Hiking and Horse Manure

Santa vaca! Hola, marzo! 

Another great week here in beautiful Paris, KY! 

On Monday, we went to Natural Bridge with the STLs. It was the perfect day to hike! We had a lot of laughs and took a lot of pictures. It was a great last hoorah with Sister Israelsen who went home on Wednesday. We miss you, Sister Iz!

On Tuesday, we had a great lesson with a less-active, her children, and her boyfriend. I have never seen that many cockroaches in a house, but I survived! We shared Mountains to Climb, one of my favorite Mormon Messages. Her boyfriend shared a similar experience he had when he broke his leg and had to rely on others to help him. He believes that it happened so that he would turn to God. 

Wednesday was great! We reviewed part of the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast from a few weeks ago and came up with some great ideas to improve our area and to help establish the ward. We visited a the O family who are less-active. Sister O was watching her grandchildren overnight, so we weren't able to have a lesson. She seemed a little stressed with everything she had to do before bed, one of which was listening to her 8-year-old granddaughter read out loud. I felt impressed to ask if she'd like us to read with her while she fed the baby. She was willing to let us, and it was so fun! It took me back to teaching my cute 4th grade kiddos. I don't get trunky. I promise! 

Our service/lesson with Aleah on Thursday was amazing. We helped her with some Spanish words she didn't know from her reading, and then we had a lesson on patriarchal blessings. She's a little hesitant and nervous to get it, so we talked about our experiences when we prepared for ours and the strength we have received from them. We invited her to pray and ask if she should get her blessing right now. We promised her that she would receive an answer that she'd feel comfortable with. 

On Friday, we had a lesson with our investigator, Teresa. She's asking more questions each time we meet. This time she had them written down in her notebook. So cool! We had a member come with us too. She got home from her mission six months ago and really helped us by the questions she asked Teresa. Teresa hasn't ever considered where she came from or her purpose. I felt impressed to ask her to pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him how He feels about her. We promised her that she would receive an answer and that she would feel of His love for her. After our lesson, we visited the Flores'. I met her while on exchanges with Sister Israelsen, so Hermana Starling and I were excited to talk together with her. We are going to work with them to get them to the temple to be sealed. How wonderful!

Saturday was a day full of service! We helped a family who owns a riding club. We got to clean out the horse stalls. Hay and horse manure. It was great! We got to see some really pretty horses, but most importantly, we were able to help a family in need. 

Sunday was my first time giving a talk on my mission. First time! I was asked to speak on keeping the Sabbath day holy. As a missionary, it's pretty effortless to keep the Sabbath day holy because we are studying, teaching, serving, and finding people. Before my mission, I did not fully obey this commandment. As we consider our Sabbath day observance and the activities we choose, we can ask ourselves these questions: Is it honoring the Lord? Is it doing good? Is it spiritually uplifting? Would Jesus approve of it?  I really like what Elder Nelson said in "The Sabbath is a Delight." "'In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.'"

I know that as we keep the Sabbath day holy, we are blessed with spiritual strength. Our families live in harmony. I invite you to examine feelings about and behavior on Sundays. Go to Heavenly Father in pray and ask Him if those feelings and behavior are pleasing to Him. Ask Him what more you can to do to better observe this day. 

I love serving the Lord. I love finding people and sharing the knowledge that I have been given, the knowledge of who they are, why they are here, and that they have a heavenly home waiting for them. I love talking of my Brother, Jesus Christ. I am blessed to be His disciple. I love this work. 

Thank you to my family and friends who pray for me and love me unconditionally. 

Muchísimas amor, 

Hermana Boyson

Neature. Isn't that neat?! Natural Bridge with Sister Israelsen, Sister Johns, and Hermana Star. I love these seesters.

They said "Let's take a serious one." 

Some members work at Frank's Donuts. It's a good excuse to get fat on donuts. We love these chicas! Veronica and her daughter, Angela.

