The Blessings Flow

Dear All,

The Motherwell Branch has traditionally attended the temple once per year, in January. We were able to attend with the approximately 8 members this past January and it was a wonderful experience. In counseling with President Zitshu, the wonderful Motherwell Branch President, we decided to increase the frequency of branch temple trips to twice per year. This is no small thing because it is a 650 mile, 12 hour, trip and at a significant cost to those attending. The bad news is that we are not able to attend, but the good news is that we have 33 branch members who arrived at the Johannesburg temple today. Several will be endowed, one couple is being married, and three other families will be sealed. Several will also be doing baptisms for their ancestors. We have been blessed to help many of these wonderful people prepare for this important and joyous occasion in their lives and we have come to love each one very much.

We have made numerous trips to the hospital the past couple of weeks in regard to various issues with our missionaries. One incident was with one of our Motherwell missionaries, Elder Smith. He and Elder Tucker were helping President Zitshu with his car and it fell off the jack trapping Elder Smith's hand directly under the tire, and it is not a small car. After some time of not knowing what to do, President Zitshu drove the car off Elder Smith's hand. His fingers were obviously smashed and he was in pain. The Elders drove about 30 minutes to the hospital casualty department (ER) where they took a scan of his hand only to find nothing broken. They also offered him pain medication but he said it wasn't needed. The Lord watches over His faithful servants. Elder Smith is certainly one of the very faithful ones and he is being blessed for being such.  

Missionary service is not easy but the blessings which result from it are tremendous. The greatest of those blessings comes from simply seeing the happiness which comes to those who earnestly strive to live gospel principles and to serve the Lord. We are seeing such happiness in the young missionaries with whom we serve and with members of our beloved Motherwell Branch. The fact is that we spend a great deal of time with good and happy people and this makes us happy, very happy.

All our love,
Elder and Sister Watson

Pictured Above:  This is our dear Sister Mpumie Vena. She became a member of the church this past October and was called as the Motherwell Relief Society President about 5 months later. And, she is a marvelous president. She cares so much for the sisters and is loved by them. She is an example and an inspiration to all of us who are blessed to know her.

PS: Unfortunately, we have just learned that the Vena family will soon be moving from Motherwell. Fortunately, they will be in an area nearby so we can still enjoy their company from time to time. 

This is Princess Hem, Thenjiwe Jack, and Deneo Vena. All three are quite recent converts to the church and will soon be full-time missionaries from the Motherwell Branch. They are amazing, intelligent, faithful and beautiful young women who will most certainly have an influence for good on many people as they serve as missionaries and throughout their lives. We love each one greatly!  

 Members of Motherwell Branch recently participated in Mormon Helping Hands. We cleaned and painted the interior of a local creche (preschool) which was in terrible condition. The results were great and the members who participated found great joy in serving together.

I was able to play 9 holes of golf today with Elders Jackman, Owen and Paskett. We played at the oldest course in South Africa which was established in 1897! The clubs we used were just about that old. Fun times! And yes, they are all large Elders! We had quite the variety of golfing apparel as well. 

I have now played golf on 4 continents...and life is good! 😊