Elder and Sister O'Dell meet Pres. Jeffrey R. Holland.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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
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
Monday, October 18, 2010
October 18th Letter 2010
1. Elders at Lunch after Zone Conference
2. Golfing with the Elders & WIND!!
3. PA Elders & Zone Leaders "Having Fun"
4. Leaving Grahnstown on transfer day with Elders, Pres, & Sister Platero
5. All the Elders at Airport on transfer day
6. Our new Elder Grobler
October 18, 2010
Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,
A few weeks ago Sister O & I had the opportunity to take 3 of our youth to a youth camp at a place called Hobbiton at Hogsback. There were 305 youth there. It was about a 2 hour drive and up on a large mountain where it is much cooler & more rain and we got both while we were there. It was a great experience for us and the youth had a great time. We have some great youth in our branch. The camp was for Port Elizabeth Stake, East London Stake and our Branch and the Grahamstown Branch They had 2 fun days of activities and a dance and church with our area President, 2 Stake President and a few Bishops and Branch Presidency. The area President was Elder Hill of the 70's . Olawathe of our Branch was asked to bear her testimony along with 6 others. She is such a spiritual giant for a young women of 17. We sent you lots of pictures with our last letter, it was a fun time for all
We have really had a lot of wind the last few weeks with an occasional beautiful day now & then. A lot of people here are having a lot of allergy problems. Sister O and I have had our share along with a lot of coughing. It has been getting much better the last few days. Sister O has really been in a good mood lately as her sister Bonnie & her husband Bob will be here on October 31 to visit us for a few weeks. We are really looking forward to this. It will be so nice to see family again from home.
The Robinson came by at about 10:30 PM on Friday a couple of weeks ago. They were on there way home to PE, after doing a seminar. We went to Fish River Sun for a great breakfast and to play a round of golf. The Platero's also joined us and we had a great time on the golf course. Elder Platero doesn't have any golf balls so he uses mine. He usually loses a few, Well when I went thru them, I realized he lost 13 balls. We had a really great time. The wives were with us the 1st nine holes and then they decided to do something more fun for them, like shopping,
Sunday was Fast Sunday and we had a great testimony meeting. Back in America you were having General Conference. You are so lucky. We are supposed to see conference on the 30th & 31st of Oct. when we receive the DVD's of it. We can't wait to hear the words of our Prophet and the Q of the 12 and all the general authority. It is so great to hear their words and the counsel they give us. Sister O and I will be going to Capetown on the 23 & 24 of Oct. We are having a leadership training on Saturday and Conference on Sunday. Needless to say we are excited!
For transfers last week we had to go to East London instead of Port Elizabeth, the problem was that we had to go to Grahamstown first to pick up and Elder there. This made for an hour longer drive and we had to leave our flat at 6 am. We lost Elder Marlor and our new Elder is Elder Grobler. He seems nice BUT we understand he has not gotten along with his previous 2 companions at all and so he will have his 3rd companion already on only his second 6 weeks. We are hoping it will work.
We have some of our members of our Branch from Zimbabwe. There is a lot all across South Africa. The problem is that they have to have new visas & passports etc. by December 31st or they will be deported. We have known of people waiting at the embassy in Jo Burg in line for over 2 weeks 24/7 and still haven't been able to be seen. It could be a real problem. Some of our strongest members and families are from Zimbabwe. We have one couple we are trying to get to the Temple to be married and family sealed in the Temple. They are from Zimbabwe. Most of the people from there have been tribally married which is permitted for baptism. However to be married in the Temple they have to be civilly married. We are working on this and it will happen we are sure.
We had some friends from George visit us which was really nice. They had been working in the Temple in Jo Burg for 6 weeks. He used to be in the Temple Presidency in Jo Burg.
Well last Saturday was my birthday. Sister O was so nice to me that I almost want to have a birthday everyday except I would get too old to fast and it is fast enough already. Sister O gave me the nicest wood carved elephant I have ever seen and I really love it. We went to Grahamstown and I had a great steak dinner at a Spur Restaurant. One of the best things about my birthday was that I got to talk to all my family including my sister Norma and my brother Wayne. Also most of Linda's family told me happy birthday which meant a lot to me. We both have such wonderful families.
After Church we had a couple at our flat for lunch, they are from Alexandria. They sang happy birthday to me and had me blow out the candles on my cake. It is a good thing there were only 10 candles instead of 73 or they probably would have to take me to the hospital emergency room.
The zone leaders came on Monday and Elder La Pray and I took the Elders golfing. It was like hurricane wind but they really enjoyed the day. Elder Moorcroft said it was one of the 2 most fun P-Days he has had and they were both with senior couples. (sure because we pay)HA!
We went to East London last Wednesday and spent the night with the Jones. We had an all day workshop training meeting on Thursday. It rained most of the day on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. When we got back to Port Alfred we found out we had a 4 inch rain which has been so needed. The re-modeling on our new meeting place for church has started and we are so excited about this as we will have room for all of our classes. One of our classes has to be outside most of the time. (in the building we are in now) We originally were supposed to be in by the end of the month but it will probably be the middle of November.
Well it is time to close before we bore you too much and put you to sleep. Please everyone know how much we love all of you. We miss you and want to see you but please know that we are having experience here that we will treasure and remember for the rest of our lives. We have 6 months to go before coming home and time seems to be going by pretty fast. Until we talk again all our love to you always.
President & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Linda & Woody)
Grandma & Papa Woody
2. Golfing with the Elders & WIND!!
3. PA Elders & Zone Leaders "Having Fun"
4. Leaving Grahnstown on transfer day with Elders, Pres, & Sister Platero
5. All the Elders at Airport on transfer day
6. Our new Elder Grobler
October 18, 2010
Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,
A few weeks ago Sister O & I had the opportunity to take 3 of our youth to a youth camp at a place called Hobbiton at Hogsback. There were 305 youth there. It was about a 2 hour drive and up on a large mountain where it is much cooler & more rain and we got both while we were there. It was a great experience for us and the youth had a great time. We have some great youth in our branch. The camp was for Port Elizabeth Stake, East London Stake and our Branch and the Grahamstown Branch They had 2 fun days of activities and a dance and church with our area President, 2 Stake President and a few Bishops and Branch Presidency. The area President was Elder Hill of the 70's . Olawathe of our Branch was asked to bear her testimony along with 6 others. She is such a spiritual giant for a young women of 17. We sent you lots of pictures with our last letter, it was a fun time for all
We have really had a lot of wind the last few weeks with an occasional beautiful day now & then. A lot of people here are having a lot of allergy problems. Sister O and I have had our share along with a lot of coughing. It has been getting much better the last few days. Sister O has really been in a good mood lately as her sister Bonnie & her husband Bob will be here on October 31 to visit us for a few weeks. We are really looking forward to this. It will be so nice to see family again from home.
