Well, time has taken us through another week, and from what I hear from Mom back home, my week was somehow not as exciting as your week. Everything was good here, of course, though a few disappointments with some investigators were a downer.
On the upside, I realized that I love teaching the gospel. I really love it. Maybe other parts of missionary work are hard, such as knocking on doors for an hour without any opened doors, or having no potential investigators at home all day long ... but after all the lessons, and once we get to the opened doors, or the people we meet on the street, I just thrill. A study of the gospel leads you to want to share it. Sharing the gospel with others helps you to apply it more. Applying the gospel allows you to understand the reality of it. I know the reality of the gospel. The only church that contains all of the gospel, and the authority to do essential ordinances is our church. We claim this not to be prideful, but rather to follow suit with God's eternal plan, the way things have always been, since before the world was. I love seeing people change their lives, as they come to realize the snese of reality and possibility the gospel brings to them. I also love when long-time members of the Church remember what their testimonies mean to them, and what it requires of them.
So as my family is all gathered together, I hope you can all take note of the evidence this event is of the grandness of our Father in Heaven. Not a single thing is forgotten, and we can put our unrestrained trust in Him. What glorious knowledge. What a testimony you can express as you study, share, and apply that knowledge, then in turn see it become even greater than you ever expected, and see yourself become more and more qualified for the day when we will all meet the Father.
I love you all, congratulations to Jeff, I am anxious to meet your new wife someday soon. I know God lives, that he is concerned for us and cares about what happens in our lives. He knows us, and is always waiting for us to ask for the blessings we need.
I love you all, take care!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
good times
I have had good times on my mission. I have made good friends with my companions. I have had countless good experiences with different companions, and learned from many not good experiences. But never before have I had such fun with one of my companions.
Elder Snyder and I just laugh and joke and have a good time. The thing I love about it is that we work very well together, and we are both very obedient, hard-working missionaries who are not here to waste time in any way. But in working hard, we have a good time.
We had a special experience as well in the chapel after a lesson we had had there. Our investigator left and the Spirit was still strong. For some reason, Elder Snyder asked me for a blessing, he wasn't even sure why. During the blessing, the Spirit was magnified ten-fold and we had an amazing experience together that was a testimony-strengthener for the both of us. I learned a few valuable lessons about the priesthood, and about how God can work through us to accomplish His purposes. I was grateful for the experience and for the boost in my testimony of the restoration of the gospel and priesthood authority. I am grateful for many other experiences that build me up, and even more for the times that I can be used as a tool to build testimony in others.
It's warm down here, but I almost wish it were warmer, so I could have some crazy stories. Really, it only gets to about 110 each day. But we hear that the real heat is still to come. And I believe it.
To all those that read my blog, I appreciate that you are remembering me and taking some time to read an update. I would like a chance to remember you and read your update. Write me, let me know how you are. Just in case, the address is 1871 E. Del Rio Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282. Thanks, I hope to hear from you soon.
With much love to all,
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Elder Snyder and I just laugh and joke and have a good time. The thing I love about it is that we work very well together, and we are both very obedient, hard-working missionaries who are not here to waste time in any way. But in working hard, we have a good time.
We had a special experience as well in the chapel after a lesson we had had there. Our investigator left and the Spirit was still strong. For some reason, Elder Snyder asked me for a blessing, he wasn't even sure why. During the blessing, the Spirit was magnified ten-fold and we had an amazing experience together that was a testimony-strengthener for the both of us. I learned a few valuable lessons about the priesthood, and about how God can work through us to accomplish His purposes. I was grateful for the experience and for the boost in my testimony of the restoration of the gospel and priesthood authority. I am grateful for many other experiences that build me up, and even more for the times that I can be used as a tool to build testimony in others.
It's warm down here, but I almost wish it were warmer, so I could have some crazy stories. Really, it only gets to about 110 each day. But we hear that the real heat is still to come. And I believe it.
To all those that read my blog, I appreciate that you are remembering me and taking some time to read an update. I would like a chance to remember you and read your update. Write me, let me know how you are. Just in case, the address is 1871 E. Del Rio Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282. Thanks, I hope to hear from you soon.
With much love to all,
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Thursday, July 17, 2008
new transfer
Time passes quickly here in San Luis. All too suddenly, we received transfer calls and Elder Mitchell was moved out. It was not unexpected to have him leave as he had been here for two months. Transfers are a bit different for those who aren't being transferred in the Yuma Zone. We all slept over together on Tuesday night, with all of the luggage and chaos from the elders leaving. We sent them off in the morning for Tempe and then just tried to pass the P-Day as normally as possible. But the whole day had the anxiety of waiting for the new elders to arrive, or any call from anybody letting us know who our companions are. It was a long day.
