Owens first cleats

A collage by Smilebox

Owen

Dibetsoe Confirmation

On Easter Sunday, 24 April, the Dibetsoe family was confirmed.  I was able to confirm Victor and Thato, and Brother Smith confirmed Fakazile and Joseph.  After we separated from Priesthood Meeting, we went to the Bishop's Office where the Stake Young Men President conferred upon Victor to the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained him a Priest.  Victor then stood in the circle as the same brother conferred the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph and ordained him a Deacon.  It was a very special morning filled with the spirit.

Here is a picture after church with the Smiths.  Brother Smith was supposed to take a picture of us with the family with our camera, but he didn't do it right, therefore we do not currently have a picture of us with the family.  In this picture, you will see the Smiths with the family.

We feel very blessed to have been a part of this.

Baptism

We had a wonderful experience today.  This is the Dibetsoe family.  They were batpized today, 10 April, 2011.  The parents work here are Dukes Court, where we live, and have becomde great friends.

They are Victor Khari, Thato (which means love) Hilda, Itumeleng Joseph, and Fakazile Grace.  We first got to know Fakazile when she woiuld buff the hall floors outside our flat.  We gave her a Book of Mormon, and she said Elder Smith had already given her one, but that she would give this oine to her sister.

We continued to befreind her and helped her when we could.  About two weeks ago, they went to a wedding of a relative and were in a car accident.  She was hurt, but not serviously.  She did spend a day or two in the hospital.  When they finally got home, their house had been robbed and everything taken.  She said ti was Satan trying to get her to come back to him, but she waqs on a new path and would never go back.

Their faith is amazing.  The Smiths arranged for the misisonaries to teach them in the ward where they lived.  The Rakotovaos also helped them join the church.

Peter Pan at Kierra's School!

Kierra is in her High school's production of Peter Pan this year and would like to invite anyone interested  to come and see the show!  The play time is at 7pm with Saturday Matinee's at 2pm. Tickets range in price from $5 to $8.  If you make connections with Bekah beforehand, we would love to go with you.  The younger children ages 8 and under can purchase tickets for "storytime with wendy" on Saturdays at 5pm.  They will get to meet the characters, have their pictures taken, get a treat, make a craft, go on a treasure hunt, and learn to swordfight!  The price also includes admission to the show of your choice.

This show is so much fun! We hope you can come! 

Grandma and Grandpa's House...

Lindsay and I (Amber) went on an adventure today (to take a picture of a location for one of my classes). On the way home, we ventured down Kensington Avenue until we found this house:

This is what Grandma and Grandpa Bleak's house looks like now :-) There are no gold curtains in the front window, but for the most part it looks pretty much the same as I remember it (the outside anyway). Now all it needs is the green turf on the porch :-)

Travel

The temple closed on Satuday, 29 January, for two weeks.  We have taken this opportunity to visit some sites and want to share some pictures with you.  On Tuesday, 1 February, we went to the Montecasino Bird Gardens.  They had many types of birds and other animals there.  Here are two of the most interesting birds.

On Thursday, 3 February, we went to the Hartebeesport Dam on the way to Pilanesberg, a game preserve.  Here are the falls just below the dam.  They had a chart up showing what diseases are of no, low, medium or high risk that may be in the water.

Here is the group who went with us.  In the back, Brother Lewin, dad, and Brother Hickman  In the front are Brother and Sister Smith, Mom, Sister Hickman, and Brother and Sister Rakotovao.  Sister Lewin took the picture.

Here is a Rhino wihch was right along the side of the road.

There were two of them and the other one had moved on.  We also saw a herd of elephants.  Here they are in the trees.

We also saw wildebeests, elands (antelope), deer, warthogs, girrafs, and some very pretty birds.

On Friday, 4 February, we went to the Voortrekker Monument.  These were pioneers, not unlike our own, who came from Cape Town north into Africa.  Many of the cities and towns were started by them.  The also were attacked by several African nagtive tribes - something our pioneers didn't have to worry about.  Of course, there were the indians.  There are two pioneers out front of the monument.

From there, we went to the Sammy Marks Museum.  He was an Jewish emigrant from Russia who started many businesses.  Most of his kids were disinherited because they did not marry Jewish.  This is us having lunch in the Rose Garden.

On Saturday, 5 February, We wnet to the Cradle of Human Life.  We first stopped at the Sterkfontier Caves, were they have several remains of supposedly pre-human bones.  However, we did not go in as there were places we would have had to crawl.  We went from there to the Maropeng Visitor's Center.  They had cronicled the supposed timeline of  the earth from today back billions of years.  They had a boat ride which went through the four basic elements - earth, air, fire and water.  They also had some intersting displays.

Here are mom and Sister Hickman comeing out of the Visitior's Center.  A lady asked Borther Smith what a church group was doing here.  He talked with her and gave her some pass along cards.  Shaorn and I gave her a Book of Mormon.  Her friend wouldn't take one.  Who knows where it might lead.

On Monday, 7 February, we went to Lesedi, which means light.  It is a place where four tribes have built example of the homes they lived in.  They had a chief in each village sight and we had to shout an African word to be let in.  Here is a Zulu warior with the ladies.

Here are mom and Sister Rakotovao with their favorite friend.

It has been very inetersting to visit these sights and we have learned a lot.  We have many more pictures which you wiull have to wait and see later.

We love you all and appreciatre your support!

Mom and Dad

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

Salt Lake Temple

10:00 am 

Endowment Session

Please come.

Owen making donuts with his Aunt Laura

He loved every minute of it.

I looked out the window and what did I see?

We went over to have dinner with Kim, Amber, Lindsay and Natalie tonight. Linkin provided the dinner entertainment. 

The giraffe wanted to say hi.

Amber made cute cookies.

Kristie made these. They look very familiar...

And it was Lindsay's birthday last Sunday and Kim got her a Wii.

Lindsay is now 38. Happy Birthday Lindsay!