¡¿Qué tal, todos?!
The week has been really well. We had 29 in church yesterday but could have had more people, but, because of rare occasions, some faithful members couldn't come. The past week was filled with interviews with members and preparing our investigators the will be baptized this coming Saturday. There will be three people baptized:Eliana (62 years old), Jocelyn (12 years old), and Alexandra (10 years old). Eliana has been coming to church for a long time now but hadn't felt prepared to be baptized because her retention of memory isn't the greatest. She forgets the details of the lessons we teach or thinks she doesn't know them well enough, but we have repassed the material with her and that has boosted her confidence. She finally said yes and feels comfortable being baptized. The other two girls are a grand-daughter of a less-active (Jocelyn) and a daughter of recent converts (Alexandra). I can't express to you all how good it feels to be back in the position of helping someone to the waters of baptism. It's been since December 6th since I experienced a baptism. I know the numbers don't matter but there an unexplainable joy in being present at a baptismal service.
My comp from Perú and I are getting along great right now and we are happy as we are working.
We had 9 baptismal dates until yesterday, when 3 did not come to church and dropped their dates. We are happy with the progress of all the dates but the thing that we have to improve is to find men who can have a baptismal date. I know that Peralillo needs more worthy priesthood holders who understand their role in the church. Now, the men most trusted are in the process of getting married so that they are keeping the law of chastity and can take leadership. My counselor, Brother Arias, has become more available recently to help with the branch. I called Luis, which was baptized here in January, as mission leader last week and he is very excited to serve. His daughter gets baptized this weekend and the family wants to be sealed in the next January. I COULD BE GOING TO THE TEMPLE WITH THEM IN 8 MONTHS!!!! How awesome! They are progressing very well and are a strong addition to the branch. Also, I called his wife, Pilar, to the primary program of "Faith in God." I know that will serve them well in their places. Elder Caballero and I have a good relationship and I feel more confidence when I am with him.
I'm growing in my learning of leadership in the church and I know the Lord is forming me in whom He wants me to be. I've been trying hard recently to seek the Lord´s forgiveness so I can be a better disciple of Him and, in fact, I spoke regarding repentance and His Atonement yesterday in church. I have to improve my studies in the mornings but plans for further improvement are there. Thank you for your love and support. It is a feeling of peace. I know the Holy Ghost is in my life when I am living in His pathway. I am learning to take wise decisions in my life thanks to a talk by Harold B. Lee. He once said, "Intelligence is using knowledge with wisdom." I love that quote! I hope this email finds you all in great spirits and receiving God's blessings and guidance in your life. Choose the right, when a choice is placed before you! ;-P
Oh ya, one more thing, MAIL ME PHOTOS!!!!! Not digital, developed please. Love you!
Con mucho Cariño,
Elder Josh Boaz
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Just another week - NOT!!!!! I Love the Mission!
Hola del campo de Chile!
This past week has gone by in the wink of an eye and I am not sure of too many things to say. Haha, sorry!!! One funny thing that happened to start out the week was on Tuesday. We had to go to Pumanque for a couple appointments in the morning and didn’t have much time because it is so far out from where we mainly work. I’ll start out by saying that two weeks ago, we were going home from Pumanque and accidentally got on a bus that took another route than normal in the country side which took an extra 45 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes in total) to get home. Pretty scenery but not fun. Haha! So, back to this past week. So we are in the Micro (bus) and as we pass by more stops, more people get off the bus until an old man and we are the only three people on the bus. We were almost to the town where we needed to be when the bus driver decides to pull off the road into a random auto-shop provided from a house. As he stops, turns off the bus, and leaves, Elder Caballero and I are somewhat puzzled in what is going on. Basically the bus driver completely disregarded us and got out to change a tire on the bus. Haha! It was pretty funny and we just sat there chilling in the bus while they were outside working on it. I filmed a segment on my camera of the experience to remember it and it should be something to laugh about after the mission.
