Totally "Fort Worth" it!

Hermana Kelsey 2:2

Madre,

I'm glad you are doing well. Time seriously flies by here. I swear it was p-day just like 3 days ago. Once you get here your concept of time goes out the window.

I haven't seen Andrew yet. I was hoping to see him yesterday, but I didn't. We got a new district though, and new Hermanas. Their names are Hermana Peck and Hermana Ruesch. They seem really nice, though I've only talked to them for like 5 minutes total. It's just exciting for us to have other females around. We were getting sick of being surrounded by boys all the time.

Thank you so much for the package! I love getting packages! And mail. Anyway, if you ever feel like you just need to send something for fun, feel free to. :) 

Last p-day when we went to the temple we saw like 3 people that work at the MTC, who were also at the temple. One of them was one of our substitute teachers we had one day, Hermano Dubois. He is so funny. Anyway, earlier this week we had another one of our districts leave. They were all the funniest Elders, so we are sad. Also one of the Elders in our district left for Spain on Monday (Elder Walton). We were so sad; it was hard because on Sunday, we went to say goodbye and Elder Walton was bawling, so of course we all started crying. We wanted to hug and comfort him so bad, but we couldn't. Anyway, it was really hard.

I wish I could write so much more, but I have very limited time. Sorry.

Oh another funny random thing: I've seen two of Alex's friends from high school, Elder Justin Marriot, and Jared Hatch. I recognized both of them and we ended up talking for a little bit. It was pretty cool. 

I better go now. Love you lots.

Love, Hermana Kelsey

Hugging!!

       Hugging is healthy: It helps the body's immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.
       Hugging is all natural; It is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and 100 percent wholesome.
       Hugging is practically perfect: There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic checkups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation-proof, non fattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theftproof, non-taxable, non-polluting, of course, fully returnable.

-Author unknown

******
When my children were little they would play a game called "Slug Bug". I'm not sure if it is an official game or not. When the kids would see a VW Bug, they would say "Slug Bug" and then they could hit the person next to them. I of course wasn't going for this! "We don't hit each other!" I would say. So we made our own game. It's called "Hug Bug". Whenever we saw a VW Bug, the kids could say "Hug Bug" and then they could hug the person next to them. Awh, now that's better!! 
Give a hug to someone you love!! 
I am going to get mine right now!
"Hug Bug"!!! ;)

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Elder Flexy 9:4

Make,

Life is awesome! this week has been awesome! we had a zone conference so we were back in SA for two days it was kinda weird to be back in the real world. but life here in Swaziland is the bomb. we had the funnest zone activity today it was too fun. we went to see tribal dances and then they came into the audience and had us come dance too, so i went down it was pretty fun. i won't lie i had a little "Jungle Fever" those swazi girls were pretty and don't worry it wasn't the one where they are immodest, they were fully clothed. but it was fun then we toured a real swazi residence where people actually live. it was too fun anyway then we had an awesome hike to a water fall and it was sweet.  but ya life is good. i'm glad all is well in zion. anyway love you.

    Love Elder Flexy

Baba,

sweet sounds like you've had a good week. man i miss hiking and all that it was way nice. thanks for being my scout leader! anyway the missionary work is awesome i will leave this area with some baptisms under my belt should be nice. ya i understand what you said about the soccer when we play i always do stuff like that these Africans kick my butt. anyway life is good. love you.

   Love Elder Flexy

Sunday Best!

"When we put God first, 
[in our lives] all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives." 

-Ezra Taft Benson

Hope your Sunday was the Best!! 
Love, Joy

One thing I Wish I Could Change!

I have been cleaning my office today. One thing I do while working and cleaning in my office is watch movies. Usually movies I don't have to "watch" because I have seen them so many times. I can work, whether it be scrapbooking, or whatever, and listen while I am doing it. Today, while I was working in my office, I decided to watch some of our family videos. 

What a fun thing to do!!! 

We have some great family videos. We have been on some wonderful trips and video taped activities that the kids have done. As I watched and listened today, I noticed something that I wish I could change. I don't usually have regrets, mostly because even when a situation isn't the best, I still learn and grow from it. What I wish I could change is my focus. 

