On Sunday, 13 September 2009
welcome Elder Bostwick home:
"Homecoming" Talk
hosted by the Country Park 2nd Ward
9:00am - 10:15am
South Jordan Country Park Stake Center
2447 W 11400 So
South Jordan, UT
Open House
hosted by Darrel and Lisa Bostwick
11:00am - 5:00pm
Darrel and Lisa Bostwick's home
10528 Hemisphere Ct (2060 W)
South Jordan, UT
for more information on these events
contact Lisa Bostwick
801.254.8682
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
very little
I have very little to say today. I feel as though all of the things that I would tell you can wait a little bit more.
The Mesa Zone is doing really well. The assistants thanked Elder Snyder and me last night because, as they say, "we're carrying the mission." In truth, the success we are seeing in the different areas of our zone is a blessing from God and has very little to do with us two. Blessings are obtained by being worthy and focusing on the things we want to be blessed in. I have learned a lot of the great value of goals and praying for what you want/need. "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you" is a phrase repeated some 120 times. I think the next most common promise in scripture, thanks to the Book of Mormon, is if you are obedient to the commandments, you will prosper in the land. It is my continual blessing to be surrounded by dedicated and obedient missionaries who, through their actions and attitudes, make great things happen. I have also learned a lot about a good spirit of competition. Throw down a challenge, and watch the results skyrocket. What a concept.
These are going to be a great last few weeks, I can tell. I am excited for the challenges that face me, and I can't wait for the Lord to show his hand, like he always does. The gospel is great.
Well, I think that's just about all I have for today. Thank you for the patience of everybody that has made it possible for today to not be the day I come home. I still feel that the decision to stay was the best thing for me in every way. I love you all, take care.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
The Mesa Zone is doing really well. The assistants thanked Elder Snyder and me last night because, as they say, "we're carrying the mission." In truth, the success we are seeing in the different areas of our zone is a blessing from God and has very little to do with us two. Blessings are obtained by being worthy and focusing on the things we want to be blessed in. I have learned a lot of the great value of goals and praying for what you want/need. "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you" is a phrase repeated some 120 times. I think the next most common promise in scripture, thanks to the Book of Mormon, is if you are obedient to the commandments, you will prosper in the land. It is my continual blessing to be surrounded by dedicated and obedient missionaries who, through their actions and attitudes, make great things happen. I have also learned a lot about a good spirit of competition. Throw down a challenge, and watch the results skyrocket. What a concept.
These are going to be a great last few weeks, I can tell. I am excited for the challenges that face me, and I can't wait for the Lord to show his hand, like he always does. The gospel is great.
Well, I think that's just about all I have for today. Thank you for the patience of everybody that has made it possible for today to not be the day I come home. I still feel that the decision to stay was the best thing for me in every way. I love you all, take care.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
3
It's so great to see how the Lord puts everything together so perfectly. We've been really blessed to see more people coming to make and keep commitments and prepare for baptism. At the end of trials come great blessings, if we endure well.
In many ways, last week was just hard. Everything felt very heavy and wearisome. We just felt a lot of weight due to the sins of the world I guess you could say. We spent a lot of time meeting new people and every time it was just a discouraging result, time and time and time again. We went through a kaleidoscope of feelings and moods. It was a test, and we had to struggle through it. I normally don't feel down about life. I am a positive person, but even moreso when I know I am doing my part, and having trust in God makes me even more positive. But in many ways, we were running short on hope. After making a point to work hard until the very end, knowing the trial would soon be over, an almost physical weight lifted. On Sunday, from one moment to the next, we just felt better, back to normal. Now, I might not know the reason, or the whole effect, but we made it through some kind of test of our diligence. We didn't break, though it was hard. And now we see blessings. The Lord will take us to where we feel like it is our last effort we can give, and then He provides His strength. The Gospel is true.
I hope you're all well. My time is gone. I love you all.
-Elder Bostwick
In many ways, last week was just hard. Everything felt very heavy and wearisome. We just felt a lot of weight due to the sins of the world I guess you could say. We spent a lot of time meeting new people and every time it was just a discouraging result, time and time and time again. We went through a kaleidoscope of feelings and moods. It was a test, and we had to struggle through it. I normally don't feel down about life. I am a positive person, but even moreso when I know I am doing my part, and having trust in God makes me even more positive. But in many ways, we were running short on hope. After making a point to work hard until the very end, knowing the trial would soon be over, an almost physical weight lifted. On Sunday, from one moment to the next, we just felt better, back to normal. Now, I might not know the reason, or the whole effect, but we made it through some kind of test of our diligence. We didn't break, though it was hard. And now we see blessings. The Lord will take us to where we feel like it is our last effort we can give, and then He provides His strength. The Gospel is true.
