March Madness

Hello family:
We'll I can't believe that March is here. I do miss basketball. WE loved that BYU won the game against Gonzaga. Well, our mission tour is underway, but it has moved from Harare to the other cities in Zimbabwe. Our dinner was really good and everyone got enough to eat, which is the goal. Elder Kevin Hamilton and his wife are our visiting  general authority. His wife looked at my name tag, and said, hey I know a "Miriam Hermansen" do you know her? WEll, yes we know Miriam and her family. They use to be Miriam's bishop and her stake president in Newberry Park in the Thousand Oaks area. WE did have a great visit. They have been in South AFrica since 2013. I'm not sure how much longer they'll be here. WE did have a great zone conference. Of course our Mission President and his wife are still stressed, but today we just really relaxed at the office and it was time for some catch up. Yes, the office refrigerator is still clean, and no one looked inside. We have some really great elders that work in the office. They are all leaving the mission in June. They will be missed, but they are looking forward to returning to their home.
Today we received the new mission presidents information to receive his visa for Zimbabwe. He is bringing two teenage daughters with them. That will be interesting, so I'm practicing saying his name. I might get it , by the time they arrive. Tonight all the senior couples went outside of our gated apartments and picked up trash for just 30 minutes. WE ended up with 3 huge trash bags full, a rusty bucket full of garbage, tire tread and much more. One man walked by me and thanked me for picking up their trash. Maybe we'll spur some interest in keeping the earth clean. So much for service.
Last Saturday was a full day off, so we took a road trip to the city of Mutare. It is right on the boarder of Mozambique. It was so beautiful. This community is surrounded by big mountains, and it was so green and beautiful. We drove around and we saw a cricket match being played, and that was what we ended up doing. Watching a cricket game. IT is so confusing to understand and watch. Nothing like baseball or any other sport in the world.... But we were the only white people at the all  black sports club in Mutare. I felt just a little out of my comfort zone, but we stayed for a while, then we drove home, a 3 hour drive each way to this city. but it felt great to go for a drive somewhere.
 I've loved the letters about all the snow fall.  About time you have received some snow. To bad the blossoms were out on the trees. WE have received so much rain lately. but the rainy season is almost over, and then it will be cold. I don't llike the cold here because I didn't bring anything warm to wear. Maybe this year I'll go find something to wear. Christine you're on the mailing list. I'm sorry that your husband  has not shared all the letters. They are on a blog that Lindsay has set up on Facebook. I do hope you had a wonderful birthday. By the way , how is your job coming along? we certainly hope you're doing well. We hope the weather isn't doing a lot damage back there, and we do hope your car has been fixed.
Curtis happy Birthday, hope you made it up the hill to the house after the big snow fall. WE are doing well. I'm just very grateful for our family and the temple blessings that we all enjoy. We love you and pray for your families and all that you do daily.
We are trying to book a trip to see Victoria Falls. I guess I need some one with a  African accent to book our hotel. They are charging us Americans an outrageous price. But I do hope it will work out. Hopefully sometime in April, will be our little trip. Today I received the weekly missionary list for the south east Africa area. I counted up how many Americans that are called to this area. Only 15 americans out of 144 have been called to this area from now to the first part of August. The countries here are really stopping the flow of foreigners coming to Africa. It is really hard to get a visa, and every country has their own different requirments. Well, I'm not thinking  well, so I better end.
We love you and thanks for the letters. They mean the world again to us. I did receive some great advice from Kathy Browning, she said that I should just buy the African junk on Amazon when I get home. She has a good point to ponder on. Our little branch is doing well, we know have a really good PA system in the building. Someone has planted really nice plants around the building, it looks really well. Please take care of you all, and we'll talk to you later. Love Elder A and Sister H. Our goal is to have 5 grandkids by the time we get home.... so adopt or start giving us some great news...... Love you all.