Yesterday and today I am on exchanges in the Foothills. Right as you enter into the Yuma Valley, there is a large section of town called the Foothills which is chuck-full of snowbirds. It is a rarity to meet somebody under the age of 55 here.
The concept of a snowbird seems quite pathetic to me. A husband and wife work their whole life to build up savings and establish themselves and work towards a worthy retirement only to abandon everything they have and blow their money on a ridiculous motor home or a sad trailer in a place where they have no attachments and nothing to do but go to the casino and play shuffle board and bingo with all the other old people who don't have lives either.
The gospel teaches us to establish a righteous lifestyle of service, of sacrifice, and good works and to "endure to the end." This wave culture of snowbirds works against the gospel of Jesus Christ and frustrates years of righteous service to their fellowman. Especially in the Church, it must be viewed as unacceptable for healthy, financially stable elderly people to desert their responsibilities for unworthy ends. There is a "Snowbird Branch" in the Yuma Stake which has at least 700 members who are not serving in significant callings, not serving in the temple, not serving missions and losing their last years of mortal life to selfish and useless endeavors. It is a true tragedy.
I hope that we, as a family will remain faithful until the end. That we will spend our lives, our whole lives, in the service of God is my prayer for our family. It is such a rich blessing to serve others, and anyone who wants to use their life to achieve happiness will seek in the service of their brother. I love this Gospel and know it is true. I am so blessed to be on a mission, and I love you all. Take care.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
P.S. I realize this ended up sounding strong, but I really do feel strongly about it.... In the end, the Father knows the heart of each one of His children and He will be our final judge. Where I might lack mercy, He holds it abundantly. Good thing I am not the judge.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
slow
For some reason, time has slowed down a lot. For a long time I had been whizzing along the time warp of mission life and I was frantically searching for time sufficient to accomplish all the things I needed to do. I don't know why, but all this warp-speed has led up to a standstill, though nothing significant has changed.
I have been in San Luis for close to 8 months, roughly half of my mission and things continue to go well. It is remarkable how we always always, always find new and fruitful things to do. I know everything about almost all the member families we have on the branch list—I have personally visited 95% of them. We find new potentials and new investigators as we go about doing our things, we have success in teaching and I have witnessed further conversion to the gospel in myself and in several others in and out of the Church. It has been a miraculous time spent here and I just wonder why God let me be here for it. I continually feel that, though we go about doing good all day every day, the greatest good that is done is completely out of our hands and the credit can go to nobody else but our Father in Heaven. I told the mission president in a weekly report that I didn't know whether to beg to stay or beg to leave San Luis. We'll see what happens.
Elder Villasenor and I are almost comically different. While on an exchange, another missionary told me, "You two are quite the pair." Our opinions very rarely agree and we are always struggling to understand the others' point of view. It has been such a blessing to be with such an extreme opposite of me and find middle ground. We find happiness together in doing the Lord's work, because nothing else would make us both happy. It is a joyful challenge, and we are blessed.
My time is almost done, and I better sign off. I love you all. Be good this week, and as always, I'd love to hear from you. Bye!
-Elder Sam
I have been in San Luis for close to 8 months, roughly half of my mission and things continue to go well. It is remarkable how we always always, always find new and fruitful things to do. I know everything about almost all the member families we have on the branch list—I have personally visited 95% of them. We find new potentials and new investigators as we go about doing our things, we have success in teaching and I have witnessed further conversion to the gospel in myself and in several others in and out of the Church. It has been a miraculous time spent here and I just wonder why God let me be here for it. I continually feel that, though we go about doing good all day every day, the greatest good that is done is completely out of our hands and the credit can go to nobody else but our Father in Heaven. I told the mission president in a weekly report that I didn't know whether to beg to stay or beg to leave San Luis. We'll see what happens.
Elder Villasenor and I are almost comically different. While on an exchange, another missionary told me, "You two are quite the pair." Our opinions very rarely agree and we are always struggling to understand the others' point of view. It has been such a blessing to be with such an extreme opposite of me and find middle ground. We find happiness together in doing the Lord's work, because nothing else would make us both happy. It is a joyful challenge, and we are blessed.
My time is almost done, and I better sign off. I love you all. Be good this week, and as always, I'd love to hear from you. Bye!
-Elder Sam
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
quickly
This week has passed rather quickly. We had a good week lesson-wise last week, teaching more than we normally do. I think that helped move time along.
