Elder Jeremy Ashton Boyd: CHALMETTE CHRONICLES: CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Good morning majestic mates and mateys,

This week will go down in the mission history books as pretty stinking radical. People are just so interesting, ya know? And in New Orleans, you can find the most interesting of them all. Unlike last week, my cranium car cranked into hyperdrive with so much material, the file cabinets of my frontal lobe overflowed with joy. Lesson learned from this week: don't ever turn your back on New Orleans- this city will never cease to surprise you. The people have a potential unparalleled by most any believers I have seen.. you don't realize what you've planted until you've seen what it can grow into. And with those attempted words of wisdom: Welcome me hearties! Yo-ho to CHALMETTE CHRONICLES: CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

Let's get it rolling, this week is nothing to play around with.. and in the feisty words of Sister Costa, "You are not children anymore.. it is time to grow up and take the gospel seriously."

The mission is all about people, so here are a few experiences about a few of the people I've been blessed to serve down here:

President Henry B. Eyring once said that if we were to document a sentence or two in our journal every morning of how we had seen the Lord's hand in our life that previous day, we would be blessed with the eyes to see the merciful and outstretched help of the Lord in all aspects of our lives. Looking back on this week- I can say with all of my heart that every decision and prompting we made and received, was an opportunity to see the Lord's hand in our lives. With a heavenly perspective, I can now see how the pieces of this week fit together to fulfill our Heavenly Father's plan:

It all started with a simple prompting. I mean, that's usually how our spiritual journeys begin. Think about a gargantuan RPG, as you travel around in monotony until some shifty wizard convinces you to take on a quest. You have your agency to accept his proposal. And depending upon whether or not you choose to embark on such an adventure, you may never know when the next wizard will come again. Now, this is important- you don't know the reward until the quest is over. He'll entice you with blessings and great reward- the path may not be the easiest, but he gives you the utmost assurance that the journey is worth it. So, you accept his quest of sorts, with no perspective as to what comes next. You're guided to and fro, following his gentle instruction and guidance, asked to accomplish the most seemingly ridiculous of tasks. However, when you take a moment to see how far you've come.. you realize the necessity for each part of his wacky instruction. The reason you ARE where you are is that he eventually led you there. The ultimate goal was to get you there, but it was only through trial and tribulation and tests of the spirit that you could gain the experience to appreciate who you've become and what you've accomplished. Now, you've probably begun to see the spiritual parallel here... but in the Gospel's sake.. and through the gift of the Holy Ghost.. that wizard will always be there to give you another adventure. Heavenly Father is just WAITING for us to accept his quests so that we may benefit from the infinite surplus of blessings he has in store for us. What we're asked to do may not make sense.. the wizard could ask you to bake a cake for his stepsister, in order to help you defeat the dragon.. but in the end it all makes sense- in this case, the stepsister knew the dragon's achilles heel, and required a bit of baking bribery to reveal her secrets. Maybe this makes sense, maybe it doesn't.. but, follow the prompting, every time. Even if it doesn't make sense, it makes sense to an all-knowing God.. who knows exactly what attributes and wisdom you can acquire from accomplishing his demands. Trust the wizard- trust your father- you don't know everything, but you know enough. And the one who knows everything knows that you ARE enough to accomplish all that he asks you to do. Remember 1 Nephi 3:7-God is preparing you right now to fulfill all the quests he wants you to do.

We were set on some crazy quests this week, and most of them didn't make sense.. luckily; however, we followed the advice and tips of our wizard and saw the Lord's hand revealed. Once again, it all started with a prompting. With the spirit of remembrance, we are usually lead to visit people we've tried countless times, and haven't seen in a good minute. In this particular instance, we sporadically decided to see what this incredible family we had met a month and a half prior were up to. There is no circumstance that they were home this time that we visited. It was like we had seen each other every day for the previous intermission- that's how comfortable it felt. The wife of the couple is VERY into ministering, and coincidentally she said that she and her husband had been thinking of us that morning in specific.. coincidence? I think not. Apparently, she ran into this family who has been hospitalized for over three months in a nearby city.. and the first people she thought of were the Mormons. How incredible is that? WE were the people she thought could uplift this family. And not economically. She thought what they needed most were some, "friends in Christ." So, that was a fantastic ice-breaker. We proceeded to share insights, give some info about the Restoration.. and she came in clutch with some hardcore questions. Luckily my companion is a sophisticated baller with all the answers.

