William,
We had a great time watching the play that Garth worked on in Las Vegas. It was called "Back to the 80's" and it was kind of like "Grease" done in the 80's. A bunch of kids going to high school, and singing a bunch of songs from the 1980's
We went to In and Out Burger after the show. Ione (Trisha's Friend) bet Benson that if she could drink 5 "shots" of ketchup in 20 seconds, that he had to sing a song to her. She did drink 5 ketchup shots, and Benson sang, "I'm a little teapot" to the entire restaurant, and then proposed to Ione, the whole group cracking up.
We stopped at the Parowan City Cemetery and took pictures of a bunch of headstones from Mary ann's side of the family.
Friday and Saturday we spent with Sue, Robin and Grandma Boy. Robin got a 60in flatscreen High def TV and is it sweet. Saturday Morning was a genealogy conference so I was in Heaven. and Saturday afternoon Sue and Mary Ann spent together at the fabric stop.
Grandma Boy got in the mood to talk about 11pm on Saturday night and we talked until 2am. It really was my favorite time of the entire weekend. Fortunately, Mary Ann and Benson we willing to drive most of the way home.
I got a couple of interesting email today, 1 was a reply to an email to some guy in Italy who is related to the Boy line. We are going to exchange information soon. I also got a invite on my Facebook accoount from my cousin Bobby Sheppard back in Racine. I am looking forward to catching up with him on what has been happening the last 25 years. His father, uncle Bob also died this last year.
Sorry for the missing spiritual message, I hope that everything is going great with you. I am excited to hear how things are going with your investigators, and how your baptism went. I got your snailmail letter yesterday and I am glad to hear that your bike is working out so good. Wow, 200 miles in 2 weeks. Holy Mackeral!
Well, just this short message this time,
Love you and you are always in our prayers
-Dad, Mary ann and Benson
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
First Baptism this Saturday 02-18-09
Yes, I am slowly learning that I have to work with the hard and the easy, but it is coming along.
This past week has been really cool, we have been teaching some really cool investigators and will be having a baptism this week on Saturday.
One on the highlights of the week has been a new family that we found from Napal. We started teaching two, then two more, then four more, then four more, and by the end of the lesson we had 11 people there that seemed really interested.
Yesterday, the last part of it was different. We had a less active member that we have been working, call. He asked that when we come over, could we help him get rid of something, a dark evil something. He wanted to give us a heads up before hand, then a few minutes later, he called and told us that he could not have us over that night and would like to reschedule. As I thought about that, I realized even more, that this is a war and we are solders, and I know that I am on the right side fighting for the truth.
I hope that this week has been good for everyone back home. I was looking at the calendar and can't believe that I have only 8 more months until my one year mark. Wow, time sure flies when you don't want it to. I wish that you could see the changes that I am feeling and doing. I have changed enough that I can see it and I can't believe that I have changed in the ways that I have.
I still get a little home sick, but all in all I am doing amazing and can't wait to go out and do more.
Today we are going to Jamestown with some members of the ward, it is going to be really cool.
I love you, Bye
Elder Boy
This past week has been really cool, we have been teaching some really cool investigators and will be having a baptism this week on Saturday.
One on the highlights of the week has been a new family that we found from Napal. We started teaching two, then two more, then four more, then four more, and by the end of the lesson we had 11 people there that seemed really interested.
Yesterday, the last part of it was different. We had a less active member that we have been working, call. He asked that when we come over, could we help him get rid of something, a dark evil something. He wanted to give us a heads up before hand, then a few minutes later, he called and told us that he could not have us over that night and would like to reschedule. As I thought about that, I realized even more, that this is a war and we are solders, and I know that I am on the right side fighting for the truth.
I hope that this week has been good for everyone back home. I was looking at the calendar and can't believe that I have only 8 more months until my one year mark. Wow, time sure flies when you don't want it to. I wish that you could see the changes that I am feeling and doing. I have changed enough that I can see it and I can't believe that I have changed in the ways that I have.
I still get a little home sick, but all in all I am doing amazing and can't wait to go out and do more.
Today we are going to Jamestown with some members of the ward, it is going to be really cool.
I love you, Bye
Elder Boy
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Understand your companion - 2-18-09
William,
I am glad to hear that you are having fun on your mission. There certainly is a lot of hard work to do, but this is also a great new experience for you. Have fun with, make it fun, it is up to you, how you choose to see your experiences. I am looking forward to seeing the pictures you have so far.
We just heard from Matt (Elder Bentz) he is being transferred to Paris to finish out his mission, right in the center of town. He is really excited to see some of the sights before he comes home in May.
