Dear Fam,
Thank you for all the wonderful letters
you sent me this week, it sounds like you had a lot of fun last week and
that you are all doing wonderful things back home. Each week as I read
your letters I can tell that each one of you is incredibly busy and I
don't know how you do it. But I want to be like it of you and I always
feel blessed by the wonderful example you are in my life.
This week we are planning on the baptisms of two of our
candidates. Aurel and Eunice, I am excited for both of them, Aurel has
been reading from the french Book of Mormon we gave him and I can see
that he has really felt for himself that the Truth has been Restored and
that he has found it. He is excited about the gospel and it has been
fun working with him and with a member that speaks french to help him.
Eunice, live with her Uncle who is a member, she likes going to young
women and is excited for her baptism. I have been pretty impressed by
the ward members in this ward. They referred a great family to us a few
weeks ago, David(Father) Norah(Mother) and Perpetual and Wilson the
kids. They speak small English but some great members have been helping
them and they have be coming to church and enjoy it. I'll keep you
posted on their progress. Also we are working with a man named Kelly,
Kelly has many friends that are members and the girl he is planning to
marry is also a member. So all of them were encouraging him to look into
the church and that is when we contacted his house and he was surprised
and it made him really think why God kept sending people to come and
talk to him about the church. So when we came he took it pretty
seriously and last week we gave him a date for the 21st of July.
Yesterday I met Elder and Sister Wood, they are finishing
up their 6th mission on Saturday. They are from Idaho and their family
knows some of Grandma or Grandpa L's family in Rupert Idaho. It
was a fun connection, she knew who I was right away and said she knew
Grandpa because he and I believe Grandma L. went to visit their
mission in the West Indies. I thought the was fun so I went to go and
talk to Elder Wood about it. He told me all about each of their missions
and he told me that President Faust and Grandpa set him a part as a
Mission President. Its a small world and I am grateful that I was able
to meet them and here about those experiences right before they went
home. I consider it a tender mercy of the Lord. This coming Saturday
after the baptism we will go and do baptisms for the dead with some the
ward and I am really hoping that Alex or Joseph are able to come because
I that would be a wonderful experience. The temple will close for a
month after Saturday, so I'm happy we could work this in!
Much Love,
Elder L.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Hello Everyone!
Dear Family,
It was great to hear from you all! This week a lot of great things have been happening. Going to Osu was like going down memory lane.. I have really missed that place. I wasn't able to see everyone because we also had some appointments to go to for the current Elders their but it was so good see some of my recent converts. I saw Rose and Julianna and their kids.. that is one of the pictures I sent. Vic Kotey, Pedro, Stanly Hammond, and Francis. It was such a fun day! For the most part most of my recent converts are doing pretty well over there but there are also a few the are struggling. But now the missionaries that are over there know where a few of them are and will be able to visit them from time to time. And hopefully I can go on one more split while I am out here. I wish I could go to all my former areas. The Temple Trip and Interviews were great. Every time I go to the Temple I always think of when I received my own endowment and I think of the sealings we did as a family. Those two times are unforgettable memories. In my interview with President Judd we talked finishing strong, we talked about some goals I had, the zone and I was able to ask him a few questions I had.
Our investigators are doing well although not as many came to church as we were hoping. Okey is really having a hard time with his work schedule. His employers are from a different country and are not Christian. They only pay their employees on sunday and they said anyone that wants to go to church can go, "Jesus will pay you" but we won't. It has been really hard on him, we read in Mosiah 24 with him that the Lord will make his burdens seem light and we told him to read Nephi 3:7 everyday. He is a great man and I know that the lord will make a way and will make his burdens seem light. We have been teaching a young man named Aurel, he is also from Benin. He is also working here for a while and he was a referral from a member named Godslave. We have been teaching him, he can read english perfectly he understands it but for him to speak back can sometimes be a bit difficult. He is progressing well and is excited for his baptism at the end of the month. The family that came to church last week heard a lot of the lies about the church this week which has not been fun but we are working with that, I think it has really affected two of the family members. James and Gloria but for Pat and Kelly they are strong and they understand that we should ask God and not man. We feel if we can help them gain a testimony we will then be able to help Gloria and James. We'll see what happens their, I be sure to keep you posted.
