Teagan 10.20.2015

 

 

 

 

Wedding Bells

South African Christmas!

Well I've been thinking about Christmas as a missionary on the other side of the world and in some ways it was different than what I was used to, and in some ways it was pretty much the same.

 

South Africa is in the southern hemisphere so Christmas comes during the middle of the summer, which is pretty much like Christmas in San Diego! I asked a South African friend I keep in contact with what common Christmas traditions are and what he said did't surprise me. He said that they don't have many but they always like a good "braai" (BBQ) on Christmas! So typical. A lot of what the members and people down there did was very similar to what we normally do. I remember there was a big Christmas party at the church that we as missionaries tried to invite as many investigators and recent converts and other members to. My companion and I made boring cookies (not fancy Christmas treats that my mom would always make) and we delivered them to members in the ward and us, along with other missionaries would sing Christmas carols to them! People just relax and visit family and enjoy the holiday. One of the only differences is that they don't call Santa Clause, Santa Clause, they call him "Father Christmas" which was weird to me. And most of the people we visited lived in humble circumstances so there were rarely any decorations in their homes or Christmas lights anywhere. As for food on Christmas, turkey, vegetables, mince pies, yellow rice and plum pudding for dessert would be considered a normal South African Christmas dinner. To say Merry Christmas in Afrikkans is "Geseënde Kersfees!" and in Xhosa its "Krisimesi emnandi!"

 

That's really all the things that I came up with. I hope it helps and that this activity goes well! -Dusty Haws

A Married Man

Hello world!

 

I thought it was about time for another update on the blog. I used to do it once a week while I was on my mission, now it seems like once a year! I am still trying to fathom the fact that I have been home for an entire 2 years now! It seems just like yesterday that I was peeking through the crowd at the airport to try and see my family. All those new missionaries that I saw when I was leaving Cape Town for the last time have now completed their faithful service and now have the distinguished title of a Returned Missionary from SACTM (South Africa Cape Town Mission).

For the last few minutes I have looked at all the pictures on the blog and I can’t help but smile. Ah I just want to go back sometimes and re-live all the fun experiences I had and see all my friends I left behind on that side of the world. Life back then was so different and I’d have to say less stressful than real life. It was a unique time in my life to just forget myself and get lost in the Lord’s work. Being able to teach and serve all day everyday was something that I greatly miss.

As for an update on my life, I AM A MARRIED MAN!!!! And I couldn’t be any happier! I guess you could see it coming from the last post on the blog. That’s the same girl! So she was dating my roommate my first semester back up at Utah State University, I took care of him, and now Holly and I are married! Holly Haws….what a cute name! We dated for about a year, then we went ring shopping and I proposed! Talk about a stressful time of life…choosing a ring and then figuring out a fun and unique way to ask her. I asked her in late April on the perfect day. We have had some police officers check in on us when we were at Hyrum Dam and up Logan canyon and I got pulled over for not using my blinker, etc. So I decided to incorporate that into how I asked her. It’s a long story, but basically I had a police officer pull Holly over and search her car for drugs and then I got out of the cop car and asked her to be my bride, and she said yes! Then most of this past summer we spent planning a wedding! I lived up in Logan and just worked for Zerorez cleaning carpets but we made 2 trips to San Diego to plan the wedding.

We were married August 9^th, 2014 in the San Diego Temple! That was the happiest day of my life! Pretty much all of my family came, some even came from the east coast! And all but 2 of Holly’s 10 siblings and their families were able to make it. We were sealed for time and all eternity and the feelings of joy and love filled the whole sealing room. There was such a sweet spirit as I knelt across the alter in the holy temple and looked into the eyes of my sweetheart all dressed in white. Those special moments in the sealing room are moments I'll remember all my life. Then had a ring ceremony right before our reception which was very nice. Everything at our reception went just as planned. The food was delicious, everyone was happy, and of course there was lots of dancing! SO many people came and supported us and congratulated us. I could just feel the love that day! And dang did Holly look stunning and amazing! I am a lucky man.

As for the honeymoon, we decided to take a red eye flight right after our reception to Tampa Bay Florida to go on a 7 day cruise to the western Caribbean! I’ll be honest, it was a rough flight. I couldn't really sleep, but eventually we got to Florida and had a Wendy’s hamburger at 6am (3am our time) for breakfast. We got on the boat and sailed away to paradise! Just me and my wife and not a care in the world! We stopped at were Cozumel, where we took an excursion to a private island and beach where we could relax. Then we stopped in Belize, and then the next day we sailed to Roatan, a small tropical island that was beautiful. Our last stop was the Grand Cayman islands where we took an excursion around the island and then got to go to a turtle farm and hold turtles, and then took a boat out to a natural sand bar where we got to swim with sting rays out in the open ocean! It was awesome! We had such a blast on our honeymoon!

