November 12

Mother,
How is it going?? Welll It sounds like you guys had quite a good week. I also had a good week too. I am so glad that you were able to go to the Zolls. They are awesome people and they really helped out the Kumasi and Cape coast mission so much. He is the reason why I came to South Africa, and I am so grateful for that, because I really know this is where I need to be. My rash has gotten a ton better, but most of all I have grown so so so much since I have been here!!! The way I have loved my mission has increased so much since I have been here. I don’t know why it is but I am just loving it. I love the Gospel, and I have become so much closer to the Savior and our Heavenly Father. I have so much Joy!!! I love it!! I met Lexi and the Brother once they came to our District meeting!! I knew elder Alba, I know most of those people in that picture. I love those guys Alba is a nice guy, but I know elder Briggs the most!
So yeah we had a good week we worked hard, we had some cool experiences. WE actually were able to go to a school this week, we taught like 12 to 13 year olds about the For Strength of Youth. They really loved it especially the teachers, and actually one of the teachers invited us over for dinner on Tuesday so hopefully, something will happen out of that even though she Hindu. This week we set up an interview with the newspaper, so next week we are going to have an article in the paper of us! So we are really working hard trying to find some people to teach and get this area going. I am so close to all the members they love us!! We are just really working hard in this area trying to get things going because we love the gospel and know it can bless so many lives. The members really trust us a lot cause they have seen our hard work, so I think that they are really going to start helping the work a lot they already have its awesome, I wish to stay in this area for a while I want to see it grow I know it will!!!! I am sooooo happyyyyyyy!!! I have been so happy since I have been in South Africa!! It’s incredible, my life has totally changed, my desires my everything!! I just love teaching the gospel so much, I can’t even imagine my mission ever ending!! It won’t! So yeah anyway it’s crazy I feel like this every single day so happy!! Even through the hard times I try and stay happy!! It’s amazing what the gospel can do in your life. This is truly true happiness I have never felt this way in my entire life!!
Well talking about this just makes me so happy!! Anyway I get my new companion today he is from South Africa he is fairly new on mission. He is a good guy he is such a nice guy. So Yeah I am loving my mission and I am so happy!! I don’t really need anything for Christmas, maybe just like a small envelope of candy. When is Thanksgiving anyway? have a good week.

Love 

Elder Francoma 

October 29

Hello Mother, 

Well we had a pretty good week things are going well. I guess I will tell you first some things that went on this week. Well we had a zone conference this week!! It was incredible.  It was so good and just gave all of the missionaries a strong desire to be better and evaluate our selves. So President talked about a few things that really stuck out me. He talked about the Anti Nephi Leis how when they were converted they never fell away again. And the reason why they never fell away again, is because they buried there weapons of rebellion. Which in their case was the sword they buried there sword, and never took it back again even when the Lamanites came they just stayed back and let them slay them, but it was a sign to God that they truly repented and were converted. It is incredible the faith and the strong desires they had to do good, even to just lay back and let them kill them. In our lives we need to do the same, we need to bury the weapons of our rebellion. We all know what those things are, if we have a problem falling in sin, we need to do everything we can to stop every single way we can fall into that. Or as missionaries we have problems and we are not being as good as we should we need to fix those things in our lives, and lay those things down and replace them with something else. When, I think about that, someone like the Anti Nephi lehis they were truly converted in all that they did. It is so hard to be like that, we all have worldly things that are kind of weighing us down that really we need to get rid of but just can’t seem to do it. But to be truly converted and humble, we must lay these things down and change and repent. So I really loved the message we learned, there was much more, but that is the thing that really got to me the most. It really got me thinking of things I really need to improve on this year so that when I come back, I will have these things buried and they won’t be a distraction in my life and in my goals. Well the missionary work is going really slow. The good thing is I am super determined to help this area out so we are really working hard. This week we have like 5 appointments with members to help the work going. Right now we are trying to start a bible study class and we are trying to get it in the paper as an advertisement, so we are working on that one, and also trying to get an article on us, me and my companion to help people know what we do, and stuff. Then we are working on starting to have like assemblies at schools, at a high school. The students really have bad habits with drugs, stealing, drinking and all sorts of crap, so we are kind of trying to get through the kids to get to the parents, with the strength for the youth. All the schools would really be willing to have us come cause it is a serious problem. So are working on coordinating that and other things. Here in Chatsworth you can’t just go and knock on doors and try and be successful it’s not that easy, kinda have to think outside the box. So that is what we are trying we are still knocking and stuff but just trying to get some other good finding ideas and stuff so I will let you know how that goes. The last recent convert that was baptized that is now active was 10 years ago!!! And that is the Bishop!! So yeah we are enjoying out here!! hahah But anyway well this next transfer I know my comp he is a white guy from south Africa we get together next week, and our areas are combining cause both of our areas are just suffering and don’t have too much workHello Mother, 

Well we had a pretty good week things are going well. I guess I will tell you first some things that went on this week. Well we had a zone conference this week!! It was incredible. I have never seen something organized like that before on my mission. It was so good and just gave all of the missionaries a strong desire to be better and evaluate our selves. So President talked about a few things that really stuck out me. He talked about the Anti Nephi Leis how when they were converted they never fell away again. And the reason why they never fell away again, is because they buried there weapons of rebellion. Which in their case was the sword they buried there sword, and never took it back again even when the lamanites came they just stayed back and let them slay them, but it was a sign to God that they truly repented and were converted. It is incredible the faith and the strong desires they had to do good, even to just lay back and let them kill them. In our lives we need to do the same, we need to bury the weapons of our rebellion. We all know what those things are, if we have a problem falling in sin, we need to do everything we can to stop every single way we can fall into that. Or as missionaries we have problems and we are not being as good as we should we need to fix those things in our lives, and lay those things down and replace them with something else. When, I think about that, someone like the Anti Nephi lehis they were truly converted in all that they did. It is so hard to be like that, we all have worldly things that are kind of weighing us down that really we need to get rid of but just can’t seem to do it. But to be truly converted and humble, we must lay these things down and change and repent. So I really loved the message we learned, there was much more, but that is the thing that really got to me the most. It really got me thinking of things I really need to improve on this year so that when I come back, I will have these things buried and they won’t be a distraction in my life and in my goals. Well the missionary work is going really slow. But the good thing is I am super determined to help this area out so we are really working hard. Its crazy the ward hasn’t helped the missionaries out, but it seems like we are getting them more and more excited and they are really willing to help we just have to find the ways they can and want to. This week we have like 5 appointments with members to help the work going. Right now we are trying to start a bible study class and we are trying to get it in the paper as an advertisement, so we are working on that one, and also trying to get an article on us, me and my companion to help people know what we do, and stuff. Then we are working on starting to have like assemblies at schools, at a high school. The students really have bad habits with drugs, stealing, drinking and all sorts of crap, so we are kind of trying to get through the kids to get to the parents, with the strength for the youth. All the schools would really be willing to have us come cause it is a serious problem. So are working on coordinating that and other things. Here in Chatsworth you can’t just go and knock on doors and try and be successful it’s not that easy, kinda have to think outside the box. So that is what we are trying we are still knocking and stuff but just trying to get some other good finding ideas and stuff so I will let you know how that goes. The last recent convert that was baptized that is now active was 10 years ago!!! And that is the Bishop!! We get fed quite a bit which is nice, I have had so many different types of food on my mission, and right now I am eating all Indian food which it is quite nice. But yeah that is pretty much how the week went it sounds like you are having fun with Anna and Shawn, I am so excited to talk on Christmas it is much better then emailing anyway have a good week Love you! 

October 22

 Mom!! 

