Last dinner preparations for the ward

 It has been almost a week since we got back from fabulous Kenya trip. I keep wondering where time is going. There was so much catch up and full days that I haven't had a moment to stop and contemplate.

 Juliet is over this morning, making the last dinners for my ward members, and so I am stopping to catch up a little on this blog. This is the last time she will make dinners for my ward members. An era of dinner making is coming to an end. Juliet told me the temple opened and she is going back to her old job (pre-Covid). The Lord's timing is always just right!

Juliet and Richard, her son are cooking today

I am going to miss Juliet coming to my home

Richard Akrong, Juliet's son (she has a husband Richard too!) is an artist and wanted to earn money for a phone. When I asked how he wanted to do that, he said he would make pictures to put on note cards to sell to the missionaries that went on the Safari. I got him some charcoal pencils and sturdy paper for cards and he will make a set of notecards for me and hopefully some of the other missionaries. He is learning to cook from his mom and they are both making jollof rice this morning for Jeffrey and I. YUMMY!

Saturday - On the Way to Kenya!

 Jeffrey and I got a chance to be part of the ACLARS or African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies where concerned individuals from all over Africa, the United States, England, and I think Sweden get together to trade ideas on how to make life better in Africa. This year the 9th annual conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya and was entitled Law, Religion, Health, and Healing in Africa. 

The presenters come from all over Africa and a few other countries with different ways to cope with Covid, poverty, religion, and government actions. The topics ranged from "Religious and Governmental Collaborations to Address Covid-19 - The Case of the DRC" - "The Conflict between Faith Based and Science Based Messages on Pandemics and Their Impacts on Public Health Management in Africa" - "Covid-19: Laws and Policies in Response to the Pandemic and its Effects on Women in the United church of Zambia" - "African Christianity, Healing and Covid-19 in Zimbabwe: Rethinking the Efficacy of African Traditional Medicine (ATM)" - "Rastafari, Rule of Law and Covid-19 in Nigeria" - "No Girl Is too Young to Be Raped: Covid-19 Pandemic Social Insecurity and Islamic Law in Nigeria" - "The Socio-Cultural Foundations of the Reluctance of the Populations of Porto-Novo in the Face of Vaccination Against Covid in Benin" - and many, many more! There wasn't a way to go to even half of the presentations and panels. 

The Conference has been outstanding - getting their was.......awful.

We took a red-eye at 10 pm and gained three hours and landed at 5:30 am in Nairobi. The problem was I did not sleep because of leg cramps and strains. But I did see a very good rendition of "The Little Princess" which is my new favorite! I'll get the year, actors, etc. when we go back. I would love to own that copy.  I missed church because I was asleep after getting to the hotel about 8:30 am. Church was at 9. The trip back should be okay as we will go during the day. 

I feel terrible for Jerie as she had some antibiotic that was making her throw up. Finally on Tuesday she was able to keep two meals down. Life is tough and complicated sometimes. 

It's All About Balance

 I watched this man with a heavy load on his head selling his wares and thought about the need for balance in my life. It is much easier to carry a heavy load if we are emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually balanced. I am trying very hard to stay balanced even though my anxiety seems to loom large at times. Staying focused and balanced in my sleep, eating, walking, scriptures, and projects with people is keeping me functioning well (most of the time).

Baby quilt is finished for Dumevi's little one

 

I used the left over squares from the trousers and some large pieces of left over fabrics then lined it with batting and red material. It was fun and not quite so large as the previous quilt. Life is good.

The New Chefs on Thursday afternoon

 Sister Addy and Sister Tagoe are the only ones in the ward to have ovens. They are commercial big sized ovens for business. Sister Addy wanted to know how to make banana bread, brownies, and cookies. We started with the brownies, then while they were baking she started in on the banana bread. I had made a recipe sheet with pictures next to each ingredient because I didn't want to try to figure out who can read and who cannot. I just give everyone the recipe with pictures on it.

While Sister Addy was adding banana bread ingredients, her husband came over with the kids and some large packages that he dropped off. Of course I had to take pictures and the children helped out with the banana bread. It was a fun time in the kitchen and a great way to get to know the family. Bishop Addy came back to pick up his family. His birthday is on Sunday, so they are going to celebrate with the goods we made (though half the brownies were for dessert that night). We arranged to have Sister Addy come back to make cookies.

