Dear Fam,
It sounds like everyone is doing well and
enjoyed conference! Its crazy that this is the last one I'll miss.. I
don't know where the time has gone. I'm excited to hear it and have
enjoyed reading some conference talks this past week. I am happy about
the Wild Cats making it to the Championship! Bryan I'm still the proud
owner of the do you believe in miracles shirt from when they beat LSU. A
fun part of my week was the visit from Bishop Bench yesterday, he came
and dropped off the package, thank you, thank you! The cookies were
amazing and I think I know that I more than enough treats to last me the
rest of my mission. We were able to talk for a good hour or so before
church started, he had a lot of questions about Ghana, the work in Ghana
and we were able to talk to him about his mission a little. He came to
Investigators class and then we sat with him in Priesthood. By the way
church was a little interesting yesterday, there were three baby
blessing and many non members came to support their families. We had
people shouting amen, hallelujah! During sacrament meeting and in
investigators class some of the people got very upset about the message
of the restoration and said that this is not the only true church, after
that meeting they just left right after huffing a puffing all the way
home. We get that all the time like I'm sure everywhere else in the
world but usually not during church so it made church a little more
interesting yesterday.
On Saturday we had the baptism of Abraham and then he was
confirmed on yesterday. Prince was not baptized, he has had some second
thoughts but we'll continue to work with him and see what we can do to
help him. Abraham was very excited for his baptism and it was a
wonderful service, we joined with the West Adenta ward and a few
children of Record were also baptized. While we were preparing for the
baptism I observed the bishops daughter playing with a baby named Kofi. I
noticed that as Kofi was sitting on her lap she was playing with a toy
and with her friend but everything seemed to be fine. Thinking back on
it I should have just told her to put the baby down or that she should
be more careful but I didn't, but I had the impression that I should go
right in front of her immediately. I didn't want to pick him up because
we are not supposed to as missionaries but right after I got in front of
her, Kofi lost his balance and I was so grateful I was there to catch
him or he probably would have hit his head on the tile. I'm grateful for
the promptings of the Holy Spirit to teach us of truth and protect us
from spiritual and physical danger. I am so grateful for all of your
encouragement and prayers, I know that the prayers of the righteous
bring about much good. As I thought back on this experience from
Saturday I thought of several experiences from my mission where I didn't
know why I did what I did but it always proved to help me avoid a
situation that could have been dangerous.
The last thing I wanted to mention was Michelle talked about how
President Monson blessed all the people in the conference center or all
the membership of the whole church? Elder Holland did the same thing
for all that attended the fireside a few months ago and it was one of
the most powerful experiences from my mission! President Judd also
taught us that as missionaries we can also bless those who receive us. I
can't remember the scripture in D&C but he taught us that instead
of praying for them to receive an answer we can bless them to receive
that answer. As we did this we could fill the spirit come into some of
our investigators homes and I know it had a powerful impact on them. I
know that the Church is true and that the Priesthood is the Power of God
given to man. I'll let you know the scripture next week but I just
thought I would share that with you guys. Thanks for all the love and
prayers! Love you tons
-Elder L.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Latest from the Adenta Weekly
Dear Fam,
Great to hear from all of you, thanks for the letters but I didn't hear anything about March madness which is for the best... my only question is Indiana, Kentucky or Ohio State still in it? Anyways we had a good week, Elder Jones and I have been struggling to find so people but things pick up a little last week and especially this week. We are planing on two baptism on sat. Abraham and Prince, Abraham is a cool story. He has had it pretty hard, both of his parents passed away when he was young, so he has been living with his Ant ever since. A few months a go he started coming to church, but his Ant doesn't like the church and told him that he can't go back if he wants to live with them any more. He stopped coming to church but started coming to Institute with his friends. He has been doing that for some time and than his Ant found out and kicked him out of the house so... he moved in with his three friends that are members. He is so eager to be baptized and learn more about the gospel its contagious. Prince was a referral from the Elders Quorum President. He lives with his wife and she is expecting in a few months. She just came for the first time last week, and he is looking forward to his baptism and he is happy that his wife is taking interest. Hopefully she continues and is baptized and than ultimately they can be sealed on day!
