ELDER AND SISTER MICKELSEN: Happenings of the week 31 August

In different telephone conversations Monday, we discovered that Elders Johnson and Griesemer are suffering also from tick bite fever. Sister Swazi Wilson sent an email about the status of the senior couples at the Newcastle Zone Conference, and found that Elder Klinger is another recipient of the Tembe Elephant Park souvenir! Even though none of the guys felt really great today, everyone still wanted to get together for Family Home Afternoon. It was a shared sentiment that it is hard to believe another month has come to an end.
Tuesday, and the first day of Spring – still hard for us to remember that we are in a different hemisphere and anticipating spring, but all one has to do is look out the car window as we are driving and “what do we see popcorn, popping on the trees and bushes.” Also, we feel just like we might have been in Ridgecrest, because the last few days have brought winds like we haven't seen here. Our neighbor told us this is very typical, spring conditions. Our normal computer/typing training with Khona on Tuesday had to be cut a little short, because Elder and Sister Klinger are leaving South Africa after serving for 23 months, and the local couples had a good-bye dinner together at Le Croquet, a French restaurant, in the Village Market Center. Fantastic dinner and great company. The owner brought a laugh or two, as he described the recommended menu items, and was very sorry to say that he had to use Spanish onions in his French onion soup, which was wonderful. All of the sickies are still not feeling 100%, but so much better.
Wednesday, we traveled up to Hillcrest Stake Center for our Zone Conference in the morning. This came right on the heels of our mission tour with Elder Koelliker, but these are always a good learning experiences and great for all the missionaries to see one another. Shared pizza with the young elders, but didn't even try to eat their allotted six pieces. In order to make sure there is sufficient pizza or whatever, you have to get very specific on how many slices and how many pieces of brownies or cake, otherwise there might be a problem! Patriarch Courtney came to the chapel to retrieve the typed patriarchal blessing and handed Sandy a Cadbury chocolate bar, saying “Happy Secretary's Day” - didn't realize that this was a day that both South Africa and the United States shared. Returned in the evening for our PEF/Employment Meeting with the Hillcrest Stake and to do a PEF Orientation Meeting, so we split up in order to accomplish both things. Arlo oriented two recently returned missionaries, one served in Ghana and the other in Kenya, both now anxious to get on with their lives, beginning with school.
On Thursday we held our last scheduled PEF orientation in the Durban area to find students needing a loan for the beginning of the 2010 school year. We commented to each other as we were returning home, that though we try to not be out at night, we have returned in the dark the past four nights-maybe a record!
Friday was a stay in the office day where after the usual PEF work, Sandy spent a good share of the day at the computer, transcribing four blessings, three for missionaries serving in the Durban Mission. It is wonderful to have Patriarch Courtney strong enough to give blessings again, and in turn to have the privilege of transcribing and feeling of the spirit that comes along.
Saturday, after going through the records of our previous PEF students, trying to determine who needs renewals, we went out to Gateway Mall to try to find Arlo some dress shoes, but were not successful, so it was off to our favorite Mugg and Bean for lunch. The restaurant was filled with people, many coming to watch the tv monitors while the Springboks (Rugby) played, against Brisbane, Australia. The broadcasters were talking about the Brisbane “hoodoo,” which we guess must be a curse, because it has been 36 years since the Boks have won a game against Brisbane in Brisbane. It appears the hoodoo must still be working because Brisbane prevailed again, the only good part was that each side scored, unlike the last meeting where the Springboks had “nil.” This is how a O score is described here.
Whenever a Sunday comes that we do not have a specific ward or branch to visit with our PEF responsibilities, we attend the Phoenix Branch. The attendance was higher than we have seen in a while, among whom were two young men currently being taught by the missionaries. After having the meetingblock at the school, which is also shared by other religious groups, we think about how much we often take for granted having actual chapels to attend. No one is really complaining about being at the school, but often our services do have to compete with the singing and louder music of the other churches.

Playground at the Montessori school run by the wife of Hillcrest Stake Patriarch. The school is on property with their home - has eight class rooms, eight teachers and 85 students from 18 months to six years old. A very impressive school.