Happenings of the week 15-21 February

Monday, it was our turn to bring dinner to FHE, so Sandy made sloppy joes and banana bread muffins, which we covered with our favorite custard. Elder and Sister Cox (new S& I missionaries) filled in nicely for the Markum's who are now back in snowy Laramie, Wyoming all safe and sound! Tuesday, the weather forecasts which we read on the Internet had been predicting heavy rain all day and we worried since there were a couple of PEF kids that we needed to see at the Berea Chapel and knew they wouldn't come out in the rain. Turned out we didn't have to worry about the rain during the day, but it came with a vengeance in the evening, giving us great cause for concern of being flooded out-even shot a short video of the rain cascading down the steps because the sounds were so amazing. The rain cooled our very warm temperatures down and calmed just as the water began lapping over our door mat into the house! Wednesday morning was Hillcrest Zone Conference/Mission Tour with Elder and Sister Watson of the Area Presidency, where we received tremendous direction to help further the missionary work along. We had to be excused for a few minutes to meet with President Wilford (Hillcrest Stake President) and share some ideas. Our plan at this time is to try to have the stakes and districts, if at all possible, have a person who can be a point contact for PEF during the space between our departure in May and the hoped for arrival of another couple. After Zone Conference, we headed over to the office to pay our boarding bill and fax some PEF loan documents into the Area Office for payment to the schools, since our land line is still out of operation. Early in the evening, we met for dinner with some of the other couples, Pres. and Sister Mann, plus the Watson's. Elder Watson commented about how badly more couples are needed a missionaries, especially here in Africa and thanked us all for our service. There was a promise from the telephone company that sometime between 8 and 5 on Thursday, a repairman would show up at our door- wrong! Our time was not wasted as we caught up on some computer work and defrosted the freezer compartment because the door had accidentally been left ajar. Friday, Elder and Sister Cox were able to find our boarding and together we traveled to Swaziland. It is always helpful when making the maiden voyage to Swazi to have an experienced border crosser with you. There were no issues on either the Swazi or So. African sides, so the cross overs were smooth - a nice change. It was a great trip and we were able to get to know each other better in the 12 hours of travel time. We discovered that the Coxes, from Taylorsville, Utah, already knew about our fantastic Durban Mission before they touched ground in South Africa. Sister Cox served in the Jordan River Temple with Sister Smith who had served here with her husband as CES missionaries from 2007-08. It is such a small world when it comes to the church. As we were planning the Swazi visit, we worried that there might not be too much for us to do, but as always happens when we come, kids came out of the woodwork to see us on Saturday morning. The chapel was a beehive of activity with Seminary & Institute Inservice, District YW/YW 2010 Kick-Off activity and a Relief Society activity meeting, which always means that someone needing to see us will be there for something else also. Later after all was said and done at the chapel, we made a whirlwind tour of shopping spots in order to get some souvenirs for Flat Stanley to send back to Kobe's 2nd grade class in Southern California. During the past week or so, Flat Stanley, who arrived via email, has been having some fun and it has been documented in pictures to also be sent to California. In the evening, the Swazi Wilson's joined us for dinner at Summerfield's, and it was just as magical as the first time we dined there. The return trip to Durban began with attending our Sunday meetings with the Manzini Branch. Sandy played the keyboard and they were so very appreciative to have actual accompaniment, instead of just singing acapella. Their voices are so deep and rich, we love hearing the unaccompanied singing. Several of our past students visited with us and it is good to know that school and their lives are progressing along well. Elder Cox and Arlo shared driving responsibilities, giving Elder Cox good practice driving on the "wrong side" of the road. The only flaw in the weekend came about an hour before reaching Durban and the air con gave out, making us thankful for the timing since it could have happened at the beginning of the trip!

Rain water flooding down the steps outside our front door during a thunderstorm on Tuesday night. We can get some real gullywashers.

Sandy with Elder and Sister Watson. Elder Watson, of the area presidency, was here for a mission tour this week. They graciously included Flat Stanley (a school project of our grandson, Kobe in California) in the photo.

Entrance to the violet room at Malandela's Bed and Breakfast in Swaziland. Elder and Sister Cox stayed in this room, we were in the purple room. As you might guess, rooms are identified by color not number.

Pool at Malandela's B & B. Although we are coming to the end of the summer, many trees are still in full bloom. Standing are Sandy and Sister Cox with Elder Cox hidden from view. (photographer needs to pay attention to detail)

Ezulwini Valley in Swaziland. Reminds us of Cache Valley in Northern Utah.