First Week in Liberia

March 25, 2013

 Hey family, things are great here I love it here, first of all I have felt the prayers in my life and today I have felt them I am being strengthened and idk how its happening but I do know who is helping,  thank you family and my God. My companion is Elder Elliott he is about 6 foot 5 inches and 300 lbs of pure muscle, he is a big football player and can go to any school he wanted after high school but he went on a mission.  Now I have an awesome trainer aka Dad here to help me grow and learn I rely on him so much I'm starting to get the hang of the language. When  I get back in 2 years you wont be able to understand me just saying. It sounds like mixed up English taken way past the hick English.  

First Day in Liberia

 My companion is from Missouri, we have a grocery store under our apartment and its nice cause I can go get some snickers or a coke.

  



The washing machine contraption that you sent me does wonders here.

Training Before meeting Trainers

Sorry if my spelling is off, the computer and key board suck lol.   I live with 6 missionaries including me, all Americans except a Nigerian and its nice to have some one that talks English like me to help me.  The money here is sweet.  Church  is annoying we  listen to a generator in the background and I cant understand a whole lot being said lol but I felt the spirit there and that's all that matters.  One of the investigators is going to get baptized next Saturday with I think 8 other people, it will be neat.  The guy really wants to serve a mission he got kicked out of his house cause he believes in this church.  I'm grateful for his faith it has strengthened me lots, we are going to help him get to where god wants him in life.  I love you guys so much and have thought about things back at home but now my mind is being put to work and i like it better that way.  I got Diarrhea my 2nd day it sucks so bad but I got better after praying hard to my heavenly father.  Can't  wait to send pics to you all I cant today maybe next Monday.  Things are good here don't worry about me the people love us so much and they would never dare steal from us unless they were drunk.  I cant wait to go to the beach its only 2 miles from our apartment.   Things are growing over here in the church we are trying to find a new place for a church building,  closer for the members to go to.  I think that there will be a temple here soon.   Brother  Holland will be down here in July and I'm excited to meet him.   Thank you mom and dad for the quotes they help a lot and I feel the spirit when I read them, the people are so excepting here I will have lots of baptisms here this is the best mission in the world for success as a missionary.  Brother Holland has even said this and i know it to be true.  The only thing is keeping them going to church,  thats all we really fight here.  We killed a mouse today it was fun the rats are huge but the Fruit Bats are very big they are probably as big as a house cat and very big wing span really cool to see them.  The sunrises here are beautiful and especially the sunsets at the coast.  I miss the mountains a lot and hunting and just all me and my friends used to do.  Fishing in the summer, I'm going to miss that.  Well I gotta go I love you all so much tell Benton I love  him and Ivy and tell Benton  to play his heart out in golf, when you send packages make sure you mark under $6 allways and tape them up good and put pics of jesus on them will help protect them here is my liberia address
the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints
Horton Avenue, Capital bye-pass
P.O. box 1905
Monrovia 1000
10 Liberia
love you all write you on Monday  

One Last MTC Post!

Elder Garrett Zaugg and Logan met each other about a month before entering the MTC together.  They are both going to be serving in the Liberia, Monrovia Mission.  I know that meeting Garrett brought a lot of peace to Logan and eased some of the anxiety of leaving .  They were great friends instantly.  I believe it was a tender mercy sent from our Heavenly Father to both of them and each of our families.  It has been great sharing their experiences together.  So this is an email Elder Zauggs mother shared with me about their last days at the MTC.  Even though they are becoming men through this experience the will still be BOYS!

 March 20, 2013
A little bit of Garretts letter, a bunch of crazy boys....

Last night was the last day for the ones serving in Liberia so there was only like 9 Americans and 5 black kids left. We got fed like kings ever since people started leaving on Sunday! We've had ice cream, home made bread, yogurt, and b bread. It was unreal!! African ice cream is tons better then what they got back in the states. Its way creamy and sweet! But anyway, about yesterday, it was a chill day since no one was here really. After lunch we just hungout in the teachers lounge having a good talk with each other while the teachers walked around.. They didn't even care. And later that night after dinner we convinced our teacher to watch the movie Legacy instead of a lesson. He was going to review everything and let us ask questions, but thats what we've done for the past 2 days pretty much. Once our movie was over, our teacher had dipped out and didn't come back... so we all had the great Idea to sneak out and go up to the Dorms and hide from our leaders... haha If you could of seen us running around that place... we looked like a swat team. Probably the most fun we've had at the MTC yet. The teachers didn't even care since we had to go pack in a half hour anyway... but let me remind you, they never saw us once. After like 15 minutes went by of us running around, we made it our objective to get back into class and not let the teachers see. Mission accomplished. We got back in there and not a minute later a teacher walked in with a weird look on his face and told us that it was time for us to pack. Great way to end the MTC.

Me and Elder Erickson decided to be companions since all of ours left and we had no one in our dorms with us, so he came into mine and we shared. These last few nights have been way fun just to chill around and write in my journal.

Might be the only time they get to serve together.

Just before leaving for Liberia  Elder Erickson Sent us his Testimony,  It is beautiful!

President and Sister Graham,  President at Ghana MTC

March 20, 2013

Alright, well this is my accual last time in the MTC and I'm super excited :), MOM dont stress my plane flight, god will be there to protect us, we are his children and servants and he will bear us up, want to thank you for all you guys have done I, really love all of you, I want to leave you with my testimony this day.

 This is the true church of god, it has been restored to the earth once again, Joseph Smith helped in making the Restoration possible for us to live in such amazing times. I know personally that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ in the sacred grove in the spring of 1820, I know that Joseph was fore ordained to become a prophet, heavenly father loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to atone for yours and mine own sins, so when judgment comes that we would and have mercy, only if we do what is right and keep commandments and covenents down here on earth. The true and everlasting gospel is here and its being spread around the globe with the help of missionaries and God him self!, I know that my Redeemer lives, and how blessed i am in my life, esspecially to be an angel of god sent to do what is asked and required of the true and faithful, I love this gospel! and the people that are in it, I know the Book of Mormomon to be the Truest and most correct of any book. That if we heed its teaching and follow the spirit that it will guide our lives and be an iron rod to clasp on to in life. I'm so humbled and greatful for my expieriences here and cant wait till I  come in contact at that percise time, for that child of God that has been ready to hear the gospel in their life, and to watch the joy that comes in their lives. How sweet this sentence is, I Know That My Redeemer Lives, may god be with you all to watch over and protect in your  daily lives, I know he will if you trust him and have faith in him. I leave this with you in the Name of the Name of Jesus Christ Amen. Love you all have a great week you will all be in my prayers.

Last Day At MTC!

Traffic in Accra, Ghana

March 19, 2013

Hey this will most likely be my last Email in the MTC.   I miss and love you all so very much, thanks for all you guys are doing.   I finished up my last practice teaching investigator thingy today and it felt good to have the spirit testify of the things we were teaching.

 

Add Elder Zaugg,  Catching a well needed Nap!

 

  I have not to this day felt it ever so strong in my heart, I haven't done any real investigator work yet but everything we have done is real work in one way or the other, my companion has left already its kinda a down day but feeling the spirit today has made me feel more at peace.  I'm grateful for the spirit of God, I wont get a chance to go to the temple before I leave but its alright.   The bread here is amazing so if Liberia's is amazing than I'm super excited.   Robbie said that the people there are more receptive to the gospel.   We as missionaries have to make sure they know before anything happens so they keep going and keeping covenants.   I would also like a portable fan that would be great lol, I have so many mixed emotions right now,  but what  I do know is that God is strengthening me today so I am ready for tomorrow, and the day after that and so on.  Thanks you again for the testimonies and love, I love you all,  I will hopefully be able to email the end of the week or next week, I would love some sour patch kids yes they would be great. Love you guys so much and god speed till I Email again love Elder Erickson

More from Ghana MTC

Thanks for all the quotes Mom. I am doing good, I'm am getting anxious for Liberia and I cant explain the things I feel for the people here in Ghana.  They are so awesome and loving.  Liberia will be a little stronger in receiving the Gospel and cant wait.  I'm going to be in Monrovia,  I think, I'm not sure.  There is a Liberia mission address on the blog or lds website so you can pouch mail quicker to me.   I am doing amazing and feel the spirit in my life every day,  he lets me know that God loves me and that I am doing great things.   I love you guys a lot and miss you,  but i don't ever get the chance to think about home.  My mind is too busy to think about it.   Me and  Master Zaugg  are excited to get in our mission and train our Trainers,  haha.   I'm super pumped, the MTC is great but it gets you down doing the same thing everyday seeing the same halls and places.  Its just like school but not quite.  The MTC is an awesome place to be and to feel the Spirit its here all over the place and I am always feeling it.  Its weird,  I ask to feel the spirit but I am becoming used to feeling it constantly until the spirit makes the feeling stronger.  I think its part of building us up.  I am learning new things about our savior and father in so many ways I cant even express how I feel or explain what is really happening but they happen all day everyday I have been here.  My testimony has sky rocketed and I know it will reach the stars before I know it.  I'm excited, just wanted to tell you guys while i had time to send me some pens and highlighters.  Maybe my old scriptures too? And oils for my body,  Zaugg has them and tells me to get them.   And go get another towel from Deseret book, it would be nice to have two, and food Im starving here lol.   Thank you Mom and Dad and Ivy and Benton, from all my heart I know this church is true I am called of God that I may bring his children the fullness of times that I may be an instrument in the hands of god.  That the work we as missionaries do here is true and is of God.  The things we Teach are of God, President Monsen is our Prophet in this day and age and tells us the things god wants us to know to make sure we get back to him he gives us hints through our test in life to make it back I know that I am a Child of god and cant wait till the day I meet my savior and father, these things are true which I tell you in the name of the only begotten Son Jesus Christ Amen, I will be learning 2 languages to get the message across Krio and cant remember the other I love you all so very much and know that if you put your trust and faith in god that all things are possible, love your son Elder Erickson

 I love you Dad and miss you, Happy  Birthday, since I wont be able to email you at that time.   Thanks for all the advice and encouragement the mission has changed me for the better and am so excited for the highs and lows of my mission. Its going to an amazing thing for me and for my investigators to have a chance to feel what I feel in this gospel, love you a lot and proud to claim you as my dad, love you.

Ghana MTC

Saying Goodbye to the Rockie Mountains!

New York City  March 8, 2013

 

Flying into Accra Ghana,  March 9, 2013

    

     
 

March  13, 2013:       

 I just got back from the Ghana Temple,  it is my second favorite temple.  It is so beautiful in side.  I missed having family there with me and hit me hard, but Sister Graham, the mission presidents wife, is like another mom.  She was there to comfort me. Wow, you guys have a lot of questions.   I'm so busy here trying to become a better missionary,  I will try and answer all that I can.  I am loving the MTC,  teaching is so fun.  I get so excited when we have an opportunity to teach.  We have been practicing with the teachers here and they really push us hard.   It really makes us improve on our teaching of the gospel.   Elder Ndjendja is my companion and is from Nimibia,  he is age 23.   He has taught me a lot while I have been here.   This will be a second mission for him,  the last one he served his own people. 

 I tried to meet up with Robbie Gurr today,  he was helping someone and didn't have time.   I got to talk to him on an elders phone. I kind have  had jet lag but we got in to teaching the gospel so fast our minds haven't even been thinking stuff like that. I am loving this country already and cant wait for Liberia.   As you know from Elder Zauggs email we will be going there and that's where god wants his children to be taught,  that's where he knows its the right place for us at this time.  The food isn't bad,  the rice here is really good by the way. The meat is questionable,  even the Africans don't know what it is.   We are thinking monkey or emu or chicken, but probably monkey, There are some strange kids here and its scary but they are pretty chill dude and fun to hang out with. I would like some more granola bars candy bars they have gone quick here, we party every night all the cool white guys and my black companion.   None of the stuff you say about blacks in  America can make these guys feel bad its cool. He does speak good English.   I sleep good when i go to sleep, most the time I stay up late and read things the spirit has prompted me to read.  Its cool, its not me controlling my self,   its the spirit and its such an amazing thing to me.  I got tons of pics I might be able to send them today if I find more time.  Send me those things you forgot, I know they will come  in handy along way while I'm here.  For exercise I play soccer and the blacks think i am Leonel Messi cause I'm white and i can beat them in soccer.  Which is so cool to me cause for some reason I just went pro over night in soccer.   We run around and play games,  Elder Williams is a sweet guy he is the one from St George you were talking about.   We are best friends and he really teaches the gospel well.  Elder Burr,  the one that looks like Keaton Green  is a sweet guy as well,  really chill and likes to make jokes.   He is really funny.