It seems like the people in the south take all the time in the world to pass their days. I guess that is the speed of life here in the south if you are not a very busy person. Oh well. Last Tuesday, we had a Zone Training meeting with everyone in the zone together and Elder Caballero and I taught on companion unity. I felt good talking about this topic because him and I get along so well and we are not afraid to address something if it is bothering us. That has also helped us teach better and be more affective in bringing fruits to the work. We have up’d our baptismal dates to 9 and the majority of them will be baptized on April 25th and May 2nd. There is much work to do for these people and A TON of work to do in the Area Book concerning their progress and the area’s progress. Juggling that with the Branch work is somewhat of a daunting task but I’m up for it because I have a great companion. I suppose I am learning how I will be choosing my wife as well because she will need to be someone who works well under pressure and with others….and is very supportive and uplifting. That is what I need. Haha! Oh gosh, marriage. I can’t believe that it already passes my mind once in a while. It is a beautiful thing and I congratulate all of you who are keeping your marriages strong! We have Zone Conference with President Resek and another zone tomorrow. I am so excited to be enlightened by our mission president. He is incredible! I feel so blessed to have him guiding this mission where I am serving and will miss him when he leaves in June.
Ok, now that we have gotten a little off topic from missionary work, I must go. We have quite a few lessons tonight that we need to make it to and we’re a little behind schedule. I am learning a lot more Spanish from Elder Caballero and am teaching him some English as well. Even though he doesn’t want to very much, he is committed to learn because he knows that it is important. Haha, I love the language of the Restoration! Muahahaha! Anyways, I love touching lives and being an instrument in the Lord’s hands. I hope you all have a wonderful week and I’ll be praying for you all. Pray for me in respect to being Branch President. I need it for these members. God be with you til we [speak] again. Haha!
Mucho Cariño,
Elder Joshy Boaz
Mission Chile Rancagua
This past week has gone by in the wink of an eye and I am not sure of too many things to say. Haha, sorry!!! One funny thing that happened to start out the week was on Tuesday. We had to go to Pumanque for a couple appointments in the morning and didn’t have much time because it is so far out from where we mainly work. I’ll start out by saying that two weeks ago, we were going home from Pumanque and accidentally got on a bus that took another route than normal in the country side which took an extra 45 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes in total) to get home. Pretty scenery but not fun. Haha! So, back to this past week. So we are in the Micro (bus) and as we pass by more stops, more people get off the bus until an old man and we are the only three people on the bus. We were almost to the town where we needed to be when the bus driver decides to pull off the road into a random auto-shop provided from a house. As he stops, turns off the bus, and leaves, Elder Caballero and I are somewhat puzzled in what is going on. Basically the bus driver completely disregarded us and got out to change a tire on the bus. Haha! It was pretty funny and we just sat there chilling in the bus while they were outside working on it. I filmed a segment on my camera of the experience to remember it and it should be something to laugh about after the mission.
It seems like the people in the south take all the time in the world to pass their days. I guess that is the speed of life here in the south if you are not a very busy person. Oh well. Last Tuesday, we had a Zone Training meeting with everyone in the zone together and Elder Caballero and I taught on companion unity. I felt good talking about this topic because him and I get along so well and we are not afraid to address something if it is bothering us. That has also helped us teach better and be more affective in bringing fruits to the work. We have up’d our baptismal dates to 9 and the majority of them will be baptized on April 25th and May 2nd. There is much work to do for these people and A TON of work to do in the Area Book concerning their progress and the area’s progress. Juggling that with the Branch work is somewhat of a daunting task but I’m up for it because I have a great companion. I suppose I am learning how I will be choosing my wife as well because she will need to be someone who works well under pressure and with others….and is very supportive and uplifting. That is what I need. Haha! Oh gosh, marriage. I can’t believe that it already passes my mind once in a while. It is a beautiful thing and I congratulate all of you who are keeping your marriages strong! We have Zone Conference with President Resek and another zone tomorrow. I am so excited to be enlightened by our mission president. He is incredible! I feel so blessed to have him guiding this mission where I am serving and will miss him when he leaves in June.
