Fun in the MTC

HELLO EVERYONE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well another week done in beautiful Ghana. I only have 5 more days in the MTC and then I will fly to somewhere near Sierra Leone and the take a boat to Freetown! I am beyond pumped up! I really growing to love Africa and all the people here. I've been learning so much and its been great. But I can say I am still not used to the weather haha. It is pretty humid and hot around here. But I'm beginning to enjoy it. 

This week was pretty busy with classes and studying. The MTC is a wonderful place but I am seriously so excited to be getting out into Sierra Leone! The days are pretty much all the same here and so ill be excited to switch it up and get out in the world!

Lets see what I did this week:
First of all Happy Late Birthday to my Beautiful, Happy, Smart, Hilarious, Energetic little Sister Madelyn! I know its pretty late but just know I was thinking of you! And also Happy Early Birthdays to Malachi and Abram!! Miss you guys so much!

We have been focusing a lot on Christmas this week. We have had a lot of Devotionals and Meeting talking about Jesus Christ because He is the True meaning of Christmas. I'd encourage everyone to get involved with The Light The World Movement The Church has started! 

We had a big devotional about it and President Nash, who is an Area Authority and President of all the Western Africa Missions, gave a really great talk about why Christmas is about our Savior and what He did for us! I think Sundays are my favorite day! I have a District Leadership meeting in the morning and then church. Im really enjoying being a District Leader. I was called by The Branch Presidency that watches over the MTC. We had interviews and told us the next day. Its been a lot of fun meeting with everyone, checking it and trying my best to be an example.   

But aside form that, after church is when the fun stuff comes@ We watch an MTC Speech by one of The 12 Apostles, This weeks was from Jeffrey R. Holland. And it was so so good and motivating. We also get to here from Our MTC President or Area Authorities and we always end with a movie so its a nice relaxing day!  

This week we have had some interesting foods! I mostly just took picture so food this week because not too much else to take pictures of! We had Fufu, Bankoo, Chicken Gizzard, Cow Heart, Mystery Meat and tons of Rice. It has taken some getting used to but I'm learning to enjoy it. I eat every meal and end up staying full throughout the day. But I really must say... I miss American Food oh so so much! I just want some fruit snacks, or maybe a hamburger. One of the other White Elders, has the big hookup with American Candy so He will slide me a piece of candy every once in a while! My taste buds are definitely coming around to The African Food and I'm enjoying eating with my hands! I also got my first haircut here in Africa, and not gonna lie It really isn't too bad, just not to happy with how short they cut it!!

I had a few experiences this week worth sharing:

First: It was about 9:30 pm and my comp. and I were getting ready for bed and studying. After studying, I went and took a shower. Right when I got out of the shower, someone knocked on the door. So I wasn't thinking about it too much and went and opened it, while in my towel. To my horror it was President Allen the MTC President. Now President Allen is not someone you would like to mess with, disobedience wise, because he is pretty particular. So when I saw Him, in my mind I just did a huge Face Palm. He looks at me up and down and with the most emotion I have ever heard in someones voice, he says " Where are your clothes" I replied I had just gotten out of the shower and was about to change. He then looks at my companion who was not dressed and says " Where are your clothes?" He replies that he is entering the shower and proceeds to run in. President just looks down and sighs. He then proceeds to do His business with Elder Fowler. But while all this is going on I'm still half way behind the door and totally beating myself up in my head. After He gets done with Elder Fowler, all he says very very awkwardly is "I can see you are all very comfortable with each other, but lets have more reverence." he then closes the door. Well i can say, that that conversation was the most awkward and horrifying conversation I have ever had the pleasure of having. It was so awkward because He and I both just didn't know what to do and so it was pretty funny.  Still to this day, I am expecting him to come and scold me. 
*Parent Note: This would be like opening the door in your towel to see your boss or the president of the company you work for...a little awkward*

Second: A Missionary, Elder Topham, who is currently serving in Sierra Leone was at The MTC yesterday. He has been out for 17 months and had been in Ghana for medical treatment. His last night He came to the MTC for flight plans, but I ended up getting to meet him. He gave me two good pieces of advice. He said " Elder Morgan, Im gonna give you some advice that your gonna wanna know. Sierra Leone is very much in poverty. Some Missionaries get there and turn right around because it ain't easy. It's very different even from Ghana. If you are called to serve here The Lord has a work for you to do, so you can either embrace that and buck up or it'll be a hard transition. Also get used to talking dumb. They speak Krio and some missionaries never learn it but I would recommend  that you learn it. It sounds backward and very simplified but learn it. If you do these two things you will love the country and love the people. I have loved every minute of my mission and cant wait to see you out there." So I guess its a pretty tough place out there, but Ill be ready for it. 

All in all the big take away from this week is Jesus Christ is literally the best. I have really felt closer to Him and have grown to love Him much more deeply. I'm grateful for Him and cannot put my feelings into words it seem like. I am also really studying the scriptures very intently. It seems as if all the Africans begin reading the Bible pretty much directly after birth. They know all about it, so I have been playing catch up! It has been a blessing, but knowledge really does come line upon line, and precept upon precept. I'm in love with being a missionary! Its tough being away from friends and family during the holiday season, but when I truly think about it I wouldn't rather be any place else on earth. I love it. 

Favorite Scripture Chapter this week: Alma 5 Scripture Study Focus: Mosiah 15: 1-5 (I'd love to talk about it if any questions arise!)

Love you all very much and Merry Christmas,
-Elder Morgan

Additional from our emails with Eli:

We have been having a few devotionals and meetings about the New Light The World Movement here. Its pretty cool, because we are adding a new lesson to our teaching regiment for this month. We had a big devotional with President Nash, who is the Area Authority and President of all Western Africa Missions, and He just really had some cool cool things to say about Jesus Christ. I really have been feeling such a deeper and more passionate love for Our Savior. We have been having a few meeting and heard talks about it and I have just really enjoyed it. 

In the Cafeteria, Elder Georgewill and I helped Sister Allen put up a Christmas Tree and it was His first time so He had a lot of fun with it. 

Accra Ghana Temple

Elder Morgan and Elder Fowler

In Class

Elder Georgewill is a crack up. He is 23 yr old and from Nigeria. He is the only member of his family. It is pretty hard to understand him because of his accent and he mumbles a lot. But we get along just fine. He speaks English and Abua. It is just spoken in Nigeria.