Look For The Miracles That Happen To You Each Day

February 10, 2020 

Hey there goes another week!! 

This week was a good week of learning a new area, learning how to drive in Ghana and meeting new members. For me as I go from one place to another it often feels like I am starting my mission from the beginning because it's like throwing yourself into somewhere new with no one that you know and a new companion. That makes it kind of nice though because it's another fresh start to do more good. But I love the change and new adventures that await. 

This week we were able to have some great things happen for us. One of the biggest blessings of the week is that we were able to find 12 new people to teach this week that we feel like a good amount of them have potential to progress if they choose to. The thing about Ghana is a lot of people really love to hear our message but not a lot of them have what it takes to seriously commit themselves to do something new. That's the sad part. They could believe the message is true, but often just become lazy, not take it serious or struggle leaving their church. We are hoping that some of these people progress towards baptism though. 

We have one person named Helena that we found who is great. She is around 22 years old and lives around members. She has attended church twice and loves the teachings. We just started teaching her this last week and have great hope that she will be baptized in March. 

I think the biggest miracle that happened to us this week was on Friday when we first planned to go see someone in the morning around 10:30am. When we got there....... let's just say she was not ready to learn haha. So we started walking around to see if we could find someone to teach. Well, it turns out that we walked until noon and couldn't find anyone to teach so we went to have lunch. We were supposed to meet a member by 1 at the church to go with to see someone so after we ate, we walked back to get the car and right next to the place we were eating, as we were walking by, the person in the shop called out to us and told us to come........ miracle!!(also I would imagine this doesn't happen to often in the USA or Europe, sorry). Anyways, we went inside to teach the women and she told us that she grew up as a Christian, changed into a Muslim, but now wanted to change back into a Christian. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and she liked the lesson and told us she would come to church on Sunday. She couldn't make it on Sunday because of a death in the family but we have great hope that she will progress as we continue to teach her. After the lesson ended as we were walking away my companion looked at me and was like “wow, right before the girl called out to us I was pleading in my heart for a miracle to happen and then she called out”. He then said, “after we walked and walked and then she called out to us as I was praying in my heart. God really does know the prayers of our hearts. And blesses those who push through hard times and never give up.” 

It is really cool how these tender mercies come every week. Almost without fail a miracle happens each week. God is there and He is aware of each of our problems and is willing to help us. Look for the miracles that happen to you each day and you will see God's hand in your life each week. You will start to appreciate Him more in your life and strive to become better. 

Anyways have a great week!! Love you! 

-Elder Shirley 

Questions & Answers: 

Q. In your new area, do you get fed by the members very much or do you guys cook your own meals? 

A. Ya the members are great here but I don’t think any ward will match what we had in Kasoa. We do cook in the apartment sometimes and sometimes just buy food outside. 

Q. Any hot showers yet? 

A. Haha nope, no hot showers in this mission mom. Unless you are blessed to sleep in the mission home. Most of the time though I would prefer a Cold shower anyways though because it's so hot in the apartments. 

Q. What is an inspiring scripture verse that you can share with us this week? 

A. There is a scripture passage from Alma 37:40-43. It talks all about how faith precedes miracles. As you are faithful and not faithful, god will help you both spiritually and physically. Just read the passage it is very straightforward. 

Q. Tell us about your new companion. 

A. My companion is from South Africa and is 21. He is a very good guy, soft spoken but a great missionary. Overall I am happy to be with him. It will be a good time with him. I think you have seen a picture of him. 

Q. What is your new role like now that you have been in it for a week or two? 

A. Basically the role is just to help the mission president with whatever he needs. If there are any problems amongst missionaries in the mission then we are there to help. Things like that. I'll send you a picture of what I am supposed to do.