An Apostle Visits…

This was a good week.  After Karen’s visit, we looked forward to another friend in Carol and Chris Waddell who came with one of the 12 apostles-something to prepare for and look forward to. On Sunday we went to the Kaneshie ward.  Sunday school (D&C 10 & 11) was in separate groups just like what we just did in our zone conference.  A lot of work went into the preparation of the lesson and again happy to see the Ghanaians just keeping it real and basic and straight plain doctrine.  No mysteries; just Christ’s doctrine…preach repentance…keep the commandments…

Seeds of greatness:  Sister Bertha made another great meal on Sunday.  The meals Sandy makes are way better than the buffet at the best hotel in Accra.  Grateful!  She is getting really good at trying new recipes.  She needed some sesame seeds for this recipe.  She did not have them so she took out the Everything Bagel from the freezer, picked off each individual seed, and then toasted them for her recipe!  So tasty! Soy Ginger Salmon (Norwegian not African Salmon)

Visit the Mosque Again:  We got to see the Ghana National Mosque when Anika was here and it was beautiful.  The elders that work in the office wanted me to take them there so I did on their P-day.  It was fun to see my buddy Nashir at the gate.  I think because we gave him a good offering on the last visit, he took us on the tour.  We talked about how all are equal in God’s eyes.  The rich man and the beggar share the same carpet for the gathering of prayer on Friday evening.  The smaller mosques all over town are for the daily prayers (5x).  Nice to see the faith of others and be respectful of their beliefs.  We will be better when we honor each other rather than compete.  I look at the inscription in Arabic of Allah and Muhummed and I think they are so close, but in my world of faith, it is God, our Heavenly Father, and his son Jesus Christ…

“Missed it by this much…”

-Maxwell Smart

“This 50 is for you, and this 50 is for Allah and the Mosque”

-my deal with Nashir

Bike-Master issues:  It is a delicate balance between having too many bikes available and running out.  It’s like I run a fleet of old cars in a rental fleet that gets busy on weekends and holidays and it ebbs and flows.  I have to fix my fleet and redistribute.  The goal is to have a good fleet all over the mission before I leave.  Success is the fact that after the last zone conference, we were able to make it cool to wear your helmet and reflectors.  We already look like nerds with white shirts and pocket protectors—might as well complete the look.  Own it.  Just made it to 10 days without an accident.  Double digits! Baby steps…Went all the way to Adesio to help fix a bike, but really it was to give an elder some protein, some beef jerky, make sure he ate a Sandy sandwich, and make him laugh for a few hours.  He needed attention to get back in the game (no reference to High School Musical, but loved the Father-Daughter Campouts with Captain Jack)

Mission Espionage:  On our Monday staff meeting before the big devotional with the Apostle, one driver heard from the other driver where the East mission was getting their box lunches.  They went to a place for Chicken and Rice, we made a deal with KFC for our tailgate lunch.  Funny how they try to figure out where we will go and what we will do.  I had Karen bring bike tools over so I could bribe the bike mechanic Isaac to make my bikes a priority before the other mission.  I am set apart to take care of my missionaries…by any means necessary?  Just keeping my eyes open for leverage so we can better served…hahaha!

Big Wednesday:  It’s a big deal when a rock star visits your mission.  Apostles and General Authorities are rock stars to us missionaries.  They are set apart for life to do what they do and we listen to them at Conference and then share the messages over and over.  It is interesting how their talks and insights hold up over time.  Listen to President Benson in 1973…amazing and still relevant.  We were organized and ready for this special devotional…

“This is the first time I have seen an Apostle this close”

-Elder Martin

What is an Apostle?  When Jesus was on the earth, he chose a diverse group of men to represent him—12 men called the Twelve Apostles (appropriately as many as the tribes of Israel, but not sure if that matters).  He gave the priesthood to act in his name; after he died and was raised, he also gave them the comforter or the Holy Ghost to help guide and direct us.  Jesus had 12 of these men to guide the church (His church, named after him); when one died (or was killed more often) they gathered to replace them.  Ironically, Paul the Apostle never met Jesus in life, but Jesus was the one who talked to him and changed his mind.  He was one of the 12 and wrote more of the New Testament than any of them (13 or 14 of the 27 books in the New Testament). An Apostle is a special witness of Jesus Christ.  They have the keys to the priesthood and share those keys by calling and setting apart different people for positions for a time (Like Bishops and Stake Presidents and Mission Presidents).  My Mission President and his wife, Erik, and Renee Jacobsen, were set apart for his leadership of the Ghana Accra West Mission by Elder Eeyring, one of the current 12 apostles.  The Apostles are called for life…they are all considered prophets and seers and the most senior Apostle is considered the next prophet.  They are only released by death…ouch. 

