Well, there are two weeks left for Elder Wood. I always thought that 3 months to be with the same companion would be a really long time. In some ways, I was right. Don't misunderstand, I enjoy Elder Wood still, but change is not bad. At least, monotony is not good.
We've had a pretty good week as members of the church with Conference. I thought that Conference was profoundly wonderful, and it was special for me to participate in the solemn assembly to sustain our leadership, as I was too young to remember when Gordon B. Hinckley became the prophet. I love that God is in control, and that normal men become powerful servants through sustaining of the Church, and the ordenation of the Priesthood. I don't know if the leadership of the Church is becoming cooler, or if I just am really starting to see how cool they have always been. I am excited for the new First Presidency and can't wait to hear more of their messages in the future.
On Monday, we had our interviews with the mission president. I really enjoy talking with President Craig. He is a very spiritual man, and always speaks as he feels guided and directed. To open up the day of interviews, he began sharing with us his feelings that missionaries come to this mission in particular to learn about how to be leaders in the Church. Mission-wide we are blessed with bishops and stake presidents who are powerful men, obedient to the gospel and knowledgable and dedicated to their callings. I don't know if I could be a church leader, but it is a good thing to learn from men who do better than I ever could.
The mission set a goal to have every companionship baptize two people this transfer (6 week period). Elder Wood and I don't have any prospects of baptizing anybody in the next 2 weeks before the transfer ends. In fact, it has been a while since I have been working with anybody who is approaching baptism. I hope I can figure out what to do better and have been praying fervently to find people who will accept the gospel.
The people we are working with are chugging along. I think we have overloaded one couple, Camelia and Octavio. They asked for more time learning from us before they would say yes or no to being baptized. I hope that they don't feel too urged or pressured with member friends talking unceasingly about baptism.
Each day we work to overcome our own problems to become more bendable and workable with the will of the Lord. I am learning that it really is hard work, not just light effort. This requires work in ways I have never worked before. Until we have cause to rejoice, I will rejoice in the work I have to do. I feel like the Savior spoke directly to me when we he said to his apostles, "You have not chosen me, but rather I have chosen thee" (paraphrased). It is a marvelous miracle that I am on a mission. I know that God sent me here, though I had not chosen Him, I have felt it. I know God calls us and then shapes our backs for the labor we have been called to bear. I wish I were more moldable material to work with... then it wouldn't be so hard to become what He needs.
I hope you are all well, and have confidence that if anything big happened, you would find a way to tell me. I remind you that small news over there will be big news here. I should do well to remember the same thing, I suppose. Take care, fuel your testimonies, and be more diligent in keeping the commandments. God always blesses us when we obey His words, that is a law under which our Father functions. I know it is true. I love you all. To my sisters, take care of the little kids and tell them I love them too and miss them very much.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
exchanges
Exchanges are a strange thing for a Spanish elder. As my companion is a District Leader over a few other companionships in our district, we have to go on exchanges with the other companionships as well as with the Zone Leaders. For English elders, I imagine that these are nothing but vacations from a companion or an area for a day and then returning to work, but as a Spanish elder, life gets turned upside down on exchange days. Sometimes I stay in our area, which means I have a companion who does not speak the same language as any of the people we talk to and cannot help in any way, often doesn't enjoy the food, and who is bored all day. Which means that I have to talk in Spanish more than I normally do and be the only teacher and shoulder all responsibility for the day--very stressful. And sometimes I leave the area and go as a companion to an English elder in their area. On those days, I feel as though I am in a foreign world. The English elders cover 4-5 Wards each, meaning that it's rare for them to know many members in their area. They might know bishops and ward mission leaders, and that's about it. They spend most of their time talking to people that the wards give as referrals or inactive members or part-member families. It is a completely different world of missionary work, and I feel lost--very stressful.
With all the stress of that, I like the days of normality, where it is me and my companion like regular. I like the way things work in our ward. I love knowing almost every family (there is still one family I have talked to briefly, but wouldn't consider I know them yet) and being in their homes often for dinners and to offer service and check up personally on their referrals. I have become very fond of our ward and my heart will break when I have to leave. Things have been fun with them helping me in my Spanish and learning from their examples as strong members. I find a lot of joy serving in Queen Creek, even though I don't baptize thousands. In fact, despite all our work, we don't have any near prospects for baptism, I pray every day that will change.
