Hello again!

This week has been quite interesting. This Friday we had scheduled to attend a temple session, so our regular preparation day (aside from email time) was moved to Friday for last week. This means that we had a week and a half between preparation days, and it was surprisingly trying. We understand a little better why Heavenly Father had a day of rest after 6 days of hard work (: Being at the temple made me think of all of you! I can't wait to be in the temple with you all again.

 

It is great to see how our faith grows through trials. It really can't develop any other way. Realizing that faith is the power by which Heavenly Father created us, and that Jesus created the Earth helps me understand the necessity of our mortal adventure! We need faith, and the only way to get it is to grow it through trials. Pretty neat (:

 

Sister Turley and I are looking for creative ways to find new investigators. There are a lot of christians in the country out here who are "Already Saved," and who "Have Jesus in their hearts." One question we came up with yesterday was to try asking them how they gained a witness that the Bible is true. It is very tempting to bible bash... I love Elder McConkie's talk about an opportunity he had to teach at a christian church in Georgia. He was SO BOLD. It can be kind of overwhelming to prepare to teach so many people we haven't met yet. It is such a blessing when we get to share messages with the members whom we already know. There is a tangible difference between the Spirit in homes where the gospel is taught, and the homes of those who do not live it. I am so blessed to come from a home full of the Holy Ghost! It is worth every sacrifice to have it there, and have it with us always.

 

Family, I love you always. I hope you never doubt the reality of God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. They love us truly. Also, a word of advice to any prospective missionary: just memorize scripture mastery. It's worth it. Do personal progress! It prepares you more than you realize. I love hearing all your missionary adventures and especially your experiences lately at home and in Cali! Life is so good. These verses so apply to you all-- Doctrine and Covenants 31:3-5. Our mortal missions are now! Let's open our mouths and do what we came here to do. Our brothers and sisters surround us in need of the light that we have! We have such great reasons to rejoice and to share! Drink in the blessings of the gospel.

 

Love,

Sister B

Because of Him

Easter day. “And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus...[but] behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” Luke 24:3-6.

It would be kind of creepy if the center of our beliefs was in a man who was raised from the dead... (zombie apocalypse?) BUT. It's not, because He wasn't just a man. He was and is the Son of God. He only died for us. Think about that-- He never would have died if He hadn't chosen to give up His life. What a powerful act of love was the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Savior. I know that my redeemer lives. Because of Him, I can change! I can leave behind my mistakes and become full of faith and hope and light and love. 

I hope you all got or get to see the Easter video "Because of Him" that was up on lds.org and mormon.org. We saw miracles through using that video with people!! One young man we met happened to be on his lunch break for an hour before going back to work. We knocked on his door, to contact his mother, but he was the only one home. After introducing ourselves, we invited him to watch a short Easter video with us. As we watched, we could see his reflection in the tablet. It was miraculous to see his face take in the personal message of Easter. The Spirit bore witness of the resurrection of Christ. We committed him to meet with us again and invited him to learn more and watch more videos on mormon.org. As we walked back to the car, we heard another mormon message starting up on his tablet! It was such a sweet feeling to see him eagerly embracing the light of the gospel.

So so sorry for not sending my usual letter last week! There is a reason, but no excuse. Last week Harnett and Cumberland counties had their Spring Break. Little did we know, this would mean our usual library time was packed! So I got to read your emails and feel totally uplifted (: Then we came back later, and the library was closed, so thank you for giving me all of your love, even though I didn't give anything back last week!

I love Dunn! I also love being a Sister Leader. We had so much fun going on exchanges with the Spanish speaking sisters this week (: Hermana Page joined the church a couple years ago, and brings a completely fresh perspective to the gospel. It was so enlightening! Especially since she used to go to baptist services. Now, let me tell you about Southern Baptists: If ever people don't like us before we've even talked with them, they are usually southern baptists. Naturally, I am racking my brain to figure out what they possibly heard from their Pastor about us. Hermana Page wasn't quite sure,  but she did describe their services-- still somewhat of a mystery why we make them angry. Maybe they're just scared of change. I know I am. I see so many ways I need to change to be a better missionary. It is overwhelming. 

For Easter, we were invited to the Ginn family's home. They have four daughters ages 17, 16, 14, and 8. Same ages as my Caroline and Emma! It was sort of strange, because the Ginn girls are so grown up, and I kept thinking Care and Em can't be that old!? We taught them how to do familysearch indexing (: Those were the days.

