Maintenance and good food

 When we arrived back to the apartment and took in the things from the market - like rice and apples. We found the elevator still doesn't work. All the air-conditioners in my apartment were being cleaned  - a regular maintenance cleaning that happens every 6 months during the conference week.  While they were working on that and Eugene, Irene, and Dumevi had gone home, Comfort and Bertha came over with sobolo for next week and brought some things from the market. Bertha soon went to the temple for a session and Comfort made cabbage stew for dinner tonight. 

While she was preparing, the maintenance worker told her it was torture as the smells were so good. Comfort asked me if we could give them a lunch. Of course, I answered yes. She heated up some Waakye for two of them and Jollof Rice for the other from the premade meals in the freezer. All three were very happy.  It must be a good feeling for her to have people so happy with all of her great cooking talent. 

Happy Birthday Eugene

 I invited Eugene and Dumevi out for a birthday lunch after we went shopping today and they accepted. When Eugene got in the car and we were waiting for the other two, I told him he should invite someone else - like a girl. He immediately called and arranged to pick her up.

We dropped Sister Penner off to her apartment (she didn't want to go) and picked up Irene. Eugene said she was his wife! I didn't even know he was married. Evidently she works a long ways away and stays in two homes, one here and one in an unpronounceable name. I think that is a hard way to have a marriage but it is working for them. She is a midwife and he is a nurse. Both work in hospitals but different kinds.

We ended up at Moka's because the other place we went were not open until noon. I guess we were too efficient in our grocery shopping. It was a very lovely lunch. I learned more about Ghanaian culture and more about Irene and Eugene. Life is good.

Eugene and Irene

Brownies and ice cream 

Life is fragile

 Diann has decided on hospice about five days ago after finding out her options. It is a bitter-sweet time to say goodbye. 

This anthill has sprung up this week and will probably be gone when the groundskeeper blows the leaves off of the pavement. There is a time and a season and sometimes the time is short.

Elder Nelson's talk "Doors of Death" 1992

"Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die” (D&C 42:45).

Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life."

"As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven."

"Scriptures teach that death is essential to happiness: “Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8; italics added; see also 2 Ne. 9:6).

Our limited perspective would be enlarged if we could witness the reunion on the other side of the veil, when doors of death open to those returning home. Such was the vision of the psalmist who wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15)."

"As a special witness of Jesus Christ, I testify that He lives! I also testify that the veil of death is very thin. I know by experiences too sacred to relate that those who have gone before are not strangers to leaders of this Church. To us and to you, our loved ones may be just as close as the next room—separated only by the doors of death."

Moving again with Baaba

 It was incredible how much stuff that was packed into our SUV. We are lucky they do not stop cars that have no rear window sight available as we were stuffed to the brim. Baaba and Martin shared one seat with stuff on their laps. I was surprised when we got there. Martin did two laps up the stairs, the rest of us all did one - and the car was empty! Still more to go for Baaba.

Hair with Antoinette - Went home with three phones

 I love having my hair colored and cut by Antoinette. She is very efficient in doing Obroni hair and has done so for many years. While I was there two more Obroni's came, a young man, and a mission leader's wife. Both went out happy like I was.

BUT -

When I got home I actually had three phones instead of two! I didn't notice until I got a call from an unknown number. Antoinette was asking if I had her salon phone. Bad news, I did have it. Did I pick it up from the desk when I paid?

I asked Eugene make another trip to her place to bring it back. Not sure what I would do without him.

Bertha Ofoli-Quaye

 Bertha has written and application for a new job at the MTC just like her friend Nelly did. Bertha has not been home as long as Nelly, but they both want to work at the same place. Meanwhile, waiting for the application process to go through, she is taking Nelly's place and making sobolo to go with the banana muffins I am making to give to the area workers. Next week will be the grounds crew.

It is nice to get to know Bertha. She comes with her mom sometimes. She is bright and talented. 

Bertha bringing Nelly's sobolo

Nellie got the job!

Nelly started out making sobolo for me to give to the security guards, etc. and the day she came to talk to me was the first day of her new job at the MTC! She will be an instructor. I am so happy for her; there are many who want to teach and work in the MTC and very few who actually get hired. She will be too busy figuring out her new job, so she gave the sobolo business to Bertah, Comfort's daughter. 

Nelly on her first day working at the MTC (March 31)

Culture Viewpoints

A lady came to my house and cooked in my kitchen (with all my ingredients) for me and for some other people. She of course, looked through my cupboards to get the items she needed. Then asks for things she has noticed and wants to bring back to her house. Interesting.

I have noted others come to my house and expect extras. One lady came in and went immediately to do my dishes and "help". Then as she strolled around she put the extra rubber bands on her wrist and picked up banana muffins and extra water. None of which I object - except she doesn't ask. Why?

It is funny as I am thinking how generous I am being with my things and home and they both act like its a normal expectation.

In fact, it seems the more generous I feel I am, even with items I buy especially for them, my time, and the yeses for extra things , the higher an expectation. Huhmmm..........

I've been trying to figure out one, why do I feel walked on a bit when I want to be generous in the first place and two, why does the "need" seem to get bigger when I give. 

