To be Ghana long time: The popcorn hawker didn't hear me calling for her in the tro this afternoon :(

Nov. 2, 2015

We'll I've gotta say this is one of your best letters. Umm, not that I rate them or anything, or that I'm not grateful you send other letters, or umm. Okay disregard all of that. I love all of your letters! This week we had 2 baptisms! Their mother is the investigator, but we're working through some things before we get around to baptizing her. Yes I did dress up for halloween and I will send plenty of pictures. Speaking of that It's been awhile since I've sent pictures, so I'll be sure to send them this time. I also realize that I don't talk a whole lot about my weeks. Yeah it seems a bit mundane to me, but I'll try to think of something. We keep running into our investigator’s (the one we're working with on baptism) brother. He lived in London for a few years during which he joined a gang and spent time in prison. He ended up coming back to Ghana and he has a funny accent. He likes to say "innit?" alot. He's the extra smile for those days innit? I cooked on Sunday with mama C. She shared with me her conversion story. Originally she hated the church because of all the rumors she heard about money, blood, sacrifice, you know; the usual (not exaggerating). She saw a missionary joking with a girl and told the girl in Twi that she should not behave like that because he was a man of God. To her surprise, the American Elder understood and said in Twi, "Efawohuben?" is it your business? She was embarrassed. Later on the missionary saw her again and said "ah the gossip girl." They taught her and she was baptized. She's the primary president and she claims that she is in love with the church.

Alright onto the e-mail. Sounds like Halloween was pretty uneventful. Usually is I suppose. I still enjoy dressing up though. Trunk or Treat always had really good chilli. If not there, then there's a nice couple in the meadowbrook area that gives superb chilli to those who come back home. You know the gospel has become a lot more real to me since coming out on a mission. I don't know how else to put it. I wish I could say I was super good at living according to God's will, but mistakes still happen. It's tough to keep that eternal perspective 24/7. I figure that I'd better learn it better before I get to living in the world all on my own. Mom mentioned highs and lows (reminds me of a good song by Courage My Love). I try not to mention lows, but I was deeply disturbed today when I woke up without the carne asada (from my dream). I realized that the room was messy and I needed to clean it. I'm out of fruit in the fridge again. I forgot to fill up my water bottles. The popcorn hawker didn't hear me calling for her in the tro this afternoon. It looks like it's about to rain again, and last but not least; the kitten I tried to pet ran away from me terrified. Well I suppose it feels kinda good to get all of that off my chest. Well, I'm getting closer to 18 months. Here birthdays aren't really celebrated too much. Usually a gift like some kind of cake or baked thing or something and a big bucket of water poured on them. Happened to me last year while I was exercising. Took forever to mop it all up. I won't lie, it's actually kind of scary that I'm turning 20. True, age is just a number, but my life won't be directed like it is now by my next birthday. Guess that's kind of exciting too.

Once again, I love you all. I don't get tired of saying that. I noticed you sent a couple of other e-mails. I'll get around to checking those out in a bit.

Have a great week!

-Elder Silva

Nov. 9, 2015

I didn't get your letter this week. I know sometimes it doesn't send. If you just didn't write then I'll assume you're MIA, down with malaria or busy playing with the cat. I don't have much time this time around, but transfer news came. Elder Annan is leaving and my new companion is actually a Stake missionary, which hasn’t happened before. Also my District is now full of greenies. Atonsu is getting an extra companionship so my area is being split in two. A big relief for me. Two areas was too much. The new Elder coming is American. He just finished his training and he's coming to train a new missionary. It'll be us 4 in the apartment. Also I'm likely to have this Stake missionary for 1 transfer. If so then that will be my 5th companion in a row I've had for only 1 transfer. Strange things happening in this mission. Also thank you so much for getting those letters out to my companions going home. They called me to tell you thank you so much. Things are looking good investigator-wise. I'm out of time, but I'll say more next week.

Love you all!

-Elder Silva