We have been so busy training Elder and Sister Crisp that we have hardly had time to think that we actually be flying out Tuesday night.They are a great couple and will be a great asset to the mission. What a privilege it has been to get to know them and to see the Lord bless them when their brains have been pretty much on over-load.

We said our last good-byes at Senchi today and when my sweet Emmanuel put his head in his lap I knew he was having a hard time controlling his emotions. By the end of Primary he was my same smiling boy, especially when I gave him the picture of him and me. I told them how much I loved them and would pray for them and asked them to pray for us too. I bore testimony to them to remember that Jesus Christ was to be the rock that they must build their lives on just like parable of the Wise Man in the song we often sing. It was a emotional good-bye with Sister Duodo and it is a choice blessing to see how much she has grown. I feel she will love the children as much as I have loved them and will soften even more in her approach with them. I know all will be well.
Elder and Sister Crisp went with us today and enjoyed the experience. We were all invited to lunch after Church at Brother and Sister Amake's home. It was a delightful visit and great food in a beautiful setting in Akosombo which is close to the Volta dam. He is the counselor in the Senchi Branch Presidency who replaced Elder Avery.

We will have our last apartment inspection trip tomorrow and will pretty much let the Crisps do it all with us just along for the ride. Then it is back to the office to review those things they might feel they need, and mention a few more that have come to mind in the early morning hours when going back to sleep wont come. We will also have our last experience with the Ghana toll booths tomorrow and our last Monday as well.

We had a great meal Friday night with the couples and President and Sister Judd. Elder and Sister Cosgrave sang a song that they had written words for us to the tune of the old Mormon Sunday School song. It was delightful! It is wonderful to have such wonderful friends and one never knows when we might meet again. Elder and Sister Wall who serve in the Ghana Accra West Mission and who we also trained, joined us.
 Saturday we were putting a few more shopping places in the GPS, did more office stuff and treated the Office Elders and Assistans to root beer floats We actually found American A&W root beer while shopping and Elders Nash, Fausett, Bradley, and Izekor were in 'heaven'. This was Elder Izekor's first experience with this. We then took the Crisps out to lunch to another good place and then more office work.

Well, we are anxious to be with our family and meet baby Jovie for the first time. We may even have a baby boy with the last name of Hipple to meet. The last we heard, Angela and Dave needed to see him before they could decide between two names so I won't spoil the surprise. We won't be able to see all our family at the beginning as the Michigan Averys are too far away. We won't be in Caliente until about the 15 of April to see our Nevada Avery family and as we pass through Cedar City to see our Utah Avery families. Elder Avery's dad is in northern Utah and is not doing well and we need to spend time with him as well as spending time with Angela with her new baby.

I know I have said this before, but it has been a choice experience. We simply love the missionaries! They are the greatest and we admire them so much. It has been an honor to serve under President and Sister Judd. I have learned so much from them. Though their mission will soon be coming to a close in a few months, their is no slowing down by them in their dedication to the missionaries and the Lord's work. I hope that we meet up some day with them and possible some of these great missionaries. We have been close to so many people and we will miss them: Paul Adjei our right hand with apartments, Joseph, Dixion, William, Justice, Ben our security men and much more, Isaac our bike repair man to name a few. I can't forget Kofi who is over the vehicles, Samuel who has helped so much with baptism records, and Kobina who helped with the travel and all that entailed. I pray the Lord will bless them with all the righteous desires of their hearts.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)

Our Final Week!

Tuesday we spent the first night of our 15 day stay in the Anchillary Building, which added another unique experience to our mission. The Ancillary is where the temple missionary couples live, as well as some of the other couples, and is located on the temple grounds. Patrons coming to the temple from Ghana stay here as well as those places in West Africa that do not have a temple. Our room is the size of a motel room with a double bed and is wall to wall with our luggage, etc. The kitchen we share with Sister Martin (temple worker from Nigeria) is located off the dining room down the hall from our room. There are two more kitchens that the patrons use when they come to the temple. It was a busy time with the Saints that were there from Cote d' Ivoire, which is the country Ivory Coast. As I prepared some of our meals, I enjoyed listening to the singing of these French speaking people as they sang the hymns and shared testimonies in what seemed to be a devotional meeting. These dear people travel 3 days, with their children, on a bus to go to the temple. They spend a week or two doing temple work, and then travel back to their homes. They bring their own food with does not need refrigeration (Sister Judd said what this was but I did not write it down), and work together to make this a spiritual experience. I believe they do this twice a year and I call this truly honoring the covenants they have made in the temple. I would not be surprised if, in the not too distant future, they will have a temple built in their land.

We have had a busy four days since Elder and Sister Crisp arrived.We have shown them shopping places but mainly have been teaching what their responsibilities will be in the office. They are very willing but definitely feel over-whelmed, which I so understand when reflecting on the beginning of our mission. They will have their first experience at apartment inspections tomorrow and then more office work. I know the Lord will bless them and once we are gone and they rely on Him, they will be able to remember what they need to do and be a great asset to the mission.

My companion was released today in Senchi as the counselor in the branch presidency. Brother Amake (sp) was sustained and will be a great asset to the branch. He and his wife have invited us to eat with them after meetings next Sunday, and was surprised that we travel to Senchi from Accra every Sunday morning. We don't feel that a big deal should be made of this but it gets mentioned quite often. I again express how blessed I feel to have had this opportunity. I told the children that I will remember them and say prayers for them and I encouraged them to stay strong in the Church and serve missions and be good mothers and fathers one day. There is so much more I could share but I am just plain tired tonight.  One more quick thought, because the water was off in Senchi and in Kpong, we had to go to Kpong for the baptisms today where a water truck brought water to fill the font. There was seven people baptized from the Senchi, Kpong, Odumase, and Akuse Branches which is a reflection on the great missionaries we have and the dear people who recognize this is the gospel of Jesus Christ restored to the earth.

This is Millicent on the left and Comfort on the right. I have really enjoyed this girls and was tickled how Comfort just cuddled right next to me.

This is Emmanuel who has been dear to my heart since the first time I met him. He listens to carefully each Sunday as I teach.

This is Patrick who I have been teaching piano to in Senchi after the meetings.

This is Brother Okuna showing proudly his church keys. He is a dedicated man who is at the church when we arrive at 8:00 am with the CD player going with music, makes sure the building is ready for the Sunday meetings, and prepares the Sacrament when the young men are not there.

These are Elders: Vernon, Strong,(on the left) and Turley, and Brighton on the right. I didn't realize that Brother Okuna also got in this picture too. Good for him.

This is Simon, Kenneth and Patience (Juliana) with Elder Avery on the baptism day of Patience.
She is the one we bought fruit from and the whole family has joined the Church and is preparing to be able to do baptisms in the Temple. A great family.

Well it has been a good Sabbath Day and we are always richly blessed. I have always found that when writing down the happenings of the week (daily too) I look at them from a better, more positive perspective than when I was experiencing them. I guess I recognize my blessings more clearly during the process.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)

Each time I enter a baptismal record, I think of how this simple act is happening throughout the world. On a very small scale, I am seeing the membership of the Church increasing right before my eyes. I have been privileged to experience the Spiritual guidance I have needed to decipher the handwriting and to know when more information was needed to make the record accurate. I have prayed for my eyesight to be strengthened when it feels like I just can't do one more thing on the computer. I hope I never forget the blessings I have experienced, so that in those inevitable weak moments that will surely come, I will be able to draw upon this knowledge.