As for my personal study this week, it was very good.. I have been starting the Book of Mormon again and I'm always so impressed with Nephi, if I learn one thing from him, its to keep the commandments. He mentions that we should be diligent in keeping the commandments dozens of times. I was also touched by some Articles from General conference this week, it was from the April 2010 conference.. President Eyering spoke of acting with all diligence. Its become one of my favorite talks, I have read it many times on my mission. Its directed to the Aaronic Priesthood but the Principle taught in it are inspiring. I would encourage all of you to read it in your free time. He says when ever fills he has finished a big assignment or task and his body is begging for a rest he will think of the Savior. After Christ suffered and died for us he could have taken a rest and deserved a rest more than any of us but instead of resting he was teaching the spirits in spirit prison! When he thinks of this he feels a rallying cry within himself and it helps President Eyering to do all he can to serve the Lord. For me I have been far from serving a perfect mission, Christ is the only one who has but I have thought of this talk uncountable times throughout my mission and it has helped me stir a rallying cry within my self. I also love this talk because he teaches a great way for us to fulfill our Priesthood duty/church callings. 1) Read and Ponder the scriptures 2) Pray to know the Nature of God 3) Plead that the spirit will guide you what to do 4) Promise to obey 5) Plan to act on it 6) do it 7) thank your Heavenly Father. Mom, thanks for sending the last conference addition... You will all have to tell me about which talks you like the most! And make sure to take notes, so you can tell me what you liked!
I love you all and pray for you always!
-Elder L.
Great to hear from all of you, thanks for the letters but I didn't hear anything about March madness which is for the best... my only question is Indiana, Kentucky or Ohio State still in it? Anyways we had a good week, Elder Jones and I have been struggling to find so people but things pick up a little last week and especially this week. We are planing on two baptism on sat. Abraham and Prince, Abraham is a cool story. He has had it pretty hard, both of his parents passed away when he was young, so he has been living with his Ant ever since. A few months a go he started coming to church, but his Ant doesn't like the church and told him that he can't go back if he wants to live with them any more. He stopped coming to church but started coming to Institute with his friends. He has been doing that for some time and than his Ant found out and kicked him out of the house so... he moved in with his three friends that are members. He is so eager to be baptized and learn more about the gospel its contagious. Prince was a referral from the Elders Quorum President. He lives with his wife and she is expecting in a few months. She just came for the first time last week, and he is looking forward to his baptism and he is happy that his wife is taking interest. Hopefully she continues and is baptized and than ultimately they can be sealed on day!
As for my personal study this week, it was very good.. I have been starting the Book of Mormon again and I'm always so impressed with Nephi, if I learn one thing from him, its to keep the commandments. He mentions that we should be diligent in keeping the commandments dozens of times. I was also touched by some Articles from General conference this week, it was from the April 2010 conference.. President Eyering spoke of acting with all diligence. Its become one of my favorite talks, I have read it many times on my mission. Its directed to the Aaronic Priesthood but the Principle taught in it are inspiring. I would encourage all of you to read it in your free time. He says when ever fills he has finished a big assignment or task and his body is begging for a rest he will think of the Savior. After Christ suffered and died for us he could have taken a rest and deserved a rest more than any of us but instead of resting he was teaching the spirits in spirit prison! When he thinks of this he feels a rallying cry within himself and it helps President Eyering to do all he can to serve the Lord. For me I have been far from serving a perfect mission, Christ is the only one who has but I have thought of this talk uncountable times throughout my mission and it has helped me stir a rallying cry within my self. I also love this talk because he teaches a great way for us to fulfill our Priesthood duty/church callings. 1) Read and Ponder the scriptures 2) Pray to know the Nature of God 3) Plead that the spirit will guide you what to do 4) Promise to obey 5) Plan to act on it 6) do it 7) thank your Heavenly Father. Mom, thanks for sending the last conference addition... You will all have to tell me about which talks you like the most! And make sure to take notes, so you can tell me what you liked!
I love you all and pray for you always!
-Elder L.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Dear fam,
As always I'm glad to hear from you all, it sounds like everyone is doing well. I'm glade to hear about the cougars in the first round but sad to here they were not as fortunate in the second. Like Nate, I believe the Hoosiers will win it all this year, although I don't know anything about this years season I hope they do it. Anyways, I'm sorry but todays letter will be short, it took some time to write president Judd today so I just have a few mins to write you. This week we had a wonderful zone interview with President, I always look forward to my interviews it just feel great to talk one on one with President. On wed I went to Nsawam for a split, it was a lot of fun, it is a really cool area and its a lot more like the bush than adenta so it was fun to have that feeling again, I got some great pictures of it. This week we felt blessed to have several investigators come to church, this had slowed down for a while so we are happy to see things are picking back up, I believe it because we have changed the way we are using the Book of Mormon. Thanks for all the love and prayers, please pray for alice, abraham, christina!
