Nicodemusly

Dear America,

For reference, I've included this entry from the Ghanaian missionary's dictionary of common vernacular.

Nicodemusly: (adjective) describes an action performed in an inconspicuous, secretive, surreptitious, sneaky, or otherwise shifty way.

Life moves fast at the mission home. Whenever we get a spare moment, the members of our apartment joke around with each other to release stress. That joking has started into practical jokes this week. The latest happened this morning when we nicodemusly snuck some water balloons that Sister Schow gave to us into our car. The Schows are the couple in the other office. We planned to ambush the assistants while we were washing our cars after playing football. Unfortunately, they were nicodemusly snooping around in our car and discovered said water balloons. So we all ended up getting soaked and washing our cars about three times after the other companionship got it dirty again. 

We had the mission leadership council again this week, which is where the mission leaders come from all across the mission to council. Makes sense. But it means that the office elders have to distribute supplies and orders for the whole mission on that one day within about two hours after the meeting closes. We have a sweet system going, though, so it happens. We also got our supply delivery from Accra on that day so we were carrying and organizing boxes all day. I love being busy.

We also have a tradition of making a mission newsletter for everyone to read and feel unity. It gives updates about the mission, inspirational messages from missionaries, jokes, and we even included a gospel-themed word search this time. Elder Ayim was going to school in graphic design and all of the things that Dad ever taught me are coming in useful. We made it look pretty nice.

I also met a less-active woman who the missionaries have known for a while. We're helping her to read the Book of Mormon every day. I think that it will really help her regain her testimony. She's willing, so we'll give it everything we've got. She's done a good job of reading so far. We've met a few families who seem prepared to receive the restored gospel, but everyone who is super prepared seems to have a big challenge to overcome before they get baptized. One of the most difficult and rewarding things about missionary work is helping resolve people's concerns.

The best thing about being in the Daban apartment? We have a big fridge, a microwave, a toaster, and a waffle iron. I have been craving waffles so badly for the past few transfers. This week I made chocolate waffles in the waffle iron and they were beyond fantastic. I wish I could send pictures, but my camera is broken.

Enjoy a wonderful week!

Elder Nelson