MISSIONARY EMAIL FROM ELDER DAVID BOGGS
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 9:15 AM
Transfers are this wednesday (elder santiago 's bday as well). and it's my turn to say good bye to Annapolis . I'm headin out west to the Falling Waters Spanish 2 area, on the complete opposite end of the state, fairly close to west virginia . my new companion is gonna be Elder Pettersson. I can honestly say that i'm not liking the idea of leaving Annapolis . The people here are awesome. i'm gonna miss everybody but i get to meet new people :)
as for the fourth of july, our celebration included not having a meeting, getting home on time, planning for the 5th, and getting ready for bed. no fireworks, no party. just me and my pillow :) slept like a rock :)
we have been able to do a bit more service lately. the odeh family are painting downstairs and i've been painting the walls and ceiling with a high tech roller. i personally preffer to have a paint tray and a regular roller but i finally figured out how to work the stinkin thing :P took forever though :)
i have officially driven across the bay bridge about three times now (it technically should be bridges cuz there are two different bridges. both 3.9 miles long. super long) . we have an investigator up in chester town (about 50 miles away from our house and an hour drive). she is super cool. she went to church in mexico and she has family that are lds. she was super excited when elder santiago and elder hullinger knocked on her door. ( we were on exchanges and i was in the zl's area for the day) she has a super strong testimony, but she can't decide whether to be mormon or catholic. her mom is fine with either one and her dad basically asked her which she was. she hasnt decided yet but she is praying about it. oh. i forgot to mention the fact that she is 11. :)
Guillermo got the priesthood yesterday :) he is doing really great and his example is helping his daughter-in-law a lot. she has a lot more interest and is asking a bunch of questions!
Sister Otilia has officially won the award for best tamales. i could eat them for years :) the ones with green sauce are the best in my opinion :)
Wish ya luck in the Mexico mtc Curt! take pictures for me!! :)
love y'all :)
Lots-o-love
~Elder Boggs
MISSIONARY EMAIL FROM SISTER DEEANN LOVELAND
Sent: Sunday, July 7, 2013 6:28 PM
My companion is fixing dinner, it smells really good, I am not looking, so it will be a surprise. We had been invited out, but were uninvited because something came up for the other people. My comp, Sis. Bertha Cook, gets home before I do, because she attends a ward close by and I go to the branch about 45 minutes away.
I can't quite believe it but I have to keep reminding myself I am in the United States, because my brain thinks because I am on a mission, I am "foreign." I catch myself being surprised when we drive around and see familiar things, like Sizzler. And once and a while I get to try to help someone in Spanish and then because of the branch, it just feels foreign I guess. Oh well, I will figure it out. It makes me laugh though, it seems so silly. :)
My desktop tells me it is 75 degrees in LA, (but my thermometer says, 79), 78 in Payson with chance of rain, and 78 in the Philippines with clouds. I need to add Washington, (where Brandon moved) and then I will have to look at temps for the rest of you, BUT it is fun because at least we seem similar.
One day the branch had an activity, oh yes, it was Father's day and they prepared a meal for the Fathers and we all got to eat. I really liked it, tasted so good. Our branch is almost all; Black, Polynesian, or Hispanic--anyway the food was really, really good. It is fun getting to know them--the branch, so many of them are working hard and doing wonderful. It is different and it is very nice.
I was just thinking, Sis Cook and I need to invite Mary, who works in the Family History Center and has for 30 years, to come eat dinner with us. I wonder if she would come, I think she might. She is a busy person, serving in the library, just came back from a trip where she photographed 200 gravestones and will enter them into the computer so they can be found with their information at findagrave.com and Fridays, she makes rounds to several (old folks) care centers and picks up packages they want mailed and takes them to the post office. She collects and recycles plastic bottles and cans, and calls me, mi hija (and I think everyone else?). She is just a sweetie. I am sure she would give you the shirt off her back and does not want to take any charity.!!!! She is also a fighter.
