Tuesday, December 31, 2013

DEC 31, 2013

It was good to hear your voices as well.
 
Haha you missed the game night? That's one of the funnest parties!
 
Sounds like a fun Nativity. I suppose we will be starting our own soon huh. Wow weird. The traditions of the past just keep going on.
 
I still haven't seen Nicky. Where's he at now? and where's Alec at? That's sweet they still come to the family parties.

Yes the converts have been staying active in Odoben so far. I'm still learning as a missionary though. Lot's to learn. Lately the Couple Missionary's have been challenging us to get our converts to the temple within 6 weeks after baptism. That's something I think will help a lot the converts staying active to the church and help them in keeping the commandments.
 
Now we're back to finding new investigators again. It's always a challenge ;).
 
So now they've sent Elder's to Asikuma. So we no longer have to take tro tro's to Asikuma. Elder Harris and Elder Brown are taking over and they are sweet Elders.
 
Now we'll be having District Meetings in Odoben on Tuesdays. Which will be sweet. Hopefully no more rides on the bumpiest 1 hour tro ride to Swedru.
 
It'll be strange being in Odoben all the time now though.
 
So far we've got 3 main people we're focusing on
 
Sister Evelyn - 18 yrs. Very very smart. probably one of the smartest Ghanains I've met. The thing is she seems to be viewing our teachings just as bible learning and not finding out for herself whether the message we are sharing is true.
 
BrotherEric - 18 yrs. He's a referal from a less active member. He has good potential. The last time we went his mother had sent him to do something. So tonight we'll find out if he's very serious or not.
 
Sister Vida - 40 or so. She doesn't speak English but her 2 daughters are recent converts. We taught her the message of the Restoration and she promised to visit the church, but then was "sick" when we came to pick her on Sunday. She hasn't really been trying to meet with us either. But because she's got family in the church we haven't given up yet.
 
Our lessons and everything has dropped a lot. I think it was because we had started going to Asikuma and now that we've dropped Asikuma we've got to pick things back up again in Odoben. It's a bit depressing when we report for the week our numbers though.
 
This Sunday we had a member feed us rice and stew. We had to wait an hour and then it took us like an hour and a half just to finish it.
 
Then Monday our Branch President wanted all the Odoben Elders to come eat at his house. So we Elder Loader, Elder Collins, Elder Adams, and I all went. They made us a huge bowl of Fufu with Peanut Butter Soup and Goat Meat. But we all finished it pretty easily.
 
I suppose it was because of the Christmas Holidays that all the members suddenly wanted to feed us. I'm actually glad that's over though because it uses a lot of our time. Well actually there's even one member we avoided and they'll probably have us another day... I forgot about that. Yikes.
 
Elder Loader is the New Elder in the Apartment. He's from California as well. He's a sweet guy. He likes exercise so apparently he's been making Elder Collins do a bunch of push ups at lunch time. He's been on the field for 4 and a half months. Seems like Elder Collins and him get along well though. Sadly I think he's picking up my eating habits because I've seen him eating plain loafs of bread. (Haha I'm starting to think that's part of the reason they've put me in Odoben because I'm fine with not eating too much food, and in Odoben there is not a lot of food choices available).
 
Elder Lee (from California) left to Moree in Cape Coast to be with Elder Oodoh, One of my old companions.
 
So yup there's a little update. Hope you all enjoy your New Years.
 
The Gospel is still true. Jesus really did come and die for our sins. And if we follow his commandments we will receive the peace and joy and the kingdom he has promised for each of us.
 
Peace
 
Elder Adair

Monday, December 16, 2013

December 16 2013

This week was good.

Elder Ivie and Sister Ivie are the Senior Couple Missionaries living in Swedru (An hour from Odoben) They help a lot, and it's been fun having them in the mission.
We've started taking a taxi to Sis Augustina and Bro Francis. They are cousins and live in the same area.
Sis Augustina will be baptized this Saturday. With Bro Francis we found out he'd only been going to sacrament meeting for the past few months so we think we're going to move him back a bit until he starts coming to the whole church service.
We fixed Elder Lee's washer. It was a 10 Pesewas coin that had gotten got in the fan of the drainer.
When you send packages they either arrive at the post office or at the mission home in Nkanfoa. Then when the Zone Leader missionaries go to the Mission home to receive instruction from the mission president they will bring back the packages for the zone after they are finished. And then they give it to me at a combined district meeting. Or sometimes it can happen in different ways.
The Christmas Devotional was sweet. The missionaries were very prepared for the talent show. Haha my zone wasn't too good though haha. I didn't try very hard, I was mostly just enjoying what the other missionaries did. The movie "Forever Strong" was nice to see again. It has a lot of good messages in it.
We are definitely enjoying the running water in the apartment. Now you can just press the button to flush the toilet. Or fill up a bucket inside the house.
Elder Lee's washer is quite enjoyable as well.
Haha I'll just call. Everyone in Odoben is calling because we don't have internet in Odoben. Unless I get transferred to an area with internet. We will see.

yes I get a printed copy of your emails each week.
I haven't received a package from you yet. I'm actually starting to wonder if I finished that letter to Grandma Walpole for her package.. Uh oh.. I can't remember.
As for this week
We had the Christmas Devotional which was sweet. Elder Barnett (My Trainer in Ghana Cape Coast Mission) gave his goodbye testimony to all the missionaries. He's going back home tomorrow to England. Elder James (My brother in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission, because he was trained by Elder Barnett) gave a powerful talk about the Restoration of the Gospel and how Christ has sent us forth to teach his word and how he is a Living Christ.
Elder Barnett's Zone did a sweet presentation with them starting the Lion King Song that goes "From the day we arrive on the planet, and blinking step into the sun" they changed it to "from the day we arrived in Cape Coast Mission.. etc." and at the end Elder Kalahiki did some sweet rapping it was cool.
For my zone we sang "We are Children Holding Hands Around the World" and had pictures of our zone.

Today (Monday) We did a service project for an Elementary School by weeding for them with Cutlasses, and Sister Ivie had us sing "We are Children Holding Hands Around the World, and I am a Child of God" with them after we finished. She also gave them some treats.
Yesterday we went to Asikuma and finished up the lessons with Sis Augustina so she's ready for this Saturday for baptism. She'll be a sweet convert.
We saw a few recent Converts this week and just did reviews with them.
With Bro Nestor we reviewed the Restoration and he loved it. He said "it's true, it's true". He also asked a couple questions about why we don't use the cross symbol and why we never said the Lord's prayer. He's been working had as a nurse at the hospital in Asikuma. He's such a humble guy. He use to work to help purify water around Ghana for people that didn't have clean water. The shifts he works now as a nurse hardly give him a moment to sleep, and yet with his free time he was willing to let us come see him. He's working with New born babies now. It's funny how he talks about how cute the babies are, some are as small as his hands.
With Sis Nadia she's an old convert from before I came to Odoben and has fallen less active. She hasn't come to church since I came, but we reviewed the Restoration and asked if she had been praying about what we'd taught her about the temple. She said she felt alright about it. She admitted after we reviewed that she hadn't prayed about Joseph Smith and the Restoration so we asked her to pray about it and she said she would. When Elder Cowan came on splits to the area she needed to fetch water but the bucket had fallen down the well. Elder Cowan was able to use a big stick and get the bucket back out of the well. It was a miracle I thought.
With Bro Kwesi and Sis Yeboah we tried to teach them how to do a family home evening. Kind of hard when they are only 16 and 14. Soo I don't think it helped too much. Haha but Bro Kwesi has been such a strong convert. He is truly converted to the gospel. He always goes to Seminary and he truly studies the gospel, if he doesn't end up on a mission I would be very very surprised.
We've really been just searching for new people to teach, but not with too much luck so far. We finally got some potentials and they have already disappeared. Sooo we get to start again :) Hurray!

So we've been working with the members.

With Bro Donso's family (members) we went and asked them if we could teach them. I showed them the 6 main pamphlets and asked them what they would like to learn about. They chose Chastity. So we taught them. I really like teaching that one. But it was a good message and they all said they would live it. I had Bro Lord bear his testimony as well which was sweet. They are a sweet family in the branch we go to. Very Humble. Their mother sells Kenke and Stew and the Islamic School. Their father is a farmer. Bro Lord is planning for a mission. And Sister Haiti attends the Islamic School.
Anyways there is a little bit about the week.
The gospel is true. This Christmas Season remember it's not about the receiving but the giving. It's all about the work.
Love you

Elder Adair

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

December 10 2013

Hey that's awesome he's back now. That would have been hard to learn a
language haha.
Yes, Sis Camille Boyce has been emailing me a few times so it sounds
like she's doing well.
I can't wait to see Bro Mitch Davis though. I haven't heard from him
for a long time.

