'I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go!'

Hi Mom, Dad and Jordan,

      Yes, it was good to hear from you guys.  I won’t know if you got the voice message I left on your Skype account but we were in the middle of a powerful electrical/rain storm when the power

cut out and that’s why we lost signal.  It was really incredible.  Just after that we left to drive across town to pick something up from a less active member.  The rain was threatening to turn our car into a boat.  Literally in minutes several places in town flooded with a couple feet of water.  It

was pretty surreal.

      So, the rest of our week was pretty good.  Despite that a lot of people have left town, we have been finding people to teach, especially families.  That family I had mentioned, Mama M’s family, is coming along really well.  They have given themselves to receiving a strong testimony of the restored gospel.  They are very committed to what they have learned to be true, and they are on date to be baptized in late January.  However, we still haven’t met with the father because he has been away for holidays, but will be coming back this week.  We are praying he will see the change and happiness in his family and begin to accept the restored gospel as well.  Pray for him if you will.

      I can feel the time flying.  As far as who to invite for the homecoming, just invite anyone who wishes to attend.  Watch the video "I’ll go where you want me to go,” and apply it to me coming home.  I'll Go Where you Want Me To Go!

Love you all,

       Elder Gold

Editor’s Note:

      Once again Landon has brought light to our world through a skip to his step.  We were thrilled to speak with him on Christmas day through the marvels of modern technology, and see his very pixilated face.  We used an Internet service called Skype and had many problems.  The transmission was rather poor (due to the electrical storm), as we were disconnected many times, but it didn’t lessen the joy of talking with a son who has been gone for so long. 

      We are now down to the countdown in weeks rather than months of when he’ll return home.  The date expected for arrival is February 20^th and we have confirmed his homecoming talk in church to be the following Sunday, on February 23^rd.  All are welcome to come and celebrate his two years of service to the Lord and the African people. 

Transperancy of the Hands of a Missionary - 'A Day in the Life'

Hi Everyone,

      Yep, so I’m back into the running groove.  We are lucky to have elders from Kiberly stay with us every week so I get to run with one Elder Johnson when they are here.  On Christmas morning we are planning to run approximately 7 miles from our place to the Carlile’s so Elder Johnson can Skype his family.  Speaking of which, I have decided to call you guys after Christmas due to all the elders who need to be calling.  I'll probably Skype around 6:00 pm on Thursday night.  It should be Thursday morning for you guys.  I plan to call you guys Christmas morning at 7 or 8 our time to be able to get details about Skype.  That works?

      SO, let me tell you about a blessing from Heavenly Father.  We have been struggling with finding in our area, until this week.  Heavenly father has really led us to a lot of people who are listening to our message.  We have been teaching a mama and her sons the past few weeks.  Her name is 'Mama M'.  About two weeks ago we met her daughter who is visiting from Mpumalanga Province.  She is 25 years old, and I learned a good lesson from her.  Two weeks ago we gave her a Book of Mormon after introducing it to her.  We explained it briefly.  She, like her mom, is very bright and smart.  She has a great desire to learn the truth. We left her to start reading from the beginning.  This last week we came over again for our lesson and she was there.  We asked her how her reading went, and this is what she said:

"I was really excited to read this book and get to know it.  When you guys gave it to me I felt drawn to know what was inside.  I believed you when you said it would help me know Christ better.  I sat down one night and started to read, but nothing was making sense to me.  I normally comprehend very well, so this was unusual.  I prayed and asked God to help me, but nothing.  So I decided I was going to fast the next day.  I fasted the whole day and that night.  I knelt down in prayer and asked God again to help me, to show me the truth of this book and to help me understand.  I felt Light come to me as I started to read.  Everything was coming to me and I understood perfectly.  I know this book is from God, and so are you two.  I know that whatever else you are going to teach my family is true, and I will follow."

      With our jaws on the floor you can only imagine what we were thinking and feeling.  Also, imagine the spirit that permeated and swelled the room.  We are going to find the church for her where she is staying.  They came to church and watched the Christmas devotional and were just filled with light.  It was amazing!  So, that was just one of many other experiences we have had this week. Things are coming up.