Well to end with, I have been thinking about how I would be 'devastated' if someone did not read or pray about the things we were teaching and the Book of Mormon, and I decided I would want to ask a question like --- what if this is the only way you can be really happy?, and live with your family even after you die? It would be worth the effort to find out wouldn't it?
Anyhow, it just seems like PMG is trying to have us get the point across that this is SO IMPORTANT, we don't want you to miss out on the blessings---The gospel is just amazing isn't it.
I was watching some baby birds, and just had to stand there and be amazed at the wonder of them, they are an amazing creation and God loves us even more -- wow.
MISSIONARY EMAIL FROM ELDER MATHIAS BOGGS
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2013 7:03 AM
Hello hello hello.
First
off, thank you all for the letters and the love and support and advice. I
really am one of the luckiest people in the world cuz I have the best family
and friends in the world. Really. So thank you.
This
week was pretty decent. We got to have some good lessons and got to meet some
new people. We have one investigator-- Marilyn-- who is super cool and solid.
The first time we met her we just kinda chatted and then left her the pamphlet.
When we came back, she had read part of the pamphlet and had questions for us. Wow.
That is actually way amazing here. Then we tried to go back about 5 times and
she was always there. But either there weren't other people there so she
wouldn't let us teach her or she was busy right then or whatever. Well this
week we finally got another lesson with her and talked a lot about prophets and
priesthood and authority and it was cool cuz we could see that she was grasping
those concepts. Understanding and thinking about them. Not just hearing it. But
it was actually kinda hitting home. She is way cool like that. Very good at
listening and thinking and studying on her own as well. I hope we can continue
to visit her and that the spirit will continue to enlighten her mind as we
teach.
We
also taught the Castor family a couple times. Like always. :) They are easily
my favorite family I have met on my mission. I love teaching them and I love
seeing them grow. The second youngest kid of their's gave the prayer this last
time which was sweet. His name is Julius. Jonathan (his older brother and the
one that got baptized) always prays and is super good. So we decided it was
time to get Julius praying. He is 7 and turns 8 in October. So with the help of
his mom, he prayed. And that was kinda a cool spiritual experience for me and I
think for them too. Cuz I think it helped the mom see that she can help
practice with the kids and help them grow and learn. So hopefully we can keep
continuing there.
That
same lesson we also talked about Temples and Eternal families and stuff. AH! You
all have no clue how much I hope they can go to the temple one day. I told them
that when they go I will attend. And I mean it. I would do anything I can to
see that happen. :) They are such a cool family. I hope we can keep helping
them and that they will keep progressing. ...Oh! And one of their daughters
just decided she is going to go on a mission. She is only 18 right now. But she
has started to prepare.
Same
with another girl in our area. Cute. Yes, that is her name. ...ok. well her
nickname but that is what she goes by. Anyways, she is also getting ready to go
on a mission. She is 19 now and is really wanting to go as soon as she can. :) Today
she is gonna be working on her application so that is sweet. I am excited for
her. She will be a way good missionary. :)
So
yeah....Idk. It was a good week. We got to work with less-actives in our area a
little. There are of course many problems. But hey, that is alright. We are
here to help people and we know that the gospel is the way. :) I know that is
true. If we get as close to God as we can then I know he will help us in all of
our trials. :)
Alright.
That is all. Love you all. Now to personals:
Mom- Stop worrying. :) haha. That is funny that you
feel like you are foreign even though you are still in the states. Haha. There
are a ton of flowers here yes. And yes, we eat a TON of Mangos. :) Yummy. And
there are tons of fruits as well. I don't eat as many as I want or should. But
there are lots. We have a few fruit trees in our yard and eat the fruit off of
it all the time. The main one is an atis tree. But we don't have that fruit in
the states. There is also Eba. Again, not ins the states. Also, we eat lots of
coconut. That is everywhere and lots of members give that to you or let you
drink the juice and what not. :) Yeah. Good stuff. Love the food here. Members
rarely feed us. Especially cuz all of the members in my area are way poor. But
one of them will give us a mango or so if we visit. But yeah. Usually here in
Calinog we eat Lunch out of the apartment. There is a small Calenderia next
door. (Calenderias just have a bunch of different types of food to put on
rice.) But it is WAY cheap. So we eat there a bit. But yeah. :) Anyways, Love
ya.
