Monday, December 24, 2018

SNAKES!

Well Hello Everyone I love you all so much. I am so glad that I still have the opportunity to talk to you all even this close to Christmas. I love being able to stay in touch and hear all tyhe updates tht you have given to me. 
So this week I want to tell you all more aabout Ghana.
1. Random snakes hide in garbage cans and will run into your apartment when found.
2. If you stand under tess here do not pull on leaves because qwhen you do random snakes will fall from branches and nearlly land on you (yes both of these are experiences )
3. When you are in Ghana on Christmas not much happens....... Thats fun.
4. fake tress here even small ones are too expensive for us to buy.
5. People Love Fufu in Christmas.
6. The main greeting at this time is A fish a paa, the reply is A fink Oh matre ay (spelling is inaccurate i wrote it how it sounds.)
So this past week has been a lot of fun. There have been a lot of ups and downs however we have had a lot of success with Frank this past week. He is a man that wee are teaching that was given handbook 2 from his friend to learn about the Church, when we found him he already knew everything about how the Chruch ran just nothing about what we believed in. He is super powerful and he is quickly making his way to baptism. 
I have been thinking a lot about the Saviour this past week and i want to share an insight that i found for myself. This reference can be found in the hymn There is a Green Hill far Away. Now as this hymn goes on there is a single line that i want to point out: He only could unlock the gates of heaven and let us in. Many times a child i read it wrong, it acme into my mind that the only thing he was capable of doping was unlocking the gate and nothing more. When in reality he alone could unlock that gate. Now this relization that i have had has opened my mind to an issue plauging our minds. I say ours but i really mean mine. Too often we wish that this path and journey of life was easier and simplier, however this way of thinking is showing disrepect and a lack of faith to both God and Jesus Christ. When we wish for an easier way we are really hoping to just eat drink and be merry, whether or not we realize that. This plan was designed by a perfect God if we wish it to be changed we are saying we think we have a better way, now the one persoin that stood up against the plan goty cast out of heaven and took a third of the host of heaven....... So lets not go against this plan. We have been gifted a chance to enter into the rest of our Lord but insted of being grateful and being willing to pay the small price for that greeat gift we try and rebel, we attempt to enter in our own way. Do not lose track of who lets you enter through those pearly gates, when you look beyond that mark you have missd the full purpose of Gods plan for you. 

We must always remember that Jesus Alone could opern that gate, and whatever price we are told to pay is miniscule compared to the price that he had to pay for those keys. Why ask for things to change, God gave you the power to change them. Why ask for thing to be easier, God gave you the power to grow for challenges. Why ask for a faster easier way into heaven when we hardly have to pay a price at all. Too often we wish things were just magically changed and edited by our creator while h3e has already given us the power to fight against any battle that we are faced with. We are straight up told that we will not be tempted above what we are able. He has already stopped life from being too hard for us to bare, your challeneges are only able to reach you because God knows you are someone that can handle what you are about to go through. This is the amazing gift that has been given to us. This perfect plan full of mercy and justicve. Made possible because He Only could unlock the gate of Heaven and let us in.

I love you all so much. I hope that all my ideas make sense, i just want us all to see that we have to be moving forwardf knowing God is already backing us up rather themn feeling beaten and tired. Remember your relationship with God and His only Beggotten son this Christmas, remeber all that they have done for you. Stand up and help sopmeone see as well. Love you 

Monday, December 17, 2018

Busy and Crazy Weeks!

I love you all so much.  I appreciate you all more than you can imagine. I remember things about each of you on hard days and I am grateful for your friendship and support while I am in Ghana.  I mean that!

1. It does not snow here so it is very difficult to remember that it is Christmas time.
2. The special greeting for this time of year is Aficiapaa and the reply is Afinkomatriay.
3. It is very easy to run yourself into the ground doing missionary work, especially, when there is enough dust in the air to block out the sun!  It feels like the ground is all around us all the time. Makes turning our white shirts into "white" again on Monday, almost impossible.
4. Internet is spotty at best that is why I could not talk last week.  Looks like it might work this week.  Please pray that it works on Christmas so I can talk with my family.
5. Reading through two weeks of emails in the same amount of time is nearly impossible but "keep 'em coming, folks".
6. Second Christmas out and still miss snow as much as the day I left it.
7. When you and your companion are foreigners, it is easy to get cheated on prices but when we both don't take crap it is funny to see how fast others will change.  (Brings back memories of my China days and watching my parents bargain for things and my brother, Harrison, who was expert at it.)

So my discussion for this week is based on my own study during the week.  This past week while teaching, I ran into a scripture chain that teaches about the Apostasy and the essential need for us to change and follow the truth that God gives to us. 

It is in 2 Nephi 28 verses: 3-4,13, 21, 30, end half of 32. Now this scripture chain allows people to see the need to follow God's path, not their own. But I wanted to use it today to remind each and everyone of us of a few influential points. God's plan is first, when we know or recognize the need for a change we must act. Even when we are not the ones in the wrong or the ones causing the problem, if the problem around us or the situation we are dealing with is not aligned with God, it has to be stopped or changed in order to match God's will.  We talk a lot about the need for change with our investigators. Especially one man we are teaching right now who really wants the gospel to bring him peace. We have tried to teach him the need to be committed and worthy in order for the greatest changes to come his way. 

Just as King Benjamin did, he called all his people together to make sure that when he taught the, his own hands were clean from the blood of their sins but also from any offense against God.  King Benjamin was an example of a teacher to bring converts to the joy of the gospel but he was also an example of what the gospel looked like in his daily life and behavior among his own people. We cannot be content in Zion, as verse 21 says. we must work to make things celestial even when difficult. Verses thirty and thirty two show us just how God will use us when we do act on what we have been given. To those who follow, more will be given. To those who say that someone else must change or someone else must improve, or someone else must do the will of God, i will just work and be content in my current knowledge and behavior, they will have even that knowledge taken from them.

In this life, fence sitting is impossible. It is not just looked down upon, but is literally impossible. In Scriptures we read Jesus Christ saying that those that are not for me are against me. We have to act at all times in favor of His law and His rule. As we follow His path we will gain far more than we can comprehend. 