Ok, now that we have gotten a little off topic from missionary work, I must go. We have quite a few lessons tonight that we need to make it to and we’re a little behind schedule. I am learning a lot more Spanish from Elder Caballero and am teaching him some English as well. Even though he doesn’t want to very much, he is committed to learn because he knows that it is important. Haha, I love the language of the Restoration! Muahahaha! Anyways, I love touching lives and being an instrument in the Lord’s hands. I hope you all have a wonderful week and I’ll be praying for you all. Pray for me in respect to being Branch President. I need it for these members. God be with you til we [speak] again. Haha!
Mucho Cariño,
Elder Joshy Boaz
Mission Chile Rancagua
The Most Reflective Week Ever - Year 1!
Hola Mi AMADA, Familia, April 5th, 2010
I don't have much to say to you all. Many of the things that I have experienced this past week are very personal and spiritua. I prefer to just tell you that I have learned some extremely important lessons for my future in the mission, my companion, my testimony, my family, and my purpose as a son of my earthly parents' son and my Heavenly Father's son. I feel lucky and blessed to be in this mission of Rancagua,Chile specifically and in a mission for the Lord's church generally. I don't know if my life would be in order for the blessings from God as said in my Patriarchal Blessing or in His will if I did not choose to serve a mission.
I now have 1 year in the mission and it is extremely astounding to me how the time has passed. I have many memories to look back on and journals full of them to remember. Thank you President Tom Smith for always stressing the importance of having a journal to record my thoughts. That counsel stuck in my head for my mission and afterwards. I am over the hill now! Hahaha! I'm no longer young, but I know there is still so much to learn. We have 6 baptismal dates...pray for them to be comforted in their path to baptism. The branch here does not have much leadership and many positions are unfilled but there are a lot of great members and there is a lot of potential for the future. I had spoke in church 3 Sundays ago on the Armor of God and it was a talk that the Spirit of God had inspired me to share. I feel like an instrument of the Lord, but I must be more diligent in my actions.
This General Conference was the most important conference of my life. That is all I cansay about it because it taught and affectedme in SO many ways. Idon't havea favorite talk because there were so many of them that I love. I deeply urge you all to watch them AGAIN on the internet during THIS WEEK so you may have them inplanted on your hearts. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church of Christ on the earth. Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God now and the BOOK OF MORMON is the true and living word of God. Most importantly, Jesus Christ LIVES IN THIS VERY MOMENT! I am praying for Luke and hope he gets better soon, but remember that all is in the will of God. :)
With all my love and prayers,
Elder Josh Boaz
I don't have much to say to you all. Many of the things that I have experienced this past week are very personal and spiritua. I prefer to just tell you that I have learned some extremely important lessons for my future in the mission, my companion, my testimony, my family, and my purpose as a son of my earthly parents' son and my Heavenly Father's son. I feel lucky and blessed to be in this mission of Rancagua,Chile specifically and in a mission for the Lord's church generally. I don't know if my life would be in order for the blessings from God as said in my Patriarchal Blessing or in His will if I did not choose to serve a mission.
I now have 1 year in the mission and it is extremely astounding to me how the time has passed. I have many memories to look back on and journals full of them to remember. Thank you President Tom Smith for always stressing the importance of having a journal to record my thoughts. That counsel stuck in my head for my mission and afterwards. I am over the hill now! Hahaha! I'm no longer young, but I know there is still so much to learn. We have 6 baptismal dates...pray for them to be comforted in their path to baptism. The branch here does not have much leadership and many positions are unfilled but there are a lot of great members and there is a lot of potential for the future. I had spoke in church 3 Sundays ago on the Armor of God and it was a talk that the Spirit of God had inspired me to share. I feel like an instrument of the Lord, but I must be more diligent in my actions.
This General Conference was the most important conference of my life. That is all I cansay about it because it taught and affectedme in SO many ways. Idon't havea favorite talk because there were so many of them that I love. I deeply urge you all to watch them AGAIN on the internet during THIS WEEK so you may have them inplanted on your hearts. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church of Christ on the earth. Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God now and the BOOK OF MORMON is the true and living word of God. Most importantly, Jesus Christ LIVES IN THIS VERY MOMENT! I am praying for Luke and hope he gets better soon, but remember that all is in the will of God. :)
With all my love and prayers,
Elder Josh Boaz
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