Valentine's Day Family Home Evening

We spent time as a family loving and caring for each other isn't that what  Valentine's day is supposed to be about anyway. We had dinner under the table while watching a show. Of course the one I picked out they deemed as to old fashioned. So they vetoed and picked one to their liking.

 

We put blankets over the table to make it into a cave, stuck the bean bag chairs under the table passed dinner pie out on plates after saying our family prayer.  They had fun didn't even spill any food on the floor headed to bed after, all of us feeling loved and happy on a beautiful day made to love each other and pay attention to caring for each other. The only thing I could do without is all the packages that cover the candies from school treats that are sugar loaded, that stuff could all go in the trash for all I care.

Hey if you need ideas for your own Family Home Evening click here to get some cool lesson plans or go outside the box like we did and eat under the table with an activity like the movie watch.  

Elder Tyrell J. Jones at the "Top Of Africa" in Jo'burg!

Elder Tyrell Jones On "Top of Africa"

Elder Seastrand on "Top of Africa"

These are pictures of the city of Jo'burg, baptism yesterday, and a small amount of the great amount of food we have recently been given by many members due to the public announcement bishop made saying we were hungry (not provoked by us)

The Jones Family Questions:
Any way here is the section of questions that are not going to be numbered. so just answer as best you can.
As I was out stoking the fire I thought about how in the world you took care of that the year that we had Jer in the hospital. Did you use coal or just wood I don't remember buying coal and how did you squish that all in after wrestle practise and getting to work I wondered?
Coming up with money to get C wrestle trip food I started to wonder how you had food at wrestling while Jer was in the hospital I was never there to buy any so did you just go without?
Also hotel to go to wrestling tournaments, hotel fees did you just pay them what happened with that I wasn't there to get any to you to take with you, did Dad get some for you?
Ok we wonder if you have had any bloody noses while there in Africa or is the humidity such that this is not a problem for you?

The Elders Answers:
In answer to the un-numbered Q's I will say I think I've only had a bloody nose once. I can't really remember how I had food and all that stuff for wrestling but I think you guys helped me out. Hotels and stuff I cant really remember. Sorry if these are lame answers.

Sweet Baptisms

Well fed missionaries teach well because they think not about where the next meal will come from.

Ah a Drink from America, familiarity at hand.