The Robinson came by at about 10:30 PM on Friday a couple of weeks ago. They were on there way home to PE, after doing a seminar. We went to Fish River Sun for a great breakfast and to play a round of golf. The Platero's also joined us and we had a great time on the golf course. Elder Platero doesn't have any golf balls so he uses mine. He usually loses a few, Well when I went thru them, I realized he lost 13 balls. We had a really great time. The wives were with us the 1st nine holes and then they decided to do something more fun for them, like shopping,
Sunday was Fast Sunday and we had a great testimony meeting. Back in America you were having General Conference. You are so lucky. We are supposed to see conference on the 30th & 31st of Oct. when we receive the DVD's of it. We can't wait to hear the words of our Prophet and the Q of the 12 and all the general authority. It is so great to hear their words and the counsel they give us. Sister O and I will be going to Capetown on the 23 & 24 of Oct. We are having a leadership training on Saturday and Conference on Sunday. Needless to say we are excited!
For transfers last week we had to go to East London instead of Port Elizabeth, the problem was that we had to go to Grahamstown first to pick up and Elder there. This made for an hour longer drive and we had to leave our flat at 6 am. We lost Elder Marlor and our new Elder is Elder Grobler. He seems nice BUT we understand he has not gotten along with his previous 2 companions at all and so he will have his 3rd companion already on only his second 6 weeks. We are hoping it will work.
We have some of our members of our Branch from Zimbabwe. There is a lot all across South Africa. The problem is that they have to have new visas & passports etc. by December 31st or they will be deported. We have known of people waiting at the embassy in Jo Burg in line for over 2 weeks 24/7 and still haven't been able to be seen. It could be a real problem. Some of our strongest members and families are from Zimbabwe. We have one couple we are trying to get to the Temple to be married and family sealed in the Temple. They are from Zimbabwe. Most of the people from there have been tribally married which is permitted for baptism. However to be married in the Temple they have to be civilly married. We are working on this and it will happen we are sure.
We had some friends from George visit us which was really nice. They had been working in the Temple in Jo Burg for 6 weeks. He used to be in the Temple Presidency in Jo Burg.
Well last Saturday was my birthday. Sister O was so nice to me that I almost want to have a birthday everyday except I would get too old to fast and it is fast enough already. Sister O gave me the nicest wood carved elephant I have ever seen and I really love it. We went to Grahamstown and I had a great steak dinner at a Spur Restaurant. One of the best things about my birthday was that I got to talk to all my family including my sister Norma and my brother Wayne. Also most of Linda's family told me happy birthday which meant a lot to me. We both have such wonderful families.
After Church we had a couple at our flat for lunch, they are from Alexandria. They sang happy birthday to me and had me blow out the candles on my cake. It is a good thing there were only 10 candles instead of 73 or they probably would have to take me to the hospital emergency room.
The zone leaders came on Monday and Elder La Pray and I took the Elders golfing. It was like hurricane wind but they really enjoyed the day. Elder Moorcroft said it was one of the 2 most fun P-Days he has had and they were both with senior couples. (sure because we pay)HA!
We went to East London last Wednesday and spent the night with the Jones. We had an all day workshop training meeting on Thursday. It rained most of the day on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. When we got back to Port Alfred we found out we had a 4 inch rain which has been so needed. The re-modeling on our new meeting place for church has started and we are so excited about this as we will have room for all of our classes. One of our classes has to be outside most of the time. (in the building we are in now) We originally were supposed to be in by the end of the month but it will probably be the middle of November.
Well it is time to close before we bore you too much and put you to sleep. Please everyone know how much we love all of you. We miss you and want to see you but please know that we are having experience here that we will treasure and remember for the rest of our lives. We have 6 months to go before coming home and time seems to be going by pretty fast. Until we talk again all our love to you always.
President & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Linda & Woody)
Grandma & Papa Woody
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Last Letter in September 2010
1. Camp Dorm we stayed in
2. Pres O'Dell napping on the job
3. Putting 324 lunches together
4. Sister O helping in the kitchen
5. A Picture of all the kids at Camp
6. Having fun on the play ground
7. Climbing the wall
8.Sibongeseni with the Camp Prayer
2. Pres O'Dell napping on the job
3. Putting 324 lunches together
4. Sister O helping in the kitchen
5. A Picture of all the kids at Camp
6. Having fun on the play ground
7. Climbing the wall
8.Sibongeseni with the Camp Prayer
September 27, 2010
Dear Family, Friends and Loved Ones,
Well after a trying time in the hospital I was finally able to take Sister O home on Sunday. She still was not good, but she was better. She is still taking medication and will be for 2 months when we need to go back for another endoscopy. She pretty much has her strength back. We are so grateful for the good friends we have in PE and the love they showed us. Everyone in our branch had her in their prayers and I believe the whole mission as word got around quite rapidly that Sister O was in the hospital. Even people in Jo Burg called to ask how she was doing.
We got home on Sunday after she had a big breakfast at the hospital. I think she was starving for food instead of IV's. We passed a McDonald's' leaving the hospital and she wanted a milkshake & fries. She slept all the way home (2hr). As sick as she was and had been she had the Elders over for dinner. She had some homemade soup (thank goodness) and some rolls. It seems, like everything went good at church. I was kind of worried. The next Sunday (sept 19) was our branch conference and I had a lot to do during the week. President Probst & President Mason were both there with there wives. The theme of our conference was taken from D&C 101:22 "GATHERING TOGETHER & STANDING IN HOLY PLACES" I talked about temple ordinances and focused mainly on eternal and celestial marriage. It was such a great conference but I talked too long. I was supposed to talk for 10 min & it lasted 15min. We had a fireside after church from 1 to 2pm. We started church at 9am and I thought we would lose most people by then but we only lost 2 people in number. I thought that was really good for our little branch. Sister O & I were at church at 8am and didn't get home until after 3pm. A long day for sister O. She bore a beautiful testimony before I talked. She always does such a wonderful job on everything she does. I had a total of 9 meetings Saturday & Sunday, but it was worth it as everything turned out so good.
