More July Activites-Ukhozi trip to SLC

Ukhozi Radio Station going to Utah with Bishop Sabela, Sipho Duma

One of the main things we experienced in July was the opportunity to document the largest radio station in Southeast Africa, Ukhozi FM, traveling to Salt Lake City for a tour of Church sites and the invitation to broadcast their station live from Salt Lake City. My job was to gather photos, videos and information as it came in from Sean in SLC and getting it posted quicky to Mormon Newsroom and corresponding Facebook page.

DJ aka Kansas City played 'Come, Come Ye Saints' intro

It all started many years ago when a DJ for Ukhozi FM, nicknamed 'Kansas City' decided to use a recording of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of 'Come, Come Ye Saints' as an introduction to his radio show. This recording became his trademark long before any of his listeners had any idea what a 'Mormon' is. Because they liked his radio show so much they also liked the song. Kansas City has since passed on, but his memory lives in the hearts of all his listeners. Some of those who listened as a child to Kansas City's program their parents played on the radio are now the generation that are running the radio station and are DJs themselves.

Because of this, a year ago Public Affairs Stake Director, Graham Sabela, hatched the idea of bringing the radio station based in Durban (where he lives) to Salt Lake City to honor Kansas City and to broadcast from the place that produced the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It took a year of planning, but in July of 2014 a team consisting of two of the radio station's DJs and their general manager hopped on a plane going to Salt Lake City. Graham Sabela who is now a Bishop was asked to accompany the group, because of his long-standing ties and friendship with the Zulu radio station.

Elder Bednar giving gift to premier of KwaZula Natal province

Also, when Elder Bednar had been in Durban last year (while we were there), he met with the Premiere of the KwaZulu Natal province. During that meeting, Elder Bednar asked the premiere if there was anything the Church could do for him. He mentioned that he needed help with sustainable foods and ways of bringing his people out of poverty into being self-reliant. Elder Bednar said simply that with the Church's expertise in certain areas, they could help him. Ukhozi FM recorded that interview and it was decided that someone from the premiere's office would travel with Ukhozi FM to Church headquarters in SLC to see some of the humanitarian projects and food production and food processing and storage plants, as well as Church farms to learn ways that could help their people. Humanitarian has also been involved in Durban helping start some garden projects there. It only made sense that one of our humanitarian managers would go with the group as well.

At the last minute, it was also decided that Sean (our boss) should go to help transport the group and help with the financial aspect of the trip. Sean decided that he would video tape this experience and I would put it on Newsroom and Facebook daily. Of course there was a huge time difference, but we made it work. Sipho, our PA son from Durban and Kenneth from Humanitarian here in Johannesburg also accompanied the group on this trip.

Radio station group at visitor's center

The next week's schedule consisted of the most amazing places for the group to visit and an wonderful  time for these folks from Africa. Graham Sabela got off the airplane with his traditional Zulu outfit on. He wanted everyone to see he was from Africa (Shown here at the visitors center in Salt Lake). Bishop Sabela looked festive in his Zulu outfit that he wore proudly in the US. He got the others singing and dancing to some Zulu tunes.





This group may have had some jet lag from their long trip, but they didn't have a minute to dwell on it. They were busy from the time they left the airport until they came back to the airport a week later...a trip full of rewarding experiences and memories that would be the highlight of their lives. I wish we could have been there, but getting the reports back from Sean made us feel like we were.

Bishop Sabela on right at LDS recording studio

So, in addition to our regular work, this push for stories from Salt Lake took up a lot of time. Oftentimes I had to write the story based upon the photos, because Sean was so busy he did not have time. He had to get up at 2:30 in the morning and take the radio people to the Church broadcast center to broadcast their show live to the people in Africa!

They also went to the BYU studios and swapped stories about broadcasting similarities and differences between the US and Africa.

The videos he took were priceless, so it was all worth it. Most of us would love to visit all the places this African group visited.