Love, Elder L.
As always I'm glad to hear from you all, it sounds like everyone is doing well. I'm glade to hear about the cougars in the first round but sad to here they were not as fortunate in the second. Like Nate, I believe the Hoosiers will win it all this year, although I don't know anything about this years season I hope they do it. Anyways, I'm sorry but todays letter will be short, it took some time to write president Judd today so I just have a few mins to write you. This week we had a wonderful zone interview with President, I always look forward to my interviews it just feel great to talk one on one with President. On wed I went to Nsawam for a split, it was a lot of fun, it is a really cool area and its a lot more like the bush than adenta so it was fun to have that feeling again, I got some great pictures of it. This week we felt blessed to have several investigators come to church, this had slowed down for a while so we are happy to see things are picking back up, I believe it because we have changed the way we are using the Book of Mormon. Thanks for all the love and prayers, please pray for alice, abraham, christina!
Love, Elder L.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Hello
Dear Fam,
Thanks for all the letters and prayers and love, this week we have continued to use the Book of Mormon all we could, we continued to be blessed by the Lord to find wonderful people, President Judd is always focusing that we do our best to find the elect! The church is doing well out here and is growing very fast, but the church needs more leaders! So that is what we have set out to do, we are still talking to everyone, because the gospel is for everyone! (I'm sorry if I have talked about this over the past few weeks, but President Judd has got it going though all over our minds) This week we contacted a man named Kissi. When we contacted him and introduced ourselves and he also introduced himself as "Elder Kissi" we were kind of afraid that he was a pastor.. not that we are afraid to teach pastors but you can imagine how most feel when they see the missionaries trying to take missionaries away from their church. But when we sat down with him, he had heard a lot about the Book of Mormon (almost everyone in Ghana has heard the Book of Mormon is a book of magic, its evil and that Mormons drink blood) We really has to talk about those misconceptions with almost every investigator. Anyways we had a wonderful lesson with him and were able to show him that it is truly another Testament of Jesus Christ. We had that same experience with a few more people this week. I have learned that not only are some kept from the truth because they know not where to find it... and because Satan is working hard to tell lies that make people afraid of the church. I know that this is the Lords work, and that there is a lot more than just harvesting, but by also planting seeds and that comes from showing people what we really believe. I just remembered one last thing I wanted to tell you, Joyce who was baptized a few weeks ago and went to the Temple this past week to do baptisms! She loved it, and can't wait to go again, it made me so happy to see her happy and thats why I love the gospel, its here to bless people and make them happy! Love you all and thanks for all you do!
-Elder L.
Thanks for all the letters and prayers and love, this week we have continued to use the Book of Mormon all we could, we continued to be blessed by the Lord to find wonderful people, President Judd is always focusing that we do our best to find the elect! The church is doing well out here and is growing very fast, but the church needs more leaders! So that is what we have set out to do, we are still talking to everyone, because the gospel is for everyone! (I'm sorry if I have talked about this over the past few weeks, but President Judd has got it going though all over our minds) This week we contacted a man named Kissi. When we contacted him and introduced ourselves and he also introduced himself as "Elder Kissi" we were kind of afraid that he was a pastor.. not that we are afraid to teach pastors but you can imagine how most feel when they see the missionaries trying to take missionaries away from their church. But when we sat down with him, he had heard a lot about the Book of Mormon (almost everyone in Ghana has heard the Book of Mormon is a book of magic, its evil and that Mormons drink blood) We really has to talk about those misconceptions with almost every investigator. Anyways we had a wonderful lesson with him and were able to show him that it is truly another Testament of Jesus Christ. We had that same experience with a few more people this week. I have learned that not only are some kept from the truth because they know not where to find it... and because Satan is working hard to tell lies that make people afraid of the church. I know that this is the Lords work, and that there is a lot more than just harvesting, but by also planting seeds and that comes from showing people what we really believe. I just remembered one last thing I wanted to tell you, Joyce who was baptized a few weeks ago and went to the Temple this past week to do baptisms! She loved it, and can't wait to go again, it made me so happy to see her happy and thats why I love the gospel, its here to bless people and make them happy! Love you all and thanks for all you do!
