The end of the transfer came today, and we sent some elders back up to "the Valley" to go off to new areas. We hope to welcome some new life into the Yuma Zone, and Elder Snyder and I hope to keep the friendly fun going on, as we will be staying together another six weeks. We really do have a good time together, and work very well as a companionship, and so I am very glad for the chance to have more time with him.
Elder Snyder is from Cleveland, Ohio and apparently has a very very big house. His dad is a corporate defense lawyer, and a very prominent and reputed one. Despite having money, Elder Snyder has zero pride. He played sports a lot in high school, but with a music education mother, he also was very active in the music departments at his school. He was predicted to take the state championship in wrestling his senior year in high school, but a sudden injury stopped all hopes or expectations. Elder Snyder and I talk a lot, about everything, and it is refreshing to have such a good friend here in the mission, especially as my companion.
Last week, I promised to talk a little bit about recent converts and I'll see what I can do. We have various recent converts in our branch with whom we are working. I will start with oldest, I suppose—that is, oldest in the Church. Lorenzo Galindo was one of Elder Wood's baptisms when he served here. He had some different challenges to overcome before he could be baptized, including quitting smoking and gambling, and then just studying. Missionaries had stopped teaching him several times, but for some reason they always came back to start up again. Finally Elder Wood and his companion at that time got Lorenzo to stop smoking, they answered all his questions, and he was baptized, along with his two sons. Just a few months ago his wife decided it was her time to make the commitment as well and she was also baptized. I love the Galindos because you can go to their house and talk and talk and talk. But you'll be lucky if you get in a word in all the talking. They are so funny, especially Lorenzo, who has a very entertaining personality. They are a constant worry to the branch presidency however, with their difficult financial situation and their suspicions that Lorenzo is not living all the standards of the Church. If only they could see what we see in his good heart.
Sylvia Chavez is an older lady who is taking care of her grandchildren while her son and daughter-in-law are in jail. The grandchildren are a huge burden on her, especially the oldest who has followed very well in the example of her parents and is constantly on house arrest or seeing psychologists because of state order. It is a difficult situation, but she loves it when the missionaries come over. She cries every single time we are there, without fail. What a sweet lady; she doesn't deserve all the problems that she is having, but we all know that our problems are almost always self-blamable. The mercy of the Atonement will be able to heal her broken family over time, or at least her broken heart.
Carlos Soto is a funny guy. His wife left him suddenly at some point last year, and he was left a single alcoholic. He still lives in the same small town as his ex-wife, so that he can be close to his three kids. Carlos speaks English so we can be a bit more natural with him. He also lived in Utah for a while, so he'll talk about it every so often. He is a very soft spoken person, and a testimony to me of the need of home teachers. He needs his home teachers, but he would never ask them to come over. We are constantly trying to make sure his home teachers get over to his house, a battle worth fighting.
The Beltrans are a great family. The father and daughters were baptized together and we are still working with Sister Beltran. Brother Beltran is making progress toward becoming a strong priesthood leader, especially in his own home. We always remind him of the blessings of the priesthood, which are his goal, as well as one day being sealed in the temple with his wife. I love their family a lot, and I would do just about anything to see them get sealed as an eternal family Plus, their 8-year-old daughter almost kissed me on the cheek one time. It was very Latin.
Braulio Alvarez is the recent convert of dreams. He just gets everything. He learns new things, and then remembers them. All of them. The progress he has made since his baptism four months ago is remarkable, literally. He made a lot of lifestyle changes to join the Church, though his wife, who has been a member for many years, was already living all the standards of the Church. It was a miracle that he accepted the gospel and now has excelled so rapidly in his testimony and understanding of the doctrines of the gospel, as well as church leadership. With a police and military background, he knows about responsibility and accountability and is already a great example of faithful membership. He also happens to be a gourmet chef who is willing to cook for us at almost any time, and his family owns an awesome taco shop in town, at which we eat for free whenever we want.
Those are the main recent converts that we are working with. We do our best to fortify their testimonies and their understanding of the church, but we always need more help. I know this is the case for missionaries all over the world. We need member support in bringing people into the gospel, and especially in keeping them there. Those members who understand this must do their job! We can't do our work without you. I know sometimes, even more so in our large Utah wards, we don't even know who new members are. It is hard to remember the needs of the missionaries when you hardly ever see them, but we need the help in this.
I love you all, my time is gone. Take care.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
to the fam, and all y'all out there
Dear Readers....
I really appreciate the responses I get from those who keep up on the blog. It is nice to know it is worth writing something every week. Those who read on the actual blog page, realize that it exists because of the help of my brother, Jay, who had the idea in the first place. He is the one who adds each entry and who keeps the page functioning. If you know him, give him a big thanks. Jay, I am very grateful for what you do to keep the blog up to date and working. Many people have commented to me that they think it is such a good idea and have enjoyed reading up on my mission.