      Mom, I did get all the packages (for my birthday and Christmas). :) I opened them last night with my companion because we will be having more missionaries staying with us this week.  I love the chocolate!  Lucky, lucky for me!  Elder Stengile is lactose intolerant so, by default, I get to eat it all.  The pens are very cool too (editors comment: They each got a set of German fine tipped art pens from Santa).  I have actually seen them here in this country but didn’t know they were nice.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

      Also, here is an update on my hand.  Went to the doc on Tuesday, he took another x-ray (which I will show you a picture of).  He said it is 100%.  Doesn’t feel so, but I’ll take his word.  However, I’m doing pretty well with it.  I’m able to move all my fingers now.  My thumb and fore finger move about 50 percent for now, but I think it will continue to improve.  No apathy for me.

I’m looking forward to seeing you on Thursday.

Love you,

Elder Gold

A Sneak in the Grass

Hi Mom, Dad and Bug,

      OK, this rhino came very close (or I to it) while another Elder was taking a video.  The rhino got mad and challenged me as he gruffed, and stomped, and got into charge position.  Needless to, I ran!

      So, the hand is a booger, to be honest.  I have some nerve damage on top of my hand causing my middle and pointer knuckle to be numb.  That might prove helpful in case I ever get in a tussle.  The one wire closest to my wrist did a 180-degree twist over the past few days.  They said its normal.  I go in for assessment tomorrow morning.

      Mom, the nativity that I got is cool, but I don’t know if it is the one you want. Its not painted, and there are no shepherd because the guy who painted it read out of Mathew and not Luke.  It’s made out of a nice hard wood.  Is that the one? If not, there is another very beautiful one, which is painted and very brilliant, and I could ask the Swazi Zone leaders to get it.  Let me know.  I should have taken photo but forgot.

      Editor's Insert: Sister Carlile made a birthday cake for Landon (he turned 21 on Saturday).  It is so nice to have a senior couple in Landon's area.  They have been a huge blessing with all the help they've given during his recovery from the surgery.  Landon also had the wonderful privileged of seeing his MTC Mission President and his wife this week, President and Sister Reber.  They were visiting from Johannesburg for a Christmas Conference.  I really feel that my son is surrounded by Angels who have been very instrumental in keeping him in heaven's embrace on this journey.

Now back to Landon's Letter:
      Well, on a spiritual note, Bloemfontein is tough.  It is being a tough area and I have been

thinking a lot about why things are not going the way we want.  Why people drop us, and don’t come to church, and why we can’t find any less actives via the ward, and blah, blah, blah.  I was very frustrated yesterday, and this morning I was studying with my concerns in mind.  WHY am I here in this area?  I read Elder Dube's conference address, and then was rerouted to the scripture found in D&C 58:1-7.  Where I found the answer the Lord had for me.  I am to be obedient and endure, continuing to declare testimony.  I actually misread the last line of verse 6 and thought it read, "that your testimony might be prepared for the things to come.”  I think I misread it for a purpose.  I will keep pushing.

I love you.  I will talk to you next week.

Elder Gold

"Why Would You Cry?"

      On Tuesday morning we received a phone call from Africa.  Hearing Landon's voice on the other end of the line instantly sent the warning signs up that something had happened even before he uttered the words that all is well.  The following post is of the course of events that followed an injury that happened while playing soccer on an outdoor basketball court.  Though the body may be weak, at times, the spirit can be made strong.  Here is the example of such strength.

Hey family,

      I read all your emails just now.  I know mom wants details about my hand. let me give you a rundown of the week.

