Doug and I arrive in Provo, Utah, Monday Sept. 20th. We will fly out on Monday the 27th at 10:40am to Cape Town South Africa, arriving in Cape Town Tuesday at 10:20pm. That is about 25 hours of flying and a whole heck of a lot of hours in the airports and waiting in line.
We joined 49 other sisters and couple missionaries serving all over the world: United States, Canada, Mexico, Phillipines, England, Taiwan, Phillippines, South Africa, Guatemala, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand and South America.
We have been on a special spiritual journey with these wonderful brothers and sisters as we shared our love of the Savior with one another. We began each day at 6am, and then off to class from 8-12, 1:30-4:30. We grew to love each of them and have had a hard time saying good-bye to some of them today.
On Wednesday a new group of young Elders and Sisters arrived. They have an enthusiasm and love of their Savior that is contageous. They run to open the doors for us and step aside in the cafeteria so we can go to the front of the line. Then they stop and ask where we are going and when. We have had some wonderful connections with the couples and young missionaries. One sisters granddaughter babysat our grandchildren last Sat. Another couple is the mother and father of one of the doctors wives where I worked in Rexburg. It is such a small world.
You might ask yourself where you are on your spiritual journey. I have asked that of myself this week.
Love to you all, Sister Ladle
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Missionary Training Center--MTC in Provo, Utah
I thought you might like to see where Doug and I will be living on Sept. 20th for 6 days. They have a virtual tour-and great information. http://www.mtc.byu.edu/
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
What is South Africa like?
Cape Town, South Africa is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world and all the major cities in our mission are tourist attractions. They have magestic mountain ranges, pristine ocean beaches, dense forests, and miles of rollling hills in a California climate. We hear it it more like San Francisco weather.
Because we are not in America we will be driving on the left side of the road at 100-120 kilometers per hour. That is 60-72mph. We willl weigh less here because we are weighed in kilograms which equal 2.2lbs. At 17 degrees Celsius we will be enjoying a nice spring day, 25 celsius (77 fahrenheit) will be warm and 30 Brother Ladle will be looking for a shade tree.
They have many wild animal reserves where we can enjoy an African Safari (on our off day). We can see elephants, lions, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras and antelope. It is not unusual to see baboons playing along the roadside or penguins on the beaches.
While English is the major language, South Africa does have some interesting terminology. Bologna is polony, Crepes are pancakes, a cookie is a biscuit, a large truck is a lorry, and a Day Care Center is a creche.
FYI:
People:
35 million South Africans are black or about 79%
4.25 million are white or 9.6%
4 million are coloured (mixed race) or 8.9%
1 million are Asian or 2.5%
30% of the population is under 15 years of age
65% are between 15-64 years old
5% are over 65 years old
The average life expectancy is 48.4 years. Remember that 1 in 4 people are positive for HIV (Aids)
Religion
80% of South Africans are Christian
11.1% are Zionist
8.2% Pentecostal/Charismatic
7.1% Catholic
6,8 % Methodist
6.7 % Dutch Reformed
3.8% Anglican
<1% are LDS or Mormon
1.5% Islam
The Literacy Rate 8s 87% for those over 15 years of age, but for older blacks it is only 50%. South Africans speak 31 different languages, 24 are considered living languages. There are eleven national or offical languages.
We will not be expected to speak a language other than English. Most South Africans are fluent in three or more languages. The one we will probably hear most is Xhosa. If we were to pronounce this for you, you would first hear a click in the side of our mouth and then osa.
What a wonderful adventure in service to our Heavenly Father.
Because we are not in America we will be driving on the left side of the road at 100-120 kilometers per hour. That is 60-72mph. We willl weigh less here because we are weighed in kilograms which equal 2.2lbs. At 17 degrees Celsius we will be enjoying a nice spring day, 25 celsius (77 fahrenheit) will be warm and 30 Brother Ladle will be looking for a shade tree.
They have many wild animal reserves where we can enjoy an African Safari (on our off day). We can see elephants, lions, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras and antelope. It is not unusual to see baboons playing along the roadside or penguins on the beaches.
While English is the major language, South Africa does have some interesting terminology. Bologna is polony, Crepes are pancakes, a cookie is a biscuit, a large truck is a lorry, and a Day Care Center is a creche.
FYI:
People:
35 million South Africans are black or about 79%
4.25 million are white or 9.6%
4 million are coloured (mixed race) or 8.9%
1 million are Asian or 2.5%
30% of the population is under 15 years of age
65% are between 15-64 years old
5% are over 65 years old
The average life expectancy is 48.4 years. Remember that 1 in 4 people are positive for HIV (Aids)
Religion
80% of South Africans are Christian
11.1% are Zionist
8.2% Pentecostal/Charismatic
7.1% Catholic
6,8 % Methodist
6.7 % Dutch Reformed
3.8% Anglican
<1% are LDS or Mormon
1.5% Islam
The Literacy Rate 8s 87% for those over 15 years of age, but for older blacks it is only 50%. South Africans speak 31 different languages, 24 are considered living languages. There are eleven national or offical languages.
We will not be expected to speak a language other than English. Most South Africans are fluent in three or more languages. The one we will probably hear most is Xhosa. If we were to pronounce this for you, you would first hear a click in the side of our mouth and then osa.
What a wonderful adventure in service to our Heavenly Father.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Where in the world are the LADLES?
