Almost There

So I'm just really behind on these posts because I am just really ready for him to be home. Haha :) But actually I've been super busy the last 3 weeks with a week long intensive class, a weekend of away games with RSL Women, and watching my younger siblings while my parents have been out of town. It's been pretty crazy to say the least. HE WILL BE HOME IN ONE WEEK. From yesterday to be exact... ahhhh!!

May 22nd

"We had a few events this week one of which was zone conference. It was good and we talked about how we can increase the spirit of the mission in rescuing the one, the doctrine of Christ and the fundamentals of missionary work.  One of the missionaries giving a teaching segment passed out in the middle of his speech. it was quite the moment, after that the meeting just kind of lost focus.

We also had the amazing opportunity to learn from Elder Rasband of the quorum of the twelve apostles. He was in Durban for a priesthood leadership meeting and was able to spare two hours for the missionaries. Unfortunately I was not able to see him in person because of the distance but we were able to watch via satellite. It was awesome! He gave some great advice as he answered different questions posed by the missionaries in the audience. He taught about how we can be more unified with Christ and how we have given our word that we would do his work. We all have signed up voluntarily and signed an agreement that we will do what He would want. He also spoke about becoming excellent finders, how we need to find more people to teach and find them in every situation.

I got to go on Exchanges to Kimberley, the area where I started my mission. I had this great idea of going to the house of the very first person I taught on my mission, the man never really progressed and I thought how great would it be if we were to try, two years later and he was prepared. Well we went to the door, I am glad I remembered where it was after so long, knocked on the door and his wife answered. we began talking (it was a bit awkward) and they were not interested.... haha oh well, such is mission, it was worth a shot though"

"We had a great opportunity to teach one of our investigators named Thlompho, I am positive none of you pronounced that correctly.... its okay) We were planing on talking more about the Book of Mormon, but she didn't read the introduction that we left with her. We began talking when she brought up some questions that she has long had on her mind. Questions about, why bad things happen to good people. What if I do something that I know is wrong but for some reason I just keep doing it? and a few more great questions. We very quickly changed our lesson plan and began to talk and testify to her about Gods plan for us, the gift of agency, the gift of repentance and much more. it was a wonderful experience and we were able to find so much love for her as she sincerely sought for guidance.

Sister Humble is doing great! She has been nothing but power since her baptism and continues to ask amazing questions that come to her mind and also from the book of Mormon. We are currently teaching two of her friends that she has introduced us to and we love seeing them as well. She will be going home to Pretoria soon and I am hopeful that she will be able to go to the temple while she is there. She has become a dear friend of mine whom I will never forget!

Mission is great, you come across people from all sorts of walks of life. Different cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, likes and more. The gospel brings us all together. Who would have though two years ago that some of my favorite people in the entire world would be in South Africa!? It is amazing to feel such love for people as you try your best to serve them as the Savior would. it is amazing to see peoples spirit and life change as they come to live the teaching of Jesus Christ. It is amazing to be a missionary each day!"

May 29th

"Not going to lie, emailing is getting tough haha I am ready to not have to recap my week in an email anymore.

In all it was a good week though. We got two new investigators this week who we met on campus. We met them while we were walking through our area, we saw two sisters caring some groceries and milk so I asked if we could carry it for them. they allowed us and then we began talking. They eventually asked the question of dreams! Who are you guys? why are you here? It is nice when we get someone to ask us those questions because then they are more interested in listening to our response rather than us just approaching them with an agenda to say who we are. We explained we were missionaries and talked about Jesus Christ for a little bit. unfortunately we met the end our our road and split paths. we gave them a pamphlet to read about the restoration. When we met them this week they had some great questions about the book of Mormon and where it came from, how Joseph smith got the plates and who the Nephite were! It was grand, the only problem was that we were sitting on a park bench the cold south African air. I know, you probably think that sounds weird. cold air in Africa. but let me tell ya, it was probably 17 degrees while we were sitting there!!! okay 17 degrees Celsius but still. it was cold....

Some of the students are going home now, and by the end of the week most will be gone. They are ending school for a month for the winter holiday. It means that our whole teaching pool except for a few people will be gone.... Oh well, just means we will get a lot of time to knock on peoples gates!