I hope you're all well. My time is gone. I love you all.
-Elder Bostwick
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
great weather
It may be that after so long in Arizona, I've finally just adjusted. It might be that Brother Brown has left the air conditioner on a higher temperature recently. Or maybe the temperatures have been unusually merciful for the month of August, but I have felt like the last week has had great weather. I mean, I still stink at the end of every day and it is still the greatest relief of my life to kick off my black leather shoes (which are definitely tired of Arizona, and tired of being worn for that matter), but in many ways there has been a lot of ways that my attitude is improved by the weather.
The forecast looks good too, white in the city of Mesa. I'm happy that I can be here every last day, seeing as up until the last Saturday I will be attending memorable baptisms. We've been teaching a whole family that is excited for everything. They're excited for Scouts, for Relief Society, for the priesthood in their lives, and for the temple as their goal. They're excited for four future missionaries and a whole congregation of family and so much more. We are excited for them, and it is amazing how much the Lord lets us love the people we work with.
On Sunday, I felt like a dad. The elders' quorum president and young womens' president, the Gilgens, had a baby a few weeks ago and they did the blessing on Sunday. The surprise was when Sister Gilgen turned around to beckon me to join in the blessing, and I turned behind me to see who she was looking at, and after some confusion, she made it clear she really did want me to join in the circle for the blessing of her son. I feel a strong admiration for so many dedicated and consecrated members I have met in the mission and their friendship, as much as anything, will be an eternal blessing to me. They show me how the gospel must be lived, and I make notes for the future. Then, afterward in the same meeting, the large, long-haired, three-year-old, half-Native American son of an investigator lady, was going back and forth from one side of the room, where his mom was seated, to me, and being very noisy about it. When it was clear that our little Samson would not be still, and after getting a look from the branch president, I took him out of the meeting. In the hall, we looked at the pictures of Jesus and we talked about how to be good in the chapel. Kids have to adjust to coming to church even more than their parents, but it was strange that it became my job to orient this kid of church behavior. I felt very parental. And it worked! He improved significantly, and every time he forgot to sit quiet with his mom, he would see me standing in the back of the chapel, and I would point to his seat, and he remembered.
Elder Owens and I got to go on an exchange last Thursday and we had a great day together. It was fun to get so much done, but have a good time doing it. It was even fun to be on a bike for the day. I feel more like a missionary on bike and enjoy the extra travel time to think about what we are doing and pray for the people we see and are teaching and sing primary songs. That, too, is a gift from God. It's cool to make connections with American investigators too. Even in one lesson, or one baptismal interview, I feel like I get to know these great people so well. I love them almost as much as I love my own investigators. The Lord brings such wonderful people into his church. We need to work extra hard to keep them fed and loved, because even the strongest of people can become frail and weak after their baptism. The Lord, when we come to him, shows us our weaknesses so they can be strengths. But being humbled hurts when we don't have friends to help us through it. Let's fellowship new members! Elder Owens is a great missionary. His family should be so proud of him. He's always been good, but he has become great.
I don't think I mentioned this, but we're back in the Employment Center. The Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency wanted us to extend the pilot program. So we still work there every Tuesday morning, reporting our progress to Salt Lake. It's very interesting, we meet all kinds of people there. Mostly members who need to repent and draw themselves closer to the Father. It's a hard thing to see, and sometimes I sorrow for justice, but God has his law. When we don't obey his commandments, we don't qualify for his blessings, and it shows. Our English class was fun yesterday as we learned to command people and be powerful. We practiced positive and negative commands. It would be so confusing to try and learn a language without a formal study of it. But our students do good. We even have some non-members that came to English class first, but now come to church on Sundays too, and we've been invited to their house for dinner, though their husbands won't let them get baptized, or that's the story. In any case, it's a success to a certain point.
I love being a missionary. I know life will get better and better, but I cherish every day here. A group of missionaries from my transfer (that started the mission with me) including Elder Rutt, went home today, almost a full 30 days early. That's weird to me. How did time go by so fast?
