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Monday, March 30, 2015

March 30, 2015

Hey Everyone.

This week has flown by like nothing else. Office work and then missionary work really makes the days fly by. I can't believe it is almost conference time. My third conference on mission. I am so excited to listen to the wonderful words of President Monson and everyone else. I am almost done reading the last General Conference Ensign. I just read Elder Ballards talk I think, When he talked about putting our faith first thur prayer, scriptures, FHE, and temple attendance. It is a great talk. If only our less actives, investigators, and even some of the members understood how important these things are. The priority that Heavenly Father wants us to make it. Great talk. 
Well I also went to the Milnerton Ward. it is a good ward. Great people. Different from pass one but the church is true! Everywhere! I love this Gospel. 
I have also had a little bit of a fever the last couple of nights. It has been hard to sleep, but I keep being carried beyond my own strength. I feel fine during the day, but then I get all weak and tired and cold when I get home. But I will be fine. 
Life in the office has been good. Dad I forgot that you were in the office as well. Was it as a historian? Or is my memory way off? :) But here we go for your questions...
How many Elders are in the office?
As far as young missionaries we have the Assistants who work in the office whenever they are in Cape Town, Me and My Comp, then the Post Elder (two Elders). But than we have two Senior Couples working in the office as well helping as nurse, with cars, travel, finance, etc.
What are the different titles/tasks of the Elders?
So as AAP we deal with stats, referrals, and other things that President Merrill, Sister Merrill, the assistants, or the Senior Couples have for us to do.  Post Elders deal with the mail. And so on. 
 
How much time do you have to proselytize?
Well we are in the office for only about 2-3 hours when we do go. So for the most part we are able to be in the Area.
Do you go into the office everyday?
Not exactly. We are in the office one Mondays for emails. Tuesdays for Stats, Wednesdays for referrals, Not typically on Thursdays except when we NEED to finish up something, Fridays for District meeting (no office work there), and then we don't come in on the weekend.
 
Do you and your companion accompany the President often?
We see him every now and then. Not nearly as much as the Assistants to the President do. 
 
How many AP's are there? Just two right now. We are just extra assistance. but last transfer there were traveling assistants who went on exchanges with everyone in the mission to help train more, but now there are just 2. 
Is your ward the same ward where the President attends each Sunday? No :( But I think we are in the same stake.
What are your duties?
Stats, making the crest (our newsletter), taking in and handing out referrals, and other random errands. 
Is your P-day the same?
For the most part. Unless something urgent comes up.
 
Are you apart of Zone Conferences or other Conferences? 
Not with training and everything. But Sometimes we do a pizza run for new Elders and stuff. But outside of that I get to just listen. 
 
Is everyday a little different? Not really
 
What skills are you developing?  Office Skills? Teaching Skills?  Or something else.
I am getting a little better at typing but right now I have not gained any great skills yet. No "numchuck skills or computer-hacking skills." But some are bound to come.
 