We went to visit Mme Violet this week, when we got their her neighbor was also their. She is about 40 yrs old, has three children and one on the way. We spent some time getting to know them while drinking our Herbal tea and bran muffins... it was really nice. We then started answering Mme Violet's friend's questions. We explained who missionaries are, what we do and a brief summery of the restored gospel. The Mme then asked us how people take us, because we are so young and they are much older than us. I turned the question to Mme violet and asked her, how was your perspective of the missionaries changed from two young boys walking the streets to what you see today. She then bore a powerful testimony of missionaries being Heaven sent, selfless and full of service and love. She bore testimony of the book of Mormon, she bore testimony of the restored and true church of Jesus Christ. The awesome part is that she knows all this but has never come to church. because of financial circumstances she has not been able to attend and also she recently had a baby and couldn't go out. She reads the book of Mormon whenever she cant sleep and continues to increase in faith and love for our savior Jesus Christ.

The days keep seeming to fly by, I thought they would slow down on this last stretch but I have been anything but wrong with that assumption. time doesn't care and I am trying to use every bit of it I can while I still have it. being a missionary is the most incredible thing and I love it so much!"

June 5th

"We had another great lesson with mme violet! We reviewed the restoration and talked more about what "apostasy" means (if you have any questions, please contact your local missionaries for more help ;) ) She continues to read the book of Mormon and is excited to come to church.

This week we were able to have stake conference and it was awesome. The mission President and his wife came down and spoke in both sessions. Whenever President Thompson speaks he invites the spirit and I learn so much! After the conference we had a little zone conference and he taught us more as we discussed the recent visit from Elder Rasband and how we can be 100% missionaries and strictly obedient! It was a really nice meeting and I learned a lot from it.

One thing that I liked from stake conference and I have heard it before but this time it stood out to me was a quote from Alice in wonderland. When Alice comes to a point where the road forks she meets a cat. She asks the cat which path she should take, the cat replies, well that depends on where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, then it does not matter. I just started thinking about how important having a plan and destination really is. If we do not have any plans then our choices become unguided and meaningless. With clear direction and focus, our choice have great impact and can determine if we get to where we want to go. Our ultimate destination should be to return to be with our Father in Heaven. Having that as our goal, every choice we make is influenced. without purpose our choices are irrelevant.

We were able to have a ton of investigators come to the stake conference as well which was amazing! I think we had 7 there!!!!

Elder Benissan and I had the privilege to sit down with the Porters, the senior couple here in Bloem, and talk about our mission and what we have learned and experience over the past two years. It was weird to be talking about my mission in terms of two years. It doesn't feel real at all that I will be home next week. It was a nice meeting though to sit and talk about the blessings of missionary service and the testimonies that have grown from it."

Only one more email that we'll ever have to write each other, and then he is coming home!!! It hasn't quite sunk in yet, so when I get around to posting his last email I'll talk about it some more. But for now... T-5days!!!!

What a Week(s)

Well, the end of the semester really had me stressed so that's why I'm late on all three of these letters. The semester is officially over for me now! I am no longer a sophomore, which means I'm now an upperclassman, which also means I'm halfway through my collegiate career... I don't want to talk about it. Time seriously flies and it's crazy to think that this summer, Mikel is coming home! It doesn't feel like it was that long ago that we were just graduating and starting our adventures. We got the official flight itinerary this week!! June 16 is the official day. It's starting to feel so real!

April 10th

"We had a lot of conference this week. General conference and then normal church and then zone conference. I was pretty exhausted by the end of it all.

Zone conference was super awesome! We talked about our desires as missionaries and discovering what our inner desires are and should be and how to fulfill them.

I learned something I thought was interesting. Two words were put up. "motivation" "uplifted" we were comparing the two. We kind of came down to this. It's like working out. If your goal is to get a six pack, then after you get the six pack you stop working out. However, if your goal is to be healthy, even when you get the six pack, you continue to work out to stay healthy.  One is short term and the other is more long term. Also, motivation is more temporal while upliftment is more spiritual. In life we sometimes get motivated to become better and do more and then it fades, we really want to get uplifted so that we can maintain that same motivation over an extended period of time. It was a really good discussion over the two words.