We also had a week full of exchanges and baptismal interviews, a zone conference and a lot of fun new things for me. I have really enjoyed the new experiences that have come my way, it makes me very grateful for the ability to cope with it all. We constantly work to improve our area, find new people to teach, and help our current people progress. With so much time in this area, I really, really want to leave it considerably better than I found it. I wish I had a small view of the grand scheme of things and see if my efforts are being wasted in unfruitful activities.
One of the best things that happened this week was finishing up with all of the college headache. All my applications, auditions, essays, resumes and everything have been completed and sent off. All I have to do now is just wait. And I am so ready to be done worry about it all. Hooray! Thanks one last time to everybody who helped with sending me stuff and reviewing my essays and deciphering all of my poorly-explained requests. It is done now!
My time is gone, I love you all. Keep doing good. I am doing well and happily engaged in the work we do. Much love!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
We also had a week full of exchanges and baptismal interviews, a zone conference and a lot of fun new things for me. I have really enjoyed the new experiences that have come my way, it makes me very grateful for the ability to cope with it all. We constantly work to improve our area, find new people to teach, and help our current people progress. With so much time in this area, I really, really want to leave it considerably better than I found it. I wish I had a small view of the grand scheme of things and see if my efforts are being wasted in unfruitful activities.
One of the best things that happened this week was finishing up with all of the college headache. All my applications, auditions, essays, resumes and everything have been completed and sent off. All I have to do now is just wait. And I am so ready to be done worry about it all. Hooray! Thanks one last time to everybody who helped with sending me stuff and reviewing my essays and deciphering all of my poorly-explained requests. It is done now!
My time is gone, I love you all. Keep doing good. I am doing well and happily engaged in the work we do. Much love!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Thursday, January 8, 2009
new year
Holidays are just great. In our world, there is so much to get discouraged about. We lose hope and happiness every time we see the news or the papers or check the mail (the only thing that would be worse than getting no mail, is getting bills in the mail!). It is an unfortunate situation that we find ourselves in, feeling smaller and smaller in a world that seems to get meaner and meaner, with demands that grow higher and higher. God, in His knowledge, surely knew this hopeless and sad day would come, and therefore gave us a reason to celebrate. In this country, we even are blessed with federal recognition of God-sent celebrations. We have been so blessed this year to lift our spirits and our cheer, to first give thanks to God, refocus in the Savior, and then make new goals and plans to be better. What a wonderful flow, inspired to bring us joy!
As much as I don't want 2009 to be here, it has come. I continue to try harder and harder every day, praying that my pithy efforts will be accepted in the end and counted to me for righteousness. I even still feel as though I don't know how to do as much could as I should, but it is a daily process, and I imagine we all go through similar feelings of inadequacy from time to time. Each time we jump one hurdle, another one comes into our path to help us with our eternal progress. I wonder if the day will ever come in this life where I am completely content with myself—I imagine not. We are commanded to be perfect, even as our Father or Christ are perfect and the Lord will never give us a commandment without providing a way to accomplish it. I love that principle and I rejoice in our eternal potential as children of God to become all that He is, and receive all the joy that He has. Our message is true and it must be shared. Why did I wait until a call came before I began to preach the gospel? Did I not remember the promise I made and remake every week to witness of the Savior? Our call has already come and we must worthily endeavor for the glory of God. I love you all, thank you for doing good in the world and for always setting the example for me. Let's always do better.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
As much as I don't want 2009 to be here, it has come. I continue to try harder and harder every day, praying that my pithy efforts will be accepted in the end and counted to me for righteousness. I even still feel as though I don't know how to do as much could as I should, but it is a daily process, and I imagine we all go through similar feelings of inadequacy from time to time. Each time we jump one hurdle, another one comes into our path to help us with our eternal progress. I wonder if the day will ever come in this life where I am completely content with myself—I imagine not. We are commanded to be perfect, even as our Father or Christ are perfect and the Lord will never give us a commandment without providing a way to accomplish it. I love that principle and I rejoice in our eternal potential as children of God to become all that He is, and receive all the joy that He has. Our message is true and it must be shared. Why did I wait until a call came before I began to preach the gospel? Did I not remember the promise I made and remake every week to witness of the Savior? Our call has already come and we must worthily endeavor for the glory of God. I love you all, thank you for doing good in the world and for always setting the example for me. Let's always do better.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
beating the odds
Christmas was great. I can't even explain how wonderful it was to be with my family. Though I wasn't there in person, I did feel I was there as well as Cecily. Modern technology really pulled through in the three-way calling thing. As happy as a person can be, their happiness is never complete without their family. It was a great day, and it's memory will carry me through until Mother's Day.
