Letter and Photos from March 20, 2017

Daniel Buchanan <daniel.buchanan@myldsmail.net> 20 March 2017 at 1:10 PM

Hi, all!

This week has been an interesting week.

-We had exchanges this week. My companion went with one of the district leaders and I went with him companion, Elder Joseph. He's from Nigeria and he's an awesome guy. We got along really well. I introduced him to Pizza Hut for the first time and he loved it (as he should have, haha!) and I figured out that he was a journalist back home, and he actually did a lot of behind the scenes type stuff. We definitely related a lot because in high school for the school news video we did a lot of similar things, so that was cool. I attached a picture of my chunky self and him at Pizza Hut for his first time :D

-This week I've really come to the realization how practical the gospel is in our lives. Some people don't see the need for commandments, but when you live them, you really start to see the reason for them and the blessings that come from it. We were teaching an investigator this week about the Law of Chastity (the most simple and basic way of summarizing it is no sexual relations before marriage), and this investigator pointed out connections he had noticed before we had even taught him. When you have the self control to keep the law of chastity, people begin to trust you more. The people around you will even defend you by saying things like, "Oh, he wouldn't do that," or, "Oh, she's not that kind of person." It also strengthens the relationships you have with others and with current or even future spouses. He put those things together all on his own! I've also come to see how practical the gospel is another time this week when there were a few companionship issues in the zone that we had to handle. As I advised them, I felt the guidance of the spirit in doing so. I came to realize once again how much prayer really helps. When they weren't getting along, I encouraged them to pray for each other every day. That can work not only in missionary companionships, but with anyone and everyone! Christ taught us that contention comes from the devil, and that His gospel entails doing away with contention, and I realized one way to do that is praying to love one another more. Praying will increase love for those you pray for, and as you ask our Heavenly Father for help, we will see His hand in assisting us in our efforts to do what's right. It's incredible how many blessings, both physical as well as spiritual, come from following our Savior, Jesus Christ. If there's one thing I've come to learn since coming on my mission, it's how real the gospel is. How much it really helps us, how real our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ are and how real their love for us is. I know that they live, and I know that they are always there for us. As we turn to them, we will begin to see their hands in our lives working for our good.

 

I love all of you so much. I'm grateful for all the love and support you give me. I hope to hear from all of you soon!

 

With love,

Elder Buchanan

Since three of us in the apartment all were in the Kpong zone earlier, we had got bead ties and we all had matching ties, so we couldn't pass up the photo opportunity.



Elder Joseph and I at Pizza Hut.

Hanging out in the apartment in the AC with my new suit.