Sister Addy is a talented seamstress and makes her children clothes and lots of items for other people. Her shop has a dual purpose with sewing and baking.

Victoria Addy learning new recipes

Children fresh from school coming to help their mom

Almost the Addy Family, just missing one son

Everyone helping out to mash the bananas

Successful Chefs

Thursday Fun with the Ladies

 We had arranged for Emmy to take us back to Bernice's place on Thursday the week before. So at 10 o'clock Lisa, Jerie, and I met Emmy in the parking lot. She had Barbara Hatch with her and off we went to introduce her to Bernice and all the fun things to do in the sewing department.

A mama came to get fabric for her business and didn't mind us taking pictures of her baby and showing Barbara how she held the baby on with just a piece of cloth and some tucks.

We had a really awesome time at Bernice's shop and then went on to Esther's place and Acrylics (place to get specialty paper and craft items) . I can't believe I forgot to take pictures of the ladies at any of the shops we went to. Though I did remember to take pictures at lunch!

Jerie got all of us bread sticks to start out

Barbara Hatch just tried not to be overwhelmed by all the color, sights, and smells

Emmy is such a trooper to take us everywhere!

Lisa makes us all have fun

Wednesday Night with the Ward

 The mid-week class at the ward is interesting and fun. Interesting because the make-up of people are different every week and questions and comments can range all over the place. What I like best is the fact that no one in my Accra ward repeats old trite ways of explaining or telling about gospel doctrines and principals. It is all new. The questions can be deep or skim the surface but they are all from a new perspective. 

Last Wednesday night focused on how to give priesthood blessings. The words, authority, and reasons why blessings are asked or needed. The bishop had requested on Sunday that this meeting would cover the basics. I brought my usual banana bread and brownies for those who came on time. But this week I just left them out and let the members who came late have some. Prince was very happy that I gave him his own box of brownies. He shared them with ward members and I pulled out another box. I love making him happy.

Wednesday morning!

 Wednesday morning started out beautifully with this wonderful sunrise. I went to Scripture Study with the other ladies and had a really wonderful and powerful lesson. This hour every week is one of the highlights of my mission.

After Scripture Study, Sister Tagoe coming over, that evening Jeffrey and I went to the mid-week lesson where the subject was priesthood blessing and ordinations. It was a how to and what do you say type of activity. I brought banana bread and brownies and made sure I gave them all away.

Baking on Tuesday and Wednesday

 On Tuesday we had scheduled a baking lesson. Sister Tagoe is actually a much better baker and chef than I am so I always wonder what she means when she wants to come learn how to do something. 

Sister Tagoe brought her own margarine, flour, eggs (resting in the flour), vanilla, baking powder, sugar, and salt. She uses my little pans as I have a little oven. She has big industrial size ovens in her outdoor kitchen and of course the large pans to go with.

On Tuesday we made cookies. The first time I walked her through the process and then when they were in to bake, she made a batch all by herself. I guess she was just getting the muscle memory or memorizing the recipe - I'm not sure which. They were oatmeal cookies with different things added each time i.e. apples and cinnamon, or raisins. In reality she used my dried fruit which has raisins in it.

Notice she give me a straight look when I take the pictures at the first of the day.

But after a successful day, quiet smiles!

She made plans to come back on Wednesday to take another "baking lesson". She made two batches of brownies on Wednesday.

Though she smiled that day, but not for the pictures.

Monday starts out with extra

 On Monday I had two loads of laundry done and hung up, my emails delivered, and had spread out Dumevi's material to cut out more trousers. A knock comes at my door and there is Juliet. I had figured that since she had a refrigerator that I wouldn't see her on Mondays as she would be cooking at home. She said she came to pick up her things in my fridge and that she didn't have electricity yet. 

I wondered what she was talking about, though I quickly picked up the material and got the kitchen ready to cook in. In Accra you go to a little shop and buy a card that gives you a certain amount of electricity. When the amount you paid for is all gone, the lights go out. Interesting. 