Missionaries letter for the week:
Well this week has been a pretty packed full week of excitement! On Monday we did all of our needful P-day activities including cleaning the flat and the car and holding a district leader council with all the district leaders, then before we knew it, it was time to go proselyte. we had some good appointments with two awesome families, one being Clyde and Nicky. They're a great family. I haven't recently told much about them I think. They are a family that when we started, had almost no love in the home. they were always arguing and they didn't have any similar goals. We really started to spend alot of our time on them and you can see how the gospel has blessed their lives. The have daily family prayer and they study their scriptures together now. Both Nicky and Clyde have said they don't argue as much and they are laughing alot more together, it's really good to see the changes that the gospel can make. It's really hard to see what the gospel can do if your not trying to consecrate your life to following it. If i could give some advice once again to Jo and C, I would say, if you want to have peace and you want to feel happy all of the time, then develop the Christlike attributes of love! and service. Be nice to each other in school and stop picking on each other. It's not a contest of who's better. Your just brother and sister and you should make it look that way.(Mom you don't have to put that on the blog, but make sure they read it) (Side note: As you can see we are a family that works every day to be kind, this is a struggle that our two oldest at home are having at the moment and the big brother still gives out advice even when around the world. They said they didn't care if it was put out there on our blog.)
Tuesday, we had Zone Conference, and I've got to admit, it was a little stressful. We had to teach the zone on two principles,
1. was the Doctrine of Christ! 2. Was receiving Revelation through Church Attendance.
I was mostly stressed because I want the zone to have these things instilled in them, yet I'm not sure if I was able to teach well enough. I hope they all got it.(of course I did have help from my awesome comp Elder Seastrand)
Wednesday we were supposed to have exchanges with Sunnyside Elders, but they fell through. So we just had a normal day of appointments. It was kind of disappointing because we got ditched alot, but we felt successful because we had good backup plans and had meaningful things to do all day.
Thursday was great! I used to hate Thursdays, because we always had such long planning and it felt like it was going nowhere. But recently I've been loving Thursday, It feels like it is making things happen. we usually have a very effective planning and then later in the day we correlate with the Bishop and that's where magic happens! He gives us great ideas for fellowshippers and gives us permission to contact other auxiliary leaders for appointments for other ideas. This week it led us to some sweet plans to have members in lessons, and to get investigators to church. (see Saturday)
Friday we had District meeting with the Centurion district, unfortunately it was only us the district leader and his companion, because the other members of the district (Sunnyside) was scoping out a new flat to move in to. It was a great district meeting though I really enjoyed what we talked about. I actually used some of the ideas today in my personal study. Elder Stodtmeister is the DL there and he's great, he was in the MTC
Saturday was Awesome! Most of our appointments kept and we put alot of people on date for baptism. The first lesson was with an Afrikaans Family and because of the Bishop we had a Member Named Bro Klopper at the lesson. He was translating in Afrikaans for us. At the end of the lesson Bro Klopper offered to pick them up for church and they agreed. Elder Seastrand and I were totally Pumped! The rest of the day went well. We met with a long lost investigator named Victoria who had been on vacation or something and she still wants to be baptized. We finally met with another Afrikaans man named CJ that I haven't ever met and he has finished listening to the Book of Mormon on cd. He really likes it and says there should be a second volume. The only thing is we have to get him to church now and that's been like trying to make ants hold still.
Sunday we were waiting and waiting to see our awesome family come in and then we watched bro Klopper walk in alone with a very sad look on his face. He told us that they had called last minute and said there was a family emergency and they couldn't come. I've got to admit I was very disappointed, but I didn't feel unsuccessful because we really did everything we could and the rest was left to the Lord. I feel that the family will come along, we just have to keep inviting other members to meet them and help them feel comfortable. The wife really felt the spirit and wants the best for her family so I think we will really drive them to do lots of good.
I'm grateful to be serving here, it's such a great experience to serve a mission. I hope the family is really doing lots of missionary work and sharing everything you can with everyone. Remember you don't have to be best friends with someone to share the gospel or invite them to church.
Love you all lots and lots, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Elder Jones

The Family Letter
Poor Caleb got super sick Sunday last week flu and head cold all together and never even came out of his room on Mon. Finally Tue evening we saw him in the evening. It made him rather weak so this Fri he had to start the region wrestle off against his team mate A C that he had taught and got to wrestle this year for the first time. The region he had to go against was tougher and so he only placed 4th in the region after the whole week end was done. By the last match he was really tired from having been sick over the last weekend and a kid he has beat all season took him over by points. He was really frustrated. The whole team placed 3rd and both Argyle boys took first and J Levitt and C Dowel and C Quarels did 1st. D Peterson took 2nd having to go against C Quarels too. So next weekend we will have to go to Provo and sit forever waiting to see what happens to C, maybe he will get feeling better by Fri and have lots of fire in him. There were two other boys that were seniors that are from the Jones cousins side that were in higher weight limits that we took pictures of them from wrestling. Both those boys took 1st for their weights so wrestling is a really strong thing in the Jones blood too. One was Fawns son from Enterprise and another you used to wrestle when you were little at the bantam wrestles from Parawan. C was surprised when he learned that they were his cousins they had been talking together all year at meets and stuff.
Mc got to go sking with the Youth and had a blast of course he was a natural at it. J went with T's family snowmobiling and jackknifed a trailer carrying the snowmobiles up the mtn. She said it was still fun even though it took alot of untangling to get stuff up to where it needed to be and straitened out in the end.
Sat we went to Tracins baptism. He made the choice on his own. Chad said the dinner prayer and it was just sweet and peaceful.  Shane did the baptism and Papa the confirmation. Dad and I spent the rest of the day watching the boys wrestle. Dads feeling like a mac truck hit him and has been sick since Fri morning and by the middle of the night I was sick. So today Sunday we are all sick at this house except for K and Jo but we all just stayed home in bed. Mc was also sick last night, some have the flu and some have terrible head colds with running or stuffy noses and horrible headaches and coughs. Hopefully with all the vitamin C pumping into everyone we will be sorta better by Mon. I just hope that Jer can shake the cough because it is getting bad sounding. At least he still wants to eat chips so that means he isn't to bad yet.
We have been reading some amazing stories out of the Meridian magazine one about the fact that a missionary never thought he had done anything on his mission but yet had because of listening to the prompting of the Holy Ghost went to tract and find the only man he ever baptised and taught all the lessons to while on his mission. 40 years later he found that the man he had converted was the one who translated many Church books that he had given to him from his Dads mission collection to take on his mission with him, because he felt impressed to leave them with him when he was transferred. And the most amazing book to translate into Chinese THE BOOK OF MORMON (click back there to read for yourself the amazing story). The man was the first patriarch in China and was a very humble, not highly educated, man like unto Joseph Smith. So even in our day to day the Lord takes care of his precious gospel truths to not allow them to get altered in any way. The most important lesson in all this is that we never know what seed we plant when we come in contact with others or the influence that we will have on them but if it is positive and uplifting them it will be a good thing as long as we keep every contact with them that was for ever more.
We were able to have a sit down family home evening with almost everyone cooperating to make it work. Of course short and sweet before they all climbed the walls.
Well we can't wait to hear how your week went and the adventures that you filled it with we love you lots and are grateful to your example.
Love the Jones family who hopefully with feel better really soon.

