The Gift of Discernment

Hey y'all (:

Life is oh so good! I get rrreally stressed thinking about the joyful responsibility we bear, but the Lord is teaching me a lot. I am a big fan of the book they gave us to help with stress, it's called Adjusting to Missionary Life. I read yesterday Elder Uchtdorf's talk about being grateful in our circumstances, and that is going to be my main focus this week. We deal with crazy people sometimes, but the elect are out there, and finding them is just so much sweeter after dealing with disappointment. I read in the bible dictionary the other day that discipline and patience are born of disappointment, so that's my little insight into Heavenly Father's plan for me (: 

President Bernhisel sent us this quote from President Eyring on what he did as a missionary to have the Holy Ghost working in his life:“I find that it only comes after prayer, searching the scriptures and the words of the prophets, exact obedience, loving others, humbly listening for the Spirit and after long and painful labor.” In other words, it isn’t easy, but it is sure worth it. 

Sometimes I feel like I must be doing terribly when the Spirit isn't with me super strong, but it is reassuring to know that an apostle of the Lord also must commit to "long and painful labor" in order to have the Spirit with him. Our level of commitment to the Lord determines the level of spiritual sensitivity we have.

We have been working hard this week to overcome our weaknesses. I was touched in my heart to realize that serving the Lord "with all your heart, might, mind and strength" means being more disciplined in healthy eating and cardio exercise. We can't just let ourselves go, in other words...;) 

I recommitted this week to do those things, and have been seeing miracles from it! We found 4 new investigators!!! What a merciful God we have. We are teaching Soyoung and Brad again! We got to go out teaching with Sister Bernhisel this week, and it was so neat! She has such a high level of the Spirit with her. It was incredible to watch her listen, observe, ask questions, and discern the needs of our investigators. Although Brad's washer exploded yesterday, they are planning on coming back to church, so we credit that miracle completely to the Spirit working through Sister Bernhisel. She is our inspiration (:

In addition to that experience, we had an interesting encounter with a referral who was so frightened by our uncanny ability to locate him even after he gave us totally wrong instructions, that he lied barefaced to us. I have never had someone lie to me like that before. It was interesting. I guess I have to admit that there are some people in the world who are intentionally mean to others. This came as quite a shock. Anyway, we called him out, and he sheepishly went inside and had his girlfriend come out and apologize for him... very interesting/ helpful experience in learning about how to discern the truth from people. We had two or three other experiences like that, and then they were complimented by several experiences where the Spirit helped us recognize prepared people as well. In short, the Spirit of discernment is powerful in helping us not be confounded before men. D&C 52:14

One of our new investigators came from offering to serve, and using the Book of Mormon. We contacted her while she was watering her garden, and shared the pictures from the front of the Book of Mormon to explain what it was. She agreed to let us help her garden next Tuesday, so we came back on Tuesday in our service clothes. She was so surprised to see us actually wearing sweats and T-shirts, she invited us in, and asked us to share our message with her. Word. We felt inspired to read from 3 Nephi 11 about baptism and the priesthood, and the spirit bore witness to her of the truth of the Book of Mormon. She re-read the part where Jesus talks about the atonement 3 or 4 times out loud, and then looked up and said "I really want to read this book!" It was so exciting to hear that!

Sister Olive has been asking EVERYONE for referrals. This has never been my strong suit, so I am extremely motivated by the competition. Similar to a "Costco with Caroline" experience ;) She constantly motivates me to humble myself, and be more exactly obedient, and also to not be so hard on myself. I have been memorizing my patriarchal blessing, and find great strength to not beat myself up as I recite passages of it to myself. It is a great shield against negative thinking and self-criticism, which we all need, so I definitely recommend it!

When I find myself wondering why I am stressing so much, or why our friends are facing such great opposition, or making poor choices, I am reminded that the Lord's ways are higher than our ways. He knows what it takes to bring souls unto Him. He requires everything we've got, and I don't want to hold anything back. 

