Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
1 August Letter 2010
2. George Birthday 25th of July
3. Our new Home
4. President O in our Living Room
5. Senior couples going golfing P-Day
6. Sister O and the Big turtle
7. The rose and cards I received for my B-Day
8. Sister O on the zip line (cute no)
9. All of us getting ready to go to the Zip lines
August, 1, 2010
Dear Family Friends & Loved Ones,
Well we are slow in writing again. It seems I have such a hard time finding time to do some things. Well this week is transfer week and we are so glad that we were able to retain our 2 Elders. This will help me in the reorganization of our branch that needs it so bad so that we can move forward the way that we want. Well we are comfortable in our new flat and we really like (love) it compared to our last place at Settler Sands. This is fully carpeted, 3 bedrooms, 21/2 bath, garage, large living room & dining area and a large kitchen with a eating nook and the area is so beautiful and green with beautiful landscaping. We will take some videos of it shortly.
On Sunday for church, one of the speakers couldn't be there, so my counselor in charge asked Sister O to speak in her place and the topic was "Follow the Prophet" She really did a fantastic job as her talk was perfect and so good. Her talk was for 15 min which was perfect to fill our the program. Sister O has been such a spiritual blessing to everyone here in SA and to me as well. Not only a spiritual blessing but they all love her as a dear friend and she relates so well to everyone. She gets calls & e-mails all the time from people telling her of their love for her and how much they miss her. Even some of the youth from George. All the missionaries want to be where Sister O is because she takes such good and loving care of them all. They don't get this in other areas.
For our P-Day on Monday Sister O and I went for a ride to see what "Southwell" was as there are so many turn offs that say Southwell. Well there really wasn't anything there except for scattered farms & ranch houses and some game farms but it was a beautiful green drive. We ended up by Grahamstown and then back home. It was fun and Sister O loves to take drives and I love to be with her.
A few weeks ago Sister Hynch of the Relief Society & I talked about FHE in Church. We talked about the importance of having FHE and how important it is for families. So we have been going to some members homes with the Elders having FHE. We have enjoyed this and I think the families do as well. On some of the FHE visits I have been teaching about Eternal Marriage and trying to establish this as a goal for our member families. One of my counselor works out of town during the week, but my 2nd counselor and I are trying to visit all our members to give encouragement and to give some spiritual strength. Sister 0 and I have also been visiting with many of our members where we think it is needed. Sister O is such a strength in this area. I can really see a change in some of our members. Many people just need to feel our love for them an to know that they are loved. I have had some great blessings in my calling to give some PH blessings to a number of people and it is so wonderful to see some of the changes in their lives.
A few days ago we received a very special and long e-mail from Troy (my son) he related a beautiful story of when he was on his mission about a lady and the repentance and forgiveness she experienced in her life. It was a beautiful story and one that we all need to incorporate into our own lives. I know in our family we really need this principle in our lives as there is a lot of retained and bad feelings with some of our children. I want each of you to know how much I love each of you and it seems to grow daily. I want each of you to know that your are probably the most important thing in my life. Second only to your mother & my sweet loving companion Linda, who I have been so blessed to have in my life and the meaning she has given me. Also the gospel is probably the most important thing we have in our lives as it helps us to appreciate our love for each other and we can be together as one for all eternity.
I do know that their mother would want, above all else for us to be forgiving one to each other and to love each other as they do their own mother. Families are what really matter most. Sister O and I have such beautiful and loving families. We love you all so much! Sister O loves my children like her own and I appreciate that so much and I love her children like my own as they have all shown me love and respect with open arms & heart. We feel that between our families we have been blessed with the BEST. We love you all so much. I would ask each of you to read 3 Nephi 13: 14,15 D&C 98: 40 Luke 6:37 and especially D&C 64: 9-11. I know sometime the only stumbling blocks we have is pride. We have seen this is SA. We have seen this overcome here and the changes it has made in peoples lives.
Well we have really been busy, we keep hoping it will slow down some, I guess we really find more joy and happiness when we are busy serving.
President Probst will be here on August 8th There are a number of sustaining that he needs to do so that we can complete our branch organization. We have 3 brother Tlathi, Tunye & Siambwezele to be called as stake missionaries; Brother Siambwezele to be Elders President and Branch mission leader. We have some great people here but our membership is small so we have to double up on a lot of callings. Last Sunday we sustained and set apart Sister Ruth Cockbain as our new RS President. She will be a wonderful blessing. I prayed a lot about this and her name was revealed to me over & over. I am really excited how our branch is progressing. I have a lot of goals I want to try and accomplish while we are here. I want our branch to be well organized, self sustained leadership, FHE, Home Teaching & Visiting Teaching to be well organized and working good the way it should. It hasn't been happening but we are getting organized toward that goal. We are trying to work hard on re-activation and to spiritually strengthen the testimonies of our members. We seem to be gaining and progressing. I know it is a lot of work and worry but I feel confident it will happen with the Lords help and good leadership and this I feel is happening.
On Saturday afternoon our Africa son came and spent a few nights with us. He came from the Tsitsikamma area, It was his birthday on Sunday July 25th & Sister O was July 28. He brought her a beautiful wooden bowl for her birthday. His partner came on Sunday and we had a nice braai and Birthday party for him with the Elders. He is such a great young man and wants to go on a mission so bad. I'm sure with the Lords help it will happen and he will get to go and serve the Lord. He will make such a GREAT missionary.
On Monday P-Day (Sept. 26th) I took Sister O and 2 Elders over by Grahanstown area where we rode 6 zip lines. We had a great time and I got some good movies of Sister O and the Elders. It was GREAT!
I have been working hard on finding a new meeting place (building) for our Branch. I think we have found a great place that was meant for us. We will know by next week as I have people coming from the church office in Cape Town to finalize and Ok everything. It is only 2 blocks from where we are now, it will need a lot of remodeling and should meet our needs perfectly. Things seem to be falling in to place.
Well today is my sweethearts birthday, 69 wonderful years and the last 31/2 years of our being together has been such a wonderful part of our lives. We love each other and we love our families. We love our Father in Heave and our Savior. What more do you need. We are going to Grahamstown this afternoon to have a birthday dinner with 2 other senior couples. We always enjoy our time with other couples.
Well I had better close as Sister O thinks the letter is getting to long as she has to type it and get it sent out. But we want you to know we miss and Love all of you so much. We do love hearing from you and finding out what is going on at home. So keep the e-mail and letters coming. Keep up the good work that you all are doing. To our Teenage grandchildren please keep us informed on what is going on with you and the fun and exciting things you are doing in school & with friends. We love to hear from you.
Love to all from
President & Sister O'dell
Mom & Dad (Linda & Woody)
Grandma & Grandpa Woody
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
First Letter in July 2010
Dear Family Friends & Loved Ones,
Well it has been too long since our last letter again BUT we have been really busy & involved in preparing for our move to a different flat, missionary work and Branch President work. Then our computer was down for about 2 weeks for our move. In SA service to get re-connected isn't like a fast food restaurant.
On Monday June 21, P-Day we went with Pres. Platero & his wife to “Fish River Sun” for breakfast which as we have said is about 20 to 25 min. away. It is simply the Best for the Price! The Platero's are serving in Grahamstown which is about 45 min away. Pres. & Sister Platero are the first Native America Indian Senior Couple to ever go on a mission. They are Navajo and live is southern Utah just above the Arizona border. They are fun to be with and he is always making jokes about the America Indians. On his first Sunday he told the congregation that he was proof that John Wayne didn't get all the Indians. HA!
After breakfast we went back to Port Alfred to play a round of golf at the Royal PA Golf Club. Sister O loves it so much we can hardly get her off the course. Elder Platero used to be a golf coach for a high school students. There is a lot of Africa game on the course. There is 17 species on the course and it is almost like going to a game reserve. The green fee is normally R305 but I talked him into giving us an African senior discount to R105 which is about $14 or $15 green fee plus we rent a cart.
That evening we had the Elders with the Zone leaders over and of course Sister O found something to feed them. One of the Zone leaders we had in George, Elder Hansen. Really a Great Elder from Utah. Then for lunch the next day she had like a Sunday Dinner for them. Meat Loaf, Backed Potatoes. All the Elders want to be where Sister O is because she feeds them so good and takes care of them like they were her own sons.