Tuesday:

      So, I went into surgery this day.  I had a really nice anesthesiologist that put me under.  They did arthroscopic surgery and, by the looks of it, there were four entry points.  They put in two thick steel wires that have anchored my thumb bone to my forefinger bone.  The wires protrude out of my hand and I'll send you some photos.  I remember coming back to consciousness and my hand hurt like a fried booger!  I guess the fact that there are so many nerves in the hand aided in my pain.  I was telling the nurse but had a hard time communicating and hearing since I was only half out of it.  I remember the nurse keep telling me the pain was in my head.  Finally, in frustration, I told her, "the pain isn’t in my head, it's in my hand!"  I thought that was pretty funny.  They ended up giving me 4 pain killers, 3 injections, and 1 oral, none of which took even the edge off.  I guess I have a really high pain tolerance.  I spent the rest of the day sleeping at the Carliles (the senior couple from Utah serving in Bloemfontein).

Wednesday:

      I ended up going home with my companion to sleep in my bed, but couldn't really sleep.  On

Wednesday morning I went back to the Carliles and spent the day there again, sleeping and chatting with Sister Carlile.  We went out in the afternoon for Sister Carlile to teach a piano lesson, then went back home.  I was still in a lot of pain and the ibuprofen they gave me at the hospital didn't do anything, so I was given some loratab.  I think the loratab did me worse than better.  I hardly slept that night, and the few minutes I did, I had some crazy dreams.

      The first dream: The zone was here in Bloemfontein at one of the malls.  It was empty and we were not sure what to do.  In a cloud, President Von Stetten materialized, dressed like General Robert E Lee, or Ulysses S. Grant (basically dressed for the civil war).  He started commanding us and gave us all muskets.  He divided us up into two groups facing each other, then declared war.  Shots started whizzing and elders started falling as we were shooting at each other.  Finally, someone came to their senses and shot Von Stetten and the fighting stopped... Weird eh?

Thursday:

      I spent another day with the Carliles. still not feeling well.  We ran around town preparing for a meeting later that day.  Elder Cook from the area seventy was on a mission tour and came to Bloem for a zone conference (Friday) but had a meeting Thursday with the return missionaries in the stake.  I went to that meeting.  It was  ok.  I didn't pay much attention though.  After a while Elder Carlile took me to the hospital to get my hand checked out.  My hand is basically numb over the top knuckles, and we didn't think that was normal.  They said there were probably nerves damaged during surgery.  They never said if it would heal.  Hope it does.

Friday:

      Didn't sleep again the previous night, so stopped taking the loratab.  We had our Zone Conference this day.  We started with a leadership meeting in the morning with the President, Elder Cook, the Zone Leaders from two zones, and the District Leaders.  Then, we went to the ACTUAL conference itself.  I was worried because I felt that I was not spiritually prepared for it; I was tired, in pain, uncomfortable with the stiffness of my hand.  However, I felt the tender mercies of the Lord as the spirit lifted me up and I was able to take away a lot from the conference.  Afterwards we went home and I slept and rested one more day.

Saturday and Sunday:

      I was back in the area.  The area was impacted due to our absence, and we are going to rework our approach.  Tracting is not working, nor are other related finding methods.  We are implementing (under the direction of President Z., the Stake President, and Elder Cook) 100% correlation of efforts with the ward.  There are also big, big plans for the stake.  Through our very inspired stake president - President Grobler, and also the Area Seventy, they are making plans . . . very big plans!  I can't really do justice to the plan in an email with one hand, but it is big, and feasible.  It’s all coming from the Lord too, and we are at the leading edge of it.  We are going to lay the best foundation we can.
      So, that was my week.  I bought my companion a camera for Christmas, in case you wonder about that transaction.  His broke a month ago and he doesn't have enough to buy a new one.  Anyway, I love you guys.  I am looking forward to this coming week.

Elder Gold 


Editor’s Note: 

Landon's Reply: 
  This is Landon's response to my reaction after seeing photos of his hand after the surgery (I'll spare you all from seeing them).  I said to him, "Oh, this brings tears to my eyes."

Landon:  "Why would you cry?  I'm gaining so much more than I could ever lose from it. I didn't mention the spiritual experiences attached to this challenge but, they are great. Interestingly enough, my heart is swelling with love for those around me, and I’m not sure why.  I had a very tender moment at the chapel on Thursday where I felt love swelling in my heart so much that I felt for a moment it was a glimpse of the love God has for us, a pure unconditional love.  Again, I can't describe it well, but there are many things I am learning.  It is even forcing me to forget more about myself :)  I'll take this challenge any day.