Their experiences are best told in photos that I posted on newsroom and Facebook, but these are some that have not been posted...and they tell the story:

They visited many of the Church sites in Salt Lake City, including the Joseph Smith Office building and the visitor's center.



They visited many historic sites and enjoyed getting some homemade ice cream. And they checked out a vegetable garden.

They toured the Church humanitarian center and learned a lot about humanitarian work in Africa.

They got to attend a baseball game, eat hotdogs and fries and get the game's official baseball...ah...doesn't get much better than that!













They watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice for 'Music and the Spoken Word.'

They watched a special performance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with a featured, well-known performer.

 With them at that event was Kansas City's photo that not only proved that they honored him with the visit, but they knew how much he loved the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and would have loved to have been there to experience what they were experiencing. They all knew he was there in spirit.

They all got to sing with the MTChoir

During the Choir's practice, the group was invited to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...a chance of a lifetime. They actually sang and some were quite good...they took it seriously and how could they not be moved in the midst of angels singing?

She loved singing with the choir

When they were finished singing the song, the choir sat down while the Africa group remained standing and the choir honored them. Wow. Elder Kyle and I could not watch the video or look at the photos without it bringing tears to our eyes..very special.

Finding these Africans some cowboy wear

Luckily, they went at a time when many celebrations were being held for Pioneer Day, a really big day in Utah to honor the pioneers and the sacrifices they made to travel across the plains and gain religious freedom.

Because of this, the group had to be taken to a western store where they officially became cowboys and wore their cowboy hats proudly (maybe some reluctantly), but Bishop Sabela was having a great time.I hope his congregation was checking out the photos we posted. Bishop, you got some splaining to do!

Parade

And what do you do after you are all duded up with your boots, jeans and cowboy hats? Well first you go to the Pioneer Day parade and see some wonderful floats and marching bands and horses...

Rodeo

Then you must attend a rodeo, something they don't have in Africa. The team unanimously agreed that riding a bucking horse was not something any sane person would do.

Governor of Utah being interviewed by Ukhozi

And, as if that wasn't exciting enough, they met the mayor and then the Governor of Utah! These guys were truly receiving the royal treatment.

The media who was announcing the rodeo and interviewing attendees and rodeo performers after each ride, let Sibusiso do their announcement. He was a natural. I guess hosting a radio show must have helped. He certainly wasn't shy.

My favorite photo of them visiting Elder Cook's ranch

Then they were off to Elder Cook's ranch in a beautiful area where they got to ride horses, a first for most of them. The Cook's grandson bore his testimony after repeating his primary talk. Sean got that one on film and it was very sweet...reminded me of our two sweet grandchildren.

In this photo they are giving their salute to Elder Cook and the amazing time they had at his ranch.

Visiting Sean Connelly's family

They spent an evening with a very nice family for Family Home Evening and got to see how a family home evening is done, in hopes that they can bring that idea back to Africa to help families.

Sean's family loved meeting the Africans

And they spent time with Sean's sister's family and took a little hike, had great food and beautiful vistas in the mountains of Utah.

They took many more tours while they were there at welfare square, special Church monuments, like "This is the Place"monument commemorating the members coming into the Salt Lake Valley and proclaiming that "This is the Place.'

Ogden temple tour

Timing couldn't have been better for this group, because they also were able to tour the Ogden temple. A special viewing was given them before the crowds arrived and a small reception. They all walked through the temple with their hosts and even sat and meditated in the Celestial Room. Some exclaimed what a special experience that was for them.

The spirit was strong that day.

The trip to SLC from Africa was a great success and lives were forever touched by experiences they will never forget. I am just glad that we were able to report these wonderful events. Sean took the video and photos, -I posted them on newsrooms and Elder Kyle was instrumental in making sure the group got from Africa to Salt Lake City. This includes gathering visas, booking flights, etc. The group from Africa took a piece of Salt Lake with them as they returned to Africa and the people in Salt Lake definitely were left with a piece of Africa in return.

