06 Dec 2010
We went to the Butchery today and picked up the hams for the area Christmas Party in New Castle. They were so yummy looking. We are anxious to go, it is good to get a break from our area and see other couples; Sister Ward called tonight and the caterer she had asked to do the dinner cancelled. So the Sister half of the Couple Missionaries will have to cook the whole dinner and clean up..... (am not looking forward to all that work).
08 Dec 2010
We got up early to go to the store in Mbabane to pick up large can of sliced apples for the desert. We finally left the country at 8:30a.m. We had rain and fog on the way, we have had rain for so many days, are not counting anymore. Everything smell mouldy. Arrived in New Castle 12:30. We met the Wards at the Church, they were finishing their Zone Meeting; the Elders set up the tables and chairs; Half of the Chapel was set for the Zone Conference the other half for a party. Sister Ward informed Sister Hudson and myself that the District President's Counselor and his wife will decorate the tables and come and clean up for us. What a relief. We went to lunch - then the Hudsons went home to do their share of the cooking and Sister Ward and Sister Blackburn went to the Ward's home and started preparing their share of the food - potatoe casserole, apple crisp and ham. Elder Blackburn sliced all 3 hams. We prepared the pineapple brown sugar glaze for them. There was a big thunder and lightening storm tonight. We finally went to bed about 9:30pm (all tuckered out).
09 Dec 2010
Up early and took the food to the Church, the decorated tables were absolutely beautiful; Everything looked wonderful. Sister Von Stetten came into the room and just stopped, she teared up when she saw how beautiful the room was. We let her know the District President's Counselor and his wife had done the decorating and would come back and clean up for us. She was so overwhelmed. We had a good Zone Conference with New Castle and Swaziland in 100% attendance; the Elders ate all the food, nothing at all was left to snack on later (ham bones). We had a big rain storm all afternoon; good thing everything was inside. The Rain stopped about the time everything was over with. After dinner and games, we walked into the kitchen and it was sparkling clean, it was wonderful. We went back to the Ward's house and just crashed.
10 Dec 2010
We went to the Game store and bought a larger crock pot and a Christmas Tree; Elder Blackburn decided he would not be a scrooge after all and enjoy the season. Then we drove back to Swaziland, it was a beautiful sunny day and the drive was really enjoyable.
11 Dec 2010
Put up the Christmas tree; it took us all day, we had to move things around; we did not go anywhere, just stayed home and prepared for Sunday. We have been challenged to read 3 pages a day in the Book of Mormon along with anyother studying we should do.
12 Dec 2010
We went to Mbabane for Church. Elder Blackburn had several interviews to do; One young man is getting married on the 17th and it was a first Temple Recommend for him. He had 5 interviews for Temple Recommends and he really enjoys those visits. Wish we could go with him, however we have a lot to do to get ready for the Couples to come to Swaziland and we have to buy a refrigerator, the Ezulwini Elders' fridg stopped working and we gave them ours so they would not eat food that may be slightly spoiled. The Relief Society in Mbabane had exchanged gifts and were discussing other things that need to be brought to the attention of the District President. The men ignore the women and they are not getting trained the way they should.
13 Dec 2010
We went to Manzini and Mbabane to check out Refrigerators and bought one in Mbabane, not as big as we wanted but prices are up compared to 4 months ago, maybe because it is Christmas and the Swazi people do give gifts to each other. We came back and started cleaning house; the kitchen was first to get ready for delivery of the appliances. We also bought a small fridge for the Elders; with 4 in the apartment they need more than just one medium size fridge.
14 Dec 2010
Took our area rugs up so they could be taken to Mbabane for cleaning; the white tile was so stained with red dirt that Sister Blackburn had to use orange oil cleaner to clean it; the window ledges and security bars got a good cleaning too. Cooked some brownies for the Elders District Meeting tomorrow; they will have it at our house and we will be gone, we have to go to a government department and try to get them to give our Branch Presidents the authority to perform marriages; the District feels that Elder and Sister Blackburn can have more success than they can.
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