Stake Conference

We went to a wonderful Stake Conference in the Benoni Stake on Saturday and Sunday, 27 and 28 August..  They have a brand new stake center.  Here are some pictures of it and of our group.

Here is mom in front of our new van and the stake center.

On the left are Elder and Sister Callahan.  They serve with Elder and Sister Smith on the right in the Kwa Thema Branch, which is just north of our Tsakane Branch.  Elder Callahan is the Area Doctor and Elder and Sister Smith came out about a month before we did.  They are from England.

Sisters Gherke and Warnick (left to right) are to the left of mom.  They are actually sisters and we serve with them in the Taskane Branch.  They have a car and drive us out there each Sunday.

The Kwa Thema Branch has a building and that is where all the baptisms are held for our branch.

On Sunday, the choir sang "I Know the My Savior Loves Me" as a prelude for the Sunday session of conference.  Dad got the wonderful witness that He does indeed love all of us.  That was the kick off of a spiritual feast - a continuation from the adult meeting on Saturday.  We were spiritually uplifted by each person who spoke.

God and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Chirst do indeed live.  Christ is the head of the Church and President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, through whom He speaks to and guides us.  We are so thrilled to be here in South Africa to serve in His temple.

Linkin Falling Asleep on the Swing

 

Linkin didn't want to stop swinging, even when he fell asleep.

Katie's Blessing

Lindsay is holding Brielle

Marlene, Marianne, and Allison got to see Katie for a few minutes before they had to head out for their Wards.

Kristie played with Owen in the playroom.

Emily is feeding Brielle.

These are Brook's, Ashley's and Katie's blessings that Grandma Giles made.

Brielle Christine Giles

We are missing you extra today for Brielle's Blessing.  

Here are some pictures of our sweet girl and her amazing dress that Rebekah made.

We love you and will talk to you soon.

Yes, that is me on a Motorcycle...

So, the past two Fridays, I took a Basic Motorcycle Rider Training course and now have a Motorcycle Endorsement so I could get a motorcycle if I wanted to :-) I don't know/think that that will ever happen, but the class was fun none the less. here is a video of a few images of me on a Honda Nighthawk Motorcycle. Enjoy! --Amber

The Zulu Dancer

Oops. I forgot to add these into the previous blog.

Here is the newest member of the Zulu tribe dancing with her adopted family.

Here are some pictures from our three week break.

Voortrekker Museum - This is the fort next to the museum which was built to protect Pretoria during the Boer War.

This is Jerry and Bert Ashcroft on top of the hill next to the fort.

This is the group at the Rhino and Lion Park.  Bert Ashcroft, Kent Brown, Nyla Brown,

Elaine Ensign, Ann Ashcroft, Dale Ensign, and Jerry.

Here is a leopard on top of his abode.

Here is a rhino family.

This is Sharon outside of the Mandela House.

This is the "ancestor" tree at the Mandela House.

This is the owl at the bird show.

This is at the Lesedi Cultural Village - Kent Brown, Jerry, and Bert Ashcroft with some Zulu wariors.

This is the newset group of miner recruits at the Permiewr Diamond Mine - Alice Rakotovao, Emanuel Rakotovao, Dale Ensign, Roger Smith, Sharon, Nyla Brown, Kent Brown, Ann Ashcroft, Bert Ashcroft, and Jerry.

This is the hole left by the eruption of the volcano which brought the dimonds to the surface.

Here is miner Sharon.

Here she is again standing in front of  an elevator car which could carry 100 miners into the mine.