Because of Him

I guess y'all liked the stories from last week, so i'll try to include more things like that!

our beautiful mountains!

We are teaching an 11 year old boy with aspergers and he is SO SMART. It is amazing. His dad was baptized about a year ago, and that was an incredible journey. He is divorced, and so before his son can be baptized they need his mother's consent. They want to make sure that he really knows why he wants to be baptized before it happens. Last time we met with them we asked him to pray about his testimony so that he would be able to talk to his mom about why he wants to be baptized. We went into our lesson this week ready to teach about the word of wisdom, but after talking with him, he said that he had prayed but hadn't received an answer about his testimony. We talked about how the Lord speaks to us in different ways. His dad needed a direct and straightforward answer to help him overcome his addictions and change his life to follow Jesus Christ. But we explained that he might not receive his answer in the same way. The Lord trusts us to make decisions for ourselves. Elder Boyd K. Packer said "A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it!" We asked him why he reads the scriptures, and he said "They make me feel joyful." We asked him why he comes to church, and how it is different that the Lutheran church he used to go to, and he said "because it actually makes me happy." Then we asked him why he wanted to be baptized, and he said "Well, it's not really even about me, it's about Jesus." At that point he started to cry, and said "I don't even know why i'm crying!" It was so sweet. When he said the closing prayer, he thanked Heavenly Father for helping him to find his testimony. It is amazing to see these young children learn and grow in the gospel.

We are also teaching a young couple who have not beet to church since they were young teenagers. They saw the elders walking home one night, and he contemplated picking them up the whole way home. Finally when they arrived home, he turned around and went back to get them and give them a ride home. They met and taught them a lesson, but soon realized that they live in our area! They had to give them to us, and boy are we grateful because they are an awesome couple! He grew up being forced to go to church, but when his parents divorced, he stopped going. He served in the Navy, and never really thought about coming back to church. They moved into the area a few years ago, and never really felt welcomed into the area. It is so hard because so many member assume that everyone is a member, and so there is no need to be kind and extend a hand to their neighbors. It is so FALSE! We all need help and love and support, no matter who we are or where we come from! But now they feel the desire to learn more about the gospel and develop a testimony for themselves. Some of his hesitation is that he feels that it is too late to change. The beautiful part of this gospel is that it is never too late to change. The Savior died for each of us, and He will never abandon us. In Moroni chapter 7 verse 33 it says "And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." It is so hard for us to take that leap of faith, but when we trust in the Lord, He promises that we can do anything! I am so grateful for that promise.

We have been sharing this video recently and I just LOVE IT!

Because of Him

I love that they show so many different people, because the Savior died for each and every one of us! I love that personal connection that I have with Him. He knows exactly how I feel, what I am going through. And of all of the incredible advances that have happened here on Earth- flight, travel to space, technology- there is nothing greater than the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us, and because He died, we will all live again! And if we follow His commandments, then we can live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for eternity! What amazing hope that gives me.

We had a musical fireside last night with the missionaries in our zone. It was awesome! There were quartets, duets, ukulele and guitar, testimonies, and I sang in a trio and also sang a solo. I sang the hymn "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" acapella. It was so fun! But my lung capacity isn't the same up here in the Utah air!

It was so funny, we had dinner with a family on Sunday and when we came home, we realized that the 15 year old boy had slipped his email address into Sister Bartnik's purse!!!! We were dying laughing!!!!

It is so important to laugh, smile, and sing! It keeps us sane and stress free! It has been warming up and the sunshine is so nice, but in typical Utah fashion, it will rain tomorrow.

I love you all so much and I hope you are well!

xoxo

Sister Boman