This Scripture chain (when presented in a good way) has really helped people see that my companion and I are not here just to teach, but we are here to guide others to change just as we try to do everyday. Too often people that we teach, even when we tell them we expect them to change and work with us and when they know what we teach is true to be baptized, somehow they still do not make the connection but when we show them that God expects a change each and every time He increases our wisdom, they seem to understand. 

On that topic, it is plainly obvious that this is the way that God works. I will use a common but maybe the most influential example, Joseph Smith. A small boy, wanting one answer was then expected to act on it. If Joseph Smith was told that no Church was true but then just laid back and said one day God will do something, I can guarantee that at one point in time he would have been talked into another Church. We see this happen all the time - folks get caught up in loud prayers, shouts of praise and the peer pressure of those around them to join the larger churches here.  But that is not what Joseph Smith did. When he received that answer, he acted on it, he kept turning to God and because of this he received more. His actions lead to miracles that cannot be numbered. Even in The Doctrines and Covenants we see that he did more for the world save Jesus Christ than any other man could do. 

As we wait for others to act on knowledge, just remember that God gave you your insights for a reason, not to be shelved and stored until some undetermined future period but for the here and now. What we are given from God we are not just expected but commanded to use. Talents grow throughout your life so even if you have already gone to meet your obstacles and challenges with what you had, when your Lord gives you more, guess what he wants you to do..... Go back, do it again, grow a few more inches, and then come and receive more for your time. Progression is one eternal round and it will never stop. The only limit on what we can become is on how we use what we are given. 

Love you all so much. Keep growing and hopefully I will do the same.

Love, Elder Butters

*This week was crazy busy!  Three exchanges and two district meetings. Lots of visits to a farmer we are teaching right now and he has decided that we are trustworthy.  That is great news around here. We work hard to get to that point. He spoke to us about things that are happening with his farm and that is about as personal as these farmers can get. We will help him all we can.
*I love my companion. We have become great friends!  This is a very happy thing.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Don't Trip Your Friends

I can hardly believe that it is nearly Christmas.
1. Funerals here are giant parties that just allow for a lot of people to get drunk.
2. When people are dancing at funerals they usually try to chase down the missionaries to dance with them......not good
3. When you are a district leader over two units: a branch and a group, there is a lot of mental work to do to make sure everyone likes you a lot, so they will work with you willingly.
4. Washing by hand (again), is not too bad as long as you do a little during the week so Monday your hands do not bleed.  I have gotten better at this since my early days.
5. People love the Bible here with more than all their heart and will try and prove that they know more than the others around them. It leads to awkward situations.

Going back to what I said at the beginning.... it is nearly Christmas! I can hardly believe it. It feels like I was just talking about Christmas and dealing with my first one in Ghana but that was nearly a full year ago when I was still in Dunkwa On-Offin. 

Wow time sure flies! Of course, Christmas is a special time of year but I wish to talk more about following the Man that we spend time remembering on Christmas. We all know that we must try to be as Christlike as possible. This is no easy task. While we can be Christlike in particular areas of our lives, it is terribly hard to be perfect. But that is what we have been asked to do. We have been asked to be as Christ was.......... somehow that is a large pill to swallow. Luckily, as Elder Holland said: Perfection is pending. (I feel like I quote that a lot). This is not an excuse for us not to work on our own perfection but it does allow us to have hope that we can actually reach our goal. As we move forward, everyday, there are small things that we can alter in ourselves or our surroundings to get closer to that goal of Christlike perfection. However small the changes our, God is happy with any change or improvement. 

Christmas is always a time of happiness and joy. It is a time for everyone to change even if just for a moment. Use this time, (do not wait for New Years) Christmas puts everyone in a mindset of peace and laughter. Do not let it stop there! Patterns that happen during this time of year should never leave our lives. Visiting someone, even just to sing at a doorstep because you know it makes someone happy, is the feeling that we should have in ourselves all year. I would always find ways to do things to help people during the Christmas season but most of the time I let the feeling leave once the lights were gone and the snow melted away. This has been one of my biggest mistakes. 

Jesus Christ did not just serve during a few months of the Year but all year round. I know that caroling may not be possible during the summer not to mention plowing a driveway, but you can find something to do to brighten a day for others. Make everyday Christmas for someone else. My father and mother would do something amazing while we were in China. My Father loved dressing up as Santa and taking all of us with many of our forgotten toys to the Hospital during the Christmas season. He would enter a room with bells and the biggest smile I can remember being on his face. He would go in and even if the child didn't care, it never stoped my Father from being happy. He would give a toy and move to the next room. 

We may not all be able to pull off a Santa costume but we all have things that we can do. Though we may not be in a hospital, we should never let time get away from us. We should move from room to room (moment to moment) with haste to change the world one light at a time. "Ye are the Lights of the World, a city set on a hill cannot be hid..... Let your light so shine" Matthew 15 ( I think). Be amazing. Make everyday leading to Christmas and any day you can after, as Christmas-like as possible because as Thomas S. Monson said, the Christmas Spirit is the Christ Spirit. Make every day like Christmas and you will be surprised to see how easy it is to be Christlike.

I appreciate your letters and your prayers. I can use every single one of them.



Love, Elder Edison

*Experience of the Week:  I have made friends with one of our investigators - actually we have a really terrific relationship.  He walks everywhere we walk and goes along on our visits.  We have begun to play the "tripping game" as we walk.  I got a great swing in the other day and managed to knock both my friend and my companion to the ground!  We were laughing and joking with each other and a lady on the street yelled at us to "Go Home", thinking that we were drunk. I felt terrible that someone thought that a missionary was drunk but in the end, I was glad for such a fun relationship with our investigator.  And, he knows that we weren't drunk so all is well.

Monday, November 26, 2018

A Transfer Back To Faso

1. I am back in Fosu but I am in a different area. Fosu is the name of the zone. I am helping in a "group".  A Group is the first building block of the church! We are just starting out here and it will be a growing, busy period for all of us! I am District Leader and I am determined to do my best to help the people here.
2. We have thirty people come to church in one of the units we are over and the other had 35! I am sure going to see how the Church grows.
3. Assin Fosu is a very hot place....... Being close to the Coast was far too nice for me. Now it is time to sweat and sweat and sweat again.  All for a good cause, right? 
4. People call Missionaries over to talk to them here. However most of the time it is because they want to get money out of you or the Church.
5. People do not seem to understand that if a Church does not have the authority of God in it, it is not His Church but they believe it is fine to go to any church, no matter what. This makes teaching them that they need to change, very hard.
6.  My companion is Elder Elliott. He has been out three months and is from Idaho. This is his first area where he has not been being trained.  He was pretty happy to see my suitcase filled with American food!

