So, there they are! 18 months of, pretty much, weekly letters written home to my family. I cannot express how huge of an impression those 18 months made on my life. I LOVED my mission and all of the experiences that I had while in South Africa. As I have taken this journey of reading/transcribing these letters on to this blog, I have been reminded of my love for missionary work and my love for the beautiful country of South Africa. This time will forever hold a special spot in my heart.
I am so grateful to my loving Heavenly Father for knowing me well enough to know that I needed to serve a mission and that I needed to serve it in South Africa. He knew I needed the many wonderful experiences that I had to strengthen me and prepare me for the rest of my life.
I am grateful for my loving and wonderful Mission President. I miss him dearly .. he was tragically killed in a car accident about 12 years ago. I am also very grateful for President and Sister Mckay and for their love and support of me and my family through the entire length of my mission. My parents went through some very difficult times while I was on my mission including my mom being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, my parents lost a business, lost their home, moved to a different state and they were falsely accused of being involved in some illegal investment schemes which they had to go to trial for etc .. of course, they were found completely innocent, but it was still very emotionally traumatic for them, and as I mentioned throughout my letters, the Mckays and their entire family continually prayed for my family. I will be eternally grateful for that!
I love this Gospel and feel so blessed that I was entrusted with the task of teaching it to Heavenly Father's children in South Africa. My husband and I plan on serving a mission together when we are older (though we debate whether we hope to be called to South Africa or to his mission of Lithuania) and I am just that much more excited to be a full time missionary again, after re-reading these letters.
I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and the knowledge that it give us. I am grateful for Joseph Smith and the sacrifices that he made to bring us the restored gospel. I KNOW that it is true!
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Madedeni (05/26/97)
Okay, this letter is my last letter from mission, but it also requires a little bit of background. Because of the different circumstances of Sisters serving in a township, we were required to spend an abnormal amount of time with the Elders. Because of this, we got to know the Elders in our Zone a lot better than we had any other Elders during mission. There was one particular Elder who I got along really well with .. well, not at first actually ... if you'll remember back to the letter that I wrote about the Elder that I got in a fight with and who swore at me and said that I was different than any of the other sisters etc. Well, after that got all cleared up, I actually discovered that he was actually a really cool guy. I started feeling like I had a little crush on him. In any other area this would have been fine, because there really was no need to see the Elders very often, so I could have just avoided him. But because of the circumstances we had a lot of contact with each other. After struggling with this for a couple of weeks, I finally asked him for an interview (he was my Zone leader). I shared with him that I was experiencing a "little mission crush" and that I really needed some distance away from him, so I asked that he would do everything he could to make sure that he and his companion avoided us. He let me know that he didn't feel the same way about me, but that he was more than happy to avoid us. I was glad that he didn't share the same crush, made things easier for me. So, he went about ignoring me. This lasted for a few days, which were awkward and uncomfortable. But then he wrote me a note and told me that he had lied to me in our interview and that he was feeling the same way etc. We both wrote letters to Pres. to tell him the circumstances and suggest that one of us be transferred immediately and then set out to try to deal with emotions that we weren't supposed to be having while on mission until we got the call for one of us to be transferred. I am leaving out some of the details, just for the sake of the Elder, I am not sure how he would feel about me making this whole thing public. :) This is the letter that I wrote to my mom a couple weeks after this all happened. I made sure that it was addressed ONLY to my mom. I didn't want my whole family to know about this drama)
Mom-
Howzit? Well, this week was about as exciting as last week. I'll tell you, if the weeks keep going like this, I won't have the time or energy to get trunky. Everyone keeps asking me if I am trunky. I don't think I am and my companion says that I'm not, so I guess I'm not. I just don't have that much time to think about home. there is still so much work that needs to be done here and I can't just sit by and watch it not get done!
We had a 3 branch conference yesterday. It was really nice. Each of the 3 branches have new meeting houses. We met in the New Castle Chapel. It was really nice. In all the conference lasted for 5 hours. We had 10 baptisms after the conference. That's what took the longest. But it was really nice. We were all dead tired afterwards! I haven't been sleeping well lately, I think I lay in bed awake more than asleep, or at least that's how I feel. So, in the evenings I am so tired!
Transfers were phoned out on Saturday. I'm staying here. I guess I figured that, but I was still a little concerned. Pres was so mean to me on Saturday, we had interviews and I kind of got into trouble. Not really, it's just that he was stern with me for the first time ever. I was kind of excited because everyone else I've ever talked to tells stories of his yelling at them or being upset. And he has never even been stern with me before, so it was kind of nice to feel like a normal missionary. See, what happened was, well, I have this Zone Leader from ********** and well, put it this way, I'll probably be taking a holiday to ********* in January. Pres was a little upset because we didn't tell him earlier that we had feelings for each other. But, we actually tried. When we realized it (a few weeks ago) we both wrote letters to pres to explain the situation and hope that he would transfer one of us. Well, he didn't ever read our letters. He took off to the islands for a while and we never heard anything, so Elder ****** (the Elder) phone the 1st counselor in the mission presidency, Pres Mckay and explained the whole situation. We expected Pres. Mckay to phone Pres. Stevenson and tell him the situation, but apparently he didn't. So, Pres didn't find out until in my interview which must have seemed funny to him because I thought he knew, so I sat down in the interview and said, "Well, you're probably wondering what's up with Elder **** and I" He just acted like he knew what I was talking about. Anyhow, it's all fine, but in the interview Pres says, "Well, we'll have to transfer you." I sat in shock and he says, "did you hear me?" I said, "yes, you're going to transfer me" Then he says, "no, I'm just kidding!" I burst out into tears! He felt so bad! He tried to totally change the subject. But Elder ****** was up for a transfer anyway and he's leaving tomorrow. I'm glad because the whole thing has been a distraction for the both of us. It will be good to be totally focused again. Plus, Elder ***** has a real dork of a companion (he's the one that asked my companion to make out with him- he's a real jerk!) Now, he'll have an awesome companion.
Well, I wasn't planning on telling you all this. I was going to wait until I come home because who knows, it totally could just be a crush that blows over. Oh, by the way, Pres was, in the end (after he found out that nothing inappropriate happened) was completely excited about the whole thing, he highly recommended us to each other as marriage partners. Who knows what will happen. (To ease any concerns, if we did get married he would move to us)
Mom, I decided that I don't want the family to know all of this just yet, I'd rather wait until I know exactly what' going on before I say anything. So, please don't let anyone else read this and please don't tell anyone else. You can tell Kim because I know it's difficult to not tell anyone a "secret" but please keep it quiet until I come home. Thanks! I love you!
Love,
Michelle
(I left the mission just a few weeks later. On my journey home we (the 2 Elders I was traveling with and I) got to stop in Johannesburg, South Africa and attend the temple there. By the time I left the temple, I knew that even though this Elder was a great guy, it was just a mission crush and that nothing long term would come from it)
Mom-
Howzit? Well, this week was about as exciting as last week. I'll tell you, if the weeks keep going like this, I won't have the time or energy to get trunky. Everyone keeps asking me if I am trunky. I don't think I am and my companion says that I'm not, so I guess I'm not. I just don't have that much time to think about home. there is still so much work that needs to be done here and I can't just sit by and watch it not get done!
We had a 3 branch conference yesterday. It was really nice. Each of the 3 branches have new meeting houses. We met in the New Castle Chapel. It was really nice. In all the conference lasted for 5 hours. We had 10 baptisms after the conference. That's what took the longest. But it was really nice. We were all dead tired afterwards! I haven't been sleeping well lately, I think I lay in bed awake more than asleep, or at least that's how I feel. So, in the evenings I am so tired!
Transfers were phoned out on Saturday. I'm staying here. I guess I figured that, but I was still a little concerned. Pres was so mean to me on Saturday, we had interviews and I kind of got into trouble. Not really, it's just that he was stern with me for the first time ever. I was kind of excited because everyone else I've ever talked to tells stories of his yelling at them or being upset. And he has never even been stern with me before, so it was kind of nice to feel like a normal missionary. See, what happened was, well, I have this Zone Leader from ********** and well, put it this way, I'll probably be taking a holiday to ********* in January. Pres was a little upset because we didn't tell him earlier that we had feelings for each other. But, we actually tried. When we realized it (a few weeks ago) we both wrote letters to pres to explain the situation and hope that he would transfer one of us. Well, he didn't ever read our letters. He took off to the islands for a while and we never heard anything, so Elder ****** (the Elder) phone the 1st counselor in the mission presidency, Pres Mckay and explained the whole situation. We expected Pres. Mckay to phone Pres. Stevenson and tell him the situation, but apparently he didn't. So, Pres didn't find out until in my interview which must have seemed funny to him because I thought he knew, so I sat down in the interview and said, "Well, you're probably wondering what's up with Elder **** and I" He just acted like he knew what I was talking about. Anyhow, it's all fine, but in the interview Pres says, "Well, we'll have to transfer you." I sat in shock and he says, "did you hear me?" I said, "yes, you're going to transfer me" Then he says, "no, I'm just kidding!" I burst out into tears! He felt so bad! He tried to totally change the subject. But Elder ****** was up for a transfer anyway and he's leaving tomorrow. I'm glad because the whole thing has been a distraction for the both of us. It will be good to be totally focused again. Plus, Elder ***** has a real dork of a companion (he's the one that asked my companion to make out with him- he's a real jerk!) Now, he'll have an awesome companion.
Well, I wasn't planning on telling you all this. I was going to wait until I come home because who knows, it totally could just be a crush that blows over. Oh, by the way, Pres was, in the end (after he found out that nothing inappropriate happened) was completely excited about the whole thing, he highly recommended us to each other as marriage partners. Who knows what will happen. (To ease any concerns, if we did get married he would move to us)
Mom, I decided that I don't want the family to know all of this just yet, I'd rather wait until I know exactly what' going on before I say anything. So, please don't let anyone else read this and please don't tell anyone else. You can tell Kim because I know it's difficult to not tell anyone a "secret" but please keep it quiet until I come home. Thanks! I love you!
Love,
Michelle
(I left the mission just a few weeks later. On my journey home we (the 2 Elders I was traveling with and I) got to stop in Johannesburg, South Africa and attend the temple there. By the time I left the temple, I knew that even though this Elder was a great guy, it was just a mission crush and that nothing long term would come from it)
Madadeni (05/19/97)
Family-
Hello! This will be another one of those short letters as I don't have a whole lot to write about. This week has been a crazy week, one that I hope not to repeat on mission. I won't go into detail here, but thing just kind of hit the fan after I phoned Pres. about the situation with Elders in our zone. I'll tell you details when I get home.
We finally moved into the new chapel this week. It was so nice to be there this Sunday! We had 26 investigators there yesterday between the Elders and us. The people are just so excited to have a new church in their township. The church is already too small for the amount of people that attend. I don't know if I explained it, but what they've done .. but, we need 100 people attending each week before they'll build a chapel, but the branch here didn't have anyplace suitable to meet. They were meeting in a dirty, run down day care center where all the classes had to meet outside. They pulled in some of those trailers, almost like mobile home type things and turned it into a meeting house. They put it on half of the lot so as soon as we reach 100 they can start building a real chapel on the other half of the lot. Then they'll pull the temp. buildings out and put them somewhere else where they can start up a branch. It's really a smart idea.
We are sitting in a clinic right now. Yesterday my companion went into a dog cage. The dogs got excited and were playing with her. She got a little scratched up and so now she's worried about tetanus and rabies. I guess it's good to be cautious especially in the township. There are a lot of interesting diseases here.
Well, this may be my last letter home from South Africa. I don't know how long it takes for my letters to arrive there. I won't be able t send this one until next week. So, we'll have to see.
I love you all!
Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
(Just a little explanation in regard to "things hitting the fan" after I called Pres about the situation with the Elders in our Zone. I don't remember all of the details now, but I know that we all kind of started getting a little laid back, by mission standards, at least. There was one set of Elders in our Zone that my companion and I got along with really well and somehow we got into a practical joke war, things like putting Vaseline on door handles etc. It was all innocent and all, but the last joke that the Elders played on us, caused a few issues. They made a wedding cake and left it on our front porch and then decorated our car in "Just Married" fashion. And I think they even decorated the front of our house a bit... though I can't remember for sure. So, anyhow, several of our neighbors commented on it and asked which one of us got married etc. Not the best impression to make in regard to Mormon missionaries! :) I was concerned about this and wanted to explain things. I told him about the wedding prank, but he didn't really give me a chance to actually explain anything else, he just simply said that he was due up in our area for interviews anyhow and that he would be up the next day to meet with us and learn the details. I was fine with that, and hung up. Well, I guess Pres changed his mind about that, instead he made the Elders drive down to Durban and reamed them! They got some major chewing out. I felt horrible, because of course, they took all the blame and we got off scott free for our part in the pranks. There was some other underlying issues that I had wanted to talk to Pres about also, which I will talk about in the next letter that I sent home, but I was disappointed that I didn't get that chance)
Hello! This will be another one of those short letters as I don't have a whole lot to write about. This week has been a crazy week, one that I hope not to repeat on mission. I won't go into detail here, but thing just kind of hit the fan after I phoned Pres. about the situation with Elders in our zone. I'll tell you details when I get home.
We finally moved into the new chapel this week. It was so nice to be there this Sunday! We had 26 investigators there yesterday between the Elders and us. The people are just so excited to have a new church in their township. The church is already too small for the amount of people that attend. I don't know if I explained it, but what they've done .. but, we need 100 people attending each week before they'll build a chapel, but the branch here didn't have anyplace suitable to meet. They were meeting in a dirty, run down day care center where all the classes had to meet outside. They pulled in some of those trailers, almost like mobile home type things and turned it into a meeting house. They put it on half of the lot so as soon as we reach 100 they can start building a real chapel on the other half of the lot. Then they'll pull the temp. buildings out and put them somewhere else where they can start up a branch. It's really a smart idea.
We are sitting in a clinic right now. Yesterday my companion went into a dog cage. The dogs got excited and were playing with her. She got a little scratched up and so now she's worried about tetanus and rabies. I guess it's good to be cautious especially in the township. There are a lot of interesting diseases here.
Well, this may be my last letter home from South Africa. I don't know how long it takes for my letters to arrive there. I won't be able t send this one until next week. So, we'll have to see.
I love you all!
Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
(Just a little explanation in regard to "things hitting the fan" after I called Pres about the situation with the Elders in our Zone. I don't remember all of the details now, but I know that we all kind of started getting a little laid back, by mission standards, at least. There was one set of Elders in our Zone that my companion and I got along with really well and somehow we got into a practical joke war, things like putting Vaseline on door handles etc. It was all innocent and all, but the last joke that the Elders played on us, caused a few issues. They made a wedding cake and left it on our front porch and then decorated our car in "Just Married" fashion. And I think they even decorated the front of our house a bit... though I can't remember for sure. So, anyhow, several of our neighbors commented on it and asked which one of us got married etc. Not the best impression to make in regard to Mormon missionaries! :) I was concerned about this and wanted to explain things. I told him about the wedding prank, but he didn't really give me a chance to actually explain anything else, he just simply said that he was due up in our area for interviews anyhow and that he would be up the next day to meet with us and learn the details. I was fine with that, and hung up. Well, I guess Pres changed his mind about that, instead he made the Elders drive down to Durban and reamed them! They got some major chewing out. I felt horrible, because of course, they took all the blame and we got off scott free for our part in the pranks. There was some other underlying issues that I had wanted to talk to Pres about also, which I will talk about in the next letter that I sent home, but I was disappointed that I didn't get that chance)
Madedeni (05/04/97)
Dear Family-
Well, another week went by without me sending off a letter, so you'll be receiving 2 at about the same time. This week has just been so hectic that I haven't been able to get to the post office. We went to Durban for a mission conference. We ended up staying two nights there instead of one like we had planned. The mission conference was great. It was very refreshing. It got me excited about missionary work again. Not that I've been particularly un-excited, but I've been getting a little tired.
Things have been going extremely well in the mission. Do you remember I told you all about the prophecy that Elder Ballard made that if we would make 10 contacts per day, the number of baptisms in the mission would double, triple, and quadruple? Well, this past month (April) there were 4 times as many baptisms as there were at anytime before Elder Ballard came. I've seen with my own eyes a prophecy fulfilled. It's incredible to look back on my mission because it's like I've served 2 totally different missions, the first w/o much success but the second with much success. It all changed when Elder Ballard came.
We had New Beginnings for the YW on Saturday. It went really well. I was happy with it. The girls are really excited about personal progress. I love those young women. They are so great. I really love each one of them.
We have the most awesome investigator! Her name is Phumzile. She is GOLDEN! She is the greatest. She is going to be baptized on the 25th of this month. She is going to be a great leader in the women's auxiliaries here in South Africa some day. She's only 17, but she is so clever. She will make an awesome missionary someday as well. I have quickly grown to love her probably more than anyone in South Africa, well, with the exception of Johan & Leslie. But she is the greatest!
It was nice this week because we were able to go visiting in Amanzimtoti and Isipingo. It was nice to see old friends.