Just like a data card for a phone, only it is for your electric. No bill, just your power goes out when its done. I can't believe all the things I am still learning about the complications of living in Accra. No address, you buy a post box if you are going to get mail. You may or may not have a number on your house or business, but you give/get directions to the nearest big place like a school, church, fixed built shop, Mall, or station and find your way from there. No running water, you pay to have a big truck come by and fill up your barrel. Your phone works as long as you have data. Garbage is burned, unless you have access to a big container and garbage service. I haven't asked how the sewer works as that may be too much information. 

So Juliet is at my house making Tuesday dinners and I think stalling to say goodbye to this ritual every Monday morning. She stayed until 2 pm when she is usually done at noon.

Just about 20 minutes after Juliet came, Michael called! I looked at the time and realized it was either just after 2 am or 3 am for him and wondered why he was calling. Makynlee and Isla had both gotten sick and Julia and Makynlee had finally fallen asleep when Isla started crying. Michael drover her around getting her back to sleep and decided to call mom to stay awake. We talked about a whole range of things while Isla would wake up and fall asleep as he drove around. When the bakery opened, he went in to get bagels for the family breakfast and I let him go. I decided not to stop talking or listening until I knew he was safe, everything else in my life could wait. 

Maybe that's why Juliet stayed so long, so we could chat for awhile. After she went home I cut out the trousers and life is good.

Mother's Day

 I couldn't help but think about my daughter-in-laws on Mother's day. Each one of them are facing very hard challenges right now. Children - here and coming due, illness, spouse incapacity, employment, and individual issues. The pressures look enormous, but they still smile when I talk to them. They are really terrific wonderful women. I have been praying lately that they will get a measure of the blessings that Lehi and Nephi women got while traveling in the wilderness. Some kind of divine grace and strength that will enable them to fulfill their lives and be able to carry on.

In Accra the women came running up to say hello say, "Happy Mother's Day!" There is a joyfulness associated with this holiday. Where did Mother's Day start? Didn't it start in the States? Does England, France, or other nations have Mother's Day before the States did? How about Africa? Anyway there is a joyfulness and respect about the day (at least with the church members). 

After the children sang to us, we were given a bag with a hanky tied up in a ribbon, a muffin, and a soda

Sister Adrianna getting her bag.

This dress was so colorful, I had to take a picture of her!

Welcome dinner at the Burton's for the Hatch's

 Where did the week go? I think time has sped up lately. So many things happen in one day and then it's a week later!

So we welcomed the Hatch's to Accra. They will live in the Ancillary Building and will have easy access to their work place and the Area Office.

How do you get everyone in the picture? One person takes a picture of the rest and then another person takes a picture of everyone else. Barbara and Steven Hatch are in the middle.

Emmy showed us all her new African dresses! This one is very cool.

Last email on Sunday

 All,

As you will see below, thanks to all of you, Juliette has a refrigerator! It was installed in her home on Thursday with the help of the Derr’s getting the handles on!

It has been sweet to see your generosity, hand in hand with the principles of Self Reliance taught (Derr’s) and a good Bishop helping to arrange this along with a microwave and fridge guard for Juliette and her family which he will purchase for them tomorrow.

I can’t remember if I told you about my visit with her Bishop. Forgive if I am repeating. I spoke to the Bishop about our idea a week ago today. I told him what the Sr Missionaries wanted to do along with the Derr’s having had a great visit with Juliette and Her husband Richard in their home a few days before. I then asked him how he felt about it. He paused for a moment and I noticed his eyes becoming wet with tears and his shoulders relax in a sense of relief. The first words out of his mouth were, “Juliette is THE most faithful woman.” He was so grateful for our plans and then went on to tell me more about Juliette. He has known her for years. He has known her challenges and hardships. He did not share anything confidential but how he has known her personally through the years. He said through it all she has been faithful...even when working 3 jobs to hold things together for her family. He spoke of the wonderful boys she has raised. It was really sweet. As we concluded our conversation he repeatedly and humbly asked me to tell you all how grateful he is to each of you! He also wanted to provide a receipt! Yes, this good Bishop kept me informed all along the way and sent a picture of the receipt.