I have no Idea what to write about today. I gave myself no time to think about this part of the week. I have been so busy trying to get my District ready for a few things that are coming up that I hardly had time to prepare myself to share something uplifting. So I guess I will just write and see what happens.

This week has been really nice, we met with a blind man that is a member of the Church here. He is very powerful and is known for really good referrals to the missionaries. He gave us two referrals this past week!! To put that in perspective, I hardly get two referrals in a six week period, let alone a five minute one. When he gave us the referrals he set up a lesson with them and informed us all of where and when to meet. 

We all met together and had a nice short, sweet discussion about the Church. Then this Sunday he made sure they both came to Church. I could hardly believe it. Usually it takes two weeks or so of teaching to be able to get people to come to Church but because the member really prepared his people and was friends with them, it was so easy. 

It really showed me that the best way to work is through the members. It is not common at all around here. Most of the people that we are teaching are people that have been found by missionaries, not by other members. There is a powerful difference when a member is involved. A member loves and cherishes their referrals so much that it helps those learning about the church to feel welcome. 

I have made sure to concentrate a lot more on the people here right now. I found that I was paying too close attention to the goals and numbers that others have set for me to reach and I was missing so much in the process. I have been trying to look back at the mark a bit and re-focus on loving those around me. Especiallly because it is coming closer to Christmas, so I have been working on changing my mentality to lift more rather than to simply reach goals. I will keep you updated on how it all goes.  And, as District Leader, this is a big step because the paperwork falls into my hands but I have promised myself to avoid getting side tracked on that issue like I did last time.

I can hardly believe that it is nearly Christmas again. I am nearly finished with the Christmases that i will miss away from family, at least for those due to my mission. The Work out here is very difficult but it is Heavenly. As my parents always taught, nothing worthwhile is easy. Being in the service of God is such a blessing. Though days go by and I can see that there was room for improvement, I can tell that everyday there is growth. Either for myself, my companion, or the people that I am teaching. That is what moves things forward. There was a recent talk given about how a root can break through concrete even though that seems impossible (Elder Bednar, I believe), however we know that in the last days the Church will move to all lands. Slowly but surely God's word will spread to all people.  Each and every step we take is pushing our growth and the growth of the kingdom. As we walk, hand in hand, with the Savior, even if at a slow pace, he can help us do great and marvelous things in the lives of those around us.

Love you all so much.  Talk soon

Love, Elder Edison

Monday, November 19, 2018

Pizza - A Significant Joy In Ghana!

So I have had a very strange week this past few days but, hey, they just add to the adventure that I am on right now. I came up with a line to help me understand all that I am dealing with right now: "God calls us to work in ways that we do not anticipate". To be honest, it helped me a lot this past week to know that even though things change and difficulties arise, most likely it is just God making sure we are willing to fulfill our callings. 

Random Facts:

1. I drink out of plastic bags everyday.
2. The dollar in now 5 Cedis (Was 4.3 when I arrived)
3. Most people's homes are about the size of a small room back home... It is really sad to see how cramped and tight they live.
4. Recent converts are powerful as none other (we witnessed a part member family baptism this week and watched the father perform all the ordinances; my companion and I have been teaching and working with and praying for the family - it was a terrific moment to watch God's hand touching their whole family).
5. I am not sure whether I have told you about red red; it is a combination of Gari beans, reed oil and Plantains all mixed together into a paste and then eaten. Tastes nice.
6. Most people believe that if you wear a ring (which I do) you have to be married no matter what finger it is on. Until you explain it to them.
7. Oh Ti Den is how are you. Aya/ Boko is I am well. Na wo sway is "and what about you".
8. There are too many churches in Ghana to count, and many people are far to0 committed to a church that they know is wrong.  The preachers here make it very difficult to leave or look for other options. People feel stuck.

And now onto my topic for the day. This past week an Elder in my apartment had a motivational speech on his speaker so I listened in. It talked about the normal "You can do it", "Do it yourself", all that good jazz. However, one part actually stood out to me. It talked about "push vs pull motivation" It did not go too in depth but I decided to expand on it today with all of you, my good people and missionary letter audience. 

It discussed how a push motivation comes from within, or in other words, our own will power. It then made the statement that this will never last. As it goes on it explains that pull motivation is a sensation or feeling of a heavy desire to follow something. Pull was described as the goal getting you to fulfill your purpose. A pull gets you out of bed early and keeps you up late because you have to take your goal to the next level. This stood out to me a lot. I expanded it and asked myself what my end goal is?  I wanted to see what I should focus on to make sure each morning I got up with energy even when I rather be sleeping. I tried all of the spiritual answers but none of them seemed to be one that stuck with me, as a result I tried a more temporal outlook on things. What I came to was a desire to leave this world with my hand print glowing on  it.  I found that what really motivates me is a desire to Change the world even for only a few people. Now this is somewhat self-centered but as I discovered it branches off and allows me to see the spiritual outlook: though I can change the world in many ways, the best way to change it is by sharing the truth that I hold so dear and that I know to be true with others. I can share the message I have because it changes the world for a few people who I can contact or cross paths with in my life. So far, looking at my end goal in this way, has already helped me, I wanted to talk about this today because I wanted to challenge you to find your "Why". Find the reasons that make you get up and let that drive you to take it to the next level. Never let yourself fall short of the miracles that you can see just because you want to sleep or want a break. Work past your weaknesses because nothing lasts forever in this world (besides things spiritual) so might as well make the most of every moment. 

Many obstacles are brought before us every moment but as long as we work to surpass them we are moving. Just as sharks must always move to stay alive. For us to become amazing we cannot let ourselves become comfortable. "There is no growth in the comfort zone and no confort in the growth zone" Elder Holland. Do not become alright with where you are; find something, anything that allows you to take yourself to the next level. Move up, become better. When you are the best you can be, look to those above you and see them beating your time, your ideas, your abilities and remember that there is always somewhere above you that you would rather be and push for that exemplary level.  Your Father will always be there to help. He has not left me and even when I have felt at the very pit of the bottom, He managed to find a bit of strength and pushed me on. I am grateful for that.