Llama

It's Real Son and Boyyyyyson

Holy cannoli! Where has February gone?!

Fantastic week! We got transfer news on Saturday. Hermana Starling and I are staying together another transfer! Blessed! This last transfer has been amazing. She's helped me to gain confidence in my Spanish speaking abilities and has helped me to laugh and love missionary work. I can't wait for another six weeks!

We had a faith drop this week. We had so many investigators who we were holding on to that aren't ready at this time. We know we've planted seeds, but unanswered texts and calls helped us to know that we needed to put our faith in the Lord and show Him we are ready for the elect. 

We had exchanges on Tuesday, and I got to work Winchester with Sister Israelsen. It's-REAL-sooonnn! She's amazing! She has such a fire and a love for the work. We got to help serve at a museum and a homeless shelter. My favorite part of the exchange was meeting two Hispanic families and sharing a lesson by myself in Spanish. I realized how much I'm not relying on the Lord to help me language, and just how much I need His help. We taught their investigator, Sandy. She's golden! It was a neat experience to feel God's love for one of His children. She is an elect and soaks up everything she's taught. It was great!

On Friday night, we had planned to visit Bonnie, an elderly woman in the ward, but when we parked in front of her house, it didn't feel right. We weren't sure why, but we followed the impression. The next morning, we went to visit her, and when we got there, she was getting ready walk to Main Street and get lunch. No, Bonnie! We walked an hour and a half with her, and we know we were prompted not to visit her Friday because we needed to be there for her. It was great to be there for her and talk together. 

Jacob had his farewell on Sunday, and it was incredible! He has been so prepared to serve a mission at this time in his life. His testimony is already so powerful, so I can't imagine how he'll be after his mission. It's amazing to witness the power the gospel gives those who turn their lives over to Christ. Good luck, Jacob! You're going to kill it in Colombia!

As I've studied this week, I've learned a lot about myself and how much I need to rely on the Lord. I read an article from the April 2015 Ensign called "It Isn't A Sin to Be Weak." I've realized that I am getting in my own way with success--success with Spanish, success in serving others, and success in repentance. My goal for my mission is to be confident, see myself as inherently good and of worth, and to have a desire to align my behavior with a positive self-image. I want to trust fully in the redemptive power of the Atonement of Christ and to increase my confidence in God's love and help. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I bear testimony that if we are willing, God will show us our weaknesses, and that through Christ and only through Him, out weaknesses can be turned into strengths.

I love you so! Gotta go! 

Hermana Boyson

Elder Sherwood, me, Jacob, and Elder Simons on P-day. Hermana Starling was trying to get the sardine taste out of her mouth.

Sandy, Sister Israelsen, and me after our lesson. Love you, Sandy!

We promise we ate more than just carrots and hummus

Pioneer District in the house! Sister Nielson, Hna. Starling, me, Sister Groesbeck, Sister Kerr, Elder Simons, and Elder Sherwood

Walking and talking with Sweet Bonnie. 

Goodbye, Jacob! See you in two! Mario shared his testimony and did so well with his english!

Short, Sweet, and To the Point

This email will be condensed because I'm choosing to play this P-day. Yaaaas!


This week has been amazing! We had a great experience with Susie, a less-active. When she opened the door, she seemed less than enthused to see us. She said she was busy and in a hurry. I felt impressed to ask her if we could pray with her before we left, and she agreed. The Spirit was so strong as soon as the prayer began, and I felt an overwhelming love for Susie. Her heart really softened, and she opened up to us about the trials and challenges in her life. It was a powerful experience for Hermana Starling and me! The Lord is so mindful of His children, and I am grateful and humbled to be an instrument.


We had to drop one of our investigators which was a huge bummer, but good news! Teresa is making huge progress! We were able to have a member present lesson, and Teresa opened up so much more. She's coming to church on Sunday! She even asked about it before we even mentioned it!