Something my companion mentioned was "becoming the real you".  Something that I always talk about is how we are all sons and daughters of God and how that is something quite extraordinary and special. Our Father is the greatest King to ever exist! He is our dad and that's why he loves us. I have talked about this before but I don't care. He is God, he is incapable of doing anything less than perfect. He created us and by divine design we are perfect, for God is unable to do anything but that. The problem is that perfection is deep down in us. Throughout this life we take on corruption, from all around us we see and consume corruption. Nevertheless, their is perfection in each on of us. The question then lies, How do we pull this perfection out of us? Now that is an interesting topic! Well, we always want some grand explanation or demonstration. If someone told us that to bring out the perfection in you and to become that perfected person you must climb the highest mountain and eat of the fruit there on, we would probably try it. The thing is, its much more simple and we can all do it. We just need to focus on the basic. Scripture study, prayerful conversation and relation, and thoughtful church attendance. If we are to do these small and simple things then great things are brought to pass. In turn we begin to bring the perfection out of us. the "real you" begins to shine. I could go on and on but sadly time never seems to be on my side.

I know that we all have perfection placed in us. We don't have to try to imitate someone or something else, just be you, do you and become who you really are! That's what God intends. Now this rarely is achieved here and now but is an eternal pursuit full of trials and learning. As we learn to become the "real you" You begin to see the "real you" in others around you. You begin to see the potential and value of all of God's children and grow to love them all in their faults, quirks and shortcomings.

Be the Real You! find the joy in life, find the presence of God within and around you! live it and love it!"


April 17th

"So we had some deep stuff happen this week.

First was with Nokozotsa, one of our investigators getting baptized on the 30th. We left her with a copy of "Family a proclamation to the world" and we were going to go over it. We got to her house at 3 o'clock and knocked on her bedroom door. no answer. We tried again.... no answer. We looked through the key hole and saw her in bed. We assumed she was sleeping. This was on Easter day. We came into the room and planned to scare her, you know me and my silly games. Well turns out she was not sleeping but was crying. We had no idea what was going on. She took a few minutes to try and compose herself and left the room. She came back and then proceeded as if everything was normal. We took her hand and asked her how she was and then she lost it all over again. We spent the next 15 minutes in silence, sitting on the bed side just being there for her. She began to tell us what was wrong. She explained how she didn't know what family feels like anymore. The pamphlet was too much for her, both her parents died while she was young and she had she had to take on the role of Mother for her siblings. She was in High school trying to do her best and also acting as a parent. no easy task. It was Easter Day and she was still in Bloem, she didn't go home for the holiday because there wasn't a true home to go to, at least not one with love. She sobbed as she told us the pain she has felt as she couldn't understand why she had to go through this pain. Why God had to take both her parents away, and so much more.

Its moments like this when you feel completely unqualified. After awhile I couldn't help but smile as my mind was flooded with pictures of the temple. As I remembered many experience while inside and also other experience about eternal family. After listening for a while we were able to gain composure and she proceeded to ask what we had to share. I lit up and said excitedly, this! While pointing to a picture of the Salt Lake Temple. I asked her what she saw. She told us she saw a beautiful building. I went on to say, let me tell you what makes it so beautiful. We began to talk about temple sealing, and baptism for the dead. We talked about how God will restore everything and every opportunity will be had again. I shared from experiences in my life of close ones being lost and how knowing where they are, how they are and how I can be with them again makes it all bearable. The spirit was felt and we were able to realize Gods love for us, even in the darkest moments. We then expressed on how we are on big family and we are never really alone."