Missionary asks about Family Prayer, Scripture reading, and Family Home Evening?

The Missionary's Questions to the Family.
1. How is family home evening going? 

2. How is family prayers going?

3. How is family scripture reading?

Family Answer: Honestly these are all always works in progress and refinement. There is an ebb and flow to them depending on the mood and strength of the family unit. So we are forever working to be better at each one and some days they are are done with greatness and some days we failed miserably and get up to the next day to work to do them again better the next time. We are not perfect but we are striving to gain that goal which will meet at some point if we try try try and keep always trying to reach that goal. 

1.I want to know what you mean about being obedient? Are you referring to the fact that sleeping is a favorite and hard for you even now that you are on a time zone that agrees with your biological internal clock or is it like Missionary Kathrine Howell says those who are native to the country often act as if the missionary rules do not apply to them?

1.Well I'm kind of confused about this Question, but I can say that I have been trying to develop alot more self control since I came on my mission and I started with making a resolution to be obedient all the time. Unfortunately you have to be with someone else all the time and they don't always want to be obedient and that causes contention. I don't like Contention and I don't like being disobedient so it's alot less stressful and alot more happy when your comp wants to be obedient too.

2.How do you practice listening to the spirit? 

2.We Do Real plays (Role plays) every day to try and discern the spirit, but mostly it just come in teaching and everyday life and decisions. You just have to search for it and you will find it. It's also easier when you don't watch TV and bother yourself with worldly stuff a majority of the time.

3.What are the Internet cafes like that you have to send letters to us from,are they hard to keep the spirit there about you because of the smoke or loud music?

3.The Internet cafes are ok. They are like public businesses so they don't allow smoking and what what inside. None of the Cafes I've been to are actually cafes. They are strictly for computer use.

4. What does it say on pg 15 of the 9:00pm schedule last sentence of the white handbook?

4.It says write in your journal. (I have been writing every night since the first day of January!)

5. Have you taken the time to see when your temple recommend expires? Make sure before you leave Africa that is is in affect with Pres. Poulsen so that you are able to attend here without having to take time to track down the people it will take to get it updated. 

5. I still have until July, then I will get it updated

6.What pictures would you like to see of our family do you have any choices that I could put on next week?

6.Any pictures I love pictures from home

7. Did you have lots of DA's this week? Has anyone asked you to do something that took practice that may have been lost from lack of practice? There is a sister that says she will make sure your fed if you have no DA's have you met her yet?