Mm let's just stick with the phone for Christmas. That'll be the easiest.

Yes I believe they've finished it today. I took a few pictures. Sorry
I'm afraid I'm probably going to cry when I get home because I don't
have too many pictures. Yikes.

Haha it's alright you don't have to keep sending journal entries from
our Great Grandpa. But he's got a very detailed journal, We have his
journal just at home?

It's interesting that in his journal he talked about his dream.
Because in Sunday School they learnt about Revelation a little bit
about Visits from Angels, Dreams, Visions, but usually you receive in
through the Holy Ghost.

This upcoming Friday is our Christmas Devotional, so that should be
fun. We're going to sing "We're Children Holding Hands Around the
World" for our zone haha. Elder and Sister Ivie are bringing a slide
show for pictures of us in the zone.

We tried to set up a home teaching system for the branch we are in,
but on Sunday I showed the Branch President an example of what he
might like and they said they'd have a meeting with the Relief Society
Pres. And Elder's Quorum Pres. and have them set up the people, but I
guess that works out. I wasn't sure if what I was doing was any good
anyways.

We visited a few of the members who are being less active lately and
they came on Sunday so that was good to see.

As well we've been doing a lot of personal contacting, but I'm getting
reminded that it's a mistake, Working with the members is definitely
the way to go. Most of the people we pick up aren't very serious so it
doesn't go anywhere.

From study I liked a talk from Elder Bednar on Tithing about how it is
a chance to show Gratitude for the things that we already have, and
self control for things that we want to have.

He talked about how those that are grateful for the things that they
already have are satisfied and happy.

While those that are ungrateful for the things that they already have
and always want more are never satisfied and thus aren't happy.

Sis Augustina is a sweet lady we're teaching, she has a great love for
the gospel, and she is very quick at picking things up - I was
surprised. Anyways she had been coming for a couple months to church
in Asikuma and we were asked to go and teach them. We were mostly just
trying to teach her everything so she could be baptized, but this week
she didn't come to church so I guess that gave me a wake up call that
we also need to make sure she's truly gaining a testimony of the
things we are teaching.

Bro Francis is a 13 year old boy. He's a sweet kid, but he's super
shy. His two brothers, his sister, and his mother are all members, and
he's been coming for a couple months as well. But he learns slowly
slowly so we might have to slow down a bit for him.

Really this Thursday and Sunday will determine which way we go with them.

The Gospel is True

Love you

Elder Adair





Friday, December 6, 2013

December 5, 2013

Wow that journal entry was pretty intense. You want to send me more of that journal entry from our great grandfather?
 
So that's where the church started from your Mom's side of the family? Interesting. He's very detailed in his journal writing.
 
No you don't need to send me Cavanaughs chocolate haha.
 
I'll call home on Christmas Between 7-10 pm. So over there it would be Noon- 3. Supposing I'm still with the same companion. Transfer day landed on Christmas this year. But luckily they decided to do the transfers on the 23rd of December so we don't have to worry about it.
 
 
But that airplane deal is pretty sweet! Wow. So if I wanted to fly back to Ghana it would only cost me 100 Dollars For the Trip to Ghana and Back? Tell Cherish she needs to keep that job for the rest of her life.
 
Haha and you've got some fun people to work with there at Cavanaugh's chocolate factory. I'm surprised so many of them are working there.
 
So this week Elder Collins got one of the Ensign's sent from home so I've been reading the General Conference talks. As well the mission President allowed us to watch conference on P-days on Elder Lee and Elder Collins mini Movie player (Because Elder Collins is training they watch the training videos during study).
 
As well this week they have decided to dig a bore hole for us. It costed the mission a bunch of money. So on Tuesday we didn't go to District Meeting, but we stayed with Elder Ivie and watched them bring a big huge machine to dig a bore hole in front of our apartment 330 feet or so into the ground. Our whole Compound was covered in Mud like a foot or two deep. Tomorrow they will bring the pump in so now we will have running water in our hosue that will not run out. Hurray!
 
As well Elder Ivie took us with him to look for apartments in Asikuma. They found a nice one, and for cheap so it looks like their going to send Missionaries to Asikuma December 23rd. It's a super nice area, and the people are very well educated so which ever missionaries come will enjoy.
 
We went to teach Sister Augustina and Brother Francis in Asikuma. So it was a 1 hour tro ride to Asikuma, then an hour walk to their house. Then another hour to teach them. Then an hour walk back and an hour tro tro back to Odoben. So we left Odoben at 2 and got back at 7. Quite a journey for one lesson. But they both have been coming to church for over 2 months and they have a testimony that the church is true. Now they mostly just need to be taught. Soo now the decision is to teach them Twice a week and we're planning for their baptism on the 21st of December.
We're planning on just getting a taxi to their house so it doesn't kill all our time though.
 
In Study I've been looking a lot at just what the prophets have to say about successful marriages mostly and how to improve such as Saying I love you, Saying I'm sorry, and Saying Thank you. Things like service for each other. The tone of voice we use. How it's ok to mess up, but rather think that "we can fix it". And how most things can be worked through even if it's Budgeting Problems, Entaglement in Sin, Interference from In-laws, lack of Temper Control, etc. Or how we should pray that your companion's joy can be your own joy. And that you do everything in your power to make your companion happy.
 
well I love you Mom. Thanks for your great example. The gospel is true and I know it's what brings us true joy.
 
Love
 
Elder Brady Adair

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

November 26 2013

Mm hmm we are enjoying in Odoben :).
Sweet that's cool brother Christensen is still being a good friend. Does Brandon still go to the Bountiful Rec Center? Tell him I miss him and thank him for being such a sweet brother for me.
Mm Odoben is just in the middle of the bush. We take like an hour tro ride from the city to Odoben. And then surrounding Odoben it's just a bunch of tree's and bushes. Lot's of farming land for Cocoa, Corn, Oranges, Cassava, Plantain, etc. So when people go to farm they say "i'm going to the bush". But Odoben is nice it's not really super bush. It's just in the middle of the bush.
Haha wow Jaxon is already 3? So that was the age of Suzy when I left right? That will be interesting.
Sounds like he loved that Choo Choo train though, and wow he even knows that he is suppose to clean up after himself.
Umm as for the packages in 2 days thing I have no idea. I was looking at Elder Lee's package he just got and it looks like it got here within a few days though so I'm not sure.
Which reminds me today Pres. Shulz told me that I'm going home March 18th. If I remember correctly. So I guess you can plan on me coming home that day.
I asked someone about how much the jeans cost here and the guy said 10 Cedis. So 5 dollars? The highest price was like 30 to 40 Ghana Cedis, but they like bargaining here in Ghana so I'm guessing I'd get them 15 Cedi's or so.
And yes of course I got myself some snickers :) I enjoyed them very well.
Nope don't worry I don't need anything. I did get Grandma's package with the chocolates today though, so I'll write her a thank you letter on Monday.
As for this week -
We decided to drop most of our investigators and start fresh because most of them aren't keeping commitments.
Soo we contacted a lot and found some potential investigators this week - Sister Asi, Sister Phyllis, Bro Jones, and Sister Vida.
As for study I went over topics like Pride, Virtue, Finding, Marriage, etc. I liked the things that I learnt and found some things I could improve on in each of the areas.
This week Elder Cowan was on splits with Elder Lee and we played Farkel. It was pretty funny because every turn I was getting huge points so I left everyone else in the dust.
Monday we played a little Monopoly Millionaire and I won twice and then the 3rd time I barely lost. I've quite been enjoying the winning streak, but it's sure to end soon.
Elder Adam's is still making us nice pancakes and French Toast.
This week I made some refried beans. Although now my stomach is running. I don't know if it's from not having beans for so long or if I didn't cook it well enough or what. But it tasted nice anyways.
Yup we scared Elder Lee again with my cap gun. This time he beat me.
Well I love you

Elder Adair

Thursday, November 21, 2013

November 21 2013

Yes I'm with someone from Utah now. Elder Adams. But I actually had one from Kaysville Utah at the beginning of my mission (Elder Seku Holder), he just went home this last transfer soo maybe you could find him if you look him up on facebook haha. We've got a lot of the same interests. He likes musicals and singing. He's got some sweet music, and yesterday he was playing a talk from Glenn Beck about his conversion story it was pretty funny. He likes card games. Worked as a Diesel engine worker, Janitor, and bag maker. Likes Ultimate Frisbee and apparently was on Utah States team. He made the whole apartment French Toast which was delicious, I don't know why I haven't made it my whole mission. So it's my new dinner haha.