You are pretty funny, I forgot what I said in my email last week, I was about to punch the computer screen!! I could totally see you guys doing it, that is the thing!! (I told him we went to the 49ers game in San Francisco because of his last email about the cruise.)I am glad that you were able to spend a lot of time up with Shawn and Anna. I bet that was hard leaving them again. That is what is hard about vacation. You never want to go back home, well at least that is always how I feel!! Now you’re back to normal life again!  I already told you details about my new area!! Everyone is Indian and Hindu! They all have huge dogs, and they try and bite your hands off. These dogs are seriously scary cause there is so much crime, and stealing here that everyone has a guard dog that sits behind the gate all day and if it opens, then sorry to the person that is by it. People get bitten by dogs all the time, so that is my worst fear right now!! Well it’s not really like Ghana most of the houses here are just for 2 missionaries. Which makes it really lonely, but there is a lot less of goofing around at least since of Lemor, me and him used to have so much fun at night. Now I usually just study the scriptures and stuff, so that has been really good for me! I have grown so much more since I have been in this mission.  The spirit really has testified to me that this is where I need to be especially when I was at the doctor’s office. The spirit is something I just cherish now, it guides me and protects me every day, I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Something I really have learned on my mission is setting goals, and improving on the bad! One thing I really like about myself is I dunno if I was this way at home but I am now. I know you would probably make fun of me if I didn’t say that. Anyway, I am always striving to improve; nothing is ever good enough for me. Well the way I am. I always want to become better, and that is what life is all about improving while we have this short period of time in mortality. We all need to become better each day and become more like Christ even tho the world gets hectic we really need to improve and not go back!! Well right now we are visiting with a family of less actives the father has 5 kids and they all have kids and they are all less active. Like 16 of them,. so pretty much half of the ward. But they got really offended with someone in the church. But they might be! But I received two packages!! One from Shelly or whatever and from you they were awesome!! I don’t really miss anything too much, so everything that you send is good, thank you so much! But we drive about 30 to 40 miles each day. The area is pretty spread out it’s, probably like the whole Centerville maybe little bit more I dunno! But the family in Ghana is going to be baptized this Sunday I am so excited for them. And also the other family was already baptized and Morrison! So that was pretty good to hear!! Well I am doing well, I don’t really like to email! So sorry if my emails are boring it’s much easier to call, and then you can just answer all your questions! But anyways love you!! Have good week!

New Mission

Elder Francom has been transfered because for medical reasons to the Durban South Africa Mission.
Keep him in your prayers. He was sad to leave Ghana, but he is adjusting well and has a good attitude as always!

September 24

Mother Dear,

Well i hope that you had a good week!!! I had an okay week, i am super happy about the news! I DID NOT WANT TO COME TO THE USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have gone anywhere, but this is a huge blessing. So this is going to be a huge change. I am going to paradise!!! They have McDonalds!!!!!!!!!!! That is all that i need!! I don’t have to eat rice and stew and fufu with monkey every day anymore!! I am excited for the change I think this is really going to make me a better person!! I know that everything is done in the Wisdom of God. This is his work Mom, don’t doubt that he knows exactly what he is doing. Honestly as hard as trials are, they are for our benefit. Through the trials back at home, it has taught me so much! I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t go through them and life was just easy. So when times are the hardest make sure you rely upon our Heavenly Father Mom. That is when he is going to be there for us, especially when we get what we need out of the trial.  I am doing well, its been a hard week saying good bye honestly I just kind have not let myself think about it to much  and I haven’t told to many people cause its to hard leaving these people so a lot of people I am just leaving without saying goodbye. But we’ll have a chance a again to meet. I know. One of my recent converts in my first area  is probably going to get married again. I am so happy for him, he is going to bring the lady into the church before he marries her though. They have told me he is one of the most solid members in the branch that he comes every single week. So that always makes your day when you here those type of things. Tomorrow Ihave to say good bye to some of the families and members cause I will be leaving early Wednesday to Kumasi and won’t be back. I am going with the aps for 3 days. Joel and his family are so sad they couldn’t even believe it. It is amazing to see what has happened to that family especially his father, who just loves coming to church now and has become such a better person in just three weeks!!! Oh yeah the mission president called me this week, and asked if I knew how to drive, I said yeah. Then he was like okay good the new mission president plans on having you drive as soon as you get there, so, most likely I will be having a car!!!! That will be really sweet. hahah all of this walking everywhere on dirt roads now to have a car. I heard they drive on the left side of the road, and the cars are stick so the driver side is on the right hand side which means you will have to shift with your left hand so I will have to try and get used to that one. I am glad that you are doing well, and are having fun with Anna and Shawn that will be sad to have them leave. It will be hard mom I will be praying for you so hard. Keep busy in life and hang in there I will only be away from home for 1 year more then you will have your best friend back at home!  Rely upon our Heavenly Father, they know what we go through, Christ suffered for all of our afflictions troubles pains and everything, he knows how to help us I promise you that one! So keep doing well, I am going to south africa for a reason, this is not my work but the Lords, it will make me the person I need to become! Have a good week Love you!

August 27

Mother,

Hello, how are you doing this week? That is good that you met Elder Smith!! He is so sweet I love him; I hope that he is doing well.But anyways I am glad that you were able to get to see him and know him some. How long did he stay at the house for? It’s true I used to have a big bucket full of food. Now I just have a bag hahah. I still have a lot but not as much as I used to. He is such a nice an awesome guy. As you can see I’m still a crazy guy sometimes. I really have changed a lot and am loving my time here. This week they split the branch where I am at. So now they are having two branches in Obuasi. We are going to get to open the new branch when they find a building but until then we will still be in he same place. President took us out for dinner at this really nice place it was awesome!! I love the president and the Zolls. One of the branch members just went to the mtc he is there with Elder Hintze, the member emailed me and sent a picture of all of them. He is looking like he is doing well. So everything is going really well. I will now share some experiences I had this week. So this week was the most spiritual week of my life. I have worked really hard on my mission but this week we worked extra hard we stepped up to a new level. I don’t know something really changed in me my whole mission I have tried to become better each week. But this week it was different I really was determined to have an awesome week, and become better. These last couple of weeks I have read my patriartical blessing everyday. I have a lot of blessings that it promises if I am faithful will come out of my mission. I felt as some of them haven’t really happened yet.  Like I said last week to be extra ordinary you have to do things extraordinary or prepare that way or practice that way. The spirit really touched me and helped to know these things will all come to pass I just need to make it happen and allow them to happen. So it all changed on Monday. I cleaned everything. I folded everything and just cleaned up my whole place. Then it went on to Tuesday. I had one of the best personal study times I have had my whole mission. So that all led in to the whole week. We were exact obedient to the T. We were teaching seven lessons a day, getting 10 numbers a day of new investigators. It was funny one night my companion was so happy we were just rejoicing for help that God has given us this week. We were walking home and it was dark he was singing I think called to serve loud and like snapping and dancing it was funny these guys probably thought we were crazy.  we were seriously so happy, and full of the spirit of God. The whole week it was like this just happy as ever, knowing that God is blessing so much and it wasn’t us doing this but we were instruments in the hand of God. Then something happened Friday. We had scheduled 8 appointments that day. That morning I was by six like always and we did a hard leg work out and I was just dead tired. Well that day everyone failed us but 2 people, what a crappy day it was we were trying to walk around and to contact but we were just so tired. It was a rough day. I wondered why this would happen. We being exact obedient missionaries and still all these people are failing us. After being a little angry and impatient I realized this is happening for a reason. I needed to know why this trial had come. God gives us trials to make us strong. Sometimes are disobedience brings us trials too. But for this we were being obedient. So really thought that whole night why. I didn’t get it. The next morning something hit me and I knew exactly why that happened. I really learned a strong lesson out of this that morning. It changed my attitude again I was full of the spirit and ready to go out and work. We were seeing my favorite investigator we just contacted. His name is David he just finished college is very humble and smart. I have been praying for him hard to be touched by the spirit. Well this day a miracle happened. One thing I know is when you are exact obedient miracles happen. WE were teaching him about God and Christ and his baptism. We were teaching him the spirit was so strong bearing testimony and you could see that he was feeling the spirit. All of the sudden I look and one our members, was down where we are. I asked him to come and sit with us and help us teach. He came and heard our teachings and was like wait elder francom I want to bear testimony. So he did and it was strong and David really felt the spirit that day, later that lesson we invited him to church. Then after we invited him to be baptized. He accepted both. I know if we keep our faith he will progress and with the help of our heavenly father he will be baptized. The crazy story about the member is he lives 7 miles away from where we were. He was waiting around for his interview which was coming in about 2 hours at church. But the place we were wasn’t even close to the church and we were in a corner, in this house which is in the middle of nowhere. It was truly a miracle God really blessed us that day and if I wouldn’t have learned that wonderful lesson it wouldn’t have happened. The member used to be a catholic to so he bore testimony about that. David came to church and loved it. We are just praying and hoping he will continue to exercise his faith. I know God is with us when we are obedient especially when we are exact obedient. I had the most spiritual week of my life. It was amazing. The church is true and I am sorry this email was so long but I hope you understand how powerful of an experience it was. God truly led that man to us. We never called him or anything that was the first time he said he has ever been to that place before. Well anyways I love you all!!! Thank you for everything I haven’t got the package yet but I might get it tonight when we go to Kumasi.