In all of our family videos, mostly on trips, I focused on the place we were visiting. Lots of video taping of places and things. Places and things, that I thought would be important to our family while watching them later. Now, my little darlings are grown up. I wish I taped "them" looking the things, or just taping "them" having fun at the places we visited. I do have video of them. I just wish I had more video of them. I think I was thinking at the time, "We're here and we'll probably never be back, so I better have lots of pictures of these things, so we won't forget!" 

So this is just a little FYI. 

When video taping, tape your kids! 

Tape them so much that you think, "No one will ever want to watch this much video of my kids!!" 

Someone will...you will. 

Family History Friday: When Grandma Was Ready For Winter!

I found a great poem about what grandma would have to accomplish before winter came, back in the day. 
********
When Grandma Was Ready For Winter
by Eunice B. Trumbo
When the last green tomato was pickled,
And the last blushing peach had been peeled;
When the last luscious pear had been quartered,
And the last can of plums had sealed;
When the last yellow quince had been honeyed,
And the last drop of chili sauce jugged;
When the last stalk of cane had been sorghumed,
And the last barrel of vinegar plugged;
When the grape juice was all corked and bottled,
Corn make into salad, or dried;
When the beets and the apples were buried,
And the side-meat and sausages fried;
When the catsup was made, and the sauerkraut,
and potatoes were stored in the bin;
When peppers were stuffed full of cabbage,
And the pumpkins were all carried in;
When the flower-seeds were gathered and packaged,
 And the house-plants were potted and in;
When the fruit cakes were baked for Thanksgiving,
And the mincemeat was canned up in tin,
The celery blanched and nuts gathered, 
And the beans had been shelled out and hulled;
Sweet potatoes dry-kilned in the oven,
And the onions were pulled up and culled;
When the honey had all been extracted,
Comb melted, and beeswax in molds;
When the jellies were all glassed and labeled,
And the horehound juice syruped for colds;
When the tallow was make into candles,
And the ashes were leached into lye;
When the rushes were bundled for scouring,
And the walnut-hulls gathered for dye;
When the cheeses were unhooped and ripened,
Beef corned in the brine to be dried;
Hams and shoulders well browned in the smoke-house,
Lard rendered from cracklings, and tried;
When the popcorn was tied to the rafters,
And the wood was piled high in the shed;
When the feathers from goose and from gander
Were picked for the warm feather bed;
Women folk were mostly ready for winter, 
To rest as they knitted and sewed,
Spun flax, carded wool, and pieced quilt blocks;
Is it strange grandma's shoulders were bowed?
********
It's amazing the things that our ancestor's had to do. 
We take so much for granted. 
The season's come and go and life is pretty much the same day in and day out. They were amazing people and I love them. 
Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Totally "Fort Worth" it!

Hermana Rasmussen, Kelsey, and Hermana Barlow

Pointing to where they are going on their missions

Hermana Kelsey 2:1 -email-

Madre,

Yes, the money here works like a credit card. We get $8 every week. The Elders get $6 a week. We can use it for treats from the vending machines, and supplies from the bookstore. It's pretty nice. I was so unprepared for what I would need here so I've pretty much spent all the money you gave me. Sorry :( But it's all good. I'll get by.

Anyway, I am doing so great. I've had some really tough times, but for the most part it has been good. Spanish is okay. They taught us like 8 grammar principles in like 3 days, so it was really overwhelming, but I'm starting to understand little bits at a time.

I think I am turning into you. Not that that's a bad thing, but I've realized the last few days how similar you and I are. I do a lot of the same things you have done at one point or another. It's kind of crazy. I also laugh really easy. I don't know what that's all about, but it's like when you have a sleepover with your friends, and it's three in the morning and everyone is delirious and laughs about anything and everything. That is what the entire MTC is like. You start to go crazy after a little while.

Anyway, two of the Elders in our district left yesterday (Elder Peterson and Elder Hunt), so we are sad. Elder Peterson is one of my favorite Elders. I don't know if you've gotten any of the pictures I sent, but he is the really really tall one. He is like 6 foot 6. It's crazy. Anyway, they left for the Spain MTC, because they got their visas finally.

