Happy Place

 Comfort comes over almost every week and makes us some good food. It started out when she would come early for Relief Society meeting and make dinner for Jeffrey and I before everyone else came. 

Now she comes over occasionally on other days and makes a great cabbage stew or jollof rice. Yesterday she came and made a cabbage stew to go over our fried rice left-overs. Of course, she had made the dinner for Sunday that we had left-overs from. Nice for us!

I can tell that the kitchen is her happy place. My happy place is with a sewing machine. It sure is nice that we all have different wants and needs. That way we can all be happy.

Like many of the women here, she does not use a cutting board.

Children not here

 Talking with different women and commiserating with my friend who lost her babies, I have found to my horror, that this is a common occurrence with a lot of my friends here. In the pool, at church, walking with friends, and around my table, I have heard quite a few heartbreaking stories about women who have lost almost full term babies and some who lost them in the first year - often again and again.  My mind almost boggles to think that half of the children are not living. 

It makes me wonder what the resurrection of the Just is going to look like. Certainly lots of children that have been promised to their parents will "grow up like calves in a stall". What does that mean? Protected and blessed? 

Andrew pointed out some assurances that the mothers in Ammon's time had. After the horrific slaughter of thousands of people who didn't fight back and the vows not to take up arms. The mothers of the stripling warriors had the promise from the Lord that their young children would not die in battle. 

So I'm wondering if there might be a similar assurance to those mothers who lost their babies in their mortal existence that in the Resurrection of the Just, they will raise children that do not die - at least until they are grown and making their own choices. 

I do not know how the future and God will work out the details, but I know that He will answer all the prayers and comfort all the tender and broken hearts of mothers. 

Dinner with HR

We met with the HR team out of Salt Lake City and they took us and Norbert to dinner at Mövenpick. They informed us they came to ask us questions about life as an expatriate and how we enjoyed living here and what our experience is like. 

Such good questions when Lawrence took good care of us that morning! Norbert had some really good insights and Jeffrey talked about a meeting they had earlier that day. It was a very nice visit.

This is the only picture - as I forgot to take pictures while the other two were there. 

"....floods came up...."

 Last Sunday I walked into the kitchen and stepped into a small flood. Water was dripping off the counters and covered the floor almost to the door. Luckily we have plenty of towels. So about 10 towels later, I traced the source to our hot water heater on the wall. 

Luckily, I live the palace and we can call someone [Lawrence Donyiri] and can get help quickly. I really love living in the palace. It is unlike a mission where you pay and get help sometimes - usually slowly. I took pictures and we figured out how to turn off the water. On Monday he came over and took apart the bottom of the water heater and found it had corroded and said we needed a new one.

He came over that afternoon and installed a new one!!! Ah life is so good.

Pot to catch the drips

Hanging up the matts to drip and dry

Lawrence at work

Old and new hot water heaters

Yeah! New heater installed

Then Lawrence cleaned everything up and took the debris away. Awesome!!!

Off to the Polo Grounds!

 Everyone jammed into one car and the six of us took off for the Polo Club in Accra. We were hoping to see a game and have a wonderful meal. We did have a wonderful meal, but the match was postponed because the field was still soggy from the previous day's rainstorm.  We watched them walking and exercising the horses, but no mad dashes down the field after a little ball.

It was a get-to-know-you for the Braunberger's and goodbye to Sue and Ryan McCortney. I hope Sue knows about all the appreciation that other missionaries felt for her work and efforts in the Osu library with the children. 

The evening was prefect because the clouds kept the sun from being too hot and when the sun went down it wasn't cold at all. The meal was fantastic (as usual) and the conversation ranged all over the place - though we did end up splitting into women and men. Lovely evening, good company. It was great to get to know Shauna Braunberger and sad to say goodbye to Sue. 

Lots of teasing on the way back for those crammed into the very back seat. It is really not made for adults. Ah, life is sweet and good. 

Ryan McCortney

The lone walking horse

OGC ladies

OGC men

Making Fascinators

 So I thought the little hats or froth of lace, feathers, ribbons, and tulle was a tea party hat. Nope it is called a Fascinator. I am not sure why we were asked by the stake to make Fascinators but we were. Last Saturday October 19 we got together at the church to make them. Well, five ladies showed up first, I left and another one or two came later. But the lady who agreed to teach us had an emergency and could not make it. I had to leave early for another engagement. I watched them get out a YouTube video and try their hand. I don't think it was very successful. 

Hopefully the lady will show up today and show us how it is done.  

Comfort carrying the water, I brought the cookies for our RS meeting.

Baaba gathering the feathers together

Materials to make Fascinators

Gifty and Juliet looking at the materials

Catch up while baking Banana Bread

 Last night Comfort called and asked for Banana Bread today. The ladies in the Stake are meeting for a breast cancer screening and our Relief Society is making fascinators and doing bead necklace, bracelets nd earrings. The fashion articles iare all for some stake meeting on November 2. I still feel like I have no idea what is going on and why. But I can make banana bread.

