Well, it seems as though the last 4 weeks have flown by! Not to mention the last 18 months! All in all and looking back, the time has passed steadily and swiftly. When you are busy, time does not stand still.
We have been so grateful to put upon us the name of Jesus Christ every single day for the last 1.5 yrs. Everywhere we went, we were asked about our faith. No one is worried about bringing up Jesus Christ and talking about their beliefs. It has been very refreshing to see the devotion of the Ghanaian people.
For a last hoorah, we went to Kenya for a Safari. We met our friends the Stuckis, who have been serving a mission in Zimbabwe, and also Jordan's brother and his wife came from the US to join us. We all met in Nairobi and headed off for adventure. There was definitely a lot of driving in the Jeep, but we saw some amazing sights for sure! Bucket List! ✅
We are so excited to be Homeward Bound!! We look forward to reconnecting with our family and friends! Thank you for your love and support throughout our time in Africa. It has meant everything to us! This song and lyrics have been on my mind dthe past month. Enjoy them here!
In the quiet misty morning When the moon has gone to bed When the sparrows stop their singing And the sky is clear and red When the summer’s ceased its gleaming When the corn is past its prime When adventure’s lost its meaning I’ll be homeward bound in time
Bind me not to the pasture; Chain me not to the plow Set me free to find my calling And I’ll return to you somehow
If you find it’s me you’re missing If you’re hoping I’ll return To your thoughts I’ll soon be listening In the road I’ll stop and turn Then the wind will set me racing As my journey nears its end And the path I’ll be retracing When I’m homeward bound again
Bind me not to the pasture; Chain me not to the plow Set me free to find my calling And I’ll return to you somehow.
A couple of weeks ago I had a unique experience. Me and some other sisters took a little field trip to watch Bernice and her husband Prince (amazing sister who is incredibly creative and talented in the sewing department and has her own shop - Bags by Bernice) give instruction to school girls and boys, all focused on personal and menstrual hygiene.
I learned that May 28, is World Menstrual Hygiene Day, a time to spotlight the importance of menstrual health, which must be recognized as the complete physical, mental, and social well-being of women and girls in relation to the menstrual cycle.
Menstrual hygiene is the ability of women and adolescent girls to manage their menstruation in a hygienic manner, with dignity, using clean menstrual absorbents, and having access to facilities for changing in privacy, as well as for washing their bodies and hands.
Theimportance of menstrual health and hygiene is increasingly recognized as an integral element in the promotion of public health, the advancement of gender equality, and the safeguarding of human rights.
However, women, particularly in low-income countries, often encounter numerous obstacles in maintaining menstrual health and hygiene. These challenges include the lack of appropriate menstrual materials, inadequate access to private facilities for changing and handwashing, and restrictions on participation in everyday activities, such as attending school or work.
Bernice and her husband are passionate about making sure girls everywhere receive personal instruction and a free personal sanitary menstrual care kit. The pads are washable and resuable for 3 years.
Menstrual health encompasses not only the physical well-being of women but also their right to participate fully in all facets of life—be it civil, economic, social, or political—without experiencing ostracism, constraints, discrimination, coercion, or violence due to menstrual issues. In many African locations, more than 30% of women and girls do not participate in school, work and/or social activities during menstruation periods.
DONATIONS
Sankofa Care Initiative
ACCESS BANK PLC
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ACC: 1018000000266
33 DAYS
It is hard to believe we only have 33 days remaining on our mission. Our time in Ghana is coming to a close, very quickly.
33 is considered a "master number." It radiates harmonious and caring energy, emphasizing the importance of helping others and fostering unity.
I surely hope I can radiate caring, compassionate, and unified love to all people for the remainder of my days on earth! And especially here with the Ghanaian people before we leave! 💜
One thing about Ghana and maybe Africa in general, the music fills the air everywhere you go!
One of the things I will miss most here in Ghana is the enthusiastic nature of the singing! Whether it be worship music on Sunday, traditional wedding songs, or songs sung at school, they give it their all!
Today in church, our 1st counselor Freddie Jesse gave a beautiful talk. He first referenced a "marching song" that is sung in primay schools from a young age. They sing it as they march along to and from classes.
Life in this world is a great struggle, for both the young and old. And even those who have great riches, have troubles of their own. Rich men envy poor men, poor men envy the rich, therefore what is the sense in envying your neighbor.
Freddie then shared some wisdom regarding personal finances and finding Financial freedom:
1. Pay tithing - Malachi 3:10-11
Bring ye all thetithesinto the storehouse, that there may bemeatin mine house, andproveme now herewith, saith theLordof hosts, if I will notopenyou thewindows of heaven, and pour you out ablessing, thatthere shallnotbe roomenoughto receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
2. Spend less than you earn
3. Learn to save
4. Honor your financial obligations
5. Teach your children about finances
We then heard from our stake High council with a similar message focused on Neil L. Andersen's Oct 2023 general conference talk: Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven
Even though we plan, there will be unforseen things that come. It is almost impossible to keep up with the ever increasing price of goods and services. This will not stop. We must learn to be industrious. We must be hardworking and teach our children to work hard.
