LAST ONE

18 months has FLOWN!! Its mixed feelings all the way around. Sister Rees always says, "It's a happy/sad!" and my response is always "No it's JUST. SAD!" Both wards were surprised yesterday to hear that I was going home, but I couldn't ask for a better last area!

Sister Rees and I have seen miracles the last couple of days!! In our conversation over MyPlan about goals, I reflected a lot on the goals I have set for my mission and for this last transfer. I thought about this past weeks goal to find  3 new investigators and have 2 at sacrament meeting. Things at that point weren't looking like we were going to meet our goals. But we had faith and patience. On Friday morning, I ended my studies and prayed fervently that we would be able to share the message of the Restoration and the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with someone that day. During district meeting, Elder Mouser asked us to all write down a goal that we had for the rest of the transfer. The goal I wrote down was "We will find someone that will have a desire to be taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ." At that point, I didn't care if they were in our area or not. I just wanted to meet someone that had the desire to learn and draw nearer to Christ. Everyone else that we've found since being here has dropped us. After district meeting, we decided to go tracting and contact some referrals on a street where a sweet old lady of our ward lives. Everyone loves her and so we thought we'd talk to all her neighbors! Sister Rees and I both felt inspired to knock on a certain green house. Unlike any other house that I've tracted to, a man named Jerry invited us in with his girlfriend. As we talked with him, we talked, taught, and testified of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. He agreed to read it! It was a wonderful experience. My prayers were heard and answered. One new investigator.

On Sunday, the Moore couple came to church with some of the Self Reliance Missionaries. During the second hour, we taught them the first part of the Restoration. They are in a tough situation. Lost their house over the winter, she is living in a women's homeless shelter, he is living in his truck, and the custody of their 8 kids is on the line. Their hearts were humble and prepared. They had a desire to learn. With tear filled eyes, I taught and testified that the Heavenly Father loves them and their family and living the gospel will bless their family so abundantly. They have a long road ahead. But as they embrace the Restored Gospel, they can find greater happiness in this life. Sister Moore and I had this connection. I don't know how to describe it other than I felt a little bit like Ammon teaching King Lamoni. The Spirit helped me to speak to her needs. It happened multiple times. She said "Everything that you just said, was a question in my mind an hour ago during sacrament meeting." and "I think you're the first person that really understands my relationship with God." Wow. It was a powerful experience. We are meeting again with them tonight. Those were investigators two and three. AND our two at sacrament meeting. What a wonderful end to a week of hard work and perseverance.

I know that Christ lives! Because of a simple heartfelt prayer, a prophet of God was called again to Restore His Gospel! The appearance of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith changed the course of the world forever!! I am so grateful to have been able to share that message of a loving Heavenly Father that has restored original truths today! The Book of Mormon IS evidence of that Restoration, and because of it I know that Christ lives!! I have worn His name over my heart for the last 18 months and I will continue to represent Him because His name has been engraved on my heart. I will praise Him forever! And I will give glory to God for sending His Son. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

EXTRA LOVE
xoxo
Sister Boyce

WHAT A WEEK

Hi All!! Just around the corner from my last email and then I'll be able to talk to all of you in real time! Hope you enjoy this weeks :)

happy days ahead,
Sister Boyce

(Sister Boyce sent an audio which I have not uploaded here - but enjoy the picture she also sent! Also, she will be home in 1 week and 1 day from today - so if you want to send her one last note in the mail or email now is the time to do it! Thank you for supporting Sister Boyce. We love her and are proud of her. We are so thankful for all of you too! We know she has such a good support system! We love you all.  - Carly)

^^THIS IS CARL <3

recap of the week 2!!! - audio

SUPER LOVE MY COMPANION!! So there's that.

Have a wonderful week!!
xoxo
Sister Boyce

(Sister Boyce sent an audio that I haven't been able to upload here - but enjoy the pictures below!)

^^All the sisters at MLC!! (so many more than necessary.) hahaha but I LOVE THEM! I have been companions with many of them :) 

^^CAPITOL

^^super love these missionaries. District FAMILY

change - the only constant and the purpose and life

Here's what you get for today!! Some exciting news!
Love you all! Thanks for making me the person I am today :)

Happy Days Ahead
xoxo


NOTE FROM HER SISTER, CARLY: Sister Boyce emailed an audio recording and I can't figure out how to attach it! The exciting news is that last week during the world wide missionary broadcast new changes were announced to their schedule (they get two extra hours on p-day, they can go to bed earlier at 9:30 if they want, plus a host of other things), and they have new key indicators (4 instead of 9 - the new ones are 1 baptized and confirmed, 2 baptismal date set, 3 people that attended sacrament meeting, 4 new investigators).

