Weekly news, Counting down to being a year in 5 days.

Family News

News today Morgan White passed away on Sunday I forgot to tell you. Also I saw the neatest testimony about a man with no limbs and how he just keeps on going and giving all his trust to God. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could teach him the truth but his example is teaching truth also.

Nick Vujicic (click on this link and watch something amazing) is amazing you will have to see his video when you come back. He says that in the end when you are standing in front of God he will ask you, Do You Know Me and who have you brought with you that is all that matters in the end.

We are so blessed by you serving a mission thank you again son for the choice you made to go.

Caleb is so happy Uncle Golden is taking him down with Riley to unload hay and so now he says he will get to have a bit of money. I guess he will learn how quickly it can run through your hands. He almost has it already spent.

Dallas is at Snow having a blast and took some drama classes. He will have to say hey to Wills little sister because I guess she is there now.

I hope you were not hoping for a package because I am lame about getting them sent with timing, plus all the Missionary Moms are saying that all the packages they have sent since that strike you talked about happened has slowed the receiving down. All their sons are saying they haven't gotten their mail or packages for a bit.

I am saving all the emails, lots I put on our family blog so all the family can read them as its hard to put pic with a letter and resend on an email.

From Tyrell

That is very sad to hear about Brother Morgan. I saw him on a video just the other day and it was kind of exciting to see. Give their family my best. I always liked that man alot. Well once again it has been a very fast paced week and the weeks only go by faster and faster. I tell you there is just to little time to waste time. And yes i do realize that in 5 days it will be that time. It is already hard enough to forget when i am living with an Elder that came out with me. I don't have my planner with me so i might not be able to remember the whole week, but as you asked the question, how is Cifford doing,.....He's not. We found him in some not so good conditions the other day and i wasn't so happy. We decided to drop by their house Saturday night and see what we could do to help them get to church. Well we knocked on the door and Elijah answered the door and the first thing i noticed was the earrings he had in and then the burning cigarette butt in his hand. He very embarrassingly threw it away and then invited us in. I was upset, but i didn't really show it, because i realize it is very addicting. But it just got worse. as we walked in the house we sat down to find Clifford trying to hide a bottle of liquor and his friends all sitting around a pack of cards. I didn't say anything about it and i pretended not to see at first. Then we sat down and it was kind of awkward. Elder Makosa said how is everyone and i didn't really have anything to say. Elijah repeated my thoughts by saying " I don't know what to say" after what seemed like hours of sitting there trying to think of what to say i just said how i felt and the words were " To tell you the truth, I'm very disappointed." there was a pause and then i said " You know, Elder Makosa and i love you very much, but we can only help you if you are willing to help yourself." I kind of lost track of things after that because I didn't see how they could still be doing what they were doing, and we eventually just left, after Bongoni told us some jokes he had heard. I'm very frustrated with the situation, but I'm sure we will continue to see them because Bongoni is the Nephi of the family and he is still on track. Keep praying for them and I will too, but I'm not sure if we will be focusing to much of our time on them anymore. Man it's hard to have to do those kinds of things, because you know how much better their life could be.

Maybe to answer the question about the ties, you don't need to donate any and please don't ask the members to do that. it's not necessary. But i myself would like some ties. I haven't given one to everyone I've baptized just those who can't afford their own.

1.So are you trying to make the good impression with the Branch pres. because of the late incident?

1.I can't remember the incident at this moment, but mostly I'm just trying to make my branch president look good. there is a lot of catching up to do record wise.

2.That sounds so sad that there are so many children without parents.

2.there are but it's not as bad as you would think. They have people who take them in.

3. Do they just sleep in the streets or are they living with some kind of family?

3. Answered

4. Has there been any better progress with Clifford and his struggle?

4. answered.

sorry the e-mail shop is closing, got to go

Love Elder Jones

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


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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

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 their^bfathers 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.