We went to visit an investigator family. They are way cool. They have a 4 year old there, she is very, very active. We sat down and within three seconds she had my mace out (which is on my key chain) and sprayed it into her face. It was terrible! She and I both were gagging and coughing. The poor thing was in complete pain. She was spitting, trying to get the burn out of her mouth and throat. I was in extreme pain, so I can only imagine how she felt - I guess at least I know that the mace work! :)
Sister Mckay wants to adopt me. Is that OK? :) She is such a neat lady. I love her to death! Maybe I'll marry their son! They have a 21-22 year old, 6 foot 2, son who will be coming here to visit in June. Yeah, right! In my dreams will I be a Mckay! :) It's funny because Sister Mckay has slipped and called me Michelle, I don't know why, since she only knows me as Sister Zenger, but it was cute. Mom, she always asks about you and your health and also about the family in general. She's a neat woman.
Pres and Sis Stevenson asked me to bring grandma home with me (Pres. Stevenson's mother). She is old, not really sick, but acts like it. She's in a wheelchair and such. It will be interesting. It probably means I'll fly first class. She just needs someone to give her, her medicine. So don't be surprised when you see me coming off the plan pushing a wheelchair. :)
Well, I had better go! I love you all! Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Well, another week went by without me sending off a letter, so you'll be receiving 2 at about the same time. This week has just been so hectic that I haven't been able to get to the post office. We went to Durban for a mission conference. We ended up staying two nights there instead of one like we had planned. The mission conference was great. It was very refreshing. It got me excited about missionary work again. Not that I've been particularly un-excited, but I've been getting a little tired.
Things have been going extremely well in the mission. Do you remember I told you all about the prophecy that Elder Ballard made that if we would make 10 contacts per day, the number of baptisms in the mission would double, triple, and quadruple? Well, this past month (April) there were 4 times as many baptisms as there were at anytime before Elder Ballard came. I've seen with my own eyes a prophecy fulfilled. It's incredible to look back on my mission because it's like I've served 2 totally different missions, the first w/o much success but the second with much success. It all changed when Elder Ballard came.
We had New Beginnings for the YW on Saturday. It went really well. I was happy with it. The girls are really excited about personal progress. I love those young women. They are so great. I really love each one of them.
We have the most awesome investigator! Her name is Phumzile. She is GOLDEN! She is the greatest. She is going to be baptized on the 25th of this month. She is going to be a great leader in the women's auxiliaries here in South Africa some day. She's only 17, but she is so clever. She will make an awesome missionary someday as well. I have quickly grown to love her probably more than anyone in South Africa, well, with the exception of Johan & Leslie. But she is the greatest!
It was nice this week because we were able to go visiting in Amanzimtoti and Isipingo. It was nice to see old friends.
We went to visit an investigator family. They are way cool. They have a 4 year old there, she is very, very active. We sat down and within three seconds she had my mace out (which is on my key chain) and sprayed it into her face. It was terrible! She and I both were gagging and coughing. The poor thing was in complete pain. She was spitting, trying to get the burn out of her mouth and throat. I was in extreme pain, so I can only imagine how she felt - I guess at least I know that the mace work! :)
Sister Mckay wants to adopt me. Is that OK? :) She is such a neat lady. I love her to death! Maybe I'll marry their son! They have a 21-22 year old, 6 foot 2, son who will be coming here to visit in June. Yeah, right! In my dreams will I be a Mckay! :) It's funny because Sister Mckay has slipped and called me Michelle, I don't know why, since she only knows me as Sister Zenger, but it was cute. Mom, she always asks about you and your health and also about the family in general. She's a neat woman.
Pres and Sis Stevenson asked me to bring grandma home with me (Pres. Stevenson's mother). She is old, not really sick, but acts like it. She's in a wheelchair and such. It will be interesting. It probably means I'll fly first class. She just needs someone to give her, her medicine. So don't be surprised when you see me coming off the plan pushing a wheelchair. :)
Well, I had better go! I love you all! Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Madadeni (04/28/97)
Family -
Hello! How has this week been for all of you? I'm talking to my companion asking her if there has been anything exciting going on this week. We really couldn't think of anything. Sometimes the weeks just go without any thing too unusual happening.
We had a single young adult fireside last night for the branch and we watched a video of a talk given by Henry B. Eyring at BYU. It really made me homesick, mainly because they were doing a shot of the congregation and they filmed Brandon Stienegal. It was weird! It shocked me!
Who is Regan? I keep getting these letters that talk about Regan like I should know who it is, maybe I do and I'm just being dumb and forgot or something, but I can't figure it out.
Transfers were phoned out this weekend. I am not affected by them. I didn't figure I would, but there was a small chance that I could have trained. But Sis. Sargent is training instead. I'm glad for her. She will do a good job. My companion and I will be companions until I go home. She wants to marry Erik. She fell in love with his photo, she keeps telling me to set them up.
On Saturday we are having the first New Beginnings in Madadeni. I am really excited for it. I hope goes well. I think that it will. We are having speakers from America and England. They are the daughter and old mission companion (of the daughter) of Pres. and Sis Mckay and they both are in the YW programme in their stakes It really should be nice.
We've started having YW activities every week, something they have never done before and it's great. Less active girls are coming back and they are all excited about YW's. I love being a YW leader!
Tomorrow we are going down to Durban for a mission conference on Wednesday. (Durban is 4 hrs away). We will be staying over night in Amanzimtoti. I am excited. We will be able to go and visit some people there. We are having dinner with Sister Elliott. That will be nice. She is one of my favorite people in Toti.
It will be nice to come home to summer. I am freezing here! New Castle is just a cold place! The thing is, it's not close to as cold as Utah, but the houses are not insulated and don't have nay type of heating and I really don't have the appropriate clothing. So, I'm cold. During the day it's fine. It even gets hot. It's just at night and in the morning.
Hey, I don't know if any of you are interested, but there is a guy in Madadeni that makes sandals. They are so cool! I don't know how to explain them, but they are definitely South African. If any of you want a pair you can tell me your size and send the money and i can have him make you some. They are cool. But you'd have to do it A.S.A.P so that I'll have time to have him do it. They cost $37 - that
s 150 rands. Mine look like this (I drew a picture, but I will attach a picture I took of them recently) Ok, so the drawing looks stupid, but they really are cool! He had like 20 different styles. That's just the one that I chose. So, if you're interested let me know.
Well, I had better end! I love you all! Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Hello! How has this week been for all of you? I'm talking to my companion asking her if there has been anything exciting going on this week. We really couldn't think of anything. Sometimes the weeks just go without any thing too unusual happening.
We had a single young adult fireside last night for the branch and we watched a video of a talk given by Henry B. Eyring at BYU. It really made me homesick, mainly because they were doing a shot of the congregation and they filmed Brandon Stienegal. It was weird! It shocked me!
Who is Regan? I keep getting these letters that talk about Regan like I should know who it is, maybe I do and I'm just being dumb and forgot or something, but I can't figure it out.
Transfers were phoned out this weekend. I am not affected by them. I didn't figure I would, but there was a small chance that I could have trained. But Sis. Sargent is training instead. I'm glad for her. She will do a good job. My companion and I will be companions until I go home. She wants to marry Erik. She fell in love with his photo, she keeps telling me to set them up.
On Saturday we are having the first New Beginnings in Madadeni. I am really excited for it. I hope goes well. I think that it will. We are having speakers from America and England. They are the daughter and old mission companion (of the daughter) of Pres. and Sis Mckay and they both are in the YW programme in their stakes It really should be nice.
We've started having YW activities every week, something they have never done before and it's great. Less active girls are coming back and they are all excited about YW's. I love being a YW leader!
Tomorrow we are going down to Durban for a mission conference on Wednesday. (Durban is 4 hrs away). We will be staying over night in Amanzimtoti. I am excited. We will be able to go and visit some people there. We are having dinner with Sister Elliott. That will be nice. She is one of my favorite people in Toti.
It will be nice to come home to summer. I am freezing here! New Castle is just a cold place! The thing is, it's not close to as cold as Utah, but the houses are not insulated and don't have nay type of heating and I really don't have the appropriate clothing. So, I'm cold. During the day it's fine. It even gets hot. It's just at night and in the morning.
Hey, I don't know if any of you are interested, but there is a guy in Madadeni that makes sandals. They are so cool! I don't know how to explain them, but they are definitely South African. If any of you want a pair you can tell me your size and send the money and i can have him make you some. They are cool. But you'd have to do it A.S.A.P so that I'll have time to have him do it. They cost $37 - that
Well, I had better end! I love you all! Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Madadeni (04/20/97)
Family-
Well, another week has gone by and I didn't even get a chance to send off my last letter. It was quite an eventful week for us.
The grandmother of one of the members of the branch here died and so we were involved in the funeral proceedings. They do funerals so differently in the Zulu culture. They have an official time of mourning for a couple of days and during that time people come to pray and sing with the family. But it is so depressing. The house is just dark and cold and everyone was quiet. I didn't lie the feeling of that. There is some kind of grass mats that they women visitors sit on (after taking off their shoes) I sat next to a woman whom I didn't know but I was later told that she was a relative of the family and she wants me to marry into her family because she loves me and was so impressed that as a white woman I sat on the mat like a Zulu and that I knew Zulu culture etc. The thing she didn't know is that I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I was just following everyone else and was actually experiencing culture shock. I just thought it was funny. They slaughter a cow as part of the custom. I saw it being done. That was a new experience! And this was all before the day of the funeral even! Saturday was the funeral. It lasted 3 hrs (for the pre-cemetery service) They had all 6 missionaries sit up front with the other priests and pastors. They were going to Sister Russel and/or I speak but then decided to have a member do it so that it could be in Zulu. I was glad! But it was a wacked service, there were like 15 speakers and the whole congregation would break out into some song. They probably sang 30 songs. There was dancing and clapping involved. The whole thing was in Zulu so I was pretty lost. They called on one of the Elders to give an impromptu talk. I was glad it was him and not me! After the cemetery everyone goes back to the house (the service is held under a huge circus looking tent in the yard of the house) and they (the family) feeds everyone. There were hundreds of people there! they eat the slaughtered cow. They made a special meal for all the LDS people there because we don't eat slaughtered meat. The slaughtering is part of the ancestral worship that the Zulu's do. They believe that their ancestors are their mediator between them and Jesus Christ.
Anyhow, everyone was amazed that we (white people) were there at this funeral. They treated us with so much respect! It almost made me feel uncomfortable. A member later told us that the speakers kept mentioning how God is blessing this lad because now there are white people attending their funerals. The whole thing was an interesting experience.
Serving here in Madadeni sure can be a boost to a person's self esteem! Being proposed to is flattering especially when the man isn't even drunk. Also, the single young adult men were telling the Elders how they all have crushes on us. I think it is so funny! It's totally because we are white. They just are not used to having white girls/women talk to them, let alone be nice to them. So they are all freaking out having Sisters in the branch. It really makes me laugh. I'm going to come home and feel neglected because marriage proposals won't happen daily! :)
Well, what a week, hu? Oh, also, I got in a big fight with one of the Elders. He even swore at me, well, actually, not at me but around me. It was pretty bad. The dumb thing is, I didn't and still don't know what we were fighting about. He just one day began being rude to me. I asked him about it and he went off swearing (on the phone), then hung up. We baked him cookies and now we're friends again, I guess? His only explanation is that I'm different than any of the other Sisters. Whatever! He's South African - explains some of it!
Well, I had better go! I love you! Oh, I'll phone sometime in the afternoon your time on Mother's Day. It's too complicated to try to figure out the time difference etc. I look forward to speaking to you!
I love you!
Michelle :)
(I had to laugh while re-reading and typing in this letter. It's just funny to see my perspective on things at this point. Obviously I was in major culture shock as I was trying to adjust to township life. But the part that cracks me up is about the Elder that I got in a fight with. I still don't know exactly what that fight was about, but the fact that I blamed it on him being South African makes me laugh. I had seen a few men be rude to their wives/mothers and so I had the impression that all South African men were like that Obviously I was just making a blanket judgement. That Elder and I ended up being great friends by the time I left the area.)
Well, another week has gone by and I didn't even get a chance to send off my last letter. It was quite an eventful week for us.
The grandmother of one of the members of the branch here died and so we were involved in the funeral proceedings. They do funerals so differently in the Zulu culture. They have an official time of mourning for a couple of days and during that time people come to pray and sing with the family. But it is so depressing. The house is just dark and cold and everyone was quiet. I didn't lie the feeling of that. There is some kind of grass mats that they women visitors sit on (after taking off their shoes) I sat next to a woman whom I didn't know but I was later told that she was a relative of the family and she wants me to marry into her family because she loves me and was so impressed that as a white woman I sat on the mat like a Zulu and that I knew Zulu culture etc. The thing she didn't know is that I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I was just following everyone else and was actually experiencing culture shock. I just thought it was funny. They slaughter a cow as part of the custom. I saw it being done. That was a new experience! And this was all before the day of the funeral even! Saturday was the funeral. It lasted 3 hrs (for the pre-cemetery service) They had all 6 missionaries sit up front with the other priests and pastors. They were going to Sister Russel and/or I speak but then decided to have a member do it so that it could be in Zulu. I was glad! But it was a wacked service, there were like 15 speakers and the whole congregation would break out into some song. They probably sang 30 songs. There was dancing and clapping involved. The whole thing was in Zulu so I was pretty lost. They called on one of the Elders to give an impromptu talk. I was glad it was him and not me! After the cemetery everyone goes back to the house (the service is held under a huge circus looking tent in the yard of the house) and they (the family) feeds everyone. There were hundreds of people there! they eat the slaughtered cow. They made a special meal for all the LDS people there because we don't eat slaughtered meat. The slaughtering is part of the ancestral worship that the Zulu's do. They believe that their ancestors are their mediator between them and Jesus Christ.
Anyhow, everyone was amazed that we (white people) were there at this funeral. They treated us with so much respect! It almost made me feel uncomfortable. A member later told us that the speakers kept mentioning how God is blessing this lad because now there are white people attending their funerals. The whole thing was an interesting experience.
Serving here in Madadeni sure can be a boost to a person's self esteem! Being proposed to is flattering especially when the man isn't even drunk. Also, the single young adult men were telling the Elders how they all have crushes on us. I think it is so funny! It's totally because we are white. They just are not used to having white girls/women talk to them, let alone be nice to them. So they are all freaking out having Sisters in the branch. It really makes me laugh. I'm going to come home and feel neglected because marriage proposals won't happen daily! :)
Well, what a week, hu? Oh, also, I got in a big fight with one of the Elders. He even swore at me, well, actually, not at me but around me. It was pretty bad. The dumb thing is, I didn't and still don't know what we were fighting about. He just one day began being rude to me. I asked him about it and he went off swearing (on the phone), then hung up. We baked him cookies and now we're friends again, I guess? His only explanation is that I'm different than any of the other Sisters. Whatever! He's South African - explains some of it!
Well, I had better go! I love you! Oh, I'll phone sometime in the afternoon your time on Mother's Day. It's too complicated to try to figure out the time difference etc. I look forward to speaking to you!
I love you!
Michelle :)
(I had to laugh while re-reading and typing in this letter. It's just funny to see my perspective on things at this point. Obviously I was in major culture shock as I was trying to adjust to township life. But the part that cracks me up is about the Elder that I got in a fight with. I still don't know exactly what that fight was about, but the fact that I blamed it on him being South African makes me laugh. I had seen a few men be rude to their wives/mothers and so I had the impression that all South African men were like that Obviously I was just making a blanket judgement. That Elder and I ended up being great friends by the time I left the area.)
Madadeni (no date)
Family-
I feel like I just wrote yesterday! This week flew by quickly! I think it was probably because I was sick for part of it. We stayed in one day of the week and also since we can't work in township after dark we come home most nights at about 5:30pm, so the days go quickly. I don't like coming in early, I feel lazy. I think eventually though we will have more branch work to keep us busy.
The work is going well, we have three people scheduled for baptism in May. I also talked to the Sisters in Amanzimtoti last night and one of my favorite investigators is getting baptized on the 27th of April! I am so excited! He is so cool! I'd marry him if he was older and not Zulu! :)
I was proposed to on Friday. It was a tempting offer but I had to decline the invitation. The Zulu men propose as a pick up line. It's kind of funny. This guy was really distraught when I explained that we are missionaries and can't get married. My companion was proposed to 2 times last weekend. One of the Elders was with us and he discouraged the guy by telling him that she costs 20 cows. (They buy their wives with cows, but 11 cows is the most that any man will pay for a wife, so he was pretty upset).
This really has been an uneventful week. I've already run out of things to write about.
Have you heard from or about Diane? Did things go OK with the baby? I knew that she was due at the beginning of March, but I haven't heard anything.
I just want to warn you all again, I'll be getting off the plane FAT! So, I don't want to hear any remarks or see any shocked looks, just plan on having a fat daughter/sister for a while until I can lose it.
I know this is a way short letter, but I am going to end for now. I love you all very much. Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
I feel like I just wrote yesterday! This week flew by quickly! I think it was probably because I was sick for part of it. We stayed in one day of the week and also since we can't work in township after dark we come home most nights at about 5:30pm, so the days go quickly. I don't like coming in early, I feel lazy. I think eventually though we will have more branch work to keep us busy.
The work is going well, we have three people scheduled for baptism in May. I also talked to the Sisters in Amanzimtoti last night and one of my favorite investigators is getting baptized on the 27th of April! I am so excited! He is so cool! I'd marry him if he was older and not Zulu! :)
I was proposed to on Friday. It was a tempting offer but I had to decline the invitation. The Zulu men propose as a pick up line. It's kind of funny. This guy was really distraught when I explained that we are missionaries and can't get married. My companion was proposed to 2 times last weekend. One of the Elders was with us and he discouraged the guy by telling him that she costs 20 cows. (They buy their wives with cows, but 11 cows is the most that any man will pay for a wife, so he was pretty upset).
