"I am so glad you came. I've been thinking about you two."

HI EVERYONE!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! This truly is the most wonderful time of the year! Filled with so much hope and love and joy and LIGHT!! As a missionary, it is super extra special being able to serve and share all of those emotions with everyone as we celebrate Christ's humble beginnings. I am so grateful to be able to spend two of them here, despite how my mom feels about it. :) Grateful we could skype though!! (highlight of my day! After all, they are the reason I am here. Because of Christ I can live with them forever and I want that for everyone!)

Christmas day was spent visiting the sick and lonely in hospitals and assisted living homes. We were also able to go caroling as a district (LOVE THEM) which was way too much fun. All the missionaries in our district got packages from Santa... and we cant figure out who they are from... BUT SANTA TOTALLY NAILED IT. For all of us individually! Not very many people know that I LOVE art, but the note I got said that I should use my talents and enclosed was a journal, 2 canvases, and paint. I almost cried. I have seriously missed painting! when the elders heard what I got, Elder Ruesch's response was "#Santa'sREAL." hahahaa I believe.

But better than receiving gifts is giving them. And being able to remember the greatest gift of all. Which is that of our Savior's life. My favorite part of my reading this morning was Nephi's vision of the Savior hundreds of years before His coming:

 19 And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!

 20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.

 21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

 22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

 23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.

 24 And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him.

 25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.

 26 And the angel said unto me again: Look and behold the condescension of God!

 27 And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.

 28 And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear him; and I beheld that they cast him out from among them.

 29 And I also beheld twelve others following him. And it came to pass that they were carried away in the Spirit from before my face, and I saw them not.

 30 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the heavens open again, and I saw angels descending upon the children of men; and they did minister unto them.

 31 And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.

 32 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.

 33 And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.

"I am so glad you came. I've been thinking about you two." A humbling phrase. Missionaries often get told this, and this week we were told by a less active man in a super rough life situation. He is awesome and has so much love in his heart despite the trials he is facing. The Spirit directed us to him, and what a blessing to be the answer to someone's silent prayers and pleadings.

So my very limited Spanish abilities has super blessed me in Boise. IT REALLY DID PAY OFF! Between the 2 exchanges with the Hermanas last transfer and some of the people that we have recently met, I am grateful that I studied!!

As a mission, we are doing a 100 day challenge to read the Book of Mormon and find things each day that will draw us closer to God (as stated in the introduction). It has been SUPER awesome and I am falling in love with the Book all over again. The way I will get nearer to God today because of my studies this morning is trusting more fully in God's timing.

LOVE YOU ALL!!
xoxo
happy days ahead :)

Sister Boyce

happy happy with this one :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

"I love being able to teach & testify, sever & lift, and CELEBRATE Him!"

WHAT A WEEK!! I have been sick since last Sunday and it is kicking my rear end. But I've been spreading Christmas cheer by giving everyone elbow bumps!! hahaha

I got a new companion. Sister Tokia and she is from KIRABATI!!!! So another islander companion who is learning English and she is so much fun hahaha

Attached is part of the closing song sung in our Bitteroot Christmas Program. It was INCREDIBLE!! I love this time of year because hearts are opened to learning about Christ. I love being able to teach and testify, serve and lift, and CELEBRATE Him who is the King of Kings, my Savior and Redeemer. He invites us to come unto Him. It is our choice to be freed from bondage by His grace and mercy. I hope to continually be guided to Him throughout my life.

Merry Christmas!! It is my hope that you can feel of the true spirit of Christ this season!

LOVE YOU ALL!!
xoxox

"TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY!!"

Since my email last week was super short this is my email to President last week:

"This week, Sister Ludrick and I saw SO MANY MIRACLES!!! The flame in our area has been lit and because of our prayers, the prayers of our district, bishops, ward mission leaders, families, and YOU, but most of all a loving Heavenly Father, has enabled away for those that are prepared to be placed in our path. One of our four new investigators in our area, Amanda Brant, was a referral from one of her family members. She looked confused when she opened the door but happily invited us in when we said we had received her name and a note that she would like to be taught by the missionaries. We did some solid how to begin teaching and then introduced the Restoration as we shared the Christmas initiative. Tonight we will be going back to teach the restoration in full and commit her to be baptized on January 14th!!

Another lady, who we have not yet met with, walked into church yesterday by herself. Her brother is a member and she found and came to our sacrament meeting all on her own doing. I am so grateful for the members that were in tune and talked with her to be able to direct her to us. Needless to say, we are so grateful for this area and the many many miracles we have seen.

Sister Ludrick and I are doing super well too. I will be very sad if we are transferred. But I know that it is wherever the Lord needs us most! Thank you for inspiring us to be better each and every day. Personally, I am working on improving my skills as a teacher with a focus on extending more powerful invitations and lovingly following up."

This week has been a little more rough... BUT TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY!!

Remember Dan? The one I talked about EVERY week when I was serving in Twin? YEAH. HE WAS BAPTIZED AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. I cried literally all MLC when Sister Christensen ran in and told me that he had been baptized. She showed me this picture and told me shed crop me in :)

I LOVE THIS WORK!! I am so grateful that I'll be living so close to come back to visit those that I have truly connected with. Connected spirit to spirit. That is when hearts are "knit together in unity and love."

happy days ahead!!
xoxo
Sister Boyce

"SO MANY miracles"

SUPER SHORT TODAY!!

but Sister Ludrick and I have seen SO MANY miracles this week!! I will tell you all about them next week:) transfer news in about an hour

"SO MANY MIRACLES THIS WEEK"

HI ALL!! This will be a short one today! BUT SO MANY MIRACLES THIS WEEK so I would be remiss if I didn't write.

You know how we were meeting and then giving away a lot of new investigators? WELL people have been doing that for us now!! We met the Echevarria family on Friday, as a referral from other missionaries. They offered to serve and help him rack leaves. He said it was refreshing. Service really does soften and change hearts and turns us back to Christ!! What a cool way to see this Christmas initiative in action! Brother Echevarria wants to learn and attend church!

LOVE YOU ALL!!

#LIGHTtheWORLD

When you see all the lights at Christmas time, I hope that it will remind you of THE light of the world. The Savior himself brought light into this world. Through Him we can find peace, joy, consolation, direction, LOVE!! His light is never ending and limitless.

Mosiah 16:9 -   "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."

I am so grateful that I can share His light here in the Idaho Boise Mission!!

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 - "5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.  6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"

#LIGHTtheWORLD starting November 25th. An initiative that will change how you view this Christmas season! JOIN IN at mormon.org!!

happy days ahead:)

PICTURES

so yes. i know i am the worlds worst picture sender. So this week will mostly be pictures :)

Sister Ludrick and I have given pretty much all of our investigators to other missionaries. So is the nature of Boise, I guess. They have all moved or fit into a better demographic with YSA or Spanish when they originally fit better with our wards. But because of changes in jobs and things, we have lost them all. Funny really, because we were talking about how to find more people to teach and the Lord has provided a way through creating SO MUCH time for us to find new people. AND WE FOUND 2 THIS WEEK THAT WANT TO BE TAUGHT!! Still searching for families, but we are grateful for those that we have been entrusted :)

Love you all so much!!
Happy days ahead:)
xoxo

Monday. we hiked Boise's famous table rock. 

my nutty companion, Sister Ludrick <3 LOOK AT BOISE!

us at the toppp :)

us at the toppp :)

Then we hiked the back of it into some caves COVERED with art

HEAVEN'S REAL

I love this crazy district and the Assistants!! 