But yeah that is my office life. What an exciting life right now :) It has been great.
Dad, Sounds like a great work out. I have been sore as well but just because of being sick. But I feel your pain :) Sounds like a great move. Lots learned and experienced. I feel like I have been gone for a while. I don't know anyone now. I am not sure that I even know Brother Tibbetts. But sounds like a strong faithful man. 
So often as I am being introduced to ward members and even current investigators I have been doing so good that people think that I am new new on mission. I have heard the question are you a greeny? so often. But boy has the time flown. I just smile and say "Nope I am just about a year though." I am happy that I still look new and fresh. 
I love you dad and I am always grateful for your support and words of encouragement. Always greatly appreciated. I love you!
Mom, I love the funnies that you and dad send. They always make me smile so big. And wow I am proud of dad. I found it really funny that under the suit there was the shorts, socks, and sandles. But hey I bet it was quite the experience. Would have loved to have been there. 
I am excited for conference. I will have to get some little treats to keep me awake. :) but I should be able to get a copy of conference when the ward gets their copies or I think I might be able to order it. So I will let you know if they will be like Cleary and not even do that. 
Office is not too bad. My area is pretty good as well. Goodwood has such diveristy. people from Zimbabwe, DRC, white people. So many langauges. French, Afrikaans, So much! I will enjoy my time here. Many great people.  I think this will be in my top four areas :) 
I love you Mom and hope you have a good week. 
Bryant, Enjoy Conference! Mission and Conference compliment each other so very well. I have loved studying the words given and then thinking about those I teach. So important are the words of the living Prophet! Love it, Listen to it, enjoy. Love you Bry, Work hard and have Fun!
Meagan, "In a world where you can be anything be yourself." We are so going to have to have a movie marathone when I get back hey. I can't believe how fast time is going. I remember my junior year pretty good. It was fun. Then came Senior and then came mission. You are moving forward. 
Everything is good on my side. My companion is great. we have so much fun fulfilling our responsabilities. We even had a great braai on Saturday with some ward members. have I mentioned a braai before. It is pronounced Bry. And it is kinda like a BBQ. Meat and such. I loved it. Couldn't eat too much because I wasn't feeling too well, but the malva pudding was wonderful. Tasty day! I was also feed in one way or another this last week. Had some cafe rio type food. So much goodness. A pretty good week.
Love you Meagan!
Heidi, I played with legos this week too. We had dinner at a less actives house. In a few of the minutes as we were just waiting for dinner the little 3 year old girl came out with a bucket of legos and we made a train and a flower. it was fun. She reminded me of a little Heidi. Crazy and fun! I am happy you had a good week. have fun with school. Love you!!
Jera, I feel like it might be best with just money on the card. These South African post people and customs and such are not the greatest. But I hope he is enjoyed in the the hands of whoever has him. He was a great camera. Did the job just right. I think that I will miss the wonderful memories I had with him as well as the memories that he had within him. But thank you So much for Lenny. 
I too love the plan of Salvation. It truly puts everything in great perspective. We had a wonderful lesson with some Sisters who really wondered why a merciful and forgiving God would have a hell. For most of their lives they wondered about this hell thing. But as we discussed the plan and especially what happens after this life. What was cool is one of the sisters had come to church and had heard about family history and temple work. So it made even more sense to her and she helped explain and answer her sisters questions.
What a great plan of happiness.
Well that was my week. I love you all so very much! 
Love, Elder Pennington

Monday, March 23, 2015

March 23, 2015

Hey You Guys, 

So this has been quick the week. The Office life is a crazy one. Full of late night pick ups for President Merrill, dealing with Referrals, to learning a new area and so forth. But I am very grateful for the chance to be here near President. It will be a great time. But unfortunately I also had some hardships. I have been kind of sad the last couple of days. This last week my camera (affectionately named Lenny for being so special) was stolen or lost or something. Bottom line is I no longer have my camera. I had it early Wednesday Morning. Took some goodbye pictures. From then until the time that I went to check in my bags for the flight from PE to Cape Town, Lenny had disappeared. :(  But Because of lack of time or something I thoroughly looked through the car and a little bit in the airport with no luck. Lenny is gone most likely for ever. But I will get through it somehow. Only Memories is the hard part. But when I can to Goodwood, one of the other missionaries had left a camera. Not as good as Lenny, battery operated and no SD card, but it might be better than nothing. What do you all think? Mission really has taught me to roll with it. :) 
Besides that I am doing great. We had Stake Conference here in the Cape, so I have not yet met everyone in my new ward yet, but we are getting there. I have also enjoyed my time thus far with Elder Vanfleet. He is a great missionary and it should be great serving with him. He is from Utah and is just great. 
Today for P-day we took a hike. And then My comp wanted to play some Basketball, so we are late today, but for the most part I will probably be emailing in the morning. But it might not be as consistent as in the past. So be patient with me :) But know that I do love you and love writing you and so I will email whenever I get the chance. Love You All!