"We were met with another instance of great turmoil as one young women whom also is studying at the college UFS here told us of some bad news. She has had a cyst on her ovary and has been in the process of removing it. She discovered at her last check up that it had spread and that they would now have to perform a more intensive operation that will no longer allow her to have children. She is in her early 20's and the news was devastating. Again, we felt unqualified and unsure of what to say to a soul weighed down so much. We listened and listened some more. I have come to learn a great way to solve a problem is by listening. As we listen not just to the person present but to the Holy Spirit, our minds begin to light up with insight and direction. We testified again to her and offered a Priesthood blessing. After which we were able to smile and to enjoy the rest of the day. Her outlook remains positive still and we are hopeful for good news tomorrow after her check up.

Wow isn't mission an adventure. I have come to learn as Elder Stevenson of the twelve apostles shared, The spirit is seemingly the only way we can gain comfort and peace in the tragedies of life.

Also, happiness never comes from looking around us but rather by looking up. Look up to our savior, look up to our Father and look to their guidance and love. The world looks to compare, discriminate everyone and thing. True happiness is not found in becoming better than another or having more of something but rather from within. From the peace of the Spirit of the Lord. True happiness is found in the soul and shine forth from the eyes.."

April 24th

"We are preparing two people for baptism on the 30th! One named Rethabile, she has met with missionaries in the past, just over two years ago but it didn't go anywhere. She grew up around some members and one even brought her to church a few years ago. She saw us in the street about two months ago and stopped us. She asked us to come see her that week! As we have taught her its been as if she has been teaching us. She really studies what we give her and has a great understanding of the gospel. She has been going through a lot of trials lately but through it all she says she has just been happier, more patient, and hopeful since we have started teaching her. She knows its true!

Nokozotsa is our other investigator getting baptized on Sunday. We met her almost three months ago. We stopped her in the road and began sharing our purpose. She said that she was new to Bloem for school and didn't have a church but really wants to go. She promised us she would visit that Sunday.... she didn't.... but we didn't give up. We saw real potential and new she was ready. We called her, it didn't work, called again she was busy. She had soccer. We decided to go and watch her soccer match. She afterwards came to church and has been ever since. She has had an incredible history and a tough one as well. She has risen to every occasion. She has been reading the Book of Mormon and is in 2Nephi. She loves it! We are really excited for her to make the next steps towards entering the celestial Kingdom."


I love hearing about his investigators and how well they are doing. The thing I love about it is that each of the people he is teaching or has taught has had different experiences and are in different walks of life, but the gospel applies to each of us. There is always something to teach us regardless of what we have done or who we are.

Just some quotes from church today that I loved:

"We are called, we are chosen, we are Christ for one another."
"It shouldn't be fake it til you make it, it should be faith it til you make it."
"Don't try to do one great thing in your life, just do many small things with great love."

The Gospel Brings Peace and Joy

I'm about 3 weeks behind on posting his emails because of spring break! The week before we left was crazy getting ready, the week we were on break I just didn't have time and now I'm just getting around to it because I finally feel caught up on everything. Spring break was a blast though and just what I needed to push through to the end of the semester. Only 4 more weeks of soccer and 5 more weeks of school, including finals week! Yay!!!

March 6th

"We had several great lessons this week but the one that still really stands out to me was an experience that we had with a young women named Mulondo. She is Vender and from Limpopo. (Limpopo (UK: /lɪmˈpəʊpəʊ/) is the northernmost province of South Africa.) We have been meeting with her for awhile but it's been a process to really teach, there have  been questions, or she has been sick or just rescheduling so we finally were able to string together a few good visits and we invited her to be baptized. We were not sure how she was going to take the invitation because she attends church with her friend who constantly invites her and we know she dosn't want to leave her friend but she accepted! She replied with "That is why I was asking about baptism". We then invited her to come to church and she actually came! Wow it was grand. (Hey he sounds like Amber saying Grand!) We still have a lot of ground to cover but she has the desire and that is what makes all the difference. We are going to swing by her place today to wish a happy birthday to her and her friend we also teach. She turned 21 last week and her friend Thsaman turns 20 today. They are super cool girls though and we enjoy teaching them.