The next day we had interviews with Pres. Probst. Then I really started sorting an boxing things for our next move. We both really hate moving as does everyone and we hope this will be our last while here in SA.
I have been trying to re establish communication with Ndlambe Municapality for a lot on a new development area by the township. They are going to sell 4 parcels of land for churches and it would be so good for our branch, as it is close to most of our members. I've also been working quite a bit on negotiating on a lease agreement for a bigger place for our branch to meet right now. It would be so nice to have room for everything, classrooms, kitchen, etc. It is very nice but they want a really high lease price. We have the paper work in to the church attorneys etc and trying to settle on a lease price. It would be so nice for us so we just hope it will be approved. If not we will start over from ground Zero.
For P-Day on July 5th, we took our Elders to Grahamstowns to be with 4 Elders there and the Platero's. Every year they have a National Art's Festival there and it goes for 3 weeks and there really is a lot of interesting things to see and buy but thankfully we curbed down pretty good on the buying part.
We rented a trailer the next day and went to East London to get a refrigerator that was in Storage at another senior couples flat and we had dinner with 2 other senior couples. The Jones from EL & the Robinson's from PE . That is always fun to do. Sister O really likes the new frig as it was so much better than the one we had here at the new flat.
Then we went to Grahamstown to pick up a couch and chair for our Elders as they didn't have either. They have really been enjoying them. Now Elder Platero calls them “ The Cushion hugger Elders” it is his indian name for them.
On June 27th, Pres. Probst was here and we sustained 2 new counselors in the Branch Presidency and set them apart after church. For the 3rd hour I gave a lesson on FHE to our Branch and then had Sister Hynch give a little demonstration. I didn't think any of our members knew how to have FHE except for the white members. We are trying to get this started and we are working on it. Next we will try and work at getting our home teaching started and going. A few nights ago Sister O & I went with the Elders on some missionary visits and we had a FHE at both places, they really seemed to enjoy having it. One was a member and one was an investigator. Sister O made some homemade cookies and they always really enjoy this.
Well we are in our new flat now and we really like it so much better and it is actually a little cheaper in cost . It has 3 bedrooms, 21/2 baths. A large living area and dining area, a large kitchen, a garage and we even have a TV and have watched a few of the world Cup games and sister O is actually enjoying them. It is fully carpeted except for the kitchen and baths. There has been a lot of fixing up and repairing which is pretty well done & finished and we are also pretty well organized. It has nice grassy yards that is taken care of and we are right across from the Golf Course. Now I hope we can find time to play once in a while.
We just received 2 new large white boards and 2 new tac boards. Brother Juber & I hung. We also finally have a refrigerator and a new keyboard and cabinet which we are really going to enjoy I'm sure.(now all we have to do is find someone to play for us) Ha!
We have met with a lady a couple of times this week for the Ndlambe Municipality to try to set up a venue for our Branch to do a service for the annual “Mormons Helping Hands” which will be coming up on August 21.
Even though SA is out of the world cup there is still a lot of excitement over the event. There are only 2 games left. One on Saturday and the final on Sunday the 11 of July.
I forgot to mention that the 2 young girls that were baptized a few weeks ago were confirmed the following Sunday when Pres. Probst was here. After they were confirmed they both bore their testimonies and it was unbelievable how strong their testimonies were. That is so exciting to see. I had the opportunity to confirm one of them and this is always such a privilege to be able to do. We are so blessed to have the power of the Priesthood given to us that we are able to do our Heavenly Fathers work. It is so exciting to be a part of the growth of the gospel here in SA as the gospel is taken to all parts of the world. I only wish each of you could share in the blessing that is ours from giving of our service to Him. It is wonderful !
Well it is time to close. We want to thank those who have sent us e-mails it is always fun to find out what is going on at home and with family and friends. The other night while we were waiting for the world cup game to start on TV we found the movie “Gone With the Wind” and watch some of it. Then we had a e-mail from Trilogy and they were showing the same movie for “Movie Night” So I guess we are still in the loop. We are having fun but we do really miss everyone back home. But we are now on the down hill part of the mission. Only 10 months to go. April 2011 We are grateful for our families, grandchildren & friends. But most of all we are grateful for the blessings we receive form our Father in /Heaven.