When the group returned to Africa, a large crowd was waiting for them at the airport, members who had been listening to the radio programs and those who just wanted to welcome back their friends and favorite announcers on the radio. I'm sure Bishop Sabela's congregation was well represented and the Umlazi Choir was singing them welcome songs. I don't know what the people at the airport were thinking, but we were thinking, "Isn't the Gospel wonderful and these people in Africa totally amazing?"

Welcome back to Africa - Ukhozi FM- Love the sign about Zulu Cowboys!

July Youth Event we drove girls to in Benoni

We have so enjoyed being in the Secunda Branch. President Soko is a great man with a big job. One day a month earlier, we had our ward conference and the girls were told about a youth activity for the stake in Benoni, which is over an hour from Secunda on Saturday, July 27th. It was an all day activity starting at 9AM and ending at 10 PM. My first question to woman from the stake was: How can the girls from Secunda be expected to drive all that way and then come back after 10 pm? Considering the transportation problems in Africa, and especially in this little branch, it seemed like the girls in Secunda would be left our of the activity.

This did not seem fair, so I asked President Soko what he thought about Elder Kyle and I taking the three older girls to the activity (It was 14 and up, so the younger girl could not come). I told him we would come to Secunda the day before and stay in a hotel and get up early to take the girls back towards Johannesburg. Then we would stay in our flat and get up early Sunday morning and go to the Benoni building for Church with the girls and then bring them home. President Soko seemed quite surprised that we were willing to do that. He looked at me and said, "You are willing to do this?" When I said 'yes' he said, "You love those girls too, don't you?" I thought it was such a simple thing to do, but it was obvious he thought otherwise.

The only thing I needed to do was find them a place to sleep Saturday night. After some communication with the stake leader that came to our branch, she told me that the Stake YW President said they could stay at their home and to just bring their blankets and pillows.

So, we drove up to Secunda Friday afternoon to stay in a bed and breakfast that I had found for a reasonable amount. The only problem was there was no breakfast at our bed and breakfast and no heat in the room. July is winter in Africa, so brrrrrrr. But, we got up the next morning and went to meet two of the girls (Deempho and Makhosi, at the Church about 7 am. They were there with all their bedding and some food their moms had made for the trip and they were excited to be going. We were going to meet the third girl (Thembe) at a gas station along the way, which we did and then the three girls got in the back seat and were all giggly about their sleepover and activity. Deempho and Thembe are 17 years old and Makhosi is 18. I asked a few questions and then they talked to each other. I thought to myself that would be great to just listen to them and find our a bit more about them, but they started talking in Zulu for the rest of the trip and I had no idea what they were saying.

Thembe, Deempho and Makhosi

We got to the Church and helped them register, took some photos and told them to have a good time. We made arrangements to see them at Church the next day and took their bedding to the truck of the YW president's husband.











Sunday morning we headed over to Benoni Ward for Church and the girls were all sitting in a side bench with just enough room for us. They said they had a great time and couldn't stop talking about how amazing the home of the YW President was. They said the dance was fun...there was square dancing and someone there to call out the steps (so funny to have that as an activity in Africa). The daily activities were about going on a mission and each got a mission call to another country and then learned about that country. Makhosi got her call to the US and they told her the national food was hot dogs! ha. It sounded like a good activity and they had lots of fun, even though they are shy and didn't intermingle that much. They were very thankful that we offered to take them to the activity and we felt good about doing it. I guess they had missed out on all other activities.

We talked on the way home from Secunda about the difficulty these members have getting to activities, stake conference and sometimes Church on Sunday. Most people in parts of Africa do not have cars. They rely on taking a Kombi (van) taxi where ever they go and if they have no money they do not go. We take so much for granted in the United States. It makes these humble testimonies of the gospel here in Africa all that much more precious.

We feel so fortunate for these experiences.

July Helping Hands event for Mandela Day SE Area Ofc -Twighlight Children Educational Project

On Mandela Day each year, South Africa celebrates by asking the people to do 67 minutes of service on that day.