Another great event of the week happened while we were street contacting near the university. We met a lady named Rethabile, when we stopped her she told us she was from Kimberley. (I started my mission there) So off the bat we began talking about Kimberley and then she asked if I knew this guy. I said yes I do! How do you know him? She told us that she has visited church in Kimberley before and is good friends with this guy. She also knew a few other people that I knew there so that was cool. She even used to visit with the missionaries, but this was two years ago. She told us that she started a church search way back then but got side tracked with school and life, but that she is still looking for a church to call hers. We saw her this week and taught about prayer and then invited her to church the following day. She came as well!!!! That never happens, two new investigators coming to church in the same week! So needless to say it was a great week. It was actually really funny how we met with her this week. We had written down on Saturday that we were seeing Rethabile. We met another Rethabile this week and we were supposed to see the other one. We didn't realize it because we called the first one on our list and asked if she was home. She said sure come over and everything just worked out perfect. The Lord is in control haha I think it was just right for us to come on that day to help answer her questions.

We have made some plans to get referrals and we are going to start giving Book of Mormon's to people at church asking them to hand them out to friends or family. We are hoping this way we will get to start teaching part member families as well. Unfortunately, we were unable to get three member referrals this week but we did get half of one. A members cousin who came to church said that she would not mind meeting with us, but they say that this girl is a bit unpredictable so we are still trying to set up a time to visit at the members home if possible."

"Lets see what else........ Well Elder Mbangi is great, its like he has been on mission for a long time. I really don't have to train him, He knows his stuff so that makes it a lot less stressful on my side. He loves laughing as well.

One of the most important things I think in missionary work is love. Of course you need to have a love for the savior and want to serve Him but also you need a love for the people you are teaching. I really love the people we sit with. I love South Africa. The cultures and the diversity are just amazing. In this area I meet, Sothos, seTswannas, Afrikans, Zulus, Xhosa, Shonas, Indabeles, Vender, Tsongan, Swati's, Spede's and its awesome even if I don't understand any of the languages they speak haha.

If the people I meet with gain all but one thing I hope its that they feel the love I have for them. I hope they feel it and that sparks something. I want them to know that I am not here for myself or for my Church but for my Savior and for them. I wake up every day and talk to people all day because I love them, because I love them I have to share what makes me happy. And because I love them I pray for them, because I love them I stress way too much haha but really its just because of love. They call a mission the labor of Love and its so true, its hard but you are always willing to sacrifice for those you love. It is out of love that I leave the ones I love at home spend all my time with people in a foreign land over 16 thousand kilometers away from home.

Its really hitting me now that I have less then 100 days out here. Less then 100 days to give everything I got. To serve, To love.  These 100 days are going to be the best 100 days of my life!!!!"

Less than 100 days!!!!!!!! ahhh!

March 13th

"So we taught a new Investigator named Auspicious this week. It was such a cool lesson. So we were busy talking about prophets and how God had called prophets through out time such as Noah and Moses. How God used these prophet to tell the people what God wanted. I made the example by having her reach out her hand in a fist. I told her that her fist is us, people on the world. Then I held out a pen. I said that it was the prophet. Then I put my other hand in a fist saying it would represent God. God speaks to the the prophet, so I grab the pen, and the prophet speaks to us. So she grabs the other end. I then asked her if she had ever seen God. She said no, so I told her to close her eyes. I then said that we could follow God if we hold on to the prophet. As I moved my hand (resembling God) hers followed because we were connected by the pen (prophet) then I took away the pen (prophet) and asked her to close her eyes and follow God (my Hand) obviously she could not do so. She then started clapping! Exclaiming that it just makes so much sense. She became so excited as she learned about the importance and calling of prophets. it was cool! It doesn't all end there though. As we ended the lessons we opened the Book of Mormon to its introduction page and started talking about the book. She then asked where she could get one. Our response was that the one in her hand was hers to keep. She didn't believe us at first but after a short confirmation that it indeed is hers she then asked how much it coast. We let her know it was free and she just couldn't believe it! She told us that Christmas had come early! We then talked about how important the Book of Mormon is and that if the book is true then God does have prophets today, even a church! That the message that we share is indeed true!"

I don't know that I've ever heard of that example with the pen, I love that! Such a good way to help someone visually understand. 

