Elder Tyrell Jones visit to Kruger National Park . To see information about this park and it's history click this to learn more about South Africa's great reserve for it's wild animals.
Johannesburg South Africa Temple
Click on to see what our family belives.
Friday, July 30, 2010
South African Animals up close
Elder Tyrell Jones visit to Kruger National Park . To see information about this park and it's history click this to learn more about South Africa's great reserve for it's wild animals.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Missionary made a district leader for Tazneen
1. Have you had to use your converter very often?
1. I only use the converter when I send pics. I just got a new one with the money you sent so it should work. I just sent some pics with it. I hope it lasts though because it is cheap.
2. What kind of exercising are you doing is it only soccer?
2.I actually haven't played soccer since I got here to Tzaneen. I usually just do some push ups and jumping jacks or what what when I wake up in the morning.
3. When will you be going to another zone conference.
3. That is an absolutely good question, because I'm not sure. The mission just sent around an e-mail saying that the missions all over are changing, and we will only have ZC 4 times a year now. We will be going through some new teaching skills training that they are implementing into the MTC's. so I will have to wait for transfer news to come out, so I can know that.
4.How is Beverly progressing?
4. Beverly has been baptized!!!!
5.What is one new tradition that you have learned about while in Tazaneen?
5. One new tradition.
6.Please tell us a small story that your companion has told you about his country that borders the area you are now in.
6. Well alot of people here, actually almost all people here speak Sesotho and I have really been trying to learn as much of that as I can. Tumela-hello, Leeki-How are you, Rona, I'm fine...
7.Do people sing on the street like they did in Soweto?
7. Just me and my companion.
8.Mc wants to know if you have eaten grub worms like in the pictures we saw before you left?
8.I have eaten only one, but it was dried and tasted like Cardboard. I have yet to eat them prepared as a juicy meal. But I fear I will regret that day.
9.What are the houses like in the village?
9.You will see a picture of one in the pics that I sent.
10.Are there flowers there and what do they look like can you take pictures?
10.Well that's a good question. There are some unique flowers here but not many many. I haven't taken any pics of them. By the way, did somebody enter my photos in the fair?
11.Did you get Emily's letter yet?
11. Nope I haven't gotten any letters in a very long time.
Well I'm going to make this e-mail short even though I have alot to say. With Sister Beverly we managed to set an interview for her this week and she passed with flying colors. I baptized her and I almost fell. She is a big woman, but she is defiantly converted. I would say you have to be to have gone so long and finally realize that you can't make excuses anymore. It was a fantastic baptism and we had 83 people at church, that is a record number here. It was a fantastic Sunday. Now for earlier in the week, Saturday morning to be exact, We received transfer news because transfers are coming up on Wednesday. Well this phone call was from President Poulsen and he was calling to assign me as the new District Leader here in Tzaneen since our District leader is leaving. I sure hope I can cope with it. I am grateful for that e-mail Dad it has really helped me alot I have realized a little through out this week that things are going to get really stressful but I can't let it get me down. I am only just one man...Young man and I can only do my best, and if I'm doing my best that's what the Lord wants. Thanks Dad so much and although I'm meshing all of my writing into one letter because of time I really appreciate you alot and if makes me feel like a load of pressure is gone whenever I hear from you.
Sincerely,
Elder T. Jones
The Dads letter this time.
Hi Bud
It's your Dad. It sounds like you have alot going on in your new area with being the ward clerk and teaching new branch members how to organize the congregation. At the same time you still have to keep up with the missionary work. It appears to be a daunting task to perform. But, I know you can do it. The lord has great things planned for you. He will not ask anything of you that you can't do. The more you learn, the easier it gets. Learning is not always in books or the scriptures. Although they are important. Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing. This can be stressful with so much responsibility, and you can do it. I know what you are capable of. Listen to the holy ghost and follow the promptings he gives you. Pray always, and follow his guidance. You will not go wrong.
Some times your companions can be a little challenging. If they come from areas or cultures that are different it makes it even more difficult. Learn from them. Everybody has something to teach and to learn. Don't get discouraged, it only slows a person down. Be positive at all times and take on a good attitude. It is amazing how much your attitude can effect your success.
On my mission I converted three people, one of them was me. It isn't import how many people you baptize, it's important how many people you convert. Stay in tune and the spirit will lead you to the people prepared to hear the Gospel.
Things are speeding along on this side of the world. summer is half over and thing's are so busy we haven't taken much time to enjoy it. Between the hospital and the farm we don' t stop moving. I'm sure mom keeps you up to date on what's happening but life is always crazy in such a big household. Tomorrow your mother is going to run in a three mile race on the 24th of July milk run. She has been training for about a month now. Since she has lost so much weight she thinks it's time to get into shape and start doing things. J found that Hobbles can run and now is barrel around the area. She is also doing the tecky thing at the high school again with the plays. I didn't know they did plays during the summer. But what do I know I'm just the father. J is broadening her circle of friends which is nice.
I'm trying to learn to e-mail so my letters will be more frequent. Its a challenge I plan to master. I have to go now but I will try to be better at writing more often.
Love Dad.
K's letter to you.
How is it going and how have you been? I can't wait till school starts and I got new cool shoes to wear but Mom won't let me wear them yet.
I have been going to church lately and it has been a great time. Krista was here from Texas and substitutes taught my class today.
I love you very much Love K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Moms letter now.
One of the Moms of a missionary leaving to go there on Mon. said that they have read and reread all our questions trying to learn what they can about being a missionary there. So thanks for being such a good writer son
I am just writing about the family going ons I promise that letter was your Dads but I had to let him go through my email. I am going to slowly teach him to do it through his. It was pretty funny watching him, it took him forever to type out I thought that it was going to be like the longest letter on earth until he had me do the spell check and realized it wasn't but he put lots of thought into what he wanted you to hear. Stay happy and at peace even if that area is tough you were sent there for a reason one I know because you are such a bright light of happiness to those who do not know truth just make sure you let it shine and not your frustration. Sat. night J ran the barrels in Scipio. She didn't win even Big K didn't win. But they had fun. Aunt Celia told us that she had just been talking with Brother Kolicker who is home for 4 weeks to meet with the brethren and you came up and how you had spoken with him a few times. He said now isn't he in Tazneen right now? She was unsure what the place was called but said yes he isn't in the city now. Brother Kolicker said that is a very tough place to be and he will do a very good job with his attitude for that place. So he still remembers you and your light and that your will have an affect just because you let it shine there even if know one yet comes to the waters of baptism. Just serve your fellow man humbly and happily and you will somehow touch them. Chas Hathaway was in the township Seshego and he also says he is so jealous. They would go over to Tazneen because it was in the same district is what I think he called it. He misses Africa. Dad's first comment about you and hiking in the jungle was "don't, especially if your companion doesn't want to. He would know first hand and it most likely would not be safe and safety is the most important for you whether that is spiritual, physical or mental. He didn't write that in his note because he wrote several days after we got your letter and most likely forgot that he had said that. Also maybe feeding the monkeys isn't a very good idea as what if one of them bites you. So he doesn't want you to do that either unless Elder Makoso says its an ok thing". Sorry I am sounding bossy Mommy, it's just that I love you lots and it's what I do. This week was a wild one. I had had enough of the boys not cleaning a thing up and making it slowly worse. You couldn't even get in C and Mc room plus there was a tube of toothpaste from a camp bag that got stepped on over and over into the carpet but it was under so many layers who would have known. Also tent was laid across the laundry room to to long. All privileges to go and do were suspended until a huge list of put back together got fixed. They didn't believe me the first day and dragged every job out till J ended up missing Tec and that she was supposed to do plus losing her phone C also lost his phone but didn't bring it to me and they ran away. C and her walked to do the dog kennels. They then walked to young mens,womens and it was Bishop interviews. C insisted that he wasn't going to be going to the temple outing because of football starting so he started for home and J went with them to do the interviews. She came back way humbled. C walked all the way home so he had gone all the way around the valley. He had to get up at 6am and do his jobs to make it so I was willing to take him to wrestling came the next morning. But he did it and the room can finally be walked into and the toothpaste is cleaned up. The white truck took up time again and kept me in town and not finishing the cleaning up that was needed but Mc and Z really went to town cleaning. J even did and said "Mom I vacuumed like you do" which it's about time. I have managed to still run about every other day so I am ready for my race goal. I have always wanted to run in the Milk Run I think because Twila did and I thought well if she can I should be able to also. That was a lot of years ago. So I have finally done it. Aunt Carol at 61 years of age ran with me and came in one sec behind me. I had my phone out and was looking at the time that I had crossed and she was right behind me and said what time is it and my clock had changed just before that. She kept right up with me she slowed and then would catch up and slow and catch up. I just had to keep the steady pace I never really stoped except to gulp a drink at the mid point. I had a hard time catching my breath at the bottom of my lungs which really bugged me finally at the half way point I was able to breath deeply the whole last part. I took 3rd place for my age group I was not the last by a long shot and I ran it in 33.53 min which is faster then I had ever timed myself. I felt pretty good and I got a bronze medal out of it. Then I had to turn around and walk the whole main street route with the cub scouts. Its a good thing that I have been sometimes walking up to 6 miles with running. I must admit my legs were tired, pavement is harder to go on all around. Well today both Russell and Kathrine did their farewells and leave on Wed. for the MTC one going to the Kathrine to the Ukraine Russian speaking and Russell to California. Well I can't really think more what to say mostly because I want to hear what you have to say I personally love to hear from you and all that you are doing right now. I am going on a walk with your Dad now and we sent swimming for family home evening and it was Dads idea the kids loved it.
