And So It Goes

I love being a missionary! This is the best thing I could be doing right now. I just know it. I am so lucky to have an awesome companion, I love Sister Matheson! When things get hard or discouraging, she is there to make me smile and we end up crying because we are laughing so hard. We have seen many miracles this week.

We have a master key that gets us into all of the church buildings in our area. The key ring it is on is pretty flimsy, and it fell off. I set it aside, meaning to put it on a more secure key ring, but when I went to look for it later, I had misplaced the key entirely! This was bad news, because we need that key. Immediately we thought to say a prayer. After we prayed, we looked all over the apartment. We tore it apart! The key was nowhere to be found. At this point, I was pretty frustrated. I thought wow, I guess He's not going to help us with this one! We gathered our things and went to leave. As soon as I opened the door, I saw in the leaves on the ground, THE KEY! Let me tell you, I have no idea how it got out there. But this was a huge testimony builder for me. I have never had a prayer answered so quickly. I should have known, He wouldn't abandon us.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. On our way back from an appointment, we saw a big chocolate lab running in the busy street. Cars were not paying attention, and the dog wouldn't move! I honked my horn to alert the oncoming car, and the dog ran out of the way. We parked the car, and my companion tried to round up the dog while I went to knock on the closest door to find the owner. We found the owner, and she ended up being a less active member of the church, and she wants us to come back and teach her family! We got the dog back safe and sound, grateful for the divine intervention that led us to that family.

There is a lady who's husband just passed away last week. They had both expressed interest in joining the church, and one of the last things he said before he died was he wished he could have been baptized. His wife is struggling, it has been so hard without him, and when we asked her if she would like to be baptized, she said "Yes! I already talked to the bishop! Yes, yes, yes!" It will be so wonderful to help her to learn more about the gospel, and help her to have comfort in this difficult time. As her understanding of the Plan of Salvation grows, she will be able to face each day with even more strength and hope.

This gospel is beautiful. I really love it. I am so blessed to be able to meet so many incredible people, and so witness so many miracles!

I love you all, and I hope you're smiling!

xoxo

Sister Boman

And At Last I See The Light

Sister Matheson, my baby!

This week was WOW. So busy! I picked up my new companion, my "baby" in mission terminology, and from the moment I met her, I knew that it was going to be great. Her name is Sister Matheson, and she is from Ohio. She has wanted to go on a mission since she was twelve years old, and she went out with the missionaries for seven months before she actually reported for her mission! Needless to say, she is a boss, and I will need to do very minimal training! She is ready to work and brings a sweet spirit everywhere she goes. Plus, she is super funny and we are having a blast together. 

Whitewashing (replacing two missionaries in an area) is a difficult process. We hit the ground running as soon as we got here, and called every bishop, trying to meet as many people as we could as soon as possible. We cover two stakes, so it is a big area with a lot of people! Luckily, Sister Matheson and I are on the same page... we are both clueless! Haha but everyone has been so helpful, we are finally getting our bearings. There have already been a few nights where we have been so busy that we had to split up and each go to separate lessons! It is exciting to have so many people to teach and help progress. 

We met a family and the father has not been baptized. He wants to be baptized so bad! The problem is, that both parents are trying to be divorced from their former spouses. The need to be married before he can be baptized, so that he is living the law of chastity. It is so frustrating to see someone wanting to progress to the waters of baptism, but for them to not be able to move forward! The bishop is working with them to move the process forward. Hopefully he will be able to be baptized soon!

We also met another couple. She wants to go to the temple, and her husband was baptized four years ago but doesn't go to church. He said that he has other responsibilities to take care of, namely providing for his family. He feels like he needs to support his family and work before he can give his time to the Lord. We helped him to understand that we need to trust the Lord. We had him read the scripture Mosiah 2:41. 

 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

If we put Him first, everything else will work out. We can't do it alone! And they need to be unified as a couple in their goals and what they want for their family. It has been so long since he has felt the spirit, we could tell that he just needs some reminding. His dad passed away a while ago, and he wants to be baptized for him. We are so excited to help them to be ready and worthy to go to the temple. 

There was another couple that we met with who are becoming active. the only problem is that he works on Sundays. We told him that he should pray, and pour his heart out to the Lord. It might be a while before he gets an answer, and he might not magically find a new job. But when we have righteous desires, and we continue to do what the Lord has asked of us, He will bless us for our obedience. 