"We also met with Rethabile this week who was at church last week. We had some great lessons with her. I have never met someone with such a clear understanding of the restoration from reading the pamphlet we give. She knew everything! There literally was nothing more we could teach her on the subject, It was so cool! she is awesome. Both Auspicious and Rethabile are scheduled for baptism next month. We will see how things go.

It was a great week over all. Finding new people who are prepared makes staying motivated a lot easier. Mission is a blast and there is so much to do and experience. I really do get to meet some of the best people in the entire world!!! South Africa is too cool!!!!"

It was his 20th birthday that week, which is so crazy! We started dating when we were 16 so it's crazy to think that we're not going to be teenagers anymore this year. 

March 20th

"The gospel really does help us to just feel at peace with everything we go through in this life. Life is not easy.  At times you feel the world falling down on you. A story that I share often with people here as to how I gained a testimony is this:

One day while I was 16 I was just sad, lonely and a bit depressed. I felt like everything was on top of me and the weight of it all was to much, I felt as if I was beginning to lose my breath as the world crushed down upon me. I remember clearly as I began to cry. I didn't want any of my siblings or my parents to see me cry so I went outside. I sat against the wall of my house and just bawled. I couldn't stop. Life was just too much.... I decided to call my best friend. I just needed someone to talk to. Someone to listen, someone to be there. As we began talking on the phone, my friend asked me a question. She said, when was the last time you read your scriptures. I replied that I did not even know the last time I had opened them. She calmly and sweetly told me to read them, then call her back afterwards. I was not happy with that answer, I wanted immediate comfort. I wanted everything to just go away. I didn't want to read a book! I did it anyways. I sat for a few more minutes to wipe the tears away, then I went to my room, grabbed my scriptures and went back outside to sit against the wall. I opened randomly and began to read. As I read, line after line, page after page. My tears vanished and I began to smile. I felt the pressing, weight that had been so forceful upon my shoulders, lift and vanish. I felt happy, I felt assurance. I felt peace. I now know that I felt the spirit. Somehow that ol'book did it, and it keeps doing it.  Not just for me but for all who sincerely seek council comfort and love from God.  (Note from mom, it is here I could insert a picture I snapped of him sleeping during family scripture study, but I won't because of love this story and I do believe we really listen when we are ready)"

First of all, his mom's note made me laugh haha and second of all I love that story because I was the one that he called. It was a really important point in our relationship and I think it's so cool that he shares that with investigators. 

"I was talking to Emilee Skolmoski, and shared this story with her and thought it would be nice to share with all of you :)

I gave a talk in church this week about sharing the gospel. For me there are many reason why I share the gospel. No not just because I am a missionary.  Seriously why did I give up the past 20 months of my life to share the teachings and love of Jesus. 

Well really it's simple. Love. That's it, that's all there is and all there ever was to it. We all need love, we all need validation. For me it comes from the gospel, the knowledge that I have self worth because of a divine birth right. I am a son of God. You are also a son or daughter of the most high God! He will validate you, He will love you. 

We turn every which way in this life looking for comfort and guidance. We search high and low, far and wide and seem to come up with all sorts of directions. They take us many diverse ways and sadly we never end up making it very far. Our directions always seem to end right when we meet another fork in the road of this path we call life. We have though, in our hands directions that will lead us safely to warmth, love, joy, and peace. Directions that will keep you on the path of comfort, and hope. It's called the scriptures, the love of God, or the gospel. 

I am a people person, I just like being around lots of people. I tend to try to make them smile and laugh, at times to my own embarrassment and humiliation. I have been known at times as the stupid, crazy and silly one. I do this on purpose though. I want to see people laugh and smile. Sometime the only way I know how to do that is by making a fool out of myself. At the end of the day it is still worth it for me because someone smiled. It is for this same reason that I share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is what makes me smile, it is what makes me happy and it is my only source of hope in this ever darkening world. I love the people around me I am compelled to share this with them. 