I agree with you about companions, (or roommates) being a challenge sometimes. Just remember that there are always two sides to everything. He has to work with a greenie, and maybe that has been hard on him too. You may see things differently after you have walked a couple more miles in his shoes. Imagine yourself a year from now, with a new companion, new area, starting to thinks about going home, whatever his circumstances now, you can always learn from his experience.
I am glad that you are having some new experiences with the Elders in your exchanges. It sounds like you are really feeling the spirit as you are teaching with them. Sometimes when things click you can’t believe how perfectly things just fall together. Use that spirit to convey the message of Heavenly Fathers Love to his children here on earth and your message will carry a lot more power.
How are things going with you Spanish (learning the language) and your Spanish investigators? I hope that you are really able to share the spirit with them. Once they feel that, it will work on them while you are away, and it will open their eyes, minds, and hearts to the truth of your message.
We are really excited to be leaving for Arizona on Thursday. Sue and Grandma Boy said they can’t wait for us to get there. Just my luck, there is a genealogy conference at Sue’s Ward on the Saturday that we are there. I guess that I will have to go and check it out. They are having classes on how to use the new family search program. I can’t wait.
Last week Benson and I replaced the resin beads in the water softener. I called a dealer to see how much they would charge to replace them and they wanted $600. I found the beads on the internet for $95 with free shipping. It took us about 90 minutes to replace them and having soft water is so nice again.
Including pictures with my gmail account is not as easy as it should be, I will try to send some with this email. To make up for the past weeks that haven’t had any. Well, no spiritual message this week, I waiting to long to start your letter and we still have a lot to get ready for the trip.
I love you son, and I am so happy that you Heavenly Father has heard my prayers, and blessed you at your time of need. Keep up the good work, and make this the best two years of your life.
Love Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson
The headboard that we told you about that we made out of an old door for Steve and Tausha.
The whole crew at Disneyland in October.
I am glad to hear that you are having fun on your mission. There certainly is a lot of hard work to do, but this is also a great new experience for you. Have fun with, make it fun, it is up to you, how you choose to see your experiences. I am looking forward to seeing the pictures you have so far.
We just heard from Matt (Elder Bentz) he is being transferred to Paris to finish out his mission, right in the center of town. He is really excited to see some of the sights before he comes home in May.
I agree with you about companions, (or roommates) being a challenge sometimes. Just remember that there are always two sides to everything. He has to work with a greenie, and maybe that has been hard on him too. You may see things differently after you have walked a couple more miles in his shoes. Imagine yourself a year from now, with a new companion, new area, starting to thinks about going home, whatever his circumstances now, you can always learn from his experience.
I am glad that you are having some new experiences with the Elders in your exchanges. It sounds like you are really feeling the spirit as you are teaching with them. Sometimes when things click you can’t believe how perfectly things just fall together. Use that spirit to convey the message of Heavenly Fathers Love to his children here on earth and your message will carry a lot more power.
How are things going with you Spanish (learning the language) and your Spanish investigators? I hope that you are really able to share the spirit with them. Once they feel that, it will work on them while you are away, and it will open their eyes, minds, and hearts to the truth of your message.
We are really excited to be leaving for Arizona on Thursday. Sue and Grandma Boy said they can’t wait for us to get there. Just my luck, there is a genealogy conference at Sue’s Ward on the Saturday that we are there. I guess that I will have to go and check it out. They are having classes on how to use the new family search program. I can’t wait.
Last week Benson and I replaced the resin beads in the water softener. I called a dealer to see how much they would charge to replace them and they wanted $600. I found the beads on the internet for $95 with free shipping. It took us about 90 minutes to replace them and having soft water is so nice again.
Including pictures with my gmail account is not as easy as it should be, I will try to send some with this email. To make up for the past weeks that haven’t had any. Well, no spiritual message this week, I waiting to long to start your letter and we still have a lot to get ready for the trip.
I love you son, and I am so happy that you Heavenly Father has heard my prayers, and blessed you at your time of need. Keep up the good work, and make this the best two years of your life.
Love Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson
The headboard that we told you about that we made out of an old door for Steve and Tausha.
The whole crew at Disneyland in October.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Blessing come from asking - 2-11-09
Well, this last week has been fun. Yes, I did get a new bike and you will be seeing pictures of it soon, it is amazing. As far as lessons, we have been teaching alot and even more in spanish. I can't help but realize the blessings that come from simply asking.
I can't believe that I have been out 4 months already, that time just won't stop. But at the same time the days seem like they never end. I love it out here, and can't wait to get back to work. I will be sending my card home next week so that every one can see everything that is going on over the past 4 months.
Yeah, I remember "Ghost Recon", I have thought about the fun times we had playing it.
I think I have found one of the hardest things of a mission, your companion. Either you are best friends or not, and after a little time I have found the Elder Davis and I don't mesh quite as well as I thought. But, I am trying to work with him to understand both sides, but it is hard to do.
