Presents and a Pricked Heart

Holy moly! December is almost over and 2017 is almost here!  Christmas
here in Kentucky was great! We were invited over by Brother and Sister
Wolf and little Zara to celebrate Christmas Eve with them. They put on
a wonderful dinner for us called Riclett (sp?). We got to cook our own
meat and vegetables with different kinds of cheeses. My family knows
how much I love cheese. On Christmas, the T's had us over for
dinner and then allowed us to Skype home to our families. I was so
nervous to call home! I didn't want to be a blubbering mess, but I
kept it together until I had to say goodbye. It was bittersweet, heavy
on the sweet. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas especially as
you turned your attention to The Savior and His birth. How blessed we
are as followers of Christ.

Monday: We taught B, a woman we found through her husband. She
has had lessons from missionaries before, so it was tough trying to
figure out what we needed to teach her. We felt very inspired to teach
her about the commandment of prayer (3 Ne 18:19-20, Matt. 7:7-8, and 2
Ne 32:8-9). It strengthened my testimony of the power of prayer and
who is behind our thoughts when we don't want to pray.

Tuesday: We found A, J, and J while trying to locate a
less-active. They are an amazing and humble family. They invited us
in, and we taught them The Restoration. We have a return appointment
with them, so we're praying they will pray and receive an answer.

Wednesday: Our lesson with D was amaaazing! A few days ago, we
met him on the street near our apartment. The first time we met with
him, he expressed his feelings about his previous church. He said he
didn't like that he was discouraged from reading The Bible and from
thinking for himself. We had left him with the Book of Mormon and The
Restoration pamphlet, and today he was excited to share what he had
read. He said "I know it's true. It's all true. You know it's true by
how you feel." I was dumbfounded. I couldn't believe how prepared he
is! When we extended the baptismal invitation, he said 'yes' right
away. It was so neat to see how receptive he is and how his experience
with other religions has prepared him experiment upon the word and to
choose for himself.

Thursday: We attended our Christmas Conference in New Albany and had a
blast. We received training from the Assistants to the President in
the morning, ate a delicious lunch provided by the ward, and then
played games in teams. It was hilarious. We were The Gadianton
Ballers, and we dominated the cookie stacking and Rudolph nose
contests. President Brough finished out the conference with an
inspired training called "Where Is Your Heart?" He asked us to
consider the story of Lehi and his family. Are we Laman and Lemuel, or
are we Nephi and Sam? It pricked my heart. I wish I identified more
with Nephi and Sam, so I am grateful that I am able to repent, to
change, and to become like Nephi and Sam, true disciples of Christ.

Friday: We started our day with a lesson with A, L,
E, and A. We found them through TWEing, and they are really
great. We hope to continue teaching them and that they will pray about
the proper authority of God. Our next lesson was with A and his
family. Unfortunately, he wasn't home, but his wife and daughter were
happy to read 3 Nephi 11 with us. Oh, the spirit was so strong in the
lesson. We love them so much, especially their little toddler, A.
Our last lesson with with R. We are encouraging her to become
involved in the YSA Ward here and to help her realize her full
potential. We love her so much and can see how the presence of the
gospel in her life has changed her.

Saturday: We didn't have any appointments, so we went looking for
less-actives and potential investigators. I love the diversity of
Arcadia. We get to talk with so many neat people anywhere from Vietnam
to Sudan. The rest of the evening was spent with the W family. I am
so grateful for their generosity and love for us missionaries.

Sunday: We had a cute Christmas program with the ward. I always love
to see those cute Primary kids sing their little hearts out. I wish I
was that cute when I sing off key. Some ward members surprised us with
Christmas gifts, and I about cried. The thoughtfulness of others is
humbling. The time they took to think of us warms my heart and brings
me to my knees. I am so grateful for the kindness of others and to
Heavenly Father for allowing me to be a missionary. Even though it was
hard to see my family, I felt more strongly the love we have for each
other. I am humbled that Heavenly Father chose this path for me.
Serving a mission is incredibly hard. I am tested emotionally every
day. I feel unqualified, but I know that through my Savior, I can
accomplish the things that He has asked of me.