Dad's perspective: 
 This is what Landon's father wrote when he learned about the details of the surgery, referring to the photo above of Landon raising his hand.  The words below parallel Helaman's Stripling Warriors found in Alma 57 in The Book of Mormon.
The picture of him holding his arm up reminds me that he is our Stripling Warrior. Ain’t nothing gonna defeat that kid…

“Yea, and Landon did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea and even according to his faith is was done unto him; and I did remember the words which he said unto me that his mother had taught him… that if he did not doubt, God would deliver him… and behold, to my great joy, he had not fallen to earth; yea, and he had fought as if with the strength of God; yeah never was a man known to have fought with such miraculous strength, and with such mighty power… and it came to pass that he did faint because of loss of blood, and dog bites, and spine problems, and broken bones; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole family and friends, he did not perish even though he did receive many wounds”

Just wind him up and send him back in for the last quarter.

Thanksgiving From Africa

Hi Family,
      I must say, ‘I thoroughly enjoyed your emails this week.’  They gave a nice spiritual boost.  I think I can use your experiences here in the zone.  I also read Patrick’s last letter (his final letter home before he left his mission in Germany).  It sounds like he served a good mission.  I have similar thoughts to what you shared dad, about looking forward to the next two years.  I can really see that my service as a "part" time missionary will prepare me for my service as a "full" time missionary the rest of my life.  I have exhausted a lot of time today responding to an email from a Return Missionary who served way back in 1991 in two of my areas (this was the year before Landon was born).  He was companions with Jean Pierre, and is coming back to this country in February.  He was asking me about a lot of people.  It’s a really small world eh?  He found my Blog via Google, and I guess that is how he contacted me.
      I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to write to you very much today.  I've been here on the computer too long already.  The zone is also here.  I just want to let you know one thing.  It might not make sense, but it does to me, and it revolves around the sacrifice dad spoke about.  So read D&C 97:8-9 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.  For I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit.  
I love you guys so much.  Keep the faith. 

Elder Gold

Editor’s Note:
This week Landon had made several references to what his father had written, so below I’ve included an excerpt from his correspondence.   In Steve’s letter he talks of submitting our lives to God’s will and the importance this sacrifice plays in directing our life’s path.  So often I hear of faithful, and hard working individuals who give and give, yet never feel adequate in their efforts.  I have also included a message passed on to Landon this day of learning what is acceptable to the Lord and what exactly it means to “be perfect.”  The lesson touched me deeply and I shall include it in hopes that someone else reading it may find peace in understanding as I did.    

Steve’s Correspondence: 
     I was reading a book this week and it quoted Neal A. Maxwell.  I was impressed with the quote and wanted to share it with you: 
     “The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s alter.  The many other things we “give”… are actually the things he has already given or loaned to us.  However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him!  It is the only possession which is truly ours to give.” 
       Steve continues . . . I know it’s been a blessing for us to have you serving so faithfully.  I love your letters – they inspire me to be better and to submit my will to God’s will as you have so selfishlessly done.  I hope I was a good example for you while you were growing up – and now I can truly say that, “the student has become the master.”  As these next few months pass and your time to return approaches – I hope you will look back and say, “These were the best two years of my life” and in the same breath say: “And now I’m embarking on two more years that will be even better.”  The foundation you’ve built over these past two-years will steady your entire life and be such a huge blessing for your current family, your future family and all those who have the privilege to cross your path.
      You have a short time left in Africa.  Stay focused on the present moment, because the “present is a gift.”  And your gift to your Father in Heaven is to submit your will to His.
      Love,
            Dadio