7.Not really, the ward is really good at giving us food though. We are not supposed to have DA's after 6:00 and that's when everyone wants to do it. The only way is if they have someone for us to teach.

Unfortunately I'm out of time but it's been a great week. I might have to write a letter. We'll see.

Love Elder Jones

 Dear Son and Brother

What a fun week we have had meeting your companions mother over the Missionaries Moms group.As soon as I saw the name I knew I had seen it on the group of the Moms from Africa. I am grateful for those who are willing to share and care about each other in this wonderful world that we live in. And we got see you little flat that sits sorta behind the green roofed house. The boys wonder if the car you have is still blue, that was the color of the one in the google maps address photo that Sister Seastrand sent for us to look at this week. 

This is my take on Listening to the spirit it takes practice every single day coupled with prayer so getting enough sleep helps turn on your ears to hear him loudly at times that you will need his quiet shouting like the time when the car was coming towards me on the freeway and I heard his shout to get in a different lane. 

The alumni wrestle happened this week and the team wiped out Gunnison C did not pin but he had 9 to 4 points on his opponent. I am not sure if you knew that Mike retired yet but can still whip Caleb Young on the mat. The two Willes brothers went against each other and tied up. It was fun to see some of the old guys on the mat. They honored Mike with a legend trophy that they want to start from now on. Thursday was crazy Mc went to the planetarium and then to a region wrestling. The buses made it back from SLC with barley enough time for them to hop in another car and head over to Millard county. He took 4th and was pretty pleased with himself. Of course we had to tell him earlier in the week that he had to finish out the season and go all the way to the end as he is starting to get tired of the practices every night after school. C that same night wrestled in Wayne county and pinned both of the kids he had to wrestle. Every kid on the varsity high school team has qualified to go to state this year. Jer goes around whistling all day now and asks me if I can whistle also. He even whistles in school and when he wants my attention.  Reminds me of someone else that's far away. I did another 6 mile run this week. My friend did an 8 mile run and so I guess this week I better get a move on if I am going to keep up with her.She already has ran a half marathon and she wants me to come run with her. I am a bit scared of it though because I have to talk myself into doing it everyday. Also running outside is way different then inside since there seems to be hills that pop up out of no where when you run outside, which of course makes you breath really hard at times and gets you into a discouraged state for a moment and then all of a sudden there is a flattening and if you kept going then you know that you can go more but if you quit on the hill then there is the talking yourself back into doing it more. This analogy reminds me of maybe how taking time to read the Book of Mormon when your at home and not having to do it can be just like preparing to run in a day but on your mission the time is set aside to do the reading its a part of the assignment. So I guess the bottom line is I just need to set the goal pay the fee and get running so that I am ready to run with her when the date arrives because when its all done I will feel so great. J even went with me on one of my walk/runs around the valley Sat. It only took us an hour and a half where last year it took me about two and a half hours to get around the valley. We couldn't run the whole time because she would get to tired and she had bad shoes on but it was fun to finally get her to go with me.  Tonight Z will be going to a get ready to be baptized class let me tell you he is so very thrilled to be able to go do this.

Please tell us all the new things that this week has brought to you in teaching the truth of all things that really matter most in this world.

Love the family who loves you here.

Christmas Tradition Build Gingerbread Something!

Jer got to pick our gingerbread house AKA train this year. Here is C boy helping Jer start and the Mom holding all the cups filled with water to brace the pieces while the icing glue takes hold. Then the finished product which no one is supposed to partake of until Christmas day and after but for some reason that car always had an empty bed except for the minutes I filled it for the photo shot.

Preparing for Christmas, getting a tree.

Our family is a dieing breed we do go to the mountain and climb in the snow to get our Christmas tree. Of course we do a little snow play along with the getting.
The Christmas tree is a symbol to the world of Christ with it's needles pointing always towards the light of Heaven and it's ever green's and lovely scent of clean and pureness that is brings into your home. Just like how Christ gave a sacrifice for our sins the Christmas tree gives us a sacrifice by being cut and coming to our home in the season that we remember the birth of our brother Jesus Christ

The time is swiftly passing.