In reflection, I am wondering if it is just a difference of cultural views. 

I do know that those who have more are expected to give to family members. An aunt or uncle will give little monies to help the nieces and nephews get to and stay in school. When that child goes to the city with a job, they are expected to send monies back to the aunt, uncles, and grandparents. I have watched it work in the Philippines when someone gets a loan, then everyone wants a little bit. Or the kid holding chips and his friends all come up and get some from his bag. This is a cultural viewpoint. Those who have more are expected to give more.

My cultural growing up was to amass a year's storage. Put the beans, and rice in 5 gallon buckets, Stack up the can goods, and buy two when anything you use a lot goes on sale. Then be very careful to rotate and use the old stuff first. 

So I think what is happening is I'm buying extra to get a storage and my friends are looking at the "storehouse" of things that are extra. Since I have an abundance, the expectation is that I will share more. I am thinking I'm  generous but they feel its what is normal and expected, not anything above normal. Ahhhh.........

Ok, so maybe.......some of my items have moved............to the bedroom shelves........and out of sight.....

To See the Ocean

 On our way back from Baaba's new home, we stopped at a view looking over the ocean. The Braunbergers wanted to see the ocean. 

I told Eugene we needed a place up high so they could see the beauty without noting the garbage drifting up first. He and Baaba agreed on a place that was just right. Up high, nice view, people playing in the ocean and walking the beach - right in front of a resort. They groom the sand every morning. Perfect.

It's finally moving day!

 Baaba has been looking for a new home for a long time. I became aware in October of her disappointments and concerns about her current apartment. 

Having the ceiling fall down is awful and unacceptable.

Closer view of the damaged ceiling.

Baaba got the keys to her new apartment. She has running water but no electricity has been turned on yet. That is a concern she will have to wait until Wednesday to take care of because the office is not open due to the holiday.

The Braunbergers and Martin came to help out. Eugene and I came a little later when I asked if she needed help. The first car was loaded up pretty fast and it didn't take all that much time for the second. Eugene had already been so he knew the way to her new place. He lead the way and Brother Braunberger stuck to his back the whole way. Unloading up three flights of stairs made us all tired. I think the Braunberger's who are in their 70's were exhausted. 

So exciting for Baaba. A beautiful view and lovely breezes on the third floor. 

The black SUV is getting filled with Baaba's belongings

Both cars filled to the brim 

Green apartment house with construction still going on...

She will live on the third floor 

This is the moving crew for today:

Sister Braunberger and Baaba in front
I, Brother Braunberger, Eugene, and Martin

Ramadan is over

 The Muslim month of fasting (one of the most sacred times for them) is over today. Eid-al-Fitr has begun, it marks the end of Ramadan. I noted the women were in beautiful outfits and were coming down the street from a big Mosque. We seem to be in a parade with lots and lots of people on motorbikes who would zoom past us to get ahead of the line. Eugene says they go to the Mosque before starting the rest of their celebrations and is part of the festival. 

We tried to stay out of the streets so we wouldn't add to the mass of people.

Still water

 It is so lovely to go out and exercise in the pool just steps away from the condo. Today is Monday and the temple is closed every Monday, so Doe Kaku often joins me. Today she came to exercise with me. We had a lovely discussion about how she joined the church and how she met her husband. 

Life can be sweet at times. 

No bubbling water shooting out of the end of the pool.......why?

Almost gone in the freezer

 Comfort's meals are disappearing quickly. I buy individual meals that are frozen to give to people who visit or helping me out who need a meal. Everybody loves Comfort's cooking. So far the Waakye is going out the door the fastest, with Jollof rice a close second, and the banku and okra stew coming in third. 

It is a way to give Comfor a livelihood, it takes care of people who haven't eaten for the day, and it makes some people happy or feel appreciated. Win all around.

Cooling off and putting in individual servings

Adding chicken before it's put in the freezer

Beautiful Erica

 Erica dropped by for a little bit to see if her samples matched my hair. I can't wait to see if what she comes up with is fun and exciting!

Are these snails?

 After the rain poured down, I found these.....snails? slugs? on the walls next to the sidewalk. I have never seen them before. With rain still looming in the sky, the snail, slugs looked like a dark blue. What are they?

Wisdom brought over a Noah's Ark

 

The sun is coming up in another place

 

Is the sun moving or the world shifting?

New recipe: Chicken, bacon, ranch Pizza

 I was chatting with Rachel while she was making dinner one night. She told me about this pizza dough that was made with flour, yogurt, and soda. I thought the whole thing sounded interesting so I had to try it.

    

Start with plain Greek yogurt and flour (nice and smooth) I used 2 cups of each, then added 2 t of soda

Then I sprayed the pizza stone and gingerly put the sticky dough in clumps all over and gently smoothed it all out over the stone.

I seasoned it with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

I took cooked chicken breasts out of the freezer, warmed them up, shredded them, and fried up some bacon bits.

I then squeezed some ranch dressing over the crust, then added my chicken, bacon, and topped it with mozzarella.

I let it cook for a half hour or so at 350 or 375 degrees.

Out of three people, one liked it, one thought it was fine, and the other didn't say a word. Hummm