^^On Tuesday, we had Zone Conference and a special Zone Olympics in the afternoon. These are the Sisters of the West Zone!! (AKA best Boise Zone)

The morning was filled with training on how to work more closely with the members, especially with the Christmas initiative coming out: #LIGHTtheWORLD!!! I am so excited for this initiative. It comes with a 25 day advent calendar with how to serve and share Christ's light this Christmas season. LOOK FOR IT COMING OUT ON NOVEMBER 25TH!!!

"I seriously love spending my birthday on the mission"

HEY YAALLL

Thanks so much for all the best of birthday wishes! I seriously love spending my birthday on the mission- you get to spend the day serving and teaching and receive all sorts of fun packages :) THANK YOU ALL!! Seriously, I am the person I am today because of all of you! You have each impacted me in such a way that has changed me.

At our district meeting, the district leaders issued a challenge. A sort of key indicator scavenger hunt. On Saturday, we had to get 2 referrals (which has been like impossible in this area), 2 street contacts, 1 investigator to be baptized, 1 member role play, and 1 RCLA lesson on tithing. Sister Ludrick and I were determined. So my birthday was filled with miracles, because we didn't know how we were going to be able to do it, but we did!!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

SISTER BOYCE'S BIRTHDAY THIS SATURDAY!

Hi, all of Cassandra's loyal followers!

Sister Boyce's birthday is this Saturday! I really want her to know how many people love her and are thinking of her.

Could you please email Cassandra at cassandra.boyce@myldsmail.net or send her a note in the mail!

Her mail address is:
1111 S. Cole Rd.
Boise, ID 83709

She would love hearing from you! Let's all try to make her birthday special! Thank you for caring about and loving my dear sister!

Carly Cook

MLC and Miracle Sunday

Hi yall!! This will be a pretty short email today :)

MLC was rockin and it was so seriously great to be back in Twin Falls!! I love MLC and President Bartlett. He is truly a man called of God!

BUT WE HAD A MIRACLE OF A SUNDAY!! We had three investigators at church and two less active couples that are wanting to return!! It seriously was a miracle. John, one of our investigators, biked to church again. He loves being there and is so seriously golden. Last night we had our interviews with President. As I was in my interview, Sister Ludrick was talking with Sister Bartlett and telling her about the incredible Sunday we had. Sister Bartlett said, "Well, you know who that is!? It could only be Brent!!" Last week, one of our recent converts suddenly passed away. It was a super difficult time for Sister Ludrick and I and the ward. BUT when he was confirmed, his blessing was all about missionary work. He is doing it from the other side!!

Love you all!! Thank you for your constant prayers!

Happy Days Ahead here in the great IBM!
xoxo
Sister Boyce

"I love conference and all the many answers I received to prayers...."

I am so grateful for the opportunity and blessing it is that we have to hear from our dear Prophet, President Monson, and the Apostles twice a year at General Conference. It is scripture for our day!

I LOVED the talks on member missionary work :) and the MTC choir. oh man. my heart. I cried. I love conference and all the many answers I received to prayers as well as silent pleas. I KNOW God knows me and loves me. He is my Heavenly King! I will sing praises to Him every day of my life. I know He lives! And His love is so clearly manifest through our Savior. I know that He lives and I will strive to come to KNOW Him as Elder Bednar taught (below) more and more every day:

"We come to know the Savior as we do our best to go where He wants us to go, as we strive to say what He wants us to say, and as we become what He wants us to become. …

… Believing Him with our whole soul comes as we press forward along the covenant pathway, surrender our will to His, and submit to His priorities and timing for us."


Oh I found out my release date...March 1. It makes me so sick to think about. But I know that it is what God wants for me. He never intended for this mission to last forever! But He did intend for it to change me to the point where I can serve Him forever!!

From Elder Yamashita:

"What does it mean to “be ambitious for Christ”? Being ambitious for Christ means being motivated, focused, and dedicated to His work. Being ambitious for Christ will seldom mean that we are singled out for public honor. Being ambitious for Christ means that we serve faithfully and diligently in our wards and branches without complaint and with joyful hearts."


Happy Days Ahead!!
xoxo
Sister Boyce

"The Gospel is being spread to all the world!!"

Another week down here in Boise Central!! I've been thinking a lot this week about the power of God's word. With The Book of Mormon reading challenge we are doing as a mission, I have been able to feel the power that flows from this book. I had the opportunity to share my testimony yesterday on this subject because one of the speakers was sick. I know that God loves us so much that He has provided His word and has made it possible for both the Bible and Book of Mormon to be translated and distributed in so many languages. We were able to witness a baptism of the Elders who taught a lady that speaks Karen and is from Burma. The Gospel is being spread to all the world!!

This week we truly saw a miracle. Ever since I got into the area, we've been praying to find a family of five. This was something the sisters before me had felt prompted to find. Because of our faith and the faith of the EQP who visited the Bowens this week, we found our family. The Bowens may be a split family, the mom and dad are divorced, but two of their three kids are old enough to be taught and baptized! We are excited to be teaching them!!

Love you!!
xoxo
Sister Boyce

WELCOME TO BOISE CENTRAL EVERYBODY!!

Transferred to BOISE CENTRAL!! I am serving in two wards in the Boise West Zone: Colehaven and Bitteroot wards in the Boise Central Stake. My companion is Sister Ludrick, who came out my transfer in Twin! She is from Pohnpei Island in Micronesia! People were shocked when I was with Sister Christensen because Boston seems a whole lot farther than Herriman, Utah hahaha but there's no comparison now!! hahahaa She is awesome and we are so ready and excited to build up this area! One of my Zone Leaders, Elder Udall, was actually my district leader in the MTC!! I'm super excited to be serving with these great missionaries and many from the original Boise Mission!

As promised, I will finish the story of Sister Knight and her motorized wheelchair... We decided to walk with her to her friends house on Jackson (which was forever far away) to make sure she got there safely because she can't walk. So if her chair died, I don't know what she would have done!! We get down to Jackson and we couldn't find her friends house... haha the only person we know on Jackson is BROTHER NEWHOUSE!! hahaha so we decided to stop there and see if he could give us a hand. He is always so willing to help and can fix just about anything. Sister Knight was like "Is he a nice man or a scary man?" This basically just describes Sister Knight hahaha While her wheelchair was plugged in and charging, we read from the Book of Mormon out of 1 Nephi 3 where Brother Newhouse is. Because of his past drug abuse, it makes it really hard for him to read and stay focused and even harder to remember things. But he LOVES to read because he says it makes him feel so much better. And because of his reading, he has experienced this "paradigm shift." The way he thinks about everything is so different now. Man, I miss him. But I am excited to meet more prepared people like Dan here in Boise!