The Church is true. It is the embodiment of the fulness of times living the laws and making the covenants that are the heart of the Church of Jesus Christ. I love seeing others make their own covenants with the Lord and receiving the blessings from that. We always receive blessings upon our obedience, in every case. The Savior said himself that He is bound when we do what He says. I love this Gospel, and am very happy to be a missionary--though of course life is not perfect. But life was never meant to be perfect, not yet. That's what we're working on earning--perfect. Be good everybody, I love ya. Enjoy the brisk weather. It's pretty warm down here. Just about perfect...
-Elder Sam Bostwick
With all the stress of that, I like the days of normality, where it is me and my companion like regular. I like the way things work in our ward. I love knowing almost every family (there is still one family I have talked to briefly, but wouldn't consider I know them yet) and being in their homes often for dinners and to offer service and check up personally on their referrals. I have become very fond of our ward and my heart will break when I have to leave. Things have been fun with them helping me in my Spanish and learning from their examples as strong members. I find a lot of joy serving in Queen Creek, even though I don't baptize thousands. In fact, despite all our work, we don't have any near prospects for baptism, I pray every day that will change.
The Church is true. It is the embodiment of the fulness of times living the laws and making the covenants that are the heart of the Church of Jesus Christ. I love seeing others make their own covenants with the Lord and receiving the blessings from that. We always receive blessings upon our obedience, in every case. The Savior said himself that He is bound when we do what He says. I love this Gospel, and am very happy to be a missionary--though of course life is not perfect. But life was never meant to be perfect, not yet. That's what we're working on earning--perfect. Be good everybody, I love ya. Enjoy the brisk weather. It's pretty warm down here. Just about perfect...
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Saturday, March 29, 2008
my poor companion
My poor companion is going home in this coming month. He, like many other missionaries has become a missionary so much that he hardly remembers how to be a normal person. This will probably happen to me as well. Poor missionaries everywhere.
What do I mean poor missionaries? Being a missionary is the life. Seriously, we eat great food every single night. It's not fair. There are people in other places who are lucky if they eat anything at all in a whole day, even days. Here I am stressing out that I have too much food to eat. The world is very backwards. Being a missionary in Arizona is sometimes just too silly. Members all over are wanting to do nice things to help us out. Many members give free things at their businesses to missionaries. Mostly restaurants, but Elder Wood and I were offered free tanning any time we wanted at a member's tanning salon--I don't think we're going to take the offer.... I never would have imagined my mission being like this.
And we are working hard. We are tracting, walking around the streets to talk to people, contacting referrals, searching in every neighborhood for Spanish people. We're working. We have faith that success is on it's way, though not here yet. Last week we tried to set a baptismal date with a couple and were devastated to hear: "We need more time." And so we keep working.
And the weather keeps warming up. We're in the 90s down here, if you can believe it. It would feel great if we were wearing shorts and sandals and t-shirts, but the collar and dark pants with black leather shoes is a bit confining in the heat. We'll just see how I handle things when we get to 115 and 120. I'll be honest, I'm nervous.
I know that my mission is the one the Lord has called me to. It seems strange at times that this is where He wants me, but I know it's true, as ugly and as hot as Arizona may be, it's my mission, and I'm lucky to be here. I also know that the Lord answers all efforts with blessings. Generally His plans are different than mine, so I have to look around to see the blessings, but they are there. I know that the Gospel is taught in the Book of Mormon, that it is the only way to get back to our Father. We are loved so much and our Father in Heaven designed our lives to take us back to Him. It is the whole point. And it is for everybody.