This week since we got home before Elder Lee and Elder Collins we had the brilliant idea of putting the lock back on our front door, Turning off all the lights, and hiding in Elder Lee and Elder Collins room. I had bought a little cap gun that was pretty loud and Elder Adams had a little nerf gun. We hid behind their door and as Elder Lee came in we shot him and scared him to death. He had a big sugar cane in his hand though that he almost smacked us with. Still it was fun.

Elder Adams brought up the idea of a movie night as well at the church since he had all the mission movies so we did a movie night at the church, it was an alright turn out. A few recent converts and a couple of the younger investigators came. A bunch of members came as well and enjoyed watching "The mountain of the Lord". Although when we told the couple missionaries (Elder and Sister Ivie) that we were doing a movie night they went quiet soo I suppose they thought it wasn't a good idea haha it would be nice if they would speak up.

This week we went to Asikuma Branch on Sunday. Elder Lee and Elder Collins needed help with the area because they only have time to go twice a week. Soo they gave us a couple sweet investigators - Sister Augustina (20) and Brother Francis (13). They're Part Member families. We taught them the Restoration and Sis Augustina is definately solid and has come to church for 2 months already so she only needs to be taught.

Elder and Sister Ivie gave us a ride out to Asikuma. Haha Sister Ivie was car sick from the bumpy road but it was nice of them to make a sacrifice to do so. I've really loved having them in the area. They told us about how they met. Elder Ivie actually met Sister Ivie during his mission. She was helping out in Georgia with the Seminary Program. He wrote her after she moved back to Utah. And they got married 3 months after his mission. Funny story. They also drove us to our investigators house after church, and Sister Ivie gave us a couple apples.

Transfer day Elder Cowan showed me a shop in Swedru that sold Snickers. This whole time I'd been looking for them! They're only 1 Cedi 50 Pesewas. So 75 Cents. They also had Pringles for 6 Cedis (3 Dollars). I think today as I'm shopping I might just have a feast.

The rest of Transfer day we just played Skip Bo. We were all pretty bored that day. I got some fried rice for 4 Cedis, but I didn't even like it anymore. Haha that use to be the enjoyment food.

Today we had a Zone Activity at the Beach in Winneba. We played Ultimate Frisbee and some kind of soccer Ultimate Frisbee mix game. We catch a crab, Ate some Pineapple and apples. I sprayed Elder Lee and Elder Cowan with some Water. Met a new sister missionary that was actually from Elder Kirumira (my last companion from Uganda)'s Ward. Haha she told me how he was a stubborn guy back home. Elder Kirumira was a funny guy, I'll miss him.

Mm I suppose I could look for some Jeans. Do you want me to buy them for me or someone else? I could probably just buy some traditional pants that everyone wears. People back home would see them as Pajamas I'm sure though.

Wow that sounds bad with Jaxon though. How long is it going to take to cure?

Sweet I didn't realize Brandon was working at Home Depot, that seems like it would be a nice job. I'm sure he'll love Utah State as well. What does he do when he's at home?

I'll definately enjoy that chocolate that's coming. Good thing you've got it sent as well, the Christmas months aren't too favorable with getting packages.

Haha and you're working at Mrs. Cavanaughs chocolate store? Hahahaha no way! So you finally got bored of being at home all day? Sweet does that mean you sent me Cavanaughs chocolate? What kind of good deals do you get? Free Chocolate at all?

Wow that's cool the neighbors brought food over. Do you talk to them a lot then? How is their daughter doing? That would be a hard life style.

Welllllllllllll I'm sunburnt now. Just so you know

But I still love you, even though I'm sunburnt.

The church is true. I suppose something I've been thinking a lot about lately is looking for the good in others. Judge not that ye be not judged. As well as Love your enemies, do good to them that despitefully use and persecute you, and pray for them. I feel that those things are really important and make life so much more enjoyable. Praying and asking god to bless someone that has maybe done something you felt was wrong to you. I've found it helps you to see their perspective a bit more clearly. As well doing good to them - anything - a smile, a hug, a compliment, a little service. Judging someone is usually done without the full facts as well and I've found if you judge someone then you start realizing all the things you do as well and well that's just not fun either.

Love

Elder Adair

Sunday, November 17, 2013

12 November 2013

Alright sweet I'll send Sis. Karl a little message :)
Hey... the journal. You've caught me red handed. I did pretty well for the first year and few months. But, my journal has pretty much gone downhill from there. I'll try and pick it back up. Your quote gave me some inspiration to start it again.
Let's see for chocolate I already have chocolate powder. Just send chocolate bars like snickers, Butterfinger, Symphony Bar, Chocolate Peanuts, etc. Things like that.
That's sweet that Suzy is still thinking about me :). She'll probably be scared when she sees me again though as she always is.
Well the Transfer News has come - Elder Kirumira (My companion from Uganda) is moving to Assin Foso to be with Elder Tembedza's (My last companion) Son (He trained him on Mission).
I'm Staying in Odoben making it 7 and a half months I'll stay in this area. (I stayed in my last 2 areas for the same amount of time)
My new companion is Elder Adams from Utah. I believe he's from Logan. I've talked to him before and he seems like a nice guy. He was trained by Elder Martin I think (Another sweet guy).
Elder Kirumira is sad to go, he really loved Odoben. But he'll do great in his new area.
As for my apartment mates - Elder Lee and Elder Collins are staying.

This week we had a famous football player pass through Odoben - Micheal Essien from Chelsea Team. My trainer Elder Barnett will be pretty excited to hear, he was a huge Chelsea fan. If you've seen the pictures of my blue jersey that he gave me that is a Chelsea Jersey. Micheal Essien's father passed away so he came for his funeral in Odoben.
We also has Sis Henrietta's (13) baptism. She's a step-sister (from her Father's side) to a recent convert, Sis Mavis. She's been going to Seminary with her sister and doing the assignments which has been cool to see.  We're also working with her step sisters (From the mother's side) they're 13 and 16, so we still need to get a hold of Pres. Shulz to see how he wants us to work with them, but they've been coming to church, seminary, and receiving the lessons so I'm thinking December time they'll be baptized as well.
Elder Lee has bought a new washer which I got to use yesterday. Washer's are always nice :). Sadly it started making noise as I was drying my clothes in the spinner.. so Hopefully I didn't just ruin his brand new machine. It sounds like a coin got stuck in the drain or something.
Tell the family hello
What's Brandon been up to? I haven't heard much about him.
How much longer does dad have until he retires?
Well the gospels true, love you
Elder Adair

Saturday, November 9, 2013

5 November 2013

Hey mom thanks for the update :) Sounds like it was a fun vacation. You'll have to see if you can get me a picture of the Halloween costumes.
Snorkling and Mayan Ruins, this was all down in Mexico?
Yes, I can get candy here. The thing to send me is chocolate, anything chocolate I would love.  That's really all I can think of that I'd want.  Chocolate. You can get chocolate in certain areas in Ghana, but I haven't seen it for a long time so chocolate is what you should send.
I'm not really sure what the date is for when I come home. I'll let you know when I get travel plans, probably around Christmas if that's okay?