Continuation from Mom’s Letter: 
      Today’s lesson in Relief Society was really good.  The lesson was centered around the scripture found in Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Man, and how the thought of perfection stirs up a hornet’s nest amongst the members.  Sister Jacobson taught the lesson and I really can say that I don't believe a better job could have been done with the subject.  There is such a hidden level of stress among many individuals to live up to standards that they put on themselves, thinking falsely that we must become perfect in all that we do.  Well, I have a quote in my scriptures that helps with this concept of perfection stated by Howard W. Hunter: "We must know Christ better than we know him; we must remember him more often than we remember him; we must serve him more valiantly than we serve him.  Than we will drink water springing up unto eternal life and will eat the bread of life . . . .  What manner of men and women aught we to be?  Even as he is."  The key here is that we always strive to do and be better than we currently are.  This does not mean that we are expected to be perfect, only that we are to continue in the direction and manner that has been laid out for us by Christ (e.g. Having faith in him, repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and 'Enduring to the End').
      The next scripture that was shared was 3 Nephi 12:48 "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."  What is beautiful about this scripture is how the Lord did not describe himself as perfect anywhere in the scriptures until this point . . . after his resurrection.  Ultimately, that is what we are to strive for, exaltation with a resurrected and perfect body.
      This concept was then delved into a little deeper using a mathematical equation to bring the concept to understanding.  She wrote on the board     A + B + C + D + E + F = Exaltation/Perfection (Written with Exaltation being placed over Perfection).  Without exaltation we cannot achieve perfection yet for perfection to take place we cannot achieve this without the Savior's grace upon our attempt to be as he is (falling very short because of our human nature). The A, B, C, D and so forth can be filled in with Service, Compassion, Obedience, Endowments, and so forth.  When I was thinking of what to put importance on I thought about how at the end of our earth life, when we go to the bar of God, the Lord will judge us by our hearts that will be a reflection of the work we have done on ourselves through service and the love for others that we have emphasized in our lives.  It will not matter what we have acquired (status, degrees, awards, etc) but how we have utilized things in life to better the lives of others.... an added benefit for us here and now comes from dedication to some of these things but they do not guarantee a life without hardships (just different challenges if we choose not to work hard to develop the gifts give us).   So, back to the equation:  Now if you parenthesize the equation like this and put a negative factor in front it changes everything...e.g. –X (A + B + C + D + E + F)=?  The opposite of exaltation would be damnation, but instead let us just put 'Unhappiness.'  So, What would -X represent?  We discussed it in class and decided to use the idea of 'Comparison.'   When we compare ourselves to others and continue to feel that we do not live up to our neighbors we can beat ourselves down and feel hopeless about our efforts.  Sweet, dear Sister Bagley (she's got to be in her 80's) stated, "Molly Mormon is Dead."  It's time to write her epitaph and not think we have to do and be all.  Oh, such wisdom, Eh? (Footnote:  Molly Mormon is a term used in our culture symbolizing the perfect women/mother/wife . . . and she really is non-existent.  So why have so many compared themselves to this unattainable persona of perfection?)
      Well, the end result to this lesson was myself, along with many other women who attended the same lesson, walking away with a richer and brighter outlook, not feeling so inferior in our efforts to live up to the requirements of the gospel.  As long as we 'STRIVE' in the right direction, with our sights on the things the Savior wants us to focus on, we will be met with open arms in the end.  I LOVE THAT!
      Why did I share this with you today?   Well, this idea of not living up to or being good enough, I believe does not just live in the minds of women.  Quite frankly, I imagine it is a universal struggle.  Maybe there are missionaries within your zone who need a bit of hope that their efforts ARE good enough as long as they are 'STRIVING' daily to move in the right direction.  It's all about those baby steps.  
I Love you son and LOVE that you continue to strive,
MOM . . . . XOXO . . . . .

The Intentions of My Heart

Hey Mom!

      So, the first thing that comes to my mind is to comment on Elder Carlyle (Landon’s friend from home who will be finished with his mission this week).  I’m so happy for him, I can only imagine how excited he is, and his family, but please, please don’t tell me about it :p All I want is one photo of him, maybe a comment or two, but (I’m laughing right now) I don’t want to hear about him.  I’m not scared of getting antsy for home, but I want to avoid all possible things that might make me think of getting on that plane... Because I don’t want to get on that plane.  We just had another transfer pass, and I am still with Elder Stengile.  We will be together till the beginning of January.  I’m glad we are still together.  He is a great Elder.