Love ya son
1. I only use the converter when I send pics. I just got a new one with the money you sent so it should work. I just sent some pics with it. I hope it lasts though because it is cheap.
2. What kind of exercising are you doing is it only soccer?
2.I actually haven't played soccer since I got here to Tzaneen. I usually just do some push ups and jumping jacks or what what when I wake up in the morning.
3. When will you be going to another zone conference.
3. That is an absolutely good question, because I'm not sure. The mission just sent around an e-mail saying that the missions all over are changing, and we will only have ZC 4 times a year now. We will be going through some new teaching skills training that they are implementing into the MTC's. so I will have to wait for transfer news to come out, so I can know that.
4.How is Beverly progressing?
4. Beverly has been baptized!!!!
5.What is one new tradition that you have learned about while in Tazaneen?
5. One new tradition.
6.Please tell us a small story that your companion has told you about his country that borders the area you are now in.
6. Well alot of people here, actually almost all people here speak Sesotho and I have really been trying to learn as much of that as I can. Tumela-hello, Leeki-How are you, Rona, I'm fine...
7.Do people sing on the street like they did in Soweto?
7. Just me and my companion.
8.Mc wants to know if you have eaten grub worms like in the pictures we saw before you left?
8.I have eaten only one, but it was dried and tasted like Cardboard. I have yet to eat them prepared as a juicy meal. But I fear I will regret that day.
9.What are the houses like in the village?
9.You will see a picture of one in the pics that I sent.
10.Are there flowers there and what do they look like can you take pictures?
10.Well that's a good question. There are some unique flowers here but not many many. I haven't taken any pics of them. By the way, did somebody enter my photos in the fair?
11.Did you get Emily's letter yet?
11. Nope I haven't gotten any letters in a very long time.
Well I'm going to make this e-mail short even though I have alot to say. With Sister Beverly we managed to set an interview for her this week and she passed with flying colors. I baptized her and I almost fell. She is a big woman, but she is defiantly converted. I would say you have to be to have gone so long and finally realize that you can't make excuses anymore. It was a fantastic baptism and we had 83 people at church, that is a record number here. It was a fantastic Sunday. Now for earlier in the week, Saturday morning to be exact, We received transfer news because transfers are coming up on Wednesday. Well this phone call was from President Poulsen and he was calling to assign me as the new District Leader here in Tzaneen since our District leader is leaving. I sure hope I can cope with it. I am grateful for that e-mail Dad it has really helped me alot I have realized a little through out this week that things are going to get really stressful but I can't let it get me down. I am only just one man...Young man and I can only do my best, and if I'm doing my best that's what the Lord wants. Thanks Dad so much and although I'm meshing all of my writing into one letter because of time I really appreciate you alot and if makes me feel like a load of pressure is gone whenever I hear from you.
Sincerely,
Elder T. Jones
The Dads letter this time.
Hi Bud
It's your Dad. It sounds like you have alot going on in your new area with being the ward clerk and teaching new branch members how to organize the congregation. At the same time you still have to keep up with the missionary work. It appears to be a daunting task to perform. But, I know you can do it. The lord has great things planned for you. He will not ask anything of you that you can't do. The more you learn, the easier it gets. Learning is not always in books or the scriptures. Although they are important. Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing. This can be stressful with so much responsibility, and you can do it. I know what you are capable of. Listen to the holy ghost and follow the promptings he gives you. Pray always, and follow his guidance. You will not go wrong.
Some times your companions can be a little challenging. If they come from areas or cultures that are different it makes it even more difficult. Learn from them. Everybody has something to teach and to learn. Don't get discouraged, it only slows a person down. Be positive at all times and take on a good attitude. It is amazing how much your attitude can effect your success.
On my mission I converted three people, one of them was me. It isn't import how many people you baptize, it's important how many people you convert. Stay in tune and the spirit will lead you to the people prepared to hear the Gospel.
Things are speeding along on this side of the world. summer is half over and thing's are so busy we haven't taken much time to enjoy it. Between the hospital and the farm we don' t stop moving. I'm sure mom keeps you up to date on what's happening but life is always crazy in such a big household. Tomorrow your mother is going to run in a three mile race on the 24th of July milk run. She has been training for about a month now. Since she has lost so much weight she thinks it's time to get into shape and start doing things. J found that Hobbles can run and now is barrel around the area. She is also doing the tecky thing at the high school again with the plays. I didn't know they did plays during the summer. But what do I know I'm just the father. J is broadening her circle of friends which is nice.
I'm trying to learn to e-mail so my letters will be more frequent. Its a challenge I plan to master. I have to go now but I will try to be better at writing more often.
Love Dad.
K's letter to you.
How is it going and how have you been? I can't wait till school starts and I got new cool shoes to wear but Mom won't let me wear them yet.
I have been going to church lately and it has been a great time. Krista was here from Texas and substitutes taught my class today.
I love you very much Love K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Moms letter now.