We have been doing a lot more work in Cynthiana, and we found a really great family! We shared "Mountains to Climb" and they really connected with it. The father is an amputee, so that has created a lot of challenges for all of them. Prayer is really important to them, and we bore our testimonies about the power of prayer. We invited  them to start praying as a family. We are very hopeful of them!


On Saturday, I was able to speak at Ian's baptism. He's the son of our Elders Quorum President. It was so fun to speak on this important and cleansing ordinance. I prepared a baptism bag (found in the June 2016 issue of The Friend), and I felt like I was back in my classroom! It was a tender mercy of the Lord. Thankfully, I didn't get trunky. :)


I was reading in Alma 58 this week, and I use the Book of Mormon Institute Manual as a supplement. I read this during personal study this week, and it has really stuck out to me.


"'While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Dennis E. Simmons explained that God’s peace is not dependent on outward circumstances:

“If all the world is crumbling around us, the promised Comforter will provide His peace as a result of true discipleship. … We can have His peace with us irrespective of the troubles of the world. His peace is that peace, that serenity, that comfort spoken to our hearts and minds by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, as we strive to follow Him and keep His commandments. …

“Just as Helaman discovered in the midst of battle that ‘he did speak peace to our souls’ (Alma 58:11) … , all sincere seekers can have that same peace spoken to them. That peace comes from the assurances spoken by a still, small voice” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 41–42; or Ensign, May 1997, 31).'"


I know that through The Spirit we can feel comfort whenever it is needed. I have felt this same kind of comfort as I have gone to my Heavenly Father in prayer, as I have read and studied about our Savior, and as I have attended church. I am so happy to be the Lord's missionary to bring the world His truth. I love the gospel and the joy it brings to the lives of those who follow Christ. Thank you for your continued support. I am so blessed.


Love you so! Gotta go!

Five months! We celebrated the right way. 🍦 ❤️

We had to get an estimate for damage to our car (We didn't do it!) This was the estimate from "the other guy."

Our zone is great, and our Mission President is even better! (I'm the one with my hand is on my forehead)

Member Missionaries and Mexican Tacos 🌮

It's February!  Where has the time gone? It's been a great week here in Paris. 

Monday: We had dinner with the Bishop and his wife, and we had an incredible lesson with them. Sister P has such a powerful testimony. It's like a home away from home. It's comforting to have wonderful places like this as a missionary. We shared the story of The Brother of Jared and how we can "light stones" by sharing a Book of Mormon with scriptures highlighted that answer questions of the soul. They both were excited to prepare a Book of Mormon and share it with someone through inspiration.

Tuesday: We drove to Winchester to see Teresa. We didn't know if she'd be home. We usually see her on Friday evenings, but we felt impressed to visit her on this day during weekly planning. Oh, man! It was so great to have a lesson with her! She has been reading without even asking her to read. She has amazing questions and a desire to learn. We are praying that she will accept baptism at our next lesson!

Wednesday: Back to Winchester tonight. We visited Carlos, a recent convert and Alex, a less-active. They are roommates. Alex is struggling with not being as blessed as he'd like to be. He wants to be married and feels he's being stifled. We shared 2 Nephi 25:26 and invited them, especially Alex, to study and learn about Jesus Christ so that they can do as it says in 2 Nephi. Later we shared "Continue in Patience" by President Uchtdorf, and he really enjoyed the message. Sometimes, our loving Heavenly Father asks us to wait. Great blessings come from developing the patience necessary to do God's will instead of our own.

Thursday: Elders Sherwood and Simons, Hermana Starling, and I went to Cynthiana, another small town outside of Paris, to tract. We met Makenzie and taught her about The Restoration right there on the porch, and she was very receptive to our message. She accepted a baptismal date for March! Ironically, it was the first time I've tracted! It was a really neat experience to work together with other missionaries. We had dinner with Jared, Nicki, and their two little kids. Nicki shared a really neat experience about miscarriage and the strength she received from the scriptures. She was very angry about the situation she was in, and in desperation for comfort, she opened up to 2 Nephi and read verses 26 through 30. Instantaneously, her angry was swept away and she felt peace. Amazing! I know that the Book of Mormon is the source of all strength in this life because it testifies of the One that felt all of our pains.

Friday: We had dinner with Steve and Cindy from the ward. We talked about member missionary work and shared D&C 100:2-8. We testified that as they pray for someone specific to share the gospel with, they will receive a specific answer. It's important that we remember the promise found in this scripture. "And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say." We are asked to bring the true UNTO their hearts, and The Spirit will bring the true INTO their hearts. Because of this, we need not fear!

Saturday: Another trip to Winchester tonight. Third time's a charm! We had a really good lesson with Rutilo. It's amazing to see people open up over time as they soften their hearts and feel The Spirit testify of truth. He's a really cool guy and has a desire to know more each time we teach him. Bonus! He made us carne asada and chorizo tacos. Mmmmmmm!

Sunday: We had a really neat experience this afternoon! We got a little lost while looking for a less-active, and we ended up running into Nick. He had so many great questions and concerns about things he's learned at his church. As we were teaching him, Hermana Starling wished that the Elders were here, too. We looked down the street and saw their car driving past us. The Spirit is real! They had been driving and felt inspired to turn down the street where we were talking with Nick. WHAT?! So cool! We left him with a Book of Mormon and asked him to pray to know if his beliefs were in harmony with what Heavenly Father wants for him or if what we shared was true.

Being a disciple of Christ is truly humbling. I love seeing the change that happens in people who are willing and ready to hear. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and we are the children of a literal Father in heaven. We are so blessed to have the Book of Mormon to show us the way to return back home. I love this gospel and the opportunity I have to share it with Heavenly Father's children. 

Con amor, 

❤️ Hermana Boyson

Tacos! 

Hermana Starling's 15-month mark! Naturally, we celebrated with ice cream from Hardee's.

When you tell the sister missionaries you're not interested. #jokes #chistes

The Spirit and A New Schedule

Hey y'all! 

This week has been muy bien! Get ready!

Monday: Hermana Starling and I woke up at 9:34am in the home of our Ward Mission Leader. We had a pretty unsettling Sunday night. During nightly planning, we were talking with and reporting numbers to the Elders who work here in Paris with us, Elder Sherwood (District Leader) and Elder Simons. They told us that earlier that day they had been followed by someone who was recording them on their phone. They told us to be careful and advised us to remove our bike rack so we didn't stand out. After planning, I was hustling upstairs because it after 10:30pm. I got to the top of the stairs and felt a very strong impression. "Get out of the house." I contemplated it for a few seconds and then the strongest warning I've ever felt in my life filled my heart and mind. Hermana Starling came up the stairs behind me until she was stopped by the same strong warning to leave. I said "Hermana, do we need to leave?" A split second later, we were running out of the apartment and into our car. We immediately drove to Bro. Harney's house, our Ward Mission Leader. We were struck with an overwhelming fear like nothing we've felt before. On the way, we realized that we hadn't locked the door behind us. Long story short, the cops went over to lock the door for us and to clear the apartment. They didn't find anyone inside, nothing out of place or anything of the ordinary. They asked us to come over since they couldn't lock the deadbolt without a key. We found nothing missing or out of place. It gave us quite a scare so we slept at Brother Harney's, our Ward Mission Leader. We got into bed at 1:30am. Crazy, huh! President Brough called and talked to us. He said we were okay to go back and to ask Elder Sherwood to bless the apartment. We're still a little uneasy being here, but we know it's just nerves. Never have I ever felt a warning that strong. How's THAT for a missionary experience? I am so grateful for the guidance of The Spirit guided us and that we heeded the prompting. Needless to say, our P-day was a little thrown off. We consoled ourselves with a Nutella donut from Frank's Donuts. 

