VVVVRRRRRROOOOMMMMWHACK! BAAAAHHHHH!

June 20, 2016

It's raining. and I love it. I just realized this week that Idaho is kinda dry isn't it? that'll be strange for sure when I get back.   I can't believe how good Zach looks. Seriously I'm really excited for him. He's going to have one heck of a mission.

As for me my final transfer is here and I'm getting a companion change. NOOO! I just wanted to settle down my last 2 transfers without changes. change is something you can always count on, huh? My new companion is Elder B. from Uganda.   I'll be training him as a new Zone Leader.  Wish me luck! I think I've got it all down by now, but teaching it is another matter. As for me in general I'm doing great. I've been really enjoying the mission lately. The only problem is that everybody keeps reminding me it's my last transfer. I'm not sure how I'm even supposed to feel about that. I think I'll just deal with it like most things and go with the flow.

A question that just popped up; how long will Zach spend in the MTC?   I hope Em's problems over here can be solved. I pray for her and Ally.   So as for church this week I didn't go. wait wait wait, pick your jaws off the ground for goodness' sake.  One of our Sisters was sick so we took off to take her to the hospital.  It turns out she has Malaria so she's at home (apartment sorry) with medication and caring Sister missionaries. We made some visits, and she should be on the mend soon.  I still hope never to deal with malaria. If it comes to me during this final stretch I won't be very happy. it seems she caught it from Kumasi when we stayed a night for a Zone Conference, so Nkawkaw apartments here seem pretty safe.

We had the pleasure of seeing four people be baptized this Sunday with more on the way! I couldn't be more pleased with the way this area is progressing. We were walking across a road the other day when suddenly we heard "vvvvvvrrrroooooooommmwhack! baaaaaaahhhh!!!  We turned to see a goat thrown across the road rolling towards us. He got up, looked around in a daze and walked away.   Downright hilarious. It seems that animals are just getting lucky these days eh Brooke?  Oh one more thing to mention... HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE!!!  Please don't think I forgot. I truly remembered. Man 16 is crazy. That's so cool! When I get home I'll make you some nice banku or something for you to enjoy. Well that's my time finished so I'll see you all next week! -Elder Silva

June 13, 2016

My mind has too much stuff inside today. This time I feel like Brooke. ummmm... Well we have my last Zone Conference coming up Wednesday. We go up the night before to sleep at the mission home. we will have some free time in Kumasi. Should be fun! As for this week we've had much more time to be in our area so we are seeing more progression.

I'll be looking forward to pictures of Zach’s farewell. I can't send pictures, because of the computers I'm using right now. I'm really hungry right now come to think of it. I think I'll just walk outside and walk to the Burger King across the street. Then I'll just stand there and sigh when I realize it's not there haha. Actually we found some stuff and I made fajitas this week. Obviously it was a bit of an experiment for me, but it tasted enough like what I miss. Well everything here is going well. This is the last week of the transfer, so I'll tell you next week if I get my last companion, or work with the same one. Catch you all later! -Elder Silva

Blast from the past . . .

Jun 6, 2016

I can't believe my older sister and adopted sister came to see me and I never took a picture with my own camera! How foolish . . . Well, you asked about our week . . . We spent probably about 12-13 hours proselyting in our area. We were in Kumasi for much of it. We had meetings, exchanges with the Assistants, baptismal interviews etc... It was fun to travel around, but our area is getting a little "dusty" due to our schedule. We're trying as much as we can and we may have some baptisms coming up soon.

Seeing Em and Ally was really cool. The members were a bit distracted from their lessons, but they were happy. It hasn't thrown me as I haven't even had much time to think about it anyways haha. What's strange is that it was so fast that it seems as if it didn't even happen. It's also strange to think that they're getting a small taste of what my mission is like. At least somebody will understand my strange mannerisms when I'm back. I'll have to be sure to E-mail Zach soon. It's crazy that he's graduated. Actually Mom, I already bought a nativity set earlier so don't worry. I'll be sure to bring some coins. All the coins were minted in 2007 because of a change in currency. I haven't seen any of the old currency, but I'll be looking for it. Also I'll be thinking about a nice rock to bring for Mr. Gunderson. Too bad I wasn't in Obuasi when you asked. Maybe I could've had my hand on a bit of gold. I heard a missionary got the paperwork through to bring a small amount home. I'm not worried about Brooke's E-mail. When I get home I'm just going to tie her up to a chair, shine a light in her eyes and force her truth serum until she tells me everything that happened in the last two years... or I'll just ask Duke, (He sees more than you think...) Well fam. I guess that's it for now. Transfers are coming somehow soon, so I'll let you know then. -Elder Silva

May 30, 2016

Well wouldn'tcha know it? it's around 2:00 in Nkawkaw right now. I suppose as I'm typing this very message, Emily should be in the Ghana airport by now, surrounded by a bunch of skinny dudes asking to take her luggage in broken English... Don't do it Em!! Haha

Well this week has been pretty good. The days are flying by. We've been starting a big push for member-missionary work in the Zone and we've seen some improvements. Don't forget to help those Elders or Sisters at home a bit. Life is still busy, but I prefer it that way. Me and my companion are doing great. no problems... well except for the fact that he always seems to be using the bathroom when everyone else needs it. The mission is having a famine of missionaries soon. People are leaving and few are coming. It calls for more Stake missionaries or combined/closed areas.The Branch is doing well. We have some people sorta-kinda progressing. We're unsure, but not losing faith. We actually have real PEC meetings. sooo nice. All in all it's a gay ol' time.

It's funny that as time here goes on, I just expect that time back home is frozen. Then I realize that 2 school years have passed, Brooke's an upcoming Junior, Em's out of college, Mason Skaggs is becoming a super computer hacker, Carson is graduated, Steven is still tootin on that trombone, and now I'm hearing things about uprooted bushes and ghost cars... strange. oh and Zach's going to Russia... no big deal. Speaking of what Dad said about elephant guns, is there anything any of you guys are just "dying" to have from here? I never gave much thought to souvenirs and now that time is running out I don't have many ideas. Just a thought. Well Brooke, I wouldn't say Junior year was the hardest. Sophomore was my least favorite. Senior was my favorite and my hardest. No worries. If you're worried about not being able to handle the summer heat, then get that job. It will help you to grow up to be the super something you always wanted to be. Also you might be able to save up enough to get something cool like a pirate ship or a gumball! Enjoy the week everyone. -Elder Silva