      Last week was very up and around.  You know we went to Welkom and Kroonstad, then got back to our area and worked Thursday and Friday.  Then Saturday we had to participate in the stake youth soccer day (as requested by the stake).  It turned out to be a lot of fun.  We put together a missionary soccer team and played through the tournament.  Meanwhile, the Carliles (The Senior Couple serving in his area) put up a tent and table with all our pamphlets and things on it for people to take.  I got probably the worst burn I’ve had in years. Everyone at church on Sunday was calling me Red Neck.  I couldn’t even button up my shirt it was so painful.

      So, you remember Veronica?  She is progressing really well.  She is still faced with challenges, but it is incredible to see how the spirit is helping her overcome them.  Example; she came to church two weeks back, and afterwards told us she was expecting more… more feelings, more spiritual impression, etc. We didn’t really try to resolve it for her right then and there, but when we went to see her later last week she began to explain again about church and how she had expected more.  We listened to her and she transitioned to talk about the challenges she faces with her oldest daughter who was kicked out and is living with her boyfriend and is expecting a child soon.  Just as the dimming of the lights in a movie theater just before the presentation, but in the opposite way, light came to her mind and she in puzzled reality expressed the possibility that perhaps she was too preoccupied at church, thinking about her daughter, to feel the things she was hoping for, and to receive the answers she is seeking. BINGO!!! It was wonderful to see the spirit work in her that way.  She also came to the DESIRE to quite smoking without any persuasion on our part.  Again, we had not spoken about it, and she even stated in our first few visits that she doesn’t think it’s bad and will not give it up.  Well, she said she FEELS it offends God and WANTS to stop.  I capitalized those words because they signify a change in her nature through her learning of and applying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What is she doing to allow the Savoir to change her?  She is reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible every night with her youngest daughter, she is praying, coming to church, and working on repenting of what she has come to realize is wrong.  She is learning by faith, and growing by faith.  I have seen growth in her.  From the first day four-weeks back when she said she has such severe depression she wants to die, to today when she says, "I just can't lay in bed anymore.  Before, I never wanted to get out, but now I’m up and singing and cooking and doing all these things I’ve never done.  I’m happier!  Maybe not completely anti-depressed, but I’m getting there!" ....... How can this Gospel not be true?

      SO, I’ve made a decision; For my birthday, my companion and I are going to go on a convert retention mission for the day in Thaba Nchu.  Going to go there and work with all the converts and less actives that I was there for.  I’m excited for it.

      Do you remember Elder Roberts?  He was a missionary I was around for almost a year.  I probably spoke very Highly of him.  He is the one missionary I look up to the most out of them all, even though he has been home for 7 months. He wrote me last week and shared something I have adopted and sealed mine.  He said,  “One thing that helped me greatly, and which I encourage you to do, is say this in your prayers, ‘God, I am getting close to the end of my time here.  I love serving Thee!  It fills my heart with such joy!  These last few months I want to give my ALL, holding nothing back!  To Help me do this I plead that Thou wilt prepare things at home for me so that I don't have to waste this precious time thinking about them know, and help me not to be distracted by anything till I get off that plane.  Help me serve with ALL my Heart, Might, MIND, and Strength!’”

     That prayer has a few adjustments which I include in my pleads to Heavenly Father, but those are the intentions of my heart.  I've got three glorious months ahead of me.  I love this work.  I know with all my heart I am in the thick of the work of salvation for the children of God.

Elder Gold

Crazy Beef in Bloem

Hey mom,

       I thought of one more thing you could put in the package (if it's not sent yet).. Taco mix!  Not a lot, but a few packets.  I found some from a missionary when I was in Pinetown.  It was fun to make the best Mexican food I could and give it to the elders who have never had it.

