Faith + Hope = Happiness and Peace

Dear All, 

2016 was certainly an eventful year for us, as we sold our home of 20 years and are now living half way around the world.  This was all done because of our faith in God and in a sincere desire to serve Him by serving others.  The arrival of a new year has caused us to more closely consider how the decisions of the past year have impacted our lives.  Well, big changes obviously bring dramatic results.  Let us name a few which stand out:

• We miss our family and friends very, very much, and our love and appreciation for each one of you has never been greater.  "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...it most certainly does, and we long for the day when we are in your presence again. 
• We know, without doubt, that God lives and He is the Father of us all.  He loves us all unconditionally and wants us to love one another.  The people with whom we now associate each day have taught us a great deal more about the love which God wants us to have for one another, and we are so very grateful for that.  
• Happiness, true and abiding happiness, is not found in the possessions we obtain.  This is something we have always believed but to see how very happy these wonderful South African people are amidst their extreme lack of material things is profound and undeniable evidence of where happiness lies.  
• Finally, we have learned, without equivocation, that an exercise of faith brings a bright and abiding hope, and that hope then brings a level of happiness and contentment which is available in no other way. Our greatest desire is to now bring the happiness which we enjoy to those we love.

While we are very happy in this work to which we have been call, the pace of life and weight of the responsibilities we have been given are a bit daunting at time.  These past couple of weeks have been especially busy, but enjoyable.  The week between Christmas and New Year's Day are particularly slow for missionary work since many people are traveling or busy with other things.  With this being the case, the Mission President has instructed that this time be used for a "deep cleaning" of the missionary's boardings (flats/apartments).  Since one of our responsibilities is to conduct regular inspections of these boardings, we were well aware of the need for some extra effort in this regard.  Sister Watson prepared a special deep cleaning checklist which the Zone Leaders used to organize and oversee the cleaning of each boarding by all the Elders .  It even included taking furniture outside and emptying the cabinets and closets before the thorough cleaning.  Windows were washed which, in some cases, had not been cleaned in this decade.  Anyway, the result was that these elders have a better appreciation for what the word clean really means and are enjoying a more Celestial living environment.  

We are driving a lot!  The past several days we have traveled to areas 2 hours away in one direction and nearly 4 hours in another direct from our home.  All this was needed to conduct baptismal and temple recommend interviews, to speak in church, and to serve the needs of the missionaries serving in those outlying areas.  This morning we will soon leave for a 12 hour drive to Johannesburg to attend the Temple with members of the Motherwell Branch.  This is there annual temple trip and we are so excited to be with them for this special occasions.  So, we're driving a lot but are enjoying the journey greatly!

We extend our heart-felt love to you all and best wishes for Peace, Happiness and Contentment in this New Year!

All our love,

Elder and Sister Watson  

On New Year's Eve Day we visited Monkeyland, a beautiful preserve in the jungle which contained several hundred monkeys of 11 different species.  Many would come right up to you.  One guy had his sunglasses taken right of his hand by a monkey....and then it went off into the trees.

What a face!

This old guy lost his mate and lives a sad and lonely life.  The guide said that they would often be hugging each other.  So sad!

 Not a Raccoon.  

We also visited the Birds of Eden park (near the Garden of Eden). It is a huge aviary created in a beautiful jungle area.  This is simply one of the hundreds of exotic birds which live there.