Sad Farewells

On July 22nd, our 43rd wedding anniversary, we spent the day saying goodbye to some favorite missionaries and some very dear friends.  This day began the departure of some fine missionaries - we had to say goodbye to Elder Daines, Manning, Preslar, Redford, Shumway and Munson.  We were privileged to work closely with all but two of them and how we loved them.  Saddest of all for us was having to say goodbye to our dear friends Elder & Sister Shumway from Idaho Falls, Idaho.  They were having such mixed emotions - anxious to see their family back home, but so sad to leave this marvelous work.  Shumways were going home to new grandchildren they had never met and a daughter-in-law that they have yet to meet.  The Shumways set such a great example to every mission couple in our mission.  They were hard working, loving, charitable missionaries with strong testimonies that they were anxious to share.  We look forward to seeing them again when we  return home.

After a busy day at the office preparing to welcome 10 new missionaries the next day, we hurried over to the mission home to serve dinner to the departing Elders.  This meal is catered, but we serve it and clean up after.  This time we served lasagna, bread, tossed salad with a cobbler and ice cream for desert.  Everyone enjoyed the meal.

Departing Elders enjoying the company of the President and Elder & Sister Shumway.

Back row, Elder Redford, Munson, Manning, Shumway, Munson and Preslar

After the dinner we gather in the living room and begin the meeting with an opening song and prayer.  President and Sister Zackrison speak and then the Elders and the Shumway's have the privilege of bearing their testimony.  It is a powerful meeting and a wonderful culmination to two years of service to the Lord.  It becomes evident which of the Elder's have given their all in their service and those that have coasted or have been negligent in their service.  For the most part this group of Elder's were valiant servants.  We closed the meeting by kneeling together in a circle and having prayer.  Such a strong spirit!

The next morning began bright and early as Wayne got to take the Shumway's to the airport to see them off, the AP's took the 6 departing elders and then picked up the 10 incoming elders.  This was a fine group of Elders.  Normally when new Elders come in there is a "deer in the headlights" look in their eyes, but this group came in confident and ready to go to work.  We had two African elders, one from Great Britain and 7 from America.  They took them directly to the mission home where they begin orientation with the President, and the office staff.  I collect all of their passports, visas, drivers licenses and temple recommends and head to the office to make copies and then bring them back to the Elders.  It is always a very full busy day with much to do.  All in all I think the transfers went fairly well for the President's first.  The AP's, Elder Steed and Gideme did a fine job of orchestrating it all and they should be very proud of themselves.  They worked almost all night the weekend before transfers began.  They were exhausted.  Wayne had to do drivers tests with a couple of the Elders who were heading out to the outer regions to make sure they were ready and capable of driving in this country.  I think he should get extra hazard pay for this - he literally takes his life in his hands sometimes.  He said these Elders were pretty good drivers.

The rest of the week is spent cleaning up the details of the transfer.  Sending in reports to the area office, closing out files, etc.  It keeps everyone pretty busy.  Wayne was kept running that week.  He had to deliver a car all the way to Virginia (one of the ones that got crashed) and then the next day he had to turn around and drive all the way to Ladysmith to deliver a passport that got forgotten at transfer time, so that an Elder could get into Lesotho.  Good thing he loves to drive and is used to spending so much time in the car. 

Wednesday afternoon Elder & Sister Carlile were supposed to arrive from Salt Lake.  They did not actually make it in until Thursday, as they had delayed flights, lost luggage and all kinds of problems.  Sister Carlile had her coat stolen in Johannesburg, and then finally all their luggage arrived on Saturday morning and they headed out to their area of service in Bloemfontein.  They stopped over night in Bethlehem and left two small suitcases in the backseat of their car, only to wake up Sunday morning to find their car window smashed, their suitcases riffled, medications, i-pod and jewellery stollen.  What a horrific first week in the mission field.  They were so grateful to finally get to their new home in Bloemfontein Sunday evening.  They are making the adjustment now and doing fine.  I think Sister Carlile was ready to turn around and head home for a while.

 Because we didn't have time to celebrate our anniversary on Monday, Friday night Teddy and Kathy took us for dinner on the beach.  It was a lovely evening.  Teddy however, had spent two days in the hospital that week as his blood pressure was sky high and his diabetes is completely out of whack.  He is not a well man and the doctors told him he had to make some major life changes to his diet and lifestyle.  He has been taking it much easier and takes time to go fishing for a while everyday to help him relax.  

 

 Saturday morning we headed over to the Stake family fun day.  The adults, children and teenagers were all having a grand time enjoying all of the activities that were there.  There were lots of team building activities as well as frisbee, soccer and just good old visiting on blankets.  Lunch was served as well.

 Aren't these two of the cutest little boys you have ever seen.  They were having a great time.

 This was the first time I had seen a sack that holds two people for a double potato sack race.

 These are two single adults in our KwaMashu Branch.  The girl being pulled is probably 6' tall.  She has a huge crush on the Branch President's very handsome return missionary son.