Dad, This has been a great week. It provides such a different teaching environment. i have a middle-class area. As opposed to the townships I have had in the past. I have people from the DRC and so they speak french. Fun. There is such a diverse people here in Goodwood. Also I have a lot more office responsibilities. But I am very grateful to be here with President Merrill, he is a great man. 
Thank you for your studies and application thereof. We have been having some street lessons. Find where you teach and teach where you find kind of thing. It has really been a growing experience. It has been stretching me and my faith. But it works :) and thanks for your testimony of that as well. 
My Studies have been General Conference lately with some book of Mormon stuff. There is such great power in the word. The Words of Christ will tell you all things that ye should do. But something that I found very interesting was the conference on Sunday was on Councils. And president Merrill spoke in it (he seems to speak in all of the conferences around here). But it was great!! I loved it!! I hope it gets everyone excited for working with the missionaries. 
I love you Dad!!

Mom, this has been a good week. All but the camera. i am just a little heartbroken, I have loved that camera, but these things happen. So that means that there will not be as many pictures in the next little bit. I now wish I was a little better at sending them home. But hey we live and learn. A wonderful gospel of learning. I do love this gospel as well. I am grateful to be here to share it with this side of the world. 
I hope you enjoy your movie. So much has come out, but that is okay. I might have to catch up one day. I also imagine I would not like the cinderella movie either. But enjoy it. 
Keep working hard on that temple work. i hope you save some for me when I get back so that we can have a family temple day :) And keep working hard with the home gym. I have to do better with my exercise in the mornings, but I think I might do better this transfer. 
headaches have been good. I have been trying to drink more and have not yet had a crazy one yet. But best prepare :) I love you Mom!

Bryant, Luckily you will not be the only companion your New Missionary will have, but you will have a great influence of what kind of missionary he is and ultimately what kind of person he is in the long run, but no pressure. I know Bryant that you will be a great transfer. If you were in my mission you would have probably trained about three Elders up until the time that you match my time out. You are that great. I can't wait to tell you of my time either. One Day! I love you Bryant and I love the fact that we are both furthering this great work! Love You Brother!!

Meagan, "be the change you wish to see in the world" Ghandi. I love you and Courtney's idea. You will do great. Pick people up share motivational words and it might even be a place to testify of the truths you know to be true. I love You Meagan and I am very proud of you. Love you Sister!

Heidi, You are growing up. Enjoy it. You are changing into a wonderful young woman. Before you know it everything will change. But know that along with that forever constant truth is that Heavenly Father's love is constant! Enjoy every moment there. I love you heidi! Keep it up and enjoy your movie! Love you Bud!

Jera, I love Elder Holland's Talk. It is pretty cool. It was really cool when Noskombuso (our motherwell recent convert) read and loved it as an investigator. it was nice. But great talk. And it looks like a great week for you. I hope you enjoy every minute of it. Way to go on the promotion. 
Thanks also for the pictures and for looking after my wonderful sisters. Keep a close eye on Meagan as she is approaching the 27th of April. Love you Jera!

Well I love you all very much. I am sorry if my emails will be a bit different now, but it will only be for a little bit. Love you! have a great week!!

Love, Elder Pennington

Monday, March 16, 2015

Mar 16, 2015

Hey You Guys,

This has been a good week. Nothing too crazy happened. Our Focus this week was really the Less Actives and Recent Converts. We reached our goals well. It is hard to visit the Less Actives. Too see the understanding in their eyes and seeing that they have come to know of these things and then to see where they are now...failing to act on what they know to be true. They have given up on the simple things, Prayer, Scriptures, Church. It is sad. And now I will be saying good bye to many of them leaving them while they are in this state. I just wish that something that I have been able to done these last several months has clicked in their minds, their faith has grown, and the desire to do something is nourished. But hey, they have their agency. Thats part of the plan. But we keep working. 
As for me though, I will now be going to Cape Town. Mowbrey. I will be considered AAP. Assistants to the Assistants Should bring nice new challenges into my life. My new companion is Elder Vanfleet. I don't know yet where he is from. Either States or South Africa. But I am excited for this brand new adventure. Should be Fun! I will let you know more as I get into my new life in Cape Town. 
But this week has been good. Just tender moments of Good-Bye has been in the air. Always hard. But I will get through it. But Now lets look at your side of things. 
I love the Pictures of everyone chilling in the park. Sounds great. I can't wait to chill in the park. :) 

