October 5, 2025
We are on the tail end of the rainy season, and it sure has been nice! It hasn’t been as hot, and I haven’t felt like I was in a constant state of sweat when we go out…. Kelly on the other hand, can’t remember the last time he was cold. I planted some Zinnia and Sunflower seeds in our front yard, and they have taken off and flourished with all the rain. I’ve missed being in my garden and flower beds, and its been fun to tap into my Farmers Floral days and make fresh cut bouquets to have inside our home. The Sunflowers were a mixed blend and have been so beautiful. They remind me of my oldest Sister Brigitte, she loves yellow and loves sunflowers. I look at how these flowers have transformed our yard and it reminds me of my sweet mamma. Growing up, we moved quite a bit, and she always taught me that it didn’t matter how long you were going to be in one place. You make it your own and make it beautiful. Even now at 87 she loves working in her yard and with the help of my sister Lisa they have a beautiful yard!
Six weeks go by so fast in the mission field, its almost time to do transfers again! I don’t think we will ever get use to saying goodbye to these sisters and Elders, we are so proud of them, and we are excited to see what they do in the future. Welcoming the new missionaries we just want to give them a big hug. Most of them are excited to get to work but they all have that “This just got real” look on their face. But that may just be from their ride from Accra to Cape Coast. There is a reason we haven’t made the 4-hour trip to the Temple yet, it’s pretty crazy! The shuttle bus shows up with our arriving missionaries, and they get to greet the departing missionaries, and they offer them advice. It’s a pretty humbling moment. We know that many of the African missionaries come with the bare necessities and many times Elder Ladner helps them with the reserves we have in the container with the things they are in need of. Many of them have been a member for less than 5 years! Many are going back home where they are not welcome, or parents that have passed away. After living in simple yet comfortable apartments while serving, some missionaries return to very modest homes. They all are asked to make a plan for their return, for education and keeping on the covenant path. BYU Pathways have changed many lives for these Elders and Sister. Its such a contrast to those who live in the states.
Back row L-R: Elder Bingham (Office AP) Elder Teo (Samoa) Elder Wade (Utah), President and Sister Techie-Menson, Elder Probst (Utah) Elder Whitlock (Wyoming) Elder Davis (Idaho), Elder Dimmick. Middle Row L-R: Elder Pili (Philippines), Elder Hampton (Idaho), Elder Fungavai (Tonga), Elder Gordon (Arizona), Elder Johnson (Utah). Front Row L-R: Elder Mayo (Office Elder) Elder Bowen (Office Elder) Elder Koyondo (Office Elder) .
Kelly wore his Lava lava that Elder Teo and the Island Elders gave him since he and Elder Fungavai were returning home. He looked pretty good and could even shoot some hoops with Elder Hampton.
FIRST DAY IN THE MISSION FIELD!! We had a group come from the Accra MTC. The Elders stayed with the Ladners and the mission home. We were lucky to have these sweet sisters stay overnight with us before meeting their new trainers. Sister Nyake from Tanzania, Sister Pongi from Tonga and Sister Moyo from Zimbabwe. This transfer was a little crazy. Instead of all of the missionaries showing up on the same day we had some show up in the middle of the week and then we had Elders from the Prove MTC show up the next day. We had 27 total arriving to the mission. It worked out well though for everyone who needed to house them. It did require a lot of bedding to be washed and changed in preparation for the next batch. Washing sheets for 6 beds with no dryer is always a challenge but as long as it isn’t raining, they dry pretty fast outside.
Elders in the back left to right: Elder Holt (Utah) Elder Gonzalez (Arizona) Elder Dimmick creeping in the background. Middle Row L-R: Elder Nybo (Utah) Elder Mitchell (Utah) Elder Loveless (Utah) and Elder Frederick (Nevada)
The Elders from the Provo MTC came a day after the Ghana MTC missionaries came. The Office Elders and AP’s were so busy getting the first batch of missionaries to their new areas and meet their trainers. It was kind of funny, one of the Elders made a video of their trip from Accra on the crazy Ghana roads. He wrote in his first Facebook post ” I think we almost died like 5 times!” There is a reason Kelly and I haven’t made the 4 hour trip to Accra to go to the temple. Its crazy!! but I would if I had the men who drive our shuttle drive us up there, they have driven that road so many times, they know the tricks and tips to get through the police stops and the construction areas. Plus, they have lights in their front grill and a siren, so people move out of the way (well most of the time) Its kind of crazy to me how I look at these new Elders and Sisters and many times I see an older version of my grandkids. I seriously just want to hug them all. Elder Frederick reminds me of our Kole, Solid and matter of fact and funny, ready for whatever Ghana has in store for him. Elder Mitchell reminds me of our Tan man, he seems to have a tender heart and will love everyone he meets and make everyone laugh along the way, he seems pretty chill and will adapt well in Ghana. and Elder Loveless reminds me of Wells, just his personality and his smile, he is eager to get to work. The people in Ghana will love all of these young men. I’ve said it before, living in Ghana can be a hard sometimes, but the rewards are so great. God has called each one of us to Africa for a purpose. And I know they will grow so much being out in the field. I know we have! we don’t go out and teach like they do but you cannot come to Ghana and not be touched by what you see and feel (and smell, lol) and by the people you meet. I always pray that they will have a good trainer and that they may feel our Saviors love, feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost and enjoy the journey.