Thanks for supporting Sister Boyce! She is so thankful for you all!

foothills and luxury heights

This area. I'm dying!! ITS SO BEAUTIFUL!! most of our area is actually in the foothills. one ward is just a small community up in the valley of the foothills where everything is perfect and nothing ever goes wrong. Its exhausting trying to be perfect hahahaa but look up Hidden springs on Google earth. the houses are MANSIONS!! but the members are amazing. So ready and willing to help. Boise 13th ward is WAY different. You still have some that are stupid rich, but it ranges all the way down to the three homeless shelters in our ward. this area is going to be AMAZING!! not much work going on currently, but no better time to tap into that potential than with a whitewash. we are ready and excited! Sister Rees is DARLING! two redheads taking over Boise!! We are going to light it on FIRE! Our mantra for this transfer is "Let's make it happen!" We can do whatever we want in this area. We create the culture and the we know that there are many miracles to be seen in the next couple of weeks. :) She is from Las Vegas (so was my trainer the first six weeks.. :) ) and has been out for six months. She spent all 6 in Jerome, so this is big city living again for her! She also attended BYU for a year after me, so i know ill be seeing her again:)

Our house is TINY!! hahahahaa we guessed about 15x20... This is Sister Rees laying on our floor. She's about 5 foot 2 so you can kinda see what its like based on her size hahahaa

Last night we met one of our investigators for the first time. His name is Carl Alexander and he lives at the Mission (men's homeless shelter). He is AWESOME! The sisters set a date with him for Feb 18. He really recognizes the Spirit. He has a pretty rough past, but is finding himself as he finds the Savior. We took what we learned in district meeting and applied it in our lesson with him. We read Alma 7 and it was a POWERFUL lesson. I really do believe that because of my time here, my nature has changed and I have become more like Christ. It comes easier now, because He has become a bigger part of who I am, to represent Him at all times. For that, I will be forever grateful.

happy days ahead
xoxo

TRANSFER TO BOISE 2

I am being transferred for my last transfer to BOISE 2!! It covers part of downtown Boise, and I'm STOKED!! My new companion will be Sister Rees. I will train her as a new STL and we will be whitewashing! I am seriously going to miss this area that I have grown to love so much with my two Poly companions that have made this transfer so much fun. :) But I know this is what the Lord wants for me!

LOVE YOU LOTS!!
xoxo

Crazy weather here in Boise!

WEVE BEEN STUCK INSIDE FOR THE PAST LIKE TWO DAYS BECAUSE OF THE CRAZY WEATHER!!

I am ready to be out and about, preaching the good word. All day Wednesday we walked. and fell. and walked some more hahahaa and we had a PARTY doing it!! Saturday and Sunday when we had to walk more, we were not as enthused. But still in good spirits. No one wanted to have us hahaa but we pushed out lots of cars and shoveled mountains of snow. Gotta love Boise Central!

I'll send some pictures next week!
xoxo

"The Spirit breaks down any language barriers"

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! For us to be safe, on New Years and Halloween we had to be in our apartment by 6:30. So since my companion, Sister Tokia, doesn't know how to cook hahahaa she wants me to teach her some things. We spent the night planning, updating area books, doing progress records, and then baking pumpkin muffins :) We are actually now in a trio with Sister Fanga'iuiha from Honolulu, Hawaii for the rest of the transfer because her companion went home.... two polys. it's been SUCH a party hahaa and we laugh literally all day long!! im like the most palangi companion ever so we make quite the team hahahaa we are covering 5 wards and its been MADNESS. but i love it :)

Also, you are all going to have to forgive me.... I am still trying to catch up on Birthday emails. AND ITS JANUARY. So please, bear with me if you haven't heard back.

This week, I really have learned that the Spirit breaks down any language barriers. We attended the Spanish Elders baptism on Saturday. And even though I could only understand about a third of what was being said, the spirit was super strong. And it brought to my remembrance many words that I had forgotten. By two companions don't speak a lick (oh my gosh. that's an Idaho phrase for ya...) of Spanish, but they both said they felt the Spirit super strongly too.

Then on Sunday, we went to see our favorite Burmese family <3 and the Spirit testified to me that they are learning and progressing. They read what we left with them and believe that it is true!!

I LOVE THIS WORK!!
happy days ahead :)

xoxo
Sister Boyce

"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