Last week (I believe) I asked for different input on what people liked to hear about. I got some good ideas and hope I can start playing to your interests.
One of the greatest joys I personally get out of missionary work is working with recent converts. Even though in most cases I was not there for their initial conversion that brought them to baptism, it is a beautiful privilege to watch their lives mold and morph into something new, and something better. I feel a great spirit from hearing their testimonies, and seeing miracles in their lives, and working to improve glitches until they feel comfortable and confident, and are strong and influential members of the Church.
New members to a ward or branch are a unique responsibility, but also a great blessing. In most cases, the care for an investigator of the Church is primarily the missionaries'. Though we need, and greatly appreciate the support, service, and friendship given so selflessly from normal members of the Church, investigators very naturally look to the missionaries as the source for spiritual strength they are beginning to feel. We teach investigators to recognize the Spirit that comes from going to church and reading the scriptures and praying, and they connect that Spirit to the feelings they feel when we teach. Once an investigator "jumps the line" or "takes the swim," they, in a more literal and serious way, become the responsibility of the ward. The bishop is now in charge of that individual's progression, and the missionaries' part is greatly shared by the leadership of the ward and of quorums and classes therein. Each new member, as stated by President Hinckley, needs a friend, a responsibility, and nourishment by the good word of God. It is the duty of the bishop to see that each one has adequate fellowshipping, that they quickly accept a calling, and that they are visited by powerful, and effective home/visiting teachers, as well as continue to assist their church meetings faithfully. It is a unique time of life for the new members, and each one will require unique help and awareness of their situations.
I love working with recent converts. Their faith is often so great, and their innocence and humility so obvious. They often feel as though they know very little about the Church and need much help. They are often right, but their testimony brings a vibrant spirit that most older members may have settled into more. We spend a good amount of time working with local leaders to see to the needs of each recent convert, and there is no greater satisfaction. The only thing better than a baptism, would be a sealing of an eternal family. The greatest blessings of the gospel are to come after baptism, under the care of long-time members of the Church. I know that as members realize their responsibility to uplift new members, and become aware of the new members that may be in their ward, and as missionaries and members close the gap between their efforts, the Church will be blessed and we will grow more into a Zion people. I feel such joy in serving, and know that the same joy and the same blessings are promised to all who will give of their time.
I wanted to write about some of the recent converts here, but my time is gone. I might write more next week. I love you all. Take care.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
I really appreciate the responses I get from those who keep up on the blog. It is nice to know it is worth writing something every week. Those who read on the actual blog page, realize that it exists because of the help of my brother, Jay, who had the idea in the first place. He is the one who adds each entry and who keeps the page functioning. If you know him, give him a big thanks. Jay, I am very grateful for what you do to keep the blog up to date and working. Many people have commented to me that they think it is such a good idea and have enjoyed reading up on my mission.
Last week (I believe) I asked for different input on what people liked to hear about. I got some good ideas and hope I can start playing to your interests.
One of the greatest joys I personally get out of missionary work is working with recent converts. Even though in most cases I was not there for their initial conversion that brought them to baptism, it is a beautiful privilege to watch their lives mold and morph into something new, and something better. I feel a great spirit from hearing their testimonies, and seeing miracles in their lives, and working to improve glitches until they feel comfortable and confident, and are strong and influential members of the Church.
New members to a ward or branch are a unique responsibility, but also a great blessing. In most cases, the care for an investigator of the Church is primarily the missionaries'. Though we need, and greatly appreciate the support, service, and friendship given so selflessly from normal members of the Church, investigators very naturally look to the missionaries as the source for spiritual strength they are beginning to feel. We teach investigators to recognize the Spirit that comes from going to church and reading the scriptures and praying, and they connect that Spirit to the feelings they feel when we teach. Once an investigator "jumps the line" or "takes the swim," they, in a more literal and serious way, become the responsibility of the ward. The bishop is now in charge of that individual's progression, and the missionaries' part is greatly shared by the leadership of the ward and of quorums and classes therein. Each new member, as stated by President Hinckley, needs a friend, a responsibility, and nourishment by the good word of God. It is the duty of the bishop to see that each one has adequate fellowshipping, that they quickly accept a calling, and that they are visited by powerful, and effective home/visiting teachers, as well as continue to assist their church meetings faithfully. It is a unique time of life for the new members, and each one will require unique help and awareness of their situations.
