Elder Jeremy Ashton Boyd: CLINTON EDITION: CHAPTER SIX

Thy will be done,

Sometimes we don't need a flaming furnace of justice to trial our submission and faith. Sure, Alma and Amulek were spiritual masterminds of submission, spectating the tactics of Satan, but we too have our moments of fear and doubt when we submit [not so cheerfully] to the will of the Lord. No, our teaching pool is not going up in flames-- but God has definitely scorched us with a little refiner's fire. For those of you out there who feel the burn; take heart! As we are slowly but surely learning, sometimes it takes a little heat to become what God needs us to be! It's transfer week here in the Clinton Edition and we have some true to nature, unexpected, and unpredictable plot twists-- so stay tuned and grab some sunscreen, it's about to get hot in here in the CLINTON EDITION: CHAPTER SIX.

First things first: The fire.

God loves what we least expect. I can see why; when we feel uncomfortable we are more inclined to lean on faith and almighty power. Think about it, when are we most likely to pray? To call upon God? When we need something! When we're struggling, when we're sinking, when we're afraid... those are the moments we are most prone to hearken unto divine intervention! Our God knows this... and when we call him mysterious, oftentimes that means he likes to surprise us with catastrophe to strengthen our faith. However, when he sends the waves and the tempests our way... he also sends an outstretched hand, ready to rescue. I testify that God's plans are the blueprints to progression; however unexpected or uncomfortable they may be, they are the plans to change us.

Transfer week makes one think, ya know? It helps to know that like Peter, God will expect hard things of us; impossible things even! But as we learn to walk on water, he expects us to sink. And that's why when our fear, like an anchor, causes us to sink into the depths of doubt, the Savior is there with his life-saving love to pull us back to safety. Our transfer week may be like walking on water-- seemingly impossible and unfathomable. However, through experience and practice, we too eventually can exercise faith sufficient to defy the laws of mortality and walk the footsteps of faith across tempests of mysterious trials... and transfer weeks.

And with that introduction-- transfer news!

Unexpectedly and somberly as the words left the mission presidents' mouth, we were informed that me and Elder Tauraa's time would be cut short. Honestly, we kinda took for granted the possibility of us staying together. That was the LEAST of our worries, and I wholeheartedly believe that is why God did it to us. As Elder Uchtdorf says, "the gospel is about getting comfortable with the uncomfortable." Thankfully the uncomfortable this time means being moved only 20 minutes away! Elder Tauraa, bless him, will be moving over to Florence Mississippi and I will be receiving...

A new missionary straight outta Washington! Yes, ladies and gentleman, Clinton Mississippi is about to get more PNW than a Canadian Costco convention at Peace Arch Park.

And as the fire cranks to ultimate heat...

I'm being called as the Zone Leader.

Abinadi, is that you? Shadrach?

It just got hot in here.

But in all seriousness, change is an opportunity to learn and grow-- and as the least qualified person to be in this position, I'm grateful to be weak! We can't be strengthened without weakness... so I guess we can just look at these next six weeks as preparation for progression?

But anyways, as I have contemplated the last six weeks I have been filled with great love and compassion for my beloved companion. So, true to these editions... I present-- AN ODE TO ELDER TAURAA:

Right off the bat, we were friends. I knew that his love for superheroes could only be matched with his love for the work. He had a contagious, serving, and enthusiastic spirit about him-- one that I loved. My first impression was quite honestly, "this guy is going to change my life." The spirit in those first impressions is real because I can honestly say that Elder Tauraa has helped change me. There is no... uninspired missionary companionship; ESPECIALLY in my mission. Elder Tauraa was sent by God, to me, as an answered prayer. He is one of my many earthly angels-- and as we have served together, every impression and observation became far more than I could even imagine. He has the work ethic of a strapping stallion. He knows how to love. He is a friend to EVERYONE and is always willing to go the extra mile to minister and show compassion. He is wise beyond his years and has the most endearing and genuine testimony. He will make you laugh until your abs turn to steel and can make a MEAN dump cake. Our memories will last a lifetime and our friendship-- through the eternities! I love this man. He will be a blessing to every companion and a friend to everyone along the way. He has truly changed my mission and my life with the lessons he has taught me; always smile, see the divine in others, be an example at all times and in all places... and remember-- never say no to a coconut!! I love Elder Tauraa! BLESSINGS be to Florence for the matchless gift that he has been in my life. 'Til we meet again dear friend.

Wheww-ee the intoxicating stress of transfers...

Okay, okay, ONTO SOME MIRACLES to give some Tahitian thunder to this storm of life:

Saturday itself felt like a day in the temple.

Miracle after miracle.

To start off the day, 7:30 AM, the spirit whispered-- "go visit this man." To my great surprise, the still voice echoed the name of someone the other missionaries were teaching. Naturally, we should allow them to handle their people, yes? No. When the Spirit prompts, you listen. Or in the words of Brother Joseph, "when God commands, do it." So, we went to see this man-- and BOY OH BOY was this a divine visit. When we walked up to talk to him he said, "I was just praying for God's people-- I was in there drinking my depression away and you two walked up." We read some scriptures about weaknesses and strengths and left him weeping. As we departed he said something I'll never forget, "thank you for reminding me who I am."

How touching is that? God sent two stripling missionaries to remind someone they are a child of God. God will use you. God will bless you.

Following this prompting, we felt inspired to go do service at a nature center in town. We were paired with a single adult male as we were hauling gravel to and from the trails-- and without any introduction, by us and after quizzing us about physical therapy he says, "I love the Book of Mormon. Yall have any YSA activities I can go to?" My jaw about punctured the gravel we set in stone.

Let me continue...

We met with a family who have been taught the Gospel for eons upon measure-- and the moment we show up they say, "we know what we need to do, now help us get married so we can get baptized." I needed a jaw reconstruction surgery after this day, my friends. The miracles of the Lord followed us wherever we went-- and as an answer to our prayers, he blessed us infinitely with his tender mercies. It was as if God had a mega miracle cannon and was rapidly fire-ing off his blessings like t-shirts at the Superbowl! Then on Sunday, we saw the fruits of our labors-- it was a whole orchard of goodness. Surprises. Miracles. Tender mercies. The full cornucopia. And all on the commemorating day of the greatest miracles in our lives; mothers! Coincidence? I think not.

Shoutout to all you mother's out there-- both seen and unseen. I have a testimony that God sends us mother's to remind us of heaven. He understands how hard this life is, that mortality and the likes of the adversary really are no EASY feat-- so he sent the Savior to comfort us. But, in modern day, the Savior isn't here to walk with and lead us in person... so, he sent mothers to ease our burdens and to brighten the way. As extensions of the Savior, we can look to our beloved Mother's to enable, empower, and endow us with the strength necessary for peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. I love my mother and in the words of our Stake President, "every day should be a day to appreciate the mothers in our lives!"

Well y'all, that's us for this week. For those of you out there going through a change of sorts-- embrace the heat. It may burn for a little time. It may hurt, scorch, and singe. But at the end of the fire-- comes the results of refining. In the midst of a forest fire, I'm sure surrounding trees are lost in a state of zero hope... little do they know, the fire is the planing season. A new forest is in store! And the seeds that God is planting may burn for a little time... but his harvest is the greatest reward. Give your mom a hug. Say thy will be done-- and MEAN it. And it'll be a good week. ELDER BOYD LOVES Y'ALL!! HAVE A GOOD WEEK!

O Lord not mine,

Elder Boyd

This Week's Pics: