15 Months out of a Lifetime

     Where does the time fly? Wow, can you believe that 15 months ago yesterday I arrived in the Ghana Accra MTC. It truly is an amazing thing. A mission is one of the greatest things that you can ever do. To the men and to the women of the Church wherever you may be, serve a mission. It is the greatest thing that you can ever do for yourself. I love it here in Ghana. The lessons and the experiences you cannot and will not get in college. So serve a mission.

     Yesterday was an amazing day. Not only because it was my month mark, but also because we had a baptism!!! YAY!!!! FRED was baptized into the Church yesterday. It was such an amazing experience. On Saturday when we were reviewing the questions prior to the Zone Leaders coming to interviewing him, I asked him question six, and the answer he gave me was stunning. If you want to know what question six is go to Preach My Gospel and find it for yourself.

     Speaking of Preach My Gospel (PMG): MEMBERS...have you obeyed Elder Ballard and gone and collected your own personal copy of PMG? If you haven't, I encourage all of you to REPENT. Alma 34, do not delay. IF you haven't read it, REPENT, D&C 88:118, seek ye out the best books. So stop reading Harry Potter and the Hunger Games and get serious. Come on people, he didn't ask a hard thing. For all of you with Tablets and I-pads and smart phones (so all of you) download PMG (it's free!) and get serious. This is life eternal! It isn't that hard to obtain a copy. It is one of the best books you could ever read.

     I am doing the 5th Sunday next week and it is all about this talk. I am going to give them HEAT! So I am practicing on you. This is a manual for everyone. Who can't say they need to work on their Christlike Attributes? Didn't think so. Who can't say they need to work on managing time? You see now... Chapter 8 can help you with that. Also don't forget about Chapter 10, Who here is a Sunday School Teacher? 3rd hour teacher? Teacher in General? Won't this help you? That's what I thought? People please, you have heard President Monson! NOW!!!! (NOT TOMORROW) is the time for MEMBERS and MISSIONARIES to work together!!!!! If missionaries are studying PMG, then the members should study PMG.

     I can testify to you through from just my personal experiences here in Ghana. Fred, he was a referral from a member who has only been a member for 4 months. We shared with her parts of Lesson 3 and then she shared them with Fred. Also Samson, who we plan to baptize this upcoming week.  He is also a referral from a return missionary of over 30 years. One of the 1st sister missionaries to serve for Ghana. She hasn't stopped being a missionary. She is in fact still a missionary. Every member is a Missionary.

    Yesterday we talked with Bishop about missionary work and the challenges and struggles. The desire in the members who didn't serve but are waiting to serve Senior Couple Missions is amazing. One is the Sunday School President.  Back before the freeze he was going to serve a mission, but he then he was married and had a child, so he couldn't. The church told him if he had all of his children serve, then it was equal to him serving his mission. Now, 2014, his daughter just came home two weeks ago from Nigeria. Two children down, two more to go. Not to mention he plans to serve with his wife after they are all out of the house. How about them apples?

     Brothers and Sisters, no matter how old or young you are, whether you've been on mission or not, whether you are serving or not, it isn't a call to serve for two years that makes you a missionary, but it's the desire to serve. Just because I have a tag and you don't, doesn't mean that you don't have a friend who could be blessed by this great message. Whether you are 20 years old, 50 years old or 15 months on mission, its a lifetime call, not a two year call. You agreed to be a witness of Christ at all times and in all places, not just for two years. I am at 15 months out of a lifetime of service. It's time to make the most out of it.

    Alright people. That is all the time I have today. I hope that you all have a wonderful week and get yourself a copy of PMG. I will follow up next week. I love you all and hope that you have an amazing week.

Love

Elder Ty M. Bowden