BLESSINGS

Because we are not assigned to any one ward or branch in the greater Accra area (which has 4 big stakes) as other couples are, we can choose where to attend each week. Last week we drove an hour away to Winneba with the Cardons. We arrived quite early and had a chance to greet a lot of the members. I got to hold this cute little 8 month old boy. He sure warmed the heart of this grandma! We have been asked to attend the YM and YW meetings to get a feel for the youth of the church here. This is in relationship to an assignment I,Linda, have received from the Area Presidency to chair a committee which will help prepare materials for a 2010 celebration area wide in which the youth will celebrate the Book of Mormon. This will entail drama, music, perhaps dance, etc.

THE MTC for the 8 missions in our area is 30 minutes away in Tema. The majority of missionaries are from these countries along with the American and European Elders. Last Friday we went early in the morning along with our Area Dr. and another Sr. couple (he also is a retired dentist) out to the MTC to work along side of the MTC Pres. ( a retired surgeon) to give 55 new missionaries their 4 immunizations.

BLESSINGS

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We are blessed to live in the Ghana Temple compound where there are four buildings: The office, the living quarters, the Temple and a Stake center. It is beautifully landscaped. We especially love the fan palms.

Driving through Accra is very interesting to say the least. The traffic laws are LOOSE. When traveling down a one way street, you are apt to see more cars coming AT you (going the wrong way) than those going the correct direction. Lanes??? What lanes??? See the red car on the right? I am in the right lane: he is coming out of a gas station where he 'cut a corner' and he wants to get across the oncoming traffic and into his lane. You just have to be as agressive as anyone else and try not to hit anyone or get hit.

The picture on the right is a typical street vendor. This is how a lot of shopping is done for the locals. We do have several grocery stores to frequent. A relatively new mall has opened and has a Shoprite grocer and other stores for clothes, Target type items, etc. We also have been to a few nice restaurants with the Shipleys who we have replaced at the office. They have now gone home and tomorrow we are on our own. We only hope that we can remember all they tried to teach us.

Our calling as Executive Secretaries to the Area Presidency is quite involved but we work with a very dedicated and capable office staff and three very wonderful General Authorities. It promises to be a fulfilling, learning and spiritual experience. We are blessed!

Hello friends and family.

Here we are the day before we departed the MTC for Ghana, Africa.
The MTC was wonderful and our first week here in Ghana has
been a unique and interesting on as we have been tutored in our
reponsibilities in the Area Presidency Office and introduced to the
dining, shopping and crazy traffic here in this city.