We traveled to Boise to see Jennifer and Joy and made a few more memories and then to Oregon/Washington to visit 2 temples we have not seen, and are in Missoula, Montana tonight. We are trying to pass the time waiting for our Visas. We will be home tomorrow and finish the few things we remembered we need to take care of before we leave the country. I only have a few projects left undone--one quilt and two family histories. One history is mine and one is my mothers. I have great hopes of finishing all three before the 20th.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Enjoy a laugh courtesy of Kulula crew
WHAT A PITY KULULA DOESN'T FLY INTERNATIONALLY - WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM IF ONLY FOR THEIR HUMOUR - SO TYPICALLY SOUTH AFRICAN.
Kulula is an Airline with head office situated in Johannesburg ..
Kulula airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight "safety
lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real
examples that have been heard or reported:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
On a Kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where
you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"
---o0o---
On another flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot
said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be
turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance
the appearance of your flight attendants."
----o0o---
On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your
belongings.. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's
something we'd like to have."
----o0o---
"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out
of this airplane."
---o0o---
"Thank you for flying Kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
---o0o---
As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport , a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"
---o0o---
After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in the Karoo , a
flight attendant on a flight announced, "Please take care when opening
the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as
hell everything has shifted."
---o0o---
From a Kulula employee: " Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth .
To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and
pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't
know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public
unsupervised."
---o0o---
"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend
from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your
face. If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask
before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with more than one
small child, pick your favourite."
---o0o---
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but
we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember,
nobody loves you, or your money, more than Kulula Airlines."
----o0o---
"Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an
emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
---o0o---
"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings.
Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight
attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.."
---o0o---
And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Kulula Airlines is
pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in
the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
---o0o---
Heard on Kulula 255 just after a very hard landing in Cape Town : The
flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump
and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the
airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."
---o0o---
Overheard on a Kulula flight into Cape Town , on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain really had to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Mother City. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"
---o0o---
Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing:
"We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."
---o0o---
An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered
his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which
required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers
exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline. He said
that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the
passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Why, no Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said,
"Did we land, or were we shot down?"
---o0o---
After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg , the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.."
---o0o---
Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank
you folks for flying with us today.. And, the next time you get the
insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal
tube, we hope you'll think of Kulula Airways."
---o0o---
Heard on a Kulula flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke,
the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing.. If you can light
'em, you can smoke 'em."
---o0o---
A plane was taking off from Durban Airport . After it reached a
comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.
Kulula is an Airline with head office situated in Johannesburg ..
Kulula airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight "safety
lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real
examples that have been heard or reported:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
On a Kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where
you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"
---o0o---
On another flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot
said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be
turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance
the appearance of your flight attendants."
----o0o---
On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your
belongings.. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's
something we'd like to have."
----o0o---
"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out
of this airplane."
---o0o---
"Thank you for flying Kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
---o0o---
As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport , a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"
---o0o---
After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in the Karoo , a
flight attendant on a flight announced, "Please take care when opening
the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as
hell everything has shifted."
---o0o---
From a Kulula employee: " Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth .
To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and
pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't
know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public
unsupervised."
---o0o---
"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend
from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your
face. If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask
before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with more than one
small child, pick your favourite."
---o0o---
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but
we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember,
nobody loves you, or your money, more than Kulula Airlines."
----o0o---
"Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an
emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
---o0o---
"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings.
Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight
attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.."
---o0o---
And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Kulula Airlines is
pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in
the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
---o0o---
Heard on Kulula 255 just after a very hard landing in Cape Town : The
flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump
and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the
airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."
---o0o---
Overheard on a Kulula flight into Cape Town , on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain really had to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Mother City. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"
---o0o---
Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing:
"We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."
---o0o---
An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered
his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which
required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers
exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline. He said
that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the
passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Why, no Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said,
"Did we land, or were we shot down?"
---o0o---
After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg , the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.."
---o0o---
Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank
you folks for flying with us today.. And, the next time you get the
insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal
tube, we hope you'll think of Kulula Airways."
---o0o---
Heard on a Kulula flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke,
the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing.. If you can light
'em, you can smoke 'em."
---o0o---
A plane was taking off from Durban Airport . After it reached a
comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.
FBI States no criminal activity for Doug
Good news! Today we received the official FBI clearance for Doug. We quickly bought the infamous $17 envelope and sent it to Sara in SLC. This is supposed to expedite delivery, but we aren't too sure with our history. The FBI received Doug's second set of fingerprints on June 9th and finished on Aug. 24th. That was only accomplished with the great help and concern of Teresa. She was truly a blessing.
When talking with Sara today, we received a possible departure date for the Mission Training Center on Sept. 20th. Hopefully we will receive the Visa by the time we depart for South Africa on Sept. 25th. The trip is 5 hours from SLC to Atlanta and then 15 hours from Georgia to Johanesburg and then from there to Cape Town.
One friend sent a picture of a South African airlines with true comments from their staff. With any luck at all I will be able to recreat it for you. This is all true and too funny.
When talking with Sara today, we received a possible departure date for the Mission Training Center on Sept. 20th. Hopefully we will receive the Visa by the time we depart for South Africa on Sept. 25th. The trip is 5 hours from SLC to Atlanta and then 15 hours from Georgia to Johanesburg and then from there to Cape Town.
One friend sent a picture of a South African airlines with true comments from their staff. With any luck at all I will be able to recreat it for you. This is all true and too funny.
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