A Journey thru Jetlag

As we endeavored to get used to our little cottage and our new African part of the world, we continually felt like we were swimming thru sand! Once dropped off by Allreds who came with supplies and food to tide us over until a trip to the local Pick 'N Pay could happen, we tried very hard to stay awake to take in the new surroundings. After some wonderful, warm soup brought to us by our friends in the "big house" on the property, we both fell into a fitful sleep...which didn't last near long enough for recovery!  In the light of day we looked around again, pinched ourselves, and had to admit that we were in South Africa, and we were not dreaming! The Davies, who were the couple here before us had sent, pictures, and, yes, we were surrounded by rooms we 'd been looking at while we waited to leave. I will post some of those pictures, but the personal family pictures, etc. are gone, and we are beginning to fill in with our own.

In front of the "big house" with our little car set and ready to take off in covered parking.

If you go straight down the path on the right next to the fence and
 beyond our landlords' home, you will find our cottage.

We have this study/work area in our bedroom
which allows plenty of room for us to get lots done.

W

Our bedroom, which boasts lots of natural light from the window on the left,
quite a bit of storage space and a dressing table in between.

This bathroom is really nothing to write home about,
 but is sooo much better than the one we had when we served here before!

Our living space which also boasts a huge window above the couch,
and a small dining room between it and the kitchen.

I must say that our kitchen is quite spartan, and the stove & oven don't do much to encourage me to cook and bake,
but everything works and we will have what we need.

So this is what we woke up to that Saturday morning with a whole weekend ahead to get oriented. We did some grocery shopping, and bought a few necessities. Had a few naps. The big event of the day was our first trip to NANDO'S for grilled chicken. I think Lynn has been dreaming about it since we left South Africa in 2011. He could eat it every night of the week, I think, and they just don't have restaurants in the US other than far out of our reach in the East. We will probably be their best customers in this neighborhood!Of course, by now, we were still jetlagged, and if I try to fill in many details, I will probably get them all confused, but I'll try in a few days!

HERE WE GO!

March 26, 2015

It seems like forever since we gathered some of the family around and opened our call letter! We were stunned and excited to be invited back to Johannesburg. Our assignment and accommodations are different, but the people are the same kind, humble, love-to-tease group we left in 2011! Between the picture above and the beginning of our mission, lots happened, so I will get you up to date on those activities this post.

We timed our availability date so that we could see Joseph as he returned from his mission in England . It was really wonderful to see the Moores all together again! Nichole smiled like I hadn't seen her smile since he left...the rest of the family was pretty much as happy and excited.

With that excitement and Joseph's talk in church, plus a visit from Jake, and all of the accompanying family get togethers there were many goodbyes and quite a few tears as we prepared to enter the Missionary Training Center on August 3. Living so close to the MTC, we opted to go home each night of the week and 3 days of training. This meant a few more goodbyes (and many more tears) as we relished the time with Brady and Melissa (who will be living in our home), and others who came by the house for one last visit.

A FAMILY BBQ WITH THE JOSH WARRS

The perfect host and hostess!

Our wonderful, amazing 2 year olds!

What could they possibly be talking about?I wouldn't be surprised 

if it had something to do with technology.

OUR TIME AT THE MTC

We were thrilled to see familiar faces at the MTC!
At various lunches we saw  Elder Clint James, Elder Andrew Call,
and Elder Chase Van Alfen, as well as an Elder and a Sister from our
Temple Prep Class. Unfortunately, when we got time for a
picture, we could only find Elder Van Alfen.
  

Sister Hicks...an awesome trainer!

Our training group, including Bro. Barney and Sis. Hicks, trainers.

We had a wonderful time learning and being inspired during our time at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

We attended classes about the work of the missionary, and had many opportunities to role play with individuals who volunteer time to help prepare missionaries.It was fun to begin working with Lynn as my missionary "companion", and discovering ways that we work well together in this assignment. Lynn has always been an inspired teacher, so I learn from his example each time we have opportunities to teach!

We had excellent teachers. We loved Sister Hicks and Brother Barney...they are talented teachers as well as spiritually in tune.

A highlight of the week was the Tuesday Evening Devotional which was broadcast to all of the international  MTC's . The speakers were President Nelson (now President of the Quorum of 12) and his wife. He speaks with such vibrancy and power, and he is 91 years old! At the end, the huge crowd (1200 or so) of young Elders and Sisters, as well as us elderly folk were so sad to see them leave. They both were so inspiring!

Well, we're up to take off...We traveled home from the MTC Wednesday and prepared to embark on this adventure early the following morning. I do wish that I had gotten a photo of Lynn equalizing the suit case weight. We were limited to 4 suit cases 50 pounds or less plus carryons. When we were weighed in at Delta the next morning, two of the suit cases weighed 49 pounds and the other two weighed 50! I was tempted to ask to open the lighter ones and throw in a couple of items we had deemed unessential, but I was pretty sure the idea wouldn't have seemed so great to Lynn.

Our plane had some items that needed fixing (a real confidence builder!), so we sat on it for an hour before taking off. We did make up on time and landed close to on time in Atlanta for our 3 hour lay over. Leaving Atlanta and knowing we had some 16 hours to go was quite an apprehensive thought, but the rest of the flight was uneventful, and we arrived in Jo'berg about 5:20 pm. We went through the passport area (including the ebola electronic scan, got our bags and just had our fingers crossed that someone would be waiting for us.

What do you know, but Joseph Mokoena our driver many times when we traveled when we were here before. How welcome he made us feel as he drove us to the MTC in Jo'berg to turn us over to the Allreds who helped us get settled in our little cottage which will be our home for the next year!

We don't look tired at all after a 24 hour overseas trip, do we?

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A record of the second South African Mission for the LDS CHURCH (the "MORMONS") of Lynn and Debi Warr, beginning August 3, 2015