I actually sent some pictures this week, as you can see. Sorry its been so long this cafe isn't much better than the old one but I think it will be okay so enjoy. Love you all!
-Elder L.
It was great to hear from you all! This week a lot of great things have been happening. Going to Osu was like going down memory lane.. I have really missed that place. I wasn't able to see everyone because we also had some appointments to go to for the current Elders their but it was so good see some of my recent converts. I saw Rose and Julianna and their kids.. that is one of the pictures I sent. Vic Kotey, Pedro, Stanly Hammond, and Francis. It was such a fun day! For the most part most of my recent converts are doing pretty well over there but there are also a few the are struggling. But now the missionaries that are over there know where a few of them are and will be able to visit them from time to time. And hopefully I can go on one more split while I am out here. I wish I could go to all my former areas. The Temple Trip and Interviews were great. Every time I go to the Temple I always think of when I received my own endowment and I think of the sealings we did as a family. Those two times are unforgettable memories. In my interview with President Judd we talked finishing strong, we talked about some goals I had, the zone and I was able to ask him a few questions I had.
Our investigators are doing well although not as many came to church as we were hoping. Okey is really having a hard time with his work schedule. His employers are from a different country and are not Christian. They only pay their employees on sunday and they said anyone that wants to go to church can go, "Jesus will pay you" but we won't. It has been really hard on him, we read in Mosiah 24 with him that the Lord will make his burdens seem light and we told him to read Nephi 3:7 everyday. He is a great man and I know that the lord will make a way and will make his burdens seem light. We have been teaching a young man named Aurel, he is also from Benin. He is also working here for a while and he was a referral from a member named Godslave. We have been teaching him, he can read english perfectly he understands it but for him to speak back can sometimes be a bit difficult. He is progressing well and is excited for his baptism at the end of the month. The family that came to church last week heard a lot of the lies about the church this week which has not been fun but we are working with that, I think it has really affected two of the family members. James and Gloria but for Pat and Kelly they are strong and they understand that we should ask God and not man. We feel if we can help them gain a testimony we will then be able to help Gloria and James. We'll see what happens their, I be sure to keep you posted.
I actually sent some pictures this week, as you can see. Sorry its been so long this cafe isn't much better than the old one but I think it will be okay so enjoy. Love you all!
-Elder L.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Hello Family
Dear Fam,
This week has been wonderful, the work is going very well and we have seen some wonderful things happening in the lives of some of our investigators. [Personal messages to family.] On Saturday we were blessed to have the Baptisms of two wonderful brothers, Joseph and Alex. I learned that Alex was taught by missionaries over a year ago and was preparing for his baptism but he traveled so it didn't work out but as he came back he started going to church again we taught him everything and it was amazing how many of the things he could still remember. So he was especially excited because he had been waiting a while for this day and I could just see it in him. Yesterday we had a wonderful day at church, Paul came to church again, the first time he came he was very confused and was not sure about things but as he came yesterday he was very active in the meetings he seemed very happy and he I felt like he was just soaking it all up. Also Okey the man from Benin, he also came. He is a sweet man and I just love him because despite many trials he is facing he sees the big picture. He is a man of faith. He just moved to Ghana and so he didn't know where the Temple was, we tried to explain it to him but it didn't help to much. So he decided to just start asking people where the church was and when sacrament meeting was half way over he walked in wearing his work boots, shorts and a t-shirt because thats all he had but to me he looked as good as everyone else and I know he did in the eyes of God. We also have been teaching a wonderful family, we met them two weeks ago and they live on the same road as the mission home. When we went there at first they were very hesitant to listen with us, they had heard all rumors: Blood, Spirits ect. But as we took the time to answer their questions and showed we cared they opened up to us and the whole family has now joined in. Part of the family came to church yesterday and some of them are still being a little stubborn but for a man named Kelly and a sister named Pat they loved church they are reading from the Book of Mormon. I am praying and we are working so that the rest of the family can feel the same as Kelly and Pat. Lots of wonderful things are happening here in Cantonments and I'm doing my best to make every day count. This week were are going to the Temple and are having our interviews I'm excited because its always a spiritual feast. This week I am also going on a split to Osu and I'm excited to do some work there once again especially to visit some recent converts, to encourage them to keep the faith and stay true to the covenants they have made.