-Elder L.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Not all Scripture is of equal value . . .Presiden Benson
Dear Fam,
[Personal messages to family.] This week we had transfers, all six of us are staying the same in the apartment. Elder Jones is strong, he has been here for six transfers now! The longest I have ever been in one are is 5. What about on your missions, what was the longest you were in an area for? This week we have continued to focus on it, I have felt that our lessons have been more spiritual, at Zone Leader Council on Thursday President Judd gave us all a copy of the book called "a witness and a warning" its by President Benson and its all about the Book of Mormon. Its a great book, I feel it will help me a lot in my studies of the Book of Mormon. Right now we are teaching some wonderful people but because of some trials in their life, it has really been hard on them, I know that the Book of Mormon answers the questions of the soul. President Judd told us that as great as the pamphlets and preach my gospel are, one day they will all change, but the Book of Mormon will never change. It will be the tool that gathers Israel. It has been a really great week and I'm looking forward to the next one as we continue to use the Book of Mormon all we can. Mom, do you have any update on the Ho family? How are they doing? I'm grateful for the great missionary family I come from! I love and pray for you all everyday
-Elder L.
[Personal messages to family.] This week we had transfers, all six of us are staying the same in the apartment. Elder Jones is strong, he has been here for six transfers now! The longest I have ever been in one are is 5. What about on your missions, what was the longest you were in an area for? This week we have continued to focus on it, I have felt that our lessons have been more spiritual, at Zone Leader Council on Thursday President Judd gave us all a copy of the book called "a witness and a warning" its by President Benson and its all about the Book of Mormon. Its a great book, I feel it will help me a lot in my studies of the Book of Mormon. Right now we are teaching some wonderful people but because of some trials in their life, it has really been hard on them, I know that the Book of Mormon answers the questions of the soul. President Judd told us that as great as the pamphlets and preach my gospel are, one day they will all change, but the Book of Mormon will never change. It will be the tool that gathers Israel. It has been a really great week and I'm looking forward to the next one as we continue to use the Book of Mormon all we can. Mom, do you have any update on the Ho family? How are they doing? I'm grateful for the great missionary family I come from! I love and pray for you all everyday
-Elder L.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Hello Family!
Dear Fam,
Sorry this is so late and I'm sorry that i will need to make it short today. The light has been going on and off for a few days so I just want you all to know everything is great in this part of the world. In Elder Hollands visit to us he challenged President Judd to make this a Book of Mormon mission, so Elder Jones and I did all we could to change and improve the way we used the Book of Mormon. We felt like it made a big difference, it really is the greatest tool we have as missionaries. The early missionaries we using them and teaching with them before the church was organized! This week I really enjoyed my studies, I was reading in Alma about Moroni, one great lesson I learned from Moroni was the way he made his preparations for war he made his weakest fortifications his strongest. It reminded me that our weaknesses can become our strengths Ether 12:27 and that we must always, always put on the whole armor of God. If we do this it will bless our live a lot.
This week we found a lot of cool people and we received some great referrals. The work is going a long great and I feel like Elder Jones and I have grow a lot, wed is transfers so we'll see what happens he has been here for 5 transfers. If someone came to me and was an African that would make me and five Africans. That would be fun! Things are going well in this part of the vineyard, sorry it so short this week I'll make sure it is nice and long next week! Love you all!
-Elder L.
Sorry this is so late and I'm sorry that i will need to make it short today. The light has been going on and off for a few days so I just want you all to know everything is great in this part of the world. In Elder Hollands visit to us he challenged President Judd to make this a Book of Mormon mission, so Elder Jones and I did all we could to change and improve the way we used the Book of Mormon. We felt like it made a big difference, it really is the greatest tool we have as missionaries. The early missionaries we using them and teaching with them before the church was organized! This week I really enjoyed my studies, I was reading in Alma about Moroni, one great lesson I learned from Moroni was the way he made his preparations for war he made his weakest fortifications his strongest. It reminded me that our weaknesses can become our strengths Ether 12:27 and that we must always, always put on the whole armor of God. If we do this it will bless our live a lot.
This week we found a lot of cool people and we received some great referrals. The work is going a long great and I feel like Elder Jones and I have grow a lot, wed is transfers so we'll see what happens he has been here for 5 transfers. If someone came to me and was an African that would make me and five Africans. That would be fun! Things are going well in this part of the vineyard, sorry it so short this week I'll make sure it is nice and long next week! Love you all!
-Elder L.
