Saturday May 18th, 2013
Today was such a cool day.
Me, Lisa, Cait, Tasha, Emily, and Richard were up early to go to the
temple. We went to do baptisms. It was Richards first time ever going into
the temple to do baptisms and I am so grateful I got to take part in it. We got there and it was so crowded. They were a bunch of white people and one kid
actually went to Weber state. His name
was Wyatt. He was a really nice
guy. There was a group of them here
doing some hearing tests and things. So
we went and got confirmations and I watched Richard receive his and he asked me
questions and I explained why we do the confirmations. Then we went to get baptized. Unfortunately the girls didn’t get to see
because we did all the guys form the groups first; Richard and I were last. I was really excited to see Richard get
baptized. That guy shows no emotion,
ever. But I could tell he was happy. The Wyatt kid I met baptized me. It was his first time ever baptizing and he
wanted to baptize his group, so it was cool.
We got dressed and waited for the girls.
I taught Richard about the prayer roll and getting his patriarchal
blessing and he was really grateful. We
all went outside to take pictures in front of the temple. It is beautiful. A lot smaller than I would’ve expected. While we were all taking pictures this kid
comes out of nowhere and wants a picture with Cait. So her being nice, agreed. They guy put his arms around her for a second
and then started kissing her cheek. I
got laughing so hard! Lisa yelled at him and was like ‘don’t make me break your
legs!’ It was hilarious. Richard was telling me and Lisa about how
people told him that weird things happen in the temple. Like sacrifices and things and he said ‘I
have been through and it was nothing like that.
It was beautiful. I felt
good.’ That is all it takes. It would be
so cool to come back in November for his endowments. If only. We helped Tasha deliver a giant package to and
elder that she knows serving here in Ghana.
Afterwards we headed to the African Craft Market here in Accra. This place was so touristy. I saw white people everywhere and it was just
really weird to me. I felt out of place
if that makes any sense! This place was a lot pricier than the ones in Kumasi
and the people were way more aggressive.
I got this giant elephant of ebony and some cool plates. I got stuck in an artist shop for like 20
minutes as he kept bringing me new paintings to turn down. Finally, Sam walked by and I got her to go
into the shop with me and I slowly snuck off.
I was grateful to get away. The
people would grab you and pull you into their shops and sometimes block your
way from getting out. So I finally
started speaking in Estonian and they left me alone. It was really nice. I really didn’t buy much today. I am trying to find a cool painting. I found one but they wanted like 500 CD-way
too much! I also found a cool foot rest
bench thing that would’ve been way cool in my St. George room but they wanted
too much as well. Oh well. I had a lot of fun anyway. I did get my African round hat to go with all
my African gear. I was excited about
that purchase. I got him down from 50 CD
to 10! I am a champ! We headed to the
Koala market in the middle of Accra. We
were able to stop at KFC and get some lunch.
Man was that delicious. We got
ice cream sundaes and chicken sandwiches with actual lettuce. It was so good not to have starch. I enjoyed that. I think we all did. We went shopping more afterwards and the
girls were going crazy. I was just
getting tired. We went to the Koala
which is like a Americanized grocery store.
So Lisa bought a bunch of food to make fajitas for dinner. While there I saw two senior couple
missionaries from Hooper and Salt Lake.
Only in Ghana and through the church can you see so many white Utahns in
an African nation. They were really nice
but seemed a bit taken aback talking to us.
I don’t know why. That is how a
lot of missionaries have been here. They
are nice but they act standoffish and I am not sure why. Maybe it’s just the culture of the
mission. We got home and I studied my
textbook. I am just about done and ready
for my quiz tomorrow. It is so
interesting to me. Richard took Kevin
and I over to a tailor nearby. It is
crazy at the Osdahouse. We are in a
gated villa with modern amenities. We
have a kitchen, TV’s, fridges, WIFI, everything we need. But once you leave the gates it is completely
different. There are dirt roads and
smelly drainage canals. Around the
corner are shanty’s with garbage filled roads and walks. People are out all night selling things from
their shops or heads. It was very
primitive and the people barely have anything.
We saw kids playing soccer and their ball went into the road and a taxi
drove passed and ran it over. POP! It
was so loud; game over. The tailor was
way cool. The liked my fancy Woodin
fabric and are going to make me shorts.
The fabric plus the pants is like $100 USD for 5 pairs! I think that is
pretty legit. Richard will try and take
my leftovers and make some shirts. We
got back and had a really great fajita dinner.
Lisa outdoes herself here. Then
we watched some movies on the projector before bed. A bunch of people seem like they are going to
come to church tomorrow, which is really exciting. I am going to try and get Kevin to come
too. That would be neat. I got a bunch of music-like 250 Gigs from
Lisa today. So I will sort through that
when I get home. Again, it is weird
being here. I liked being disconnected
with our crappy Internet. I feel like we
were all nicer in a way. But now we are
back in the big city and we’re eating all our comfort foods and not really
doing anything except spending money and people do seem to be getting
selfish. I guess old habits die hard;
even while in Ghana. It’s just weird to
think that my belly is full and people right outside my door are laying down
for sleep, hungry. What are you supposed
to do about it? Kevin was talking about how he would like to get old shin
guards donated to Ghana to give to all the kids that play because they have
nothing of the sort. Then I mentioned
that some don’t even have shoes. And
that is the problem. We all want to help
but you can’t start by getting people shin guards. They need the basic necessities. It is just an overwhelming undertaking. But that is why I want to start a non-profit
to help places like this and people like Richard. I don’t know what I am going to do but I know
I do want to do something. I keep
thinking that maybe I will just sell fabric from here online. That could generate a lot of money at home
but again is that the right thing for me? I emailed Weber state and Indiana
University about their MBA/MHA programs.
I want to start preparing so I can get applying to the colleges. I am feeling really motivated right now. I needed this break. I am glad I decided to do school even while I
am here in Ghana because I think I would get bored with all of our free
time. And I am really excited for Karo
to come but I am so nervous. We talked a
little bit today and it just makes me nervous.
I can’t even explain why. I don’t
even know myself. I just know that my
stomach turns into knots thinking about it.
I wish I had a little more time-maybe a couple of weeks to get home and
get adjusted and into school before she comes but it will all work out the way it
is supposed to. I saw pictures of Tiina
with her guy again. She keeps posting
new ones on Facebook and many it feels like a tiny dagger into my side. I know I did the absolute right thing and
that she is completely happy. But deep
down I feel a loss. I guess sometimes
that happens when we follow Heavenly Father and his will. I know it will lead to greater blessings and
greater happiness that I’ve known but I am getting tired of waiting. I would love to meet my wife. I know she is out their just doing her thing
and probably thinking the same thing but really I am ready. I don’t want to go into graduate school
alone. But I will. If that is the plan for me, then okay. But ya seeing Tiina hurts me. I wish it would’ve worked out. But who knows. Maybe I will feel the same thing for Karo. I guess I am just nervous because this will
be the first time we are going to hang out.
I mean what if we don’t like each other? Or we have nothing to talk
about? Or she finds me annoying? Worse, what if I find her annoying? Ah. Rough. I am rambling. I need to go to bed.
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