February 18, 2014

You have brains in your head,
You have feet in your shoes,
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.  
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.  
You are the guy who'll decide where to go."  Dr. Suess

Jeff and Wendy Sessions

21 January   We participated in a WEBEX meeting directed by Elder Jeff Sessions from Church Headquarters with couples joining from 4 other countries in Asia, South America and South Africa.  We are discussing items each SRC couple should know and how and when to train starting from the time a couple receives their call to the MTC to the first 30 days in the mission field.

Recycling is done on site, by hand!

We still don't know how things are balanced on the head!!!!

A "Twig Leader" A Congregation too small to qualify to be a branch.

We met with members regarding Self Employment in Polokwane. 

Pink Blouse is Sister Tyler, a sister To Elder Futter, now from England, who served here in the area office.  In the Black Blouse is Sister Beverly who is interested in starting her own business.

23-26 January  We accompanied Elder and Sister Hoffman to Polokwane  and Tzaneen in Limpopo.  

Elder Hoffman gave Patriarchal Blessings, Elder DaBell and I visited with some of the members we had met previously and who had questions on their 

Elder and Sister Hoffman

We took a side trip to the Debengeni Water Fall.  The day was scorching hot.  The shade and spray from the water was very refreshing.  Beautiful place.  It would be very fun for a family reunion....Takers anyone?

I added this Brazilian flag for you, Mark!

In Tzaneen, we were able to present training to the District President, Solomon Matlou.  On Saturday night we had dinner with 3 other couples in Tzaneen at Elder and Sister Smith’s flat.  On Sunday Elder DaBell was asked to teach the Priesthood lesson, Teaching for our Times : President Uchtdorf’s talk, Come Join with Us.

28 January   We participated in another WEBEX regarding training of Senior Couples in Self Reliance.

Khumo is a member of the Summerfield School Relay Team.

Bokang

Khumo

Awande

Ntando

Minenhle

Amahle after enjoying an ice cream cone.

Last minute advice from Dad

29  January  We reviewed and critiqued business plans from our last Self Employment Workshop by Georgina and Michael.

2  February   We visited Soshanguve Branch, Pretoria Stake.  They meet in a school.  One of the members is a teacher at the school and has painted Book of Mormon themes on the walls of the school:  Moroni’s Title of Liberty, Lehi with the Liahona, etc.  They had a spiritual Fast and Testimony meeting and we were able to meet President Marumo, Branch President, the Relief Society President, Elder’s Quorum President, the Self Reliance Specialist and many others.  We scheduled a workshop for 24-25 February in Mabopane on both Career and Self Employment to include both units.

3, 6 February    Taught Self Employment Workshop in the ERC.

4  February  We joined in WEBEX with Elder and Sister Sessions from Salt Lake City along with Missionaries from South America and the Philippines.  We are giving input on a training manual being prepared for Self Reliance Missionaries.   

We had a great surprise and we met with Father Leo Proxell from the Catholic Church in Bozeman.  We met him at his hotel by the airport and had a warm fellow shipping discussion.  He is on a three week tour in Africa for R & R.  We love and appreciate him and our other Interfaith friends from Montana.

8-9 February    We attended the Bedfordview Stake Conference.  Elder Hamilton and Elder Mkhabela were instructed to reorganize the Stake Presidency.  We learned much and enjoyed working with President O’Friel and his Counselors:  Keyes and Matsoso.  The new Stake Presidency is Vusi Msiza, President, Tebego Matsoso, First Counselor, and Dirk Vetten, Second Counselor.  They will be a dynamic Presidency.   We have already been invited to help them train the Stake Self Reliance Committee.  The Choir was fantastic!

11-12 February    We taught 5 Participants Career Workshop:  Gideon from Alexandra wants a job as a driver.   Boitumelo from Florida Ward and her friend Ramonia from Randfontein are just finishing diplomas in Human Resources.  Sinazo is from the Eastern Cape and she has an IT Certificate and wants an internship.  Noreen from Joburg First Ward has been accepted to Nursing School and has an interview at a Health Clinic.

Ramonia is not a member.  Garrett, Jessica, Bridger and Liam, we gave the copy of the Book of Mormon you sent to us to Ramonia.  She was very grateful to receive it.

13 February  Elder DaBell accompanied Deon Botes, Physical Facilities, and Elder and Sister Barnes in inspecting 4 Flats at Dukes Court.  The assignment of coordinating the flats will transfer from Elder DaBell  to Elder Barnes at the end of March, 2014.  Dukes Court is a building built in the 60's.  The infrastructure is interesting.  Often there are repairs to be made.  It is far more comfortable than we ever thought accommodations for an African mission would be.

14  February   We planned workshops, and had a Valentine’s Day dinner and party with the other Senior Couples at Dukes court where we listened to Golden Oldie music and actually danced.  Clark, we found that we could dance just fine to "I Cross My Heart"  by George Strait.  It was our contribution to the list of favorites for the dance.  George is moving right along just like the rest of us!!!!

15 February   We taught 17 Participants the Career Workshop in Hospital View Ward in Tembisa.  They all committed to get 3 interviews scheduled by the end of the week.  On the way home, we stopped at the Orphanage and took individual pictures of the children to help us remember names.

16 February   We visited Atteridgeville Ward:   we trained in Ward Council at 7 am on using Councils.  We used a case study using the Needs and Resource analysis form for discussion purposes.  President Davies, of the Stake Presidency, presided.  They are in the process of reorganizing the Bishopric.  We both spoke in Sacrament Meeting on Tithing and Self Reliance.  We passed a monument build to honor the Vortrekkers, Dutch who moved north from the Cape area to avoid fighting with the English who were taking over the cape area.  They laid claim to this area and its resources.

Occasionally we will have a child come into the center with a parent.
This little guy really enjoyed coloring Buz Lightyear