The Elders wanted to golf on Monday as they may not have many more chances as transfers are in a few weeks. We went to Alexandria (50 K's away). It cost us R40 which is between $5/6 dollars. Sister O stayed home to get more rest as we walked the course and it is quite long and a lot of ups & downs. When I got home Sister O & I made 4 visits to branch members that I needed to visit. On Tuesday I had a lot of book work to do plus I needed to fix some things at our flat that needed fixing. "But" the best part of the day was that Sister O was finally feeling better. We are watching her diet closely and that she doesn't over do it like she usually does. It is so hard to get her to slow down.
One good thing is that I finally have the signed lease in place for our new church building where we will meet. It begins October 1 but it will probably take most of the month to get it ready to move into. I was able to get a job for a member of our branch to do the painting inside. He is such a good and strong member and really needs employment that is permanent. He is one of the 4 members that attended the PEF seminar. We had to get him groceries the other day as he didn't have any food in the house or any money. He also takes care of his 11year old sister who was baptized a few months ago. So for I have paid for all the welfare and budget out of my own account. President Probst said it would be straightened out soon so that I can be re-reimbursed. I will also be glad when the hospital bill is re-imbursed. That was over R14,000. That will really help.
We recently had a Zone Conference in East London to get more training on the new approach of teaching by the spirit following the doctrine and teachings of Christ. We had to get up at 5am to get ready and get to EL by 9am.
We didn't finish until after 5pm & Sister O was really tired so I had her lay down in the car until we could get ready to leave. We got home shortly after 8pm which was a long day for Sister O who didn't have all her strength back yet.
On Monday after conference it rained some in the morning but the Elders wanted to go golfing. We were lucky it quit raining before we golfed. I talked to the golf shop and got a great deal for the Elders to play the Royal Port Alfred Course. He let them play for R63 for 13 holes. We are back to the club house after 13 holes. That comes to $8.75. We have been treated so good here every place we go and we have appreciated it so much.
Elder & Sister La Pray were here that night to give a PEF seminar that I mentioned earlier. The PEF stands for perpetual education fund. This is where they can get loans for schooling to qualify them to hopefully get better jobs. We had 4 in attendance. The next morning we went to Fish River Sun for a wonderful breakfast before they had to go back home to PE which is about 2 hours away.
On Wednesday & Thursday Sister O & I had to meet with some members of our branch getting ready for a Youth Camp at a place called "Hobbiton on Hogback which is about 21/2 hours away. We have 3 youth from our branch attending. We have Olwethu Ngcibi, her brother Sibongeseni and a cousin Xolisa Ngcibi. They all live in the same house. We then had to drive to Alexandria to home teach & visit teach, which is over 50k's away ad the next day to Kenton on the Sea which is about 25k's away.
Well I guess I have rambled on enough of what we are doing and boring you. Again we want all of our family to know how much we love them and how important each of your are in our lives. I have been talking and teaching a lot about temples to our branch members. There is so much poverty here that it is so hard for the people to afford the trip to go. Some may never afford to go and some maybe once in a life time. You (family) don't really know how blessed that you are to live so close to the Lords Holy Temple and the blessing that it brings into your life by attending and hopefully often. Also the blessings we can have in our life by being temple worthy. I really hope that we as a family will all try to go more often and let our liefs be more blessed. You each live so close to a temple. It is something we all need to take advantage of more often. I promise that each of us will be blessed in our lives by this simple effort. It was great to here from all of you that went to the sealing of Kent & Kim's new baby Kiira. Meeting as family in this beautiful setting always brings us closer to each other.
We love each of you and love hearing from you. We love the phone calls & e-mails that some of you take the time to do. Thanks for that it means so much to us. Until the next letter we hope all is well in the GREAT USA . Take care and know that you are loved and missed.
Love
President & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Linda & Woody)
Grandpa Woody & Grandma Linda
Dear Family, Friends and Loved Ones,
Well after a trying time in the hospital I was finally able to take Sister O home on Sunday. She still was not good, but she was better. She is still taking medication and will be for 2 months when we need to go back for another endoscopy. She pretty much has her strength back. We are so grateful for the good friends we have in PE and the love they showed us. Everyone in our branch had her in their prayers and I believe the whole mission as word got around quite rapidly that Sister O was in the hospital. Even people in Jo Burg called to ask how she was doing.
We got home on Sunday after she had a big breakfast at the hospital. I think she was starving for food instead of IV's. We passed a McDonald's' leaving the hospital and she wanted a milkshake & fries. She slept all the way home (2hr). As sick as she was and had been she had the Elders over for dinner. She had some homemade soup (thank goodness) and some rolls. It seems, like everything went good at church. I was kind of worried. The next Sunday (sept 19) was our branch conference and I had a lot to do during the week. President Probst & President Mason were both there with there wives. The theme of our conference was taken from D&C 101:22 "GATHERING TOGETHER & STANDING IN HOLY PLACES" I talked about temple ordinances and focused mainly on eternal and celestial marriage. It was such a great conference but I talked too long. I was supposed to talk for 10 min & it lasted 15min. We had a fireside after church from 1 to 2pm. We started church at 9am and I thought we would lose most people by then but we only lost 2 people in number. I thought that was really good for our little branch. Sister O & I were at church at 8am and didn't get home until after 3pm. A long day for sister O. She bore a beautiful testimony before I talked. She always does such a wonderful job on everything she does. I had a total of 9 meetings Saturday & Sunday, but it was worth it as everything turned out so good.
