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~Returning with Honor~ Elder Wood is coming home!
Sweetness!
Africa's future 'is with the children'
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Barbed wire....again!
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Happy Halloween!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Family,
It’s been so long since I wrote but, I found some spare time and thought I’d write you a quick note. I love you all!
We had a sweet week here in Sierra Leone Freetown Mission. Elder Satati came; he’s from the quorum of the Seventy. We had zone conference and also district conference with him. I learned so much.
Pops, you told me to watch successful people in whatever field they are in and I’ve noticed one thing for sure about them….they may have a million things to do but, they know how to put the most important things first then, the rest will fall into place or it will fall out of our lives (like it said in a quote mom gave me). It’s something I’m not perfect at but, I’m also learning now. Last night I was so stressed by the things I needed to do then, to top it off I found out about two more assignments, haha! The spirit reminded me that despite all this, look at the most important, eternal things, the busy work you can do tomorrow but the relationship you have a chance to build with your fellow elders; to gain their trust and develop that love….those are eternal things that last the longest. So, I put down everything, took my journal and went and sat with my elders. We had a very nice discussion, I felt so good after. It’s just like that with kids; I know one day this same situation is going to come. I’ll have 400 things, immediate and temporal and my son is going to say, “dad I need help”. In that moment I already know what I’m going to do…..I’m gonna help my son, the rest can wait.
We just have to put the things that last the longest first, those are the most important and those are the eternal things.
Can you imagine where I’d be right now if I hadn’t come on this amazing mission? It’s crazy, it’s scary, I’m so grateful for this experience. I love it so much. It’s going to be the foundation for the rest of my life. I love you all!
Elder Wood
Saturday, April 16, 2011
March 21, 2011
Hey, guys how was the week? I know it was probably great but before anything mom, happy Birthday today. I know this won't get there for like 3 weeks but I really hope that you got my other letter I sent a long time ago. I'm hoping it's made its way there by now. I want to hear all about it today in your letter how your birthday went. Just think by this time next year you will be making all the preparations to come here and get me, time is crazy! Well, yesterday I saw that God is a God of miracles, he brought one man to church that we had prayed and hoped like crazy would come. He has some serious addiction problems and his wife is coming every Sunday with his daughter but, he hasn't been yet, personally I believe he feels unwanted at church like God doesn't love him, but to my greatest joy and surprise yesterday as I was sitting in church I was tapped on the shoulder by his daughter and as I looked, lo and behold I saw him, I was so happy. There's no way he would have come except by the help of Heavenly Father, God really is watching and knows us all by name. This Saturday we are having a baptism for four individuals. I'm not sure the details but we want to run the generator and show a small film clip, play hymns, and listen to their testimonies; it should be a great baptism. We are also combining with New Barracks branch. Anyway, next Monday I will let you all know how it went.
There's one family here in our branch I love so much I'm sure I've mentioned them before. They have only been in the church a little over a year but, they are so amazing. I look at them just as my family. Yesterday just as we finished the day we decided to go and say hello to them, right when we got there they pulled us a seat and we sat and talked and then told us they want to feed us some food. I don't know how to describe it but, I just felt like I was at home, like I was simply coming home for Sunday dinner, of course at home it would be roast beef and potatoes and the rest and here its rice. I still felt very happy, I can't tell you the way I've come to appreciate family on my mission, you guys are the biggest blessing I could ever ask for, so long as we all have each other and are all keeping the commandments, heading toward the final goal of exaltation, then there's nothing much I can really ask for more. The gospel is so sweet, it has the power to change anyone's heart no matter how hard, cold, and the rest, the church, the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone.