The other day we were contacted by some Elders going to Italy, and I was so jealous. But..we could understand what they were saying, because Spanish is so close to Italian. It was pretty cool. I am definitely going to learn that language when I get home. Along with French, and German. That may be a little much, but I'm sure I can do it.

So the last couple days we've been trying to speak solo espanol. It is really tough. I don't talk very much because I don't know how to say what I am thinking. It's been hard, but I also know that I've learned a lot. Everyday feels like three, so if I try to remember when something happened I usually can't. I'll think it was the other day, when it was actually the day before. It's really weird. 

I'm so excited for Andrew to come. Seriously it is so great. You can ask my companions how many times I've talked about him, and they'll tell you it's been at least 30 times I've brought him up. I knew that he would do fantastic on his talk.

Oh another kind of random thing: my teacher Hermana Billin is from New Hampshire and she lives right by Lake Winnepesakee (I don't think that is how you spell it), but she knows all about "What About Bob?" so we were quoting it to each other. It was awesome.

Anyway, please tell everyone to DearElder me. It's so much easier than writing an actual letter but it is still mail, and still super exciting. So tell everyone please. I need letters to keep my sanity!! Tell me news of the outside world!

Okay, well I better go now. Love you lots. Love, Hermana Kelsey

What if you have been judged wrongly?

I had a situation come up recently. I was judged wrongly. I sincerely try to do my best in every thing I do. Someone thought I wasn't doing my best. This is a problem, or it can be a problem, only if I let it. I can let it fester and really let it get to me, or I can not even let it bug me. I can feel like people just don't like me, or understand me. Or I can take this opportunity to become better. Maybe I can improve? Of course I can. Maybe this situation is a gift? One that reminds me to do better and helps me grow! Even if I feel the judgement was wrong, I can do better. I will do better and I will grow. I will choose to be grateful for the opportunity to become a better me. I will feel grateful to those who brought to my attention something to work on. I will receive all things with thankfulness, and love those who might have meant to hurt me. 
I will do it and I will continue to love them. 

"Bonus Baby" goes to Prom!

Emily got asked to the Prom by Mason. Here they are with friends. I love the "Converse" with her dress!! What a cutie!

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Elders at orphanage in Swaziland 

(*see description below Alex's email)

Elder Flexy 9:3 -email-

Make,

sorry for the lack of email last week its was a fine week and all is going well.
1 Did you get your B-day package?
1.nope i should get it this week.
2 How is your new member doing?
2.he is doing great we continue to meet with him once a week.
3 What has the weather been like?
3.its been either really hot or really rainy.
4 Are you comfortable? Have you adjusted to the temperature?
4.yep all is well in swaziland.
5 Have you done anything fun on p-days?
5.well we have played soccer the last two pdays but all is good.
6 Will you get to go to one of the reserves where all the big animals are?
6.ya we will soon but not yet.
7 Spiritual experience this week?
7.well we watch the restoration movie it was so nice.
8 Favorite scripture?
8.ish i can't remember we read so many all the time.
9 How often do you have Zone and District meetings?
9.once a week for district and once every three months for zone.
10 Is Swaziland mostly land and not very many people?
10.well it has people in most areas but not too many.

11 Have you seen any of the people in their native costumes? or doing a native dance?

I ask that because me and Kelsey saw a Swazi Wedding dance on You Tube, believe it or not!
11.ya they are pretty cool i might buy some.
12 Do you and your companion both teach at a scheduled appointment, or do you teach at one and he teaches at the next appointment?
12.ya we change back and forth in lessons mostly.
Special question of the week:
13 Why do we have to have lesson's about things we've heard a million times? Like Service?
13.to remind us. one of the most reapeated words said in the b.o.m. is "remember"
anyway life is good love you.


*I received another email and picture from Sister B- she's the best!!!
"This picture was taken at an orphanage on Friday. As you can see he is a busy missionary, he is happy and healthy and loves being in Swaziland. We went to see the Senior Princess of Swaziland, that was her orphanage; she loved the visit from the missionaries and gave permission for them to travel throughout her Chieftain area without any harrassment.  The missionaries sang a song for her and then gave her a blessing.  She is 81 years old."

My Mom!