We got to watch a little bit of conference this Sunday. The computer stopped working after 2 talks though, but I heard President Eyring's talk on Loving God and Dallin H Oaks on part of the 10 commandments and having children and such.
On Saturday the couple missionary's Elder and Sister Ivie brought a movie on Joseph Smith and so quite a few of the members came to watch it. It was funny the power was out but it turned on just in time for us to start the movie. (Elder Collins used his super spiritual prayer strength to turn the lights back on I suppose is what happened really.)
We had apartment checks and our apartment was pretty good. We got marked down for a couple things like not sweeping our rooms (I totally had swept and mopped it that morning, I blame it on the floor paper, we just need to take it out.) But we still got our chocolate chip cookies. (Which yes they have here and they are actually decent)
Elder Kirumira has popped out with a new idea of entertaining us. Rubber bands with little papers. He likes shooting the chickens and members, and some times he'll pop it out during companion study when I've bored him.
Elder Lee has been so kind in allowing me to steal his Richocho Powder ( hot chocolate powder). I enjoy eating it by the spoonful.
Elder Collins has allowed me to steal his Indomie a few times as well. When I'm too lazy to plan on what I'm going to eat for dinner.
Elder Lee and Elder Collins are convinced I cheat at Monopoly Deal because I beat them everytime. Although Elder Lee achieved his victory yesterday.
The Zone Leaders came on splits with us on Tuesday
Elder Dikane from South Africa, he's a sweet guy. I really liked how as we taught with him he'd use examples of people from the bible - like with repentance he related it to Paul and how he was going against the church and then turned into a great missionary. It made the lesson more exciting and understandable.
Elder Baird from Idaho I believe. He's a humble guy. Elder Lee and Elder Collins got to go with him though so I haven't seen him too much in missionary work.
With study I went over ideas on Finding and I liked the idea at the back of just sitting down with members of the church and having them write down names of friends and family that they know and then prayerfully choosing one whom they'd like to share the gospel with and then helping them come up with ideas of how to help introduce that person more to the gospel.
As well I liked a talk from Pres. Monson about marriage a bit about how Partners need to love each other, they need to show respect for each other. He talked about not always needing your opinion to be right. He talked about how even when relationships go bad it doesn't mean that seperation is the solution, things can be worked out and become good again. He gave an example of a couple he took to the temple that had been having fights and he had them listen to the marriage ceremony and at the end they were close together again.
He talked about some of the reasons for people wanting seperation included financial problems, anger management, lack of communication, in-laws interrupting. So I was thinking of ways I could work on those areas.
So yup there's my little update of what's going on over here.

Love you guys

Elder Adair

29 October 2013

Hahahaha... oh boy. Well about all the many pictures I have been taking. - This past Friday there was a big festival in Odoben where boys dressed up as girls, and different things. So I let a member borrow my camera to take me a bunch of pictures.. I knew I was taking a risk, but I trusted him so I decided to do it. Sadly what I least expected, but I probably should have expected.. He accidentally deleted all 500 pictures.. Sorry :P.
Mm I think it was after summer that I sent the pictures. I don't know, time really races by out here. It's crazy to think I'm almost 20 months out. Yikes. I was worried when I put it in the mail that it wouldn't send because the lady hadn't stamped it with the "by air" stamp. Oh well.
Well today I only have a few minutes because it took most of the time just for me to sign on.
But I guess a little update
There was a big festival this week in Odoben. People dressed up as different things. It was definately the biggest celebration I have seen while I've been out here. The people paraded down the street with their different dress ups.
Although a lot of people skipped church because of it. Haha oh boy.. a lot of the members were telling me how it was the day that nobody went to church but they all had a church service together with all different faiths.
Brother Kwesi was baptized on Saturday, We totally forgot about getting the key to the library for the baptismal clothes.. So we were a little late because of that, but the service was really good.
Sister Henrietta is still doing good, her sister Mavis is a really good member and wants to help all of her family join the church so she's been a good example.
Brother Benjamen didn't show up for church (I'm guessing because of the festival), but I think he has a lot of potential and he keeps saying that he believes all that we are teaching him is true.
This week I was just looking at the things in our planner that help people be truly converted and so I was just thinking of how we could improve on some of those things.
It gave examples like - they need to be invited to investigate, read from the book of mormon, pray, be taught the preach my gospel lessons, see a baptismal service, invite their friends or family to investigate the church. etc.
It gave me ideas for each investigator on what steps still needed to be taken.
But my times out so love you
Elder Adair

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

October 15, 2013

No worries today we had the mission doctor come to Cape Coast so you're getting email late on Tuesday this time.
I don't know when changes will come. The next change will be in 4 weeks. I don't really care, I just go with the flow and where ever the Lord wants me to be.
We're going to watch "The Best Two Years" this coming Monday. And we talked the Sister Missionaries into making food for My companion and I, so we'll enjoy. I've waited a long time to see this movie.
That's true scripture study is important. We were talking about Mulek one of the sons of Zedekiah who was spared by King Nebuchadnezzar today and how when he came to the America's they had forgotten about god and their language was scattered and their were lots of wars and contentions about his people because they didn't have any records of the prophets when King Mosiah met them.
It was funny as well because on Sunday I was reading small from.. lets see was it Jeremiah? And it just makes more sense who Zedekiah was and the Babylonian King was Nebuchadnezzar. I really love the Bible a lot and it makes a whole lot more sense to me now.


But Hey Elder Dube, what did he talk about in General Conference. You got to send me some little quotes from conference and what you liked about it!
And you can tell Grandma it's fine, I'm not too into writing emails anyways.
As for this side of the world -
This week we spent a lot of time working with recent converts, I feel I've been slacking on helping them out. I've gotten to focused on Less Actives and Investigators. We were able to help one recent convert come on Sunday, When he joined the church he was a drummer in another church soo the church wanted him back and I guess he was getting a lot of pressure.  Luckily he opened a phone shop on the side of the road so now it's easy to get into contact with him and help him get back and grow his testimony.
With Brother Kwesi he didn't come this Sunday because of something he had to do with his Cocoa seeds, but we're still planning on his interview tomorrow for baptism and then we're giving him this Sunday to come for his 6th time to show that he's really committed and then his baptism will be next Saturday.
Elder Doggett taught me some Solitaire when he came to our house so I'm enjoying that a little bit these days.
We've got a sweet apartment, Elder Lee from California he's been out for 3 months he's training a new missionary called Elder Collins from California as well so he's been out 2 weeks.
Elder Lee was a water polo guy back home and his dream is to be a professional Water Polo player in Europe
Elder Collins was a Basketball player back home and apparently was even the team captain. We're planning on pumping our basketball and we'll probably play it on his birthday in 2 weeks for our P-day activity. He's a sweet guy, super humble and very effective missionary. Although I get jealous of his stack of candy he brought along with him haha.
Elder Kirumira my sweet companion from Uganda. He's such a sweet guy, sometimes he'll fetch me a bucket of water in the morning, or he'll polish my shoes. He's just a fun guy to be around as well. He likes to give the impression that he's a stubborn missionary, but really he's just sweet.
A talk I enjoyed in studies was one about Loving God - it talked about how in our faith we shouldn't be thinking "If god loved me.. then.. (he wouldn't let my son get sick, he wouldn't let it take so long for me to have an eternal companion, etc.)" or "I've sinned too much, god can't possibly love me"
It talked about how god always loves us no matter what. He loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to come die for us.
It touched a bit deeper for me because that is the very first principle we teach our investigators "God is our Loving Heavenly Father", and for me to teach it I need to apply it in my own life and truly remember all the time that I am a Son of God, and he loves me and cares about me and wants to help me. Just as he cares for me he cares for every one else too.

Anyways love you

Elder Adair Your favorite :)

October 8, 2013

Hey mom,

No the computers are usually pretty fast, it's just some weeks the
connection will be slow.

Yes, I'm still in the same area, Odoben, with Elder Kirumira from Uganda.

Hey, I forgot you guys got to watch general conference! Oh well i'll
see it soon enough. That's a sweet talk from Pres. Monson. Personally
I think it'd be best just to focus on people that you already know.
What Converts need is a friend in the church who can be there to give
them confidence, and help them know what's going on really.

Yes dad is getting old, but now that I'm thinking about it that means
he gave birth to Cherish around 22 years old. That's only 1 year away
for me now. Wow. Is my math right?

Haha I'm glad Suzy still misses me :)

Yikes that's a sad story about the puppy. That is strange that it took
so long to show up. But as well looking at it from a Ghanian point of
view.. 2 thousand dollars of surgery money on a dog... Maybe I won't
say anything on that haha ... Except I still want to know what dog
tastes like :)...

As for what's happening on this side of the globe -

Brother Nestor was baptized and confirmed the past couple of days. I
love this guy, he would have been my best friend back home. It was fun
teaching him the commandments and making them clear of the do's and
don'ts. I played the piano during the baptism as well. The piano makes
it so much nicer :). But I'll be excited to continue teaching him.

Sis Gifty has returned, but for some reason she has backslided and
hasn't been progressing :(. So we're just backing off a bit and
letting her decide for herself to act on what we've shared with her.

Bro Kwesi is doing well and still likes the church, it's harder
teaching the lessons because they have to be translated and you don't
get to become as close to the investigator, but he's got solid friends
who help him as well.