In the end, my new companion is a friend I already knew from Queen Creek. When I had been moved from one Queen Creek area to the other, Elder Snyder came in as a "greenie" with Elder Robinaugh. He has been in Queen Creek ever since and now has come to be my companion. I was excited, and I think he is too, to be serving together, and also to be in such a foreign part of the mission. I've had, or lived with, all the companions he's had and we know all the same people from Queen Creek. We just seem to talk and talk. He is from Cleveland, Ohio, the wonderful Midwest.
As for the other new missionaries in the zone, I already knew everybody who came. At first I thought it was a coincidence, or happenstance that I had served around all the others already, but then I realized that it is expected at this point to know many of the missionaries in the mission. And indeed, I do know a lot of them, or at least I know about them. The social organization of a mission was a surprise to me.
I am excited for the new change in blood around here. When a missionary is in one spot for a while, they become so familiar with an area that they rely on their own knowledge of the people, members and non-members, rather than faith in how things could be or should be. It will be good to work with Elder Snyder and just have the highest hopes for everything. I learned a lot from Elder Mitchell and am really appreciating the divine purpose of mission companions. Each one shapes you so much, and teaches in profound ways. I have high hopes for a good transfer with Elder Snyder.
I know, it seems like I say the same kind of things every six weeks when transfers come, but it is what seems most interesting. At least it changes things up for me more than any other daily passing. The work continues and we are doing well with our investigators. I haven't baptized multitudes, but people are learning about the gospel and feeling the Spirit. It is amazing to see people come to Christ, and as we continue, they will be baptized, they will receive the blessings of the Gospel, and they will have their hearts changed. I have faith.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
In the end, my new companion is a friend I already knew from Queen Creek. When I had been moved from one Queen Creek area to the other, Elder Snyder came in as a "greenie" with Elder Robinaugh. He has been in Queen Creek ever since and now has come to be my companion. I was excited, and I think he is too, to be serving together, and also to be in such a foreign part of the mission. I've had, or lived with, all the companions he's had and we know all the same people from Queen Creek. We just seem to talk and talk. He is from Cleveland, Ohio, the wonderful Midwest.
As for the other new missionaries in the zone, I already knew everybody who came. At first I thought it was a coincidence, or happenstance that I had served around all the others already, but then I realized that it is expected at this point to know many of the missionaries in the mission. And indeed, I do know a lot of them, or at least I know about them. The social organization of a mission was a surprise to me.
I am excited for the new change in blood around here. When a missionary is in one spot for a while, they become so familiar with an area that they rely on their own knowledge of the people, members and non-members, rather than faith in how things could be or should be. It will be good to work with Elder Snyder and just have the highest hopes for everything. I learned a lot from Elder Mitchell and am really appreciating the divine purpose of mission companions. Each one shapes you so much, and teaches in profound ways. I have high hopes for a good transfer with Elder Snyder.
I know, it seems like I say the same kind of things every six weeks when transfers come, but it is what seems most interesting. At least it changes things up for me more than any other daily passing. The work continues and we are doing well with our investigators. I haven't baptized multitudes, but people are learning about the gospel and feeling the Spirit. It is amazing to see people come to Christ, and as we continue, they will be baptized, they will receive the blessings of the Gospel, and they will have their hearts changed. I have faith.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
small things
We have had a good week with some rough things and some good things. It's been one full of lessons, many taught, and many learned. It's really great to look at things after the fact and see the lesson that was taught. It's been great.
In talking with recent converts especially, but also investigators, we keep hearing stories about how the Spirit helps these people conquer their weaknesses and become stronger. Some have had to learn how to speak in front of others, or control their temper, or how to repent. It has been amazing to look at how such small things in their lives make the difference for them. Their experiences build their testimonies into inpenetrable fortresses. And it all comes from the soft and gentle help of the Holy Ghost. That still, small voice has very great influence to those who seek it and it is a blessing and testimony to me to see others changing their lives to become more worthy of living with the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
As for lessons we've learned, we have experienced pains and joys this week because of small decisions. Seemingly little things make the difference between a good lesson or a so-so one. Little things are what make us worthy to receive guidance and revelation. Many of us in life get to a point where we are doing fairly well. We don't have problems with "big" sins and we can be faithful and happy. We know that our existence is intended for progression, and that our progress is an eternal goal as well as potential. Once we reach a point of satisfaction, we have stopped walking our eternal path. As we continue to work and refine ourselves, we can understand further the nature of God and our purpose and capacity in this life.