Love you all!!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

never want to ever leave...

I seriously feel so blessed to be serving in this area with Sister Christensen. Today we were supposed to get transfer emails, but it hasn't come out yet... AND ITS KILLING ME!! Our area is literally on fire and probably the best area to be serving in for sisters. And for that I feel so honored to have been able to serve here for as long as I have. Our hope and prayer as a companionship is that we will stay another transfer, but we were really lucky last time.

We had a super blessed week. Four investigators have a baptismal date and are really progressing!! Dan is still and WILL ALWAYS be the highlight of my week!! :) His very nature is changing. They way that he sees himself and others. It's incredible to be a part of. He has super bad anxiety, so he has had a hard time staying for the second or third hours of church, BUT THIS WEEK HE STAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME!! He loved Gospel Principles class. After he said "Hey! You got me into this mess, now you gotta get me out of it!!" Apparently, he had come to the church building over an hour before our ward met so that he could turn in his tithing to the Bishop. But he was unable to find him hhahaaa so we walked down to priesthood so he could hand it in. NOT EVEN A MEMBER YET AND PAYING HIS TITHING. He has a valiant spirit. and is one of the elect.

We were able to set a baptismal date with Brother Wilkersen this week for October 22nd!! His wife is a less active member. We love teaching them. When we extended the date, he got SO EXCITED!! I've never seen him so animated! "Yes!! Alright!! Let's put it on the calendar!!" It was such an exciting moment for all of us!

We also chased a lady in her motorized wheelchair down the road... A Recent Convert/less active Sister Christensen worked with in her first area in Twin!! She was bumbling along and crossed our path as we were driving. We ran down the street and she wouldn't stop!! She explained that she couldn't stop and that her chair was just about to die and she was ALL the way on the OPPOSITE side of town... story to be continued!

We were blessed by the presence of Elder & Sister Lawrence and Elder & Sister DeFeo of the 70 for two days straight. It was our mission tour week and missionary leadership council! I am so grateful for inspired men. That we believe they are called of God and set apart. There will be a lot of changes in our mission because of his visit I am sure. And it came perfectly for the last 6 months!!

Love you all!! So many happy days ahead! :)

xoxo
Sister Boyce

I live in a dream

Hi. Yes. I am living in a dream. Where all of your investigators want to be baptized because their hearts have CHANGED and their desire to follow Christ deepened.

We will start with Dan the man. Because that might be the only person we get to in this email.

DAN NEWHOUSE! The investigator every missionary hopes for and I didn't know really existed until we met him!! HE'S GOLDEN! He has been coming to sacrament the last three weeks and reading the Book of Mormon and decides to live in accordance with the laws of God BEFORE we even teach them. On Tuesday, Sister Christensen taught him with another Sister. And he asked about baptism!! So she said we would prayerfully pick a date. The next day, we just stopped by (because he loves daily contact!!!) and when he opened the door i was SHOCKED. Light has been a theme on my mission. And he had SO much light. I thought about the first time we met him. My eyes filled with tears because this change of heart is not just deep and internal, but has affected even his appearance. We set a date with him to be baptized on October 8th!! He just has to stop smoking (went from 20/day to 2 this week!!!) and he's good to go! He is even paying tithing even though he is not a member... because he knows that it is a law that was taught anciently and should still be practiced today. He loves the Savior. It is so evident every time we see him.

We also picked up a new investigator in YSA this week!! His name is Max and his girlfriend is at BYUI and his best friend is just about to leave on a mission!! He is great and loves learning. We also set a baptismal date with him for October 15th!!

Brother Wilkersen, the nonmember husband of Sister Wilkersen who has been less active, ALSO told us that he will be baptized this week!!

God is so good. He works mighty miracles. I am grateful to have this opportunity to be an instrument in His hands everyday.

happy days ahead!!!!!!
xoxo
Sister Boyce

 ^^Temple with the NORTH ZONE!! and Sister Bartlett. She's our favorite.

^^All three of us hit one year! My companion and District Leader, Elder Jensen!!

S'MORE BAPTISMS

Hi y'all!! Another great week here in the promised land!! I seriously don't ever want to leave this area or my companion!!

This week's weekly planning session was around a campfire... not a literal one though hahaa because missionaries can't do that. BUT WE ROASTED MARSHMALLOWS!! AND MADE SMORES!! Ahhh it was so fun! Sister Christensen LOVES s'mores so it was necessary hahaa

Eli Jensen's baptism was on Saturday!! NO BAPTISM EVER GOES FLAWLESSLY!! Gahhh Satan likes to play games on those days... But it's all good! Because he was still baptized! The Lord's work will always go forth! We were all there and ready to go and 15 minutes before it started, the people to open the closet to get his white clothes were still NO WHERE to be found!! We frantically called anyone we knew that had a key to the closet... no one answered. So instead, our Ward Mission Leader, Elders Quorum President, and the person to baptize him BROKE IN!! hahahaa they first tried with a card and that didn't work. So they tried taking off the hinges. That didn't work. Then they found some random tool in the church to push back the bolted door!! hahahaa I told Eli that this was one he definitely wouldn't forget! Sometimes I think those set backs and bumps just make the occasion all the more joyous! :) I have never seen Brother Jensen so happy!

LOVE YOU ALL!! Have a super bomb week!

Happy Days Ahead
XOXO
Sister Boyce

 ^^Our ward mission leader when we got the closet open hahahahahahaaa

Crazy Wonderful Week

We've been so super blessed this week. I can't get over how many miracles we've been able to see, even amid a CRAZY hectic week. Exchanges with Hagerman on Wednesday, Zone Conference ALL DAY on Thursday, and then emergency exchanges on Saturday night... EVEN with all of that, we saw so many miracles.

Brother Jensen is still preparing to be baptized this week!! His work schedule just changed, however, and will be working every Sunday. We had a super great lesson about continuing to learn and serve in the church at the Bishop's home and the Bishop talked with him about priorities in life. The things of eternal significance should be at the VERY top of the list.

We had another lesson with Dan and taught the Restoration!! His friend Devan came and he is a recently returned missionary. He totally stole Sister Christensen's thunder when we got to the part about the first vision hahaha it was great! We also had a church tour with him on Saturday and he came to church on Sunday!! Love this man! He is truly seeking!!

Our miracle last night to be emailed next week!!

so many more happy days ahead,
LOVE YOU ALL!!

xoxo Sister Boyce

Miracle Monday

Last Monday two of the districts got together and went out to Shoshone Falls!! Man, it's beautiful!! Rumor has it's taller than Niagara Falls! (Pictures on their way!!) We then went over to Dierke's Lake and since we cant swim, played games on the field. I love these missionaries. They all just make me want to be a better person :) SO MUCH FUN!

