Week 49 - Dance in the Rain

EMAIL FROM SEPT. 25

Dearest Family,

This was a planning and preparation week as we anticipate getting really busy in the next few months. Our self reliance team is planning a big event for November entitled  "Self Reliance- A Week of Celebration" It will consist of a panel discussion, workshops and exhibitions, and everybody is invited so we are hopeful a large crowd will attend. Currently advertising is in progress and we are contacting potential exhibitors.

We understand Utah has had a wet week with rain and even some early snow! Accra has also had some good soaking rains which I love to watch because the weather is always hot and humid. Not that the rain cools the temperatures down, but it breaks up the "sameness" of the weather we experience every day and just makes my heart happy! (Elder Lambert will testify to this!)

 I think it's interesting how we often equate the trails and challenges of this life with rain. And it's true; "rainy days and Mondays" can get us down. But what if our blessings come from the rain and hard times? Maybe God is blessing us by not giving us those sunny days, because He knows rainy days will actually cause greater growth as we struggle, humble ourselves, and wait patiently upon the Lord for promised blessings. This week I randomly clicked on an app on our iPad and found a song our daughter Kristi had downloaded several years ago. It expresses beautifully the concept of the trials of this life being God's mercies in disguise. (something we rarely recognize until the storm clouds have passed by.) The song is titled "Blessings" by Laura Story. It's on Youtube. Listen carefully to the words and then go outside and dance in the rain! 

On Saturday we took the Munros to our favorite outdoor place in the city and introduced them to the botanical gardens. Sister Munro is just about the sweetest person I have ever met. She is without guile and 100% outwardly turned as she watches over the young missionaries, fixes food for the security guards at Coco Palms and has a kind word for everyone. On our walk through the gardens she even patiently taught me the name of one plant- bougainvillea. It's flowers come in all colors and it's found throughout Ghana ... and Brisbane, Australia. We also found some cool dragonflies and I was surprised that one held still long enough for a picture! 

Looking forward to attending some broadcasted sessions of General Conference next week  :)

Elder and Sister Lambert

Pictures of the Botanical Gardens

At the temple with the Binghams, and Elder Frempong from Abomosu.