Salah Mali Com, (hello from all the Muslims here, just a little Arabic)
Thank you for sending me the quote from President Monson about giving thanks. I love quotes now, Like Crazy. I have started this new thing to help me be better in writing in my journal every day. Anytime during the day when i hear a quote or somebody saying something that i like i write it down in my planner and when i get back i write it in my journal. Sometimes they are just Liberian sayings or phrases and just funny things that people say but its something to write about. New accomplishment: i have written in my journal every day this week!!! Ya sorry to disappoint you mom but i havent always been the most consistent in doing this but that is what is great about repentance.
For the first time in a long time i am not only using my planner to look back on as a reference of what we did this week. I get to use my journal as well.
My companion and I had the opportunity to go on an exchange with two missionaries Elder Nabende and Elder Morrison. I was privileged to go with Elder Nabende. E. Nabende is from Uganda. As we were walking together he was telling me some of his tribe traditions which are really kind of weird. They have to deal with Circumcision and dancing and really I don’t think it is appropriate to talk about over email. But after walking for a while we met up with his Elders Quorum President, President Biah, who was going to be our member present in the lesson. We walked a little bit further to go and meet the man we planned to see. His name was Elijah. He was about 38-40 and he has children and a woman not wife which happens too often here in LIB. Now Elijah has been coming to the church faithfully for over a year now. He isn’t baptized because he isn’t married. We planned on teaching the importance of living the Law of Chastity. Pres. Biah started to teach how he has a family and how they were strengthened just by keeping this law. I started to just be a normal lesson when i look at Elder Nabende and nodded that we need to make this lesson cater to his needs.
A couple of minutes later his son Darius walked in from school and sat down and listen to us speaking. I could tell Darius was a good kid but the way he looked up to his father. After a couple minutes he went inside to go and change out of his school uniform and go a play football with a couple of other kids. We took this advantage to speak to Elijah about his son. He looks up to him with great respect as a good father and he will do anything that his father tells him too. We went on to say even by the examples he shows he will follow. If you drink then he will drink, if you beat your children he will be his children, if you dont get married he will do likewise. This really put a spin on the lesson. I began to tell about my wonderful parents who have taught me things that they probably don’t even realize. I think it got a little stuffy or i got a sudden cold because my eyes and Elijahs eyes began to swell and tear up. I continued to tell how great my parents are and how he is such a great example to his son already. That point when we talked about he could start now with going and talking to his soon to be wife about marriage preparations.
I learned a lot from this experience with Elder Nabende. He taught me a lot and even the things we experienced together really strengthened our testimony of the gospel and missionary work. Its lessons like these that you just want to keep working for. I love this work. Sure its challenging but to be honest it is way more rewarding than anything else.
One quote i have in my Journal this week is this,
"Effective Missionary Work is always done in Love"
This one really helps me to understand that we should "Never let problems to be solved become more important than a person to be loved!" -President Monson.
I like both of these quotes; they help me to see the importance of love over anything else. When we love we are able to lead. I have seen this throughout the times where i have been given the chance to lead on my mission. I love mission!!!
President Kirkham is a great example of that. Working with him very closely has taught me many things. His example how he deals with individuals as well as the whole group is just inspiring. He really loves us missionaries and cares what the best thing is truly for us. It’s been interesting to be a part of the transferring process to see how much actually goes into it all. Heavenly father knows what is best and President Kirkham very much seeks his inspiration and guidance to help his missionaries.
I hope you know i love and care for you very much!!! I know everything might be a little bit difficult right now but i also know Heavenly father has a plan for each and every one of us. Through obedience to his commandment we will be blessed in all things.(Mosiah 2:41)
I love you!!!!
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)
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