As we prepare for a new year, we have the opportunity to strengthen
our relationship with Christ. We have been given agency, the gift to
choose. I invite you to choose one thing you will do each day to
follow Christ. I promise that as you study the scriptures, pray to
your loving Heavenly Father, and attend church each week, you will
feel of God's love more fully in your lives.

Have a happy new year!

💕Hermana Boyson

Our "ugly" sweaters. We were told they were too cute. 

Our home away from home on Christmas Eve. Thank you, Wolf family!

FaceTime with some of the Boyson bunch. I love my forever family.

Tornado Watch and Time Well Spent

Hi!

6 días más hasta la Navidad! Being a missionary at Christmastime is so
great. I am really enjoying the #LIGHTtheWORLD initiative. Each day is
a new day to follow the example of Jesus Christ and share goodness.

Monday: We had a beautiful lesson with R. She was having a hard day
with some things that happened at work, so we were grateful for the
opportunity to be with her. We shared "He Is The Gift"
(https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1460-he-is-the-gift?lang=eng)
to help bring her some comfort.

Tuesday: A is a relatively recent convert, and we were finally able
to visit her! She speaks really fast, so I have a hard time
understanding her. One day I'll understand. One day. We read in Luke 2
and watched "A Savior is Born" as a reminder of what this time of year
is truly about. Later that evening, we taught a former investigator,
B. She is so sweet. We hope to continue teaching her and
helping her to know of the truthfulness of our message.

Wednesday: The highlight of today was teaching J and M.
I love them so much. Jennifer is a 5th grader so we have a special
connection. :) I had prayed to know how to better reach her in
lessons. I felt very strongly to use The Friend for lessons with her.
Usually she's distracted with her phone or a toy, so I was grateful
for the inspiration I received to teach her in the way she needed. We
read stories about tithing and being kind, and she seemed to do a lot
better. She even asked me to read her the story twice she liked it so
much!

Thursday: District Meeting was fantastic! We learned about being more
diligent in bearing testimony during lessons. You go, Elder Singleton!
We had a great time at our dinner appointment with Sister Guffey. I am
so incredibly grateful for the sweet people here who welcome us into
their homes.

Friday: Sister W, the Primary President, asked us for our help to
hand address (yes, HAND address) 714 envelopes for her work. I was
worried that my RA would cause my hands to ache or become fatigued,
but I didn't feel any pain. God is good.❤️ We got through nine of the
20 pages. Not really much of a dent, but Sister Walsh was grateful for
our help.

Saturday: 70 degrees in December. En serio! F's lesson today was
incredible. Sister V came with us as a member present, and her
testimony and inspired words were so powerful. We taught about the
Book of Mormon and watched "A Book of Mormon Story"
(https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-11-018-a-book-of-mormon-story?lang=eng).
Wow! It was so powerful! The church is true.

Later that day while we were planning, we got a phone call from a
member telling us there was a tornado watch. We came in for an hour or
so, but nothing happened. Just as we were going out to work, it
started to downpour. There was so much rain! Thankfully we were kept
safe, but sadly, no twister this time.

Sunday: F came to church! We finally got a lesson with F!
Our lesson was amazing with The V family! A great, great, GREAT
day. 💕


Merriest Christmas to all of you! At this time of year, we have the
greatest gift of all. Make room for Him in your life. Resolve to
follow Him in simple ways each day. Be of good cheer.

"On that night in Bethlehem there was no room for him in the inn, and
this was not the only time during the thirty-three years of his
sojourn in mortality that there was no room for him. Herod sent
soldiers to Bethlehem to slay the children. There was no room for
Jesus in the domain of Herod, so his parents took him to Egypt. During
his ministry, there were many who made no room for his teachings—no
room for the gospel he taught. There was no room for his miracles, for
his blessings, no room for the divine truths he spoke, no room for his
love or faith. He said to them, “The foxes have holes, and the birds
of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his
head” (Matthew 8:20).

Even in our day, although two thousand years have passed, there are
many who say the same thing that was said on that night in Bethlehem.
“There is no room, no room” (see Luke 2:7). We make room for the
gifts, but sometimes no room is made for the giver. We have room for
the commercialism of Christmas and even pleasure-seeking on the
Sabbath day, but there are times when there is not room for worship.
Our thoughts are filled with other things—there is no room."

❤️✨🎄 Hermana Boyson

Our apartment is decorated thanks to the World's Best Mom. Merry Christmas!

Our investigator, Fidel aka Hermano Feliz. 

Sent from my iPad

Hard Work and Heavenly Blessings

Hola and Hello!

This week has been full of hard work and cold nights, but we have seen
so many blessings. It's been one of the best weeks so far. We got 11
new investigators and set 4 baptismal dates which is really good for
us. Hot dog! I am so grateful!

Monday: S wasn't there for her lesson, so we went and knocked on
M's door, an inactive. She let us in! We talked with them and she
has a son, Y, who is 9 years old. Fourth grade! I guessed his
grade, and he was shocked. He said, "How did you even know that?" We
learned that her son wants to get baptized and loves the Book of
Mormon so we were pretty excited about that.

Tuesday: While tracking, we knocked on a door and found M and
A. They didn't really want to talk with us so we showed them
the #LIGHTtheWORLD video. After that, they let us in. We sat down and
talked about the Book of Mormon. We read 3 Nephi 11 together, and they
loved it! They even invited us to come back!

Wednesday: We found M on the street. She told us to come to her
house and so we did. We taught her Jesus (her husband) and J (her
son)! We taught them the restoration, and oh man, the spirit was so
strong! They didn't accept a baptism date, but they said they would be
once they learned more!

Thursday: D was a referral, and we felt super impressed to go
find her. When we got there she said it was her only day off of work!
Miracle! We taught her the restoration, and it was incredible! She
accepted it and it seemed to make sense to her. She's going to be
preparing for baptism on January 14th! She is so cute!

Friday: We went looking for S, but when we knocked on the
apartment door it was a completely different person and furniture and
everything! We were so confused. B answered the door and she told
us she had lived there for seven years....it was like S was a
ghost (we probably just wrote the wrong address down haha!). But she
let us in, and we had a great lesson with her. She invited us back! On
that same day we were doing our studies, we got a call from the Elders
who asked us to translate for them so we drove to DQ and Skyped in on
a lesson with the Elders. It was amazing. Being a social media
missionary can be difficult at times, but the ability to video chat
and keep up with our investigators has been such a blessing.

Saturday: We found M! It was such a miracle, but we found her.
She has been really sick. Poor lady. She's doing okay. She said she
still wants to get baptized and asked us to come back during the week.
After our visit with M, we found S and K. We found
them through tracting. We had an amazing lesson with them. Their
cousin sat in, and he was so drunk. He was calling out and saying
really weird things. It was kinda funny, but the amazing thing is he
didn't distract from the spirit). They were both incredible and
accepted a baptismal date as well. K offered his first prayer. He
was really timid at first, but it was amazing.

Sunday: F he is doing amazing! We had four lessons with him this
week, he is so funny! He calls me "Hermana Niño Hijo," and he calls
Hermana Swapp "Hermana Intercambiar". I gave him the name "Hermano
Feliz" because he's always so happy.  I had my first lesson without
Hermana Swapp due to exchanges with the STLs. It was so nerve racking,
but it turned out okay. He helped me out a lot with the words I didn't
know. He's getting baptized in January. We're so happy! He came to our
ward Christmas party this week, to church, and then to the Stake
Christmas devotional today! We hope he continues to progress because
he's just so great!

Christmas season is my favorite time of year. I love sharing the
message of Jesus Christ and the willingness of people to listen to our
message. People's hearts are softened at this year, so we have the
great opportunity to share a message of hope and happiness. Share your
light with others. Use your talents you've been given. Spread the good
news.

