E-mail dated 4/20/09

Dear Family:

Wow, you asked eleventy billion questions. I counted. But I'll do my best to answer them all. First off all the week was wonderful. Transfer weeks always go fast especially if I'm getting a new companion (which has been happening alot lately). Elder Seawright left for Freetown on Thursday and my new companion Elder Doughan came in the evening. We had a pretty successful week. The highlight of the week was the effective PEC we had on Saturday (wow, I don't think I will ever say that at home). The branch is starting to realize that they aren't doing anything and they need to start planning activities and other important things. We picked up a few new investigators this week and generally everything is going pretty normal. The Zone Leaders asked us to fill out a sheet of all the investigators we are working with, and it is up to twenty. Honestly I don't really know how we do it, but the Lord provides a way.

Its a little weird to celebrate a birthday away from the family. Honestly it was just another day for me, walking around in the hot sun, teaching the gospel. Yes Sister Wire did bake me a cake on Thursday, and It was delicious I might add. I forgot how good a birthday cake tasted. I was even pleased to have a great day of proselyting. The birthday pictures were taken at our apartment early in the morning, I knew they were coming so I prepared myself (thats why I'm the only one dressed). The other two Americans are Elder Gifford (who I met at the U before I left) and Elder Stice (who I know from Freetown). The Ghanain you see is my companion.

As for my hair. I told you once that barbers here don't know what scissors are. They only know blades (which don't work on white man hair) and buzzers. Now that I don't have Sister Peterson in the same country as me I have to use the barber on the street and I do it his way. So hence the shortness. I don't really care how I look so why should all of you guys. Maybe I'll shave it bald next time. he he he.

The mothers day phone call home. Well, Elder Seawright told me that its cheaper for me to call from here than it is for you to call me. I can spend 10 dollars and talk for and hour. I haven't been instructed on the time, but we should probably keep it around an hour this time. My church starts at 9 in the morning so no problem there. Well thats about it for this time, forgive me for the lack of spritual stories as those are hard to come by where the church is so young. I love the people of liberia and I've realized that I've grown up alot.

I love you all and have a good one.

Elder Degen