MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just a few more days until Christmas.  I was listening to Christmas music again and reflecting on the season…..what we are doing here in Ghana…..and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  At Christmas, our hearts naturally tun to our Savior and we once again read and ponder his birth as the baby Jesus.  I am grateful to be on a mission during this Christmas season and grateful that I can be a personal representative of Him and His church.  I hope we have all taken the time to pause and reflect on why we are celebrating the season.  I keep thinking about our Heavenly Father’ gift of His Son to the world…..all those people that came before His birth and all that have come after.  He atoned for our sins and died on the cross so that we could live again.  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. 

This was a transfer week here in the mission field, and we said goodbye to 12 missionaries and hello to 18 new missionaries.  Bittersweet for sure.  We will never see the departing missionaries, most likely, ever again.  And the new ones seem so nervous and somewhat fearful of what is about to take place in their lives.  They are here because they chose to come on a mission.  But actually being here…..and being introduced to a new companion, who is much different, and it can cause some uneasiness.  I do love their excitement and enthusiasm, however, and the trainers are also excited to teach the new ones what they need to know.  I have posted a lot of pictures of the missionaries this time…..I want to remember them.  And I just love to look at the people and their beautiful smiles. 

I do love the Christmas season.  It reminds me that love is present. It shows up in the kindness given without recognition, in forgiveness that’s hard..... but allows us to be free, and generosity that may cost something…..but we don’t care.  I love the lights and the colors.  I love the music.  I also find myself each year remembering what Christmas was like when I was a little boy.  Many times we would drive to Montana, where my parents grew up, and visit grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I remember the Montana State Prison Ranch, where my Grandpa was the foreman, and playing in the snow with many of the “trustees” (in-mates given time on the ranch because of their good behavior).  And I have  lots of memories of the Bitterroot Valley.  I also have been remembering the memories I have of raising our 8 children….. and the many Christmas’s we have had over the last 50 years. 

So…..as we celebrate and reflect for the next few days…..whether through traditions, faith, or family…..may we carry the spirit of Christmas beyond this season.  May we be people who choose compassion, generosity, kindness, and love.  The true gift of Christmas isn’t something we place under a tree.  It is something we live out every day; the choice to bring light, warmth, and hope into the lives of others.  As we celebrate Christmas, may we feel a renewed gratitude for the gift of God’s Son.  May we feel His peace in our homes and His love in our hearts.  And may we remember that because of Jesus Christ, there is always hope, always healing, and always a way forward.  I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and He is our Savior and Redeemer.  This season is because of Him.  And if we turn to Him and follow His example….families can be together forever.  Gordon B. Hinckley once said, “There would be no Christmas if there was no Easter”.  The infant in the manger is the same Redeemer who knelt in Gethsemane and rose from the tomb.  Christmas is not just a celebration of a birth…..it is a reminder of the entire plan of salvation and the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

The last video below is from our church and you have most likely seen it.  But I do love to watch it over and over again…… and look into the eyes of the characters….. Especially one of the Wise Men at the end …..where He finally found Jesus.  What would it have been like to be Mary and Joseph and to see these men bring gifts and bow down to their little boy Jesus?

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU WILL ALL HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Elder Abekah finally went home after two years of dedicated service of what he came here to do.

Jill was helping other missionaries and Elder Abekah wanted me to go find Sister Blodgett for him to say goodbye.... He left from another terminal. He was an AP for about 7 months....so we knew him well. One of the best of the best.

The sister missionaries (Najjuka, Laitaima, Tavita, and Tu'Ungala) are always planning everything....especially what they wear.

These pictures are of the new missionaries and their trainers. From the left....Sisters Puleiala and Langi, Onweka, Ntumba, and George.

Transfer day because we now have new missionaries. Elder Unasa on the far right.

Elder Tivane is lots of fun to be around.

The drop off.....several trips to the airport each Transfer week. We are getting it down.

All the excitement of meeting new companions and saying goodbye to old companions. And driving in one of the Tro's is an experience for sure.

We said goodbye to Elder Wood, Petersen, Heerdink, and Hatley this night. Elders Jones and Snedden are performing at the Christmas Zone Conference.

And on Sundays we have baptisms every week. We have attended over 20 different chapels and places of worship since we have been here in Ghana. We love seeing all the people and where they go to church. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there will I be also".

Beautiful little children where ever go.....so innocent and pure.

One of the places where our members attend. Pretty humbling circumstances. But they are happy.

Over 2,000 people have joined the church is our mission in 2025. That is enough people to create a new stake......if you add the East Mission, North Mission, and the other 3 missions in Ghana.....that is a lot of church organization and callings to extend. Growth is happening !!!

I hope the above video works. If you have the time....there are no english words spoken but you can feel what Mary and Joseph must have felt. I love this video.....especially at the end when the Wise Men finally find the little boy Jesus and kneel down in reverence to Him.