We had a super blessed Monday night. Our lesson with Polly went really well and I'm still picking up all the gospel signs! We bought whiteboards too so that any words we don't know how to sign, he can teach us. Even though my signing is less than inadequate, Polly was so patient with me. As I bore my testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration, I talked about how much I loved this church because it brings me closer to Christ. I bore my testimony about how it is the church that has all of the truth. He truly wants to know. And the only way we can know for sure is through study and sincere prayer.

Our next lesson was with the Brown family, who are less active. Their daughter Lillian is 8 and wants to be baptized! They've been inactive for so many years though, that we are teaching her the basics so she can be baptized. We walked into their house and there was just something different... We asked them how their reading was. AND THEY READ THE TWO CHAPTERS WE GAVE THEM!!! Oh man, THAT made all the difference. The Spirit in their home was in greater abundance and their 14 year old daughter who is a typical teenage girl and always super resistant and defiant when we come, VOLUNTEERED TO READ!! I love this family! Sister Brown thanked us for coming. She can see the difference it is making in their family. They are happier. And they are happier because the Spirit is in their home.


Love you all!!

Happy Days Ahead,
Sister Boyce

 ^^The Sisters <3

Sister Christensen and I :)

NEW MISSION ADDRESS

Hello everyone! This is Carly, Cassandra's sister.

If you've been following along, you know that Cassandra's Twin Falls, ID mission has now combined with the Boise, ID mission.

If you want to send her letters here is the new mission home office address (also updated on the sidebar of this blog):

Sister Cassandra Boyce

1111 S. Cole Rd.

Boise, ID 83709

However, due to the current area she is in please only send letters until further notice (some packages have been stolen off her doorstep). 

Thank you for loving and supporting Sister Cassandra Boyce. We are so thankful for you all!

Carly

"Grandma Jo"

Tuesday was a hecka rough day. People didn't want to talk to us, all of our appointments canceled, and we talked to a lot of people filled with SO MUCH hate. It made my heart so sad. But then Wednesday came. And we went to visit Grandma Jo. She has been a member for a year and a half now and is working towards the temple!! She's in her late 80s, but we can't figure out her birth date... neither can she hahaa she's losing it a little! But she was an answer to my prayers after Tuesday. She said "When you girls come here, my house is full of cheer, and it makes me feel good." Grandma Jo, that's because it's the Holy Ghost! There are a lot of other churches that go to see her because of some things happening at her apartment complex, but she always says that we are her "real" girls. I love this woman so much.

We helped the Fahlsings move out on Thursday... Super sad for us, but happy for them! They are moving back home to Washington with family. And they are moving into the stake where their current Bishop's son is the Bishop there!! Talk about tender mercies!! These are people that have quite literally left an imprint on my heart. They will be in my life forever!!

We went to the temple with Jack on Saturday to watch him do baptisms!! That was such a special opportunity. At our lesson with him on Sunday, he told us that HE HAS DECIDED TO SERVE A MISSION!!!!!! We knew he'd come around! So I'll be back in a year to go through the temple and for his farewell!!  :)

Love you all and so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve! Thank you for helping me get to this point! Helen Keller once said, "Keep your face towards the sunshine and you'll never see the shadows." That light is Christ. And as we turn to him, we will always be able to find the positive in life. :)

happy days ahead,

Sister Boyce

HAPPIEST HOUR OF MY MISSION

This week we had the HAPPIEST hour of my mission so far!!! AHHHHHHHH I don't even know where to start!! So I'll just start at the beginning of the week:

Monday night we taught a lesson in SIGN LANGUAGE!! Sister Christensen is a rockstar. She took a year in high school and another in college. The deaf man's name is Polly and he is friends with one of our other investigators, Amoni, both from Africa!! He was so accepting of everything that we said and signed and already has a great foundation on Christ. He was also SO patient with us as we stubbled through our signs and fingerspelling. We are going back today to watch the Restoration video with him in ASL! :)

OKAY. ARE YOU READY NOW FOR THE HAPPIEST HOUR OF MY MISSION!?!?!

You may want to sit for this one.

 Nothing really happened between Monday and Thursday. Just kidding hahaha but this was the BEST I JUST CANT WAIT!! :)

On Thursday during lunch, Sister Christensen and I get a call from the Mission President... No matter who you are or what position you serve in, it's always a little nerve racking when you get a call from the President. But he called to tell us that he had gotten a letter from the First Presidency! IT WAS SHAWN FAHLSING'S LETTER!! President read the letter to us and explained that the First Presidency, but more importantly, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ had made the decision that Shawn was ready to be baptized!!!!!! WE FREAKED OUT!! It is incredible how perfectly timed it all was. Transfers this week so we weren't sure if we would both be here and they move on FRIDAY!! We called up Shawn and asked if he'd be home at 6 that night. We didn't tell him why. But I ALMOST COULDN'T CONTAIN MYSELF!

All day I thought about him until we went over at 6. Lori, his wife asked what was up. We couldn't stop smiling!!!! We said we couldn't say until Shawn came in from working on the car! When he finally came in and sat down it kinda just all fell out of my mouth! Their reactions were priceless. This is one day of my mission I will NEVER forget! Lori was baptized 3 months ago, and because of Shawn's parole wasn't able to be baptized with her. But they have been holding on so faithfully even amid that set back. BUT NOW HE HAD APPROVAL TO BE BAPTIZED!! Sitting in their home, telling them this great, long awaited news and then planning the baptism for SATURDAY, was the happiest hour of my mission! Once we told them the news, they just started calling people! Bishop Heider, the one to baptize him, didn't pick up and as Lori left a message, Shawn added from the background "It's super duper important!!" hahaa

Sister Christensen pulled off planning a baptism in under 48 hours. NAILED IT.

The baptism was amazing. The Spirit was so strong and Shawn and Lori couldn't stop smiling. I have never seen him so happy!! I don't know if I've ever seen anyone so happy!! His grin was from ear to ear! He's a pretty tall guy, so they had to baptize him twice hahaa but as he humbly and reverently bowed his head, tattooed arms and all, it was so evident that moments like these- being able to see a repentant sinner change his life around and follow Christ- is why I am here. I love this man! Brother Fahlsing has changed my life for the better!! I will be there when him and Lori are sealed! Even if that means 13 years down the road when his parole is up!!

Okay now, TRANSFERS!! SISTER CHRISTENSEN AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER IN TWIN!!!!!!!!!! SO so So so SOOOOO happy!! We probably broke the Elder's ear drum that called us this morning as we screamed! Prayers, so many prayers have been answered this week!!

Love you all so much! Hope you have the best week ever!! (But I don't know if it could beat the one I just had... just sayin' :) )

xoxo
Sister Boyce

^^Elder Harmon, who first started teaching the Fahlsing family and Bishop Heider who baptized him!!

We ate bugs...

Sister Christensen and I. We got the hook ups.

It was so awesome to be able to spend the entire week in our area with my companion. I just love her :) We have so much fun together!

Let me just tell you about all the amazing people in my life. First being one of the members of our YSA ward- Devan. He returned from his mission in November and we literally call on him for everything!! This week he brought our investigator, Amoni to church! Amoni is from Congo and doesn't understand very much english. But as he reads his Swahili Book of Mormon, he knows that it is true! Even though he doesn't understand us in lessons, he knows that the Spirit is what truly makes him happy. His response to any question or comment is "Yes.. Good..." hahahaa that is it. He is so humble and so kind.