I love working with recent converts. Their faith is often so great, and their innocence and humility so obvious. They often feel as though they know very little about the Church and need much help. They are often right, but their testimony brings a vibrant spirit that most older members may have settled into more. We spend a good amount of time working with local leaders to see to the needs of each recent convert, and there is no greater satisfaction. The only thing better than a baptism, would be a sealing of an eternal family. The greatest blessings of the gospel are to come after baptism, under the care of long-time members of the Church. I know that as members realize their responsibility to uplift new members, and become aware of the new members that may be in their ward, and as missionaries and members close the gap between their efforts, the Church will be blessed and we will grow more into a Zion people. I feel such joy in serving, and know that the same joy and the same blessings are promised to all who will give of their time.
I wanted to write about some of the recent converts here, but my time is gone. I might write more next week. I love you all. Take care.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
a week with leadership
Salutations from San Luis! We are excited to be coming a bit closer to the end of the summer here, we can make it another month. The uncharacteristic humidity every day has made the temperatures feel intense, though in all fairness they aren't that bad. We're getting about 110 every day. We are surviving.
This week we have had some exchanges. After our interviews with the President, the APs stay in Yuma for another day and go on exchanges with different companionships. It was our turn this week. The senior AP came with us for a day and we had a surprisingly good time. I wouldn't say that the work went much better than normal—every day is good and we always work hard—but we just had a lot of fun together: Elder Snyder, me, and the AP. Today we have our zone leader whose companion just went home a few weeks before the transfer ended to catch the beginning of Fall semester at school. We had a disappointingly not-Mexican dinner last night (we always hope for good Mexican food on exchange days so the other elders can get a special treat) but a very good day otherwise. There is always just a bit of tension when you're with one of the mission leadership, but the key is to be a good, obedient missionary so they have nothing to judge you for. That's the secret. Elder Snyder now jokes that after we've "impressed" all our leaders, that I'll whitewash (move into an area where both of the previous companions were transferred) with a brand new greeny this coming transfer. I hope not.
This is one of the funnest times of my mission so far. Elder Snyder and I are still endlessly joking, and we just enjoy being together. But even with good times, there are unique challenges and difficulties. We are working to stay focused on the task at hand and always to maintain the Spirit with us. We have found that with a companion who is a good friend, it is easier to lose concentration. But don't worry, we have not lost it enough to get us to stop working. All is well, but we are always on our toes.
I love you all, I appreciated the letter. I hope you all have a great week, and take care of yourselves.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
This week we have had some exchanges. After our interviews with the President, the APs stay in Yuma for another day and go on exchanges with different companionships. It was our turn this week. The senior AP came with us for a day and we had a surprisingly good time. I wouldn't say that the work went much better than normal—every day is good and we always work hard—but we just had a lot of fun together: Elder Snyder, me, and the AP. Today we have our zone leader whose companion just went home a few weeks before the transfer ended to catch the beginning of Fall semester at school. We had a disappointingly not-Mexican dinner last night (we always hope for good Mexican food on exchange days so the other elders can get a special treat) but a very good day otherwise. There is always just a bit of tension when you're with one of the mission leadership, but the key is to be a good, obedient missionary so they have nothing to judge you for. That's the secret. Elder Snyder now jokes that after we've "impressed" all our leaders, that I'll whitewash (move into an area where both of the previous companions were transferred) with a brand new greeny this coming transfer. I hope not.
This is one of the funnest times of my mission so far. Elder Snyder and I are still endlessly joking, and we just enjoy being together. But even with good times, there are unique challenges and difficulties. We are working to stay focused on the task at hand and always to maintain the Spirit with us. We have found that with a companion who is a good friend, it is easier to lose concentration. But don't worry, we have not lost it enough to get us to stop working. All is well, but we are always on our toes.
I love you all, I appreciated the letter. I hope you all have a great week, and take care of yourselves.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
not much to say
It's difficult to decide what to say every week. If I wrote every detail, I fear I would go on endlessly, and if I don't write every detail, nothing seems to stand out above the rest. Maybe you should send me suggestions of things you would like to hear (or read) about my mission, then I can write better to my audience.
As for today, I suppose I can write a little bit about the investigators that we've got here in San Luis. Edgar is the 16-year-old son of the Young Men's president in the branch. Brother Aguilar (Adelmo) joined the church a few years ago without the rest of his family. He has studied the gospel, and become an influential and incredibly serviceful member of the branch since his baptism. Adelmo is the definition of being constantly engaged in good works, as he never seems to tire of helping the needy in the branch, and is always asking us when he can come teaching with us, and offering rides and everything. He is so good that for the first month or so, I thought he must have grown up in the Church and served a mission to become like that. I was wrong. When Adelmo was baptized, his two kids and his wife were fine with it, but they definitely did not have a desire to jump into the font along with him. He continued to progress, even going to the temple, a lone member in his family. Then recently, Edgar decided he wanted to be baptized. We have been teaching him all the lessons, and it has been very fun. There is a different feeling when teaching a teenager and definitely a difference when we teach in English. My favorite lesson so far has been when we taught about missionary work. Elder Snyder and I talked all about the blessings of serving a mission. There would be no greater reward than to see Edgar serve a mission when he turns 19. His baptism is close and we are excited for him.