One of the Moms of a missionary leaving to go there on Mon. said that they have read and reread all our questions trying to learn what they can about being a missionary there. So thanks for being such a good writer son
I am just writing about the family going ons I promise that letter was your Dads but I had to let him go through my email. I am going to slowly teach him to do it through his. It was pretty funny watching him, it took him forever to type out I thought that it was going to be like the longest letter on earth until he had me do the spell check and realized it wasn't but he put lots of thought into what he wanted you to hear. Stay happy and at peace even if that area is tough you were sent there for a reason one I know because you are such a bright light of happiness to those who do not know truth just make sure you let it shine and not your frustration. Sat. night J ran the barrels in Scipio. She didn't win even Big K didn't win. But they had fun. Aunt Celia told us that she had just been talking with Brother Kolicker who is home for 4 weeks to meet with the brethren and you came up and how you had spoken with him a few times. He said now isn't he in Tazneen right now? She was unsure what the place was called but said yes he isn't in the city now. Brother Kolicker said that is a very tough place to be and he will do a very good job with his attitude for that place. So he still remembers you and your light and that your will have an affect just because you let it shine there even if know one yet comes to the waters of baptism. Just serve your fellow man humbly and happily and you will somehow touch them. Chas Hathaway was in the township Seshego and he also says he is so jealous. They would go over to Tazneen because it was in the same district is what I think he called it. He misses Africa. Dad's first comment about you and hiking in the jungle was "don't, especially if your companion doesn't want to. He would know first hand and it most likely would not be safe and safety is the most important for you whether that is spiritual, physical or mental. He didn't write that in his note because he wrote several days after we got your letter and most likely forgot that he had said that. Also maybe feeding the monkeys isn't a very good idea as what if one of them bites you. So he doesn't want you to do that either unless Elder Makoso says its an ok thing". Sorry I am sounding bossy Mommy, it's just that I love you lots and it's what I do. This week was a wild one. I had had enough of the boys not cleaning a thing up and making it slowly worse. You couldn't even get in C and Mc room plus there was a tube of toothpaste from a camp bag that got stepped on over and over into the carpet but it was under so many layers who would have known. Also tent was laid across the laundry room to to long. All privileges to go and do were suspended until a huge list of put back together got fixed. They didn't believe me the first day and dragged every job out till J ended up missing Tec and that she was supposed to do plus losing her phone C also lost his phone but didn't bring it to me and they ran away. C and her walked to do the dog kennels. They then walked to young mens,womens and it was Bishop interviews. C insisted that he wasn't going to be going to the temple outing because of football starting so he started for home and J went with them to do the interviews. She came back way humbled. C walked all the way home so he had gone all the way around the valley. He had to get up at 6am and do his jobs to make it so I was willing to take him to wrestling came the next morning. But he did it and the room can finally be walked into and the toothpaste is cleaned up. The white truck took up time again and kept me in town and not finishing the cleaning up that was needed but Mc and Z really went to town cleaning. J even did and said "Mom I vacuumed like you do" which it's about time. I have managed to still run about every other day so I am ready for my race goal. I have always wanted to run in the Milk Run I think because Twila did and I thought well if she can I should be able to also. That was a lot of years ago. So I have finally done it. Aunt Carol at 61 years of age ran with me and came in one sec behind me. I had my phone out and was looking at the time that I had crossed and she was right behind me and said what time is it and my clock had changed just before that. She kept right up with me she slowed and then would catch up and slow and catch up. I just had to keep the steady pace I never really stoped except to gulp a drink at the mid point. I had a hard time catching my breath at the bottom of my lungs which really bugged me finally at the half way point I was able to breath deeply the whole last part. I took 3rd place for my age group I was not the last by a long shot and I ran it in 33.53 min which is faster then I had ever timed myself. I felt pretty good and I got a bronze medal out of it. Then I had to turn around and walk the whole main street route with the cub scouts. Its a good thing that I have been sometimes walking up to 6 miles with running. I must admit my legs were tired, pavement is harder to go on all around. Well today both Russell and Kathrine did their farewells and leave on Wed. for the MTC one going to the Kathrine to the Ukraine Russian speaking and Russell to California. Well I can't really think more what to say mostly because I want to hear what you have to say I personally love to hear from you and all that you are doing right now. I am going on a walk with your Dad now and we sent swimming for family home evening and it was Dads idea the kids loved it.
Love ya son
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Lord works in Many Ways.
1. Lennie how is he doing almost ready to be baptized the day after the biggest Pioneer Celebration that Utah can muster, did you remember that was a Utah holiday?
1. He is going to be baptized this coming Sunday.
2. Please buy the card reader we want to see pictures of you again.
2. I can't afford a new one until I have about R120, that equals about $17. If you could help me with that it would be nice.
3. Did you move out of your apartment this p-day?
3. No we haven't moved out yet, but that is a good question because I haven't been thinking about that much this week and we may need to find out.
4. Did any of Lennies friends make a baptism commitment yet?
4.Yes they did, and we are now teaching one of his friends whole family. Unfortunately one of his friends fell subject to the false rumors about satanist and has been dodging us lately.
5. Chase Hathaway served in the township just over from
Tazneen and told a story about monkeys and being curious have you had any come close to you and be curious about what you might be doings?
5.Was the township called Lenyenye? I have seen monkeys quite a lot around here but they always run away from you when you get close. I ll have to try and feed them
6. Have you gone on any P-day hikes in the jungle yet?
6.Nope I haven't and I'm not sure when I will. I would love to do it but the problem is that it is kinda dangerous and my companion wants nothing to do with it.
7. Now the boys wonder if you have seen giraffes up close?
7.Yes I saw Giraffes the same day I saw elephants. I have plenty of cool pics to send
8. Faith must be tried to be called faith tested. What do you think about this saying that I heard the other day. Any thoughts about how our family was faith tested by Jer's birth?
8. I'm not sure if that is the exact quote, but it kinda makes sense. If you have faith but nothing ever tries it then it hasn't been tested much.
Well this week has been an interesting week with a lot of frustration at times. But this Sunday was a great reliever of the stress. There is a lady who we have been teaching named sister Beverly. She has been taught for about 6 months. She was doing everything she is supposed to, to gain a testimony except one thing. and that is to pray. Every Sunday she was coming to church and she was participating a lot in Relief Society activities. But every time the subject of baptism came up around her so did all of her excuses. Since I have been here, Elder Makosa and myself have seen a lot of changes in her and she started to progress closer and closer to the goal but still until recently she has struggled with the idea. Then Yesterday, we came to her house at the end of the night to talk with her and I told her how frustrated I have been this week. She started to quote from the bible in an attempt to cheer me up and she was saying something about how the road to God is a rough one and the road to Satan looks nice and easy. As she was saying these things it was helping me, but I was only kind of half listening. As she talked she started to mention how great a day she had had and how she had loved church. Then out of now where she said..."and I'd like to be baptized next Sunday"... At first Elder Makosa and myself didn't think much of it, but after going over the statement again in my head I asked her to repeat what she had just said. After doing so Elder Makosa and I almost fell out of our seats. She said that she had heard about the mention of Lenny's baptism coming up and it made her think a lot about it. She said she went home and knelt down to ask God if that is something she should do. She said after praying she had never felt so good and so sure about something in her life and she has decided that that is what she wants in her life. We ended up changing the lesson for the night and instead just shared our testimonies. We told her we would make sure to review some things with her and then schedule and interview. She accepted that she might not be baptized next week, but would wait until she could be interviewed. What an experience! it just goes to show how powerful prayer can really be. I encourage all of you to continue praying about the truth and really come to know for yourselves if the church is true. It is our testimonies that drive us to live the gospel and do what is right. If we can each have that spiritual witness to the truth then when our faith is tested, we will always pass the test.
Well, I love all of you and hope you are doing your part to learn the gospel, nothing comes free, especially the best things.
Elder Jones
The Family says.
Wow if life slows down I am not sure what we might do around here. Maybe I should go backward with the weeks happenings.
J isn't eating again this Sunday morning, this time the sticky mouse catching pad was set by the stove top and it finally caught the dang mouse that somehow is getting on the top of the island. 13 years in this house and that has never been a problem and this summer we can not get rid of them. She said Mom are you trying to starve me two Sundays in a row and I can't handle it. Heehee. evil laugh at least it's caught now.
Arrived home late last night from an afternoon at the Smith family reunion. Photos were sent of our family doings there. Drive was eventful the car had an awful smell and all of a sudden us in the back yelled we wanted out because it smelled like smoke. I have never seen little people haul out so fast. For some reason there was oil spurting on the engine and making it burn up causing the smoke. Dad never did figure out why and Darren, and Golden stayed behind us to make sure we arrived home safe which we did or I guess I wouldn't be writing this to you. When we arrived at church today Darren came up and said it's the strangest thing.
When we stoped to see what was wrong with your car I asked Dad -Golden to look at the 4wheelers he was hauling and check all the tie downs. He had the big 5th wheel that they haul hay on and there were like 4 or maybe 5 plus a dune buggy and a mini bike strapped on. As they were looking at why our car was shooting smoke Golden found that one of the big huge 4 wheelers straps were broken and not even latched on. If he had pulled to the side
Darren was on the wheeler would have rolled off the trailer at that point but there was a hill so he had gone off the opposite side of the road. Can you imagine that wheeler coming off and someone hitting into it in the dark of the night not to mention the loss and cost. Well we went ahead as they I guess retied it down and we ran into the worst wind and storm we couldn't even see the road for a little bit. By the time they got to the storm it was most likely not the worst of it and didn't blow the high trailer over and they did have a bit of rain to have to see through. We may never know what danger was prevented but I felt a thrill run through me of confirmation that there must have been a reason to slow us all down as we were traveling home. The car never blew smoke again and we got home just fine. I also realized that at that time you would have been doing your morning study and prayers and so maybe what words you spoke protected us also. Darren even said that he had kept feeling that he needed to check the 4 wheelers and hadn't yet but that gave him a moment to stop and say hey Dad you look while I help them. J got to drive the team of Belgium's and had a blast and then they let her and K get up on their huge backs. She said ok I will just stay here all night. We thought her Hobbles was a really tall horse. Those are monstrously huge.
