Dear Fam, It was sooooo great to hear from you all yesterday! It sounded like everyone is doing very well and it was just fun to talk to everyone. I wish we had a New Years day phone call as well but I guess we don't... I think I told you just about everything from the past week yesterday. The baptism of Bartimious and Tatianna were wonderful, so we where happy about our "White Christmas" I forgot some of the things to send pictures, I promise I'll send some next week, but mom don't worry I made sure Elder Jones sent some home today. Its fun that you are going to have lunch with his mom tomorrow. Let me know how that goes. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season and know I love you all! No empty Chairs!

-Elder L.

Merry Christmas!!

Dear Fam,

I am looking forward to this week and especially to calling you for Christmas! This week is going to be a lot of fun, Christmas conference, Ahagies and Christmas! I'm really looking forward to Christmas Conference and the Ahagies it the only time of the whole year that the whole mission gets to be together! Christmas Conference was so fun last year.. tons of food, talent show and testimony meeting. Elder Ahagie is one of the Area seventies and every year they invite all the missionaries over for dinner and to play games, just to have a good time.

So I have noticed that my letters have started to get a bit boring so I am going to attempt to do better and I think give just a brief play by play or day by day. To start, last P-day was sweet, we played football and I know I am only 5 foot nothing a 100 an nothing and I don't have a speck of athletic ability but I had a lot of fun out there and we played forever! We are taking the week off but will play again next week. I don't want to go off on sports to much but I can't really explain how good it feels to be able to play sports again! (Because it was against mission rules for the first half of my mission) On Tues were taught Tatianna and Bartimious and they are both really excited for their baptism coming up on the 24th. It looks like Elder Jones and I are going to have a white Christmas. One thing I love about this area is they speak Twi and Ewe. Twi is the most common language in Ghana and that is the one all the Elders learn the most but Ewe is what people speak in the Volta region. So about half the people here are from the Volta region so sometimes I feel like I'm in Ho again. On Thursday we went on Splits with the AP's. Elder Jones went with Elder Tui and I went with Elder Afu. I still don't know Adenta so I couldn't take Elder Tui around so I went to go do an interview for the District Leader in Nsawam. Nsawam is like two hours away so I was so happy that we didn't have go on our own and catch a trotro. Elder Afu is my MTC and we got the idea that we should have our whole MTC do something in talent show. I got the idea because I didn't do anything last year and I would have felt bad if I didn't do anything again this year. So i'll let you know how it goes, we are doing a little spoof on Rudolf the Red nosed rain deer. On Friday we had a DLT, were we talked about all the Districts and how they are doing and their strengths and weaknesses. I feel like we are doing very well but their is always room to improve. Like President Hinkley said, "We should work a little hard to be a little better" and I have found that quote has always helped me. On saturday we finished preparing Tatianna and Bartimious for their interviews and then they were interviewed on sunday. Sunday morning we went to go pick up one of our investigators up for church. His name is Richard and he is living with his brothers, we just started teaching him this week, and he is just one of those golden people prepared by the Lord so we'll keep working and praying that everything works out. I think I'll call home around 8 Ghana time = 1pm Pacific time... What number should I call? I know this is the Lords work and that this greatest work on earth. President and Sister Judd sent us an email today talking about how they have tried to put the Savior before each other, and as they have done so it has made there love go for one another. The same is true for me, as I a have served the Lord and have done my best to put him first I have been amazed how much my love is grown for each one of you. I know it is only by putting the Savior first that we can have an eternal family! Kinda fun how that works, that by losing our lives we truly do find it! I love you all and am grateful for your love and prayers. Please share my love with all the family and friends!

-Elder L.

Adenta

Dear Fam,

I hope all is well in your part of the world, I am now writing you from Adenta. Adenta is just a little north from Accra but it is basically accra. I am serving with Elder Jones who just happens to be from Orem, Ut. We had some good talks about the great city of Orem so we have each others backs for Christmas. Adenta seems like a really nice area, the investigators, apartment and ward. I'll send you a picture next week but our apartment is on the second level of a really nice building. It is really really nice and the best part is there are 6 elders. From the time I got trained until now it has always just been me and my companion. So it feels really nice to go and talk with other people for a change. I just replaced Elder Orchard here, he just went home.. he is the one who is the friend of James. He is a great guy and we are really going to miss him in the Ghana Accra mission. On thurs we had a meeting where we disscussed some of the challenges the mission is facing and also the things the mission is really doing well. I really enjoyed it and I love to here President Judd speak, the spirit always seems to touch my heart every time he addresses us. I am really happy to be here and I think I will be here for a while but we will see what will happen. We have a few investigators that a progressing well and we are hoping and praying to hace what President Judd calls a "White Christmas". Today we are going to go play football with a bunch of missionaries. There is a big grassy field in our area so I am looking forward to that later today. In weeks to come I'll let you know more about my area and investigators and those things. I love you all and i'm looking forward to call home for Christmas! You are all in my thoughts and prayers

-Elder Andrew K. L.

The Camp Report

Dear Fam,

I'm glad to hear all is well, I enjoy reading your letters every week. This week was very rewarding, we found some wonderful investigators and we are excited about a few baptisms coming up in the next few weeks. Yesterday, we had five members give their testimony and tell everyone that will be going back to Liberia on Friday. In fact those five are recent converts of Elder Mauga and I. I'm grateful for an inspired mission president who told me that I should go and get everyone's information so that when they go I will always be able to find them after my mission. I have received almost everyone's information, and I'm glad I did because President Judd called me on Thursday he asked me a few questions about the camp and when I asked him a question he told me not to worry about that because i'm moving on to other things and my days in Buduburam are numbered. So he told me what i'll be doing but he didn't tell me where i'm going yet. Transfer calls are tonight so i'll finally find out where I'm going. Its been a long few days wondering where I'm going, it makes me really said to leave. This place has been my favorite, I could go on and on about it and the people. I have learned the most from the scriptures in my time here but I would say second has just come from watching these people and interacting with them. They keep the two great commandments just about as good as I have seen any people in my life, they put God first and they love and serve their fellowman. I'll let you know where i'm going next week so stay tuned...  This past week I had the privilege of performing a baby blessing, it was a wonderful experience and I'm humbled that Sis Whleh would ask me to help with that. This week we played football again, it was really fun, we had some members and investigators their, I played all time QB. I was no Peyton Manning out there, but there is a large hill (Ghana mountain) behind the camp and all I could think of was "how much do you want to bet I could throw this ball over them mountains." One of the best football quotes in what critics would say is not one of the best football movies. Thanks for all the love and prayers, and mom thanks for the Cd's and Lights. I'll look forward to that

Love, Elder L.