Our "White Christmas" a few days after Christmas Day was so awesome. The whole day was rocky: an exchange that took me to the other side of the Yuma Zone and some missing baptismal candidates, figuring out a way to get baptismal clothes and some getting permission from the mission president for a counselor in the branch presidency to do a baptismal interview right before the service ... it made me laugh because only two days before, I had reported to my family that I do not get stressed in the missionary duties. I was definitely stressed that day, but in the end, we literally dumped a big mess in the hands of the Lord, and it was all straightened out miraculously. The baptism was a very special one and we were very blessed.
I had also reported to my family that come the new year, I would be serving in a new place. Well, in San Luis we are beating the odds. I enjoyed seven-and-a-half months so much that I get to stay for nine. That's right, keep sending things to the same old address, I have not gone anywhere. I feel very blessed to be able to stay. I take it as a sign that I am either doing something right, or I am enough of a nuisance that President Craig just wants to keep me out of the way. Elder Villasenor and I will stay together again and we just got news of who else is coming down to our Zone. We're going to have another superb transfer from great teaching and great missionaries.
Everything continues to go well. Elder Villasenor just doesn't understand why I don't like soccer. I tell him I like to watch it, just like any other sport, but that I am so bad at it that I don't like to play. He continues to be stubborn.
The Church is true. I am grateful for the time of year at New Year's to make new goals and to refocus ourselves. It is an opportunity for me to become a better man and a better missionary. I hope we can all focus our goals up unto the Lord and seek His help in achieving our righteous desires. I love you all. Happy New Year.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Our "White Christmas" a few days after Christmas Day was so awesome. The whole day was rocky: an exchange that took me to the other side of the Yuma Zone and some missing baptismal candidates, figuring out a way to get baptismal clothes and some getting permission from the mission president for a counselor in the branch presidency to do a baptismal interview right before the service ... it made me laugh because only two days before, I had reported to my family that I do not get stressed in the missionary duties. I was definitely stressed that day, but in the end, we literally dumped a big mess in the hands of the Lord, and it was all straightened out miraculously. The baptism was a very special one and we were very blessed.
I had also reported to my family that come the new year, I would be serving in a new place. Well, in San Luis we are beating the odds. I enjoyed seven-and-a-half months so much that I get to stay for nine. That's right, keep sending things to the same old address, I have not gone anywhere. I feel very blessed to be able to stay. I take it as a sign that I am either doing something right, or I am enough of a nuisance that President Craig just wants to keep me out of the way. Elder Villasenor and I will stay together again and we just got news of who else is coming down to our Zone. We're going to have another superb transfer from great teaching and great missionaries.
Everything continues to go well. Elder Villasenor just doesn't understand why I don't like soccer. I tell him I like to watch it, just like any other sport, but that I am so bad at it that I don't like to play. He continues to be stubborn.
The Church is true. I am grateful for the time of year at New Year's to make new goals and to refocus ourselves. It is an opportunity for me to become a better man and a better missionary. I hope we can all focus our goals up unto the Lord and seek His help in achieving our righteous desires. I love you all. Happy New Year.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
merry christmas
To all family and friends, I wish the most sincere Merry Christmas to all. I hope you are all with family enjoying fun traditions and a special few days.
To my family, I can't wait to talk with you tomorrow. It will truly be the best gift of all. Jo, Hyrum, Lizzie and Summer, be sure to go to bed early because Santa won't come if you are still awake.
Also, next week is transfers, so mail is going to be iffy this week. If you send it to me to get here by Tuesday, make sure it will actually get there by Tuesday, or just send it to the Mission Office: 1871 E. Del Rio Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282. I will let you know if I have a new address next Wednesday in my email. Love you all!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
To my family, I can't wait to talk with you tomorrow. It will truly be the best gift of all. Jo, Hyrum, Lizzie and Summer, be sure to go to bed early because Santa won't come if you are still awake.