But then it was back to reality. The next weekend we had

a reception at Holly’s house for all her family and friends that couldn’t make it down to San Diego. There were so many people and it was a wonderful evening. Then, school and work stared back up! As for where we are living, my sweet grandma has rented out her basement to couples and she said we could live there for as long as we need! It is very generous of her and we are so grateful! We just have to take out the trash and mow the lawn! It is a very spacious basement and we have turned it into our home, with the help of all the gifts people have given us! We love it.

School is going well. I’m in the Huntsman School of Business here at Utah State University and I am currently studying business and hope to get a degree In MIS (management information systems) or just business administration. We’ll see what happens. As for my job, I still clean carpets 2-3 times per week and enjoy it! Better than bagging groceries. Holly loves her job coaching gymnastics and graduates this semester with a degree in sociology and minors in criminal justice and political science. Holly and I are attending a married student ward here in Logan and just got called as the Gospel Doctrine teachers in the ward!

Well, that’s all the stuff I can think of at the moment that has happened in the past year. It’s been such a great year and we have both been blessed so much and constantly watched over! Life couldn't be better!

 

Dusty and Holly

 

 

 

The South Africa Mission

by Andrew Jenson

From the Encyclopedic History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, May 1941, Deseret News Publishing Company, Salt Lake City, Utah.  Used with permission.

 

SOUTH AFRICAN MISSION (The) comprises the extreme south part of the continent of Africa, or the political division of that continent known as the Union of South Africa, which is a self-governing Dominion of Great Britain, containing about 8,000,000 inhabitants.  The mission is divided into seven conferences, or districts, namely, Cape Transvaal, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, East London and Durban.  On Dec. 31, 1930, these districts had a total Church membership of 769, including 9 Elders, 30 Priests, 11 Teachers, 20 Deacons, 535 lay members, and 154 children.  Twenty Elders from Zion were laboring in the mission; also two missionary sisters.  Five of the local Elders also were devoting their entire time to missionary work.

At a conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah, Aug. 28, 1852, Elders Jesse Haven, Leonard I. Smith and William H. Walker were called to open up a mission in South Africa.  Traveling via Liverpool and London, England, they arrived at Cape Town April 19, 1853.  Bro. Haven presided over the mission.  Immediately upon their arrival they made application for the use of the town hall, which was granted upon condition that they pay for the lighting.  They made arrangements to hold meetings in the hall for six consecutive nights and commenced to advertise these meetings.  On the first evening, April 25, 1853, the hall was nearly filled, but when testimony was borne to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith the audience became so excited that it was impossible to continue the meeting on account of the confusion.  The following evening the brethren found the hall closed against them.  They, however, obtained the use of other halls, but mobbers caused so much confusion that it was impossible to speak.  Some converts, however, were made, but they were afraid to take a decided stand on account of persecution.  Finally, a Mr. Nicholas Paul of Mowbray (a suburb of Cape Town), a man of influence, permitted the Elders to hold meetings in his home, informing the audience at the commencement of the meeting that if they did not wish to listen they could leave, but the first man who offered an insult on his premises would be in danger of "having more holes made through him than a skimmer," and as long as the Elders remained in the vicinity Mr. Panl was their friend, and soon afterwards he and members of his family were baptized.  On June 15, 1853, Elder Leonard I. Smith baptized Henry Stringer at Mowbray, as the first fruit of the labors of the Elders in South Africa.  Soon afterwards a number of other converts were baptized and on Aug. 16, 1853, the first branch of the Church in South Africa was organized at Mowbray, four miles from Cape Town, and on Sept. 7, 1853, another branch was organized at Newlands, six miles from Cape Town.  Up to that time about fifty persons had been added to the Church by baptism.  A third branch of the Church was organized Feb. 23, 1854, at Beaufort, Cape Colony.  These branches were later organized as the Cape Conference.  The Elders also sent to England for copies of the Church works and a number of tracts for distribution.  At a conference held at Port Elizabeth Aug. 13, 1855, the "Church in the Cape of Good Hope" (South African Mission) was reported to consist of three conferences, six branches and a total membership of 126.  On Nov. 27, 1855, Elders Wm. H. Walker and Leonard I. Smith sailed from Port Elizabeth on the ship "Unity," accompanied by 15 emigrating saints en route for Utah.  This ship had been purchased by two members of the Church, namely, Charles Roper and John Stock, for the benefit of the saints, on account of the difficulty in securing passage by steerage for the company.  The ship was chartered to London, England, with a cargo.  On Dec. 15, 1855, Pres. Jesse Haven left Cape Town en route for America.  Up to that time 176 persons had been baptized in the whole mission.  Some had emigrated and some had been excommunicated, leaving in all 121 saints in the colony after Elder Haven left.  Elder Edward Slaughter (a local Elder) was left in charge of the saints in the Port Elizabeth Conference, and Richard Provia (another local Elder) in charge of the Cape Colony Conference.

