Have you ever had a week where the autopilot in your cranium drives you to and fro, with the side effect of absent-mindedness and without slightest recollection of the roller coaster that was the past seven days? The automobile of this week was a fifth gear joyride, where Jesus quite literally took the wheel. The realism of, "going through the motions" came to life this week... I don't actually have a conscious remembrance of most of the apostolic awesomeness we partook in.. BUT, where sunburns abound aplenty and the humidity shows his malicious grin- springtime in New Orleans is here ladies and gentleman. Now, I'm no botanist, but flowers are quite lovely- and this past week our floral friends have sprouted in grand magnitude, quite a sight really. So amidst the loco hot cocoa week we had.. we were able to admire the simple beauties of life. What tender mercies did you see this week? How are you preparing yourself to commemorate the sacredness of Easter and chow down at the spiritual feast that is General Conference? These questions and more.. in this weeks edition of the CHALMETTE CHRONICLES.
I think my relative perception of what, "cold" and, "hot" are have drastically changed now that I have fully fulfilled my evolution to a native Louisianan. To my Washington homies- 60 degrees has never felt so nice, and I can wholeheartedly say, snow is a hot commodity (ironic, no?). Do not take the mountains for granted, for one day you might find yourself in the bodacious bayou, formulating road bumps into Mt. Rainier. The desperate mind comes up with creative ways to make familiarity out of scarcity. And to make a Gospel application.. don't take for granted the fullness of the Gospel. We are endowed with righteous principles and sacred ordinances that most others dream of receiving. As the covenant-keeping people, we should never strive to assume superiority or dominance as a result of our blessed state. We are given this knowledge in faith... Faith in God that we will use our learning and our understanding to bless the lives of others! Have you ever considered how much we take for granted in our lives? Food and shelter are not commonplace for most of the world... technology and social media are not rampant in other hemispheres.. sadly, our character and threshold for happiness are entirely determined by our acquired definitions of those attributes we wish to acquire. SO, I challenge you to redefine what makes you happy.. to couple it with an eternal perspective and use your covenants to enrich the lives of others. Charity, the pure love of Christ, is what should motivate the mandate of our service. And if love is the motivation, we can trust in confidence that we emulate the Savior and his actions. Charity is not simply something we have... it's something we become.
This week primarily consisted of, the missionary favorite, finding the sheepish elect. And let me tell you, the holiest of cows, Saturday was a day and three quarters. As the missionaries we are, we deemed it appropriate to schedule return appointments for the weekend.. that way families could be together, strengthen each other, get baptized, and live happily ever after.. However, the celestial hypothetical in New Orleans is subsequently a fantasy... "Saturday is a special day... it's the day we hide from the missionaries." 34 people. 34 doors. 2 pounds of sweat and a freckle line later... nobody. Not. A. Single. One. Mind you, these potential disciples gave US the return appointments to which we most jauntily agreed.. but t'was all for naught. But here's the thing... nothing is as contagious as enthusiasm. Natural enthusiasm is the great nursery for genius. I truly believe that a person can accomplish anything in which he is absolutely enthusiastic. And this Elder wasn't having no negativity.. so with two doors left, I tried a "different" approach.
Door 35. Not really sure if that is a heavenly number, but for the case of the story we will roll with it... This investigator was one we hadn't seen a whole awful lot, he works from home- yet, he surprisingly is always out on business.. but it had been a good minute since we last tried him, so we tested the odds and gave it a go. Now, I would like to bring your remembrance to a certain, "Christian Rock Fiasco" we previously attended...
A certain phrase was used that quite caught my attention in a hilarious manner...
"Y'all ready to have church tonight?"
Six words. As a matter of fact, Elder Flores has taken quite a liking to this phrase and in turn yelps it in his Mexican dialect as it echoes through our apartment complex at the prime hour of 9PM.
It was a long day, and I don't know if it was the Christian crazy in me or what.. but I decided that I would use such an invitation in our approach. SO, we approach the family- conveniently, they are all outside.. already a good start.. and in my quirky and ever so attractive manly voice... I holler, "YALL READY TO HAVE CHURCH TONIGHT?" My fearless squeak echoed through the neighborhood, for this performer would never deny an opportunity to project. Now, I am sure I emulated the Shih-Tzu in surprising these poor unfortunate souls.. because our investigator was so taken by the spirit, he actually toppled over in his lawn chair. As he rolled across the lawn and gave a mighty grunt in hopes of sitting up.. he proceeded to stare at me in great confusion, and amidst the awkwardness mutter a simple, "right here, right now?"
