On December 13th Mom and I flew down to Cape Town. It is one of my favorite cities in the world. This picture from our hotel room shows Table Mountain from across Table Bay. The mountain on left is called Devil's Peak and on the right is Lion's head.

While on my first mission to South Africa I served for nearly a year in Cape Town. This is a picture of the Mowbray LDS chapel. 

The cultural hall inside the Mowbray chapel.

The chapel at Mowbray.

The Mowbray chapel sits on the site of the first property owned by the LDS Church in Africa.

Read up on the early history. A little plaque located in the lobby of the Mowbray Chapel.

This may be the last time I'm in Cape Town. The table clothe on Table Mountain.

I will really miss Cape Town.

December 5th was the Area Office Christmas party. I can't believe this is the second time we've attended this party. It was held at the Sunnyside Hotel not far from the Area Office.

On left Shawn Donnelly, Pubic Affairs Director, Never from Real Estate and Jean-Marie the French translator.

There are some great young professionals who work in the Area Office. Sandile, Sidwell and Given are all returned missionaries.

In middle Califonia and on right Kapu.

Mom with the Soweto Stake President Thabo. He is also the Director of Self Reliance for the Church in the Africa Southeast Area. He has a dimple which is even deeper than our granddaughter Chelsea's.

Monday evening, December 8th was FHE with the Area Presidency. Elders Cook, Ellis and Hamilton live right next door to the Area Office. This is picture taken in the Hamilton's flat. 

Here is a great story. This is my friend Jesse Arumugam. He is the Facility Manager for the Area Office and Temple.  He came up to me this past week and said, "I think I'll call you my missionary." When asked with he meant, he explained. "Well, you baptized Denise Milne in Bulawayo back in 1968, she married and became Denise Butterfield. Her son Jarrod Butterfield went on a mission to Durban, South Africa and he baptized me there." Jesse went on a mission to Johannesburg, South Africa. When I asked him how was his mission, he admitted after some prodding by me that on one Saturday, he and his companion baptized 31 new converts. If my eyes look a little teary, it was a moment of great joy to me as he had just finished his story.

This picture of our Institute Class at the Institute/Seminary Graduation. We had 6 get Graduation Certificates. From right, Robert, Obey a recently returned missionary from Ghana, Andrew, Jessica and Johanna.

Mom helping to hand out certificates at the Graduation.

Picture of Dorcus and Zanele at the OGC office Christmas luncheon at Moyo's a great African restaurant.

We get some of the cutest little visitors to the Office of General Counsel.

One of our Institute Class students, Tsepiso got sealed to Khanya in the Johannesburg Temple on December 12th. A mission highlight for Mom and I.

A very joyous moment for all the friends and families.

Last Thursday afternoon the senior missionaries working in the Area Office held the annual Thanksgiving dinner. 

Just before we ate, Elder Carl Cook, Area President (with plastic bag in hand) welcomed everyone.

Mom gave the spiritual thought about being thankful.

The wise men were thankful for a "star".

Mom couldn't be cuter!

Saturday we found a swing for Mom in the Zoo Lake Park.

Saturday in the park. Everyone was having fun.

I thought I was going to have to leave the park without Mom. She was having so much fun.

Zoo Lake Park is very near our flat.  In the background is Johannesburg.

Some Egyptian Geese came to investigate.

Mom in the nursery at Church Sunday.

Thinking about consequences during Primary Sharing Time.