Dear Richard
I lectured the second years this week, and except for not having
enough time for the material, I think it went quite well! And I spent some time
doing a recording of me explaining the one lecture example we didn’t get to, so
that’s also something different to give some variety to my life. It’s one of my
favourite topics to lecture, so that also helps, and it was very gratifying to
see a number of people looking like they’re getting it J But it does mean an early start every day…
I managed to get there on time every day, although it was a close thing on the
first day because we had hectic rain, and so the traffic was much worse… But I
still got there, and it happened okay. Whenever I lecture a new class for the
first time I always like to introduce myself, my academic road to get where I
am, and then show them pictures of my kids and point out that I got married
while I was studying, and had Josh during my articles, so they can see someone
who made it work. I always get an appreciative response, especially from the
girls. But what was interesting was that I had a student come to me a couple
days later after the lecture and say, “This is weird, I know, but are you a
Christian? I figured after what you said about your family that you must be
someone who knows Jesus” So that was the first time I’ve had a response like
that, but actually this week I also had another student in my office who was
wearing what looked like a wedding ring. And when I asked him he said it’s a
purity ring, and we also had a conversation about our standards. So not bad for
a first week with these guys J I don’t
outright talk religion to my classes, because that isn’t what I’m there to do,
and I don’t think it’s appropriate. But there are opportunities that come up
every now and again J
Some nice news for the ward is that the Borehams are moving back to
our ward! Just Bro Dave, Sis Charmaine and her mom, but at least that’s
something! And Adam and Jessica Spires are also moving back to Cape Town,
although they’re looking at Hout Bay. But Cape Town is pulling some of these
wanderers back finally!
So last Monday we spent our home evening trying to help Josh and
Hannah see how to behave during prayers. We’ve spoken before, and we’ll do it
again, but it was time for that conversation again. And the good news is that
on Tuesday evening we had amazingly reverent children for prayers! It hasn’t
been maintained the entire week, but things are better than they were before,
so there is progress! Tonight we spoke about how to behave during sacrament meeting,
after a pretty bad one yesterday… We’ll have to see how things go with that… :P
Joshua is really loving his swimming lessons again! He had a couple
weeks break during the holiday, and I was worried we would have a backslide
again, but I think he didn’t lose any ground, and in fact he has gone back to
wanting to play in the water after the lesson again! I’m so glad J I hope that he handles his teacher coming
back from maternity leave on Thursday as well as that!
Friday was grandparents day at the school, and so Mom and Dad went and
spent the morning with Josh and Hannah. The kids learnt a very cute rhyme that they
recited, the grandparents got to see the kids in their classes and have some
eats. And then they took Josh and Hannah home to have some more special time
for the afternoon! So I had two kids who were very happy J
Its Grandparents day and were here to say
We love our grandparents in a major way
Some grandparents are skinny, some eat a lot,
some are funny, some are not
Some short, some tall, some big, some small
It doesn’t matter we love them all
Enjoy this day
It’s especially for you
And for us to show you
We love you too.
(Complete with
lots of actions of course J)
On Friday we had a timer installed for our geyser. Between that and
our new dishwasher we’re hoping to save some money on our electricity. It’s
taken us a while to get going with this, but we’re finally making moves J
On Saturday we went to Fish Hoek in the morning. Andrew’s mom is
currently in Gauteng visiting her sister, as well as the other family she has
up there, so the Fish Hoek house definitely feels like there’s something
missing. But we had a nice visit anyway.
Then in the evening Andrew and I went out together and Cindy looked
after the kids for us. So nice to have some time out on our own J You know of course we’ll be getting you
to babysit for us when you come home ;) Cindy should be married by then, so we’ll
be needing new babysitters! But Mom is definitely doing a lot better, so
hopefully you won’t be alone J
Yesterday I gave a talk on the temple, as a refuge from the world, and
the blessings of the temple, particularly the necessity of being sealed, so
that we can be together with our family in the eternities. I’m really happy
with how it went, but I know I was very much inspired with what I put together,
so it’s not surprising that it went well J I’ve included
my notes from the talk – I found some great quotes!
We also had a great Sunday School lesson on missionary work (member
missionary work obviously…), and I made these notes:
·
We are not there to convert everyone necessarily,
but wanted to educate them so they will know when they come into contact with
anti-Mormon stuff that it's not true.
·
But we need to also be finding out about their religions,
embracing each other.
·
Remember to ask about them, and show an interest,
so they don't think we're selfish.
·
Isn't our problem if they join or not or do
anything wrong. We just have to invite, and then they need to act. Important
that we keep on setting an example and loving them.
·
We should think of why we should accept calls/assignments,
not excuses why we can't accept.
·
The Lord knows who is ready, and he will prepare
a way for us to be able to talk to them.
·
There is power in being able to say to someone
that we felt inspired to speak to them when we have prayed about it.
Oh, and yesterday we took some flowers from our garden and some carrot
cake to one of the sisters. But we did it tok-tokkie style J The kids loved knocking on the gate and
then running to the car for our getaway! She guessed it was us, but it was
still fun for the kids!
And that’s the story of our week! Glad to hear things are going well
for you as well, and that you’ve been getting our letters and parcels. Enjoy J
Lots of love
Shelly
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