Fri we spent doing the water at Whites and shoeing the horses so that Hobbles will run faster. J had a barrel run of 16.4 and is going to do the rodeo at Scipio on the 24th. So the horse had to have a nail job. Wed and Thur the white truck kept me stuck in town trying to get little things fixed on it so it could be inspected. Tue and Mon is a blur and to many things happened in between there. Tonight I had to go help Sondra pack the last of the things into her car so she could go to Chads military graduation and they are moved out. It's strange to see the cabin empty and wonder if another honeymooner will get married and move into it soon.
C spent the whole week up at a place called Camp TIFEE and loved it he swam the mile and only one leader beat him. Brother Howell said he must be the energizer bunny because he just never gets tired. We went up to the reunion and him and Mc proceeded to spend the night again 6 nights of camping for that boy. J says you need to answer her note and that she loves you lots. Everyone has there eyes on her and the Bishop gave her a hard time for walking down town with holding a boys hand and then the next day he sees her riding bare back down the road in town. She was so embarrassed she wouldn't talk to him. He said it's ok it's natural and laughed she still was all goofy about being teased. Ron Brown called and was happy to hear that you were out serving the Lord he thinks your a great kid. Well the summer is hot and very raging busy for the next three weeks. Parades rodeos and showing lambs and then quiet peace because school will start and then its time to get wood and harvest the garden. The time is flying by faster and faster it it just amazing to see it that way. I love you lots and can't wait to hear the weeks adventures. Oh ya Dad says we are going to all go for a family Home evening Horse ride tomorrow since he is going to be home early for once this week. They have been going over time which is a blessing because there for a little bit he was getting worried that we wouldn't have enough because of short hours at work. I love you we all love you can't wait to hear from you. Love Mom
2. Please buy the card reader we want to see pictures of you again.
2. I can't afford a new one until I have about R120, that equals about $17. If you could help me with that it would be nice.
3. Did you move out of your apartment this p-day?
3. No we haven't moved out yet, but that is a good question because I haven't been thinking about that much this week and we may need to find out.
4. Did any of Lennies friends make a baptism commitment yet?
4.Yes they did, and we are now teaching one of his friends whole family. Unfortunately one of his friends fell subject to the false rumors about satanist and has been dodging us lately.
5. Chase Hathaway served in the township just over from
Tazneen and told a story about monkeys and being curious have you had any come close to you and be curious about what you might be doings?
5.Was the township called Lenyenye? I have seen monkeys quite a lot around here but they always run away from you when you get close. I ll have to try and feed them
6. Have you gone on any P-day hikes in the jungle yet?
6.Nope I haven't and I'm not sure when I will. I would love to do it but the problem is that it is kinda dangerous and my companion wants nothing to do with it.
7. Now the boys wonder if you have seen giraffes up close?
7.Yes I saw Giraffes the same day I saw elephants. I have plenty of cool pics to send
8. Faith must be tried to be called faith tested. What do you think about this saying that I heard the other day. Any thoughts about how our family was faith tested by Jer's birth?
8. I'm not sure if that is the exact quote, but it kinda makes sense. If you have faith but nothing ever tries it then it hasn't been tested much.
Well this week has been an interesting week with a lot of frustration at times. But this Sunday was a great reliever of the stress. There is a lady who we have been teaching named sister Beverly. She has been taught for about 6 months. She was doing everything she is supposed to, to gain a testimony except one thing. and that is to pray. Every Sunday she was coming to church and she was participating a lot in Relief Society activities. But every time the subject of baptism came up around her so did all of her excuses. Since I have been here, Elder Makosa and myself have seen a lot of changes in her and she started to progress closer and closer to the goal but still until recently she has struggled with the idea. Then Yesterday, we came to her house at the end of the night to talk with her and I told her how frustrated I have been this week. She started to quote from the bible in an attempt to cheer me up and she was saying something about how the road to God is a rough one and the road to Satan looks nice and easy. As she was saying these things it was helping me, but I was only kind of half listening. As she talked she started to mention how great a day she had had and how she had loved church. Then out of now where she said..."and I'd like to be baptized next Sunday"... At first Elder Makosa and myself didn't think much of it, but after going over the statement again in my head I asked her to repeat what she had just said. After doing so Elder Makosa and I almost fell out of our seats. She said that she had heard about the mention of Lenny's baptism coming up and it made her think a lot about it. She said she went home and knelt down to ask God if that is something she should do. She said after praying she had never felt so good and so sure about something in her life and she has decided that that is what she wants in her life. We ended up changing the lesson for the night and instead just shared our testimonies. We told her we would make sure to review some things with her and then schedule and interview. She accepted that she might not be baptized next week, but would wait until she could be interviewed. What an experience! it just goes to show how powerful prayer can really be. I encourage all of you to continue praying about the truth and really come to know for yourselves if the church is true. It is our testimonies that drive us to live the gospel and do what is right. If we can each have that spiritual witness to the truth then when our faith is tested, we will always pass the test.
Well, I love all of you and hope you are doing your part to learn the gospel, nothing comes free, especially the best things.
Elder Jones
The Family says.
Wow if life slows down I am not sure what we might do around here. Maybe I should go backward with the weeks happenings.
J isn't eating again this Sunday morning, this time the sticky mouse catching pad was set by the stove top and it finally caught the dang mouse that somehow is getting on the top of the island. 13 years in this house and that has never been a problem and this summer we can not get rid of them. She said Mom are you trying to starve me two Sundays in a row and I can't handle it. Heehee. evil laugh at least it's caught now.
Arrived home late last night from an afternoon at the Smith family reunion. Photos were sent of our family doings there. Drive was eventful the car had an awful smell and all of a sudden us in the back yelled we wanted out because it smelled like smoke. I have never seen little people haul out so fast. For some reason there was oil spurting on the engine and making it burn up causing the smoke. Dad never did figure out why and Darren, and Golden stayed behind us to make sure we arrived home safe which we did or I guess I wouldn't be writing this to you. When we arrived at church today Darren came up and said it's the strangest thing.
When we stoped to see what was wrong with your car I asked Dad -Golden to look at the 4wheelers he was hauling and check all the tie downs. He had the big 5th wheel that they haul hay on and there were like 4 or maybe 5 plus a dune buggy and a mini bike strapped on. As they were looking at why our car was shooting smoke Golden found that one of the big huge 4 wheelers straps were broken and not even latched on. If he had pulled to the side
Darren was on the wheeler would have rolled off the trailer at that point but there was a hill so he had gone off the opposite side of the road. Can you imagine that wheeler coming off and someone hitting into it in the dark of the night not to mention the loss and cost. Well we went ahead as they I guess retied it down and we ran into the worst wind and storm we couldn't even see the road for a little bit. By the time they got to the storm it was most likely not the worst of it and didn't blow the high trailer over and they did have a bit of rain to have to see through. We may never know what danger was prevented but I felt a thrill run through me of confirmation that there must have been a reason to slow us all down as we were traveling home. The car never blew smoke again and we got home just fine. I also realized that at that time you would have been doing your morning study and prayers and so maybe what words you spoke protected us also. Darren even said that he had kept feeling that he needed to check the 4 wheelers and hadn't yet but that gave him a moment to stop and say hey Dad you look while I help them. J got to drive the team of Belgium's and had a blast and then they let her and K get up on their huge backs. She said ok I will just stay here all night. We thought her Hobbles was a really tall horse. Those are monstrously huge.
Fri we spent doing the water at Whites and shoeing the horses so that Hobbles will run faster. J had a barrel run of 16.4 and is going to do the rodeo at Scipio on the 24th. So the horse had to have a nail job. Wed and Thur the white truck kept me stuck in town trying to get little things fixed on it so it could be inspected. Tue and Mon is a blur and to many things happened in between there. Tonight I had to go help Sondra pack the last of the things into her car so she could go to Chads military graduation and they are moved out. It's strange to see the cabin empty and wonder if another honeymooner will get married and move into it soon.
