A Warm Welcome Home

How good it is to see our children and grandchildren again! We arrived at the Salt Lake airport on Friday, January 23, 2015, at 7:15 p.m. to an enthusiastic crowd of family members. There were plenty of hugs and kisses for everyone. Stephanie, Ashley, Brigham, Samantha, and Kimberly and their families were there to greet us, with Melissa and her little Owen watching from Portland on Skype. Steve and Tricia Stoker came, too. It was a perfect way to begin our transition to the life we left behind 18 months ago. Our 16th grandchild even waited for us to come home so we could participate in that fun event.

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission in West Africa. Our hearts are full as we remember the beautiful friends we left behind, but we know they will be a part of our lives forever.    

Farewell West Africa!

Our mission in West Africa has come to an end. We will truly miss the wonderful friends we have made over the past 18 months. Thank goodness for treasured memories that will remain in our hearts forever.

Eliza Ekua Saaba Ewudzie

Edwin Ewudzie and Dansoa Twum-Danso were quietly "dating" when we arrived in Accra 18 months ago. We befriended them both at the area office, but it was quite some time before we knew they were planning on getting married. It has been fun to follow this darling couple through a number of happy events, including their traditional and civil weddings, then their sealing in the Ghana Accra Temple. Today we were excited to attend their baby daughter's blessing. Little Eliza has been welcomed into a loving and happy family full of grandparents and aunts and uncles who celebrate the addition of one more Ewudzie into the fold. 

  

Eliza Ekua Saaba Ewudzie -- four important family names,
and a lot for such a little girl to live up to.

The grandmothers took turns holding and caring for little
Eliza during the meetings. I was lucky to get a turn!