We teach member families so often about little things that they should already be doing, and somehow it is news. Things like Family Home Evening, family prayer, and family scripture reading should never be shrugged off with any excuse of current conditions. Is there any family, in any form, who cannot receive or does not need blessings from God? Neither is there any family who is excused from their responsibilities and priveleges of building unity. I wish families here in the mission realized that. President Hinckley, when talking about the Word of Wisdom specifically, said that the scriptures do not tell us of the dangers of diving into a pool without water, or jumping off a freeway overpass, but we know these things will bring harm to us. So it is with every commandment. Let us stay as far away from the edge of the cliff of temptation as possible. We will get no reward in life for getting closest to the edge without falling. And chances are, we will just fall as we push the limits. I know that for myself. I know that we need the Lord's help in every moment, and that humility and reliance on Him is not weakness in any sense of the word, rather spiritually strong and mature.
The small things we do each day are important. They will make the difference between disciples and mere believers. I have seen the evidence of this, and have no doubt that it is true. Christ invited us to be perfect, as our Father is perfect, and later as He himself became perfect. I know He lives and directs this church. There is no question to me. Elder Mitchell and I read a talk this morning from the April 2007 Conference called, "It's True Isn't It? Then What Else Matters?" by Elder Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy. It is a great talk and emphasizes a great point. The Church is true, and after that is established, nothing else is really ever as important as that one fact. Let's go forth and do good.
With love,
-Elder Sam Bostwick
In talking with recent converts especially, but also investigators, we keep hearing stories about how the Spirit helps these people conquer their weaknesses and become stronger. Some have had to learn how to speak in front of others, or control their temper, or how to repent. It has been amazing to look at how such small things in their lives make the difference for them. Their experiences build their testimonies into inpenetrable fortresses. And it all comes from the soft and gentle help of the Holy Ghost. That still, small voice has very great influence to those who seek it and it is a blessing and testimony to me to see others changing their lives to become more worthy of living with the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
As for lessons we've learned, we have experienced pains and joys this week because of small decisions. Seemingly little things make the difference between a good lesson or a so-so one. Little things are what make us worthy to receive guidance and revelation. Many of us in life get to a point where we are doing fairly well. We don't have problems with "big" sins and we can be faithful and happy. We know that our existence is intended for progression, and that our progress is an eternal goal as well as potential. Once we reach a point of satisfaction, we have stopped walking our eternal path. As we continue to work and refine ourselves, we can understand further the nature of God and our purpose and capacity in this life.
We teach member families so often about little things that they should already be doing, and somehow it is news. Things like Family Home Evening, family prayer, and family scripture reading should never be shrugged off with any excuse of current conditions. Is there any family, in any form, who cannot receive or does not need blessings from God? Neither is there any family who is excused from their responsibilities and priveleges of building unity. I wish families here in the mission realized that. President Hinckley, when talking about the Word of Wisdom specifically, said that the scriptures do not tell us of the dangers of diving into a pool without water, or jumping off a freeway overpass, but we know these things will bring harm to us. So it is with every commandment. Let us stay as far away from the edge of the cliff of temptation as possible. We will get no reward in life for getting closest to the edge without falling. And chances are, we will just fall as we push the limits. I know that for myself. I know that we need the Lord's help in every moment, and that humility and reliance on Him is not weakness in any sense of the word, rather spiritually strong and mature.
The small things we do each day are important. They will make the difference between disciples and mere believers. I have seen the evidence of this, and have no doubt that it is true. Christ invited us to be perfect, as our Father is perfect, and later as He himself became perfect. I know He lives and directs this church. There is no question to me. Elder Mitchell and I read a talk this morning from the April 2007 Conference called, "It's True Isn't It? Then What Else Matters?" by Elder Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy. It is a great talk and emphasizes a great point. The Church is true, and after that is established, nothing else is really ever as important as that one fact. Let's go forth and do good.
With love,
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
hello, hello, I'm fine, and how are you?
There is a kid's program going on in the library right now, and they are playing some ridiculous songs. For that, I say, "hello, hello, I'm fine, and how are you?" How have you all been? I hope all is well and that life proves to be exciting and rewarding as always. If I remember correctly, Becca is finishing (or recovering from) final reunion preparations, Dad is getting done with a hopefully successful case, and Mom is at home enjoying beautiful music and foreign company. Cecily will soon be abandoned on the East Coast, and with Jay's record, any number of exciting adventures could be coming up soon. Life sounds pretty exciting. I hope that we can all keep our heads straight with all the commotion.
