Have you ever pondered the ever so luxurious question of the soul: how can I possibly make Christmas better? Elder Boyd has acquired the answer- go on a mission. It's as simple as that. If you wanna have the all-time, best ever, awesome, #blessup, Christmas of your life- give two years of your life to the Lord and missionary work, and you have the Elder Boyd guarantee that your Christmas will be elevated to celestial heights. And with that being said.. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! YOU HAVE NOW ENTERTAINED THE SECOND HOLIDAY EDITION OF THE STRAPPING CHALMETTE CHRONICLES! *jingle* *jingle* - (for holiday cheer purposes)
Wow, what a blessed week. I can sincerely tell you that missions defy expectations. Just when I think I can't fathom loving my family and friends even more, or exponentially appreciate the gracious holiday season- BOOM, HUMBLED- and suddenly I am made aware of how truly special missions are.
Something that really changes a person when they are immersed in the work of the Lord, is that they come to truly recognize how sweet and tender simple miracles are. Being around family. Spending the Christmas season in front of your favorite holiday Disney special. It's the simple things that we take for granted, and it's the simple things that make mission Christmas so special. I feel truly blessed to live in a technological era where video chats are possible, and homesickness is subdued. What a beautiful plan our Heavenly Father has for us- and I am continually made aware of how everything just has a way or, "working out" when placed in his loving hands. So, YES, video chatting really puts into perspective the sacred words of Alma, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." The greatest thing brought to pass that I have realized from the minuscule miracles I enjoyed this week, is a rekindled motivation to work that much harder, and make my family and my Heavenly Father that much prouder. And with that being said, here's how we celebrated the Savior's in the humble depths of the Louisiana bayou:
I GAVE MY FIRST MISSION TALK THIS WEEK. Book. Mission milestone: achieved. AND, it was on Christmas Eve. So yes, Elder Boyd is chomping his way up the missionary food chain. I was politely asked to speak on the birth of the Savior, and so naturally I decided to ramp it up a bit: "Applying the Birth of Christ in our Lives and Consecrating Christmas- Elder Jeremy A. H. Boyd" Our humble holiday was hilarious. There probably is supposed to be a sacred protocol when it comes to the smaller sections of the church, but in the Chalmette branch, we do things a little differently. First off: our pianist was out of town, so we enjoyed the accompaniment of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for our hymnal praise- courtesy of Brother M's Samsung Galaxy -2 or something. So that was grand. Our mighty congregation of 14 on that particular day (half being missionaries, mind you) was quite the hoot. Then I assumed my position on the pulpit and proceeded to deliver, as I'm sure all of you at home would be surprised to hear, a brief and concise Christmas message. Is it prideful to quote yourself? Well- know that this is with the utmost sardonic intentions:
"We should never allow commercialization to overcome consecration... we can apply the birth of Christ in our lives as we encode his Birth in our brains and engrave his Atonement and Gospel in our hearts."
Truly, I felt the Spirit working through me to deliver a talk that was both brief, but what the Savior would have me say. Missions are just totally radical, y'all, let me tell you.
ANOTHER EXPERIENCE: I have aforementioned Brother L. in these chronicles, but let me say it again- he is one of the most hilarious humans I've ever had the pleasure of acquainting myself with. He drove us all to a local funeral for one of the members out here, and subtly mentioned that he was a, "poet." So naturally, i seized the opportunity to challenge the fella to a poem off. The challenge was issued, and the rules were set: we were to write three poems each, categorized by the other members in my quadship. The categories: Happy Birthday mom, Motivational Brother in Law, and a Romantic friend poem. We finally bashed it out on Christmas Eve, our poems written, and our prowess prepared. It is with humble heart, and my most dear and solemn consolation that I say.. I'M BRINGING THE TITLE BACK TO FERNDALE BABY CAUSE I TOOK THE POEMS ALL THE WAY. The final score, based upon a 1-10 grading scale from the other missionaries in the district: Brother Landers: 126- Elder Boyd- 138. Thank you, ah, thank you very much. :) But in all seriousness, the members out here are so fun and hospitable- we always have the best time with them.
We were lucky enough to even video chat this Christmas. Through the guidance of the Spirit, and with great faith, this loving family (whom we hadn't met before) took us on and allowed us to use their technology. The Lord truly provides a way for us to achieve most happiness in this life. We are so lucky to be His children.
Our missionary efforts have been quite interesting lately. As of late, we've been utilizing the Light the World approach to get return appointments and notify people of their need for repentance- so people haven't been taking our message as seriously as we've liked, as they are satisfied with only watching a video. However, we are keeping the diligence, and knocking on them doors, and strutting with that Spirit, because we trust in the Lord's time and the gardeners planting season.
I was reading this week in 1 Corinthians and was absolutely touched by the present application of chapter 3. Verses eight and nine specifically which say:
We need to magnify our individual calling. Whether you are a planter or a waterer, we are to be unified both in purpose and execution. if you don't know which one you are? Pray about it. Ask the master labourer. We are laboring with Christ to harvest a beautiful vineyard, and if you aren't aware of your assignment, how are you supposed to accomplish it? I took great courage in the sweet fact that, even if I'm just a planter, I'm still God's husbandry- I'm still making progress- faith is the evidence of things NOT SEEN. May we be ever more present of His perfect pruning, and our role in this gorgeous garden. Same with ourselves.. potential doesn't show- but we need to trust in his perfect timing and what he KNOWS we can be.8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
On the normal spectrum of things- we're getting pretty hyped for the new year out here. We just renewed the lease for our apartment, so we'll have a place to live when 2018 rolls around. I had my VERY FIRST traditional, homemade, red beans and rice yesterday- lemme tell y'all, Louisiana knows flavor. Elder Orison is just the best companion ever. I'm learning so much from him certainly learning a whole oodle load about myself. The scriptures are so powerful and awesome, and if you haven't made a New Years resolution, I challenge you to read the Book of Mormon every day. Joseph Smith and alot of prophets and people put alot of work into that holy book- so don't let their work be in vain, be a saint, and read the book of Mormon. My life has been so spiritually and physically blessed from reading the ancient script. There is so much power in the doctrine, and I know that if you read it every day, you'll notice the Lord's ever merciful hand in your life, and feel a greater desire for righteousness and accomplishing his will. Goodness, I love the Book Of Mormon. And I love all OF YOU!! So it'd be pretty nice if you all worked together.. just sayin'.
Well, the next time I email y'all it will be NEXT YEAR!! Wow, that sprung up like a mysterious groundhog in the chill night wind. I hope y'all had the most lovely Christmas and are truly savoring the precious family time you have. I know that this Gospel is so true, and if you don't know it for yourself, don't ask me- ask the Father who knows all, he'll let ya know. I love the people of Louisiana and the work I've been assigned to fulfill. I have so much left to do, but I'm excited to get down and dirty, and plant and water these seeds. Grab your gloves, cause we're in this work together, and now is the time for gardener and gardenette to gather together to harvest the field. How great is our calling! Talk to y'all next Tuesday- you're such magnificent people, never forget that. ELDER BOYD LOVES YOU!!
With quite the appropriate amount of holiday cheer and adoration,
Elder Boyd
(From Mama Boyd: Come back to look at Pics. I'll upload in a bit)
(From Mama Boyd: Come back to look at Pics. I'll upload in a bit)
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