The Elders wanted to golf on Monday as they may not have many more chances as transfers are in a few weeks. We went to Alexandria (50 K's away). It cost us R40 which is between $5/6 dollars. Sister O stayed home to get more rest as we walked the course and it is quite long and a lot of ups & downs. When I got home Sister O & I made 4 visits to branch members that I needed to visit. On Tuesday I had a lot of book work to do plus I needed to fix some things at our flat that needed fixing. "But" the best part of the day was that Sister O was finally feeling better. We are watching her diet closely and that she doesn't over do it like she usually does. It is so hard to get her to slow down.
One good thing is that I finally have the signed lease in place for our new church building where we will meet. It begins October 1 but it will probably take most of the month to get it ready to move into. I was able to get a job for a member of our branch to do the painting inside. He is such a good and strong member and really needs employment that is permanent. He is one of the 4 members that attended the PEF seminar. We had to get him groceries the other day as he didn't have any food in the house or any money. He also takes care of his 11year old sister who was baptized a few months ago. So for I have paid for all the welfare and budget out of my own account. President Probst said it would be straightened out soon so that I can be re-reimbursed. I will also be glad when the hospital bill is re-imbursed. That was over R14,000. That will really help.
We recently had a Zone Conference in East London to get more training on the new approach of teaching by the spirit following the doctrine and teachings of Christ. We had to get up at 5am to get ready and get to EL by 9am.
We didn't finish until after 5pm & Sister O was really tired so I had her lay down in the car until we could get ready to leave. We got home shortly after 8pm which was a long day for Sister O who didn't have all her strength back yet.
On Monday after conference it rained some in the morning but the Elders wanted to go golfing. We were lucky it quit raining before we golfed. I talked to the golf shop and got a great deal for the Elders to play the Royal Port Alfred Course. He let them play for R63 for 13 holes. We are back to the club house after 13 holes. That comes to $8.75. We have been treated so good here every place we go and we have appreciated it so much.
Elder & Sister La Pray were here that night to give a PEF seminar that I mentioned earlier. The PEF stands for perpetual education fund. This is where they can get loans for schooling to qualify them to hopefully get better jobs. We had 4 in attendance. The next morning we went to Fish River Sun for a wonderful breakfast before they had to go back home to PE which is about 2 hours away.
On Wednesday & Thursday Sister O & I had to meet with some members of our branch getting ready for a Youth Camp at a place called "Hobbiton on Hogback which is about 21/2 hours away. We have 3 youth from our branch attending. We have Olwethu Ngcibi, her brother Sibongeseni and a cousin Xolisa Ngcibi. They all live in the same house. We then had to drive to Alexandria to home teach & visit teach, which is over 50k's away ad the next day to Kenton on the Sea which is about 25k's away.
Well I guess I have rambled on enough of what we are doing and boring you. Again we want all of our family to know how much we love them and how important each of your are in our lives. I have been talking and teaching a lot about temples to our branch members. There is so much poverty here that it is so hard for the people to afford the trip to go. Some may never afford to go and some maybe once in a life time. You (family) don't really know how blessed that you are to live so close to the Lords Holy Temple and the blessing that it brings into your life by attending and hopefully often. Also the blessings we can have in our life by being temple worthy. I really hope that we as a family will all try to go more often and let our liefs be more blessed. You each live so close to a temple. It is something we all need to take advantage of more often. I promise that each of us will be blessed in our lives by this simple effort. It was great to here from all of you that went to the sealing of Kent & Kim's new baby Kiira. Meeting as family in this beautiful setting always brings us closer to each other.
We love each of you and love hearing from you. We love the phone calls & e-mails that some of you take the time to do. Thanks for that it means so much to us. Until the next letter we hope all is well in the GREAT USA . Take care and know that you are loved and missed.
Love
President & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Linda & Woody)
Grandpa Woody & Grandma Linda
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
September Letter from SA
1. Elders having fun with "Hear no Evil " See no Evil" Speak no Evil"
2. All the Elders we have served with at Zone Conference
3. Senior Couples LaPrays, Robinsons & O'Dells at Fish River Sun great breakfast
4. Elder Repetsi eating his second "T" Bone stake
5. Elder Marler telling me thanks for the food
September 15, 2010
Dear Family Friends & Loved Ones,
Well here it is past time to write again. (we have a TV now) Not a lot has really gone on except for Sister O's health problems. She has not felt good for probably 3 weeks or longer. I took her to the doctor because of a really deep bad cough. He gave her some medication but it didn't help much and she ran out. We needed to go to East London to a training conference for 2 days and she was still very sick. We went to the doctor and got more medication but she still didn't improve. She began getting very weak, shaky & pale and couldn't hardly stand up. She also had dry heaves for about 2 days. We went back to the doctor and when he found out her stools were black he said she had a bleeding ulcer and called and got an appointment in the St George hospital in PE for an endoscope. He said she had a really bad bleeding ulcer and immediately put her in the hospital. Her blood count and pressure was extremely low. They started an IV drip and a couple pints of blood & medication. He said there was a possible need for surgery if it wouldn't stop bleeding. It is now Saturday noon and she is much better. They are going to let her eat something small & bland so they can check for blood again. If not we may get to go home tomorrow or Monday ( She went into the Hospital on Wednesday and has been there since) She has been really sick and it is so good to see her feeling better. We have some senior couple friends in PE that I have been staying with, Elder & Sister La Pray. They are such nice people and they are on their second mission here in SA. (Same town same flat only 1 year between missions) They ask to come back here again. The Robinsons also live in PE but are out of town on assignment.
When we went to East London we went for a 2 day training conference. They are still using the Preach My Gospel Manuel but are starting a new approach somewhat. They are doing more of what they call & teach the "Doctrine of Christ" In this they are committing the people to be baptism and asking them to read the Book of Mormon on the first lesson or at least the first two lessons and it has really been successful so far. In Cap town the 1st month the baptisms went from an average of 33 to 73. Our Elders are also finding more success and it is really exciting to see what is happening. We have to go back next week ( Thursday) for a Zone Conference and more training. When we go to East London we stay with another Senior Couple by the name of Jones who are also from Arizona. It is amazing how well the new approach is working. We really enjoy the workshops and training and the meetings and the conferences that we go to. It sure builds your testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.
