4/28/2014
We had a pretty good week. The miracle for this week came from a member! We have been teaching a guy by the name of Yannick. He has come to England from the Ivory Coast to work and to escape the war that is going on there. He has been here for awhile, but he still has trouble with his English. Luckily, Brother Kouassi is from the Ivory Coast and was willing to come out with us to teach him. We were excited because Brother Kouassi would be able to clear up any concerns that he might have and would help with that language barrier. We met him outside of where Yannick lives, and when we knocked he didn't answer. We called him and he didn't answer. We try over and over again, but there was nothing. It was frustrating because that was the first time in forever that we were able to get a member to come out with us. He fell off the face of the Earth for a solid week, but Brother Kouassi is the man and took it upon himself to get in contact with Yannick. A day after giving him Yannick's number he gives us a call and tells us that he set up an appointment. We met with him on Saturday with brother Kouassi, and everything went great! Brother Kouassi even got him to go to church! It was a miracle! Afterwards, Yannick told us that he really enjoyed it and that he learned so much! That made my week. Well, I'm short on time. Have a great week! Love all of you!
5/5/2014
There was another bank holiday today so the library was closed. That means that I am at a members house and short on time. They just fed us a proper English breakfast. It was delicious!! This is brother Cantrell. He's such a great member and a strong support for us missionaries.
We did a great job with finding people and getting return appointments, but only 1 out of 17 held this week. It's sad to think that we try to talk to well over 300 people a week and out of those 300+, we only talk with 40 for over 2 minutes. Out of those 40, usually only 15 will make an appointment with us, and out of those 15 only 1 will stick. How frustrating is that? It drives me insane! It started to really get to me a few days ago, and I just had to stop what I was doing. Elder Washington and I got off of the road and said a prayer. Afterwards, we opened up the scriptures to a random page and read the first scripture that we saw. The scripture was talking about turning to the poor and helping them. From that we decided to go to the poor part of our area that we usually try to avoid because of the English gangsters (we call them chavs). I jokingly mentioned that getting stabbed wasn't on my to do list for today so we turned to the scriptures again. The next random scripture talked about Alma withstanding against those that tried to harm him. It was at that point that Elder Washington yelled, "It's a sign!! We won't get stabbed!" Both of us felt so energized from that, and our day was completely turned around.
Well that was my exciting week. I hope that all is well in the sun.
5/12/2014
This past week has been one of my hardest. At the end of last week we were doing a lot of service, running from place to place for appointments, and plenty of biking. Last Sunday I woke up and my knee was sore. I ignored it and went on with the day (I know Mom, I'm dumb). By the end of church it was twice it's normal size and in a lot of pain. Because of this, I was stuck in the flat for most of last week. At one point, I was in so much pain that I had to go to the A & E(England's ER). I was there for 5ish hours, and by the end all they could do was set up and MRI in 2-3 weeks. Luckily, I was able to set up an appointment with a different doctor who promised to get me in within the week so hopefully all of this will be sorted out soon. At the moment, most of the swelling has gone down, but there is still a little bit of pain. Even though missionary work is hard and we get rejected all the time, it is still better than sitting around doing nothing. I also noticed that the amount of energy I have has gone down. Being Idle is more exhausting than doing the Lord's work. I was talking to Elder Washington about how frustrating it was this morning, and he told me to look for the good and to be grateful. It's hard for me to admit, but he was right. There is still some good in this. I am still out here and once I am better I will still be able to do what I love, which is serving the Lord!
I was so excited to hear about Briana and Kevin's Mission calls! It's hard to believe that we are going to have 7 missionaries out from our ward. While sitting at church last Sunday our ward mission leader said something that stuck out to me. "We aren't a museum for the perfect, we are a hospital for the sick." That stuck out to me because no one is perfect and we all make mistakes. That is something that people often have a hard time with when they look at our Church and often many people fall away. That was something that I always had a hard time with. I always felt judged and couldn't take it so I went Less-Active. What I didn't realize, due to pride, was that everyone around me wasn't trying to hurt me, they were trying to help me. It was the pride inside of me that hid the Love that they were trying to show. And if I had one piece of advice, it would be to Love Everyone! We don't go to church to show others how much we know or how worthy we are. We go to share our weaknesses and to learn how to overcome them. The only way for us to help others and to help ourselves is to do it out of love. Eventually, the Love will show, hearts will be softened, People's lives will change.
I love all of you! Have a great week!
5/19/2014
So...I received the results for my MRI on Friday, and I don't anything good to report. It looks like my ACL is stretched and because it's loose, a piece of it got stuck between the bones and caused a Cyclops Lesion. That is why I was in pain and that's what caused the swelling. The doctor gave me 3 options. 1) Don't do anything about it and live with swelling and pain. With that option I would be limited on the bike and walking, which is all we do... 2) I can have surgery to repair the cyclops lesion, which would reduce the swelling and pain but I would still be limited. With that option there is still a possibility of of the cyclops lesion coming back because the ACL is still loose. 3) I have everything fixed! I talked with President Rasmussen, and it sounds like I will have to go home if I have surgery...I will be going through some more tests this week just to double check but they are saying that I will most likely need surgery. I love all of you but hopefully I won't see you soon.......