I'll write you again next week. Be good, have fun. Make good choices ... and all that stuff.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
The forecast looks good too, white in the city of Mesa. I'm happy that I can be here every last day, seeing as up until the last Saturday I will be attending memorable baptisms. We've been teaching a whole family that is excited for everything. They're excited for Scouts, for Relief Society, for the priesthood in their lives, and for the temple as their goal. They're excited for four future missionaries and a whole congregation of family and so much more. We are excited for them, and it is amazing how much the Lord lets us love the people we work with.
On Sunday, I felt like a dad. The elders' quorum president and young womens' president, the Gilgens, had a baby a few weeks ago and they did the blessing on Sunday. The surprise was when Sister Gilgen turned around to beckon me to join in the blessing, and I turned behind me to see who she was looking at, and after some confusion, she made it clear she really did want me to join in the circle for the blessing of her son. I feel a strong admiration for so many dedicated and consecrated members I have met in the mission and their friendship, as much as anything, will be an eternal blessing to me. They show me how the gospel must be lived, and I make notes for the future. Then, afterward in the same meeting, the large, long-haired, three-year-old, half-Native American son of an investigator lady, was going back and forth from one side of the room, where his mom was seated, to me, and being very noisy about it. When it was clear that our little Samson would not be still, and after getting a look from the branch president, I took him out of the meeting. In the hall, we looked at the pictures of Jesus and we talked about how to be good in the chapel. Kids have to adjust to coming to church even more than their parents, but it was strange that it became my job to orient this kid of church behavior. I felt very parental. And it worked! He improved significantly, and every time he forgot to sit quiet with his mom, he would see me standing in the back of the chapel, and I would point to his seat, and he remembered.
Elder Owens and I got to go on an exchange last Thursday and we had a great day together. It was fun to get so much done, but have a good time doing it. It was even fun to be on a bike for the day. I feel more like a missionary on bike and enjoy the extra travel time to think about what we are doing and pray for the people we see and are teaching and sing primary songs. That, too, is a gift from God. It's cool to make connections with American investigators too. Even in one lesson, or one baptismal interview, I feel like I get to know these great people so well. I love them almost as much as I love my own investigators. The Lord brings such wonderful people into his church. We need to work extra hard to keep them fed and loved, because even the strongest of people can become frail and weak after their baptism. The Lord, when we come to him, shows us our weaknesses so they can be strengths. But being humbled hurts when we don't have friends to help us through it. Let's fellowship new members! Elder Owens is a great missionary. His family should be so proud of him. He's always been good, but he has become great.
I don't think I mentioned this, but we're back in the Employment Center. The Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency wanted us to extend the pilot program. So we still work there every Tuesday morning, reporting our progress to Salt Lake. It's very interesting, we meet all kinds of people there. Mostly members who need to repent and draw themselves closer to the Father. It's a hard thing to see, and sometimes I sorrow for justice, but God has his law. When we don't obey his commandments, we don't qualify for his blessings, and it shows. Our English class was fun yesterday as we learned to command people and be powerful. We practiced positive and negative commands. It would be so confusing to try and learn a language without a formal study of it. But our students do good. We even have some non-members that came to English class first, but now come to church on Sundays too, and we've been invited to their house for dinner, though their husbands won't let them get baptized, or that's the story. In any case, it's a success to a certain point.
I love being a missionary. I know life will get better and better, but I cherish every day here. A group of missionaries from my transfer (that started the mission with me) including Elder Rutt, went home today, almost a full 30 days early. That's weird to me. How did time go by so fast?
I'll write you again next week. Be good, have fun. Make good choices ... and all that stuff.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
dear family
Things are well. Elder Snyder and I laugh a lot. We are working very hard and are happy in our work. My time on the computer is gone. Sorry for the short email today.
Love,
Elder Bostwick
Love,
Elder Bostwick
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
time to change
Well, transfer week has come again. Change wouldn't be unfamiliar if I hadn't spent so much time with Elder Argyle, but Elder Argyle flew home to Seattle this morning—it was inevitable—and I had to get a new companion (Elder Rands, not being a Zone Leader, wasn't going to stay with me, we knew that from the beginning).
This last transfer continued our trend of breaking records. We destroyed the zone baptism record and a few other ones also. In our area we also broke some significant records. It is proof of the dedicated service of the great missionaries that I serve with. I am honored to be with them every day.