Tuesday: We visited the W family, a family in the ward. We talked about the sacrament and the blessings we receive from remembering what the Savior did for us. Later that night, we had a lesson with H, a less-active member who was baptized about three years ago. He is amazing. He has seen a lot in his life as he was involved in drugs and drug dealing. It seems as though he feels like since he's making really poor choices anymore that he doesn't need the daily spiritual sustenance. We can see that he wants to do better, but the adversary is working really hard on him. 

Wednesday: One of the coolest experiences I've had yet. As we were walking to our apt, we saw a young woman across the street walking into her house. Her name is A. She shared her confusion about all of the different churches and about who God is.  We taught her The Restoration with a focus on God as her loving Heavenly Father and Joseph Smith. She said it was so weird that we stopped and talked to her because she had been crying on the way home and asked for help from whoever was up there. Hermana Starling said that a weird thing happened while we were driving to her neighborhood. She explained that while we were driving to the appointment, we drove past a black truck. Hermana Starling had felt impressed that we needed to talk to whoever was in it, and the truck ended up being A's. 

Thursday: We had dinner with H, and he opened up a lot about his past. He has a hard time with how messed up and evil this world is. We committed him to read 2 Nephi 2:13 and to pray about it. We hope to make progress with him and that he'll start reading every day.

Friday: We did a lot of social media missionary work! It's so helpful to be able to communicate with members, investigators, and less-actives who don't live close to us.

Saturday: We had a really neat lesson with C, T, J, and D. Hermana Starling has talked with her before, and she was very abrasive and unhappy with missionaries. At the end of the lesson, she offered the closing prayer and thanked God for our visit and for bringing her a message she needs for her family. Miracles!

Sunday: We had a great lesson with M, a recent convert. We shared the Mormon Message "Temples Are a Beacon," and he expressed that he wants to do his father's work who passed away. 

I love being a missionary here in Kentucky.  People are so humble and loving, and I love sharing the good news of the gospel to those people who God is preparing. 

The gospel allows us to be firm and undaunted. Alma 57:20

-- 

Hermana Boyson

Kentucky Louisville Mission

Graeter's Ice Cream with Brother Stamper! Hermana Starling, me, Bro. Stamper, Elder Simons, and Elder Sherwood

Watching the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast with the Lexington North Lions!

La comida Hispana! 

This picture was found on Elder Simons' iPad. Don't leave yours unattended. We'll get you.

God's Love and Less-actives

It's Monday!

Hello, all!  Greetings from Paris, Kentucky!  I hope you all are doing well!  So many wonderful things have happened this week. We were so busy ripping Satanic lips off that we didn't take one picture!  I know! I will repent and change!

Monday:  We had a great lesson with F, a recent convert and his girlfriend, C, a recent convert. They met in the ward. He seems so lost with the weight of the world on his shoulders. We are praying that they will be able to find the stability they need. 

Tuesday: We tracted Brian Station, a mobile home park, and met a really sweet woman named D. Wow, was she prepared! She has a faith in Jesus Christ and had a lot of great questions about life after death. She is very humble and seems to be looking for answers.  Since she speaks English, we referred her to Elders Simons and Sherwood, the English missionaries here. We ate dinner with the D family and had a neat lesson using the youth theme video, "Ask." 

Wednesday: We had interviews for this transfer with President in Lexington and received a training on Christlike attributes. Sister Groesbeck gave a really neat training on charity. In Moroni 7:46-47, if we replace the word 'charity' with 'the Atonement,' it reads "46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not [the Atonement], ye are nothing, for [the Atonement] never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto [the Atonement], which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-- 

47 But [the Atonement] is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." ❤️ 

Thursday: Holy cow! What a day! We had an appointment with a less-active, but she was sick. As we were looking at our schedule, we saw a guy working for the city walking by our car. He turned out to be an inactive who hasn't been to church for about 30 years! He was so cool and agreed to have us over in a few weeks. Hot dog! Then as we were looking for a potential, we TWEd Christian. He said he'd talked to missionaries before and that he was actually a member. We asked him his last name, and he turned out to be a less-active family we had on our schedule to find! WHAAAT! We were able to talk to him and his mom, but she said they were busy until November. We're hoping to see them more and help them back to church. 