Muchísimos amor,
Hermana Boyson

Exchanges with these great Sister Training Leaders! Sister Shumway, me, Sister Christensen, and Hna. Swapp

Me either. #LouisvilleLove

We went to the Louisville Slugger Museum today for P day! 

Prayer, Police, and Purification

Happy December!

I can't believe it's almost Christmas! Okay, alright. It's not close,
but it's closer than not! Hermana Swapp always jokes by saying "Just
let me be happy!" so just let me be happy by saying that it's almost
Christmas. 🎄 As December has begun, we have started the LIGHT the
WORLD initiative/campaign. I love it! We got to preview it a few weeks
before it came out, and I cried. Christ is real. He was the most
perfect person that ever lived. To follow His footsteps and try to
exemplify His life this Christmas season has been such a blessing. I
hope you all take the opportunity to share the light you have. I know
that as you light the world, your burdens will be lighter as you help
others.

Here's the good stuff:
Monday: We had an appointment with J who lives near us. We felt
really iffy about it as we were walking over. "Get J," came into
my head very clearly. Brother J is an older gentleman in our ward
who lives in our apartment complex. We walked to his house, but his
garage was empty. "Let's say a prayer." We offered a prayer, and right
in the middle of it, Bro. J pulled in! God is so good. Although
J wasn't home and nothing happened, my testimony of God's love for
us and the power of prayer.

Tuesday: "This is Sheriff D! If you're in here, go ahead and come
out!" 6 hours earlier: We met a cute young boy named J. Showed
him LIGHT the WORLD and he loved it! We walked him home and met his
aunt, S. She is so sweet! She wants us to teach her English, so
we have an appointment with her. After, we went to read el Libro de
Mormón with A. He prayed in Spanish, and it was awesome. He's
coming out of his shell each time we meet. We ate dinner with Sister
H and went out finding with her for the rest of the night. When we
got home, we found our door unlocked. There wasn't any damage to the
door, but we didn't want to enter and find something alarming. We were
so scared, so we called Brother D who is a county sheriff. He
arrived, pulled out his gun, and kicked open the door. "This is
Sheriff D! If you're in here, go ahead and come out!" Hna. Swapp
and I looked at each other with mouths wide open. He came out and said
everything was clear. Turns out I left the door unlocked that morning
when I checked the weather. Oops.

Wednesday: We gave J a church tour. He's incredible.
Unfortunately, we can't teach him because he speaks English, so we had
to hand him off to the Shively Elders. We are praying that this is an
answer to what he's been searching for. After that, we did a split
with the English sisters. I got to go with Sister Weedman. She's so
amazing. She taught an introduction to the Book of Mormon to a
teenager we met on the street, and I was just in awe the whole time. I
didn't say anything in the lesson. It was great to be with another
powerful missionary.

Thursday: Sad day. We haven't been able to get in contact with
M. She was so golden! We're so sad that we'll probably have to
drop her. Her health seems to be keeping her from meeting with us, so
we're praying that it will all work out.

Friday: An odd day. We had district meeting plus interviews with
President and Sister Brough. We received a fantastic lesson from our
district leader. The article he used is from the New Era called "The
Quest for Happiness."
https://www.lds.org/new-era/2016/09/the-quest-for-happiness?lang=eng

Saturday: We helped the Thorns close their pool for the winter. What a
task! But! I did get to wear a Christmas turtleneck from Sister Thorn.
We had a great lesson with the Valencia family.

Sunday: We as a companionship along with Sisters Weedman and Endemann
are beginning a 40-day fast. We are purifying ourselves to become
better missionaries. We all fasted and prayed together. Through
inspiration, we created lists of things we have been doing that keep
us from being exactly obedient. Each day we will take our list to the
Lord in prayer and ask for strength to give up those things. It's
going to be tough! I know that the temptation to be disobedient will
be stronger, but I know that the Lord will carry me through it.

During this Christmas season, I invite you to commit or recommit to
LIGHT the WORLD. I promise that as you follow Christ, you will receive
strength and feel His love more fully in your life. Keep a prayer in
your heart to find people to serve and the Lord will provide.