August 20

Mother,

Mom how are you doing? How are school preparations going? How is traveling the world without me? I am doing well, things are going good.   I always play Come Thou Fount on my music player Sue sent me, I love that song. I am happy that you were able to go to Elder Briggs homecoming, He is a sweet guy. It was funny Elder Smith emailed me this week. He sent two pictures. One was with him hugging a white girl, the other one was of a plate with steak and mash potatoes and stuff. I was laughing pretty hard. Elder Hernandez is definitely the funniest guy on my mission. He didn’t tell you any of the funny stories we had together? My area is about 2 to 2 and half hours away from the mission home. It’s the second farthest area away.  So I am training a Ghanaian. He is awesome his name is Elder Appiah. He is a nice and humble guy.  It’s funny he lives like 2 hours from the area we are in now. He has already seen one of his friends and he saw his mother. She was riding away in a car but he got to say hi to her. So I got the packages from you and Cindy! They were all really nice and loved them and appreciate them. Tell Cindy thanks.   So things are still going, some are tough some are sweet. One thing I know that is very true though, is when you are going through trials and hard times it’s when you are closest to our Heavenly Father. He doesn’t just leave me alone. All though sometimes I just have to get through things by myself to test my faith, but at the end it strengthens me and helps me to grow. One other thing I was thinking about a lot this week too is, in order to be extra ordinary in anything you do, you have to do something extra ordinary. When you see missionaries come back home some have changed a lot and some changed small and some not at all. I thought when I came that mission was just going to change me and my life. But as a song says, change doesn’t start with the letter C it starts with me. Anyway in order for me to grow up and be extra ordinary it starts with me to do something extra ordinary. I have to work at it all I can to change, change just won’t happen. Anyway I am working on becoming the best missionary, man, and future father I can be. It’s going to be me, and how dedicated I am will be what I am. I thank you for everything. I love you mom. Have an awesome week!!!

-- 

more pictures

Zone conference 

Carrying the water to the font

August 13

Mother,

I am doing really fine. We had another successful and hard week.  That is awesome about the baby. I can’t wait to see her. She is so dang cute. It was funny this week this girl in the branch she is like 13 years old she has been begging me to see the family, she is so funny. She always asks about you guys. She wants to be my sister, well anyways I finally brought her the pictures after her asking me forever, and then she wanted one she said if I gave her a picture she would give me something. So I gave her one and then she gave me this teddy bear that says I love you on it. It was funny the Bolls were at our church this Sunday so I hurried and hid it in my back pack so they didn’t think I was having a girlfriend in Ghana hahaha. Any way wow what a wonderful experience I had this week that I will share with you. So anyway nothing goes right in Ghana if you didn’t know that already. So they built a font at our branch and got it all done. But then they didn’t realize we didn’t have a water to fill it up our branch is up on the hill far up so the wale they dug, when they got like 60 feet down there still wasn’t water. So yeah, it was Saturday the day before the baptism still no water they promised we would have water, but nothing works out here. So me, Elder Lemor, two of our investigators that I paid to work with us, and the branch president bucketed water in for 4 hours. This bucketing water in was not easy either. I’ll try and let you picture it. So I would say maybe down by the Perkins we were getting this water which is far, I’m carrying like I would say 8 gallons of water in this bucket on top of my head I have pics of it but anyway, we would have to come all the way up the hill just like our street it really is just  like it but instead there is rocks and dirt and a bunch of black people laughing at you cause they think it’s funny obruni (Whiteman) can carry a bucket of water on their head like them. So we did this for 4 hours in the morning. I was dead, it was like trying to fill up Laura's sweeeeeeeet swimming pool by bucketing it from Perkins it toooook forever!!!!!!! But after 4 hours we were really about 1/4 of the way done, but at twelve this guy came and was like we will have pipes up to the font so you guys need to stop. So we did, then it came about 7 at night. Still nothing happened, no water so then me and Sagers decided we needed to fetch water again, so this time we were walking up the hill in the dark tripping over rocks cause you can’t see at all. By the time I got my bucket to the font at least half of the water was spilled on me.  My shoes are still not dry, but anyway we were doing this till midnight!!!! I spent 8 hours bucketing water for our baptism the funny part about it was we only got it half full. Sunday came what a sweet day on my mission it honestly was probably happiest moment I felt in my life. Beating Bingham when down by 8 in the state playoffs was pretty sweet, but  seeing 8 people enter the waters of baptism and make a covenant with God, there is nothing like it. Living the Gospel and doing exactly what our heavenly father would want me to do brings true happiness. Seeing all the hard work pay off and seeing the happiness all of those 8 people felt that day was an experience I won’t ever forget. The Zolls came up for it all and I videoed a lot of it, they said they were going to put it all on facebook so you will have to look. It is sweet to hear that everyone back at home is doing well.  Zone conference went well; the spirit really helped me out in my talk. I think it really went well. The zone conference was awesome. It was the best one I have been too. This new president is awesome and so is his wife. Every couple missionary here is just awesome. The Zolls especially, they come out to Obuasi quite a bit and help us out. Elder Zoll knows how hard this area is so he is always helping us out. They are going to split the branch in 2 weeks so that will be sweet. I am still applying the cream. I will be for the rest of my mission. Elder smith will be calling you hopefully one Wednesday or Thursday. I hope you can go to elder Briggs and elder Smiths farewell. Make sure that you talk to them after and introduce yourself to them. I love them both.  O yah I got the packages this week!!!! Thank you so much mom they were so sweet. I loved them so much!!!!! YOu are the best; I thank you for all you do. thank you mother talk to the Zolls on face book they have been with us a lot they are awesome you will have to go to their homecoming when they get home!! Love you so much!!!

The Font

august 6

MOther!!!

