Hey Y'all. Although this week was a bit of a shorter one, WE STILL ABSOLUTELY SLAYED IT DOWN HERE IN THE BODACIOUS BAYOU. Our mission is being propelled like a fighter jet into the technological age, and it's almost a culture shock to not hold title to a flip phone. Yes, that's right ladies and gentleman, boys and girls- MISSIONARIES ARE GETTING AN UPGRADE. In the wise words of Elder Costa.." you're like Ammon and Alma, except you have more training and better resources.. so you're better." So yeah, basically we're like cockroaches with jetpacks.. just when you think we couldn't get more invincible.. WE ARE. And on that lovely note.. WELCOME TO THE ELEVENTH EDITION OF YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD (maybe not so much in Louisiana) EDITION OF THE CHALMETTE CHRONICLES!
So, we had a technology "party" of sorts this last week, where we congregated as a group of giddy missionaries to receive video counsel from Elder Bednar about this technological advancement. This is such a cool age Y'all- and to think, we as spirit children were preserved for this dispensation, at THIS time- it's gotta make ya think- maybe we are here for a reason? Well, THINK NO MORE- CAUSE YA ARE. Each of us has been specifically chosen to live in one of the hardest times of the world because we are some of His strongest disciples! At the end of one of the training videos, Elder Bednar uttered, "do you realize how much trust the Lord has in you?" I mean, golly Y'all, if the Lord trusts young adult emissaries with smartphones.. do ya think he trusts his other disciples with a great work and calling? I know that we are individually called to accomplish his eternal purposes, and I just pray that we all live worthy enough to fulfill our sacred responsibility! Anyways, the smartphones are the bomb.com.
Who would've thought having COMPLETE access to the Gospel library would be such a freaking incredible blessing? Yes, that's right... who needs YouTube when you have the FULLNESS OF THE GOSPEL? Needless to say, I think my priorities on the mission have changed... I find great joy in watching the Restoration videos... I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a good time. PG Guaranteed. And free of ads- what more could you ask for? So, yeah, basically I'm hecka pumped to use technology to further the work of the Lord.
We now have our entire area book on a mobile device and can use the app itself to track down people who received lessons TWO YEARS AGO- no joke, we tried it out. I felt prompted to open up the investigator map.. and we found this lady near us who was taught a bit in Nov. 2015- So we literally went up to her door, asked for her name, and turn s out- she's interested again! How cool is that? We have NEVER met her before.. but because we knew her name, we were able to contact her and set up an appointment... The missionary life is changing Y'all... If you've received lessons from a missionary in the past.. Watch out- cause we're coming, and we know your name, and we have technology.. :)
We also adventured to the end of the world this past week! One of the members out here, Brother Landers (the guy I roasted in the poem off) felt the impression that we needed to venture out to the local fishing village to build the branch in the area- so what did we do? We acted on the prompting and drove to the end of the world... Surprisingly, it was in our area? Which I still am yet to believe... We drove for an hour at least and stumbled upon this utopia of fisherman with the most stereotypical Louisiana mustaches and overalls I ever did see. Brother Landers told us.. "you don't mess with the people out here... If ya do they'll cut you up, put ya in a crab pot, and you'll be gone in a month... SO never... I repeat NEVER say... Your mother eats oysters."
We quite frankly emulated the gospel philosophy of "finding the one." We drove until we couldn't drive no more.. and found this rinky dinky old bait shop- surprise, surprise, the owner was interested in our message, and we even got a picture with him! So yes, sometimes in our ministry, we must drive for hours on end and brave the feisty fisherman, to find a hill-billy named Cleatus. It was quite the magnificent time. Brother Landers even played his harmonica for us (while driving, mind you) and we sang a little ditty (see attached video..).
This week was all in all a great time to strengthen member relationships. We aren't necessarily the most popular Elders in the branch- mostly because we don't speak Spanish... I told one of the members that we DID, however, speak Sarcasm, and she was less than enthused. But this past week we really made some ground in winning over these Chalmette hearts... IN FACT, HERE'S A GNARLY EXPERIENCE:
I've been searching for what I had to contribute in this area, and this week, EUREKA, I found it... We have been working with this less active couple for the past few months or so... they were sealed, baptized, and actually teachers in Sunday School- but sadly, went inactive for over a year. Well, they loved the missionaries- and how can you resist this Irish charm? Elder Orison and I were the first companionships to see them in almost two years. Well- we talked with them.. and taught them.. and called them.. and we were probably the most clingy couple to that debonair duo, but we were persistent! Well, they didn't come to church the last three times we invited them.. so we decided not to meddle with their agency- BUT THEY BOTH CAME TO CHURCH THIS LAST SUNDAY, AND NOW I KNOW EXACTLY HOW GOD FEELS WHEN WE OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS. I have a deeper appreciation for our Heavenly Father and his patience for each of us. God knows that if we do what he asks, we'll be happier.. it saddens him when we don't allow ourselves to be happy. A little perspective goes a long way- I am so blessed to be in a position and environment where my spiritual eyes are more open. "Everything essential is invisible to the natural eyes."
Well, that about sums up the highlights of the week! Next time I email, I'll know whether I'm transferred or not... so pray for Elder Boyd! Also, the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission is absorbing the Jackson Mississippi mission in July- and there are GREAT things ahead for this great apostolic work!
Basically, I'm just pumped for the future of this church. I love the prophets and apostles, I love this restored Gospel, I love the Book of Mormon, and I just know with all of my heart, mind, and soul that it is ALL SO TRUE!! Give the missionaries a chance. What's the worst that could happen? Everlasting happiness? Eternal perspective? Seriously, there is no harm in this Gospel. Ever since living it, I have never had a bad day- sure, some days were harder than others- but thinking about it, not a single one has been bad... because I know that the day prepared me for eternity and that amidst it all, it was all necessary to my mortal sojourn. This Gospel creates good days. Live it. Love it.
I love you all so much- thank you once again for your thoughts and prayers, it all means so much! For those of you who aren't reading the Book of Mormon, please do it. Once again, you will be guaranteed to have a more abundant life- and if you aren't, you aren't reading it for its intended purpose. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH I KNOW THIS CHURCH IS TRUE AND I HOPE Y'ALL KNOW IT TOO!
With great amounts of appreciation for your wonderful and worthy souls,
Elder Boyd
**NOTE: Jeremy never sends explanations of/with his pictures. Most of the time his pictures are self-explanatory as they go along with what he's done that week. Today; however, I'm not sure the reason or meaning of these pictures. Also, he states above that we should watch the video, yet he didn't send one??
No comments:
Post a Comment