In 1857 Elder Ebenezer C. Richardson was sent from the British Mission to preside over the Cape of Good Hope Mission.  He was accompanied by Elder James Brooks.  When these Elders left for America in the spring of 1858, the Church in South Africa had a membership of 243.

On March 9, 1859, about 30 Latter-day Saints, emigrating to Zion from the South African Mission, sailed from Port Elizabeth on the barque "Alacrity," in charge of Elder Joseph R. Humphreys, a local Elder.

In December, 1861, Elders Wm. Fotheringham, Henry A. Dixon and John Talbot arrived in Cape Town as missionaries, and on March 14, 1863, a company of 15 emigrating saints left Port Elizabeth, bound for Zion, in charge of Robert Grant and John Stock, local Elders.

Elders Fotheringham, Dixon and Talbot remained in the mission until 1864 and Elder Miner G. Atwood succeeded Elder Fotheringham in the presidency of the mission.  On April 12, 1865, a company of saints sailed from Port Elizabeth per ship "Mexicano," bound for Utah, in charge of Elder Miner G. Atwood, who left the mission in charge of local Elders.

Forty years elapsed before the South African Mission was reopened. In 1903 Elders Warren H. Lyon, Wm. R. Smith, Thomas L. Griffiths and George A, Simpkins were called to reopen the mission.  In spite of the long lapse of years, they found, on their arrival, a few scattered members of the Church, showing that the seed sown by the former missionaries still bore fruit, and that at no time since the mission was opened in 1853 had the Cape of Good Hope and the surrounding districts been without at least a few members of the Church. Since 1903 work has progressed in the mission which, at the close of 1930, had a membership of nearly 800.

A monthly periodical of 12 pages mimeographed, and entitled "Cumorah Monthly Bulletin," was commenced at the mission headquarters at Mowbray in 1927.  It was continued in this form until 1929, when the name of the periodical was changed to "Cumorah Southern Cross" and printed as a small quarto-sized magazine as the official organ of the South African Mission.

Following is a list of the Elders who have presided over the South African Mission since its reorganization: Warren H. Lyon, 1903–1906; Ralph A. Badger, 1906–1908; Henry S. Steed, 1908–1909; Brigham A. Hendricks, 1909–1912; Frank J. Hewlett, 1912–1914; Nicholas G. Smith, 1914–1921; J. Wylie Sessions, 1921–1926; Samuel Martin, 1926–1929, and Don Mack Dalton, 1929–1930.

.....doesn't seem real to me.

Oh my! I cant believe that I’ve been home from the best 2 years of my life for a whole entire year!

That doesn't seem real to me. It seems like yesterday that I was an awkward returned missionary, but I think I’ve adjusted for the most part and can be classified as a normal person now. It’s been crazy to see many of my mission buddies come home after completing their service.

Well, this past summer I stuck with cleaning carpets. The highlight of my summer was when I got to go on a business trip up to the Oakland temple to clean the carpets after it had been renovated and get it all cleaned up for the faithful saints of northern California. What an awesome experience! It ended up taking longer than we expected, but it was a success. Also, I got to clean some of the carpet in the San Diego temple, and I was happy because it desperately needed it. Along with that, every Wednesday I got to serve and work at the temple on the midday shift. I loved it, and really miss it. I was privileged enough to be able to officiate an endowment session….7 times! So cool. And in my ward I was called to be a teaching specialist for the youth, so I bounced around week to week teaching Sunday school and young mens and young womens. I enjoyed it. But other than that, my summer was pretty mundane and boring, but I loved spending time with my family, and making money.

Now im back up where I really belong...LOGAN UTAH! I love this place, and I love it even more when theres not 3 feet of snow on the ground and I can walk outside with shorts on. Im taking 13 credits and all my classes are on Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 4:15pm with no breaks! I just pound them out! So far its not that bad. And with a schedule like that, it allows me to not have any school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday! So I work for Zerorez cache valley the other days of the week! Cleaning carpets like a boss. A schedule like that sure keeps me busy, but I can handle it.

