30 Aug 2010

Hello again from Norfolk!!

Once again, it seems like it's been so long since the last email that I hardly even know where to start. This was an incredible week here for us in the Norfolk 1st ward! It seems like there is so much to talk about, and at the same time, nothing at all to talk about. I just want to start out by saying that I know this church is true. I find myself so grateful at the end of everyday for this knowledge, and I see witness of this every day! One thing that has really stuck out to Sister Case and I this week is that if we were not united in purpose, if we did not both have strong testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the desire to share that knowledge that we have with everyone that we know, then it would be impossible for us to work together. We are completely opposite people with completely different ways of thinking, and different ways of handling situations. Sister Case described it last night that it is as though she says something to me in spanish, and I respond in japanese. Our brains just function completely differently. We are also both very independant people, and so co-depending on each other is sometimes difficult for us, however, because our purpose is united, and because we both have the desire to serve each other the best we can despite not understanding each other's needs perfectly, we make things work, and we have success. We have times where things don't work out as smoothly as they perhaps could, but God didn't call us out here to be perfect, but to rely on the Spirit to carry our message to the hearts of the people. It will make up for our weaknesses if we have all faith and dilligence and do everything in our power to cultivate for the people we are serving, an atmosphere in which the Spirit can manifest himself, and testify the truth of the thigns that we are speaking! If the chruch were not true, then the saying that the missionaries would have destryoed it a long time ago is so true. There is no way that this missionary program could function if it was not sanctioned and guided by God!

So, this week started out somewhat frustrating. Our investigator pool was dwindling and, with everything that has gone on in the last few weeks, it was starting to get discouraging. Well, we exercised some faith and decided that we were going to make sure to do everything we could to plan effectively, show Heavenly Father what our plans were, where we were going to be, and what we were going to do with our time, and then trust Him to put those people that were ready to learn about the Gospel in our paths. On Wednesday when we went out, we went out with that in mind, and with the dedication to work hard all day until we found someone to teach. We came home that night with 6 new investigators, and with a grown testimony that God answers prayers! One of those investigators that we met one wednesday we met with again on thursday and as we met with him, the spirit was so strong that we gave him a committment for baptism and he and his 8 year old son accepted. They are planning to be baptized on the 18th of september!!

This week we are getting ready for Brother Ed Clemen's Baptism. He had his baptismal interview last night and passed with flying colors! Then he called us later that night to see if his granddaughter could say one of the prayers at the baptism! We keep trying to tell him that he can have pretty much whatever he wants at his baptism, but I'm not sure he really understands that we really mean it. He will be baptized with another child of record from our ward which I think will actually be really good for him. maybe I just think that because I thought it was really special when I went through the temple for myself and I got to go through with a really old man. I don't know why, but I thought that was really special to see someone at the end of their life, still able to make those covenants with God. It was further proof to me that the gospel of Jesus Christ is an invitation to all. It doesnt' matter who you are, how old you are, or where you've been, but it matters that you give all you have. There is a recent convert in the other ward... he is in his 80's and is working on composing a song. I only know a few of the lyrics, but they say: He may be old, but he can still be saved! It goes for anyone, it doesn't matter who they are, they all can come to Christ and receive that joy that comes from knowing how the atonement can ease their burdens. Of Course, there has to be desire there first. We taught a couple this week whose hearts are so hard that they don't even acknowledge anymore that there is a God. They say that if there was a God that He would stop bad things from happening to people! It reminds me of the book of Mormon where the Nephites are humbled because of their afflictions, but the lamenites are hardened and turn their hearts more away from God. We each have the opportunity to choose how we are going to let life affect us!

I am so sad to hear about the Bishop in 2nd ward. My heart and prayers go out to his family and all those that know him. As the work moves forward, Satan is going to do everything in his power to stop us! The church is true, and we have to hold firm to that testimony that we have. It is only on that rock that we can stay strong in the midst of all the turmoil in the world. It seems to have been a week of tragedies. A little boy here in Norfolk died the other night. He was run over by a car at his birthday party. It's really affected all the people in both wards, as it has only been about 2 years since the ward split. In times like this, it is important to remember to let our sufferings bring us closer to God! Let him heal us, and mold us into what he would have us be! And, be grateful to know that whatever happens, we all have a church family to be there for us in our times of need. That is what Christ's church is all about... being there for others in times of need.

