Hello, brothers and sisters! What a wonderful Christmas season we have had this year! For the past few weeks while walking around proselytizing, instead of the normal greetings of good morning, good afternoon, and so forth, we have been greeted countless times with "Afehyia paa," which means Merry Christmas! Honestly, it was nice to have that constant reminder of Christmas time, especially because when it's 100⁰ degrees outside, it is really easy to completely forget. Although Christmas has come and gone, I am still trying to reflect back and think of all the good moments I have had throughout this year. (There are too many to even number), but just because the year is past does not mean it should be forgotten. So with that said, I am just so grateful to my Heavenly Father for leading me this far!
I have been transferred out of Kronum! I spent my 6 months as zone leader, and now I am "retired." Technically, I have been released, but I think retired sounds better. Anyways, I will just talk for a minute about my time in Kronum. I will dare say that was my favorite area! I was in a ward which was just so awesome! Missionary work was so enjoyable there, and the people were just the absolute best, most loving Christ-like people I have met thus far in Ghana. Some of these people changed the entire course of my mission; some even changed my outlook on life. They served tirelessly to gather Israel, and it was just a joy to be around people who understand the gospel and are willing to do what they covenant to do! I'm so grateful that I was able to serve people there and leave my own little mark on Kronum! On my last day in Kronum, we went to visit the Tiamah family. They are one of the best families in Kronum. As I was saying my goodbyes, they surprised me with a gift. The gift was that they are going to name their next child after me—Mommy Tiamah (Vida) was in her 9th month of pregnancy at that time. They proceeded with this news, telling me how much I have changed their family and helped them. They all started to cry, and I already had alligator tears streaming down my face. It was THE MOST HUMBLED I have ever felt in my life. Yesterday evening, I got a call from Daddy Tiamah (Thomas) that the baby has been born and indeed named "Gilbert Tiamah." I couldn't have dreamed of a better farewell from Kronum! Sadly, the Tiamah family doesn't have a smartphone to send me a picture of their newborn, but I have a picture attached of me sitting with the Tiamah family while saying farewells (it's the one with the man wearing a neon yellow shirt).
Now, speaking of newborns, it was Christmas, which represents the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My first Christmas in Ghana was pretty bad and honestly kind of depressing. But my second Christmas in Ghana was the BEST!! The funny thing is there wasn't anything that changed. I celebrated Christmas the exact same way both years. But the one difference was I learned how Christmas is supposed to be celebrated. I now firmly believe that Christmas is supposed to be a humble holiday, focused around the Savior. Although Ghana doesn't really have much snow, festivities, or gifts, they do got one thing right. And that is the focus of Christmas. When it comes to a Ghanaian Christmas, there is no external pollution, no corporation pushing gifts, no high expectations. Just people, family, kindness, sharing, generosity, food, and most importantly, it is 100% focused on Jesus Christ. Now, of course, many of them do not know exactly the extent of what the Savior has done for them, or maybe they do not know the correct way to pray or to worship him. But the intent is there. Now I'm not saying that we don't know how to celebrate Christmas at home, but I will say that we tend to shoot past the mark. Jesus Christ, the king of Kings, was born in a stable for crying out loud. He was born among animals!! In a dim damp stable. So if he was born with nothing, why should we focus so much on having "things"? Anyways, this year I celebrated Christmas the Ghanaian way, humbly, surrounded by friends, and with food!
So, as I mentioned earlier, I have been transferred to my last area! When I got released, I was called to train. President mentioned in the phone call that I would be training an American elder. Well, transfer day came, and I was called to the Berekum area in the Sunyani zone. My companion is Elder Zebe from Pocatello, Idaho!!! What are the odds of that? I am in my last transfer, and he is just starting his second transfer. So I feel kinda bad at times, especially when I celebrate the small milestones (like only having 30 days left), Elder Zebe will just look at me and shake his head. Although it may have been a long time ago, I do remember how intimidating a mission seemed. But my goal is to help set him up for a mission full of success. I've learned so much while I have been here, so now it's my turn to realize these things and help teach them to someone else so they can build upon my experiences.
That goes right along with my scripture thought. It is coming from Moroni 10:3:
"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts."
As the year ends, I'm trying to reflect on the past year and "remember how merciful the Lord has been unto me." One point in the gospel that is often overlooked is to remember! I have a tough time with this, especially. But the Lord will do something amazing for me, and I will remember for a week or two, and then it will slowly fade away. And to remember has a lot to do with being grateful. So this year, I am going to set aside a few minutes every day to reflect and "remember," and I could encourage you to try and do the same!
Anyways, I sure love all of you! And I am just constantly humbled by the support y'all give me! I hope everyone's Christmas was amazing, and happy new year! 2024 is going to be amazing, I can already tell!
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