I love you all, take care of yourselves. Keep praying for the missionaries, trust me, us kids need all the prayers we can get. Do your best, even when it is hard, because we always receive blessings, every time we act righteously. I'll write again, bye.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
What do I mean poor missionaries? Being a missionary is the life. Seriously, we eat great food every single night. It's not fair. There are people in other places who are lucky if they eat anything at all in a whole day, even days. Here I am stressing out that I have too much food to eat. The world is very backwards. Being a missionary in Arizona is sometimes just too silly. Members all over are wanting to do nice things to help us out. Many members give free things at their businesses to missionaries. Mostly restaurants, but Elder Wood and I were offered free tanning any time we wanted at a member's tanning salon--I don't think we're going to take the offer.... I never would have imagined my mission being like this.
And we are working hard. We are tracting, walking around the streets to talk to people, contacting referrals, searching in every neighborhood for Spanish people. We're working. We have faith that success is on it's way, though not here yet. Last week we tried to set a baptismal date with a couple and were devastated to hear: "We need more time." And so we keep working.
And the weather keeps warming up. We're in the 90s down here, if you can believe it. It would feel great if we were wearing shorts and sandals and t-shirts, but the collar and dark pants with black leather shoes is a bit confining in the heat. We'll just see how I handle things when we get to 115 and 120. I'll be honest, I'm nervous.
I know that my mission is the one the Lord has called me to. It seems strange at times that this is where He wants me, but I know it's true, as ugly and as hot as Arizona may be, it's my mission, and I'm lucky to be here. I also know that the Lord answers all efforts with blessings. Generally His plans are different than mine, so I have to look around to see the blessings, but they are there. I know that the Gospel is taught in the Book of Mormon, that it is the only way to get back to our Father. We are loved so much and our Father in Heaven designed our lives to take us back to Him. It is the whole point. And it is for everybody.
I love you all, take care of yourselves. Keep praying for the missionaries, trust me, us kids need all the prayers we can get. Do your best, even when it is hard, because we always receive blessings, every time we act righteously. I'll write again, bye.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
no time at all
I'm sorry, there is a computer class coming into the library right now and I will not be able to send much this week.
Today were transfers, but Elder Wood and I will be staying together, so it's just a regular P-Day for us. This means that, with Elder Wood going home at the end of this transfer, I will have to go with him for a lot of crazy end of mission stuff.... And I am also set to stay in Queen Creek clear through until June. Cool stuff, I love it here.
The work is going good, I promise, I just don't have time to talk about it right now.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Today were transfers, but Elder Wood and I will be staying together, so it's just a regular P-Day for us. This means that, with Elder Wood going home at the end of this transfer, I will have to go with him for a lot of crazy end of mission stuff.... And I am also set to stay in Queen Creek clear through until June. Cool stuff, I love it here.
The work is going good, I promise, I just don't have time to talk about it right now.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Thursday, March 6, 2008
happy
I'm not sure if it's the weather or the fact that my time as a greeny has officially ended (Happy Mission Birthday to me) as of today, but everything has been getting very fun. I really find a lot of joy in being a missionary.
We have continued to work with recent converts as well as our searching efforts. The recent converts make me so happy. It feels like when we teach them, we are just letting them know all of the blessings that are available to them now as members. It's so exciting talking about the temple, patriarchal blessings, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and everything else. It makes me appreciate the perspective of why we baptize people. In itself, baptism is a blessing, but it really is the opening to a whole new world of blessings even more grand. I love it.
And just as some news, Rosalia finally got her Braille Libro de Mormon in a very large box and has started receiving installments of her Braille Biblia. Cool lady. She called us to see if we had a number for a new family in the ward because she thought they might need some fellowshipping. Orquedia Bajo, the lady who thinks a lot, held a fast with us for her sons. Her faith is so strong that I have no doubt God will answer her prayers and she will, by example and faith, lead her family into the Gospel.
With the warm weather, we have also had the chance to provide some service for some members of our ward. This also turns out to be very fun, even though weeding a gravel yard is a nightmare for fingers. We had a waterfight with Sister Baldwin, a Peruvian member of our ward, which she initiated as we finished up with working in her yard. Many of the families in the ward are having hard times with work and health and so they are very grateful when we pitch in a hand with the yard.
To add to the fun, the member family we live with has a niece competing in American Idol. They are excited, and therefore we are too. Vote Brook White. Living with the Thompsons is ridiculously wonderful. Sister Thompson is a great cook and is always anxious to share fresh bread and cinnamon roles or whatever else she made. Their pool table and ping pong table also go to good use during our lunch time. We really are spoiled, and I am glad we are.
I have so much to be grateful for, I just hope I will be able to repay the Father, the source of all blessings, in my service. Actually, I know I will never be able to repay, but I want to try and to all I can. Even if I don't baptize myriads, I want every day to be dedicated to serving others and inviting them to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the Gospel by living the Gospel. I hope you all know how blessed you are too. I miss you, but not enough to come home. I love you, and hope you are well. Take care of yourselves, and take care of others.
Until next week,
Elder Sam Bostwick
P.S. It got a little colder, we were down to 60 degrees yesterday...
We have continued to work with recent converts as well as our searching efforts. The recent converts make me so happy. It feels like when we teach them, we are just letting them know all of the blessings that are available to them now as members. It's so exciting talking about the temple, patriarchal blessings, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and everything else. It makes me appreciate the perspective of why we baptize people. In itself, baptism is a blessing, but it really is the opening to a whole new world of blessings even more grand. I love it.
And just as some news, Rosalia finally got her Braille Libro de Mormon in a very large box and has started receiving installments of her Braille Biblia. Cool lady. She called us to see if we had a number for a new family in the ward because she thought they might need some fellowshipping. Orquedia Bajo, the lady who thinks a lot, held a fast with us for her sons. Her faith is so strong that I have no doubt God will answer her prayers and she will, by example and faith, lead her family into the Gospel.
With the warm weather, we have also had the chance to provide some service for some members of our ward. This also turns out to be very fun, even though weeding a gravel yard is a nightmare for fingers. We had a waterfight with Sister Baldwin, a Peruvian member of our ward, which she initiated as we finished up with working in her yard. Many of the families in the ward are having hard times with work and health and so they are very grateful when we pitch in a hand with the yard.
To add to the fun, the member family we live with has a niece competing in American Idol. They are excited, and therefore we are too. Vote Brook White. Living with the Thompsons is ridiculously wonderful. Sister Thompson is a great cook and is always anxious to share fresh bread and cinnamon roles or whatever else she made. Their pool table and ping pong table also go to good use during our lunch time. We really are spoiled, and I am glad we are.
I have so much to be grateful for, I just hope I will be able to repay the Father, the source of all blessings, in my service. Actually, I know I will never be able to repay, but I want to try and to all I can. Even if I don't baptize myriads, I want every day to be dedicated to serving others and inviting them to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the Gospel by living the Gospel. I hope you all know how blessed you are too. I miss you, but not enough to come home. I love you, and hope you are well. Take care of yourselves, and take care of others.
Until next week,
Elder Sam Bostwick
P.S. It got a little colder, we were down to 60 degrees yesterday...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
gorgeous
I don't know if you are still getting a lot of snow in Utah, but I wanted to mention that we are loving the weather right now of a pretty consistent 75 degrees. This is why people live in Arizona. Already, there are bunches of people out enjoying the sunshine and warm breeze. People don't go outside in Utah like they do here. Every park is full of people almost all the time, it's pretty fun.
Not that we get a whole lot of time to just enjoy the weather. As our area is, we spend a lot of time in a car. Occasionally we find time to ride around on our bikes and catch some fresh air. We spend most of our time searching out people called "potentials." These are people who have in the past, met missionaries, and consented to having them back, but not at a specific appointment. It is the most productive way to find new investigators, or that's what I hear. We are finding that a lot of our potentials have very little potential. In fact, most have moved and have very nice American families living in their houses. As far as teaching, we work a lot with recent converts. One of the recent converts is someone I could just sit and learn from all day long. She is the kind of lady who thinks about things and knows how she feels about everything. I think living in a country where you didn't understand the language would give you a great deal of valuable thinking time.