Thank you all for the encouragement and the love that you send to me! I know that I am blessed by your prayers of faith! I am so grateful for this gospel, and I am so grateful to know that Christ came, and he suffered, and He did it because He loves us. I know that none of us are perfect, but that through Christ we can be good enough. We can give all we have, and then trust that He will make up the rest. I am grateful that I have this knowledge in my life. I'm grateful that I have been blessed with friends and family who support me in my desires and who assist me in doing what is right. I am grateful for missionary work, and this chance that I have to dedicate my time to my Father in Heaven and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for a living prophet. I don't know how anyone can think we don't need one in our day in age. I'm grateful for prayer and faith. And, I'm grateful for trials that strengthen me and allow me to grow closer to my Savior and my God. There "must needs be opposition in all things" Or truly, I would not know what happiness or joy was!

Much love,

Sister Boston

23 Aug 2010

Well, it's been quite the long week so much has happened, and in many ways it's been quite the rollercoaster ride!

We almost had a baptism this weekend. Sister Campbell had decided that she wanted to get baptized before she moved this coming weekend, so we changed plans, stepped everything up into gear to get things ready for Saturday, but she called us Saturday morning to tell us that she had talked to her husband and that he had told her that he really didn't want her to get baptized yet and asked her to wait for him to start coming to church so that they could join a church together. Since she is trying to mend the problems in her marriage, she didn't feel like she could justify getting baptized without giving him the chance to keep his promise and to change his behavior. I just hope that he does, and it's not just a sugarcoated excuse to keep her from getting baptized. She deserves the best. She bore to us though an amazing testimony though about how now that she knows what she does, it would be really hard for her to just go check out other churches because she knows that they are just going through the motions, and it's not getting them anywhere. She said that she will for sure still get baptized, she just wants to give her husband the chance to prove himself first. It's sad that we won't be able to see it happen because she will be in another Stake, but it really doesn't matter. What matters is that she has a testimony, and that she finds the peace and joy and happiness that she is looking for in her life. I can't wait to hear about when she is finally baptized and the happiness that she finds from it! So the up down, yes no, all week was quite the emotional ride. It's impossible to describe how much your emotions become involved in helping others to know Christ and make covenants.

Brother Clemens is still scheduled for the fourth next month, and then, to be honest, when he gets baptized, I feel like everything I've been working for in Norfolk for the last 10 weeks is taken care of. There are other people that we are working with, and others that I feel will come to know that the church is true for themselves. There are some that I have no doubt will be baptized someday, but for some reason, I'm starting to feel like the reason I was sent here to Norfolk has been taken care of, and it's alright now for me to leave. Of course, who knows what will happen in th next 18 days. every day on a mission seems like an eternity, and so much happens, that 18 days could bring a complete change in the way I'm feeling. I doubt it though. I just feel like the area needs new people. I feel like it's time for something to change so that the work can explode here! It's just waiting for the right time and the right people.

It's amazing all the things that you can learn on a mission in such a short amount of time. I feel like I'm aging a year every day I'm out here. Not that my body is aging that much, but that really, I'm learning enough everyday for it to be a year. I'm definitely learning patience and dilligence, but most importantly I'm learning to rely on the atonement to bear me up in times of trial. I know that is the only way that I'm making it through the trials that I've faced out here. It's amazing how strong the influences are that try to stop us from doing this work. I really feel like it is almost a physical presence. BUT, I know that it's our turn to stand in satan's way... to not stand aside and let him stand in my way. A great and marvelous work is happening, and we are all a part of it... regardless of where we are in out lives right now. We are all called to be examples to the world. I loved Elder Ballard's talk in the August Ensign... I think August.... I'm not really sure, but the article that talked about sharing the gospel without being defensive. That is something that I'm still learning to do, but I see how vital and important it is. Yes, our beliefs are important to us, but if they are that important, and we have strong testimonies, we shouldn't be afraid to share those beliefs. I want to be so much better at that. I want to be a better missionary. I still have so much to learn, and I know that that learning comes through practice! In the mission we role play a lot. During meetings and companion study... we practice situations in which we can share the gospel. It helps us to have the courage to go out and to do it! Any one can!

I love you all. Sorry for the somewhat jumbled e-mail. I've had a lot on my mind this week, and well, this is how I write when I do... a little bit of everything! Have a great week!

Love, Sister Boston

16 August 2010

(Note from poster, this is the second post within the last 24 hours, I didn't post last weeks until yesterday, be sure to read last weeks also.)

Hello Hello from Norfolk!