The young single adult student ward here is pretty great. I got called to serve as the grandpa in the ward. Basically, I am in charge of all the Family Home Evening groups on Monday nights. It’s a fun calling that fits my personality and I always love to serve wherever the Lord needs me to.

And theres one other detail in my life I think is worth mentioning… a cute girl named Holly! I met her earlier this year at school and we kept in touch over the summer (she even came and visited me) and now we’re dating! She is soo amazing, and spoils the heck out of me. She feeds me soo much good food its not even funny. We go on lots of fun dates and have so much fun together! Having is girlfriend is really nice J

I honestly miss being a full time missionary. Life just isn’t the same without the black name tag! I miss all my friends I made so so much, but it has nice to stay somewhat in contact with them via facebook and see the things that are going on in their life. I still have a goal to hopefully one day return to Africa and visit the places I served.  My testimony continues to grow day by day as I continue to practice and live the truths I taught the people of South Africa and Namibia. I am proud to say that I’ve gone to the temple every week since I’ve been home, except like once or twice in extenuating circumstances.

well, as you can tell, my life is pretty awsome! I have nothing to complain about. I have reflected back on my year of being home and can see God’s hand time after time helping me and guiding me and sustaining me through the good times, and the rare rough times. Truly, he watches over all His children, but I’d have to say he is particularly aware of his returned missionaries J

Elder Haws

Home @ SD

Wow, my mission is over! It feels weird to be home. I thought I would just conclude my journey with one last entry. It was hard to say the final goodbyes to all of my friends in Windhoek and pack everything up. I gave pretty much everything away. I had extra space in my suitcase coming home. I don’t know what happened to my body that morning I was flying to Cape Town… maybe I was nervous or something, but I threw up before I left for the airport and didn’t feel all that well that whole day. It still was fun and good to see all my fellow transfer mates in the Mission Home at the end of our missions. We had a nice steak dinner with President and Sister Wood and they gave us some training and wise counsel before we were to go home. It was awesome. Then we all bore our testimonies and sang the SACTM song one last time, with all our heart and soul! The next day we just hung out in Cape Town and waited for our evening flight home. It was relaxing. I went to Green Market Square to get some final souvenirs, and soon enough it was time to load up and head to the airport. It felt weird. In the airport we gave a power “Hurrah For Israel” as went through security and waved goodbye to President and the AP’s.

The flight was good. It was a double decker plane. Us elders didn’t sit near each other. I slept most of the way, and before I knew it, we landed in London! First time on European soil for me. Elder Felshaw, Elder Neilson and I had the later flight, so we say bye to the other elders and decided to go out on the town! We bought the subway ticket and eventually made our way through the busy London transit system to Big Ben! It was amazing. We walked around and also saw a debate in the House of Commons which was cool. We actually saw a total of 6 members who came up to us and said hello! That was cool. One guy even gave us 20 pounds haha.

We made it back and I got on the plane taking me to San Diego…aka HOME! I was shocked at how full the plane was! I got lucky and no one sat right next to me, and I had a window seat. We flew over Ireland, and I got to see the tip of Greenland! After 11 long hours, and flight attendant said “Welcome to San Diego” I got out and went through the long customs line and they gave me no trouble with the things I brought home. I went to get my luggage and through the sliding doors saw my family (mostly my sister) there with signs and making lots of noise! It was actually happening! I was home! The rest was just a dream! I remember hugging my mommy first, and just lots of hugs and happiness! The Winters were there, Pam and Randy, Grandma Haws, Daddy and Diane and even Bailey! What a welcoming committee! Bishop recorded the whole thing, which was awesome.

I got in the car and that’s when it hit me. It was finished. Kelly was driving and blasted the radio and we went to Rubios and had some delicious fish tacos! Yum. I got released by President Elsworth, and just came home and crashed. It felt weird, but refreshing.  Went to the temple and did a session on Saturday and spoke on Sunday in sacrament meeting. It was great to see lots of old friends in the ward, and even some new faces.

HOME SWEET HOME! So fast forward a few weeks and I have a car, a job at Zerorez carpet cleaning, a gym membership, and finally got a phone after 2 weeks. But the highlight has been being called as a temple worker in the San Diego Temple! That has been great.  Also working at the Bishops Store House has been fun too.

Well, it truly was the best 2 years, and I wouldn’t trade the experiences I had and the things I learned for the world

 

Homecomming at the San Diego Airport

Its Time!!!

Release Notification

THE FINAL EMAIL AS A FULL TIME MISSIONARY!!