We also picked up two new investigators in our YSA ward- Isaac and Joaquin!! We ate dinner with them and Annie from the ward came too!! Isaac made loompia (yeah... I don't know how you spell it but its Filipino!!) AND WE ATE BUGS! They are chinese weevils and they are supposed to have a lot of healing properties and give you natural energy. Hahahahahaa I haven't laughed so hard in a while! Isaac put 10 in a cup and then put some water in it. I was super hesitant to drink it but he goes "Hurry hurry!! You can't let them drown! You have to drink them alive!!" So Sister Christensen and I freaked out and then drank it super fast hahaa It all happened way too fast and I'm not sure I liked the feeling of creepy crawlies on the roof of my mouth, but it was a once in a lifetime experience!!

After dinner, we shared a message from the scriptures about service and the light of Christ and somehow Isaac got to the topic of prophets. We taught and testified of needing prophets today and invited them to learn more and they were all about it!! Ah man, I just love this work! It has brought me closer to God and I am so grateful that I have been able to witness and help others do the same.

One night after planning and a long day in the heat, Sister Christensen goes "All I want right now is a popsicle!!!" I was looking out our front window and lo and behold- "Well guess who's here!!" Brother Brown, one of our Ward Mission Leaders brought us free popsicles from the ice cream truck! Picture attached :)

Happy Days Ahead :) :)

xoxo
Sister Boyce

Tan Lines and Converts

So some quick updates in my life:

1. I HAVE A WATCH TAN LINE and couldnt be prouder of it:) We spent a lot of our day in Hagerman on exchanges walking and I was FRIED.
2. Chick-fil-A had a cow appreciation day and we got caught in all the mayhem. LOTS of people saw our tags that day because we were the only ones not dressed like cows hahaa and I've introduced Sister Christensen to frosted lemonade...
3. Emails starting next week will only be for an hour. I REPEAT ONE HOUR!
4. Last night, we visited with the Bishop in one of our new wards. He commented that he is grateful to have normal, upbeat, outgoing missionaries. Guess what folks, I'M APPARENTLY STILL NORMAL!! hahahaa maybe it's just because we are serving in a YSA. :)

Kelsey Johnson- She's a new investigator this week! She has three little girls and her husband (well, soon to be married...) isn't a member either! They were taught in Hansen, but never baptized. She wants to be baptized and told us yesterday that she was SO grateful we invited her to church because she wouldn't have been able to do it on her own! She has cancer and a lot of health complications, but knows how the Savior has played a role in all of it! She has seen miracles!

Fahlsings- Brother Fahlsing had his interview with the Mission President and all went well!! Now we wait for First Presidency approval!! We stopped by to see them the other night and they were working on their car. They said they were saving up to get new brakes. They don't have much, but they give it all. I am sure if they didn't spend their time serving others and giving money to others who need it more than they, they would probably have the money to spend on new brakes. I JUST LOVE THEM!! All they do is serve!! And Sister Fahlsing is already being such a great missionary with her family!!

Isaac and Joaquin- They are potential investigators in our YSA ward and they cousins. They are the biggest clowns I think I've ever met!!! Cam- you'd get a kick out of this guy hahaha one of them has CRAZY dreds hahahaa (can you guess by their names which one it is?) Joaquin said something super blonde and he said he was blonde before he stuck a fork in the socket. hahahahahahaa pointing to his hair he said his dreds were the result hahaha

JACK BLESSED THE SACRAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY!! Being able to witness that was such a special blessing. He is so great and SO converted. This is one that will never fall away. His example is one that I constantly look to. I hope to be more like him when I grow up :)

Love you all so much! Hope you have a great week!

Happy Days Ahead,

xoxo
Sister Boyce

"WE BREACHED THE PERIMETER!!"

This week was a good one:) I spent a lot of time out of our area, so I am happy to be back and have almost a full week here!!

To celebrate Independence day, our district had a BBQ at the church and played games on the field! I love these missionaries!

Tuesday, Sister Christensen and I drove into Boise for Missionary Leadership Council. WE BREACHED THE PERIMETER!! We videoed as we drove past the usual Mountain Home exit, which is the farthest West I have ever been in the mission! IS THIS REALLY ALLOWED!?! hahaha it was so fun! Everyone had told us that we would know which exit we were supposed to take to get to the mission office because the underpass was so big, it even had lights. that's when you know that these people have never been to a real city. IT EVEN HAS LIGHTS!! hahaha we left at 9 am and got home at 8 pm... what a day. But the training was great. Our new Mission President, President Bartlett, is all about rules. He has helped me see obedience to all of the commandments, including the missionary handbook, in a completely different light!

On Wednesday, we exchanged with FILER!! I was so happy to be back:) The Filer sisters are in a trio, so Sister Nelson (my last comp :) ), Sister Whaley, and I had a great day filled with so many miracles. Meanwhile, Sister Christensen and Sister Starkey had a finding miracle. They were driving to contact a family, and Sister Christensen felt the need to stop and talk to a girl sitting on the front porch of a house they passed. Her name is Emily, and she had met my old zone leaders in the south stake. She is at a seriously low place in her life and struggling with addictions. The gospel of Jesus Christ can help all of that! The shame, the guilt, the addictions, EVERYTHING that she was facing could be covered by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. She said that she needed to change her life around. Those that are ready for a change in their life are the ones that we seek. They are prepared. I can't wait to meet this girl.

Saturday afternoon was also filled with miracles. We went to contact a YSA referral. We knocked on the door and a lady answered. She welcomed us in. As we talked with her, it became evident that this was not where the YSA referral, Amani, lived. But it was also as equally evident that we were there by coincidence. She thought that the Bishop of the family ward there had sent us. She said that the two granddaughters that were living with her, one was baptized and the other was not. She too said that she has thought about becoming a member and all she would have to do is give up coffee! We were in awe as we left their home. They too had been prepared. We walked out and found that we had knocked on the wrong number house!! hahaa we searched for Amani's actual house and could find him. As we walked back to the car, we made a comment that we just needed to talk to the Elders in that area to see what was up. AND LO AND BEHOLD THEY WERE ACROSS THE STREET. AND THEY KNEW AMANI. We have been so blessed.

Thank you for taking the time to read my experiences! Thank you for your influence in my life. Without it, I would not be where I am today. Love you all!!

happy days ahead :)
xoxo
Sister Boyce

 ^^Our Zone Leaders, Elders Wihongi and Nilsson cooking up a storm!!

 ^^after district games :)

 ^^NORTH ZONE REPRESENT - at our new Boise Mission Office:)
^^north zone prideeee

10 months, 2 baptisms, 1 day

Saturday, July 2nd, marked Sister Christensen and I's 10 months on the mission!! And I honestly can't think of a better way to celebrate 10 months than having 2 baptisms in 1 day!

