Happy New Year!

Hey everyone,

Our Christmas Day Skype was awesome!
It was so good to see him and talk with him!

I am so glad that Skype worked on Christmas and we were able to do that.  I had been looking forward to it all month.  After we talked, we went down to President Nii's home for a FM of fufu.  It was really good.  This week has been full of FMs. (free meals)  The people don't really celebrate the day of Christmas but they love to cook good food for people around that time.  We had a lot of fufu and rice.  We almost killed a cat for one too, but it got away, so maybe another time. (I asked about that as we had the opportunity to chat for a couple of minutes.  He said,"How often in your life do you have the opportunity to eat cat.  If I am offered dog, I will try some, but I don't think I will ask for it.")

 On Saturday, we had 3 baptism interviews.  Two of them passed and one was a special interview with president.  The two that passed was Temple and Sister Akasi.  Temple finally showed up for the interview.  We read with him Mosiah 18, the baptismal covenant, and he told us that he would not fail us.  I got to baptize them on Sunday.  It was cool.  But Temple would not work with me putting him in the water.  He wouldn't bend his knees.  Oh well,  it all worked.  We also confirmed Thomas, Mbiah and Portia.  I got to confirm Portia.  I was pretty nervous because I wasn't expecting it but Elder Schraedel said that it was really good.

Baptism of Sister Akasi And Temple Of God
Sister Akasi speaks no English but she showed up at church because she felt like it and we used a member to translate everything into Twi.  she saw a baptism a few weeks ago and wanted to be baptized right then.  Temple missed 3 interviews before this but he would come to church and read the Book of Mormon all the time. 

On Wednesday, it is New Year's Eve.  I have no idea how we will spend it.  The people here go to things called "all nights" where they listen to their pastor talk all night.  Our branch will have a activity until 10 so we won't go to that for long.  We might just talk in the apartment or watch Gods Army or something like that.  All the guys liked the Pez and packages.  The yo-yo is pretty entertaining.  Missionaries are easily entertained.  If it wasn't so, we would all probably die.  Aside from an umbrella and the Ensign,  I don't think there is anything I really 'need',  just food stuff would be cool.  If I think of any, I will let you know.

Sorry this letter is short.  I really enjoyed talking with you on Christmas.

We will be going to Kumasi on Wednesday for zone conference.  I hope to buy a waffle iron and a set of hair clippers while I am there. 

I know that this church is the true church once again on the earth.  I know that Joseph Smith restored the Church and the priesthood keys to the earth.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it was translated by the power and authority of God.  I know that through faith, prayer and the Holy Ghost that all people can come to a knowledge of this also.  I have seen that, even though I have gone halfway around the world, the teachings are still the same as back home.  And that most of the confusions in life can be answered in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I am happy to be out here bringing the knowledge of the truth to the people of Ghana.  I love this church.  I love all you guys.

Love Elder Warner Ashby