I know that this gospel is true, and I am so excited to be able to share it with so many new people that I am meeting every day. Often people commend us for our sacrifice, but I feel so privileged to be here serving. I am the lucky one!

I love you all, and I hope you're smiling!

xoxo

Sister Boman

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

i'm off to the other side of these mountains!

Turn, and face the strain! It's a new transfer and big things are happening! I am going north in the mission, I am training a new missionary, we are whitewashing (taking over for two other missionaries), AND I am a sister training leader (STL)! Saturday night our mission president's wife, Sister Hiers, called and asked me if I would accept the calling to be an STL, which means that I will be over a few sister missionaries, to make sure that they are doing well and are happy. I said of course! I am excited to be able to interact with, get to know, and help support more of my sisters. Then an hour later, President Hiers called and asked if I would be willing to accept a calling. I said " ...another one?" He said "Oh who have you spoken to?" I said "Your wife!" Then he said "Oh yes! Well we would also like to you be a trainer!" WOW I was not expecting that! Of course I accepted the calling. Then I started to freak out. How could I possibly be qualified to fulfill all of these responsibilities? Sister Nelson said "You should pray!" Haha it is funny how in the midst of chaos and confusion, we forget the most simple and important things. I knelt in prayer and poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father. He calmed my heart, and I knew that it would all be ok. I would never be able to do all of this alone, but with His help, it will be possible. Now, every time that I start to get worried or stressed, I am filled with peace. I know that He is mindful of my needs. 

we love the temple!

We had a great last week of the transfer. We were able to go to the Ogden temple on Friday! We have helped to reactivate a less active couple, and they went through the temple and were sealed together and to their daughter for time and all eternity. It was so wonderful to see their family united, and to see their smiling faces, their hearts full, glowing with the spirit. It was such an incredible experience. I am so grateful for the temple, to know that it is the house of the Lord. I feel His spirit there so strong, and I am reassured that I am doing what He would have me do.

On Saturday we had the chance to go to a baptism for a little boy who we taught. He was 8 years old, but we had helped his family to come back to church. Before the baptism, we could tell that he was nervous. Poor little guy broke down crying. We pulled him aside and asked if he would like to say a prayer to help him feel calm. I talked to him about this wonderful step that he was taking, and how proud his Heavenly Father is of him. Making a change can be scary! But we helped him to recognize that he is doing a good thing, and that there was no reason to be afraid. We prayed, and he calmed down. After his baptism he was just fine, all smiles. His mother spoke to me after the baptism and said thank you so much for everything I had done for their family. She said now that they have been coming to church regularly, she has felt her Heavenly Father's love more than she has in a long time. I am so grateful to have the chance to help people remember the spirit that they have felt when they are living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the only way to truly find lasting joy and happiness!

Change is the only constant. Somehow I keep forgetting that! Just a few weeks ago I told Hermana Egan t

hat I didn't feel like I was sacrificing enough, that my mission has been too easy. Honestly, I have felt so lucky to not have had any serious problems or struggles. Well, I guess Heavenly Father heard me, and decided I could use some more experiences to help me learn and grow! I am grateful that the Lord has trusted me with one of his daughters, to help her become a great missionary. We will see how things go!

I love you all, and I hope that you're smiling!

xoxo 

Sister Boman        

Meet The Mormons

This last week we had the special privilege of watching the new film, Meet the Mormons! It will be in theaters October 10, and if it is not showing at your theater, you can request it! The film is a documentary style that shows the lives of six different individuals, all who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The purpose of the film is to show that we are normal people! Just because you are a member of the church does not mean that you must abandon your culture, or change your entire life. It involves a change of fundamental beliefs and values, and gives people a way to find true and everlasting peace- for eternity! Each family was so beautiful and told a different story. The last family shown was a missionary mom, and I think we all were emotional! That one hit a little too close to home. Haha but it is a wonderful film, for everyone. If you are curious about what Mormons are all about, come and see the movie. Bring your friends. You will love it! Check it out!

We had a lesson with a sweet family who are all members but have not come to church in a long time. They are working towards being sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. The best part of the lesson was listening the the beautiful testimony of their 15 year old daughter. She has been going to seminary, a religious class offered to high school students. She said that she has been praying and receiving answers when she reads the scriptures. She feels peace when she is connected with God. It was so awesome to see her be a light to her family, and lift them up by her example. Reminded me of my stellar little sister!

