A breath of fresh air… 30 January 2017

I was invited by Sister Linda Dunn (“Mission-Mom” to the Johannesburg, South Africa Mission June 2014 – March 2017) to attend a women’s gathering where we shared lunch, dessert, and testimony with each other. What a wonderful experience it was!

There were over 25 women that attended, and a fun-fact that I wasn’t aware of was that every stake in Gauteng had a representation there. There was most definitely a tangible spirit in the home of absolute strength, a strength that could bear ALL things, a strength that only is only developed by pressing forward through life with “bedrock faith” and an unshakable trust in Christ, our Saviour, and Redeemer.

Some of the ladies in the photo (left) above: Sister Makasi, Sarah Wentzel, Natalie & Tessa Brown, Sister Larson, Sister Mdletshe and her daughter, Me, Isabel Krauss.

We enjoyed an oh-so-tasty lunch of Chicken salad with fruit pieces and homemade rolls (click on the links for the recipes) and then a variety of deserts one being the most delicious trifle I have ever tasted (and I am not usually a trifle person)

     

Photos: Left- Sister Wells and Sister Larson who serve at the JHB Mission office with the homemade rolls. Right – Wenzile, serving the food to all of us.

Photo: Dishing up in the kitchen was Irene Tshabalala, Sister Wells, Sister Dunn and Sister Larson.

We also had the opportunity to be edified and uplifted by the testimonies and experiences shared by those coming from, preparing to and currently are serving as missions in various capacities.

We heard from Sarah Wentzel who recently returned from serving an 18-month mission in the Salt Lake City, Temple Square Mission.

She spoke of some treasured experiences from her mission. She spoke of having the Saviour with her at all times because He cares about us individually and loves us so dearly He is there with us, standing shoulder to shoulder, navigating through this mortal experience together. She also mentioned the importance of following the promptings we get. Natalie Brown, Sarah and I had a wonderful discussion at our table about distinguishing what are promptings and what are just thoughts of our own and we reflected on the video series by Elder Bednar called “Patterns of Light” and came to the conclusion that if the thought leads us to do good it doesn’t matter whether it was from the spirit or ourselves we should just go with it. I have not known Sarah much and today was my first real interaction with her but she is a wonderful human being and her love and care for people is inspiring.

Photo: Sarah Wentzel and Irene Tshabalala

We then heard from Andronica Lebethoa, she will be leaving, along with her husband and 4 young children, to serve as Mission President and Companion in the Cape Town, South African Mission in just a few short months. She spoke of the special gift of sisterhood we share thanks to the Relief Society programme, how we can learn from different ladies throughout the different stages of our lives and together we help each other grow both temporally and spiritually. I loved how she stood with such humility yet confidence in her faith as she is about to embark on a new chapter in her life.

Photo: Andronica Lebethoa

Last but not least we heard from Sister Willis and Sister Foxx, they are serving as Seminary & Institute missionaries. They spoke of developing a relationship and relying on your scriptures to guide you through day-to-day living. Sister Foxx also shared her word for the year which was ASK. The answers are all there and they will come if we only but ask the question, the answers might not always be clear or the answers we are hoping for but the answers are there even if that answer turns out to be “wait”.

Photo from left to right: Sister Foxx and Sister Willis

Sister Dunn invited us to ponder a word for 2017 that we would apply to ourselves, after some reflecting and thinking I decided that my word for 2017 would be “FIRST” taken from a scripture in Matthew 6:33 KJV – But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I chose this word because in life we are so busy, and whilst we are busy doing good things I feel like I often neglect the important things like personal and family scripture study and prayer. I chose this word so that it is a reminder and a check point for me throughout the year to make sure that those important things are done and then focus on all the other good things that need doing.

How beautiful is this wall art???

To close off we were treated to a concert worthy musical item by Gianfranco Vizzini where he played the piano and sang “Come unto Christ” (follow the link to watch a version of the song from YouTube) (or you can get the sheet music and words here)

Photo from left to right: Elizabeth Vizzini (Gianfranco’s mom), Sister Dunn, Gianfranco Vizzini (the musical masterpiece)

It left me speechless and so filled with the spirit. I got goosebumps on top of goosebumps and then some more goosebumps on top of all the rest! It was the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon with an invitation that He has extended to all of us and continues to do so day after day,

Come unto Christ.

Come unto Him,

And by His grace be made holy again.

He’s calling your name.

He’s waiting for you

With arms open wide.

Come unto Christ.

So to say the least, this gathering, for me personally, was like a much-needed breath of fresh air. It renewed my hope, gave me the courage to carry on and most importantly reminded me that I am NEVER alone!

PS: All photo credits got to Sister Linda Dunn

 

 

Bittersweet – October 2016

With October being over, and the rush it came with, I have had a few days to reflect on the past whirlwind of a month. What a whirlwind it was!!

There was alot of changes in our little family this month which brought with it a trail of emotions I wasn’t quite prepared for.

JP left one job and started another. The period in between the change (although short) was a very stressful one for me, but the stress was good for me, it taught me a lesson. JP was unemployed for a total of 4 days (2 of them being the weekend) and within those four days my stress levels skyrocketed and those that know me well will tell you that means my temper and mood go with it, I was short and impatient with everyone around me, I was worrying about bills to pay that were still months away, in a nutshell I was so wrapped up in my “needs” that I overlooked the effect I had on those around me. When JP started his new job (which he loves and is much better for him as a person than the old one) I was reminded of a scripture quote “Oh ye of little faith”. I was looking at this “mountain” of a problem in front of me and trying to solve it all on my own like I didn’t need any help from above. How mistaken I was! I learned a valuable lesson, one that I am still trying daily to apply. The bigger picture of our lives is there, grand, glorious and perfectly planned but it is not for us to see, we need to develop the faith of a child in our omnipotent Father.

We moved house….. not my favorite past time in the least! The adjustment has been far better than I was expecting taking into consideration that we went from a three bedroomed house with a massive garden and a large kitchen to a two bedroom flat with a not so massive garden and small kitchen….. I was foreseeing a couple of issues you could say…. I thought the kids were going to be so frustrated sharing a room and having restricted playing space…. I was convinced I would have to keep half my kitchen stuff in boxes and I was positive that the kid’s beds wouldn’t fit into the second bedroom. I am so grateful that none of these potential issues became problems! The kids are so happy in their new home, ALL of my kitchen stuff fits in my little kitchen like a glove and both beds fit perfectly in the second bedroom and the kids are only too content sharing a room. This little house has quickly become our home sweet home where the only adjustment we are still getting used to is having to wait in a mini que to use the toilet in the morning…..

We changed wards…… this one was probably the scariest….when we moved the new house fell into the Krugersdorp 2nd ward boundaries. I loved Krugersdorp 1st Ward, they were my extended family and the thought of “leaving them behind” was heartbreaking. Ok so maybe I am being a bit dramatic…. I still see the members of K1 in passing because we meet in the same building just at different times. We attended our first Sunday in K2 it was a fast and testimony meeting. I was very emotional for some reason but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The biggest change for me personally was attending Relief Society instead of Young Women, I really do miss my girls.  We had a thought-provoking lesson on being prepared. How prepared are you? Physically, Mentally, Financially, Spiritually, Emotionally? Answering these can be overwhelming for most of us and thinking of the possibilities are scary but we are given a promise by a loving Heavenly Father who ALWAYS keeps His promises “but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” Although I am by no means 100% prepared in all those aspects ( I don’t think one can ever be 100% prepared for the un-expectancies of life) I do take comfort in the fact that as long as I am working towards that goal my family and I will be protected and looked after.

So those were my major changes that October brought and through all of that we had our annual audit done at work (no audit it pleasant) and I wrote my final FM finance exam. Like I said a whirlwind month of note… but most of all the emotion that rattled me the most the that of missing my Dad, not being able to talk to him about my fears, hopes, and dreams and  not having his calm reassuring unconditional love around me. I missed you, dad, I still miss you, every single day, it’s been 3 and half months and still not even slightly easier.