Last week we attended our last Zone Conference.   We also had the privilege (?) to give a presentation at one of the conferences.  Our topic was combatting temptation.  As the centerpiece of our discussion we showed the video from a talk called "Spiritual Crocodiles" that was given by President Packer. If you have never seen it, it is worth the watch and you can find it on You Tube. We had a good discussion.

    After our presentation, we were sitting in the back listening to the instruction, I looked around the room and noticed that most of our companionships in the mission are a combination of an African elder and an American elder.  (We do NOT have any American sisters in this mission.)  The thought just occurred to me what a wonderful experience for those friendships to occur and what a different world this would be if we could really get to know people that are from different cultures than we are used to.  I think the world would be a much better place and that we would all have a bit more understanding and unity.  What a great opportunity our young people have to experience this at this age.  It will help them thoughout  their lives. 

We got a picture with Elder Utley after Zone Conference.  We have been attending a branch where he serves for the past month in Adansi Asokwa.  It is so easy to get attached to these great missionaries.  We won't see him (and many of our missionaries) again until we are back in the states.

This past Sunday, we had District Conference in Obuasi.  This is the District that we have attended in since arriving in Ghana.  This is Matthew Adjei. He serves as the District clerk and has become a good friend.  We will certainly miss these wonderful people. 

This is Grace.  She was in the branch that we attended the most and kinda became my little shadow as we served in Obuasi.  I was grateful for her help as she spoke Twi and English, so translated a lot for us.

After District Conference, this little guy was getting his picture taken by his mom.  I couldn't resist taking one too.  Is he not the cutest little guy??

Here is a picture of the entire District Presidency (Brother Mensah (2nd counselor), Brother Kunkyere(executive secretary), Brother Adams (1st counselor) and President Tabi along with the area 70 and his wife (President and Sister Aliche), President and Sister Kunz, the Moomeys and us. Seating in the middle there is Brother Adjei (district clerk)  We had the (surprise) opportunity of bearing our testimonies at this meeting.  It was wonderful to look out on the audience and see all the people there.  

I grabbed these two pictures from the Senior Blog that is put out from the Area West Senior Missionaries.  These are sisters here in Africa celebrating the birthday of Relief Society.  How do you like the way that they all dress alike?  Do you think that is something we could instigate in America???  Fact:  there are a lot more people that sew here!!! 

This is a picture of our friend (and mission driver) Alex Cobbina on the day that he baptized his oldest son, Scott.  Alex's cute wife is on the end.  This is such a a devoted family here and Alex has become such a dear friend to us.  Speaking of baptisms:  

Today we attended a baptism at the Dunkwa Branch in the Obuasi District . It was wonderful to visit this Branch again and see the growth that has happened.  It is currently being led by one of our missionaries that is serving as the Branch President and he is doing such a great job.  You can just feel the love that he has for the members and that they have for him and the other 3 missionaries that are serving this branch at this time.  

Speaking of missions, we are so proud of our granddaughter Chloe.  She turned 19 this past week and received her mission call to serve in the Nevada Reno Mission.  We are so happy for her and know that serving a mission is the best thing that she can do right now in her life.  We are so grateful that we will be able to spend a bit of time with her before she leaves too!

This next weekend (April 1st and 2nd) is General Conference.  It happens twice a year and is one of my favorite weekends of the year.  It is a chance for everyone to hear inspiring messages of hope and renewal from living prophets and apostles.  It will help us learn more about Jesus Christ, and strengthen our personal relationship with him.  It will help us experience the peace, hope and joy that come through following Him.  The schedule is as follows:  Saturday April 1, 10 am, 2pm and 6pm.  Sunday, April 2nd:  10 am and 2pm.  You can watch it live on You Tube or watch it later that way also.  I promise that you won't be disappointed.  

Well that is a wrap for the last two weeks.  The weeks are flying by fast and it seems like we are always saying lately.....this will be the last time we do____________or go______________.  It seems so surreal.  What a marvelous experience it is to serve here in the Ghana Kumasi Mission.  If you are a senior couple and haven't served yet.....consider doing it!  I promise you will be blessed and so will your family.  

Thanks for the love and prayers.....we feel them.  Stay strong and steadfast.

Love,

The Garrisons