Daniel Buchanan <daniel.buchanan@myldsmail.net> Nov 30 at 11:57 AM
To
Hey all!!
This has been a crazy week! So much has happened, and there
have been plenty of ups and downs, but it's been a great week. So the first few
days were mostly normal, but I noticed plenty of small miracles. Like we went
to one man's place who has been struggling lately, but he wasn't there, so we
were sad that we were going to miss him. We started to leave, but he was just
coming back! So thankfully we were able to meet with him, and we finally figured
out some things that were on his mind that were bothering him, so I think now
we'll be able to have more success with him. While teaching him, another man
came up that had visited with the missionaries a bit, so we'll probably be able
to meet with him as well! There are so many little miracles we saw. Then I had
my first exchange! I spent the day with Elder Oduobuk, my District Leader, and
it actually went super well! I figured out I'm capable of a lot more than I
realized, so that was an awesome learning experience. He actually said he
thought I was learning really quickly, and he was also impressed with how much
Twi I knew considering I've only been out for one transfer, haha. But then we
got home and realized our water level in our water tanks was so low, so the
pump couldn't get it into the apartment. So we had to climb on top of these big
tanks and draw water with a bucket as if it were a well. We had to preserve
water, though, so we literally showered with pure waters. A pure water is
basically a 500ml bag of water intended for drinking, but you can buy a big
pouch with like 30 for only 3.5 cedis. So I had the privilege of taking a
shower with two pure waters, which is the equivalent of one liter of water. I
felt really skilled for pulling that off, haha! But we didn't get water back in
the tank for five days, so that was fun managing with a bucket and pure waters.
Then our gas level got so low, we were afraid we wouldn't be able to use our
stove. So we wouldn't be able to boil the water, cook food, etc. Thankfully, we
were able to get it filled. That morning was stressful, though. All of us
literally had a whole loaf of bread with Jago (sweetened condensed milk) as a
sandwich for breakfast. So that was fun. Thankfully now, we have gas, water,
and power all back and all is well! Also, on Sunday, we were almost late for
church, but we arrived just a few minutes before it started, and when we got
there, I saw that the keyboard was out again. Two of the hymns they had
selected I had never played before in my life! So I played the opening hymn,
then I silenced the keyboard and practiced the others during the announcements,
haha. But thankfully, I somehow managed to get through them fairly well! The
bishop came up to me afterwards and said that he's really starting to enjoy
Sacrament meeting with me playing the piano. Hahaha, I remember when my brother
Ben and I used to compete: we both know I'm the better pianist ;), but he'd
just say, "I can play more hymns, though!" and I would say it doesn't
count since he would leave notes out all the time! Well, that's totally me,
now, haha! It's become a necessity when I have to play a song I've never played
before in five minutes xD
My mom made and sent me a paper Christmas tree with
battery-operated lights, and I hung it up yesterday! I was so excited as I was
putting it up. It made me feel bad for all the times I'd complain about putting
up Christmas decorations. I have a picture, but again, I can't send pictures
today for some reason :( It might just be this internet cafe. Hopefully I'll be
able to send some next week.
I really look forward to hearing from you every week, it
really means a lot to me. I just want you to know that I know the Savior lives.
I've said this every email so far and I'm sure I will continue to say it in
every message I send. I know it's true. I know he loves each and every one of
us. He can guide us through and lift us from any trial we face. I love Him with
every fiber of my being.
With love,
Elder Daniel Buchanan
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| This it the Christmas tree of which Daniel speaks that his mother made for him and sent to him. |
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