Sis Henryetta (13 years) is good as well. She's got a sister and a
bunch of friends in the church. I guess we're mostly working on making
our lessons a little more interesting for her age though. I was
thinking of like for the 10 commandments to use each finger to
represent each commandment. for example the first commandment I would
use 1 finger to point at the sky. Representing worshiping only 1 god.
the second commandment use 2 fingers and act like they are bowing down
to idols. Etc. it wasn't amazing but I think it would help keep her
attention a bit more. Luckily she likes reading and so she is good at
restudying what we teach as well.

With study I read a little bit from Jeremiah about how the people at
that time were worshipping idols, they were sacrificing their children
to the gods, they were commiting adultery and harloting, they were
liars, and just how god continually warned them to repent. That's what
I loved the most is that god keeps telling them about the destructions
that will come to them for their sins, but he would always add repent
and he would forgive.

As well I read a talk from Henry B Eyring, he mostly was covering the
commandments like Keeping the Sabbath Holy, Prayer, Scripture Study,
Service in the Church. He also jumped around to the Ressurection of
Christ as he explained about Scripture Study and things like that. But
it's interesting to see how they always focus on the missionary
lessons in general conference, but you can see how they go at it from
different angles.  I liked how he related the principles to himself
and a personal experience he had by doing each of the commandments.

At District Meeting today Elder Doggett explained about using the Book
of Mormon in our teachings and how important it is to use the Book of
Mormon, and he reminded us of Once Sister Shulz (Mission Presidents
Wife) asked the missionaries how many of them had their testimony come
from reading the Book of Mormon, and almost every Elder raised their
hand.

So he just reminded us to use the Book of Mormon and use it to help
against objections or confusions on the church. Which I felt I could
improve on more.

Heyy for our next Zone P-day Activity we might get to watch "the best
2 years" and have food! Cross your fingers that it'll happen.

Love you Mom, I'm grateful for your great example and thanks for
keeping up with the emails every week, it's something nice to look
forward to each week :). I'm grateful for Christ and that he took the
time to come and share with us what is most important in life.

Family Forever

Elder Adair


Monday, September 23, 2013

23 September 2013

:) You make me laugh mom.

 But that is sweet that the mother wants the little girl to be baptized. Just a couple suggestions from what I've seen out here in the field though. - First yes, don't go tooo into detail on everything, that will just confuse her and bring questions to her which she will have a hard time finding the answers out for. The basics are what is most important. You just want her to understand enough that it will help her change her life.
Go through the Preach My Gospel. Chapter 3. That teaches you exactly what she really needs to know. Especially about the Restoration of the Gospel. Even the stuff in Preach My Gospel can be a bit much. What worries me the most is when I meet members who don't know the basics, and that is what usually is a big cause of them being less-active.
For example if you go into detail about how god has a perfect body, and Christ has a perfect body, and the Holy Ghost is a spirit and that they are 3 seperate beings. It is a bit much if they don't already understand the basics and it can get them unfocused from what matters most. They'll just start asking questions about things that don't really matter much at all.
But I guess if they're questions she brings up on her own then they are okay to answer. If it goes too far into detail bring her back to the main points though.

Umm Second, if she's moving out I wouldn't have her baptized where you are at. Probably wait for her to move and make sure she comes for like 6 months to church and has a good friend in the church that will help her along the way. a child the same age that is her friend and a leader. Unless she's living with a member then probably like 3 months at church.
Once again though it might be a different story in Utah. But that's my opinion from what I've seen here in Ghana and the rules they have in the mission here.

But keep up the missionary work over there :).


===
My companion Elder Kirumira is doing well now. He bought a lot of vegetables, fruits, and drank plenty water for the past week. I wrote a few songs on the guitar while he's been sick. I wrote one for him and his girlfriend back home which he really enjoyed. He had me write it to the tune of "Swing Life Away" by Rise Against. And he wanted me to keep the Swing Life Away chorus.
Soo it feels like we've missed a lot of missionary work though. Being Sick is no fun. We're trying to get things running again.
He polished my shoes a couple times this week, which was nice.
I made him a paper piano that he can practice on as well and he's doing pretty well.

=--
Today we had a Zone Activity with the Elders and Sisters and The new couple's came Elder and Sister Ivie from New Mexico. We watched 17 Miracles. I was a bit sad Because I thought we were going to watch "The Best Two Years", but 17 Miracles is a good one too.
Elder Rowe from Sierre Leone made us some nice chicken and Sausage Burritos. He's going home to Sierre Leone next week.

==
Brother Kwesi should be baptized next week. He was mostly a referral from a member. Brother Kwesi doesn't speak English so the 2nd Counselor has been helping us translate for him. It seems like Brother Kwesi learns and understands really fast. So mostly we're just covering up the lessons for his understanding and then he can be baptized. He's come to church 5 times and it was really cool this last time we went to teach him because he was talking about how at church he learned how important our family is and how they will continue after this life and the kind of life we have now is what we will take with us there, and he was telling us how he felt he needed to make some changes in his life and fix some things with his wife and children. It was really nice to see that he was applying what he was learning.
Sister Henryetta as well is a Recent Convert's sister. She's 13 years old, and she's quite smart. When we came to teach her she wrote down everything we had learned the from the last time we came and it was sweet to know that she was making sure she understood as well. We walked her to church with her sister, Sister Mavis.
We saw Brother Nestor as well this week, but we think that he's a bit confused with the teachings now. I think it's starting to sink in for him that we're teaching that we believe this is the only true church. But we're hoping as we continue seeing him that the concerns will go away. He was sick this Sunday and didn't come to church so that was a bit sad. But he's got a really strong brother in the church that will help out along the way as well.
I've really come to love the Branch i'm in though and the members. I'm going to miss it when I get transferred. But I feel like I've grown a lot as a missionary in this area and I feel like everyone we teach has a really strong member there beside them to help them out.
Sister Gifty told me today that she won't come back until next week Thursday (Which is the day after I will probably leave/ be transferred to a different area) Soo I think she's avoiding being baptized it sounds like. But she's bringing her husband back with her as well so that could be a good thing if they start coming to church together. I think the rest of the story I'll have to learn from the missionaries who come to the area next though.
==

As for studying this week. I went through Plan of Salvation that we'd teach with Brother Kwesi and just thought about how exactly we'd teach him (The Zone Leaders gave an instruction on how in companion study we should cover how we were actually going to teach our investigators not just telling each other "okay you teach Principle 1.. I'll teach Principle 2, etc.") So I was looking at it and going through the teaching skills about when I'd ask a question.. what inspired question I would ask, what scriptures I would use, how we would switch off. It really helped quite a bit. Although I found out I have to adjust it according to the circumstances that come up while we are teaching as well.

I also cut out a little body out of paper and then made a slot where I could slip the spirit into it. I thought it was a great idea and I was really excited when I made it. But so far as I've used it the investigator doesn't seem to get it completely.
Anyways there's a little bit for you :)
Love you all
Elder Brady Adair
P.S. for Dad - I think the address is Mpantiasee, Odoben, Central Region, Ghana
I'm not sure how to spell Mpantiasee
Elder Lee says hi. He's from California Dream Land. He's a Californian.