 Look at the concentration on these two cute girls faces as they try to master this task.

 They had a man with a cart full of popsicles.  The kids could have all they wanted.  As you can see this little cutie was thoroughly enjoying hers.  I think I saw her eating at least two or three.

 They had three of four of these big blow up activity centres and the kids had a great time playing on them.  There was lots of water activities and it was a gorgeous hot day so being wet was not a problem.

The old folks sat around and visited on the side lines, the Elder's played frisbee and soccer and everyone had a great time.












Monday night we had family home evening at the Kyle's house.  When we got there they had a big screen set up in the living room.  They had bowls of popcorn, home made nacho chips with salsa and drinks.  We watched "17 Miracles" and enjoyed a movie night for family home evening.  It was the Sutherland's first FHE experience in Durban and they enjoyed getting to know everyone.  After the movie Sister Kyle served a cobbler with ice cream and everyone went home feeling fed physically and spiritually. 

Sunday morning we arrived at church to find the Olson's with their son, daughter-in-law and sweet granddaughter.  We invited them to come for dinner on Tuesday evening so that they could see where their Mom and Dad used to live.  They were delightful company and their little granddaughter was so fun.   (She loved Wayne) Tuesday afternoon Elder & Sister Peterson (Humitarian couple from Joberg) and the Knudsen's (also a couple from Joberg who served in Ladybrand before us) arrived to deliver the Miller's car to us.  We invited them to come over also on Tuesday evening for a visit.  The Peterson's were the couple that we worked with during the Berea disaster, buying the 400 blankets and putting together 200 hygiene kits.  We had such a good visit getting acquainted again and getting caught up.  The Peterson's go home in three weeks.  Also on Tuesday afternoon the Lombardi's arrived in Durban.  One of their missionaries was having a bit of a breakdown and they had to bring him in to see a Dr. here in Durban.  We didn't get to see too much of them though as they were busy with the Elder and sister Zackrison.  Oh well, we will get to spend more time with them in early September as we have booked a few days in Tembe Elephant Park together.   Then on Wednesday afternoon the Wilding's arrived from Ladysmith.  They came to Durban to pick up a mission call for one of the young men from one of their branches.  They made a two day stay in Durban out of it and it was fun to go for supper with them on Wednesday evening.  They are such a great couple and are doing great things out in Ladysmith.  However, now they are also having to cover Newcastle area as well as the new mission couple for that area does not arrive until this coming week.  Mission couples are such an important part of a mission.  They fill such a need and perform such great service.  With such vast boundaries in our mission, a mission president could not possibly fill all of the needs in this mission for the Elders, members, leaders, etc. without the mission couples. 

I have come to realize over the last few months  as we are so involved with so many facets of this mission, that when Elder's are disobedient to the mission rules or the commandments, they not only hurt themselves, but they cause such problems for their companionship, area, branch or ward, mission president -  and the repercussions are costly - not just in lack of growth for the Elder,  or in all the time the President has to spend cleaning up the problems, but also in dollars for the church.  That money then comes from the tithes of the church.  A word of caution to my grandchildren or anyone preparing to go into the mission field - set a goal now - that you will strive to be completely obedient to all the commandments and mission rules while serving the Lord.  However, if you have not set obedience as a habit everyday - it is not likely that you will be able to do it just because you are a missionary.  So, be wise - prepare now! Today!

 The last two weeks the Enos family has been playing basketball in Vegas, soccer in Utah and then Inge picked up the two Enos girls and brought them to Remington's in Utah.  Ice cream and fun was had by all as they had a great time together playing out at the Remington ranch.

 Kalani tried reliving his childhood and got himself stuck in the fisherprice car.  They had to grease him down like a pig to get him out - just kidding!  But it was a challenge getting him out of that little tiny car.

 Then they made a human oreo out of Inge.  They went pottery painting in Provo, four wheeling on the mountain, swimming in the pool, tennis on the court, you name it, they did it and had a great time together.

 Keola got to go shopping for some new school clothes as she will be attending high school this fall and will not be wearing "uniforms" for the first time since kindergarten. 

 Sorry I didn't get this picture turned the right way,  but Leo'lani got to go to the M&M store in Las Vegas.  I am sure her Dad let her buy a few as well.

Then Mealii and her friend Brenna enjoyed the week at the BYU soccer camp.  I understand that Mealii did very well.  Michelle and the others went to watch her play a little bit too and cheered her on.








We miss you all and are glad you are enjoying your summer holidays.  Rod & Jenn have a big week coming up this week as they are preparing to do "Legacy" for their stake youth.  Rod is Joseph and Jenn is Emma.  We are looking forward to hearing all about it and hope we get a few pictures as well.

Thanks for your phone calls and e-mails that keep us up to date on whats going on in your lives.  We hope that Sylvia is getting stronger and that her new knee continues to heal.  The Lord continues to bless us with safety and health and we are ever grateful. 

Love
The Holt's