Attitude of Gratitude

It's a new transfer, and Sister Matheson and I are....... STAYING TOGETHER! This isn't much of a surprise, since I need to finish training her, but it is definitely a relief. I get to have Thanksgiving and Christmas with my baby! I was so afraid that something would happen, that for some crazy reason one of us would leave, or that Sister Matheson would stay and train, because she is seriously that capable! But the Lord knew that we needed each other for this rough holiday season. Thankfully, we have met so many people who we love and who take care of us, we feel like we have family all around us. 

As a missionary, you live to a pretty strict schedule. There are many opportunities to be obedient, and my companion and I had been struggling. Nothing drastic or severely disobedient, but not exactly obedient. After an exchange with her sister training leader, we decided that we needed to shape up. The next day we were super obedient, no excuses. We had a lesson with the young couple we are working with to be baptized. They had dinner at their fellowship's home, and then we came over to have the lesson. That morning Sister Matheson and I had both received revelation that we needed to talk about Heavenly Father and their relationship with Him. When we started teaching, they opened up and told us more in that lesson than they have ever shared with us in the past six weeks. I realized in that lesson, that the adversary had been trying to stop the progress of our investigators by getting to us. He knew that if he slowed us down, he would be able to slow down their momentum and their decision to come unto Christ and be baptized. We knew in that lesson that they have been prepared, that we are meant to be here to teach them. It was so humbling to see that I have that much power to influence the lives of my investigators. Now, every morning, I wake up and say, "Who's life am I going to change because of my obedience?" President Hinckley said, "You cannot afford to do anything that would place a curtain between you and the ministering of angels in your behalf." I am so grateful for the help that we receive from the Lord, and the power and influence that obedience can have in our lives. 

I love this gospel. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and I am so grateful for His atoning sacrifice that gives me a chance to become more like Him. I have been so blessed to have such incredible family, friends, and examples all around me. And I am truly grateful to be a missionary, serving the Lord and His people here in Utah.

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

xoxo

Sister Boman

snow, snow, snow, snow, SNOW!

i'm an ice cube!

Last week it snowed. Soon after it started, it dawned on me. This is not temporary. I will not go back to my warm home after a fun weekend in the snow. I live here. I live here in a place where it snows. That means stocking up on leggings, scarves, and hot cocoa! Hopefully I survive. Everyone laughs at me when I tell them i'm from California. Especially my companion. She is from Ohio, and says this is nothing! Now I drive like a grandma (no offence Nana). Thankfully, we have been so busy, so we are only outside for a short time before we get to another home!

I truly love teaching. To be filled with the spirit, and receive revelation for the people that we are working with, it is an incredible experience! We teach so many different people, single moms, young couples, older women, struggling husbands and wives, from all walks of life. It makes me so grateful for the experience that I have had in my human development studies. That knowledge, combined with the spirit, creates a powerful opportunity to open their eyes to the gospel. To some people we speak in softer tones, and to others, we are bold! Different people need to hear different things, but what is consistent in all of them is that they are learning about and accessing the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love to see the light in their eyes as they realize the love that their Savior has for them. I love to promise them blessings as they exercise faith, repentance, and obedience. 

Singing at the Ogden Tabernacle!

We had the opportunity to sing at the musical fireside at the Ogden Tabernacle last Sunday. I didn't think it could get any better than the last performance, but it did! I know that angels were singing with us. We filled the whole tabernacle, and I even saw some people from my old areas! Such a treat.

Grandma and Grandpa Nelson!

Last preparation day our senior couple, the Castletons, took us on a field trip to the factories here in north Utah. We went to the sock factory, the pajama factory, Pepperidge farms, and the Fatboy factory! You don't want to know how many goods we came away with! Then, at the fatboy factory they gave us boxes of ice cream, for FREE! Oh the perks of being a missionary in Utah. Estoy muy gorda!

The Castletons!

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

xoxo

Sister Boman

Wheeeeeeeeeee

Lunch at the crepery with the hermanas!

This week was an emotional roller-coaster! We have been double booked many nights, running around like chickens with our heads cut off. I think i've said that the past few weeks. But it hasn't changed! This past week we taught 23 lessons! We love being busy but it can get crazy. 

We had a lesson with an investigator who's husband is not active, but her children come to church. We met her the first day we came to the area, but we weren't able to meet with her again until last week. Her friend told us that she didn't want to be pressured into anything, and didn't want any sort of formal lessons. She also said that mormonism had been a source of contention in her life. We went into the lesson thinking that we would feel it out, but that we probably wouldn't keep working with her. We need to be wise where we spend the Lord's time, and make sure that we are working with people who are prepared to progress in the gospel. Once we started the lesson, Sister Matheson and I both received revelation that we need to keep working with her. As we talked and asked her questions, we realized that she really is being prepared, more that we knew. The spirit was so strong. We helped her to understand that she is not obligated to listen to us, that we are simply here to help her learn if this is right for her. It was so incredible to feel the spirit change in the room. 

We also taught another young couple who want to be baptized. We are finally getting to the core of their concerns. They are worried that they will not be able to keep the commitments that they make at baptism. They are worried they will fall away and not stay active. We taught them about the power of the atonement, and how we all make mistakes, but it is because of the sacrifice that Christ made for us that we can have hope for the future. We never need to feel like it is too late. We are trying to help them to act on their faith, to learn and to grow and partake of this beautiful gospel. 

We are working with a less active couple that are just the best. They are not married, and we have been pretty bold in discerning their concerns, trying to help them to have faith and to rely on the Lord. He isn't able to come to church because of his work schedule, but this Sunday we fasted with them. It was awesome to hear about their experience fasting together. He said "at first, I was pretty grumpy, but then, I wanted to do it." They have been praying and reading the scriptures together, and we are really seeing a change in them. It is the most rewarding moment to watch the people you are working with learn and grow and begin to align their will with the Lord's. I love them so much and we are so excited for their future!

It has been really difficult juggling two stakes, but I am so grateful for all of the people I am able to rely on, my companion, my mission president, as well as my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that I can not do this on my own. He has given me the opportunity to rely on Him, and I am so grateful for the strength that He gives me. 

I love you all, and I hope you're smiling :)

xoxo

Sister Boman

My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee

Texas Longhorns in Utah!

Exchanges with Sister Patterson!

I would say that I am getting used to the smell of cow, but that would be a lie! Haha luckily the scenery is beautiful here. Last week I had the chance to go on exchanges with one of the sisters that I am over as a Sister Training Leader. Sister Patterson is serving in Fielding. One of the houses that we went to is just past the sign for the Idaho border. So now I can say that I have been to Idaho! It was so neat to be able to work with her and help her to be the best missionary that she can be. We spent a few hours raking leaves and we got to know each other pretty well. Turns out that I met her before she came on her mission! She came to the Ogden Temple open house, and told me that she had just got her mission call to the Ogden mission! It is so neat to now be able to spend time with her in the field!

Halloween was a pretty awesome time. We had two baptisms! A woman who has returned to church married her boyfriend that day, and then that evening he and her son from a previous marriage got baptized! It was such a wonderful baptism. Their spirits are so strong. Her husband has been working with missionaries for two years, and the first elder that found him was able to come and baptize and confirm them both! Since we just came into the area recently, we worked mostly with the little boy. He is so funny. He kept yelling at the elder baptizing him to get his name right! Then, after he went under the water he said "That tastes disgusting!" We were all cracking up. He told us afterwards that he felt really good and happy about being baptized. It was so neat to hear his mom bear her testimony, for her strong desire and goal to be an eternal family sealed in the temple. We are so excited for them!

That night we had the opportunity to watch the Saratov Approach with the missionaries in our zone. Talk about the perfect missionary Halloween movie! It was so intense but it was really good. It is based on a true story. It was so incredible to see how these elders kept faith and relied on the Lord and His plan for us. I am just so glad that I am serving in Utah!

This last Sunday we had the opportunity to perform in the mission's musical fireside. It was incredible! It was held at the

Logan Tabernacle, and it was packed with people! So many people came from our stakes, even some of our investigators! There is so much talent in the mission! I sang in a small women's group the song "Each Live That Touches Ours For Good". It was really pretty. I think my favorite piece was a number performed by a few elders and sisters called "My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee". It is based on the words found in Doctrine and Covenants section 122:

And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

I know that no matter what is thrown our way, there is a way to find peace. It is through our Savior, Jesus Christ. The power of God is above all things. I know that to be true. And I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to share that message with the people that I meet.

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

xoxo

Sister Boman