I Have Been Shaped Into the Person That I Hoped to Become

October 21, 2019

Another week has come and gone. I really do love my mission and the things that I get to experience week by week have shaped me into the person that I have hoped to become. This week we were able to have 3 confirmations of 3 wonderful individuals. A mother and her 2 kids. We have also been able to work really closely with member families and create lasting relationships with them. A precious moment happened this week when we went to see an older couple, who are around 70-75, who do not have any more children in the house because they have all moved away. We sat down to do "come follow me" with the 2 of them and the spirit was really strong. I could tell that no one had really been to visit them for a long time to share the gospel with them and they really loved it as they shared their feelings for the things found in Come Follow Me. After we finished, the daddy looked at us and said "can we please make this happen every Friday? Now when I go to church each week I can have something to contribute to the class and the teacher will think I am the best student!" That really put a smile on my face after he said that. That was really special for us as we realized the immediate love we felt from them and their desire to keep on learning the gospel. I know that this Come Follow program that we have been given can really strengthen us as individuals and families if we are faithfully doing it. I have seen it strengthen many families here in Ghana just in these last 2 weeks as we have focused on helping members stay strong and active in the true gospel of Jesus Christ. My invitation to all would just be to take that come follow me for individuals and families seriously and do faithfully do it each week I love Ghana and the people here so much. I have truly found my second home!

~Elder Shirley

Questions & Answers: 

Q. What was a success for you personally this week? 

A. We had 3 confirmations and we were able to prepare some people to be baptized in the next 2 weeks. 

Q. What is school like there for elementary and high school kids? 

A. They start really early here like most kids leave the house around 6:45 and get back around 4. everyone has school uniform and high school is 3 years here. JHS is also 3 years. That is about what I know. 

Q. Who has been a mentor for you on your mission? 

A. There are many missionaries that have been a mentor for me, such as Elder Stapley, Elder Burnett, Elder Villa, Elder Kilpack, Elder Dawson. 

Q. Tell us what sports you get to play on Pday? Do the kids have any sports teams to do or do they play just for fun? 

A. Mostly it is soccer unless we can find a place to play basketball but not too many areas have those places to play which is sad.