First, let's back up a bit hahaa We had the some of the REALEST days on Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday we had exchanges with the TF Temple sisters and Sister Merrell came to our area. We met with one of the investigators from one of our new wards, Tom Smith, and he said that once he knows that the Book of Mormon is true, he will be baptized! He's an older man and has been meeting with missionaries FOREVER but we are going to try and set a baptismal date with him this week to put his faith to the test!! Later that night, we set a baptismal date with Eli Jensen, for August 27th! (AND HE CAME TO JACK'S BAPTISM ON SATURDAY!! :) ) His wife is a member and returning to activity!

Then on Thursday, we had some pretty cool experiences with people being placed in our path. We were finishing up some planning at the church before our last lesson with Kaleb. There was a lady down at the other side of the church field. We decided to go and talk to her. The first thing she asked us was if we could pray for her. Come to find out that she took lessons from missionaries in California before she moved here and hasn't seen missionaries since! She said, "You know, you start meeting with missionaries and praying and your life starts changing." She might have to be taught by the Hermanas, but still a super cool experience. Then we went to Little Ceasar's for dinner because the member that was feeding us was going to be out of town. There was a young man sitting outside the shop and we offered him some pizza. He gladly accepted. We asked if there was any way we could help him and he said no. We testified of how much the Savior has helped us in our lives and how He can help us in any of our situations. There are so many people all around that don't know who the Savior is. It is our responsibility to help and invite those people to make changes so that they can know and feel and ACT for themselves upon the enabling and freeing power of His infinite Atonement.

Jack's baptism was incredible. It was so Spirit-filled. He is one amazing young man and has been completely prepared for this time. Brother Pulliam, the Young Men's President, said that Jack was an answer to many prayers. I know he was definitely an answer to mine. As we sang the closing hymn, I was having a hard time leading the music. My heart was so full of gratitude to have been able to witness the miracle of seeing Jack baptized. As he made covenants with our Heavenly Father and left behind his old life, I just know that there are big things ahead of him. And I almost hugged him... hahahaa it took so much for me not to.

Kaleb's baptism was so great too. He is so pure and such a great example of living the gospel of Jesus Christ and finding JOY despite his family situation. He is one of a kind.

They were both confirmed on Sunday morning and Jack was ordained to the priesthood by his best friend. Our ward has a temple trip on Thursday and someone approached Jack to ask if they could get together to get a name for him to take to do proxy baptisms for. His response was, "ohh I already have two names!!" HE'S STRAIGHT GOLD. I'll be back here in a year for his farewell :)

Happy 4th of July!! This nation founded was founded "In God We Trust." I hope you are able to thank God for the many freedoms that you enjoy in this great country!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

Byeeeeeee Twin Falls Mission

Another great week serving the Lord here in Twin Falls! It is the last week the mission office is open before our merge with Boise on the 1st! We had to go in to pick up our area books with all of the information for our two new wards and saw them moving everything out to the Idaho Falls Mission Office. It was super surreal and sad. I will miss having a place that we can gather as missionaries and mission staff that really felt like home. It has become a sacred place for all of us.

Something I wanted to write about last week was our thankful prayer day. Instead of humbly petitioning for the Lord's help before our appointments and throughout the day, we were challenged by a member to take an entire day devoted to only giving thanks. WOW. It was way harder than it should have been. We would always start to ask for something and then turn it around to make it something we were grateful for. It definitely started a lot of laughing during prayers because we kept slipping up hahaa But it made me realize how totally dependant we are on the Lord. And how much we truly have to be grateful for.

On the flip side, our two new wards ROCK!! We met one of our progressing investigators in the Harrison ward, the Fahlsing family, and they are some of the most incredible people I have ever met. They just love the gospel so much and feel so blessed to have it as part of their life. She told us her conversion story, and to see where she came from and where she is going is a miracle. Hearts change when we allow the Savior into our lives.

CHRISTIAN IS DOING SO GOOD!! The one that just got out of jail? yeah, he rocks. He even brought a friend to our lesson because he knows that the gospel would help him. Look at him, he's already being a missionary. :) We found out that he is on probation until May of 2017... but if he goes to church consistently for four months, a letter can be written to the First Presidency so that he can be baptized! Our lesson on the Plan of Salvation, we related his probation to our life on earth and it was super cool. From that he had a greater understanding.

Jack and Kaleb are getting baptized on Saturday!! WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR THEM!!! Prayers on their behalf would be much appreciated :)

Funny moment of the week: We accidentally called the Zone Leaders as we were climbing the stairs to someones apartment. We heard yelling and thought it was coming from across the street, but it was them on the phone!! hahahahahahaaa it was awesome.

Love you all!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

This one's going to be short.

WOW WHAT A WEEK!! Transfers are tomorrow and Sister Christensen and I are picking up two more wards!! Our district is merging too, so guess who will now be in my district.... SISTER MERRELLL!!!! WOOOOOOO!

This week, as we met with Anes, we were reading in the scriptures in 1 Nephi 8. His face just lit up and he said, "That is true!" Even though there is a bit of a language barrier as he speaks Arabic, we have been able to talk with him, and the Spirit is truly the one that is able to teach him.

Love you all!!
xoxo
Sister Boyce

Blessed.

Sister Christensen and I have had a super blessed week.

We were able to set TWO BAPTISMAL DATES!!! Jack (17) and Kaleb (9) will both be baptized on July 2nd!! We are so excited for them to further their progression in following the Savior. When we invited Kaleb to be baptized, his response was, "Mmmm. Double Yes! Yes! Yes!!" He's got so much fire!

Jack came to our Book of Mormon class on Thursday night and he honestly made it. We were reading from 1 Nephi 8 about Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. He talked about how a year ago he would have NEVER thought that he would be the type of person who was attending church weekly or living God's commandments because they aren't the ways of the world. Tears filled my eyes as he shared with the class how he was able to find the teachings of Christ and how they have blessed his life. I couldn't help but be filled with complete gratitude. Jack knows what is possible because of Jesus Christ. He knows how He plays a role in his life every single day. A year ago, he wasn't the same person and had no desire to change. But change for the better comes through the infinite Atonement provided by our Savior and has brought him so much peace and joy that the world cannot offer.

Another experience I had this week that made me truly grateful for the knowledge that I have been blessed with was meeting Dale. He lives in an assisted living home. As he showed us pictures of his kids, he started to cry, sharing with us that he had lost one of his sons. He was filled with sorrow because he doesn't know what happens after this life. I am so grateful to know that we can see those that we love after this life! Being able to share that with him was an experience I will never forget.

We also have started teaching an investigator in our YSA ward who just got out of prison. He's got a hard background but has read the Book of Mormon, knows it is true and has a desire to be baptized! He is working towards being baptized and preparing for a mission. His story reminds me of the one we watched in MLC (missionary leadership council).

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/his-grace/from-gang-member-to-good-man

Hope ya'll have a great week! Sure love you all! :)

xoxo
Sister Boyce

Change. It's the only constant.