So this morning the egg delivery man came with a flat of eggs for me and Rebecca Manwarring. That was great as I was completely out of eggs. So I made a batch of banana bread in muffins because the children are having their Primary Program on Sunday. In between batches of banana bread while it is cooking, I'm catching up on this blog. Currently, I am cooking a batch for the Primary adults and for my lunch company tomorrow afternoon. On Sunday I'll probably bake the last batch of banana bread for Juliet to take up with her sobolo drinks on Monday. 

I am really trying not to go do another project and burn my banana bread. That is why I'm at the computer instead of sewing. Life is interesting.

Sunday afternoon conversations

 On Sunday the 13th of October, Jeffrey and I were walking back from the MTC and saw Erica in the doorway of the Stake Center talking with some people. She stopped us and asked if it would be alright to come over and chat. Her husband wanted to ask some scripture questions.  "Sure!, Come on over," was our reply. 

Erica and Joshua are such good conversationalist. They have deep gospel questions and very good insight. About half way through their chat, they talked about marriage. We told them no problem, they have only been married two years and that is the time to figure out what works and what doesn't. I told them it took us eight years to get in sync and it has been wonderful ever since. We come from different perspectives and need to figure out how this new dynamic is going to work. 

When Erica left she said she wanted to have a love story like ours. I had never thought about Jeffrey and I as a love story. It just is what it is. So yes, I can go along with that. We do have a love story. When I am working so hard to make something good and right, I don't stop to think how others see us.  Interesting.

I am so fascinated how mothers take care of their babies

Play and eat - pretty much like in California, and then.....

When the baby got fussy and tired, Erica put her on her back and swayed until she fell asleep,  and then sat down.

Eric slipped her from her back onto the pillow - very cool!

Great working partners

Baaba is so very talented in finding people, calling with compassion and encouragement, and Comfort is a practical woman who makes wonderful food and remembers the details that people need. I love working in the Relief Society presidency!!

They were here - Now they are Gone!

 We took a little trip to Utah and on the day we surfaced and came back to ordinary life, the White's were leaving! On Monday October 14th we had a luncheon at Mövenpick to welcome the Braunberger's (who arrived while we were away) and say good bye to the White's. One of those happy and sad occasions.

It has been such a joy to be with the White's and their humor, and wise counsel. Sister White has been especially helpful in making sure delegates, seventies, and students get visas to come to Utah and the US for their specific needs. She has sent people to Togo and Côte d'Ivoire because Ghana is SO unhelpful at the US Embassy. Jeffrey is wondering what he is going to do without Elder White who is able to get more done in a day than the average man. Wonderful and amazing people, they will be missed.

Esther held the awards ceremony

Missionaries typically get a book of Africa with signatures of the other missionaries

And Kente cloth banner

The Braunberger's, Gary and Sherry White, the Manwarring at the back, Esther in the front, Adams, and Sue McCortney - Ryan McCortney couldn't make it that day. 

Farewell good friends!

Small World

 We left Utah on October 11 and ran into lots of friends at the airport. It was very fun to watch our friends running into their friends. I guess most of those who had gone to meetings at church headquarters were on their way home.

The Kaku's meet their friend

Last leg of the journey

New York to Accra is a longer flight than Amsterdam to Accra - BUT, there is a five hour lay-over in Amsterdam, so the journey feels longer. I wonder if there is a five hour lay-over going the other way?

Bittersweet Visit

For the very first time we traveled as a Relief Soceity presidency to B_______'s home for a visit. Comfort brought lots of food, Baaba had some sacks and I brought a loaf of banana bread. B_____ was due with twins the first part of November, though the decision was to have a C-section in late October. 

From what I could understand of the conversation, the babies looked like they were sleeping, they were not blue, but they never took a breath. Her husband was in the gallery so she didn't have to tell him what happened. Another part of the conversation was about a dream the father had a week or two earlier. The girls were born and did not take a breath. 

Her two little girls at home were adorable, friendly, and wondering why they had so much company. They had their aunt (I also met an uncle) who were taking care of them.  I mostly played with the girls as I did not understand most of the language that was spoken. Everything was very upbeat, friendly, and warm,  though I could feel a hollowness in my heart. 

After spending an hour or more we gave a message from President Nelson and a prayer and then we went home. Comfort and Baaba didn't stay around long at my place as we were all sad.  We will do more Relief Society work on Saturday. 

She was being a little helper by cleaning up some water that spilt

Two adorable and friendly girls

Very First Gatorade Tea Party

 I have watched Susie over the years with her three granddaughters. She has all kinds of fun activities and themes. One of them is a tea party using lemonade or hot chocolate depending on the weather. Julia was really into tea parties with her girls and so I have jumped on the bandwagon because of Julia. 

While I was in Utah, I borrowed a tea set from Susie. She was a little distressed when she couldn't find her tiny, two-year old size set, but the plastic set she gave me worked just fine. Andrew had some cucumber zero Gatorade that he gave for the occasion. 