C spent the whole week up at a place called Camp TIFEE and loved it he swam the mile and only one leader beat him. Brother Howell said he must be the energizer bunny because he just never gets tired. We went up to the reunion and him and Mc proceeded to spend the night again 6 nights of camping for that boy. J says you need to answer her note and that she loves you lots. Everyone has there eyes on her and the Bishop gave her a hard time for walking down town with holding a boys hand and then the next day he sees her riding bare back down the road in town. She was so embarrassed she wouldn't talk to him. He said it's ok it's natural and laughed she still was all goofy about being teased. Ron Brown called and was happy to hear that you were out serving the Lord he thinks your a great kid. Well the summer is hot and very raging busy for the next three weeks. Parades rodeos and showing lambs and then quiet peace because school will start and then its time to get wood and harvest the garden. The time is flying by faster and faster it it just amazing to see it that way. I love you lots and can't wait to hear the weeks adventures. Oh ya Dad says we are going to all go for a family Home evening Horse ride tomorrow since he is going to be home early for once this week. They have been going over time which is a blessing because there for a little bit he was getting worried that we wouldn't have enough because of short hours at work. I love you we all love you can't wait to hear from you. Love Mom
Saturday, July 24, 2010
My first 5K race and Marthon running.
My start out look for the Monroe 24th Of July Milk Run. 
I include this in my mornings in my preparing to run my first 5K race which might not be a marathon yet but someday I just might get there if I listen to more of this kind of advice.
Sister Elaine S. Dalton
"Sister Dalton quoted a famous African runner as having said, “The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare.” She called a long-time friend and marathon runner, Amy Heap, from the congregation and asked her what she knew about preparing for marathons. Her ready answer was that Sister Dalton herself had taught her that “You must teach yourself to mind [obey] yourself.” This was important, she said, in “… preparing precisely and preparing daily.”
Seizing on that thought, Sister Dalton asked the young women which of them would be willing to do three simple things to help them prepare to run their “spiritual” marathon. As hands were raised she charged them to pray night and morning every day, 100%, to read the Book of Mormon five minutes every day, 100% and to smile every day, 100%. She told them that, if they would do those three simple things, the Lord would support them in life’s race. “I would never ask the young women to do anything I myself did not do,” she said. She further urged them to listen carefully to the Spirit. “The Lord’s way is quiet,” she said, “and only those who are paying attention will hear Him.”
She closed her remarks citing another African marathoner as having said that “My country did not send me here to start the race, but to finish the race.” She urged the young women to finish their own spiritual marathons."
Belive it or not I took 3rd in my first 5K race and ran with my 61 year old Sister in Law Carol Dopp. A goal well made and finished. She took first for her age group. We are the best winners ever in my opinion.
I include this in my mornings in my preparing to run my first 5K race which might not be a marathon yet but someday I just might get there if I listen to more of this kind of advice.
Sister Elaine S. Dalton
"Sister Dalton quoted a famous African runner as having said, “The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare.” She called a long-time friend and marathon runner, Amy Heap, from the congregation and asked her what she knew about preparing for marathons. Her ready answer was that Sister Dalton herself had taught her that “You must teach yourself to mind [obey] yourself.” This was important, she said, in “… preparing precisely and preparing daily.”
Seizing on that thought, Sister Dalton asked the young women which of them would be willing to do three simple things to help them prepare to run their “spiritual” marathon. As hands were raised she charged them to pray night and morning every day, 100%, to read the Book of Mormon five minutes every day, 100% and to smile every day, 100%. She told them that, if they would do those three simple things, the Lord would support them in life’s race. “I would never ask the young women to do anything I myself did not do,” she said. She further urged them to listen carefully to the Spirit. “The Lord’s way is quiet,” she said, “and only those who are paying attention will hear Him.”
She closed her remarks citing another African marathoner as having said that “My country did not send me here to start the race, but to finish the race.” She urged the young women to finish their own spiritual marathons."
Belive it or not I took 3rd in my first 5K race and ran with my 61 year old Sister in Law Carol Dopp. A goal well made and finished. She took first for her age group. We are the best winners ever in my opinion. 
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Fun at some of our many Family Reunions
Dutch oven cooking is always a big part of the Jones or Smith family reunions here are a few of the cooks getting started. This year K and Z made the scones that our family ate. K would flip them in the oil and take them out while Z carefully dropped the dough into the very hot oil. To bad I didn't get a pic of those little chefs doing their cooking. C was having a wonderful time swinging on the old tree swing as Dad and Mc took off up to go for a hike to see where the spring is that feeds this pretty camp spot in the Sweet Water Ranch. Jer kept begging to have a turn swinging too please but he wouldn't take off his black cowboy hat till the pool. K and Z with other cousins decide that teaching Jer how to slide into a muddy water pool sounds like a fun pass time. Yuck is all I could think. Our Pretty girl J got to drive some beautiful Belgium horses. She was thrilled and it came very naturally to her as she kisses at them to move up a bit more before stopping.
Then J got to sit a top their huge backs both her and K took a turn on the backs of these pretty animals.
You can see that they are very big animals but remember that J is not a really tall girl either.
Then Dad had to be a nut and give me the rabbit ear look in our cute photo shot.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The weekly doings this week.
Wow that was quite the letter.... anyway
2. Caleb really wants to know after 6 hundred times asking what way do the toilets spin there? Is it the same way as here?
2.Well I think I answered that one a while ago, but I haven't recently checked so I will have to do that with the sink. Anyway the Toilets don't swirl they just drain in a monsoon like fashion. They make them different here?
3. Do you have any tips that you could share to a new missionary who is coming there on what to spiritually prepare to do before coming?
3. Read your scriptures everyday and study Preach my gospel every day. Apply the Christlike attributes from Chapter 6
4. Do You have any tips that you could share to a new missionary on things that you would bring different to there now that you got prepared and are there.
4. I wouldn't have brought as many p-day clothes. You don't really wear them on p-day much unless you are doing something that will mess up your clothes or if you do service throughout the week.
5. Please tell us what its like to attend a branch that is small when going to church.
5. It's very very small. and I'm really trying to wrap my mind around how I feel about it. it's kinda quite but at times small noises are really loud because you are in a tiny room. It's usually nice, but sometimes the sacrament meeting isn't fully prepared in time, so we the missionaries have had to give surprise talks all of the time. It's getting better now that some things have changed around in the presidency and what what.
6. I didn't get money in the bank are you ok still?
6. Yeah I'm fine. the only thing is I find myself paying for investigators transport to church, so I've had a little bit less then I normally have had. But it still works out.
7. Please tell one thing that your Dad does that has helped you to be a better missionary.
7. My dad works hard! I've found myself comparing my mission work to the work that Dad does everyday and I sometimes feel like I need to improve on that. I want to have that same kind of work ethic that Dad has by the time I get home.
8. Have you gotten to see elephants yet?
8.Why yes actually, I saw my first elephant's yesterday. and it was sweet!!! They were about 10 feet from the car. There is a place called Kruger National Park that we went through. You should look it up. And to comment on something you asked a while ago about picking me up from mission. You might want to save up alot of money if you want to do that because, you will want to see a few cool places like Kruger.
9. Please tell one thing that you would want to study now that you never would have wanted to know about but your mission has somehow influenced you.
9. That's a good question. I recently began reading Jesus the Christ. which I probably wouldn't have done so before. That book Blows your Mind!!!
10. Tell one normal day activity that you do.
10......Teach, study, plan, find...etc
Like I said that was a long e-mail. I hope I can reply to alot of that. I'm surprised J didn't say anything about Rosie having a baby. That's some really cool news. I can't believe it was already a year ago that that stuff hap pend with Mkalif. It's weird to hear about how life continues to happen even though I'm not around. The biggest thing that weirds me out is hearing about J and all that boy stuff. It's hard to belive that they are the age they are, because I feel like I was just barely that age. TIME FLYS!!!