And.....I got pizza this week!!!!

Love, Elder Butters

Monday, November 12, 2018

Photos From Ghana - This Boy Can Smile!


A bit of a treat for these guys who managed a pizza dinner at a fancy restaurant near the mission home! Edison had pizza this week!!!!


A new friend on his shoulder.....Edison has met some interesting faces since he arrived in Ghana and none more interesting than this friendly monkey who perched on his shoulder.


The guys had fun playing with this little monkey and took photos of each other to remember the moment.


Edison visited the Cape Coast Castle with his zone several weeks ago - this photo is just now materializing and I love that smile, that tie, his desire to serve and his determination to make these moments count!

Push and Pull and Be Motivated

So I have had a very strange week this past few days but, hey, they just add to the adventure that I am on right now. I came up with a line to help me understand all that I am dealing with right now: "God calls us to work in ways that we do not anticipate". To be honest, it helped me a lot this past week to know that even though things change and difficulties arise, most likely it is just God making sure we are willing to fulfill our callings. 

Random Facts:

1. I drink out of plastic bags everyday.
2. The dollar in now 5 Cedis (Was 4.3 when I arrived)
3. Most people's homes are about the size of a small room back home... It is really sad to see how cramped and tight they live.
4. Recent converts are powerful as none other (we witnessed a part member family baptism this week and watched the father perform all the ordinances; my companion and I have been teaching and working with and praying for the family - it was a terrific moment to watch God's hand touching their whole family).
5. I am not sure whether I have told you about red red; it is a combination of Gari beans, reed oil and Plantains all mixed together into a paste and then eaten. Tastes nice.
6. Most people believe that if you wear a ring (which I do) you have to be married no matter what finger it is on. Until you explain it to them.
7. Oh Ti Den is how are you. Aya/ Boko is I am well. Na wo sway is "and what about you".
8. There are too many churches in Ghana to count, and many people are far to0 committed to a church that they know is wrong.  The preachers here make it very difficult to leave or look for other options. People feel stuck.

And now onto my topic for the day. This past week an Elder in my apartment had a motivational speech on his speaker so I listened in. It talked about the normal "You can do it", "Do it yourself", all that good jazz. However, one part actually stood out to me. It talked about "push vs pull motivation" It did not go too in depth but I decided to expand on it today with all of you, my good people and missionary letter audience. 

It discussed how a push motivation comes from within, or in other words, our own will power. It then made the statement that this will never last. As it goes on it explains that pull motivation is a sensation or feeling of a heavy desire to follow something. Pull was described as the goal getting you to fulfill your purpose. A pull gets you out of bed early and keeps you up late because you have to take your goal to the next level. This stood out to me a lot. I expanded it and asked myself what my end goal is?  I wanted to see what I should focus on to make sure each morning I got up with energy even when I rather be sleeping. I tried all of the spiritual answers but none of them seemed to be one that stuck with me, as a result I tried a more temporal outlook on things. What I came to was a desire to leave this world with my hand print glowing on  it.  I found that what really motivates me is a desire to Change the world even for only a few people. Now this is somewhat self-centered but as I discovered it branches off and allows me to see the spiritual outlook: though I can change the world in many ways, the best way to change it is by sharing the truth that I hold so dear and that I know to be true with others. I can share the message I have because it changes the world for a few people who I can contact or cross paths with in my life. So far, looking at my end goal in this way, has already helped me, I wanted to talk about this today because I wanted to challenge you to find your "Why". Find the reasons that make you get up and let that drive you to take it to the next level. Never let yourself fall short of the miracles that you can see just because you want to sleep or want a break. Work past your weaknesses because nothing lasts forever in this world (besides things spiritual) so might as well make the most of every moment. 

Many obstacles are brought before us every moment but as long as we work to surpass them we are moving. Just as sharks must always move to stay alive. For us to become amazing we cannot let ourselves become comfortable. "There is no growth in the comfort zone and no confort in the growth zone" Elder Holland. Do not become alright with where you are; find something, anything that allows you to take yourself to the next level. Move up, become better. When you are the best you can be, look to those above you and see them beating your time, your ideas, your abilities and remember that there is always somewhere above you that you would rather be and push for that exemplary level.  Your Father will always be there to help. He has not left me and even when I have felt at the very pit of the bottom, He managed to find a bit of strength and pushed me on. I am grateful for that.

And.....I got pizza this week!!!!

Love, Elder Butters

Monday, November 5, 2018

A Letter of "Lasts"

Hello Everyone:

Everyday in Ghana brings surprises - some are good and some are not so great but we manage to deal with all of them and come out better on the other side (or at least we try).

Today, because of the frustrating internet and all the crappy connections and computers in Ghana, I, again, have hardly any time to help lift you spiritually and enlighten your minds about Ghana.  But, I will do my best in the time remaining.  And, thank you for all your letters and notes. To my grandparents: I will not have time today to read your letters from start to finish but I will read them during the week and I am so grateful for the time you take to keep me in your minds.  Thank you!

1. Taxis are now rising in price due to an increase in fuel prices which has been fun to balance on the funds we receive (next to impossible so lots of walking again).
2. Washing our clothes by hand (which I am doing once again because of broken machines and lack of water) can cut and rip your hands open, making washing in bleach water or soapy water very difficult and painful. I will appreciate every single time I press a laundry button when I return home.
3. As the days get hotter more water must be taken into the body but on fast Sundays this is an extra challenge all on its own. It gets pretty difficult when we add walking in humidity and sunlight for hours.  But, I guess the whole point of fasting is growing from going without.
4. People love mentioning how amazing my hair is because it is different from all hair in Ghana. I have had people ask if they could receive some if i went to a barber.....maybe an extra income earner when I finish my mission!
5. People with phones here only turn them on when they need to call someone so calling someone and having them actually answer your call  takes incredible luck and the Spirit.  We actually feel like it is a direct blessing from our attempts at obedience when one of our phone calls to someone gets answered!