We look forward to hearing from you all. We are cold and you are hot it really seems funny to have July be this cold and Christmas be so warm. Oh will such is life! Keep smiling and remember we miss and love you all very much.
Our new address is:
Elder & Sister O'Dell
17 Connaugh
Salt Vlei Road
Port Alfred 6170
Republic of South Africa
But if you are going to send us any thing in the mail send it to
Elder & Sister O'Dell
P.O. Box 179
Port Alfred 6170
Republic of South Africa
Love always
President & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Lind & Woody)
Grandma & Papa Woody
Friday, June 25, 2010
Last June Letter for Africa !
Dear Family Friends & Loved Ones,
Well a few weeks ago Sister O and I went to East London for P-Day. Elder Cooney invited us to come and play golf over there. It is 11/2 hours from Port Alfred so the Elders had to ask permission from the Zone Leaders. Our two Elders wanted to go they had never really played golf and they really wanted to play. We were to meet at a McDonalds and all of a sudden we had 16 Elders there besides ourselves. They heard that Sister O & I were going to be there and may wanted to see & visit with us again (we had them in George at one time or another) and some just wanted to meet us. I'm glad they didn't all play golf as we only had 3 sets of clubs. We had lots of fun. It was a long course and it only cost us about $5.50 a person. I wish we could do that in America.
On Tuesday I was quite busy with church and paper work plus taking Sister O visiting teaching. I have been working a lot on trying to get a lease on a larger building for the Branch to meet in and I think we are getting close. It would really nice, as at times we are really crowded.
Sister O & I left to go back to East London early Wednesday morning to go to Zone Conference which was on Thursday morning. We stayed the night with another Senior Couple that is from Arizona, the Jones. We really enjoyed the company of another Senior Couple for a change. It rained really hard all day & night. It rained for about 3 days and was so great as we needed it so bad. We have all really been praying for rain. Our tires were really thin and I had a real problem with the car hydro-plaining. I got new tires when we got home and the car runs so nice now. Our Zone Conference was really nice, as always.
I spent a lot of the time the next day working with some people that has a morality problem. I think things will be OK and I hope so as I really don't like to have these things come up, it can be very stressful for me. But we do what we have to do I guess.
On Saturday we had a Branch party at the Church. The world Cup is starting and there is so much excitement here about it. Sister O sent you some pictures I'm sure. Everyone is wearing Yellow and Green shirts with Bafana Bafana on them which means Boys Boys. They had a car parade everywhere with honking & honking. Then there is the vuvuzalas that everyone has and blows that is really loud. We had hot dogs, drinks, popcorn etc. It was fun but S.A. Hasn't enjoyed the outcome of their team. But some say they did better then they expected. They opened against Mexico and played to a 1-1 tie. They lost 0-3 the next game. They play one more game tonight. (June 22) and will probably be out.
Monday June 14 was another P-Day and I worked on a lot of things at home that needed attention. In the afternoon I took the 2 Elders and let them hit a few buckets of golf balls, they enjoyed that. We then had the Elders from Grahamstown come over as they had baptismal interviews to do and then Sister O fixed a real nice Mexican Dinner that we all enjoyed very much.
Well it went for nearly a week before I got time to write in my journal, thus I am really late writing our letter. Pres. Probst wasn't too happy about the 2 baptismal interviews that were done and wanted me to re-interview them which I did and it was really enjoyable. We had a baptismal service for the 2 young girls on June 20 and that is always exciting.
I have been quite busy with church work all week, visiting and meeting with people. We have some really wonderful people in our Branch. We have really fallen in love with this area and the people. I hope they all grow in strength in the gospel as Sister O and I have. It is amazing and so wonderful how much our testimonies have grown and strengthen while serving our Father in Heaven. The work is amazing and wonderful. We wish everyone could experience and feel the Saviors love & blessings as we have since being here.
On Sunday we really had a large turn out with visitors and investigators. We can hold about 40 people and we had 54 in attendance, the hallway & kitchen was full. (We meet in a small house) But it was exciting to have so any in attendance.