This really has been an uneventful week. I've already run out of things to write about.
Have you heard from or about Diane? Did things go OK with the baby? I knew that she was due at the beginning of March, but I haven't heard anything.
I just want to warn you all again, I'll be getting off the plane FAT! So, I don't want to hear any remarks or see any shocked looks, just plan on having a fat daughter/sister for a while until I can lose it.
I know this is a way short letter, but I am going to end for now. I love you all very much. Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Monday, July 11, 2011
Madadeni (04/07/97)
Family-
I feel like I have been moved to a completely different country to finish my mission! Township is so different and so is New Castle. We stay in the town of New Castle (not the township). New Castle is about 4 hours from the mission home,. It is a completely different climate. It's a lot like Idaho or something. It's not humid like the rest of the mission and it's FREEZING!!!! It feels like November in Utah. I guess I should be used to it, but I just came from a beach front town where it is still very, very hot! The sad things is, it's only going to get colder. Last winter they had a foot of snow here. Imagine that in South Africa!
My brain has been swimming this past week because of all the new info that I am trying to take int. It's tough opening a new area, especially when you are struggling to learn the language as well. Luckily there are quite a few people there that speak good English. We start Zulu lessons tomorrow. That will help a lot.
The living conditions in township are so different! It's safe for us. I feel more safe here than I did in Isipingo where we were working in Toti. We just have to be careful on weekends because all the baba's (men) get drunk. Sis. Russell was proposed to twice on Saturday. They were quite persistent. We were just laughing our heads off though. We won't be working in the township on weekends from now on unless we are with Elders. Not that we were in any danger this weekend, but we are just being very cautious about the whole thing. We are the first Sisters ever to serve in any township in South Africa. It's so exciting!
I've been called as the YW's 2nd Counselor and also as the youth Sunday School teacher. I'm excited about both of these callings. The branch here is pretty big. About 80 people attend. It's funny because there are only like 3 married couples, the rest of the branch are single young adults, youth and children. It's sad because right now they meet in an old, dirty, run down community building. They only have 2 rooms there so the R.S. & the primary meet in the rooms and everyone else just meets outside. It was pretty miserable yesterday because it was cold and windy. I felt so sorry for those people. They are building a new chapel right now. It should be ready in the next couple of weeks. That will be a great blessing for them. Many more people will come to church when they are able to meet inside.
The members here really have no training. The church has only been in Madadeni for 6 years. So there are only a few members that have been members for that long and then the rest are very recent converts. That's really why Sis Russell and I are here, to help them run the Young Women's and the Primary and also the Relief Society. I think this will all be a great experience for me.
The Elders in Madedeni have been lame! They have gotten into a rut or something. In 2 days we taught twice as many discussions as they have in the past 2 weeks. They are feeling the heat of having Sisters show them up, so right now they don't like us very much, but I think they will start working harder now.
It's funny because in the township animals run wild. Cows, pigs, goats, chickens and so on. That of course is besides the dogs and cats. It just is funny to me. We have to be careful as we are driving so we don't plow a cow!
Mom, I was thinking to have the young women's here write letters to the young women in your ward and send a photo and such. I'd like the young women there to do the same thing back. I just want the girls to see that young womens is a world wide thing and not just a little programme in a little township in the middle of South Africa. I just think it would be a great experience for them. Will you talk to the Young Women's Pres there and see if they could do that? I'll see if I can have them do that next week.
There has been so much going on this week that I feel like I should have a thousand more things to write about, but I can't seem to think of anything.
Just know that I am doing great. I know that this is where Heavenly Father wants me to be right now. I know I am going to learn so much from this, I already have! I also know that Heavenly Father is watching over us and protecting us. We are going to have tons of success here in Madadeni. I can't believe that I am actually able to do this!!! This really will be the highlight of my mission. I miss Amanzimtoti but I've been so excited about being here that I haven't really thought about it.
I am dreading the day that I have to leave South Africa. I love it here! I will miss the Zulu people! I would love to come back here some day. But, I still have 3 months to enjoy it so I guess I should just love it now and not worry about the future.
I love you all very much. I hope that things are going well for all of you. I look forward to being with you all again.
I LOVE YOU!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Salagahle
I feel like I have been moved to a completely different country to finish my mission! Township is so different and so is New Castle. We stay in the town of New Castle (not the township). New Castle is about 4 hours from the mission home,. It is a completely different climate. It's a lot like Idaho or something. It's not humid like the rest of the mission and it's FREEZING!!!! It feels like November in Utah. I guess I should be used to it, but I just came from a beach front town where it is still very, very hot! The sad things is, it's only going to get colder. Last winter they had a foot of snow here. Imagine that in South Africa!
My brain has been swimming this past week because of all the new info that I am trying to take int. It's tough opening a new area, especially when you are struggling to learn the language as well. Luckily there are quite a few people there that speak good English. We start Zulu lessons tomorrow. That will help a lot.
The living conditions in township are so different! It's safe for us. I feel more safe here than I did in Isipingo where we were working in Toti. We just have to be careful on weekends because all the baba's (men) get drunk. Sis. Russell was proposed to twice on Saturday. They were quite persistent. We were just laughing our heads off though. We won't be working in the township on weekends from now on unless we are with Elders. Not that we were in any danger this weekend, but we are just being very cautious about the whole thing. We are the first Sisters ever to serve in any township in South Africa. It's so exciting!
I've been called as the YW's 2nd Counselor and also as the youth Sunday School teacher. I'm excited about both of these callings. The branch here is pretty big. About 80 people attend. It's funny because there are only like 3 married couples, the rest of the branch are single young adults, youth and children. It's sad because right now they meet in an old, dirty, run down community building. They only have 2 rooms there so the R.S. & the primary meet in the rooms and everyone else just meets outside. It was pretty miserable yesterday because it was cold and windy. I felt so sorry for those people. They are building a new chapel right now. It should be ready in the next couple of weeks. That will be a great blessing for them. Many more people will come to church when they are able to meet inside.
The members here really have no training. The church has only been in Madadeni for 6 years. So there are only a few members that have been members for that long and then the rest are very recent converts. That's really why Sis Russell and I are here, to help them run the Young Women's and the Primary and also the Relief Society. I think this will all be a great experience for me.
The Elders in Madedeni have been lame! They have gotten into a rut or something. In 2 days we taught twice as many discussions as they have in the past 2 weeks. They are feeling the heat of having Sisters show them up, so right now they don't like us very much, but I think they will start working harder now.
It's funny because in the township animals run wild. Cows, pigs, goats, chickens and so on. That of course is besides the dogs and cats. It just is funny to me. We have to be careful as we are driving so we don't plow a cow!
Mom, I was thinking to have the young women's here write letters to the young women in your ward and send a photo and such. I'd like the young women there to do the same thing back. I just want the girls to see that young womens is a world wide thing and not just a little programme in a little township in the middle of South Africa. I just think it would be a great experience for them. Will you talk to the Young Women's Pres there and see if they could do that? I'll see if I can have them do that next week.
There has been so much going on this week that I feel like I should have a thousand more things to write about, but I can't seem to think of anything.
Just know that I am doing great. I know that this is where Heavenly Father wants me to be right now. I know I am going to learn so much from this, I already have! I also know that Heavenly Father is watching over us and protecting us. We are going to have tons of success here in Madadeni. I can't believe that I am actually able to do this!!! This really will be the highlight of my mission. I miss Amanzimtoti but I've been so excited about being here that I haven't really thought about it.
I am dreading the day that I have to leave South Africa. I love it here! I will miss the Zulu people! I would love to come back here some day. But, I still have 3 months to enjoy it so I guess I should just love it now and not worry about the future.
I love you all very much. I hope that things are going well for all of you. I look forward to being with you all again.
I LOVE YOU!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Salagahle
Toti (03/30/97)
Dear Family-
I didn't have money to send your letter this past week, so you'll be getting 2 letters together. This has been an eventful week!
We've been busy all week preparing for the Easter Programme. The Branch President asked us 4 missionaries to do it. It was fun to prepare, but quite a bit of work. We had 4 musical numbers, two of them were by us missionaries. We sang His Hands by Kenneth Cope and then we also sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives. I've never sung in front of people lie that before. It was a cool experience though, it wasn't Mormon Tabernacle Choir or anything, but it sounded nice. We also each spoke. I spoke on the Resurrection. It was a short talk because I also had to say goodbye because I've been transferred.
On Friday our district leader came by in the morning and said that Pres wanted to see Sister Russell and I in his office. This was quite strange because Sister Russell and I are not companions. But, we went in and Pres told us that we are pioneers. He asked us how we feel about being the first Sisters to ever serve in a township in the mission. I was so excited! Sisters have never served in townships before because generally the townships are more violent than white areas. But there is a township called Madadeni on the very northern edge of the mission, which is very safe and which needs a lot of help in the branch. So, they've assigned Sis Russell and I there. I KNOW this is where I am supposed to go. I heard about a week ago that they were considering putting sisters in Madadeni and the Spirit told me that I would be transferred there. I've also always felt that I would serve in township at some point in my mission. The Lord has been preparing me my whole mission for this because I was quite a scaredy cat at the beginning of my mission and I have had many experiences that have given me nerves of steel. Some that you know about and others that I'll share when I come home. Anyhow, now i have no qualms about serving in a township. I am very excited. In case you're feeling worried, don't be because we are taking a lot of precautions. We will not be staying inside the township, we'll stay in New Castle with 2 other Sisters and also, we will be out of the township by dark every night. So, we will be really safe! :) I am so excited about this! Sister Russell will be a cool companion. We have a few personality conflicts, but it is just because we are a lot alike. We will have a good companionship.
It was hard to say goodbye. I felt like I was saying goodbye to my family again, except this time it was probably for the rest of my life. Oh, rip my heart out! Toti is my home in South Africa. If I were ever to move to S.A. it would be here to Toti.
Today is Easter. I'm writing on Sunday because we will not have time tomorrow. We are making Easter lunch and so we are all writing while the chicken is cooking. This is the first time on mission that I can remember a Sunday actually feels like a Sunday. It's actually nice, but it makes me a little homesick. We are having a nice lunch and then we did some Easter Eggs and so we are going to have a roller derby. Where did we pick up that tradition? I've told some people about it and they have all loved the idea. My companion & flat mates love the idea. I think that this will be a nice Easter. We have a couple of appointments with members this afternoon. It will be nice.
I want to stay on mission for the rest of my life! I am scared to come home. I'm scared to go back to normal life. It's so unpredictable! And you have to deal with dating and all that stuff! I wasn't going to write about this because I think I've written about Dean in every letter for a month and I'm sure you're all thinking that your daughter/sister is in South Africa flirting with boys, but I really am not. But we played a joke on Sister Sargent. All of my flat mates tease me constantly about him, but Sister Sargent is the worst of them all. So, Sis. Jensen organized a good joke. We were at the church arranging things for Sunday and Sis Sargent and Russell let to get a hamburger. So Sis Jensen and I phoned Dean (he's down for Easter) and we arranged for him to pick up a letter addressed to me from the church post box and bring it to our flat. When the other Sisters came back I acted like I was freaking out. I told them that I had phoned Sister Elliott to talk to her about Sunday and Dean answered the phone and I told him that I was being transferred and he acted strange and just said that he needed to bring something by to me. So I was acting all nervous and such. Sister Sargent thought that I was being dumb because she thought that I was over reacting to the situation. Well, so he brings the letter by and just puts it in the post box and leaves, that's when Sister Sargent started freaking out. So we go running out to get the letter. I grabbed it & ran inside and read it out loud this is what it basically said (Now, remember, Sis. Jensen actually wrote this letter)
Sister Zenger,
As I was sitting in your class on Sunday, I realized that I have feelings for you more than friends. You are a super person and I would like to get to know you better. I hope you feel the same way as I share my feelings with you. Please let me know if you feel the same way and if we can pursue anything. I know this may be inappropriate, but I know that you are going home soon and i am leaving son and don't know when I'll be back.
With love,
Dean Elliott
So, I read this and everyone was freaking out and I was sick to my stomach. I really, truly was. It was dumb because it was a total joke, but I still felt sick. Anyhow, we kept Sister Sargent & Sister Russell going until 10pm that night. They completely believed it. Sister Sargent kept calling him a jerk. She kept saying, "poor Leizel, he doesn't deserve her! He doesn't deserve you! What a jerk!" etc, etc. Sister Russell was just the opposite. She was saying how sweet it was of him and how she thought that he was one of those guys that you only drool over and isn't touchable etc, etc. They about killed us when we told them that we were just joking! But the thing is, we went to thank Dean the next day. He asked what the letter said. We told him and he goes, "Wow, Sister Jensen, I'm impressed, you wrote down my feelings & thoughts almost exactly!" He was joking I'm sure, but still, I've been sick to my stomach ever since then. I'm going to be wacked when I come home. I can't even handle a tad bit of flirting. Luckily, I'm being transferred and won't have to deal with it anymore! :)
I really need to know where I am flying into. They need to know soon, soon. So, if you haven't already sent info off could you please fax the mission office and let them/me know.
Mom, did you receive a letter from Shirley Naidoo? She has asked me a couple of times. She is so awesome. She will be baptized someday. She just really does not have a way to come to church. But, she is awesome! She feeds us all the time. The absolute best Indian food. I love it. She really can't afford to do it, yet each week she does. She's a really awesome lady!
Wow, it's been a while since I've written a letter home this long! I think I'm just usually in a big rush on Mondays because there is so much to do.
I love you all very much. I look forward to seeing you in June. I just wish that you all could come here for a while and then leave me here to be a missionary again. I love it too much!
I hope and pray that everything is going well for all of you!
I love you!
Sister Zenger :)
P.S. Service is like wetting your pants, everyone else can see it, but only you can feel that "warm feeling".
I Love you!
I didn't have money to send your letter this past week, so you'll be getting 2 letters together. This has been an eventful week!
We've been busy all week preparing for the Easter Programme. The Branch President asked us 4 missionaries to do it. It was fun to prepare, but quite a bit of work. We had 4 musical numbers, two of them were by us missionaries. We sang His Hands by Kenneth Cope and then we also sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives. I've never sung in front of people lie that before. It was a cool experience though, it wasn't Mormon Tabernacle Choir or anything, but it sounded nice. We also each spoke. I spoke on the Resurrection. It was a short talk because I also had to say goodbye because I've been transferred.
On Friday our district leader came by in the morning and said that Pres wanted to see Sister Russell and I in his office. This was quite strange because Sister Russell and I are not companions. But, we went in and Pres told us that we are pioneers. He asked us how we feel about being the first Sisters to ever serve in a township in the mission. I was so excited! Sisters have never served in townships before because generally the townships are more violent than white areas. But there is a township called Madadeni on the very northern edge of the mission, which is very safe and which needs a lot of help in the branch. So, they've assigned Sis Russell and I there. I KNOW this is where I am supposed to go. I heard about a week ago that they were considering putting sisters in Madadeni and the Spirit told me that I would be transferred there. I've also always felt that I would serve in township at some point in my mission. The Lord has been preparing me my whole mission for this because I was quite a scaredy cat at the beginning of my mission and I have had many experiences that have given me nerves of steel. Some that you know about and others that I'll share when I come home. Anyhow, now i have no qualms about serving in a township. I am very excited. In case you're feeling worried, don't be because we are taking a lot of precautions. We will not be staying inside the township, we'll stay in New Castle with 2 other Sisters and also, we will be out of the township by dark every night. So, we will be really safe! :) I am so excited about this! Sister Russell will be a cool companion. We have a few personality conflicts, but it is just because we are a lot alike. We will have a good companionship.
It was hard to say goodbye. I felt like I was saying goodbye to my family again, except this time it was probably for the rest of my life. Oh, rip my heart out! Toti is my home in South Africa. If I were ever to move to S.A. it would be here to Toti.
Today is Easter. I'm writing on Sunday because we will not have time tomorrow. We are making Easter lunch and so we are all writing while the chicken is cooking. This is the first time on mission that I can remember a Sunday actually feels like a Sunday. It's actually nice, but it makes me a little homesick. We are having a nice lunch and then we did some Easter Eggs and so we are going to have a roller derby. Where did we pick up that tradition? I've told some people about it and they have all loved the idea. My companion & flat mates love the idea. I think that this will be a nice Easter. We have a couple of appointments with members this afternoon. It will be nice.
I want to stay on mission for the rest of my life! I am scared to come home. I'm scared to go back to normal life. It's so unpredictable! And you have to deal with dating and all that stuff! I wasn't going to write about this because I think I've written about Dean in every letter for a month and I'm sure you're all thinking that your daughter/sister is in South Africa flirting with boys, but I really am not. But we played a joke on Sister Sargent. All of my flat mates tease me constantly about him, but Sister Sargent is the worst of them all. So, Sis. Jensen organized a good joke. We were at the church arranging things for Sunday and Sis Sargent and Russell let to get a hamburger. So Sis Jensen and I phoned Dean (he's down for Easter) and we arranged for him to pick up a letter addressed to me from the church post box and bring it to our flat. When the other Sisters came back I acted like I was freaking out. I told them that I had phoned Sister Elliott to talk to her about Sunday and Dean answered the phone and I told him that I was being transferred and he acted strange and just said that he needed to bring something by to me. So I was acting all nervous and such. Sister Sargent thought that I was being dumb because she thought that I was over reacting to the situation. Well, so he brings the letter by and just puts it in the post box and leaves, that's when Sister Sargent started freaking out. So we go running out to get the letter. I grabbed it & ran inside and read it out loud this is what it basically said (Now, remember, Sis. Jensen actually wrote this letter)
Sister Zenger,
As I was sitting in your class on Sunday, I realized that I have feelings for you more than friends. You are a super person and I would like to get to know you better. I hope you feel the same way as I share my feelings with you. Please let me know if you feel the same way and if we can pursue anything. I know this may be inappropriate, but I know that you are going home soon and i am leaving son and don't know when I'll be back.
