Play wolleyball.... I like serving da Lord

I hardly know where to start, this past week has been a whirlwind! We left the MTC and took the train up to Ogden. We trained for a while and then went right to work! We went out and knocked on doors at an apartment complex. We met four people: one girl who was inactive and wanted nothing to do with us, another woman who was busy, but said we could stop by another time, a man who laughed and slammed the door in our faces, and a member! We got the whole spectrum! It's difficult here in Utah because so many people know about the church, and so often people think that they know what we're about. If only they would listen for a moment, then we might be able to soften their hearts!

The next day we met our trainers and got settled in our areas. My companion is so sweet and I love her! We compliment each other really well. She's been here almost five months so she knows everyone, and I'm meeting so many people - I can hardly keep everyone straight! 

In this area, we work with a lot of people who are inactive (used to be members but don't come anymore) and people who are less active (come sometimes but not often) as well as investigators (people who have never been a member of the church). We also work with a lot of part member families. Luckily, everything comes down to the same understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Often we misunderstand something, or we are offended by something someone says. What is important to remember is that the gospel always stays the same. Another thing that I'm learning is that although there are many different ways to feel spiritual, there is only one way to be cleansed of sin and to return and live with God for eternity - and that is through repentance and baptism. The Savior died for our pains, sorrows, and sins, all so that we could have the opportunity to become perfect. We have been given this gift, but it is nothing if we do not take advantage of it in our own lives!

I know that this gospel is true. Faith, when acted upon, can bring miracles in your life! I am so grateful for this gospel and the joy that it brings!

I love you all, and hope you are well!

xoxo

Sister Boman

My first week at the Empty Sea

Sometimes we use acronyms so often and people don't know what we're talking about! One woman spoke to the missionaries and later asked them "I've looked all over the map, but I can't find anywhere called the empty sea!" What she was talking about was what we often refer to as the MTC, the Missionary Training Center. Goes to show that you should never assume! You know what happens when we do that... :P

Me and my companion Sister Greene.

Anyways, hello! I hope you're all doing well. I'm doing fantastic. I'm learning so much! Every day is packed full of things to do. Basically we eat, study, study, study, eat, study, study, study, study, eat, and then sleep. It's draining! But it is such a powerful experience. So as a missionary, our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, baptism, repentance, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. By helping others to have experiences where they can feel God's love for them, they will know of the truth! 

We are learning so much about the teachings in the scriptures, mainly the Book of Mormon, which we believe is another testament of Christ. I have always had a testimony of this gospel, or this plan that God has for my life, but by studying and learning how to share that experience with others, I realize even more how important it is in my own life! 

My zone - such awesome people. And look! Elder Ward from Sactown! So nice to see a familiar face!

We do practice role plays and they are sometimes really hard! You want to make sure you convey a message and are being clear about what you're saying, but what I'm learning more and more every day is that it is not about what I'm teaching, it's about the love that I feel for others. Naturally I'm very hard on myself, and I want things to sound perfect and get done fast, but when I turn away from what I want, and am more like Christ in thinking of others' needs, the love I feel for them will bring the Spirit of the Lord into the room, and it will fill their hearts. It doesn't matter what I say. It matters what the other person feels, and that can only happen if I have the best intentions for them. But this is a new mindset! I like to think that I'm pretty loving, but in every. single. way. I am now finding myself thinking "Okay, what does this person need? What can I tell them that is relevant to their life? What could bring them comfort?" It's difficult, but it's so worth it! I feel like a new person already. And I like this new person. 

Our zone - I'm standing next to our branch president. He's so short!!! We love him!

With all of this studying and learning, it's really easy to get discouraged. But I have to remember that the Lord trusts me! He has called me on this mission, and he wants me to be here! He wouldn't give me anything I can't handle. Sometimes I feel discouraged if I don't feel like I got my point across, or if an investigator doesn't feel a change right away, but in Alma chapter 36 verse 6-7 it says "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." So i'm off the hook! All I have to do for 18 months is small and simple things. But really, I have faith that if I do my part, the Lord will help me to bless the lives of the people in Ogden!

The mission map - I'm pointing to where I'll be serving, Ogden, Utah!

I love you all, and I hope that you understand the incredible love that God has for you individually. He knows you so well, and He wants you to be happy!

Love,

Sister Boman

We Are Now the Lord's Missionaries!

This is an excerpt from the first snail mail letter sent from Sidney:

I made it! I got here just fine. Even met an elder on the airplane. I gave a passalong card to a man on the plane too! Already started my work! Then I got on the shuttle to the MTC with a bunch of other missionaries, and realized 'oh yeah, they're a bunch of boys!' Stinky boys who talk about the weirdest things. But I was so excited to start. I got my name tag when we checked in and became official! I love looking at it. It makes me smile every time I pass a mirror.

My host sister, Sister Lee, was so sweet. She helped me with my luggage and settling in. We stopped and grabbed some food, and I started eating a banana- her eyes got so wide and she looked at me and said, "We forgot to pray!" It was so funny, but now I'm used to praying all the time- it's so great! I'm already developing righteous habits.

We basically ran over from meeting to meeting. So much information! During an orientation we sang "We'll bring the world His truth" but they changed the words to say "and we are now the Lord's missionaries." What a powerful moment! Every second I can't really believe I'm here, that I'm really doing this, but it couldn't feel more right.

The food- uh oh. No bueno! But I've found ways to be healthy. They have salads and make your own wraps and fruit, so that helps. I'm being good and not eating any sweets! (Until Sunday maybe :) )

My companion is Sister Greene from Flagstaffe, Arizona, and I just love her. She is strong and tall (5'10") and such an amazing example to me of obedience. It is an adjustment, but it has been such a blessing to have her with me 24/7!

We met our Branch President last night, Brother Wenn. He is the tiniest man, maybe 5' and an inch. But he is a spiritual giant. His love for us is so true and sincere - it's great to feel that!
I miss you all so much, and I still can't believe I'm really doing this! I know without a doubt that I have been prepared for this mission. I know it is my calling!