      So, how was my week?  Well, I'm not sure.  It just flew by.  On Tuesday we had interviews with President Zackrison.  Normally whenever we have interviews, they're about 15 to 20 minutes, but my interview lasted 1 HOUR... It was really enjoyable though.  He is such a spiritually powerful man, and very personal.  For those two reasons, he is able to help a lot of people specifically.

      Let me tell you about something a little less spiritual.  We came across this great discovery last week Saturday.  We have named it LocoNkomo (A mix of Spanish and Zulu for Crazy Beef or cow).  In downtown Bloem, a really grimy place, right next to a storm drain/sewer canal, sits

three shanty tents with a constant bellow of smoke coming out of them.  Within each tent is a group of workers cooking Pap, making salads, and braai'n (BBQ) meat.  You may not remember that PAP is ground up Maize that gets cooked with a little water and becomes white and fluffy, and heavy.  You eat it with your hand, making little balls that you squish flat, then put on whatever other food is on your plate.  So, these tents are hot and sweaty and smell like smoke; and for 15 to 20 rand (2 dollars) they pile you a ton of pap, salads (which in most cases are beans cooled in sauces or grated vegetables in more sauces), 2 big pieces of beef and 2 Wors (kind of like sausages but bigger).  Anyway, it was a great discovery, and we went there three times last week.  Might go today who knows. :p

      Tonight we are driving up to Welkom and on Wednesday to Kroonstad to do exchanges with some of the Elders that work far away.  It's close to a two-hours drive to Welkom, then further for the other area, so we will be out of Bloem for a few days.

      We also had a very sweet experience with one investigator this week.  She is Afrikaans.  I will call her Veronica (of course this is not her real name).  She is single and has two teenage children and she suffers from great depression, along with a plethora of other things that cause her anxiety and stress and hopelessness.  We gave her an Afrikaans Book of Mormon about two weeks ago and she has been studying it with her kids.  It has been amazing to see a light come into her life which was not there before.  She came to church yesterday and likewise expressed peace. 

I love you guys,
Elder Gold

Climbing The Monster Mountain

Hey Family,

      This week was undoubtedly a good one, as are they all.  On Monday we hiked that monster

mountain I had told you about.  We estimated it to be around a 6-mile hike, and it was absolutely beautiful.  The mountain just sticks out of the Free State high desert like a sore thumb.  It rises nearly all at once and is a fairly wide mountain (maybe 2-miles wide).  The mountain front that faces north sweeps up and gets very steep.  We started our hike on the right side and traversed our way left.  There was a VERY large fence just on the ridge that prevented us from traversing on the more even top of the mountain, so we stayed on the steep side.  Eventually we pushed far enough to get to the other side of the mountain where it opened up to a plateau on the top with a massive rock cliff at the very end.  The plateau was amazing.

  There was green grass extending to the edges of the mountain’s steep drops.  On the plateau

there were five large rock features lined up along the out edge of the plain.  They were perfect granite features for climbing, and each were anywhere from 80 to 100 feet in height.  Really, they were a temptation.  The hike down after everything was steep and rough, but eventually we made it to the dry Serengeti plain at the bottom.  It really made me feel like we are in Africa.

      Then, on Tuesday, my companion and I held a ZTM (Zone Training Meeting).  I think I mentioned it last week, but anyway, it was another spiritual outpouring impart because a lot of the elders were prepared, and secondly

because we did not do a stand and present, but rather modeled the teaching [as I told you about with Elder Bednar’s address].  I learned quite a bit more about the price of spirituality, and I can say it is an ever-increasing fine line.  But, as you get there, the balance just seems to come.

      Well, the Lord is still blessing us in our area, as we continue finding people that are progressing.  Remember, I told you last week about Fabian, the guy who we met while fixing a car, and then he just showed up to church?  He is a gold miner, and at first impression you wouldn’t think so.  He is drinking in the Book of Mormon and really comprehends everything intellectually and spiritually.

      Anyhow, I love you guys.  I am still getting a list of things for you to send the zone.  It will be a little easier to identify once transfers happen and we know who will be here for Christmas.

Love you all,

Elder Gold