Thursday, September 19, 2013

September 18, 2013

Hey mom I'm doing well. Haha I remember Sound of Music being your favorite movie. You were the one that got me so into music because you'd always be singing the childrens hymns and watching the sound of music, and taking us to musicals at the high schools haha.
I've been using Elder Lee's 16 Gig memory card for pictures and I've been taking as many as I could. I already regret not taking them in my last areas.
But I also found my 4 Gig memory in my bag yesterday. I realized I'd put it in the little zipper when of my small carrying bag when I was moving here to Odoben.
Yes it's been rainy season since I have been in Odoben. It's been sooooo nice. I haven't sweated for the 4 months i've been in this area. I didn't know that was possible in Ghana. My other areas I was constantly drenched in sweat. Although it's about to turn to dry season and there's been a couple days when that blazing hot sun pokes out from the clouds. I'm not too excited for the switch because I've been enjoying the weather so much.
Yes Ghana is very green. Lots of Palm trees, Coconut trees, Plantain trees and just normal trees. Ghana is very beautiful. I need to get more pictures. Sorry!
Yes as for buying clothes and tailoring. Ghana is the place to be. It's super cheap. Because almost everyone can do it. People sew their own clothes. And they are professional. You should see the kind of dresses the ladies bring to church.
The drying takes about a day to get them reasonable dry. But when I stick them in my closet by my bed they smell all moldy so I usually keep them hanging the whole week. (I don't know if that's good haha but it's what I do)
Before we were contacting people on the street just walking around town and just talking to who ever was sitting down. I finally realized after being out for most of my mission that it is probably the worst way to find new people.
My district leader told me to just go to members whenever we have a gap that we don't have anyone to teach. Soo we've been doing that now and I've gotten to know the members so much better and they are so willing to help us out now as well.
One member brought his brother, Brother Nestor. He's sweet. He has just thrown himself into learning about the church and has been super receptive so we're hoping in the following month for him to take that step to baptism. And I'm confident he will stay active for the rest of his life.
Another Member brought his friend to church and a less active this Sunday. My companion has been super sick though for the past week and a half (He hasn't been eating enough vegetables, fruits, and drinking water soo he's improved a lot now) so we didn't even get to talk to them much because we left church right when it ended. But we're hoping that will go somewhere.
With Sister Gifty I was soo excited for her to take that step of baptism. But I guess part of the work is that we're working with people so it doesn't always go the way you expect.
It's a bit of a complicated story now. But basically she wanted to wait a week for her husband to come down to see her baptism. But we were trying to help her to do it last week in case of complications and such turning up during that 1 week. Then she told us her husband was sick and so she had to travel to Takoradi (about 6 or more hours from where I am now, it was actually near my last area).. And we've been calling her each day to find when she will come back. She told us it won't even be until next week.
There's also a confusing situation about her friend moving out of the house. Which we're wondering if it is related to the real reason she left to Takoradi (We aren't really believing that her husband is sick).
Anyways Sis Gifty loves the church though so I'm confident that eventually after the confusion clears she will make that step and I believe she'll really strive to live the teachings.
Well time up
Love you Mom
Tell the Family Hello!
Elder Adair

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

9/10/2013

Hahahaahah mom... You can open the package and eat the candy. I'll enjoy the fact that you're enjoying it :P.
Almost. Our branch was split which is like our 1 ward being split into 2 wards soo it wasn't a stake being split. So my new Branch President is Pres. Charles Fie Ami Sarie. Which yes, is like our bishop for the branch.
Yes the pants are probably even nicer than the ones back home. Clothes are comparatively cheap here. That price I told you even included me taking them to a tailor so they would fit me. If I had just bought the exact size it would have only costed me 10 dollars in all for both pairs.
Yes I have to iron my shirts every morning. We have a little wardrobe by our beds that we hang our shirts in. I guess the next time I send pictures I'll have a little sign saying "apartment" so you can tell which pictures are our apartment. I've started taking more pictures :P.
Yes we've got quite a few lines scattered throughout the house where we hang out clothes to dry after we wash them. There's a few next to our front door. A few next to our bathroom and a few behind our apartment that are outside. Even one line in our Dining Room. So we're pretty set if you ever need to hang your clothes to dry.
Sorry I'll get some pictures of the apartment. Chances are though I'll be home by the next time you'll see the pictures haha.
Guitar I hadn't played forever. Pretty much since I left my first area which was almost a year a go. but 2 weeks ago Elder T Adair went home and he sent it to me. I wrote 2 new songs on it yesterday so yes I've been enjoying the guitar lately.
Piano I play every Sacrament meeting now. I just have done it 3 times or so now. But it's nice because I can practice both hands while the piano is off (Electric Piano), and practice while the members are giving talks in Fante. I figure hymns are uplifting so instead of studying scriptures I study hymns :P.
Lessons I haven't been doing because the Branch split and there aren't very many boys that want to learn.
I love teaching the Whole Restoration in one lesson. We've super simplified it. But it's nice because it gets the main point across quickly and you can tell if the investigator is serious from the very first day. The investigators enjoy the quicker pace as well.
Soo as for study this week I studied about Accountability and then just today I taught about it in District Meeting.
It just talked about Remembering that one day we will stand before God to be judged according to our works here on Earth.
I related it to Alma 34:32 and how this time on Earth is our Time to prepare to meet God and how one day we will stand before him to be judged. I talked about how we shouldn't be afraid of that day, but think about the joy that we will have when we have used our time to the fullest and we'll be able to stand before God with Jesus Christ at our side and Christ will tell him all the efforts we have made as we have done what he has asked by preaching the gospel to his children, and the joy and peace we will have as we stand before God.
I talked about setting meaningful goals. Goals that have a name behind it and a way you are planning to achieve that goal.

I talked about feeling Personal Responsibility for the time we take. And I related it to how I was reading a talk from the Liahona about teaching Children personal responsibility and how the choices they make affect everyone in the family. As they come to learn personal responsibility when they grow up they become a great blessing to society and are usually trustworthy citizens.
I talked about asking leaders for advice on how to improve. And how I've seen the blessings on my mission from asking for advice which has helped me to be a more effective missionary.
And I shared a story from Sister Bednar of a dance she went to, but when she came back from the dance she found out she was only wearing one earring. She talked about how much of the time people make mistakes without even knowing it, so we can help them by sharing with them how they can improve.
I talked about giving an account to God every night when you go to sleep about how you used your day and if you used it effectively. Also to think about how you could improve and if you could do it over again what would you change.
Finally I shared about the attitude we have towards our missions is a reflection of our love of God and our Respect for the priesthood.
I shared about how God has given us a commandment to love him with all our Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength. And part of how we do that is by the attitude we have towards our mission.

I talked about how God didn't give that commandment to us because he needed us to love him. In the end it doesn't really matter much if you reject God and go against his ways, he will still be our omnipotent god. But He gave the commandment for our benefit and it gives us a path that if we follow we will find true peace, and joy to the fullest.

-----

As for Investigators, Recent Converts, Less Actives-
The Recent Converts have been doing well. Sister Forson continues to come early to church which is awesome. Bro Kobbie as well comes every Sunday with the Sis Philo's family which is exciting.
The Less Actives - Sis Jennifer's family have been doing really well and are probably even the most active in the ward now. Sis Ama and her son have been coming every Sunday as well and they have enjoyed it. Sis Sarah wasn't able to make it this week we aren't sure why yet. Sis Josphine was feeling pain from a Surgery and so she and her family didn't come. But I've felt really good about how the work has been doing with Less Actives.
As for Investigators
Sis Gifty will either be baptized this Saturday or next Saturday. Her husband is a less active who lives in a different area right now, but he's been very supportive of her joining the church. But he also wants to come down for the baptism soo we might have to move it to next week. We've asked her to talk to him about letting her do it without him though since most of the arrangements have been set up, and we've been advised not to keep moving baptismal dates back (and we've moved hers back a couple times already).
But I'm really excited for Sis Gifty, she has a great testimony of the church. She's probably one of my favorite I've had the opportunity of teaching throughout my mission.
We also have a couple more we are hoping for at the end of the month. They all came on Sunday so it's possible. One is for sure a positive because he has already come three times and just needs to be taught the lessons, but he loves the church.

--
But yup it's good to hear from you! I can't believe I'm down to my last 6 months. Time flies.
Love you!
Elder Adair

Monday, August 26, 2013

8/26/2013

Hey  :)
 
I sent the few pictures that I had taken and sent them to you last week soo I don't know when you will get them, but you can expect them.
 
I got a new card as well and tried to start taking pictures on it, but it's not working right for some reason.. Hopefully I can get it to start working.
 
With baptisms it's usually one a month.
 
Soo this week I studied a bit of Preach My Gospel on working with ward leaders to help converts stay active in the church. Just about things like
 
Friendshipping - getting a fellowshipper for the investigator and it suggested things like introducing them to the bishop, his counselors, the relief society pres and counselors as well as the Elders Quorum Presidency.
 
Service- it suggested things like inviting them to service activities, asking them for referrals, etc.
 
Word of God- it talked about finishing lesson 5, teaching them FHE, reteaching the lessons, preparing them to go to the temple for baptisms, etc.
 
With PEC it talked about
1- Finding, asking how the members are doing on referals. So things like 1 referal from the Elders Quorum for the tri. 1 referal from the Relief Society for the tri. 1 from the Young Men and Young Women Presidency.
 
2 - Giving info on investigators, how they are progressing, getting a fellowshipper, what lessons they've been taught, how we can help them.
 
3 - Working with Less Actives. Any they'd like us to help teach, getting a fellowshipper for them, how to invite them to activities and church.
 
4- Working with Recent Converts. How they are doing and progressing, continued fellowship, assignments/callings/priestood.
 
Um. Then I studied a bit on Obedience and Diligence.
 
Diligence is constant steady effort.
 
For Obedience it talked a bit about the blessings that come as we are obedient such as knowledge, freedom, wisdom.
 
It talked about the stripling warriors
 
the reason they were obedient - So god would deliver them
 
the results - not one of them was killed
 
I read about the Commander that had leprosy and the prophet told him to go wash in the river and he would be cleansed, and even though he didn't fully understand he obeyed and was healed.
 
Things like that.
 
As well this Sunday at church:
 
The branch was split. I'm now in Odoben 2 Branch with Elder Kirumira. We have a whole new Branch Presidency and everything so it will be interesting these coming weeks.
 
Gifty is really progressing as well, I was happy after we taught her the law of chastity she started covering herself when she was feeding her baby (I don't know if i've told you that they don't cover themselves when they are nursing/feeding their babies, soo you see it almost everyday). Anyways when she came to church she even taught one of the members to start covering herself, I was about to jump for joy.
 
I bought Elder T Adair's guitar for 30 Cedis (he went home this last week) and Pres. Shulz brought it down when he came to split the branch. Soo I've been enjoying playing guitar as well for the past few days.
 
I didn't do piano lessons this week just because of the branch splitting thing.
 
I've been happy about our progress with Less Actives though - Sarah came for the first time this Sunday, Ama has come 3 or 4 times now, Jennifer and Benedicta have been coming the past 4 weeks or so and even 2 of their sisters joined them and they brought their friend Ruth for the second time (Although Ruth runs away whenever we try and see her during the week)
 
I feel like I'm getting to know members better as well which is nice. Someone even gave us a referal without us even asking and so I felt like we've gained their trust a bit.
 
We ran into one of the less active recent converts and he was playing spar (a card game) so I just played with him for a bit and showed him a couple magic tricks with cards and then a magic trick with my tooth haha it's kind of fun to have a tooth I can just pop out. (In my last area in Sekondi the little kids would always yell "Obruni where's your teeth?!") It usually scares the little kids. He promised to come to church but didn't show soo I think next Sunday we'll try and pick him to church.
 
I helped Lorene (Less Active Sarah's friend) to peel her Cassava and Plantain for Fufu, and we've been teaching her for a while and she's really quite smart. She promsied to come for the conference since they were splitting the branch but she ended up not coming, but she told Sarah that I helped her so I felt like it was useful and still good for Lorene as well. We taught her about christ's church and the apostasy after church, but I think she saw where we were going with it and it looked like she lost interest, but hopefully Sarah will help us. We also met Sarah's husband who's also less active, but he didn't talk to us so we just decided to give it time.
 
Oh as well Georgina stopped coming for a month or so and we went and visited her. We joked with her a bit, i pretended pouring water on her, etc. And she ended up coming this Sunday as well.
 
We helped Kwesi and Yeboah by just going over Word of Wisdom, Chastity, Tithing, and Sabbath Day and I felt like it was a good review which helped them understand better and grow stronger in their testimonies
 
Anyways time up
 
Love you guys!
 
Elder Adair
 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

August 20 2013



Alright I'll see if I can send you the memory card today I'm not sure
how to send it here in Swedru. I'll just buy another memory card for
taking pictures.

Oh by the way Transfer news came this past Saturday and I'm staying
with Elder Kirumira in Odoben :).

This week I played piano in Sacrament meeting. I decided since nobody
can even play the piano I might as well play the right hand. Then
during the rest of the meeting I practice the piano (Hopefully that's
alright haha, but I don't understand what they are saying in Fante).
The Branch really enjoyed me playing though and by the end I was able
to learn the last song to play with both hands soo I think I'll be
able to get the hymns down finally.

After church we decided to start taking aside an hour to teach piano.
We had one investigator come, one recent convert, and then a few
members. I told them to invite their friends for the next time as
well. I thought it might be a good way to find and help the recent
converts and investigators become friends with the members. It seemed
to work well and even the members enjoyed it a lot.

During the week we brought one investigator (Bro Barnabus) to play
football with the members as well. And then he ended up even coming to
church which was a surprise because missionaries have been working
with him for a long time. Soo we're hoping if he gains a testimony to
have him baptized in the coming month.

The less active whom I ate her palm nut soup (which didn't give me a
runny stomach), came once again to church so it looks like she's come
back to stay. She's a really nice lady. We went to her house a couple
times during the week but she wasn't home.

As well my companion has been teaching me some of the Fante songs
which the Ghananians love it if you know them. (There is no rule
against singing any kinds of music, only against listening to it)
Which Ghanaians love loud music too much soo everywhere I go I hear
the music anyways. I figure by learning songs I can also come to
understand the Fante better

So this week I learned part of a Tutu la pa tu song.

Mim pa Bua a Baller
(My shoes are too big)
Ma ta lee a Soldier
(My Dress is like a Soldier
Tutu me a Grader
(Tutu (The singer) is a Bulldozer)
A Gin a Gin a Bonia
(If you are thinking bad about me)
O no bay bo Brazier
(Go and wear a Bra)
Able wa way wa a hernia
(My grandma has a hernia)
E hoo ye na na Adam
(My father's name is Adam)
Ware nay na Arya
(He's married to Eve)
Jesus Wo ye Savior
(Jesus is your Savior)

My district leader when he came also told me that during times when we
don't have appointments we should just go to members and try to teach
them, instead of walking under the sun trying to contact.

Soo I've been trying that out a bit more and wow I like it a lot more.
The day flies by and you usually find someone to have a gospel
conversation with at the members house or get a referal or help gain
the trust of the members more. It feels a lot more effective. (I wish
I had been doing this a long time back)

We met a new Less Active this week. We were actually going about her
as an investigator when she told us that she's been a member for 5
years, but has stopped coming because of her kids whom it is hard to
dress them all up for church. We were able to build a good
relationship with her and her friends there. We did it by joking with
them once again (Which seems to be the best way to go with Less
Actives). Soo we shared with them our Fante knowledge.
I used things like Me Bway Fu Om ba Asore ( I'm annoyed with you not
coming to church)
And then I asked where their Kutless was (Their big knife for cutting
the weeds, pretty much like a sword). But their wasn't any around so I
grabbed some matches and told her I wanted to see her hair and I lit
the match and she ran off... Etc. It's quite fun and they enjoy it.

Sadly she didn't come to church because of what she said to be washing
clothes (which she had them all hung up and it was a lot of clothes)
soo we're thinking of trying to go help them wash their clothes this
week and also having a member to pick them up.

Gifty didn't come to church sadly because of a baby naming ceremony.
We had planned to have her baptized at the end of the month but we'll
have to move it back now. I still feel like she'll be baptized in the
coming month though and I feel like she's gaining a real testimony of
what we are sharing. She's still scared to read to us though. So she
hasn't been doing her reading assignments. She can read really well
though. I caught her singing the hymns at church. When I gave her the
book of mormon she read the title.. she read part of the introduction
on accident- things like that.

Probably my favorite part of scripture study this week was just when I
was reading from the Book of Mormon from around 1 Nephi 13 just about
how the Bible would lose some of the truth and how the book of Mormon
would come forth. I think it's really cool when I think about history
and just about Columbus and the miracle of how we came to be the
United States. And as I read from preach my gospel - just the
importance of continually reading from and praying about the Book of
Mormon so we can have that solid testimony and be able to bear it to
investigators.

Soo there's a little of my week

Love you!

Elder Brady Adair

August 13 2013

Hey Mom :)


Oo Pictures. I've got one I could send, but I've lost one memory card and the other one I gave to one of my past companions soo I don't know, do you want me to send it? I've been terrible with taking pictures. Most of my pictures aren't even of me. 

Sister Gifty ended up coming to church this week :) She dressed up all her kids and even her next door neighbor sent her kids with Gifty. She said she would come to church with us next week as well once her Mother could baby sit the other kids.

The kids were all falling asleep in church Haha.. I didn't get to ask how the primary went for them. We joked with Sis Gifty in the investigators class about "Developing Our Talents" that her talent was eating bread, because she always asks us to buy her bread. (Here in Ghana they often mix their "r" with "l" so we've been joking with her that she's been saying "blade" instead of "bread", we ask her "ahh you're going to eat blade?" and she'll say "no blead that looks like ballfloat" and we'll say "ahh a blade that looks like a ballfloat that's even worse".