My Mom had a birthday yesterday. She turned 79 years old. When I called to tell her happy birthday she told me she is 79 going on 40. I believe that! This woman is amazing and she has more energy than I do. I feel so blessed to have a mother in my life. She is perfect for me. 
My Mom is; 
kind- always thinking of others,
smart- she went back to school when she was 50 and got a degree,
loving- she loves everyone,
a super teacher- she teaches almost everyday,
firm- she is not afraid to let you know, if you need a reminder,
a good listener- she has listened to me all my life,
she is mine- the one that I call Mom!!
I love you, my wonderful Mom!
*************************
Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds.  Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends - but only one mother in the whole world.  ~Kate Douglas Wiggin

Family History Friday: Family Holiday!

 A fun way to celebrate family, and your family's history, would be to pick a day out of the year to celebrate it! I found a great idea over at 

Family Fun 

you can find it here!

There are so many different directions

 you could go with this!!

Start off with your immediate family, pick a day, then eventually make the celebration include your extended family. You could tell stories from growing up together, or tell stories from your ancestors lives. You could even have skits or plays acting out things your ancestors did, or fun experiences they had, while they were alive. You could eat the type of food that your ancestors ate. You could watch old home movies. Do an activity that your whole family enjoys like a hike, or a bike ride, maybe even skiing. And if you record it all, then it will become part of your family history!! I love this idea. I plan on doing this with my family. Check it out and try it!! 

Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Totally "Fort Worth" it!

Hermana Kelsey 1:3 -email-

Madre!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too! I'm glad you've been getting things done around the house. I know it makes you happy when things are clean. :) I've been very good about keeping our room clean while I've been here, because we get in trouble if our room is messy. You would be proud.

Awww! I miss T and G. Tell them hi for me and that I love them.

I'm glad Alex is doing good. He is such a sweet boy, and I'm sure he's touching lots of people. I don't think I can look at the blog, at least not here at the MTC, but probably when I get out into the mission field. They only allow us to get on lds.org and my lds mail. I would love if you forwarded Alex's emails to me. He doesn't really say much, but it is still nice to hear from him.

This week, one of our older districts left. We have been so sad. They were a really fun district and they were the only other district with Hermanas. :( I think I'm going to struggle with my companions and such leaving when I get to Texas. The other day, I saw this girl Emily M, that I went to high school with. It was really cool. She is going to Japan on her mission. I also saw Tyler H, which you might not know, but he bore his testimony at stake conference. He is a good kid. I met this one Hermana, I don't remember if I already mentioned her, but she is going to Ft. Worth Texas too. Her name is Hermana V. She left this past Monday, but I might see her down in Texas. Anyway, she is so cute, and I only met her the second day we were here, but I feel like I already knew her, and I loved her the minute we met.

The other day at dinner, we somehow got on the subject of personality colors. I tried to explain what they were for some people who didn't know, and they all wanted me to guess their personality color. I don't know any of them well enough to actually guess. Some people that knew about it told me their personality colors, and when I told them mine they acted really surprised. They all thought I was a yellow. Weird huh? I don't think I've changed that much since I left, but maybe I have.

Anyway, I will be sending pictures soon. And probably one of my memory cards. :)

The spanish is coming along slowly, but surely. There are days where I feel like I'm starting to get it, and then other days where I feel completely overwhelmed with it. But I know that the Lord will make up for my shortcomings.

Anyway, I better go now. I love you.

Love, Hermana Kelsey

Emerny!

Hola little seester! I am doing well. I'm glad you are doing lots of things. It's good to be busy. I feel bad for all the time I wasted when I was home, now that I've seen all the things you can get done in one day. It's crazy. In one day here I get like 3 times more things done than I did in any one day at home. It's kind of sad. Just don't burn yourself out trying to do too much. That's no bueno. Anyway, I love you, and continue to do good things.