Hi

 

Monday's just won't be the same anymore. Yes, I have been thinking a little bit about my talk and what I'm going to say. Don't worry. I guess something I'll need will be more G's and a dental appointment mommy! That's a great idea about protein powder daddy! ha-ha

Lions at the game park

This week was sweet. I don't have much time today because we just spent the day at a game park! It was sweet. the day started off hectic with a mix up on Elder Twitchells flight to Cape Town, and then hurrying off to make it to the game park to see some animals. It was like 220K's away and like the 2nd best in the country. We went on a safari in the bush! Rode in one of those sweet cars and saw soo many cool things and our tour guide gave us cool facts about the animals and answered our questions. We had an all you can eat feast in this beautiful place on the reserve. Amazing day! God bless the Smith's!!

Our baptism went perfect as well! I love those 2 young women soo much. They were soo prepared and excited. I'm happy for them.

Our missionary fireside also went very well. I was asked to conduct the meeting, so that was a joy.

Yuppp, gotta say some goodbyes tomorrow and cruise into Cape Town on Wednesday! I'll interview with President Wood on Wednesday and have dinner and a testimony meeting that night, then on Thursday hang out and Cape Town and do whatever I want until that evening when I fly home to see all of youuuuu!! Can you believe it?! I sure cant. You do not know how excited I am!!!!!!!

I'm going to return with honor and have no reg...

I don't know what else to say!! SEE YOU ON FRIDAY!!!

LOVE,

Elder Dusty Haws



Sara getting baptized

Katuu and her family

 

 

The branch fireside

Going home is going to be weird.

Dear Family,

Nice email. To answer your question daddy, my foot is pretty much 100% now. No complaints here. As for the temple that night I get home, of course I wanna spend time with my family that I haven’t seen in 2 longgg years, of course I’ll be exhausted after being on a plane for like 24 hours, but I just feel, despite of all those factors, it'll be a nice way to seal the deal and close this chapter in the book of Dusty. I still wanna have the spirit of a missionary and not get home and blast my country music I’ve been missing, and watch TV and sports, and Facebook, etc. maybe not do an entire session, just to be in the one and only San Diego temple that I’ve been staring at and dreaming about for the past over 700 days! I think you can spare me 20 minutes..heck I’ve been gone a lot longer and soon enough you're going to be sick of me haha.  Responded to Bishop Sutherland's email last week and told him I need to get released or whatever. 8:45 should work out just dandy. President Ellsworth, here I come! He better be ready.

Couldnt stop laughing

Dad, a temple hopping trip on the way up to conference would be AMAZING!! Sign me up! Deal. Holy cow, I’m getting a little bit more excitedddd. I think once upon a time mommy mentioned something about going to New York to see grandma and grandpa?! What’s that all about :)

Goood to hear the Aggies started the season off on a good note.  Tell my main man brother Montierth I say what’s up and sorry I didn’t respond to his letter he sent me. Yeah mommy I didn’t get digestive problems, we are careful, and that’s why we don’t get it very often. it just is cheap and tastes good.   I’ll just hunt down those 2 elders if you really wanted me to meet them that bad. I’m happy with the progress they made with Diane.

Yes, winter is defiantly over here. Summer is in full swing! Its hott, but we've been told that this is just the beginning! I am sooo thankful that I don’t have to spend a summer in Namibia, especially as a walking elder. I would die. It’s like Las Vegas here. Dirt, heat, desert.

As for the report on my week, it was fantastic! Guess what, we were busy doing missionary work. Even though we had lots of things to do and taught good lessons, nothing too eventful happened. I did go on exchanges with Elder Giles in the Windhoek branch, which was fun.

the final 4

The water here in the city I guess was contaminated for some reason so we were told to not drink it. It didn’t really affect us cuz we have filters on the water that we drink from the tap anyway. BUT I think somehow it got me, or maybe I ate something bad, cuz one night, I was in major pain! It was bad! I’ll spare you the details. haha Elder Farley will make a good husband, and if he chooses, nurse. He took care of me, but not as good as you would have mommy! Remember those dreadful days after I broke my foot. Anyway, it passed in a few hours, now I’m back to normal. I also did have a mini fever, and my companion's nose couldn’t stop running, especially in lessons haha poor guy. We’re just beat up elders over here. The Lord is working us too hard; our frail unhealthy bodies can’t keep up. Haha.

Elder Giles interviewed our 2 candidates for baptism, and they passed with flying colors. I gave Elder Giles a little training on how to conduct a baptism interview, since he had never done one before and I’ve done 12. He was all fired up and did a great job, I was proud. So this Saturday we'll have a baptism! Boosting the young women in the branch haha. 