I just finished the morning schedule. I brooked my cloths and then had personally study and companionship study. I'm still reading the New Testament. I want to finish it and then read the book "Jesus the Christ". I'm reading the New Testament with the student manual as well so this really is taking some time but, I'm enjoying it so much. I'm learning so much that I can apply to my teaching, to my life, and my future. Yesterday I read Ephesians so, I'm making progress. I don't know if I will read the Old Testament yet because I want to do something with the Book of Mormon, like a unique way of studying it so I'll do it first and then tell you how it goes. I'm not sure I told you but, like a week and a half ago I finished the Book of Mormon again. I love that book so much, anytime I open it, I feel peaceful and happy. If I compare the way I feel when I read the New Testament to the Book of Mormon, there's really no comparison. I know with all my heart that the Book of Mormon is true. I've seen it change lives, the biggest one being myself, what other proof does someone need, a book that brings peace, happiness, comfort, truth & light in a world like this; one that changes lives, who can argue that the book isn't true. It's the people who haven't read it. I remember dad always saying how smooth his life goes when he reads, compared to when he doesn't and it's so true. When I have my own family I will do everything in my power to make sure we are holding Book of Mormon study time; a set time every day.
This is the last week of the transfer, I really love this area now and the people are so great. We started something just two weeks ago, zone desert! So, every two weeks on Sunday all the Elders in the Zone come to our apartment and we take turns cooking different deserts. Last week Elder Bennion and their district made these things called rice cakes, imagine……more rice, for desert. But they have like rice and bananas and maple syrup in them, they are fried, they were really good to tell you the truth. This Sunday, It's our turn to do the cooking. We want to make peanut butter cookies but we haven't been able to find peanut butter to buy so, we don't know. So everyone will come over this Sunday and eat the desert and we will receive the transfer news from the zone leaders. I hope I still stay in Bo, I just barely got here so, I don't want to go anywhere yet. The rains have been falling occasionally, like one time a week but, come June it is daily. It's so nice while its raining but the sun always comes out so, then after the sweat is like 3 times as bad, but I think I like the rainy more than the dry. We got light this week 2 nights……Friday from 12 A.M. to 6:30 A.M and last night the same. The first we have received in over 5 weeks. I was so happy the fan was blowing on me and I slept so good I even felt chilly when I woke up this morning. Hopefully light will be coming more often now but you can never be sure. Tell everyone hello for me. I miss you all, it's been so long but, it's also going to quick. By the way how are my fiends doing…..Skyler, Tanner, Taylor, Jaxon, and the rest? I've written them all, and I care so much about them. Please tell them all I said hello. I love you all, mom and pops, you guys are amazing. HAPPY BDAY mom!
Love,
Elder Wood
Friday, March 18, 2011
February 28, 2011
Dear Family,
Good morning! How are you all? I miss you guys like crazy. I can't believe March starts tomorrow, it's really amazing how hot it is here right now. March is the very, very hottest month in the year here. So I just have to bear it, there's no way to avoid it. In middle April or so the rains will start coming, once in a while and then we will enter our second rainy season! I don't know which one I like better, dry or rainy season. This week no one came through by our apartment so last week's letter is still with me. I will just put them together to save a stamp. Tuesday we had something we just started, called district training. The Zone leaders teach us during it and then after we all split up in our areas and go and practice the things we have learned. I went with an Elder, he's from Nigeria, he will be going home in may so he's basically finished but, I had a great day. We have begun to do something that's been given to us as counsel from the first presidency. At the end of every lesson the head of the family or the person we are teaching offers a kneeling closing prayer. It's something I questioned at first, but I've come to see the sacredness of prayer and by kneeling it shows God we are humble. If possible we try and go inside so that we don't do as the hypocrites do, but if it's not possible we just do it right where we are and it's something I've really come to enjoy. I've learned so much myself as we have become to implement these new basic fundamentals into our work. I've come to see that God can answer us through 3 things. 1. Prayer 2. Book of Mormon 3. Church attendance. I always asked myself why I never had a vision or dream or a "wow" experience to tell me this church is true but, I've come to realize I've been answered all along, my own answer coming through the Book of Mormon. Every time I read it I'm happy and at peace with myself, I feel like there's great hope for the future, I can't describe it but I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Book of Mormon is true, so my companion said his answer came through church attendance, when he went he said he knew our church had something. So I'm just trying to see how all of this can be applicable when I get home and I've seen it.