Love, Hermana Kelsey 

Padre,

I'm glad you are getting lots of things done. I know what you mean when you say that songs get to you. I've turned into the biggest cry baby. I cry so much just listening to all the missionaries sing at devotionals and firesides. It's crazy how much the Spirit works on you through good music. Anyway, I better go now. Last time I ran out of time and barely got to send the email at all, so I need to start being done earlier. Sorry I can't write more. Anyway, love you lots. Love, Hermana Kelsey

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

So it is Tuesday and I still haven't heard from Flexy. I have heard that the internet isn't that great where he is. So I emailed one of the "Senior Couples" (retired couples) who are serving there and asked her if everything is ok. She said, "Yes!" and sent me a really great email and pictures so here it is for 

Howzit-Elder Flexy 9:2 -email-

Sister S,

We just spoke to Elder [Flexy] and he is just fine; he did send you an email yesterday, however the internet in Swaziland sometimes just does not work.  We are in touch with his District every day and see his Zone Leader quite often, they live in the same house.  Elder [Flexy] is well liked by all the Elders in the Swaziland District, we had them over last week for a barbecue and when they are here we watch the interaction they have with each other and all of them really like your son.  The black and white companionship is extremely powerful in teaching the gospel because the white Elders bring knowledge of how the Church work, Church History, family relations, the black Elder brings passion since they are almost always new converts themselves.  He then shared an experience which he and Elder Webster had when giving  a lesson, he and Elder Webster shared their testimony and when Elder Ng'Anda came to pick them up, Elder Ng'Anda then shared his testimony and there was such a difference with the spirit, it was so much more powerful, not that their testimony was not powerful, Elder Ng'Anda is a convert and his passion for the gospel is great.  I see our American Elders sharing so much with their black companions and the black Elders in this Zone.  They always let the black Elders eat first and take what is left, they always share what they have and never care if the black Elder probably takes more than he should; they understand that what these Elders have to go back to is so little;  sometimes not even a blanket to keep them warm at night; sometimes they are orphans and will have to go back to their Branch President and try to get a home from there.  You can be very proud of your son as a missionary, he works very hard; he loves Swaziland; he has shared his Testimony in Zone and District Meetings and always expresses his gratitude for being sent to Swaziland.  The pictures are of a couple of animals he will get to see before he leaves this area.  His district had to cancel their hike and barbeque yesterday because of thunderstorms.  We went with the Manzini District on a mini Safari and took these pictures; we are going to try to get the Mission Home to approve this safari for all the boys before they get transferred.  We have 16 Elders now in Swaziland, and they are baptizing a lot of people.  If you have any concerns, I will be happy to write to you at any time.

Sincerely, Sister B

**************************************

Sister S;
Elder B and I needed to take an iron to the missioanries in
Mbabane and Elder [Flexy] with Elder Diseko needed a lift to their
morning appointment. He knows we took the face view but we thought you
would like a view of them about their Father's Business.
Love, Sister B

Sunday Best!

"We are the Lord's hands

 here upon the earth, with a mandate to serve and lift His children. 

He is dependent upon each of us."

                         -Thomas S. Monson

"God does notice us, and 

He watches over us. But it is 

usually through another person 

that He meets our needs." 

-Spencer W. Kimball

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only 

in the service of your God." 

-King Benjamin, Mosiah 2:17

"By love serve ye one another."

-Apostle Paul, Galations  5:13

*********************

Service is... Love!


Hope your Sunday was the Best!! Love, Joy

Pooh and Hamilton!

Meet Pooh and Hamilton. 

These are our only pets. We have had many pets throughout the years. In fact, once Alex said, "If we get one more pet, we'll be a farmer!" The pets have all passed on...except for these two. Pooh is a fish that Emily tried to have live at school in her locker, until she found out, it was against school policy. The policy that says "no pets at school". She had to bring him home. And Hamilton was a gift from a boy that Emily asked to a dance, as part of saying "yes" to the dance invitation. So of course, I'm the one who takes care of them. Emily wouldn't agree with that. The funny thing, is that we found out that all of us were feeding them. The reason we were all feeding them is that, Pooh has figured out, that if you look at a person and act frantic, like you haven't eaten in weeks they will think you are hungry, and they will feed you. I think he is more intelligent than the usual fish. I also think he is about twice as big as he was. I am amazed how funny they are and I'm glad they live with us. 

Family History Friday: An Amazing Voyage!

In talking about the Mormon Immigrants and the hardships they endured, I have often heard my Mom say the trip across the plains was hard, but the trip across the ocean was harder. I have read many accounts of immigrants crossing the ocean, and it is always amazing to me what hardships they endured. Some, lost loved ones, that had to be buried at sea, and being sea sick would be so difficult. You would not hardly get a break from that. The close quarters and no privacy would be difficult too. I found an interesting article about the Saints and the trip across the ocean. You can read about it here!
Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Totally "Fort Worth" it!

Hermana Kelsey 1:2 -email-

Madre,

Hola! Comos esta? It's crazy it's been two weeks. The first week felt like a month, and this last week has felt like a few days. I'm glad you are doing good. I feel like we have so much time to study all the things we need to, but it's never enough. Oh well. Esta bien. It's all good. I did get the package the day before yesterday. I was so excited because I hadn't gotten any mail for like a week. I told my companions that if I didn't get any mail that day that I would cry, and Hermana Rasmussen said, "Hopefully you get mail because if you cry then I'll cry." Then our district leader, Elder Geest, walked in after he checked the mail, and said, "Hermana, I have bad news you didn't get any mail...but you got a package." I couldn't stop smiling. :) Anyway, I'm glad you got to see Natasha. She definitely isn't afraid to tell people what she thinks. It's an admirable trait, but it may get her in trouble. :) Tell everyone I say hi back. 

So this last week has been really crazy, but so good. I'm am to the point though, when it comes to food, that I just don't want to eat anything ever, I have no appetite, and I just force myself to eat, and keep the food down. But I've gained six pounds, the last time I weighed myself. I'm pretty sure that it's mostly muscle weight, because I've been riding the stationary bike like every day, but still. Six pounds! It's crazy. Meals are like some of the best times here. It's pretty much the only way we keep our sanity. Although the elders do crazy things. They have contests to see who can eat any entire cup of jell-o in one swallow fastest. It's quite hilarious.

The spanish is coming along slowly, but surely. I feel like I'm starting to understand more, but I'm stilll behind like everyone in the class. It's kind of sad, but I know that the only reason I've been able to learn all things I have is because Heavenly Father is helping me. This last Sunday we had a testimony meeting in sacrament and it was SOOO amazing. Some of the elders who got up got teary, and it was so sweet. It's wierd to see their serious spiritual side when all you see normally is their goofy side. Anyway, it was super spiritual. On of the districts in our zone is leaving this coming Wednesday. It is so sad because they are like an awesome group of people, and they have the only other Hermanas in our zone. Hopefully we'll get some the next time we get a new district. On Monday, we moved to a new building. I guess they are going to renovate the old one. So now we are one floor higher. It's killer to walk up that many stairs.

This last Tuesday we had our second TRC which is where we teach a lesson to volunteer investigators. We had the hardest investigator ever! She made us work so hard, and we got nowhere. She acted like she was interested, but had no motivation to do anything. It was very frustrating and disheartening. I just wanted to scream how important the gospel is, but I couldn't.

Anyway, I better go. I'm almost out of time. Love you bits. Love, Hermana Kelsey XOXOX

 

Padre,

Ha ha yeah I sure am getting up early to exercise. The gettting up early isn't as bad as I thought it would be, although I do get tired after we eat lunch and go to class. Sometimes it's hard to stay awake. Anyway that's funny you got shirts for soccer. I wish we could play soccer. They might open the playing field outside when it gets warm, but it might be after we leave. Love you, Hermana Kelsey

Happy Birthday and Miracles!

