each other as our Heavenly Father has commanded us to do.
I also want Sister O's family to know how much I love their mother and how lucky I was to find another such wonderful person to share my life with and to share her life and her family.
We both love All of you and can't wait to see you!
"Only 48 more days but who is counting!"
All our Love
President & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Linda & woody)
Grandpa & Grandma
