11/4/2013

hey guys! what an exciting time for us all! i can really feel the end drawing near! i am really trying to do my best day in and day out and especially last week as we have been trying to do our best and leave the rest to the lord. that has kind of been our mindset as a companionship lately as we have had so much disappointment and discouragement especially with investigators. Things with Atta are still at a standstill and things with juliet have gotten worse as well as gladys and lovia. ugh... i really dont know what more to do. it literally pains my heart because of the love i have for them. its like we need to go there to strengthen them but when we do it will cause a huge fight and everything keeps going down hill. we have been praying and praying relentlessly for them as well as fasting. this last sunday was the 3rd time weve fasted for them in the last month. ah... on a good note though steven was confirmed and is so happy about it. Evans is really doing awesome and i feel finally hes ready and by gods grace he will be baptized this coming Sunday. 

This month our zone is off to a blazing start as we taught more lessons than we've ever taught as a zone and to go along with that me and atandji taught tied with the most lessons ive taught my whole mission at 39 for the week! so im still here fighting dont worry! so i was also wondering when my homecoming will be if the first Sunday i get back will be fast Sunday then the next one i'll be at school? also have u sent another pkg that was identical to my last one yet? i also havent heard from president yet and yes elder crump is in my appt. we talked about snow a few mondays ago when we were talking about our plans for home. yeah they can make a dress like that, but its not too african... haha i was thinking i would get all the girls matching dresses and they won't be 2 piece though only a straight dress, unless u wanna spend more money. also mom how much do i have left in my savings? evans was in the hospital with his bro. yes the one we preached at. 

So tues was great as was the whole week. we are hoping to have a few ppl progress in area 1. We took gifty to see gladys and lovia and all was well till her husband came home drunk and was upset we were there because gifty was being friendly to his wife and daughter and he was saying how they won't have anything to do with the church and this and that blah blah... i was just waiting for him to touch gifty and that would have been trouble! but fortunately that didn't happen though... still a sketchy situation. Lovia still managed to sneak her way to church this last sunday and even though she's 13 she is the bravest most dedicated person i know! just like julet. Lovia hasn't missed a Sunday since the first time she came. So the husband totally lied to his fam that he would join the church. Gladys and lovia were both crying. Idk why its happening like this now but the only invs we have who r so powerful and want to be baptized can't cause of family! weve been so patient trying to tell them to hold on it'll get better but its the opposite so i think we r just going to tell them ok go for it and they can be baptized and let the chips fall where they may. 

Wed we did some massive service for atta with the whole zone to try and soften the husband. we weeded around their entire house for like an hour and got a ton done, but atta said the husband just laughed. she also wasn't at church. We had some lessons with some new and promising invs though and one called us over, benedicta so we saw her wed and sat and she came to church sun with a friend. We also had a good showing at midweek for once. 

Thurs the aps came here to go on splits so that was cool. they stayed for half the day and we taught a bunch of lessons and new ppl. We taught juliet about the organization of the church and compared it to christs church and she was too much happy! We briefed steven for his confirmation as well. Happy halloween to u guys! we carved watermelons today for our zone activity which was way fun! Pls in ur next pkg i also need travel sickness pills non drowsy or ill die on the way home... 

Fri was powerful even though we didn't get to see our 2 fav ppl atta and gladys. We again taught some freakin sweet new ppl though. It seems like in one day we went from no ppl in area 1 to having a bunch of cool ppl now. Also another question: what is my phone number going to be when i get home so i can give it to my converts here? 

Sat we fought through another day and we even taught 2 lessons at a time literally sitting back to back as atandji taught sis florence in french and i taught this new guy just sitting there. Florence has made some money selling popcorn and she's just beyond happy! we told her to save her money for the baby which will come in 2 weeks but she used it for a taxi to come to church... haha can't be too upset at that. she has incredible faith and even had a dream the church is true. Samuel is doing good he just kinda sees that our church and his are both good and its not the doctrine that's going to save us. We also met some white missionary from the US from another church so that was cool.  

Sunday in kumasi the stake split! so there are now 2 stakes in kumasi after 30 yrs! haha kumasi area is not easy... we didn't have alot of ppl at church which was a bummer. We did have a crazy good Sunday school class though maybe the best ever! on work and personal responsibility. Bright is still the coolest person i've ever met. his fiance told him she wants to join his church also when they are married next month! YES!!! i'll be here for the wedding if i don't get transfered but not for the baptism. well guys thanks for everything! pls answer those questions i asked u. love u! -elder slade