The Fruits of Our Labor! 8-16-2010
Hey everyone!!!!
This past week has been travel, conferences, travel, divisions, more travel, and more conferences. I just want to stay in my own sector and WORK now!!!!! But, honestly, the trips we took to Rancagua 2 times this week and once last week were well worth it. We went there on Thursday and Friday with the 2 District Leaders, 3 trainers and Elder Coloma and I as Zone Leaders to learn more about the 8 new lessons on better teaching. The Spirit was incredible and I felt so privileged to be surrounded by so many missionaries guided by the Spirit in the moment and ready to learn. We sat in a large half-circle and were taught about the lessons, one after another. President McArthur gave us so many new points of view that I had never thought about in teaching the Gospel. For example, if we teach an important truth in a lesson and have the attention of the person, we just need to wait a bit after stating it for the Spirit to manifest itself "in the Silence." I loved that aspect and have applied it recently. Also, when we ask open-answer questions and then help the investigator recognize the spirit, they will be able to follow that spiritual impression much easier. It was a buffet feast of ideas like that during 3 hours with a great lunch afterwards to top it all off. I made great friends with the other leader missionaries in the mission and really grew more confident as a messenger of the Lord's Gospel.
We had two baptisms yesterday of Patricio (17) and Ximena (9). They both invited tons of members of their family and the baptismal service had an amazing turnout. Patricio shared his testimony at the end of the service and truly presented himself like missionary material. I feel so privileged to have had a part of his conversion because he understands so much about the Gospel already and really taught me about humility and diligence. The ward is a truly chosen area and I feel so comfortable bringing new members into this ward because it really takes care of the new members in the church. From the Bishopric, to the Ward Mission Leader, Elder's Quorum Pres., High Priest Group Leader, Relief Society, and YM & YW Pres. This is how the church works: fellowshipping.
Ximena's baptism proves to have caused a spiritual chain action in reactivating all of her family and now we are working with her uncle, Jose Luis (20), to be baptized. He has a great heart but has been lost in the world. A great soccer player as well, so I think we be involving him in the Gospel through that alley. I have recently felt a great desire to help all those young men in my age group that need the Gospel but ar falling by the wayside. It is a tough task but this is the most important time in their lives to make good decisions.
We have recently put a baptismal date with a mother, Naiza, and her two sons, Carlos and Claribel. They have been easily able to recognize the Spirit thanks to our new way of teaching and should be baptized on Sept. 5. Pray for them to come to the church.
I have felt a little burdened with a little lack of confidence in this leadership position recently because I will feel at times that I am not good enough or effective enough for it but the Lord, along with Elder Coloma, continue to show their trust in me. I know I am worth where I am put to work because I have the desire to serve God, nothing more.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR MY BIRTHDAY GOODIES!!! I have been sharing them and savoring them. Tell Edna Jenkins that she doesn't need to send me anything. Her love is enough!!! Thanks Rach and Bekah for your emails recently, I got emotional reading them. You two mean so much to me. Dad and Mom, your emails are incredible too. I love you all!!!! Sorry this email is short this week, we have a lot to do in the zone and area. We will be teaching our zone the new lessons this week and we gotta prep everything. Take care!!!!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Boaz
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
I Have Found the Fullness of Joy! 8-9-10
Hola Familia,
This past has been good. I am learning a lot in this new area with Elder Coloma as my companion. As you would probably guess, Mom and Dad, with more responsabilities, I am being late quite often but Elder Coloma is really patient with me. Since we knew each other beforehand, it hasn’t taken long for us to grow very close and love working together. I have a feeling that we will have a companionship that will be just as good as I had with Elder Caballero. We are working hard with the ward and I feel extremely blessed to be in an area that has so many members with worthy members and temple-goers. We even have a High Priests Group in this ward!!!! It is a miracle! Hahaha! The members have been recently excited to go with us to many lessons and we are progressing very well with the investigators we are working with. Next week, Patricio (17) and Ximena (9) will be baptized. All family members of Ximena are members of the church and the Mom of Patricio is less-active since 14 years old, but couldn’t be happier for the decision her son is making to follow this church on his own. And little but little, she feels some more desires to return to the church. Patricio is one of the most special people I have met here. He is so smart and understands the Gospel clearly. He told us that when he kneeled to pray about if the church was true, he felt a darkness around him…LIKE JOSEPH SMITH…but in a moment, still with his eyes closed, he felt his whole bedroom filled with light and a warmth and happiness that he had never felt before. It was an emotional moment and he knows this church is true. He even wants to serve a mission as well!!! He says that service is his hobby. Truly one of the Lord’s chosen. I love this work because it never ceases to change lives.