I love you all so much! I know I couldn't love you all this much if I hadn't chosen to serve the Lord. It is one of His promises to us that He will fill us with His love as we serve His children. Do it! It's the greatest feeling. Also! Read and study Preach My Gospel. Members have so much more power to create meaningful relationships with those searching for truth! I hope you are all having many wonderful missionary experiences.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46 Also, check out Elder Uchtdorf's talk "the power of a personal testimony"

Love love love, Sister B

Dunn dunn dunn...

Well, here we are. Dunn is... different (: It is the biggest area in our mission and includes a collection of 10 or 11 little towns. One of the best experiences so far was- 

We were trying to contact a referral one morning, and stopped at a gas station to get directions. As we walked into the gas station, a live rooster decided to strut right in front of the doors. It was HUGE. But that wasn't even the best part! Inside, we found Larry and the Hardison brothers drinking their Saturday morning cup of joe, and talking about the farmwork. They were pleased to meet us, and Larry accepted a Book of Mormon. They had farmed in that town their whole lives, and one of the Hardison brothers was in his 90's. He was excited to hear we were preaching "the word." It was just like in the movies!!!

Generally, the folks in Dunn are wonderful, and super southern. Everyone sounds like Donald Davis! Except for the more diverse areas. There are some pretty hard characters on the other side of the tracks... it's literally the other side of the tracks. (: I don't know why some people are sent to have a more difficult life than others. I am so blessed.

Our week started out with my first bible bashing encounter. Not pleasant. We walked away (: It was nice to know that she would get another chance at the gospel later in life... or at least on the other side. We are definitely incompetent to teach those who do not want to listen. I guess the Savior couldn't teach those who didn't want to listen either though, so it makes me feel like we're doing ok. 

Today I was studying about how the Savior taught the pharisees and rabbis and scribes who were so hard-hearted. I was reading in John 8 and 9 and reading from Jesus the Christ, and it was good to hear the Savior's invitation "go and sin no more." HE gives us permission to let go, to change! I love Him with all my heart. He was so patient with the people who rejected and mocked Him and called Him bad names.

Sister Turley and I were both relieved to hear Elder Holland's story about the mashed potatoes to the head. We definitely don't have it that bad. Faith is virtually indefinable. It is believing in things we cannot see, and acting on that belief. I am learning that there are different kinds of faith. Faith to endure, and faith to make things happen, and faith to heal and be healed, and faith to repent and be baptized. All of these are faith in Christ. My biggest focus for the next 6 months is to come to know our Savior. I was impressed by the promises of our prophets that as we are obedient, and believe in Christ and His Atonement, we will receive the gift of faith to make. things. happen. It is a divine attribute if ever there was one. I am grateful to know I can receive faith from Heavenly Father as I pray and study diligently. Through faith we will have the strength to teach and serve the hard-hearted, the down-trodden, the ignorant, and all those who have no idea how good life can be! And then we will be blessed with Charity. I am so grateful these gifts are available to us. We really can't DO anything without the Lord. I found this quote on a chair in Sunday School as we sat down for Relief Society a week ago, and it really struck me:

"[The] ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. 

Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a 

victory to the Lord." - Hartman Rector Jr.

In the words of one of my fellow missionaries: The odds can do their worst, for the Lord of the vineyard labors with us. 

We found 4 new people to teach this week! We aren't teaching as much yet as we were in Fayetteville, but I am determined to never ever ever give up. After all, "there is a way to reach every human heart, and it is [our] duty to find the way to the hearts of those to whom [we] are called." - Lorenzo Snow

I LOVE Sister Turley. She reminds me of Rachel and Caroline and Emma by cracking me up over the silliest things. Laughter is such a healing thing. She has great faith to endure opposition. 

I love you all! What are y'all planning to apply from conference this week? There will definately be many more stories to come! Pray for Sister Turley! 

Happy trials this week!

Sister B

Goodbye Fayetteville!

Well, everyone, it is our final day in Fayetteville, NC! What a crazy week it's been! I found out early about transfers, and was able to prepare myself for this Sunday. Three of the four people we have helped become members of the church were there! One of them was confirmed, another one brought her non-member spouse for the third time, and we are teaching him now too (: And Chelsea helped teach in Relief Society! As she bore her testimony of the importance of reaching out and sharing the gospel, I got goosebumps. She is a living, breathing example of why we do what we do! The light of Christ is given to us to share (: I love sharing. Sharing is caring.

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1.Sister Arave and Me at Zone Training (This is where we think the temple will be in Fayetteville some day (: 
2. Iron Mike... not sure what I was looking at

 We attended 2 baptisms this weekend. Aiden, Chelsea's 8-year-old, was baptized on Sunday. He picked "Book of Mormon Stories" as his closing song. I got up to lead the closing song, and had planned to conduct in 4/4. As soon as we started singing, Aiden started doing the hand actions, and I started conducting. He looked at me, with his eyebrows furrowed as if to say, "what on earth are you doing Sister Boucher?" So, I had to give in. I started doing the actions, and all of the primary kids started doing them with me, and some of the grown-ups too! It was so fun! And the best part was the smile on Aiden's face. This may be a small example, but I see the fruits of the gospel blessing and brightening lives every day. It's a real thing. There was a lot of teasing after the song, but it was worth it. 

Joy and Me

The other baptism was for Joy! She finally got baptized!!! She has been coming to church and taking lessons since October, and before that she was coming off and on for six months. Her conversion began with the death of her husband, who is a member of the church. After he died, members of the church, life long friends, came to her aid and comfort. She was invited to a weekly home evening with other members of the ward, and started coming regularly. Joy is so happy knowing that the gospel has helped her to become a better person. She mentioned today that she was always searching for happiness, but felt she was a bad person. The atonement has opened windows for her to see herself as a daughter of Heavenly Father. What a miracle!!! Moroni 7:35-37

One of the less active families we are teaching is moving to Italy tomorrow. We went to help her wash her walls, before the military comes in and paints everything white again. She is so excited to go, and I am so grateful that we are members of a world-wide church where she will have people to count on, even so far away. Plus, there is facebook. (:

One of my recent past-times is license plate hunting. I have found pretty much all 50 states here in Fayetteville, NC-- credit goes to the US Army. I'd have to say my two favorites are New Hampshire (live free or die) and Alabama (it's just cute). Sister Arave gets a little nervous though, if I divert our course to quickly get close up behind another car to see a new license plate... it's probably not a good activity.

Today, Joy had to take us out to eat, so we went to Cracker Barrel (such a fun store!) for some southern style homemade cookin'. As we got ready to leave, Sister Arave and I pulled out a pass along card for the waitress and wrote a little note on it with our number. Joy was so tickled, she started talking to everyone on the way out, and kept telling me to give them pass along cards. It was so great!!! She is fearless!!!

District oldies-- all four of us are leaving!!

2 of the Elders in our district are also being transferred, so it was a teary district meeting. I wish I could get the memory card in this camera to work! I bought a new one, but the camera just doesn't like it. We might experience a famine of pictures over the next few weeks, until I can figure out why the camera thinks this memory card is locked... any ideas? Love you all!

Sister B

The Miracle of Service

We have deeply inspired leaders in this church. I am so so so grateful for them! Stake Conference was a special broadcast to all the South-Eastern States-- probably the same one that Uncle Michael and Uncle Jonathan got to see!!! We're kind of connected (:

L. Tom Perry, Sister Stevens from the Primary presidency, Elder Carlson and Elder Johnson from the seventy, and our Stake president, President Chandler all spoke. The addresses were powerful.

I learned how to develop self-discipline, how to plant seeds in people's hearts, that we should never take "selfies," and that the Lord is indeed hastening His work.

Guess what that means?! Jesus Christ is coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can wait for this one. I am motivated to live more healthily and righteously than ever before, so I can continue to help prepare the world for this wonderful time!

The part about selfies really got me-- Elder Johnson was pointing out how self-absorbed and independent our society has become, and how we could give one another service opportunities even by just asking someone else to take a picture of us (: It was so funny! And so true! I know the gospel answers the questions in people's hearts. The addresses specifically addressed many of our members' concerns. Elder Johnson also pointed out how Service performs miracles in our lives. Service is a catalyst for a change of heart. It is what helps us more than anything else to become like Christ.

This week, we have been working with Mary. She is also a life-long smoker, and we're hoping she will have the faith to quit. I am so glad Grandpa Craig quit smoking!!!!! It really does kill you. Just in case anyone was wondering... 

Another big news is that I am being transferred to a new area next Tuesday! I am so sad, I can't believe it. I will miss the people here a whole bunch. I will get my new address to y'all as soon as I can!

Love,

Sister B

Wide Eyes

I feel like a different person today than I did last Monday.

Thursday, after interviews with President Bernhisel, we found out that our investigator, Sherrie, passed away in her sleep. She was about 44 years old. We don't know if she'll have a funeral, because her family is really poor. We are hoping to do her work a year from now in the temple. She was hoping to be baptized at the end of this month. Pray for her family and friends! They are heart broken.