1. Are u eating ok your photos looks like your a bit thin these days?
1. Actually I thought it was the other way around. I lost some weight in my last area, but I've gained it all back in this area...Well I've stayed about the same since we haven't had a car.
2. What person needs our prayers the same ones that you talked about in the last letter?
2.Clifford And Elijah that they can come to church. Elwin and Noriah for the same thing.

3. Did you get your car back yet?
3.We have a car now but it's not our car. it's a senior couples car and they have a rental.

4. What was the name of the shoes we got you, are your nice ones that got bit holding on?
4. I have a pair of Propet shoes and some Rockports. the Propet's are starting to get some small holes in the heel but I think they will be fine and the other shoes are ok too.

5. Do you wish for a new tie now?
5.I would love many new ties if that is possible. I've actually had to give some away som my selection it is slim.

Well it sounds like you've had a pretty hectic week. Thanks for the advice, I'm not sure what it is because I'm usually patient but sometimes it just doesn't seem to have an effect. Their all great missionaries though. Well this week has been a fairly normal one except for a few humbling/learning moments P-day was an average day of shopping cleaning and e-mailing. nothing very exciting happened because we are all short on funds until Friday. Tuesday was a bit long, we were walking around the village alot because our appointments dropped us and anyone else we could go see was far from where we were. Wednesday we went to Polokwane for our new lesson training and I hope the Elders learned something from it because I had to teach and I wasn't really sure what to teach or how to teach it, I just kinda got thrown into it. Thursday we had our weekly planning and set our baptism goals for the next 4 months Sept-Dec. (it feels like we just did that for May-August) and time just seems to keep going faster and faster. Friday was the day I was humbled and I learned a little bit about keeping time. We were working in the village on Friday and everything was going well, when Elder Mortenson (Senior missionary and Stake President) called and asked if he could pick us up a little early. We told him yes he could and that we would meet him at a designated place. We only had 1 more appointment and it was very close to where he was going to pick us up so we figured we would go there and then close the appointment when he gave us the call to tell us he was there. As the appointment went on we lost track of time and realized that the phone didn't have any service. After realizing this we quickly ended the lesson and took off down the road, there he was sitting in his car waiting with his phone in hand. We jumped into the car and with the most sincerity I could I said Sorry President... BOOM!! I don't think I have ever gotten more of a scolding than that in my life. And I think I will not be late again.
Map of what is near our missionary. ">Saturday I had the opportunity to go on Exchanges to Modjadji with Elder Hove (Hove-ay), We had a pretty good day and some disappointments too, but that's missionary work for you.

Google Map of Tazneen with blue marker showing land of Modjadji

Modjadji is where the biggest Satanist Rumors are. People drop like flys from the missionary teaching pool, but they are holding strong. Sunday was great, we had 12 investigators at church and some of them came after the first appointment. I sure hope good comes from that. Unfortunately Clifford and Elijah still were not there and we are starting to wonder if they will ever make it. Please keep praying for them. Well that's the overview of the week, One more thing I could say is that I'm going to do interviews for the first time tonight so I hope it goes well.

Some Q's of my own
1. How many animals do we now have on the farm exactly?
2. Can I please get more pics of some of the goings on at home some how?
3. How is Will have you heard much?
4. How is the FHE going with everybody? I still strongly encourage that.

Well that's it, love you all

Elder Jones

P.s. sorry if my e-mail is poorly written, I was having a hard time writing today for some reason.