Anyway. the most exciting thing that has happened this week is with one of our investigators Lennie. Before I got here he was not progressing and it was frustrating the missionaries because he had so much potential. Now he is one of the best finding tools we have. He is scheduled to be baptized on the 25th of this month and since he started coming to church he has introduced us to 3 of his friends and 2 of them came to church. He is reading his scriptures every day and always has tons of questions to ask us about the Book of Mormon. I can testify that reading the Book of Mormon will keep us on the straight and narrow more then anything. The investigators who always progress to baptism are the ones who read that amazing book. Anyway he is awesome and I strongly believe his friends will progress to baptism because they have the same kind of fire. We are seeing them today so I will update you on how things go. It was exciting to go to Kruger park yesterday and see some wildlife. Because of time I will send pics of it later (which reminds me on the side of money i might need help to get a new card reader if that's ok) I love the work and I'm out of time. I'm proud of you Aunt Bethany for taking the challenge and I know it will make your family strong. I've seen it! (Family Home Evening)
Love Elder Jones
Family side of the weekly doings.
I love this quote found on the mission newsletters.
“How can you expect to have eternal life if you can’t
manage 30 minutes wisely?” –Elder Hawker
This is turning into a what a week again. I am feeling ready to have vacation from school over because the boys are so bored and Dad isn't home enough to keep them farm busy. To make sure you know Emily put a note on our blog and said she had just wrote to you that was the week you went up to Tzaneen so hopefully you got a note since last week if not maybe she emailed and it went to the wrong address can you still check that email? C started football by going to football camp with a new football coach. He has a lot to do to get into shape again. That was Mon. that camp started along with going to watch some fireworks in Richfield that night. There was spread celebrating depending on which town you lived in around here. Tue. early up to go to camp again so I ran on the track its kinda nice to have a smooth run spot once in a while. The young women went swimming and then the football camp went swimming later. J was bummed because she had hoped they could all be there at the same time but the Mom was glad it didn't workout that way. Wed. Scouts and Mc got his first aid merit badge started. Thur I ran out of gas on the way to take C to camp. We were able to coast into the station but he was late and since I was there I ran the track again for 3 miles. By the way thanks for your encouragements it helped me get through this week and I look like I lost 40 pounds not different but whatever you think. I arrived home to find Rosie having a live baby filly and it lived yeah that's nice compared to last summers misshapes. Fri. Today I am not going anywhere except for the laundry room because its overflowing with wet shorts from boys who are changing more then a girl would from water playing. Mc is learning how to bale and haul hay. He loves it and has begged to have Dad get home from work early everyday. It's been fun to watch him be that way. I saw Braden Harrison he said to say Hi! Jer is doing super we have noticed that there has only been one throw up time this week because he was eating steak and didn't chew it up enough. But it wasn't like the past where it wouldn't go down and he would fight hard to keep from having a problem and then lose all that was in his tummy. His voice is a bit higher also not so man sounding in a little boy body. The steri strip is about to come off and it looks like a line on his neck and that's all instead of a hole but we can't see the main pinpoint spot yet with the tape on there.
I am actually glad to hear that you are having a hard time writing e-mail it means that time and space is starting to blend because it means that you are really losing yourself in your mission and the experience that you are having right now. Dad says this is the most important time to write your journal because the days begin to blend together and you can't keep separated and you will want to go back and read at times in your life and when your own children serve missions. Besides I might just spank you if you do not use that amazing journal that I made for you and fill it with all kinds of happy and sad and adventure and discouragement for your posterity to come which you can only remember if you write every single night as a review of your day.
J told me that it's T,T's values that make her really like him. Once when she got sick he lectured her about needing to still go to church even if she was sick. He is already an Eagle scout and plans on going on a mission. C is teased by him continuously so the tables are turned, they did football camp together.
Well I hope you got lost in this week and that is was amazingly full filling to you in every way. Tell me if you are needing anything please. I can't not believe that last year at this time you were working your head off to make enough for the mission clothing and now you wear them everyday. I do hope they are all lasting. And of course I better bring you up to date on the fact that they found the snake or they think they have and its up in the front porch rafters in the birds nest there. C says it's it because it is such a hissy mean blow snake. They are this Sat. trying to get it down and and move it out to the field they have been at it for about an hour or maybe more. Papa came to help fix the closet that the clothing shelves came down twice now once because C thought he could use them to power lift himself up. Ya you get the pic. It is starting to get to where we might just put the swamp cooler in, crazy that it is the middle of July and we are barley in to thinking we might need it. Dad and C watched a bit about the land take back that was going on in Johannesburg where that tower stood back in the year 2007. They saw the tower unless there are alot more of them around that area. It was pretty interesting Dad said about how the white wanted to keep their land and kick blacks off that had been born and always lived there. They called them scwaters (sp?) but how can you say that when they were born there and the guy was like 103 years old. I am sure those are things that you can not really express in your letters that you hear about.
Today I felt lifted up as I heard again the talk by Brother Eyring this part (Many bishops in the Church are inspired to call the strongest people in the ward to serve individual children in the Primary. They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescued as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime.) I sure hope that I am teaching them right, someways little ears do not sit very still and listen when all they seem to want are fishy crackers and drinks. Jer stayed home today with Mc today supposedly Mc didn't feel good and class was a bit quieter then usual, mostly because I am the Mom and he knows my buttons to push. Shelby was on one though and it was kinda of hard to get her to sit and listen. They are finally starting to sit a bit stiller and answer questions as long as I be a really animated teacher then I can hold their attentions.
On the home front I am not going to lie it is hard to get all these boys to be on the same quiet plan and do any kind of sit down lesson. (Family Home Evening) We are spending lots of time together doing busy activities but there has been a precedent set that sitting and doing a lesson isn't important. There has been lots of arguing on the teens parts that Mom is dumb and really bossy and stupid even sometimes, over well almost anything that isn't going the way they want it to go. I am not trying to complain I just want you to realize that everyone has their free agency to be a willing participant or to not cooperate and it sure can make life rough. There is always lots to learn on everyone parts on how to make the whole family life work together a bit better. Well I better get this sent off since its super late having been trying to get kids to go to bed and not much cooperation on some of their parts. I love you and I hope that you have had a great week.
Love Mom
2. Caleb really wants to know after 6 hundred times asking what way do the toilets spin there? Is it the same way as here?
2.Well I think I answered that one a while ago, but I haven't recently checked so I will have to do that with the sink. Anyway the Toilets don't swirl they just drain in a monsoon like fashion. They make them different here?
3. Do you have any tips that you could share to a new missionary who is coming there on what to spiritually prepare to do before coming?
3. Read your scriptures everyday and study Preach my gospel every day. Apply the Christlike attributes from Chapter 6
4. Do You have any tips that you could share to a new missionary on things that you would bring different to there now that you got prepared and are there.
4. I wouldn't have brought as many p-day clothes. You don't really wear them on p-day much unless you are doing something that will mess up your clothes or if you do service throughout the week.
5. Please tell us what its like to attend a branch that is small when going to church.
5. It's very very small. and I'm really trying to wrap my mind around how I feel about it. it's kinda quite but at times small noises are really loud because you are in a tiny room. It's usually nice, but sometimes the sacrament meeting isn't fully prepared in time, so we the missionaries have had to give surprise talks all of the time. It's getting better now that some things have changed around in the presidency and what what.
6. I didn't get money in the bank are you ok still?
6. Yeah I'm fine. the only thing is I find myself paying for investigators transport to church, so I've had a little bit less then I normally have had. But it still works out.
7. Please tell one thing that your Dad does that has helped you to be a better missionary.
7. My dad works hard! I've found myself comparing my mission work to the work that Dad does everyday and I sometimes feel like I need to improve on that. I want to have that same kind of work ethic that Dad has by the time I get home.
8. Have you gotten to see elephants yet?
8.Why yes actually, I saw my first elephant's yesterday. and it was sweet!!! They were about 10 feet from the car. There is a place called Kruger National Park that we went through. You should look it up. And to comment on something you asked a while ago about picking me up from mission. You might want to save up alot of money if you want to do that because, you will want to see a few cool places like Kruger.
9. Please tell one thing that you would want to study now that you never would have wanted to know about but your mission has somehow influenced you.
9. That's a good question. I recently began reading Jesus the Christ. which I probably wouldn't have done so before. That book Blows your Mind!!!