Camp Weekly Report

Dear Fam,

I'm happy to hear that everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving. This week we had loads of fun, on thanksgiving we didn't really do anything, just another day in the life of a missionary. But the following day, was Elder Mauga's birthday and we went over to a members and they went all out... they bought Chinese food, cake and Sparkling cyder. I'll I savored every bite of the Chinese food. In Osu they actually had many nice places to eat the only problem was we couldn't afford it. I also head they just put in a KFC there, it opened two weeks after I left! Now in buduaburam our options are rice or rice or rice. Anyways I can of just went of there so sorry for that. By the way the frog was pretty good, the same members give it to us this week and when they brought it out Elder Mauga and I looked at each other and we were both thing, "here we go again".



On Saturday, we had the Baptism of Fabrice, Phillimena, and Queengirl. I had the privilege of preforming the baptism, this family is very special to me and I am excited for them, they are ready to make there journey back to our Heavenly Father. I could just see it in there eyes how happy they were and they kept saying thank you thank you. Every time people say that I just, thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me we be a tool in his hand. Saturday was such a wonderful day, it was one of the happiest days of my mission. I wonder if my joy was that of alma except I didn't pass out. We also had the baptism of Prince, Kofi and Abigale. These three are all from part member families, that is one thing I am so grateful for, to be uniting families! On Saturday evening the ward had a recent convert meeting, it made me happy to see many of the people there, I just pray these people can continue on the path.

Today we weeded all the grass in front of our apartment, that was one of the pictures I sent. It took forever but we cut it all down. Dad, I'm sorry to say I didn't use "two hands" or "pull them by the root" but don't worry. When i'm home I will use two hands and pull all the roots. We played some football today, mom thanks again for sending the football. It cracks me up seeing them play with it. There is not much more I can say, but I continue to love to study from the topical guide and make scripture trains, its something that has really helped me in my teaching and I hope you all try it out. I know the Church is true and that I'm doing what the Lord would have me do!

Much Love,

Elder L.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Fam,

I'm glad to hear all is well. All is well here in Buduburam, this past week we had the baptism of Samuel Narh. Its been really fun to teach him, he is like a brother to Elder Mauga and I. We are all born in 91! We moved the other two baptisms to this week, because they couldn't find the actual birth date for the kids (Prince and Kofi). Prince and Kofi are from a part member family. We are also planning of the baptism of Abigale Penson, she is 25 and is the daughter of the Sunday school President. She just came from Liberia at the end of last month.  And lest but definitely not the least Fabrice, Phillimena and Queengirl will also be baptize on Saturday as well. They are the ones in the picture holding the soup. I love this family very much, I can never remember what I have told you about our investigators so if I repeat anything forgive me. We have seen a miracle take place in the life of Fabrice and his family. Fabrice has been working to overcome and alcohol addiction, the tricky part has been the fact that they have a few Muslim prayer rugs as the wall between their house and a drinking spot. The smell of Alcohol and Weed consumes their place and I think its a miracle. Some times I am amazed by what goes down on the camp, the UN isn't really playing a role at all these days and the Ghana Goverment could care less what happens on the camp because Ghanaians don't live here. Dad, I think you should put together another semester abroad and come a help some of the people around here understand the effects of what they are doing.

Dad, I'm glad to hear you had a happy birthday! I'm looking forward to celebrating the next one with you. Sherry I hope you have a happy birthday as well and I'm happy you don't have to spend it in the car. I'm not sure what I will do I will do for thanksgiving, but its also my half birthday. So maybe I'll have to splurge and treat myself to something. Next Monday Elder Mauga is preparing pig for the Zone so maybe I'll count that as my thanks giving. Thanks for all the Prayers!

Love, Elder L.

 

The Temple Trip was great!

Dear Fam,

The football game was so much fun, we had so much fun! We won one game and lost one, but it was great to just run around for a change! Running full speed felt really funny to me and I know I have gained a lot of weight. This coming week we will have the baptism of Samuel, Kofi and Prince. Samuel is a trooper, he has not had an easy life and he works from the time he wakes up until about the time he gets ready for bed. Samuel and Kofi live with members, their parents recently passed away. They are great kids and I know the fullness of the gospel will bless their lives so much as they grow up. The work continues to go forward, Queengirl, Philimena Fabrice are Preparing for their baptisms on the 26th. We pray all is well, please pray for Fabrice, he has a word of wisdom concern but if he keeps it they can all be baptized together.

Going down was easily the best part of the week, it has felt like ages since I went to the temple and I look forward to the day when I can go every week. My interview with President Judd went well, he is inspired in everything he does. We spent most of the time talking about the future of the Liberia Camp. In my last letter to him I told him of a concern we were having, that so many of these recent converts are going back to their homes but they are not telling the church where they are going. So there are a many, many people that the church has no idea where they went. Speaking to President Judd in my interview he said that if we can trace some of these people and find some small groups or units. They would be able to start something outside of Monrovia, it will take some work but most of these people have go to their hometown so I'm excited about that. I think everything will be figured out after I leave but nothing would make me happier than if though all this it helped the church reach some where outside of Monrovia. President Judd also told me I should make a list of our recent converts so that I can always keep track of them and help the church know where they are. He contacted the Area Seventy, and they are seeking the Lords direction but it is comforting to know that the Lord will reveal his will to them and I pray that this can help the church grow in Liberia. He also told me of a similar situation he had on his mission, working on a Naval base. He has know idea where those men went and he said that he has started to try and find them and how they are doing.

Mom, I was able to see you during conference which made me very happy, conference was great! Dad, I hope you have a happy birthday. When I get home I sing happy birthday for you Ghanaian style. But I know that the L. version is the greatest of all!

Love to all,

-Elder L.

Dear Fam,

I'm sorry to say this is going to be a quick letter because we are going to go play Football as a zone. Not soccer football but FOOTBALL! My fingers are shaking because i'm so excited to go play. This week was a good one, we had the baptism of Aresa Joloka. Her three older sisters are all members of the church and she is excited to be united with them. This morning we went and moved sand for a few hours, last week it rained super hard in the camp and at the bottom it flooded really bad. So that it doesn't happen again. One thing I don't know if I'll ever get used to over here is that everyone feels like they have to come and say some smart comment or something about america when they see me working. I play along but... if only they knew. I don't know if I told you this but A lot of new areas are going to and are opening up. They just opened up a second area in the Volta region, Kpong. President Judd has taken a lot of interest in that region and he has told us that he will continue to open up new areas. President Judd has a great vision for this mission, I also don't know if I told you but this mission is going to get a number of more missionaries.

Yesterday I was finally able to watch conference, I think President Monson is hilarious. His story about the five dollar bill... none of the Africans had any idea about what he was talking about and I just kept laughing during his talk. My favorite talk was given by Elder Callister, he gave a powerful talk on the Book of Mormon. I especially liked his diagram where a many different lines were going though the dot that represented the bible but, if you also have the Book of Mormon, only one line can go though the two. This week will have interviews and a temple trip and i'm really looking forward to both. Thanks for all the love, thoughts and prayers!