Your favorite missionary is doing really well.  I also had another really good week. Everything is going well. I hope everyone doesn’t think I am like dying in Africa. I am really loving my time here and everything is going well. It’s just that sometimes times get hard. So about my rash I don’t think it is going to go away. I will just have to treat it the best I can. It’s just something I will have to deal with and hope it doesn’t get any worse. But for the water it is always dirty. That is what we wash our clothes and bathe in. It’s funny cause we were thinking of having our baptism this week in the river out here, and president said the water is to dirty. Then one of the elders was like do you see what we bathe and wash our clothes in? it is the same thing. Anyway we drink clean water but we don’t wash in clean but that is okay it gets us clean enough. Yeah mission has its ups and downs but overall the good definitely outweighs the bad and I love to be here. That is awesome I am so happy that all of you fasted for me this week. I really love all of you and your support and your care for me. It really means so much to me. The zone conference is this Wednesday, so I am still preparing my talk. The mission president will be there and probably around 40 missionaries. So that will be a sweet experience. I am learning to love this area, the mission president told the mission this is the hardest area but things are going great. I didn’t love the area so much at first but I am really learning to love it. I heard that the girl was baptized in my last area; I also found out that two sweet people we contacted are getting baptized on the 22nd of this month too. It’s awesome!!! We again had ten investigators come to church it was powerful. I will tell you two cool experiences that happened this week. So I think I told you a while ago there are these little kids that come with us to church each week. One of them is twelve years old and his name is Joel. He is such a smart and nice and sweet kid. He loves the church and loves the missionaries. Well we gave him a book of Mormon and we haven’t taught him anything just because he is so young and it’s not good to baptize little kids just cause if they grow up and don’t come its better they weren’t baptized. But on Sunday he came with his Book of Mormon, and I was kinda just joking and was like so Joel how far you are on your reading the book of Mormon. He turns the pages open and opens to page 50. I thought there was no way so I asked him to explain it to me, he understands it and told me so many things about what happened in the first 50 pages, it was so awesome. He told us he loves the Book of Mormon and loves reading it. So I think we will start teaching him small and help him keep coming to church. I think if we will continue overtime he will come a strong member of the church someday and will likely go on a mission if we continue to help him. He is so sweet. The next is we are teaching this family we contacted and we contacted the wife. We later found out she has a husband who is paralyzed from the waist down. He doesn’t have a wheel chair or anything so he can never leave the house he just sits there all day every day; I would probably say he hasn’t left his house for many years. But anyways he is looking for a church that will care for him and take him to church. The wife has come to church 3 weeks in a row. So this week we were determined to get this man who loves God to come to church. He just can’t do it himself. So me and Elder Sagers went to his house early in the morning and we got him and we picked him up and carried him up to the church. We took him in a taxi but the taxi can’t get to our church cause the road is so crappy and it’s up on the mountain so we carried him. It was a sweet experience and the members really loved it too and were so warm and welcoming to him. They all saw the example we set and kinda saw they can help out others too. Right now they are doing well and helping with the missionary work. So we took him home and he just loved church. He showed so much gratitude towards us. He was so happy; I have never seen him smile like that before. He asked us if we would come and do it again next week. So now we have a new responsibility to carry this man to church. His name is Akwasi. Anyway that is what missionary work is all about, knowing that what you are doing can change a man and his life, plus many others lives. I know that this is exactly what God wants me to do. This guy bore a powerful testimony this week, he is a returned missionary. He talked about how he can doubt that he was borne from his mother but he can’t know for sure because he doesn’t physically remember it, but he said one thing he has no doubt that this is the lord’s church. This is the church that Jesus Christ will come down and build. It’s true I don’t know many things and I can doubt many things in life. But one thing I can’t doubt in life is that the church is true!! Why can’t I doubt it cause I have gotten on my knees and I have prayed and asked God. He has helped me to know many times that this is his church. I bear testimony that this is Gods church and Jesus Christ is the head of the church. He directs the church through revelation and that when he comes again he will come and help this true church forward. I love you all and thank you for all you do. If I didn’t answer the questions sorry!!!!By the way got the mail well I am getting it tonight so I think it is okay to send the scriptures.

July 9

Mother, 

I am doing really well this week. I had a pretty good week. It sounds like you are doing good too!! That is so sweet about Shawn. When Shawn gave me a blessing before I came on mission it was probably the most powerful blessing I have ever heard. Shawn is awesome. You need to send me some pictures of it that would be awesome. So we met the president this week. It went really well they are really new to being in mission and you can tell that but I think he will change a lot of things up which needs to happen.   It also sounds like he is going to let us meet more often then every three months for p  days which will be sweet. What I like about him is he is taking charge he just is doing what he thinks is best. We were riding around with the mission president and wife and she is so cultured shocked it is so funny!!! I told her that i remember exactly how she feels. She says she always wanted to serve a mission cause they are both converts and then she was like now they got here how is she going to do it. She is worried a lot about the food and stuff. She is so funny and so nice. There was this dead cow being carried along the road they were selling the meat. And she was like you don’t eat that right? We said yeah. She is so worried about what we eat its funny. So we were supposed to have three baptisms this week. Well the old missionaries have been teaching them and stuff then i got transferred in and taught them a little but i knew they weren’t ready and i told my companion that. But he disagreed and wanted to baptize them bad. He  has been in this area a while so he has the say. So we arranged it all and stuff, so Sunday morning we are waiting for them to come. Guess how many came to be baptized 00000000000000000000!!! I wasn’t to disappointed cause I think it is best for them they don’t know exactly all the need to know so hopefully if we find them we can teach them more and prepare them for a month or so. We have been calling them and trying to find them but we can’t. So elder Zoll is now gonna be over are area which is sweet cause this area is so big. So they are going to split it and make a new branch which will help out the missionaries a lot!!! So he is coming down this week on wednesday and taking us to get pizza then we are going to look for buildings and he is going to meet with the branch pres to discuss what needs to happen. So I think maybe soon this area should be getting a little better. President Shulz told the mission by far this is the hardest area. I didn’t really believe when I came but now I know what he is talking about. Not to complain but it will really make me strong and help my mission out a lot. I can tell you I have never prayed so hard in my life and relied on God. God is here though I know that!! he is with me. So when ever I need comfort and am in need he always helps me through everything. I have developed a strong testimony of prayer. Prayer is so important. We need to pray day morning day and night to give our heavenly father thanks. He wants to hear from us and is ready to bless us we just have to use our agency to pray for it cause that is what he doesn’t have from us. For food I am okay anything is good.I don’t need the ensign or anything we get that. Thank you mom!! HOw is your book of mormon reading going? Love you mom have a good week!!

July 2

Mother,

Happy MOnday! MOndays are good days for missionaries. Today is a holiday in Ghana I guess ,which they close down everything ,I am down to 1 cedis, and Elder  Lemor and my companion have no money. We tried to go withdraw money but every atm in this city is closed!!! So we will have to go and get it tomorrow. We didn’t find any wild animals on our hike so it was okay.  Our apartment is like 5 minutes away from the chapel, so we are really close. I think the new area we are teaching in will be a lot more successful. The old area they didn’t have like any success. Yeah the church is the same just a lot of Twi. This branch is actually a lot more helpful and more official then my last branch. Like last Saturday they did a big activity and played soccer and also played like musical chairs and stuff so that was fun. I love this area but I made a lot of close friendships in my last area and maybe it will just take time. There is this woman in our branch who is like 52 she is awesome , a really nice lady.   I am trying to set her up with bempa owusu cause he is also not married it was funny. She told me that she will let me know when she decides, she reminded me of you!!! But you can’t really do anything on p day especially out here cause it’s so far. Mother I am in Africa do you want me to go golfing or bowling or something like that? You have any suggestions what we should do? Cause I don’t have any!!!  (  Ryan said this because I was teasing him about his hike last P Day.  I said, “ Isn’t that what you do everyday, can’t you play basketball or something?”  )   Elder Lemors new companion is Elder Sagers. He is fromTwin Falls, Idaho. He is a cool guy. WE are meeting the new president on Wednesday so we will go to Kumasi then.  Yeah I think I got all of the packages that everyone sent me they were awesome. I love everything that everyone sends there is nothing that I don’t like!!! I like the protein powder. I also like the one that grandma sent too!! We are having a baptism this week. We are baptizing this mother and daughter, they are both so sweet. I love them so much and am so excited for them and the decision that they are making!! It’s so funny every Sunday there are these three kids that come to church. One day we invited them into our gate to play soccer and they loved it and we invited them to come to church again.   Little did we know they knocked at the gate at 8 in the morning ready to go. It is so funny they love the church. I will have to take a picture with them soon. There is one boy named Joel he is 11,  Pastor he is 11, and one that is 7. Yeah the money withdrawal is right. I have been spending a lot of money here its tough because travel was a lot and my companion ran out of money last week so I have been using my money to pay for his food too. I think I will be okay with the conference dvds. But thank you. Well mother I love you so much and have a great time up in Washington!!

june 25

Mother Dear!!

