THANKSGIVING
This past week was the tradtional American Thanksgiving holiday, celebrated the 4th Thursday of November. Having lived oversees for many years, it doesn't seem too strange to not have a set day to celebrate this holiday, but rather plan and prepare for the festivity on the weekend, usually Saturday.
This year, we will celebrate Thanksgiving on Sunday, with the senior missionaries bringing part of the feast! It should be an amazing potluck with all the seasoned cooks with years of experience in the group! I have to admit, I do miss all the prep work in the kitchen as everyone bustles around trying to help! I did find a turkey, albeit small, but it will do! I will cook it up sometime mid December and we can feast for both past Thanksgiving & pre Christmas dinners!
I can't pass up this opportunity to say how very grateful I am for all the incredible blessings in my life. My husband, children & grandchildren, who make my life complete. Friends and family who help me be a better person. My knowledge of and relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The opportunity I have every day to live and breathe in this beautiful world, full of wonder. Having good health and the basic needs of daily life. Freedom of thought, speech and belief. I could go on for hours. I am blessed.
"GRATITUDE is a quality that the Roman orator Cicero claimed was “not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others” (Marcus Tullius Cicero, Pro Plancio, 54 B.C.). It is a quality I have found in every happy person I know. It is a quality that instantly makes a person more likable and more at peace. Where there is an abundance of this virtue, there is happiness. Where there is an absence of this virtue, there is often sadness, resentment, and futility." (Live in Thanksgiving Daily - By Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin - devotional address given at Brigham Young University on 31 October 2000)
President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place.
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.”
Choice blessings await those who live in thanksgiving daily. “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness,” the Lord has promised, “shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more” (D&C 78:19).
LIGHT THE WORLD
On Friday evening, the Africa West Area presented a musical event called, "The Miracle of Christmas." The purpose is to celebrate the life of Jesus Christ through music and worship. There were many dignitaries in attendence, joining all faiths together to worship our Savior. Because this event took place at the end of a long workday for us, we went home and watched the live broadcast on YouTube. A recording can be found here. Everyone did their best to perform and show their love for Jesus!
Esther & Sis White
Children's Choir 
YSA Choir
Elder & Sis Gifford and Dignitaries
This time of year is always filled with love! We have been listening to Christmas music all week. We are getting in the groove as the season quickly approaches!
Every year, we also look forward to the Light the World initiative. I love the theme this year of "Let Your Light Shine!"
President Nelson said, “I marvel at the increased goodwill and human kindness that always emerge during this sacred season. As we commemorate the birth of Him who is the Light of the World, new light is kindled in each of us. … As we follow Jesus Christ, we can make this a better world.”
We especially love the "Giving Machines" found around the world! And when we haven't been near one (like this year), we can still make a difference by donating online. I hope you will consider this great opportunity to change lives!
Much LOVE and THANKSGIVING from Ghana!
💓💛💚
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