Speaking of baptisms, Elder Avery's 'fruit lady' was baptized on Saturday. He connected her with the missionaries many months ago while buying mangoes and pineapple from her. Her husband Simon was more receptive when the missionaries came to visit and was baptized about a month ago. Their son Kenneth was baptized two weeks ago and is enjoying the youth classes in the ward and is passing the Sacrament. Juliana, actually her name is Patience, was baptized by Elder Avery and now the whole family will be working towards the sealing covenants of the temple. There have been other names, with well-know faces, that we have given to the missionaries. We don't always see the outcome of things, so this family coming into the Church has been a special blessing to us.

While my companion has been in his branch presidency meetings after Church, I have been teaching Patrick the piano. Last week I was very discouraged about his progress as he is only able to practice on the keyboard at the church on Saturdays. The dilemma of not having a keyboard at his home to practice during the week is holding him back in his progress. I prayed for him to be able to learn quickly as I have such little time with him. Today I was amazed at how much better he played and how quickly he was sight reading the simple hymns. Last week I asked him to ask Brother Adjei about possibly buying a small  keyboard through Church Distribution and then Patrick pay him back. Today I learned that Brother Adjei had donated a keyboard to the branch that his daughter had used. Patrick found out that Brother Ahiabor, 1st counselor, had the keyboard and would let him take it to his home so he could practice more. I have seen the answer to prayers even when my prayers did not have a lot of hope in them. I have learned a very valuable lesson. I know that even though I have only two weeks left to teach him, he will be blessed with even more tender mercies in his learning to play the piano.

The Senchi Branch Presidency has practiced what they felt was the way to have talks in Sacrament Meeting. They would ask the Relief Society and Priesthood leaders (mainly the men) to give names of people that could be called on to speak whenever the Branch Presidency called on them. Elder Avery has worked and worked with them to change this and follow the handbook. Today was the first Sunday that the speakers had been asked the week before and were given a topic to speak on. The difference was like night and day and it was so good to not hear the same speakers that we heard two weeks ago. He has already asked the speakers for next week so I think he has experienced how good it feels to truly follow what the Lord spoke when He said "my house is a house of order". President Ampomah asked Elder Avery what should the branch do if they got 'heading into the ditch' after we go home. Elder Avery just counseled him to follow the handbook and to counsel his branch leaders to do the same. Of course there is more than just following the handbook, but they as a branch are getting stronger all the time and I feel will continue to do so.

I wish I would have been better about writing sentences down, when they are spoken, to give an idea of how different English is here as compared to home. Let me give a small example of an announcement today in Church that might explain what I am saying. "Incoming Kpong District Conference that is ahead of us will be coming on 12 and 13 April." Delightful isn't it! I saw another one on a road sign that said, "to God be the glory". We would probably say glory be to God. It would have been fun to have more examples but it is probably because I am so busy trying to decipher what was just said. All and all, it has been a very unique experience I have had these eighteen months, and has added greatly to the kind of person I hope to become.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

When I think back on the week and what has taken place, I wonder how two semi-old missionaries experienced all that. The Lord really does make us more than we can ever be on our own, because we simply could not do it on our strength alone. We pray for President and Sister Judd all the time because we see more of what they do than anyone and what we see is only a fraction of what they actually do. The missionaries in this mission have been loved, encouraged, prayed for, and at times chastened, but always with hope that they will choose to be obedient. I have learned so much from this couple who never show how tired I know they must be because of what their calling entails. Personal interviews with all the missionaries is the focus this month and they travel to most of the areas rather than have the missionaries come into Accra. When they went to Ho, they had the experience of waiting in line to cross the Volta River on a ferry. The bridge is being torn down and rebuilt, so everyone must take the ferry, probably for a couple of years. Anyway, tender mercies happened for them so that their wait was not nearly what it could have been.

I had an experience this past week assisting Sister Adjei from Senchi, in helping with emailing a Senator in the States who works in immigration. She was trying to get a visa to go to her daughter's graduation from BYU and her son's marriage in the Salt Lake Temple and her first request had been denied. She was trying to go further in her visa request and so my help was needed because I could email the documents from our equipment. I was so sad when I learned that her second interview was also denied. I saw her today and gave her a hug and as I expressed my sympathy, she said that she was at peace with it all and had been able to speak with her children on the phone. She is a District Relief Society President in the Senchi area and does a great job.

The Oduamse Elders called me and needed us to stop on our way from Senchi today to get their baptismal records. They had a unusual request regarding one particular convert just confirmed today. She was wanting to apply for the education program sponsored by BYU Idaho called Pathway. They are taught through internet classes and have to have their member record number on their application. The deadline for the application is tomorrow and I was asked if a record number could be acquired for her. The first thing I did when we returned from Senchi to the office to write our letters, was to entered her record and submit it. This process allowed for the records I submitted on Friday to show on the computer with record numbers. Because they had two baptisms this week (thank goodness), I entered the second baptism and submitted it which allowed her member record number to show on the computer. I then text the number to the missionaries and hopefully this young woman will be accepted to the program so she can begin her education.

After we left Kpong where we met the Odumase Elders, we drove up to Akuse to take the missionaries there an iron. After that we started looking for a road that we were told would go through Dodowa and would bypass some of our least favorite areas when we go to Senchi. We did find it and except for a few more potholes than we hoped for, it was a much more pleasant drive. We even had one less toll booth so that was a plus also.

Elder and Sister Crisp are enjoying the MTC and will arrive March 25th. We made arrangements for us to stay in the Anchillary building (housing for people who travel to attend the temple as well as some of the couples who serve from the Area Office), so they could get settled in the apartment. We have been starting to pack, which seems a little weird but good at the same time. We will then spend two weeks with them and it will be a great experience to see them learn and carry on without even a 'hick-up' in the process. That is the way it should be and it is marvelous how this goes on throughout the world in missionary service. We have been so impressed with them, with the little bit of emailing we have done, and we are excited to meet them in person. She is willing to keep teaching Linda the piano of which I am grateful.

Well, I am very hungry and the paint smell from our newly painted office (hooray) and an empty stomach is not a good combination. I am grateful for another safe and good Sabbath Day.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

I reread Elder Scott's and Elder Nelson's General Conference talks this morning as we drove to Senchi. (For a moment, I felt some sadness that we will barely miss the April Conference broadcast). Elder Nelson's talk spoke of Abraham being chosen before he was born and this caught my attention as we have been learning about Abraham in Primary. I shared with the children that Heavenly Father has known them for a very long time and that they were chosen to come to earth at this time. I wanted them to know that the reason they came at this time is because of their courage to do what was right and how brave they would need to be. I asked them to read the Book of Mormon every day and promised them that their understanding would increase as they searched for truth. I praised those who were kind to others in Primary to let them know I had seen how they changed from last week. Elder Nelson spoke of how we can change our behavior, even our very desires can change, through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We can access this power as His commandments are kept eagerly, earnestly and exactly. I often wonder why we complicate living his laws when it is something as simple and certain as those three words.

This past week was transfers and although it is sad for two of our great missionaries to leave us, we were blessed to welcome four to start their service. One Elder was from Samoa, two Elders from Nigeria and a Sister from Nigeria. We are having an abundance of young men and women who will be and are serving from the Ghana Accra Mission Branches. It is delightful to greet them in the office when they first come for their mission interviews. I help process their papers to be submitted to the Area Presidency Office where they are then sent to the First Presidency at Church Headquarters. When their call comes, we find a way to see that they receive it as soon possible. This can be challenging because they live some distance from Accra, but it always seems to work out in a short time. We then see them again for Temple Recommend interviews, and finally for their setting apart right before entering the MTC. The whole process may take several months, but when this final step comes I feel so blessed that I have had the privilege to be a part of it.

We had a somewhat different day on Saturday when we traveled to Dodowa to take some needed supplies to the missionaries. We then went on to Aburi to see if we could buy some more things from Ghana for our family. As we drove up to the little shops along side the road, a man pointed to our tire that was quickly going flat. He was willing to help us change it and as my companion and Foster worked on the tire, I went to his sister Yaa's shop to see what there was to buy. During the whole process we made some good friends, and I must say, the excitement they expressed by receiving a Book of Mormon from us was something I wish everyone could experience.  As we completed our shopping and were visiting with them, a young man walked by and stopped to speak with us. He joined the Church about eight months ago and expressed very positive words about his membership. Foster (interestingly this is a family name of my companion) and Yaa's (which means Thursday born) phone numbers are on my desk and I will soon send to missionaries. We just opened up a new area called Mamfe which is very close to Aburi. I hope this will not be out of the missionaries area, or if it is, that they will have the means to go to the missionaries. What a choice experience we had by having a flat tire. We probably would have rushed to get out shopping done and been on our way, but with the delay, we took more time and did what the Lord had intended for us to do.

I don't know if I have used this quote before or if I have just shared similar ones. I have thought much lately about being truly converted and these words say it once again. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "To testify is to know and to say, to be converted is to do and become."

With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)

I am grateful for the blessing of being taught each week by the weekly letter that is written to  the missionaries by President Judd. Time does not allow me to make a note of each letter, but I know I am strengthen through the reading of them. The letters not only pertain to missionary work but to our personal lives as well. After all, it really is all connected anyway, if we are true disciples of Jesus Christ.

I have read and heard many talks on grace, but I appreciated the following insight from last weeks missionary letter. "By His grace" is a phrase that is often spoken by many of the people here in Ghana, and actually throughout the world. Those who say these words are sincere in acknowledging their need for God and the gratitude they have for the blessings they have received. There are others where that statement represents their belief in a magical god who grants salvation and gives blessings to those who simply believe in Jesus. The belief that success in this life, and redemption in the world to come, doesn't require us to do our part has been called by some as 'cheap grace.'

I don't know if I have heard that definition before but it makes sense. President Boyd K. Packer
taught the following, "the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the very root of Christian doctrine. You may know much about the gospel as it branches out from there, but if you only know the branches and those branches do not touch that root, if they have been cut free from that truth, there will be no life nor substance nor redemption in them." (Ensign, May 1977, p. 54)

President Judd continues with the opposing belief that some people think the blessings we are seeking come only through our own hard work, which is know as 'legalism' or 'humanism'. These are terms I have never heard before either. I remember a song that was written by a music duo called Afterglow entitled, "I am the captain of my soul".  Another phrase, 'whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve'. These may contain some truth but deny the need we have for a power beyond our own. For the most part, Latter-day Saints aren't guilty of believing in 'cheap grace', but are more likely to believe in the opposite counterfeit--the idea that if we work hard enough and smart enough, we can earn our way to heaven. This denies the necessity of the grace of Christ and the power of God. Those of us who understand and live the gospel in this way often do so for the reward we are hoping to receive and not out of love for the Lord, our fellow servants, or the people we are teaching or leading.

It was brought to my attention, through further reading, that the anti-Christ Nehor taught the false doctrine of 'cheap grace' which is found in Alma 1:4. The false doctrine of 'humanism' was taught by Korihor in Alma 32:37-43. Even though I have read those words many times, I had not put them in the context of the relationship of grace and works. I also have been confused by the scripture in 2 Nephi 25:23 which states that "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do". I read further that the Book of Mormon identifies just what is meant by the phrase "all we can do" in the statement from the Lamanite King, Anti-Nephi-Lehi found in Alma 24:11. From that scripture we learn that at least a part of the "all we can do" is to repent. It is through repentance that we make ourselves open to the grace of Christ. I was grateful to be taught more fully.

I want to share one more message from another of President Judd's letters that brought clarity to me. The Greek work for sin is hamartia, which means "missing of the mark".  He taught that both the lazy or over zealous can miss the mark. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, "The mark is Christ". To sin is to purposely fall short of the example and the teachings of the Savior and His servants. We can sin by purposely falling short of the Mark or going beyond.

I probably have heard or read similar messages before, but it was very helpful to remember once again. When I have a somewhat discouraging day, as I did in Primary today, I remember these truths and check myself for the tendency to be over zealous and that the work I am doing is because I love the Lord and I need His grace to be with me when I return next week. Besides, when I asked the children today to give me names of people they love, my sweet Emmanuel said, "Sister Avery". No matter how discouraged I was, those words have the power to erase every ounce of discouragement, and they did.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

Ramblings of a tired missionary!

We just returned from Senchi and it is almost five o'clock. With missionaries serving so far from the city, the only way they can get their mail, on a somewhat regular basis, is when we bring it to them. We also take reimbursement to them for their power or water, and sometimes supplies. We have sixteen missionaries that we are able to help at various times in those ways mention. Today we waited in Akuse for an hour as the Elders were returning from where they attend Church in Asutsuare. The trotro mode of transportation is both a blessing and a curse here in Ghana. Oh well, we spent the time watching cows grazing right next to where we were parked, and made friends with two little children watching us with interest.

There has been a water problem throughout the city and the water that flows to fill our poly tank has been shut off. The missionaries who live by us had to borrow water from us as there are four of them with only a small poly tank. This problem has never happened in our area before but it happens in many of the places that our missionaries live. The way to receive water in these circumstances, is to have a water truck come and fill up the poly tanks. A water truck deliverer was contacted and he quoted the missionaries 2,000 Ghana cedis to fill both poly tanks.Wow! This is an example of someone really trying to take advantage of those in hard times. Well we did not give him any business and kept searching until we found someone else, but we still had to pay 150 cedis ,which is a little high, but was gratefully paid. We were able to fill water containers for the others who live in the apartment compound as we pay for the whole truck whether we receive all the water or not. We will need to keep track of our missionaries until water flows and hopefully it does sometime this week. Oh the adventures!

We often have geckos (lizards) that visit our apartment quite uninvited. They are usually small and a few times we have made good use of a broom in their capture. One morning this past week, I was getting ready when one of them ran right up the wall in from of me and startled me good. The first thought that came to me is "where are my grandsons when I need them."

My companion spent Saturday morning with the youth and some newly baptized members doing baptisms for the dead. I hope they realize what a great privilege this is to have a Temple so close to them. Here in West Africa, some countries travel great distances to come to the Temple here in Accra, and at a great expense. It felt good for me to stay at the apartment and do some washing and cooking and not feel rushed to get a million things done.

On the way to Senchi this morning, before we were yet out of the city, we were approaching a red light at a pedestrian lane. The car to the left of us kept going through the red light and instantly realized what they had done and stopped suddenly and waited until the rest of the traffic started to move indicating the light had turned green. We had a good laugh over that. We also had a heart-stopping experience when a man on a bicycle darted out in front of us and we really had to slam on the brakes to miss him. Whew!

The second counselor in the Senchi Branch Presidency (Elder Avery) asked me to speak in Sacrament Meeting today. I spoke of my reverence for the Sabbath Day and what I expect of myself in preparing to worship and partake of the Sacrament. I even sang a couple of phrases of 'Welcome, welcome Sabbath Morning' which always come to my mind each Sunday morning. Through my experience of teaching the children I have come to learn to speak slowly, not use a lot of words in teaching, and actually pronounce vowels differently than I normally would. I thought that in talking this way today that they would understand me okay. Part way through my talk, as I glanced around the congregation, I saw Brother and Sister Doglow. They have grandchildren in primary and recently lost their son, the father of these children. Brother Doglow is blind and neither one of them speak English. I felt I should ask Sister Adjei to come and interpret for me which she did. I felt the Spirit and I feel others did also. I found out later that Sister Doglow, as Elder Avery shook her hand this morning, greeted him with "good morning" (in English) with a grin that spread from ear to ear. Moments like this make everything all worthwhile. I am so grateful that the Lord has let me experience them all.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

Ghana has a lot of holidays that they celebrate. In fact, I think they have a holiday just for the sake of calling it a holiday, and of course, to have a day off to celebrate. I also think it is not about what they celebrate but how they do it that makes it important to them. Anyway, I have been a little surprised that they too recognize Valentines Day. It was fun to hear 'Happy Valentines Day' as we went about our day. We enjoyed the evening by going out for pizza with couples that serve from the area office.
Mama Mia's is in Osu and to describe the traffic there on a Friday night is simply indescribable, but maybe I am too tired this afternoon to even try. I guess there are those who would want the adventure to see what I am talking about, but then they are probably the ones who would delight in going on a Safari too. You know, the one where there are rhinos who probably would think nothing of taking off the bumper of your vehicle. About the only thing I can even say somewhat cheerfully is that I had survived another day.