Friday: Oh man, we had an awesome lesson tonight!  T and her mother live in Winchester which is about 25 minutes from here. T has been reading in the Book of Mormon. Her mom can't read so she's been listening. We read 3 Nephi 11 together.  They seemed to really enjoy it. They didn't commit to baptism because they were thought it was really fast, but we assured them that they can be ready by February 25th. We feel strongly that they will receive the answers they're looking for and be ready!

Saturday: We had a good lesson with A. She's not a member like a lot of people think, but her husband is. She was close to getting baptized 18 years ago. We shared about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and she asked really good questions! She asked questions about the next life and what we believe. For her, it's hard to change religions since she's been raised with so many traditions and the culture. She said we are welcome to teach her daughters. We are really praying to bring this family to baptism! 

Sunday: I translated again today! Go, me! Man, translating is so tough! Sundays as an Hermana are definitely different than Sundays back home. We taught a lot of lessons today. We get to teach M, a recent convert, during Sunday School. Well, it's mostly Hermana Starling teaching and me reading because my Spanish isn't there yet. We had another lesson this week with F and C. We read from Enos and talked about the importance and gift of repentance. Our last lesson of the night before turning into pumpkins was with H, a less-active. He's a way cool guy. We felt strongly that we needed to teach about God's love for him. We read from Elder Holland's talk, "Like a Broken Vessel." He says "Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday evening: “That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.” Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead."  I LOVE the words of President Monson and Elder Holland. Many people in this world struggle because they don't know who they are. Many of us are burdened by the trials of life that we lose the feeling of Heavenly Father's arms wrapped around us. 

My invitation to you all this week is to go to your Heavenly Father in prayer and ask Him how He sees you, then ask Him how you should see yourself. I promise that as you do this, you will know that you are a child of Someone who loves you infinitely. 

Press forward, 

 💕 Hermana Boyson

Paris and Purification

New address for Hermana Boyson:

817 Pleasant Street
Paris, KY 40361

Monday: Wow, what a loco day. We spent the day cleaning the apartment, packing, and leaving notes for the incoming Elders. A sister in the ward offered to cut my hair, so now I have a long bob! Not entirely planned that way, but I'm grateful nonetheless. :) We finally finished up everything around 1:30a, and I've never felt so tired. 

Tuesday: Transfer day. First one of my mission. Hermana Swapp and I finished up packing, cleaning the apartment. Arcadia has been my home for the first three months of my mission, and it felt so strange to be leaving. We're excited for the Elders who will be tending to this part of the garden. We got to the mission office/church building and holy moly there were cars and luggage and missionaries everywhere! I was sad to say goodbye to Hermana Swapp. Three months together in Arcadia brought on a lot of unforgettable experiences. Our goodbye was a little tearful and hard, but we knew we were going to be blessed in our new areas.

Meeting Hermana Starling was amazing! She gave me an abrazo, and I instantly felt like we were going to be really great together as companions. She has such a powerful presence, but she's very calm and collected as well.  I loved her right away. :) We talked to a few missionaries and then got on our way to Paris. This place is beautiful! Our apartment is SO NIIIIICE. Oh, I'm so excited about it. The shower doesn't look like a murder scene, and the neighborhood is beautiful. Our stove is from this century, and our dryer actually has heat. Plus, no bed bugs. Not even a trace. Paris, you're my best friend.

