"A WEEK OF SERVING ELDER JOB"

Good Grief!

Oh my sick!

That's better!

"SURPRISE!!!!"

"I'll talk to you later!" He's talking to me, I'm in trouble.

Elder Pearson & Sister Oldham

Make a wish.......

Elder Thole, Sister Wood, Elder Pack, Elder Haws, Elder Lebala, Elder McDonald & Elder Brereton

Brain Banfield & partner, our IT guys, just happened to show up in time for the party.

Elder Wolfgramm, South Jordon, Utah, Elder Pearson and President Wood

The past three weeks have not been the run of the mill days in the mission for us. It all started with us returning from our holiday in George. Elder and Sister Oldham left on Monday for Johannesburg for their week off. We were told by them that while we were away Elder Pack from Eden, Utah had to go to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. He was staying at the office to recuperate. We were thrilled to be taking care of him. That night we invited him to come to our flat and spend the night, which he did.

On Tuesday Elder Pearson, from Cedar City, Utah, our office elder, who has been suffering with a surgery that had not healed went to the doctor. He was told that they would need to do an additional surgery and it could be done on Wednesday. Wednesday it was. That morning Elder Pearson, Elder Wolfgramm, Elder Henderson and I went to the hospital. Later that day we received word that the surgery went well, it was late so we didn't go for a visit that night. The next day we did visit, taking Elder Pack with us. Elder Pearson felt great but was totally bored. Each day came another visit and on Friday afternoon he was released. By the time the weekend passed Elder Pack was now feeling up to staying at his boring with his companions but Elder Pearson didn't seem to be doing too well. We started inviting him to stay with us at least during the evening while his companions were on their appointments. On Sunday afternoon Elder Pearson asked me if he could be allergic to his medication, then showed me the spots on his neck, which caused a trip to the doctor the next morning. At that time the doctor told Elder Pearson he had the measles. This poor guy.....what next? We felt that we he should be as confined as possible so Elder Henderson who was just recovering from the flu decided to stay home with him. They both spent the day in bed at our flat.
By Wednesday night Elder Pearson was not doing well at all and had a temperature of 102.2F. Doctor Callahan from the area office called and said he thought it was not the measles but a reaction to the antibiotics he was taking. He was having to take salt water sit baths twice a day so I had him make the water cool and he took some Tylenol, it seemed to help.  We are all calling him Elder Job now.

I was feeling really bad as Elder Pearson's birthday was the next day. Sister Wood had spoken to me about it and given me the OK to plan something. The next day the office elders, AP's & DL's, Elder & Sister Oldham as well as President and Sister Wood all crowed into our living room at the mission office and when President Wood led Elder Pearson into the office we all yelled surprise and sang "Happy Birthday!" I had baked brownies the night before and the Oldhams got ice cream and pizza. I had picked up 14 balloons that had Happy Birthday and 21st written on them. We each wrote a note and tied it to the string that hung from the ceiling. Boy was he surprise. He told he would get even with me later. In the end he forgave me:0)

WE DIED AND VISITED HEAVEN

This heaven is called Tenikwa. With my devotions for cats this was like a dream come true. As I have talked to others and they have expressed their fear and couldn't imagine us doing this. On the other hand I will never know how someone can climb or stand on mountain cliffs.....I freeze. But the soothing purr of a kitten or in this case "CAT" can just put me to sleep. It was all I could do to not put my arms around her and just lay down by her side. If I never go on another vacation the rest of my life I will feel satisfied. NOW......if I could only figure out how to take one home with me....hmmmmmmmm! I am in hopes you are able to open and view this short video.

OUR DAY AT TENIKWA 0N APRIL 2, 2012

I would like to introduce you to Duma.

Here Duma can hear some Baboons that are making racket across the gulch. Cheetahs are not aggressive cats but will stand their ground. 

When they want to run you just let go of the leash. In this case he wanted to leap on top of a ridge.

These are the cutest little creatures by the name of Meerkats, pronounced (mirror cat. ) They are very personable and really love humans. Because of this they are captured and used as house pets here in South Africa however, it is against the law to keep one. This little guy was taken from a family and today we are going to introduce another Meerkat in the side by side cage in hopes they will become friendly and eventually the whole family will be accept him.

Caracal cat. They are not as large as the Cheetah and are not as aggressive. We were able to pet and play with them a bit. Elder Henderson did get scratched as he was not quick enough.

One lazy leopard!

During the soccer Olympics someone decided it would be funny to paint this turtle with acrylic paint to look like a soccer ball. Tenikwa Game Preserve has been using an organic paint remover for over 1 year to remove the paint. We were privileged to help in the process.

So sad! This little guy didn't take too well to his neighbor. He jumped on to a dead branch in his cage and fell out. They took him into the clinic. He vomited his food and blood. The owner Mandy rushed him to the vet. They suspected he received a concussion. Sure hope he made it.

This is our grooming time. Oh my.....how good can it get. There are two cheetah's here, I am grooming the sister and Elder Henderson is with the brother just behind me. She was purring so loud. We made the most incredible video but having trouble loading it.

