September 27, 2013 Zone conference day again in East London

It is zone conference day again in East London.  We enjoyed dinner last night with the Woods, Boyces and Chases.  This morning we started off with breakfast at our B&B and then off to the Amalinda chapel to help set up for the meal at the end.  There will be 55 people who will eat…46 elders…4 couples plus Alan Bomford from Grhamstown who will be speaking on the great apostasy.  We have heard his presentation before while visiting in Grahamstown and it is very good.  He will just have to cut it down to half an hour.  Sister Chase and I were assigned to bring dessert for everyone, so, on the counsel of our elders, Elder Andersen and Elder Sanders, we made carrot cake.  I asked their advice on what to make and that was their number one choice. The zone leaders gave short talks on assigned topics.  Each zone presented a musical number  and President and Sister Wood, as always, gave a great lesson on the creation  and the fall and with  combined zones in this zone conference, everyone gives a one minute or less testimony.  However, because this is our last zone conference we were told we could share our testimony with a little more time given to us.  Of course, it was an emotional time for us and at the very end they always sing the SACTM anthem.  When it is the last zone conference before any missionary leaves, they are asked to stand in front and when it comes to the part where it talks about going home, President Wood leaves us standing by ourselves (all who will be going home).  This time it was just us.  It has been a very rewarding and strengthening 18 months for us.  At times it has been challenging to be here but we are so glad we served this mission and do love the people we have worked with. 

We arrived home around 7pm.  The Assistants to the President (AP’s) are spending the night in our boarding and our elders brought them by around 9pm. 

Elder Jones, Martin, Andersen & Sanders Sept 27, 2013

They brought a chocolate cake given to Elder Jones for his upcoming birthday and shared it with all of us.  Along with Elder Jones, who is from Canada, Elder Martin, who is from Moscow, Idaho are the current AP’s.