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

September 21st 2015

Hey you guys!!!

Well this week was pretty simple. Just a four hour trip to PE. Had a nice zone conference. It was nice. Crazy to think that the zone events are becoming less and less. But i love those moments of instruction. Then we had a short exchanges with the zone leaders in PE, so that they don't have to travel to George. It was nice. Then stayed one more night. Then to the trip home. I only struggled with tiredness the last hour. I am proud of myself. I am so used to just sleeping in the car journeys. But i made it okay. 

The last couple of the days in the week were kind of slow, but we made the most of them. But it might be a little hard with the rugby world cup. I don't know if you remember the movie Invictus. But the Springboks are pretty good in rugby and people love them here, esp. The Afrikaaners. But we will get by. I might get a little caught up in the rugby fever and buy a Springboks Jersey. Maybe :) but yeah thing have been good here. Same old same old. Still excited to read your emails. They still make me smile big. Love you all. 

Dad, first, Joburg is an 11-12 hour drive from here. So most people fly. But tell Brother Glazier thanks for me too. That would be so cool. Part of me has looked around every corner to see if by chance there might be someone i know. Mission has made this world seem so much smaller. 

I am going to be talking this week, perks of a small branch in Africa, missionaries get to speak a lot. I will be talking about Elder Hales talk ... Preserving Agency and Protecting Religious Freedom. I hope it goes well. My studies have been pretty simple. One thing i want to do when i get home is take a study of the book of Mormon with the topic of Light. I read 1 Ne 17 and Nephi talked about how the Lord acted as there their. Something physical was given to them in their times of darkness. As so it can be with us. A physical source of light. A spiritual source of light to lead us in this ever darkening world. 

But the work is good here. I do like to the area alot. it is full of so much potential. I am excited to give my all here. A great place to have a final inning. To practice everything i have learned thus far. It should be fun. My comp and I are doing great. It is so much fun. 

But the family mission plan is what we are finding great strength in. It not only paves the way for people to join the church, but it also strengthens the members in their personal conversion. It will be great for this area. 

I am happy everyone is enjoying time with Grandma and Grandpa (here they call their grandparents Ouma and Oupa. I love the different cultures i find here.) . But i love you Dad. Have a great week.

Mom, i don't know who the girls remind me of?? :) but i think that we can tie it all back to our wonderful parents. Love you and thanks you for your great examples. You are the best Parents in the world. 

It is cool to hear the testimonies of those who are investigating the church. Those honest seekers of truth. They are truly looking and when they find the church you can tell, they can tell that they have been prepared for this gospel. Angels are preparing many for this great gospel, now we are in search for them. What a marvelous work and a wonder. 

No major stories this week. I have come to recognize that most of the time the Lord work many small and simple miracles in our lives. Tender mercies. Things that are almost unnoticeable. But His kind hand is there. Small little things happened this week. Like driving home with no problems. The simple lessons we had. It was just nice. I will try to get a good story for next week though.

Thanks Mom. Love you!!

Bryant, love you Elder. Keep working hard. Kia Kaha! Love ya!

Meagan, you are quite a busy girl. I am happy you enjoyed homecoming. I loved the school dances. They were great chances to hang with friends and have fun. I think if my memory serves me right, i went to my jr homecoming with Ashley Dearden. It was fun. But wow time flies. I know it flies even more when you are so involved in school just as you are. Keep working hard, but don't forget to sharpen your saw. You busy girl, you. You are growing up too fast. Slow down a little bit, will you?

I love you Megs!

Heidi, i hear you did great in the primary program. Way to go!! Also congrats on being Student of the month. You must be pretty brilliant. Keep working hard like your sister. She is a great example to me. You can learn a lot from her. And wow it is almost your birthday. Well happy early birthday. You are also growing up too fast. Love you Buddy!

Jera congrats on the triathlon. That must feel great. I did about 10-15 minutes of plyometrics from p90x it killed my legs. I really have to be doing more exercise. Especially with the little time left. 

I love the topic of grace. There are so many great talks about it. President Uchtdorfs was great. But Brad Wilcox had a great one called "his grace is sufficient" and Elder Bednar also had a great one, i think it was called " in the strength of the Lord." A great topic to study. 

And yes it is a crazy world we live in. There are too many funny characters out there. Oh politics. What a crazy world this is. 

We will have to talk sometime. But i love you Jera, have a great week.

Well thanks for the great emails. I love you all so very much. Hope you week is great, especially in the count down until Heidi's birthday. :)

Love, Elder Pennington

Sept 14th 2015

Hey you guys!!!!!

Another week has passed. Here on moment and gone the next. 

On my side the week was pretty slow. A normal mission week in George. On Friday we drove to Knysna, the closest two missionaries. The rest of my district, an hour away. Life is kind of nice here in exile. A chance to just buckle down and focus. A good chance to prove myself to myself. Other then that the week has been pretty slow. Pretty simple. Nothing too major. Next week will be the same. We will take to 4 hour drive again, to have zone conference in PE. That should be fun. Road trip :) 

Dad, covenants are pretty neat, they bind us closer to Heavenly Father, and they put us right next to Christ. Giving us the strength to do good. To become better. They refine us and mold us and make us.  The gospel is the best life insurance, it gives us the greatest peace in this life, a peace that comforts us through whatever might happen.

 

Sounds like a lot is going on over there. Thanks for your words of support and love. 

I have truly enjoyed learning more about and watching the Atonement at work. Seeing people change through Christ. Seeing my own change is a little harder, but i can see some of the growth. Mission has been quite to experience this far. I can't wait to see what else will happen. 

I love you Dad!

Mom, that is a funny meme. Mission will do that to you every now and again. It just wipes you out. 

But yeah Sundays are nice.  Sundays are our busiest days. Sounds like you had a great week. 

That cool about Nathan. I have a friend from Motherwell serving in Uganda. Elder Beja. Nathan is going to Africa Africa. Not south African tameness. Elder Beja this last week had a baptism planned and they had to cancel it because there was no water. His whole village had been without water for a week. Nathan is going to have a great African Mission adventure. He will love it. 

But the Ultimate Gift is a great movie, probably one of my favorites. 

With a mission branch there is not much more that i have to do. We just help out where we can. Which is nice. President wants us to strengthen the unit. Build the members, reactivate and such. So we focus on that, but we do have a couple of cool investigators. As well of some young investigator of people's kids. People who are making their way back and their kids are older than 8. So there is plenty to do. A nice small branch. About 60 people at church. Not too bad. It is just a mission branch because it is too far from a stake. So the mission supports it. 

But the area is nice a pretty. Nice people and everything. I will get some pictures soon. The weather is slowly getting hotter. Just slowly leaving behind the cold. But it isn't too bad right now. Today is a beautiful day. Nice warm breeze with a little cold. Just right. 

Mom, thanks for everything. I love you mom!!!

Bryant, love you too. I can't wait to share stories either. Someday soon. But it looks like we are on different side of the world yet having a similar time on mission. I hope you enjoy your branch with Elder George. It is pretty cool being in a small unit huh? I have been able to understand more how everything work in the church. Pretty cool to see more behind the scenes. Love you Brother

Meagan, i met a sisi (sister) the other day with your name. Even spelled the same way. Then she tried to convince us that it is pronounce meegan. Some people. I couldn't help but smile. 

But it looks like you are keeping busy. Working hard, playing hard at school. That is great. Just keep swimming. Love you Meegan :)

Bud, you are a very very busy busy little bee aren't you. Happy to hear you are enjoying things. Keep your head up and smile when those challenges come. There is a quote. "Don't tell God how big your mountain is, tell your mountain how big your God is" Heavenly Father loves you alot and wants to help you out. Trust Him. Keep up the great work. I love you Heidi!

Jera, love you too!!

Well sorry it is not jam packed with stories and jokes. But just another note. Last Saturday we got home and had no power. It wasn't load shedding or that we were out of units. But 🇿🇦 we just had no power. Slept without. Showered and got ready on Sunday without. Nothing for the whole. Day we tried getting a hold of the landlord, nothing from him. The senior couples didn't know what to do. Then our last visit yesterday was with a member family. We just mentioned to him. He took us to the electricity dept. Got a phone number. They came to the flat. Literally just flipped a switch and we had power again. There was a power box outside and something had just switched ours off. Small and simple things cause some great problems :) well i hope you enjoy your week. Love you all lots!

Love, Elder Pennington

Last week - Sept 7th 2015

Hey You Guys!

This has been quite the week. saying good-byes. Flying to PE. Driving 4 hours to George. Cleaning up the flat. So that it looks nice. But it has been a lot of fun getting to know this area. It seems like it will be a fun one. There are a lot of great members. I think I will enjoy my time here. But nothing too crazy has gone on this last week.

Dad, sounds like a lot of good things are going on over there. Lots of good. Just keep pushing hard.

i love you thoughts with Gideon. I have always enjoyed that story. Vigilant and ready for anything. I thought of this last week. The trust it takes to come to George. There has been some crazy stuff in the pass. It is far away from everyone and the like. Right now we don't even have a senior couple to help things run smooth. There is a little bit of fear in there. There is so much to do. Missionaries are a big part of the branch. But even their trust has been cut. But the last several elders have been building trust again and I get to mark it even stronger. It will be some good work. A chance to let faith grow a little more. 

For now I don.t need anything. I am doing good. Just learning my way around the area. Things are great. One of the priesthood holders in the branch is the branch president. And he reports right to president Merrill. President Moyo is a cool guy. He is a great one to lead the branch. 

Our focus is more reactivation. We will also be working on building the members so we will have the family mission plan provide some investigator along the way. George just needs to be strengthed. Big time.but that is about it for now. Lots of fun times ahead.

Love you Dad!

Mom, george is very nice. Very diverse as well. And it is quite crazy to think that this will be, more likely than not, my last area. It has a population of about 68,000. Then you have the surrounding areas as well. Thembulethu, 31,000. Pacltsdorp, 18,000. So there plenty of people to visit just here. Then our area expands and includes Wilderness, Mossellbaai, some ostrich place, and the little places inbetween . It is a big area. But it will be fun to get used to. Plus i will be able to visit Knysna. One of the most beautiful places in the mission. I drive along most of the garden route. One of the most beautiful drives in the world. I am one of the lucky ones. 

Thanks for the great picture. 

Oh and Happy Anniversary to you and Dad!

Love you Mom!!

Bryant, love you brother!

Meagan, thanks for keeping up with my facebook. You are the best. You can accept the friend requests. Or if you want you can tell me who is making the requests and i can approve. But whatever is easiest. I can always go through everyone when I get home. But thanks for doing that. 

I am sorry about the dance collision. It is all a part of the program :) just keep practicing and work hard and you will soon be dancing with the stars. :) 

But evrything is good one this side. Just loving the work. Good luck with the tests and homework. Your diligence will pay off soon. Love you sister!!

Heidi, sounds like you are having some fun as well. Camping and everything. 

And you are very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very good girl. Keep working hard in school. You are doing great. 

Also keep indexing. I won't be able to have a lot of time to do it here in George. Not like i was in the office. So now it is up to you and mom. Good luck! 

I love you Heidi!

Jera, i hope you are doing great. Have a wonderful week. Love you!

Well until next week. This is Elder Pennington the Elder signing out. I love and miss you all. 

Love, Elder Pennington