So today I want to talk about a very weird subject, Lasts. Let me explain:  I am not scared of death and do not usually think of it but something came to me this week that I wanted to share. When I am going to die, which could be at any time, I want to be okay with all my lasts: The last movie I watched (not while on my mission, don't worry), the last words I said to my family, the last food I ate, the last good deed I did, the last calling I fulfilled, the last service I participated in, etc. All these are things that I want to be satisfied with being the last thing I did or had in that category. I realized that even though there are bucket lists of good things to do,  I want to make sure that if something crazy happens I am always satisfied and comfortable with my lasts. I want to be able to look back right before everything finishes and know that I fixed things, made stories and changed the world with my last moments. We all have a life to live but why not live worthy of every moment being our very last that we may have. This is not meant to be a dark or creepy thought. It is suppose to be something to help motivate and inspire us to live so that we can be happy. If every last is worthy to be the final, then when that final comes there is nothing that blemishes our record. You can live knowing you have done the very best you could at every moment. 

I love looking back, yet looking forward should be more important, with this new thinking I have found a way to make looking back change the future:   if there is a last that I do not like, then I better find a way to change it to make it something I am happy with. I love you all I am sorry that this email is so short but as I said before internet is somehow disruptive in Ghana so I hope all of this makes sense and that you will work hard, with me this week, to make all of your actions worthy of being your last.

Love, Elder Edison

(Can't believe my brother is home from his mission!!!) 

Monday, October 29, 2018

No Computer; Mom Changed the Password!

Edison had no time on the computer today because Mom messed up during the week and changed his LDS password while working on his BYU application.  UGH!!  This meant that when he attempted to get into his account, it was locked to his password and he couldn't find out the new password until he accessed his email (a bit of irony there).  So, all the time passed and no time to communicate with home.  That would be a big "MESS UP" courtesy of Mom. 

Monday, October 22, 2018

Super Hot (Even Hotter Than Normal) and Super Heroes

Well Hello my wonderful friends and family.  I am still enjoying the amazing suitcase filled with "America" that so many of you worked on with my parents.  Thank you!  We have hardly made a dent into the contents but everything is wonderful and we appreciate it all so so so much!. It is good to be back to talk to you all again.

1. Ghana has been very disruptively hot this past week. To some extent when it gets too hot, people run into their houses and hide, which makes teaching people very difficult.
2. Fufu is a concoction of alot of plantains and Kasava, boiled then pounded together. When eating fufu, it is placed in a big bowl with lava-hot stew and you then have to cut it with bare fingers. (you get burned not from the heat alone but also the amount of spice in the stew.)
3. People here like focusing on the Gospel but when placed up against a wall of faith or when asked to ACT on what they have been learning or put it to the test, that is where issues come in because of a lot of family things. The people here will not challenge their family and more often than not, other family members do not approve of the baptism and so those we are teaching are left with knowledge that they are not able to act on or they are not willing to act on. I am grateful that my family supports me in my decisions related to the gospel and the church.
4. Fufu makes your stomach huge but you are not actually gaining weight; it will just sit inside you for a long time.....not fun
5. You can be sun burned in less then five minutes while out here so it allows you to find awesome ways to get from shade to shade!!!!!
This is a game we often play while walking from appointment to appointment.

I want to talk about super heroes!!! If anyone really knows me, you know that from my first breath I wanted to be a superhero. When I was young my parents actually had to sit me down and tell me that being a super hero was not a possible occupation to have in my future. (Now I do not remember this day but my mother tells me that I was crushed.  I am sure I have locked the moment into my subconscious as a nightmare that I do not want to live over again). I have spent years trying to find my place in this world to be as close as I can be to a superhero. I wanted to be jumping out of burning buildings, rescuing people at the brink of death, but it never seemed possible. I have discovered a new thing way to think about being a super hero:  in Matthew 5 it reads: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candle stick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven". 

The way I have decided to look at it is that we are all lights - that means we all have an awesome super power, but just as lights are found everywhere and even come in different shapes and sizes, we too are different. God has placed us where we need to be to be the hero that He has called us to be. We are all lights (and examples and heroes) and can all shine through darkness. We may not be able to fly or control elements or teleport or a hundred other cool powers, but we are different. This world is like a puzzle of everyone fitting together and working together the best way we can. We cannot complete the puzzle without all of our individual pieces., We control our own piece and we can build off of others and with other, or we can try everything on our own. But we each have a part that only we can play. Each of you has your own super power and your quirks and strange behaviors make you valuable to the world and to God. Be awesome, find your super power, each and everyone of you has one that no one else has, something that is completely yours. Find it and use it. Change the lives of those around you. Be the puzzle piece that goes and shines forth out of the dark. You are not just one in 7 billion, you are the only one of  seven billion that can do what you can do. I promise each of you that if you search for your power you will find it  and if you do not find it, ask those you love to help you. Be the super hero that you know you can be. I may not be able to fly or lift a building or have a healing factor but I can run to someone's rescue and I can lift someone's burden and I can heal others scars. With great power comes great responsibility. you have a super power so you better use it to help those in your path.  And I promise that I will try to do the same thing.  That is what God is needing us to do for His sons and daughters at home, in Ghana, in San Francisco, everywhere.

I love you all and I am grateful for your letters, your cards and your prayers.

Love, Elder Edison

Monday, October 15, 2018

A Cancelled Baptism, A Suitcase Arrives and Life Is Good

Hello people!

As always, here are some great facts about Ghana.

1. Families are very tightly knit here, especially with obedience. This makes things difficult because when teaching, there are always one or two who do not want change to come into their home or their family.  (In fact, this week, a baptism was cancelled because a young man of 18 years of age, was not allowed to go through with it when his parents expressed their displeasure with his choice. That was hard for all of us. We will follow up with the parents this week and make sure to stay friends with the young man for as long as we are allowed to do so.)
2.  Fufu is a regular dish for all people here because it is so cheap and is usually what they give to people who visit. (Lucky me!)
3. Drinking water has to be very specific or you could get a lot of different sicknesses. So we boil, or buy bagged water or drink something else.
4. Taxi's are our main source of transportation but we mostly walk. 

Today I wanted to talk about a really cool talk that I found this week. It had been ripped out of a Liahona magazine, so I cannot point you to the location where you can read this, but the message that is shares was something that stood out to me with power. It talked a lot about how weaknesses and sins are extremely different. "While sins eventually lead us away from God, weaknesses actually lead us to him". 

I thought is was a really cool preface. It went on to explain that even Jesus Christ had weaknesses and was even tempted by Satan himself. We have to understand the difference so that what we judge to be a weakness is not a sin and what we judge to be a sin is not simply a  weakness. 