This has been an interesting week for me. I can't believe that it is the middle of August already. One happy note on that part is that it hasn't really felt like August... as in, everyone said that August is the hottest month here, but July was far hotter than August has been so far! Hopefully that trend will continue and the weather will be mild. I just hope that doesn't translate into a super cold winter. I guess I could handle that about as well as the heat. We'll see what happens. I'm just excited for fall! I've always loved fall, and I hear this is the most beautiful part of the country to be in for fall... of course, I think that it would be more beautiful if I was in the mountains, but who knows, by the time fall really comes around I could be. President Perry is working to move sisters inland... right now there are two sets of sisters in the richmond area, and he is hoping to have more there next transfer. I don't think I'll be one though yet. I'm pretty sure that I'll be staying in Norfolk for another transfer after this one. I don't know why I'm thinking of transfers already... I guess I just always like to think about the future... and well, I already know that my companion is leaving Norfolk after this transfer, so it's gotten my mind thinking!

This week was interesting. It felt like one of the slowest weeks I think that I've ever had! I think that a large part of that was that we had a number of meetings this week so it didn't seem like we were really out much. We had a sisters meeting all day last tuesday and then district meeting on wednesday. both meetings were really good! Sisters meeting was so helpful! There is so much changing in the mission, and in the Sisters meeting we got a little bit of advance notice on the changes that are taking place. One of the less important changes thats happening is that nylons are no longer required! you can only imagine the reaction that we all had to that! Of course... as much as I've complained about nylons, I'm still wearing them because I don't have any shoes that I feel comfortable wearing without nylons. maybe I'll be brave enough to shed them at some point! But, more importantly, we covered a lot of the things that we learned about teaching in the MTC. This has helped sister case and I tremendously to be on the same page in our teaching, and the lessons that we have taught since then have been really amazing and spiritual!! Sister Case said that the lessons that we've taught in the last few days have been some of the best lessons she has taught since coming to the MTC! It's so amazing, and the lessons have an undeniable power to them! the more we teach with the Spirit as the Senior companion, the more people are going to understand! It's amazing to see people starting to open up to us as we seek to really understand their needs and then teach the doctrine instead of giving them all the doctrine without showing how it can affect their lives and the expecting them to digest it all on their own. We really are the guides to even helping them to understand what they need!

Sister Case and I have been talking a lot lately about what role our missions play in our lives. It's really a fun topic to discuss, and I'm grateful that she and I both have the same opinions as to what role it should play. I've heard of many missionaries who struggle going home feeling that they will never be as close to the Savior as they have been on their mission. I hope that I never feel that way. A mission should be a stepping stone to something greater. It should be an opportunity to learn and grow and to develop those attributes that will make us better able to live our lives and follow Christ when we get home. I want my mission to shape my live, but I don't at all want it to be the apex! Life should only get better. We still must learn and grow when we go home. There are so many opportunities to learn and grow that just can't be experienced in the mission field. As wonderful as it is to be out here, and as much as we can learn, we can't learn it all! Just my thoughts on the matter. I love this work, but the truth is that there are so many ways to do it, and even though ther are still 16 months until I come home, I'm excited to come home and apply what i've learned to being a member missionary and any other callings that I have in the future!

Speaking of ways to be a missionary... I strongly recommend that everyone go check out the new Mormon.org! this website is amazing and it is the future of missionary work. President perry told us that the goal of president monson is to completely eliminate tracting!! How amazing is that. As Elder Bednar said, the responsibility of the missionaries should be to be full time teachers, and that is exactly what President Monson is aiming for. This website is going to make this happen. There is a goal for 100,000 members to have profiles on it so that anyone anywhere who wants to know more about the church and the people in it can find someone that is similar to them, and to see that we are normal people living normal lives. We aren't some cult, we don't have horns, and we have an amazing message to share. Already, many of the media referrals we are receiving are from the website, people who have already seen what we believe, have already chatted with a missionary online, and who have already had a spiritual confirmation that this is something that they should persue. these are people who are ready for the gospel! This is so much more effective than tracting! I'm so in love with the website, and I've only seen it a couple of times! use it! Show it to people! It's such a non-invasive and non-pushy way to share the gospel with people!

Thats about what I have to say for the week! Aside from this one last thing! Miracles happen!!! I cannot even begin with all the miracles that happen everyday in the missionfield. Some of them are hidden miracles... miracles hidden in trials, but I know that they are miracles! When someone gives up her cigarettes and makes the decision that she is really ready to keep her baptismal date because of the trials that she is going through, and the pain that she is suffering, you know that the church is true. You know that Christ lives and that it is through coming to Him that we can all be healed no matter what our pains and sufferings are! You know that this gospel is for everyone, and it is possible for everyone to live1 When Brother Clemens jokingly complains the whole lesson about paying tithing, but then asks at church where to find the tithing envelopes and how exactly he is to fill out the form, it's all worth it! It's worth it to see the light that comes into their eyes as they strive to keep the commandments, it's worth it to see as doubt changes to faith, and as the testimony starts to ignite action! This is why I'm out here, this is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about!

have a great week! Love you all

Sister Boston

Norfolk 09 August 2010

I still can't believe it is August already. I'm still getting used to writing may on things... and well, it's not really been may for quite some time now!!