As well we were able to have Sister Forson baptized this last Saturday. It wasn't easy translating, but she was happy in the end and her husband is a strong member so I'm confident she will be a convert that stays. Her husband is one of the people in Ghana who understands the concept of being on time :P. 

Finally we're working with Bro Barnabus. He kept saying he needed clothes to come to church and so I just thought I had some old pants and Elder Oluk had some old shoes so we gave them to him as well. Sadly that wasn't the thing that was holding him back because he didn't come. He did come witness Sister Forson's baptism though and he made a friend there. 

Oh as well there was a less active we were visiting and I ate some of her palm nut soup (eating their food is something they really like you to do for some reason) and then we tried to wash her dishes but she wouldn't let us. Her kid was laughing as we tried forcing to do it and they ended up coming to church again and said they have come to stay which was cool.

On Monday I played Monopoly Deal with Elder Lee, and I was so happy to win him twice :).

In my studies the topic that keeps standing out to me as I've been reading is not just listening to the gospel but applying it.

For example as I read Joseph Smiths encounter with the Savior and he said that the people drew near to him with their lips but their heart was far from him. It referred me to Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Luke. In Luke it compared someone who listens to the word and applies it is someone building their house on a solid foundation but someone who just listens builds a house that will just wash away. 

As well on Sunday I was reading Romans chapter 2 and it's kind of the same as the Abinadi thing where he starts asking if they are applying the commandments. 
 
Even as I read about the Savior just before he gave Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven he warned them to be careful about the Sadducee's and Pharisee's Doctrine. Which when I think about them I think one thing Christ talked about was them being Hypocrites which reminded me of the same thing. Learning but not applying.

Love you all 

Elder Adair

August 6 2013

Hello :)

How long is Emily there for?
Sounds like Eric is enjoying over there. He's just exploring the U.S.?
This week I was learning about dispensations a bit more. I noticed how in the Pearl of Great Price it talked about Enoch receiving the Priesthood, then he was taken up to heaven but one of his sons was left behind for his posterity to continue (I believe because he was taken the Melchizedek Priesthood was taken with him?). Then his son had a son, and his son had a son named Noah. God gave to Noah the same priesthood that Enoch had. I kept reading and it didn't talk about Noah's death.. but then I got to the book of Abraham and it talked about the Pharaoh in that time had sought the ordinances and everything, but he didn't hold the true priesthood to do it. While Abraham was of direct descent from those who held the priesthood.. So as he sought the priesthood the wicked priests tried to offer him as a sacrifice, but then Jesus Christ appeared unto him and told him he would give him the same priesthood that Enoch and Noah had.
I read Elder Holland's talk on Believing while I was washing yesterday. I really love that talk, but the thing that has been sticking out the most to me lately is just how the church is full of imperfect members and the only perfect person to ever live on the Earth was Jesus Christ, and how God is our loving, forgiving Father in Heaven. As well how Joseph Smith acknowledged his faults and even Pres. Thomas S. Monson is imperfect. It's something I feel I need to work on a lot is just forgiving others and recognizing I'm not perfect as well.
Experiences with the Spirit? Well this Sunday I was waiting for a couple investigators to come to church and I was just praying that God would help them. But then instead of what I was expecting a lady (Sis Suzy) who would normally avoid us at all costs walked into the church. She'd only talked to us once, but the rest of the time she was always running away. (I'm still not sure why, I think she's been taught by lots of missionaries but finally decided to come) Anyways she came with a less active that I was surprised came again as well. Soo I felt that was a bit of a miracle that a couple less actives came and someone who was the last person I'd ever expect to come came.
Mm with Sis Gifty (another investigator we've been teaching who's married to a less active) she didn't come to church and the member we asked to pick her up, forgot and didn't go. Soo when we went to her house I picked up a bucket of water the kids were washing there clothes with and chased after her with it and eventually intentionally just missing her with the water. And then I picked up a big stick and chased her with that. I don't really know if this is much of an experience with the Spirit.. But it was quite fun for me. She laughed as well. And then we were able to have a short lesson about promises and extended a baptismal date to her for which we thought could help push her to coming and as well that she would be prepared for if she starts keeping her commitments. She's really receptive to the message - just being a bit lazy and making excuses.
My companion Elder Kirumira has been a fun companion to be with. He likes to push you into gutters, and tripping you while you are walking ha ha. He's been obedient as well so that's always nice. He speaks quite a bit of Fante so I'm learning a bit more from him, but sometimes I just get lost. He jokes a lot as well, Chasing people with Knifes, Squeezing their hands hard, twisting their hand behind their backs. Pushing down Investigators doors when they run away.. Oh just the usual stuff. ( He does it all in a joking way ha ha)
Soo Yup there's a little bit about my week.
Love you
Elder Adair

July 29 2013

Sorry everyone for not getting these letters on until now. I have several letters I will put together according to the week he sent them so you will have to go through each week.  Enjoy!  
Tammy

Hello,

The package I got from the ward I didn't have to pay customs on. Hopefully you'll get the letter I sent soon.

Yes the fire truck looked similar to ours back home, maybe a little smaller. And Yes they have sirens on them as well. It was funny to see the Zone Leaders show up riding in the fire truck, but I'm sure they enjoyed it.
In Scripture study I was just reading in Alma about lets see.. Ammonihah and Lehonti? Moroni had finally gotten Ammonihah to make a covenant with him about not returning to war against the Nephites, but immediately returned to the Lamanites and started to stir them up against the Nephites.
I love that story
Lehonti first prepared his army by raising them to higher ground - I figure that's what each of us are doing each time we do something right - Coming to church, Searching the scriptures, Saying our Prayers, Giving Service, Keeping the Commandments by being Honest, Keeping the Laws, Living Chasitity, Word of Wisdom, etc.
Second when he was asked to come down he wouldn't give in.
Sadly Ammonihah comes up nearly to where Lehonti was and asks him to come down just very very small, and even asks him to bring his guards with him.
I think we can relate that to us putting ourselves in situations where we know we might be tempted but we figure we're studying our scriptures and everything so we'll be strong enough.
As well Lehonti didn't know the full intention of Ammonihah, so Lehonti thought he was doing the right thing by coming down to the bottom of the mountain. He thought he would be in full command of the whole army or in other words he thought he had full control of the situation
I think that's the way Satan tempts us. He makes it look like we've got it fully under control and that by following his way everything will be alright.
But then Ammonihah poisons Lehonti slowly until he's dead.
So in the same way we need to realize that Disobedience to the commandments will eventually lead us to death and misery.
There's more but I think for sake of time I'll leave it there
For Studying -
Monday - We have a devotional for 30 minutes on Monday with the apartment and I get a couple scriptures from that. Usually I'll read a Liahona while I'm washing clothes as well.
Tuesday- I don't get to do personal and companion study because we're driving to Swedru for District Meeting - but I learn from District Meeting
Wednesday - I get 1 hour personal study and 1 hour with my companion
Thursday - same as Wednesday
Friday - same as Thursday
Saturday - same as Friday
Sunday - Usually I don't get any study at home because church starts at 9 and I'm just calling investigators before we go, but at church I'll read either what the instructors instructing on and just go through scriptures on my own (because I can't understand Fante), or I've been going through the old Testament a bit. I really loved Isaiah, It definitely has a lot concerning Temples, The Restoration, Jesus Christ, etc.
For what we've been teaching investigators and experiences -
Haha I thought when I came on my mission I'd be a cry baby when sharing my testimony out here, but I haven't really gotten that emotional while I've been out here.
But I loved the other day when we were teaching a man named Kofi about how Christ set up his church and how it fell into apostasy that he was really grasping it. (At the beginning this guy told us that he was set on his church and would never move) but we'd gone with the spirit and taught this guy about baptism, the fall of adam and eve, and baptisms for the dead and finally we decided to teach him about Christ setting up his church. He told us he couldn't come this Sunday because he hadn't gone to his church the past Sunday, but he said he would definitely visit us.
Sister Dadzie whom I have now come to find is Sister Forson, we've been teaching the Restoration. It's been really hard teaching her though because her husband starts thinking we're teaching him and then he stops translating to his wife and asks us a bunch of questions soo we've decided to stick with the pamphlet and we just read from it and then have him translate what we say.. for some reason he's been doing a lot better with doing it that way.
I know that the gospel's true, and I loved the thought  Sarah shared as well to look out of yourself instead of at yourself.
Elder Adair