We had a good rain yesterday, It was really needed. Elder La Pray and I were going to play a round of golf and his wife was going to stay with Sister O in the hospital. Today is really a beautiful day. Today is 9/11 and we all remember that day 9 years ago very well.
One of the couples that we baptized in George called us a few days ago and told us that they were going to the Temple in Jo Burg to be sealed in November. That is so exciting for us to here. We love them so much and became so close to them when we were in George. Your meet so many wonderful people while you are serving Heavenly Father. We have also met so many senior couples that have become such good and close friends. You have so many choice experience when you serve. We wouldn't trade them for anything. I'm sure we will have still more while we are here.
In our branch conference the theme is "Getting Together in Holy Places" While being here with Sister O and I have had time to prepare my talk. I'm going to talk on temple ordinance and particularly temple marriage and being sealed together as one. We would love go to the Temple with our friends in George , "BUT" I don't think Pres. Probst will let us. They have as well as others called to check on Sister O while in the hospital. We know that they are all praying for her. I know that through these prayers and a blessing I gave her that she will be fine.
Well I guess it is time to tell everyone how much we miss and love you all. You all mean so much to us and are so precious to us both. We love our work but are still anxious to be home and see you again. We have only 7 months and one week to go. It will probably only be 7 months when Sister O feels like typing this letter.
Love you so much always!
President & Sister O'Dell
Dad & Linda
Grandpa Woody & Grandma
Linda & Woody
2. All the Elders we have served with at Zone Conference
3. Senior Couples LaPrays, Robinsons & O'Dells at Fish River Sun great breakfast
4. Elder Repetsi eating his second "T" Bone stake
5. Elder Marler telling me thanks for the food
September 15, 2010
Dear Family Friends & Loved Ones,
Well here it is past time to write again. (we have a TV now) Not a lot has really gone on except for Sister O's health problems. She has not felt good for probably 3 weeks or longer. I took her to the doctor because of a really deep bad cough. He gave her some medication but it didn't help much and she ran out. We needed to go to East London to a training conference for 2 days and she was still very sick. We went to the doctor and got more medication but she still didn't improve. She began getting very weak, shaky & pale and couldn't hardly stand up. She also had dry heaves for about 2 days. We went back to the doctor and when he found out her stools were black he said she had a bleeding ulcer and called and got an appointment in the St George hospital in PE for an endoscope. He said she had a really bad bleeding ulcer and immediately put her in the hospital. Her blood count and pressure was extremely low. They started an IV drip and a couple pints of blood & medication. He said there was a possible need for surgery if it wouldn't stop bleeding. It is now Saturday noon and she is much better. They are going to let her eat something small & bland so they can check for blood again. If not we may get to go home tomorrow or Monday ( She went into the Hospital on Wednesday and has been there since) She has been really sick and it is so good to see her feeling better. We have some senior couple friends in PE that I have been staying with, Elder & Sister La Pray. They are such nice people and they are on their second mission here in SA. (Same town same flat only 1 year between missions) They ask to come back here again. The Robinsons also live in PE but are out of town on assignment.
When we went to East London we went for a 2 day training conference. They are still using the Preach My Gospel Manuel but are starting a new approach somewhat. They are doing more of what they call & teach the "Doctrine of Christ" In this they are committing the people to be baptism and asking them to read the Book of Mormon on the first lesson or at least the first two lessons and it has really been successful so far. In Cap town the 1st month the baptisms went from an average of 33 to 73. Our Elders are also finding more success and it is really exciting to see what is happening. We have to go back next week ( Thursday) for a Zone Conference and more training. When we go to East London we stay with another Senior Couple by the name of Jones who are also from Arizona. It is amazing how well the new approach is working. We really enjoy the workshops and training and the meetings and the conferences that we go to. It sure builds your testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.
We had a good rain yesterday, It was really needed. Elder La Pray and I were going to play a round of golf and his wife was going to stay with Sister O in the hospital. Today is really a beautiful day. Today is 9/11 and we all remember that day 9 years ago very well.
One of the couples that we baptized in George called us a few days ago and told us that they were going to the Temple in Jo Burg to be sealed in November. That is so exciting for us to here. We love them so much and became so close to them when we were in George. Your meet so many wonderful people while you are serving Heavenly Father. We have also met so many senior couples that have become such good and close friends. You have so many choice experience when you serve. We wouldn't trade them for anything. I'm sure we will have still more while we are here.
In our branch conference the theme is "Getting Together in Holy Places" While being here with Sister O and I have had time to prepare my talk. I'm going to talk on temple ordinance and particularly temple marriage and being sealed together as one. We would love go to the Temple with our friends in George , "BUT" I don't think Pres. Probst will let us. They have as well as others called to check on Sister O while in the hospital. We know that they are all praying for her. I know that through these prayers and a blessing I gave her that she will be fine.
Well I guess it is time to tell everyone how much we miss and love you all. You all mean so much to us and are so precious to us both. We love our work but are still anxious to be home and see you again. We have only 7 months and one week to go. It will probably only be 7 months when Sister O feels like typing this letter.
Love you so much always!
President & Sister O'Dell
Dad & Linda
Grandpa Woody & Grandma
Linda & Woody
Monday, August 30, 2010
Last Letter in August 2010
Senior Couples enjoying another GREAT breakfast at Fish River Sun
Helping Hands Helpers
Port Alfred Branch at Help Hands
New Elder Rapitse (out with the old and in with the new)
Elder Rapitse joining the fire ball club
August 30,2010
Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,
Greetings again from the beautiful South Africa! We really miss home and all of you our family and friends. We love you all so much. We do love it here and are so grateful for the wonderful opportunity we have to serve our Father in Heaven and for the many marvelous experiences we have had and are having and some of the most wonderful people we have met and love! They are blessings that we could fine only by the service we have been called to do.
Well we had transfers about 11/2 weeks ago. We lost elder Buthelezi and he was replaced by Elder Rapitse. He is from the Jo burg area. He seems like a great missionary and he is especially great because he can play the piano. It seems so good to have someone play the piano for our singing at church. We had to go to PE for the transfer which is about 11/2 hours away.