Constantly consider the many blessings bestowed upon us. The gospel of Jesus Christ refines us each day. How are we grateful unto the Lord daily?
As with members of many other faiths, Latter-day Saints believe that the payment of tithing shows gratitude to God and brings both spiritual and temporal blessings.
Prove Me Now Herewith
"All that we have and all that we are comes from God. As disciples of Christ, we willingly share with those around us.
With all the Lord gives to us, He has asked us to return to Him and His kingdom on earth 10 percent of our increase. He has promised us that as we are honest in our tithes, He will “open … the windows of heaven, and pour … out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”2He has promised us that He will protect us from evil.3These promises are so certain,4the Lord declares, “Prove me now herewith,”5a phrase found nowhere else in the scriptures but when quoting Malachi.
The windows of heaven open in many ways. Some are temporal, but many are spiritual. Some are subtle and easy to overlook. Trust in the Lord’s timing; the blessings always come."
Personal Blessings
I can honestly say, we have seen SO many blessings during our mission time over the past 16 months. Life has not been without trials for our family members back home. It is difficult to be a continent away when these struggles comes, but we have continued to do our best, stay the course, and trust in the Lord. Indeed, the windows of heaven have been open and blessings have poured through.
We know many of you also have trials, difficulties, illness, sadness and many other struggles. "Prove the Lord" and His promises. His promises are sure. Do your best and God will take care of the rest.
I love the words of this hymn that we sang at the end of our sacrament meeting. All that we have comes from God.
We Give Thee But Thine Own
1.We give thee but thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be,
For all we have is thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from thee.
2.May we thy bounties thus
As stewards true receive,
And gladly, as thou blessest us,
To thee our firstfruits give.
3.To comfort and to bless,
To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless
Is angels’ work below.
4.And we believe thy word,
Tho dim our faith may be;
Whate’er we do for thine, O Lord,
We do it unto thee.
Text: William Walsham How, 1823–1897
Music: Anon., arr. by Lowell Mason, 1792–1872, and George J. Webb, 1803–1887
Traditionally in Ghana, the moral and ethical instruction of children was and remains the responsibility of the immediate and extended family. There are rites of passage at every stage of life, each of which introduces the individual involved to his or her new social status and roles. Folk tales, proverbs and songs are also used to teach young people about their roles in the home and society.
Adults are assumed to know what is best for the young. Proverbs are frequently used to exert the supremacy of older people and command implicit respect from the young.
In almost all parts of Ghana, the general practice is for mothers and their female relatives to be responsible for the early care, training and discipline of children. From between the ages of six and 10, and certainly by the time of puberty, boys are generally expected to be brought up by their fathers – often outside the home. Girls are raised by their mothers in domestic spaces, especially the kitchen.
Girls receive profound affection from their mothers, and are taught how to serve and be submissive to their fathers, brothers and any other older person. They are equipped with the kinds of skills thought necessary to make one a good wife and mother, such as being diligent and productive.
Boys, meanwhile, drift slowly towards their fathers or uncles as they grow up. These men often treat them sternly: it is regarded as a father or uncle’s duty to prepare his son to shoulder the responsibility of looking after his mother, sisters, future wife or wives and children.
Boys participate in “female” activities such as cooking, sweeping the house or eating with a group of women when they are young, but this is increasingly discouraged as they move towards adolescence and young adulthood.
THOUGHTS
My role as a mother has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. Although it was not easy to get our children here due to many complications of fertility and pregnancy, it was absoutely worth every single difficult moment experienced. I would not trade these precious circumstances for anything in the world. I have grown and become the person I am today, and continue to become, through each and every one of these cherished moments as a mother.
We have 3 amazing boys with beautiful wives and incredible families. Our beautiful daughter-in-laws bring such joy to our "all boy" family. We have 10 unbeliveable grandchildren that continue to bring such happiness to us all! I could not be more blessed!!!!
Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful women in my life that have brought me such joy! I cherish your friendship, our connection and bond, our differences and opinions. You have helped me become who I am today and I am so grateful!
Women around the world continue to do the greatest work on earth! Making this world a better place by having strength and courage to stand up for and do what is right!! 💗
“Motherhood is a choice you make everyday, to put someone else’s happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you’re not sure what the right thing is ... and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.” —Donna Ball
“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.” —Howard W. Hunter
“There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.” —James E. Faust
“A mother is the truest friend we have. When trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” —Anonymous