Love, Elder L

Happy Halloween

Dear Fam,

Happy Halloween! This year I dressed up as a  missionary...again.. as well as every day. I'm not sure about next year but I'll probably change my costume. Last week we had the baptism of Emmanuel Moore, he is doing great and we hope the family will follow his example. This week we started working with a wonderful
family. Fabrice, Philimina, Queengirl(for real) and Kelvin. Fabrice is from Ivory Coast and philimina is from Libieria and they had their kids in Ivory Coast and Ghana so were getting all the nationalities here in the camp. I've met people from Senegal, Sierra Leon, Nigeria, Niger most of west Africa which makes it fun. Dad, one word of advice you gave me before I left is to know other countries geography. Its has really blessed me in this area. I bought a Liberia map and I know most the major cities and all the counties and it usually sunrises people when they see that I know a little bit about their country. One of our investigators, Wilford has been though a lot lately. He has been trying to stop smoking and then his daughter died two weeks ago. Last week he had an illness that kept him in bed for four days. We was too exhausted and weak to learn we would just go and sing some hymns to him every day to try and boost his spirits and keep him going. He is doing much better and is now up and running again, he still has a ways to go but to me its a miracle. This week were are going to have the baptism of a girl named Aresa, she is super smart and she is from a part member family. Her older sister is a member and has raised her from the time she was very little. This coming week we will watch general conference, I'm very excited for that. Bryan no leaves changing in these parts but I have faith it will snow this year. Matt I'll keep my eye open for your past Mission President.  Mom, your a great missionary, some day I hope to be a great missionary like you and I'll keep the Ho family in my prayers. Love you all!

-Elder L.

Pictures. . . Finally

Dear Fam,

Writing from a different cafe made a world of difference, that why I was able to send so many pictures today instead of praying that the computer would load! I kind of had to beg my companion... he is a sport though. He doesn't have anyone writing him back home and the other place is cheaper, so every few weeks I send a bunch of pictures. This week we were blessed to have the baptisms of Princess, Mama, Genesis and Augustin. They will we a strength to the ward and its been fun to work with these families. That is probably been my favorite about working in Buduburam, working with families. Of course we always try to find families but usually we find one here or one there so I am very excited about that. We also have a two other families and a part member family we are working with. This week we are having the baptism of Emmanuel and Mabel. They are both in the youth program. Mabel is is part of a part member family and Emmanuel is the son of Annie and Daniel who we are hoping will soon follow. We are also hoping for the baptism of Henry smith the following week, he is also part of a part member family. The work is moving along, and I'm loving the work! That picture of the mouse is a crazy story... we have been trying to catch that little guy for weeks and one night we came home and we found him on the counter stuck in the oil. All is well in Zion! Love to all

-Elder L.

Dear Fam,

This week has been full of miracles. This week we had one of our investigators, Princess commit to be baptized. She has been progressing for a long time and her husband was recently baptized but her church had been paying for her school fees and she had been working for them. She was afraid and the other week she told us she couldn't do it because she was so dependent on her church. She already received her answer that it was true but wasn't sure she could take that leap of faith. We committed her to pray about it and the next time we went back she knew what she needed to do... her baptism will be next Saturday! She is going to be baptized with her best friend and her son. Mama and Genesis. Augustin will also be baptized next week, Augustin is the friend of Marget. The one who said he would leave her is she joined the church and he has had a change of heart and has really become a completely different person from the first time we met him. We have been so blessed to be have our successes in working with our recent converts and part member families. Meeting their friends and families really helps them to have a support system. There are a few places on the camp that because they have seen a number of there neighbors being taught by use its generating a lot of interest about why more and more of their neighbors are changing churches. I'm excited about the work out here in Buduburam and the ward is really doing well. I heard that they are going to discontinue the camp in a  few months and that they are going to start sending all the Liberians home soon. Is it true because every one here has a different story for me. haha This week were the elections in Liberia and people are very excited about it, most of them want a new president because they don't feel the current president is really helping them.

Thanks for all the love and prayers!

Love, Elder L.

Dear Fam, I'm glad to here all is well in your part of the  world. Thing are very well out here.... today my Elder Mauga and I played some football, I can you play with two? Actually, I think you can, Dane and I did back in the day. We were BYU and the opponents were those ghosts you were talking about Michelle. It made it very difficult not being able to see the other players but we always had  faith that we would come out on top, and we did! Mom and Dad thanks for all the things you sent, I so grateful for all you sent, I couldn't wait to play with the football, so thank you! I'll do my best to keep everything else saved for Christmas... but that is far away..

[Newphew], I am so happy to hear of your baptism! In small time I'll be at your mission farewell! Keep it up [nephew].

This week we had the baptism of Ellen Gogol, she was so excited to be baptized and I Elder Mauga have felt really blessed to be able to help her receive the restored gospel. Thanks for looking up where the church is in Liberia. A good number of people are going back in December after the election. I don't think too many of the members are going but I know some are and I think it is going be difficult for some of them to be where the church isn't but I've talked to some and encourage them to change that so that the church can expand and grow. As I was talking to Henry, who is preparing of the 29th of this month I told him the story of J.W.B. Johnson who was the pioneer that started unofficial meeting for the church until the church finally
came. This week we were teaching a sis named Annie, Annie knows what we are sharing with her is true but she is afraid to act on it and to leave her church. I had never tried to extend a date so many times in a lesson and she didn't wait to accept. We said a kneeling prayer to close the lesson and we told her that just as important as praying was listening. When she prayed we just sat there for 10 min and the feeling in the room was amazing. It really strengthened my testimony and she was moved. She said she still wants to talk to her husband but it had a great impact on her. I'm grateful to be one of the Lords servants and I am always trying to do what he would have me do.

Much Love, Elder L.

Hello

Dear Fam, I am so happy to hear all the good news, [nephew] I am so  excited for you, I wish I could be there! I am thrilled about the two temples in Africa and I know there will so be more. Elder Mauga and I  had a very good week, we kind of had a down week last week, but we were able to bounce back. I think Elder Mauga is my favorite companion I have had so far on my mission, we both like to work hard, and he is so funny, sometimes he can't really explain himself fully in english and it cracks me up. He is really doing well and learning fast. Sometimes I cringe during lessons because I know that all the  Liberians are saying are going over his head a little. Speaking of Liberia, I was wondering is someone could check the membership in  Liberia, how many branches or districts and where it is. Many of these people go back home and I hope and pray they go to where the church is. Many times people ask me where the church is over there and I tell  them I have no idea except for Monrovia the capital city. Its been kind of fun for me to get such a fascination with Liberia, even though I'm not serving there. This week we will have the baptism of a sister  named Ellen Gogol, she has had some challenges to over come, but she did it and we are so excited and happy for her. I'm looking forward to  conference, i'm sure it was a good one.. because it always is! Thanks for all the thought and prayers.

Love, Elder L.

