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.



Looking Back – July 2008

Here is a look back at the Flower Extravaganza in July of 2008:

Good times. Good times. :-)

The Ballet Center Summer Recital

Emily's Dance

Natalie's Dance

June 26, 2011

 Above: Brielle on her birthday. (6-16-11) 

Below: Owen and Brielle.

 Owen LOVES his sister.

 Below: Brielle in bed.

 Brielle is on the Left. Katie is on the Right. Silly Similar posses.

 Linkin was fascinated with the new babies.

Today, 27 June, 2011, we went to the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort.  It was a beautiful, clear day, after a night of sub-freezing temperatures.  The temperature was in the 60's.

It is a very large garden in the middle of desert-like conditions.  The waterfall behind us normally has a lot more water coming over the falls.  It is called the Witpoorjie Falls and is the source of the Crocodile River.

As you can see, it is a very beautiful place.  It was nice to get out.  We have been unable to go anywhere for the last few months due to my responsibilities as the coordinator for the temple flats.

This is at the Malepe High School.  This is where we have church in the Tsakane (tsa-kon-ee) Branch were we are assigned.  The Tuck Shop is where you can buy supplies and snacks.

This is part of the school.  Note that all the hallways are outside.  On the second floor where the gate is open on the left is where we have Sacrament Meeting.  Many of the windows are open, some are broken, and there is no heat or insulation in the rooms.  Even though the sun is shining, the temperature in the rooms is probaly between 30-40 degrees. How would you like to go to school here?

This is Mom standing in the room where we have Sacrament Meeting.  The chairs are plastic and are not the most comfortable.  These belong to the branch.  In the other rooms where we have Sunday School and Priesthood, we use the chairs there.  They often have to be wiped off and are sitting behind old desks with wooden tops.

Between meetings, most people go out on the balcony and take in the warmeth of the sun for a few minutes before going to the next meeting.  The sisters we ride to church with are sisters in real life.  Both are serving here - one in the area office and one in the Family History Center.

This is one of the nicer rooms where the high school students attend.  Most of the rooms have graffiti on their doors, desks, and walls.  They have stuff stacked all over and usually have not been swept.  The halls and stairwells are also litered with food, paper, wrappers and other stuff.  However, we do survive.

Here is the soccer field at the high school.  It is winter here, so the grass is brown.

Brielle Giles (Andy & Em)

Hi