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