Much Love,
Elder L.
This week has been wonderful, the work is going very well and we have seen some wonderful things happening in the lives of some of our investigators. [Personal messages to family.] On Saturday we were blessed to have the Baptisms of two wonderful brothers, Joseph and Alex. I learned that Alex was taught by missionaries over a year ago and was preparing for his baptism but he traveled so it didn't work out but as he came back he started going to church again we taught him everything and it was amazing how many of the things he could still remember. So he was especially excited because he had been waiting a while for this day and I could just see it in him. Yesterday we had a wonderful day at church, Paul came to church again, the first time he came he was very confused and was not sure about things but as he came yesterday he was very active in the meetings he seemed very happy and he I felt like he was just soaking it all up. Also Okey the man from Benin, he also came. He is a sweet man and I just love him because despite many trials he is facing he sees the big picture. He is a man of faith. He just moved to Ghana and so he didn't know where the Temple was, we tried to explain it to him but it didn't help to much. So he decided to just start asking people where the church was and when sacrament meeting was half way over he walked in wearing his work boots, shorts and a t-shirt because thats all he had but to me he looked as good as everyone else and I know he did in the eyes of God. We also have been teaching a wonderful family, we met them two weeks ago and they live on the same road as the mission home. When we went there at first they were very hesitant to listen with us, they had heard all rumors: Blood, Spirits ect. But as we took the time to answer their questions and showed we cared they opened up to us and the whole family has now joined in. Part of the family came to church yesterday and some of them are still being a little stubborn but for a man named Kelly and a sister named Pat they loved church they are reading from the Book of Mormon. I am praying and we are working so that the rest of the family can feel the same as Kelly and Pat. Lots of wonderful things are happening here in Cantonments and I'm doing my best to make every day count. This week were are going to the Temple and are having our interviews I'm excited because its always a spiritual feast. This week I am also going on a split to Osu and I'm excited to do some work there once again especially to visit some recent converts, to encourage them to keep the faith and stay true to the covenants they have made.
Much Love,
Elder L.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Hello
Dear Family,
Thanks for all the letters, it sounds like everyone is doing well. I'm getting used to Cantonments and I'm getting to know the members and I have seen that we have some great investigators. We are working with some great people and have been blessed to find some more. Paul and Okey are two men we have been blessed to find but I'll tell you about them later. We will have the baptism of a man named Alex and maybe Nani and Micheal. Alex is good and ready to go but the others still need to be interviewed. Alex is going to a University and will graduate next year, he is very smart and he knows the gospel has been restored. I am hoping we will be able to work with the rest of the family but we'll see how it goes. For Nani and Micheal they are best friends and they are living on the Burma military camp, I don't know too much about them but they are fine men hopefully things work out for Saturday, thats what I'm praying for. Now to Paul, he is the one I wrote about last week, he lives by the mission home. Last week we left him a Book of Mormon and told him to just start from the beginning continue to read. On our return appointment he said was talking about how he Moroni visited Joseph Smith and I was really impressed because he showed us he had really been reading. Then he asked why one of the Prophets said goodbye when he finished his book and why a few men that were not righteous wrote in the Book of Mormon (Book of Omni) and he went on to ask about King Benjamin and King Mosiah! I have never had a investigator read like that. After that lesson I was just bouncing the rest of the night. Later in the week we met a man named Okey, Okey moved to our area a few weeks ago from Benin for work. He told us he had prayed and dreamed that he should come to Accra. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and left him a copy. The next visit he told us he had always wondered about infant baptism and as he was flipping through the Book of Mormon he opened to Moroni 8. What are the odds... but I believe and know that is was not by chance. I have experienced that a few times, where I turn right to where the Lord wants me to. He asked us why it doesn't talk about that in the Bible. The perfect question! He is very interested in the Church because he has already seen for himself the Power of the Book of Mormon, and now he wants to know more.