Wow, it was really a hit. Just the pouring into little cups took up about an hour of her time. Most activities last about three minutes, so it was really fun to watch her in action having so much fun. I really didn't like the Gatorade so I watered the bushes and lawn when she wasn't looking. The set had a little knife and fork. She cut up the fig bar and we put it on forks. So much fun!

I may have to send a few tea sets to my other granddaughters. I think Lilly and Emma would have a ball. Corina is older - it's hard to know if she would have fun or not as she would be serving brothers instead of girls.......maybe it would be fun, maybe not. As for Amber, I've already sent one ahead for Christmas!

A lot of the tea was carried to her mouth with the spoon

We had another Gatorade tea party in the evening when her dad came

Susie found the set! so we had another Gatorade tea party the next day

The tiny set was just right for Amber. She spilled a lot less than with the slightly bigger set. Oh so fun!

Donette

 My niece Donette is a creative, fun person to be around. She does jewelry with chain mail - kind of cool!

I love her artistic vibe and love to talk with her. 

Donette in her awesome pumpkin skirt - and earrings.

Twelve Together

 Susan went to great lengths to invite all the families and their children to a get together on Sunday when she discovered that David happened to be in town - actually the US versus Guam. Steven and Polly just happen to be in Utah from Nevada too. I think she sent over 35 texts out to all the family in and around Ogden inviting them to either watch conference at the church or come when it was over.  

Donald's bishop was gracious and let us come to their church building to hold all the family members. I asked my family to come for a least an hour from 4 to 5 pm - unless they got caught in the Lore underground. I wanted to be in the Lore family picture and I wanted my family to reconnect with their cousins. They said ok.

Rachel and I started over when President Nelson was speaking but we found after the internet dropped we couldn't hear it. By the time we got to the church he was practically done. Bad timing on my part!

It was so good to be with my brothers and sisters again. It was a year ago that we met for the cruise and were together for over a week. Now we are back to an hour or two visit and seeing each other when we can make it to the same country as well as the same place.

Twelve Together Again

Family hug roll - keeping Laura in the center.

Family Groups- Steven

Steve and Polly had the largest number of family at the church. They have a big family even without their missionary in the Ivory Coast Josh, Sarah and her husband, James and Hannah (who is going to have #2 next year!).  It was great to see Jenica (and her crew), Brian, Edward, and Clare with her husband. 

David

David had lots of family - though I never got them all together, too many competing interests!

Ludlows with hilarious boys.

The Ringlers

Crystal and Lance in all the hubbub

Ben with the twins and their brother.....rumor has it another is on the way.

Grandma and grandpa with the youngest grandchild - at least for today.

Donald

Brenda and Donald's family were in and out, running back and forth from their house next door to the church. So I never did get them pinned down for a picture. Donald very kindly sent me their latest picture - so you get the whole family instead of some!

Brendon and Reynald - the two on the far right - are planning a trip to Accra in June of 2025. They came over to talk last week and we had a very fun time planning. Donnette in the. middle next to her mom came to visit also. I'll have to post with her pumpkin skirt. She is so delightful. Not to say that Bron and Kayleen aren't just as wonderful - I just didn't get to see them this trip - or their spouses. 

Laura

Laura is a trooper and it is always good when she can make it. She experiences pain every day. I hope it never gets so bad that she feels the fight is not worth it.

Susan

Susie instigated the whole get together and had only herself. She blends in so well with all of her siblings and their children. She owns us all.

Friends from childhood

Twins - Dean and Allen

Sherry came to our girls get together on Friday but we didn't see her on Sunday. The rest of the family came - except of course Afton who is serving a mission.

Allen and Marie had been at the Ranch all weekend but made it to be part of our get together. Allen and Susie make lots of family plans for get togethers. He is the one who knew David was in the US.

Donna

Donna and Peter came but I only saw them in fragments of time. They had both come earlier to Susie's home and Donna had done me a great service while she was visiting. 

I have been experiencing a lot of pain in my left arm. I knew it was not arthritis because the pain didn't radiate from the joint - it was muscle pain whenever I lifted or twist back my arm. Donna immediately felt it and said it was a rotator muscle strain and worked on the muscle knots while she was there - now that is painful! I have been rubbing, prodding, and using hot water showers on those muscles and after 10 months I am finally experiencing less pain. Thanks to my little sister.

Donna and her son Peter

Donna working on Susie's right arm

Diana

Diana with Michael (who is on a service mission) and Johnny the youngest. Kipper and Jim could not make it this time.

Michael has been serving for over a year and his cousin Sam is now just starting his mission.

John

It was nice to see John and his daughter Ava. Rebekah and Michael started talking to them and of course Shawna and when I left a few hours later they were still visiting. Like I mentioned, they could get sucked up in the Lore underground. It is great to see the kids enjoy their uncles and cousins.

Ava and her dad John

Rebekah and Shawna are the oldest grandchildren. John is one of the youngest of my siblings. They are close in age and can talk about things they all know.

Sharon

This family has been blessed by the Lord quite a bit. David and Elizabeth have had significant surgeries and are walking and talking and living their best. So good to see all of them!

It is so nice to feel the love of family and the closeness that comes from that unity.