Quick Thought

Dear Fam,

We had another great week out here in Buduburam, we were blessed to have the baptism of Moses, Eric, Dorthy and Marget. It is a great blessing and I always feel humbled when I think of what the Lord has let me play a part in his plan of gathering all of his children. It hits me at every baptism. I just have a minute but I just wanted to share one of many miracles we witnessed this week. We had been teaching Marget for quite some time and she had been getting a lot of pressure from her friend not to join the church or he would go look for a new relationship and he told her he would stop providing for her. This was her only source of income, we read many scriptures with her and promised her the Lord would make a way for her. She showed her faith and committed to keep the commandments despite the pressure she was feeling. The day before she was baptized her friend to her that he wanted to come to the baptism and wanted to start coming to church! Its a miracle, and know the Lord provides a way for his children that keep his commandments. Dad, that Elder was great, it was fun when we made that connection out here in the field. [Personal messages to family.] Love you all! I'll say more next week.

-Elder L.

I'm stil here!

Dear Fam, First of all, happy birthday Eric. I hope it was a great one and I can't believe you are 30! I'm not gonna lie, I very surprised to be staying in Buduburam. I know I just got here but I didn't think Elder Succo would go whitewash a new area. As dad loves to quote, "Order another round because were staying here."(Bugs Life) I am very excited to be staying here, we had the baptisms of Linda, Mama, Jr., Macdonald and Mary. It was very a very special service, Linda was the happiest person on the world on saturday, it a miracle everything worked out so soon. I forgot my camera, I'll send you a picture next week. My companion got to do the baptism and he was so excited and it made me happy to see him so happy. His name is Elder Mauga, he is from Samoa. He is wonderful, he is so humble and he is excited to be here. English is not his first language and he is finding it a little difficult, he can understand me but to understand the Liberians is very difficult for him. He is the youngest in his family of 9 and is one of two members. I'm am excited to work with this wonderful Elder!

This week we will have the baptism of Eric, Moses and Dorthy. I am happy for them and I am especially happy because they all have very strong fellowshippers. The ward is very excited about the work! Eric and Moses are brothers and they lost their parents during the civil war, they are excited for their baptism and they love the youth program, so that will be good for them.

I love being a missionary, I feel like I love Ghana more and more every day, and I'll never stop talking about how good the people are here. I love it here, I love teaching the Gospel, I love seeing changes in people, I love satisfaction of being exhausted and waking up and doing it over again and again and again. I love you all!

Thanks for all the love and prayers.

-Elder L.

P.s. It sounded like the Cougars could use some of those prayers too...

Hi

Dear Fam, Hello From Buduburam. I loved the Photos of little [new baby], he looks like a keeper! Nate and Shalissa you have a wonderful family! Akwaaba [new baby]. This week was a great one, we had five of our candidates be interviewed and their baptisms will be on Saturday. We are planing of five the next week as well, I'm so excited for all these people, especially Sis Linda. She has gone from the deepest despair to the greatest joy I have seen about anyone have on my mission. The only sad thing is I think their is a very good chance I will be transferred on Wednesday. Elder Succo and I were both called this week and we will be training. (He has been out two transfers so I don't think he'll whitewash an area) I'm so excited to train again. Elder Mlilo is also training so at the meeting I was with both my boy's, I'm very excited for both these guys. We received new training material, some of the things they will have us do will be very different than the first two times. We get an extra hour of companion study so we'll go out at 11. They have everything planned out for us and.............. we get DVD players. Obviously we are only aloud to watch the Preach My Gospel DVD's and a few selected church made films. ie Restoration, Finding faith in Christ. If I do get transferred I would white wash an area, which is something I have always wanted to do so either way I'm excited to find out whats going to happen. Thats about it for me, I'm doing very well and I love being a missionary. I'll let you know about my whereabouts next week.

Love, ElderL.

Ete Sen?

Dear Fam,

This week was the baptism of Anthonia! She has so much faith, and I know the Lord will bless her for the changes she has made and her willingness to follow the gospel. On Thursday we were teaching the three girls and their mom Linda. Linda is the one that could not be baptized because her husband married someone in the states. She told us he was filing for a divorce but we didn't know how long it would take so we went ahead and baptized the girls with her permission. She told us her husband had been taking lessons from the missionaries in the states and wanted to be baptized. He is actually getting a divorce on Saturday and wants to reconnect with his family. Linda was the happiest person in the world that day. Elder Succo and I were blown away! Her three daughters were confirmed yesterday and she will so join them, missionary work is amazing! She will be baptized on sept. 17. We are also planing to baptize a number of others that day, Moma and Jr. Macdonald, Mary, Moses, Eric, Pintu and Dorthy. We might have to push a few of their dates back to the next week but were working and praying they will be ready for that day. Also as a district of three companionships we had 29 investigators at church on Sunday, its kinda crazy out here.

I don't know if I told you this before but Buduburam is very quiet except for this church right next to us, they scream, pray, cast out evil spirits, speak in tongs! Some nights they will be up to four or five in the morning, i'm always out like a light despite the noise but I felt pretty bad because its kept Elder Succo up most of the night a few times. I am so impressed with some of our fellow Christians out here! Even though what they are doing is not true I know they are doing their best and they do it because they love our Savior. As I thought about this, how much more do we need to magnify our callings/responsibilities and doing all the Lord has asked us because we have the truth. I feel recommitted to be the best missionary I can be.

Eric, asked about what we eat. Waakye(spicy rice) Fried rice, Fufu, Bonku, the best fruit in the world and now I have been introduced to the Liberian food which is really nice. The Liberians love Crab, Potato Greens, they have their own fufu and they love spice even more than Ghanaians if thats possible. We never cook, but I have learned a little on mission. Cooking and buying costs the same and the people here can cook much better than I can and it save a bunch of time. Nate, All of my favorite names are from the Volta Region. The Ewe people have by far the best names! Miracle, Godsway, Blessed, Perfect, Precious, Patience thats just to name a few.

Thanks for all the love and prayers. You are all in my prayers and I'm excited to here about[a new baby in the family]! I am happy to here about cougars! Eric I really think that chant needs to be started at BYU. Hurrah for Isreal!! Everyone enjoy labor day, Mom and Dad I hope you rest today but I know would be against the L. Labor day tradition, but you deserve it.

Love, Elder L.