Love you all!

❤️🎄 Hermana Boyson

P. S. For those who have asked, my address is
7209 Yorktown Rd. #4
Louisville, KY 40214

December 1: Worldwide Day of Service. We raked more leaves? Oh yes we did! 

Sister Endemann and me at Raising Cane's. Merry Christmas! #uglysweaters 

Trains, Turkey, and Translating

Hello/Hola!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!  Ours was delicious.  We had hor d'oeveres (I really do not know how to spell that.  I tried seven different ways.) and ate too much. 

Monday: Honestly, I cannot remember what we did after P-day!  We must've been in the baptismal font so long that I'm water logged. 😋 This week, we've been finishing up the plans for our Spanish Sacrament meeting on Sunday night.  Contacting people who attended last month, handing out flyers, etc. 

Tuesday: We read with A and ate Hawaiian pizza from Papa Murphy's.  We taught him how to offer a prayer and share his testimony. 

Wednesday: New Missionary Training in New Albany.  It's always great when we get to hear from President Brough and the APs.  We had the opportunity to eat dinner with the P family.  They are fantastic! On our way home, we got stopped by the train that runs close to our apartment.  Hna. Swapp and I decided that each time we get stuck, we are going to make a video. 

Thursday: Thanksgiving!  We ate at The T's and took a nap.  Any of you who know me know how happy that made me.  Brother T turned on General Conference talks, and we fell asleep right away.  Is that bad? We drove to their duck pond and sang High School Musical songs on the swings. 

Friday: We had a lesson with J, a recent convert, and Y. Both were interesting, but J's brother, A, actually joined in our lesson!

Saturday: We helped a sister in the ward, V, pack her 72 hour kit and clean her house a bit.  She's so great! We ate dinner at Sister H's.  She made us empanadillas.  They were soooo good! I love Hispanic food. 

Sunday:  Our Spanish Sacrament meeting was a success!  We had 37 people attend!  J's whole family attended!  We loved seeing them! Even M' nonmember boyfriend, Y, came!  We were so excited!! Can you tell?  I translated for the first time.  I translated the opening prayer and both sacrament prayers.  It was good experience.  I had to make up the words for the prayer offered.  Sorry, Brother M! 

I have been trying to have an attitude of gratitude in any circumstance.  I have been treating my opportunity to learn Spanish as anything but that.  My eyes have been opened, and I know I need to be grateful for this.  I have been keeping this quote from Pres. Uchtdorf in my heart and trying to apply it. 

"It is easy to be grateful for things when life seems to be going our way.But what then of those times when what we wish for seems to be far out of reach?

Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be." 

 We have so much for which to be grateful!  We have a living prophet guiding our church. We live in a land of freedom. We have the Book of Mormon.  We are blessed! 

I love you all so much.  Stay steadfast and immovable.

Love, 

Hermana Boyson

Picture: Me, Sister Weedman, my companion, and Sister Endemann at The Thorn's for Thanksgiving

-- 

Hermana Boyson

Kentucky Louisville Mission

Horses and Helping Hands

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all are prepping your
stomachs for this day! :)

Monday: We found a new investigator while visiting our investigators,
her niece and nephew. She was willing to listen to our lesson. It was
little hectic because the 2-year-old brother was running around. Hna.
Swapp and I took turns playing with him; one of us would teach the
lesson and the other would keep him from smacking his brother. It was
kinda like being in a circus, but D accepted our baptism
invitation! She's a sweetheart.

Tuesday: We had an incredible lesson with our investigator, M!
We showed up, and she was so excited tell us that she read the entire
Restoration pamphlet including the definitions and scriptures in the
back, and she read the entire introduction, testimonies, and two
chapters in Nephi. Incredible, right?! We taught La Restauración/The
Restoration, and she loved it. She kept asking if she could get
baptized or if she was too old. We explained baptism and it's
something she really wants. She said she wants to know God better
before she gets baptized and wants to learn more of our message. We
set a baptism date for Dec. 17! She even said she wants to teach her
family everything she is learning. We are praying that she can attend
church and be baptized.

Wednesday: We had a great Zone Conference and learned how to use the
Book of Mormon in every contact, lesson, etc. We were also taught by
President Brough about what it means to be converted from D&C 20:37.

Thursday: We raked leaves from 11-5! Holy moly! We had a good time!
Sorry for all the exclamation marks. Luckily that morning for exercise
I did a HIIT workout of just burpees, so I wasn't sore at all the next
day. At all. Psych.

Friday: Woke up and had to roll out of bed. Thank you, burpees. We had
a virtual temple tour lesson with J and her sister's boyfriend,
Y.

Saturday: We have the best Mission President in the world! Our cute
friend, B, wanted to take is to Fall Racing at Churchill Downs,
and President let us go! We had three hours of horse racing bliss!
Pictures to prove it. Later, we attended Stake Conference to be
backups for translation.

Sunday: We got to ride with our favorite people, The J's, to
Stake Conference. It was a great meeting. We heard from J. Vaun
McArthur of the Seventy. So good! AND we talked with 47 people! Hot
dog again!

At this time of year, I am so grateful to all of you. Thank you for
you support and words of encouragement. Thank you for standing as a
witness of Christ in this time of ever-spreading evil. The gospel of
Jesus Christ and the message we share with others brings happiness and
hope. Let us be grateful what we have and pray for opportunities to
share it with others.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!

❤️🐎 Hermana Boyson

Tracting and Two Months

Feliz lunes!

This week has been one for the books. And I still don't know which
format I want to use, so bear with me. Por favor!

Monday: a productive P-day and two months in the books! Hermana Swapp
treated me to a 25 cent cone to celebrate. Hooty hoo! See picture for
proof that I am patient and that Hna. Swapp isn't when it comes to
eating ice cream :) While we were walking out of Wally World after
shopping, we saw a guy taping his car window. We asked if we could
help, but he said he was fine. We talked to him about his beliefs and
we shared ours. He said he believes everything is random and that
there is too much bad in the world to believe in God. It hurt my heart
to see how lost he is! He truly believes what he says and seems pretty
hopeless. He was a really sweet guy and we respectfully conversed
together. I know that nothing is random. I know that we have a purpose
here on earth.

Tuesday: Rain today. The weather matched our moods. We went out
tracting with M, a 16-year-old whose little sister just got
baptized. She's so great. We ate dinner with a family in the ward, The
G's. They are the best! A is Sister G's son who is
talking Spanish classes in high school, so we read out of the BOM
together. Sister G even read in Spanish! You go, Sister G!

Wednesday: We served at a food bank in town. I seriously love serving
here. Service helps take the focus off of myself. Excellent news! We
found an investigator! Her name is M from Cuba. She has really
no knowledge of religion. It was the coolest lesson. Hermana Swapp
translated as much as she could for me. I felt strongly to testify
that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that He wants us to return
to Him. She asked "God knows me even though I don't know Him?" She's
so incredibly prepared. She wants us to visit three times a week, but
she's been sick. We hope to teach her again soon.

Thursday: We returned to L's house to help her with the bushes in
her yard. Service! We ate at the M's for dinner and had a really
cool lesson about the Book of Mormon
(https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-11-018-a-book-of-mormon-story?lang=eng)

Friday: A really hard day.

Saturday: Another difficult day. The Zone Leaders came to help us and
to give us both priesthood blessings. Missions are hard. We went out
finding again because we don't have anyone to teach right now. All of
our appointments fall through. We're putting our heads down and trying
to work hard.

Sunday: We had a great visit with J, a less active in the ward.
She is such a sweetheart. She asked for us to pray for her and her
family almost immediately after we walked through the door. I felt
inspired to share "Gracias a Él/Because of Him" with her, and it
seemed to bring her some comfort in that moment. It truly is because
of Christ that we can receive peace, comfort, and relief from the
storms of life.

As I reflect on this week, I am reminded of a scripture that my
Mission President shared with me. In Moses chapter 5, Adam and Eve
have fallen, are cast out of the Garden of Eden, and are sent into the
lone and dreary world. I feel like Adam and Eve. Since being in the
mission field, I have been having thoughts of going home. They aren't
thoughts of wanting to go home, but thoughts of needing to go home.
President Brough taught me that those thoughts are neither from God
nor Satan. Those are my own thoughts. My Garden of Eden is Ogden,
Utah, and right now I am wandering in the lone and dreary world. I
want to go back to where it's comfortable. Moses 5:11 says that were
it not for The Fall, they might not have known good from evil, the joy
of their redemption, and eternal life. Verse 12 says "And Adam and Eve
blessed the name of God..." I know that the struggles I am facing
right now are only for my good. My life back home was too good. I need
to bless the name of God and be grateful for the trials I'm given. I
know that they shall be but small moment.

Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their
weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my
grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for
if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I
make weak things become strong unto them."

God be with you,

Hermana Boyson

2 months!

Hola Hola Hola!

Today marks two months being a representative a Jesus Christ!  Hot dog! Perro caliente!  This week has been ca-raaaaazyyyy.  First, I have to give credit where credit is due.  My mom and dad sent me a package of cold weather items and included some Halloweeny knickknacks. AND my mom sent me my favorite cookies! Snickerdoodles! I think that's the best thing I've gotten out here besides a stronger testimony!  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Monday: Hermana Swapp and I got home from P-day/Halloween activities and made cookies from a Halloween cookie kit her mom sent us (see photo). Thank, Mama Swapp!  

Tuesday: We helped a member named D R clean out her apartment for her move.  After that, we went to the doctor for my toe.  It was still really swollen and painful. Hna. Swapp and I had come fun in the room while we waited (see photo)! The toe isn't broken so that's pretty neat. 

Wednesday: I had my second interview with President and Sister Brough.  I just love them! I feel very blessed to be able to receive guidance and council from such inspired and loving people. I've been getting down on myself about a few things, especially the language.  President Brough encouraged me to be patient. That's my Christlike attribute I'm working on, and it's tough. I'm very humbled. We ate dinner with the Johnsons who are newlyweds.  They are so great. It's fun to interact with members who are close to our age.

Thursday: We had the opportunity to eat lunch with Sister M and to talk about member missionary work.  She's incredible and has already helped plant seeds with her neighbor who isn't a member. After lunch, we grabbed some clippers to help out L (I mentioned her last week). It was raining so we had to hold off for a bit.  Kentucky rain showers are amazing. We left Leann's and went to dinner at Logan's Roadhouse with Brother S (see photo). We love him!  He was a marine in the Korean war.  He told us about his family, and we had a fun time talking together. 

Friday: We traveled again to New Albany, IN for Zone Meeting.  Our Zone Leaders are GOAT.  Elder Moyer and Elder Jolly.  We learned about "We Invite, They Commit, We Follow Up."  It was a really inspired training. No soft commitments! We got to go out to lunch with the APs (I promise we do a lot more than just eat) and then came home for exchanges with the Hermana Training Leaders (Spanish Sister Training Leaders).  I went with Hermana Castillo in Shelbyville and Hna. Swapp stayed in our area.  Hna. Castillo is very sweet and soft spoken.  She's an amazing missionary.  We ate with some members in her ward, the N.  Brother N was raised in a different religion and his story is incredible.  This church--Christ's church He established during His ministry--is true.  I know it and feel it with all of my heart.

Saturday: During exchanges, we helped Sister S set up for an event she was hosting.  At noon, we had an appointment with one of their investigators.  It was so incredibly powerful and spiritual.  M was attentively listening as we shared the story of Joseph Smith.  She said "I have never heard that before. I've been going to church for 12 years and I have never heard that."  You could see her mind opening up and the Spirit witnessing to her that our message was true.  She is so prepared.  I've never seen someone so ready to accept our message.  I'm so excited for what is to come for her and her family.  We ended our exchange and headed back to Louisville.  When we got back, we discussed what we should do for the area.  We felt inspired to go to the P's house.  After our short visit, we went out to TWE (Talk With Everyone) and stopped to talk to a group of people having a little fire in their yard.  A lady named A came up to the fence to talk.  She expressed her appreciation for our efforts and then said "You need to get in your car and go home.  This area is unsafe.  Don't go into the city. Just get home."  Needless to say, we were a little uneasy hearing that.  At 4am, we woke up to gunshots and car lights. We were paralyzed in our beds!  It was nuts, but we called Pres. Brough the next morning and basically said "Welcome to Louisville." Haha!  We know that our area is a little rough, but we also know that if God needs us here, we will be watched over and taken care of.  Don't worry! 

Sunday:  We had a great lesson in our Spanish GP class. After church we stayed at the building and studied our little hearts out.  It was great! We broke our fast with Hawaiian Haystacks at the Gosnell home.  We love them and the spirit we feel in their home.  It's so great to get to know these wonderful wonderful members. 

I love you all and I love this work! Adios!

​"The Hope of God's Light" ​https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-07-006-the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng

Not broken

Dinner with Brother Schumacher 

Exchanges

Kentucky trees❤️

Sent from my iPad

Week2

Hola and Happy Halloween!

This week has been relatively slow, but we've stayed busy with
contacting and TWEing (Talking With Everyone).  Missionary work is
HAAAAARD, but it's so rewarding. We've had some really nice dinner
appointments with members of the ward. Now that I'm a missionary, I
realize how important and helpful it is to be fed! First and foremost,
it's so great to get to know members and then see them on Sunday. It
helps make connections and build relationships, but you all already
knew that! On Sundays Hermana Swapp and I attend the Gospel Principles
Spanish class in the ward. It's the best but the WORST because I don't
understand what they're saying. I have to keep reminding myself that
I'm only 8 weeks into learning Spanish. Thankfully, Hna. Swapp is
really encouraging and tells me that my Spanish is actually really
good for 8 weeks. Whenever we meet Hispanic, they're pretty impressed
by how much I know. I know it's not possible without the gift of
tongues and God's help. I am nothing without Him.

Something really neat happened last night! We were out TWEing after
our dinner appointment with the P family, and we saw some people
outside. I spoke with a gentleman on his porch, but he wasn't
interested. I walked away and saw a lady walking to her car with some
bags. She seemed a little bothered by me at first, but I continued to
talk to her and told her we were out looking for people to help. Very
sincerely, she said she needed help trimming some hedges in her yard.
The look on her face when I told me we would love to help was so
humble and sweet. She's single and works 13 hours a day. I'm so
looking forward to seeing her and serving her.

I had a little accident earlier this week. The sister missionaries
found a man in his yard raking leaves, and they offered to help. He
wanted us to come back on a different day in work clothes. His name is
B, and he's the sweetest man! We raked leaves, black walnut
shells, and plums from his yard. The second day helping him, a little
big boulder lining his yard got misplaced, rolled down off of the curb
and onto my big toe.  Within a few minutes, my nail bed was purple. It
did not feel great. I heated up a needle and put it through my nail to
relieve the pressure. Oodles of blood. They might take the foot. Just
kidding. I've been taking good care of it, Mom. Don't worry!

In my studies, I've been reading a lot about the Atonement in personal
study. I'm so grateful that I can promise people more blessings and
happiness than they can imagine by applying the Atonement to their
lives. The message we share is so special. I know that through Christ,
I can repent every day and become like Him. I invite you all to apply
the Atonement every day. "Try a little harder to be a little better."
I promise that He will help lighten your burdens and that you will
receive blessings of comfort and strength.

Holy smokes! What is this?! A nomination??? I'm overwhelmed! That is
so unbelievable.  Thank you so much for sharing that! My mom is going
to freak out! :)


Hermana Boyson


Hermana Swapp and me making chicken pot pie Hot Pockets. Groooooss.