So I am doing well. Everything is going good here in Obuasi. Today we hiked up the mountains in Obuasi we got like 5 members to come with us I am pretty sure they’re probably some of the biggest mountains in Ghana. It was really sweet it was pretty scary tho cause there were no trails or anything. So who knows what is by you. By the way back in my old area we were weeding Brother Owusus farm and we found a viper snake. I guess it’s really dangerous and it would kill you if it bit you cause of its venom but brother owusu killed it with a knife it was pretty sweet!!! So Obuausi is like a big town it’s almost like Kumasi. Ok I want to make an example now, this is kinda like how I was feeling those first two weeks. So the church is in Centerville and we have to proselyte in Layton. It costs a lot of money to get there and that is the one thing these people don’t have. To top it all off I swear this is true it’s almost like you are trying to teach a lesson on the strip of Las Vegas in our area, obviously it’s nothing like Vegas but there are just so many people walking around and just music blasting everywhere. It didn’t make too much sense to me why we were proselyting there. So we talked to president cause there is a lot of area that the other missionaries don’t go that you can walk to the church from. So we did and he told us that that is where we’re supposed to be. For some reason the last missionaries liked proselyting in town and having no success but we switched things up so it’s getting better. I don’t mean to complain but it’s more just like the truth. So now we are just trying to find people to teach. I almost have the card filled up. I am pretty sure I am going to send it with Elder Smith I really want the family to go to his homecoming he is such an awesome guy. He is one of my favorites on mission and he is a powerful man you will really enjoy his talk. So let me know if you can cause I want to send some stuff with him. He lives in Morgan and gets home the 15th of August. So obuasi is probably the farthest away from the new mission president. It’s like a two hour drive to Kumasi. So we are just on our own out here. We will only go into town in Kumasi maybe once a month so we don’t get to see really any other missionaries which is hard but it’s somehow nice I guess. Obuasi is probably one of the nicest places in the mission as far as living conditions wise. Cause a lot of foreigners are here so they make everything expensive. The apartment is new cause they just opened this area, I would think it is probably the nicest home in the mission. We even have a water heater which is nice cause the water is freezing cold, I don’t know how cause it’s so hot. But we have a nice place to stay and stuff so I can’t complain about that. I really love my companion me and him get along so well. I think we will have a really good relationship while we serve together. Its funny me and him are the most alike out of any companion I have had. He makes me want to be better and I think I do the same for him at least he says so. So I have a challenge for you mom maybe you can get Laura to join or any of the family! It will be sweet. Okay so I am starting the book of Mormon again and I want you to start it to if you are willing. I really want you to study and understand it. I think if you just take it slow and really try and understand it and pray you will understand it well. That is what I am trying to do at least. One thing that has really helped me is writing down a summary of every chapter or I write down things I really like in the chapter. It helps a lot. So I think you should try it with me. Read 2 chapters a day that is not too much time to give to God a day. So I know you will be willing. So Mom right now we have 3 people that are planning on getting baptized June 8th. They are pretty sweet. We have this one woman her name is Elizabeth she is so humble. So we will pray and hope they will continue to progress so they can make an awesome decision by making a sacred covenant with God.

People don’t recognize the whiteman too much in this town cause there are a lot which is pretty nice. Well mother thank you,  I think we should start writing letters to so I will send you one this week. LLove you!!!!!

June 18

Mother!!!

I am glad that you had an awesome time in Washington. That is sweet that you got to go up there hopefully you will get to see the baby a lot. It is hard not being home, but I have kinda forgot about home I don’t really ever think about home. I am glad that the baby and Annemarie are healthy! That is good news. Well Obuasi is sweet. So this last week has maybe been the hardest couple days I have had on mission so far. I was having a hard time with the change. Where we stay is hard, so our apartment and church is like 30 minutes away from our area so it’s hard in always. Just to get to our area we have to pay 1 cedi.  Mostly every day we pay up to five cedis on travel just to go out and teach the people. We still get the same amount of money and don’t get reimbursed for it. So it’s just a tough area but the good news is that they are going to open up a branch in our area. So I think that will happen maybe in August. Once we go out of our apartment. We can’t come back till around 8 at night. So we just have to eat at the places every day. The change was really tough leaving people you love and a sweet area. I had one of the most powerful experiences, this week. I was really just uncomfortable and all of that, so I was praying so much relying upon God like I never have before. Well the next day was awesome it was like God was right with me helping me through all of my trials helping them become better. That day we had 5 lessons, they were some of the best lessons I have had on mission. The spirit was so strong it touched everyone’s heart we taught that day. It went from having the worst week of my mission to probably having the best day of my mission. God lives and is with us as we are obedient and invite him into our lives. We can pray for anything as long as it is god’s will and we have the faith he will answer, God will answer our prayers I have experienced it strongly this week. So my companion is awesome. We are working reallllly hard. We are both determined to get this area going. Cause in the last 6 months I think they have had maybe 1 or 2 baptisms. Right now we have some investigators that our really progressing. It’s not like my old area where you can have 8 investigators to church. Most of our investigators live about 70 peswas down. So unless they really have the faith they won’t come. But we got 4 to church. We contacted this sweet family on Friday and the older sister and all of the kids came to church it was awesome. The kids here are so funny. Always asking if I will take them home with me. If only I could!!!!!!!!!! But anyway, so far I just love my companion we  are already way good friends. It’s crazy we are a  lot alike we both like to have a lot of fun. You would probably get annoyed of him cause he does a lot of dumb things like I do just makes ridiculous jokes with people but I love it. I really am going to enjoy being with this guy. He has already taught me a lot. The one thing I see in him is he really knows how to get to these African people cause he is African so I am learning that. The members are really helping us too, so right now the area is just awesome besides the first days. Obuasi is the second biggest mining town in Africa. So everyone that lives here works for the mines. Which means that there is a lot of foreigners and everything here is a lot more expensive? WE are way far away from everyone. The closest person that lives to us is about 2 hours away. But that’s okay I like the people in the apartment. So we have to travel to Kumasi tonight so I am rushed on time its 5 here now and we have to go soon. So I think I am only going to write you and Laura and Anna so make sure and send this out to the family and tell them sorry. Sorry if I didn’t answer all your questions but I will next week when I have more time!!! Love you Mom have a good week!!!