As we go through our lives, we are all faced with weaknesses because of our fallen state, even Jesus Christ had to face the weaknesses of mortality, he could get sick and hungry and even die. We cannot let the thought that our weaknesses are sins overpower us. We all go through temptations and have weak moments because of our mortal frame but we must realize that this does not make us unworthy. As we go through life, there are things that happen to all people. Weaknesses are things that happen but we do not sin because of our weakness.  We sin because of choice - our weaknesses can be overcome and we should not allow them to lead us to sin.

"I give unto men weakness that they may be humble" (or something like that). Weaknesses are given to us from God so that we can be drawn unto Him, they are not something that goes against God's plan but they fulfill it. Weaknesses can become strengths not because they can become our greatest attribute but because they can bring us closer to God, much more then our pride and our excellent skills in one area or another can. We are told to give all of what we are to God, weaknesses included. Embrace your weakness and Go to God and ask him to make it a way you can see His hand in your life, and then your weakness will become a strength that cannot be matched by any skill you may have.

Love you all -

Elder Edison
*Thank you all for the help you gave in the giant suitcase that arrived this week! I love everything inside and my whole apartment is excited to share with me.  Thank you!

Monday, October 8, 2018

More on Nkanfoa, Staying through Transfers and General Conference Comes to Ghana

So today I will give some more information about Nkanfoa because I will be staying through another transfer and my companion will be staying with me! Those are both good pieces of news for me.

1. Many people here close their days at 7 pm or so because many get up at 5 am or earlier because they do not want to be working in the hot sun. This makes evening and night missionary work almost impossible because no one is available to talk or visit.
2. Because there are so many different cultures and regions in Ghana, the languages vary wildly which causes great confusion.
3. Missionary work is a far bigger part of the wards here. It takes precedence and missionaries can even have missionary Sundays where they talk about missionary work and attempt to get people involved.
4. The food I can get here is "special"........FUFU is not all that amazing and I can hardly wait for the chicken we sometimes get.
5. Humidity is a killer, i am slowly becoming water; I sweat constantly and drip everywhere.
6. Not really sure what else to add, oh, we have our own personal fans as missionaries to sleep with because otherwise it is too hot to not get dehydrated under the mosquito net.

Now onto the topics I really want to share. To start,I want to talk about the importance of Conference. The first conferences that I had on mission were not available to me at all. I missed the October 2017 and the April 2018 chances to listen to men chosen by God, to speak to the world. Yes, I got to read it but this past Sunday I was able to see three sessions and even the Sunday morning session live!! I cannot express the importance of being able to hear their voice and see their love. Each and every speaker is important. While watching, because of a tech error, the women's seesion was played across Ghana rather then the Saturday normal session. This was rough but while I heard what was happening I saw many men allow themselves to become distracted. Luckily, i was able to focus and many of my questions were answered even though I wasn't technically supposed to be involved in the session. I am grateful that the technical error was sent to me as a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father and that I was allowed to hear things that answered my own questions. I wish to quote the Book of Mormon but I do not know it off the top of my head and I do not have my scriptures beside me at this computer location. There is a time that Nephi talks about how he helps his family apply the Gospel into their lives. This works even when a message is not directed at us in particular (e.g. all the wars in the Book of Mormon); we can still apply it to our lives. There is always a lesson to be learned in every line and verse of scriptures and in all of Conference. Find how the talk relates to you, maybe not directly but listen to your thoughts because they will change and lead you to the answer if you are willing. To all who do not know what conference is, this is a time when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints gather and listen to leaders in this Church. It is a time where we receive direction and I would prompt all of you to listen to it. It can be found online and even at LDS.ORG.

Now to talk about a specific talk, i wish to draw from Elder Holland. He talked about letting go of old wounds and finding direction. I want to specifically mention a line that he stated that I had written down the previous week (not word for word but in my own words and a similar idea). He said, "Do what you can before you never have the chance again." Let's talk about asking for forgiveness before it is too late. I have had to learn the hard way about asking for forgiveness both on mission and off. It is hard but it allows your conscious to be clear and allows you to again feel God's love for you. Asking for forgiveness even when you believe you are still right is important, asking is not a sign of weakness or a sign of defeat (a lesson that has taken me a long time to learn). Having the knowledge that you have done all you can to fix what you have caused to happen brings release and tranquility. I have even written about this topic before but i feel a need to re-emphasize it for myself. Many times in my mission I have asked people to forgive me for things that I believe and felt did not need to cause anger or a feeling of offense, but I promise that the feeling you get after asking is good enough to outweigh all the challenges about it. Apologize and feel that comfort that you have now made all the restitution you can (for smaller sins). Restitution is an important part of repentance that we teach often around here. To fix it as best you can is not easy but it is at this time that you show God and others that you do not wish to dwell in the mistake. Elder Holland asked us to do all of this with faith. Go forth and fix the issues we all have because you will not want it to be on your plate when you stand in front of God in the last day. Love you all.

Off I go to another week of working in Nkanfoa and doing my best to love those around me as the Savior does.  Work hard on your end, too.

Love, Elder Edison

Monday, October 1, 2018

Trip to Cape Coast Castle and Other Important Things

Hello People of the world! I have no idea who this letter is going to so I cannot specify people of America only. 

I am happy for this chance to come and talk to you. There is a lot that has happened this week, but first, my Grandmother has informed my that I have not shared enough about my new area so here are a list of things that will help you envision where I am. (thanks, Grandma, I love you)

1. This apartment is not infested with mice or spiders but with lizards.....(the poop is now on the walls not just the ground)
2. This is one of the only apartments with a washing machine and that machine stays in the apartment permanently!
3. I still bathe with cold water
4. We are closer to the ocean then I have ever been in Ghana, but can only see it when we go to the city on P-days
5. The ward I am in has a few people who are considered the pioneers of the church in Ghana - several are related to a man in my home ward, Thomas Appiah!
6. Most people in my area boundaries have received the lessons and do not want to listen to missionaries again (it is one of the oldest and most worked areas) 
7. There is a nice rice and stew place that I like to go to but there are times when my companion wants to eat fufu so I eat that quite a bit now.
8. Without the language, I can hardly teach in this area.  This is another reason why I wish I could have learned Fante or Twi in the MTC but, whatever. 
I hope this is enough for now more will come.