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets"

-Amos 3:7

Prophets, Seers, and Revelators:  We believe that as special witnesses of Jesus Christ, these apostles have the ability to see around the corner and let us know what we should be looking out for.  Most of the inspiration they get, they get the same way we do…ask questions in Prayer and look for answers by reading the scriptures and listening to the Holy Ghost.  I get my revelation for me and maybe my family, they are set apart to get inspiration and guidance from a broader audience including the church.  Personal revelation is an amazing thing to people that we teach…don’t trust me, get your own answer through the spirit.  We teach people to find the answers and when they do, they have their own testimony of truth and own light to guide them to Jesus.  Missionaries will leave; we want those we teach to have their own belief that God can speak to them through the scriptures, in their mind and heart, and with Prophets and Apostles…

“…what do you hear that is not being said…”

-the way you should listen for the spirit to guide

Like a Concert:  There are the opening acts and then the headliner.  The Apostle is the headliner, but the other speakers are great opening acts also.  (think how good Ed Sheeran was opening for Taylor Swift on the RED Tour!). In a way, they set us up for the main messages, and get our spiritual voices warmed up and are ready to receive something good.  It was also interesting to see Elder Christofferson put his seal of approval on each opening act. He commented on how the messages all worked together to teach us and keep us moving together forward.

Old Friend Chris Waddell:  It was fun to see my old stake president and friend Chris Waddell.  He is a General Authority and serves in the Presiding Bishopric now which means he is over all the buildings and land from Branches to Ranches and Temples all over the world (lots of work). His wife Carol was him.  It was good to see real San Diego people in Africa.  Carol taught about the importance of Desire and Commitment to being successful as a missionary and doing the little things like practicing your teaching to get better.  Bishop Waddell talked about 15 important words:  …Here am I, …send me. … Not my will but thine be done. …It is finished.  These all relate to Jesus and his divine role in God’s plan for our happiness.  He said he might add 3 more words that are equally important: “He is risen”

“…life is a homeward journey back to our heavenly father.  It’s why we do what we do…”

-Bishop Waddell

 “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work”

-D&C 10:5

The Ringwoods:  She talked about the scripture above and keeping Satan out of our life.  “don’t go too fast, stay steady, pray always for guidance”. When you don’t feel like praying, we should pray.  “Satan tries to make us feel that we don’t need to pray…’Stop and pray’”.

Elder Ringwood had five words for us:

Consider.   “Consider your ways” Haggai 1:6-7 (rarely read book in the Old Testament).

Settle.  Settling your heart that you will follow (Jesus) Luke 14:27.

Contend.  Declare the truth, assert day by day D&C 112:5

Astonished.  Alma 10:12 Feeling overpoweringly confident and grateful. 

Generational.  D&C 117:14 ..what we do on our missions has generational influence on our family. I can see that in the fact that I married a different person and had a different family and they have all chosen to serve missions and follow on the path in their own way.  God’s path is the best path and now is the time to teach our grandkids that way….

“Doesn’t matter what you do, it matters how you do it.  It shapes the character of the spouse and children for generations.” 

-Every family needs a firm foundation as a launch pad for generations

Elder Christofferson: His wife also taught about striking down Satan.  Love changes things.  Look into their souls and see what they need…she quoted Alma 17…

2 … Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.”

-Alma 17:2-3

“Let me look at you..you are not much to look at but you are the best the Lord has right now”

-Gorden B. Hinkley to Christofferson at a similar devotional when he was a young missionary

“Take Charge of your Testimony”:  He made a point to remind us to protect our testimony. (Testimony is what you believe in your faith—like a muscle, it can become stronger or weaker based on its use).  To “take charge” of it, protect it, and nurture it.  Don’t rely on the church or your parents for your testimony—it is what you believe and know to be true.  If you are not careful, and if you do not feed it, it can wither and become weak and go away. 

Feed Daily:  A good way to feed your testimony and your faith is to Pray and Read the Scriptures…every day, every day, every day!

“The Lord is merciful, he gives multiple witnesses with his spirit to affirm and reaffirm our testimony”

D. Todd Christofferson

Pray to be an excellent teacher.  Study and keep improving as a missionary.  If you teach with the spirit, they cannot disbelieve your words…they may not choose to join, but they will know that they felt the spirit and know that you believe what you are teaching about Jesus Christ and his church.  That’s all we can do is share the message of Jesus Christ and invite others to follow, but Agency is why we are on this earth.  We are here to choose good or choose bad; it's our choice….the consequences come with and are embedded in our choices.

“Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed”

-Doctrine and Covenants 6:9

 (repent means to change and turn to God)

Sisters remember:  His remarks reminded me of the sisters' conference last month…Sister Bertha used a Christophersons’ talk to teach us that we need to fully bury our weapons of sin and disobedience.  Sometimes, as noted in his talk, we bury weapons with the handle still above ground just in case we need it…that is not truly trusting God.  Bury your past in deep so it is gone and not available to you. 