Also next Sunday we're having a missionary fireside. They wanted to squeeze it in before I went home. We hope that visas get approved. I’ve got a good feeling about it. God answers prayers. But we're looking forward to the fireside; hopefully it'll be a success. Just got a few finishing touches to do.

Guess what, unlike South Africa, Namibia has a time change! Found that out Sunday morning...like as soon as we woke up. The time went forward, so we had to scurry to church. it wasn’t announced last week, so many people were late haha. Oh well.  I’ve been writing all of my converts and other people that have made a difference in my mission and will put it in the office where they send off the post every week so hopefully they'll all get a nice little love note from elder haws. Hopefully they'll remember me.

chillin' last night

This is the last full week of missionary work. ahhh! The brethren are cracking the jokes and hinting at it. It hasn’t gotten to me too bad quite yet.

I've been slacking on my scriptures.

D&C 78:17-19

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfullness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

2 Nephi 28:20-22

20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

Of course you can write me next week, that'll be the last one though.

Going home is going to be weird.

LOVE,

ELDER DUSTY HAWS

 

Something that I really wanna do that night...

Dear Family

Man, I only have to do this a few more times. I’m going to miss it! Wow sounds like you're having the time of your life there in Logan! I wish I coulda been there. Glad you made it safe and sound. Shame about the windshield and heck yeah I remember that cool game with the blocks and the grass, down at 1st dam!

As for that random email, that place is about as far away from Windhoek as you can get. It’s the little strip in the top right of the country, if you look on a map. Not much we can do. Sorry.

To answer your question mommy, there are no more visas that got approved yet, there’s still a little glimmer of hope, but the government is just being dumb. The public relations people from Joburg recently to talk to them, the smiths here are always trying, but things will work out hopefully. So if no visas get approved, Elder Farley might have to be with a branch missionary for a time, but it might not work out with the branch missionaries. Who knows what is going to happen!

But this week was pretty good and busy and fun. We had a fun FHE with the branch president last week and just busy days the rest of the week. Couple dropped appointments here and there, but we quickly found something else to do or just went to find someone who wanted us to see them, or just needed a little love from the missionaries! We got capana twice this week..which is just braaied meat! There people braai on the side of the road, and you drive up, give them money, and take your meat wrapped in newspaper. Yummm. Oh yeah remember my second companion elder Larrabee...well, he just got married!! That fetcher haha. He sent me a wedding invite. Good for him. I love that guy.



Elder & Sister Cook and me today

The assistants and President Wood came up Friday night, and so the assistants stayed with us, which was fun. Our boarding was busy though. We went on exchanges on Saturday, which went very well. Sunday morning, Elder Cook flew in from Durban! On Saturday night he had a speaking assignment there, and flew in to NAM the next morning. He spoke in both sacraments. That night he had a fireside which also was powerful. I’d say the theme of his talks were about marriage and family. niceee. He and his wife are funny and soo spiritual. I took some good notes and learned lots. But it gets better. This morning, we met together and had zone conference. It was powerful. I was asked to conduct. Yeah no big deal, a general authority there haha. President Wood and his wife gave a nice discourse on tithing. Man, it blew my mind. I cannot wait to pay my tithing when I go home. Elder Cook and his wife talked lots about all kinds of things. I could sit here all day and tell you. It was amazing. We were lucky that there were so few of us and so we just sat like in a circle like a family would and had a nice discussion. They spoke with such soft voices, man! So spiritual and motivating and inspiring and uplifting. I loved every second of it. Since this was my last zone conference, I had to say my farewell testimony. The final one! It was nice. Then, after the meeting, the smiths and cooks loaded up in the car and we did too with the AP's and raced off to the airport. They are on a tight schedule! They’re off to Cape Town, and doing a mission tour the entire week. That’s a lot of traveling and meetings. I have a lot of respect for those men.

So I was thinking about when I get home and something that I really wanna do that night, and that is, to go to the TEMPLE!! I miss that place soooo much. But I wanted to go there and have a PPI with the Lord just to finish the deal. I really was hoping I could do that.

Well, can’t think of anything else to write.  Still working hard! Miss you. seeee you soon.

LOVE,
Elder Haws

 

Mission Home Letter

Dearest Family,

I’m glad you liked the pictures from last week. But don’t worry, I have some cooool ones for when I get home that I haven’t sent to you. That’s way cool that you're towing Kelly’s car up to Logan! Good, now she can drive me around when I get up there eventually haha. That’s awesome the PQ2 ward is doing a fast like that. I am so excited I’ll get to participate in it! …But let’s for sure do it a few days or so after I’m home...cuz I am dying for some Connie Haws cooking!! ahhhh! I’m sick of peanut butter sandwiches and noodles. No thanks. Never eating those for the rest of my life!! Haha. Daddy, you must get that motorcycle! My companion, Elder Farley, loves motorcycles, especially Harleys! He said you should get it. Don’t worry about Diane’s doll.