Dad, Sundays are nice. The hard part around here. When we try to set up appointments with people for Sundays, they are usually "oh, I have Church on Sunday." So they are reserved for our most wonderful progressing investigators. We had a couple of investigators at church. But the best part was Sox. Songezwa is his real name but he is generally known as Sox. He is less active. Elder Mei went to Kwano for Exchanges not too long ago and Sox has a friend in Kwano, so he passed on the name. Sox moved here to Motherwell three years ago (even before Mother was a unit of its own). So he has not been at church for the last three plus years. Scripture wise he left his in Kwano and for reason unknown he is not able to get them again. So handing him a copy of the Book of Mormon, he has been feasting like nothing else. Guided by the Spirit we were able to find him and he is now able to act as a strength to Motherwell Branch (hopefully helping it soon become a ward). 
Much of Church for us was the restoration. Priesthood, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. Personal President Bensens "Flood the World and our Lives with the Book of Mormon" has been a big focus in my studies and life right now. We will see how much more important it will become in my personal ministry as I head to Mowbrey. I am Excited. Thanks for being such a great Assistant Ward Mission Leader. Sounds like you are doing a great job. I love You Dad!!

Mom, Just to tell you, your packages will not get me in trouble. They are perfect. I love them. The trouble is you have some moms who will send their sons packages every week with crazy stuff like beef jerky. Something that costs a lot when it comes too customs. So your packages are great. I just told you because it is best to be obedient in these situations. Also the cool thing is, I will be working in the office so I will be able to get the package as soon as it comes here to the mission office. Thanks! I do love those wonderful packages. 
Sounds like a great week. I am glad you are enjoying the kids break. I miss those days of break when you don't have to do anything. One day :) But now I am grateful to take each day and give it to the Lord. It makes everyday a little bit more special. 
Easter has snuck up on me again. Time just seems to fly like nothing else. 
I am happy that you were able to get the pictures. It was a very joyous day. Yesterday we had their confirmations and yet another wonderful spirit was their. I love this wonderful work. I love you Mom!!!

Bryant, Right now I will be a district leader. And I too like the Song Glorious. Elder Ramat would play it while I was being trained. A very nice song and I feel it matched the Movie Meet the Mormons very well. Thank you for being a great example for me. I imagine you are doing great as a trainer. How is that going? I love you Brother Elder!

Meagan, Sounds like break is treating you well. And congrats on not buying anything. That is something special. Enjoy this next week for me and read a good book. You can pick one from my book shelf. It has been a long time since I have read a nonchurch book (which is okay, but I am wondering if you could enjoy one for me, that would be nice :) Only if you want too:) Keep enjoying break though. Every moment should be special. Love you Meagan!!

Heidi, You are growing up so fast. I say that so often but it is true. I love seeing the pictures that are sent. I hope you are enjoying your fifth grade year. It was a nice year. I had Mr. Jones. we would play dodge ball and capture the flag. Alot of fun. Other things happened that year, but  I had best not tell you :)
I hope you are also enjoying your week of break. Keep having fun! For me I have been able to share this wonderful gospel with those who don't yet know about these glad tiding of great joy and I find that a lot of fun. I love you soo much Heidi!!!

Jera, Thanks for the pictures. I love them. It is so great to see my wonderful family. Thank you! I hope you have a great week! Love you Too!

Love you All so very much. Hope your week is simply spectacular!!
Love, Elder Pennington the Elder

Monday, March 9, 2015

March 9, 2015



Hey You Guys!!

So this was a pretty good week. I got to see President Merrill like three times. It is hard being so far away from him. But It was nice. We had Zone Conference and talked about the restoration and teaching it simply but profoundly! We also watched Meet the Mormons! Awesome movie!! I don't know if you have had the chance to watch it but very much worth it. And that is not coming from the fact that I have gone about a year without watching any normal movies :) But it is a great movie that shows us great. Then we had Stake Conference. President Merrill gave some training to our local leaders. So he stayed in PE a little bit longer. I also got to see some of my Cleary Friends. I was able to see some of the growth that had been able to occur since I have left. My time in PE is probably coming to a close pretty soon. I will miss this place. But we move forward with Faith. 
We also had the baptism of Noskombuso and Makhaziwe. It was great. They have both Been preparing for this well. Noskombuso walks to church every sunday now. Even though it is a little bit of a distance and not the easiest, but she is trusting in the Lord. It has been great to see the spiritual growth in both Sisters. The gospel does change lives. But that about summed up my week!

Dad, The Veil is very thin isn't it. I do love this work. It is great to see the Lord's hand in this wonderful work. We are never alone when we are doing right. He is always with us. Thanks for the great Family History Story. Awesome experience. I hope you enjoy the hike. I miss hiking. If or when I go to cape town I will be able to hike Table Mountain. That will be fun! Soon hopefully. I love you dad! Have a wonderful Week.

Mom, Funny how things change, even when you are far away. I might not recognize anything when I get home. Even the girls are growing so fast. I imagine Heidi is about 6 feet now. She is looking tall.  I can't wait to see all of the movies that you are recommending. That will be great to have everything narrowed down. It is sometimes hard when the new missionaries come out and they mention some of the movies they had seen before they left. Whereas the last movie i watched was frozen in theaters. That was along time ago. Luckily I know why I am here. To Do the Lord's Work, not wish to see movies or long to do so. So keep the list for me and I can focus on this side of the world. 
 
Thanks for the videos. They were great. Everyone gave some great testimonies. Tell them all hi for me. 
My duties are going okay. Not less stressful but I am able to take care of everything a little easier. Kind of. But Training is almost over, and I might not be zone leader any more. Next week I will know my transfer news. So change is in the air. Can't wait to tell you what is going to happen. I feel like the people of Limhi (I believe that was his name) and when the lamanites had put a heavy burden on them "in the strength of the Lord" the burden became more manageable. Not that it was lessened but they were strengthen where it felt lighter. I love this gospel. I am grateful for my Savior and His Atonement! Grace or the Enabling Power is truly Amazing!!
Love You Mom! Have a Great week!

Meagan, Enjoy your Psych Marathon that would be fun. Enjoy break as well. You only have so many of them each year. :) Only so many left. I can't believe you are getting even closer to Summer break now. It seems to me like you had just started school last week. And now you are almost in grade 11? Crazy!!! Keep on Swimming! Way to go with your exams. You gave your all and reaped the rewards. Be proud and grateful to Him for the Help. Love You Meagan! Enjoy Holidays!

Heidi, Yeah Heidi I will be 20 this year. Crazy huh? I can't believe that you will be 11. That is super crazy. You are just getting so big. You did great on the poem. I love it! Keep it up. Enjoy your break. I love breaks, you get to relax and read just for fun :) I hope you find a great book to read. Thanks for the scriptures, I will take a good look at them. Keep being so great! Love You Heidi!!

Love You all very much. have a great week. Keep helping in the moving forward of  this wonderful Work. A Bold A Noble Work!! A Glorious Work!! A Marvelous Work and A Wonder! Love You all! 

Love, Elder Pennington

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

March 3, 2015

Mornings Wonderful Family,

It is really funny. Around here people through multiple mornings or hellos in a single greeting. We might get Mornings Elders rather than Morning Elders. Or Hellos rather than just a hello. it is always nice though when people greet us like that, I can't help but smile. 
Cool little experience that made me grateful for my wonderful family. Last night we were with a member family. Converts of at least a year. And we were talking about scriptures and such. At the end we were asked by the mom to give her and her son a blessing as they are both going through school. Now the father has the Melchizedek Priesthood, but they thought that was something only missionaries can do (most people have that thought). But We said okay and asked the son who he wanted to bless him (we had the Elder's Quorum President with us). And the son chose his dad. Perfect teaching oppotunity. Because the father had not been given the chance before. So we seized the moment and he gave wonderful blessings to his wife and son. But this made me grateful for the man who taught me about how to do such sacred and special things. It has been a blessing to have a wonderful father who has always been able to give a blessing in my times of need. Thanks dad :)
But my week has been simple. Small little moments like that. 

Dad, The pictures that I sent do not have any of them in it. But we will have a wonderful baptism next week for Noskombuso and Makhaziwe so I should get some pictures to you soon. Now now they say here. (Now now means later.) And they are all member referrals. Pretty cool!
Remember Lot's wife comes to mind. I am grateful to have the chance to look forward to freedom. There was a quote, "the road to success has many tempting parking spots." Or something like that. Sometimes we are afraid or think of taking a break or park and stay there for a while rather than keep driving toward our new life, towards freedom. I love our studies. I have been preparing for General Conference by reading last general conference and I read Elder Callisters this morning. Thanks for all that You and Mom have taught me. I am eternally grateful :) 
Thanks for the wonderful update. I hope you enjoy your week. I love all of the funnies. Our investigators, recent converts, and less actives are doing great. We had four of them at church. It is hard for them. Distance and lack of cars. So lately we have been talking about faith. President Zitshu (our branch president) has told us with them members if they exercise their faith by putting aside money to come to church and actually come to church, then if they need food, he will help. But for some reason pride is involved in this and we will see if they are willing to test this with their faith. But just watching this has built my testimony of faith. It is very important. Very key is our faith in Jesus Christ. It is so hard to see what we can't understand, much like the children of Israel. Sometimes we are just blind. I hope next week will be okay, we have stake conference. Should be great!! Love you Dad!!

Mom, I got a couple of wonderful packages this week. They brought such a great big smile on my face. Unfortunately I am to tell you all that President Merrill has put a restriction on packages to Christmas and Birthdays. There are some missionaries that get many and very pricy packages that has been causing troubles in the post, costing the mission. But I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers and for the 3 musketeers. It was great!!
Family history is something very awesome and I don't need too much. Not too much time to work on it. But I do think I remember my account info and I heard that Ancestry is free to members now, so I am excited to be more involved when I get home. 
Sounds like a pretty busy week though. I know how you feel about writing. I feel like moroni sometimes as he was summing up Ether. I worry that I am not the best at telling you all that is going on. But know that I have made a strong effort to record my life, so that I can share it all when I get home. 
Thanks for everything mom. I love you so much. and I had the thought that I will be home by your next birthday. I am so happy. I love my time here. But I have grown to appreciate the things back there with you. So I will work hard now so that when the day comes I will be able to say I gave everything and be happy to come home. Mom I do love you and hope that you will have a great week. 

Meagan, Thanks for the great pictures. You always had a love of photography haven't you? You are doing great. I especially like the shot of I think little kora of shelby riding the chair across the floor. Excellent shot!!  
That is so crazy to think that hayden will be in South Korea. I never would have thought. She will love it. And Addison Wherever she goes will be awesome. And Mason that one will be exciting to find out. Thanks for the updates. My comp and I are doing great. We are going to miss this transfer. Things will change in a couple of weeks. But it has been fun!! Hope you feel better! Love you meagan! 

(and  in a second email)

Do you ever just press the wrong button. Sorry about that. Now I am on to Heidi who gets a email all to her self( with Jera and Bry).

Heidi, I am sorry to hear that you were sick. Hopefully you are feeling better. Congrats on the science fair project. I bet you did great. You are getting so tall. I saw some pictures from Meagan and you are growing so fast. Keep working hard in school and dancing. have fun this week. Love you Lots Heidi!!

Bryant, I am sorry it made to be awkward. But Smart idea. Sometimes it is best just to keep peace. I hope you are doing great. I look at my life and I try to think about what you are doing. I imagine that it is much and the same because we are in the same work. but Then again we are going to have many different experiences. I hope you are having fun in this chapter of life. I love you Bry and hope that you keep strong as well. Firm and true to the faith. :)

Jera, Thanks for the pictures as well. it is great to see what is going on. I hope that all is going well on that side. I love you! and we can do hard things, can't we. Mission has for sure taught me that. Love you!

I Love you all very much and hope that you have a great week. Keep it up!!

Love, Elder Pennington