This past week has shown me alot. I went on an exchange with two other Elders, and they were really cool. We were able to teach and keep each other relaxed, as well as have fun doing it.
I just want you to know that I am loving it out here, and can't wait to talk to you again, and tell you all the things I have learned. Also, I will be returnig with honor, and can't wait to come home and tell you that I have.
The Spanish investigators that we are teaching have been slowly progressing and I really hope that we are able to help them. The other people that we are working with have been slowly dropping off, but we find others and continue to try to talk with even the dropped people.
I know that this work can change lives and that if you put all your faith in Christ that he will help you.
Love, Elder Boy
P.S. I love to get pictures in my emails.
I can't believe that I have been out 4 months already, that time just won't stop. But at the same time the days seem like they never end. I love it out here, and can't wait to get back to work. I will be sending my card home next week so that every one can see everything that is going on over the past 4 months.
Yeah, I remember "Ghost Recon", I have thought about the fun times we had playing it.
I think I have found one of the hardest things of a mission, your companion. Either you are best friends or not, and after a little time I have found the Elder Davis and I don't mesh quite as well as I thought. But, I am trying to work with him to understand both sides, but it is hard to do.
This past week has shown me alot. I went on an exchange with two other Elders, and they were really cool. We were able to teach and keep each other relaxed, as well as have fun doing it.
I just want you to know that I am loving it out here, and can't wait to talk to you again, and tell you all the things I have learned. Also, I will be returnig with honor, and can't wait to come home and tell you that I have.
The Spanish investigators that we are teaching have been slowly progressing and I really hope that we are able to help them. The other people that we are working with have been slowly dropping off, but we find others and continue to try to talk with even the dropped people.
I know that this work can change lives and that if you put all your faith in Christ that he will help you.
Love, Elder Boy
P.S. I love to get pictures in my emails.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Filling your Life with Light - 2-10-09
William,
How has this week gone for you? I hope that you have everything taken care of with the bike. I am proud of the way you chose to handle that whole situation. As you continue to grow in gospel you will become a great tool in the hands of the Lord. But you will also become a target for Satan to work on.
The story you talked about last week, "A Child of Promise" was incredible. I sent a copy to Mom like you asked and I also included the entire story as a footnote with your last letter on your blogsite. What was the bit about singing at a fireside? Were you with a duet, trio, or a group? Or did you sing a solo ( I can't even imagine that.)
How is your Spanish coming? I hope that you are having success with your families. Remember, they won't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Corny I know, but it's true.
I got some bad news, but I want to tell you so that you can learn from it. Matt Bentz, is coming home from France in 5 months. He has collected 3 cards full of pictures on his digital camera over the last 19 months, and has not sent any pictures home. Last week, Matt left his camera somewhere and lost all of his pictures from his entire mission. He has already contacted his past companions to try to get copies of pictures that they have taken. But he will never replace the pictures that he took. Please, send home pictures often. The camera can be replaced, the pictures can not.
I know I told you about the Quilt that Mary Ann is making for Trisha. She is working hard to finish it soon because we are going to Arizona in a couple of weeks. Garth is working as a tech in a play in Las Vegas and Mary Ann wants to support him, so we are going to stop there on Thursday and then continue on to Arizona.
Grandma Boy went to the Temple last week, and really enjoyed that, she said that she can't believe that Grandpa has been gone almost a whole year. She is really excited about us coming down.
We delivered the headboard that we made for Steve and Tausha. It turned out really nice. Mary Ann and I took the old door that used to lead to the laundry room and painted it chocolate brown. Then we painted it with "Crackle paint" and then Almond White over that. We added some crown molding on the top edge (turned sideways) and added some legs. The finish looks really old with the chocolate brown showing through the cracks in the almond white. They really liked it. The whole project cost $13.
Benson and I have taken out the old "Ghost Recon" game. remember the fun times we had playing that? Benson and I have been having a blast playing it together.
I can't believe that you have been gone for 4 months already, boy how the time flies. I hope that you are enjoying your new companionship, I think that it is great that you get to work on your spanish again. I found this lesson in the "Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts" manual. I thought that it had good message.
I hope you get something good from it.
-----------------------------------------------------
Filling Your Life with Light
taken from "Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts", (1969),2–3
The Savior Jesus Christ promises those who follow Him: “Your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you” (D&C 88:67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.). Fill your life with truth, righteousness, peace, and faith. As you fill your life with goodness, there will be no room for pornography and other sources of spiritual darkness.
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve observed: “Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More important, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 80–81; or Ensign, May 2002, 70).
You fill your life with light as you pray and study the scriptures with real intent, seeking to know, understand, and follow the Lord. You will find that the word of God has a “more powerful effect” upon you “than . . . anything else” (Alma 31:5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.). An understanding of true doctrine will help you change your attitudes and behaviors.
