Stockton's Ghana Mission: 2015

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

December 21, 2015 Email

Hey Fam!!!

So this week was pretty boring actually haha!!!!

So we went around and met with a few investigators that we have and a few of them have a lot of potential!! Elder Roberts and I plan to baptize a young man named Osumon on Saturday! He wants me to baptize him, and I really want to baptize him.

So, if I can baptize him, that will be my first baptism in less than 1 month of being in Ghana!!!! So the people here are so nice!! They are all spiritual and they love to see us and talk with us. The only downsides are biking everywhere, people being gone for work, and how much the culture is different in Ghana!!!

So fam, if you could send me the right cord for my camera that would be great!! If not, I might just buy a new camera. We are able to Skype or call on Friday, and we might go for about 7 here, so it would be about noon back home. I need the Skype address from mom, and I need to know if that time will work.

Please email me back quickly cuz I only have about an hour and a half left on here, so hopefully you write back quickly.

Love you Fam!!! Being in Ghana, I know that I took things for granted back home. I never truly appreciated what I had. Being here, I look anywhere and see that people couldn't be happier with their lives, even when they have so little to survive on. These people, this area, this world is a blessing, and we need to cherish every moment of it. It's hard here for sure, bit I know with the Lord's help, I can get through anything that comes my way!!!!

From,
Elder Smith

Facts About Ghana:

Population: 25,366,500
Life Expectancy: 61 years
Access to Safe Water: 86%
School Enrollment: 84%

Literacy Rate: 72%
Under Age 5 Mortality Rate: 72/1000
Average Annual Income (GNI): 1,550

Ghana's levels of poverty are very high, with 30 percent living on less than $1 a day and 54 percent living on less than $2 a day

Monday, December 14, 2015

1st Email from Ghana - December 14, 2015

Family!!!!!

Ghana is amazing!!!!!! So we left Sunday morning and went from Salt Lake to San Francisco to Amsterdam to Ghana!!! It was too long of a flight haha!!!!!!

So now in Ghana, well Budumberg, and my new companion is Elder Roberts! He's showing me the ropes and all and it's amazing! The heat here is pretty nice, but the humidity is killer. So we baptized two of his investigators Saturday actually!!!! And not gonna lie, the time change is killing me!!! I try to sleep but it's around 3 or 4 pm over there so it's hard sometimes.

So Sunday through Tuesday we were on the plane. We arrived about 8 p.m., and then we went to the mission home with President Hill. I swear if the heat doesn't kill me, the traffic will!!!! The traffic is horrendous here!!!!!! Car after car after car, so close together I'm surprised we haven't hit someone coming here!!!

So the area I'm in is a biking area! It's huge, rocky, and it's got a lot of hills. Good for the thighs, but bad for the humor when we try to be on time, ha ha!!!! So it's fun anyways going around and seeing all these wonderful people. The kids are so nice and love to see us when we come by, they all call me a bronie, cuz I'm white, but that's ok haha. Also, I'm starting to learn Twi!!!!!

Sample of the language he is learning.

We have a big biking area, we play soccer a few times a week, I need my correct charging cord for my camera or I might just buy another, Also, we have a few investigators! Twi is a very hard language to learn, I'm trying to get used to traveling a lot by bike so ya, that's hard. Also, It's super cool to be here and see all these amazing people!!!!

Well, I'll update you more later, but it s amazing to be here and serve the Lord!!! It's hard, but I can make it!!! Almost a month down, about 23 more to go!!!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Smith

Sunday, December 6, 2015

He's In the Air

Stockton left Sunday morning at 11:20 a.m. to make the 19 1/2 hour flight to Ghana. Here is a picture of his travel path.

Bon voyage, Stockton!!!

Friday, December 4, 2015

December 4, 2015 Email

Hey Fam,

They are having us leave on Sunday morning. I'll try to find out when and I'll call you that morning. Our flight is supposed to leave at like 11 or something.

Also, thanks for the package (Christmas Gift), but I'd like to have a Mountain Dew or something hahaha!!!!!! So we had in field orientation yesterday and that was super cool!!!!! I was able to learn that making a first impression is super amazing and that I can be able to teach and preach the gospel so easily now!!!!!!! There's no way I could have done that before I came here!!!!! Also, my district is amazing!!!!!! I've made such amazing friends here, my companion Elder Lambsom is amazing and we have a lot in common so that's a plus!!!!! He's super cool and super fun to get along with, he's from Idaho.

