Work Hard & Play Hard

Sunday

July 20, 2014

Dear Family,

Let’s see, I better start at the first or I could get lost and forget where I am. I do that a little more frequently these days. Getting older is not for sissies. The trick is to do it gracefully without falling.

We had some big P-Days plans with Elder and Sister Brammer, so the first and end parts of the week were full of teaching, preparation for the week, a family home evening, and some needed visits.

Martha had her little baby boy, so our visit was appreciated and it was awesome holding that little 4-pound boy. What a cutie. Martha lives with two other of her siblings and their families with grandma and grandpa. They are the best family ever. It is always fun to visit.  

We took a trip to Bernard’s to pick up Lucky’s library books to get them renewed and check how the family was doing. As it turned out, I also ending up doing a little sewing machine repair.

Everyone seems happy to see us, as we were to see them. Bernard was having a birthday this week, so I took him down to the local hardware store to buy him a sheetrock knife. As I watched him trim the sole on one of the shoes he was repairing, his razor blade broke in half. I thought it was time to buy something that was not worn out and maybe even save a finger or two.

He is trying hard to make a living, just like all of you. He is still struggling with bad headaches and I am trying to get him to go to the doctor. He is not so excited about that, after his last few visits. I will keep working on him.

His brother was there and was talking about how he needed to get his sewing machine repaired. He works as an upholster. His wife and family live in Zim and he sends them money to live on when he can. Mom told him maybe I could fix it so; he brought the old Singer out. After a while adjusting here and there I got everything working again.  It was only the tension and I remembered enough and the Lord took care the rest.

Matshidiso, mom’s 11-year-old investigator, is amazing. We had to cancel our teaching appointment last week because of the rush trip to Joberg. So, he had two weeks to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. His reading assignment was to read the Title page, Introduction and if he could, The Testimony of Joseph Smith.

Before Mom started her lesson this week, she ask him how far he had read in the Book of Mormon. Oh, he said, I’m in Alma. You think maybe he is prepared to receive the Gospel?

If you don’t think the Lord expects each of us to “Hasten the Work” – – here is a picture of Matshidiso with his buddy, Lesedi, a member who just invited Mashidiso to Primary.

Our extended P-Day was the best. It was a bit of a drive, but Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge was not a disappointment. They treated us with the best of everything. Our morning game drives started at 6:00 am, before the sun came up, so we had to bundle up. You cannot imagine the sunrise.

It is winter here so they provided hot water bottles, hand muffs, a lined poncho and a blanket to put over our laps. We supplemented all that with winter layering of our own. As we drove, they would give us all sorts of information and stop frequently for pictures and allow the tracker to tell us which way to go.

The hot chocolate was much appreciated and when we stopped, either the tracker or the guide would go scout out and clear the area for a favorite tree or bush, if we needed one.

We repeated the game drive again in the afternoon, after a hot breakfast, and lunch. The afternoon drives started at 3:00 pm till 6:00 pm, which was after dark. These two days were great. It was remarkable to see all of God’s creation up, close and personal. Check out all the animals we saw.

 

 

 

The place was wonderful. Each room has a private deck facing the game reserve. We just sat there and watched the animals walk by; most were just going to the watering hole. In the down time, if we weren’t on the deck of our room, we sat on the deck up by the restaurant and watched the animals.

This fancy place was right in the middle of nowhere. It is located on the border of Botswana. Check out the lodge.

Elder Brammer scored when he found this place online. It was so fun to stop for a short rest and “smell the roses”. We feel charged up and ready to go back to work.

 

On the way home we passed by “Sun City” the big resort where the movie “Blended” was filmed, so we stopped in to check it out and have lunch. Bring your big boy wallet if you want to come and stay over. 

We finished up the week, two hours out of town, in Venda. As we turned off the asphalt road, to drive up the rocky dirt road to Rubens, the kids came running from everywhere. To save them from the long walk up the hill to Rubens, everyone piled in the car. We ended up with 9 in the back seat, and three more in the front with us. Gee, who needs a van? I think this is a new record, 14 in our car.

Mom’s lesson was on following the prophet. It was complete with lesson, games outside learning to “Follow the Leader.” Mom was a champ as she started as the leader with everyone following her and then she had others be the leader.   My part was to show that God talks to prophets and then the prophet tries lead God’s people. I chose a prophet to lead the group and gave him instructions. Hope, our prophet leader, would then pass those instructions on to the group.

Obedience and listening to the prophet leader directed them to their reward – – a bag of candy.  As I listened to Mom teach and testify, I felt strongly that the things she was teaching were true.  What a great day.

Today was a wonderful Sunday, and the end of a perfect week. Mom has been teaching Tumi in Primary and she really wants to be baptized. Today Tumi and her Grandma, Christina, sang in Sacrament Meeting. Christina just went to the Temple a few months ago. We were so proud of them. (as you listen to the words of the song, in South Africa the word they use for Grandma is KoKo)

Well, sorry about all the pictures, but we wanted each of you to be a part of this wonderful place, especially all the grandkids.

We love you. Have a great week. Thank you for your continued faith and prayers for Grandpa.

Love,

MOM & DAD