Q&A Highlights:  Sometimes the best teaching comes from questions.  Did God create evil?  That’s a deep one.  No--Satan created evil.  Evil is moving away from God.  Evil is disobedience, God asks for obedience.  Satan will do all he can to get men and women to be disobedient and turn away from God.  Evil is moving away from God and choosing disobedience…

Missionaries Gather: the devotional for Elder D. Todd Christofferson was to start at 930 am.  Everyone needed to be in seats at 830 am, we got there a little after 7 am to secure a good parking spot to set up our tailgating operation.  KFC of course!  When we got there a little after 7, it looked like all the missionaries were there already.  Some left at 3 am to catch a trotro into Accra.  There was a 2-hour limit or distance so kids from far away places like Abomosu and Asamankase had to watch on Zoom.  East Mission had all their missionaries and North had half of them like us.  Missionaries love to gather…

EyeBrow talk:  I had fun making faces with the islanders.  They like to get together and talk in Tongan or Samoan.  Whenever I show up, they raise an eyebrow or two.  I tell them, I speak eyebrow!  Freddie, my business partner taught me.  Less talk, more face, and mostly eyebrow. IYKYK.  They tolerate me and I just love them…

“Have you ever seen Spider-Man and me in the same room? You never know!”

-Elder Parker (as in Peter Parker) sowing the seeds of doubt…

Power Outage:  Ugh, again.  A missionary to the hospital for an issue so Sister and Elder Kaaen were out late.  Our power goes out at 1230 am…going to be a hot one.  I tried to sleep on the floor, the couch, and back to the bed.  Sandy disappeared…at 3 am she was doing email on her phone and couldn’t sleep.  I tried to run the generator, but it would not crank over…weak battery.  At 3 am, Sandy asked if we had a charging block.  BRILLIANT, we do, but it was a light one in the car that already failed to jump our Nissan, it was not strong enough for our big diesel generator.  We got dressed for the day around 5 am, I am glad I brought my camp lights for the office. I am itching all over my ankles from mosquito bites from working on the big generator at midnight… Finally got it going when Patrick brought a better charger

Relentless with Love:  Sister Bertha is also known as the “Air Plant” because it seems that she needs no sleep, water, or food.  This morning I was really grumpy…I like my sleep and I am achy all over.  She is starting the day like Cinderella talking to all the animals…Add to that her speed element and it was hard to take…I asked her to slow down and ease up a little.  I admitted that I was grumpy, so she switched languages… she responded, “Oh you want the grumpy talk?  “….Hold this and stop complaining.  We are going out to decorate the gate for the guard…”. She is relentless in doing good for others and when needed, just goes around me…that’s a good trait.  Her follow-up was a big hug, a morning prayer together and life is good.  She makes me laugh!  She is kind and good, more than me (it’s 6 am and we have not slept!)

Reach Out with Text:  I love WhatsApp and texting people.  I should be careful at times because I can be sharp, but it’s still a great way to communicate and let people know you are thinking of them. I send pictures to the missionaries and I try to include some encouragement.  We are doing a 40-day fast (Two companionship fasts every day for 40 days so at any one time, someone is on the fast). I like to reach out to those companions and give support.  We are seeing mini-miracles as we are doing this.  The wards and stake are praying and helping in the fasting efforts.  It's really cool what we are seeing happen…

“Don’t fight the wave”

-what they tell Girls with Curls

“you are so thin! You need food.  You are emaciated. You need sleep and food”

-Ukrainian Grandma to Sandy

“We thank the young men for blessing and passing the sacrament….

We thank us for being reverent”  “We thank ourselves for singing beautifully.”

-Appam Bishop on Sunday

Temple Run: Sister Bertha and I attended the temple this week.  It is close and we want to go more often, but we have to fit it in around a busy schedule.  So good to be there even if it is presented in French this time.  One of the superpowers of Sister Bertha is that she forgives fast and is always moving forward looking for good, not bad.  I like to say sorry (maybe for being grumpy etc.) in the celestial room, and she forgives me and I forgive her and the past is left where it should be, in the past.  Any time we rehash a past wrong or offense I didn’t know I did, it doesn’t end well.  She wants my future, not my past and we are both striving to be better. 

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” 

-Isaiah 6:3

“There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

-Message from my Mother

Beach Town?  Accra is on the coast.  The beach is nice to look at but has a crazy rip current that can pull you out to sea and you will end up in Cameroon.  Not worth the swim and apparently not the expensive real estate either.  I went to see a really nice beach and all the poor people lived in plywood houses on the edge.  Big common shower complex.  No trash service…it’s all on the ground.  I was there with my woodcarver friend…I would not walk there alone, but I don’t feel unsafe.  Someday this has to change, It’s a beautiful coastline if that can clean it up…

Ones for the week.  Seeing the Waddell’s this week was a highlight this far from San Diego.  Getting hugs from Sandy in the kitchen in the middle of the day and a continuing diet of chocolate-covered bananas makes me happy.  Best to friends and family that we missed over the holidays…I'm just now seeing Christmas cards that are scanned and emailed.  Thanks and Love.

The Berthas …still in Ghana

February 2025