Friends from Africa :]

When my in-laws served a mission in the Congo and South Africa they met many great people.  My in-laws influenced many lives and cultivatied many friendships.  One friendship, in particular, became close and very special.  Elli and Vianni Monga are from Lubimbashi in the Congo.  They have come to visit during general conference a couple times now and it feels more like being with cousins that live real far away instead of visitors from a far away country?  I love hearing their stories of how they live and what their children like to do.  Soccer seems to be their favorite, and we go back and forth all the time about how soccer and football are two different things.  They think our american football should be called arm ball or throw the ball!  We love them like we love our own cousins, aunts and uncles...who speak french :]

Elli and Vianni

Just for fun, some of the family took them out to eat at The Wild Rose and then took them to buy CTR rings and look at church art and books.  Vianni is an amazing crochet-er (spelling...idk?).  She can crochet baby jumper bottoms, jacket and a little hat in one day and they are gorgeous!  She loves to giggle and thinks our family is crazy and loud :]  Elli is very close to the spirit and reminds us all of CJ's dad, who we have missed especially while the Monga's were here.  Elli says he is black Craig...and we all laugh (because it's so true)!

Barbara Park, Elli & Vianni, Jared & Michelle Nelson, Me, Lynn & Linda Jones...CJ is taking the picture :]