The primary classrooms in Senchi cannot be entered from inside the building. Because the classroom  is entered from outside the building, we have unusual guests that can enter at any given time. Most of the time the goats and chickens run away when people are around, but today a chicken got locked in one of our classrooms. When it was brought to our attention and the door was opened, that chicken literally flew out the door, greatly relieved to be free.

As we were returning from Senchi today, we could see dark clouds forming. We always welcome rain to cool the temperature a little, so we have been hoping for rain. Well, it has just started to rain and I love the sounds it makes as it hits the metal roof.  I just heard thunder! I have always loved the sound of thunder. As I mention this, I think of the primary lesson today about Noah. I don't think I have ever seen a rainbow here in Ghana but the promise I spoke to the children about in primary today is still true. They must have seen rainbows because when I drew it on the board they knew what is was. We learned of the importance of listening to and following the counsel of our prophet.

Speaking of following our prophet, we had an unexpected experience yesterday in the mall. We had gone to Kpong to some District Meetings and stopped at the mall to put time on our internet device and get a few groceries. A couple approached us and asked what is means to belong to that church,  while they pointed to our name tags. It was noisy in the mall, but as we shared and as they replied, we heard enough from them to know that they did not see the need for a living prophet and apostles on the earth today. They could get all the direction they needed through prayer and only prayer. They were from Nigeria, here in Ghana on some type of business. We did have a Article of Faith card on us and they willingly took it, or at least she did. I am so grateful for the counsel we receive from our Prophet and Apostles and would not want to be without it for a moment. We will probably never meet this couple again, but I hope their eyes will be opened someday and they will be receptive to add more truth to the truths they already have.

I am starting to make the preparations for the missionaries being release in April. It is quite a process and does have to be started early. We will probably have ten going home and only two coming. Every Tuesday, we look for new missionaries on our email that will be coming to our mission and we have not received any for quite some time now. We are opening new areas with missionaries and this brings the hard decision of which areas have to be closed to accommodate the need in other areas. I have already received baptismal records for Kpando and it has only be opened with missionaries since January 22nd. An area we want to open on the transfer in March, already has people waiting to be taught and even baptized, as the branch there has been doing their missionary work. Ghana is truly a special place to be serving as the Lord is Hastening His Work! I am sure other couple missionaries feel the same way about their missions and are seeing wonderful things happening in their missions.

Well, it has been a good day and as the saying goes, "all good things must come to an end."

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

I really grow weary of reminding myself of the importance of adversity. I think I probably would have been one of the murmurers on the Pioneer Trek West, which is sad to even think about. Every time I read a Church article, or from the scriptures, on the importance of trials, I feel the truthfulness of the words. Yet as soon as something challenging happens, I find myself on my knees asking for forgiveness because I am asking 'why now' and 'why in this way'. I recently read Elder Dallin H. Oaks words, "Adversities are temporary. What is permanent is what we become by the way we react to them." I am so grateful the Lord is patient and so forgiving, because this process of 'becoming' is not as easy as I want it to be.

I always access my blog through the Church's web site. It seems as though every Sunday when I do this, there are new videos to watch or articles to read and I have to stop myself from 'feasting' or I would never get to writing. I did take a few moments and read news about how the General Women leaders of the Church have received inspiration to call a Young Women International Board. These women from various places around the world were called via a teleconference and will be taking part in a Integrated Global Training accomplished also through teleconference. These leaders want the women to know that the Lord is aware of them and wants to address their needs. I think of the unity this will bring throughout the world.

As I read this article I just mentioned, I thought of Elder Ballard's talk, in the January Church Magazine, entitled, "Face the Future with Faith & Hope." Our leaders know the conditions in the world are uncertain and dangerous but they always counsel us to replace fear with faith. I quote, "we are standing on the threshold of a new era of growth, prosperity, and abundance. Barring a calamity of unexpected international crisis, I think the next few years will bring a resurgence in the world economy as new discoveries are made in communication, medicine, energy, transportation, physics, computer technology, and other fields of endeavor. With these discoveries and advances will come new employment opportunities and prosperity for those who work hard and especially for those who strive to keep the commandments of God. Many of these discoveries will be made to help bring to pass the purposes and work of God and to quicken, including through missionary work, the building of His Kingdom on earth today."  It is exciting to belong to the Lord's Church and to see His work unfold.

I could probably spend my whole working day on referrals as our missionaries are certainly doing their missionary work. It is always rewarding when I learn of a baptism that comes from one of these referrals. I had a different experience just this afternoon as we arrived from Senchi to do our writing in the office. I received a phone call and the man identified himself as Anthony Appe. He mentioned that my name and phone number had been given to him from someone named Moses. The only Moses I knew that would possibly have my information is Brother Moses Vormawor from Senchi. Anyway, Anthony gave me his phone number and where he lived and said that he wanted a Book of Mormon. It is absolutely amazing what is experienced here with these wonderful people and how they are so ready for the Restored Gospel. Are there many who are not receptive, yes, of course, but there is also so many that are being prepared and are ready to hear. These are experiences I will always treasure.

As I read Elder Ballard's message that I spoke of earlier, I thought of my dear Primary children in the Senchi Branch. I couldn't help but wonder if these would bring a brighter future for them. As much as I am anxious to return home to my family in a couple of months, I will miss these children. There are still so many local traditions that need to be replaced with the traditions of the Church for them to really achieve their full potential. When the Primary president and 1st counselor chose to go to a funeral and gave no thought as to what would happen to the children today in primary, I can't help but wonder what will happen when I am gone. Maybe my being here is the problem and they or the branch presidency will do some serious thinking about it all. I hope they do.

I look forward to a new week and to the experience it will bring. I am just grateful I have the Lord as my foundation "whereon if men build they cannot fall."

With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)

With our experience with Elder Bednar in three different meetings this past week, I would like to write about that experience. We expected to have the usual well prepared talk given to us where we take notes and try to remember everything, but instead we were asked what we had learned from the articles we were asked to read prior to his visit. It was a spiritual experience to have those in attendance share their thoughts and then to have Elder Bednar expound further and engage the people in more interaction. The congregation was also invited to ask inspired questions with guidelines that Elder Bednar set in place so that people got right to the point without a lot of words.

I always have to write something down so I will share what stood out to me:

• We are agents to act for ourselves and not objects to be acted upon.What can we invite our children to do to act versus making them do it.
• We are all on the Covenant path and we are meant to learn from each other.
• If you always do what you have always done, you will always get the same results.
• Guide the discussion don't direct it!
• Observe-Listen-Discern.
• Intelligence is to apply what we know for Righteousness.
• The Church is a laboratory of work in progress, not a museum of perfect people on display.
• The Lord is hastening his work not us. The hastening of the work will go forth without us if we keep doing the same things the same way.
• Advice in taking notes is to use "small plates" where we write what we learn by the power of the Holy Ghost versus "large plates" where we record what people say. It is about learning those things that have not been spoken.
• The Holy Ghost teaches people, not lessons. We need to allow ourselves to 'get out of the way' in our instructing. People need to be spiritually independent.
• Knowing the WHY changes the HOW.
• Doctrine & Covenants 88:122 is the guideline for the Lord's pattern of teaching.
• There are 6 places in the Book of Mormon that teaches the Lord's pattern of "one by one".
• How do you know it is the Holy Ghost speaking to you? The Holy Ghost will tell you what you don't want to hear!
• Spiritual Gifts are not trophies-they come when God knows he can trust you.
• Faith is a principle of action-Fear is sitting and doing nothing. Faith focused in Christ overcomes all things.
• We are yoked to the Savior by Covenants-the burdens don't go away, but we are made capable in the doing.
• Knowing the Gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the Gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the Gospel is true and be true to the Gospel.
• 5 foolish virgins took their lamps of testimony but took no oil of conversion with them. 5 wise virgins took oil of conversion in their vessels with their lamps of testimony. Oil of conversion cannot be borrowed. Each of us must "buy for ourselves".  2 Nephi 28:30  D&C 33:17
• Deepening conversion will prepare you for persecution- persecution is a refinement.
• We should become and remain worthy conduits through which the Spirit of the Lord can operate; we are not the light. We should not draw attention to ourselves in the way we teach as this is a form of priestcraft that inhibits the teaching effectiveness of the Holy Ghost.

Although not everyone could ask their questions or respond with their feelings about the articles we were asked to read, I am sure that answers came to their questions and mutual feelings were shared because,simply put, that is the way the Holy Ghost works. The Lord's pattern for teaching takes desire, persistence, and much prayer to acquire.

The time spent with an Apostle of the Lord, where the mantle of that Apostleship was evident in every way, was wonderful. This is one of the 'treasures' of serving a mission that makes the sacrifices so worth it. I have come to know what I know in the doing of it. The "Law of the Harvest" has been a focus of mine for as long as I can remember and it has served me well.

We received word this last Tuesday of Elder Dennis and Sister Sheryle Crisp who will be replacing us in the office. They will be a strength and blessing to the mission and we look forward to the time we will spend with them in getting accustomed to their responsibilities. They are from Mesa Arizona, and have family ties to Tuscon which is where my family originates from. We served with a couple in the St. George Temple by the name of Crisp and wonder if there are ties there. Who knows what interesting findings will come as we spend time with them. They are excited to come and have been an answer to many prayers. In the meantime, there is work to be done and that includes our favorite; apartment inspections!!

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

Our precious Jovie joined our family on January 21st. I do not know how to move pictures from an email to put on a blog but Ruth and Ben have posted pictures on face book. Her big brother Cooper  sings and talks to her and little Avery looks on with curiosity. I was able to phone Ruth several times during the course of her labor, which helped to ease the longing to be near them. We are just so happy she is here and that all is well.

The transfer this past week brought a lot of changes with companions and also missionaries receiving calls to be district leaders, zone leaders, and trainers. We have a new Assistant to President Judd, Elder Izekor, and a new Office Elder, Elder Nash. We also have a new Sister Training Leader, Sister Kalola. They have stepped into their new responsibilities with confidence, and it amazes me how smoothly it happens. A mission certainly is a great training experience for these young men and women, if they forget themselves and put all their heart, mind, and strength into this marvelous work. We are proud of them and I am sure their lives are pleasing to the Lord.

We had changes in Senchi also with our missionaries and the two of them were asked to bear their testimonies in Church today. We still have all American missionaries there and the local members can just change their 'tune' about it because they should not be questioning the inspiration needed to place missionaries where they are needed. I have had moments where I have questioned placement of certain missionaries I admit, and I have had to remind myself that I have no business doing that. I can only imagine the prayers that must go into these kind of decisions. I have enough just keeping track of what I have to do on this mission without speculating on all the rest.

We are all looking forward to Elder Bednar and Elder Clayton's visit this coming week. It is sad that the members outside the Greater Accra Area are not able to come because of the distance and expense of travel. How blessed I feel to have access to so much information on the computer and these dear people don't even know what could be available to them. I feel that their part in 'Hastening the Lord's work' is hinder by not having access to inspiring influences that would assist in their own motivation. This just shows how much couples are needed to assist in moving the work forward.

My companion and I attended a baptism on Saturday of the husband of a woman that we buy fruit from. His name is Simon and her name is Juliana. She was the original referral and seemed slow to give time for the missionaries. In the meantime, her husband became interested and came to the waters of baptism first. She and their son will follow soon hopefully. It has been a long process and with the several different sets of missionaries and Elder Avery continually asking about this family, it is good to see the 'fruits' of this effort. We have others that we have referred to the missionaries and we may or may not see whether they accept the gospel, but it still is a gratifying experience to be involved in this little way. I become more and more converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ each day as I strive to do His will and not my own.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)

It was good to be with the missionaries as we were taught by Elder Vinson this past Tuesday. I did not bring my notes with me as we came directly to the office from Senchi, but much was spoken on the importance of obedience and teaching by the Spirit. I was reminded of President Ezra Taft Benson's words, " When obedience ceases to become an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." The wonderful gift called agency sure finds a lot of us making excuses for ourselves more often than is wise. I am grateful to be continually taught by the scriptures and by those called to strengthen us.

We went to Kpong on Saturday for leadership training meetings and these branch leaders are being given great instruction. I was able to see that many of these great people do understand and want to follow the policies and procedures of the Lord's Church. I had my first experience with what could be very annoying yet was comical at the same time. A sister who seemed to need to contribute (that's what they call giving a comment) quite often would say as she raised her hand, "I have my hand up". It continues to be an interesting experience serving in a culture so different from what I know. It was disappointing that President Ampomah could not be there as the Senchi Branch still has so much growing to do. The guidelines from the Church Handbook was stressed often and that is what my companion has been striving to get the leaders in Senchi to do. I think of how the Lord is 'Hastening His work' and they are holding the work back in their little spot in His vineyard.

There is a segment on the Church website called "Patterns of Light". One message was on how the Spirit speaks to us and was given in such a simple understanding way. Example:God will not send angels to tell us to pray when we forget, but teachings from our parents or others will come to our minds that remind us we need to pray. I especially appreciated the words that "God trusts us" and we do not need great manifestations to remind us continually of what is important in our lives. The scripture say that, "Everything that invites and entices us to do good is of God." That is how we know if our lives are on the right course.

Transfer days are this coming Tuesday and Wednesday. We have 5 missionaries completing their missions and 5 new missionaries coming. Our numbers have become much less since our big growth after the mission split in July. We have only one from the US and the others from Africa. One Elder is from Angola and has been at the Provo MTC learning English as he spoke only Portuguese. Since the first of the year, the MTC here in Ghana have added English and French to be available for the missionaries. There is to be a new MTC built right next to the Accra Temple, which will be a wonderful addition. It will probably take a long time to build unless the Church doesn't have the local people do it. That may not sound very nice, but building is such a slow process here. The church brought in contractors from the States when the temple was built, and we were told that people kept asking why it was not built with bricks as they had never seen such a process before.

We are anxiously looking forward to Tuesday as our daughter Ruth will be giving birth to a baby girl to be named Jovi. As is always the case, it is such a relief when news comes that mother and baby are doing well. We will have to wait until we can skype to see how Cooper and Avery respond to her, so in the meantime, I can only imagine how sweet and tender this will be. It is so fun to have babies still coming to our family. I am so blessed!

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

There are two things I did not eat before my mission; peanut butter sandwiches (too many other good choices) and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Ground nut paste (peanut butter) and jam sandwiches have become a staple on Sundays when returning from Senchi. On our Saturday shopping day, KFC indulgence has happened a few times when we didn't have time for the long wait that occurs at most eating places. Even though it actually tasted good, after peeling off the 'skin', I will certainly not be tempted to make it a habit.