Attending Church meetings and partaking of the sacrament, keeping the Sabbath day holy, fasting, and paying tithing will help you keep yourself free of the darkness of the world (see D&C 59:9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;). Appropriate music and uplifting visual images will invite the Spirit into your life.
Regular worship and service in the temple will also strengthen you. President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of the fortifying effects of temple attendance: “Make a habit of going to the house of the Lord. There is no better way to ensure proper living than temple attendance. It will crowd out the evils of pornography” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2005, 109; or Ensign, May 2005, 102).
As you draw near to the Lord, your behavior and your very nature will gradually become more Christlike. Through personal conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will learn to “have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.).
--------------------------------------------------------
William, never let your guard down, pray often, and turn to the Lord in all things.
Keep up the good work, and take care of yourself out there.
We Love you,
Dad, Mary Ann & Benson (& Grandma Boy)
How has this week gone for you? I hope that you have everything taken care of with the bike. I am proud of the way you chose to handle that whole situation. As you continue to grow in gospel you will become a great tool in the hands of the Lord. But you will also become a target for Satan to work on.
The story you talked about last week, "A Child of Promise" was incredible. I sent a copy to Mom like you asked and I also included the entire story as a footnote with your last letter on your blogsite. What was the bit about singing at a fireside? Were you with a duet, trio, or a group? Or did you sing a solo ( I can't even imagine that.)
How is your Spanish coming? I hope that you are having success with your families. Remember, they won't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Corny I know, but it's true.
I got some bad news, but I want to tell you so that you can learn from it. Matt Bentz, is coming home from France in 5 months. He has collected 3 cards full of pictures on his digital camera over the last 19 months, and has not sent any pictures home. Last week, Matt left his camera somewhere and lost all of his pictures from his entire mission. He has already contacted his past companions to try to get copies of pictures that they have taken. But he will never replace the pictures that he took. Please, send home pictures often. The camera can be replaced, the pictures can not.
I know I told you about the Quilt that Mary Ann is making for Trisha. She is working hard to finish it soon because we are going to Arizona in a couple of weeks. Garth is working as a tech in a play in Las Vegas and Mary Ann wants to support him, so we are going to stop there on Thursday and then continue on to Arizona.
Grandma Boy went to the Temple last week, and really enjoyed that, she said that she can't believe that Grandpa has been gone almost a whole year. She is really excited about us coming down.
We delivered the headboard that we made for Steve and Tausha. It turned out really nice. Mary Ann and I took the old door that used to lead to the laundry room and painted it chocolate brown. Then we painted it with "Crackle paint" and then Almond White over that. We added some crown molding on the top edge (turned sideways) and added some legs. The finish looks really old with the chocolate brown showing through the cracks in the almond white. They really liked it. The whole project cost $13.
Benson and I have taken out the old "Ghost Recon" game. remember the fun times we had playing that? Benson and I have been having a blast playing it together.
I can't believe that you have been gone for 4 months already, boy how the time flies. I hope that you are enjoying your new companionship, I think that it is great that you get to work on your spanish again. I found this lesson in the "Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts" manual. I thought that it had good message.
I hope you get something good from it.
-----------------------------------------------------
Filling Your Life with Light
taken from "Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts", (1969),2–3
The Savior Jesus Christ promises those who follow Him: “Your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you” (D&C 88:67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.). Fill your life with truth, righteousness, peace, and faith. As you fill your life with goodness, there will be no room for pornography and other sources of spiritual darkness.
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve observed: “Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More important, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 80–81; or Ensign, May 2002, 70).
You fill your life with light as you pray and study the scriptures with real intent, seeking to know, understand, and follow the Lord. You will find that the word of God has a “more powerful effect” upon you “than . . . anything else” (Alma 31:5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.). An understanding of true doctrine will help you change your attitudes and behaviors.
Attending Church meetings and partaking of the sacrament, keeping the Sabbath day holy, fasting, and paying tithing will help you keep yourself free of the darkness of the world (see D&C 59:9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;). Appropriate music and uplifting visual images will invite the Spirit into your life.
Regular worship and service in the temple will also strengthen you. President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of the fortifying effects of temple attendance: “Make a habit of going to the house of the Lord. There is no better way to ensure proper living than temple attendance. It will crowd out the evils of pornography” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2005, 109; or Ensign, May 2005, 102).
As you draw near to the Lord, your behavior and your very nature will gradually become more Christlike. Through personal conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will learn to “have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.).
--------------------------------------------------------
William, never let your guard down, pray often, and turn to the Lord in all things.
Keep up the good work, and take care of yourself out there.
We Love you,
Dad, Mary Ann & Benson (& Grandma Boy)
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