I was grateful for the opportunity to fast, since coming a mission I have learned the true importance of fasting. I know that it is an opportunity to help us put off the natural man and come closer to the Savior. It gives us spiritual strength and it is a way we can have the powers of Heaven come down and help us and help others. As I have studied the scriptures one of my favorite ways to read the scriptures is to turn to the topical guide and and to just look up a key word like faith or diligence. Yesterday I did that and as I was studying about fasting. Fasting is part of the reason the Sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger had the spirit to teach. As I continued to read I went to Doctrine and Covenants 59:13-14. Here the Lord teaches us the fasting brings us fullness of Joy. In verse 14 the Lord refers to fasting as rejoicing. I can't say I have thought about it that way before but I know that it a true principle and I am grateful for the opportunity to fast. So next time we fast remember to rejoice while you fast. Love you all!
-Elder L.
Thanks for all the letters, it sounds like everyone is doing well. I'm getting used to Cantonments and I'm getting to know the members and I have seen that we have some great investigators. We are working with some great people and have been blessed to find some more. Paul and Okey are two men we have been blessed to find but I'll tell you about them later. We will have the baptism of a man named Alex and maybe Nani and Micheal. Alex is good and ready to go but the others still need to be interviewed. Alex is going to a University and will graduate next year, he is very smart and he knows the gospel has been restored. I am hoping we will be able to work with the rest of the family but we'll see how it goes. For Nani and Micheal they are best friends and they are living on the Burma military camp, I don't know too much about them but they are fine men hopefully things work out for Saturday, thats what I'm praying for. Now to Paul, he is the one I wrote about last week, he lives by the mission home. Last week we left him a Book of Mormon and told him to just start from the beginning continue to read. On our return appointment he said was talking about how he Moroni visited Joseph Smith and I was really impressed because he showed us he had really been reading. Then he asked why one of the Prophets said goodbye when he finished his book and why a few men that were not righteous wrote in the Book of Mormon (Book of Omni) and he went on to ask about King Benjamin and King Mosiah! I have never had a investigator read like that. After that lesson I was just bouncing the rest of the night. Later in the week we met a man named Okey, Okey moved to our area a few weeks ago from Benin for work. He told us he had prayed and dreamed that he should come to Accra. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and left him a copy. The next visit he told us he had always wondered about infant baptism and as he was flipping through the Book of Mormon he opened to Moroni 8. What are the odds... but I believe and know that is was not by chance. I have experienced that a few times, where I turn right to where the Lord wants me to. He asked us why it doesn't talk about that in the Bible. The perfect question! He is very interested in the Church because he has already seen for himself the Power of the Book of Mormon, and now he wants to know more.
I was grateful for the opportunity to fast, since coming a mission I have learned the true importance of fasting. I know that it is an opportunity to help us put off the natural man and come closer to the Savior. It gives us spiritual strength and it is a way we can have the powers of Heaven come down and help us and help others. As I have studied the scriptures one of my favorite ways to read the scriptures is to turn to the topical guide and and to just look up a key word like faith or diligence. Yesterday I did that and as I was studying about fasting. Fasting is part of the reason the Sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger had the spirit to teach. As I continued to read I went to Doctrine and Covenants 59:13-14. Here the Lord teaches us the fasting brings us fullness of Joy. In verse 14 the Lord refers to fasting as rejoicing. I can't say I have thought about it that way before but I know that it a true principle and I am grateful for the opportunity to fast. So next time we fast remember to rejoice while you fast. Love you all!
-Elder L.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Cantoments!