I have the antidote to cure hatred, sadness, racism, envy, anger, and guilt! its Jesus! So simple, it's beautiful! What kind of person would I be to just keep that to myself! Anyways I feel like I am beginning to ramble so I'll just stop with this, I know that God love you. At the end of the day, with all the people I come in contact with I just hope that they can feel that I love them. That I genuinely care about their feelings and hopes. I think I care because I know we are all Gods children, brothers and sisters, all of us! I want my big heavenly family to reunite on the other side I hope that people can catch a glimpse of Gods love and light through me. I pray to the kind of person capable of such.

I am so thankful for the examples in my life of pure love and Christ-like desire such as my mom who would be there for me at the end of a long day of school with a smoothie in hand, just wanting to hear how my day was. Or Hailey with her never ending patience and encouragement, her incredible example of faith, dedication, devotion and love. Tina Skolmoski for her time in the living room, talking for at times hours, about the extraordinary events to the mundane. My Father with his work ethic and wisdom of seemingly everything. My big sis Amber with her constant invitation to be better and love the life we have, and so many more wonderful people that God has place in my life.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!!!!

Here is a poem that I heard a long time ago and was shared with me recently

HOLES

I had been in that hole for a very long time

In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.

The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear

But there's no way I ever could reach it from here.

Nor could I remember the world way up there

So I lost all my hope and gave in to despair.

I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the walls

Then off in the distance I heard someone call:

"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.

Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

This had never occurred to me-- had not crossed my mind.

But I started to stack all the stones I could find.

When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal,

For one way or another I'd get out of that hole.

So I soon had a ladder that was sturdy and tall

And I thought, "I'll soon leave this place once and for all."

I climbed up my ladder. It was no easy chore,

For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore.

I climbed on up the ladder, but soon had to stop

For my ladder stopped short-- some ten feet from the top.

I climbed back down my ladder and started to cry

I'd done all I could do. I gave my best try.

And in spite of my work, in this hole I must die.

And all I could do was to sit and think, "Why?"

Was my ladder too short? Or my hole much too deep

Then from way upon high came a voice, "Do not weep."

And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest

As the voice said to me that I'd done my best.

He said, "You've worked very hard, and your labor's been rough,

But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough.

Do not despair. You have reason to hope.

Just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope."

I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord.

When I got to the top, there stood the Lord.

I couldn't be happier; my struggle was done.

I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son.

I fell to the ground, His feet did I kiss

I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?"

Then He looked all about Him. There were holes in the ground

They had people inside, and were seen all around

There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark, and deep

The the Lord turned to me and He said, "Feed my sheep."

Then He went on His way to help other lost souls,

And I got right to work, calling down to the holes:

"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.

Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

It now was my turn to spread the good word.

The most glorious message that man ever heard.

That there's one who is willing to save one and all

And we've got to be ready when He gives the call.

He'll pull us all out of the hole that we're in

And save all our souls from death and from sin.

So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope

Just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope."

I love that poem, it was exactly what I needed this week! And he sent me a sweet email, which was also much needed :) A little less than 3 months to go!

"I am missing you so much and I feel like coming home really is just a dream. I feel like I long to see you but its a wish that wont be granted. I feel like you are a fairy tale princess, and I am not the prince. putting aside all that I do know that one day I will come home. I will see you. I will get to hold you and show you I love you more than ever before. Ill get to embarrass you, spoil you, laugh with you and just most important be with you. I cant wait for that day. 

simply I love you Hailey Kaye and there is absolutely nothing you, or anyone, else, thing, or power that can change that.  I love you."

Visit to Kimberley

Two in one! :)

January 23

"This might be a bit short because of the lack of time I have today, eish, ngiya xolisa.

So I had the great opportunity to go up to Kimberley this week, some of you may remember that is where I started my mission. We had to go up there to interview someone who is preparing to be baptized this coming sunday. now here is the best part. the lady (kayla) is the daughter of Philda Williams! I baptized Philda 15 months ago! and now her daugther has moved back home and is getting baptized. it was so amazing to get to see her again and to see how strong she has been this year! what a blessing to be a part of her daughter being baptized. It was one of the most spiritual and touching interviews I have been able to conduct. I am just super happy and excited for this family!"

Kayla left, Philda Williams right

"I also go to visit a few other old friends from Kimberley. I saw Liberty who is a member and also Smalls and Fadd, two youth that would work with us a lot. Smalls has gotten older for sure and no longer sounds like a 12 year old he now sounds like a 16 year old.