Virginia is great! Of course you hear that every week, but it really is! I love this work and I love the people here in Norfolk so much!! I can not imagine having come anywhere else on my mission. Of course, I have yet to see the rest of the mission, but I'm sure that I would love it all just as much. Missionaries who serve in Norfolk 1 seem to have a special place in their hearts for it, and I was lucky enough to be born here!

Things have been happening like crazy around here, and since I'm still recovering from being sick, it seems like it's been even more of a whirlwind! We are working hard with two investigators to make sure that they are ready for their baptismal dates! I think one with Sister Crystal Campbell might be pushed back as we are trying to help her to live the word of wisdom, but I'm confidant that she knows what she needs to do, and has the ability to do it if she just trusts in the Lord! The great thing about the curriculum that we are learning is that it teaches us to really focus on the doctrine behind a change of behavior instead of focusing on changing the behavior. It goes for any behavior that needs to be changed... whether it's the word of wisdom, law of chastity or something as simple as home teaching, as we teach and understand the doctrine behind the things we do as members of God's kingdom, and as we gain our own testimonies that those are the things that the Savior would have us do, we gain a greater desire to follow him, and to do those things! I really recommend reading preach my gospel to anyone. I don't know if I said that last week, but I really do. Our mission President keeps on emphasizing to us that it isn't just a tool to help us to teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ, but it's a guidebook to how the First Presidency and the Quorom of the twelve live their lives. It's an amazing book, and it can change the way we live our lives! I love it! I love being a missionary right now! I know that I'm out here at the perfect time, and I know that my call was definitely inspired! I can't think of any place or anything else I'd rather be doing right now than what I am!

SIster case and I have been talking about the Priesthood a lot lately, and it was great that it fell right in with the theme of all our meetings at church yesterday. It's just so amazing to us how incredibly powerful the priesthood is, and how real it is. I know that it is the power of God on this earth, and that through the priesthood we can receive blessings that God has for us! I've been reading through my patirarchal blessing the last few days, really studying it, and i know that it is a blessing from God just for me. many of the things that were said to me in it match up perfectly with my life, and i can see even better now how certain blessings are beginning to be fulfilled through me serving a mission and helping others to come unto Christ and start on the path to eternal life! What is even more amazing is that when I was sick last week and asked for a blessing, the blessing reminded me of many things that were said to me in my patriarchal blessing. It's one more evidance that the church is true if a man 3 thousand miles away who I hardly know can give me a blessing 4 years down the road that reminds me of the promises made before! I love this gospel, and my heart aches for those who don't have that light in their lives!

Ed Clemens is going to be baptized on the 4th of next month! I know that he is going to make his baptismal date, and I'm so excited for him. He is a true example of someone who has come to know for himself, and because of the faith he has developed, he is willing to make sacrifices to be a part of God's kingdom. Last night he prayed with us after we taught him the word of wisdom, and he prayed that our words would be able to sink into his stubborn heart! Then he prayed for us and gave thanks for our desire to help him and be persistant in teaching him. It's moments like tha tthat definitely make our work worth every hard moment! Those times where we get caught 5 blocks from our car in the pouring rain, or when we feel like we can't knock one more door! There are so many great examples of people who make our work worth it!

There is one family we are working with right now. He used to be a member but was excommunicated back in April. My heart truly aches for them. We were talking to her the other night and she mentioned the light that has diminished from her husband since he stopped attending church and especially since the excommunication. She sees the different! She recognizes the presence and absence of the Holy Ghost in her husband and wants that back. We made a deal that we would all three do everything in our power to help him to regain that light. She herself is asking all the right questions, she is ready for the gospel. There are so many people that we are working with that I just wish could understand the healing power of the atonement and apply it in their lives. I know it works miracles! I know it.

I've gotten a few letters from some of you who read my blog. I don't imagine there are too many more than the letters I've gotten, but I'm glad that you are all enjoying my letters. I love hearing from home. It might seem strange, but it's the love that I've gotten from the people I knew before I left that gave me the desire to serve a mission... a desire to come out here and share that love with everyone. The letters give me a greater desire to serve with all my heart and do everything I can to return the love that I've received! Thanks too all of you for your support! I'm so glad to have family and friends who support me in the gospel! We all need those people in our lives!

