Dear friends...

Our sweet friends and missionary couple in the Area Office - Elder and Sister Howes (better known as Ralph and Edy) left for home - mission completed and a job "over-the-top" well done.  We don't know a finer couple who knows how to be happy amid crisis and who serves with heart, mind and strength - than the Howes.  You 

will ALWAYS find them smiling and ALWAYS serving.

Elder and Sister Rose invited us for dinner to say goodbye to the Howes.  

Here is the lovely table and yummy meal.

Left:  Edy Howes, Connie Rose, Marge

Ralph and Edy Howes

 The Area Office will ALL miss the Howes, who keep our computers happy - and us too.  We will forever remember that "Computers are our friends!"  Elder Howes

Expats are often quizzed about the food they eat in their foreign country.  I am usually eager to claim that Africa food is quite good and almost everything is available.  Our food choice is excellent here in So. Africa and we generally have no complaints but I have to admit that after recent newspaper articles about Donkey meat (!!!) in hamburger (mince), I have been a bit more selective.  At least it is not monkey meat!

NEW BEGINNINGS

My Young Women did a great job of planning, preparing and presenting our New Beginnings activity.  They are such great girls and I LOVE all of them!!!

 
                                       Future YW 

Jabu (Sijabulilie - means "Happiness") comes by a couple of times a week to give me a Zulu lesson.  She attends college now and is an excellent example of a wonderful young woman.  This cutie just turned 19!  Growin' up!

Excuses...

My camera has been broken.  That is not a good enough reason to not keep track of my life, especially since I have another camera (of lesser quality) to use.  Here is a brief update of the last few weeks with poor quality pictures.

Having to leave summer in Africa and return to winter in America was pretty tough - except for the opportunity to be with family and especially this time to return just a day after Joseph (oldest grandson) returned from his mission to the Philippine Algeles Mission.  I was so happy to see him and hear about his mission.

This cute mom/son (Laurie and Joseph) pair met me at the airport.  Joe was pretty cold for a while after spending 2 years in the Philippines.

Joe was adorable when we met at the airport and he was so full of light.  We were able to attend his mission report in Sacrament Meeting and that was surely a highlight for us.  He has grown so much and served a fantastic mission.

 Winter day view out our window.  Brrrrrrrr...............

The purpose for our trip home was for OGC training (Office of General Council).  I returned 1 week before Jeff for medical appointments.  It was nice to see some of our sweet family during this time along with beloved friends and neighbors as well.  Jane and Clark, Nate and Laurie were so sweet and we have missed them so much - along with the rest of our family.  We were glad to get together with them briefly.

Looks like we caught two sons-in-law with their mouths full but we three couples had a great time chatting away and California Pizza Kitchen.

 Jeff 

Jeff had meetings for 1 week and then we went to Washington DC for a few days to finish off the legal conference.  Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was a Keynote luncheon speaker and Elder Jeffrey Holland was Keynote Conference Speaker.  Both talks were inspiring.  

Justice Thomas was very informal and talked about the goodness in people and how relationships are really the most important thing we have.  He has always been one of my heroes and I love his personal life story.

Elder Holland spoke about Family, Faith and Freedom.  It was a talk about the importance and connection of those three facets of our lives and the need to preserve our religious liberty in order to strengthen and preserve the family.  I enjoyed both talks and felt 
the truth of the things which were spoken. Elder Holland gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek!

Also attending the conference were dear friends and former neighbors - the Monsons- Doug, Lisa, Patrick and Alex.  Lisa and I went for a brisk walk on a chilly DC Saturday morning to Union Station while we waited for our husbands/sons.  

                                 My purse is almost as big as that bell!!

Another big highlight for us was an all too brief visit with Ken and Patty Lee who live in Virginia - where we used to live in the ward with them many years ago.  We loved a visit with them and caught up with an all too short reunion.  We love Virginia and miss it very much.  Our time there was unique and special for our family and in many ways, those few years greatly influenced the rest of our lives.  Many life-long friends were made and we were happy there.