The time is swiftly passing.
Here goes the story of the adventure of last Mon. after the wild working morning experience. The little boys had their last peewee 4H show over in Monroe. Dad had said that there may need to have gas put into the fire engine truck but I was so out of time by the time I got back that I just hurried to load all the horses and go over to the arena. They did pretty good J went and helped me and Jamie drove separate so that they could go ahead and get signed up. It went forever late and we finally got to drive out of there at about 11:30 pm. I was just rounding the hill after crossing the last canal when the truck just went off dead. I called Dad and he came and we tried to get it to go with a small amount of gas. Finally at 1:00 am he returned from getting gas in Elsinore at the night pumps and we still couldn't get it to have enough to make it stayed turned on even after priming it. He finally hooked the white truck up and pulled me all the rest of the way home with the three big horses inside. Talk about knuckle gripping scary it was a very dark night and I was so afraid I would hit into the back of him. I went over to Jamie's after to grab the little boys who she had fed. J and I ate at 2am in the morning. Dad and Mc had already ate and C was left over at a friends house for a sleep over. My elbow was swollen the next morning from gripping so hard on the steering wheel. I must admit I was glad that that was the last show for the year. School started this Wed. and they are all thrilled to be back except J. Jer feels jiped because his did not start until tomorrow and he was lonely and kept asking where the boys were. When they got home he would say do you want to play dump trucks with me outside to each of them it didn't even matter that it was dark either by the time C got home and done with all the chores.
Rosie is back to her tricks of getting out every day all day long. We finally had to lock her into the round coral and hope that it keeps her there. She knocked the whole end of the hay stack down on one of her out moments. J and Bootsy had just moved from the spot so they were pretty lucky to not get hit. J had just gone down to put her in for the second time that afternoon. All the steers got out into the field one of the days because April had broke the waterline and they were out of water all day till Dad got it fixed. I was amazed that I was able to get them all back in by myself. I think mostly because C has been working to walk his and so it was pretty pushable to return to its home site. J's is a bit more wild but at least it followed the other one in. It is starting to feel cold at night and there is that nip in the air that turns all the leaves in a few weeks to gold and orange and red. Papa brought over a whole bunch of tomatoes and I am making chili sauce over the next couple of days. Or maybe spaghetti sauce. I can't keep peppers around for nothing C and Mc keep eating them like they are apples. They even keep the garden cleared of them. There are so many cucumbers the I am going to have to make some into pickles this year. Its funny to watch those two older boys eat now they pretty much will eat it all except for the tomatoes. Of course Z and Jer are still very pick and stick to the hot dog or cracker foods.
For the last two Sundays now we have grilled outside or C has cooked for us with a grill that Sondra and Chad left for us. C thinks it is the fun-est thing to do. J keeps not being here when we do it. She has been volunteering and so now she gets to work at the ice house and today they had to work also and then she went on a date with Travis to his grandparents farm to watch movies out in the barnyard after they were all done filling the pallets for the ice order. She is not wanting to stay at Hoovers very badly because she hates having to talk to people but the job will end here about the middle of Sept. anyway as their season starts to get very quiet after labor day. I wish that they would hire her at Bullies then she could go there right after school.
C has been doing football and they are really trying to keep him from getting to beat up at a young small age. The football coaches wish he would grow and the Wrestling coaches want him to stay right where he is at. But sadly enough he has grown at least 4 to 5 inches as all the pants he wore last year are very short on him now. He is driving me crazy with all the energy that he has and can take out Mc or any one who we don't want him to hold down of the little boys. K is so glad school started and can hardly wait to sleep out with Dad at Gooseberry.
Well Rhett is being stationed in Hawaii shock of all shock. He was just sure that wouldn't happen. Only about 5 are sent there of new Marines so he was just sure he would go to North Carolina. My cousin is also being transferred to there so Jadie hopes that they will be able to have some family moments maybe.
Brittany Obray and her boyfriend moved into the cabin. Derek Obray got engaged. Cristina is going to put her papers in to serve a mission now also. That will be three out in their family all at one time.
My little bit of advice to D&C 121. Often this is how being a parent is so put your feet in the role of a parent and then think you love the child so much you want the choice they make to be the right one but there has to be correction done. You would never want your child to leave your sight without knowing that they are very important to you even if you had to get disciplining with them. The Savior had to whip with chains to get the attention of his brothers but in the end he loved and cared for them even after his anger at the wrong done in the temple. Learn to put your arm around them when you are chastising them it will help them to know that you do care for them. Of course you have to be careful with this because not all people accept a physical contact in the moment of chastisements. The most important is that the Lord will have Angels whisper the words of chastisement and encouragement if you listen closely enough making sure you do not take it personal when there is anger directed at you. Something we each get to always work on that's for sure. Dad told me I should tell you some advice but I am not sure it was really great advice. I just know this that the Lord is there always sometimes even carrying you through the very hard struggles that we face. He called you to this because he knows you either need to learn or are very willing to learn to touch others and help guide them to becoming better missionaries sometimes just simply by your simple example. I love you your amazing and wonderful. So glad that you are serving your Heavenly Father in the search for his lost children.
Love Mom

