THE CLINTON EDITION: CHAPTER SEVEN

You've heard of Miracle on 34th Street,

Prepare for miracle on... EVERY STREET in Clinton Mississippi. I'd say the brick-paved roads here are glossed golden with the tears of the elect in the vineyard. The straight and narrow path is traced with the cobblestone of hard work and the foundation of faith. To your left you'll see; oh, what's that, ANOTHER MIRACLE. Miracles aplenty in Miracle-sippi. I know I talk about miracles a lot, but honestly,  we are entitled to the spiritual extensions of grace! We may EXPECT miracles as children of God and we have every right to experience the immediate goodness of God. Ammon says it best, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." Call me a braggart for God because I cannot say enough about his miraculous touch. Look for miracles. Expect miracles. And vicariously live through the immense manifestations of spiritual power that we experienced this week in.... THE CLINTON EDITION: CHAPTER SEVEN. 

First things first: ELDER MCENTIRE. 

As we made our way through the valley of the shadow of death and humidity, we locked eyes at the transfer point. The first thing he said to me, as he pointed with both fingers, "that's my guy." Immediately, the divinity of our companionship pulsated through our veins like the waterfall of sweat on our foreheads. Not only does he make me laugh 58/60 seconds in a minute, but he also has such a way of empathizing with those that we teach. Already, I have begun to see his foreordained authenticity and how his experience and wisdom will help him to relate and invite our friends with such power and authority. He loves analogies and can find a gospel message in anything; even Subway. I've already learned about two volumes worth of knowledge from him and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for the both of us here in the Clinton Kingdom in the next six weeks! Also, both being from Washington, the answer to the question: "where y'all from?" has never been easier. He too appreciates the rain. It finna be a good transfer y'all! 

Apart from the companionship unity being higher than Marry Poppins with a motorized umbrella, we have not been held exempt from the miracles of the mission; and that in itself has brought us closer to each other and to the Lord. Take this past week for instance...

What do you do when an appointment cancels? Follow the spirit. 

What do you do when your legs don't work like they used to before? Follow the spirit. 

What do you do when it's 3:00 in the afternoon, the Mississippi sun is scorching your outsides, and everyone's doors seem to be glued shut with the strongest gorilla paste out of security, forcing them to, unfortunately, be unable to open the door, despite the chatter inside? Follow the spirit. 

In the wise words of Brother Joseph, "When God commands, do it." From a less reliable source (Mr. Nike), "Just do it." Or even, the Elder Boyd abridgment,  "When the spirit calls, you answer." All of the above are great practices that, when instituted properly, can truly change the course of your day with a little inspiration. I testify that those good feelings that come upon us in times of inquiry are the guidance of the Holy Ghost. God knows who needs you. He knows what time they need you, when they are home, and what they need from you. His omnipotence is an underused resource. Why NOT ask God, "Who needs me and at what time?" God is anxiously invested in details. When we deal in generalities we will rarely have success; but when we deal with specifics, we will seldom have a failure. Each decision is an opportunity to intervene in salvation. As a matter of fact, we always talk about the small and simple decision that compound into greatness, right? Well, have we ever considered that maybe WE are the small and simple things by which great things are brought to pass? God loves the broken. He loves the weak, the messed up, the dirt of the Earth. He loves dealing SPECIFICALLY with you, however small because that's how he brings to pass his greatness. 

We small and simple things we're able to see that greatness this week. To think, a rebellious and proud soul as mine can qualify for revelation to change and save a life? It's quite humbling. I love the way that God works. It fascinates me to see his enabling hand in the lives of faulty instruments-- or should I say- very sweaty instruments. 

Naturally, as all miracles do, this one happened in the midst of hopelessness and opposition. We had excitedly scheduled three appointments with our most progressing people-- only to have each one cancel. We literally sat there in silence for at least five minutes, just pondering upon the Father's plan. When suddenly, I felt prompted to go visit someone... who actually missed ten appointments in a row. Imagine my surprise when this families' name came to my head-- humbly, we followed through eagerly for what the Lord had in store. Upon arrival, not only were they HOME (for the first time in forever) but one of her kids approached us and said, "Can I be baptized? I'm 10 and I really want to be baptized." 

OF COURSE, YOU CAN MY ABSOLUTE MAN, PLEASE ALLOW US TO COME INTO YOUR HOME AND TEACH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THE MESSAGE OF THE RESTORATION AND PUT YOU AND YOUR LITTLE BROTHER ON DATE FOR A SERVICE IN JUNE.

MIRACLES I TELL YOU, MIRACLES. I'm convinced there is no better question than, "Can I be baptized?" That's an easy answer! 

But as I have also realized this week, salvation isn't always a spiritual rescue. We oftentimes put ourselves in situations to free others from the bondage and captivity of the world with an opportunity to snatch them out of the jaws of the natural man.

Like, this week? We witnessed an actual car accident. Following promptings all day, we found ourselves knocking on a door in South Jackson and witnessed the scene, front, and center. Thankfully no-one was injured in the process! We were able to comfort the kids with a few card tricks and fruit snacks and be in the right place at the right time. But seriously, God used us in a very temporal way, even, to help one of his children during a physical struggle. Similarly, he will use you; spiritually and temporally. And through who you are, he will make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. 

Oh and to top it all off, an inspiring quote from Stake Conference this weekend: 

"Lets create a ward where we exhaust the missionaries' with teaching. Where they don't even have the time to find because they are too busy sharing the principles of the Gospel. It's not their job to find; it's ours. Now, lets give those missionaries some people to teach!" 

Needless to say, our Stake President is one of the noble and greater ones. 

Really, this week was INCREDIBLE! And I can't say enough about it. We don't have to be perfect to be worthy. Perfection is an eternal trek but worthiness is daily meditation. Take the time to be worthy; the blessings are worth the journey! If you're feeling small and simple... prepare for greatness! God brings to pass his most marvelous work in the womb of weakness. And you'll be born into strength and grow from grace to grace if you only exercise the faith to be weak! I hope this is a week of WEAKness! And in that weakness, I testify that you will see miracles. God will use you. He will bless you. He has used and blessed us this week and I can only say... it is an honor to be in Miracle-sippi. HAVE A GREAT WEEK YALL! ELDER BOYD LOVES YOU!

Looking forward to another week of weakness,

Weak (Elder) Boyd

This week's Pics

(Picture courtesy of a member)