Daily life in So. Africa.....

While I was gone, my First Counselor in the YW Presidency had a darling baby girl named Nandipha.  Nicole and Sandile (Makasi) call her Nandi and she is precious.  The YW made Nicole a warm little blanket for the baby.

Shirley (blue skirt) has been serving as my Secretary this past year and she recently moved.  I now have a new YW Secretary and her name is Zwane Nonthuthuko.  She is very darling and the girls already love her.  She has been married only 5 months and I'm happy to have her with us.

The Stake just had a Fashion Show for the YW.  Not all of our girls participated but those who did, learned a lot and had a lot of fun.  They reconstructed dresses that were immodest and made them more modest. 

Jabu showing how she cut up a T-shirt and added the bottom of the shirt to make the dress longer and make a little "shrug" to cover the sleeveless dress.

Lolo added an "inset" to her neckline and made the T-shirt into a shrug, using the bottom to lengthen the dress too.  The girls looked really cute.

 The girls all enjoyed themselves at the fashion show.

Glory, Lolo 2, Mpumi, Jabu

 After the fashion show, the girls went out to the parking lot and we waited with them for about 2 hours till the combi (taxi) came back to pick them up and take them home.  They "played" till long after dark. They ALWAYS have fun.

 Nonthuthuko, Glory and Odwa

 Hanging out with the girls.... pretending I'm young and cute too!!!

Two of my outstanding Laurels:  Lolo 1 and Jabu.


Last week, we went to Seminary graduation for our ward kids.  Many of them attend, some of them got certificates and some graduated.  We are very proud of all of them.

We see the Sr. couples daily and spend a lot of time with them.  They are inspiring, enthusiastic, fun, accomplished and committed people and they amaze us with their dedication and devotion to covenants and to families.  We love all of them!

One of the hard things is saying goodbye to them when their missions end.  The one great thing about this system is that there is a constant turnover.  Right now, there are about 80 Sr. missionaries (40 couples) who come here to serve in the Area Office in many capacities i.e. Public Affairs, Legal, I.T., Medical, Humanitarian, Real Estate, Temple couples, Mission Presidents and Office couples.  

This is Sister Annette Curtis, wife and companion of the Area Executive Secretary, Richard Curtis, and Jean Hartman, wife and companion of Area Mental Health doctor Taylor Hartman.  They are two great ladies!

 

Bob and Connie Rose arrived in October to serve in the AO as Real Estate missionaries.  They have adjusted very well and are serving valiantly.  We have known the Roses for about 35 years as friends and neighbors.  It is great to have them with us.

Arrival at their new flat at Duke's Court.  They are safely behind bars!

Elder and Sister Cook and Elder and Sister Soares - our upstairs neighbors!  Great friends and leaders.

Elder and Sister Larsen - Jeff's trusted help with legal affairs - smart, talented, wonderful people!

 Elder and Sister Murdock, Public Affairs visiting and training from Durban.

Elder Taylor and Jean Hartman, at their FHE farewell.  FUN, FUN people!!!
 
At this farewell FHE, we all wore our "colors". (read the book Color Code - by Taylor Hartman)

Below:   Elder and Sister (Dale and Ruth) Renlund, wonderful people, neighbors across the hall, dear friends!  (red/blue)

                          Elder Curtis conducting FHE.

Elder and Sister Renlund and Elder and Sister Hartman

Sister Hatch and me - (our color is white!)

         

 Elder Hartman  
 (yellow cupcake)..... 
Jeff (blue and white)....
Sister Hartman with (blue cupcake)!

Sister Futters (red), Elder Roberts (yellow)

We Senior missionaries know how to have a good time!

Spring or fall mixup.....

The weather in Africa starts warming up in September - just when the weather in Utah is starting to turn chilly.  I was happy to return to Africa when flowers were starting to bloom again and the leaves were on the trees. 

Not long after my return to SA, we turned around and went back to Utah for some legal trainings and a Law and Religion Seminar held at BYU.  This was quite an event and I was surprised to see what takes place annually by reaching out to leaders world wide.  The weather in Utah was beautiful too but very chilly.

 

OCTOBER 
in So. Africa


vs.

 

October 
 in Utah

 
BYU Law School, with old friend Cole Durham at the helm of this Law and Religion program, started a grand gathering each year of great religious/legal scholars from all over the world.  People like Jeff who are Area Legal Council for the Church, sponsor these brilliant minds to come to Provo and deliver academic papers about religious rights.  Religion is being threatened throughout the world.  These people come from various backgrounds such as justices of the high courts including supreme court, lawyers, politicians, heads of state, Hindu, Muslim, Catholic clergy and many others.  For a week, we hosted about 80 men and women, took them around local sites, General Conference, breakfasts, lunches, dinners with fantastic entertainment from BYU folk dancers and many other groups.  In between the sight seeing and fun, these interesting people put their bright minds together to discuss LAW AND RELIGION ISSUES.

Here are some pictures from the week:

Introductions and gathering at the Law School

Sundance with Shawn De Freitis and Sean Donnally - both of South Africa.

Shawn had never seen mountains before and was overwhelmed by the beauty around him.

     General Conference

How fun to run into our pro-golfer friend CC Lundgren from Norway who brought all of her Norwegian Young Women to Salt Lake City for the week of General Conference.

The BYU performers were amazingly talented!  All of our guests really enjoyed themselves with this group called Living Legends performing at Thanksgiving Point as well as other groups of Ballroom Dancers and International Folk Dancers.

The group toured the Humanitarian Center, Bishop's Storehouse and Temple Square.

On the very last day of the seminar, The First Presidency, entire Quorum of the Twelve and the Seven Presidents of Seventy, hosted the visitors at a luncheon at the JSMB.  The Brethren lend their support to this cause to preserve and strengthen religious liberty throughout the world.

 We enjoyed seeing our family very briefly while we were home.

Cousins and best friends:  Zack, James, Jacob

Laurie, Jane, Miriam

 Laurie and Jane - sisters and BEST FRIENDS!

Cousins and best friends:

Eliza, Natalie, Emma, Olivia