Seasonal projects

A project that Ron helped design and has been in the works for some time is a new entry gate alongside the temple that leads to the Area Office campus down the hill. To widen the entry lane, five trees were cut down and the landscaping removed. The largest tree was engineered safely down by a professional crew; a man with a chainsaw cutting from the top down.






We are through our second month of winter and used some innovations to stay warm in our flat. In the evenings we sit on the couch to read with a blanket "tent" formed over the oil heater to keep us toasty. There is no central heating system in our apartment building so our livingroom's only other heat source are two panel heaters attached to opposite walls. They and the moveable heater have kept the chill off. When we sit at the table for meals or to use our laptop computers we place the oil heater under the table which acts as a tent to warm our legs.



Having made a berry pie with whole wheat crust which was a hit at a senior missionary potluck, I discovered it was quite a novelty--must be the Pacific Northwest style of pie making which I assumed everyone knew. A week later some of the sisters came to our flat for a hands-on berry pie class. All practiced and shared their style of crust fluting with four of the sisters making pies to take home and bake.


During wet and warm summer months the native grasses grow feet high throughout the countryside. Many areas, even in neighborhoods, are burned throughout the winter, creating huge clouds of smoke and a perpetual haze which hangs in the air.

Young Single Adults

To celebrate the 24th of July (a LDS pioneer commemorative day), Ron and I drove an hour north to our church's recreational property at Hartebeesport for an multi-stake activity with the young single adults (YSA). About 200 young people ranging in ages18-30 met and were placed in teams of 8-14. They participated in activities in a variety of stations located across the hillside at which they earned points by encouraging each team member to complete the tasks. We were stationed at the obstacle course and found it fascinating to watch how each team interacted and supported each other with physically challenging balance beams, under/over posts and a tire climb. These pictures are of some of the YSA in our ward.
Today there were 40 YSA in our Sunday School class.





A true delight in our missionary service is teaching every third Thursday a Security presentation to each missionary group at the Johannesburg MTC. We taught this group on July 22 and they departed for their assigned missions on July 28. It is a most inspiring group for they are all African from the continent, 14 elders and 2 sisters. They are remarkable men and women who are among the future leaders in their countries.
One of the elders we were personally acquainted with as he served as a Travel Intern in the Area Office prior to receiving his call and very competently helped us with our travel visas since January.

Ron turns 60

Ron reached a landmark day and discovered four men in the Area office share July birthdays. The supervisor of guards at the main gate, Simon, turns 44 just two days after Ron. He is a good liasion and friend.

With only the smallest degree of trickery, I was able to catch Ron totally off-guard with a morning surprise party at the office with 30 senior missionaries and employees attending for birthday cake.

Ron and Elder Warr share the exact day so celebrated at lunch.





Having learned about nearby meteorite craters, we drove an hour and half south west to experience the countryside of the Vredefort Dome. This structure was created by the rebound from an asteroid striking the region 2,000 million years ago. It is currently regarded as the biggest and oldest structure of its type and clearly visible from space. We hiked a trail which took us up hillsides overlooking the Vaal River and surrounding valley. We walked past stone walls built by African farmers in the 1500s to 1700s.

This is a pastoral area with many herds of goats and cattle seen along the valley. A troop of Vervet monkeys playfully scampered in trees alongside the road.

Winter at Mid Year

Winter in Johannesburg is surprisingly cold due to our 6000' altitude. However, since this is the dry season our June and July days have been blue sky clear with virtually no wind.

Each season different produce ripen; currently oranges are available seemingly everywhere. Along the roads and in the markets bags like these sell for US$2-3.

Wheelbarrows are a favorite way to transport many items along the roadways.







We have had a quiet month staying close to Johannesburg as World Cup games have been played throughout the country. This has been an exciting time for South Africans who have thrilled at the opportunity to host and celebrate with the world.

Each Friday employees and senior missionaries at the Area Office participated in activities, showing their support and enthusiasm for the soccer (which they call football) games. This was our version of the diski dance. The fun enjoyed by many in the office camouflage their Sunday callings as bishops and stake presidents.



For a Saturday getaway we drove two hours north and hiked in the Tswaing Meteor Crater which is similar to the one in Arizona. It was a pleasantly warm day.



Ron and I have been assigned to be an advisory couple to the Young Single Adults, men and women ages 18-30, in our inner city ward. The past two weeks 22 and 26 attended in their Sunday School class. Many of them speak multiple languages and are a delight to be around.