Elder Dawden is with Elder McFarland, Bauden's from Utah and McFarland is from Texas. The sisters are Sister Kinikini who is from Utah, I think, but she's party Hawaiian, so that's cool! She's companions with Sister Nancel whose from Arizona. Sister Younger is from Oregon and she's with Sister Jenson who's from Utah, as well. We have formed a really amazing bond here at the MTC!!!! Sure we joke around and mess with each other, but we've become family here and it's going to be hard saying bye to them.

The other half of our zone was pretty amazing too, they already left, so that is sad. There was Elder Forbis, Kaka (a cool Hawaiian due who gave me a really good haircut), Anderson and Cady. I can't remember all the Sisters' names, but there was a Sister Rice. Also, there's like 5 or more Smiths here, so it's confusing to see who's who ha ha!!! There's, in fact, a Smith typing right next to me so that cool. Then I met another Stocton Smith!!!!!!! or at least I think that's how he spelled his name. I tried to take selfie, but I didn't have my camera with me, so bummer. His middle name is Hyrum, so it would have been cool if he had his name the same as me!!

I also found GREG!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw him for like 20 minutes then I had to go to class, so that a bummer. Hopefully, I'll be able to see him more before I leave.

So, that's my district, they're goofy and crazy, but amazing to be around and make friends with. Hop to send you pic of us soon!

Well, it's going amazing here at the MTC and leaving here will be a bummer, leaving all these amazing people and not being able to see them for a while. Wish I could take them with me. But doing the Lord's work is never truly easy, now is it? It's amazing to go to the temple every preparation day!!!. I have taken a lot of pics and it's amazing!!!!! Can't wait to send them.

Love you all, miss you!

Elder Smith

Monday, November 30, 2015

November 27, 2015 Email

Hey Fam!

This week has been pretty great with everything going on. We did a service project yesterday with making meals for families in Utah; making over 359,000 meals for them.

Link to the Article on the Service Project

It's been crazy with the week and how much I'm learning here. I wish I could have been at Greg's farewell! I joined the MTC choir and it's going pretty well, it's been fun working with a lot of missionaries and doing all these amazing songs.

Not much to talk about really, it's the same most of the days. It's been pretty tough here, always having something to do and never having anytime to take a break. Preparation days are on Friday, so that's a plus. I just want you all to know I'm doing fine and that I'm doing well here. Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving! Love you all!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Smith

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

2nd Email - November 20, 2015 (2:37 p.m.)

Here is the second email we got that day. . .

Dear Family,

The Elders and Sisters in my district are amazing, all high-spirited and having an amazing time. I couldn't think of anything better! We've had a few classes already, being ale to teach each other and role play a few times to learn how it is to walk up to someone and start talking about the gospel. But the best thing is the spirit and joy in my district. Some of the Elders, Elder Lambson, my companion, Elder McFarland, and Elder Bawden all stay in a room with me. The Sisters on the other hand are quite different then Montana girls, ha ha. But it's been amazing working with them and bonding with them. The first full day was rough though, not knowing what to do and knowing it was going to be very hard, I knew it was going to be hard for a couple of days. My second full day here and it's been pretty good, actually. Although I wish I brought an electric shaver instead of using the razor, haven't shave yet, but i'll get there eventually. I hope that I'll get used to my schedule and life style here, it wasn't anything like home, but it's amazing nonetheless.

I can't wait to come home, but I can't wait to head to Ghana. Although we won't have iPads, we will be able to access a computer for looking at emails and such. This entire experience is something truly amazing and something I'll never regret doing. Being companions with Elder Lambson has been a handful, but we're pretty solid. I have to say that I wish things were easier here, but that's the thing, it's not supposed to be. I'm going to do my best to strive in the Lord's work. Also, the food here is pretty good, too. I hope that I'll be able to enjoy that a little longer. Also, tell Greg to be prepared to get slammed at the MTC when he first arrives: bring lots of ties and be prepared to get unpacked quickly. It's been quite the experience here, and though it's hard bonding with all the Sisters and Elders in the MTC, I've learned that I'm not supposed to meet everyone, that it's supposed to be a moment where you don't meet everyone. I'll do my best though to live the best I can. I'd tell you more, but I do have a limit on time and I have laundry to take care of. Just wanted to let you all know that I'm doing pretty descent here, and I hope to hear from you shortly, love you all!