In appreciation she is now grooming me.

She couldn't get enough!

Elder Henderson loving his grooming as well.

Ahhhhhhhh! Sweet baby!

Play time!

I couldn't get enough either!!!!

Look how pretty I am now!

She likes licking the brush...maybe she'll lick me?

If I had only moved the brush.....dare I?

What a sweetheart!!! I truly did not want to leave this place. This was one the greatest experiences of my life. Stay tuned as I have more pictures to post when I get home.

Sunday's at Mitchell's Plain are the "BEST!"

Talent, Sister Henderson & Precious

Talent, Sister Henderson, Precious & Elder Henderson

Elder Mholo, Elder Tukuafu, Elder Whiting & Elder Simelane

He did it, no he did it, no he did....who me?

"Let's Talk!"

First of all may I say how much I love doing this blog journal. The exciting thing for me is that when Elder Henderson and my mission is completed I will be able to down load this to a company that will then compose a book with the contents. How great is that? I was looking at the different features and noticed that we have had 1675 views to this blog since it's conception in June of 2011. 161 from the United States, 3 from South Africa, 1 from Germany  and 1 from Egypt. I know some of our family and friends that are following our journey.  But I find it quite fascinating, and  must ask....Who are the rest of you? Why are there so many interested in our little blog. Next I have a request......there is a place for comments, please do us the honor of telling us about you. 

"Our 1st Vistor From Home"

    Ryan Taylor, the man that started this story. About 18 months ago Ryan, who lives in our ward in Utah and is a very good friend, was assigned to South Africa with his employment with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. During his visits to our home he would show us slides and detail his experiences,  as well as share his love for the people of South Africa. It was as a direct result of his stories that led us to choose this beautiful place to serve our mission. He was asked to come for a month for work and ended up flying down from Johannesburg to spend the weekend with us.
    We picked him up at the Cape Town International Airport on Saturday, February 18th about 9:30 am. After dropping off his luggage and showing him around our flat we drove to Mitchells Plain to see the elders and their boarding. A short walk down the street took us to Ruth Alfred's and her son Stephen's home. We were served some refreshing fruit juice, visited and left to pick up the elders. The next stop was to visit Joseph Smith, "Yes, you heard me right." Joseph is a very wonderful man with a most awesome conversion story. He was sleeping and his wife did not want to disturb him. We parted ways with the elders and headed for the beach. The view was incredible and after a very filling hamburger and chips (french fries) we headed home.
    We only had enough time to head right to the office to pick up the van after getting lost for the umpteen million time. It was exciting to pick up Angela and her children, Beverly and Mark. They knew we were going somewhere but didn't know where. TABLE MOUNTAIN. We first stopped at Signal Hill, took some pictures and then up we went. There is was! The cable car that would take us 3000 feet to the top of the mountain that would be where we would eat our dinner at a cafe. For a person that has agoraphobia this was probably that last of my choices, however, with Ryan only having one day to do something I felt this would be the best. What was I thinking??? One royal panic attach is all I can say. It was one thing to be in the cable car that could house up to 65 people but another to have to stand in it without holding on and have the car turning in a circle. Thank goodness in was only a 5 minute ride.
    At the top we (I) edge my way to the cafe. The wind was blowing like no tomorrow, as you can see by the pictures. After we ate and everyone went their separate ways I gathered the courage to walk very slowly  towards the edge. I took hold of the telescope and gripping it with all my strength edged step by step until I looked over the waist high wall. As I looked over the edge I could see the city of Cape Town below, the ocean and then the massive jagged cliffs that held what seemed like a tiny bit of existence on top of it's windy peek.  Only another person with the fear of heights could possibly know what I was feeling. The sweaty palms, my heart racing and the petrifying feeling in the pit of my stomach. Overcoming fear is not easy. Would I do this again.............don't ask!!! Angela and the kids had a wonderful time, as well as Ryan and Elder Henderson for that it was worth it.  Mark hung out with the boys while the girls talked. All in all it was a Great Day!

Welcome to Cape Town

Beach at Mitchells Plain

Beggar boys..they made off with a candy bar and some money, just too cute!

Yummmmy

Beverly, Mark & Angela

Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean

I can't believe this was my idea......

Looking down as we started up.

I took a picture of myself by the edge.......yikes!!!!! Fake smile.

Angela

"Hang on tight dear, Ryan's got your back."

Another fake smile

Beverly

I would have enjoyed this view if I hadn't been so scared.

Ryan Taylor and President Brown, being funny!

Ryan Taylor

Thank you for the new Bibles Poplar Ward

Talent, Sis Henderson, & Precious

Talent, Sister Henderson, Precious & Elder Henderson

    Sunday's meeting was incredible. You could hear a pin drop as Ryan spoke in sacrament meeting. After, we present a handful with a new King James version of the Bible that Ryan brought from the Poplar Ward in Farr West Utah....thank you sweet ward family and friends. Pictures, playing with the kids, home again, Sunday dinner and a nap before Skyping home to the family. What a great weekend in Cape Town, South Africa. WHO'S NEXT??