Dad- Glad you lived. Even through that rough
landing and such. :) Sounds like the fireworks were fun as always. And visiting
family is always good. ...especially when you get a huge party and meal out of
it. haha. Sounds fun. I am glad that you are able to see some of the tender
mercies of the Lord. :) That is good. And thanks for your sharing about our
agency and following the Lord. It helped me see a couple areas I can definitely
improve on. ....it is kinda hard to do. Haha. But I guess that is part of life.
One of the main points of it. :) Love ya. Thank you.
Brandon and Julia- Wow. Look at you. Tons of family
time all the time! haha. That is good. I bet it is a welcome change. :) Seems
like that is definitely one of the benefits of that job. :) Wow....Kamrie is
walking now eh? Crazy..... weird to think about for sure. :P Despicable Me 2
was way good huh? That is good. Cuz I was afraid it would ruin the first one. But
sounds like they did a decent job following it up...? Sweet. :) Howard to Rockets.....
Should be interesting. Probably will just be kinda like when Yao MIng was
there. :P Thanks for the reminder about people's agency and choices and such. It
is definitely one of the struggles of missionary work. So it is good to
remember that we just have to do our part and make sure we just do what the
Lord would do. And if we do that, even if they reject it, we are not in bad
company. :) Thanks. Love ya lots.
Tiana and John- Thanks for the pics. Yellowstone is
way beautiful. :) And so is your new baby. ...tho kinda hairy. :P Hehe. jk jk. But
it is cute. :) It is definitely amazing how America was prepared for the
restoration. It really wasn't a coincidence. Amazing to see God's plan. Sorry
you are getting kinda uncomfortable sometimes sis. But......who knows. Haha. Sometime
she will come. :) Haha. Love you. Thanks for the emails.
Alright. That is all. I am out. Love ya all.
-Elder Boggs
MISSIONARY EMAIL FROM SISTER CHELSY BOGGSSent: Monday, July 08, 2013 8:53 AM
So its been a good week. We were able to have another lesson with Marcy and Kristen (her friend that came to church with her last week). We offically picked Kristen up as a new investigator. We taught them the plan of salvation. Kristen is reading the book of mormon and we committed her to pray about it. Marcy believes everything she has been taught and believes that the Book of Mormon is true. She wants to be baptized and is praying about a baptismal date. She told Cory she wants to be baptized when he gets home but thats not until like late aug. He told her to really pray about it and we will talk about it when we see her on Wed.
Rhonda is still out of town, but we are still sending her scriptures from the book of mormon. Jeremy is working like crazy, like 8am to 1am. apparently everyone is quitting so they are working him mega overtime. We are still sending him scriptures and he is enjoying them. We are going to try and see him this week.
We had family home evening with the Alaverz family. They are a less active family that speaks spanish and like no english. They do understand more than they let on. We were able to have it at Laura's house. (Laura is one of our YSAs who speaks spanish and has her call, just hasnt opened it yet and she has had it for a week :/ ) It was really good. They definitly know they need to come to church but cant get the time off work and they are to prideful to have someone pick up their son to come to church. We went over the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are a wonderful family and we are looking forward to keep working with them.
The ward has dubbed us the miracle workers. Apparently we are doing the impossible, getting people to come to church and finding people the ward didnt even know were there and getting in contact with people the ward or elders havent been able to get in contact with. Unfortunatley the ward needs a little help. The meal calender and team up calender gets passed around and no one signs up on them or it just doesnt move...we are trying to figure out a way with Sis Arnall and Bro Windham on how to get the ward more involved.
I dont think I have ever seen so much rain in my life. Aside from a few wonder sunny hours on Sat (in which i got a nice sunburn, soon to be tan) it has been raining almost non stop. This weekend was really fun. We got to OYM at Jonsborough days. Its kinda like heritage days in Rogersville only slightly smaller. We got to meet and talk to alot of fun and interesting people and learn a lot of the history here. I even got to sit in a humvee and one other military vehicle (cant remember its name, just that it was a big truck.) Got to learn lots about them.