With love,
Dean Elliott
So, I read this and everyone was freaking out and I was sick to my stomach. I really, truly was. It was dumb because it was a total joke, but I still felt sick. Anyhow, we kept Sister Sargent & Sister Russell going until 10pm that night. They completely believed it. Sister Sargent kept calling him a jerk. She kept saying, "poor Leizel, he doesn't deserve her! He doesn't deserve you! What a jerk!" etc, etc. Sister Russell was just the opposite. She was saying how sweet it was of him and how she thought that he was one of those guys that you only drool over and isn't touchable etc, etc. They about killed us when we told them that we were just joking! But the thing is, we went to thank Dean the next day. He asked what the letter said. We told him and he goes, "Wow, Sister Jensen, I'm impressed, you wrote down my feelings & thoughts almost exactly!" He was joking I'm sure, but still, I've been sick to my stomach ever since then. I'm going to be wacked when I come home. I can't even handle a tad bit of flirting. Luckily, I'm being transferred and won't have to deal with it anymore! :)
I really need to know where I am flying into. They need to know soon, soon. So, if you haven't already sent info off could you please fax the mission office and let them/me know.
Mom, did you receive a letter from Shirley Naidoo? She has asked me a couple of times. She is so awesome. She will be baptized someday. She just really does not have a way to come to church. But, she is awesome! She feeds us all the time. The absolute best Indian food. I love it. She really can't afford to do it, yet each week she does. She's a really awesome lady!
Wow, it's been a while since I've written a letter home this long! I think I'm just usually in a big rush on Mondays because there is so much to do.
I love you all very much. I look forward to seeing you in June. I just wish that you all could come here for a while and then leave me here to be a missionary again. I love it too much!
I hope and pray that everything is going well for all of you!
I love you!
Sister Zenger :)
P.S. Service is like wetting your pants, everyone else can see it, but only you can feel that "warm feeling".
I Love you!
Toti (03/24/97)
Family-
It's Monday again! How was your week? I hope great!
My week was excellent. It was really nice. We had, had a couple of bummer weeks the previous two weeks mostly because of circumstance, but we were fed up with having lame weeks so we decided to power it this week. We set some goals and really prayed about them. We put for the effort and worked hard. But by Friday night we were far from our goals. Our weeks run from Sunday to Saturday so we only had one day left and on Saturday we also had a meeting in the morning, we had to take some time to plan sacrament meeting for Easter (we were put in charge) and then we had a meeting in the evening, so that didn't leave much time for regular missionary work. But the Lord completely blessed us. We taught all day long. It was so neat! He really answered our prayers.
Speaking of prayers, did I already tell you about the Zone prayer we had last week? Our Zone Leader had us all kneel and each senior companion offered a prayer of faith for their area. There are 8 companionships in our Zone, so we were on our knees for over an hour, but it was so neat. We are seeing the effects of it in our area now.
Another cool story about prayer, Sister Jensen, our flat mate, lost her wallet almost 3 weeks ago. It it she had 200 rand, her driver's license and her bank card. It was nowhere to be found. This week she had absolutely no money left and no food either. Monday evening she prayed to Heavenly Father that He would somehow help her to find a way to eat for the next 2 weeks until our next allotment comes in. On Tuesday they went to go visit some members and they said that they had a surprise for her. They took her to their landlords house and he gave her her wallet. His son had found it on the road. They didn't know who's it was until they had asked the members son if they knew a Kristine Jensen from Utah. Her pray was answered.
I'm off the hook! Dean brought his girlfriend to church yesterday! :) She is so cool. She reminds me so much of Kris. She's not a member of the church. She's Seventh-Day Adventist. I feel sorry for Dean because he won't marry anyone unless they are a member, but Seventh -Day Adventists are the hardest to convert because they believe almost exactly like we do. Except they don't have the Book of Mormon and their Joseph Smith was a lady, but basically the same story. Anyhow, they are really tough. But I really hope Liezel will join because she is really neat and would make a great member and she and Dean would make a great couple.
We had a cool experience this week as we were teaching this guy named Musa. We were teaching him about the apostasy and the restoration of the only true church. Afterwards he told us that he has been praying to God to know which was His true church, because none of them seemed right. He is just really prepared. He is hesitant to make the commitment to baptism because he's worried that he will backslide, or not be able to keep the covenants his whole life, but I think that concern will be resolved really quite quickly. He'll be an awesome member of the church.
Transfers are phone out on Saturday. I'll most likely be transferred this time. It will be hard! I'll let you know next week.
Well, I had better go. I love you all very much! Please take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
It's Monday again! How was your week? I hope great!
My week was excellent. It was really nice. We had, had a couple of bummer weeks the previous two weeks mostly because of circumstance, but we were fed up with having lame weeks so we decided to power it this week. We set some goals and really prayed about them. We put for the effort and worked hard. But by Friday night we were far from our goals. Our weeks run from Sunday to Saturday so we only had one day left and on Saturday we also had a meeting in the morning, we had to take some time to plan sacrament meeting for Easter (we were put in charge) and then we had a meeting in the evening, so that didn't leave much time for regular missionary work. But the Lord completely blessed us. We taught all day long. It was so neat! He really answered our prayers.
Speaking of prayers, did I already tell you about the Zone prayer we had last week? Our Zone Leader had us all kneel and each senior companion offered a prayer of faith for their area. There are 8 companionships in our Zone, so we were on our knees for over an hour, but it was so neat. We are seeing the effects of it in our area now.
Another cool story about prayer, Sister Jensen, our flat mate, lost her wallet almost 3 weeks ago. It it she had 200 rand, her driver's license and her bank card. It was nowhere to be found. This week she had absolutely no money left and no food either. Monday evening she prayed to Heavenly Father that He would somehow help her to find a way to eat for the next 2 weeks until our next allotment comes in. On Tuesday they went to go visit some members and they said that they had a surprise for her. They took her to their landlords house and he gave her her wallet. His son had found it on the road. They didn't know who's it was until they had asked the members son if they knew a Kristine Jensen from Utah. Her pray was answered.
I'm off the hook! Dean brought his girlfriend to church yesterday! :) She is so cool. She reminds me so much of Kris. She's not a member of the church. She's Seventh-Day Adventist. I feel sorry for Dean because he won't marry anyone unless they are a member, but Seventh -Day Adventists are the hardest to convert because they believe almost exactly like we do. Except they don't have the Book of Mormon and their Joseph Smith was a lady, but basically the same story. Anyhow, they are really tough. But I really hope Liezel will join because she is really neat and would make a great member and she and Dean would make a great couple.
We had a cool experience this week as we were teaching this guy named Musa. We were teaching him about the apostasy and the restoration of the only true church. Afterwards he told us that he has been praying to God to know which was His true church, because none of them seemed right. He is just really prepared. He is hesitant to make the commitment to baptism because he's worried that he will backslide, or not be able to keep the covenants his whole life, but I think that concern will be resolved really quite quickly. He'll be an awesome member of the church.
Transfers are phone out on Saturday. I'll most likely be transferred this time. It will be hard! I'll let you know next week.
Well, I had better go. I love you all very much! Please take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Toti (03/17/97)
Family-
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I don' think they celebrate that here, but the 4 of us in the flat are having fun with it! :)
This week has been pretty dull. Actually, it was really fun, but not too much exciting has happened. Sister Merkley was with us for most of the week. It was fun to have her with us. But it was kind of hard just because she was going home. It made me a little trunky. We took her to the airport and such so it was kind of tough, but I got over it really quickly.
Hey, if I'll be flying home to Reno, I the Bishop's name, address and phone number and also the Stake Presidents. I guess that's for the release papers or letter or whatever. But if you could fax that to the office, it would be great.
I had a strange dream the other night. I was going to the temple with my companions family. When I got to the front desk I realized that I didn't have a current temple recommend (mine has expired , they don't renew them until we go home) So they sent me through some doors where they said I could find a Bishop who could give me a recommend. But instead I found the airport. You were all sitting there waiting for me to fly in. I snuck up behind you and surprised you, but then I saw Brittany. I asked her to come tome, she was hesitant at first but then she came and gave me a huge hug and played with my hair and I was sobbing. I woke up crying. It was crazy!
We've gotten all settled into our new flat. I really enjoy living here. It has a homey feeling. It's different to the normal missionary flats because they hardly have furniture and plan and bare, but this one is like a home. It's nice.
I'm going to have my comp and flat mates write a few short words to you all.
Howzit? Hello Zenger family. I'm Sister Sargent and I have been given the wonderful opportunity to be your daughter's companion. Besides being the best ever companion she's had she wants me to be one of her bridesmaids. She has to wait until May 1998 until she marries Dean, so make sure she holds on. I really have been enjoying her and Toti! Stay well.
Love,
Sister Sargent
Hello Zenger Family!
I'm Sister Russell. I stay in the same flat as Sister Zenger and Sister Sargent. She makes a mean curry - you should have her cook for you one day. Don't make wedding plans for Dean and her yet. Dean needs to learn to be more polite to his mother's taste in pants. But we all have big dreams of what it would be like for them. You'll have to ask her to describe the scene.
I hope you're ready for South Africa to come home with your daughter/sister. You won't recognize her when she comes off the plane! She's a lot of fun.
Cheers,
Sister Russell
Zenger Family,
Howzit? (I'm convinced that Sister Sargent spelled it wrong!) I'm Sister Jensen, but I'm sure you know all about me since I'm Sister Zenger's favorite companion/flat mate. You better keep close to your daughter/sister because she is so boy crazy that getting her through the airport to the car may take some time. I think she's holding out for Dean. His surname is Elliott, Dean and Michelle Elliott - sounds nice. Sister Zenger is great fun! We have a ton of fun together. She's a great missionary! You should be very proud of her - beware of too much pride - No, she's great! I hope you're all well and enjoying Reno.
Love,
Sister Kristine Jensen
Well, as you can see, I get a lot of flack about Dean. They all think it's hilarious that Sister Elliott is so convinced that I'll marry Dean. I get teased constantly, but it doesn't bother me too much. I think it's pretty funny myself.
I'll end for now. I love you all very much. I was reminded this morning that I'll be home in 14 weeks. SCARY!! I'll have to do a crash diet or something because I'm FAT!! (a small drawing of an obese sister missionary is drawn right here)
Love,
Michelle :)
P.S. I would LOVE to go on a pioneer trek when I come home. Will you find out about one like through BYU or something? I think that would be awesome to do especially this year. Thanks :)
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I don' think they celebrate that here, but the 4 of us in the flat are having fun with it! :)
This week has been pretty dull. Actually, it was really fun, but not too much exciting has happened. Sister Merkley was with us for most of the week. It was fun to have her with us. But it was kind of hard just because she was going home. It made me a little trunky. We took her to the airport and such so it was kind of tough, but I got over it really quickly.
Hey, if I'll be flying home to Reno, I the Bishop's name, address and phone number and also the Stake Presidents. I guess that's for the release papers or letter or whatever. But if you could fax that to the office, it would be great.
I had a strange dream the other night. I was going to the temple with my companions family. When I got to the front desk I realized that I didn't have a current temple recommend (mine has expired , they don't renew them until we go home) So they sent me through some doors where they said I could find a Bishop who could give me a recommend. But instead I found the airport. You were all sitting there waiting for me to fly in. I snuck up behind you and surprised you, but then I saw Brittany. I asked her to come tome, she was hesitant at first but then she came and gave me a huge hug and played with my hair and I was sobbing. I woke up crying. It was crazy!
We've gotten all settled into our new flat. I really enjoy living here. It has a homey feeling. It's different to the normal missionary flats because they hardly have furniture and plan and bare, but this one is like a home. It's nice.
I'm going to have my comp and flat mates write a few short words to you all.
Howzit? Hello Zenger family. I'm Sister Sargent and I have been given the wonderful opportunity to be your daughter's companion. Besides being the best ever companion she's had she wants me to be one of her bridesmaids. She has to wait until May 1998 until she marries Dean, so make sure she holds on. I really have been enjoying her and Toti! Stay well.
Love,
Sister Sargent
Hello Zenger Family!
I'm Sister Russell. I stay in the same flat as Sister Zenger and Sister Sargent. She makes a mean curry - you should have her cook for you one day. Don't make wedding plans for Dean and her yet. Dean needs to learn to be more polite to his mother's taste in pants. But we all have big dreams of what it would be like for them. You'll have to ask her to describe the scene.
I hope you're ready for South Africa to come home with your daughter/sister. You won't recognize her when she comes off the plane! She's a lot of fun.
Cheers,
Sister Russell
Zenger Family,
Howzit? (I'm convinced that Sister Sargent spelled it wrong!) I'm Sister Jensen, but I'm sure you know all about me since I'm Sister Zenger's favorite companion/flat mate. You better keep close to your daughter/sister because she is so boy crazy that getting her through the airport to the car may take some time. I think she's holding out for Dean. His surname is Elliott, Dean and Michelle Elliott - sounds nice. Sister Zenger is great fun! We have a ton of fun together. She's a great missionary! You should be very proud of her - beware of too much pride - No, she's great! I hope you're all well and enjoying Reno.
Love,
Sister Kristine Jensen
Well, as you can see, I get a lot of flack about Dean. They all think it's hilarious that Sister Elliott is so convinced that I'll marry Dean. I get teased constantly, but it doesn't bother me too much. I think it's pretty funny myself.
I'll end for now. I love you all very much. I was reminded this morning that I'll be home in 14 weeks. SCARY!! I'll have to do a crash diet or something because I'm FAT!! (a small drawing of an obese sister missionary is drawn right here)
Love,
Michelle :)
P.S. I would LOVE to go on a pioneer trek when I come home. Will you find out about one like through BYU or something? I think that would be awesome to do especially this year. Thanks :)
Toti (03/09/97)
Family-
Wow, has this been a week! It's been crazy and I haven't even done a bit of proselyting. The week began by us moving. The thing is, it wasn't just moving. We moved into the home of a woman (a member) who died a couple of months ago - the same I helped dress for her cremation. She has no family at all so she left her flat and almost everything in it to the church. No one took the time to clean anything out, so when we were told to move in, we had to clear and clean it out first. that took us 2 full days (with 4 of us, actually 8 of us on one day). That was so exhausting! We finally were able to move in. It took us forever to get the electricity to be turned on and then once we did it turned off the next day. So, we went by candle light for a while. that was quite the adventure. We haven't gotten the kitchen fully cleaned out yet, it's actually a disaster area with frogs and cockroaches and all. So, I haven't really been eating (except for the odd meal at a members or at the mission home and raisins). We are going to finish the kitchen today. It's a nice flat though. I like it.
This week we also had a mission conference. That was nice as well. Sis. Merkley is here on her way home. I was able to see her at conference. I sure do love her. She is great! She's coming to spend a few days with me here in Toti. I think that will be fun.
Then this weekend has been the mini MTC for the new South African Missionaries. That was a lot of fun to participate in. I really felt like I was back at the real MTC, except as a teacher. It was a great experience though. I realized how much I have learned about missionary work since I have been here.
Yesterday we had another awesome baptism! It was neat. The Relief Society Pres. husband and son got baptized. She has been a member for 4 years. Her husband just had a problem with the word of wisdom and tithing. He knew the church was true, but wasn't willing to obey these laws. Well, he changed his mind. He is going to be an incredible member of the church as well as his son.
I'm going to write a thank you to the Mckay family today and just thank them for all their fasting and prayers. They've also put our name on the prayer roll of the temple. They are such an awesome family! Anyhow, I'll thank them on behalf of our family.
I look forward to getting back to our normal missionary schedule. It was kind of a nice break or a change of pace, but I miss teaching the Gospel.
I got my dress. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love it. It is so nice to have something new to wear! It was funny how many people noticed it. Everyone loved it. I had members ask me if they can have it when I leave. They were sad when I told them that it was for my trip home! :) Thank you so much. Sorry Kim, you can't have it! :)
Well, I had better end. I have so much to do today. I hope all is well at home. I love you all very much!
Love,
Michelle :)
Wow, has this been a week! It's been crazy and I haven't even done a bit of proselyting. The week began by us moving. The thing is, it wasn't just moving. We moved into the home of a woman (a member) who died a couple of months ago - the same I helped dress for her cremation. She has no family at all so she left her flat and almost everything in it to the church. No one took the time to clean anything out, so when we were told to move in, we had to clear and clean it out first. that took us 2 full days (with 4 of us, actually 8 of us on one day). That was so exhausting! We finally were able to move in. It took us forever to get the electricity to be turned on and then once we did it turned off the next day. So, we went by candle light for a while. that was quite the adventure. We haven't gotten the kitchen fully cleaned out yet, it's actually a disaster area with frogs and cockroaches and all. So, I haven't really been eating (except for the odd meal at a members or at the mission home and raisins). We are going to finish the kitchen today. It's a nice flat though. I like it.
This week we also had a mission conference. That was nice as well. Sis. Merkley is here on her way home. I was able to see her at conference. I sure do love her. She is great! She's coming to spend a few days with me here in Toti. I think that will be fun.
Then this weekend has been the mini MTC for the new South African Missionaries. That was a lot of fun to participate in. I really felt like I was back at the real MTC, except as a teacher. It was a great experience though. I realized how much I have learned about missionary work since I have been here.
Yesterday we had another awesome baptism! It was neat. The Relief Society Pres. husband and son got baptized. She has been a member for 4 years. Her husband just had a problem with the word of wisdom and tithing. He knew the church was true, but wasn't willing to obey these laws. Well, he changed his mind. He is going to be an incredible member of the church as well as his son.
I'm going to write a thank you to the Mckay family today and just thank them for all their fasting and prayers. They've also put our name on the prayer roll of the temple. They are such an awesome family! Anyhow, I'll thank them on behalf of our family.
I look forward to getting back to our normal missionary schedule. It was kind of a nice break or a change of pace, but I miss teaching the Gospel.
I got my dress. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love it. It is so nice to have something new to wear! It was funny how many people noticed it. Everyone loved it. I had members ask me if they can have it when I leave. They were sad when I told them that it was for my trip home! :) Thank you so much. Sorry Kim, you can't have it! :)
Well, I had better end. I have so much to do today. I hope all is well at home. I love you all very much!
Love,
Michelle :)
Toti (03/03/97)
Family-
Another month begins! February just flew by! Transfers were phoned out this weekend and I am still staying in Toti. This will be 6 months! :)
We will be moving into a new flat this week though. It's the flat of a member who died (the sister that I helped dress for her cremation). She willed the flat to the church and so they are letting us missionaries stay there for a while (the lease on the flat is up). It will be a nice place to stay. It has an over and also has a small washer and dryer. That will really beat the laundry mat! :) The only downside to it is that we have to clean all of her things out of it before we move in. We have a lot of work to do this week.
Sometimes it comes in handy to be one of the Pres' favorites. There's a rule in the mission about the beach which is, where the sand starts, you stop. But we (the 4 Sisters here in Toti) thought it a shame to live right on the beach and not be able to run on it in the mornings. So, I went and spoke to Pres. about it. He gave us permission! :) So this morning we went running/walking on the beach. It was really nice! I tell you though, that really works you. Running about killed me. Walking was a great work out.
The missionaries who are from South Africa that get called to South Africa don't get to go to the MTC because of distance and expense, and so they come into the mission without any training at all and it's tough on them. So, Pres. Stevenson is having a mini-MTC for the incoming South African missionaries. I was asked to be an instructor. I think that it will be a lot of fun. It's running for 6 days starting on Thursday. It should be a cool experience. I'm a little nervous though because we teach in 4 hour blocks. I don't know what to teach for 4 hours! They haven't given me my topics yet or anything. I guess I'll find out today (at least I hope so!)
The weather has really been cooling down lately. It's been really nice. But I think that it is going to get quite hot again before it really becomes winter.
The work here is still going extremely well. The branch is so excited about the things going on. It is exciting to see. I wish I were going to be here long enough to see the chapel here dedicated. It will be at least another years time. Maybe I'll come back to see it! :)
Sister Jensen (one of the Sisters I stay with) and I want to go into business together. They have these things here that they just call pies. But they aren't like the pies we have there in the states. They have a light flaky crust but they have like meat fillings. They are something like chicken pot pies, but they are different and like 100% better. It's impossible to describe them, but I'll make some when I get home. We are busy getting recipes now. They are so nice. So anyhow, we figure we'll open a small cafe type place called Mama and Baba's Cafe and sell these pies. I think that they would go off so well there. Anyhow, that's our business idea. We're excited about it because we know it will work.
Sister Merkley (my trainer) is going home this week. She has been serving in the islands for the past 9 months. She will be coming to Durban on Thursday. I am really excited to see her.
Well, I hope that things are going well for you all. Pres & Sis. Mckay fasted again for you on Sunday. I told them that they really didn't need to, but they insisted. Pres. Stevenson also always asks about you and how things are going.
Well, I love you all tons! Take care!
I love you!
Salagahle!
Michelle :)
(Teaching at the mini-MTC was wonderful. I loved every minute of it. When I got home, I was able to get a job teaching at the Provo MTC. I LOVED that job! What a better way to spend your time than teaching the Lord's missionaries!?!)
Another month begins! February just flew by! Transfers were phoned out this weekend and I am still staying in Toti. This will be 6 months! :)
We will be moving into a new flat this week though. It's the flat of a member who died (the sister that I helped dress for her cremation). She willed the flat to the church and so they are letting us missionaries stay there for a while (the lease on the flat is up). It will be a nice place to stay. It has an over and also has a small washer and dryer. That will really beat the laundry mat! :) The only downside to it is that we have to clean all of her things out of it before we move in. We have a lot of work to do this week.
Sometimes it comes in handy to be one of the Pres' favorites. There's a rule in the mission about the beach which is, where the sand starts, you stop. But we (the 4 Sisters here in Toti) thought it a shame to live right on the beach and not be able to run on it in the mornings. So, I went and spoke to Pres. about it. He gave us permission! :) So this morning we went running/walking on the beach. It was really nice! I tell you though, that really works you. Running about killed me. Walking was a great work out.
The missionaries who are from South Africa that get called to South Africa don't get to go to the MTC because of distance and expense, and so they come into the mission without any training at all and it's tough on them. So, Pres. Stevenson is having a mini-MTC for the incoming South African missionaries. I was asked to be an instructor. I think that it will be a lot of fun. It's running for 6 days starting on Thursday. It should be a cool experience. I'm a little nervous though because we teach in 4 hour blocks. I don't know what to teach for 4 hours! They haven't given me my topics yet or anything. I guess I'll find out today (at least I hope so!)
The weather has really been cooling down lately. It's been really nice. But I think that it is going to get quite hot again before it really becomes winter.
The work here is still going extremely well. The branch is so excited about the things going on. It is exciting to see. I wish I were going to be here long enough to see the chapel here dedicated. It will be at least another years time. Maybe I'll come back to see it! :)
Sister Jensen (one of the Sisters I stay with) and I want to go into business together. They have these things here that they just call pies. But they aren't like the pies we have there in the states. They have a light flaky crust but they have like meat fillings. They are something like chicken pot pies, but they are different and like 100% better. It's impossible to describe them, but I'll make some when I get home. We are busy getting recipes now. They are so nice. So anyhow, we figure we'll open a small cafe type place called Mama and Baba's Cafe and sell these pies. I think that they would go off so well there. Anyhow, that's our business idea. We're excited about it because we know it will work.
Sister Merkley (my trainer) is going home this week. She has been serving in the islands for the past 9 months. She will be coming to Durban on Thursday. I am really excited to see her.
Well, I hope that things are going well for you all. Pres & Sis. Mckay fasted again for you on Sunday. I told them that they really didn't need to, but they insisted. Pres. Stevenson also always asks about you and how things are going.
Well, I love you all tons! Take care!
I love you!
Salagahle!
Michelle :)
(Teaching at the mini-MTC was wonderful. I loved every minute of it. When I got home, I was able to get a job teaching at the Provo MTC. I LOVED that job! What a better way to spend your time than teaching the Lord's missionaries!?!)
A letter to my mom from Shirley Naidoo
2-15-1997
Dear Mrs. Sharon Zenger,
Greetings and good wishes to you. I am your daughter Michelle's friend from South Africa. Michelle is a wonderful and a loving Sister. I have learnt allot from her. All about the bible. By the way my name is Shirley Naidoo and I need a favour from you. Will you kindly write back to me giving me imformation all about the U.S.A. You see my brother is a diesel machanic. He has all his paper and he wants to setting int he USA or New Zealand. Can you please get information has to how he can go about settling in the U.S.A. I want to know these things please.
1)Are the jobs plentiful
2)what is the wages
how long has he to wait for the green card
3)How is the food prices
4)How much is the acconmadation.
5)Can he at a later stage send for me, my mum and two of my little children
6)Will they accept us all
7)I am a divorced person and depend on my brother for a living.
8)Does my brother stand a chance to settle in your country.
I am so sorry to burden you will all these problems, but I know that the Lord Jesus will help you to get all these informations for us. I will really miss Michelle when she leaves in June. By the way I am an Indian woman and I have taught Michelle to cook a Indian dish which she is eager to prepare for you and the rest of the family. Hoping for a speedy reply.
May the Lord richly bless you for all your kind deeds.
Please give my regards to the rest of your family.
Yours faithfully
Shirley Naidoo
(Just a side note, Shirley was later baptized, after I had left the area. She never did immigrate to the US or to New Zealand. My understanding is that she started a catering business and cooked Indian food for others (her food was incredible!!!) Shirley was one of my favorite investigators. I am now in contact with her son, who was 3 at the time I was there, through Facebook)
Dear Mrs. Sharon Zenger,
Greetings and good wishes to you. I am your daughter Michelle's friend from South Africa. Michelle is a wonderful and a loving Sister. I have learnt allot from her. All about the bible. By the way my name is Shirley Naidoo and I need a favour from you. Will you kindly write back to me giving me imformation all about the U.S.A. You see my brother is a diesel machanic. He has all his paper and he wants to setting int he USA or New Zealand. Can you please get information has to how he can go about settling in the U.S.A. I want to know these things please.
1)Are the jobs plentiful
2)what is the wages
how long has he to wait for the green card
3)How is the food prices
4)How much is the acconmadation.
5)Can he at a later stage send for me, my mum and two of my little children
6)Will they accept us all
7)I am a divorced person and depend on my brother for a living.
8)Does my brother stand a chance to settle in your country.
I am so sorry to burden you will all these problems, but I know that the Lord Jesus will help you to get all these informations for us. I will really miss Michelle when she leaves in June. By the way I am an Indian woman and I have taught Michelle to cook a Indian dish which she is eager to prepare for you and the rest of the family. Hoping for a speedy reply.
May the Lord richly bless you for all your kind deeds.
Please give my regards to the rest of your family.
Yours faithfully
Shirley Naidoo
(Just a side note, Shirley was later baptized, after I had left the area. She never did immigrate to the US or to New Zealand. My understanding is that she started a catering business and cooked Indian food for others (her food was incredible!!!) Shirley was one of my favorite investigators. I am now in contact with her son, who was 3 at the time I was there, through Facebook)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Toti (02/24/97)
Dearest Family-
I didn't get a chance to get to the post office this week to post off last week's letter. So you'll probably get two at the same time. Sorry, it's just amazing how there is never enough time in a day to accomplish everything that I would like to.
This has been a really great week. We've been able to see a lot of success this week. We've taught some really good discussions to great people. Our branch here is really growing quickly. I sure hope that the chapel is built quickly. They should be starting in the next couple of months. Amanzimtoti has become my second home. They are all like family to me (certain members think that I will actually become family - Sister Elliott is still completely convinced that I'm going to move here and marry her son Dean. I feel bad because I'm afraid that she is going to be hurt when it doesn't happen. She treats me like her daughter and it's wonderful. I would actually love to be her daughter-in-law, only if she had a different son! Is that mean? Probably. Dean's not a terrible guy or anything, he's actually pretty cool in most ways. So, is it wrong to marry someone only for his looks and to have a cool mother in law? I figure it is. :) I'm just glad that he doesn't live here and come to the branch very often because things get pretty bad when he is around. The Branch President pulled him aside and talked to him about me. I have no idea what they were saying but I heard my name a few times in their conversation. Lame! I avoid Dean pretty bad when he comes around, but what am I supposed to do? I'm a missionary!) Anyhow, back to the original topic, I love Amanzimtoti!
I talked to Sister Mckay last night. She asked me how you all were doing. She also told me that they had written to all of their 9 children and their families and asked them to fast for our family as well. I told her that things seem to be going pretty much the same and so she said that they are going to fast again this coming fast Sunday. they are such cool people. I love them so very much. It was funny because she slipped and called me Michelle. She felt bad afterwards, but I thought it was pretty cool. They have a daughter named Michelle and they say that I remind them of her. They are so cool!
Yesterday was the Cele family's baptism. There are 8 in their family. The youngest is only 5, so she wasn't baptized but the rest were. They are the coolest family I know here in South Africa. they have adopted us into their family. It's been a little tough because I was able to teach them the first 2 discussions and committed them to baptism. The the area split and the other set of Sisters took over because they were in their area. So it was hard having to stop visiting them. But I am so glad that they were baptized. It was a very nice baptism.
It's been cold and rainy here the past two days. It's been heaven because the rest of the week it's been so incredibly hot. We were tracting one day and I really thought that I was going to die. It was terrible. But we found some cool people to teach.
Well, I've got to run. we are busy, busy today. I'm busy with some preparations for my trip home! :) It's a surprise :) I'll give you a little hint, I'm going to get off the plane wearing something traditional from one of the cultures here - just for fun! :) I just didn't want you to be totally shocked or anything!
I love you all very much! Please take care!
Love you!
Michelle :)
I didn't get a chance to get to the post office this week to post off last week's letter. So you'll probably get two at the same time. Sorry, it's just amazing how there is never enough time in a day to accomplish everything that I would like to.
This has been a really great week. We've been able to see a lot of success this week. We've taught some really good discussions to great people. Our branch here is really growing quickly. I sure hope that the chapel is built quickly. They should be starting in the next couple of months. Amanzimtoti has become my second home. They are all like family to me (certain members think that I will actually become family - Sister Elliott is still completely convinced that I'm going to move here and marry her son Dean. I feel bad because I'm afraid that she is going to be hurt when it doesn't happen. She treats me like her daughter and it's wonderful. I would actually love to be her daughter-in-law, only if she had a different son! Is that mean? Probably. Dean's not a terrible guy or anything, he's actually pretty cool in most ways. So, is it wrong to marry someone only for his looks and to have a cool mother in law? I figure it is. :) I'm just glad that he doesn't live here and come to the branch very often because things get pretty bad when he is around. The Branch President pulled him aside and talked to him about me. I have no idea what they were saying but I heard my name a few times in their conversation. Lame! I avoid Dean pretty bad when he comes around, but what am I supposed to do? I'm a missionary!) Anyhow, back to the original topic, I love Amanzimtoti!
I talked to Sister Mckay last night. She asked me how you all were doing. She also told me that they had written to all of their 9 children and their families and asked them to fast for our family as well. I told her that things seem to be going pretty much the same and so she said that they are going to fast again this coming fast Sunday. they are such cool people. I love them so very much. It was funny because she slipped and called me Michelle. She felt bad afterwards, but I thought it was pretty cool. They have a daughter named Michelle and they say that I remind them of her. They are so cool!
Yesterday was the Cele family's baptism. There are 8 in their family. The youngest is only 5, so she wasn't baptized but the rest were. They are the coolest family I know here in South Africa. they have adopted us into their family. It's been a little tough because I was able to teach them the first 2 discussions and committed them to baptism. The the area split and the other set of Sisters took over because they were in their area. So it was hard having to stop visiting them. But I am so glad that they were baptized. It was a very nice baptism.
It's been cold and rainy here the past two days. It's been heaven because the rest of the week it's been so incredibly hot. We were tracting one day and I really thought that I was going to die. It was terrible. But we found some cool people to teach.
Well, I've got to run. we are busy, busy today. I'm busy with some preparations for my trip home! :) It's a surprise :) I'll give you a little hint, I'm going to get off the plane wearing something traditional from one of the cultures here - just for fun! :) I just didn't want you to be totally shocked or anything!
I love you all very much! Please take care!
Love you!
Michelle :)
Toti (02/17/97)
Dear Family-
This has been a good week. We've had a lot of success. We've found some really cool families that we are teaching. One of which has already committed to baptism. We plan to have some really good baptisms here in the next couple of months. The branch is growing like crazy. The building we meet in is too small for everyone. It's very exciting!
Mom, there's a lady named Shirley Naidoo who is going to write to you. She's trying to find out about immigration stuff. I tried to explain to her that we (Americans) don't know much about immigration because we've never had to do it, but she was determined to write you and ask. So anyhow, you'll be receiving a letter from her. She's a really cool lady. She's been investigating for 5 months but is not really progressing. I don't think she fully understands that this is the only true church (even though we've explained and explained it).
Well, you may have me back sooner than you thought. I'm not sure because no one seems to know exactly what's going on. Apparently Pres. was wrong when he said the 24th of June because transfers are at the beginning of the month. So now it looks like I'll be home June 8th. That's not for sure yet. I'll find out this afternoon and then let you know for sure. That's sooner that I expected and 19 days shorter than 18 months, but if I wait and go on the 7th of July I'll have to leave from a brand new mission president who comes in on the 1st of July. So, I'd rather leave from President Stevenson. But that only gives me 3 1/2 months left on mission. It scares me a bit.
I love being companions with Sister Sargeant. She is by far the best companion I've had on mission. We get along a lot like Diane and I get along. So, it is making the work so great. I hope that she will be my companion for the rest of my mission.
So, what's up with Mike's mission plans? Are his papers in yet? I think you should phone me and tell me where he goes! (or actually fax the mission office, that wouldn't be against the rules). I'm anxious to hear where he is going.
Well, I don't have much more to say. Things are going well. I hope all is well with you. I haven't heard from home in weeks. I hope you're all still alive.
I love you tons! Take care!