Today is my brother Keith's birthday. He is here because of miracles. I called him today to tell him Happy B-day, and asked his permission to tell a little about him. He said, "Of course." So here goes. 
My brother Keith is only about a year and a half older than me. Sometime in the process of growing up Keith lost his way. I say that, because the way he was going, was not the way our parents had taught him. He became involved with drugs. He used many drugs, Nicotine, Alcohol, and others. The drug that caused the most damage to Keith's body is Heroin. In using Heroin he became infected with Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C attaches the Liver and destroys it. After years of drug abuse, Keith ended up in big trouble. He ended up in jail, awaiting what might be the biggest possible change, time in prison. I'm sure he was very upset and felt like he didn't deserve this. Or at least he didn't want what was happening to him, to happen. He spent 6 months in jail waiting to find out, what the judge would decide about his future. It was a very difficult time for him, no drugs and all day long, day after day to think about life and what might happen. Even that was a miracle. To go from being under the influence of drugs, and not seeing clearly or caring only about the next fix. To having the opportunity to really see, or think about his life. After this period of time in jail, Keith was allowed to go home to my parents instead of prison. That was another miracle. He was 34 years old and had been given a second chance. There was so much prayer and fasting going on during this time. So he was home and was really ready, to start a new life. He was aware of the way his life was and he knew what he needed and wanted to do, to make his life better. But what about the Hepatitis C? Well, it was still there, doing damage. Keith had been given a second chance but might not be able to be around very long to enjoy it. He married a wonderful and caring woman, and they started building their life together. But as time went by, we all realized that we would need, another big miracle for Keith. By 2007 he was in really bad shape. He would have to spend time off and on, in the hospital to help him survive his illness. He was on the -transplant waiting list- waiting for a new liver, but you don't always get one. Sometimes you die while you're waiting. Then on July 7th 2007, Keith received a call. They had a liver and could he be down to the hospital within a few hours. Keith and his wife Teresa went as fast as they could, down to the hospital. We all gathered in the waiting room to wait and pray. We felt very positive, everything would be ok. Sure enough, after hours in the operating room the surgery was finished and our Keith was alive. We went to visit him the next day and could not believe the difference. He was ready to really live his life. We had received another miracle. We are all so thankful to the donor family for their great sacrifice. Their decision blessed Keith, and gave us a miracle in the middle of their sadness. It has been almost 4 years since Keith received his new liver and he is doing great. I am so glad he is here to have another birthday! I love you, brother!

What works for me!

I am the mom to a missionary. 

A missionary mom. 

Actually, I am the mom to two missionaries. These missionaries are adult children. I love them so much. I really do miss them. You need to know that when you serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you leave your family and live somewhere in the world. You share the gospel, and serve God's children. You communicate with your family by email and letters. Except for twice a year, Mother's Day and Christmas when you get to talk to each other on the phone. Sometimes it is hard. But I think I have figured out how to enjoy this time while they are gone. Whenever I feel sad or like the next year and a half of my life with take forever, I reason through the emotions like this: First, they are adults. They are young, but they are adults. And I want them to become independent and able to live on their own. Second, they are learning and experiencing life. They will see life out in the world. In a place where they have never been before. I want them to learn and experience life. Would I deny them this opportunity just to have them here with me? No. Third, they are there to serve. They have given up a year and a half to two years of their life to serve, love and help others. I have taught them their whole lives to love everyone and to serve others. They are amazing. Fourth, the only time I feel sad and lonesome is when I am thinking about me. If I think about them and what amazing kids they are, and how this opportunity will bless their lives and bless the lives of those they serve, I am thrilled for them. And next thing you know, I am no longer sad or lonesome and I happily go about my day. I will say, probably the most important thing in all of this, and the Fifth thing is that I believe that our Heavenly Father loves them and will protect them, and bless them. This is what works for me! It may not work for everyone, but it works for me, and I thought I should share it. 

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Elder Flexy 9:1 -email-

Make

life is great. my birthday was fun i made some breakfast burittos. anyway swaziland continues to be the best. we had a really good week. 
1 How was your week?1.great we walked so much this week it was crazy talk.
2 How is your new member doing?
2.he is doing great he got confirmed yesterday.
3 Do the other members fellowship good?
3.ya usually
4 Are you healthy? is your toe healthy?
4.ya i'm fine the toe is all better.
5 How is your contacting going?
5.good we find people like crazy
6 Any new investigators?
6.well ya you can say that we have lots that are progressing fast.
7 Do you get to exercise or do you feel like you do enough walking?
7.well today we played basket ball today it was really fun so we do exercise too.
8 How is your companionship?
8.great no problems
9 Have your investigators asked you any questions you didn't know the answer to?
9.yep 
10 If so, how do you find out the answer?
10. we just tell them we will look it up for them.
11 Do you have an area rep/general authority? who is it?
11.yes for our area its Elder Watson

Special question:

12  Do the South African people have a tradition or ancestral story that involves Christ coming to visit them, around the time he visited the Americas? If so is it helpful in the teaching process?
12.that one i'm not sure but i'll check.
anyway life is good and the work is going forward. anyway time is almost spent. love you.

                                      Love Elder Flexy