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