5/22/2014
President Rasmussen wants me to stay for at least another transfer to see if my knee will get an better. The orthopedic surgeon that they are in contact with is hopeful that if I rest my knee that the ACL will tighten and the cyclops lesion will go away. There are no promises, but it is a possibility. I will be in Derby again and President has given me strict orders not to play sports or to do any service. I can't ride my bike, and if it starts to hurt a lot I have to rest it. I will still be able to work, and they will be checking on it as the tranfer goes on. If there are any more updates, I will email you. He also said that when it comes to the final decision, I will be able to call home and talk to you about it. For now, don't worry about everything. It will work out the way it's supposed to. Oh, and my new companion is Elder Devitt. He's cool. Ha. Love all of you! Talk to you soon!
6/2/2014
This past week I have put a lot of thought into prayers. I have relied on the Lord so much this past month, and I know that things are working out because of all of your prayers. So thank you to everyone for the love and support. Last Thursday Elder Balzen, our new District Leader, was talking about prayer and what a huge impact it has on everyone. He gave us the example of Alma who prayed with all of his might for his son. In Mosiah 28:14, we read that it was the prayers of the people and the prayers of Alma that brought the Angel to Alma the Younger. Alma the Younger wasn't searching for the truth. In fact, he was doing the complete opposite. He was trying to lead away the righteous and to destroy the church. It was the faith and love of those around him that brought him to the truth. It is by faith that this was possible, and it will be by faith that anyone can receive a witness. They will receive a witness whether they are looking for it or not. It may not come by seeing an Angel, but it will be strong enough that they cannot deny the power from which it came. And that is the power from God, given to us through the Holy Ghost.
Stay Strong. Stay Faithful. Always look to the Lord for Help. I pray for you. I love all of you!
P.S. The computers are still being updated so I still can't upload pictures. Maybe in a few months...
6/9/2014
I came out 5 months ago. Does it feel like that long? Teaching isn't happening. Unfortunately, we haven't found anyone that wants to learn more. It has been a frustrating week. Nothing but walking and talking.
The past few weeks for Elder Devitt and I have been incredibly hard. All of the investigators that we had have either dropped us or disappeared. We have been trying very hard to talk with everyone we see so that we can inrease our teaching pool. It can be quite frustrating at times. I don't have much to say today because of how slow everything seems to be going. But I do have one thing to share. Each week President Rasmussen sends out a letter to all of the missionaries. This is one that he sent awhile back that has helped me.
"Dear Sister and Elders,
Life is full of little miracles, but this is perhaps the greatest miracle of all — to see people change, grow, and improve, day by day and little by little. It’s not always easy for us to wait for others or even ourselves to change, and it very often takes patience and faith.
Patience — the ability to endure delay, trouble or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated or anxious for a time — is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.
Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.
Every one of us is called to wait in our own way. We wait for answers to prayers. We wait for things which at the time may appear so right and so good to us that we can’t possibly imagine why Heavenly Father would delay the answer.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. Either way we are questioning the reality of God’s knowledge.”
Dear Elders and Sisters the work of patience boils down to this: keep the commandments; trust in God, our Heavenly Father; serve him with meekness and Christlike love; exercise faith and hope in the Savior; and never give up. The lessons we learn from patience will shape our character, enrich our lives and heighten our happiness. They will help us to become worthy missionaries of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Watching you change, grow, and improve, day by day and little by little is for me, the greatest miracle of all. Thank you for your profound goodness.
With much love,
President Rasmussen"
Life is full of little miracles, but this is perhaps the greatest miracle of all — to see people change, grow, and improve, day by day and little by little. It’s not always easy for us to wait for others or even ourselves to change, and it very often takes patience and faith.
Patience — the ability to endure delay, trouble or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated or anxious for a time — is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.
Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.
Every one of us is called to wait in our own way. We wait for answers to prayers. We wait for things which at the time may appear so right and so good to us that we can’t possibly imagine why Heavenly Father would delay the answer.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. Either way we are questioning the reality of God’s knowledge.”
Dear Elders and Sisters the work of patience boils down to this: keep the commandments; trust in God, our Heavenly Father; serve him with meekness and Christlike love; exercise faith and hope in the Savior; and never give up. The lessons we learn from patience will shape our character, enrich our lives and heighten our happiness. They will help us to become worthy missionaries of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Watching you change, grow, and improve, day by day and little by little is for me, the greatest miracle of all. Thank you for your profound goodness.
With much love,
President Rasmussen"
I feel like I have learned an important lesson on patience this week. I know that someone is out there that is prepared to receive the Gospel. And maybe I haven't found them because there are still ways that I can prepare to teach them. When I get to the point that I am ready, I will find them. There is no doubt about that.