As for San Luis, there has been quite a bit of commotion here too. One of our recent converts was held at gunpoint as two men tried to rob his taco shop. The recent convert always carries a gun at work (those hardened army ruffians) and they had a more-or-less shoot off in which the robber's gun failed to fire, and Braulio, the recent convert, miraculously missed. The whole story is incredibly exciting, especially when told in person from first hand perspective. We met a man in the streets a few weeks ago who seemed fairly interested in learning more about the Book of Mormon, but on returning to his house yesterday, we found that his house had burnt down! I can only imagine the hopeless and desperate situation he now finds himself in, and I pray the missionaries, wherever he ends up, find him and he finds the comfort he needs.
And so it turns out that San Luis is a pretty happenin' place. I have been amazed at the people we have met who are so prepared, especially in the last few weeks. If only it were a simple thing to teach and baptize people, but different elements often impede our ability to teach those who are ready. Work, family problems, illness, and--worst of all--laziness or apathy often get in the way. My goal is to live worthy of the Spirit to the extent that people cannot forget the feelings they had as they talked with us, and will make sacrifices to meet with us. Until then, we will keep battling to teach lessons with our investigators.
We had a run-in with the Spirit of Elijah. We taught a part member family, where the daughters and husband are recent converts, about family history and the importance of temple work. The wife took immediate interest and began telling us how much her family needed their work done in the right way, that they had not had the same chance in this life. We are going to the family history center in Yuma with them soon, and she is leaps and bounds closer to a possibly near baptism.
In fact, as we were learning about the family history center down here, I began thinking about Grandpa Bostwick. It has been over a year, and I'm sure everything is being taken care of, but the church geneology records do not yet have his work as done. I began thinking about what my responsibility will be when I get home from my mission to begin finding our family, but I really don't know if there is room for more help in our family trees. How is the family history work for our family? I'm very curious.
On that note, go to the temple. The greatest blessings of heaven and earth are available in the Temple. For some, it is a sacrifice. For example I don't how long it takes to get from Cecily's home to the Temple in D.C. But for those who are still in Utah .... This is an invitation for all family and friends to increase, from whatever point you are at, your temple attendance. We can do more. I can't wait to be able to do more. They need us to do our part on the other side. Good luck.
The Church is true, there is no greater work than bringing the gospel to those in darkness. I think of those who are kept away from the truths of the gospel simply because they do not know where to find it. I want to show them where and how to find it. What matters more?
-Elder Sam Bostwick
As for San Luis, there has been quite a bit of commotion here too. One of our recent converts was held at gunpoint as two men tried to rob his taco shop. The recent convert always carries a gun at work (those hardened army ruffians) and they had a more-or-less shoot off in which the robber's gun failed to fire, and Braulio, the recent convert, miraculously missed. The whole story is incredibly exciting, especially when told in person from first hand perspective. We met a man in the streets a few weeks ago who seemed fairly interested in learning more about the Book of Mormon, but on returning to his house yesterday, we found that his house had burnt down! I can only imagine the hopeless and desperate situation he now finds himself in, and I pray the missionaries, wherever he ends up, find him and he finds the comfort he needs.
And so it turns out that San Luis is a pretty happenin' place. I have been amazed at the people we have met who are so prepared, especially in the last few weeks. If only it were a simple thing to teach and baptize people, but different elements often impede our ability to teach those who are ready. Work, family problems, illness, and--worst of all--laziness or apathy often get in the way. My goal is to live worthy of the Spirit to the extent that people cannot forget the feelings they had as they talked with us, and will make sacrifices to meet with us. Until then, we will keep battling to teach lessons with our investigators.
We had a run-in with the Spirit of Elijah. We taught a part member family, where the daughters and husband are recent converts, about family history and the importance of temple work. The wife took immediate interest and began telling us how much her family needed their work done in the right way, that they had not had the same chance in this life. We are going to the family history center in Yuma with them soon, and she is leaps and bounds closer to a possibly near baptism.
In fact, as we were learning about the family history center down here, I began thinking about Grandpa Bostwick. It has been over a year, and I'm sure everything is being taken care of, but the church geneology records do not yet have his work as done. I began thinking about what my responsibility will be when I get home from my mission to begin finding our family, but I really don't know if there is room for more help in our family trees. How is the family history work for our family? I'm very curious.
On that note, go to the temple. The greatest blessings of heaven and earth are available in the Temple. For some, it is a sacrifice. For example I don't how long it takes to get from Cecily's home to the Temple in D.C. But for those who are still in Utah .... This is an invitation for all family and friends to increase, from whatever point you are at, your temple attendance. We can do more. I can't wait to be able to do more. They need us to do our part on the other side. Good luck.
The Church is true, there is no greater work than bringing the gospel to those in darkness. I think of those who are kept away from the truths of the gospel simply because they do not know where to find it. I want to show them where and how to find it. What matters more?
-Elder Sam Bostwick
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