Wednesday: We visited Sister E who has just broken her hip and is stuck inside alone all day.  She was very discouraged and upset about the situation. I felt for her. We taught about the enabling power of the Atonement and trials that Heavenly Father gives us to help us progress. I hope we brightened her day and helped her to feel loved. After dinner, we had a lesson on The Restoration with F and his wife, M. They are a cute couple and have a VERY active 3-year-old. We set up a return appointment and felt really good about the lesson. We walked over to Sister G's home. She and F work on a horse farm together. Sadly, she works Sundays so she hasn't been to church in awhile. We shared the Mormon Message "Daily Bread: Pattern" (https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-012-daily-bread-pattern?lang=eng) and talked about the daily spiritual sustenance we need which God provides. 

Thursday: Crazy busy day! We had a Spanish lesson with A, a youth in the ward. I loved our lessons with A from my first area, so I was so pumped to have the same opportunity here! Blessings! Next, we went to a trailer park and had an interesting lesson with an older gentleman. He was hard of hearing because we would ask questions and he would stare at us. Our last appointment was so great. We had a lesson with a small group of Hispanics that live in a house together. There must be at least 15 Hispanic gentlemen living there! It was awesome! I told them I've only been learning the language for four months, and they were so impressed! They said they've been here seven months and can barely say 'hello' and 'thank you.' I feel like Heavenly Father has blessed me so much here already to help me feel confident with my Spanish. We set up a return appointment and giggled from excitement the whole way home. We have been so blessed in this area already.

Friday: We had a lesson with B and her children T (15), H (13), T (10), and H (4). They are hilarious. I had already met T at youth night and he stood out to me because of his maturity and "with-it-ness."  We taught them a lesson about fasting and invited them to fast as a family together. Both T and H said they wanted to fast for their family. Melt my heart!  We drove to Winchester, a city about 25 minutes away, for a lesson that fell through. We met T and her mother and had a great first lesson! Also, I got some really exciting news! My sister, Susie, had her baby! They named her Remi, and she's just perfect! It was a fun email to open to end the day. 

Saturday: During personal study, we got a call from the Elders asking if we could come help the Smith family move. We helped them for two and a half hours in the rain, and we loved it. It was nice opportunity to meet more ward members. I was very grateful. They are so loving and welcoming. After, we hurried over to Brother H's home, the Ward Mission Leader. He's such a nice guy and had a lot of inspiring words about missionary work. I'm really looking forward to working with him. We had dinner with the Prater family. I tried hominy for the first time! Not the greatest thing in the world, but hey, I tried it. They are a really sweet couple. Their daughter, Marsha, and her son, Tanner, sat in on our lesson. It wasn't until after that I found out they are not members. Hna. Starling and I both felt like the lesson we prepared was more for M and T than it was for Brother and Sister P. What a great night!

Sunday:  My first day in the Paris Ward. I love these people! They are so great. Thankfully I had already met a few people from moving the S family and dinner appointments. Hermana Starling asked if I wanted to translate the first talk. I'm sure my eyes were humongous. She said it'd be easy since it was given by a youth. Well, I did it. I didn't do very well with translating everything she said, but I surprised myself with how much I knew! She gave me the headset halfway through the second talk because she was losing her voice, so I translated the rest. I was sweatin', but I wasn't nearly as nervous as I have been. She is so encouraging, calm, and loving. I feel so blessed. 

I have been pondering a lot about putting trust in the Lord and the trials we're given to help us get to where He wants us to be.  His yoke truly is easy and His arms are outstretched waiting to help us. When we are obedient, we see blessings. When we are exactly obedient, we see miracles. As a mission, we are "fasting" from things that keep us from being purified. Although it has been difficult to sacrifice and change habits, I have felt very blessed. I invite you all to pray and ask God for one thing to fast from that will help you become a stronger follower of Christ. Go to Him in pray in the morning with a promise that you will purify yourself from that thing, ask for the strength necessary to succeed, and then account to Him at the close of your day. I promise that you will be blessed with added strength and that you will feel of God's love for YOU. 

Con amor, 

Hermana Boyson

Hermana Starling and me at our apartment moments before this email was sent because we realized we had no pictures together. She's beautiful inside and out.