Even at home, I am sure that Rachel is strengthening her testimony in this time of trial with her head issues for soccer. I am praying that all is well for her and Rebekah while she is starting at BYU as well. It is great to hear about everyone at home, especially Austin’s first child and his great job offer. The Gospel is truly blessing our family and I pray that we may keep it firm in our lives.
I know that my mission has been a success just from one simple phone call that I received from President McArthur yesterday afternoon. We were in the stake center getting ready to have our Stake Priesthood Session yesterday and President McArthur calls me. He told me that Claudina, the 80 year old lady I baptized in Progreso, passed away in a accident explosion with her oven and that the letter I wrote to her this past week did not get to her in time. I was speechless…..this lady was the epitome of Persevere until the end. She went to the church early with her walker every Sunday that her health permitted her to. I know she will inherit the Celestial Kingdom and, therefore, her and my joy are full for that. That is what this mission of Preaching the Gospel is about: that God’s children may receive eternal life. I love you all and thank you for reading these letters and joining in my experiences.
With love of my Savior,
Elder Joshua Boaz
Soldier of the Lord
Hola Familia,
This past has been good. I am learning a lot in this new area with Elder Coloma as my companion. As you would probably guess, Mom and Dad, with more responsabilities, I am being late quite often but Elder Coloma is really patient with me. Since we knew each other beforehand, it hasn’t taken long for us to grow very close and love working together. I have a feeling that we will have a companionship that will be just as good as I had with Elder Caballero. We are working hard with the ward and I feel extremely blessed to be in an area that has so many members with worthy members and temple-goers. We even have a High Priests Group in this ward!!!! It is a miracle! Hahaha! The members have been recently excited to go with us to many lessons and we are progressing very well with the investigators we are working with. Next week, Patricio (17) and Ximena (9) will be baptized. All family members of Ximena are members of the church and the Mom of Patricio is less-active since 14 years old, but couldn’t be happier for the decision her son is making to follow this church on his own. And little but little, she feels some more desires to return to the church. Patricio is one of the most special people I have met here. He is so smart and understands the Gospel clearly. He told us that when he kneeled to pray about if the church was true, he felt a darkness around him…LIKE JOSEPH SMITH…but in a moment, still with his eyes closed, he felt his whole bedroom filled with light and a warmth and happiness that he had never felt before. It was an emotional moment and he knows this church is true. He even wants to serve a mission as well!!! He says that service is his hobby. Truly one of the Lord’s chosen. I love this work because it never ceases to change lives.
Even at home, I am sure that Rachel is strengthening her testimony in this time of trial with her head issues for soccer. I am praying that all is well for her and Rebekah while she is starting at BYU as well. It is great to hear about everyone at home, especially Austin’s first child and his great job offer. The Gospel is truly blessing our family and I pray that we may keep it firm in our lives.
I know that my mission has been a success just from one simple phone call that I received from President McArthur yesterday afternoon. We were in the stake center getting ready to have our Stake Priesthood Session yesterday and President McArthur calls me. He told me that Claudina, the 80 year old lady I baptized in Progreso, passed away in a accident explosion with her oven and that the letter I wrote to her this past week did not get to her in time. I was speechless…..this lady was the epitome of Persevere until the end. She went to the church early with her walker every Sunday that her health permitted her to. I know she will inherit the Celestial Kingdom and, therefore, her and my joy are full for that. That is what this mission of Preaching the Gospel is about: that God’s children may receive eternal life. I love you all and thank you for reading these letters and joining in my experiences.
With love of my Savior,
Elder Joshua Boaz
Soldier of the Lord
Wow, This is the Lord's Work! 8-2-10
Hey loved ones,
"Wow!" is all I can think after this past week of work that Elder Coloma and I had together. I thought of the scripture in Alma 26:28,30,31 various different times this week.
"28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us."
The ward in Quimey is incredible. It is the first well-developed unity of the church that I have been in while serving in Chile. All of the Priesthood and Auxiliary Organizations have their leaders and there is an average of 110 every week in church. It is a joyous feeling to serve here. The funniest part about our sector is that it is one of the biggest of all of the sectors in Santiago part of the mission and is EXTREMELY similar to Murrieta and Temecula neighborhoods. For example, there are many new neighborhoods that are being constructed with decent modern designs like the houses we have in home. Also, they are constructed in a somewhat country-side environment next to hills just like Murrieta is. It is so tough to not think about my house once in a while knocking these doors and entering them. The recent converts here are amazing and already work with us. Like a kid named Nicolas (14 years old) who wants to study at BYU and teach with us. Sweet action!!!!