One major thing I am trying to get done is to get the bank signature cards changed and re-signed. I am having a problem in that we have signatures signed by Pres. Godfrey & Pres Fulmar who have long been gone to America. We are waiting for the signatures to come back. We didn't realize we needed to change the signatures while they were still in SA. Meanwhile I have had to pay for a lot of branch expenses out of my personal account. I'm hoping to get this corrected as soon as possible so that I can get reimbursed for all this. It just takes time for things to happen here in Africa. It is much different than we are used to at home. Be thankful for the good old USA!
We had our Mormon Helping Hands on August. 21. I believe we had about 30 members show up from our little branch which I thought was good. We worked on the property of a home (2) that has been purchased for homeless children. One building will be for boys and the other for girls. It has a big yard. For our service project we cleaned up a number of garden area and flower beds. We spaded them, raked them and planted a vegetable and flower garden. We also dug out 4 trees & cut them up for wood. We weeded a large lawn and mowed it plus raking and cleaning up the whole yard. We also pruned 8 to 10 other trees that needed it so bad. After we did our service project which really turned out great I braaied some 72 hot dogs, we served punch and had cookies. & oranges. We really enjoyed the project and everyone had a good time together. We had a man from the local newspaper that came out and took pictures and put it in the paper. When you think of this being a worldwide project one can only imagine how much good was done world wide.
Sister O & I did home teaching & visiting teaching. One family was in a town called Alexandria which is about 55 K,s away. Our other visit was to a sister that lives at Kenton on the Sea which is about 20 to 25 min. away from PA That is too far for any one in our branch to visit as most of them have to walk or take a Taxi.
It seems like the elders we have in PA don't really like to do a lot on P-Day. I take them to the driving range to hit balls sometimes but usually they just like to hang out at our flat. Last week they watched 2 movies. "The first was Facing the Giants" and the second was "Faith like Potatoes" We have a number of missionaries call us ( Sister O) just to talk and tell Sister O how much they love & miss her. (I'm sure it is her cooking they miss the most) She is like a mother to them all.
On Wednesday evening we had 2 senior couples come and spend the night with us. Sister O fixed a great taco & burrito dinner along with her great salsa which we all really enjoyed. Then we all played a card game called golf. It is so fun having other senior couples come by and stay and visit. ON Thursday morning Pres. Platero came from Grahanstown and we went to Fish River Sun for their fabulous breakfast. After breakfast we went back to PA and played golf at our beautiful Port Alfred Royal Golf Course. I talked them into giving us all a great price. Normally it costs about R 230 and he lets us play for R 85 which is about $12 plus golf cart. The two couples that stayed with us were the Robinson and the La Prays. The La Prays served here a few years ago and liked it here so much they wanted to come back again. In fact they are living in the same house flat as before but their mission call is a different calling this time. Both couples are from the PE area.
Well we finally have the lease completed on the building for our new meeting house for the church. The lease will began Oct. 1st which will give us a month to remodel and get it ready for our use. We are really excited as we will have the room that we need. We are so crowded where we are now. Well we are finally organized in our branch except for one setting apart. We are really excited how our branch is progressing. Our branch is small but we really have some strong and great people.
Next week we will be going to EL for a 3 days training session. From now on we will have zone conference quarterly and we will be having a lot more training & workshops. Pres. Probst called me a few days ago that Sister O & I and Pres. & Sister Platero are invited to come to Cape Town one week-end in October for a Worldwide Leadership Training Conference. I think we will have 3 of the 70's there plus some area presidents, mission Presidents, Stake Presidents, Bishops and Branch Presidents. We are really excited to go even thought it is about a 10 hr drive.
It is such a wonderful experience and blessing to go on a mission as a senior couple. I hope those of you who are senior couples will read the article in the Sept. Liahona on Page 18 about serving as senior missionaries, hopefully it will help increase your desire to serve.
Well it is time to close. We want each of you to know how much we Love you and Miss you and how Special all of you are to both of us. We are so blessed and so lucky to have 2 wonderful families & Great Children and Wonderful Grandchildren. We again LOVE YOU ALL!. We look forward to coming home and being with all of you in a few more months. (only 71/2 more).
Love to everyone
Pres. & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad
Linda & Woody (Grandpa & Grandma & Grandpa Woody)
Helping Hands Helpers
Port Alfred Branch at Help Hands
New Elder Rapitse (out with the old and in with the new)
Elder Rapitse joining the fire ball club
August 30,2010
Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,
Greetings again from the beautiful South Africa! We really miss home and all of you our family and friends. We love you all so much. We do love it here and are so grateful for the wonderful opportunity we have to serve our Father in Heaven and for the many marvelous experiences we have had and are having and some of the most wonderful people we have met and love! They are blessings that we could fine only by the service we have been called to do.
Well we had transfers about 11/2 weeks ago. We lost elder Buthelezi and he was replaced by Elder Rapitse. He is from the Jo burg area. He seems like a great missionary and he is especially great because he can play the piano. It seems so good to have someone play the piano for our singing at church. We had to go to PE for the transfer which is about 11/2 hours away.
One major thing I am trying to get done is to get the bank signature cards changed and re-signed. I am having a problem in that we have signatures signed by Pres. Godfrey & Pres Fulmar who have long been gone to America. We are waiting for the signatures to come back. We didn't realize we needed to change the signatures while they were still in SA. Meanwhile I have had to pay for a lot of branch expenses out of my personal account. I'm hoping to get this corrected as soon as possible so that I can get reimbursed for all this. It just takes time for things to happen here in Africa. It is much different than we are used to at home. Be thankful for the good old USA!
We had our Mormon Helping Hands on August. 21. I believe we had about 30 members show up from our little branch which I thought was good. We worked on the property of a home (2) that has been purchased for homeless children. One building will be for boys and the other for girls. It has a big yard. For our service project we cleaned up a number of garden area and flower beds. We spaded them, raked them and planted a vegetable and flower garden. We also dug out 4 trees & cut them up for wood. We weeded a large lawn and mowed it plus raking and cleaning up the whole yard. We also pruned 8 to 10 other trees that needed it so bad. After we did our service project which really turned out great I braaied some 72 hot dogs, we served punch and had cookies. & oranges. We really enjoyed the project and everyone had a good time together. We had a man from the local newspaper that came out and took pictures and put it in the paper. When you think of this being a worldwide project one can only imagine how much good was done world wide.
Sister O & I did home teaching & visiting teaching. One family was in a town called Alexandria which is about 55 K,s away. Our other visit was to a sister that lives at Kenton on the Sea which is about 20 to 25 min. away from PA That is too far for any one in our branch to visit as most of them have to walk or take a Taxi.
It seems like the elders we have in PA don't really like to do a lot on P-Day. I take them to the driving range to hit balls sometimes but usually they just like to hang out at our flat. Last week they watched 2 movies. "The first was Facing the Giants" and the second was "Faith like Potatoes" We have a number of missionaries call us ( Sister O) just to talk and tell Sister O how much they love & miss her. (I'm sure it is her cooking they miss the most) She is like a mother to them all.
On Wednesday evening we had 2 senior couples come and spend the night with us. Sister O fixed a great taco & burrito dinner along with her great salsa which we all really enjoyed. Then we all played a card game called golf. It is so fun having other senior couples come by and stay and visit. ON Thursday morning Pres. Platero came from Grahanstown and we went to Fish River Sun for their fabulous breakfast. After breakfast we went back to PA and played golf at our beautiful Port Alfred Royal Golf Course. I talked them into giving us all a great price. Normally it costs about R 230 and he lets us play for R 85 which is about $12 plus golf cart. The two couples that stayed with us were the Robinson and the La Prays. The La Prays served here a few years ago and liked it here so much they wanted to come back again. In fact they are living in the same house flat as before but their mission call is a different calling this time. Both couples are from the PE area.
Well we finally have the lease completed on the building for our new meeting house for the church. The lease will began Oct. 1st which will give us a month to remodel and get it ready for our use. We are really excited as we will have the room that we need. We are so crowded where we are now. Well we are finally organized in our branch except for one setting apart. We are really excited how our branch is progressing. Our branch is small but we really have some strong and great people.
Next week we will be going to EL for a 3 days training session. From now on we will have zone conference quarterly and we will be having a lot more training & workshops. Pres. Probst called me a few days ago that Sister O & I and Pres. & Sister Platero are invited to come to Cape Town one week-end in October for a Worldwide Leadership Training Conference. I think we will have 3 of the 70's there plus some area presidents, mission Presidents, Stake Presidents, Bishops and Branch Presidents. We are really excited to go even thought it is about a 10 hr drive.
It is such a wonderful experience and blessing to go on a mission as a senior couple. I hope those of you who are senior couples will read the article in the Sept. Liahona on Page 18 about serving as senior missionaries, hopefully it will help increase your desire to serve.
Well it is time to close. We want each of you to know how much we Love you and Miss you and how Special all of you are to both of us. We are so blessed and so lucky to have 2 wonderful families & Great Children and Wonderful Grandchildren. We again LOVE YOU ALL!. We look forward to coming home and being with all of you in a few more months. (only 71/2 more).
Love to everyone
Pres. & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad
Linda & Woody (Grandpa & Grandma & Grandpa Woody)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
2nd August Letter in 2010
1. All the Senior Couples at the Park
2. The Elephant at the Park
3. What was left of the Kudu after the lions dinner.
August 12, 2010
Dear Family Friends & Loved Ones,
Greetings again from beautiful South Africa. It is really beautiful country here and we love it BUT we still miss home and family so much. Well for Sister O birthday we had a really good steak dinner at Spurs in Grahamstown with 2 other senior couples. We had to leave a little early to come back to PA as I had a couple of interviews I had to do. We had our district meeting this week on Thursday instead of Friday because we had the Robinsons (another senior couple) staying with us on Thursday night and they along with the Plateros and us were going to meet at Fish River Sun for breakfast on Friday morning, then back to PA to play a round of golf at our "Royal Port Alfred Golf Course." We are still celebrating Sister O's birthday. She is not in the BEST of moods as she just tuned 69 which is just to close to 70 (for her) She tells everyone she is 84 and just turned 85. But that is OK just as long as she is not 70. The 3 Sisters are going to play golf also and the 3 old men will follow. I am anxious to see how Sister O does and enjoys the game.
Well we all had fun, enjoyed the day, we were tired BUT we all had fun, then we went to eat chinese food for dinner. We have a good chinese restaurant in PA that we enjoy. On Saturday I had a few meetings in the AM and then Sister O and I had to go to a town called Peddie about 11/2 hour from PA. We had a good friend who was our branch mission leader in George that asked us to come over and wanted me to help him give his mother a blessing, who was dying in the Hospital. He asked me to give him a blessing as well. What a wonderful privilege we can have holding the Priesthood of our Father in Heaven. Isn't it wonderful that we are blessed with the restoration of the Priesthood and the gospel here on earth again and can enjoy its full blessings and the fulness of our Heavenly Fathers love.
We had a service project to do for an investigator of putting hinges on a gate so that the gate would work. I didn't get home in time for this so I guess it will have to wait until next week. We always enjoy doing service for the people when we find the opportunity.
Sunday, August 1 was fast Sunday which I always enjoy. For some reason it seemed to focus on LOVE. Love for each other, Love for the gospel and showing our love by the service we give. We had another setting apart after church. Our Branch is small but we really have a wonderful family of people here in PA and even though there will be problems I can see things here in SA and in PA getting better. On Monday for P-Day we didn't really do any thing for fun as most of the day was spent at my desk doing my favorite thing "PAPER WORK" Then the Elders from Grahamstown came over because they had to do a baptismal interview and of course Sister O always does her wonderful thing of fixing them a dinner like a Sunday dinner. It is a lot of work for her but she seems to really enjoy it! Of course they all want her homemade salsa (me included). It is soooo GOOD!!
We have been working hard with the Ndlambe Municipality to do the annual worldwide "Mormon Helping Hands" service to the community. We finally gave up with them and our new RS president found us a very good service project of working on the yard and putting in a garden for a large homeless children's home.
It is really a good project and one that we will all enjoy working on.