In our world, we go so fast that we don't take time to think about things. I remember talking with Becca years ago and she told me about this very thing, how the pioneers must have discovered great faith in themselves as they spent quiet hours churning butter or bailing hay or other equally important, but thoughtless tasks. I wonder how much of people's problems could be worked out by themselves if they took good, prayerful time to ponder and meditate on life. Or even better, pondered and meditated on ways to serve others. In the case of my Spanish friend, she thinks about how needy other people are and worries herself about their needs. How can I lift this person's life? I know they have been struggling. Or, what would make the new family feel more comfortable in the Ward? I should invite them over for dinner and get to know them. How much opportunity do we miss to receive guidance from the Spirit, or answers to our prayers because we don't give quiet time to listen? I hope my feelings came across.
I miss you all, and hope you are well. I want you to know that I do think about you, my family and friends. I do not distract myself with your problems, but I do think about your needs and your lives. I wish there were direct ways in which I could help you when you are in need, but I trust that others will be placed to do what I would hope to do. And I trust that you all know that the Savior has given so much for us already. He, too, thinks about our needs, and is merciful and good to us in our weaknesses. Have faith in Him, come unto Him, and be saved.
I love you all, and continually pray for you. Take care. Do good things.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Not that we get a whole lot of time to just enjoy the weather. As our area is, we spend a lot of time in a car. Occasionally we find time to ride around on our bikes and catch some fresh air. We spend most of our time searching out people called "potentials." These are people who have in the past, met missionaries, and consented to having them back, but not at a specific appointment. It is the most productive way to find new investigators, or that's what I hear. We are finding that a lot of our potentials have very little potential. In fact, most have moved and have very nice American families living in their houses. As far as teaching, we work a lot with recent converts. One of the recent converts is someone I could just sit and learn from all day long. She is the kind of lady who thinks about things and knows how she feels about everything. I think living in a country where you didn't understand the language would give you a great deal of valuable thinking time.
In our world, we go so fast that we don't take time to think about things. I remember talking with Becca years ago and she told me about this very thing, how the pioneers must have discovered great faith in themselves as they spent quiet hours churning butter or bailing hay or other equally important, but thoughtless tasks. I wonder how much of people's problems could be worked out by themselves if they took good, prayerful time to ponder and meditate on life. Or even better, pondered and meditated on ways to serve others. In the case of my Spanish friend, she thinks about how needy other people are and worries herself about their needs. How can I lift this person's life? I know they have been struggling. Or, what would make the new family feel more comfortable in the Ward? I should invite them over for dinner and get to know them. How much opportunity do we miss to receive guidance from the Spirit, or answers to our prayers because we don't give quiet time to listen? I hope my feelings came across.
I miss you all, and hope you are well. I want you to know that I do think about you, my family and friends. I do not distract myself with your problems, but I do think about your needs and your lives. I wish there were direct ways in which I could help you when you are in need, but I trust that others will be placed to do what I would hope to do. And I trust that you all know that the Savior has given so much for us already. He, too, thinks about our needs, and is merciful and good to us in our weaknesses. Have faith in Him, come unto Him, and be saved.
I love you all, and continually pray for you. Take care. Do good things.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
sad to report nothing much
I wish I knew how to work harder to produce more success in this area. Little success means little to report.
But my testimony is still burning stronger. I love reading from the scriptures. I love how the Bible and the Book of Mormon work so well together. When Christ is visiting the Americas, I think it is amazing that He teaches virtually nothing that He didn't already teach in the Bible. His Gospel is the same, and always has been.
I am working hard, don't get the idea that I am not. We pray for the Lord's help to magnify our efforts. I'll keep you posted. I'm sorry that I take so long to write back to individual letters, especially Becca, I'm sorry.
I love you all, keep being good examples around and pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with others. Have a good week.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
But my testimony is still burning stronger. I love reading from the scriptures. I love how the Bible and the Book of Mormon work so well together. When Christ is visiting the Americas, I think it is amazing that He teaches virtually nothing that He didn't already teach in the Bible. His Gospel is the same, and always has been.
I am working hard, don't get the idea that I am not. We pray for the Lord's help to magnify our efforts. I'll keep you posted. I'm sorry that I take so long to write back to individual letters, especially Becca, I'm sorry.
I love you all, keep being good examples around and pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with others. Have a good week.
-Elder Sam Bostwick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)