Chelsea was able to be baptized with her husband on Saturday :)))) It was incredible.

I went on an exchange Robison County, NC. It was eye-opening. It is the poorest county in NC, and allegedly holds the record for the lowest education per capita in the entire country. We taught in a super, super old house that didn't have heating. The lady was all bundled up and sitting next to her space heater, but we were FREEZING. It was nuts. Lots of people struggle with bad drug histories there. Then we went and taught a couple ladies living in trailer homes and government housing. Mostly the people were humble, and the Spirit was strong. Poverty can harden hearts just like wealth can in some cases though.

I tried on one member's army gear! It was SO HEAVY. I can't believe they combat in them. I felt so light after I took it all off, I got light-headed. I'm a wuss. (note the teetery stance- about to tip over). I felt like a Warrior though!! (all you really need is the armor of God)

Yesterday, I asked some ladies in Relief Society, "The Savior's life was so difficult: he lived a life of suffering and persecution, and then he died shamefully- Why do we want to be like Him? How can we claim to want to be like Him, if our main focus is to make our lives easy and relaxing?" Now, I have been thinking about that all night and all day today. I know it is a silly question. I have found though, that it is worth it to think about it this way, because it may open your mind to the blessings in your life, and the areas where you NEED to re-center yourself on Jesus Christ.

We want to become like Christ, because He overcame temptation, physical death, spiritual separation from Heavenly Father. Not only that, He did it, and was able to do it, because He lived a life free from guilt or shame or sin. This was only possible, because of who He was, and that is why we need to become like Him, in order to escape terrible, eternal baggage. Our sins and mistakes will literally bog us down into the muck without a Savior to lift the burdens of consequence. Thus allowing us to learn and grow and become.

Without God, we can do nothing. John 15:5. I love the mormon message entitled "Lifting Burdens." Look it up for a quick minute-I really have faith in Him, and in what He did for us. I know I do, because my actions are changing, and my thoughts are changing, and I want to do good, and be good and help others. The enabling power of the atonement is real and tangible! I want to impress it upon every human mind and heart!

Lots more to tell, but I'm out of time! Thank you for your notes and for your packages and letters and love. I hope all is well with you all, that your lives aren't easy, but that you're becoming each day (: I know the gospel is the way to happiness and peace and forever families! Christ lives and loves us, Heavenly Father has a body, and watches over us and plans for us every step of the way. Prepare yourself to share this truth with everyone in all you do and say!

Love, Sister B 

March 3rd

Hello! I love you all!


 Life has been fairly lovely. We get to teach so much, and we think it's because we are serving two wards and a branch. If I ever get transferred, I may have way too much energy for a single ward to handle.. Did I ever mention that 7 hours of church is a stretch? *cough* I mean a joy? It's grown on me, let's just say that.

There was a lady this week whose husband is taking her to court to appeal for custody of her kids. When she was in town looking for an attorney, she felt super desperate and decided to pray and ask for help. After coming out of the building, she ran into some missionaries who referred her to us. Heavenly Father is so mindful of His children! She came to church yesterday, and LOVED it. We have never seen someone so eager to jump in and be involved. She kept looking over at us and smiling this big smile. She said after gospel principles, "I'm on cloud 9!" hahaha It was great.

The weather has been rolling in nastily. Freezing rain, snow, black ice, hail. Rotten weather makers. Don't they know I am scared of driving in bad weather? No worries gram, I go slow and steady.

I was so close to finishing the BOM in 30 days! only about 70 pages short. Ah well, I'll go for 35 days. I have to admit, the Spirit comes in ultra-mega-abundance when we read the Book of Mormon in faith.

I'm grateful for agency, because I like having a say in what happens in the world. Even if all we have is a small sphere of influence, Heavenly Father can take our efforts and create a ripple effect to people we don't even know yet. I hope y'all are letting your lights shine. I promise miracles do come to pass. 

This weekend, Chelsea and her husband, Patrick, are going to be baptized!!!! This is my first married couple, and I am Thrilled!!!!!!!!!!! I've been with Chelsea from the beginning, and it's amazing seeing her grow so much!

Tomorrow I get to go on an exchange down to Pembroke-- this'll be real north carolina cooking I hear, so I'll let you know how it goes (: Sister Arave sends her love!

Keep looking UP there is so much to live for, we just don't remember it all. Enjoy some more pictures-- sorry, I am still working on getting a new memory card for my camera, (I just keep forgetting) so probably in the next week or two, you will get to see a lot of awesome pictures of our apartment, and the amazing people I love here. (: