November 30th 2015

Hey you guys,

This has been a pretty simple, hot, a bit rainy, thanks giving filled, awesome week. Nothing special went on. Thanksgiving was nice, celebrated it alone, but i tried throughout the day to give prayer of thanksgiving. It felt good to take a look at all of the many wonderful blessing i have been given. So many blessings. We even sang count you blessings for church. Everyone was mindful of it being thanksgiving, but unfortunately it did not bring turkey and pies. But that is okay. 

I am sorry, you all ask for stories, and i lack in them most of the time. This is not much different. But Heidi made it more specific and asked for my favorite story. So i will share my favorite experience of the week. 

Lately we have been teaching a young man named Siyabonga. He has a baptismal date for the 3rd of January and he is pretty cool. He is not working too much but is looking for a job, so we can see him often. Already in the commandments with him. But this week we talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a simple lesson because his english is not the best. But it was still pretty powerful. In talking about baptism, it was great to hear his excitement concerning it. Everything is just moving along nicely. It is just really cool.

Then there was last Sunday, gave some blessings to a family, with exams and stuff going on, they just needed a little more help. It has been great to give many blessings to the people of my mission. Makes me grateful for Dad, who was willing to give one to us. His example has been great. Makes me as excited for the day when i can give a fathers blessing to my own family. 

Too many thoughts have been going through my head lately. But i must stay focused.

Dad, i did get the family newsletter. It looks great. Sorry i have not been able to write anything. Not much time, but soon. 

It is great how mission is a micro-life. We learn so much in these two years, shows our true character and potential even. A time of great learning. 

That is a funny story. If i were to end up in Salt-lake, i probably would have gone home with one of my SACTM brothers i will have gone home with. Then i would have made it through the trip with someone else. But most likely i will be alone after the stop in Europe. Or wherever. Whatever happens, happens. 

It is great to hear that Brandon is doing well. He is a good kid. 

Blessings of a living a covenant life. I love those quotes and will tuck them away somewhere. They will provide for a great study. 

Nice groupie though. You are more in touch with the lingo than i am. Scary thought. I didn't even know there was such thing as a groupie. :) 

I love you dad!!!

Mom, that looks like a very busy week. But you did get a small break on thursday. For my side i got pizza for my comp and i. It was good. Nice place called Romans. They are like little ceasars. I have heard rumor that they are owned by little ceasars. Just like game is our walmart. I did get a tree though. Small hut nice. Makes me want to watch a Charlie Brown Christmas. Just on the look out of Souvenirs. 

Zach's back, Matthew's almost back. Where has the time gone. 

I love the story of Abinidi, i also love the bit of humor in it. He comes in disguise and teaches again. They capture him. Bring him before the king. The priests ask an Isaiah question. He starts talking about the 10 commandments. They are angry want to kill him. He starts to grow and says that he has not finished what he was sent to say, and on top of that, he has not yet answered their question. So don't touch him. He was a strong and faithful man, until the very end. Bold as a lion. A great example of courage.

Yup, for me everything is the same. No changes.

Thanks mom, i love you!!!

Bry, members are too kind to us. If we happen to be there at the time they are either having or preparing dinner, there is magically some for you. Even if you were just there for a moment, they take care of you and you can't decline. All of this kindness has made me want to be a great member to the missionaries. 

Keep up the good work. Love you Brother!!!

Meagan, that is a busy week. Did you buy anything for black friday. They had some black friday stuff going on over here. But mostly on food items. It doesn't get very crazy over here, but happy to here that you survived. 

Keep busy these holidays. Good luck with the program coming up. Too much shopping. Love you Meagan!!!

Heidi, Wow. 25.54. That is cool. You must have been saving for a while. If you were here you would have just over R250. Cool huh. Bet the shoes look great. 

I just remembered some more things. We had the primary program yesterday. It was cool and funny. I thought of you. And all of the little ones making faces and funnies. It was nice. Also we were at the store and i heard a kid not too far away telling his dad "look it's superman, look it's superman." And then his dad yelled out, "hey clark." Not quite sure who they were talking about, but it made me smile. People are funny around here. 

I love you Heidi!!!

Jera, those are some great pictures. Cute little ones. Growing up so fast. I think i remember Kora being as small as duke. Time flies. I too am bad in the picture department. But hopefully i will be able to get some pics of families soon. 

Those are funny little ones. Duke and his hat, funny story.

Love you Jera!!!!

Well, hope that is good with stories and such. Too much funnies. I love you all very much and hope you have a great week.

Love, Elder Pennington