Still December 2010

20 Dec 2010
This was the day we had the Elders over to learn how to make Christmas cookies;  Elder and Sister Hudson arrived from Ladysmith to spend 2 days with us before the other couples arrived.  they were impressed with the Elders cooking and watching the movie It's a Wonderful Life.  President Von Stetten had given permission for them to view this film.  Elder Wark said, "this is now my favorite movie". After the Elders left we went to the Chinese Restaurant for dinner, Sister Blackburn felt she really deserved to be waited on for dinner.  After their party the missionaries exchanged small gifts.

21 Dec 2010
We spent the day showing the Hudsons the shopping areas then came back to Ezulwini to greet the other couples who had arrived : Davis, Zweifel, Ward, Allred, Berry, Nuzman, so 16 of us went to the Great Taipei Restaurant, and everyone said it was the best Chinese food in the whole mission, must be because Sister Blackburn enjoyed her meal there again.

At the Manzini Market

22 Dec 2010
Took couples who were here tourist shopping at the Silver shop,  Manzini and at Swazi Candle; then we took them and left them at the Cultural Center while we did some errands to have the Chapel ready when President Von Stetten and the Dahleys arrived.  After they arrived we had dinner at the Boma Restaurant and then went to the Ezulwini Chapel for a meeting and get to know you.  President Von Stetten informed us that our designation as couple missionaries have been changed to "Leadership and Training Missionaries:".

23 Dec 2010
Our mini Safari was scheduled for today at Mkhaya and it turned out to be the hottest day of the year 108 degrees fareinheit.  3 Sisters fainted and we had to end the safari drive early and most everyone was glad to get out of the sun.  Not very many animals could be found, they were hiding in the shade.  We will not do a Safari again in the summer months.  After everyone had rested we went to Summerfield for dinner, President and Sister Von Stetten was presented with a drum that had their family names carved on it; all the couples were given a small roundavel tree ornament as a remembrance of their trip to Swaziland.  President Von Stetten said the reputation of Summerfield was not as good as being there.

Black Rhino in Mkhaya



Dinner at Summerfield



Von Stetten's receiving their drum

24 Dec 2010
Everyone left today to their assigned areas except Elder and Sister Ward, they will spend the weekend with us.  President Von Stetten decided to visit the Silversmith for some shopping.  Elder Blackburn went to Timbali Lodge to tell everyone goodby and wish them a safe journey.  Three couples had a 14 hour drive in front of them.

  Elder and Sister Ward drove and we went to check out the Tree Canopy tour for when their children come in February, we were able to see quite a few of the Swazi "warriors" on their way to the Incwala, where they dance with the King and celebrate the first fruits of the harvest, then we watched It's a Wonderful Life in the evening then early to bed. Everyone was so tired.

25 Dec

Elder Blackburn gave Sister Blackburn a silver and giraffe hair ring; he received a silver elephant lapel pin; We had blueberry muffins for breakfast.  We then drove to Hlane to check out the self drive safari for the Wards for when their children come to visit; we were very disappointed, no animals were out and the roads were really muddy and we came close to getting stuck; Elder Blackburn and Elder Ward had great fun with the mud holes. This was the mud hole Elder Blackburn picked up a log under the car and a punctured tire.  Another reason not to go on a Safari in the summer months.

26 Dec 2010
We attend all three branches today, we needed to deliver Patriarchal Blessings and Seminary information to the Branches.  Manzini was showing the Christmas Devotional and did not know they were supposed to have Sacrament too so they learned something good. Then to Ezulwini and met up with the Wards and one of the newly baptized members was very distraught, she was having problems with her children and wanted to talk with Sister Blackburn, Sister Blackburn tried to comfort her and explained that every mother has shed tears over their children and then suggested that she have a blessing from President Shongwe, Elder Blackburn and Elder Ward; we then went to Mbabane where Elder Blackburn performed the baptism of Sister Regina Craig.  A day well spent in service to the Swaziland Saints.  (Elder Hudson said that he had not seen any missionaries as busy as Elder and Sister Blackburn).

27 Dec 2010
Took Elder and Sister Ward to Ezulwini Market before leaving for home and then to the Manzini Market for fabric; the Manzini Elders called us while in Manzini and their Bakki was broken so we went to find them, advised them to get a tow truck, but they found a mechanic and spent their pday getting their bakki fixed.  Elder and Sister Ward and we noticed our car had a flat tire(courtesy of the mud holes at the game park). We took the tire off and took it to the shop to get it repaired, we were glad to get a little rest before Elder Blackburn drove to Mbabane to set a missionary apart before leaving the next day for Johannesburg MTC. President Siko and the Mbabane missionaries were there for him.
Glad to see our bed.

28 Dec 2010
Went to the airport in Masapha to see that Boysie Dlamini got on the plane ok; his family was there to see him off. Good experience.  We were glad to have half a day to rest.

