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:

Elder Boyd's New Companion: Elder McEntire flying to LA from Provo MTC

Current Companions: Elder Tauraa (aka Tahitian Thunder- the name given to him by some kids playing streetball in South Jackson)

Mother's Day call home:

Father/Son Resemblance 😝

CLINTON EDITION: CHAPTER FIVE

In sickness and in health,

No, I'm not getting married, but gratefully death didn't do us apart. This week was an intense influenza frenzy. From tissues to teaching appointments and cough drops to commitments-- the healing balm of the Saviors Atonement and Burts Bee's helped us to endure the angry allergies and the vicious viruses of the season! However, amidst all the symptoms and sickness-- I couldn't help but think of those who are spiritually sick. How devastating it would have felt if I had stewed in my sinuses with no foreseeable recovery? How awful it would have been had I not known a physician or tasted the sweet relief of Halls cough drops? If I had just been sick... and stayed sick... with no help, cure, or care. Sadly, we are surrounded by those affected with the sickness of Satan-- and some don't know the directions to the hospital. We are all sick in our own way, but with the Great Physician, we can be made whole again and help our fellow patients to be healed all the same! Yes, maybe a bit delirious and drugged-- but very happy to be here-- welcome to the CLINTON EDITION: CHAPTER FIVE. 

Fun fact: sickness cannot prevent miracles. 

What a beautiful truth! Despite having my brains clogged with mucus, my heart was filled with the spirit! I can testify firsthand that our God is aware of our physical being-- and when we choose to put him first in our sicknesses and infirmities, the power he adds to our efforts will bring both physical and spiritual healing! 

For example: though it may not be wise to go tracting in the swampy Southern humidity with a slight fever-- God can still use us-- 100° and all-- and he WILL use his squeaky instruments to further his will. 

One particular day this week, we got up extra early-- which for a strict schedule missionary is saying something-- and drove ourselves two and a half hours down the road to see a physician down the bayou-- only to drive two hours back and have eight hours of a day under our belt. Not to mention, the sickness squadron had already started accumulating-- and this particular day was one with extra heat. So, you can imagine, the last thing on our minds was, "tracting." But, as we two faithful Elders pulled out from the church parking lot, we whipped out our Book of Mormon (stalled in the middle of the road mind you) and read the following nugget of motivation: 

Now have we not reason to rejoice? 

Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.
Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen (Alma 26: 35-37).

With fire under our pants and snot in our nostrils, we prayed and both felt the prompting to knock doors in a very specific area! Not gonna lie, I was dying on the inside, but living for Christ on the outside. It was a great feeling. 

Door after door. Knock after knock. The sweat intensified and we found ourselves with dirty knuckles and at the foundation of failure-- that was, until (all these stories have an until don't they) we approached one of the last houses on the street. 

The following experience is true and should stand as a testimony that God is aware and MINDFUL of his children; he knows their names and is ever conscious of their needs. We as his missionaries are lucky enough to be on the frontlines of the execution. 

Before we walked up to the door, a name popped into my head, "Lijah" the voice whispered. Feeling confident it was the spirit, I said the name out loud before we approached the door. Two smiling faces opened right up and recognized us as the "funny looking guys on the bicycles"- a very true assumption! After talking for a little bit their mother came around and told us that though she was a faithful teacher in her church and her husband was a pastor, that maybe we would find success knocking everywhere else because, as she put it, "these parking lots are full on Sunday Mornings." Naturally, we took her suggestion as a referral for the whole neighborhood. Before we bid our jaunty farewells, they introduced themselves--

"What was your name?" 

"Deedrah"

"Javante" 

And the last one with such power and tender mildness it did pierce to the very soul...

"My name is Lijah." 

I knelt down and looked at this little man and said, 

"Lijah, I hope you know that God knows you and loves you." 

And walked away. 

The next few houses weren't necessarily "fruitful" but we pressed forward through the midday blues-- the second to last door we knocked on happened to be one of the happiest people I had ever met! I mean, we knew we were sent here to find someone, so we figured the optimistic bundle of happiness and joy at the end of the street was the fulfillment of the prompting-- little did we know what God had in store for the next door.

We decided, okay, God has been merciful enough-- and we couldn't stop praising him honestly, the glory was his-- we should show that we're willing to finish what we started, so we knocked one final door. Once again, the immediate goodness of the light of Christ propelled from that room to the deep parts of my soul. She who answered had a countenance like the Southern sun and a smile to swoon the dentist of all dentists! But not only that-- she had been through some hard times recently with a medical diagnosis, her sister had been diagnosed with cancer, she was a single mother of a newborn baby, and - get this - she was taught by missionaries 20 years ago and has been looking for them ever since. 

What more can I say?

Our God is a God of miracles

The adrenaline of the spirit is real and so is our all-knowing God. 

And miracles exist-- especially for the sick. 

Another beautiful highlight this week came from testimony meeting. If you've never experienced an earthquake of emotion... just wait for the conducting member of the bishopric to sit down from bearing his testimony in a meeting... and watch in awe as a colony of kiddos march their way up to the pulpit to share their convictions in Christ. Most notably; however, were the patterns in what they chose to share. It is my rationale that a pure testimony is one shared by that of little children. Christ commands, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Our testimonies should reflect the same. 

Pure doctrine from this weeks meeting: 

"I know that my family loves me."

"I know that we are sealed together."

"I know that the church is true." 

Do you know that your family loves you? I'd never thought of that as a testimony, but it's true. And yes I do, my family loves me more than anyone has loved anything; you can't change my mind-- they come near to the Savior's love and reflect the pure love of Christ. Do you know that families can be sealed together through Heavenly Father's plan? Do you know that the church is true? I encourage you if you don't and if you lack wisdom; ask of God! Ask him what he thinks about His church, he'll let you know. Prove him now herewith and I promise the answer will come and will give you a greater idea of just how much your family loves you and how real our Father's plan can be for you. 

I too know this church is true, I know that my family loves me, and I know that through Priesthood power families can be sealed eternity for time and all eternity. 

We had a cottage meeting this week-- a super Family Home Evening here in the South-- where we roleplayed the lost sheep in "Come Follow Me", played mafia and an atrociously confusing combination of numbers and rituals called, "Big Buddha", and the people we were teaching came! In fact, the biggest miracle of the night was when one of them said, "next week we do this at my house." SHE'S HOSTING A COTTAGE MEETING. Road to conversion here we come. :) 

And lastly-- I hope you all know that angels are watching over you. This has kinda been a theme for me and Elder Tauraa (who is an incredible companion by the way, who I can't say enough about, who teaches and loves and cares like no other, and has a spirit to shake the mountains) this week. 

When we are sick, He will heal us. We are his on-call physicians and he will use us to heal others! We are the miracles that can uplift someone's day. God knows us, he knows our names, and he inspires those around us to tend to our needs! I testify that his other sheep-- even if they've been lost for 20 years-- are important, loved, and essential to our perfection! We without them cannot be made perfect, neither can they without us. So, if you're feeling sick-- take heart. The Great Physician is on your side, he has a remedy in store, and his miracle medicine is awaiting you! HAVE A GREAT WEEK Y'ALL! ELDER BOYD LOVES YOU! 

A happily healed miracle,

Elder Boyd

This Week's Pics: