Hola hola!
This week in Shelbyville...
We had really good lessons with José. He is doing so much better! This week we taught him about the gospel of Jesus Christ, faith, and fasting. I seriously love teaching him because he is inquisitive and asks really great questions. There were two miracles that happened with him this week. Número uno. He told us that he has a lot of bad memories that haunt him at night and in his dreams. We felt prompted to promise him that there is power in the Book of Mormon, and if he read and prayed before going to sleep, he would sleep through the night without bad dreams. The first time he did this, he told us the next morning that he felt really happy because he didn't have any bad dreams! How amazing is that?!
The second miracle happened yesterday at General Conference. The day before, he came to the afternoon session. When he showed up yesterday, there was something different. He had a new light in his eyes. The physical change was amazing. He told us he read about faith in Alma 32 AND read the first two chapters of the Book of Mormon. He said he felt so happy and explained that faith is like a flower and how we need to nourish it by being obedient. If we don't feed it, the flower will die. Hermana Fluckiger and I just sat there in awe. We were ecstatic! After the first session on Sunday, he was able to tell us everything he liked and learned. He was beaming! Last night he sent us a text saying "Estoy muy feliz/I am very happy." The gospel truly changes the lives of those that accept the message and act in faith. ¡Siga adelante, José!
On Saturday morning, Hermana Fluckiger and I were able to attend the baptism of Charles, an investigator/former member. It was so cool! His testimony was so pure. He removed his name from the records of the church out of anger, and he said that as soon as he sent off the letter, he knew it was a mistake. He felt it in his heart. Five years later, he entered the waters of baptism and received a remission of his sins. There was a light in his eyes as he shared the truthfulness of the gospel and how it changed his life. The neat thing about Charles is that he met with multiple sets of missionaries over the last three years always getting close to baptism, but because of fear and doubt, he would retreat. As he continued to act, to make choices every day, and to keep God's commandments, he was blessed. We're so happy for you, Charles!
I loved the messages from General Conference! I felt the love that our Heavenly Father has for His children. These are a few of the things that stuck out to me most:
YOU have the power to choose.
Our choices make the difference.
Repentance is for EVERYONE. For sinners and for saints.
This life is short but incredibly significant.
Humility is putting off hurt feelings. Holding a grudge is poison to our souls.
Being authentic or real is NOT an excuse for not being humble and modest.
Not all that God asks of us is due to our strength or capability.
Look BEYOND what we SEE.
Fear not to do good.
Be anxious to bless the whole human race.
If we stop trying after one burst of effort, the change will fade.
Cultivate a strong, unbreakable testimony in the Book of Mormon.
You don't know everything, but you know ENOUGH.
The will, mind, and voice of the Lord are the words of God's prophets.
Love is a feeling of deep devotion, concern, and affection.
Love without service is like faith without works. It's dead.
Daily immerse yourself in the words of the Book of Mormon.
When we choose to have faith, we are prepared to stand in the presence of God.
Always act when our living prophets speak.
Truth should NEVER be a barrier for kindness.
Remember to put Jesus at the center of your life TODAY.
Allow God to make more of you than you can make of yourself.
Sacrifice and coming unto Christ brings forth peace, love, and light.
You have an eternal destiny to fulfill.
Look to God and LIVE.
“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken; … whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38)
Let the messages we heard during General Conference “be the guide to [our] walk and talk during the next six months.”
💕 & 🐴
Hermana Boyson
Our lesson at one of our member's homes. Hermana Gittins got to teach José while she was here. Luckyyyyyyy!
Exchanges with the La "Great" hermanas. ¡Olé!
¡Olé! from the Shelbyville Walmart.
Charles's big day! ✌🏼
Selfie with Luis and Carlos. We sure love these rascals!
Exchanges with Hermana Gittins! We helped Sister Folsom plant and trim branches.