29 Dec 2010
Went to Manzini to get meat from our Butchery for a barbeque on Friday with the Elders; President has said they can spend New Years's Eve with us so they will not be stuck in their flat.  Bought groceries for next week, went to a petrol station and picked up money the Elders had overpaid.   Very hot today.

More in December 2010

15 Dec 2010

We went with President Jerome Shongwe to the Ministry of Justice to try and secure the test for the Branch Presidents to become Marriage Agents and perform marriages.  We got nowhere, the lady in charge wanted  us to pay to send our Branch Presidents to her Church for training.  So we came home and sent a letter about the experience to President Von Stetten asking if we should get the Area Legal Office involved and he forwarded the letter to the Area Presidency, so now we will wait.

18 Dec 2010
Ezulwini Branch held their Christmas party and the pictures tell the story!!! When Elder Blackburn and Sister Blackburn shared the food with the Saints they were so surprised that we would eat with them.  Evidently past couple missionaries did not share their food.  We were truly accepted at this party.

Ezulwini Branch Conference

First meeting in the new building by Ezulwini Branch; it was the Branch Conference and President Simelane and most of the District were present.

What we can remember, Dec 2010

We decided not to give gifts to the Elders and instead decided to give the gift of a tradition, making and delivering Christmas cookies;  many cookies were made and our Elders delivered a plate to each family in our complex, white and black.  Then it was time for a gift exchange; each one brought a gift, we placed a number on it and wrote the same numbers on slips of paper they could draw.  They had a great time.

Couples conference at Summerfield. great dinner had by all.

Tom decided to buy a Christmas tree; he put the lights on, all the time, wishing for Barbara to come a do the job for him.  Then Sister Blackburn put the other decorations on it.

Christmas Party Week

The last time we were in New Castle, Sister Blackburn cleaned Sister Ward's teeth.  This is one thing I can do for the couples, if they need it.  Elder Ward got his teeth cleaned too.

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.

Wheel Chair and the last 2 weeks

05 Dec 2010
Sunday and Fast Sunday at that.  We had a good day today, accomplished a lot.  We went to Manzini for Sacrament and to take a wheel chair for Sister Ncami, the chair was provided by the Humanitarian Department and the Elders brought it back from their trip to Durban for transfers this week.  Sistr Ncami was so pleased with the Chair.  Elder Blackburn took President Mahlalela so that the President could present the wheel chair to her.  Sister Ntshalintshali met with Sister Blackburn today and gave her the plan for how the sewing machines will be handled, Elder Blackburn took the plan to District Council Meeting and President Simelane approved the plan with minor changes to the amount charged for maintenance.  Sister Simelane came up to Sister Blackburn and said, "My husband says we are getting sewing machines and I must learn how to sew!"  She was excited about the project.  Elder Blackburn took a time line to District Council meeting to help the Bretheren get their meeting over on time, they were very pleased with how the meeting progressed.

04 Dec 2010
What a day!! The Shongwe girls were supposed to meet with Sister Blackburn to finish Sipewe's PEF application, they were very late and called Elder Blackburn, that they "had trouble with transport".  They had walked about 5 miles and were just very tired and were only half way here.  We got the papers filled out and faxed to Elder Allen, we will mail the originals to him.  Then Maquoba Shongwe called and wanted help with his PEF application, when he finally got here, his papers were not ready, we had to give him a list of things to get collected and will meet with him again on Monday afternoon.  Then we took the girls to the Armstrong residence, Sister Armstrong is ill and they were going to visit her.  While we were there, Sister Armstrong had an attack of stomach spasms and Elder Blackburn and Brother Armstrong gave her a blessing of health.  Then their little girl asked for a blessing also, that was also done with much love.  Brother Armstrong expressed a feeling of inadequacy in giving blessings, Elder Blackburn explained to him how it is done and encouraged him to give his family Father's Blessings.  Then we went to the Primary Christmas Party in Manzini, it was not quite what we are used to.  Elder Blackburn discovered that he can eat with his fingers, he had just forgotten how, childhood was so long ago.  The Children were really enjoying themselves.  Sister Blackburn asked  the Sisters if Swaziland had Christmas Traditions and they did not know what she was talking about, Sister Blackburn then asked, "Do you have Christmas Trees", the answer was no.  "Do you do Santa Clause?" the answer was no, "Do you exchange gifts?" the answer, some people are starting to do that.  All in all, a very long day, but very productive.

03 Dec 2010

We went to the American Embassy to pick up Elder Blackburn's passport, he needed more pages added.

We went to Manzini to look for new furniture for our house, we gave the new Elders our 2 seater couch.

We paid a few bills.  A lot of driving.

02 Dec 2010

Transfer day, Elders came back from Durban and brought the wheel chair for the Manzini Sister, Elder Blackburn will contact President Mahlalela for delivery to the Sister.  Ezulwini was sent 2 new Elders so the area can be expanded.  3 new Elders for Swaziland, Elder Ockwig left for the good old USA and home.  We sent a small gift via him to Rachel, (so they can meet).  He will be attending BYU in January.