10. Tell one normal day activity that you do.
10......Teach, study, plan, find...etc
Like I said that was a long e-mail. I hope I can reply to alot of that. I'm surprised J didn't say anything about Rosie having a baby. That's some really cool news. I can't believe it was already a year ago that that stuff hap pend with Mkalif. It's weird to hear about how life continues to happen even though I'm not around. The biggest thing that weirds me out is hearing about J and all that boy stuff. It's hard to belive that they are the age they are, because I feel like I was just barely that age. TIME FLYS!!!
Anyway. the most exciting thing that has happened this week is with one of our investigators Lennie. Before I got here he was not progressing and it was frustrating the missionaries because he had so much potential. Now he is one of the best finding tools we have. He is scheduled to be baptized on the 25th of this month and since he started coming to church he has introduced us to 3 of his friends and 2 of them came to church. He is reading his scriptures every day and always has tons of questions to ask us about the Book of Mormon. I can testify that reading the Book of Mormon will keep us on the straight and narrow more then anything. The investigators who always progress to baptism are the ones who read that amazing book. Anyway he is awesome and I strongly believe his friends will progress to baptism because they have the same kind of fire. We are seeing them today so I will update you on how things go. It was exciting to go to Kruger park yesterday and see some wildlife. Because of time I will send pics of it later (which reminds me on the side of money i might need help to get a new card reader if that's ok) I love the work and I'm out of time. I'm proud of you Aunt Bethany for taking the challenge and I know it will make your family strong. I've seen it! (Family Home Evening)
Love Elder Jones
Family side of the weekly doings.
I love this quote found on the mission newsletters.
“How can you expect to have eternal life if you can’t
manage 30 minutes wisely?” –Elder Hawker
This is turning into a what a week again. I am feeling ready to have vacation from school over because the boys are so bored and Dad isn't home enough to keep them farm busy. To make sure you know Emily put a note on our blog and said she had just wrote to you that was the week you went up to Tzaneen so hopefully you got a note since last week if not maybe she emailed and it went to the wrong address can you still check that email? C started football by going to football camp with a new football coach. He has a lot to do to get into shape again. That was Mon. that camp started along with going to watch some fireworks in Richfield that night. There was spread celebrating depending on which town you lived in around here. Tue. early up to go to camp again so I ran on the track its kinda nice to have a smooth run spot once in a while. The young women went swimming and then the football camp went swimming later. J was bummed because she had hoped they could all be there at the same time but the Mom was glad it didn't workout that way. Wed. Scouts and Mc got his first aid merit badge started. Thur I ran out of gas on the way to take C to camp. We were able to coast into the station but he was late and since I was there I ran the track again for 3 miles. By the way thanks for your encouragements it helped me get through this week and I look like I lost 40 pounds not different but whatever you think. I arrived home to find Rosie having a live baby filly and it lived yeah that's nice compared to last summers misshapes. Fri. Today I am not going anywhere except for the laundry room because its overflowing with wet shorts from boys who are changing more then a girl would from water playing. Mc is learning how to bale and haul hay. He loves it and has begged to have Dad get home from work early everyday. It's been fun to watch him be that way. I saw Braden Harrison he said to say Hi! Jer is doing super we have noticed that there has only been one throw up time this week because he was eating steak and didn't chew it up enough. But it wasn't like the past where it wouldn't go down and he would fight hard to keep from having a problem and then lose all that was in his tummy. His voice is a bit higher also not so man sounding in a little boy body. The steri strip is about to come off and it looks like a line on his neck and that's all instead of a hole but we can't see the main pinpoint spot yet with the tape on there.
I am actually glad to hear that you are having a hard time writing e-mail it means that time and space is starting to blend because it means that you are really losing yourself in your mission and the experience that you are having right now. Dad says this is the most important time to write your journal because the days begin to blend together and you can't keep separated and you will want to go back and read at times in your life and when your own children serve missions. Besides I might just spank you if you do not use that amazing journal that I made for you and fill it with all kinds of happy and sad and adventure and discouragement for your posterity to come which you can only remember if you write every single night as a review of your day.
J told me that it's T,T's values that make her really like him. Once when she got sick he lectured her about needing to still go to church even if she was sick. He is already an Eagle scout and plans on going on a mission. C is teased by him continuously so the tables are turned, they did football camp together.
Well I hope you got lost in this week and that is was amazingly full filling to you in every way. Tell me if you are needing anything please. I can't not believe that last year at this time you were working your head off to make enough for the mission clothing and now you wear them everyday. I do hope they are all lasting. And of course I better bring you up to date on the fact that they found the snake or they think they have and its up in the front porch rafters in the birds nest there. C says it's it because it is such a hissy mean blow snake. They are this Sat. trying to get it down and and move it out to the field they have been at it for about an hour or maybe more. Papa came to help fix the closet that the clothing shelves came down twice now once because C thought he could use them to power lift himself up. Ya you get the pic. It is starting to get to where we might just put the swamp cooler in, crazy that it is the middle of July and we are barley in to thinking we might need it. Dad and C watched a bit about the land take back that was going on in Johannesburg where that tower stood back in the year 2007. They saw the tower unless there are alot more of them around that area. It was pretty interesting Dad said about how the white wanted to keep their land and kick blacks off that had been born and always lived there. They called them scwaters (sp?) but how can you say that when they were born there and the guy was like 103 years old. I am sure those are things that you can not really express in your letters that you hear about.
Today I felt lifted up as I heard again the talk by Brother Eyring this part (Many bishops in the Church are inspired to call the strongest people in the ward to serve individual children in the Primary. They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescued as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime.) I sure hope that I am teaching them right, someways little ears do not sit very still and listen when all they seem to want are fishy crackers and drinks. Jer stayed home today with Mc today supposedly Mc didn't feel good and class was a bit quieter then usual, mostly because I am the Mom and he knows my buttons to push. Shelby was on one though and it was kinda of hard to get her to sit and listen. They are finally starting to sit a bit stiller and answer questions as long as I be a really animated teacher then I can hold their attentions.
On the home front I am not going to lie it is hard to get all these boys to be on the same quiet plan and do any kind of sit down lesson. (Family Home Evening) We are spending lots of time together doing busy activities but there has been a precedent set that sitting and doing a lesson isn't important. There has been lots of arguing on the teens parts that Mom is dumb and really bossy and stupid even sometimes, over well almost anything that isn't going the way they want it to go. I am not trying to complain I just want you to realize that everyone has their free agency to be a willing participant or to not cooperate and it sure can make life rough. There is always lots to learn on everyone parts on how to make the whole family life work together a bit better. Well I better get this sent off since its super late having been trying to get kids to go to bed and not much cooperation on some of their parts. I love you and I hope that you have had a great week.
Love Mom
Saturday, July 10, 2010
4th of July Freedoms what they mean to the Missionary.
1. What does freedom mean to you now that you have seen another country and some of the world outside of America the land of the free?
1. Well that's a good question. I didn't even realize it was the 4th until late yesterday. But I'm glad to be free. South Africa is alot like the states but I've heard some pretty crazy stuff from Elder Makosa about stuff you are not allowed to do in Zimbabwe
2. Does your companion get any letters from his family?
2.Yes he gets e-mails. But none of us really get letters. About that, have you heard anything from Emily at all?
3. I hope you are taking photos that are of real life like the yard or the bus you ride or the mess that is in your room(just kidding you)
3.Nope i haven't... But that's a good idea.
4. What one habit do you plan to continue in your life after the mission that you have learned on your mission?
4. Well I hope to be able to Develop a habit of doing the things I think of doing soon after I think about it and not procrastinate.
5. Have you learned to be the ward clerk now?
5.Nope, I'm going to be trained on Saturday, but I have already been in charge of depositing tithing money which was scary.
6. Have you seen any new bugs that you are taking photos of?
6.Nope I haven't seen any cool bugs lately that I've been able to take pics of. I need to carry my camera more often.7. Please lift the mother and tell me one important thing that I taught you that is helping you on your mission (yes its been a rough day).
7.O mother I can not thank you enough for the things that you have taught me. If you had not raised me the way that you did. I would be like the young kids around here who don't seem to care about the real worth while things in life. I am reminded of the Stippling Warriors who had so much courage because "their mothers taught them" I am here on my mission because of you. Thank you so much for your pushing and your poking me towards what you knew to be the most important.
Here is were to read this small part of a Strippling Warrior story how Moms can train their sons.(47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the aliberty of theirbfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their amothers, saying: We bdo not doubt our mothers knew it.)
