Happy Birthday Lynn

One week after we arrived in country, it was Lynn's birthday.  I wanted to shop for something special for him to bring with us, but with all the busies before we left, shopping for the upcoming birthdays, Baptisms, etc., I ran out of time to shop for Lynn.  I felt badly, but even if I would have had time to shop for him, I wouldn't have had poundage to pack it, as we were just to our limit with 5 bags and two carry ons. As though that wasn't bad enough, we were still staying with  Elder and Sister  Moss, so at times, we were planning our schedules around theirs.  They had been so good to take us to places that we needed to go and show us our way around this new strange town, and familiarize us with missionary life.  We really appreciate all their time and effort in our behalf. 

But the worst part was, that the day of his birthday, I was still thinking that I it was only the 17th and that tomorrow was his birthday.  Somehow, part way through the morning, something was said about the days, and I said, "Lynn's birthday is tomorrow."  Sister Moss said, "Oh, his birthday is the 19th?"  I said, "No it's the 18th".  Just then I got  a funny feeling and walked over to look at their calendar, and low and behold, it WAS the 18th!!  I felt like a real ditz!!!!  O k, so now we would have a change of plans for the day.  I had wanted to make his favorite, lemon meringue pie, but I was unable to find cooked lemon pudding and I didn't have a generic recipe for lemon pie filling.  So I had to go to plan B.  His next favorite is German chocolate cake.  The only coconut they had was very fine shredded cocoanut.  Ok, well, I'll just have to improvise!  The cake didn't turn out like I would have hoped, but it was a cake none the less!

Despite it not looking the best, or being his first favorite, he was still pleased.

Others who shared it with us thought it was wonderful, even if I didn't!

Sister Moss had some placemats that made the dinner seem a little more special.

Without having my regular freezer full of meat and my storage room full of everything I need, I had to plan a menu around the few things I bought from the store to fix meals with while we were waiting to get  into our own flat.  After checking my supplies, it looked like porqupine meatballs would be the main course, with baked potatoes, green beans, and tossed salad.  The Mosses had to go up to visit with some of their Branch members so that left me alone to the kitchen for my preparations.  I was able to get everything fixed and ready for dinner.  We actually had one dinner guest--the Branch President of the KaNyamazane Branch was coming for a planning meeting with Elder Moss, so we invited him to stay for dinner.  That actually was kind of nice, because though it wasn't family like we usually have, it was an extra dinner guest to help celebrate.

While we were still in Johannesburg at the Mission Home, Sister Omer told us about a fellow she knew who goes all over Africa to buy things and bring back to his warehouse.  He happened to be at his warehouse the day before we left to come to Nelspruit, so all the ladies in the office made a shopping trip to the warehouse.  It gave me a chance to purchase something for Lynn's birthday.  It's not everyday that you get a handcarved crocodile with the top part that comes off with little compartments underneath.   They told me the little compartments were for a game  you play with items in the compartments.  They said I could go on line for the instructions.  I think we'll just use it for a decoration.  

By the way, it was quite a fete to camoflage this croc to save it for a surprise.  I had Sister Omer get a large black garbage bag to put it in and then I sneaked it in the car.  We could hardly get the luggage in the car, let alone a black bag with a hidden croc, but I succeeded!  He actually was surprised when he opened it.  I know his first thought was "What am I supposed to do with this, and how are we getting it back to the states?"  I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.  :)

Lynn named him "George" after his friend and neighbor back home.  He now sits just off the front entry to scare away any unwanted intruders!

The day before his birthday when we were in the mall seeing about our internet, I found a little gift shop where I purchased this hand carved giraffe.  

This wasn't the typical birthday, but it was birthday, African style. Since we had only been in country one week,  it ended up being one of those, "birthdays to remember".