The 4th was awesome. curfew was extended so we could watch the fireworks. They were shot off from the local high school...which looks like a college. The Fireworks were amazing. I think my favorites were the smiley faces, hearts and willows. And of course it was also raining....but hey who knew watching fireworks in the rain would be that awesome and fun.
anywho i gots to get goin...love all ya'll crazy folks off yonder! hope to hear from ya soon!
~Sister boggs
Sent: Monday, July 1, 2013 6:39 AM
so i'm in cascais. it's pretty cool. =) i can't explain to you the kind of spirit i felt when i first got here. all last transfer i fought my HARDEST to have the spirit with me and i got here and spirit HIT me! it's been such a blessing working with sister ornano. it's her 2nd transfer and she's already a 10 PMG missionay. she's such an example to me. she's really helping me get out of my funk that i've been in. she just wants to work and work and work. And that's exactly what i need right now. it's been a long time since i've really put my shoulder to the wheel and gave it my all. i still haven't yet and i hope that changes this transfer. we've already met so many elect people. and tons of BLACK people. i can't tell you how much i've missed them. i need to visit africa one of these days. but anyway. things are REALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD. i'm so grateful to be here and i'm sorry this email to super short, but i need to go. i love you. have good week. i'll try my best to send a letter home this week. The church is true! READ THE BOOK OF MORMON! pray and GO TO CHURCH! ALWAYS! i love you have a good week. thank you for everything.
Com amor,
-Irmã Durán
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2013 8:15 AM
welp. it's been a really good week. it was the 4th of july and we had a late night celebration in our apartment. we lit a candle, because it was America's bday, and then we sang patriotic songs. it was fun and absolutely pathetic. i love the mission =). we helped one of our recent converts here sober up and be worthy to pass the sacrament yesterday. it was really quite special to see him serving others in such a sacred manner. i know the atonement is real and that through true repentance anyone can be forgiven and change for the better. sister ornano and i have been doing some really good work here. i feel like i'm finally getting my feet under me again after being away from the city for good while. there's TONS on tourists here. seriously. we had 3 or 4 families visiting yesterday and we had to translate for them. it's really cool to meet people from ALL over the world. Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Germany, France. basically every where. i really love it here. it's super easy now to tell which ones are tourists and which ones actually live here. tourists are white with blond hair and wear shorts, sunglasses, hats, and carry cameras around. it's really kind of funny. it's SO hot here. the other day it was like 103º. we were dumb and went outside and tried to proselyte. it didn't work. we got heat exhaustion and went home and drank water and napped in our chonies. seriously we were OUT of it. loopy demais! never again. we have to work close to the house to fill up our water and rest for a little bit or we'll die, sabes. all the leaders here are telling all the missionaries to be careful. we're buying a fan today. we meant to buy one a few days ago, but we ran out of time. but God is wonderful! we received a tender mercy. there's an American family in our branch and we had dinner with them yesterday evening and we told them about our situation and they let us borrow one of there many fans! we're SOOOO grateful. you've NO idea. no air conditioning. no way to stop being hot. no way to stop sweating. it'll be like this until October and we just keep taking it one day at a time. Heavenly Father will bless us with strength enough to overcome this horrible heat. i'm grateful i only have ONE summer here, sabes? i love the cold =). anyway, about that dinner yesterday....it was AMAZING! they get food from the American embassy so we ate mac and cheese, AMERICAN hotdogs, and CORNDOGS, crystal light, with AMERICAN MUSTARD!! it was wonderful. truly. the Binn's family said it was the most white trash dinner they've ever done for the missionaries and it's one that they'll not forget. we were so happy =). I love that family. it just seems like every day food in the states, but i can't explain to you how incredibly satisfying it was to taste American mustard. well anyway. this is email appears not to make much sense, but tudo bem. =) i love you. have a good week. thank you for all your love and prayers.
com amor,
-Irmã Durán
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