Happy 24!

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 9:21 am MST

Happy 24th of July!  I'm celebrating with you all out here in Africa

This week has been harder for me.  The French I'm learning in class is stuff I've already learned at home, so class gets boring.  And when class is all that we do all day, the days become pretty long and boring and all blend together.  Because it's boring I have time to think and my mind always wanders back to home.  I've had some struggles with homesickness this week, for sure.  It's been harder than last week but I've made it through another week in the MTC and another week closer to being in the field and serving the people!  That's what I'm most excited about, and I always try to look forward to that.

Nothing too exciting happened this week outside of class.  I had to give a lesson on Sunday, and it actually went very good.  Everyone contributes so much to the lesson and it helps invite the Spirit, it was really nice to be a part of.  I also gave a blessing for the first time.  My companion was having a hard time and was thinking about going home, and he asked me for a blessing.  It was a really cool experience, I felt the Spirit very strongly while I was giving it.  I'm grateful for the experiences that I've been able to have while in my short stay here.

Even if this week's been hard, I still know the Lord is looking out for me.  I always find scriptures or hymns that lift.  I finished the Book of Mormon this week and that was really good.  Ether 12 hit me really hard.  It has some great scriptures about faith and about charity.  I invite you all to read it this week and see what you can learn from it and apply to your life!  It's really made a difference in my life this week.

I love you all and I hope you have a great holiday today and great week after that!  That's [thanks] for all your prayers, I feel them take effect in my life every day.
Thank you all

Hark, All Ye Nations Verse 3:
Chosen by God to serve him below
To ev'ry land and people we'll go
Standing for truth with fervent accord,
Teaching his holy word

Until next week,
Elder Goddard

Fried fish

His native Elder buddies

Ghana Temple with his district