Thank you Elder Egan and for miracles!

-Post written by Elder Goddard's Mom

On July 30, 2019 we had our weekly video chat with Jordan from the Ghana MTC.  It is always our favorite day of the week!

He told us that he was in need of some locks for his suitcases.  He jokingly said that we needed to find someone that was going to be traveling to Benin.  In a perfect world he actually wanted them sooner to use at the MTC but we are not allowed to send packages directly there.  We were worried about getting the locks to him but just didn't know how that was going to happen.  

Well,  his Grandma Haslam suggested we go the next night to the airport.  You see, the next set of Elders would be flying out the following night to the Ghana MTC.  We know this because the MTC rotates the missionaries every three weeks.  Those that traveled with Jordan, that weren't learning a new language, would leave to the mission field, and the new Elders flying in would replace them.  So on July 31, 2019 at 6:34 pm we approached an Elder in the airport asking him if he happened to be flying out to the Ghana MTC.  He said yes!  I started to shake and I wanted to jump for joy!  Jared just kindly explained the situation and the Elder's family said "Sure!  He can do that!"  And the Elder agreed.  

They went on to ask about the food that Jordan has had in the MTC.  Obviously he was a bit nervous about the food. :)  So I told him a little about what he would be eating and showed him a few pictures.  Needless to say, I don't think I helped him much.  ;)  We thanked Elder Egan and gave him the locks with a note I wrote to Jordan.  Then we were off but not without a bit of emotion.  In reality I just wanted to give Elder Egan a huge hug and say "give this hug to my son please and tell him hi and let him know we love him!"  But I contained myself.  Haha!  It was surreal to think that he was going to be where Jordan was in just 24 hours time. Then of course walking through the airport watching all the families saying goodbye to their Elders gave me PTSD.  Haha!  It had only been 3 weeks since we said goodbye, so it was much too soon.  But I am so grateful to Elder Egan, my Heavenly Father, and the miracle that helped us get Jordan the locks he needed.  (Then of course I thought of a million other things I should have sent! haha!)  Jordan did receive the locks that Sunday night and he told us that it was the best surprise he has ever received.  <3

THANK YOU ELDER EGAN!!!

Halfwayyyy

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 7:59 am MST

Bonjour tout le monde! (Hello everyone!)

This has been a much better week for me!  I'm definitely settled into this mission thing and I'm rarely feeling homesick now, which is really good.  The days also seem to go by a lot faster now which is really nice, because I'm just counting down the days that I can get out of here and go serve the people in Benin!

The rest of my stay here shouldn't be stale though because we got thrown a big curveball today.  They called us all in and switched companionships and rooms all around.  We weren't expecting that because they didn't do that with the last group of French-learning missionaries, but they're doing it to us.  Luckily, I got to keep my same companion!  So it's nice to not have to start over, but we did have to switch rooms and leave some fun roommates.  However, we're going to be getting French roommates on Thursday!  It'll be different and probably somewhat of a challenge but I'm sure that it will help our French so much and we'll be even more prepared for the mission field, so it's really a blessing.

This Sunday was my last Sunday in English for 2 years, and it was a good one.  Sunday last week was my most homesick day I've had so I was worried to have another one, but it was probably my best day here this week.  Every devotional or lesson we had just seemed to answer a question or concern that I had.  A devotional we watched from Elder Holland really gave me strength.  He just said that so many missionaries have done this thing before, and that 2 years will really feel short to you at the end of the day.  It's good to hear that because I stress out about thinking about 2 years sometimes, but that devotional really helped me.  I'm glad to have received an answer to my prayers.

I had an experience happen this week.  I almost always have a bowl of corn flakes for breakfast every morning, but one day I went to put the milk in and remembered that someone told me the day before that milk reduces the effect of our doxy (malaria pill), so I had just had a bowl of corn flakes without milk.  I got made fun of a little bit.  But that night, I got bit by a mosquito.  I hadn't even seen a mosquito the whole time I'd been here, but I got bit somehow.  Who knows what would have happened if I got bit and my doxy didn't work as well because I drank milk that morning.  I believe that Heavenly Father put that thought in my mind to keep me safe.  It was pretty cool.

Well this next week should be fun so I should have a lot to write about next week.  We go out into the city tomorrow to go proselyting, so that will be amazing!  Thanks for all the prayers this week, they have been felt for sure.  I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week!

Elder Goddard

Elder and Sister Martinez with other MTC staff after the Area Devotional held on July 23, 2019.
Jordan is in the middle section 2nd row from the back in a red tie. :)

Jordan's first district in the MTC before changes made on July 28, 2019

His French speaking native Elder's he had to say goodbye to in the MTC today. (July 30, 2019)
Their 3 weeks were up and Jordan has 3 more weeks to go.

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