-- 

June 4th

Mother,

I am doing really well. It has been a sweet week. It is true about the three goals. I was on fire, I am turning into a soccer player. We are trying to play every Saturday now, we do it with our ward and then the next ward by us. Today we got to meet up with the missionaries and we played soccer again. I scored 2 goals today it was pretty sweet. I just get lucky cause these guys are really good and i am not good but i some how just score i guess. This week our branch became a ward. That was pretty sweet to see. The ward is really excited so hopefully they will start helping a little bit more in the work. I love the branch here. I have been becoming really good friends with a lot of them. It’s sweet to get to know people and really understand them, some of these people are just friends like I have back at home. That is what makes a mission really fun. So with transfers we find out on this Saturday. That is really funny about all of the bats. I am glad they are taking control of the whole thing. Brother owusu got up again and bore his testimony again the man is just awesome. It will be so hard to leave some of these people that I love so much. He has such a powerful testimony and has already been spreading the gospel to others he has a pastor comitted to coming to church. He is a big man in the region cause he is a chief. There is a head chief in the ashanti region and he is just below him. So he knows a lot of people and people respect him and listen to him. This week it rained almost everyday I got some sweet pictures of it. It just send rivers the rain here is crazy. Anyway on Wednesday owusu was the only person that came to midweek besides us out of all the members. He was so excited to come I really was mad. They don’t come cause of the rain. They think the rain will take them away no lie. He will be the next bishop when his area opens cause he lives the farthest away out of any of the members he lives like 45 to hour away. This week I got food poisoning again. I still am kinda sick but not to much. I didn’t stay home or anything it wasn’t to bad. The wall is what kinda guards our house. They use gates and walls to guard the houses here. I baptized the last person so it was his turn to baptize him. We are having a baptism this week. WE will have either one or maybe 3 we are still seeing if they are ready or not. I got one package from Shelly but that is all. It was an awesome package. I will tell her thanks. President is coming up on friday so they should bring mail then I am thinking so hopefully this week. I hope everything is good and hopefully Snnemarie is delivering this week is the baby’s name really sonya?  Anyway well I love you mom and appreciate you so much. I really thought about how good of a mother and example you have been to me this week.  I love you so much and thank you for everything. I am sorry for anything that i did that was wrong in the past. Have a good week!!   

april 16

Hello Mother,

Everything here in Ghana is sweet. This place is crazy the experiences I have here are unbelievable I swear. I don’t know how to explain some of the stuff that happens. This week a short story. One of our unserious investigators we went to his house. He has a drinking problem so we were giving him a lesson on the word of wisdom. When we first got there he was like I just want you guys to tell me the truth. I don’t want you to convince me. So we said alright we can do that he was pretty drunk tho and wouldn’t let us talk much at all. So we sit down and give him a scripture. We asked him to read it, well he couldn’t read it. So he starts freaking out. “He was like see the first thing you guys do is come here and give me Dutch to try and read. You guys are just here to convince me. He was freaking out. So he ran in his house to get his bible. He got it and started reading the same verse. It was so funny. The people here are crazy!!! That is crazy about the ward so they really added 60 families or just people?  Yeah we have done some sweet things lately. Today we climbed a mountain. More like a hill but it was fun. I took a bunch of pictures. I wish I could send them but I will when I finish with the card maybe at the end of this month or so. Yeah I hope I get put up with someone old on mission soon. I want to learn from them. Elder smith goes home in august and elder hatch our other zone leader goes in June. He is really sweet too. He loves sports like me so we are pretty good friends. Transfers are on the 28th of this month. Yeah this and next transfer will decide where you go. I have heard if you stay in Kumasi you will come home like 3 weeks earlier but I’m not sure yet. Prince and the family are doing great. They have a date for baptism the 29th. But it will either be then or the first of May they all came to church Sunday besides prince. Prince doesn’t like to come to church much but knows it’s true. He was kinda just like me back at home so I don’t blame him but he has come like 6 times. You can send it to me and then I will give him it. Or just send it pouch mail. There is a good chance me and him will be staying in abuakwa still I would think. But I would rather be in Kumasi. Kumasi has a big town where you can get a lot of stuff like, hats, African stuff, and some American food. It was just me that climbed out. But I just was an athlete about it except I ripped my shirt.  I finished Jesus the Christ long time ago. Right now I’m studying the book of Mormon and d&c I found a book in the chapel like a study guide for D and C so it has helped me out a lot it explains everything. This week I received food poisoning. I know you are going to say to be careful but I promise it’s impossible. I don’t think our mission gets to call on mother’s day for some reason it is pretty stupid. But I love you so much thank you for everything you do. I received all the packages so thank you so much!!! Plus lemor sent you a letter today, I also sent one to kenzie and her friend so give them to her. I didn’t  know  her address.

april 9

Hello Mother,

Well, I had a wonderful week. I survived I didn’t think I was going to make it. That sounds like you guys had a lot of fun in San Diego. Did the boys get to go golfing? I think it is so funny how you barely tell me when you are going on vacation you are very funny and thoughtful. Honestly nothing could bring me home at this point of my mission I love it out here. I know the Lord needs me here, and I am more than willing to serve for 2 years. Alright when you send the package try and send the protein, the creotine and the camera. Elder Lemor is the African that lives with me he is so awesome. I love the guy so much. He reminds me just like my friends back at home. If anyone is going to adopt anyone it should be him for sure. He would truly appreciate it so much. You should just adopt him. He always talks on how he wants to come back and see America with me. I wish I had enough money for him I would bring him back. But just send the camera to me if you send it. I can give it to him. If you send it this week I should get it before we get transferred. They celebrate Easter here. Everyone here loves Christ but the only problem they just don’t know how they are supposed to worship so I guess that is why we are here. Friday the 6th we went to a party the ward was putting on. Today we are going to prince’s family’s house because they invited us to their party. We are pretty much family. Then there is another one at the church later on tonight. Which we have four investigators coming so it will be good for them to mingle with the young adults. We are teaching the whole family besides one daughter cause she is always at work. She works at the gas station 24 hour shifts 4 times a week. and gets paid 6 dollars every 24 hour shift it really is just sad these people are suffering. They all just try and get by. This week, I went on splits with the zone leader. He is from Morgan. His name is elder smith. Laura should date this guy. He is so awesome. I learned so many good things from him. We related together so well. But me and my companion get along well. It’s not easy tho living with the same guy for 24 hours a day, plus you don’t come from the same place so you don’t have anything in common but he is a fun nice kid I can’t complain. I am trying to stay healthy so far on my mission I have been pretty healthy. Serving a mission is so amazing the experiences, the trials everything you go through just makes you such a better person. I have never in my life cared this much to become more like Christ. It’s a life long journey but I am trying. Serving a mission is easy and enjoyable when you know without out a doubt the church is true, and there is no other way we can find salvation. I am so thankful for the choice I have made to come out and serve a mission. Although it’s tough, but it is so worth it I can’t even explain. I want all the cousins to serve a mission, I hope that they will. It will change their lives so much. We have given prince his mother and his sister a baptismal date. They are going to be baptized if everything works out on the 29th. Prince and the sister will be ready. It’s just tough with the mom cause one she is always working all day long and two she doesn’t speak any English at all just Twi. Oh yeah one crazy thing that happened this week, so we were in like a big bus to travel to some investigators and it was super crowded and I didn’t want everyone to get up so I decided to climb out the window. Well it didn’t work out to well. I ripped my pocket on my shirt off ha-ha. But I  sewed it back on last night. I have learned how to sew hahah. I have had to sew my pants twice and now my shirt. But anyways I will try and be careful. But one thing so you don’t worry, this place is very safe. I feel more safe here then, I would back at home. Thank you for everything. I love you so much! have a good week

March 26

 Mother,

You need to listen to the Joseph smith cd, it is awesome. I got 

it from one of the guys in the apartment.  One thing I learned about Ghana this week is nothing ever goes right. We move into a sweet apartment, but then we move and our pump doesn’t work to push the water into the house so were still bucket showering most the time. Then a rain storm came last night and we had a 

pool in our house!!! It’s crazy I don’t know how these people deal with this stuff. I really do love it here I know I complain a little bit, but I will be super sad when I have to leave these people. The experience here is just awesome. That is sweet, that he got his call to Ghana. You will have to give him my email so we can talk before he comes so he can be prepared. . Well I lost my cord to my camera so I can’t send pictures home till I send my card sorry. But the basketball game was sweet; the team was actually really good. For being African. WE are going to go out and play next week too. We didn’t do too much missionary work this week we had to move all of our stuff and clean both of the 

apartments so we were busy doing that all week. 