I have been teaching the children in Primary the Plan of Salvation and how Jesus was chosen to be our Savior. They listened well enough but had difficulty answering the simplest questions, except for Agbeve, one bright young man who recently joined the church. The missionaries taught him well as he understood more than the other children. This must be the first time they have heard this doctrine, and even though I present it simply, it is not comprehended as well as I hoped. I continually strive to encourage the children to not just sit there and take in information but to be able to explain it so I know that they understand. The lessons in Sharing Time and our Primary lessons compliment each other so I have to believe the understanding and application will come.
I am doing less in Primary on purpose so that the newly called counselors will grow in their confidence and ability to teach. I will never get use to their approach with the children, but I am hopeful that as they grow in the gospel, that will improve. They are such good women and the children are so worth everything they can do to teach them the way the Savior taught. Now we just need someone to be the music leader because the children do enjoy the music and I have enjoyed it with them.

The last few weeks I have been teaching a young man (25) piano. He is a welder by trade and a strong member of the Church. He teaches the young men and women in Sunday School and is in the presidency of that organization. He came to me wanting to learn and I so with my companion needing to stay after the normal meetings for more meetings, I am teaching Patrick during that time. I pray that he will learn fast and I told him that he really needed to practice diligently. I also told him that he had the responsibility to teach others in the Branch and he should not take that lightly. Brother Ganyo, another young man and the Branch mission leader, is borrowing the book and trying to learn also. I will probably never know the outcome of all of this but I hope it will benefit many over the years. Oh how blessed I am for my dear mother and her persistence in my learning to play. To have had someone to teach me in the small community I came from, was also a blessing.

We were informed by President Judd that the Missionary Committee decided on a couple to replace us. They have yet to receive their call and to accept, but the answer to a dear eight year old grandson desire to fast and pray for our replacement was granted. I hope you always remember Xander, that our Heavenly Father hears our prayers and answers them in a way that is best for us. If all goes well, this couple should enter the MTC March 10th. We continue to add our prayers to that of a young boy who exercised his faith.

Our missionaries in Senchi told us that the Mission Tour on Saturday was wonderful and lifted them so much. They were impressed with Elder Vinson, who is new to his calling as a counselor in the West Africa Area Presidency. We, and the missionaries in this area, look forward to our turn to be taught on Tuesday. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the articles we were asked to read in preparation for this and express gratitude for such wisdom and counsel expressed in them.

I have enjoyed reading the life of Joseph Fielding Smith, our study for this years 2nd and 3rd Sunday lessons. How blessed we are to have had, and continue to have, such great men to lead the Church. They love the Lord and so desire for us to live more fully the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we must, we simply must.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

Welcome 2014!

Even though there are not many missionaries coming thus far, there is still much to do to prepare for the new year and close out the old. That just brought to mind a hymn that is not sung very often and especially would not be sung here in Ghana. The words to "Ring Out, Wild Bells, are by Tennyson and speak of letting go of those things that did not enlighten us and embrace those truths that will give us hope and direction for the future. It speaks of being valiant and using our agency to love more and do all in our power to rid the world of darkness by bringing the light of Christ to all people.
For a new year there is the mission calendar to prepare, begin a new written history and complete the last details of 2013 history to be ready to send to those who compile all the mission histories. There are plans to be made and buildings to be scheduled for Zone Conferences, Mission Tours, etc. It is good to always see the work moving forward and progressing.

Elder Vinson, counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency and a Seventy, will be conducting a Mission Tour this month and has asked the missionaries to prepare for that by reading four talks. 1. "Converted unto the Lord" by Elder Bednar 2. "Desire" by Oaks 3."You can do it now" by President Uchtdorf 4."That we might not Shrink" CES devotional by Elder Bednar. It sure has been good reading and I look forward to the instruction by Elder and Sister Vinson. This is such a blessing to the mission and the missionaries.The only thing that keeps a missionary from having a strong testimony and truly converted to this work is the lack of obedience. President Monson has said that "The Great test of this life is Obedience" and that is counsel for all of us.

I have been tallying up the scores on the apartment inspections so awards can be handed out during the mission tour. I have made the certificates for all but am having a hard time on one of the zones. There were several winners and I am waiting for Sister Judd to decide if we should give out more than one winner in this zone. The difference in apartment cleanliness has about as much variety as there is in personalities. Parents could save a future office couple a lot of work by teaching there sons how to clean and organize their belongings. The missionaries have had many a demonstration on some of their shower tile and I get many a surprised look when they see the difference. They just had no idea it could actually come clean. Weekly cleaning far out weighs the work required to bring results after a month or so of very little effort. Missionaries have found that a toilet brush can be a great tool for them once I show them that the bowl is not stained after all. I have had some very interesting experiences but will certainly not write a book about missionary apartment inspections.

I am grateful for what this mission is teaching me and hope I am becoming a better person in the process. I don't always make today better than yesterday but I know repentance works and I use that precious gift every day. Moroni 10:32

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

We had an enjoyable and very simple Christmas Day. It started at 7:30 am feeding breakfast to Elders Oguche, Udofia, Nelson and Brother Dornor (ward missionary preparing for mission). They live next door to us as we never received the missionary couple that was scheduled to live there. We had a ham breakfast casserole, fruit salad of all the fresh fruits we can get here, and a chocolate bread.The missionaries ate hearty and then went to their "White Christmas", which means a baptism. It is truly a special thing when the missionaries have a baptism on Christmas Day. Christmas celebrations, if there is any, are very simple here,  and so to take that day and be baptized does not take them away from any other activity.
I did some laundry after breakfast and then we came to the office to do some things and prepare to skype with some of our children. Sister Judd, after the baptisms, asked us, the Assistants, and the Office Elders over for a Brunch and we enjoyed visiting with each other.
It was so fun to see the Escobedo family, Hipple family, and Nolan's family as they showed us their presents and just being able to look into their homes and enjoy the sweet spirit there. Jason emailed us of the delightful but crazy Christmas morning with his children. Ryan and two of his boys skyped with us the next day. The Shelton's just moved into their home and did not have internet so we will look forward to when we can connect with them. We will be skyping with Nathan's family tonight from Texas instead of Michigan, as they are visiting family there for the Holidays. So grateful for our family!

The picture below was taken at our Christmas Conference. There sure is a lot of us and the backdrop of the Accra Temple is barely visible. I did not really pay attention to how many US missionaries we had until I saw this picture. These are all special missionaries and we are proud to serve with them. (picture can be clicked on to enlarge)

I was disappointed with our Sacrament Meeting today. I am really grateful that last week when the Minister of another church visited Senchi that is was not today. It was more the kind of talks that should have been given in a 5th Sunday Priesthood, Relief Society meeting where instruction and correction is given. Oh the baby steps that have to be taken and I want them to take giant ones. I am sure getting lots of lessons in patience.

After reading Elder Perry's talk given during the Priesthood Session of General Conference, I decided that the primary children needed to be serious about learning the Articles of Faith. It will be a slow process but we need to be consistent and the learning will come.
Elder Ballard's talk on member missionary work/hastening the work of salvation was inspiring. Even though we have had experiences where we have opened our mouths and shared the gospel here in Ghana, I want to make sure that I continue with that same attitude when I return home.

Saturday morning we had the choice opportunity of attending the sealing of the young couple, Richard and Akpene, that was married a while ago. I had pictures of their traditional wedding on the blog. We also attended the session with them and sure would have like to see the new film but there was one woman that needed the language headset. Oh well, hopefully another time.What a blessing to have the Accra Temple to attend. Our first mission we could not attend for the full year that we were there as it was outside our mission boundaries. We appreciate blessings more when we experience having to be without them for a time. I hope I always remember that.

We will skype very soon so must be ready.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I have to admit that I am so glad this will be the last Christmas, since we began this mission, that I will have to spend away from my family. Once again, I express gratitude for technology that makes possible emailing and skyping.  My dear brother Chad has been so generous with his kind uplifting words in responding to every blog post that I write.  I have so appreciated his words of love and encouragement and it is no wonder he was born on Christmas Day.

To reach my blog post, I go through the Church website, and I get so involved in watching the wonderful videos there that it is hard to stop. I just watched were some young women were inspired by President Grant's story of the time he gave his brand new red coat to a little boy. They started a project of collecting coats and took them to homeless shelters. What a blessing it is to give of our time and means to lift others. I so appreciate President Monson's directive to us as our Prophet and how he lives what he teaches.

From our recent reading of the Conference talks: "An ungrateful person suffers in the poverty of endless discontentment"; "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith"; "Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him"; "Mortality is meant to be difficult and "opposition in all things" is not a flaw in the plan of salvation. Rather, opposition strengthens our will and refines our choices"; "It is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself "; "There is one life that sustains those who are troubled or beset with sorrow and grief--even the Lord Jesus Christ."

Our dear friends the Scovilles had to leave on a medical emergency. Elder Scoville had an accident where his eye was injured very seriously and the proper care was not available here. Because he needed to be attended to as quickly as possible, the flights to the US were not within the time frame he needed, so he was flown to London. There they experienced socialized medicine (scary possibility in our lives) for the first time and it took a lot of effort to make it all happen. He finally had the first of several surgeries, which was successful in saving his eye. They are now in the US and he will continue to have the care that he needs. Obviously they will not be returning to Ghana and now it is the task to get their luggage sent to them. We miss them very much.

We had a minister from another church in Koforidua visit us today in Senchi. We are doing some speculating here, but the missionaries in Koforidua gave the phone number of our missionaries in Senchi to this minister and he called to say he was coming. We wonder if he didn't want his congregation to know he attended an LDS Church in Koforidua and so he came to Senchi. I hope he felt the spirit there because I sure did. The singing was wonderful, the talks were on forgiveness and counting our blessings in difficult times. I was asked to bear my testimony on the Liahona (Ensign) and shared from some notes I had written when I read the message that Elder Holland gave in the December Liahona on "Preparing for the Second Coming."  The children in Primary have been learning in Sharing Time this very theme. I hope there is more to learn about this minister in the future.

Our Christmas Conference went very well and I am quite sure that the "senior couples" got the most applause and hollers from our rendition of missionary words to "Lion Sleeps tonight." The missionary apartments all received a gift of a blender to help make their cooking a little easier and more nutritious, we hope. The missionaries all seemed to enjoy themselves and they continue to amaze me in their ability to tirelessly share the gospel. They will definitely appreciate washing machines, air conditioning, and microwaves when they return home, but will personally never be the same because of what they gained from this service.

In spite of being away from family this time of year, I am so grateful for the Christmas season. In primary today, I read the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2. But I started first with chapter 1 where Zacharias and Elizabeth were told by an angel of the coming forth of their son John to prepare the way for the coming of our Savior. I asked the children to listen to how many times the angel Gabriel said the words "Fear Not", through those two chapters, to hopefully help them to listen, and to teach an important lesson about life. I know that God loves us for who we are and for who we can become. He sent His Son to show us the way, and because of our Savior's Atoning Sacrifice, we do not need to fear. Of this I most certainly know.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

This past Tuesday we said good-bye to Elder Larsen, Elder Gann, Sister Turhirirwe and Sister Otwane, having completed their missions. On Wednesday, we welcomed one Sister and one Elder to begin theirs. Elder Gann had his parents come to get him as he told them the best way for him to describe his mission is for them to come and experience a little of it for themselves. They will fly home tonight. The parents of Elder Larsen kept it a surprise for the other members of the family, saying that they were preparing his room for guests that would come for Christmas (he was not due home until January). I emailed to see if he had arrived home as he traveled a longer route through Frankfurt Germany. His family said that the surprise went very well. It is so fun to hear of times when families reunite and wish I could hear of our African missionaries as well.

We are looking forward to our Christmas Conference this Thursday. It takes a lot of planning, especially by President and Sister Judd. All the missionaries will be coming in and 56 of them, because of not traveling back to their areas late at night, will spend the night in the mission complex. They will sleep on mats throughout our office, mission home, and living area of the Office Elders and Assistants. Each apartment will be given a gift of a blender to help make the preparing of their food easier and hopefully eat healthier. The food, talent to be shared, singing the Christmas hymns, and spiritual instruction, will give us all a lift and soften the difficulty of not being with our families. These young men and women really amaze me as they leave family and friends, and make a wonderful contribution of devoting their lives to missionary work.

I decided that I would purchase a keyboard instruction book for Patrick and start working with him while my companion is in meetings on Sundays. He was very excited when I told him I would do this and committed himself to the time it would demand of him. He will visit with President Ampomah about using the keyboard in the chapel on Saturdays to practice as that is the only way for him. I would appreciate prayers on his behalf for his ability to understand everything he needs to learn so he can be a blessing to the Branch. He also needs to be able to teach others as well, as that will help to solidify what he is learning. He is about 24 years of age and is from Nigeria and is in the Sunday School Presidency and also teaches the "Come Follow Me" program to the youth. The missionaries really appreciate him as he goes with them a lot to visit the less active.

One would think Christmas is coming with all the packages that continue to arrive. I feel for Elder Lloyd and Elder Benans-Hillard, the Office Elders, but they never complain. They also were responsible for getting all the variety of phone chips so the missionaries can call home for Christmas. They have worked hard to get it all right and I hope there are no problems so the missionaries have this opportunity. It is such a privilege to work with these young men and see how they take on such responsibility and do it well. I have to share another situation that happens quite often here, especially this time of year. The police stopped them (has happened more than once) and comes up with a ridiculous law when in reality they are doing it to get paid for not arresting them. They calmly talked to the 3 policemen and they seemed very happy to receive a Book of Mormon each and let them go on their way. Similar situations have happen before, although sometimes a money bribe has to be given because there is no other way. It goes against everything we believe but because of the unfairness of some of the policemen to get something for themselves, it happens sometimes.

Well, the satisfaction of the peanut butter sandwich and apple have begun to wear off and daylight has passed. It has been a good Sabbath Day and even though there is much growth that needs to take place in the Senchi Branch, the people love the Lord and they will succeed. I also have needed to grow and this experience is giving me that opportunity. With the Lord's help, I too will succeed.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

Our Liahona for November finally arrived and it was good to read the talks this morning as we traveled. I mentioned last week about our couples conference and was not sure why it was called a conference. After reading Elder Hales talk, I feel it must be about strengthening faith and testimony, in the lives of each other no matter what setting we are in. If we are receptive to the Holy Spirit, our faith and testimonies are certainly strengthened by each others experiences whether on a mission or not. I am grateful for the wisdom our leaders, and a bonus is that it helps to take my mind off the traffic as we travel.

As we go to the different areas to do apartment inspections etc., I have found the names of the small business along side the road to be quite interesting. I started writing a few of them down and thought I would put them here so I would remember them when I write my history of serving in Ghana: God is King Metal Work, God's Favor Cold Store (where meat is kept cold for purchasing), God is Great (on an air tank for when people have flat tires), Merciful God Vulcanizing (repairs tires I think), Jesus is the Way P.O.P Shop (not sure what the initials are for), Glory Land Landscaping, Zion Brothers Barbering Salon (sometimes we see salon spelled as saloon), His Excellency Farms, God's Finger Farm, The Synagogue Boutique, First Star Shoe Shop, God is Able Enterprises. The schools have interesting names too but I only have a couple of them: Rising Soul School, and Goodness and Mercy Academy.  I feel these names reflect their belief and even shows their gratitude for the opportunity to have a way to make a living.