Today I wanted to make sure I mention something I noticed about my prayers and my faith this past week. I came to the understanding that when I prayed I was praying knowing or having faith that something should happen. This is a good thing that I have been blessed with many answers to prayers so I believe answers will continue to come. But I realized that even this was a lack of faith, as well. Though we need to pray knowing that everything is in God's timing, we have to pray with faith in all things. For example, when I pray for an answer to something, I can have the faith that something should happen but that is not the same as having faith that it will happen. When we say something should happen, we open the doors of doubt and let in the idea that God might not do it for us. We need to realize that at all times we receive answers. As one missionary described it, God answers in three ways: Yes, No, Ask me later (be patient). Though this is not 100% accurate, is covers most every answer. 

Now when you pray with faith that is when things happen. In PMG and the introduction to the Book of Mormon we are taught that the prayer of faithful brings answers and can work miracles in the lives of others and ourselves. However, we must use this faith correctly because no matter how much faith you have, if it is against the will of God it cannot happen. I would challenge all of us to attempt to align our will with God's just as Book of Mormon Prophets did of old. Some were even told that whatever they would say would happen because God knew they would not go against his will. Now I understand that none of us are at that level yet. But when we pray we can ask to be guided in our words to know His will so that at all times we are following it.

As we move forward with the right time of faith, nothing doubting, and following the Will of God all things become possible even when we ask for a mountain to be moved into the sea. We will quickly be led to a shovel and told to begin. Sometimes the Miracle has to start with a shovel full or with someone who is far less the perfect or even adaquate. Do not be afraid to be who God needs you to be even if that just means you are used to say powerful prayers that no one will ever hear.

Love you all. I hope my ideas make sense. 
Bye
Elder Butters
I also got to visit Cape Coast Castle today and I bought souvenirs to bring home!  This was the first "fun" thing I have done in a very long time.  Pictures will follow next week.

Monday, September 24, 2018

Photos from Nkanfoa


Good Elders from Edison's July apartment, traveling to their next assignment.


The new desk set-up in Nkanfoa and the inside of the supply Elder's apartment. Fancy digs!


The formal dressing room and closet area.....


The giant hallway and iron board facilities!


The top-loader washing machine.  This machine matches the one that Edison's parents used when they first moved to China!


Edison's companion and friends from the ward who help with proselyting.


Edison always makes friends with the young men in the areas where he serves.


The supply Elders busy studying and getting prepared for tomorrow.


Best looking Elder in Nkanfoa!


More friends from the Nkanfoa Ward.


Brothers and friends in the cause!! Love those smiles.

Moving Along To Serve The Lord

President Ezra Taft Benson taught, “men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.  He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.  Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life.” 

I was given this quote by my mission President and I wanted to add it to my email as a good reminder to all of you and for myself. I love you all so much and I really want to see what God can use us all to do.

I want to talk about how we can make sure God is able to use us today. When I ask people how they stay worthy, I always receive the same answers: Read scriptures, go to church, or keep the commandments. Though many of these suggestions are simple and easy to remember, I believe that many of us forget the impact that they have on our lives and our families. 

To start, I want to address scripture reading. Back at home, I was not good at this at all. Though I would listen to my scriptures as I fell asleep most every night and I participated in family Scripture study every night that I can remember while growing up, that was not all that I should have been doing. To read scriptures is not enough, we need to understand them (that includes Isaiah). To understand scriptures it takes an active and present mind. A mind like that takes both faith and effort to have. As I have been reading through the Book of Mormon and the Bible on my mission, I have found greater understanding. Before when I would read I would lose track of the names, the people, and the wars. I could hardly keep track of where I was and how the stories were supposed to help me. Now, however, I am reading it as I would another story book but with more diligence and greater purpose in understanding how everything fits together and how one prophet influenced an entire nation and how nations were destroyed or made to prosper through their obedience or pride. It has helped me to see how all the stories and the books fit with one another. Whereas, before it just seemed like random accounts that seemed at first glance unorganized but now that is different. I would suggest reading a few verses if not chapters a day, and doing all you can to follow the story even if you have to draw it out (during the end of Alma and beginning of Helaman I had to keep reading for long periods in order to keep everything flowing and making sense and in order to follow the wars, strategies and outcomes). The stories in there are much more then we realize so make sure to pay attention and I will improve alongside you. 

Going to Church is one of the most influential but underestimated times of the week. We cannot afford to put aside our absolute need for the sacrament and the forgiveness it can bring when we have gone through the right processes. I want to address the importance of the other classes at church, too. I attend all of the classes and meetings here in Nkanfoa, of course, but one of the downsides of not learning the local language in this mission is that those classes are often difficult to understand. I sit through much of them without knowing what is being said.  But, nonetheless, I have come to see just how uplifting they can be when used the right way. This is a time to center your mind and learn about the Gospel, honestly right now I can hardly imagine going a day without talking about God. Use these classes to find ideas of what to study, things to look at, and adventures to take. They are not a time to talk with friends and socialize but to expand your mind about God and His plan for you and me. I miss those classes and the chance that I was given to participate and I regret all the time I sat there with a frown on my face because I had decided I had no more to learn. You would be surprised how much you can grow by having a weekly reminder of basic doctrines. When you have these classes do not leave until you have made a goal or have an idea on what you can do better in the coming days. Share it with the class, your family, your friends, make those classes special.

Last but not least (by a long shot) Following the commandments. This is an obvious one. When we follow the commandments we stay worthy.... But how should we follow? As I have done before, I want to bring up Laman and Lemuel, these two people are the perfect Sunday Church goers. Both followed their father and even listened to their brother but they did not let what they practiced into their hearts. For example, Alma the younger got visited by an Angel and became a powerful Prophet who converted nations, while Laman and Lemuel got a visit and still became a scourge to the Nephites. When we follow because we are forced to follow, one day we will lose the person requiring this of us and we will stop following because it was not our personal choice or conviction. Don't rely on others telling you about the commandmnts for you to follow them. Take it upon yourself to build upon Christ just as it states in Helaman 5:12. When we center ourselves we are far more dilligent then when we have been compelled. 

All of these things allow us to be servants in the Hand of God. I have learned that "God will not work through dirty Gloves" While we may think we are there for Him we have to make sure that in all aspects we are worthy to participate in the work. If we keep ourselves clean rather then being forced to do so by our leaders, God will be much more trusting in us. He can only use those He believes He can qualify. Start qualifying yourself and you will be amazed how fast the work will start to come. 