Have a great week everyone! I love you!
6/16/2014
This week has been awesome! We have an amazing investigator named Andrew, and he is so prepared! After teaching him the restoration he asked, "What can I do to serve the Lord? He has saved my life so many times, and I think that it's time for me to share this message with people." Isn't that amazing? He has such a deep desire to find the truth and he has found it! I will keep you updated. It's Zone P-day so I don't have much time to email. Sorry! Love all of you!
6/23/2014
My knee is doing great this week. I think that the game plan is to keep going, and if I can't take it any longer I will have surgery. As of right now, I'm okay and I haven't had a lot of pain in awhile.
There have been so many ups and downs to this week. Andrew has really bad medical issues so he is unable to meet with us until they are figured out. We will be able to stop by and see him every once in awhile, but we can't go as often as we hoped. We did receive an awesome referral from the Manchester mission. He is a 19-year-old guy that will be in Derby for the summer. He is very genuine and sincere. I can see his deep desire to follow the Savior. He has been to church 3 times and really wants to be baptized. He has agreed to meet with us 3-4 times a week so Elder Devitt and I are very excited to see him progress.
A few days ago our ward did a Helping Hands service project at the Tarra Buddhist Meditation Centre. It was a lot of fun. It took us almost an hour to bus and walk to it, but we enjoyed it a lot. The grounds around the center were beautiful!
I love all of you! Adios!
6/30/2014
Elder Devitt was called to be a trainer in Derby so I will for sure be leaving this transfer. This has been our best week of the transfer. I won't find out where I am going until later tonight, but I will let you know where next week. This will be my first move so I am very nervous. I don't like the thought of having to get to know a new area. I was told that after the first area it is easy to learn a new area. I just hope that they are right. I actually started to go through my stuff last night and became confused. I have acquired a lot, and somehow, I wasn't able to fit everything into 2 suitcases...I will try to send my third one home either today or next P-day.
I have been so blessed this past week! We went out this week determined to do all that we could! We stayed out in the streets for hours talking to people, kept our meals short, we prayed like never before. It was so powerful. Usually we are super lucky to get 3 potentials in one day and some weeks we barely reach 12. Because we pushed ourselves to exhaustion, we were able to get 20 potentials. And some of the appointments that we set up actually held. We taught a 4 lessons this week. I have never been able to get over 3 so I am so thrilled. I feel re-energized for the upcoming transfer.
Sam is as solid as ever. We were able to get him a ride with Brother Lim, and after church we were able to teach him. We taught him how to keep the sabbath day holy and how to study the scriptures. He agreed to do both! He told us that a week ago he was in a really bad mood and that ever since he has been reading and praying he has felt peace and happiness. He recognized that as an answer to his prayers and is set to be baptized on July 12th!
I will update you more next week, and I promise that I will get pictures sent today! The Sisters got to the computer before I could last week.
Love you!
-Elder Bos
Oh and my knee is feeling great! I have been able to walk around without any issues. I still can't ride a bike though. I will keep you updated.
Pig Dig!
7/7/2014
I am now in Aberystwyth, Wales! (Ab-er- ist-with). It's pretty much on the other side of the mission. My new companion is Elder Elsholz(from Utah) and we will be whitewashing the area, which means both of the old missionaries will leave and we will go in to take their spots. It doesn't happen very often, and the downside is that neither of us know the area. The bus that took all of the missionaries stops in Swansea, which is a 2 hour drive fom Aber. When we got there I knew that we would be in a car area, but I wasn't expected the Zone Leaders to say, "Surprise! You're driving!" I HAD TO DRIVE TWO HOURS ALL THE WAY TO MY NEW AREA! I was scared out of my mind. Everything here is backwards. I would feel more comfortable driving upside down. The roads are tiny and curve like none other. The signs here are crazy as well. The top parts of them are in Welsh and the Bottom in English. They also have signs that tell you how many people have died on the road you are driving on. The village that we live in has around 25,000 people in it. We are in a Branch of about 75ish people(that includes 15 kids). Oh, and did I mention that it's a sea town? Our flat is a one minute walk from the beach. It is absolutely gorgeous here, and the Welsh are the nicest people I have ever met. They still reject us, but they do it in the nicest way. It's like an awkward break up. Ha. We have the second largest area in the mission. From north to south it is a 2 hour drive, and from east to west it is a 1 hour drive. We have tons of little villages scattered throughout our area, and all of them have Welsh names that I can't pronounce to save my life. Here are some examples: Llangranog, Tregaron, Llandysul, Maesycrugian, and Cwmystwyth. The last two look like I slammed my head on the keyboard and I promise you that I didn't...
We have an awesome Branch, and I am so excited to be serving here. I love all of you!
This is Sam in the red jacket.
Wales
Creepy statues in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!
Stanley
Driving on the right side!