"As an African -American woman... I trust in God. But I do not understand why in all of the biblical record, they have included no such thing about slavery. Where is my story in all of this? Where was it prophesied that we would be in bondage? Why were we not prepared or warned for the persecution we were to endure?"

Well, Elder Carter shared a perfectly inspired scripture from the Book of Mormon.. and I told her, "in all of history, the people have never been warned of their inevitable persecution. Take the early Saints for instance.. did God give revelation to the prophet that the people who endure as much trial and turmoil as they did? No. I think it's because if God were to warn us about the trials he has in store for us... he would never see our true character in the furnace of affliction. Sometimes, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.. we must only utter four words, in confidence, that God has a plan.. thy will be done." By the grace of God, she was satisfied with our answer. She even presupposed that we would not be able to answer such things considering our age.. that she had stumped pastor and preacher alike.. and that she thought we would need some time to study and return and report. BUT, the dynamic duo (or rather the Spirit of God) gave her the answer she needed. We left her with a pamphlet, invited her to church, exchanged numbers (she wasn't even an investigator at this point..) and parted ways.

Fast forward to Sunday, we actually found some grand luck this week in committing investigators to church, more than we ever have before- so I was, essentially, HYPED for sacrament meeting. Brother Hatcher is a hero and three quarters let me tell you, this guy will go to great lengths to pick people up for church.. love that man. WELL, we called him ahead of time and asked him to pick up a few of our interested investigators.. and patiently waited for his arrival. We get through the opening song...the opening prayer.. the announcements.. NEARLY the Sacrament song.. but when the final verse hit, the man, the myth, the legend came walking through that door.. and with him, that SAME couple we had met in inspiration that previous week.. of all the people we were expecting to come, we didn't expect them, but BOY were we glad they came.. and just in time for the sacrament; when they say the Lord has perfect timing, they weren't kidding. :)

As is the case with the first Sunday of every month.. we had fast and testimony meeting. During the course of the various testimonies, she sat by my side- requesting references for all the scriptures that were shared. I ended up opening my quad and gave her a brief explanation of the Doctrine and Covenants. :) Well.. after Sister Marcus concluded her remarks.. she leans over to me and asks, "is this only for members?" NO, YOU CAN BEAR YOUR TESTIMONY, PLAY ON PLAYER. So yes, she got up there and gave one of the most heart-wrenching testimonies I have heard.. you didn't hear it from me, but my allergies were pretty maniacal and I may have let a saline drop or two hit the floor. She spoke about how it just feels right to be here. She sang our praises as missionaries which were most humbling in itself.. it was a touching display of the spirit and the pure love of Christ. It was one of the more powerful meetings I have been a part of. BUT it gets even crazier. This Sister told us previously that her niece was actually Mormon and received the sister missionaries in California and actually lives in Baton Rouge at the moment! Well, Sister Stratton actually just got back from serving in Baton Rouge for seven months... AND ACTUALLY KNOWS HER NIECE?? LIKE, WHAT?? She was freaking out, taking it as a sign that she was meant to be here. She participated out the wazoo in Sunday School and was fellowshipped like crazy. It was a miracle, to say the least. She said that something just feels so right about this place.. it feels like home.. it feels, familiar. I have to say, this was one of the best Sundays I have had, and after the fact, I couldn't help but praise God that he had led us here and let us be apart of the whole experience.

Missionary work works. I know I am in Louisiana for a reason, and I KNOW that one of those reasons is so that I could be apart of this experience.. and while she was strengthening her own testimony, she strengthened mine as well. God has a plan for you, whether you know it or not, he will find a way to call you back home- answer the call, and trace the footsteps of eternal life.

AS IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH:

A week or so again as we were discussing our plans for the day as a quadship, Elder Hernandez jokingly suggested we visit the only investigator of ours that he remembered. We laughed about it and went along our merry way... but later in the day, I remembered his suggestion.. and with nothing else planned thought, "might as well." So, we went over to see this gentleman, and we ended up having an incredible lesson, the Spirit was totally there- he had some really inspired questions that we were able to answer about maintaining and improving upon his Baptist beliefs. We made a follow-up appointment and thought about the great circumstance we were just apart of. WELL, when we came back to see him hurriedly working on his automobile and told us he had a few minutes to talk. The following conversation ensued..