Also, next week is transfers, so mail is going to be iffy this week. If you send it to me to get here by Tuesday, make sure it will actually get there by Tuesday, or just send it to the Mission Office: 1871 E. Del Rio Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282. I will let you know if I have a new address next Wednesday in my email. Love you all!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
wet christmas
Weather reports turned goofy at some point last week as they predicted coming rain. We ignored the possibility and were caught surprised. We are now in Day Two of consistent rain, something I have seen or even heard of in Arizona. The rain that comes here normally falls intensely, but quickly, which is exactly the opposite of what we are currently experiencing. This slow drizzle has been a welcome blessing, as I really do love the rain, and it is always nice to have a little bit of change. And somehow, rain seems to make the "cold" so much easier to handle.
We tick down to Christmas and all of our missionary activities show it. People are more willing to listen to our message during the Christmas time, and it is always a blessing to be able to touch somebody's heart that would normally be quite as receptive. There is a spirit in the season, and I pray that missionaries all over the world benefit from it.
Yesterday we had yet another road trip. There was a Tri-Zone Christmas Zone Conference yesterday in Casa Grande, about two-and-a-half hours from Yuma. We left early yesterday morning and arrived with only a few hours of proselyting left. The day was great, spent with some of my very favorite missionaries and enjoying the company immensely. It is always good to see President and Sister Craig, and this week, due the the interviews schedule and Zone Conferences, we saw them twice and that was also enjoyed greatly. I feel so blessed to be a missionary, as the life of a missionary is just a happy one. I hope I can find the same happiness in service in the rest of my life.
In my interview with President Craig this week, it seemed hard to explain to him how I feel about my testimony. My testimony is growing more and more every day and it is due to the grace of God in seeing His work in action. I know that the gospel is restored in our day through a prophet, and I cannot think of any other way to believe. I am happy, in a way I didn't even imagine before, but I know that feeling can go away. What I had a hard time explaining was my dedication to my testimony, not just that I have one--but what it means to me. I know what I have to do for the rest of my life, and it is very simple. All that is expected of us is to do everything as our knowledge of the gospel dictates to us. I cannot explain that with the justice it deserves, but I hope you can all feel the spirit of what I am saying. What is most beautiful is that I can help others gain the same change in their lives. I am a better person, and everybody will be, because I have acted on pure faith so many times--indeed sometimes I have wondered when I won't need just blind faith anymore. It is hard for me to not know why we do things, and to not understand God's purposes, but what is most important is that we just do it, and then the understanding comes. I testify that our faith is confirmed only after we act on it, only after we have actively demonstrated it.
I pray that you are all well, and that you are happy in this Christmas time. I love you, and I'm grateful for all who read my email/blog who give me an audience to rant at. Merry Christmas and enjoy the snow!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
We tick down to Christmas and all of our missionary activities show it. People are more willing to listen to our message during the Christmas time, and it is always a blessing to be able to touch somebody's heart that would normally be quite as receptive. There is a spirit in the season, and I pray that missionaries all over the world benefit from it.
Yesterday we had yet another road trip. There was a Tri-Zone Christmas Zone Conference yesterday in Casa Grande, about two-and-a-half hours from Yuma. We left early yesterday morning and arrived with only a few hours of proselyting left. The day was great, spent with some of my very favorite missionaries and enjoying the company immensely. It is always good to see President and Sister Craig, and this week, due the the interviews schedule and Zone Conferences, we saw them twice and that was also enjoyed greatly. I feel so blessed to be a missionary, as the life of a missionary is just a happy one. I hope I can find the same happiness in service in the rest of my life.
In my interview with President Craig this week, it seemed hard to explain to him how I feel about my testimony. My testimony is growing more and more every day and it is due to the grace of God in seeing His work in action. I know that the gospel is restored in our day through a prophet, and I cannot think of any other way to believe. I am happy, in a way I didn't even imagine before, but I know that feeling can go away. What I had a hard time explaining was my dedication to my testimony, not just that I have one--but what it means to me. I know what I have to do for the rest of my life, and it is very simple. All that is expected of us is to do everything as our knowledge of the gospel dictates to us. I cannot explain that with the justice it deserves, but I hope you can all feel the spirit of what I am saying. What is most beautiful is that I can help others gain the same change in their lives. I am a better person, and everybody will be, because I have acted on pure faith so many times--indeed sometimes I have wondered when I won't need just blind faith anymore. It is hard for me to not know why we do things, and to not understand God's purposes, but what is most important is that we just do it, and then the understanding comes. I testify that our faith is confirmed only after we act on it, only after we have actively demonstrated it.
I pray that you are all well, and that you are happy in this Christmas time. I love you, and I'm grateful for all who read my email/blog who give me an audience to rant at. Merry Christmas and enjoy the snow!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)