What the heck is that?

I’ve discovered that I’m the kind of guy that enjoys the elements and weather and stuff, and to be honest, I’m sick of all this perfect weather I’ve had haha its might sound crazy, but when I was serving in Cape Town, I was blessed with beautifully amazing weather...but now there its cold and miserable. I come up to Namibia, right after the blazing summer that they always have, only to have had like 4 months now of perfect weather. Logan, here I come! Shake things up a little bit haha.


Mormon helping Hands

Not too many things to report on here this past week. Just busy doing missionary work as usual. Let’s see, what can I tell you about this week. I guess the first thing that comes to mind is the Mormon Helping Hands we did on Saturday morning! I think it was on the same day all throughout Africa...cuz by the sounds of things you weren’t doing service recently. We all met up at the Sam Nojuma stadium right across from the cemetery where we were asked by the city to paint its walls. Both branches were there, lots and lots of people. The mayor of Katutura was there and said some words and then we went to work! We didn’t paint the entire fence/wall, because that would have taken days, but the part we did looks real good. It was fun to be out serving with the saints. It was awesome! But mommy, I didn’t wear sunscreen, so I got burnt. my poor neck! It’s used to being covered up by the collar of my white shirt. I learned a trick from a member in Cape Town...take an ice-cube and just rub the sunburn. It works! Haha

Another thing that comes to my mind was our recent convert François’s talk at church. This is the guy who is the head of the music department at UNAM and lectures from 8am to 5pm at the university. He did such a good job on his talk about perseverance. He seemed like such a natural up there. His nonmember wife was there as well. I love that man. Always happy and willing to do whatever is asked of him.

Nightly planning meeting

We had 10 investigators at church, but most of them were younger and not the kingdom builders that we're looking for, but it was still good nonetheless. We stayed for the mission prep class that is held after church. Those 5 or so members that stay are such champs. I just feel so lucky and privileged that my mission prep teacher up in Logan was a former mission president! The teacher here is just a humble returned missionary who still does a great job. I’ve noticed, here in a YSA branch you need to have refreshments if you want people to show up to stuff haha. It works though.

Good news, Elder Farley and I ran this morning! Almost died because I was so out of shape, but it felt spectacular! My body was so happy. I’m not one of those elders that just before he goes home works out like crazy and attempts to get in shape. I told the lord I’d focus all my time, talents and efforts on serving him for a full 2 years, so I’ll just lift when I go home. It was funny, on Friday night after we finished planning and ate in our boarding, we both just started studying. We said to each other when in the next couple years of our life are we going to be studying the gospel on a Friday night! Might as well live it up and enjoy it now while it lasts!

But guess who is coming in less than a week...the one and only President Wood and ELDER CARL B COOK!!!! Its finally going to happen! The Smiths and we have been advertising/publicizing it like crazy. It’s a big event. He is flying in that morning...then he is speaking in both branches sacrament meetings, then holding a fireside that night! But it gets better. The next day, he is having zone conference with us elders!! Then he fly’s to Cape Town the next day and has zone conference, etc. he's doing a mission tour. I’m soooo lucky to have been able to say I got to meet 3 general authorities.

Since he is coming, it means I might not email on Monday next week? I don’t know. I just got the agenda and I am the one conducting the meeting! AH! Haha bring it on. I aint scared. But it means I also have to give my departing testimony! Oh boy. It’s going to be a spiritual weekend that’s for sure!

I was laughing when Elder Morris would tell me that he was dreaming of home and the airport...but once and a while it happens to me! Haha. I don’t talk about home as much as he did, but I guess it’s just a natural thing that happens! Ha it won’t faze me though, I’m still here to work, work and work some more until president tells me its time to go home to all of you!

It was weird to think that about half of the elders that were in my transfer went home for school! Elder Morris included! That fetcher is with his mommy at some beach house right about now haha. nahh good for him. We were giving them a hard time about going home 3 weeks early but then came the clever response "We did all that the Lord needed us to do in the 23 months we were here. It only took us that long." haha its just weird cuz I was with all of them in the MTC oh so long ago and now they're home. And now, I guess that makes me one of the oldest elders in the mission!