I knew we were in.
We advanced our maneuvers to preach the Gospel by testifying of the Lord's restored church. It was a much-needed lesson. I'm sure Elder Carter would agree, we craved conversion.. and the hunger of our discipleship was satiated all at once with the full meal deal in this lesson. We were so excited that we even got a little ahead of ourselves and just jumped straight to baptism.. but these people were READY to have church tonight, and accepted on the condition of answers for truth.
I'm certainly never going to discount the power behind another Christian proclamation again.
With the splendid spiritual blessing of General Conference and Easter coming up, I challenge you all to prepare yourselves.. both body and spirit.. to treat this event like it is. An opportunity to hear the words of living prophets and apostles. Have you ever said to yourself.."Wow, I don't understand the children of Israel.. if Moses were here, I'd give him a listen or two.." but then you coincidentally choose to wash your car instead of listening to conference? Now, yes, there are special circumstances in which the record button is a mercy in itself- but really, giving good ole' Russell M. Nelson a listen or two can really change the pace of your day and your outlook for the next six months. Now, I was once like you... I looked forward to playing conference bingo than I did receiving modern inspiration.. but I have repented and changed my ways and I KNOW with no surety of doubt, if you come with questions, they will be answered. Seriously. Try it. However mundane or insignificant you think your desire may be... God knows it.. and there is a chilling arithmetic in the availability of answers to the faithful in this Gospel. You will never receive an answer if you don't ask the question. Take this weekend as an opportunity to cleanse your insecurities and purge your pride, turning to God with complete faith that his arm will be revealed unto you. The key to improved prayer is to ask the right questions. Really, there are no stupid questions when it comes to God.. just stupid fear. This applies to EVERY ONE OF US. "Something wonderful happens when we really know, without a doubt, that God loves us—our questions completely change. Instead of asking, 'Why did this happen to me?' or 'Why doesn’t God care about me?' we say, 'Well, I know God loves me; I know that. So what can I learn from this experience?'" Trust in your Savior's love, ask the right questions, and come out of conference being the disciple you were destined to be.
Well Y'all, that was our monstrous week of magnificence!
This Weeks FB Post:
This Weeks FB Post:
Israel, Israel, God is calling- do you recognize his voice?
Before this life, our recognition of such a voice was imaginably immediate. In this life we are reacquianting ourselves with his perfect mildness as we come unto him and magnify our callings. We are each called to an action we are divinely qualified for, enlisted in a royal army destined to overcome the adversary.
The good shepherd beckons for the safety and progression of his sheep. Each member of the flock has an infinite and irreplaceable value to the shepherd. As God's children, we are each individually loved and cared for. No matter what relationship you think you have with your Heavenly Father, his connection to and understanding of you is both intimate and perfect. God is in the details of our lives.I may not know much, but I know that God loves his children. I know that he qualifies whom he calls. And he calls you. Answer the calls as they come- we alone are not great, we are made great as we magnify our callings.
#LBRMSingingSundayAlma 5: 60
(Be a good sheep and read the scripture.)☀️
Side highlights:
-Someone had the bright idea to ask me to play piano at a funeral this weekend. You'd think these Louisianans would get someone who can ACTUALLY play? :)
-We've got a whole new District up in here, I'm excited to see where this transfer takes us.
- The branch is as lovely as ever.. these people are the craziest coconuts I could ever be pleased to call family.
I hope y'all have really inspired weeks- truly. Remember how chosen and privileged you are to be on this Earth at this present time. It is no coincidence that you are in the last dispensation of the fullness of times. You are numbered among the infinite beauties of God's people. Look for some tender mercies this week! Sing with the sunshine and make a new friend! Make this week one of such gorgeous grandeur that you have no choice but to be absolutely pumped for conference and Easter. Remember the reason for the season.. and remember that sunburnt Elder Boyd and Jesus love you! Prayers coming your way... you're all treasures to the most high God. :)
With powerfully pleasant praise and appreciation,
Elder Boyd
The Hills Are Alive With.... Jeremy and his Companion 😁
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