Oct 26th 2015

Hey You Guys!

Well things have been good this week. Things are picking up. Moving forward. But unfortunately time is flying by too fast! Time and I have had some interesting moments this last week. but we are getting better. 

It has been a great week. Lots of great appointments. Had some fun getting to know some new awesome potential investigators. We have a couple of young men here that we started teaching this last week. Had a wonderful first lesson. They seem like sweet potential priesthood holders. That is just what George needs. We are getting to the point of trying to think outside of a branch. To think and work as a ward. Being a mission branch we are out in the middle of nowhere and are left out of some of the cool things. SO we are beginning to put the shoulder to the wheel that one day down the line George might be more of a stake of Zion rather than just a branch. And it has been fun getting the members more and more involved in this great work. 

But things are going good right now.

Dad, I loved that talk you gave us about prayer. It was very nice. I have been working on my prayers. I find that sometimes when I get up in the morning and pray, I doze a little. But i have been doing better. Trying to say a nice prayer before I doze off :) But I have been able to reconnect a little more with my prayers and it has been very nice. 

Thank you for the conversion story of Guy and Mildred. Awesome! You know what I knew an elder Sanders here on mission. He recently went on home to Arizona. Maybe? 

Anyways our family would be quite different if not for that example. Examples are powerful. In the family mission plan. we stress the examples a lot. The curiosity of our examples is stirring in the hearts of those around us. To have the eyes to see and the hearts to seize the small teaching and testifying moments follows. Planting seeds and even reaping some of the fruit. 

Nothing new on this side. George is treating me too good. :) I am having fun here. Getting to know the members has been great. The thing I am loving about George is trying out everything I have been able to learno my mission thus far. It has been a great mission full of learning and now I get to use all of the tricks. It has been nice. I am loving my companion. We have had a lot of fun.  

Sounds like some nice studies. I have been going through the Book of Mormon very good this week. reading the Isaiah chapters. There is so much found in those chapters. So much testifying of how much Christ loves us. I have heard that the Infinite Atonement is a great book. One day. 

Thanks Dad. Love You!!

Mom, So this is where I get my lack of sending pictures from. :) I thought it was just the lack of time to find WiFi. :) Thanks though.

It was a good week. We did some service. Helped clean a front lawn. Mowed it and all. Fun. Also cleaned the chapel. If there is a need... call on the full time missionaries. :) I have grown in my love of service. We are the ultimate substitute teachers. 

The week was good. It was great to catch you on emails too. Thanks for your help with the paper. Crazy how time flies. Talking about time flying it is just a bit closer to Christmas. Skyping shouldn't be a problem if I am still in George. But come transfers if there are any changes we will work with it. :) This world is smaller than we think. Technology is awesome. \

Hard to believe that more and more people I know are getting Married. I went to seminary with Rebecca. Now she is getting married. weird. 

Yeah not too much going on here. 

Mom, Thanks for the great email. Take your time on the pictures. Love You!!!

Bryant, Hope things are well for you in the getting cold Penn State. This week we hit a wopping 29 C. I don't know the conversion of that but everyone thought it was hot. It wasn't that bad though. Keep Working hard though. Love You Bry!!!

Meagan, sounds like a great talk and a great dance. Thanks for the pics. I think I have a Superman shirt just like his. Interesting :) Happy you are enjoying your dating life. Keep having fun. 

But know you are a busy busy little butterfly. Take a break now and then okay. Naps are nice. Well I am happy you are doing well. I love you!!!

Heidi, I hear you have a gorgeous haircut. I didn't know they had student council in grade 2. Oh wait you are in grade 6 aren't you. Wow has time flown. I wish you the best on that. You would be great. Just be yourself and nice to everyone and you will make a difference in the school, even without being on the student government. Well you keep working hard okay. i love you Bud!!

Jera, Hope you are well as well. Love you!!!

Well another week down. Hope you all have a wonderful week. Make the moments count. Ponderize, Ponderize, Ponderize! :) Well i love you All. 

Love, Elder Pennington the Elder

Oct 19th 2015

Hey You Guys,

Where does the time go. For one it is hard to believe that it is Monday again. But also I have to apologize again, this Monday has escaped us, so my letter will be kind of short. Sorry. But I will try and make it good. 

For starters, transfer week has come and gone. I now have my new companion. Elder Katwala. We have been having a good time together. I have a feeling that my time with him will be great. 

On Tuesday when we went to PE, we were told to stay at the Motherwell boarding. Memories. Too much. Weird to think that it has been about a year since I first headed to Motherwell. Elder Mei's year mark is coming up now. Oh and have I mentioned that he is now in my district. He is serving in Knysna. Which is nice because then I will be able to for sure see him before I go. 

Which brings me to my next order of business. I got an email from the mission office. I need to give them some info that will allow me to fly home.To make things easy I just sent the form to you Mom. I think for the most part I just need the international airport. Thanks.

Anywho, it was a pretty good week. Nothing too crazy. But looking forward to great weeks to come. :)

Dad, I look forward to reading that talk about prayer. I have been trying to get even better in my prayers. I am happy to hear about the work going on at home. I find it interesting to hear stories about sister missionaries. We don't have any over here. 

That is cool about President Riggs. I don't know the name. He is probably in the zone leaders area. But yeah PE needs strong men like him on the high counsel. It is a good stake.

Heidi is a great young lady. Growing up too fast. 

And yes the flight was crazy, but i think the adrenaline of mission got me through it. And the nerves of going home will get me through it again :) But it was long and okay. 

I loved Elder Christoffersons talk, i wrote the most notes on that. We come across people all the time. Many roads lead to the top of the mountain. Summed it up nice. Straight and narrow. Things are good here though. Enjoying every moment. Trying to make the most of every moment as well. 

Well Dad, I love you So much!!

 

Mom,

I miss your Sunday school class too. Things happen, but that is where a secure anchor in the gospel helps. Thanks for helping me secure my anchor. 

Keep up the good work that you are doing. You are now more involved in missionary work. Thanks for doing your part. 

Thanks for filling out the form. The email should still work. Thanks :)

And thanks for letting me know how much is on the card. That will be perfect. 

And thanks for all of the wonderful pictures. I like the new haircut. I plan on getting my haircut soon. I never know what to ask the person. I am too easy going when it comes to my hair. :)

Mom, thanks for everything you have done for me. I love you so much!!

Bry, I don't know what kind of tracker, but i do know I can't go more that 120 Ks without it going off. But it is okay because the mission speed is 100Kmh so I do okay without the tracker going off. But the corrolla is nice. Probably a bit better than the aveo. Especially the Etios Which is like a tin can on wheels. In the wind it shakes so much. :)

I will enjoy the heat of summer for you over here. 

Love You Brother!

Meagan, Alex and Monster Mash sound like fun. :) Say hello to everyone you think might know me :) But two parties in a day is nice. I am happy you enjoyed the week. Keep Calm and Party on  :) Love you Meagan!!!

Heidi, I love the pictures. Especially the heart one. You are a clever little one aren't you. You are growing up quick quick. That is great indexing for anyone. I think you are 10 times better than me. I get like 40 names a week. Keep up the great missionary work. 

That is a cool dream you had though. It would be fun to play with President Monson. He is a really good man. Well Heidi I love you!!!

Jera, there is nothing too crazy here. But I do think I will bring home some Rooibos tea. Really interesting stuff that is. But weird how fast the time is going. And then there were two...

I am trying to get some little nik naks and things but, I never really get the time to do so. But hopefully I will bring home a trunk load of memories. :)

Thanks Jera. I am happy to know that I am not the only Pennington tea drinker :) I love you!!!

Well, how is that for a short email. I am sorry it didn't get to you before school, but know that it is a good FHE thing :) But I do love you all so very much. I hope you had a great day and look forward to talking again next week. :) :) :) :)

Love Elder Pennington the Elder

Oct 12th 2015

Hey you guys, so this is going to be a good email. Possibly short because not much had really happened this week. Just the same old same old. Teaching the Restored Gospel one lesson at a time. But the week was great. Had conference only a week late. Just need to listen to the priesthood session and i will be good. I loved it. Many great talks. Ponderizing has become a part of my life. I love it. It was a wonderful conference. I felt some sadness during Elder Bednars talk when i thought about how the Apostles i have grow up with, growing to love, are getting older. I cherish their words of wisdom even more. This is the true church. With Christ at the head. I loved Elder Christoffersons talk about Why Church. We come across that so much. At that talk just answered it so simply. Isn't General conference great?

Also we have entered into a new transfer. I am staying in George. But i am going to get a new companion. His name is Elder Katwala and he is from Uganda. I met him several times in Cape town. Seems like a great missionary. It will be a great transfer. 

Dad, i am sorry for your struggle. Buppo hair is so very bad. A terrible side effect that victims of the Sleeper get. Truly saddening. 

Cari seems like a great sister. I would be great to meet her sometime. What a wonderful conversion story. Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways. :) 

Love is so key in this work. As we are working with the members on hastening the work, my own desire keep on growing. My love is growing even more. But you come to find that love is something else like a muscle. Something you have to use to make it stronger. Service helps out so much. Love is vain if actions don't follow. If it does not drive you to do something good. Love is so important. 

Dad, I love you!!!!

Mom, I loved Elder Hollands talk. Thank you so much for everything. For your love ans support. For you example. For all you do. Thank you. 

Thanks for telling me about Cari. Conversion stories are so great. Something to remember and to continue to discover. A fire in this dark world. Her's seems so special, just because it was just her association with good people who had the light themselves. That precious and simple light. 

Thanks for your light. 

That is a lot of cookies. 

There were such great talks at conference. They really keep stepping it every year. I love the words of our dear church leaders. Ultimately given from a loving Father above.

I just have too many favorites from the sessions, and more to come with the priesthood session. 

Mom, I love you so very much!!!!

Bryant, we have a tracker  in our car. But that isn't too bad. What kind of car do you have? We have a Chevy Aveo. Not too bad of a car. I kind of like it. 

Well Brother, i love you too!!!! Keep working hard.

Meagan, 540+ cookies is a lot of crazy cookies. That is quite the work you are doing. Well worth it. Everything is good on this side of the world. Africa is treating me good. I don't have any crazy sickness or anything. That is a plus. 

But i am happy you are having a great week. Just keep working hard. Thanks for answering my questions. The weight room is a good place for dance. You don't have to climb all those stair after a long good practice. That must be nice. 

I love you Meagan!!!!

Heidi, well my apparently 11 year old sister. You are so grown up. And very talented. Calligraphy is cool. Soon you will probably have better handwriting than me. You probably already do. 

Keep relaxing. Relaxing is nice. You know what else is nice? Ponderizing is nice. You would love it. :) hope you have a great week. I love you Buddy!!!!

Jera, i love all these old pictures you are sending. Memories. Kind of. I can't really remember back that far, but i do like to pretend i do. Still i was too little then. Where has the time gone? Time is so very precious. Too much. 

Thanks Jera. Love you too!!!!

Well my wonderful dear family. I hope you all enjoy another wonderful week. May the Spirit be your constant guide. Love you and miss you all. Keep Calm and Ponderize! :) love you!

Love, Elder Pennington the Elder

Oct 5th 2015

Hey you guys!!!

Fist of all, Happy Birthday to you. Happt Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Heidioooooooooooooo. Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, i will do that again later but for now, this week has been a good week. Not too much has happened. Kind of slow. But nevertheless it was a pretty powerful week. Had some great lessons. A lot of which had to do with the plan of salvation. I love that plan. To know these things has brought such great strength this last week. To know that Christ gave himself for us. That He knows exactly what we are going through. That is pretty special understanding. True comfort and peace.

We also got a new senior couple here in George. The Tiams. That is pronounced time. They seem like they will be a lot of fun the serve with. 

Other news, we did not get to catch General Conference this week, but our branch president is on top of things and will try and download it for is to watch next week. Nice. Normally we would have to wait two to three weeks in this situation. More than a month if we were in Cleary. But we will hopefully be able to watch it next week. That will be great. 

But i think that is about it for my life. Nothing too crazy. Same old same old. Transfers are coming up quick quick. On Saturday i will know if my world is going to changed around. Transfers always get me kind of excited. The idea of change makes me nervous sometimes, but you come to embrace it and trust in the Lord. Oh the things you learn on mission. 

Dad, i loved that experience you shared from President Faust. Precious time to ponder and pray and meditate. I love doing that. Sometimes it is nice to just slow down things and find peace. Last week we went to a place called Map of Africa. I will try to get you the pictures soon. It is not to far from here and doesn't really look too much like Africa, but it is a very peaceful place. There is also a very nice area of nearby Wilderness beach. Just so peaceful. We will probably have weekly planning up there on of these days. 

I am going to love taking the time to go and do the same in the temple now now. But until then i will find that peace within and on the mountain. 

Not too many very journal worthy type things. At least not to mention now. But we have be working hard here. Had a lesson with a recent convert of ours. Just reading Alma 41. She just started crying at the end, talking about how hard some of her challenges are and how sometimes she just wants to go back home. I don't know where exactly i was going with this but i then shared alma 7:11-13. Testified of Christ's Atonement and how He knows exactly what we are going through. It was short and simple but the atmosphere just changed. Each one of took something from that moment when the spirit spoke to us. Very special. 

But a move sounds like fun. Just let us know. What is going on mission if the family does move while you are gone. It would be nearly as exciting :) i support this one. 

Dad, thanks for the conference notes. I especially loved the one that said "mudwhole" that will be a good one. Also quick fact Elder Renlund was serving over here in the Africa Southeast area presidency. So he know Africa. That is cool. As well as Elder Stevenson, his great great something great grandfather was one of the first missionaries here in South Africa. Small world now. 

Dad I love you!!!

Mom, i love that quote from President Monson. Great thing happen when we make Him the center of our lives. Thanks for sharing that and the funny. Hope you enjoyed the Avengers movie. 

Four layer dip, that is one thing i miss. Especially at conference time. This last week we went to Spur. A Native American themed restaurant. Got some Nachos. But they weren't that good. No one can make Mexican like back home. Mexican food is great. Yum!

Thanks Mom. Hope you have a great week. Love you so much!!!

Bryant, i thought you might enjoy Braai day. :) love ya Brother Elder!!!

Meagan, i had a great week. Looks like you did too. Dad sent the picture. Quick questions. 1st, what is is his? I am not sure i have met him before. 2nd, you are in the dance room, right? Did they change the weight room into the dance room? 

Change is good. Hope you enjoy the break. Love you Meagan!!!

Heidi, Happy Birthday! You are now 11. Wow!!!! Just stop growing a bit okay. I think i left when you were 5 or 6 right? :) you are just too cute. Hope you had a great birthday. Love you Heidi!!!

Jera, thanks for the pictures. Soon we will great conference. Words like Ponderize are classic. :) we are very peculiar. 

South Africa has had great growth. Not as much as other African countries but still great growth. In fact the missionaries began here in Cape Town before anywhere else but somehow Joburg and Durden will both have temples before Cape Town does. Hopefully soon. It has been great to be apart of this work. 

Love you Jera!!!

Well it has been another great week. Looking forward to what will come. I love you all so very much. Have a wonderful week. 

Love, Elder Pennington

Sept 28th 2015

Hey you guys!!!!

Well I have had yet another wonderful week in George. Nothing major happening. The work is picking up sure but steady. Things are moving forward. Elder Si'ufanua and I are going to finish this transfer strong. We have two weeks to go, so we will see what we can do. But it has been a pretty great week. Spiritual highlight of the week. We have a man in our branch who wants his wife to join the church. So we have been teaching her. Recently we taught her about the Book of Mormon, she has had one for a while because of her husband, but now we were able to talk to her and answer her questions. Up until now she has had a hard time understanding the English in the Book. So she hasn't really been getting too much out of it. Then on Saturday she was stuck on the introduction (she had started over to try and understand more). Her husband came home from work and she mentioned her struggle. He asked if she had prayed. No. Then why not ask for our Heavenly Father's help. So that is what she did. Fast forward a couple of hours when we can for our appointment later in the afternoon. She was in 1 Nephi 10. And she understood pretty good. She told us what was going on, asked us a little of pronouncing, and a couple of other questions. And boom the spirit had helped her understanding grow. It was really cool. She was grateful for the understanding she received. To add to this she even connected her experience with Nephi and his experience of getting the plates from Laban. It was really a special moment. If only everyone had the faith to ask God and then keep on reading. Too often are we caught up in what we can't do or what we don't know that we stop moving forward. But then where is the growth? That was pretty cool.

Dad, thanks from that great quote from President Eyring. That love is important in all relationships. And it does have great application to missionaries and missionary work. 

What a great question! Children's game unique to over here. Come to think about it there isn't really anything too different over here. But i will keep my eyes open now. Maybe i will stumble upon something. Most of the time for family home evenings we need to bring the games. So it is just those things i know. 

But did i ever tell you that i was shopping in PE once and found the game abalone ( or however you spell that marble game you have) out of all the place i found it, it was in a shoprite in South Africa. Felt close to home for a moment. 

My studies have been simple this week. I was preparing for my talk. It was Elder Hales "Protecting Agency, Preserving Religious Freedom." So every day prior to Sunday i had read through the talk thinking about what i must speak about. It was probably one of the hardest topics i had been given. Very deep. But i think i pulled it off. Had a lot of Heavenly help on that one. It is amazing how much our agency and our religious freedom it being attacked. And it is up to us to use our agency to stand up for this freedom. 

Time is going too fast. Don't blink. But the memories will be priceless. The Gardners, a senior couple here a while ago came back to visit. We have been able to sit and talk and even make some visits with them. They remember so well the experiences they had here. The people. And so forth. Mission truely causes you to put your heart into a place. This has become a people that i love so dear. 

Okay one last thing dad. You mentioned that you don't have any a/c right now. I am sorry. Here in SA there is not normally an ac unit in our flats. No central heating either. It is down to the blankets and the fans. It has taken some adjusting but i think it will now be weird to have it any other way. Change is great that way.

I love you Dad!

Mom, thanks for the email. I love it. The emails don't have to be long, it is just great to hear from you. So this week i was reminded that i have a mission blog. Thanks for keeping that going for me. I even got to see Brys. Good to see that he is well. 

Thanks for reminding me of Wyatt. Miss that guy a lot. That is one cool thing i like around here is the kids. I will be driving down the street and they get all excited. It is so cool. Sharp sharp. Kids and memories. Thanks for the funnies. They were really funny. And congrats on the indexing victory.But yeah, this has been a pretty simple week. I taught institute this week. It was good. One of these days i will actually be able to go to an institute class of my own. One day. But Mom thanks for everything.

I love you Mom!!

Bryant, this week we celebrated heritage day. It also was national braai day (that is pronounce national bry day). So that is something that i will remember about South African holidays. Happy National Braai Day. 

I love you Bryant!

Meagan, you will get to Idaho with all of the work you have been doing. Just keeping working hard. I am happy ballroom is finally going to Idaho, that has been the plan since i was in 10th grade. I am happy you are able to experience it. With all of the dancing you have been doing, i can't wait to see you perform. You are so great. Hope you have a great week. Love you Meagan!!

Heidi, i love yard sells. Can't wait to see another good one. You are almost on break. What are you going to do? Enjoy the break. Keep working hard and have some fun. Hug Mom and Dad for me. Love you Heidi!

Jera, thanks for the pictures. I will one day get better at sending pictures. It is hard being a driver, i have to drive to PE rather than take the picture of the trip. Luckily me companion is getting some for me. But i will get more soon. But one day we will have a bog slide show pf my few mission pictures. That will be great.

Love you Jera!

Well i hope you all have a great week. Make the most of it. Love you and miss you all. Keep up your good work. 

Lov, Elder Pennington the Elder