I'm just a soul who's intentions are good...

Dear Family,

I've made it. I am now over the hill. Exactly one year from now I will be on a plane home from Accra. It is a really strange feeling because where I was looking back to how life was before mission, I now think to how it will be when I come home. My optimism for the future is higher and I have more confidence in myself then ever before.

We enjoyed this weekend. My Mt's in this zone are: Elder Thompson, Elder Vancherie, Elder Holmes, Sister Affrani, Sister Owuna, and myself. That's pretty much everyone who matters except Elder Pinnell and Elder Jeppesen. Sorry for them cause I know they probably suffered. We went to a new pizza place on Saturday with the whole zone. The pizza was much better then what i've had before but a mental block kept me from enjoying it. I couldn't eat the meat and I gave a few pieces to the African Elders who came, but at least I never threw up! I do have a slight cold today but that's about it. I feel really sorry for the new elders because our whole focus has been on one year, one year, one year. The poor guys are at one month now, 23 more to go. We all went through the same thing though. I had to listen to Elder Adjei say he's going home for 6 months. The time will come when Elder Rogers can make jokes about how young his own son is.

Other then our celebration, we are moving ahead small small. We gave Elder Eke a call in Takaradi to see if we have missed anyone who should be baptized on the 10th. Turns out there is a guy named Nana Koffi who we had never met before. Elder Vancherie and I went to find his house and he is a really cool guy. We already have three candidates for baptism this Sunday which feels like a lot to me, but in this area it's not a lot at all. Elder Vancherie has seen this branch start from nothing and grow to 150 members in just one year. I'm finally seeing why this country is so amazing. We still don't have a lot of people to teach but we are still meeting new people and receiving referrals. I refuse to contact because I know that eventually we will have enough referals to fill our teaching pool. That's how cool this members are here. Elder Vancherie and Elder Mbong have really been helping out too since I have no clue how to get around the area.

Overall training itself really sucks. Elder Rogers is freaking awesome and being with him is great but the training part is really hard. The stupid thing is that every time something goes wrong, like a failed appointment, It feels like it's my fault. Then you get that look from your companion saying, "What do we do now?" Well, I DON'T KNOW! Luckily I have a whole support group to help me out, haha. Elder Lehr is always around, Elder Vancherie and I have heart to hearts every single night, and Elder Holmes is going through the exact same thing right now. I think Elder Rogers also understands, in a small measure, what I'm going through and has been patient even when my grumpy, want to kill something, attitude comes out. That song by The Animals is perfect for me. It goes: I'm just a soul who's intentions are good, Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood. My bad side comes out sometimes but I hope it hasn't been too bad. :)

What's General Conference?

The mission is starting to expand. Four elders have been sent to Sunyani which is about 2 hours from Kumasi. Elder Russel, Elder Bahme, Elder Ayim, and one other Elder are starting the church there from nothing. They are probably the biggest BAMFs in the whole mission. President Sabey really knew who would be up for the challenge. I'm told more apartments are being built and soon more Elders will go up. I really hope I won't have to, because I'm really enjoying myself here. This zone is freaking sweet and I don't think it could ever get better.

Well, I don't have much else for you today. I'm way stoked for this next year. The third lap is the hardest lap to push through but President told me last week that the next year will go twice as fast as the first. For all you waiting just hang on for a short time and I will be back soon. I love you all!

Elder Harris
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