Let me give you another little taste of what life is like here in the south.
1. When it snows it is a BIG DEAL. Big deal. Bigger deal than when STG
gets snow. People talk about it for weeks before and after it happens.
Right now there is probably a quarter inch of snow and school is
canceled. One time the whole city shut down because of an extremely
mild ice storm. They have this attitude of "if God put it on the
earth, he'll take it off too." So they don't prepare for anything and
have no means of plowing the roads.
2. The saying "I'm happier than a tornado in a trailer park" is a
thing. And so is the saying that something is "slap-your-mama good".
3. When it storms, people sit out in there garage with a cig in hand
watching the storm. They LOVE storms. You're definitely not a
southerner if you don't like storms.
4. I'm almost positive the dentists round these parts get all their
money from making dentures.
5. They go to bed SUPER early. Don't knock their door at 830pm unless
you want a gun pointed at your face.
6. They believe the CRAZIEST things about us. The best one is that we
don't believe in Jesus Christ, yet the name of our church is The
Church of Jesus Christ so that one kills me every time. Good stuff.
People's preachers say the darnedest things about us. It's great.
7. "Y'all come back now ya hear."
8. They cook with heaps of butter, oil and all things fatty. And if
you want some high quality entertainment, ask a southerner what it
means to "eat healthy". HA!
9. A good southern front porch is chuck full with a bunch of random
stuff. Broken TV's, toys, windows, rocking chair, table, boxes,
microwave, refrigerator, Dixie flags, old boots, food, car doors, you
name it and you could probably find it on one of these porches. It's
like a constant year-round yard sale.
10. Disability pay.. Good ole disability pay. You will constantly ask
yourself, "how do these people even have money?"
All in all, life is a hoot and definitely an adventure every day. Good
stuff. I love it so much.
In other news! JEANETTE AND RON CAME TO CHURCH! And so did Tina and
Chelsea!! Jeanette called us and left a voicemail about us helping her
with her phones and then at the very end she pauses and said "and by
the way... HE SAID YES!" And then she texted us and was overjoyed that
he said yes. We were stoked to say the very least. She talked to him
about how their preacher was going to flip out and he says "well what
do I care". Pretty awesome considering the series of events before
this. His heart has been softened immensely. They came and they loved
it! We pretty much texted the whole ward to make sure they all said hi
to them. And they did! It was great. Tina, on the other hand, is
another story. But we don't have to talk about that one haha.
We had some awesome contacting situations this week. 1000 points for
the promptings of the Holy Spirit! Bike weeks are the best.
The ward is becoming more and more missionary minded. It's wonderful.
We are having each family pray about one less active and one nonmember
to fellowship and share the gospel with to introduce to us. We use the
scriptures in John 10:14,16 and 3 Nephi 15 about the shepherd and the
other sheep (nonmembers) and lost sheep (less actives). The spirit is
always very strong. Heavenly Father has prompted me numerous times
that He wants us to work really hard with the members in this area and
that's how we will progress the work here. So we are going forward
with faith!
Interviews were this week and I just love president so much. He is
truly an inspired man and helped me set goals for myself and this area
(y'all know how goal oriented I am). I loved the scripture he shared
with me in 2 Nephi 4:35-36 I think it was. It talks about not trusting
man, and trusting in only God and His council. It got me thinking a
lot about how much I have changed since coming out. I have changed
more than I ever thought I could, and all for the better! I was
looking back at how very LITTLE I used to involve The Lord in even the
simplest daily activities of life. I always had a prayer in my heart,
but I hardly gave a sincere kneeling prayer morning, midday and
evening like I should have. It's amazing the difference you see in
your life when you take time for those simple things. Prayer is
definitely my first resort now. And I can honestly say that I knew
hardly anything about the restoration before my mission. I mean I knew
the series of events, but not the depth? Have y'all seen the Joseph
smith papers? I hear they're great.
Oh! And we got mini iPads and they trained us on them. The area book,
planner, Facebook, email (only on Mondays), and gospel library are all
on here. Cool huh! The Lord is hastening His work. D&C 88:73. I'm
actually emailing you from my iPad right now!
We had exchanges with the STL's this week! I was with Sister Knecht in
Springfield, TN and Sister Rawlings was with Sister Rich here in
Lebanon. During exchanges I always learn a TON. Sometimes the stresses
of missionary work come down on ya pretty hard and you forget to
remember how much you LOVE missionary work. And the joy found therein.
One lesson I've learned these past couple transfers is just that.
There is always joy in the journey, no matter how hard a specific
trial may seem. Whether it be a so-called "hard area", a very opposite
companion, or an unloving ward, there is always joy in the work of
salvation. I have never felt so much happiness than here on my mission
serving these people and bringing them to the greater light and
knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Heavenly Father is very aware
of all of His children. Something else I've learned and am continuing
to learn is understanding people and not getting judgmental or
irritated so quickly by the other missionaries and/or church leaders
actions, because we probably just don't know enough about them and the
circumstances around the situation. In other words, handling
situations as Christ would. 3 Nephi 27:27 is one of my favorite
scripture masteries.