Dear Family,
Good Morning! It seems that I have been transferred once again, this time to Cantoments. Cantoments is quite the area, because its the biggest one in the mission. I don't really know if it is the biggest but if I combine, Ho, Osu, Buduburam and Adenta it might be bigger than all of them combined. But just as those areas there are some places we don't work in because it is full of businesses, the airport and some other places. The Temple is in our Area and I have heard that most of the time the Bishop helps recent converts to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead shortly after they are baptized. I really hope that is true because usually the mission lets missionaries attended the Temple when their recent converts go for the
first time. We attended church in the same compound as the Temple, so its fun to always be around the temple. Yesterday I was impressed with the ward, there are some wonderful people in our ward such as Elder and Sister Satati, Callister, Dickson and the Temple President. I saw Sister Satati and Elder Dickson yesterday everyone else was gone on assignments. I am really excited to be here and I know this is a wonderful ward that can help recent converts endure to the end so I know great things are ahead.
I'm now in the same zone as Osu so yesterday we went to Osu to go do some interviews, we got there a while after church closed but I was still able to have a nice reunion with some of the ward members and I saw Pedro Williams. Pedro is doing so well, he was baptized a little more than a year ago(hard to believe) he told me he is going to receive his Endowments in a few weeks. We don't know the date yet but I'll talk to President Judd to see if I can go! That would be amazing!
My new companion is Elder Wicho, he is from Zimbabwe and we are from the same MTC. So I have known him for a while. He has been here for 7 transfers and this is now his 8th in Cantoments... he is a
warrior! He is a master of finding families and we are teaching some wonderful people that I am really excited about. During the day we spend a lot of the time in Burma Camp, and A-wack Camps. Burma Camp is a military camp and A-wack is for the police. Dad, I have thought a lot about your stories from your mission when you worked on the Military Base in Germany and that has been fun to think about this
week. In the evenings we are working in Neighborhoods by the Mission Home and Temple because that is where the Big Gates are. There are some extremely well of areas in Cantoments and the only time to talk
to those people is when they are home in the evenings. I have met a lot of people this week and I'm trying to put the names with the faces but I will have make sure I write more about our investigators next week.
I had a fun Birthday, thanks for the Birthday wishes and Mom and Dad thank you for the package. I really appreciated it. It was fun to have a little piece of home for my birthday! It was great to hear about RBL's I know they will be wonderful, I'm especially excited for Robbie, he will have some great experiences. Thanks for all the love and Prayers. Know you are always in my Prayers.
Love, Elder L.
Good Morning! It seems that I have been transferred once again, this time to Cantoments. Cantoments is quite the area, because its the biggest one in the mission. I don't really know if it is the biggest but if I combine, Ho, Osu, Buduburam and Adenta it might be bigger than all of them combined. But just as those areas there are some places we don't work in because it is full of businesses, the airport and some other places. The Temple is in our Area and I have heard that most of the time the Bishop helps recent converts to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead shortly after they are baptized. I really hope that is true because usually the mission lets missionaries attended the Temple when their recent converts go for the
first time. We attended church in the same compound as the Temple, so its fun to always be around the temple. Yesterday I was impressed with the ward, there are some wonderful people in our ward such as Elder and Sister Satati, Callister, Dickson and the Temple President. I saw Sister Satati and Elder Dickson yesterday everyone else was gone on assignments. I am really excited to be here and I know this is a wonderful ward that can help recent converts endure to the end so I know great things are ahead.
I'm now in the same zone as Osu so yesterday we went to Osu to go do some interviews, we got there a while after church closed but I was still able to have a nice reunion with some of the ward members and I saw Pedro Williams. Pedro is doing so well, he was baptized a little more than a year ago(hard to believe) he told me he is going to receive his Endowments in a few weeks. We don't know the date yet but I'll talk to President Judd to see if I can go! That would be amazing!
My new companion is Elder Wicho, he is from Zimbabwe and we are from the same MTC. So I have known him for a while. He has been here for 7 transfers and this is now his 8th in Cantoments... he is a
warrior! He is a master of finding families and we are teaching some wonderful people that I am really excited about. During the day we spend a lot of the time in Burma Camp, and A-wack Camps. Burma Camp is a military camp and A-wack is for the police. Dad, I have thought a lot about your stories from your mission when you worked on the Military Base in Germany and that has been fun to think about this
week. In the evenings we are working in Neighborhoods by the Mission Home and Temple because that is where the Big Gates are. There are some extremely well of areas in Cantoments and the only time to talk
to those people is when they are home in the evenings. I have met a lot of people this week and I'm trying to put the names with the faces but I will have make sure I write more about our investigators next week.
