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When I sit down to write something on this weekly Blog, I try to think about the things that happened during the week..... the events, the activities, the people, and the unusual things we have seen or done.  This week I am going to write a little about being thankful and trying to always have an “attitude of gratitude”.  It is the Thanksgiving season, so this was a natural thing to write about.  I reflect every year at this time about how thankful I am and how the Lord has b

With the passing of Russell M. Nelson, Elder Gerald Causs’e is the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and was called and ordained by President Dallin H. Oaks on November 6, 2025.  Prior to his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Causs’e was serving as the Presiding Bishop of the church, with responsibilities over the finances, humanitarian aid, tithing, fast offerings, physical facilities, and the organization of membership records.  He would also travel f

This week we had an area Seventy visit the mission and all 170 missionaries were able to come together to meet at the Temple grounds in the stake center for a day of meetings.  It was nice to see all of them at once…..usually we hold 3 separate multi-zone conferences.  Elder Ojediran, 1 st  Counselor in the West Africa Area Presidency, presided and he is a very good speaker and teacher.  It was a nice conference.  You can see from the pictures below we were able to get everyo

Some might think that I display too many pictures and way too many videos.  I’m thinking of my wife right now.....She does. I thought about that and decided in my own mind that I don’t……. these pictures and videos are for me when I look back 10 years from now.  I take more videos on vacations than anyone.  For me, watching a video does more for me than a picture.  My wife and I dutifully took videos of all of our kids soccer and basketball games…..their proms and school perfo

I wanted to share some thoughts about what we see in these individual missionaries’ day in and day out….each and every week. Think about what they are learning as they walk the streets of Ghana and every other mission throughout the world…..all 450 of those missions…..soon to be 506 July 1, 2026.   When I was a young missionary, I was asked the question, why did you serve a mission?  When I became a Father and saw my sons and daughter go on missions, I was asked again, why d

As I noted in last week’s Blog, I wanted to follow up with some more pictures and videos of the “Ghana Make a Difference Foundation” (GMAD) and the work the doctors, nurses, volunteers, and medical professionals are doing here in Ghana.  We have a picture below of Jill and I with Corey Hoffman, the founder.  We also met his wife, Stacey, but could not find her for a picture.  There is a video below that talks about her and the work she has done. They are very busy people and

General Conference, as usual, was absolutely wonderful. It is so refreshing to be reminded of things we can do to improve our lives and become more like Christ. We will miss President Nelson, but the church will move forward with a new leader and a new First Presidency. After serving our mission now for a little over four months, we were excited to see someone from back home. Amy and Jason Hiatt, along with two of their daughters Sophie and Livvy, showed up here in Accra, Gha

Just like many of you, I have been thinking a lot about President Russell M. Nelson this week.  He passed away last Saturday at 101...

We held three Multi-Zone Conferences this week for 8 Zones.  It is so much fun to see all of the missionaries in a short period of time. ...

It is interesting when things don’t seem to be going well, problems begin piling up, and we might find ourselves getting stressed out and...

We held a Sisters Conference this week and it was wonderful and left everyone with a good feeling inside.  SISTERHOOD …..a bond that...

This was a week of entertaining and hosting.  As you recall, we live in the Mission Office. When people need things or come for...

“Enter to Learn…..Go Forth To Serve” ….. a motto of BYU and on a sign as you enter the campus.  Another motto says, “The World is our...

This was the week of departures and arrivals. It happens every six weeks.  We had 12 missionaries go home, and we had 14 new arrivals. It...

I would not have guessed in a million years that I would be celebrating my 50 th  wedding anniversary…..on a mission…..in Ghana.  And...

This was a good week and much calmer than we have been used to.  We are getting ready for a round of Zone Conferences next week, where...

Time is going by quickly.  We have been gone now about 2 months.  We are still learning but feel much more comfortable in what we have...

I served a mission as a young man about 50 years ago. I was playing basketball on a scholarship at a small college up in Washington State...

Even though we love serving here in Ghana, I’m not afraid to admit the days can be somewhat stressful and very busy. Before we know it,...

This week was our busiest so far. We had 12 missionaries go home and 11 missionaries arrived….It was bittersweet for those going...