This weekend was General Conference weekend! There were so many good talks. Heck, they were all good! And each one offered such specific and beautiful counsel. I loved Elder Bednar's talk. He gave an explanation of why we share the gospel, why we have missionaries, and why this gospel is spreading throughout the world. He shared the cutest story of his little boys. One gets hurt, and the other brings him inside to doctor the wound. He pours dish soap on the cut, then uses a whole bottle of ointment to soothe the pain, followed my multiple bandages all over his arm. The best part is, after the treatment, The little boy goes outside and wants to give all of his friends the same care. He experienced something good and comforting, and immediately wanted his friends to have the same experience. That is how it is with members of the church. We are not trying to sell a product, we are trying to share the sweet peace and happiness that we have experienced for ourselves. You can watch it here. 

Other themes from conference that I have been thinking about recently are to have an eternal perspective, and live your life now with the knowledge of where you face, and how your actions will affect your future. This last week we dealt with a few different difficult situations, but as soon as I put it in the Lord's hands, I felt peace. He strengthened me when I was weak. And I know that through Him, and thanks to this invaluable time here on the mission, I am becoming a better person- a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

I love you all, and I hope you're smiling!

xoxo

Sister Boman 

Raining Blessings

Our beautiful scenery!

This last week we had the privilege of hearing from Elder Arnold, a member of the seventy. First his wife spoke with the sisters, and it was so wonderful to have some much needed girl talk. We discussed our concerns and the things that we are struggling with, and it was so wonderful to see how strong these sisters are. There is so much power in the gospel, to give us hope for the future! Then we heard from Elder Arnold. He is a strong and bold man, who doesn't mince words. It was a great training about how we must always be improving, conscious that our actions are always moving us forward. An elder commented that "Our conversion of today is not enough for tomorrow". We must also be aware that there are people all around us that the Lord is preparing. Instead of going from point a to point b, we must always have our eyes open and our minds in tune with the promptings of the spirit, to be able to find those people. I am so grateful that we were able to receive his counsel to improve our ministry.

Homecoming football game!

This last weekend the local high school celebrated homecoming! One of the bishop's daughters was nominated as royalty and we went to support her and mingle with our neighbors and friends. We had our faces painted and I reminisced of my high school days. It was Sister Nelson's first football game! It was a lot of fun, and it was great to meet some more of the youth in the area. 

Saturday we had the chance to go to the General Women's meeting in Salt Lake! It was such a wonderful experience. We took a lady that has recently been coming back to church and her mom and sister. We received wonderful counsel from the Relief Society presidency as well as from President Uchtdorf. Many of the talks centered on the importance and blessing of temples. There was a touching video shown of many different women and girls sharing their experiences with the temple. What a beautiful testimony that all over the world, people are able to experience the blessings of the temple. They can be sealed together with their families, to loved ones who have passed, and they recognize power and blessings in their lives as they make promises to God through sacred ordinances. President Uchtdorf gave an excellent analogy that we have been talking about ever since the conference. He said that often we think of blessings being locked up in a big box, and we have to do certain things in order for Heavenly Father to unlock one. But it is not so. He said that "Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us, but it is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us". Blessings are constantly being poured out from heaven, but we must open up and allow them to rain upon us. 

We are continuing to meet with the young man (our golden investigator). He became concerned last week that he was only doing this for his girlfriend. He wanted to make sure that he was doing it for the right reasons, and so he had decided to postpone his baptism. Our district leader (one of the elders who helps to lead a group of missionaries in an area of the mission) came with us to a lesson. Our investigator was there, along with his girlfriend. It was an incredible spiritual experience. He prayed then to know if the Book of Mormon is true, and if Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. As he prayed, the spirit overcame him. When he finished, he said "I feel incredible! I could hardly feel my body. I don't know how else to describe it, other than.... true". He received confirmation for himself that this is God's true church on the earth, and he now knows that he is making these changes because he knows, for himself, that these things are true. I am so grateful for the power of the Holy Ghost, to help us to navigate this life. His guidance has helped me countless times, and I am so privileged to see it help the people I meet every day. 

I love this gospel. I love all of you! I hope you're smiling!

xoxo

Sister Boman

one of my doodles!