Mothers are POWERFUL! Mothers are a POWER to be reckoned with! And Mothers use this POWER for the good of their own children and other children around the world.
I am blessed to be surrounded by POWERFUL mothers both in America and in Swaziland. Mothers that are loving, nurturing, self-sacrificing, patient and virtually impossible to permanently disillusion. Not all these POWERFUL moms are biologically related to the children they raise and influence, but none the less they are mothers. This Mothers’ Day I would like to celebrate these devoted mothers.
**** The most important woman in my life is my mother. Here in Africa I do not have a picture of her which breaks my tender heart. But I want to express my love for her. My mother’s POWER was uplifting, empowering and encouraging to me. I will forever be grateful for the wonderful mother and grandmother and amazing wife she was. She was a POWERFUL woman and left an influence of love and goodness wherever she went. I have lived my life wanting to be like her and make her proud. I hope she is looking down from Heaven and pleased with the efforts I am making.
I KNOW MY MOTHER IS LOOKING DOWN ON ME
****When I think of my daughters and daughters-in-law, my heart swells with pride, happiness and gratitude. They are as beautiful inside as they are out. They are capable, caring and loving young daughters of God that are devoted to my grandchildren bringing them up in righteousness.
Look at this POWER
****Shelly Swenson, the surrogate mother of my children while I am so far away from home. She has taken upon herself not only loving and caring for her children and grandchildren but taking on my crew of 34 children, in-laws and grandchildren. She knew that it would be extremely difficult for me to not be there for birthdays, anniversaries and all special occasions for my children, so offered to stand in for me. She sends cards, gifts and expressions of love to them on these dates and even gives me the credit. I am blessed to have this POWERFUL woman in my life.
Shelly and her daughter, Cindy
My daughters with Shelly on their monthly outing
****This is Concelia Ntshalintshali who is a deeply compassionate lady. She gave birth to five children but raised 15. She raised them to be able to recognize the “truth” when they were introduced to it….it was her children that were the first ones to be baptized in Swaziland and then she followed.
****There are so many POWERFUL woman here in Swaziland that have taken in orphans or children whose biological mothers did not want them and raised them as their own. It takes so much more than just conceiving and giving birth that constitutes a mother. Mothers love, care and nurture and these women did just that.
“Becoming a mother makes you the mother of all children. From now on each wounded, abandoned, frightened child is yours. You live in the suffering mothers of every race and creed and weep with them. You long to comfort all who are desolate and hurt.”
Elizabeth Shongwe when she was over 60 brought newborn twins home and raised them as her own after their mother died.
Portia and Nhlanhla – the twins
This devoted gogo is not related to Sibusiso but took him in as a baby because his mother did not want to care for him
Thoko Shongwe has not only raised her four children in the gospel but many, many more
So many devoted mothers here have the sole role of supporting and nurturing their children – MOTHER POWER
There are so many more mothers that I should mention but time does not permit. I honor all you moms for your Christ-like attributes that you share to not only your families but to all. May the POWER be with you!
”A mother’s love is the most POWERFUL force on Earth and wherever she lives, a mom wants nothing more than the health and safety of her children”
Mothers, if you think your role is not important, look at this picture – then, take good care of the POWER that you hold. You children, get on your knees and thank your Heavenly Father for your blessed mother.
Monday, May 6, 2013 we had an incredible missionary experience. I am going to share with you an email that I sent home to our children. “Your father is made for this missionary work. From the moment we stepped off the plane, he has been in mission mode. He never goes out that he does not talk to someone about the gospel. He takes every opportunity to share his testimony of the Savior and the truthfulness of the gospel. I still am not that comfortable with it. I shy away…but not your father. And because of that, people have been blessed with the joy that the gospel brings. He has truly been an instrument in our Fathers work to spread the gospel. Last Thursday, April 30th, dad had all this running around to do to get the bakki’s registered. There is no sense both of us getting nothing accomplished, so I stayed home and asked him to bring back some of these huge grapefruits that they sell at fruit stands. So on his way home, he passed this one fruit stand but had the impression to turn around and go back. I asked him why because we always go to this other one. He said he just felt like he had to stop. And what a blessing it was. There was a young lady that was running it. He got to talking like he usually does and the girl noticed his name tag. She said that she was excited to see him. She had lived in Manzini but had to move here near Ezulwini. But before she moved she was being taught by the missionaries and had lost track since her move. The Lord had heard her prayers and sent your dad and he listened. Well, he got her name and phone number and gave it to the elders. We stopped by today (Monday) and she came out and said that she had gone to church on Sunday but had not seen us. She said that she felt such peace there – as she said this she embraced herself. She said the missionaries then came to see her at 4:00. She said she was going to be baptized on June 16th – Misti a birthday present for you. She said that she was going to be there next week (note: she was there this Sunday with her child and was in the front witnessing two baptisms that we had). You have to realize that she lives quite a distance from the chapel. Then she said the funniest things. She said she saw these boys there that she had gone to school with and they were gangsters! “But they have changed so much and they were up at the pulpit bearing testimony of Christ (it was Fast and Testimony meeting). Eish---they changed so much. “ Who do you thing she was talking about? Our Lobamba boys! The gospel changes lives! There is no way I can explain how I am feeling. Your dad and I can’t stop smiling!” These are memories that Dennis and I will cherish for eternity. To be a part of the Lord’s work is thrilling. That night when the Lobamba boys came over we asked if they knew this young girl – no one had remembered her.