Pres. Probst was here on Saturday August 7th for interviews and will be her for church on Sunday and take care of some Priesthood interviews etc. that he needs to do. We also had a counselor from the Stake Presidency here to set up a seminary program and sustain & set apart a seminary teacher. I believe the Sister that was set apart will really be excellent. We are really excited about the organization that is taking place here in the Port Alfred Branch. We had the largest attendance for our branch on Sunday August 8th. We had 54 in attendance. We have only a membership of 52.
When we left to come on our mission we left from our Pinetop ward. I wish we had left from our Gilbert ward as they are all interested in our mission and correspond with us regularly. We never here from anybody in Pinetop and we really love to get news of what is going on at home. It would be much more enjoyable to report back to the people in the ward that seemed to be interested in what we were doing on our mission. I'm not sure the Pinetop ward will even know who we are when we get home. OH Well 8 more months.
Well on Monday the 9th for P-Day we went with 4 other senior couples to "Addo Elephant Park" You see a lot more at a private game reserve BUT we did enjoy the company of visiting and being with the other senior couples. We only saw 8 to 10 elephants plus several groups of greater kudu, jackles and 9 warthogs. We also saw the remains of a lion kill of a good kudu bull. After this we had a very good lunch at a reasonable price at a restaurant at the elephant park.
Well it is about time to close for now. I'm still busy with meetings, interviews etc and the lease for a new meeting place finalized. We are trying to stay busy & we love the people here. We love our work here and we can't wait to come home. We love all of you so much. Time is rapidly flying by. We have only 8 months and one week, but who is counting! Ha
Love President & Sister O'Dell
Grandpa Woody & Grandma
Mom & Dad Woody & Linda
2. The Elephant at the Park
3. What was left of the Kudu after the lions dinner.
August 12, 2010
Dear Family Friends & Loved Ones,
Greetings again from beautiful South Africa. It is really beautiful country here and we love it BUT we still miss home and family so much. Well for Sister O birthday we had a really good steak dinner at Spurs in Grahamstown with 2 other senior couples. We had to leave a little early to come back to PA as I had a couple of interviews I had to do. We had our district meeting this week on Thursday instead of Friday because we had the Robinsons (another senior couple) staying with us on Thursday night and they along with the Plateros and us were going to meet at Fish River Sun for breakfast on Friday morning, then back to PA to play a round of golf at our "Royal Port Alfred Golf Course." We are still celebrating Sister O's birthday. She is not in the BEST of moods as she just tuned 69 which is just to close to 70 (for her) She tells everyone she is 84 and just turned 85. But that is OK just as long as she is not 70. The 3 Sisters are going to play golf also and the 3 old men will follow. I am anxious to see how Sister O does and enjoys the game.
Well we all had fun, enjoyed the day, we were tired BUT we all had fun, then we went to eat chinese food for dinner. We have a good chinese restaurant in PA that we enjoy. On Saturday I had a few meetings in the AM and then Sister O and I had to go to a town called Peddie about 11/2 hour from PA. We had a good friend who was our branch mission leader in George that asked us to come over and wanted me to help him give his mother a blessing, who was dying in the Hospital. He asked me to give him a blessing as well. What a wonderful privilege we can have holding the Priesthood of our Father in Heaven. Isn't it wonderful that we are blessed with the restoration of the Priesthood and the gospel here on earth again and can enjoy its full blessings and the fulness of our Heavenly Fathers love.
We had a service project to do for an investigator of putting hinges on a gate so that the gate would work. I didn't get home in time for this so I guess it will have to wait until next week. We always enjoy doing service for the people when we find the opportunity.
Sunday, August 1 was fast Sunday which I always enjoy. For some reason it seemed to focus on LOVE. Love for each other, Love for the gospel and showing our love by the service we give. We had another setting apart after church. Our Branch is small but we really have a wonderful family of people here in PA and even though there will be problems I can see things here in SA and in PA getting better. On Monday for P-Day we didn't really do any thing for fun as most of the day was spent at my desk doing my favorite thing "PAPER WORK" Then the Elders from Grahamstown came over because they had to do a baptismal interview and of course Sister O always does her wonderful thing of fixing them a dinner like a Sunday dinner. It is a lot of work for her but she seems to really enjoy it! Of course they all want her homemade salsa (me included). It is soooo GOOD!!
We have been working hard with the Ndlambe Municipality to do the annual worldwide "Mormon Helping Hands" service to the community. We finally gave up with them and our new RS president found us a very good service project of working on the yard and putting in a garden for a large homeless children's home.
It is really a good project and one that we will all enjoy working on.
Pres. Probst was here on Saturday August 7th for interviews and will be her for church on Sunday and take care of some Priesthood interviews etc. that he needs to do. We also had a counselor from the Stake Presidency here to set up a seminary program and sustain & set apart a seminary teacher. I believe the Sister that was set apart will really be excellent. We are really excited about the organization that is taking place here in the Port Alfred Branch. We had the largest attendance for our branch on Sunday August 8th. We had 54 in attendance. We have only a membership of 52.
When we left to come on our mission we left from our Pinetop ward. I wish we had left from our Gilbert ward as they are all interested in our mission and correspond with us regularly. We never here from anybody in Pinetop and we really love to get news of what is going on at home. It would be much more enjoyable to report back to the people in the ward that seemed to be interested in what we were doing on our mission. I'm not sure the Pinetop ward will even know who we are when we get home. OH Well 8 more months.
Well on Monday the 9th for P-Day we went with 4 other senior couples to "Addo Elephant Park" You see a lot more at a private game reserve BUT we did enjoy the company of visiting and being with the other senior couples. We only saw 8 to 10 elephants plus several groups of greater kudu, jackles and 9 warthogs. We also saw the remains of a lion kill of a good kudu bull. After this we had a very good lunch at a reasonable price at a restaurant at the elephant park.
Well it is about time to close for now. I'm still busy with meetings, interviews etc and the lease for a new meeting place finalized. We are trying to stay busy & we love the people here. We love our work here and we can't wait to come home. We love all of you so much. Time is rapidly flying by. We have only 8 months and one week, but who is counting! Ha
Love President & Sister O'Dell
Grandpa Woody & Grandma
Mom & Dad Woody & Linda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