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

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.

Tzaneen WOW

1. Does your companion have big family support or none?
1.He only has brothers and sisters left and one of his brothers is on a mission.

2. Remember Nathan Roberts is serving in Zimbabwe did they ever meet I know that is a total long shot but you never know this world gets smaller every day.
2.No he doesn’t know Nathan.

3. So do you get to eat fresh avocados and mangoes and bananas and paw paws and Litchi fruit?
3.Well it's kinda sad because mangos aren't ready until December but there are avocados, but I don't like avocados. But bananas I have eaten so it's really nice. They have a banana here they call Sweet Banana's. THEY ARE SOOOOO GOOD! Pawpaw’s are growing but their not ripe yet and Litchis aren't in season, But I will hopefully be here for a lot of that. Oranges are in season along with lemons and other stuff.

4. Is the fruit good?
4.yes

5. What kind of house do you live in this time?
5.It's a flat. We are being kicked out at the end of July though... Don't ask me why, I really don't know

6. What are you doing to dissipate that you are Satanists in the eyes of the village of Motupa
6. Well mostly we have tried to serve others at every opportunity that we get. It's been tough but the church is still growing.

7. So when you get discouraged are you going to read D&C 122 or maybe 2 Nephi 32:7
7. I'll get back to you on that one.

8.So now are you going to try learning Sotho I understand many speak this in that area.
8.I Am trying to learn a little Sotho. It's been nice because I know a little Tswana from Soweto and Sotho and Tswana are really similar.

9. Just so you know I would love one of the African Eternal Families made from wood or whatever.
9.......
10. So is this Mutopa close to Mozambique on the map it looks that way except it is spelled with an a not a u so I just wondered.
10.If it is the Motupa near Tzaneen then yes, but Mozambique is still pretty far away.

Are you the senior companion?
11. This is a very strange question which I will answer... I have been on mission longer then him, but I don't know if I'm senior companion or not.

Do you want us to send boxed food to you ever?
12.What kind of boxed food? If it's stuff I can get here then no, but if it's stuff I can't then yes.

Tell one faith promoting story from the week.
13.Well I can just say that this whole experience in Tzaneen has been faith promoting. I've been able to really focus on our work with Elder Makosa and as we have done everything we know we can. We have seen a ton of success. We've found people who are genuinely interested and have even showed it by attending church even when they have little or no money for transportation. People have been calling us for the free books and dvd's that we give and we have seen a lot of good. It goes to show that when you do your part, god DOES his.

Well for the week it's been faith building and we are making great progress with our branch. We just had an official Group Formed in Motupa with a group leader called and counselors called. So we now no longer preside over the meetings in Motupa, But I was just called to be the Branch Clerk here and given the responsibility of Training a member of the church on how to be my assistant Even though I don't have a clue how to do that. (this will take effect next Sunday. Eventually this member will be the clerk when I leave and he is currently the ward mission leader which we are training him to be as well. The reason for all of this is so that we can help him to gain confidence in himself and allow us, the missionaries, to attend ward council meetings to help the work even more. It's a crazy three ring circus here in Tzaneen, but things are improving. The work is improving and we may soon be branching out into other villages around.
Well I was thinking the other day about the times when we see people progress the most and those times were when we taught families that read their scriptures, prayed together and, had weekly family home evening. And as I was thinking about all of this stuff, I was thinking about how those are things that our family used to do all of the time but slowly stopped doing. I don't know how well you have been doing recently but I wanted to add the challenge for everyone reading this to begin doing so tonight and then continue to do daily. I know that it may be hard to organize things like that with all the crazy kids but if you give little assignments to them it will help them be motivated.