Nokwanda at her fruit stand
Her niece and her daughter
Tuesday was another “just okay day” which here means awesome! it started early with breakfast for the elders before our Zone Training Meeting. While waiting for it to start they played a round of the stick game…again a great success. ZTM was amazing. We love our zone leaders. They are full of POWER and spirit and it was felt throughout the meeting. They put a lot of time, effort and love into it and it was recognized. After we picked up Sibusiso to visit his gogo. She is now at the point where she does not recognize him and you can see the hurt in his eyes. I don’t remember if I mentioned before, but when she dies the people they stay with will kick him out. He is extremely worried about this because he has no where to go. He is 18 and in his last year of school. He wants to be a doctor and we have arranged next week for him to meet with a doctor just to try and keep his dream alive. We took him to lunch after and we had such a great visit. A lady came in that was the secretary of his school. He kind of shied away and we asked if she knew him. His reply was a strong “Yes” and then followed with he used to be a “naughty boy” and saw her a lot. But now the gospel has changed his life and he no longer gets angry and does well in school. He also shared a very profound observation. He said that the elders that taught him just had him read certain scriptures out of the Book of Mormon but did not encourage to read the book from cover to cover. We found that interesting. But he said that Elder Lorimer who came after his baptism, was his favorite missionary because he challenged him to really read the Book of Mormon and Sibusiso said that he loves the Book of Mormon now and is ever so grateful to him for this encouragement. That evening we went to visit the Khoza family. His mother passed away last week and the night vigil was while we were at the temple. We felt so badly that we were unable to support him during this difficult time. We love this family. He is a member but the rest of his family is not. His wife is very active in her church but she has been taught everything. When we are with them you would never know that she was not a member. They talked about how grateful they are for the Plan of Salvation especially at this time. We need to get her baptized! We have had them over before but it has been a long time. I need to get my act together and do it again. Oh, how I wish I would use my time more wisely to make sure I am filling it with the things He would want me to.
Lunch with Sibusiso – I would love to bring this young man home with us to offer him a better chance of becoming a doctor. We need to make his “dreams” come true.
Babe Khoza, his wife and his youngest son (they have three other children). He is the oldest in the family, so the responsibility of his siblings and their families now lie on him. A heavy load to bare.
Wednesday provided another missionary moment for us. We were in Nhangano getting some final supplies for the boarding and Dennis has been sharing the gospel with our salesperson during our visits. There had been a mistake on our billing, so we had to talk to the manager. He said that he would give us the difference on the things we bought today. During the transaction, they again over charged us and the computer would not let them change it. Musa, the manager, was pretty stressed and we told him that would be okay and we would just pay the price charged. I guess the company can be pretty hard on them and he feared their reaction. He was so much grateful for this simple gesture. Dennis had talked to him about the Christ DVD, so he said he wanted one and wanted it now. Dennis gave him the missionaries phone number and he called them right then. While he was waiting for Elder Preslar and Nzioka to bring it, Elder Armstrong and Wilson came in because Dennis had given them the name of the salesperson and they came to visit him. Musa thought they were coming to give him a DVD. During the conversation Musa invited the elders to attend their employee (15) staff meeting next Wednesday at 8:00 to share a spiritual message about the gospel. Wow…the Lord paves a way in all sorts of ways for his gospel to be shared. These elders are giving away pamphlets to the point that we can not keep them supplied. We are hoping with this additional companionship that Nhlangano will grow! Dennis attend his District Presidency meeting that night.
Elder Preslar and Nzioka in their new Nhlangano boarding
I feel like I shouldn’t give you hour by hour details anymore for fear that I will continue to bore you, so I think I will just highlight some of the stuff that keeps us busy daily. Just remember from all the other blogs how most of my days begin – car washing, baking, etc. We met up with. Jerome Shongwe to meet with some people from a rural area near Nhlangano – we had met with them down there a few months ago. They wanted to see Jerome’s fish ponds where he is growing fish They are trying to do this to sustain themselves. They are trying to organize themselves to help poverty and starvation and to influence government to care more about their people. They are going to teach me how to make jam using lemon seeds as pectin. Cool, huh? Again, hurried home because Xolani, Fithi and Mpilo was coming over for a birthday party for Mpilo. We played the stick game, of course, had dinner and birthday cake. We all had a great time.
Jerome shooing the cows away from his ponds
He made a canopy on the side of one of his ponds – he has 7 ponds
The beautiful river that feeds his ponds
Bridge that crosses the river
Meeting Gogo Elizabeth – Jerome’s amazing POWERFUL mother
Look no shoes!!!!