The celebration of Mandela Day aims to serve as a global call to action for people to recognize their individual power to make an imprint and help change the world around them for the better.

"Nelson Mandela has been making an imprint on the world for 67 years, beginning in 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African." says the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The foundation also says, "By devoting 67 minutes of their time - one minute for every year of Mandela's public service - people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step forward towards a global movement for good."

So Sandile, an employee in the Southeast Africa Area Office of the Church, committed the young single adults in the ward, of which he is a Bishop, to join him at Twilight, a local orphanage and children's learning center to help clean it up, paint, etc. He came into our office one day and asked us if we would participate in a Helping Hands project on Mandela Day. We told him that we would be glad to and we came dressed for work that day.

Fezi, Carly & Kapu

Some of the ladies from the office came too. Carly, who is the best dressed girl in the office (middle) came in a dress and high heels. She said she had a meeting at 11:00, so she wouldn't have time to change. Fezi on the left came without makeup and in her work clothes, but she wasn't feeling well that day. Kapu on the right (the other diva in the office) was also dressed in her best clothes. I couldn't imagine them doing anything in those clothes, but once again, I was wrong.

Painting the building and surrounding fence

Kapu helping carry stock items

Carly painted a wall outside in her dress clothes and both she and Kapu dug right in a mopped and cleaned the kitchen before they had to leave.

Sandile getting soil ready to plant

Sandile was tackling the hard stuff.

The orphanage/school is located in Johannesburg not far from our office. It is a large rather run down building in the heart of the city. This is not only a place where the youth can sleep and eat, but there are classes teaching them how to do make things they can sell, so they can take care of themselves eventually.

Other groups there to help as well

We were so impressed by the programs they offered. Before the project began, we were able to take a short tour of the rather large facility. There was a room where jewelry was being made, another where sculpture was being taught and various other classes. There were also other organizations there helping and a TV crew filmed a government leader making a speech about Mandela Day and the project.

Courtyard of School - getting direction on tasks to be done

Lot of mopping to be done in cafeteria

Carly mopping in her high heels

June 30th and July 7 devotionals at area office

Rolf Randall and Family

Monday, June 30, we had another great devotional by our Area Finance Manager, Rolf Randall, who gave the spiritual thought. Again, I paraphrase:

When my mother passed away we cleaned up her home and came across a box. It only contained two things, a card with a letter from my grandmother from an extermination camp called Auschwitz (the last one she sent) and an old hymnbook printed in 1955. I opened the hymnbook and noticed that it was signed on the inside cover by the following: James A. Cullimore (assistant to the 12), Marion G. Romney, Mark E. Peterson, LeGrande Richards, Hugh B. Brown, Boyd K. Packer, Harold B. Lee and Howard W. Hunter. When I look back at my childhood, most of these brethren and their wives visited our home. They would meet there and get into a VW Beetle to go to their various assignments. As a boy, I failed to pay much attention to the spirit, but I remember them coming to our home often. I remember that my father was a leader of the Church then and associated with these gentlemen.

On my mission, I liked to share my three favorite testimonies of the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had a film strip.

One of my favorite Church Videos was a part in that movie of Joseph Smith's testimony where he said, 

"However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."

Elder Faust

Another was Elder Faust bearing his testimony: "I've always believed in the Church. I've gained a testimony as the Brother of Jared  when he said, "I saw the finger of God"... 
"As the Brother of Jared stated, so say I."






The third of my favorite testimonies was Boyd K Packer, someone who came in my home and ate dinner with my family and I don't even remember it.

Boyd K Packer

"After all the years that I have lived and taught and served, after the millions of miles I have traveled around the world, with all that I have experienced, there is one great truth that I would share. That is my witness of the Savior Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon recorded the following after a sacred experience: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him: That He lives! 'For we saw Him.' " 

Their words are my words. I believe and I am sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He lives. He is the Only Begotten of the Father, and 'by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.' I bear my witness that the Savior lives. I know the Lord. I am His witness. I know of His great sacrifice and eternal love for all of Heavenly Father’s children. I bear my special witness in all humility but with absolute certainty, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." 

What I found in that box in my mother's house was not considered all that desirable to my brothers and sisters, but I snatched it up like the treasure that it is...my grandmother's last message from Auschwitz

before she died and a hymnbook signed by some of the most amazing men in the Church's history...a treasure beyond words.

It is my testimony that Joseph Smith, Elder Faust and Elder Packer's testimonies are a true witness of Jesus Christ and the restored Gospel upon the earth today and I add mine to it.

MONDAY JULY 7th DEVOTIONAL:

Carly with her children

This devotional's spiritual thought came from Caliphonia (We call her California - and once again it is paraphrased):

"When I was 17 years I had a very important physics exam, but on the day of the exam I found that I had mixed up the dates and instead of the physic exam, I had MEDS instead. Luckily I passed anyway, but not with the grade I had hoped.

Today, I came to work totally prepared to give this devotional talk, but when I arrived at the office, I discovered I had my husband's diary and not mine...so no talk.

Okay, we all stumble, but the gospel teaches us that we are all eternal beings...that man is a child of God and can become like Heavenly Father with heavenly progression. Because of our heavenly parents, we are capable to love and live with commandments while we have these mortal bodies. 

I remember when the lawyer asked Jesus in Matthew, 'Which is the greatest commandment in the law?'  Jesus answered,  "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind...  "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself".

Love is an action. We need to be doers of the Word. Idling away one's time is not enjoying life. As children of Heavenly Father, we are counseled to be perfect, even as our Father in Heaven is perfect. 

We should strive for goals. To do this I try to focus my thought on things that will help motivate me, like: ~We become what we think about~ Though Jesus Christ was hated, yet he loved ~The door of history turns on small hinges ~ True finishers have the capacity to view their successes ~ Stick to the task until it sticks to you ~ Let virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly.

And a great song that sums all of this up is The Impossible Dream: 

To dream the impossible dream… To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow… And to run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong… And to love pure and chaste from afar…

To try when your arms are too weary…To reach the unreachable star.

This is my quest to follow that star no matter how hopeless, no matter how far.

To fight for the right without question or pause, to be willing to march,
march into hell  for that heavenly cause.

And I know if I'll only be true... to this glorious quest...

that my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest.

And the world will be better for this, that one man, scorned and covered with scars,

still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable,

the unreachable, the unreachable star

And I'll always dream the impossible dream; yes, and I'll reach the unreachable star.

I hope we can act on those things we learn and continue to perfect our lives until we are finally ready to meet God and he can say to us, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

June 4-5 Trip to Gaborone and Francistown Botswana, mtg with stake pres and PA

Hotel in Gabarone, Botswana

Because of various issues in Botswana that require Public Affairs attention, we scheduled another trip to Gaborone. We also wanted to attend the neonatal 'Help Babies Breathe' training in Francistown, Botswana. So we started out by flying to Gaborone. We got to the hotel, checked in and went to our room to get out our notes and materials for the meeting. We checked with the hotel to see if they had the room set up.





When we booked the hotel, we booked a meeting room, but when Elder Kyle followed up right before we left they told us their meeting rooms were all booked and we didn't have one. Elder Kyle spoke to management and they apologized and said they would take the bed out of one of the rooms and set it up like a conference room.

We went up and checked on the room to make sure it was supplied with water, notepads and pens. I then made a few signs and adjusted others so those attending would know they had to go up the elevator to get to the meeting room. We put three digital cameras (new in box) in the center of the table and did not mention why they were there until later.

Elder Kyle conducting Public Affairs meeting in Botswana

We were expecting ten people, so we had a round table set up for ten, which included our national Botswana PA Council, Elder Kyle and I with the Stake President and his wife expected later on in the meeting. We were introduced to three new members of the PA Council that evening. They were all mature women. Brother Thebe (National Director) said that he decided he needed more mature members on the council who would get things done and be able to be there when needed. All three ladies were very nice and were obviously taking their callings seriously. We were very pleased with the extra members.

During the meeting, we discussed the future government relations plan for Botswana and discussed all the things that still needed to be done and who was supposed to do them. We had some very good discussions and then told them our plan for the cameras. Three people would be assigned the cameras with their responsibility to provide one photo and paragraph description per week. They were excited to get the cameras...We are hoping to yet turn them into reporters.

This chef was really friendly and asked ? about our group

The next morning we met with the Mission President and his wife for breakfast to discuss the things we spoke about in the meeting the previous day. We listened to his concerns and suggestions to help with the issues in Botswana. We also talked about the Consumer Fair coming up in August, of which the Church has a booth. We have been suggesting things they can use at their booth and providing whatever help we can to Sister Wilson. The Chef at the left is making my omelet. He is a member of the Church and a very good cook.

Common sight in Botswana

After breakfast, we packed up our stuff, checked out and headed by rental car to Francistown. Sean told us it would be a good idea to drive instead of fly, because there would be lots to see along the way and we were tasked with taking photos of Botswana for a Photo Essay being done by SLC. Well, we didn't see all that much on our 4-5 hour trip, but there were some interesting things to see on the road.

We saw some pretty interesting wagons being pulled by donkeys. The guy on the right got a real kick out of my taking his photo, and he started posing. Here he is pretending to take a photo of his own...pretty much mimicking me.







And then, of course there were some interesting things to see out the front windshield, like strange looking make-shift trailers with all kinds of things in them, like a cow and goat. Notice the goat has a leash...one emergency stop or sharp turn and the goat is hanging from the tailgate.

I don't know how they fit it all on without tipping over

But the best things were the imaginative packing techniques. I really didn't think this guy was going to make his turn without turning the van and trailer over, but he miraculously made it.









This guy had a lot of metal drums in the back of his vehicle, but they do a great job of securing everything with ropes...lots of ropes. They are masters at roping on everything from all angles.

And, the trailers themselves don't look all that sturdy. The tires look worn out and the axles look bent...definitely lots of rust, but they must use them until they fall apart, because they all look this way.




We finally stopped for gas. Here in Africa you do NOT pump your own gas. Every petrol station has several guys waiting to pump the gas for you. They ask if they can check your oil and water and clean your windshields (blast from the past). Of course, a tip is expected.


The gas station was located near a strip mall where a man had set up a table and was selling his wares, which seemed to be quite a variety, including a bag or oranges. He wasn't too concerned about making a sale and was reading the paper as I took his picture.

We never thought we would ever drive by this sign

Eventually, we passed the sign TROPIC OF CAPRICORN. How many people can say they went through the Tropic of Capricorn? Sometimes it is hard to believe we are actually in Africa...a world away from where we have lived our whole lives and other times it seems like we have lived here forever.

Two ladies in white with babies tied on their backs

Finally we entered Francistown. It's a quaint town. We traveled down the main street and the sidewalks were bustling...people were out and about. The photo here shows two women in white. See if you can spot the little feet at the sides of the first lady. All small children are carried by using a strip of material tied around them. I am always amazed the children don't fall off their backs, but these women are pros when it comes to wrapping the cloth around their babies and tying it at the front. The babies seem perfectly happy with this arrangement. We've never see one crying.

We were surprised to see a palm tree here

We looked for our hotel that we booked online and we about ran out of downtown when we saw it. It was in a not so nice section of town and looked like a very run down Motel Six. We did not like the looks of it, so we drove back to the main street and doubled back to stay a the hotel owned by the casino. It wasn't fancy, but we felt comfortable there.

Having a bite in the hotel restaurant 

As it turned out, the humanitarian people that were doing the training the next day were staying there too. We saw them in the restaurant that night. We didn't do much after that. We were tired from the drive, so we turned in early to get ready for the big day tomorrow!