October 1, 2012

Dear Family:

ON THE OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN!!!! TWO WEEKS REMAINING!!!!! 14 DAYS TIL THE MISSION HOME AND 16 TIL HOME!!!! Can you even believe it?!? It is so crazy to think that in just 2 weeks I will be at the mission home preparing to come home!!!:)

And it is Nigeria independence day today, shout out to my comp. Elder Macauly!:)

So this past week was a way good week for us here in Assin Fosu! We had three baptisms on Sunday! One her father is a member, and two of them live with members and have been coming to church for a long time. They are all way solid and will be great members throughout their lives. We had a lot of lessons this past week 13 member present, 12 other lessons, and a couple of recent convert/less active lessons. And the amazing thing is we received 6 referrals on Sunday alone! The members here in Fosu are really starting to catch the vision.

We had a couple of cool experiences this past week as we went out teaching. Last sunday we had a lady who is a member come and tell us that her husband was sick and she wanted us to give him a blessing. We were busy sunday and monday so we told her Tuesday we would be there. I had never been to her house but Elder Macauly knew and when Tuesday came I was surprised by the distance. It was about a 20 minute taxi ride from the church, which is about a 1 cedi taxi ride per person which seems like not that much but for an old couple it is a great sacrifice. Well they come every week to church! I was amazed by their sacrifice! We got there and the man was very happy to see us! He said he had been waiting for us and was glad we were there. We gave him a blessing, Then we talked with him for a while. He was supposed to go to the temple with the ward, but due to his sickness was not able to, but rather said that he would send his wife instead. This would have been his first time to the temple, for his endowment, but still wanting to do something, sent his wife to go and be there at least! It was very cool and amazing to me to hear! I admired this man's faith and all that he was willing to do because of his testimony and love for the church! Definite testimony booster!

We went to visit the 2 counselor in the stake pres. ON the outward appearance he seems like a stern man, but when I came i felt we needed to begin working with him and his family. We went and did the first visit with them, which is ultimately to invite the family to pray on behalf of you investigators (Alma 6:6). This gets the family used to assignments and getting them ready for a referral. So we invited them to pray for our investigators, and we were surprised by his reaction. This man who outwardly seems stern said what an honor it was that we had chosen his family to do this assignment for us. He thanked us for this opportunity to invite them to do this and receive greater blessings in their lives. IT was a sweet experience to see his reaction and his willingness to serve. That is how we all need to be as members of the church. So ready and willing to serve when called upon.

Love your son and brother,

Elder Ryan S. Alba