I LOVE SERVING WITH SISTER CHRISTENSEN!! She is from Herriman, UT and is super hard working. Attached is a picture of us under the Twin sign:)

Highlight of the week: We've started teaching Kaleb. He is nine years old and possibly my favorite person on the entire planet. When we taught him about how Christ gave the Priesthood to 12 of his apostles and explained that the Priesthood was the authority and power given from God to His children to act in His name for the salvation of all of His children, his face lit up and his jaw dropped. He was in awe. All he could say was WOW!! He truly understood the importance and the significance of that authority. When it was taken from the earth for a time, because people rejected the teachings of Christ, there was a need for it to be restored. Not until the earth was prepared and people were sincerely searching in a free country could it be restored.

I know that the church we have today is the same organization that Christ established in his short, but powerful ministry. That is the message that we bring to people. Being HALFWAY done with my mission, my hope is that I can continue to share it with as many people as I can. Now and post mission.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

It's transfer time AGAIN

I literally don't know how the last six weeks happened so fast. It seems like just yesterday I got the letter that I would be going to Twin. AND IM STAYING IN TWIN TO BE JOINED BY SISTER CHRISTENSEN!!!! I came out with her, but didn't know her until we got to the field. On our first day of orientation, we were able to practice teaching lessons together! I knew that I would be super privileged and blessed if I ever got to serve with her. We also went on exchanges in Mountain Home this past transfer and I JUST LOVE HER!! Here's to at least three weeks with her :)

So because our mission is combining with Boise the first of July, this transfer will be split in half so that we can get on the transfer schedule of the Boise mission. Which means the office in Twin is shutting down. Any mail scheduled to get to the mission office in Twin on or before June 28th should be sent to the Boise Mission Office:

1111 S. Cole Rd.
Boise, ID 83709
SPREAD THE WORD!!

All in all, this week was a good one. :) We have one place in our ward that we can do a lot of contacting. It's where we met "the CREW"!!! There are a ton of refugees there and we always talk to all the kids that are playing outside. They have become some of our favorite people. We are teaching two of them right now, and they actually came to church on Sunday! It was super hard for them to understand, but they wanted to learn so they stayed the full three hours! I am so grateful to be able to work with them because they are so humble. They are humble because they know their relationship with God. They know how blessed they are to have been taken from their home environment and brought by the grace of God to a free country. I have so much US pride and I am grateful to live in this beautiful, free country!!

Happy Memorial Day yall!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

"We see miracles every day."

Today's going to be a quick one:)

This week started out right at the temple. I just love the temple and know that it is truly the House of The Lord. There is so much peace there. Even on the grounds.

Enrique is doing better this week and more people opened their doors! Our zone conference was awesome about our purpose as missionaries. And exchanges in Filer was the best!! I just love it there. Some of the people I was privileged to see there made me cry because my love for them is so great. And it is amazing to see the changes that take place in people when they turn their heart and their will to Christ. We saw miracles that day. We see miracles every day. Some small and otherwise insignificant to other people, but they are there. Even just running into someone with a Patriots hat so that we could start a conversation. :)

happy days ahead :)
Sister Boyce

Knock, Knock.... Knock Knock KNOCKKNOCKKNOCK

This was a week. But a discouraging week doesn't make a discouraged missionary!! Well... most of the time hahaa. But when we do all we can, we have to leave the rest to the Lord.

It was a rough week on Sister Nelson and I. Starting with Enrique. When things fall apart with his love life, literally EVERYTHING else falls apart. He told us that he had thought about just walking away from the church and everything else in his life. Poor kid, he doesn't have great self-esteem.

Thursday we decided it would be a great idea to do our planning outside!! Good idea, right? WRONG. Sister Nelson and I were BURNT hahahahaa but its all good. I've got some color now on my right arm and left leg! ... hahaa

On Friday, all of our appointments canceled. So we contacted all day. And NO ONE was home. We knocked on at least 30 doors of former investigators, less active, and part member families. Even some active ones!! And no one answered the door. We finally texted our district leader and asked where everyone in Twin was...  His response was "Straight up nobody is home! It's because it's Friday the 13th. We straight up tried tracting out of desperation today and no one answered then either. And we still have 2 hours..." hahahahaa I think with CSI's graduation (College of Southern Idaho) we just weren't having ANY luck. And even with all of our days of contacting this week, we haven't found any new investigators ready to hear what we have to say.

So I hope whenever missionaries walk down the street or they knock on your door, you don't run inside and hide. People have literally run from us... hahaa not sure why but... because being a missionary isn't all butterflies and rainbows all the time. It gets super hard when no one wants to listen or even just talk to you or when all your appointments cancel. WE ARE NORMAL PEOPLE TOO, not just Jesus freaks (although Jesus is always the answer. we found that on a bus as we were driving around Twin hahahaa). Twin is super different too because everyone here is either Mormon or they hate us. And some are just straight rude.

I take great comfort in the scripture in 3 Nephi 12, "11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake; 12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you." If anything, this week has helped me have greater appreciation for the prophets who were persecuted and for the Savior. Who descended below all so that none of us would ever have to walk alone.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!! We have a super bomb week ahead of us. Temple today, exchanges IN FILER tomorrow, and Zone Conference on Thursday!! WOOOO!

happy days ahead

xoxo
Sister Boyce

Missionaries Don't Date...

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: Enrique was dunked!! This kid is just so great. He gives 100% to the Lord all the time. He told us after his baptism that he really appreciated everything people did for him on "his big day" but in all reality, he said it was truly just the Lord's day. He is so humble. So much better than I ever will be.

LAUGHED HARDEST WHEN: Sister Nelson and I asked one of our investigators to go on a "date" with him... Obviously we were kidding... but we just wanted to see how he was doing. His family isn't very supportive of him and there is a lot of contention in the home. So he likes to meet with us other places. He didnt understand that missionaries dont date hahaha he got a kick out of it. BHAHAHAA I laughed SO HARD!! HAHAHA his response was "Wait should i bring someone with me...?" lollll

MISS YALL
xoxo

D&C 20:37

WOW. WHAT A WEEK!!

Today, I am going to tell a story.

I am so grateful that I am serving in Twin for the sole reason that it is where the temple is. On Thursday, our investigator in the YSA ward, Enrique, was really struggling. We met with him and because of his depression, he asked for some space.

Sister Nelson and I were heart broken. So many prayers were offered in his behalf. Our faith was truly being tested.

On Friday, he texted us and told us that he didn't want to give up anymore and asked when we could meet with him. We planned to meet him the next day at the temple. Obviously we couldn't go in with him, but we walked around the temple grounds and talked about what goes on inside and the importance of the work that is done there. The Spirit on those grounds was SO STRONG. He could feel it. It is the best when investigators realize that what they are feeling is the Spirit, because that is what truly converts!!

A few days before I had gotten here, Sister Anderson and Sister Nelson extended a baptismal date with him for May 7th. As we walked around the temple, we reviewed the baptismal interview questions. Enrique is a super bright kid and really relies on the Lord. He said that he was still waiting for a confirmation whether or not he should be baptized on the 7th. We bore our testimonies of what it meant to me to take upon ourselves the name of Christ. We invited him to pray while he was there on the grounds, but he still left uncertain.