Keep working; never cease; at all times be ready and willing to follow when a whisper comes. Do not let a moment pass by.

Love you all

Elder Edison

Monday, September 17, 2018

KFC and Travels in Takerandi

Hello People:

 I am so glad that I am going to be able to talk to you all for another week. I have had a really nice week, though nothing amazing happened - except that I did get to visit KFC for a chicken sandwich which was a highlight of my mission and tasted so so so good! I did not die on my travels and so now I am able to serve God because of that. I know that sounds morbid but I traveled to Takerandi this week to renew my non-citizen card and a full day of travel in Ghana opens us up to all sorts of death-defying opportunities along the road!

I wanted to talk a lot about what God expects of us today. I have a feeling that there are some who do not understand it. That includes me so I have to type it out to get all my ideas down on a computer.

So I have decided that, of course, God does not ask you to give more than He knows you can handle, but I also want to take it a step further. I have met people and heard of others that have struggled in understanding what they can give to our God. You can give anything and everything. This does not mean, however, that God looks past the small sacrifices that we make. At all times, God sees what you give up, what you let go and why. He knows when we are trying our best or when we are giving absolutely everything. God sees the small and the Big. He doesn't differentiate between them. 

We don't need to worry about comparing our gifts to God to others' gifts to God. He does not compare. Ever! We all have different roads to go down and the people here in Ghana make different sacrifices than the people in China or America or elsewhere. Every sacrifice is noted by our God and means something to Him.  In fact those sacrifices mean as much to Him as they mean to each of us.  Only God really knows what we have given in comparision to what we can give. As we move forward, if we can only give a scared and suffering mind, if we can only put on the alter of sacrifice a fearful human who does not know what to do or what is going on, I know God loves us and is proud of our sacrifice no matter what it is.  God will work with what we give him and thanks us as we give our all to him. But do not worry he knows our pace better then we do. He knows us and He understand who we are. Let yourself surrendor to God and Know that he will accept any sacrifice you can give from you heart to your mind to your time, and everything in between. Become what he wants you to be and if you have to be scared and worried as you follow his path that he has sent you on, it is okay that does not mean you are weak, that means you are trying to not mess up. Follow with faith and there is nothing that God cannot help you with. His plans are eternal and he will help you follow even when you think you are lost and have gone further then you can ever return from. You would be so surpirsed what happens when one remembers to turn on the light (Dumbeldore). God loves us for the sacrifices we make as we follow, so sacrifice, maybe not everything yet, but as time goes on the sacrifices will be outweighed by the blessings.

Monday, September 10, 2018

Lizards Everywhere!

Hello Everyone:

I think a lot about my mission and the week I have just had before I write my letters to everyone.  For me, this is the best way to learn from my week and decide how to make the coming week better than the last one.  I have decided that I need to talk about misinterpretations. I am not talking about the people I teach and the Church (though that applies really well) I am talking about misinterpretations between individuals. I have seen and been a part of many misinterpretations. From my family to friends to companions, it seems to happen often. One instance that I want to bring as an example is the mistake that Laman and Lemuel made in reference to judging Nephi. Nephi was not self-righteous or prideful (though we know everyone struggles with those things). Nephi genuinely loved and cared for his brothers. He did not want them to be lost as they were going to be. He knew that he was supposed to try and bring them back and at every opportunity he gave them chances to follow him. They disregarded his ideas and thought only about how he was trying to make himself look better in their father's eyes. This was why they had such hard times with him. They only saw his actions as prideful and greedy not as him trying to raise those around him to a higher place. We have to be careful as we go forward and look at our leaders without seeing them as prideful or bad, we must understand that when people help and love others, though at times they may have the wrong intentions, we must take it the right way and not be offended. Meaning, on a daily basis, when your sibing gives you candy or does something nice for you, do not just assume that they are doing it because they need something from you. Understand that through the actions God askes us to do, there will be rewards and blessings that come, but that may not be why someone is doing it. If we are quick to praise people for the good they do and quick to accept service from others without doubting their motives or questioning their reasons, we will be happier and the kindness of others will bring us joy instead of questioning doubt.

Far too often I see this and to be honest, I have been a part of these misinterpretations. I have a very worldly view on things sometimes and I wonder why people are doing what they are doing. When I act, I know what my motives are and why I am doing something - I can work to make sure my motives are genuine and full of love. When I see others act, I am working on making sure I assume their motives are righteous and kind and good.  Often we teach people here who question our motives and this makes it hard for them to feel the spirit in our teachings.  I am working on my own interpretations people's actions and I hope they will see the genuine sincerity I have when I teach them and serve them.  This will allow them to feel the spirit more.  My responsibility is to always have the best of intentions and make sure I am doing all that I do with the spirit. People must be allowed and allow us to act out of a sincere desire, wishing the best for others rather then ourselves, that is why a sacrifice is not a sacrifice unless it is hard for us to give it up. Just as the widows mite, people were giving their excess or, in other words, money they did not need, but she gave all. The sacrifice from her was real because it was difficult to give it all up. When we move forward do so in the Spirit of sacrifice and make sure your intentions are genuine and not simply to receive blessings from God or praise in this world but for the welfare of others. 

I love you all And I want to make sure I see you all at the Pearly gates. Lets take it a step and a day at a time, until i can stand next to all of you in the last day.


There are lizards everywhere here!  My companion is awesome and teaches in Fante - I try to teach by the spirit right now because the people here don't speak as much English in other places I have been.  I reached my year mark this week!  My family sent two envelopes that actually arrived and that was awesome!  Things are good and I am working hard. I am not wasting this opportunity though days are hot and long, sometimes. I am grateful for all the letters and notes I receive on Mondays. Thank you! We don't have any baptisms lined up right now but we have many, many investigators. The young people have to take religion classes here and they must answer as the teacher requires in order to pass the test. There are many conflicts between the religion class and what the missionaries teach so many of my investigators are confused on how to proceed as they learn the real gospel.  I did not expect this twist of things and it is difficult to find a happy medium where they can develop a testimony in the true gospel but still pass their class by answering the test questions the way the teacher requires. We are very luck to have the freedoms we have to think as we wish.
Talk soon, Love, Edison