I'm still trying to recover from the football last Monday. I really didn't even feel like I ran or even did very much but, this whole week I've been so tired, I've never slept better in my life than I did this week it's very hard to get out of bed in the mornings. I can't just do like I used to and dress quick and lay back down, haha! By the way, is Zack still professional at the? Haha. This upcoming week is going to go by like crazy. Tuesday we are proselyting and also Wednesday then Thursday we have to wake up and be at the bus station place by like 5 to take the bus to Freetown. I'm gonna be so tired. I'm not 100% sure if we will be doing anything with the Kissy chapel so I'm not sure if I will see people I know, like my people from Kissy. They said that we will reach Freetown around 11 or so and from like 1-3 we will be receiving instructions from different missionaries on the fundamentals of preach my gospel, then we are watching the movie called "How to train a dragon"? I'm guessing you probably know that movie? One newer missionary said it came out before he left so I'm sure its not a new, new one. Anyway that night we are just eating together as a zone and then Friday is the zone conference either @ Kissy chapel or @ Hillstation or Belliar Park, I'm really not sure, but elder Dixon is coming, I'm so excited and so we will have that zone conference and then Elder Dixon will be interviewing every single one of us just like Elder Cardon did. I'm pumped of course, nervous because he's and area 70 but, I read something this week that made me calm, small. It said, if we are not comfortable in front of very righteous men and women here on earth how will we be comfortable in the presence of God? We will shrink before him. One time president Roggia told us the same thing, he said if you can't even look me in the eyes how comfortable will you be in the presence of the Lord? Look at the people you feel comfortable or non-comfortable around and maybe it will show us we need to change some things or improve ourselves in such a way that we would be comfortable in front of them, just something to think about.
I don't know if I told you guys but, I'm currently reading the New Testament for my personal study. I'm learning so much from the student manual I'm reading with it. Today I'm learning about the pre-existence and like for-ordination and the rest. Since we are part of Israel, it means we made some choices in the pre-existence that were more righteous than others therefore we are enjoying the blessings that come from this inheritance and the crazy thing is there are many of us that are throwing this inheritance away, following after and chasing the vain things of the world. But we will all stand before God to be judged of what we have done with this inheritance Romans 14:12. I'm really starting to love the New Testament with tons of insights and stuff. I'm also in Ether of my Book of Mormon reading so I will be done with the Book of Mormon very soon. I want to read it again with the student manual that is when I am finished with Jesus the Christ. As for the Old Testament, I want to read it, but I'm not sure I'll have the time here on my mission but, I may try and start it.
Yesterday I gave the lesson in Elders quorum and it was on the talk in the November Liahona from the prophet. I believe from the priesthood session on the 3r's of choice. It's easier to be obedient 100% of the time that 98% of the time. If we break the Sabbath day once for something, how easy will it be to make exceptions to other things, telling ourselves that everyone does it or my circumstance is justifiable. Anyway, it went very well and I learned tons by teaching it. I'm really starting to get excited about learning everything in the church from the counsel from the apostles and prophet to deep doctrines taught. It's exciting and makes me realize that I seriously know very little about this church, the door to salvation. I love you all!