I don't know what changed, but he texted us later that night. The text is attached. I don't know how he found this scripture, but D&C 20:37 is what we as missionaries use as the qualifications of baptism.

The Lord will always answer our prayers!!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

Note from Carly: Here is D&C 20:37 -->  "And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church."

TWIN TAKE OVER

Heyoo from Twin <3

This week has been NUTS!! I left a piece of my heart in Filer, but am excited to be serving here in Twin with Sister Nelson! Serving in a YSA ward is super different than a family ward. But we have this one super awesome investigator, Enrique, who has a baptismal date for May 7th!! He's so golden. At the end of our lesson on Saturday, he said the closing prayer and said, "I pray every day that Thy will be done." It was such a good reminder for me that God has a plan for each of His children. And as we submit ourselves to His will instead of our own, He can make so much more out of us than we could ever make out of ourselves.

While I was sitting in sacrament meeting at church on Sunday, I came across the following hymn. The words deeply touched my heart.

Savior, Redeemer of My Soul

1. Savior, Redeemer of my soul,
Whose mighty hand hath made me whole,
Whose wondrous pow'r hath raised me up
And filled with sweet my bitter cup!
What tongue my gratitude can tell,
O gracious God of Israel.

2. Never can I repay thee, Lord,
But I can love thee. Thy pure word,
Hath it not been my one delight,
My joy by day, my dream by night?
Then let my lips proclaim it still,
And all my life reflect thy will.

3. O'errule mine acts to serve thine ends.
Change frowning foes to smiling friends.
Chasten my soul till I shall be
In perfect harmony with thee.
Make me more worthy of thy love,
And fit me for the life above.

The Savior, Jesus Christ, personally and perfectly knows each one of us. His mighty hand can make us whole. I can never repay Him for the sacrifice He so willingly performed for me, but I can show my gratitude by the way that I love. In the way that I love Him and my neighbor. Those are the two greatest commandments. None of us will ever be able to perfectly love as the Savior did, but we can be filled with that kind of love on occasion. And the more frequent those occasions, the more we become like the Savior. THAT is when we can become "in perfect harmony" with our Father in Heaven and with His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Turn to them, and be filled with Their perfect love.

I was blessed this week to be able to feel of Their infinite love for Enrique. I had just met him, but was overcome with the love that our Heavenly Father and the Savior have for Him. What a great blessing.

Happy days ahead :)

xoxo
Sister Boyce

Transfers

TRANSFERS WOOOO!!

I am actually so sad to leave Filer. It has become home. I love these people and will always have a place in my heart for them. I am thankful to my Heavenly Father who allowed me to serve in Filer at the time that I did and who helped us every step of the way. What a great experience. My relationship to Him and to the Savior, Jesus Christ, has been hugely strengthened in this area.  

AND I'LL BE SERVING IN TWIN FALLS!! Twin 6th Ward and the YSA Ward! It is going to be WAY different only having two areas, after having three then FIVE hahaa and I've never served in a Young Single Adult ward!! I am so excited to finally interact with people my age again that aren't missionaries hahaa. I'll be in the same zone as Sister Lima (first district in MoHo), Sister Merrell (who I trained!! SO HAPPYY!!) and Elder Udall (from the MTC!)!! It's going to be great :) I was on exchanges in this area a couple of weeks ago and I'm so excited to serve there full time!

This week, I've been thinking a lot about the Savior's Earthly Ministry. I've started reading from the New Testament this week. I love the Book of Mormon, but reading directly from the words of the Savior Himself is very different. We have also started teaching the Nevarez Family. They are AWESOME people. We haven't been able to meet with all of them super consistently because they've got a crazy situation (literally?.. what's new.) BUT they have a strong desire to be baptized! Because we are teaching them, I've been thinking a lot about the family and God's plan for families. As I think about the families that we are meeting with and their needs/goals as a family, I've thought a lot about what I want for my future family. One of the most important things that I want to be able to teach my children is found in Joshua 24:15.

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

My greatest hope is that the service that I render now will be a pattern for the rest of my life. I am so thankful for parents who taught me to put God first in my life- to serve Him and love Him with all energy of heart. When we do that, He makes more out of our lives than we ever could. Thank you, mom and dad. I hope I can raise a family like you raised us.


Much love from Filer to wherever you are. <3


xoxo
Sister Boyce

Miracles Have Never Ceased

HI FAMILY!!

WHAT A WEEK!!! It's been CRAZY packed! I don't have much time today to write, but just know that I am doing great and LOVING this mission! Transfers are next week and we found SEVEN new investigators this week!

Moroni 7:29 - "And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men."

Look all around you. If you woke up this morning with a heart beat, is that not miracle enough? There is a God. I know that He lives! He created us and His hand is in our lives daily. Search for it. Search for HIM! He is there!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

I JUST LOVE THIS

Hi YALL!!

My title of this could say it all. I JUST LOVE THIS. I love being a missionary. I love this area and I love these people. I love the teachings of Jesus Christ. I love General Conference and the words of modern prophets. I love the words of ancient prophets found in sacred scripture. I love being able to see the joy that comes into these people's lives as they choose to live the teachings of Christ. I love being separated from the things of the world so that I am able to represent the Savior in all that I do and say. And above all else, I love the Savior and our Heavenly Father.

My mom would tell me that I say "I love" way too frequently. And maybe I did at home, but I tryly do LOVE this great and marvelous work!! I am so grateful for the opportunity and privileged to be part of it!

For those of you that don't know, General Conference is a world wide broadcast from the prophet and apostles that happens twice a year. Their inspired words come directly from our Heavenly Father through the Spirit. I love this article written about what our dear Prophet, President Monson, taught this conference. I'll write some more take aways next week. :)

Besides Conference, it was truly an amazing week. We have seen the Lord's hand increasing our efforts ten fold as 3 new investigators have been placed in our path. Miracles do happen, folks. We've been contacting some former investigators and one in particular who (due to past experiences) has a really hard time trusting males, welcomed us in and is open to learning. She has expressed a desire to be baptized, not particularly in ours, but she sees it as a very important step in her own personal progression and wants to take it very seriously. This area truly was prepared for sisters. Another investigator this week believes more in science than faith and has a lot of questions. But he is open to learning and asked us how we know what we know to be true. And as we were talking about that, he asked us, "Well, so then what is the next step?" Sister Weiler and I rejoiced. That was one of the happiest moments. The third investigator found us. We were walking back to our car after a dinner appointment and a lady was walking through the neighborhood with her daughter on their way home from the park. She yelled to us and asked if we were the sisters. We walked over to her to find that she had been looking for us since she moved into Filer. She was taking the missionary discussions in Twin but stopped because she couldn't be baptized while on probation. We talked with her, gave her a Book of Mormon, testified of Christ, and set an appointment to talk with her and her fiance this week. I love this area and I love being a missionary! Our daily prayers to find those that have been prepared are being heard and answered as we continually show our faith.

Miss you all! Thanks for your constant support and prayers! Keep me updated on all your crazy lives:) Love you all!

So many happy days ahead-
xoxo
Sister Boyce