"Medomu nfie apem!!!"

Hello Family!!! 

I love you all very very much.  

Thank you so much for being so kind to my companion. He is a great man and When the end of our companionship comes I will miss him dearly. 

Please let Benji know of my love for him and if there is anything I can do to help him please let me know. Alright so this week was very nice. Physically I was the most exhausted I had ever been.  the finding and contacting and service projects I could feel were taking their toll. There was one night where our lights went out around 10 pm and didn't come back until that time the next day. The room was hot so no sleep came. I didn't tell my companion about the 0 sleep for fear of not being able to go out. I was exhausted but I continued through the morning. I could feel sleep coming but I got up and we went out. After each lesson we taught I could feel something. Something felt as if I was physically being pushed or moved from house to house. In my mind and heart I was just excited. I was happy and refreshed and ready to go. That night when we closed our day and were going to bed I said my prayer and thanked heavenly father for his divine help that day. The second I ended my prayer and slipped into bed my eyes were shut and didn't open again until 6:20 the next morning. Although this seems like a similar story that many missionaries may have, it has becaome of improtance to me in showing me of the tender mercies of the Lord. I know, that as 1 Nephi 1:20 says, that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those who have faith to make them mighty, even unto the power of deliverance; that the Lord really is aware of those who put their trust in him and serve Him in faith with a real desire to bring souls unto Christ. I know that I am not perfect and in many ways I am weak. As to my strength I am nothing, said Ammon, but I will boast in the Lord my God. I love this work. I love beign a missionary. I am so happy to be here. I have seen miracles take place in the lives of others in just this short time that I have been here. I will serve the Lord until the end of time and I urge you all to do the same. 

As the saying goes in Twi "Medomu nfie apem!!!" I love you all a thousand years!

Elder Walch

Thank you!

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you so so much for all all of you have done. I have really felt the power and strength your prayers have given me. I am thankful for all the letters and everything you all do for me. 

This went by great! We have met and taught many powerful new people. I have felt the Lord's helping hand in every aspect of my life. I love this gospel and I love the Book of Mormon. I love Jesus Christ and am so thankful for his atoning sacrifice for me. I know he loves me and cares about me. I am so thankful for the mercy of God in allowing me obtain forgiveness of my sins. Without the strength of your prayers and the helping hand of the Father I know that I would be nothing. There is no power on this earth that could make me deny the things that I know to be true. I know that the church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints is God's kingdom once again established on the earth. 

Medowo Elder Walch

Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those that have faith.

Well good evening family and friends!

I am so glad to hear about all the letters coming. I have some one or two requests for the next package: Skittles, my Ghana food cookbook, the soups and stuff, and chocolate and fruity candies. Ok so this week was pretty powerful. It begun to be awesome awesome on Wednesday. I remember that day after proselyting I just felt a weight on my shoulders. I heard a whisper say something to me so I looked at my companion and asked what he said. He answered,"nothing" and went back to recording numbers. I thought it was strange and went back to what I was doing. It came again and this time I heard it say, " Talk to me". It came with a sweet feeling and a peaceful feeling. I knew the source instantly. Right as I determined to pray, my companion left the room and I was left alone. I knelt down and poured out my heart to the Lord in prayer. I can honestly say that the experience I had that night was the most calm and most peaceful experience I have ever had in my life. It was at that moment when all the truest desires of my heart just came rushing out. I remember that as I came I kind of had a testimony. I was willing to learn. I was willing to do the things asked of me. However, it was at this moment when I realized that some of the things I wanted really weren't all too important at this time. Some of the things I used to pray for showed that my will wasn't all the way aligned with the will of the father. I left from my knees and just laid on my bed with my eyes closed and pondered upon the words that I had prayed. They weren't all mine, But they were now the desire of my heart. I can now say without the slightest hint of a doubt that the Lord will always answer prayers. He is always there to hear us in whatever time we come before him in humble prayer. The things that the Lord showed to me that night I will never forget. The feeling of peace that came was enough to exhaust my strength. I testify to all within the sight of my words that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and that they love us without exception. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Best Christmas gift EVER!

YIPPEE!!!! Calling was fun! Sorry time is far spent. Picture sending sucks it all up. Ok so this past week went by pretty well. 

We are having baptisms on Saturday! Sister Susie is 25 and is very humble and super super sweet. Her mother gives us free Ga Kenke, which has become probably my favorite thing here! The second is Lizzy. She is 9 years old and we saw that she didn't have any records, so we took over teaching. She is very sweet and I will miss them very much when I leave this area. I don't want to leave Nkawkaw, the next transfer, number 3, ends in the first week of February. Its a long one. Everyone is speculating about me since I have been here awhile. 

Well gtg Love you!

Christmas Zone Conference...Getting to call home!!!!!!

Hello family!

So I have received plenty packages...(Baye, Deiberts, Sis. Johnston and Sis. Mosino THANK YOU VERY MUCH!)  for which I am very grateful. I do love packages a lot, but I love love love LOVE getting letters. The whole time I have been with Elder Asabere, he has received no letters and no packages. I share mine with him always but I think a package, unopened and with his name on it would bring him so much joy.

Sorry to hear about Allison... Yikes! My companion loves tootsie rolls. He likes the candies I get just nothing sour. Ghanaians in general don't do sour. If you could send both of us instant potatoes and soup mixes that would be the best! 

Zone conference was amazing! I love president Cosgrave so much. He is a man that is truly called of God. 

Alright so for the Christmas call:  I get 40 minutes to call home. I will be calling on friday night, sometime in the evening; probably around 6:30 or 7:00 depending. That means it will be around 10:30 or 11 on the morning there. As a request, I would like to hear Jamie and Kaila also. Since you take Kaila with the family to Arizona, she must already be family haha. And anyone else that would want to come. 

So we have new investigators that need your prayers. Please pray for Susie, Collins, Elizabeth, Emmanuel, and Aaron. They are very powerful people but need some help. 

As I stated a couple weeks ago, I need to know the day of the week on which I was born. It will determine my Akan name. 

Also please send me many pictures of all my siblings and friends.

Thank you all so so much for all that you do in supporting and praying for me. I was able to weigh myself at the mission home last week and discovered just how much weight I have lost. When I left home, I weighed 184 with light clothes on. When I weighed last week I was 163 with all of my mission attire on. Despite this drop in weight, I feel great. I have energy and am happy all the time. I love these people and I love this country almost as much as I love my own. Despite my many flaws, I have come to develop a deep and abiding love for the Savior and for all those around me. 

I love you all so so much and I am looking forward to friday!

Afehyia Pa Afi Enko Beto Yen! (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year)

Elder Walch

Big brothers are AWESOME!

This handsome young man had a question for his big brother on a mission- " I've got a deep question... Ok, I want to know how you can tell when you're being prompted to do something. I know I've had promptings before but I second guess them by thinking it's my own self conscious.I was wondering if you had any advice or insight that could help me out. Everyday I pray to be a better person, but I don't know if I can ever reach a higher potential if I don't know when I'm getting a prompting. You're the only person that I feel comfortable with asking because you are an amazing example to me and I love you so much. I read your emails and I see your pictures all the time and it makes me want to be just like you."

Ok so here is what I know:

The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit that has been designated to be with us always, as long as we are worthy of it. The most simple answer to this question is found some where in the Book of Mormon. It says that "that which is good cometh of God. That which is evil cometh of the Devil". Therefore, whenever you have a good idea, or a good thought, it comes of God. Whenever a good thought, or something you could do, is good, do it. The Spirit speaks in a still small voice. When you have a small thought, or just something pop into your head that is right, do it. The Spirit works differently for each person, however, the most common way for the Spirit to speak to us is in our hearts through feelings, or through our thoughts. For example: How do you know the Book of Mormon is true? Have you prayed and asked the Father in the name of Christ if it is true? Have you read it all the way through? If not, I challenge you to STUDY IT. Don't just skim the surface, SCUBA dive down into the depths. I know that through prayer and through faith in Christ all things are possible. I challenge you  this Christmas you do something different. Go about and actively seek for those who need service. As a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ I promise you that if you do this, The Spirit of the Lord will always have place in you, that  the seed of faith that you plant in your heart will swell. It will begin to enlarge your soul. It will enlighten your understanding. It will begin to be delicious to you. All these blessings can be yours if you just allow the Spirit to work in you. IN the name of Jesus Christ, I promise that you will receive the Spirit of joy, peace, and love for all men if you continue on in the faith and, as Joseph Smith said, "Look unto Christ in every thought; Doubt not, fear not."

I love you tons little bro and can't wait to see you again. Can't wait to call at Christmas time too. 

This cafe I'm in is crud so This email took all my time so I wasn't able to email the fam. Whatever, this is more important. Don't tell them I said that hahaha.

Well peace out bro. In the Words of Katelyn White: Keep on Keepin' On.

Big Hug!!!!

Family and Friends,

Here is me giving you a hug!!!

Yeah last week I had typed up a huge long email and then the power went off and the generator overheated. I am doing fantastic! Training has ended this week but I am still in Nkawkaw... YIPPEE!!!! I love it here. Still with Elder Asabere and the same zone leaders too! 

HEY GUESS WHAT?!?!?! THE EMAIL FROM LAST WEEK SAVED!!!!

Yippee got it sent.

Ok so last week:

Monday: Pday. Washing and working around the apartment. Went and got pizza with Elder Vause. 

Tuesday: District meeting. President Cosgrave also came and did interviews.

Wednesday: Companion was sick.

Thursday: Companion still sick

Friday: All better. Had a Young single adult versus missionaries. We won 4-1.

Saturday: 6 hour long District training at the chapel.

Sunday: Found 5 powerful new investigators.

Can you send me The Lyons' s address? 

Ok lots of pictures to describe: 

THe Bowl with the redish orange/brown soup is fufu in groundnut soup with chicken fish and boiled egg.

The pizza is a large meat lovers pizza which I ate all of with 3 bottles of fanta. It cost 48 cedis which is like 12 dollars.

The one is me hugging everyone!!! 

Last is my new Ghana flag tie made out of beads.

Love, Elder Walch