Man...where to start this week! So much excitement, so much work moving forward, so many good times...
So since the whole zone was going to be in Bloem on Monday for transfers, we spent the whole day celebrating Thanksgiving the American way. It was the best ever... We are blessed with such amazing couples and missionaries in this zone. The Carliles and Clusters spent the whole day preparing food for us and just making sure we had a good time. We had a turkey bowl earlier in the day and taught the African elders how to play American football. Elder Carlile even played with us! I think play of the day goes to him...caught the pigskin and fell but turned it into one heck of a somersault. Dinner was absolutely incredible. We all went around and shared something we were thankful for. It's amazing to hear how the perspectives of young men change as they devote all their time and talents to serving the Lord. The elders I'm serving around are such fine young men, and I'm so grateful for their testimonies. There was a lightning storm that night too which was pretty sweet. Seemed almost appropriate for the departing elders. We dropped them off at the bus station late that night.
Tuesday we were on our way back to Kimberley! Man, it's been a crazy week... Stake conference and a mini mission for the future missionaries were held in Bloemfontein, and we supposed to be helping with that starting Thursday, so we spent most of Tuesday cancelling our Thursday and Friday appointments. Anyway, we get a call Wednesday saying they don't need us till Saturday, so our Thursday and Fridays end up being completely empty. It frustrating, but ended up working out! But before we get to that, on Wednesday both Elsa and Thokozani committed to baptism!!!! I'm so stoked for them. Especially for Elsa. She's been reading her Book of Mormon like crazy and has found out for herself that this is the true church. The best part is SHE asked US about baptism! And the other best part is that it'll be the last Sunday I'm in Kimberley! Could there be a better way to spend my last Sunday?!
Thursday ended up working out... We had some solid teaching appointments and got to celebrate the real Thanksgiving day with the Visagie family. We didn't get turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, all that jazz... But! We had chicken. And in the words of Elder Reeves, "Well...at least it's a bird." Haha, we had a great night and did a thankful circle again. Great fun.
Friday, we ended up doing service all day. The tenants at another one of our landlord's houses got up and left without paying rent in the middle of the night, and they left it an absolute mess. We helped them with the clean-up process all day and got to know them a little better. Such great people.
I've decided to try and learn Afrikaans, so I bought a "Teach Yourself Afrikaans" book on the way to Bloem, and so far...it's gaan goed. (I think that's "going good" but don't quote me on it) I think my favorite part of the book is that one of the example names they use is Dave Miller (s/o to the King of Life!!!). Here's your Afrikaans lesson today... "My pen is in my hand" translates to "My pen is in my hand" with a little different pronunciation. Boo yeah!
Stake Conference was stellar. Just wish more Kimberlites could have made it... The big focus was member missionary work. Lots of good stuff. It was a Saturday and Sunday ordeal, and Elder Gold...hahaha oh man. He's just super spontaneous. So him and Elder Stengile found a crazy spider looking thing at the Bloemanda chapel this week. Anyway they caught it and keep it in their drunk. It's huge and devours the other bugs they feed it. So yeah. That's the guy I was on exchanges with all of Sunday. Had some interesting appointments... Met a less-active with him that told us there are members of the church were vampires. She was serious...I was trying not to laugh. Oops. :/ But we got to have dinner with President Grobler (and just FYI...that's an Afrikaans last name and you're probably pronouncing it wrong...the "g" makes a phlegmy sound similar to the one you'd pronounce Achmed with, and the "r" is rolled...but don't worry, Sister Carlile struggles with it too!) and his family, and man...they're the best. Such strong members and just an awesome family. Did I tell you fools bout the smoking test he does? He has this li'l thing he made like 35 years ago...it's a prank. If you're in the know, you blow into it and a little pin-wheel thing turns and you're not a smoker. If you don't though, it doesn't turn and shoots flour at you instead, and you're a smoker. Anyway they got me with it right before Elder Francom left, and they got Reeves last night. Holla!
I'm short on time, but first wanted to give a HUGE shoutout to my mama for the Christmas packages!!! The tree, the ornaments, the presents for each day in December...do I have the best family ever or what?! Looking at pictures of Christmas past...man, I didn't realize how long the pirate picture tradition has been a thing! Hahaha...I can't remember even how that started! Mama, Pop, Blake, Kiley, Biz...anyone wanna shed some light?
More good times ahead this week. The work is moving forward! Hope you cats in Utah are enjoying the snow...don't take it for granted! No snow for 2 years will really make you miss it.
Much love. Stay well, stay positive, love your lives.
Elda Johnson
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