Love Elder Wood
Saturday, January 22, 2011
January 3, 2011
Dear Family,
I hope everyone had a great and wonderful week! So, 2010 is come and past and now 2011 has come, this will be the big year for us to pass through. I will not see America or you guys through this entire year, crazy huh? But just like always time will come and go and the year will pass. This week has been amazing for me, one of the best I've had yet to tell you the truth. Right now, it's the craziest weather, this place really seriously is cold in the mornings, like right now the fan is blowing and I'm freezing, yeah really I never would have guessed, this place is very dry. I never would have guessed this place could actually feel cold. When I get home I will literally freeze because it will be April; still some cold days might come and everything. Monday our branch had a branch party so, after talking to you guys we went and visited. The children sang some cute Christmas songs and they gave some small gift exchange and stuff. Tuesday we were just in Looking Town, I seriously love that place, I love the children so much. I love when we are teaching and some of the kids are fighting over who gets to sit next to me. It touches my heart, they are so cute, and I adore them. Wednesday we had a Zone meeting, I really felt like I spiritually and mentally prepared myself for this one and in return I feel like I've changed my life. Saturday I was privileged to perform three baptismal ordinances, ahh, it was great. I've seen all the baptismal candidates come all the way up, leaving their bad habits, confess them to us and put their faith in God and Jesus Christ and enter the waters of baptism; what a sweet scene to see. For New Year's Day we were invited to eat at one man's house in Thunderhill so, that was our celebration really. Of all the days of this last week now Sunday was the best I'd say, the most happened. So church now starts at 10:30 for Kissy 2 and 12:30 for Kissy 1. Yesterday we got inside the taxi and headed to church, the man was smoking that was driving so we asked him to stop. He did, we drove till we reached the chapel then I got out of the car as my companion handed the man a 5,000 note. I could sense something wasn't right. Finally the man parks the car and gets out and comes and starts screaming at us that it's fake money we are using. We say sir we are missionaries we didn't know, he says, "I'm a police man, I know fake money; tell me why you are walking with fake money?" People start to hear and before we know what's happening the whole church it seems like is there yelling and talking. The man says "no, I will not take money, I'm taking this and this man and I'm taking him to jail!" So still they argued, argued, argued, finally the man saw how mad everyone was, he took the money and left. I seriously thought my companion was going to jail yesterday. But I really saw how many people cared about us and stood up for us yesterday, it make me happy to see all those people backing us. What a sweet way to start my Sunday.
Anyway so many people came to church yesterday, I had an absolute blast. I saw all my people and ya know, I felt something yesterday, it's been a long time since I felt it. Last week I told myself I would bear my testimony so I sort of prepared myself. Usually I'm so busy looking for people and doing this and that, that I miss the most important part of sacrament meeting which is……the spirit that is there. This Sunday I reminded myself of when I was a very small boy and I would sit and shake until I got up and bore my testimony. The same thing happened yesterday. I knew I needed to, I was even nervous for some reason but the way I felt made me smile. It took me back to Parowan 4th ward chapel sitting there building the courage to get up. Yesterday I had one, if not the best spiritual Sundays, and sacrament meeting since I came and I know it was because of how I mentally prepared myself. Well, last night the transfer news came. It looks like I will be leaving my people here in Kissy, sadly enough some of them I won't see until we meet in the celestial kingdom. It pains my heart really but I hope maybe when you come we can pass by and meet them all, I love them so very much. I'm going to Messima Branch, It's in Bo! Looks like I've finished in Freetown and it's on to Bo. I'm excited to go but sad to leave the people. I love you all. Have a great week. Happy New Year!
Love your son,
Elder Wood
Monday, January 3, 2011
January 3, 2010
I can't believe how time is flying. I can say this might have been the best week I've had so far in kissy. We had an awesome instruction about teaching and asking heaven inspired questions in zone meeting on Wednesday and from that time now I've had some amazing experiences. President Roggia said for us missionaries to be praying for peace in the Ivory Coast and West Africa; I'll be so devastated if something happened and they took me to another mission, I'm not going anywhere I'm staying here two years. Seriously I love it here it's the most amazing place I can't wait until you come. My dear and amazing sister Marcouta accepted a baptismal date this week!!! Finally, finally, finally, on January 29th she will enter the waters of baptism. And the saddest part is I won't be there. I was told I'm leaving kissy last night. Wednesday morning they will be picking me up. I'm all packed and ready to go. Yes, I'm getting transferred, and of course I'm sad to leave these people but, it's where the Lord wants me to go and it's just the nature of this great missionary work. I wasn't sure if I would be transferred or not but i got the call and Elder Wood is going to BO!!!! I'm so excited it's exactly where I wanted to go! My Companion is Elder Eyinda. I know him, he's from Ghana. I have never ever seen Bo. It's in the middle of the country and its bush, like village. So yeah, I've never been. I can't wait to go there! I will write and tell you all about it next week!!