   The teachers here think that were are the best group of missionary's they have seen here,  and they love us so much.   They try to do the things to make us more like a family to help us in life's challenges and in preaching the gospel. They are all black! :)  I feel all the prayers from everyone and it helps so much.  I cant explain the things that happen to me cause of my family and friends.  You will  have tell those people I cant talk to,  hello for me.  Thank you for the quotes, it helps.   Dad as well,  thank you for the scriptures and the wisdom.  It really helps me in my days over here to keep going through the personal struggles.  I love you mom and dad I miss you guys so much.  We  have so much to do and always have our minds on the gospel.    I don't think about home as much.  I'm sure that will change when i leave the MTC.   Tell Nora Happy Birthday for me and that I miss her.  Me and Zaugg are tearin it up over her, I can see how much he has grown in the gospel.   Oh yeah,  Elder Tolar is from Texas and a really cool guy,  a big joker like the one on the back of a playing card. He has the funniest laugh in the world ha ha. The Church is true and that god loves all of his children even me and you and everyone.  Even those that murder  i know that  he loves us all.   Everyone has hope,  I am here to make that hope for those a real life experience and too bring the continent of Africa the truth.   Joseph Smith  brought the book of Mormon back with the help of Christ,  heavenly father, and heavenly messengers,.  I know that in the spring of 1820,  Joseph Smith saw god the eternal father and his only begotten son Jesus Christ.  The church is true, the book of Mormon is the word of god  and tells us the truths of Jesus Christs teaching in the Americas,  I'm honored to have the opportunity to serve my father in heaven on a mission.   I've always wanted to go and the time is now that I have to serve and to do my part in bringing gods children back.   I'm so blessed to have the things that I do, and the family and friends in my life.   I am so grateful for showers, and food, a bed and the water i have here to drink.   Especially the air conditioner to keep us cold  at night and day.   I  love you guys so much and I hope you all know that.   I miss Benton and hope he is having fun.   I'm excited for him to be playing golf.   Golf is almost as big as soccer over here and missionaries can golf.   That's pretty cool, l hope I can do that.   Benton good luck at golf ask for help while your playing from our heavenly father.   The traffic here is crazy and the smell barely bearable :) haha,   love you all sorry its takes a while to write back.  I'm so busy.   I' ll try to do what i can,   thanks for the emails love your missionary/son in Africa love you guys.


                                              

The Waiting has ENDED!

On the second week of October 2012 I received my mission call to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.  I was going to turn 19 on December 13, 2012  and pretty much assumed I would leave somewhere near that date.  Well I was WRONG,  I was called to serve in the Sierra Leone, Freetown Mission.  I wasn't supposed to leave until March 7, 2013.

Holy Cow!  That's 5 months, how was I to wait for that long.  It was a long wait and I thought it would never come.  It was 5 months on highs and lows.  I tried to fit a lot of living in those five months.  I would also have to admit that the adversary tried to put a lot of stumbling blocks into those 5 months also.

Here is how I spent the 5 months waiting!

  March 7, 2013 Finally Arrived No More Waiting!  

 Finally I'm able to begin my mission.  Follow with me for the next two years as I work among the African people.  It will be an adventure for all of us.

 Salt Lake International Airport, 

 March 7, 2013

Elder Zaugg and I met about a month before we embarked on this adventure together.

 And I'm off to Africa!

On Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 2:54 PM
It was a huge culture shock but i love it over here really hot and humid keep sweating a lot (ha, ha) I'm so pumped to get going on stuff we will be learning here soon and I cant wait, things are looking up!   I miss you guys a lot (this is for Dad too).  I don't got to much time on my hands right now I'll email when i can, thanks mom and dad.
p.s. the sunrise from a plane over Africa is priceless.   Thank you guys,  love you,  your son and missionary, Logan

Hey Ethan,   I made to the MTC, is so different over here and really crazy but things are looking up.   I have my mission companion Elder Ndjenda, he is from Namibia and really cool.   I gotta go ill try and email as often as I can,  love you guys