Elder Argyle's last week turned out to be a really nice one. We had some great investigators show a lot of faith in the Lord and get baptized. It will be my blessing to be able to stay here a while longer and watch the heavens open up and pour blessings on them, because great blessings always come with great sacrifice and faith. I also found out how to buy a marriage license and we had a nice wedding for one of the couples that was baptized. On Sunday, the branch president asked Elder Argyle to come up at the end of sacrament meeting and share his testimony before leaving. Since he has been in this area quite some time, his testimony was emotional for him, and for most of the members and investigators and recent converts in the branch. We all cried. I've really been grateful to serve with Elder Argyle for so long. I learned new things from him every day.
So the transfer news. We have two awesome district leaders, one is the same from last transfer, and the other, Elder Owens (still in Mesa Zone) is the new district leader. I'm so excited, and he'll do great. Two of our junior companions went senior companion, and we have one brand new greenie and a few companionships staying together. Elder Rands was transferred down to San Luis, and he was so excited. As for my companion—the ridiculously unlikely has happened again and I am companions with new zone leader Elder Snyder, otra vez. All the missionaries in the transfer meeting expressed their awe in some great satisfactory "oohs" when our companionship was announced. I am ecstatic. The Lord has let me serve a long time with some really great people.
Right after transfer meeting, I had to announce loudly to a lobby-full of missionaries that "this is my grandma, nobody panic" before I hugged Grandma Jean. The Lunts took Elder Snyder and I to lunch and picked up another suitcase of things I won't need for the rest of my mission, as well as Elder Argyle's guitar. Elder Argyle will get all his things when I get home, just keep it all in my room for now.
I love you all. I am increasingly grateful for every new day in the mission field. Grandpa Terry asked if I had thought about extending—I wish I could. Each day is so rewarding, I would hate to miss any one of them. The friends I am making here mean so much to me, how can the Lord be so good?
I hope everything is well at home, viewing life through streak-free windows. Sometimes the view is great enough you just have to overlook some spots and appreciate what you see. Until next week!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
This last transfer continued our trend of breaking records. We destroyed the zone baptism record and a few other ones also. In our area we also broke some significant records. It is proof of the dedicated service of the great missionaries that I serve with. I am honored to be with them every day.
Elder Argyle's last week turned out to be a really nice one. We had some great investigators show a lot of faith in the Lord and get baptized. It will be my blessing to be able to stay here a while longer and watch the heavens open up and pour blessings on them, because great blessings always come with great sacrifice and faith. I also found out how to buy a marriage license and we had a nice wedding for one of the couples that was baptized. On Sunday, the branch president asked Elder Argyle to come up at the end of sacrament meeting and share his testimony before leaving. Since he has been in this area quite some time, his testimony was emotional for him, and for most of the members and investigators and recent converts in the branch. We all cried. I've really been grateful to serve with Elder Argyle for so long. I learned new things from him every day.
So the transfer news. We have two awesome district leaders, one is the same from last transfer, and the other, Elder Owens (still in Mesa Zone) is the new district leader. I'm so excited, and he'll do great. Two of our junior companions went senior companion, and we have one brand new greenie and a few companionships staying together. Elder Rands was transferred down to San Luis, and he was so excited. As for my companion—the ridiculously unlikely has happened again and I am companions with new zone leader Elder Snyder, otra vez. All the missionaries in the transfer meeting expressed their awe in some great satisfactory "oohs" when our companionship was announced. I am ecstatic. The Lord has let me serve a long time with some really great people.
Right after transfer meeting, I had to announce loudly to a lobby-full of missionaries that "this is my grandma, nobody panic" before I hugged Grandma Jean. The Lunts took Elder Snyder and I to lunch and picked up another suitcase of things I won't need for the rest of my mission, as well as Elder Argyle's guitar. Elder Argyle will get all his things when I get home, just keep it all in my room for now.
I love you all. I am increasingly grateful for every new day in the mission field. Grandpa Terry asked if I had thought about extending—I wish I could. Each day is so rewarding, I would hate to miss any one of them. The friends I am making here mean so much to me, how can the Lord be so good?
I hope everything is well at home, viewing life through streak-free windows. Sometimes the view is great enough you just have to overlook some spots and appreciate what you see. Until next week!
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
loving my mission
I am loving my mission. We have four great baptisms this Saturday, and six others in the zone, which will break our record for baptisms in a transfer—a good way to send Elder Argyle home. We do well in our threesome. The hardest part for me is to try not to compare myself with such great companions. I am definitely dwarfed in the presence of giants.
-Elder Bostwick
-Elder Bostwick
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