 Yes I still lead the music the president thinks he is a funny guy. I also need more 

face medicine. The reason why my face is so red is not because it’s burnt it’s from the doxycyline for malaria we are taking. I sweat way too much to wear sun screen. Love you sorry if I didn’t answer your questions

March 19

Hello Mother,

I’m doing just great in Africa. They are kind of changing the mission up in Kumasi, they used to have 2 zones and now they have four. So we are getting two new zone leaders on Monday! I know one of them he is sweet, he loves to play basketball and so does the other one I guess. We are actually going to go play with him today. I found two guys in Africa that play ball too so I got there number one of them called today but we can’t cause we are already going. Some of my mtc people, all of my best friends are down in cape coast tho so it kind of sucks. I keep in contact pretty well with one of them. Adair called me this week. He sounds like he is doing well, he says he misses it up here. I miss the guy. Sounds like you’re just the world traveler I can’t even believe you, going to Cali 2 weeks in a row! I was joking about that today, because I think they are going to split the mission in salt lake by receiving revelation I told the people in the apartment they are going to send me to Cali instead. It’s hard here but I wouldn’t wanna serve anywhere else. It’s awesome, I am having so many great experiences. I think I owe like 100 dollars in duty cause I haven’t paid it for a while. I feel like I’m spending a lot of money I hope I don’t drain all my money. Yeah those are the push up things I wanted so thank you very much!!! Me and Lemor, work out with them every day. We only have to go and fetch for water if our power has been out for more than a day.  We started moving in today, we put the new water tank in there today. We are going to move all of our other stuff on Tuesday and Wednesday. We baptized Emmanuel yesterday. It was such an awesome experience hopefully I will get time and will be able to send you a picture or two. But it was sweet I got to baptize him. Missionary work is very rewarding and much blessing come out if you just work your hardest. I really know this is where I need to be. I know that Emmanuel was prepared for me to go and contact his son. I really have a strong testimony that you are sent where you are supposed to be. Prince his son, was asking us yesterday where is my form for baptism, He wanted to be baptized. We are making him come to church a couple more times than he will be baptized shortly. We had a missionary fireside for the stake out here in Kumasi which is 3000 people, for the members to come. Well turned out that we only had like 40 members come there were more missionaries there then members. It’s frustrating cause the people aren’t serious like back at home, but I guess that is our job to help them become serious. I know this is the true church, I could never deny it. I love being a missionary and serving these people it is such a privilege. I love you all!!!!

 Elder Francom

March 5

Hello Mom,

Africa is pretty sweet, the power has been out again all week, but I am used to that now. I love Africa, the culture the people. This mission is so awesome I have learned so much. Yeah me and Elder willyerd made spaghetti it was mostly me, but the roommates helped out a little, they appreciated it a lot. Their family is awesome I don’t know if you know but Prince is Emanuel’s kid. He is going to be baptized soon; we actually got his sister to come to church too. I had a powerful experience this week. Right now for some reason people aren’t accepting us that well. No one is showing to their appointments, or anything besides Emanuel. We had two appointments fail in a row in the morning to some people that we thought were serious. So on the way back home for lunch I was praying in my heart, asking heavenly father to comfort me, and help me to realize why I need to be here. Well about 20 minutes later I received a phone call, from Emanuel. He said that he has prayed about baptism and that he is going to be baptized on the 19th of March. It made my day and week. I know that god is watching over us, and knows exactly what we need. The plan is to have him baptized on the 19th and then for him to receive the priesthood, then baptize his son prince in April. I am praying hard to see that happen. I sent the package today I sent it through Ghana mail so that will be interesting I sent some bracelets that you probably won’t use, a painting that you won’t use, and some letters and pictures, and head phones for Laura. But save the stuff if you don’t want it. Yeah I heard about the new president I think for some reason I will be in the cape coast mission. I don’t really care where I go I would rather stay in Kumasi tho. Mission is hard but there are also some fun parts too. Every night the kid from Sierra Leone goes to bed super early. He is probably my favorite elders here, any way he is the deepest sleeper. Every night I go into his room turn the lights on get the video camera going, and scare him to wake him up. It’s so dang funny he thinks he is still in his dream so he like grabs me and screams. Then he doesn’t say anything in the morning cause he doesn’t remember. I will send home the memory card soon so you can see them alll appreciated we never get meat out here. My companion is sweet; we have a lot of fun together. He used to be Hindu. His mom and his brothers were converted. HIs mom is divorced and his dad is still Hindu they all live in Fiji. He is freaking smart too. I can’t believe you’re going to palm springs you are so lucky!!! That will be so fun. I am so happy that you are going to go. That will be awesome you will have to email me some pictures from the trip please. Thank you for everything I love you so much!!!!

Note from Elder Francom to my family

Peay family,

That is awesome about the guy from ghana. That is my dream to meet a person from ghana back at home and speak there language with him small. Ghanains are so awesome!!!! My favorite are the little kids tho. On sundays i just entertain the kids and play with them cause i cant understand anything any way. 

Feb. 27

Hello Mom,

Everything is sweet in Africa, I lied we have the seventy coming tomorrow we all have to prepare a talk but I don’t know if I will have to speak I guess we will see. This week has been kinda nuts we have had the power out pretty much the whole dang week. On Tuesday some African snipped our power cord and stole it 

cause there is copper in it. So we were out of power two days straight. Then these last couple days the lights have been out almost all day. Last night it was sweet. Me and elder willyerd made spaghetti for Emanuel and his family. Then we were all going to watch the restoration after. Emanuel is awesome he invited like 10 of his friends and family over to come watch the movie. But turns out that Ghana’s power sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So as soon as we 

pressed play the power went out! It was still sweet tho, we couldn’t even get 15 people from our ward to come to something like that. Emanuel is awesome i bought him and his son a white shirt and ties today. Cause they don’t have them. But we 

are going to invite him to be baptized on the 19th of March on Wednesday so I’m looking forward to that a lot. I can’t wait. I can’t say enough good things about his family and him. He wants his whole family to come to the church. He knows it is true! Thank you for the updates from back home. I hope all is well 

back at home, I can’t believe the school year is almost over already it seems like it just started. But I can’t send you pics today I will next week for sure tho. I am putting together a package and I should send it home this next month 

some time I will let you know when I send it. Missionary work here is sweet. 

feb 20

Hello Mom,

I didn’t know that you went out to St George that is pretty sweet!! I was thinking about the condo this week actually .   How did the baseball game go? But me and my companion are well. It’s tough because we don’t have too much in common, but were here for one purpose and that’s all so we are getting along fine. He is definitely learning Africa though. As a young missionary it’s tough. I’m still young but I feel like I can handle most things here I have experienced a lot. This week was interesting. We had a couple weird experiences. The first is we met this new investigator. He has a lot a lot of problems but he is trying his best to get over them. I have never seen the devil work so hard on a guy then this. He has a problem with prostitution, and with drinking. But he is probably one of the most powerful people I have ever taught besides Emanuel! So the first time we meet him he pours his heart out and tells us how he wants to stop everything so bad, and you could really tell he wanted to change, but he said every time he tries to stop the girls always come to him. Sure enough both of the times we have taught him a prostitute has came over both times and he told her no both times. Then the next time we had an appointment with him he had Jehovah witness missionaries teaching with him. I can’t even believe it. The devil does not want this guy to leave him cause he knows how powerful he would be if he joined the true church. So ill update you on him see how that one goes. But about Emanuel and his family. He is doing awesome ill send a pic home of him today, he has came to church 5 out of the 6 weeks we have taught him, that is unheard of in Ghana. I think to myself if this guy is converted my mission is successful and it was all worth it to come out for 2 years. Last lesson he told us that he knows the church is true and he considers himself to be a member. We haven’t asked him to be baptized yet but I am thinking that will either come this week or next. His family is awesome tho. He said he wants his whole family to convert to the church so we are working on him then the fam. His family is like the one that always feeds us the opongs. They are the same way every time we go over there we eat. People here are so nice and giving it’s amazing. I will be sad once I leave this area I really like abuakwa a lot! We started teaching this guy that lives in the village/jungle ill have to take pictures next time we go there it’s pretty sweet. It’s definitely opened my eyes to see how good we have it back at home. But the guy in jail I don’t really know what’s going on. We went down there a couple times and he wasn’t there. They have been fighting with their neighbors for stealing their stuff so that’s why he was in there but I’m not sure on details. One of the area 70s is coming up this week on Friday to meet with us so that is pretty exciting. Thank you for all you do! I love you all so much!!

feb. 14

Hello Family!!!