Love always

Sister Boston

1 August 2010

Hello Everyone!!

Well it has been an eventful week since the last time I emailed. I hardly even know where to start. I am still here in Norfolk, and I have a new companion Sister Case. She is wonderful! I think she is the perfect companion for me right now, and we are going to really get the work going here in Norfolk!

We've had some exciting things happen this week. To start off the week, on transfer day our ride to the stake center went to drop Sister Jacob's stuff off at her new house with Sister Jacob and her new companion, and then Sister jacob wasn't thinking and when they got back to the stake center she just let Sister Larson drive off, so we were stranded at the stake center until we could find someone else to come get us. My new companion's first impression of me... great! Then later that evening, we had an appointment with one of our investigators, Crystal campbell. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this one before because we hadn't actually sat down with her since I've been her... so we had an appointment with her, and it went great! We thought that it was just going to be more of a meet and greet, see where she was at, and where we needed to start with her and things, but as we sat down and started talking, the conversation led to baptism, and the blessings that come from keeping the commandments, and she set a baptismal date for August 28th! It was incredible!! She is amazing, and she definitely knows that the church is true, but she wants to know everything before she is baptized. I think that she can make that date though. It's super exciting for her. Anyway... so there is a funny story that goes along with this lesson too. While we were teaching her, our phone kept going off... it was on vibrate, but it was still distracting, so we just silenced it and kept teaching... it was too good of a lesson to interrupt. Well, when we got out of the lesson, the weather was horrible, and we got to the car to discover that the phone calls had been the district leaders and the Zone leaders telling us that there was a tornado warning for the area and to get inside, and then calls because we'd never called to tell them we were in safe. So... we got to drive home in a torrential down pour, and horrible wind. At one point we were driving through water that was probably at least 18 inches deep. Oh, and by the way... Sister Case doesn't drive. I'm the driver now :) Anyway, we made it home safe and were able to let everyone know that we were ok... It was quite the day to start out the transfer. Sister Case and I are going to have lots of great experiences to share this transfer!!!

Let's see... Ed Clemens finally set an official baptismal date! September 11th! It's so wonderful! I can't wait to see him baptized and going to the temple to be sealed to his family! It's so great to be a missionary and to see people's lives change.

We had an awesome lesson the other day with Steven Mccoy and his girlfriend. He is an investigator that we ran into tracting at the beginning of last transfer. We've taught him a few times, and he is the one who came to the pioneer activity last week, and to church. Well, we were talking to the second counselor in the bishopric saturday morning, and he said that he is pretty sure that Steven paid about 9 months worth of tithing on Sunday. Isn't that incredible??? I can't believe the people here they are so amazing! So we had the lesson at the home of some recent converts in the ward who actually have a lot in common with steven. They are so amazing in their testimonies, and are really evidence that the gospel changes lives. Well, in the lesson Steven had told us that he wasn't going to come to church because he wanted to see if it felt like something was missing if he didn't go. We tried to tell him that he should go and see if he could feel the spirit there, and the brother Medina broke in and bore the most touching testimony, and Sister Medina laid it down and said that she would be there in the morning to pick them up. They were both at church yesterday!

In fact... we had 5 investigators at church yesterday! Isn't that an insane number. Five investigators, and we actually weren't there. What kind of missionaries don't go to church right? We had so many people... and half our investigators asking where we were, but I was sick... running a 102 temperature yesterday. I feel better today, but still a little run down. I got a blessing from some of the members in the ward, and it was a wonderful blessing. It didn't talk much about healing, but about strength, God's love for me, and how I would share that love to help others! Wnat wonderful promises! I love the power of the Priesthood! I'm glad too that I'm feeling mostly better today. I'm so ready to get out and be doing missionary work.

For P-day today we did a really awesome activity. One of the members in our ward took us to tour the U.S. Enterprise. One of the largest aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy. It was pretty cool! It goes on deployment tomorrow morning for 45 days I think. It was way awesome and fun to be on the ship and to see how big it really is! It's one thing to talk about it, but another completely to actually be on it. He said that they could play 4 NFL football games on the flight deck. Full sized football games end-zones and all. Not that that will have any meaning to anyone who reads my blog. Oh well.... I have pictures, but let's be honest... I probably shouldn't promise pictures anymore because I have yet to send any. My poor camera is getting old though... I don't know if it's going to really last my whole mission. I'll take what I can before it dies though!

That's about all for this week! Love you all!

Sister Boston