Love,
Michelle
P.S. Ok, I got a letter yesterday and then phoned last night, so I have heard from home. :)
I talked to the office again about my release date. I think the secretary is a little ditzy, so I'm not sure this is correct. But this time she told me that it would be the 27th of June. I guess plan on that. Let me know where I should plan on flying to. Since it's the end of June you could probably just write it in a letter instead of faxing it. We'll have enough time. Hopefully this date will stick! :)
Love you!
Michelle :)
This has been a good week. We've had a lot of success. We've found some really cool families that we are teaching. One of which has already committed to baptism. We plan to have some really good baptisms here in the next couple of months. The branch is growing like crazy. The building we meet in is too small for everyone. It's very exciting!
Mom, there's a lady named Shirley Naidoo who is going to write to you. She's trying to find out about immigration stuff. I tried to explain to her that we (Americans) don't know much about immigration because we've never had to do it, but she was determined to write you and ask. So anyhow, you'll be receiving a letter from her. She's a really cool lady. She's been investigating for 5 months but is not really progressing. I don't think she fully understands that this is the only true church (even though we've explained and explained it).
Well, you may have me back sooner than you thought. I'm not sure because no one seems to know exactly what's going on. Apparently Pres. was wrong when he said the 24th of June because transfers are at the beginning of the month. So now it looks like I'll be home June 8th. That's not for sure yet. I'll find out this afternoon and then let you know for sure. That's sooner that I expected and 19 days shorter than 18 months, but if I wait and go on the 7th of July I'll have to leave from a brand new mission president who comes in on the 1st of July. So, I'd rather leave from President Stevenson. But that only gives me 3 1/2 months left on mission. It scares me a bit.
I love being companions with Sister Sargeant. She is by far the best companion I've had on mission. We get along a lot like Diane and I get along. So, it is making the work so great. I hope that she will be my companion for the rest of my mission.
So, what's up with Mike's mission plans? Are his papers in yet? I think you should phone me and tell me where he goes! (or actually fax the mission office, that wouldn't be against the rules). I'm anxious to hear where he is going.
Well, I don't have much more to say. Things are going well. I hope all is well with you. I haven't heard from home in weeks. I hope you're all still alive.
I love you tons! Take care!
Love,
Michelle
P.S. Ok, I got a letter yesterday and then phoned last night, so I have heard from home. :)
I talked to the office again about my release date. I think the secretary is a little ditzy, so I'm not sure this is correct. But this time she told me that it would be the 27th of June. I guess plan on that. Let me know where I should plan on flying to. Since it's the end of June you could probably just write it in a letter instead of faxing it. We'll have enough time. Hopefully this date will stick! :)
Love you!
Michelle :)
Toti (02/10/97)
Family-
Howzit? this week has flown once again! I feel like I am always writing home - no that, that is a bad things I just sometimes feel like I don't have anything exciting to write about.
I'm feeling much better now. I don't have anymore stomach flu. I lost some weight while I was sick. I hope to continue in this trend. It's great because my new companion, Sister Sargeant is a health nut and she likes to exercise everyday. I hope this will help me to lose weight.
Sister Sargeant is great! She is fun and she has such a positive attitude. We'll be able to work hard together. I'm hoping that she will be my last companion.
On Saturday we had dinner at the home of a recent convert, Jennifer Pillay. In fact she was just baptized a week ago. But she is half Indian and half Zulu, but she basically follows the Indian culture, so we had breyani, it was very nice, but her sister-in-law, Sharon was there and she was telling us about this stuff, mjendie that is a herb that you mix with black tea an then write with it on our hand and it leaves a 3 week tattoo. She kept asking us if we wanted to try it. We finally decided that we'd do something small like a flower or something. But Sharon just went crazy and totally decorated our hands. I was freaking out. It looks crazy. But all 4 Sisters have it, so we all feel comforted in each others afflictions :) This is what my hand looks like (here I drew a picture). It's quite funny looking. I really tried to hide it at church yesterday. I don't think that too many people noticed it. I was teaching Sunday School, so I had to be sneaky! I hope that it goes away quickly. I feel pretty stupid with it, but hey, it was a cultural experience. I love the Indian culture! it's my favorite culture here in South Africa and the culture that I'll probably remember the most. But Zulu is a really close second.
Mom, I was going to have you send the info to me about University of Reno, but now I figure by the time I get it I might as well just wait until I get home. The time is coming very quickly! I don't know for 100% that I want to stay in Reno. I'd like to because of the family and job and all, but from the sounds of it, it doesn't sound like I have too much chance of to find my husband in Reno. I don't know, I just have to pray about it. I haven't because it seems so far away still, but I know that it really is not. I don't know, I'll just wait and see what happens.
Has Mike done his mission papers yet? When is he sending them in? What is he putting as his availability date? I'll be coming home most likely on the 25th of June. I'm not exactly sure as of yet. I wrote on the outside of my last letter that I need to know whether I'll be flying into SLC or Reno. I just wanted to remind you that I need that info quite quickly actually. They'll make the flight plans in about 1 months time, so if you'll let me know, I would really appreciate it. (Mom, I did get your letter that said that I will have my homecoming in Springville, but I don't know if that still means that I'll be flying home to there as well).
Something strange is up with my lips. They are just totally blistering and are painful. I haven't been out into the sun or anything either. I don't know what the deal is, it's just wacked. Oh well, at least I'm not using them for anything special right now! :)
Well, I love you all very much. I hope all is going well with everything there. Good luck in the store. Save me some cool clothes! :) South Africa is awesome! I'll miss it a lot when it's time for me to leave it. I love missionary work. I think or know it is the most trying calling in the church, but that's where growth comes in. :) I hope that I have grown (more than physically). It's hard to see the growth in myself. Pres Stevenson said that he has seen my growth, but it's not as much as other missionaries because I was a missionary before I came. I don't know if that's true or not. Anyhow, I love you all!
Love,
Shel :)
Howzit? this week has flown once again! I feel like I am always writing home - no that, that is a bad things I just sometimes feel like I don't have anything exciting to write about.
I'm feeling much better now. I don't have anymore stomach flu. I lost some weight while I was sick. I hope to continue in this trend. It's great because my new companion, Sister Sargeant is a health nut and she likes to exercise everyday. I hope this will help me to lose weight.
Sister Sargeant is great! She is fun and she has such a positive attitude. We'll be able to work hard together. I'm hoping that she will be my last companion.
On Saturday we had dinner at the home of a recent convert, Jennifer Pillay. In fact she was just baptized a week ago. But she is half Indian and half Zulu, but she basically follows the Indian culture, so we had breyani, it was very nice, but her sister-in-law, Sharon was there and she was telling us about this stuff, mjendie that is a herb that you mix with black tea an then write with it on our hand and it leaves a 3 week tattoo. She kept asking us if we wanted to try it. We finally decided that we'd do something small like a flower or something. But Sharon just went crazy and totally decorated our hands. I was freaking out. It looks crazy. But all 4 Sisters have it, so we all feel comforted in each others afflictions :) This is what my hand looks like (here I drew a picture). It's quite funny looking. I really tried to hide it at church yesterday. I don't think that too many people noticed it. I was teaching Sunday School, so I had to be sneaky! I hope that it goes away quickly. I feel pretty stupid with it, but hey, it was a cultural experience. I love the Indian culture! it's my favorite culture here in South Africa and the culture that I'll probably remember the most. But Zulu is a really close second.
Mom, I was going to have you send the info to me about University of Reno, but now I figure by the time I get it I might as well just wait until I get home. The time is coming very quickly! I don't know for 100% that I want to stay in Reno. I'd like to because of the family and job and all, but from the sounds of it, it doesn't sound like I have too much chance of to find my husband in Reno. I don't know, I just have to pray about it. I haven't because it seems so far away still, but I know that it really is not. I don't know, I'll just wait and see what happens.
Has Mike done his mission papers yet? When is he sending them in? What is he putting as his availability date? I'll be coming home most likely on the 25th of June. I'm not exactly sure as of yet. I wrote on the outside of my last letter that I need to know whether I'll be flying into SLC or Reno. I just wanted to remind you that I need that info quite quickly actually. They'll make the flight plans in about 1 months time, so if you'll let me know, I would really appreciate it. (Mom, I did get your letter that said that I will have my homecoming in Springville, but I don't know if that still means that I'll be flying home to there as well).
Something strange is up with my lips. They are just totally blistering and are painful. I haven't been out into the sun or anything either. I don't know what the deal is, it's just wacked. Oh well, at least I'm not using them for anything special right now! :)
Well, I love you all very much. I hope all is going well with everything there. Good luck in the store. Save me some cool clothes! :) South Africa is awesome! I'll miss it a lot when it's time for me to leave it. I love missionary work. I think or know it is the most trying calling in the church, but that's where growth comes in. :) I hope that I have grown (more than physically). It's hard to see the growth in myself. Pres Stevenson said that he has seen my growth, but it's not as much as other missionaries because I was a missionary before I came. I don't know if that's true or not. Anyhow, I love you all!
Love,
Shel :)
Friday, July 8, 2011
Toti (02/03/97)
Family-
I just wanted to send you a copy of a letter the Sister Bennion and I were given on Monday. It is from Veronica Vilikazi who I was able to teach and see baptized. She is 19 years old. She was just married about a month ago. (So I guess her name is now Veronica Lechole).
Just a little background on the letter. We are teaching one of their family friends. He's a really cool guy, but on Saturday he was giving us a really hard time. After we left, he started ripping on me because I wasn't able to answer all his questions about Satan and the mark of the beast etc. He was telling Veronica all of this. Anyhow, she stood up for me and they fought back ad forth for a few hours that night. Anyhow, she (Veronica) told me about all of this the next night at the baptism. The scary thing is, Tracy, the one who was baptized on Sunday, was there Saturday night and she got really confused. She almost called off her baptism because of it. But she decided that she knew that it was true. Things have calmed down now. Tuto is back to his normal cool self. I really think Satan was really using him to try Tracy. Anyhow, Veronica wrote us this letter Sunday night. I hope that you can understand her broken English. Another thing to know while you are reading it, is that in the Zulu culture it is a sign of true, deep friendship or a close relationship between sisters to share a bed and to bathe with each other. Anyhow, it's an awesome letter. I bawled my eyes out.
President Stevenson has told me my whole mission that he wants to give me the Priesthood and call me as his A.P.. I've always just kind of laughed at him. But yesterday we were having an interview and all of a sudden he tells me that since I am his "Sister A.P." that he would like my help with transfers. So he opens up the transfer board and asks me to do transfers as I would think would be good and left the room for 1/2 hour. He came back and we talked about it and he said he'd pray about it. Anyhow, it will be interesting to see what happens at transfers, to see if I am inspired at all! :) He told me that he'd like me to start coming to all staff meetings and transfer meetings - We'll see what happens.
Pres. made me promise to write to you and tell you that I am a fabulous missionary. (Pride??? But he made me promise to write it. Obedience???) :)
I am excited because I'm learning a bunch of really cool recipes that I can make when I come home. I'll have to bring home spices, but I think that it will be really cool. I think that Mom & Kim & Mark will like it, I'm not sure about everyone else. It's just HOT food. I don't know, maybe you all will like it. We'll have to see. It's different Indian food. Mom, what exactly is it that you use in the stuff that you call curry chicken? Is it actual curry? What is it? I'm just wondering if I can get curry there.
Well, things are well. I've been struggling a bit lately, but I really think I just need a change. There will be a change this next week with transfers.
Pres Stevenson told me that he too had a very similar experience with the S.E.C.. He said that he too understands perfectly.
Anyhow, I love you all very much. I'm really dying for letters .. hint, hint. I get a letter from Mom almost weekly , but that's about it. I think my friends have forgotten that I exist. But I suppose that's fine, I'll be home soon enough.
Take care! Good luck with everything. My prayers are with you!
I love you!
Michelle :)
P.S. (a few days later) Well, I guess I was pretty inspired. Transfers happened how I left them. Pres. said that they tried to change them but they couldn't (oh, I don't think I mentioned that it was only transfers for the Sisters that he had me do)
I've been sick in bed for the past few days. I've had some stomach virus or something. But this morning I also woke up with some eye infection. It may be pink eye. I'm going to the doctor today.
We had an awesome baptism yesterday. Her name is Jennifer Pillay. She has such a strong testimony. She bore her testimony in church yesterday. It was so neat, I was really bawling my eyes out.
Well, take care! I love you all
P.S.S. I guess I should tell you, I'm staying here in Amanzimtoti and I have a new companion. Her name is Sister Sargeant. She is really cool! I'm excited to be companions with her.
(the letter from Veronica Vilikazi Lechole)
Date: 27
Day: Sonday
Time: 231722
Moods: Happy
Weather: Raining
Place: At my bedroom
Thinking: About what we shared in Bluff Chapel
Hope: That God will bless both of you for the new happy life you have brought to me.
Wish: That while you buzy teaching us about Christ that you also gain some knowledge and grow stronger in spirit.
Message: It very hard for you to leave your family and come to serve people you don't know (for mi, I really don't think I can do that!) what I want to say is keep on being strong, caring, loving, honest, and understanding because those are the things that will make you reach in spirit. I love you.
To: Sister Zenger
Sister Bennion
From: Veronica
Happy Greeting are the keys when writing to someone special like both of you.
Sister Zenger and Sister Bennion I would like to say Thank you. Thank you.
I was lost and you find me. You taught me to be a better person. I now know what right or wrong. Before you came I was just like a dumpt envelope with an address. My only problem was that I was dirty and I didn't have a stamp. But you took me and put me in a new envelope and re address me and post me. And I know I haven't reach my destination but I know I will because I'm clean and I'm addressed.
To me it means that I am now clean and prepared to endure with him.
Sister's I would like to share my testimony with you and tell you that: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is a true church. Through this church I have found my spiritual sisters and brothers. I would also like to say that I believe that Joseph Smith is a real prophet and that Jesus Christ really die for our sins. I would like to close my testimony in the name of The Father, the Son and the Spirit.
Today I'm somebody whose happily married, repent, baptised, recieved Holy Ghost but most of all I'm happily that I have both of you. You just remind me of my sister because she always teach me about good things and bad things about the bible. Although she never read the whole bible but she knew a little beat. Sisters Thank you again.
It very hard for me to bellive that you are going to go back. when I think about it, it seems like I'm not going to go on with my life without you. Really it hurting for me to think about it. Okay for you, you are happy because you are going back to your family back to your lovely arms. I'm also happy for you and I wish you good luck. What ever you do back home I want you to know that I love you and I won't stop loving you. I sometimes wish that you were my sisters to talk to, sleep with forever and ever.
Sister Zenger.
I want you to know that I'm prepared to stand up for you (both of you) and expecialy for the church. I feel like maybe this are the chalenges the bible is talking about. Please can you also pray for me to have power to answer all they questions. I beilive that I can prove to them that the church is true. I'm willing to even tart reading the bible by heart. Because that what they want. Sister Zenger I beilive I can do it. Yes I can.
Sisters stay strong because these are the last days. I can feel that these are the last days. So keep your Book of Mormon because it is a true book.
Sisters I would like to end my letters and tell you that the things I have said in this letter is true and I mean every single word I wrote.
Sisters I love you
Till then
Peace be with you till we meet again!!!
I just wanted to send you a copy of a letter the Sister Bennion and I were given on Monday. It is from Veronica Vilikazi who I was able to teach and see baptized. She is 19 years old. She was just married about a month ago. (So I guess her name is now Veronica Lechole).
Just a little background on the letter. We are teaching one of their family friends. He's a really cool guy, but on Saturday he was giving us a really hard time. After we left, he started ripping on me because I wasn't able to answer all his questions about Satan and the mark of the beast etc. He was telling Veronica all of this. Anyhow, she stood up for me and they fought back ad forth for a few hours that night. Anyhow, she (Veronica) told me about all of this the next night at the baptism. The scary thing is, Tracy, the one who was baptized on Sunday, was there Saturday night and she got really confused. She almost called off her baptism because of it. But she decided that she knew that it was true. Things have calmed down now. Tuto is back to his normal cool self. I really think Satan was really using him to try Tracy. Anyhow, Veronica wrote us this letter Sunday night. I hope that you can understand her broken English. Another thing to know while you are reading it, is that in the Zulu culture it is a sign of true, deep friendship or a close relationship between sisters to share a bed and to bathe with each other. Anyhow, it's an awesome letter. I bawled my eyes out.
President Stevenson has told me my whole mission that he wants to give me the Priesthood and call me as his A.P.. I've always just kind of laughed at him. But yesterday we were having an interview and all of a sudden he tells me that since I am his "Sister A.P." that he would like my help with transfers. So he opens up the transfer board and asks me to do transfers as I would think would be good and left the room for 1/2 hour. He came back and we talked about it and he said he'd pray about it. Anyhow, it will be interesting to see what happens at transfers, to see if I am inspired at all! :) He told me that he'd like me to start coming to all staff meetings and transfer meetings - We'll see what happens.
Pres. made me promise to write to you and tell you that I am a fabulous missionary. (Pride??? But he made me promise to write it. Obedience???) :)
I am excited because I'm learning a bunch of really cool recipes that I can make when I come home. I'll have to bring home spices, but I think that it will be really cool. I think that Mom & Kim & Mark will like it, I'm not sure about everyone else. It's just HOT food. I don't know, maybe you all will like it. We'll have to see. It's different Indian food. Mom, what exactly is it that you use in the stuff that you call curry chicken? Is it actual curry? What is it? I'm just wondering if I can get curry there.