So, there it is. Juliette has a functional fridge. Now she can cook for us (without needing to use Linda Ann’s apartment...thank you Linda Ann!!!) and hopefully be able to expand her business!

Grateful to be able to rub elbows with you all!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Warmly,
Emmy

Wrap up - With Extras

 Every story has to have a few complications to make sure you are on your toes and being efficient. I found when we were playing volleyball as a youth, that if the other team was better than we were, we would up our game. Maybe that is why we get so many challenges at the last minute, so that we can up our game. Like my son Michael, I have already decided that I won.

Saturday dawned with a shower that had passed in the night, and sunny skies. The Hatch's arrived in town on Friday and they are part of OGC teaching human rights to school teachers to teach in their classrooms. Emmy is having a dinner on Sunday to welcome them to town, so I offered to make Shepherds Pie and a cold noodle salad. Looking into my cupboards, I decided to make a chocolate cream pie also. That way I can use up the cookie crumbs, custard mix, box of whipping cream and make a dent in the chocolate baking powder. Saturday would be making the pasta salad and finishing up the cookies and banana bread. The Young Single Adults added their request to the Primary so I decided to make some brownies along with extra banana bread.

Salad being made, brownies done, fabric drying, just the banana bread left to finish

Then Dumevi dropped over with materials to cut out, so I'm adding washing and drying to the salads, brownies, cookies, and banana bread. Dumevi and Walker came over at evening just about the time I was done baking to see if they won the lottery for a visa in 2023. After making sure the i's l's and 1 were completely straight they were able to get on. But no win. None of the entries were selected for the visas. They were told to check back from time to time - just in case! The odds are 1 in 300, so probably have to find another way to get a visa to the US. 

Walker had been feeling miserable on our Wednesday night meeting. He gets reoccurring bouts with Malaria and was feeling a little better on Saturday - enough so he wanted to try the banana bread. I gave him some pieces on a plate and he decided he wanted to take the plate full home. Then he added to it when he saw some on the sideboard and asked for another bag to bring it all home. I just laughed to myself as he feels like a big teenager.  I'm happy to make him feel better. it was made to be eaten so no worries.

I decided to wake up early on Sunday and put the Shepherds Pie together along with the chocolate pie. Win, win for the day and morning.

Baking Day

 Thursday was a crisp sunny day with a nice breeze keeping things marginally cool and just right for running around to shops and checking out materials and dreaming about projects.

Friday on the other hand was stormy with winds and lightening along with the falling rain and darkness to the day. Perfect day to stay in and bake.

 Moses from the North Ridge Ward asked me last Sunday if I would make banana bread and cookies for the Primary children this week. On Friday, I made sure it was for Sunday and not Saturday - you never know. It was for Sunday. So I made a few batches of banana bread and several batches of cookies over the next two days.

Made bread and chocolate chip cookies sans chocolate chips (as I have no more chips)

These began with a chocolate chip recipe sans chocolate chips. I added 20 grams more butter and baking cocoa powder

Continuing on a perfect play day

 Sister Kacher drove us on to Esther's place of business where she sells fabrics. In another place of business, Esther designs, stamps, and dyes her own material which we have visited and learned about. Today was buying what was available in her fabric shop. So many wonderful colors and fabrics!!!!

This young man between Lisa and Jerie was VERY helpful in getting fabrics out of the stack, pulling them open and checking for a front and back design. Esther always uses the last four yards with a different design but the same dye so they match color wise but are different designs.

Esther checking to see how much material there is on this design

Checking out the lightweight fabrics

Taking pictures for Sister Kacher to show her husband - for a king size bed cover

Different lights show different colors

Sister Kacher must have quite a few projects in mind and is dreaming of others. She checked out this material to see how it would look if she wore it.

All of us had so much fun looking, deciding, thinking of projects and asking each other what we thought. It is a lot of fun walking around a fabric store with friends!

Emmy happened to drop by while we were there so we included her in the fun too!

In fact we decided to come with Emmy next Thursday to Bernice and Esther's shop. May the good times roll!

Then we had to go back to Bernice's because we forgot a phone and some other little things. In the traffic here that is another half hour for less than a kilometer away from each other.

The gang is all here!!