"Elders.. I forgot to tell you. I actually watched a Book of Mormon documentary and I've gotta say that.. well, how can I put this.."

*anxious hyperventilation*

"I'M A BELIEVER. YOU CONVINCED ME. I DIDN'T THINK YOU COULD, BUT I WANNA THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING ME TO THE FULLNESS OF THE GOSPEL. MY WIFE IS STILL A BIT SPECULATIVE, BUT SHE'LL COME AROUND. EXPECT TO SEE MORE OF ME.. now, tell me, where do y'all meet for church?"

After rejoicing with our dearly beloved brother, Elder Carter and I had the mutual understanding walking away from the scene in silence.. but as soon as the car doors shut... Elder Carter and I did, "rejoice exceedingly", blasted our MoTAB (aka Mormon Tabernacle Choir), and happy-danced our way to the next appointment.

God has been so good to us, I feel so undeserving of all these miracles, but glory be to the Father and I'mma just keep swimming towards the waters of baptism.

Another one:

Elder Carter and I were out tracting when this white vehicle drove by and someone hollered... "COME BY MY HOUSE." I could've sworn it was this presumably 10-year-old kid in the adjacent neighborhood that we balled with.. but Elder Carter assured me that it couldn't be- the holler came from the driver's seat. So we finished tracting the street and headed for the car, and as we were driving away, the white vehicle drives up next to us... AND IT'S THE TEN-YEAR-OLD KID JUST CRUISING IN HIS NISSAN ULTIMA. He mutters.. "where Y'all going?" And upon remembering his request I quickly managed to say.. "your house?" And he just skirted off.

He led us to his family- five or so cousins and counting, and we ended up teaching them all about the Book of Mormon and have a date to swing by and read it with him. And for the record.. he is not 10.. but 14. Only in New Orleans, I tell you. :)

And finally, just a little hilarity to top it all off- we knocked on this door and immediately head, "ITS THE COPS EVERYONE GET DOWN.." Elder Carter and I couldn't help but laugh.. and the suckers for comedy that we are.. we knocked again. We could hear someone frantically mutter something in French, and a big ole crash and bang of what sounded like a leaf-blower.. until finally, someone answered the door. Imagine her pleasant surprise when she realized that we were the Jesus people. Although relieved, as soon as we started into our message, a honeybee flew by and she quickly uttered, "IT'S A BEE" and slammed the door. Yes, it was as crazy as it sounds. And yes, I am still laughing about it now.

We also were blessed to overcome the stubbornness of Brother Landers and do some service for him by helping out with his lawn care and fence-work. I had the patient privilege of mowing his acre-wide lawn with a 15-year-old lawnmower that vomited grass in your face and turned off every five seconds. I learned both what the true meaning of service is and what two-month-old grass tastes like.

Oh AND we did service for this lady we met where we learned the botanical equivalent to the shih-tzu.. the prickly bush. We spent two and a half hours immersed in the unconventional acupuncture that was chopping down and bagging her satan bushes. I have so many random entrance pricks around my body.. you could say I'm a much more, "holey" disciple. :)

Well Y'all, I'd say we'd call that a week! I look forward to what this mission has in store for me... really, I don't know where I would be without it. Even the shih-tzus and demonic debris make me love this Gospel and this church more and more. You all deserve to have stellar weeks, so go out and do that. FOLLOW THE PROMPTING. Be the adventurer in the greatest quest of life- inherit the ultimate reward of exaltation and life everlasting. It all starts with you. LOVE Y'ALL, KEEP SAVING THE WORLD.

This week's FB Post:

Christ is not the light at the end of the tunnel, he is the light that gets us through the tunnel.
There is simplistic beauty in the metaphor of Christ as the light of the world.
Darkness exists only in the absence of light.. and likewise Spiritual darkness only exists in the absence of Christ.
I testify that there is no exception or limit to the infinite light that Christ provides. The obstacle is not in his provision, but in our acceptance.The words of a modern day apostle say it all- embrace the light. Be the light.
"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don't have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's atonement shines.
-Jeffrey R. Holland
#LBRMSingingSundayFeaturing one of the brighter lights in my life- Elder Alexander Carter. ☀️