Transfers are on Tuesday and Wednesday and we only have four departing and two arriving. We don't know quite how to act with such a small group compared to the 29 missionaries we had come in October. I haven't had as many letters and file folders to prepare, and we can hold the training at the Mission Home rather than scheduling the Area Office. It actually brings a feeling of relief at this time.

Two new Branches, Odumase and Asutsuare, were created last week in the Kpong District, which is the district Senchi is in. I know the Church is growing here but still the Branches struggle with new converts remaining active. I am sure this is world-wide for there to be so much emphasis put on member missionary work. I sometimes wonder if the people here all had access to the websites the Church has if it would make a difference. They just don't have that blessing, but I must hope for a future time for them. I hope my children and grandchildren are taking advantage of the technology and strengthening themselves with the powerful messages that are at their finger tips.

In the Mission Home Complex we have two very faded banners and I have been assigned to have new ones made to replace them. One of the banners (ideas from President and Sister Judd) will read, "The Great Test of This Life is Obedience" which comes from President Monson's April 2013 Conference talk. The second banner will be a picture of the Christus and will have the scripture from Moroni 10:32 on it. This is my first experience in this and with the help of others, I was successful in finding a business to do this and will meet with him tomorrow to finalize how it is to be done. I hope we can communicate well enough to get this right. Sometimes the things I am ask to do stretch me more than I think I am capable of, but I have learned by going forward and hope this will have the same outcome.

Sing along with me to "Lion sleeps tonight": In our mission, our mighty mission we always choose the right. In our mission, the Accra mission we serve with all our might. (Awee mo eh 16 times then Wee de de de de de de de de de we always obey 2 times.) In the handbook, our small white handbook our conduct is outlined. In the handbook, the mission handbook the world is left behind.(repeat the above) Book of Mormon, the Book of Mormon is not for just a few. Book of Mormon, the Book of Mormon we testify it's true! Hup Hup  (repeat the above).
I think us old couples will be a hit at the Christmas Conference Ha Ha.

I felt the children in Primary today had a spiritual experience with the Law of Tithing. I am grateful I could bear testimony of the truthfulness of this and express to the children that I have always paid tithing from the time I was the age of some of them. I told them that the blessings are not the same for each of us, but the Lords blesses us with what we need. I asked them to trust Heavenly Father. They listened intently to the stories of others who have been blessed by paying tithing. They learned that the one tenth we pay comes back to us in the way of temples, church buildings, lesson books, etc., and how much their Heavenly Father and Savior love them. Such choice children!

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

We had a wonderful conference with the eight of us that are serving in the Ghana Accra Mission. I am not sure why it is called a conference but then maybe I don't know the meaning of the word. It was so good to socialize and share the experiences we are having with each other. Each couple has quite different responsibilities in many ways, yet alike in our purpose in serving the Lord while we serve His children.
Each couple was asked to take an hour and talk of our life's lessons. It was so delightful getting to know each other this way. At first we thought how can we possibly take an hour, but actually, how can anyone share what they have learned or are learning in an hour.
 We talked about doing a number as couples for our upcoming Christmas Conference and voted that different words put to the tune of  "The Lion sleeps tonight" from Lion King would really delight our missionaries. Now we just need to find time to practice so we do a fun but hopefully well rehearsed song.

Between the Area Office couples, Area Presidency, and the two missions in the Greater Accra area, there was about sixty people enjoying a great Thanksgiving dinner. My sweet potato casserole made out of butternut squash turn out good. The pies included pumpkin, pecan, coconut cream, banana cream, apple, and chocolate cream pie, which tells what ingredients we can find here. The turkey and maybe some other items came from Utah with Elder and Sister Curtis when they were there for General Conference, but I have been amazed at what is available here.

The Christmas packages for the missionaries have been coming and Elder Lloyd, and Elder Benans-Hillard (office elders) are being kept even more busy. I wonder where they find the energy to do what they do on a day to day basis and still make time to do missionary work. President Judd requires that of them and the Assistants and it is wonderful to hear of their experiences teaching as well as seeing all they do to help take things to the missionaries, arrange meals on transfer days, keep the stock of teaching supplies filled, do the mail, and much more.

We enjoyed skyping with some of our children during Thanksgiving and hopefully during the Christmas Holidays we can with the rest of them. I think they grow a lot when we are not around to see them changing. It is so fun to hear of their accomplishments and what they are learning. There is so much to help our children grow in light and truth to help them make the right choices. The December Liahona has an article on helping our children recognize the Holy Ghost in their lives, that I found very enlightening. According to the message, it is important that we know how our children learn so we can give them those experiences with the Holy Ghost where they will recognize it and feel it more fully. I so appreciate the insights of others through their own experiences with the Spirit teaching them. I am so grateful we have this blessing in our lives and that we are never alone in this journey.

Well, it's getting late and I am ready to close this good Sabbath Day. I taught the older children about the Law of the Fast today in Senchi and I added a little different explanation that most teaching would not need. I told them that Fasting is when we have enough food to eat and we choose not eat so we can help others through our Offerings. I hope they all have enough food but I do not know their circumstances at all. I hope they understood when I told a story, they could relate to, of farmers fasting for rain so their seeds would grow. I always testify to the truths and let the spirit confirm that in their hearts.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Ghana does not celebrate Thanksgiving, yet we have a turkey somewhere close to us that gobbles almost constantly. How many of you have ever had that experience at Thanksgiving time? At first we laughed about it, but now it is beginning to be annoying. I hope someone eats that turkey very soon.

I think I am actually missing the cold weather everyone is having. It just doesn't feel like I want it to feel at this time of year. The stores are all decorated with Christmas, but it takes more than that to bring that feeling. Two Thanksgivings and two Christmas being away from loved ones is hard, but I am okay; just thinking of family and needed to express it.

We will be having a couples conference this coming Wednesday and Thursday. The Scovilles, Cosgraves, Judds, and us will be enjoying good food and good company. The couples have each been asked to take one hour and share their life's lessons. I could sum it up in just a few minutes saying I am still in the process of learning and wonder if I will ever 'get it'. 
Thursday afternoon we will go to the home of President and Sister Hill who are over the Ghana Accra West Mission that split from us in July. All the couples in the Area Office, Area Presidency, and both missions will be together for a Thanksgiving dinner. We are all contributing food for this and I need to find the time and energy to make my sweet potato casserole made out of butternut squash. I soooo miss the sweet potatoes from home but the squash is a good enough substitute. I have saved enough pecans that my family has sent me to put in the crumb topping.

I hope our November Liahona comes soon as I miss reading the talks as we travel to Senchi. I feel it helps the drive go faster and keeps me spiritually centered. The Branch has its struggles and my patience is low after today. It is still the problem of teachers not coming every week and I never know what to count on. I reminded the Primary President today that we need to have good reliable people in there but she doesn't know everyone as she should and I certainly don't know them.  Some of the strong ones that have recently joined the church have been called to serve the Young Women. It is the Lord's work, so somehow it will flourish in spite of our human weaknesses. 

I read a quote from James E. Faust that I have added to my list of ones to be repeated as often as needed (which is a lot). "Your criticism may be worse than the conduct you are trying to correct." (Mark 7:15-16)  The Lord's ways are the only way to true and lasting happiness, so why do we find them so hard to live (I'm sure I am not alone in this). I just keep reading the scriptures, strive to follow the council within them, and hope that there are times my life is pleasing unto the Lord.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and please be safe in your travels. May the Lord bless you and your families with all the righteous desires of your hearts.

With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)