A Family Home Evening program should go something like this

Welcoming to family home evening, including an overview of the following (by person conducting)

Opening Hymn (2-3 Min)

Opening Prayer

Spiritual/Scripture thought (1-2 min)

Short lesson on a gospel topic. (10-20 min)

Fun Game (10-20 min)

Closing hymn

Closing Prayer

Refreshments

This is a commitment for each of you to follow weekly. I will be following up to see how things go and this commitment extends to all of my family and extended family. If you are going to do this please let me know through e-mail. I know that it is the way to go if you want to raise strong families and gain trust between husbands and wives, parents and children. I love each of you very much and am grateful for the prayers.

Love Elder Jones

Dear Elder Jones
This letter is from a young man who was in your area just last year. He stated at that time there were only 20 members and that it was hard, I really like what he says at the very end of his letter about hard and easy. Be prepared Dad says for the dry spell now that you have not been thirsty in teaching but we also know you and your determined spirit to not let anything get you down. Plus you can think up the craziest ways to get people’s attention. This Elder also talks in other letters about how a more shall we say enthused companion made it easier after getting a transfer change for a new companion. Well I am sure this week has been very different since that last few months new learning and getting to know the area. I hope that it has been lots of fun. This week I am starting to feel like a beat up run over mother. The boys have way more energy then me and Z is on creation mode twenty-four seven. So we have a pool made out of scrap boards and the little blue chairs but I do not think it will hold water. If he is in the house then he has huts going and makes walls to keep Buddy bear pined in which of course will not work. He dumps the laundry every time I get it in the buckets and swims in it because without fail its everywhere all the time. K is so bored it’s pitiful. He picks on Z one min and then they are the best of friends. He would stay on a horse all day if he could. Mc of course gets lost in his computer games and then we finally have to limit him on how much time he can spend doing that. C is forever in motion again until he hits the bed. Some days I wonder if the house will be standing when they all grow up. On Wed we went to peewee 4-H and the deck door was left open well Jer screamed at C to get that snake out now. Sure enough a rather medium sized blow snake took off behind the TV and down into a crack where trim needs to be put back on. The boys tried to stay up till 2 am getting it to come out and then it disappeared total and never came back out so it’s either found a way out or lost inside there still. They are a lot better about getting the screen door to shut now.
Today we got to see the twins and they are sososososos cute. I will get the pictures sent next week because I still have to load them and it's really late and I want you to at least have a letter from us. They moved back to Utah and are in limbo till their house can be closed from the building permitting and bank stuff they have to do.
Please fast for Jer he will be having his surgery on Tue afternoon as long as tomorrows history is cleared by the people who put him to sleep. Dad can't come with me this time because he has gotten it off so many times and then it's canceled and this time everyone is out of town on vacation so there isn't anyone to trade the shifts with. But Papa, Uncle Jathan, Uncle Shane and and Dad all gave him a blessing and I felt really peaceful
J managed to kill her car by shifting into 1st going 30 miles and hour she thought that was how she needed to gear down to stop at a stop sign. She either tore out the clutch or ripped the transmition to pieces. At least it was Dad that was with her so they could know how to get it off the road. She goes to girls camp in the morning and so she says to tell you she loves you but she is short on time as her an Tasha are right now trying to gather all the gear they need
Mc goes on a hike the day after Jer. surgery so Lori has to come get him because I bet I won't be back yet. They are making us stay over night for observation after the surgery is over.
Brother Larry and Sister Pam Gay are going to serve a mission in Mascow Russia, even Kathrine Howell will be speaking Russia on her mission to the Ukraine. Jer is getting to be rather bossy and very spoiled with his attitude. Primary was rough someone gave their class tootsie rolls and he wanted one he wouldn't let up at all I finally had to leave with him so they could say the prayer. Well I better get this sent out so that you can have a bit of news and smile about our crazy week.