Also we saw sister Dah who is like the missionaries mom that side, she really takes care of us and helps in every way she can to help the work. It was super weird being back in Kimberley. It didn't feel like that long ago when I was there. the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Sindiswa came to church this week as well so that's awesome. We will just about finish all the lessons with her this week and she is scheduled to be baptized in Feb. I am super excited, she is an awesome women. This will be the first person who I have found by knocking on a door and been able to teach all the way to baptism. that is if everything goes well. One thing I really like about the lessons we have with her is we sing hymns each time and its always a powerful experience. There is power in music!!!!

Ntate Tladi is progressing well and is now meeting with the senior couple as much as  possible before they leave back for home in Sandy Utah. We are hopeful that he will be baptized in Feb as well.

The work is awesome and I am so lucky to be apart of it all. Mission is too cool!"

Fadd left, Smallz right

Sister Dah

January 30th

"Now nothing unusual or grand happened except for the day to day life of a missionary!!!! I think this is why they call it the best two years!!!!

so we saw Sindi again this week. it was a bit rough because she told us how much she loves her church. We asked her if the Lord was to tell her to go to a specific church would she. She hesitated but reluctantly agreed that she must. I hope she gains a firm testimony. She is just a power girl and has a lot of love for God but she has a lot of love for how her life is right now. It is difficult because we know the best thing for her is the gospel. the direction and peace it brings is found no where else. and the blessings that come through restored truths and eternal families are incredible. I hope she can listen to the spirit as she reads and prays.

We met with Thando who is from Port Elizebeth in the cape town mission. she was referred to us by the Elders that side. She is doing well and keeping commitments. its still early but we will be putting her on a baptism day this week and hope that she will make it church on Sunday.

We did a lot of finding this week which was super fun and incredible. We met some great people. we met two young women who really have a firm and unshaken testimony in their Father in Heaven and in Jesus Christ. we look forward to seeing them tomorrow.

We met a group of new investigators who are going to school. they all seemed very interested as we shared about the book of Mormon and Joseph smith. at then end they were telling us how excited they were to pray to find out if these things are true!

and now one of my favorites is a new Investigator named Michelle. She is going to university and really knows her scriptures. She was asking great questions about the 12 tribes and lineage and possibilities of lineage. also she was talking about the lost books of the bible. and about what hell really is. just awesome questions that we don't get as often because people don't really study their bible. so it was dope.

We saw Narky as well. she has been struggling with her boyfriend lately. but they have a kid together and so it makes things complicated. they have been together for a while but things have been getting rocky. We are praying that the message we bring will bring them closer together. One of the first things we teach people is that the gospel blesses families and individuals. The thing is it takes effort on each family member to do what is needed to invite the spirit and blessings of the Lord into their homes and hearts.

We have been playing a lot of soccer which of course I love. we play on Mondays. and also Saturdays with the branch in the town ship. our first time playing them at the beginning of the transfer we won 6-3 the next time after we won 7-1 and the time after that we won 10-3 sadly this morning we tied 6-6 they really pulled up their socks today and played a good match. so that's been fun. I got some gnarly road rash the burns like crazy so that's fun as well.

Mission is just great. talking to people everyday is great. learning, living and loving is great. life is great. people are great. the gospel is great. My Mom and Dad are super great. my companion is great. my friend at home is great. everything just seems to be going good.... it can be scary because life is always full of opposition so I am waiting for the guillotine to drop and the pain but for now I will just soak up all the joy I can :)

Find the Joy in the day to day."

It's getting kind of real here people... I mean we have a little over four months left! That is just crazy to me. There were so many times early on where I felt like time was standing still and that we were never going to get to this point. Now I'm sure that these last few months are going to go a bit slower than the rest have, but I just can't believe that there's only FOUR left. Life is going to change again when he gets home but I'm excited for this change. Life is crazy and busy and it will be interesting to see how things work out and how we adjust, but I'm just excited to have my best friend back :) Now all that's left to do is get through spring semester....