Beliefs

Monday, February 29, 2016

TRANSFERS AND LOTS OF LOVE

HI YALL!!

Forgive me for not writing much the past couple of weeks. Today's email will be a little bit longer to make up for it! :)

TRANSFER UPDATE: Sister Weiler and I will be staying in Filer!! Thank goodness, because we are just getting to know the area!

So you may remember that guy we told you about, our new investigator that we met while we were looking for directions. The three investigators that we have found while being here have all up and moved without telling us... what the heck people. Do you not want to be happy? hahahaa Satan works so hard on people. Once we meet them and they feel the Spirit, he swoops in and causes some huge life change to happen. But I know we left a good and lasting impression! Sometimes, we just plant seeds for other missionaries down the road.

Last week I talked a little bit about how I've become a bit obsessed with studying. Alma 34 is one chapter i've been thinking a lot about recently. It talks about the infinite sacrifice of our Savior. The Savior of the world performed a sacrifice for us that is unending, unlimited, and infinite. It covers all. And as we turn our hearts to Him, we will be able to partake more fully of the JOY that comes from using the Atonement as described in Lehi's vision of the tree of life. 1 Nephi 8 has been another huge focus of this week. As we partake of the Atonement and allow it to strengthen us and uplift us, through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith, we are filled with pure joy and a greater desire to share it with all those around us.

If you've ever felt discouraged, read 2 Nephi 4. This has become another one of my favorite chapters in all of the Book of Mormon. Nephi teaches us what we can do when we become discouraged. Verses 15 and 16 talk about studying and pondering over the scriptures. Verses 19-21 say we must trust in the Lord. In verse 24, Nephi exhorts us to engage in mighty prayer. Verses 28-30 talk about how we can rejoice if we build our foundation on the Savior. And then in verse 32, it talks about how we must humble ourselves and repent. If we follow this pattern, we truly can rejoice and be uplifted!

My heart is filled with so much gratitude today. Not only for the scriptures, but for the members here in our area. We have been blessed beyond belief. Anything that we have been in need of but didn't have the means to get it, has been provided for by the members. I am so grateful for the support we constantly have here and my love for these people is unreal. They are constantly looking outside of themselves to bless the lives of those around them and listen and ACT on the promptings of the Spirit.

One of those families is actually the the Koyles, who we are currently teaching the wife:) This week at their lesson, we taught them the Word of Wisdom lesson. Because God created us and blessed us with a physical body like His, we are expected to live a health code He established. AND THEY WERE SO ACCEPTING OF IT! It was awesome to see how they truly desire to follow the Savior and live the commandments established by His mouthpieces- the prophets.

We have a potential investigator our in the Hollister Branch!! We met with a less active lady, given as a referral from our dinner appointment on Saturday. Her daughter is not a member and was asking us a ton of questions about what we did as missionaries. We talked about our purpose and how we bring others truth that could make them happier. As I thought about that experience the next day in sacrament meeting, I was overwhelmed again by the JOY that is a direct result of seeing the progression of those around us as they come unto Christ. That is what brings us true joy!! I am so grateful for the joy I feel each day as I myself partake of the Atonement and help others do the same!! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

Monday, February 22, 2016

FILER

HEY FAM AND FRIENDS!!

Another week down here in Filer! It is really kinda scary how fast this transfer has gone by.

So I have a problem. I'm a little bit addicted to studying. Specifically studying the Book of Mormon. That thing is a GEM!! If you haven't read it, read it. It will give you more hope for a brighter future and peace to be able to endure whatever you may be facing now. And all because it is centered on the Savior Himself. Something I've been thinking about a lot recently is Alma 34. If we repent, we each as individuals fit into God's plan. It is individualized for each of us as we choose to repent.

Love you all!

xoxo
Sister Boyce

Monday, February 15, 2016

Just a little taste of Filer

HEY FAM JAM!!

Sorry I didn't put together an email last week. Time totally slipped away from me! But I want to update yall on life here in Filer:)

Monday nights, missionaries have always had dinner with the Templemans. They are an older couple in Filer that were in the young adult branch FOREVER. They are so fun and have college age kids running through their house all the time. You'll be hearing a lot about them I think hahahaa

In our district meeting on Tuesday, we had a training on listening and asking inspired questions. Right after our meeting, we went over to have a lesson with Sister Chavez who is a less active member and recent convert of two years. In that lesson, the Spirit was so strong, and we were able to ask the right questions for her to increase her understanding and faith in Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the tools we have been given as missionaries that help us to bring the Spirit with us more strongly everywhere we go.

Something I've been thinking a lot about this week is how the Holy Ghost works with each of us. We had an excommunicated member in one of our wards get baptized again this last week. This process has taken him 16 years. We were talking with him about how the gift of the Holy Ghost has been working with him this last week since the confirmation. He said sometimes he doesn't know when it is his own thoughts and when it comes from the Spirit. I love Moroni 7:13, 16-17 along with President Hinckley's advice: "That's the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil... and if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you. You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit- that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is the Spirit of God." Sometimes we don't always know for sure, but if it is good then it is of God. And sometimes we don't recognize that the Spirit guided us to action until after it has happened. I am so thankful for the influence of the Spirit in each of our lives and am thankful for the mission rules that help us missionaries have it with us as much as possible.

I had an "I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY MOMENT" this week. I don't even remember who it was with or where we were, but this lady was talking to us about what we do as missionaries and I was filled with the greatest gratitude and love for the gospel and the opportunity I have to share it each day. This gospel is what makes me so happy and I love sharing it ever day.

Elder Bean says hi. He's the coolest ZL.

Love you all!! Hope you are finding joy in every step of this crazy journey we call life! :)

Lots of love from Filer, Idaho!!
XOXO
Sister Boyce

Monday, February 1, 2016

Opening our Mouths

HEYO!!

So this week is another quick emailing session. It has been a CRAZY P-day, but I promise next week I will have my full time on the computer.

This week we got lost. Actually we get lost on the daily here because our GPS isn't updated and I haven't quite figured out Filer's dang grid system yet hahahaa SO we were lost and it was about 830 at night. And there were these two guys standing outside their house smoking. Looked kinda sketch not going to lie. But I learned so much that night. We pulled over and asked them for directions. As we got talking with them, we asked how long they had been in the area and told them we had only been there for a couple weeks. We asked if they had ever seen missionaries before and one of them said he hadn't. He moved here 8 months ago from Missouri and was going to church there but hadn't found one in Filer yet. (SCORE!!) We talked about our purpose as missionaries and we asked if he would want to know more- if he would want to strengthen his relationship with God. He said he would like to and gave us his number...

The story continues... but until next time, just remember that God puts people in your path for a reason. And He has promised that as we open our mouths, they will be filled (D&C 84:85). Ask yourself everyday why God would put you next to the person you are standing in line next to at the store, or those that you meet on your way to work, or seriously anyone in your sphere of influence. There is a reason.

Love you all so much!!

xoxox
Sister Boyce