Sincerely,
Elder Smith

1st Email - November 20, 2015 (1:56 p.m.)

We got two emails in one day since we happened to respond when he was still on the computer. Here is the first one.

Well hello fam!

So far it's been amazing here at the MTC! I've made some new Elder friends and my companion Elder Lambson is a pretty cool guy! It's been quite a few days getting used to everything, but know that I'm doing amazing! Wish I could see how you guys are doing and if you made it home safe, but it's been quite the journey so far, and I can't wait for the next 2 years! Well, I've bought a few things that it turns out I needed, from a new journal to a laundry bag, it's been pretty interesting.

I hope to hear from you all soon and please, send me emails from my friends so I can talk to them. I want them to know that his experience is truly amazing and something I wish they could see. I hope they're doing well with school and everything going on. I love you all and hope you are all having an amazing time!

Sincerely, Elder Smith

The Drop-Off - November 18, 2015

Here are the last photos we took with Stockton on the curb at the MTC. We will miss our AMAZING son. But, we know that he will be an awesome missionary!

This is the Place

Here are some photos of the MTC so you can see where he will be staying for the next 2-3 weeks before he heads to Africa.

Final Photos before the Drop - November 18, 2015

There is a place across the street from the MTC where families can take final photos before dropping their missionaries off. Here are the ones we took. . .

Striking a pose-goofball!

The boys

With mom and pops

The Fam

All Packed Up & Ready to Go - November 18, 2015

Stockton had quite a time getting everything into one suitcase and one backpack with everything he had to take for 2 years.

This backpack was used by Stockton's uncle, Cory, on his mission to Russia about 15 years ago. It has been around the world, and will go around again!!

Seeing the Sites of Temple Square in Salt Lake City - November 17, 2015

We were able to spend an afternoon going to the Salt Lake Temple and seeing the sites on Temple Square. What a great time!!

It was awesome for Stockton to be in the Salt Lake Temple and see the beauty of that building.

Sitting on the famous steps to the temple.

The Christus is a great place to contemplate about our Savior.

They were setting up all the lights and the nativity scene-so beautiful!

A great photo at sunset!!!

A great photo of the boys!!!

On our Way - November 16, 2015

We took one final picture of all the boys after the truck was loaded and we were ready to head to Utah.

Stockton took a good look around at the home he won't see for two years. We will miss him!

Farewell Celebration - November 14, 2015

Stockton wanted to have a going away party and bonfire so he could say goodbye to family and friends. Here are some memories of that event. . .

The full spread of cupcakes and goodies.

The flag of Ghana in the shape of Africa.

Cutting the cake.

Friends and family.

The epic bonfire.

Stockton had a great time and loved having everyone over to celebrate with him.

Change of Plans - October 30, 2015

IMPORTANT CHANGE. . .we were informed today that the Ghana Missionary Training Center is full and Stockton will be going to the Provo Missionary Training Center. As if that weren't enough of a change, his report date has been moved up a week-yikes!!! Now back to the crazed frenzy of getting him ready to go in 2 WEEKS!!!!

Billings, MT Temple - October 23, 2015

Stockton went to the Billings, Montana Temple to participate in holy ordinances and received his endowment.

What Happens in Temples
In the temple we are taught, we make covenants, and we are promised blessings. We receive ordinances that enable us to live in the presence of God.

Endowment
One ordinance we receive in the temple is the Endowment. The word endowment means "gift" or "bestowal". As part of this ordinance, we are taught about the purpose of life, the mission and atonement of Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father's plan for his children. We gain a glimpse of what it will be like to live in his presence as we feel the peaceful atmosphere of the temple.

Sealing
Another temple ordinance is the sealing ordinance, in which husbands and wives are sealed to each other and children are sealed to their parents in eternal families. That means that if we are faithful to our covenants, our family relationships will continue for eternity. People sometimes also refer to this ordinance as "temple marriage" or "eternal marriage".

Ordinances for the Deceased
In addition to receiving these ordinances for ourselves, we can receive them for our deceased ancestors. In this way, people who died without receiving essential ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, the endowment, and sealing have the opportunity to accept these ordinances.