Hello Everyone

Dear Fam,

I am happy to hear you are all doing well. This week we had the baptism of Graceful, Gracious and Annie. They looked so great in their little white dresses and were very excited to be baptized. Linda also seemed very happy, she told us she felt peace as she read 1 Ne 3:7 everyday. She knows that everything will work out, and it will! Freds baptism will be this week, he had a funeral last week that he had to attend so we moved it this week. A women named Anthonia will also be baptized on on saturday. She is a Nigerian and recently left the Ivory Coast a few months ago when things got pretty bad there. She came with almost nothing and is now selling bread and eggs to earn a living. She is hoping to make enough so that she can go back to Nigeria. I don't know if I told you about her in my last letter, but when she first came to church she didn't really like it and she had a hard time accepting some of the doctrine. We left her 3 Ne 11 to read and when we came back she was a completely different person. She accepted every word we said and she loved church these past two weeks. I know the Book of Mormon is the true and it has the power to change lives! I started reading it again this week and as I have read the words of Nephi the most common things I noticed were Keep the Commandments and Joy. Over this past year my testimony of that has become stronger and stronger, I know that keeping the commandments brings joy! We are teaching a guy named Eric, his brother Moses and their sister Pintu. They are orphans, their parents were killed in the war. They are now living with a ward member who is the ward clerk, in Buduburam the work is centered around referrals. We are working with a women named Moma and her son, Jr. And also McDonald, Leo, Princess, Victor, Dorthy and a few others. I'm really excited for this month. Elder Succo and I taught the Aaronic Priesthood class yesterday. We taught about missionary work, it was fun and I think there will be some great missionaries from this ward in the future. I love you all!

-Elder L.

More Fun from Buduburam

Dear Fam,

This week was very wonderful. We had the Baptism of Emmanuel, Irene and Napoleon. I am so happy for all of them. This week we will have the baptism of Gracious, Graceful and Annie. While I am so excited for all of these girls, we found out they cannot be baptized with their mother. I was telling you about Linda's situation last week.. she was married about twenty years ago and when she was pregnant with twins her husband up and left her. He got married again in the states so she cannot be baptized. One of the hardest things I have had to do on my mission was to tell her that basically she couldn't be baptized because of the evil thing her husband did which her fault of her own. We promised her everything would work out and told her to read 1Ne 3:7 every. She has great faith and I know that one day everything will work out. Heavenly Father knows the desire of her heart and I know she will be blessed for that. A man named Fred will also be baptized next week. Fred is awesome, is a pastor in a church in camp. He has a solid testimony of the restoration and I am amazed by his faith. The church is his only income, but he knows its true and he knows what he has to do. I am humbled every day by these people, they are truly prepared. The members her are incredible! They understand the meaning of every member a missionary. Each week since I have been here they have brought 4-5 friends and then we are able to met them and teach them, they all have solid fellow shippers too.

This last week we had we had zone interviews and it was fun to chat with President Judd and get to know him better. It was also very fun to see Sister and Bro Dunn, they are great! We also worked on the "Mormon Helping Hands" Project on Saturday. Dad, I thought you would like to know that I really missed using a shovel and it felt good doing some yard work again. Its hard to come by service opportunities where we can do some physical labor because its not really part of the culture. I look forward to you putting me to work next year. Thanks for all the letters love and prayers!

p.s. I really tried to send pictures, the computer was being difficult. So next week

Love, Elder L.

Dear Fam,

It has been a pretty eventful week out here in Buduburam. We had the baptism of Victor, I am really happy for him! He brought his wife to the baptism and we hope to start working with her this week. On friday we will be having the baptism of Irene (15), Emmanuel (16) and Napoleon (35)... yes, Napoleon. Irene is a really smart girl, she has a lot of fellowshippers and friends in the church. He family is really cool and we have tried to work with them but the parents are always on the move. Emmanuel is in a similar situation, I'm really impressed with the youth of this ward, they are all a bunch missionaries and they bring their friends to church. Napoleon is a barber, he is a really funny guy and my favorite thing about him is just the way he talks. I still have fun just listening to the Liberians talk to one another. Then on the 27th we are hoping to baptize "Mama Bee" and her three daughters; Annie (12) Graceful (11) and Gracious (11). They are an amazing family and all the girls are so smart. Sadly her husband left her when she was pregnant with the twins and went to the states. We are also working with some other great people. I'll send some pics next week.

We had a mission tour with Elder Curtis this week, I learned so many wonderful things during the meeting but the most powerful thing I took away from the meeting came from Sis Judd. She said most problems we face in life are because forget the things we should remember and remembering what we should forget... Powerful and true! I didn't really do anything for my 1/2 mark. It just enjoyed thinking about memories of the past year. I can't believe its been a year, time is a pretty crazy thing it goes by in the blink of any eye. As I have faced ups and downs I have always remembered opening my call, going to the temple right before my setting apart and my setting apart. Those moments are so very special to me. I'm glad to hear you are all doing well. I'm so grateful for all you love and support and examples!

Love, Elder L.

I've been transfered to LIBERIA!!!!

Dear Fam, things are pretty crazy here in Liberia, its very different than Ghana. Ok, I haven't been transferred to Liberia but I hope the email heading surprised you. I was transferred back to the bush, to a place called Buduburam. Buduburam is a Liberian refugee camp, I am really, really excited to be here. Almost everyone we teach is Liberian, the refugee camp is Huge. I have already learned a ton about Liberian history. They had a civil war in 1990 and in the following years thousands of Liberians came to Ghana. They all want to go home now but these people have nothing. Because of all the hardships these people have faced they are so humble and ready for the gospel. I have found that every person has their story from the war and listening to them really helps me feel what they have been going through. All I can say is I have learned that I have absolutely nothing to complain about because I have faced nothing even close to what they have been though. I'm trying to learn their pigeon. Its technically English but I have no idea what people are saying haha kind of funny but I know it will come with time. They sound like someone from the south mixed with some pro athlete that you can barely understand because they are just mumbling plus they take out some of the words.

My new companion is Elder S. from American Fark. He has been trained for one transfer so I finish his training which I am excited for. He his a great guy and a super hard worker. I miss leader Milio but its fun to have someone to relate to a little more. He was in the marching band at BYU. I'll send you some pictures of Buduburam next week, it a really interesting place the work here is really blooming here. People on the camp don't have a lot to do so a bunch of them just show up to church. Yesterday we had 5 people we had never taught before just showed up because they had a friend invite them and they were curious. We have the baptism of a man named Victor Nyepong. He is very excited for his baptism and so are we! People here are just amazing! We have a mission tour on wed. and Elder Curtis is coming so i'm looking forward to that. Have a wonderful week and you are all in my thoughts and prayers

-Elder L.

Dear Fam, sorry that I don't have any pictures once again. The connection was kind of slow so I send them next week. Samuel Hagan was baptized, I am very happy for him, he is a great man and has a desire to learn. The attendance was a little higher this week, but it still has a way to go. Mom, thanks for all the stuff you sent for Recent Converts and Investigators. I have not yet given those things out but I will this week and I'm looking forward to it. I will also check to see if Daniel has a CD player. I have probably listened to all the conference talks at least twice. There are some powerful talks and conference will never be the same for me after mission. I remember
growing up sometimes thinking it lasted too long (to be honest) Since coming on mission and after hearing them all, I couldn't get enough. I thought this is all we get for the next six months? I know we also have the scriptures and an almost unlimited amount of church materials, but conference is just something special!