I have been having the opportunity to give a number of blessings lately. It is so humbling to have this opportunity. We had a lady from Alexandria, which is about 50k from PA she is not a member and she had a friend from Grahamstown call and ask if I could give her a blessing. She seemed like a wonderful person and after visiting with her, I really felt honored to give her the blessing. She has great faith and we know that one must have faith in our Heavenly Father to receive a blessing.
I really had a GREAT "Fathers Day" I got to talk and visit with all my family. This was wonderful as Sister 'O and I really love and miss our families. Several of Sister O' families even called to wish me a Happy Fathers Day. This really meant a lot to me. Jeannie he got your card and pictures they are so cute and it was great. Thanks!
We have had some really cold weather but the last few days have been a bit warmer. In SA they don't build homes with heating & cooling in them. A lot of things here really make you appreciate how good we have it at home in America (even with Obama)
Well it is time to close but not with out telling all of you how much we love and miss you! It was so good to hear from you and really good to see Chuck and the whole family on i-Chat. It was great to meet Brenna new Wife. And see Tessa she is so cute.
Take care and we will keep in touch from time to time and look forward to the new Year 2011 then we will see you all !!!!
Love Sister O & Pres. O'Dell
Mom (Linda) & Dad (Woody)
Grandma & Grandpa Wood
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Soccer FEVER
Dear family and friends,
Well it finally arrived, the World Cup, that is. What a spirit if celebration has gripped South Africa. Cars with South African flags attached to them, and vuvuzelas (plastic horns) hats, colored hair and almost everything else you could think of has been seen.
On Wednesday everyone was to go outside at noon and blow their vuvuzelas for 5 minutes. It lasted longer than that, we can tell you.
On Saturday we had a branch party at the church to see one of the games We had a great time!
Afterward we went to a mall to walk and as we entered the mall we were nearly overcome with the LOUD sound of vuvuzelas blowing, with children to grannies participating. It WAS AMAZING to see AND HEAR.
Love Sister & Brother O'Dell Mom & Dad
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Hi From Africa June 2010
2. Elder Far (going home to Utah) Elder Cooney & Elder Schamel
3. Out with the Old and in with the new Transfer Day (one stayed, one went to Cape Town, and one is new)
4. Sister O and her Elders
5. Elder O on the Bridge at Storms River Mouth
6. The pet giraffe with the Elders
7. All the Elders having Dinner at the O'Dells on Friday night
Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,
Well it has been several weeks since we have written. Sometimes it is hard to find time to write as we should. A few weeks ago we had the Grahamstown Elders come to PA for P-DAY. We went to a small game preserve right here in PA on the edge of a township. It was only R 150.00 per car which is about $20.00 a car. They really had a lot of fun and an enjoyable time. There was one giraffe that was really tame and wherever we would stop, it would come over to us. He liked to be pet and he would lick the Elders. They spent a lot of time doing this and got some fantastic pictures. I saw one really great Nyala bull but I could never get a good picture of it. We did have some beautiful views of the Kowie River. That runs there in Port Alfred.
On Saturday we had a baptismal service for Constance Ruziwa. She is a really small girl and the wife of Charles Ruziwa who I am calling to be my 2nd counselor in the Branch Presidency. I believe Pres. Probst will be here next Sunday the 13th of June, and he will be set apart and sustained. He will be a great and strong man in the church here. We had 4 really great and strong melchizedek priesthood holders that I'm sure will be the backbone of the growth of the church here in PA. The 1st counselor will be Canny Nobebe.
On Monday we went with 3 other senior couples to a game reserve called Kwanto and it was kind of a going away get together for another senior couple that is finishing their mission and going home. He is the Branch President in Grahamstown and they are President & Sister Fullmer. The reserve is between PE and Grahamstown. There must be 30 to 40 more in the area that we went to. We met 2 of the other couples in Grahamstown for lunch before going to the reserve. It was really a beautiful place and if you stayed overnight the accommodations were very luxurious When we got thru we were allowed to pet and hold some lion cubs and I wanted to get some pictures of Sister O doing this but she wasn't feeling well.
