Saturday, August 28, 2021

REUNION NEWS OCTOBER 2021

COMING SOON!

Mission reunions are typically held around General Conference time. Given that the numbers surrounding COVID are still growing, we may end up using only Zoom for our mission reunion in October, 2021. In the next week or two, we will make that decision.

We are so eager to meet with you! We also want to keep everyone safe and healthy! Therefore, if we do meet in person, we ask that you be fully vaccinated. If for any reason you aren't vaccinated by October, we ask you to join via Zoom.

Look for invites on Facebook and/or by email. Hugs to all!

Sunday, January 31, 2021

FIRST SENIOR MISSIONARY REUNION

SENIOR MISSIONARY REUNION

Our first Senior Missionary Reunion was held via Zoom on January 30, 2021.

It was so much fun to be with our fabulous senior missionaries. Many had the opportunity to reminisce and talk about the experiences we shared in South Africa. Time was limited and we did not get to hear from everyone, so we have decided that we must do it again in a few months so we can hear from those that didn't get a chance.

President Thompson and I have been extraordinarily blessed to know each of these individuals! They are the best of the best, and we could not have fulfilled our duties without their help and support while we served in Durban.

PRESIDENT THOMPSON WITH A BEARD

President Thompson grows beard for charity

President Thompson was challenged (along with others) to grow a beard or mustache for a charity auction in Ireland. (He is currently doing business there). In the auction, a company pledged €4,000 for him to grow his beard from December through the end of January.

Sunday, January 26, 2020

SOUTH AFRICA DURBAN TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE

GLIMPSES OF THE DURBAN TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE

(Thank you to Sister Howell for providing these photos and information)

So many branch, ward members, and missionaries participated in the temple open house!

Sister Howell said,

"Elder Rasband will dedicate the Temple along with Elder Carl B. Cooke. In the April 2019 Conference talk given by Elder Cooke, entitled "The Quorum: A Place of Belonging" he told the story of the "Band of Brothers" from Botswana.

Elder Cooke is bringing the "Band of Brothers" to the dedication with him."

I encourage you to read the article before the dedication!

A VIP day was held for honored guests. They welcomed guests from all nationalities and faiths.

Besides our distinguished Sister Howell and Sister Gray, the lady in black is the

Lesotho Consulate.

Gary Player, is a retired South African professional golfer, and perhaps one of the greatest golfers of all time visits the temple standing next to Brother Howell.

Temple window with the Protea

Jane of Huntley House Bed and Breakfast where most of our Senior Missionaries stay when they first arrive! Her daughter Emily visited the temple.

She wanted to touch the hand of Jesus! Same!

Monday, October 14, 2019

Our First Reunion

First Reunion October 4th, 2019

So much fun seeing so many we served with in South Africa! I'm so grateful to not only have had such a wonderful experience serving the Lord, but coming to know these fantastic individuals have truly enriched our lives. We have enormous love and appreciation for each of our missionaries, young and old! It was like Christmas to be reunited again!!

Elders Chandler and Duffy

Oops - I guess I can't call these young men by Elder any more!

Bateman, Dean, and Sister and Brother Collins!

Youngman

Nichols

Cox

The Porters

The Hampshires

The North's

The Becks

The Allens

Huff, Gehlbach, Lopez-Pelaez, Fullmer

Cardon and Nicole

Vaughan, Maughan, and Moore

The Rasmussen's

The Van Uiterts

Huff, Guymon

The Hicks

Bateman

Bodnar and date, Guymon, Maughan

The Rasmussens and Moore's with Kip

Love seeing the wives of our missionaries! These young women are extraordinary!

The Porters and Kip

Sister Perry and the Hampshires

The Perry's and Hampshires

Liechty, Dean, and Dean's brother!

The Collins

The Larsons - He was our first missionary to go home! So good to see him again!

Sister Chandler, Duffy, Brother Chandler, and Sister Weiler

The Woodlands and Kip

My daughter, her husband, and their two children arrived from Sacramento during our reunion so that they could attend General Conference with us the next morning. This is Grace!