I will admit that I was a little against the idea of my personal change to Quimey from Peralillo, but I got over it after a few days of work in my new sector. Actually, I now feel extremely blessed to be put in this area and confidence I am entrusted with from our mission president. I love serving with Elder Coloma and with this ward. There are so many dedicated members that want to help us in the missionary work and dedicate themselves in serving with all of their efforts. It is a refreshing change to know that I am not the one with my companion doing almost everything in the church on Sunday. I was able to relax in Sacrament Meeting and just bear my testimony of the Gospel. I will miss having a grand responsibility in the congregation where I am serving but I am even more excited to completely focus on the missionary work now.
We have various baptisms coming up in two and three Sundays (15 Agosto and 22 Agosto). We are working hard to have as many lessons with members as possible because the members are finally excited to help out in the Missionary work. The missionaries here have been trying to acheive that for some time now but just recently we are getting them to take more responsibility now. What a grand blessing!!!! We were going to have a baptism yesterday with a 19 year old named Rolando but his mom said that she was going to throw him out of the house if he got baptized. She doesn't like the church and wants him to wait but we are going to personally fast for him soon and fix the situation with the Lord's help. Lately, I have been more conscious about the example I set and how I can bless the lives of the other missionaries in our Zone. They are all great and I am so excited to work with them.
I am finally living with 4 missionaries in a house together and it is a blast. The other companionship is Elder Johnson (9 Months in the mission) and a newbie, Elder Berrio, from Colombia. They are hilarious, hard-working, fun missionaries. I love living with them and helping them. I will have to make room on my camera soon to take some pictures. Well that is all folks for this week. Take care all!. ;-D
Con mucho amor,
Elder Boaz
Hey loved ones,
"Wow!" is all I can think after this past week of work that Elder Coloma and I had together. I thought of the scripture in Alma 26:28,30,31 various different times this week.
"28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us."
The ward in Quimey is incredible. It is the first well-developed unity of the church that I have been in while serving in Chile. All of the Priesthood and Auxiliary Organizations have their leaders and there is an average of 110 every week in church. It is a joyous feeling to serve here. The funniest part about our sector is that it is one of the biggest of all of the sectors in Santiago part of the mission and is EXTREMELY similar to Murrieta and Temecula neighborhoods. For example, there are many new neighborhoods that are being constructed with decent modern designs like the houses we have in home. Also, they are constructed in a somewhat country-side environment next to hills just like Murrieta is. It is so tough to not think about my house once in a while knocking these doors and entering them. The recent converts here are amazing and already work with us. Like a kid named Nicolas (14 years old) who wants to study at BYU and teach with us. Sweet action!!!!
I will admit that I was a little against the idea of my personal change to Quimey from Peralillo, but I got over it after a few days of work in my new sector. Actually, I now feel extremely blessed to be put in this area and confidence I am entrusted with from our mission president. I love serving with Elder Coloma and with this ward. There are so many dedicated members that want to help us in the missionary work and dedicate themselves in serving with all of their efforts. It is a refreshing change to know that I am not the one with my companion doing almost everything in the church on Sunday. I was able to relax in Sacrament Meeting and just bear my testimony of the Gospel. I will miss having a grand responsibility in the congregation where I am serving but I am even more excited to completely focus on the missionary work now.
We have various baptisms coming up in two and three Sundays (15 Agosto and 22 Agosto). We are working hard to have as many lessons with members as possible because the members are finally excited to help out in the Missionary work. The missionaries here have been trying to acheive that for some time now but just recently we are getting them to take more responsibility now. What a grand blessing!!!! We were going to have a baptism yesterday with a 19 year old named Rolando but his mom said that she was going to throw him out of the house if he got baptized. She doesn't like the church and wants him to wait but we are going to personally fast for him soon and fix the situation with the Lord's help. Lately, I have been more conscious about the example I set and how I can bless the lives of the other missionaries in our Zone. They are all great and I am so excited to work with them.
I am finally living with 4 missionaries in a house together and it is a blast. The other companionship is Elder Johnson (9 Months in the mission) and a newbie, Elder Berrio, from Colombia. They are hilarious, hard-working, fun missionaries. I love living with them and helping them. I will have to make room on my camera soon to take some pictures. Well that is all folks for this week. Take care all!. ;-D
Con mucho amor,
Elder Boaz
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