Things are sweet here in Africa it has been a crazy week. Well I picked up my 

companion on Wednesday night from town. He is a sweet kid. I got the only guy 

from out of America which I am happy about. He is from Fiji.  His mom is from pakistan, and his dad from nepal. I dunno if you have ever heard those people talk but its super 

hard to understand. I had to learn how to understand these Africans and now i’m 

trying to understand my comp. Being trainer is tough but its sweet. In mission 

when you train you call them your son cause you help them with everything, and 

it’s true I feel like a dad out here. I have to feed the kid cause he doesn’t like 

anything and just help him with everything.  It’s sweet i have learned so much 

this week. It was a pretty hard week though, and I really didn’t want to be here to 

much, but then Sunday came. WE have a sweet investigator his name is Emanuel we 

teach him and his family but mostly just him. He has come to church 3 out of the 

4 weeks so he is really doing well. I just can see how powerful he is and how 

much he loves God and how he wants to be in the true church. That is what is so 

rewarding as a missionary and what keeps you going. The gospel is really helping 

him out so much and you can see the happiness and blessing that come as you 

follow the Lord. My comp is such a sweet guy he is pretty quiet so i’m trying to 

break him in but he is so nice. Adair went down by cape coast. I hope you all 

had a fun time at the expo I love seeing pictures and seeing how everyone is 

doing back in Utah. But for the twi, its funny I have picked up on a lot now, 

the people are so funny when you speak twi they all freak out!! But yeah those 

sound like the right ones, send the workout to if you can so I can get jacked 

out here in Africa!!!  We all met up on Monday to get burgers pizza. I 

actually got both this time so I enjoyed very much!! I got the packages so 

thank you very much. Everything was in good shape!!! I APRRECIATE everything you 

do. I think today is valentines so happy valentines. I haven’t talked to the 

bishop once so tell him to write me!!!!!Love you all so much!!!

special request

This is posted by special request of Elder Francom.

feb. 6

Hello Family!!!

About my next companion I heard there are 7 people from Utah one from Hawaii one from Fiji. So I’m either getting one from Fiji or America most likely I will be with someone from Utah. I pick him up in town on Wednesday. IM super excited to meet him and get him going!!! I just remember so clearly how bad I was shocked to be here and how bad it was at first so I’m going to remember that a lot because my comp is going to have a super hard time but I will be there for him. I think I might take him out to go eat fufu the first night. Fufu is so nice now but I hated it at first but we eat it all the time now. We are teaching this new family and every time we teach them they feed us fufu after its sweet. I’m going to bring some fufu when I come home and I’m going to make it the first night I get back. I will give anybody 100 dollars who can finish a small ball of fufu haha. But I’m staying in abuakwa for at least three more months which I’m really happy about I love the people here and have made so many sweet friends I don’t want to leave anyone of them yet. My companion is going though he leaves on Wednesday. I am pretty sad that he is leaving.I actually have learned a lot of Twi. It’s hard to explain but the culture here is so different, if you don’t greet everyone they get mad at you. You start out and say ete sen? which is how is it/ Then say eye which is fine/ then they say now swe which is what about you/ then I say something back . One of the missionaries taught me something funny. I say booko asa e wo. Which is everything is easy like giving birth. I say that to the ladies and they get kinda mad then they start laughing because a white man spoke Twi, and they know I’m joking around. The people here are super funny. I was gonna ask you for a favor. I want you to send me something you can even take out the money from my account to buy and send it shouldn’t be much. There called perfect pushups the traveling ones and it comes with a workout elder wheeler has them and he said it helps a lot. I wake up at 6 am everyday to work out so I would like that if you could, and also the restoration movie, I want to start having a movie night at the church with investigators. I think it would be powerful to have them see it. Let me know. But thank you for everything you do I love you all so much and the church is so true and blesses us in so many ways. How great is it to know that we are in the true church and it is up to us to pick our eternal destiny if we endure to the end we are guaranteed to be exalted.

Elder Francom

January 23

Hello Mom,
About the baptism it was super sweet, both Laticia and Agnus bore there testimonies on Sunday and they were so powerful. it’s so awesome to seee!!! I didn’t get to baptize them, my companion. We are supposed to have 2 more on the 5th, but I’m not sure if they will happen. I don’t think the people are quite ready. That’s crazy about the mission in Tennessee, I just know if we didn’t baptize here, I don’t think many people would last. That must be very frustrating to see that. About the pictures that’s how I wear my ties. I learned how to tie a nice knot so now the tie is shorter, and I like it like that. I don’t have to worry about which tie I wear if its purple or gold or not. I wear my ties like I want to now Haha. That is the style out here, so I’m just trying to be African is all. Prince is just a little guy, he is 27 years old. We started teaching this new kid named Prince I think he commented on my profile pic on facebook so you can check him out. He is such a sweet kid. We are always teaching him, and his family is going to start coming to church next week. His dad came this week and he loved it!!! They have such a sweet family, they are super nice they always feed us and I always pound there fufu for them. Prince has a picture of me pounding the fufu. I will have to take one on my camera to show you how you do it. I have gotten a couple of letters from the McBride’s and the ward members that is really nice of them. I’m sending you guys a letter tomorrow in pouch so will see how long it takes.  Our interviews are tomorrow. So I’m excited to talk to him.  About the mission splitting, I have mixed feelings what mission I want to be in. I like Kumasi here. But there is way too much traffic, and they speak twi up here so I have learned some of that and if I go to cape coast they speak fanti. So I will know what mission I will be in by July. I bet I will stay up in Kumasi but will see. About transfers, they are in two weeks in the mtc president told me I would probably be training but I guess there are only 9 guys coming in this transfer so I don’t know if I will be training any more, will figure what we’re doing a week from Saturday. The weeks here go by so fast its crazy. I started reading Jesus the Christ, it is such an awesome book. I didn’t know much about Jesus Christ, but I’m 200 pages in now and I have learned so much its crazy. Jesus Christ is amazing, it’s weird to think that he was just like us, he was tempted many times, but he just chose to stick to the plan and stay perfect. I am so grateful for our savior and the atonement. I can’t even imagine what he went through for us. I have had the worst dreams here this week, every night I dream that I’m coming home or that I’m way into my mission then I wake up and I have only been here for 2 months it’s frustrating haha. But it has stopped the past couple nights, there the worst nightmares you could ever have hahaha. I follow the rules to exactness don’t worry it’s too scary out here if you don’t do that. I need the Lord’s help in all I do, I can’t do it by myself, no way!!! I love you all and have an awesome week!!!!

photos

 Prince 

 Elder Francom and his fake Mountain Dews

New Years Day

 Someone Ryan knows has a pet monkey! He says it always tries to slap him!

 Happy Birthday Elder Francom!