Sorry I forgot the scriptures last week. I remembered later on in the day. I’m getting forgetful in my old age haha.

2 Nephi 28:28
28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

D&C 112:14
14 Now, I say unto you, and what I say unto you, I say unto all the Twelve: Arise and gird up your loins, take up your cross, follow me, and feed my sheep.

LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH! see you super soon!

-Elder Haws

MR. SERVICE

South Africa Cape Town Mission <2011891@ldschurch.org>

Dear Brother and Sister Haws,

We love your amazing son and will be sad to see him return home—but very happy for you.  You must be the best of parents to have raised such a fine young man who is MR.  SERVICE non stop!

Would you be so kind as to send us the email address of your Stake President so that we can send to him Elder Haws release letter.

Kind regards,

Sister Oldham

South Africa Cape Town Mission

PO Box 181
Observatory 7935
021 447 5530
2011891@ldschurch.org

So thank you...

Dear family!

Nice email again. I am so lucky to have such wonderful parents and a sister, and also friends that email me, without fail, every single week. Most African elders never get emails. So thank you.

Thanks for all of the updates. Happy to hear Diane Fice came to church! That’s awesome. And the thing that happened during the sacrament honestly sounds like something that would happen here in Africa! Haha

As for the mission extension, it was more of a thought than something that might actually happen. I chatted with president wood and he said we'll hope and pray that the visas go through, and if not, the second option would be having a branch missionary be Elder Farley’s companion. They did that earlier this year when a missionary needed a companion. There are like 2 candidates that would most likely be able to do it and take over for me when the time comes. Don’t worry, it probably not gonna happen. Plus, I just miss you guy’s wayyyyyy toooooo muchhhh!!

The Khomasdal chapel!!

Anyway, this week was sweet as usual. I forgot to tell you about the plane ride last Sunday to Cape Town. We just happened to be on the plane with DRUNK PEOPLE!! Oh my goodness, it was bad. And what made it worse; we were smack dab in the middle of where they were sitting. They all were drinking in the airport before the flight. And then on the plane they give out free wine. Bad combination. They were really funny, but not haha. They like were planning to all go to a club when they landed in Cape Town. They made like a video on the phone. Singing welcome to Cape Town when we landed, etc. and there’s little elder Farley and I. innocent missionaries. Afterward they apologized for their behavior and felt bad. Oh well. I think one of them was filming something in Namibia for the food network or something.

One thing that president focused on was the driving in the mission. We all got a standard missionary DVD that is the same throughout the church that we watched. It got me thinking about how I drive. I’ve repented of my wicked ways. We drive better now, which is good. Not saying we drove crazy before though!


The former NAM CLAN

We had a busy past few days. The focus in the church is real growth, and that’s something president wood wants up here in Namibia. There’s a saying in PMG that you should leave the area better than when you got there, and the way you can tell is by the sacrament meeting attendance. So through baptisms and less actives returning. Going through the branch list and visiting those on the list that haven’t seen elders or anyone from the church in years. Lots of them have moved. I sat down with the branch president’s wife who had been going through the list of members getting their details and I typed it into the church system. It took like over 2 hours! But it was so worth it. Actually it was kinda fun, but also very beneficial to the branch!

Oh it was funny, in gospel principles class we were talking about talents and we were supposed to share the person's next to us's talent...and I told the oak mine, like sports or whatever, but then when he told the rest of the class, he said mine was dancing!! What the?! Everyone laughed.

We were driving one of our fellow shippers around and she said she loved country music! i was like whatttt. So we chatted about our favorite songs haha.

Elder Farley is still doing sweet being my companion! So humble and loving and kind. I love that man! We had a few extra minutes last night and decided to drive out like 5 minutes where there’s no light and look up at the stars! Stargazing in the Namibian sky!!! ahhhh. Powerful. I really wish you coulda seen what I saw. No joke. It was stunning. I’m pretty sure that was the Milky Way I was looking at. Gorgeous!

Man, I love this country and love the work. Lots of things on the to-do list this week. Bring it on!

I’ve noticed my wonderful former companions seem to bring up/talk about home more than i do! I did click 23 months though. I’m getting old on mission. Don’t worry; my mind is still centered on why I’m here. I signed up for 24 months, and that’s what I intend to and accomplish!

Miss you all very very much!

LOVE,

Elder Dusty Haws

PS new Herrero culture/traditions I learned...don’t sweep out your house at night...because you are sweeping out all the good luck. And, don’t wear red when it rains...it attracts the lighting! Haha

the blazing Namibian sun setting over Windhoek

view of Cape Town from above



elder Smith..the king of juice!

zone leader council