Daniel Buchanan <daniel.buchanan@myldsmail.net> Feb 6 at 12:58 PM
Hi, all!!
This week has actually been kind of a blur, so I'm having a
hard time remembering anything significant that went on this week. But here's a
little bit of what I can remember.
-This last week Elder Whiting went home. It was kind of hard
seeing because he was doing everything he could to make sure he stays because
he loves being a missionary, but I am glad he's going to be able to get proper
medical attention. I'll attach a picture. The fresh suit he's wearing comes
from the same place I got mine in my area and I hooked him up. I had forgotten
that most elders around the world wear suits...
-So Elder Whiting went home and we picked up another elder
to replace him. We brought him back the apartment which has a gate around the
compound, and in the evenings, the landlords let one of the dogs out of the
cage. This new elder didn't know about the dog, and he was waiting for a few of
us to run across the road, so he left the gate open. We got back and saw the
gate was left open, and we realized the dog got out. The two of us ran around
chasing this dog trying to get it to go back into the compound, but it could
pretty easily avoid the two of us, so I called the other elders to come down
and help us, and so there were like four random white dudes chasing around a
dog, which I'm sure was a really humorous sight for the people here, but
eventually we succeeded in corralling the dog back into the gate.
-Today we had a fun combined zone activity! We went to
Labadi Beach and I got a nice sunburn. Missionaries aren't really supposed to
swim, unfortunately, but it was still way fun. We waded in the shallow water
and at one point two of the elders in my apartment ran up from behind and
picked me up and threw me in, so that was exciting. They had pool on the beach
and we had food and it was fun! I'll include a picture of that, too.
-I once again finished The Book of Mormon. This makes three
times since starting my mission. Every single time has been incredible. I love
The Book of Mormon so much. I can't believe how much knowledge and wisdom in
contained therein. One thing I always tell people is how the book makes me
feel. It's easy to forget something you see or hear. Like, I could clearly see
and notice, yet still forget the color of my mom's dress one day (and of course
she won't be happy), but it's really hard to forget how something makes you
feel. Feelings are powerful. It's hard to forget how you feel when listening to
your favorite song or the song you listen to when you're depressed. It's hard
to forget how you feel when participating in your favorite hobby. It's hard to
forget how you feel when someone tells you bad news. And for me, above all,
it's really hard to forget how I feel when I read The Book of Mormon. I can't
believe the peace that permeates my entire being when I actually sit down and
focus on the book. I can't believe how much my love for my Savior grows as I
study His life and teachings within. I can't believe how much it has blessed my
life. I've seen it bless my life, I've seen it bless my family members' lives,
I've seen it bless my friends' lives, and I've seen it bless the lives of the
people I share it with here. I can promise every one of you that if you pick up
The Book of Mormon and begin reading with an open heart and mind, you will feel
something powerful within. Even if you don't remember or understand everything
you read, you'll remember how you feel, and it's an amazing feeling.
I love all of you so much! It's great hearing from you, and
I hope to hear from you all again soon!
With love,
Elder Buchanan
 |
| P-day at the beach |
 |
| Elder Whiting going home |
 |
| Horse riding at the beach |
 |
| Pool at the beach |
No comments:
Post a Comment