Yesterday the bishops daughter bore her testimony about going to the
temple because she went through for the first time about a month ago.
She talked about how she has been a member of the church her whole
life and had always yearned for that "recent convert glow" that people
have after they are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
When she went through the temple she said she felt like she was a
recent convert. I thought back to my experience in the temple and how
I felt the spirit so strong after going through and can relate exactly
with how she explained her experience. I didn't think I was capable of
feeling so much love and joy from on high. I am so grateful for the
temple and the chance we have to be a part of such a great cause!
I've been thinking a lot about the priesthood lately and what it means
to have Gods authority on the Earth. I LOVE studying the priesthood. I
love it. There are so many evidences in the scriptures of the
Melchizedek and Aaronic (Levitical) priesthoods. It's amazing! And "A
Marvelous Work and a Wonder" goings pretty deep into it so I've been
digging into it a lot lately. (I highly recommend reading that book!)
I've also been studying about the women's role in the priesthood. I
love what Elder Quentin L Cook says:
"We sometimes overly associate the power of the priesthood with men in
the Church. The priesthood is the power and authority of God given for
the salvation and blessing of all--men, women, and children.
A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room,
but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings.
The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one
who is asked to administer the gift."
-"Power in the Priesthood"
I also love the analogy of the man is the vessel, the holder of the
umbrella (the priesthood), but the blessings of it are over all of the
family. Each member has a different role in the work of salvation.
Gods plan is amazing.
I am so grateful growing up with a father who was worthy to hold the
priesthood and for the difference it makes in the home. Love you pops!
Anyways, my studies have been awesome lately if you can't tell. I'm
going to be so weird when I get back. All I like to talk about is the
gospel. You're welcome for the longest email of your lives.
There are lots of great things happening in this area and I'm so
blessed to be a part of it. We are working as hard as we can. This is
truly the LORD'S work and the more I understand that, the more
grateful I become to be an instrument in His hands. Each of us are a
part of this! Missionaries and members alike!
Anyways, I love each of you so much and I miss you loads.
Sister Boren
PS- it's week sox (week six) so please send any letters (Pops) to the
mission home at 105 Westpark Dr Ste 190 - Brentwood, TN 37027. Just in
case. I'll probably stay here, but who knows. Everyone keeps talking
to me like I'm leaving but I think they're nuts. Love y'all!
Sent from my iPad
1. When it snows it is a BIG DEAL. Big deal. Bigger deal than when STG
gets snow. People talk about it for weeks before and after it happens.
Right now there is probably a quarter inch of snow and school is
canceled. One time the whole city shut down because of an extremely
mild ice storm. They have this attitude of "if God put it on the
earth, he'll take it off too." So they don't prepare for anything and
have no means of plowing the roads.
2. The saying "I'm happier than a tornado in a trailer park" is a
thing. And so is the saying that something is "slap-your-mama good".
3. When it storms, people sit out in there garage with a cig in hand
watching the storm. They LOVE storms. You're definitely not a
southerner if you don't like storms.
4. I'm almost positive the dentists round these parts get all their
money from making dentures.
5. They go to bed SUPER early. Don't knock their door at 830pm unless
you want a gun pointed at your face.
6. They believe the CRAZIEST things about us. The best one is that we
don't believe in Jesus Christ, yet the name of our church is The
Church of Jesus Christ so that one kills me every time. Good stuff.
People's preachers say the darnedest things about us. It's great.
7. "Y'all come back now ya hear."
8. They cook with heaps of butter, oil and all things fatty. And if
you want some high quality entertainment, ask a southerner what it
means to "eat healthy". HA!
9. A good southern front porch is chuck full with a bunch of random
stuff. Broken TV's, toys, windows, rocking chair, table, boxes,
microwave, refrigerator, Dixie flags, old boots, food, car doors, you
name it and you could probably find it on one of these porches. It's
like a constant year-round yard sale.
10. Disability pay.. Good ole disability pay. You will constantly ask
yourself, "how do these people even have money?"
All in all, life is a hoot and definitely an adventure every day. Good
stuff. I love it so much.
In other news! JEANETTE AND RON CAME TO CHURCH! And so did Tina and
Chelsea!! Jeanette called us and left a voicemail about us helping her
with her phones and then at the very end she pauses and said "and by
the way... HE SAID YES!" And then she texted us and was overjoyed that
he said yes. We were stoked to say the very least. She talked to him
about how their preacher was going to flip out and he says "well what
do I care". Pretty awesome considering the series of events before
this. His heart has been softened immensely. They came and they loved
it! We pretty much texted the whole ward to make sure they all said hi
to them. And they did! It was great. Tina, on the other hand, is
another story. But we don't have to talk about that one haha.
We had some awesome contacting situations this week. 1000 points for
the promptings of the Holy Spirit! Bike weeks are the best.
The ward is becoming more and more missionary minded. It's wonderful.
We are having each family pray about one less active and one nonmember
to fellowship and share the gospel with to introduce to us. We use the
scriptures in John 10:14,16 and 3 Nephi 15 about the shepherd and the
other sheep (nonmembers) and lost sheep (less actives). The spirit is
always very strong. Heavenly Father has prompted me numerous times
that He wants us to work really hard with the members in this area and
that's how we will progress the work here. So we are going forward
with faith!
Interviews were this week and I just love president so much. He is
truly an inspired man and helped me set goals for myself and this area
(y'all know how goal oriented I am). I loved the scripture he shared
with me in 2 Nephi 4:35-36 I think it was. It talks about not trusting
man, and trusting in only God and His council. It got me thinking a
lot about how much I have changed since coming out. I have changed
more than I ever thought I could, and all for the better! I was
looking back at how very LITTLE I used to involve The Lord in even the
simplest daily activities of life. I always had a prayer in my heart,
but I hardly gave a sincere kneeling prayer morning, midday and
evening like I should have. It's amazing the difference you see in
your life when you take time for those simple things. Prayer is
definitely my first resort now. And I can honestly say that I knew
hardly anything about the restoration before my mission. I mean I knew
the series of events, but not the depth? Have y'all seen the Joseph
smith papers? I hear they're great.
Oh! And we got mini iPads and they trained us on them. The area book,
planner, Facebook, email (only on Mondays), and gospel library are all
on here. Cool huh! The Lord is hastening His work. D&C 88:73. I'm
actually emailing you from my iPad right now!
We had exchanges with the STL's this week! I was with Sister Knecht in
Springfield, TN and Sister Rawlings was with Sister Rich here in
Lebanon. During exchanges I always learn a TON. Sometimes the stresses
of missionary work come down on ya pretty hard and you forget to
remember how much you LOVE missionary work. And the joy found therein.
One lesson I've learned these past couple transfers is just that.
There is always joy in the journey, no matter how hard a specific
trial may seem. Whether it be a so-called "hard area", a very opposite
companion, or an unloving ward, there is always joy in the work of
salvation. I have never felt so much happiness than here on my mission
serving these people and bringing them to the greater light and
knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Heavenly Father is very aware
of all of His children. Something else I've learned and am continuing
to learn is understanding people and not getting judgmental or
irritated so quickly by the other missionaries and/or church leaders
actions, because we probably just don't know enough about them and the
circumstances around the situation. In other words, handling
situations as Christ would. 3 Nephi 27:27 is one of my favorite
scripture masteries.
Yesterday the bishops daughter bore her testimony about going to the
temple because she went through for the first time about a month ago.
She talked about how she has been a member of the church her whole
life and had always yearned for that "recent convert glow" that people
have after they are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
When she went through the temple she said she felt like she was a
recent convert. I thought back to my experience in the temple and how
I felt the spirit so strong after going through and can relate exactly
with how she explained her experience. I didn't think I was capable of
feeling so much love and joy from on high. I am so grateful for the
temple and the chance we have to be a part of such a great cause!
I've been thinking a lot about the priesthood lately and what it means
to have Gods authority on the Earth. I LOVE studying the priesthood. I
love it. There are so many evidences in the scriptures of the
Melchizedek and Aaronic (Levitical) priesthoods. It's amazing! And "A
Marvelous Work and a Wonder" goings pretty deep into it so I've been
digging into it a lot lately. (I highly recommend reading that book!)
I've also been studying about the women's role in the priesthood. I
love what Elder Quentin L Cook says:
"We sometimes overly associate the power of the priesthood with men in
the Church. The priesthood is the power and authority of God given for
the salvation and blessing of all--men, women, and children.
A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room,
but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings.
The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one
who is asked to administer the gift."
-"Power in the Priesthood"
I also love the analogy of the man is the vessel, the holder of the
umbrella (the priesthood), but the blessings of it are over all of the
family. Each member has a different role in the work of salvation.
Gods plan is amazing.
I am so grateful growing up with a father who was worthy to hold the
priesthood and for the difference it makes in the home. Love you pops!
Anyways, my studies have been awesome lately if you can't tell. I'm
going to be so weird when I get back. All I like to talk about is the
gospel. You're welcome for the longest email of your lives.
There are lots of great things happening in this area and I'm so
blessed to be a part of it. We are working as hard as we can. This is
truly the LORD'S work and the more I understand that, the more
grateful I become to be an instrument in His hands. Each of us are a
part of this! Missionaries and members alike!
Anyways, I love each of you so much and I miss you loads.
Sister Boren
PS- it's week sox (week six) so please send any letters (Pops) to the
mission home at 105 Westpark Dr Ste 190 - Brentwood, TN 37027. Just in
case. I'll probably stay here, but who knows. Everyone keeps talking
to me like I'm leaving but I think they're nuts. Love y'all!
Sent from my iPad
A selfie on my iPad
 Mar 3 (13 days ago) | | ||
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