I had a fun Birthday, thanks for the Birthday wishes and Mom and Dad thank you for the package. I really appreciated it. It was fun to have a little piece of home for my birthday! It was great to hear about RBL's I know they will be wonderful, I'm especially excited for Robbie, he will have some great experiences. Thanks for all the love and Prayers. Know you are always in my Prayers.
Love, Elder L.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Hello
Dear Fam,
Thanks for all the birthday wishes! I'm glad to hear everyone is doing well back home, today I will have to be very fast the light has been off because of a bad storm and we need to go do an interview in a few min. Last week we had the baptism of Sister Esther she will be a great member and will really help the ward, her family is all members and I remember the first time we met her she said she didn't like how she and her sister were not together. The good news is that now they are together. Mom and Dad I'll get the package this week thank you very much! Also I would love if you could make it out to Roberts homecoming I know you are busy with Choir and Stake business but if you can make it give him a hug for me. This week is transfers I'll find out tonight if i'm staying or going, most likely if I stay here this transfer I'll stay here until I finish. I'm sorry I didn't have time to write more but please tell Mathew [last name] I am super excited for him and he will be a wonderful missionary. Love you All!
-Elder L.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes! I'm glad to hear everyone is doing well back home, today I will have to be very fast the light has been off because of a bad storm and we need to go do an interview in a few min. Last week we had the baptism of Sister Esther she will be a great member and will really help the ward, her family is all members and I remember the first time we met her she said she didn't like how she and her sister were not together. The good news is that now they are together. Mom and Dad I'll get the package this week thank you very much! Also I would love if you could make it out to Roberts homecoming I know you are busy with Choir and Stake business but if you can make it give him a hug for me. This week is transfers I'll find out tonight if i'm staying or going, most likely if I stay here this transfer I'll stay here until I finish. I'm sorry I didn't have time to write more but please tell Mathew [last name] I am super excited for him and he will be a wonderful missionary. Love you All!
-Elder L.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Hello
Dear Fam,
It was great to hear from you yesterday! Happy mothers day to everyone that I did not get to wish it to yesterday. I was so happy to talk to you, and Nate and Eric I'm sorry we couldn't talk but we do that in the coming months but I won't worry about that now. Elder Haggard and I had a great week, the best one yet. We have been blessed with some wonderful people. Sister Mary, Irene and Emmanuel are still doing great. We have found a few more people this week and we are hoping for more to come next but a few things kept them from coming. I don't have so much time so sorry It is very short today but I am alive and well and I can't believe that was our last phone call. Hard to believe how time flys. Elder Haggard and I have been working very hard to lead by example, it feels great and we are having so much fun, almost to much fun. sometimes we don't know if we are working and then we look back at the week and we realize what we have accomplished and it feels good. That is how it is supposed to be! So we are trying to help the zone catch the same fire so we are excited to see the improvements and see the blessing that come in the zone! Don't get me wrong the zone is doing well but there is always room for improvement. Love you all!
-Elder L.
It was great to hear from you yesterday! Happy mothers day to everyone that I did not get to wish it to yesterday. I was so happy to talk to you, and Nate and Eric I'm sorry we couldn't talk but we do that in the coming months but I won't worry about that now. Elder Haggard and I had a great week, the best one yet. We have been blessed with some wonderful people. Sister Mary, Irene and Emmanuel are still doing great. We have found a few more people this week and we are hoping for more to come next but a few things kept them from coming. I don't have so much time so sorry It is very short today but I am alive and well and I can't believe that was our last phone call. Hard to believe how time flys. Elder Haggard and I have been working very hard to lead by example, it feels great and we are having so much fun, almost to much fun. sometimes we don't know if we are working and then we look back at the week and we realize what we have accomplished and it feels good. That is how it is supposed to be! So we are trying to help the zone catch the same fire so we are excited to see the improvements and see the blessing that come in the zone! Don't get me wrong the zone is doing well but there is always room for improvement. Love you all!
-Elder L.
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