1 Corinthians 9:22-24

Still running.

Love, Sister Boucher

Mosiah 28:3

Every week seems like a year. I don't even know where to begin!

One of the most lovely moments this week was contacting less active sisters with Sister Thompson (a returning less active, and a kindred spirit). We stopped by a lady's house whom we had never met, and knew nothing of, and got to share with her Romans 8:37-39. She loved it. Then we sang "I am a Child of God" and her little 3-year-old granddaughter was so enraptured, she looked at us with big eyes, and begged for us to sing it again (:

We are finding prepared people. On Friday, we stopped by a former investigator's house quick before weekly planning (my most favorite thing to do... ;) and lo and behold, he welcomed us in with open arms! We barely had a chance to ask if there was a woman present! He set us down in his library FULL of every religious work I have ever heard of, and commenced sharing with us his concerns about mormonism. It was miraculous. Sister Olive was sure I had at least met him before, but he was just very nice and welcoming. I love people like that.

Another couple like that are Richie and June. (I always think of Juniper when we teach them.) June and Richie are from Long Island. They grew up there, and have the thickest new yorker accents I have ever heard. I LOVE it. Missionaries had been helping June with her family history, and she was glad to see us again. She loves to talk about our purpose, tolerance, how to find a good spouse, how to raise your children... and then Richie will chime in, and they start teasing each other, it's so great. It makes it all the greater since he broke his hearing aid last weekend, so he was shouting out his comments about the plan of salvation. Bless his heart. We all agree that we were brought together for a reason. I learn so much from them. They make us feel like family, which is a much needed feeling for me lately.

The Hudson's and the Ramages both cooked us AMAZING southern home-cooked meals this week. I love banana puddin' and flakey buttermilk biscuits. :)

I hope I am learning to follow the Spirit more accurately. We just pray and pray, and sometimes I feel like we have no direction, but we go and do and try our best, and then miracles happen. I know I prayed for greater faith, so this is probably why Heavenly Father is letting me act on my own, without a clear answer. Ether 12:6, right? I received a beautiful feeling at the first transfer training for Sister Olive this week. I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that we are witnesses called, and there is no higher calling than that. It is like Elder Packer said, "at once a light to follow, and a burden to bear." I am so grateful we can be yoked with the Lord.

What are y'all doing to hasten the Lord's work this week? I hope you know how much Heavenly Father loves you! He has a plan. We finished studying the old testament in institute with Brother Jester and Brother Pipkin, and I was struck with how repetitive it is! Over and over again, Heavenly Father reaches out to us. "25 Behold, doth he cry unto any saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me ALL YE ENDS OF THE EARTH, buy milk and honey, without money and without price. 27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance." -Nephi

There is no greater joy, than the joy in service to God.

I am grateful for the gospel, and for the little, beautiful, wonderful things the Lord allows into my life. Things like the sunset yesterday. North Carolina is the garden of eden- quote, President Bernhisel (: Wish I could send you pictures, but I did get a copy of Brother Pipkin's baptism picture from the Elders, so enjoy. Pardon my bad hair-do, it was a hectic day.

