SmithsAfricanAdventures

  Here is a picture of President Nelson Mandela with a child.  We have enjoyed doing service for a young sister that lives in Elder and Sister Johnson's branch an hour south of Johannesburg. Here is a picture of the 'care package' we took over to Thegofatso Mkhandwane - the young mother in the Ronald McDonald House at the hospital.  She was very appreciative.  The baby's had a little bit of a struggle, some infection and the incision opening up.  Both are doing better now - baby's name is Masego - means Lucky!  Beautiful little girl! Last time we visited - Thegofatso was working in the kitchen - preparing food for for other mothers who were staying there.   Mom and Baby.

  The last week of September, we heard news of Bishop E. Donald Ainge passing.  Elder Smith was a counselor to him in the bishopric in Eugene, Oregon - late 70's. Carrie Mortensen Eyre sent us a message on facebook, Mike Royal had sent her one about the death.  There was a link to the funeral and we watched the last of it.  We saw the last of Danny Ainge's talk about his father - so fun. He was a teenager when we moved to Eugene.  One good story I remember was that Danny asked his father to be his partner in a celebrity golf tournament - the next year his father was on the board of directors of the tournament! I didn't think to get a picture of Danny,  this is the last of four children and the only girl - Laurie.  She was in my Laurel Class and made the road trip to Salt Lake with 15 other laurels at Spring Break - Heidi's baptism.   View of the packed chapel for the funeral.  All the sons, Doug, David, Danny and Laurie spoke about their...

  This is the end of our busy and fun Saturday, October 8.  We visited this restaurant last year with a whole different group of Senior Missionaries - well three couples are still here.  It is a fun buffet line with wild game meat to try - buffalo, eland, springbok, worms!  They also have many salads, fruits, and desserts.  Yummy food and good company - a nice end to a busy day!    

  These are the sisters of our manager who lives in Zimbabwe.  They both live in Johannesburg.  It was fun to send this picture to him -he replied - lovely ladies!! This is a counselor in the Stake Presidency - he was serious when he said: Everyone WON! Keningston Ward - sang and danced - costumes from another South African tribe. This is the Ridgeway Ward - they were so good!  They sang and danced and shook their booty - almost like the hula in Hawaii or Tahiti.  Midrand Ward represented East India - very well.  Nice costumes and great Indian dancing!  After the program there was a luncheon - buffet style and lots of good food!  All in all, a very fun morning 10 - 12!  

  On Saturday, October 8, Elder and Sister Swift asked us to help them 'judge' a Historic Day RS event in their stake - the Johannesburg Stake.  Elder and Sister Humbert came also to judge.  We were a little concerned because no one gave us the directions on how we were supposed to do it! Then we learned that they had decided not to have judges - yay!  We stayed and enjoyed a wonderful event.  The YSA Ward had the country of Botswana.  This is the flag and they are singing the National Anthem.  Sister Swift in the red skirt, Branch Presidents wife to her left.  They did a great job! After the sang they did a short dance - so fun to learn about all the cultures that make up South Africa. This is the Johannesburg 1st and 2nd ward - traditional Zulu dress and dance. They could  really sing and dance!  Many awesome moves - delightful to watch them. The Weltevreden Park Ward sang 'Circle of Life' from The Lion King. There was also dancing - h...

  Senior Sisters enjoy celebrating Birthdays - Sister Humbert's at Tortellino d'oro -an Italian restaurant.  They brought out this pretty dessert and sang to Sister Humbert!   There is a fruit stand around the corner from the restaurant - we all went over to and Sister Humbert found this huge radishes - she said her husband would love them!!  It was a fun time.  

 Sister Watson was helping us tie a quilt for Sister Elggren - she sent a picture of it to a friend, Kathy,  who was facing her second round of chemo therapy for breast cancer. Kathy told her it looked so bright with so many colors it made her happy. When Sister Watson told me that, I said - let's make her one! Her family is so creative and sent her this on her First Day of chemo - like the 12 days of Christmas. "On the first day of Chemo, My family gave to me: A bird craft and a pear tree!"  She was facing 12 different days of chemo!  On the 2nd day of chemo, my family gave to me: Two Turtle Doves! On the 3rd day of chemo, my family gave to me three French dipped cookies, and a Sassy Hen! On the 4th (Force) day of chemo, my family gave to me "Four calming words!" (four calling birds!) On the 5th day of chemo, my family gave to me: "5 Golden things!" On the 6th day chemo, my family gave to me: "Six geese a laying!" (Goose from Top Gun.) On th...

  The Swifts and the Perkins went to Cape Town especially to see the Karoo Desert flowers.  They only bloom like this for about two weeks in the Spring.  They reported it was spectacular!  Elder and Sister Perkins - aren't the flowers amazing?   Our Heavenly Father created a beautiful world for us to live in and take care of!  Thanks for sharing pictures, Perkins and Swifts!