On Tuesday we met with a brother in our branch and his sister and mother and found them in utter poverty. They had two pineapples in there "home" to eat that someone gave them. We spent most of the PM taking care of some welfare needs. He did have a job. I told him that if he would be prayerful, keep God's commandments and pay tithing that he would be blessed. I told him that God would bless him, but that he had to do his part. I was in tears as he called me last week and thanked me and to tell me he now has a good job. God does love and bless us. I was so excited at Sacrament Meeting when he paid tithing and also fast offerings. I was literally in tears. This calling has many challenges but is also so rewarding. I wish everyone could feel the blessings that we feel. What a wonderful blessing Sister O and I have to be able to serve our Heavenly Father.
Last week we had transfers and lost Elder McGregor who we loved dearly. But we were blessed with another GREAT missionary in Elder Marler from Idaho. This is only his 2nd six weeks and he is doing a great job. Of course Sister O is doing her best to spoil all the missionaries she can with her cooking and feeding them.
The kitchen in our flat is so bad and after 51/2 weeks of promises, Pres Probst gave us permission to find another flat. We did find a great place in a few days. It has 3 bedrooms, 21/2 baths, a garage and yard and a lot of storage and is fully carpeted. I think we will really enjoy it. It even has a TV in it. We will move in the last of June.
On Sunday we had 40 people out which is the second highest our Branch has had. The most is 42. On Sunday we had a great meeting showing the Saturday PM session of General Conference. Then I talked after for a bit. The spirit felt so strong and it is such a great opportunity when we can listen to our General Authorities.
On Monday the Robinsons and us are going to breakfast at Fish River Sun then back to PA for to play a round of golf at Royal Port Alfred Golf Course. It is a beautiful course that is like a game reserve as there is so much wild life on the course. You get a view of the ocean on every hole. I know that Sister O really enjoyed driving the golf cart around this beautiful area. While we were golfing Elder Hurbert called me from the Mission Office in Cape Town and needed help in George in finding a new flat for the elders there and helping the elders there as well. So when we got through golfing we came home, cleaned up, packed and left. We went as far as PE and stayed with the Robinsons that night. We left early the next AM and headed for George. Sister O has really been wanting to have a chance to return to George and this was her chance. We found a flat for the Elders in short order and then did a lot of visiting many of our friends there and worked with and helped the new Elders there as much as we could.
The next day Sister O was able to get her hair cut and her nails done. Also lunch and dinner with some of our convert friends. We were really busy the whole time we were there. We met the Plateros coming down from Namibia they are going to Grahamstown to be the new Branch Pres there. They are replace the Fullmers who are leaving to go home to Utah. They stayed the night with us in George at our old flat . They are Navajo from southern Utah. (They are the first American Indian senior couple to serve a mission for the Church.) We left early the next morning to come back home and showed them some of the sights and things to see on the way home. We stopped at the Bridge to see Elizabeth but she was not there. They really enjoyed the Bungy Jump area and we got to see 2 people jump. We stopped at Storms River Mouth and hiked to the 3 swinging bridges and really enjoyed this. We then stopped to visit our Africa Son George. He is doing so good and has such a strong testimony. He wants to go on a mission so bad and I hope it can happen. We couldn't get the volunteers we needed to help support him but he is trying so hard to save for this. We then went to PE where we both spent the night at the Stones' old flat and then home to PA the next morning. It was a long and hurried and busy trip. Sister O enjoyed it so much and I'm sure that Pres. Probst won't let us do it again.
After Sacrament Meeting Sister O'Dell asked me to give her a blessing. The elders assisted me and we felt such a strong spirit with us. It is amazing the wonderful blessings we have and receive here while we serve our Heavenly Father. We are really loving the people here and serving them and really appreciated the love they show us.
Well I guess I had a grandson get married recently, we feel kind of bad that we didn't get an announcement, a call or an e-mail. Congratulations Brennen! We love you but wish some of you would keep us up to date on what is happening. We do love you all and want to hear what is going on in your lives. Thanks Troy. We enjoyed hearing from you and your poem was really GREAT.
Well it is time to close please e-mail and keep in touch.
All our love: President O'Dell & Sister O
Mom & Dad Woody & Linda, Grandpa, Papa, Papa Woody & Grandma