8. How is all your worldly goods holding up like shoes, shorts, socks, ya know the old stuff you brought with you and only wear once a week?
8.Everything is holding up good. Except one of my shoelaces came apart. I actually hardly ever where my regular clothes anymore. It's been like once ever 2 months or so.
9.One discouragement that you had and was able to make different this week.
9. Well our car has been in the shop this last week, and that was kind of discouraging, because we had to cancel all of our far away appointments. But it did lead to an opportunity to find some new investigators here in the Town.
10. Favorite Coach over the years?
But I would definitely go with Coach Willis. Coach Willis has great character and drive to accomplish things. I've always looked up to him for that.
Well it sounds like it's been a fun week and I do have to say I love getting those pictures from home. Wow mom you look.....Different. That's crazy that you are getting so fit. You'll have to keep that up so that you and I can go running in the mornings when I get back.
Well I'm not going to lie. I'm finding it harder and harder to write e-mails each week. I don't know if that's because we aren't having crazy experiences or I'm not keeping good enough track... Or maybe it's not any of those things because I'm a little tired today. So I think I will just tell you how grateful I am to have learned all of the things I have been learning. Each day whether it is in my Studies or in teaching or in Conferences or at Church. I have learned something each day. I feel like I've learned so much because I've been more prone to listen to the spirit and apply what I learn. It's so important to listen to the promptings of the spirit, and to live your life in a way that you can do so. It makes life so much easier when you can do that because it seems to make life fit together better. It's like having the box to look at when you are doing a giant jigsaw puzzle. It's much easier to have it then to have to match all the pieces without a guide. I hope that each of you are making an effort to have the spirit more abundantly in your life by keeping the commandments of God and striving to listen. Listening is important. You can be the most clean and worthy person on the earth, but it doesn't matter if you choose not to listen. When the Spirit prompts, you will know it, and when you know it do it...If that makes sense. I love each of you and I hope you will apply the things that you learn in Church and from the Scriptures. I'm proud to hear that C has been so diligent in reading the scriptures. I hope everyone will follow his example and do the same. Especially the boys who want to go on mission. What you learn from the scriptures will be invaluable to you when you go to serve the lord. keep up the good work
Love Elder T. Jones
P.S. Don't forget to find out about Emily for me and also DID EVERYONE HAVE FAMILY HOME EVENING?
From the Family to the Missionary in South Africa
I just pulled all the pic off of Pres. Poulsons storage of you when you show up in his photos that is and I think I will make a year in review when the year date comes up for you. This whole week I have had a million thoughts of things I wanted to ask you about Africa and being a missionary and I should carry a notebook because dang it I can't remember them all. Oh well you have been saved from interrogation I guess. But one big one which I will post is the one about freedom what it's meaning to you now having been in another country. J just stepped on a sticky pad that catches mice and there was a mouse on it she freaked out and is screaming at the top of her lungs. Everyone who was asleep is not any more that's for sure. I am laughing so hard I am the one who she wanted to have pull it off and that's what you get when you walk without your contacts on. Sorry that was so random but I laughed my head off and made her hold still while I tried to take a pic with my phone but it wouldn't take for some reason. I am really laughing hard right now and she is very mad at me. I am going to be running in the MILK run for the 24th of July maybe jogging slowly would be a much better description to state Cristy and I are doing it together. I can go 5 miles at least once a week, wish I could get J or C and Mc to go with me but they are kinda wimpy about the long length. C should be starting because of wanting to do football. Jer's surgery went pretty good. He had a rough time going without water and every tap or sink or water fountain outside the hospital he begged to get water from. He went under begging for water and came up out yelling for water. He drank it so fast it was kinda scary because they were concerned that he might puk having still sorta a sleepiness about him. He then tried to yank the IV off and the oxygen sat monitors which were on his feet. We finally bribed him with a diesel truck if he left them alone and he did. He carries that truck everywhere with him now. They filed his funny cupped tooth straight and they are so very clean now. The scar tissue was sorta attached to his vocal cords causing him to have that deep voice and now it's a bit higher since there isn't interference there. He also isn't having the pucking gagging reflex that he can't stop going on so maybe they really did fix a rough problem for him time will tell especially in the winter time. He can be pretty mischievous and the medicine sure made him funny I got some silly pic of him when we were leaving the hospital. Caleb is really doing good with reading his scriptures still. I wish J would though. Taush went on the 4 year level hike with J. J took 3rd running the barrels at the Salina rodeo and Big K beat her riding the Rodeo Pres. horse she took 1st place. Next year if they do it they have to ride against the big girls and make it really count so we will see what happens for the two of them. It's been one of those weeks where I can't wait to have school start just because the kids are bored and always begging me to take them to the canal. Thank goodness Dad got some help out of C to cut & swath hay and run the baler hopefully it won't rain and they can get it all up with it dry for once. The snake never did come back out and so we have no idea where it's at but it sure isn't getting rid of the crazy mice situation that we have this year it's rather irritating how many there are this year too. Well I am going to try and send a few more pic on separate mails and hopefully they will come to your viewing abilities. Oh and if I forgot C was ordained a Teacher not sure if I told you that already or not. I love you and Dad says he loves you too. C says he is an old guy who likes to still ride buggies to work and would if he could but can't so he has old trucks instead and that means the white truck is finally working again. Keep smiling and love ya alot.The Mom.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
PUT YOUR FEET IN HER SHOES!!!
Journey Beyond Survival: BOO
Jer has a binky and we try and try to get rid of it, but you see it's all we could put in his little mouth for 7 months before he was allowed to eat. Now I have days I would like to be rid of it especially when he loses it for the night and cries and cries that he needs it so much. It gives him a soothing factor now and back then when the needles poked and the tubing came undone or the noise was unbearable he sucked it. It was the one thing that he knew they would always give him when Mommies arms or Nana's or Daddies or Papa arms were not there to hold him, he could suck that thing so hard it pushed away his little fears. It kept his mind occupied on doing something else besides hurting or fearing that he would not get enough air. I guess I can keep waiting to be rid of that soothing little item if it means he is a happier baby.
First Photo as a newborn in NICU with his little tiny purple hospital binky.
5 Months old with Tracheostomy still living in the NICU.
9 months old and finally in our own home. Feeding tubes sat monitor lines and oxygen tubing very much our friends everyday but no Tracheostomy.
Our many binky trials until we found just the right one that he liked again after the trach was removed.
Picture taken just last week when I tried to take the binky so I could get a photo with the cute clean teeth. Not happening as you can see it is going back in the mouth to do it's soothing job at 4 years old.
Please go vote by clicking the link on my right top side called Rett syndrome do it for this little baby who's only means of escape sometimes can be her little binky. At least you are able to push the button and make a difference for her when she can not do that for herself. Go read how she relives her stress in a traped body.
Jer has a binky and we try and try to get rid of it, but you see it's all we could put in his little mouth for 7 months before he was allowed to eat. Now I have days I would like to be rid of it especially when he loses it for the night and cries and cries that he needs it so much. It gives him a soothing factor now and back then when the needles poked and the tubing came undone or the noise was unbearable he sucked it. It was the one thing that he knew they would always give him when Mommies arms or Nana's or Daddies or Papa arms were not there to hold him, he could suck that thing so hard it pushed away his little fears. It kept his mind occupied on doing something else besides hurting or fearing that he would not get enough air. I guess I can keep waiting to be rid of that soothing little item if it means he is a happier baby.
First Photo as a newborn in NICU with his little tiny purple hospital binky.
5 Months old with Tracheostomy still living in the NICU.
9 months old and finally in our own home. Feeding tubes sat monitor lines and oxygen tubing very much our friends everyday but no Tracheostomy.
Our many binky trials until we found just the right one that he liked again after the trach was removed.
Picture taken just last week when I tried to take the binky so I could get a photo with the cute clean teeth. Not happening as you can see it is going back in the mouth to do it's soothing job at 4 years old.Please go vote by clicking the link on my right top side called Rett syndrome do it for this little baby who's only means of escape sometimes can be her little binky. At least you are able to push the button and make a difference for her when she can not do that for herself. Go read how she relives her stress in a traped body.
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