This sweet make brought some of her jewelry that she made from paper – I bought a few
The chefs in the kitchen – Simphiwe and Machawe
Mpilo Nkhambule’s birthday
Friday was just a day of Dennis running lots of errands and I was at home putting together a DVD to present to the elders of our activity of painting the care point. Machawe sacrificed his day to help me. But Saturday made up for the calm Friday. We were up early to pick up Jerome at 7:30 so we could be at Summerfields to meet up with the Murdocks and Kyle’s for breakfast. They are area Puplic Affairs reps and came to be part of honoring those that helped with the Lobamba Care Point painting. The elders, chief of the area, teachers, Lobamba representatives and PA from the church were there. We were hoping for some media but we think the rain stopped them from coming. It turned out great. Jerome, Dennis, the chief and Abigail the one that promotes the place all spoke. We challenged the chief to help with some of their necessities – like a windows, outhouses, food. We took the Murdocks and Kyles to Ezulwini market and then rushed to Manzini chapel for a meeting with Pres. Mahlalela and George discussing the District YSA organization. We will be glad for some help with their activities. Pres. Ntshalintshali did a presentation after to the Manzini members. We met up with the other couples in Manzini Market then off to Gone Rural and to Summerfield for dinner. Good conversation and relaxation followed.
Breakfast at Summerfields
Sister and Elder Murdock, Jerome Shongwe, Me, Elder and Sister Kyle
These adorable boys were preparing the room for us
Elder Kyle, Dennis and the chief, Howard, Sister Kyle
Jerome and Abigail addressing the group
Abigail and Noni – the teacher
Howard, the chief
MOTHER’S DAY, Sunday, May 12, 2013. It was a busy day and started the same as any other day. I baked brownies and Mother’s Day cards to take to the mothers in the Ezulwini branch where we visited. As I was sitting waiting for services to begin I noticed Zweli and Mbongmusa preparing the sacrament table. I was touched by the tenderness and reverence they were doing it. They lifted the lace tablecloth at least ten times to make sure that everything was even. Then they smoothed everything out and even made sure the corners were creased and even. I thought they understand the importance of this ordinance. I was touched beyond words of what I witnessed. Sister Shongwe gave a great talk in Sacrament Meeting. Sister Murdock’s daughter from America had prepared some gifts for the YW group in Ezulwini so we presented them to the group. Socks with a saying about Standing in Holy Places….so cute and posters of the theme for each girl. They were overjoyed by what they received. Those girls in America touched hearts today. Patricia gave the lesson in Relief Society and did a super great job. I was so proud of her. She was really nervous but looked like a pro up there. There were two baptisms after (Dennis went to Manzini who had 2 baptisms also; Nhlangano had 1) and Nukwanda was there and had to be in the front to witness. She was so excited. I love this work! Elder and Sister Murdock presented a fireside on how to use the internet media to spread the gospel. It was for the District YSA and there were a lot that came. It was a well prepared and delivered fireside. I had no idea there was so many options on the internet for the church. We had the Kyles for dinner after Dennis got home from his District meeting where he had to do a presentation to the Branch Presidents. I love meeting these wonderful senior couples. They become instant “bosom buddies” because we have so much in common with serving the Lord. We look forward to their return to this magical kingdom. I talked to the children via skype. Then the Ezulwini elders came over and gave me a Swaziland flag that all the elders had signed. I was thrilled. It had been a busy day and I was feeling a little homesick – they provided a tender mercy. What a sweet gesture of love. Thanks elders! You mean the world to me!
Sister Murdock and the Young Women of Ezulwini branch
Senzo and Sifiso’s baptism
Machawe Shongwe, Sifiso, Senzo, Zweli Dlamini
District PA Fireside
Elder and Sister Murdock and Jerome
Kyles for dinner
My Swazi Flag from the most wonderful group of young men EVER!
Elders Norbert, Weston, Me, Stengile and Ogutu
So Happy Mother’s Day to all you POWERFUL woman out there. I really do not think we realize the magnitude of the POWER we have as women. It is our tender hearts, our motherly hugs, our natural desire to nurture, our passionate feelings and our Christ-like love that allows us to be the MOTHERS that our Heavenly Father’s children needs. THE POWER OF MOMS
Saturday, we were told that there are over 150,000 orphans here in this small country – that is 150,000 children without a mother to tuck them in at night, to reassure them that all will be okay, to listen to all their fears, to hug them when you just need a hug, to give them a glimpse of Heaven. Hopefully, somewhere, sometime in their life they will be influenced by the POWER of a woman whether it be a gogo, a teacher, a neighbor, any woman that will take the time to care. I am surrounded by some of these orphans and I pray that I can in some small way be an influence in their life and give them just a tiny vision of the love of their Heavenly Mother because there are NO SPIRITUAL ORPHANS – we all have a Heavenly MOTHER.
“Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” Alma 56: 47 – 48
I would like to repeat this thought again: “Becoming a mother makes you the mother of all children. From now on each wounded, abandoned, frightened child is yours. You live in the suffering mothers of every race and creed and weep with them. You long to comfort all who are desolate and hurt.”
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