In March, a father and his two daughters were baptized, but the wife and mother were not. The Beltrans had all heard the lessons together and done everything together, but Sister Beltran just didn't get baptized. She comes to church every week with her family, is an avid participant in all classes and activities, and has a rock-solid testimony. But she just never got baptized. We taught a lesson to the Beltrans yesterday and it was an incredible moment that I was blessed to witness as both Brother and Sister Beltran bore their testimonies of the gospel and of the Savior, of the changes they had experienced in their lives as well as the blessings they have received since beginning to live and obey the commandments of God. We all know she will get baptized literally any day, and we are hoping to let the Spirit give her the nudge she needs.
We are also teaching a man with muscular sclerosis who is very, very Christian. He was "called" to the gospel after he was diagnosed and has been studying in a local Christian church ever since. Teaching him is very educational for us, because we really have to study out what we want to teach. Our struggle is to help him feel the Spirit, which he has been taught is a loud, commotion-causing, adrenaline rush. As the quiet warmth of the true Spirit testifies of the doctrines of the gospel, he feels strangely attracted to what we teach, though he can't explain why. Many times he has just had a hard time understanding as we've explained the Holy Ghost to him. But he is completely genuine and good-hearted, and gave me a gift of a beautiful miniature Santa Biblia (Holy Bible).
Those are some of our main investigators, though not all. We have been blessed to receive some great referrals from members recently, and are beginning to teach new people. Elder Snyder and I are always working on teaching more effectively together, and we both hope that we'll get another six weeks together in "Spanish Missionary Paradise."
I love you all. Let me know some updates, and new news. The Church is true, and there is nothing more important. If we learn to prioritize our lives with the most important thing first, we will be prepared for anything that may come in these last and difficult days.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
As for today, I suppose I can write a little bit about the investigators that we've got here in San Luis. Edgar is the 16-year-old son of the Young Men's president in the branch. Brother Aguilar (Adelmo) joined the church a few years ago without the rest of his family. He has studied the gospel, and become an influential and incredibly serviceful member of the branch since his baptism. Adelmo is the definition of being constantly engaged in good works, as he never seems to tire of helping the needy in the branch, and is always asking us when he can come teaching with us, and offering rides and everything. He is so good that for the first month or so, I thought he must have grown up in the Church and served a mission to become like that. I was wrong. When Adelmo was baptized, his two kids and his wife were fine with it, but they definitely did not have a desire to jump into the font along with him. He continued to progress, even going to the temple, a lone member in his family. Then recently, Edgar decided he wanted to be baptized. We have been teaching him all the lessons, and it has been very fun. There is a different feeling when teaching a teenager and definitely a difference when we teach in English. My favorite lesson so far has been when we taught about missionary work. Elder Snyder and I talked all about the blessings of serving a mission. There would be no greater reward than to see Edgar serve a mission when he turns 19. His baptism is close and we are excited for him.
In March, a father and his two daughters were baptized, but the wife and mother were not. The Beltrans had all heard the lessons together and done everything together, but Sister Beltran just didn't get baptized. She comes to church every week with her family, is an avid participant in all classes and activities, and has a rock-solid testimony. But she just never got baptized. We taught a lesson to the Beltrans yesterday and it was an incredible moment that I was blessed to witness as both Brother and Sister Beltran bore their testimonies of the gospel and of the Savior, of the changes they had experienced in their lives as well as the blessings they have received since beginning to live and obey the commandments of God. We all know she will get baptized literally any day, and we are hoping to let the Spirit give her the nudge she needs.
We are also teaching a man with muscular sclerosis who is very, very Christian. He was "called" to the gospel after he was diagnosed and has been studying in a local Christian church ever since. Teaching him is very educational for us, because we really have to study out what we want to teach. Our struggle is to help him feel the Spirit, which he has been taught is a loud, commotion-causing, adrenaline rush. As the quiet warmth of the true Spirit testifies of the doctrines of the gospel, he feels strangely attracted to what we teach, though he can't explain why. Many times he has just had a hard time understanding as we've explained the Holy Ghost to him. But he is completely genuine and good-hearted, and gave me a gift of a beautiful miniature Santa Biblia (Holy Bible).
Those are some of our main investigators, though not all. We have been blessed to receive some great referrals from members recently, and are beginning to teach new people. Elder Snyder and I are always working on teaching more effectively together, and we both hope that we'll get another six weeks together in "Spanish Missionary Paradise."
I love you all. Let me know some updates, and new news. The Church is true, and there is nothing more important. If we learn to prioritize our lives with the most important thing first, we will be prepared for anything that may come in these last and difficult days.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)