Slidellutations, yet again my friends,
If you're reading this email it means one of two things.. 1.) We have survived the aftermath of the MEGA transfer and are finally settled into our humble abode here in the promised land of Slidell. 2.) Elder Cox is actually an incognito Quantico agent sent by the feds to uncover the secret formula behind the booming missionary work here... and is typing this in the third person to throw you clever Cajuns off the scent. Take your pick- and welcome to the SLIDELL SCROLLS: CHAPTER SEVEN.
It's been a bonkers week here in the bodacious bayou. Transfer stress intermingled with humidity and a gnarly sunburn have made for quite the adventure this week- thankfully this is God's work, and when he is at the helm.. all suffering is temporary. SO, we just suffer from joy- and in that, we carve in ourselves a greater capacity to receive the blessings of our Heavenly Father. We had a member this week ask us a pretty deep question:
*reference Psalm 23*
If your cup is overflowing with blessings.. is that a good, or a bad thing?
My thought was.. maybe you need a bigger cup.
I was thinking about this, this past week- and I think the Spirit impressed me with some great thoughts and questions. I've been thinking about this question and how I can apply it in my own life and missionary work-
So how do we enlarge our cups? What IS our cup? And in not as metaphorical of a sense.. how do we increase our personal capacity to receive all of the blessings the Lord has in store for us? Just some stuff to ponder about this week...
ANYWAYS, Elder Cox, Slidell, good week, yes.
Allow me to pimp** out my "son" [insert mom comment: **modern slang that means "great" or "cool"]-
Elder Cox, what a legend. My first impression was immediate.. wow, he EXUDES joy. As I've gotten to know him better I have seen how he reflects that joy on me and those we teach. He's a charismatic chap who is so, "down for anything." He loves cinnamon toast, the book of 2 Nephi, and, "balling with the boys." In our short time together he has already taught me SO much. He's already such a wonderful missionary, and the spirit in which he testifies is tangible and genuine. We have had the BEST time so far together, and I have the biggest testimony of the Lord qualifying who he calls. Somewhere along the line... I feel like a better missionary. My greenie fire is HERE, SO LOOK OUT SLIDELL BECAUSE WE'RE IGNITED AND READY TO BURN. Yeah, Elder Cox is such a good guy... and we have similar interests, and can laugh about everything, and both really like White Collar and baths- so it's finna be a good six weeks. Not to mention, the incredible lessons we had this week...
THE LESSONS
Right off the bullet train from transfers, we have whisked away into a beautiful combination of the spirit and service. One of the ladies who is a caretaker for one of our people invited us over for rotisserie chicken and the Gospel. Name a more dynamic duo... I'll wait. We also ended up fixing her swing- sponsored by harbor freight rope and zip ties- and taught Elder Cox's first lesson in the mission. What a WAY to start- she was crying the entire time... and while I watched Elder Cox bear testimony, I felt yet another confirming witness that this is the true church. She invited us to come back next week to share some more and said we'd be seeing her at church. What a blessing that day was...
I gave Elder Cox the grand tour of our wonderful people and area. I don't think he believed me when I said, "we minister among the elect here, Elder," but BOY did he believe me when he met our all-star team. Our ladies on date for the next couple weeks did not disappoint in impressing my sonny boy... One of them had started a Pinterest board for LDS quotes and pictures of temples, and since the last time we saw her, had read up to section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants. She's been strengthened against temptation regarding the word of wisdom and is honestly just SO ready for baptism. Our other girl is just the same, except, instead of reading Doctrine and Covenants.. she read all of 3 Nephi. She is ALSO progressing so nicely, by keeping the word of Wisdom, and they both have attended church every week for the past five weeks. When they said the elect are prepared and ready.. they weren't kidding.
An inactive member who gives us free slushies at the local gas station every time we show up, traveled through a choo-choo-train of calls to ask us to give her husband a blessing before rehab. There is so much beauty in this situation. She hasn't been to church in a GOOD minute, yet.. she knew, and her husband knew, the priesthood would be there for her. She knew who she needed to call and knew that she could depend on the church to deliver. Not only was it a BEAUTIFUL blessing, ordained of God, but she and her family are going to come to church this Sunday.. for this first time in a long.... long... time.
We were grinding the midnight oil.. with only ten minutes of proselyting left. We were in the "ghetto" part of town, and the sun was saying its final goodbye. We both felt prompted to knock one FINAL door.. and lo and behold, God had a great surprise in store for us. We were jazzed for the whole night after this lesson. He was a Baptist who adored the Bible... but felt like something was missing. When we shared the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith story with him, he felt that something... he felt complete... he felt something, he hadn't felt in a while... a testimony of truth. When he found out he give out free copies of the Book of Mormon, he CAPITALIZED on the opportunity and told us, "alright gentleman- I'm gonna read this book, and I want you to come back every week, every Sunday to teach me about it. And I'm gonna invite my sons cause I know they need these feelings you have given me tonight.." We couldn't stop smiling, Elder Cox and I. I have already seen so much progression between the way he taught in the first lesson of our time together.. and the way he taught this man. He is turning into quite the fine missionary. :)
Finally, we visited one of our... not as promising people. And no, that doesn't mean that WE as her missionaries didn't have faith in her, rather, she didn't have faith in herself. Well, it was a typical SCORCHING Louisiana day, and just our luck... her A/C unit had blown earlier that week. So we sat outside in what felt like lava steel chairs, and read the Book of Mormon with her. It didn't matter that we were sweating.. or exhausted.. or burnt like a fine over-fried chicken.. the Spirit was there- and we felt it, and knew she did too. In fact, the spirit was so strong, she agreed to be baptized and attend church with her two kids this week! Y'all, I have such a testimony that God sees our suffering... he sees our attitudes... and he sees our rewards. In this case, it was so WORTH it to burn my behind in order to help this woman and her family receive the restored gospel.
Now if that isn't a fan-flipping fantastic introduction to the mission, I don't know what is! I told poor Elder Cox that he's starting at the top... and it's all downhill from here, haha. :) No, but in all seriousness, we are so blessed. It's been another amazing week, and I only expect them to keep getting better. We may have to learn Spanish, and bike for five days.. but this work couldn't be better. Thanks, Y'all, yet again, for the thoughts and prayers- they are appreciated and felt more than you know. I know this Gospel and this work is true.. and I can't wait to spend another week, "ministering among the Lord's elect." Have a blessed week Y'all. ELDER BOYD LOVES YOU!!
From a very proud "father,"
Elder Boyd
Pictures/Videos from this week:
Picture courtesy of President/Sister Varner:
Cool Pic:
Elder Boyd, his "son" (aka 1st trainee) Elder Cox, and Elder Orison (Elder Boyd's 1st trainer)
I think this picture illustrates Elder Boyd's sadness to see Elder Orison going home after serving 2 years in LA
Pic courtesy from a member who text me this pis:
Small World:
Elder Boyd is holding a pic of one of the Spanish Elder's serving in his home ward/area while eating dinner at his* cousin's home in Slidell, LA (his*=Spanish Elder serving here in WA).
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