Well, things are well. I've been struggling a bit lately, but I really think I just need a change. There will be a change this next week with transfers.
Pres Stevenson told me that he too had a very similar experience with the S.E.C.. He said that he too understands perfectly.
Anyhow, I love you all very much. I'm really dying for letters .. hint, hint. I get a letter from Mom almost weekly , but that's about it. I think my friends have forgotten that I exist. But I suppose that's fine, I'll be home soon enough.
Take care! Good luck with everything. My prayers are with you!
I love you!
Michelle :)
P.S. (a few days later) Well, I guess I was pretty inspired. Transfers happened how I left them. Pres. said that they tried to change them but they couldn't (oh, I don't think I mentioned that it was only transfers for the Sisters that he had me do)
I've been sick in bed for the past few days. I've had some stomach virus or something. But this morning I also woke up with some eye infection. It may be pink eye. I'm going to the doctor today.
We had an awesome baptism yesterday. Her name is Jennifer Pillay. She has such a strong testimony. She bore her testimony in church yesterday. It was so neat, I was really bawling my eyes out.
Well, take care! I love you all
P.S.S. I guess I should tell you, I'm staying here in Amanzimtoti and I have a new companion. Her name is Sister Sargeant. She is really cool! I'm excited to be companions with her.
(the letter from Veronica Vilikazi Lechole)
Date: 27
Day: Sonday
Time: 231722
Moods: Happy
Weather: Raining
Place: At my bedroom
Thinking: About what we shared in Bluff Chapel
Hope: That God will bless both of you for the new happy life you have brought to me.
Wish: That while you buzy teaching us about Christ that you also gain some knowledge and grow stronger in spirit.
Message: It very hard for you to leave your family and come to serve people you don't know (for mi, I really don't think I can do that!) what I want to say is keep on being strong, caring, loving, honest, and understanding because those are the things that will make you reach in spirit. I love you.
To: Sister Zenger
Sister Bennion
From: Veronica
Happy Greeting are the keys when writing to someone special like both of you.
Sister Zenger and Sister Bennion I would like to say Thank you. Thank you.
I was lost and you find me. You taught me to be a better person. I now know what right or wrong. Before you came I was just like a dumpt envelope with an address. My only problem was that I was dirty and I didn't have a stamp. But you took me and put me in a new envelope and re address me and post me. And I know I haven't reach my destination but I know I will because I'm clean and I'm addressed.
To me it means that I am now clean and prepared to endure with him.
Sister's I would like to share my testimony with you and tell you that: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is a true church. Through this church I have found my spiritual sisters and brothers. I would also like to say that I believe that Joseph Smith is a real prophet and that Jesus Christ really die for our sins. I would like to close my testimony in the name of The Father, the Son and the Spirit.
Today I'm somebody whose happily married, repent, baptised, recieved Holy Ghost but most of all I'm happily that I have both of you. You just remind me of my sister because she always teach me about good things and bad things about the bible. Although she never read the whole bible but she knew a little beat. Sisters Thank you again.
It very hard for me to bellive that you are going to go back. when I think about it, it seems like I'm not going to go on with my life without you. Really it hurting for me to think about it. Okay for you, you are happy because you are going back to your family back to your lovely arms. I'm also happy for you and I wish you good luck. What ever you do back home I want you to know that I love you and I won't stop loving you. I sometimes wish that you were my sisters to talk to, sleep with forever and ever.
Sister Zenger.
I want you to know that I'm prepared to stand up for you (both of you) and expecialy for the church. I feel like maybe this are the chalenges the bible is talking about. Please can you also pray for me to have power to answer all they questions. I beilive that I can prove to them that the church is true. I'm willing to even tart reading the bible by heart. Because that what they want. Sister Zenger I beilive I can do it. Yes I can.
Sisters stay strong because these are the last days. I can feel that these are the last days. So keep your Book of Mormon because it is a true book.
Sisters I would like to end my letters and tell you that the things I have said in this letter is true and I mean every single word I wrote.
Sisters I love you
Till then
Peace be with you till we meet again!!!
Toti (01/27/97)
Dear Family-
The weeks are really passing by quickly! This has been an eventful week and it has gone by very quickly.
We had another great baptism yesterday. Her name is Tracy Ngubane. She is engaged to the Vilikazi's son Vusi. She kind of surprised us because we had set the 26th as her baptism date, but she wouldn't commit to living the Law of Chastity (she and Vusi stayed together and they have a 5 year old son together) But on Tuesday she told us that she was moving out and that they would live the Law of Chastity until they get married. We were really excited! She is a really cool girl. After the baptism, she pulled Sister Bennion and I aside and told us that her fiancee's best friend had really confused her the night before. She almost called off the baptism because of it. But she decided that she knew the church was true an she wasn't going to let him change her mind.
At the beginning of the week, I was having a tough time. I was letting myself worry too much about your situation at home. I went and asked President Mckay to give me a blessing. In the blessing he promised me more strength than I have had on my mission so far. He also blessed me that as I am diligent and work hard, you will receive blessings at home. It was a nice blessing. He, of course, also blessed me with peace of mind etc. They (and I) are still planning to fast for you on Sunday.
Transfers are this week. I have no idea what will happen. I think that there will most likely be a change somehow in our companionship. I can't decide if I want to leave Toti. I don't because we are seeing a ton of success and I have formed some strong attachments here. But I am really feeling like it is time for a change, because I'm starting to feel less than motivated to go out and find new people to teach. I have no problem with teaching, but it's the tracting and finding that really gets to me. It's only because I've gotten into a rut. A change will fix it. Even just a change in companionships will change it. So hope that we're involved somehow in the transfer.
We watched the Super Bowl this morning. It comes on at 1 am. We (about 20-30 missionaries) got together at the mission home and watched it. It's kind of a traditional thing in the mission. I slept through most of it. I just can't stay up late anymore! But it was a good game.
The weather here has been crazy as it usually is in the summers. It is so hot. But then it rains, but the worst time is when it first starts to rain, it is so humid! You feel like you could almost die.
Do you want to hear my embarrassing moment for this week? Ok, at the baptsiim last ngiht, I was wearing a skirt. It's one of those crinkle material skirts that were quite popular in the states a while ago (I don't know if they still are) But I was waering it pulled down on my hips a little so that it would be longer and then I had a shirt that was untucked. Well, I went to give the closing prayer. I had forgotten that i was saying it and I kind of sat there for a few seconds until I realized that no one else was getting up. It finally dawned on me that it was me who was supposed to say it. I was sitting on the front row, so I just kind of popped up. But on the way, I stood on the hem of my skirt. I didn't think much of it because it didn't come off or anything, but I guess it had pulled down further than I thought and that along with me folding my arms and my shirt pulling up, there was about 6 inches of my stomach showing (my garments of course). The other missionaries were dieing, they didn't know what to do. Luckily, somehow I realized shortly into the prayer. But it was so embarrassing that I lost concentration and messed up the prayer. It was pretty sad.
I got on the scale last night. I've gained 15 lbs. (maybe 20 depending on the day I'm comparing to) since I've been on mission. I was actually really surprised because I thought that I have gained more. Not that 15 lbs is a small amount or anything, but I think it will be quite easy to loose. I've gained most of it in my stomach and hips, luckily I haven't gained in the face.
Well, I had better go. I love you all very much. I look forward to when we can be together again!
Love,
Michelle :)
The weeks are really passing by quickly! This has been an eventful week and it has gone by very quickly.
We had another great baptism yesterday. Her name is Tracy Ngubane. She is engaged to the Vilikazi's son Vusi. She kind of surprised us because we had set the 26th as her baptism date, but she wouldn't commit to living the Law of Chastity (she and Vusi stayed together and they have a 5 year old son together) But on Tuesday she told us that she was moving out and that they would live the Law of Chastity until they get married. We were really excited! She is a really cool girl. After the baptism, she pulled Sister Bennion and I aside and told us that her fiancee's best friend had really confused her the night before. She almost called off the baptism because of it. But she decided that she knew the church was true an she wasn't going to let him change her mind.
At the beginning of the week, I was having a tough time. I was letting myself worry too much about your situation at home. I went and asked President Mckay to give me a blessing. In the blessing he promised me more strength than I have had on my mission so far. He also blessed me that as I am diligent and work hard, you will receive blessings at home. It was a nice blessing. He, of course, also blessed me with peace of mind etc. They (and I) are still planning to fast for you on Sunday.
Transfers are this week. I have no idea what will happen. I think that there will most likely be a change somehow in our companionship. I can't decide if I want to leave Toti. I don't because we are seeing a ton of success and I have formed some strong attachments here. But I am really feeling like it is time for a change, because I'm starting to feel less than motivated to go out and find new people to teach. I have no problem with teaching, but it's the tracting and finding that really gets to me. It's only because I've gotten into a rut. A change will fix it. Even just a change in companionships will change it. So hope that we're involved somehow in the transfer.
We watched the Super Bowl this morning. It comes on at 1 am. We (about 20-30 missionaries) got together at the mission home and watched it. It's kind of a traditional thing in the mission. I slept through most of it. I just can't stay up late anymore! But it was a good game.
The weather here has been crazy as it usually is in the summers. It is so hot. But then it rains, but the worst time is when it first starts to rain, it is so humid! You feel like you could almost die.
Do you want to hear my embarrassing moment for this week? Ok, at the baptsiim last ngiht, I was wearing a skirt. It's one of those crinkle material skirts that were quite popular in the states a while ago (I don't know if they still are) But I was waering it pulled down on my hips a little so that it would be longer and then I had a shirt that was untucked. Well, I went to give the closing prayer. I had forgotten that i was saying it and I kind of sat there for a few seconds until I realized that no one else was getting up. It finally dawned on me that it was me who was supposed to say it. I was sitting on the front row, so I just kind of popped up. But on the way, I stood on the hem of my skirt. I didn't think much of it because it didn't come off or anything, but I guess it had pulled down further than I thought and that along with me folding my arms and my shirt pulling up, there was about 6 inches of my stomach showing (my garments of course). The other missionaries were dieing, they didn't know what to do. Luckily, somehow I realized shortly into the prayer. But it was so embarrassing that I lost concentration and messed up the prayer. It was pretty sad.
I got on the scale last night. I've gained 15 lbs. (maybe 20 depending on the day I'm comparing to) since I've been on mission. I was actually really surprised because I thought that I have gained more. Not that 15 lbs is a small amount or anything, but I think it will be quite easy to loose. I've gained most of it in my stomach and hips, luckily I haven't gained in the face.
Well, I had better go. I love you all very much. I look forward to when we can be together again!
Love,
Michelle :)
Toti (01/20/97)
Dear Family-
When I received your letter about all the garbage going on, I was quite angry! I think the thing that frustrated me the most was that the ward would pass such rumors. And what's up with the re-opening of the case? How lame! I tell you, I think Heavenly Father is trying to prepare our family for something!
The first counselor in the mission presidency is so cool! (as well as his wife) They have become my favorite people on mission. (Pres and Sister Mckay) On Saturday I was talking with Sister Mckay. She always asks about you all and especially about your health, mom. I had just received your letter the day before, so I briefly told her some of the things going on. Then they came to visit our branch on Sunday and she told me that She and Pres. Mckay are going to fast for our family on fast Sunday. I almost started crying. I had to fight back the tears for like 15 min. then Sunday evening Pres. Mckay phone and mentioned that he looks forward to being able to fast for my family and expressed his love for me and he also just told me that he thinks of me as family. They are so cool! I thought that you might want to know that.
We had an awesome baptism yesterday. A woman named Ruth De Canha. She has been investigating for almost 2 years along with her husband. Her husband wasn't baptized yesterday, but I really think he will be soon.
Sister Chieko Okazaki and Sister Parkin came and spoke with us this weekend. It was really nice. They are both incredibly neat women.
I am excited to hear that Kim and Brian are moving to Reno. It will be nice to have the family closer together. I guess I am the odd ball on the other side of the world. Not for much longer though, hu?!/!
Well, I hope that things are going alright. My prayers are with all of you! I love you all very much! Take care!
Oh wait, one more thing, part of your master plan is to go on mission after Mike goes, does that mean that I'll be coming home and you'll be leaving?
Love,
Michelle :)
When I received your letter about all the garbage going on, I was quite angry! I think the thing that frustrated me the most was that the ward would pass such rumors. And what's up with the re-opening of the case? How lame! I tell you, I think Heavenly Father is trying to prepare our family for something!
The first counselor in the mission presidency is so cool! (as well as his wife) They have become my favorite people on mission. (Pres and Sister Mckay) On Saturday I was talking with Sister Mckay. She always asks about you all and especially about your health, mom. I had just received your letter the day before, so I briefly told her some of the things going on. Then they came to visit our branch on Sunday and she told me that She and Pres. Mckay are going to fast for our family on fast Sunday. I almost started crying. I had to fight back the tears for like 15 min. then Sunday evening Pres. Mckay phone and mentioned that he looks forward to being able to fast for my family and expressed his love for me and he also just told me that he thinks of me as family. They are so cool! I thought that you might want to know that.
We had an awesome baptism yesterday. A woman named Ruth De Canha. She has been investigating for almost 2 years along with her husband. Her husband wasn't baptized yesterday, but I really think he will be soon.
Sister Chieko Okazaki and Sister Parkin came and spoke with us this weekend. It was really nice. They are both incredibly neat women.
I am excited to hear that Kim and Brian are moving to Reno. It will be nice to have the family closer together. I guess I am the odd ball on the other side of the world. Not for much longer though, hu?!/!
Well, I hope that things are going alright. My prayers are with all of you! I love you all very much! Take care!
Oh wait, one more thing, part of your master plan is to go on mission after Mike goes, does that mean that I'll be coming home and you'll be leaving?
Love,
Michelle :)
Toti (01/13/97)
Dear Family-
I promise it seems like I wrote to you yesterday! Time is passing quickly!
Things are going well here. It's as hot as ever! Though the past couple of days it has been raining, so it's been cool out.
This week we have a mini missionary with us. It's Sane' Kunene. She is one of the girls that I was baptized Nov 24th. She is so cool! She has only been a member for a short time (1 1/2 months) and already she is power. She will be with us for a week. I think that it will be really fun to have her.
This week Sis. Chieko Okazaki is coming to visit here. I think it will be really nice. She's an excellent speaker.
On Saturday we visited a member family who's mother is a reflexologist. She did our feet while we were there. I was so intrigued by reflexology. I am seriously considering studying it when I come home. Not right away though, I'd do my signing first and then if I have time, money, desire, I'd like to study reflexology. We'll see.
So, how are things in Reno? I've heard that there has been a lot of flooding in Nevada, is that true? How's the shop going? Hey, did you hear about that volcano under the ice berg? I don't know much about it, but it goes right along with the signs of the times. It's interesting.
Hello,
My name is Sane' Kunene. It's so wonderful to have Sister Zenger taughting me the word of God. So I have dicided to join her and be a missinery like she is.
I just want to say hello to you thore I don't know you but I have seen you in her photos.
I hope to see you some day. I wish God may help me in that.
Take care of yourself.
Bye
Sister Kunene
She's awesome, hey? I tell you, it's been such a blessing to see her accept the Gospel and see her life change. Just a few months ago she was homeless and probably didn't have much happiness, now she has a family, who also have and are joining the church (they are working on adopting her) and she is now a missionary (mini). It's people like her that make my mission worth it 100 times over.
Mom, could you do me a favor. If you come across a nice, but casual-comfortable dress at the outlet, could you use the money that I have saved there at home and send it to me? My cloths are thrashed and dresses are so expensive here. I can't afford to buy a decent one. Anyhow, if you get a chance, that will be nice to have a decent dress to wear to the temple and on the flight home.
Well, I hope all is going good there. I love you all very much and I miss you tons! Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
I promise it seems like I wrote to you yesterday! Time is passing quickly!
Things are going well here. It's as hot as ever! Though the past couple of days it has been raining, so it's been cool out.
This week we have a mini missionary with us. It's Sane' Kunene. She is one of the girls that I was baptized Nov 24th. She is so cool! She has only been a member for a short time (1 1/2 months) and already she is power. She will be with us for a week. I think that it will be really fun to have her.
This week Sis. Chieko Okazaki is coming to visit here. I think it will be really nice. She's an excellent speaker.
On Saturday we visited a member family who's mother is a reflexologist. She did our feet while we were there. I was so intrigued by reflexology. I am seriously considering studying it when I come home. Not right away though, I'd do my signing first and then if I have time, money, desire, I'd like to study reflexology. We'll see.
So, how are things in Reno? I've heard that there has been a lot of flooding in Nevada, is that true? How's the shop going? Hey, did you hear about that volcano under the ice berg? I don't know much about it, but it goes right along with the signs of the times. It's interesting.
Hello,
My name is Sane' Kunene. It's so wonderful to have Sister Zenger taughting me the word of God. So I have dicided to join her and be a missinery like she is.
I just want to say hello to you thore I don't know you but I have seen you in her photos.
I hope to see you some day. I wish God may help me in that.
Take care of yourself.
Bye
Sister Kunene
She's awesome, hey? I tell you, it's been such a blessing to see her accept the Gospel and see her life change. Just a few months ago she was homeless and probably didn't have much happiness, now she has a family, who also have and are joining the church (they are working on adopting her) and she is now a missionary (mini). It's people like her that make my mission worth it 100 times over.