Love your son,
Elder Wood
December 13, 2010
Dear Family,
Hello, to my best knowledge, you will hear my voice before you receive this letter. I'm seriously so excited to talk to you all. This has been another great and challenging week here in Kissy, Freetown Sierra Leone. Monday we went and taught an investigator after I finished e-mailing you guys. Sis Hohanatu, she's a wonderful person with great faith. We taught her the Sabbath day and said we shouldn't buy on Sunday. Then I asked her if she usually buys on Sunday and she said yes but, Elder Wood I promise I will never do it again. It amazed me at how willing she was. I said we have talked about your baptism date and decided you will be baptized on New Year's Day Jan 1, 2011. She said that sounds great, I will never forget that day. It will be the happiest day of my life. It's so true these people are searching, searching, searching, to fill a hole in their hearts that they didn't even know was there. They hunger for the gospel and they know not where to find it. Tuesday we were up in Looking Town like usual. We saw many of our people and on Christmas day we should be baptizing about 5 people or so. I really pray it all works out and comes together. Wednesday as well we proselyted normal and Thursday we went on an exchange. I went with Elder Kitson-Dodoo, in my pictures it is the one you see who has body. Like if it's us four, he's the biggest one. Really I like this guy a lot; he's a great guy and very fun to be around. Last Monday we took poda poda into town and played football on the National teams practice field and seriously I didn't believe it but it was rurf. It was so sweet! There were people playing on it right when we arrived so we went and played our first half on some dirt patch, very dusty and rocky but still it was a blast. From there we played the 2nd half on the nice field, my energy was basically gone but I tried my best, haha I had fun anyway. Friday we saw many new investigators and Saturday as well. Last week I told you about sis Marcouta and how she came to church and everything. This week right when we got there, she was reading the Book of Mormon, right when we sat down she asked us about the temple so we switched our lesson from the law of chastity to temples. We taught her about sealing's, baptisms for the dead and endowment. I shared with her how my mother is a convert and we as a family all went together to be sealed when I was young, from there I said sis Marcouta, will you prepare yourself to one day visit the Lords holy house? And she after some time smiled and nodded her head. Now that seems like a small thing I know but for sis Marcouta its huge, you don't understand how stubborn this woman is. Then with all the confidence in the world thinking this would be the day, I said will you be baptized by someone who has the priesthood authority and follow Jesus Christ's example, into the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints? She looked at me then outside then at me, seriously my heart was pounding like I was playing in the state championship all over again. Finally she said "I'll pray about it." I was very let down because I know that she knows that this church is true. She knows it with all her heart but something is holding her back. I know that her time is coming it's very near and this just requires patience. My mission president taught us that with the degree and amount of patience we show and give our investigators and other people, God will grant unto us that same amount. If we are patient with them, God will be patient with us and oh how badly we imperfect sinning human beings need God to be patient with us. But I know sis Marcouta will be baptized I can feel it; it's only a matter of time. Her husband was once a less active and now to see him come to church in his white priesthood with his wife and kids, it's a heart touching sight really. This week we worked like crazy, honestly could have been the hardest week of my life and still we were disappointed by many who didn't come to church. But such is life. It's full of heartaches and letdowns but, they are necessary to make the good times sweet. Sunday my branch president for Kissy 1 gave a wonderful talk. He said there are so many of us young people who say, if I could only have this kind of wife or husband with this and that qualities, we all want that that ideal and perfect person. He said but what we fail to do is to first ask ourselves if we ourselves are that person. It's so very true. How can you expect to marry an amazing, beautiful pure woman if you yourself are not those things? How can I expect my investigators to do this or obey that if me myself am not willing to obey or do this or that. It's so true. It starts with yourself and your example and who you are and it will filter down. But I believe the hardest thing for us to do is to look ourselves in the mirror and admit we need to change or that we really are far, far from perfection. I honestly have a testimony that God answers prayers and is always there and listening. Although we won't be together this holiday time or season let's not focus on what we don't have but, rather what we do have. I love you all; have an amazing Christmas and a happy new year. Talk to you soon.
Love your son,
Elder wood