Love, Sister B

So run, that ye may obtain

How are you all, my wonderful family and friends? Brother Pipkin was BAPTIZED AND CONFIRMED this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I even express what a miracle this is? Moroni 7:35-37, 41 I bear my solemn witness that the Lord, Jesus Christ is at the head of this work. There is no other force or power great enough to transform individuals, to take them from the dregs of society, to heal them physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially, and then to redeem them from their sins and purify their hearts and grant them the hope to live a joyful life. If any of you need proof that God is real, that Jesus Christ is His only begotten son, or that they are personally and intimately aware of you individually, consider the story of this man. Kenneth Pipkin grew up in a segregated community on the other side of the river where blacks were not expected to go anywhere or become anything other than manual laborers. He experienced substance and physical abuse, and ultimately lost everything about three years ago, when his work position was eliminated from the health care system. Brother Pipkin wandered homeless for 3 years searching for a job. He traveled from state to state, and never wanted to come back to North Carolina, where he would be judged and categorized by the mistakes of his youth. He was led back to North Carolina to live with his sister in May of this year. Late this May, he met the Sister missionaries coming out of the Library. He had hit rock bottom, and was smoking his last cigarette. A week later, he had read through 2nd Nephi in the Book of Mormon, and called us for a ride to church. His transformation has been total and complete. He has fought an uphill battle that has tried all of our faith, but through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, He has come through VICTORIOUS. I know that our Redeemer lives. We sang "Our Savior's Love" at Brother Pipkin's baptism, and my heart was so full, I can't explain it. The gospel truly can help and heal us. It is the key to living a happy and whole life. At Zone Conference this week, I cried to see some of my long-time brothers and sisters bear their final testimonies to the missionaries. They are going home already! President Bernhisel calls it an Alma 26 experience when we come together at conferences, and are so happy to see each other and know that we do remain faithful to the truth. I am especially going to miss Hermana Richardson. If any of you out in Provo this fall get a chance to see her, give her a big hug for me. President Bernhisel is so inspired. He taught us at Zone Conference about raising our vision and of having the faith to accomplish miracles for the Lord. I felt impressed by the thought that I NEED to Baptize my brothers and Sisters. Just like I need to eat, or sleep, or make music, pray, or be connected to my immediate family, I NEED to baptize my brothers and sisters. A quote from Elder Oaks came to my mind: "We do not preach and teach in order to bring people into the church or to increase the membership of the church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives... We invite all to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the Celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this." Brother Lykins counseled us last week to focus our efforts on serving the ward members. We have had so many miracles doing this this week, plus it makes missionary work more fun (: I have baked more in the last week than I have on my entire mission! Thank you for all those delicious recipes (: I love you all. I know we are chosen to represent the Lord because of the covenants we made with Him when we were baptized by His authority. It is an immense privilege. In every little way possible, we need to discipline our lives to become more consecrated followers of Christ. This morning in study, I had an epiphany about Charity and Virtue. Possessing the pure love of Christ gives us the capacity to discipline our lives. When we know how much we and those around us are worth to the Lord, our desires change. I guess I already knew this, but I didn't know it. Charity gives us perspective. So, in the words of Paul, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth air" When we remember the purpose; when we have a vision of what we are working towards, our every day actions become more meaningful, and we run and fight with certainty and intention. I love you all. Sister B

Freedom

Alma 58: 10 “Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. 11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him. 12 And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty.” "God is in control of the planet" was one of my favorite quotes from fast and testimony meeting yesterday. It was from Sister Mona. Sister Mona suffered from a brain aneurysm about 7 years ago, and stays in the scariest "nursing home" that I have ever seen. It literally makes you want to cry. Yet her testimony is amazing. She simply loves the Lord and trusts Him with her whole heart. It seems that much of the time it takes a huge event like a brain aneurysm to shock us into putting our full faith in Jesus Christ. Why is that? I am grateful this week for our country. I love the United States. The principles we were founded on were inspired of God. This week we had a great experience fasting. We have been praying for our investigators who are living together to be able to get married, or separate so that they can continue to progress spiritually. Yesterday, after church, she called us to let us know that they were separating for now, because she knows its what she needs to do in order to heal, and come closer to Christ. We were floored!!! We found her a place to stay with a member, and are excited to set a baptismal date with her today. I know that Jesus Christ is at the head of this work. He will do His work. I am grateful that we can influence the world for good through fasting and mighty prayer. There are so many wonderful blessings we need to be grateful for!!! I am studying the New Testament after numerous promptings to do so, and have been finding answers to the questions in my heart about our Savior. I am astonished at how consistently He gives of himself. He truly has the answers that we seek. He is mightier than all the Earth. He knows what we need, and what our families need. It's the best (: I love you all and hope you are feeling close to the Savior, and the warmth of His Spirit. He really is there. Love, Sister B