Mom, could you do me a favor. If you come across a nice, but casual-comfortable dress at the outlet, could you use the money that I have saved there at home and send it to me? My cloths are thrashed and dresses are so expensive here. I can't afford to buy a decent one. Anyhow, if you get a chance, that will be nice to have a decent dress to wear to the temple and on the flight home.
Well, I hope all is going good there. I love you all very much and I miss you tons! Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Toti (01/06/97)
FAMILY,
Hello, howzit? Things are going good this week. Much better than last week. The two new Sisters moved into our flat. That is exactly what I needed. The new Sister, Sister Russell has so much excitement for the work and it's rubbing off on the rest of us. It is also working wonders on Sister Bennion because Sister Jensen is really and uptight person and so Sister Bennion has realized that I'm not as uptight as she thought I was. She also sees that there are other missionaries that really want o work their butts off. Anyhow, it has just completely changed her. I feel like I have a completely different companion. She is excited to do the work. It's great!
Things are really getting whipped into shape here in Toti. We are really getting some attention from the Stake. Toti was neglected for a while because it was so small and not growing, but now that is changing and they are really wanting to help us out. We've made a goal to have Toti branch a ward by next year. I think it's possible, No, I know it is possible.
Another of our investigators committed to baptism this week She is so cool! She is the future daughter in law of the Vilikazi's. They are such a power family! They will bring many people into the church.
I really like having 4 of us in the boarding. We really have a lot of fun. I've been analyzing myself because I've learned a lot about myself on mission that I never knew before. I realized that i do really well in crowds or around a lot of people and I like being the center of attention, but in one on one situations I'm really quiet and don't have much to say. It's really been interesting because when I was in a threesome and then now with 4 of us I am a lot happier and feel like I can be myself. I guess I should overcome this before I get married, it may cause some problems! :)
Well, I can't think of what else to write. I am doing well. I love being here. I especially love Toti. I will have a hard time when I am transferred, but hopefully I'll be prepared to go by the time that it happens. The branch really seems to be like a second family to me. They'll be hard to leave.
I love you all very much. I miss you as well! Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Hello, howzit? Things are going good this week. Much better than last week. The two new Sisters moved into our flat. That is exactly what I needed. The new Sister, Sister Russell has so much excitement for the work and it's rubbing off on the rest of us. It is also working wonders on Sister Bennion because Sister Jensen is really and uptight person and so Sister Bennion has realized that I'm not as uptight as she thought I was. She also sees that there are other missionaries that really want o work their butts off. Anyhow, it has just completely changed her. I feel like I have a completely different companion. She is excited to do the work. It's great!
Things are really getting whipped into shape here in Toti. We are really getting some attention from the Stake. Toti was neglected for a while because it was so small and not growing, but now that is changing and they are really wanting to help us out. We've made a goal to have Toti branch a ward by next year. I think it's possible, No, I know it is possible.
Another of our investigators committed to baptism this week She is so cool! She is the future daughter in law of the Vilikazi's. They are such a power family! They will bring many people into the church.
I really like having 4 of us in the boarding. We really have a lot of fun. I've been analyzing myself because I've learned a lot about myself on mission that I never knew before. I realized that i do really well in crowds or around a lot of people and I like being the center of attention, but in one on one situations I'm really quiet and don't have much to say. It's really been interesting because when I was in a threesome and then now with 4 of us I am a lot happier and feel like I can be myself. I guess I should overcome this before I get married, it may cause some problems! :)
Well, I can't think of what else to write. I am doing well. I love being here. I especially love Toti. I will have a hard time when I am transferred, but hopefully I'll be prepared to go by the time that it happens. The branch really seems to be like a second family to me. They'll be hard to leave.
I love you all very much. I miss you as well! Take care!
Love,
Michelle :)
Toti (12/30/96)
Family-
It's so DAMN hot here! HAHA! I bet you're all shocked that I said that! :) It's not a swear word here at all, either is hell. I've picked them up in my vocabulary, I guess I'll need to loose them pretty quickly here. I was going to wait and get off the plan and say them both in my first sentence to you all, but I decided that it may not be too good of an idea.
Well, things are going well here. Christmas conference was really fun. I spent Christmas day hiking through the mountains and grasslands and seeing giraffe and zebra and a bunch of other animals that I can't remember their names. I took photos, I'll send you some copies of the photos. The giraffe was so cool! You know how on TV when the run they look like it's in slow motion? I always thought it was in slow motion, but they really run like that, the are so graceful!
I decided that I have really weak ankles. I think that's why I can't ice skate. I twisted each ankle like 4 times that day. It was so retarded! One of the times I fell down and totally killed my knee. It looks terrible, but it doesn't really hurt.
I wasn't too homesick for Christmas because it really didn't seem like Christmas at all.
This week has seemed like a year! So much has happened. Not really tons exciting or anything, just a lot of things. My companion freaked out on me this week. I guess she has a big problem with being a greenie, she has always been in charge (she's the oldest of 7) and she's freaking out with having a senior companion. She was so mad at me on Saturday, I thought that she might hit me. She was just mad because transfers were called out and she wasn't transferred. I feel bad because I actually yelled at her. I can't ever remember yelling at anyone except family. Anyhow, it got so bad, I had to phone Pres in the middle of the night and he talked to her for about 1/2 hour and I don't know what he said to her, but afterwards she was ready to talk things out. We were up until the early morning hours talking it out. The only reason I write about that is because I've never had someone so mad at me before. Sister Bennion is really cool. We really do get along well, it was just kind of a freak incident or something.
They've split the area I'm working in. 2 more Sisters are coming here to Toti. They will be on foot! First time I've ever heard of Sisters on foot in this mission and also first time to hear of 4 Sisters in one boarding. It will be interesting. I'm excited because Sister Jensen who was in the threesome w/ Sister Allen and I, is coming and she is training here. I think it will be fun. Pretty soon they are going to have Sister Bennion and I go to church in Umlazi (a township nearby where the church is growing by incredible amounts) and we will do training in the women's auxiliaries. I am really excited for that, but I will miss the Toti branch. The Toti chapel was broken into again this weekend. It's the third time this month. It is so lame! They didn't steal anything this time because they somehow got interrupted, they left the things that they had piled up and probably ran off. People are pretty sick when they rob churches.
We had lunch at my "fiance's" house yesterday. He's such a jerk! I'll tell you, I'm sure glad that it's not a real arranged marriage! That's probably not a very Christ-like thing to say, but it's true.
The month of December has kind of kicked me out of missionary mode. The work has been really slow and we've done a lot more socializing than usual. I really look forward to January to get back into the swing of things! When you're not totally mission focused you tend to think about home a lot more than usual and it just makes the work harder. But I really look forward to getting back to it. (the missionary work)
It was nice to talk to all of you this week. It made me feel like I'm really not that far away.
I hope you all had good Christmases. I love you all very, very much!
Love,
Michelle :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
(The story behind the "arranged marriage" and "fiance" is that there was a woman in the Toti branch who had a single, tall son. He didn't live in the branch, but came to visit his mom quite often. His mom wanted me to marry him and pretty consistently mentioned it to me. Also, the Branch President got in on the scheme as well. The guy was very aware of what his mom and the Branch President were saying and he could tell how uncomfortable it made me and how embarrassed I became when it was talked about, so he got in on it too. He would make "flirty" comments to me and just get a kick out of watching me turn several shades of red and watch me squirm and not know how to react. In this letter I was talking about how big of a jerk he was. I grew up in a home where respect for my mom was #1 priority. We all respected and still do respect her, but especially my brothers. They treat my mom with the utmost love and respect. Let's just say that this young man didn't treat his mom like my brother's would treat my mom. I was not impressed at all. This whole arranged marriage thing ended up being a consistent issue throughout the time I was in Toti. All of the other Sisters in Toti got in on the action and teased me constantly about this. I ended up playing a great joke on them, I believe for April Fools Day. I am pretty sure it is included in a letter, so I won't go into detail now, but I'll just say, I got them good!)
It's so DAMN hot here! HAHA! I bet you're all shocked that I said that! :) It's not a swear word here at all, either is hell. I've picked them up in my vocabulary, I guess I'll need to loose them pretty quickly here. I was going to wait and get off the plan and say them both in my first sentence to you all, but I decided that it may not be too good of an idea.
Well, things are going well here. Christmas conference was really fun. I spent Christmas day hiking through the mountains and grasslands and seeing giraffe and zebra and a bunch of other animals that I can't remember their names. I took photos, I'll send you some copies of the photos. The giraffe was so cool! You know how on TV when the run they look like it's in slow motion? I always thought it was in slow motion, but they really run like that, the are so graceful!
I decided that I have really weak ankles. I think that's why I can't ice skate. I twisted each ankle like 4 times that day. It was so retarded! One of the times I fell down and totally killed my knee. It looks terrible, but it doesn't really hurt.
I wasn't too homesick for Christmas because it really didn't seem like Christmas at all.
This week has seemed like a year! So much has happened. Not really tons exciting or anything, just a lot of things. My companion freaked out on me this week. I guess she has a big problem with being a greenie, she has always been in charge (she's the oldest of 7) and she's freaking out with having a senior companion. She was so mad at me on Saturday, I thought that she might hit me. She was just mad because transfers were called out and she wasn't transferred. I feel bad because I actually yelled at her. I can't ever remember yelling at anyone except family. Anyhow, it got so bad, I had to phone Pres in the middle of the night and he talked to her for about 1/2 hour and I don't know what he said to her, but afterwards she was ready to talk things out. We were up until the early morning hours talking it out. The only reason I write about that is because I've never had someone so mad at me before. Sister Bennion is really cool. We really do get along well, it was just kind of a freak incident or something.
They've split the area I'm working in. 2 more Sisters are coming here to Toti. They will be on foot! First time I've ever heard of Sisters on foot in this mission and also first time to hear of 4 Sisters in one boarding. It will be interesting. I'm excited because Sister Jensen who was in the threesome w/ Sister Allen and I, is coming and she is training here. I think it will be fun. Pretty soon they are going to have Sister Bennion and I go to church in Umlazi (a township nearby where the church is growing by incredible amounts) and we will do training in the women's auxiliaries. I am really excited for that, but I will miss the Toti branch. The Toti chapel was broken into again this weekend. It's the third time this month. It is so lame! They didn't steal anything this time because they somehow got interrupted, they left the things that they had piled up and probably ran off. People are pretty sick when they rob churches.
We had lunch at my "fiance's" house yesterday. He's such a jerk! I'll tell you, I'm sure glad that it's not a real arranged marriage! That's probably not a very Christ-like thing to say, but it's true.
The month of December has kind of kicked me out of missionary mode. The work has been really slow and we've done a lot more socializing than usual. I really look forward to January to get back into the swing of things! When you're not totally mission focused you tend to think about home a lot more than usual and it just makes the work harder. But I really look forward to getting back to it. (the missionary work)
It was nice to talk to all of you this week. It made me feel like I'm really not that far away.
I hope you all had good Christmases. I love you all very, very much!
Love,
Michelle :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
(The story behind the "arranged marriage" and "fiance" is that there was a woman in the Toti branch who had a single, tall son. He didn't live in the branch, but came to visit his mom quite often. His mom wanted me to marry him and pretty consistently mentioned it to me. Also, the Branch President got in on the scheme as well. The guy was very aware of what his mom and the Branch President were saying and he could tell how uncomfortable it made me and how embarrassed I became when it was talked about, so he got in on it too. He would make "flirty" comments to me and just get a kick out of watching me turn several shades of red and watch me squirm and not know how to react. In this letter I was talking about how big of a jerk he was. I grew up in a home where respect for my mom was #1 priority. We all respected and still do respect her, but especially my brothers. They treat my mom with the utmost love and respect. Let's just say that this young man didn't treat his mom like my brother's would treat my mom. I was not impressed at all. This whole arranged marriage thing ended up being a consistent issue throughout the time I was in Toti. All of the other Sisters in Toti got in on the action and teased me constantly about this. I ended up playing a great joke on them, I believe for April Fools Day. I am pretty sure it is included in a letter, so I won't go into detail now, but I'll just say, I got them good!)
Toti (12/23/96)
Dear Family-
(written on a Christmas card that shows a giraffe loaded up with presents .. sort of like Santa's sleigh)
Merry Christmas! Do you like the card? I thought that it was pretty cool! Well, I can't believe that it is Christmas time, it doesn't seem real, I suppose it has a lot to do with the weather as well as being away from the family. But I know that this Christmas will be more meaningful to me than any other as I know that I have a better understanding and feeling for the true meaning of Christmas as I now feel that I have a more personal and meaningful relationship with He whom we are celebrating His birth. I am grateful for that relationship.
I hope that Christmas and New Year's will be great for all of you. Know that my thoughts will be with you!
My Branch President here said to tell you that you can keep your white Christmas because we will be having one of our own (baptisms). I think that is the best Christmas gift I can recieve.
I bought gifts for all of you, but because of the price of sending things, I'll just bring them when I come home.
I love you all very, very much!
Love,
Michelle :)
(written on a Christmas card that shows a giraffe loaded up with presents .. sort of like Santa's sleigh)
Merry Christmas! Do you like the card? I thought that it was pretty cool! Well, I can't believe that it is Christmas time, it doesn't seem real, I suppose it has a lot to do with the weather as well as being away from the family. But I know that this Christmas will be more meaningful to me than any other as I know that I have a better understanding and feeling for the true meaning of Christmas as I now feel that I have a more personal and meaningful relationship with He whom we are celebrating His birth. I am grateful for that relationship.
I hope that Christmas and New Year's will be great for all of you. Know that my thoughts will be with you!
My Branch President here said to tell you that you can keep your white Christmas because we will be having one of our own (baptisms). I think that is the best Christmas gift I can recieve.
I bought gifts for all of you, but because of the price of sending things, I'll just bring them when I come home.
I love you all very, very much!
Love,
Michelle :)
Toti (12/17/96)
FAMILY!
Hello! Howzit? It is so hot here! It is 9am and I am sitting here sweating to death. Summer is here.
This week has been pretty tough. It's the beginning of the holidays here and everyone is away or busy, so that makes our job quite hard. It's a bit frustrating. I look forward to February because their holidays aren't over until then.
This week a member of the branch here passed away. It was sad. She had us missionaries over ever Friday for lunch, so we got to know her quite well. She had a heart attack. She would have been 85 on Sunday. She passed away on Saturday. I'll miss her a lot.
It's been a little frustrating because all of our baptisms for this month have been postponed because they all are either too busy or they want to wait until after the holidays. How frustrating!
I don't really know what else to write about. There really hasn't been too much going on around here.
I did have another cool experience the other day with being able to use my sign language. We were at an investigators home to teach them and Beauty, the mother, went to the door because someone was there. I couldn't see the door or who was there, but I could hear Beauty yelling and repeating a question over and over. I figured someone who was deaf was at the door. I got to where I could see her and began to sign to her. She knew ASL. We started talking, the investigators were so excited because this girl would come and visit them quite often from the time she was just tiny, but they could never talk to her or understand her. They would sometimes take out pen and paper and communicate that way, but they (the investigators) had me ask her some questions so that they could get to know her. It was just cool.
It really doesn't seem like Christmas here. I guess it's good because I am not homesick. But it just is crazy. It's just too hot to be Christmas time, plus they don't really celebrate it the same here.
I haven't heard from you all in a while now. I am supposing that it is because of how busy you are with the move and all or just that the post is messed up because of Christmas.
I hope all is going well there. I hope that the store is a great success. I love you all very much. I miss you as well, but 6 months will absolutely fly by. I'm still loving mission even though the past few weeks have been tough.
Take care!
Love
Michelle :)
Merry Christmas!
Hello! Howzit? It is so hot here! It is 9am and I am sitting here sweating to death. Summer is here.
This week has been pretty tough. It's the beginning of the holidays here and everyone is away or busy, so that makes our job quite hard. It's a bit frustrating. I look forward to February because their holidays aren't over until then.
This week a member of the branch here passed away. It was sad. She had us missionaries over ever Friday for lunch, so we got to know her quite well. She had a heart attack. She would have been 85 on Sunday. She passed away on Saturday. I'll miss her a lot.
It's been a little frustrating because all of our baptisms for this month have been postponed because they all are either too busy or they want to wait until after the holidays. How frustrating!
I don't really know what else to write about. There really hasn't been too much going on around here.
I did have another cool experience the other day with being able to use my sign language. We were at an investigators home to teach them and Beauty, the mother, went to the door because someone was there. I couldn't see the door or who was there, but I could hear Beauty yelling and repeating a question over and over. I figured someone who was deaf was at the door. I got to where I could see her and began to sign to her. She knew ASL. We started talking, the investigators were so excited because this girl would come and visit them quite often from the time she was just tiny, but they could never talk to her or understand her. They would sometimes take out pen and paper and communicate that way, but they (the investigators) had me ask her some questions so that they could get to know her. It was just cool.
It really doesn't seem like Christmas here. I guess it's good because I am not homesick. But it just is crazy. It's just too hot to be Christmas time, plus they don't really celebrate it the same here.
I haven't heard from you all in a while now. I am supposing that it is because of how busy you are with the move and all or just that the post is messed up because of Christmas.
I hope all is going well there. I hope that the store is a great success. I love you all very much. I miss you as well, but 6 months will absolutely fly by. I'm still loving mission even though the past few weeks have been tough.
Take care!
Love
Michelle :)
Merry Christmas!
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