Monday, February 20, 2012
More fun from Adenta
Dear Fam,
[Personal messages to family.] This week continued to be as great as it started from last monday. So here is a funny story for you, so last monday, after we got back kind of late from our visit with Elder Holland we went to the apartment and found out that we are out of water like we usually are (don't worry mom we always have enough water to drink) we just didn't have water to clean and wash and because it was late we decided we would call a water truck the next day. So when the next day came I only had shirt left and it was my least favorite shirt but it was clean so I wore it, I bought it at the market and its a terrible shirt b but sometimes I where it when I need to. After we proselyted for like an hour I got a call from one of President Judd's counselors: President Labinjo. He told me he needed one white elder and one black elder, but he didn't tell us why. So were hurried back to the apartment as fast as we could, one the way over there he explained that as part of Elder Snows call of being the new church historian two camera men came over one the trip. They filmed Elder Hollands talk to us the day before, as part of there trip they wanted to record some of the great conversion stories of some of the great church leaders from Ghana. So he tells the story of his conversion, and Elder Akak and I are teaching his family. It should be on Lds.org in a few weeks along with Elder Hollands devotional with us. Its just a fun little experience I wanted to share with you guys, I also have a lot more respect for the missionaries who were filmed for the preach my gospel dvd's. Its a lot scarier teaching when the camera is on you haha.
On weds we took some of our Investigators and a recent convert to Elder Hollands devotional, we got there early and were able to get our investigators seated on the fifth row right in the middle and then we went and sat in the back. They loved it and felt said they felt something as he spoke. One of our investigators Osei asked for a baptismal date after the meeting was over. After the meeting I was able to see a few of my recent converts that are still going strong which I am really happy about but we couldn't stay long and talk which was kind of disappointing. One thing that I thought was so powerful was Elder Holland was pretty emotional when he said how much he loved Ghana and he said of all the places in the world he could be right at that moment he said there was no where he would rather be. It hit me powerfully! I thought of different things that I could be doing with my life that might be good and memorable but the is no where or anything I would rather be doing than serving the Lord in Ghana. I try not to be one that thinks about time but I just hit my 18th month mark and I feel that I have more than enough juice than I need to finish the last lap strong. Left... Right... Left... Right (only dad will get that). Mom I'll let you know when I get the package, not yet but thanks for sending it. Love you all
-Elder L.
[Personal messages to family.] This week continued to be as great as it started from last monday. So here is a funny story for you, so last monday, after we got back kind of late from our visit with Elder Holland we went to the apartment and found out that we are out of water like we usually are (don't worry mom we always have enough water to drink) we just didn't have water to clean and wash and because it was late we decided we would call a water truck the next day. So when the next day came I only had shirt left and it was my least favorite shirt but it was clean so I wore it, I bought it at the market and its a terrible shirt b but sometimes I where it when I need to. After we proselyted for like an hour I got a call from one of President Judd's counselors: President Labinjo. He told me he needed one white elder and one black elder, but he didn't tell us why. So were hurried back to the apartment as fast as we could, one the way over there he explained that as part of Elder Snows call of being the new church historian two camera men came over one the trip. They filmed Elder Hollands talk to us the day before, as part of there trip they wanted to record some of the great conversion stories of some of the great church leaders from Ghana. So he tells the story of his conversion, and Elder Akak and I are teaching his family. It should be on Lds.org in a few weeks along with Elder Hollands devotional with us. Its just a fun little experience I wanted to share with you guys, I also have a lot more respect for the missionaries who were filmed for the preach my gospel dvd's. Its a lot scarier teaching when the camera is on you haha.
On weds we took some of our Investigators and a recent convert to Elder Hollands devotional, we got there early and were able to get our investigators seated on the fifth row right in the middle and then we went and sat in the back. They loved it and felt said they felt something as he spoke. One of our investigators Osei asked for a baptismal date after the meeting was over. After the meeting I was able to see a few of my recent converts that are still going strong which I am really happy about but we couldn't stay long and talk which was kind of disappointing. One thing that I thought was so powerful was Elder Holland was pretty emotional when he said how much he loved Ghana and he said of all the places in the world he could be right at that moment he said there was no where he would rather be. It hit me powerfully! I thought of different things that I could be doing with my life that might be good and memorable but the is no where or anything I would rather be doing than serving the Lord in Ghana. I try not to be one that thinks about time but I just hit my 18th month mark and I feel that I have more than enough juice than I need to finish the last lap strong. Left... Right... Left... Right (only dad will get that). Mom I'll let you know when I get the package, not yet but thanks for sending it. Love you all
-Elder L.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)