Time is Flying

Well time is totally crazy fast so for this post I have added picture some of the things we have been up to over the last couple of months.  That is embarrassing to admit its been that long. So here we go 

A month ago the Oboso Branch was created.  They will be meeting next to our home once the improvements have been completed to the building.  This is the Priesthood of the Branch including three of our wonderful missionaries.  The Branch Presidency is on the Right side of the picture

This guy was by our front door for a couple of days.

This Melody Ann Ivie Wallace the day she was blessed.  She is just like her name sake, beautiful in every way.

We stopped by the Orphanage to check on Yow and he wanted to sit on my lap and really go for a ride.  The other kids thought they should be able to do the same, and definitely wanted in the picture.  He continues to improve and is growing like a little boy should.  He gets lots of attentions and plenty of food.  He still gets very excited when he see Sister Ivie coming.

During our Christmas Devotional tour we got to see all of our special missionaries that have served in Swedru Area.  Sad that we do not have picture of everyone of them.  This is Elder Cole and Elder Dearing.

Elder McGuire's mother is cub scout leader at home and she had her cub make some special packages for the children at the orphanage.  We learned previously that it is good to have them all sit down and then pass out the packages.  The kids are very well mannered and it is fun to do things with them.

Elder Bolabasaga had his santa's helper hat and was passing out gifts

Elder McGuire and Elder Mngoma are also giving out the biscuit treats

It has been very nice having different groups from missionary family's making and sharing with these kids.

We were able to spend Christmas at the Mission home with all of the Senior Couples.  The sisters all received a new apron, and the elders got a new kente tie, from President and Sister Stevenson.  Oh I missed the picture of the ties.

This is Sister Ivie's chicken vegetable soup.

The day after Christmas the Winneba Stake had a sports activity day for all members.  The Ward and Branch's had teams that participated in Football(soccer), Volleyball, and a number of board games inside the building.  They had a great dinner and good time.  The winners are in purple and they are Swedru 2nd ward. Their bishop is the referee, and the yellow team was runner up from Ansaful Ward.   

This is President Mark Afedzi-Hayford, and his family.  He is the Stake President.

On December 30 we celebrated our forty-fifth wedding anniversary.  We went into Accra, and went to dinner with our good friends the Elder and Sister Watson. 

This is the Watson's at the salad bar.  The best was the waffle and ice cream for an appetizer.

This Auntie Beatrice, Young Beatrice, and Samuel Taylor are good friends from the Asikuma Branch.  Both Beatrice's were baptized a month after were first arrived in Ghana.  We are at the Accra Temple one year later, and what a special time.  Young Beatrice, and Samuel are getting married in March.  We are sad to miss the wedding.

We enjoy spending time with the Watson's.  We stay at their home when we are in Accra, and that has been a real blessing.  They are the Africa West Area Family History Missionaries.

This is Sister Okolie at the dinner on the sports day.  Her husband is the second counselor in the Stake Presidency.  He is also a doctor who takes good care of our missionaries when then medical attention.

Elder Jones, Elder Lee, Elder Collins, Elder Wade and Elder Mitchell all them good son's of ours from the Swedru District.

Sister Stevenson showings us all how to clean up your fish.

The Harmantan was very heavy this year.  It is a condition with the weather that sends sand from the Sahra Deseret and covers Ghana for several months.  This is three o'clock in the afternoon.  We had some days you could not see the sun.  Dusty covers everything, and it was a daily chore to clean up every morning.  Your car stayed clean for about an hour after you washed it.  Only good thing is the temperature goes down because the sun is blocked.

The Vincent Ofosu family invited all of the missionaries in Swedru to their new residence to celebrate their baptism and to bless their home.  The Hanlon's were in town visiting and they got to enjoy as well.  

Elder Stulce started his mission in Swedru, and now is being transferred.  This is always one of the hardest things we get to do every six weeks, that is to send our special missionary's off to other parts of the mission.

Elder Mocke from South Africa, is getting his excrise helping to draw in one of the large fishing nets. All of the missionaries jumped in to help with the net.