12/30/2013

as u have already said this weeks email is a very special one and i am filled with all sorts of mixed feelings as r u! i can say that u r the most important people to me in this life and i know we r in a family for a reason. if i was just some kid on my own as a member of the church i never could've gotten myself to this point. I have been looking back and thinking of all the miracles heavenly father has done for me in my life in preparing me to go on a mission and even whilst being here and just making it through the next day when it has seemed impossible. It is so crazy to me to think of all the MANY trials i have gone through and i can say that not once did i ever let myself doubt if i could do this (with exception of the first night at the mtc haha). No matter how low i have been i have awaken the next day and gone out and proselyted and given my all for my heavenly father! i really do feel his peace and reassurance at this time even though im nervous about what is to come. 

 to be honest everything i knew before i came i just knew because i had been told it but being here i have lived and experienced it so now as my testimony is deep from experience i can say that i have my own testimony! that is something that i would've traded anything in the world for just to get and through my service to the almighty the last 2 years i have earned that. i have made lifelong friendships and been able to be an instrument countless times in bringing the precious souls of HF to an eternal happiness and joy! that is what i will miss most is being an instrument in the lords hands 24/7. i always tell the elders here if i could i would be a missionary forever! i thought i knew life before i came and that i faced challenges but it was nothing. i knew nothing. haha i know feel confident that i have the strong base i have sought for my whole life. 

It has been neat to also see the growth in those at home, friends and family. I know that i didn't just serve this mission for me but for everyone that has ever had a positive influence in my life! just a quick question. i hope u will let mike and jake now when ill be coming home and stuff so they can be at the airport. also idk if i'll be calling u from the mission home. it seems like they r still trying to possibly make some changes to my flight so if that happens we might be in touch. 

Also a couple of cool things. i was kinda bummed i wasn't going to finish my mission with a baptism when within the last few days i've gotten 2 calls from elders telling me some great news. First, a while ago elder crump and i went to kumasi together and i taught this awesome girl on the tro tro which i usually never do cause if i'm not looking out the window i get super sick as u all know... ha so it turns out she's getting baptized by the missionaries i referred her to! i got soooo sick that tro tro ride from teaching her lesson one but the lord told me to do it and i did, even if i did throw up as a result! worth it! Also there was a lady in asuoyeboa elder evbuomwam and i tried and tried with she was the husband of a member her name was priscilla. she was doing everything reading, praying and church but still she received no answer. (only 1 out of 2 ppl that has happened with on my mission) I got a call yesterday that she's being baptized this sun! So for these 2 things i'm grateful for and i pray i have planted many more seeds along the way as well! love u all thanks so much for getting me this far! See u later this week! 

-Elder Slade    

ps there is NOTHING better than being a missionary!