Anyways, back to Daniel. We started teaching two of his grandchildren. They are supper smart and we gave them both dates for the 20th of Aug. They are excited and looking forward to their baptisms. This week we went to Francisca's. She was baptized a few weeks after I came to Osu. She used to be very big into running, we got talking a bit about it and then I asked her if she knew Leonard Miles Mills? She did, and it was kind of fun to make that connection. She said that he used to train in the Accra Sports Stadium which is in our area. I have to run but Mom and Dad, I want to wish you a happy 35th anniversary! It looked like you had a great time in Cali.

Love you all!

-Elder Andrew K. L.

Dear Fam,

Thanks for all the great letters, it sounds like you are all very busy and [personal messages to family members]. First I want to start this letter by telling you a story I forgot to tell you last week. The night before Daniel was baptized he met with President Judd, who said the nicest things about him. Then President Judd asked us to wait for a few minutes. He came back out and said he was looking for a note from Elder and Sister G. He couldn't find it but said gave me a hug that he said was from them. It was just a little tender mercy from the Lord. Also from zone conference one other thing I really loved was we learned about "every encounter should be an uplifting experience." We practiced being uplifting and kind to everyone we meet so that more people will be able to recognize us as servants of the lord.

On Saturday we will have the baptism of Samuel Hagan (54). He is doing wonderful. He is one of those people that recognized us as servants of the lord and asked us, "What do you guys do?" I'm really looking forward to Saturday. Today I am on a split with Elder Orchard, we played Bball! it felt so, so good to play ball. A first it was terrible but I was able to get the stroke back a little and I'm looking forward to play at the mission home next week!

Mom and Dad thank you for the packages. I received both of them and I can't wait to listen to the Conference talks tonight! I also look forward to passing out the things you sent to the Recent converts and investigators. I appreciate that very much! I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip in California. Thank you for all the love, and prayers! I pray every night and thank my Father In Heaven for the wonderful family I have.

Love,

Elder L.

Dear Fam, Its been a great week! Saturday was the Baptism of Daniel Annan. He was so excited to be baptized he showed up at the temple an hour and a half early, and waited in the temple waiting room. He doesn't have a phone so we looked everywhere for him and the temple was the last place I would have thought. No ward members came besides the ward mission leader and a member that works at the temple and the Assistants. The broke my heart especially because I think Daniel is one of the most wonderful people I have worked with on my mission. I can't even explain how frustrated I was with the ward. But when the Baptism began I think it was one of the sweetest and most beautiful baptisms I have experienced. Before I knew it I was silently weeping of Joy, I am far from a perfect missionary but as I watched Daniel be baptized and I saw how happy he was I knew that the Lord was happy with me and that this was one of the people he put in my path! How Blessed am I!

President and Sister Judd are amazing people! I think this zone conference was my favorite meeting so far on my mission. The spirit was very strong in the meeting and I could just see it in the lives of them both. They are both very down to earth, and they take their time waiting for spiritual direction. I forgot to bring my notes, there are so many things I wanted to share that I learned but I tell you a little be more about it next week. The greatest thing I learned from Zone Conference was President Judd Showed us a little notebook he had, where he writes down every spiritual prompting he receives. He didn't challenge us to do the same or anything like it but when he held it up I knew I had to do the same. The next day I went a bought a pocket sized notebook and have been writing the promptings I have been receiving down. When we listen, hear and then do I have learned that the heavens open. This is a habit I am really trying to form because I know it will bless me all throughout my life. President Judd called it "Learning the Language of the Spirit" I can feel with in myself the Desire and Joy of Learning this language more and more.

Hello Family

Dear Fam,

Sounds like you are having a blast at the family reunion. I love and miss you all and I miss playing with all the kids, I don't even think I'll recognize the family when I get back. I'm especially interested in this duck race... which duck won? I hope it was the missionary duck... Anyways continue to have a great time and be careful on the Slide!

This week was a little slow for us, but still a great week. I continue to be so impressed with Daniel, his diligence, his obedience and his willingness to change his life and follow Christ. He will have one more interview with President Judd tomorrow and I can't wait for President to meet him. We started teaching a man this week named Samuel Hagan. Samuel is just one of those guys that recognized us as servants of the Lord. He contacted us and even came to Church before we had time to sit down and teach him. He had some word of wisdom issues but he really wants to stop. We are hoping he will be prepared for the 30th. He is also married and has 5 kids but they all go to The Church of Christ but we would love to teach them as well, so we'll see what happens. The last person i'll tell you about is Fred, Fred has been a little stubborn but we have really been working with a great fellow-shipper and we were so happy to see him a church yesterday and we are also hoping he will be baptized on the 30th. Other People you can keep in your prayers please is Elizabeth, Shadrack, Ani and Dorthy.

Tomorrow is Zone Conference and I will finally meet President Judd. I have heard so many great things about him and I will surely tell you about him next week. Have a wonderful week and know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Love, Elder L.

Daniel Annan - Had his interview yesterday and he is correct!
His baptism is on sat

Fred - He is 17. He came to church yesterday for the first time
and we went to go play football at the beach today... we are hoping a
praying he will be baptized on the 30th

Dear fam, I'm happy to hear all is well in your busy lives and I know you'll all have fun spending some family time together. Still haven't met Pres Judd but the things I hear about him are great! Today I was supposed to play basketball/any sport for the first time in almost a year but things didn't work out, but he did tell the Assistants and Office Elders he was going to shoot around with them so he sounds like my kind of guy. We have zone conference on the 12th and I am counting down the days... We had a pretty good week, their isn't too much I can say on it. Daniel will have his baptism interview on sunday he has been keeping the word of wisdom still and he got a Gospel Principles from a ward member and was about half way though it in a few days! Please also keep Fred, Samuel, Shadrack, Ester and Pascal in your prayers. As I was thinking about it during the week I thought it might be a good idea if I send you pictures of more of our investigators. I think it will be fun it you know more about the people Elder Mlilo and I are working with. I will also do a better job of telling you about them in my letters(starting from next week). Also please Pray for Elder Mlilo, he has a tooth that is giving him some serious pains, and
i'm pretty sure it will need to come out but i'm no dentist. I hope you all have a wonderful fourth of July! I have because its been cloudy!

Love, Elder L.

Dear Fam, things sound like everything is going on great back home, Nate way to go on getting everything packed and I know you will do great things at [new job]. This week we were blessed to have the baptism of Patience! Pascal's will come on next month... we were a little sad, but it will all work out for the best. We are also planning for the baptism of a man named Daniel. Daniel is doing great and he has been obeying the word of wisdom for the last 3 weeks and has come to church the last 4 times. He like so, so, so many other Ghanians had a dream that has helped him in following the savior. A few days after we taught him the word of wisdom and was having a hard time keeping it. He said he had a dream, that his friend gave him a glass of Alcohol and he poured it on the ground in front of him. I have not written all dreams people have told me about but every time I hear one from an investigator it always touches my heart and reminds me how special a people are I am laboring amongst. I remember how sad I felt when I saw videos and pictures of people suffering over here, now my heart is changing, I don't know if their is a more blessed people in the world! Dad, I sent a picture of me standing next to a professor at BYU, I can't remember his name but he says he knows you. He said the moment he got here he realized their was something special about Ghana.

I have to run, but Dad I just got your letter. If you can have them make Fufu! Fufu is the best!

Love, Elder L.

Happy Fathers Day

Dear Fam, I must start this letter by wishing all the men in this family a happy fathers day, most or all to our Dad! Dad, thank your for your example and everything you do I feel so blessed to have you as my father. I'm glad to hear all the great news from back home and I was especially excited to see the pictures of the new house! This week we are hoping for two baptisms, Pascal and Patience. Pascal is in her twenties, she was a referral from a member. Teaching her was difficult because she learns very slowly, but she is excited and ready to be baptized. Patience like Pascal was a member referral, she is also in her twenties, I am very excited for Saturday. This week we had our last interviews with him...it was tough. He told our zone how much he loved us and said that if he qualifies for the celestial kingdom he will first look for his wife, then his kids, and then us.(This is the part where I lost it haha) The focus of his talk was on magnifying our calling and making sure we are doing everything we need to all the time... including the small things. This is something I have been thinking a lot about and because I have been focusing on them as well I believe its why I have been the happiest over the past two weeks. I have thought a lot about diligence(serving with all your heart, might, mind, and Strength.) Then our offering to the Lord is complete as President Smith taught. I have learned one simple truth that "life by the yard is hard but life by the inch is a sinch." Things were pretty hard before this transfer, I was always focused on things I lacked and felt over whelmed and was not patient enough with myself... I wish I would had changed that attitude earlier but then I read a scripture in D&C 127:4 and have to tried to "redouble my efforts" and have been more diligent in the small things and patient as it says to do. Now the weeks are passing like days and the transfers like weeks. These are lessons I wish I could have learned from day one, its some thing I have heard countless times before but the thing I love about the gospel is its not enough to read or to hear but the real lessons come when we apply them in our lives, that what the gospel is all about and I am grateful I can help people change their lives by applying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Expect more great letters and more great stories! I encourage all of us to Redouble our efforts and look for anything our lives that is slowing us down from achieving our full potential. (3 Ne 27:27)

Love, Elder Andrew K. L.

Another Great Week

Dear Fam, it has been another great week here in Osu. Victoria was baptized, and came for her confirmation an hour early!(She beat us to church and we live at the church) We are going to teach her about temples this week and I hope I can see her their one day just like I saw Pat. That was one of the most rewarding days of my mission. Sis Vic came with a friend to her baptism, we are going to start teaching that friend this week and I hope and pray that many follow Sis Vic's example. I am looking forward to this week, the work continues to progress and we are hoping for two or three more baptism by the end of the month. I am currently enjoying the most wonderful time of the year... Rainy season! It makes that work that more much fun plus its fun to get soaked every once and a while, we try to avoid it but things don't always work out... On thursday is my last interview with Pres Smith. He has been such a blessing in my life, he really helped me over come some bumps on the road and I will forever be grateful for the things he taught me, but I look forward to Pres Judd and it will be fun for a few things to be mixed up. Elder Cardon of the seventy visited Osu yesterday and told the most wonderful story about the Hymn "for the strength of the hills we thank thee" I don't have time today but I will write you about it another time. He has been in West Africa for the last 5 years. Please keep in your prayers Pascal, Essie, Patience, Daniel, Philip and Debora. Please Send my Love and Greetings to Ben and Spencer, I am so excited for both of them. Next week I will write him and short letter by email and I would love if you could forward it to him. I am happy to hear everything is well at home. I continue to pray that it will be so. Mom, I'm sorry that your knee is giving you troubles, but you are making the right choice and by doing so you will be more healthy and be able to bless more lives! Thank you for your example and know I pray for your knee every night! Love you all!

Elder Andrew K. L.

You Can't Judge a Book by it's Cover!

Dear Fam,

This past week was one of the very best of my whole mission! Everything just seem to work in our favor. I haven't kept tack of the most lessons I have taught in a week but I'm pretty sure last week would be my PR. We also had our best week at sacrament in probably the last six weeks or so. This week we will be blessed to have the baptism of Victoria Love Kotey. She is 65 and I would say she is one of the most solid people I have taught so far on my mission. She was going to be baptized a number of years ago but stopped investigating the church because people told her things about the Book of Mormon. President Smith Interviewed her yesterday and said "go find ten more just like her." She has a solid testimony of Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and I look forward to Saturday.

This week I learned and important lesson, that the gospel is for everyone. I have always know this is true but sometimes when we are proselyting we meet people that are "not ready for the gospel" The way I learned this important truth is because of a man named Harold. Since the time I came to Osu Harold has always been giving us problems. He would always swear at us and tell us we were lying to people, once or twice he did that to us when we were teaching an investigator. This week we ran into us and said "do you remember me?" I jokingly said how can we ever forget you?" We laughed about that and continued to joke around a little. A women sitting near us recognized us as missionaries told us she had a Book of Mormon she couldn't read. That must have sparked his interest or something because a few days later he stopped us on the road and pulled out a Book of Mormon from his back pocket, he told us he went to the women three times to get it and that he was now in part way through 1st Nephi. We taught him a few times last week and he came to church on Sunday. We even gave him a Baptismal date for the 9th of July. I don't know if he will actually be baptized but we are going to do all we can to help him. He has a lot of things to overcome but he has the desire. Weather he is baptized or not I will always remember this story and it has taught me a great lesson and you can't Judge a Book by its cover! Please keep in your prayers Harold, Daniel, Philip, Pascal, Pat and Sis Vic.

I have to run but I am so grateful for all of your love and prayers! I'm happy to hear all is well back at home! Know that I love you all and you are in my prayers.

Love, Elder Andrew K. L.

Dear Fam,

Thanks for all the b-day wishes! I did not teach anyone the L. birthday song and it really felt like something was missing. But as you could see I enjoyed the Burger with Elder Orchard,
and most of all the care package! Those are some great looking T-shirts mom! Thanks for all the love and care and the candy really hit the spot. I'm happy to hear the move has gone smoothly and that the knee is getting better, I'm excited for you and dad to go on Choir tour! Eric I was have been meaning to tell you but I would love to get my hands on some classical music! So some time in the future let me know if I can get some?

This week we were blessed to have the baptism of Yevonn Dinsey. We have been working with her for a long time and she has really worked to overcome some obstacles in her way. It did my heart some good to see my comp do the baptism as well. One thing we discussed this week was our families. I feel so blessed to have the family I do! He told me that all of his family are also members... (here's the part that blew me away) I did baptisms for the dead for them when I was in the MTC! I have so much respect for my companion, I think that is one of the sweetest stories I have ever heard! I'll write more about our people next week, I have noticed that I haven't really been doing that lately, but Please keep Vic, Pascal, Daniel and Essie all in your prayers. This week in my scripture study I was amazed how many times I noticed in the scriptures that when we keep the commandments we have true joy! I know that when we keep the commandments we show the Lord our love for him and that he is able to bless us!

Love, Elder L.

Dear Fam, I was happy to hear all the great news! Mom and Dad I so happy about the house! I'm happy that dad kept the rock walls! Nate congrats on the new job, I am so excited for you and your family, I know you will do great! Please congratulate Mathew for his mission call! Also Sherry told me about G.s going to China, is that their new assignment?

This week has been a difficult on for me, lots of ups and downs but a lot of great lessons learned. I'm just trying to always remember "Life by the inch is a sinch, life by the yard is hard." Keep me in your prayers and keep our investigators in your prayers as well. Elder Mlilo is a natural born teacher which makes it come easy to him. Mom he loves the shirt but obviously not as much a me. I got your package! Thank you so much, it means a lot to me that you and Dad would send me the package and the timing could not be more perfect.

I'm going on a split with Elder Orchard today and we are going out for some burgers so i'll count that as my party... you are all welcome as they would say over here!

Love, Elder L.

P.S. I hope the move goes well and you knee continues to recover!

Dear fam, great to hear that you are all doing so well. I am especially excited to hear that Mom and Dad are moving in on Saturday! Nate I'm excited hear what comes of the application and Eric my arms are still sore from the Yellowstone so go ahead without me... where are you guys going? Pascal's baptism did not happen last week but will come on this week. My new comp is Elder Mlilo, he is from Zimbabwe! He is 24 and was a teacher before becoming a missionary. Training is super fun, but super hard. I am learning a ton and i'm excited to keep learning more. I already experienced many lessons and I know they will help me in the rest of my time training and for the rest of my mission. The picture of the smashed bike was Elder Mlilo's bike, i'm just glad he is ok. Its been funny to see how much his first week was like mine and I bet it will continue to be like my first weeks. I'll tell you more about him as the weeks go by. One thing he told me that really moved me this week as we were talking about our families, is that he was able to do baptisms for the dead for his father and mother. I think that is one of the wonderful things I have ever heard. He is hardworking and obedient and I'm really excited to work with
him.

Kind of just a side note, I was had the opportunity to do a baptismal Interview for one of Jamestown Elders candidates. There is nothing to say about it but it was a great experience, and I know that the Lord is really pleased with those that accept the gospel and decide to be baptized. I hope next weeks letter will be longer but hoped you enjoyed the pictures!

Love, Elder L.

Dear Fam, yesterday’s phone call was so wonderful. I was so happy to hear from all of you even though the connection was bad for a little bit. I wish I could just show you all around my mission for a few days you guys could see what it like. Mom, Michelle, Sherry, Brianne, Shalissa and Grandma I hope you all had a wonderful mother’s day. There is not to much other news to share other than what we talked about yesterday. We will have one baptism on Saturday, her name is Pascal and she is very excited to be baptized and I feel like we have some great fellow shippers to help stay active. I’ll take Elder Chamberlain to the mission home tomorrow and then I’ll Start training on Wednesday. In my next letter I’ll tell you about my new Greenie next week. Please keep me in your prayers! This week I forgot the camera at the apartment so next week I’ll send me double the pics!!

Love, Elder L.

Conference...Finally!

Dear Fam,

Great to hear from all of you and that you are all doing well. Happy May day yesterday as well! This week we had the baptisms of Dorah and Cathrine. It was a great baptism and they will both be solid in the church. Dorah is 9 and super smart, we baptized he father and brother last month and we are hoping to working with the mother this month, than the whole family will all be members. Cathrine is very shy, we contacted her about three or four months ago and she didn't seem interested. She called us about 6 weeks ago and told us she wanted to hear more about the Book of Mormon, this built my testimony that every little thing furthers the work! Dad, you were asking me about finding. We usually only plan to do it a few hours in the week and if our appointments fail we will find. We get very few referrals from members, that is something we are working on, to get the members excited about missionary work. Most member referrals come from our recent converts, because their excitement to share it with their friends and family is great.

As you could see from the pictures I sent, It snowed for the first time in Ghana. Ok, not really but it rained super, super hard on Thursday. The church compound turned into one of those collecting ponds we have back home. After we finished our numbers for the day we went and to some pics and played some football. The picture of me next to the whiteboard is how we keep tract of our numbers. It was President Smiths Idea and I love it, we put all the names of our people on the board. Our amount of lessons, contacts, baptisms, member present lessons... everything is on the board! When we finish numbers in our planers and area books we will go to the planner and update it every day. This allows us to see how we are doing in the current week and also our trends over the last 6 weeks as well. I'm interested to hear about what you guys did on your missions, did you use area books planners any thing else? Yesterday I finally had the chance to watch conference. I really enjoyed it and Mom, I was able to see you a few times! I don't have my notes with me so I can't remember many things right now but I enjoyed President Monsen talk on Temples and Elder Oaks talk on Desire. We watched two sessions and we will barrow the DVD's from Bishop and watch the rest later. I am grateful that every six months we have the opportunity to hear from Prophets and Apostles who receive revelation to lead and guide this church. Mom and Dad I will call around 8 or 9 Accra time so that will be around one or two your time. Dad if that won't work i'll call back later but I hope it all works out.

Love, Elder L.

Happy Easter!

Dear Fam,
Happy Easter! I was happy to read all of your easter experences. Mom, I am so happy to hear you are making progress on your leg. I want you to know you are in every prayer of mine! Dad, I
couldn't believe the story about snowball. I was laughing so hard and I had to let my comp read it. I could just imagine it crying.... haha I should have been nicer to that cat. I think it has ten years or 10,000 miles left.

Yesterday was stake conference of the Ghana Christianborg Stake. I am sure it was great but all the missionaires were busy getting their investigators interviewed for baptism during conference. We will have two baptisms on saturday, Cathrine and Dorah. Please keep them in your prayers along with Eleanor, Kirby, Sam, Valintine and Pat.

Today all of Ghana has been shut down because of Easter, Ihaven't noticed any Easter traditions here but good friday was a big deal and people have continued to party today. Thats the ONE Tridition in Ghana, Parting! Wedding, baby addoring, funeral and holidays. Just like home, but all of these parties include really loud music and dancing. The 21st last year was the day I opened my call, I can't believe all that I have experienced in the last year and it was fun to think of that unforgetable memory last year with friends and family. I am greatful that I have the oppertunity to serve the Lord and be one of his missionaries, I am greatful for what Christ has done for all of us, I know that it is only through him we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know his lives.

I'm sorry I didn't have any pictures for you this week but I promise to send some next week!

Love, Elder Andrew K. L.