Monday, March 14, 2011

March 14th...

Dear friends,
I am doing teriffic. I really do feel great. We are finding, and teaching, and well, trying to baptize. haha. Thsi past week flew by. I really don't know where the weeks go anymore. They go way to fast for my liking. I have had the opportunity to split off with a lot of missionries becasue my companion is the district leader so that has been a blast. But the coolest thing that happened this week-well I haev two stories. First one. On Saturday, a man named Keio was baptized. He is 21 I believe and taught by the other Elders. We had the baptism after our english classes. But that is not the miracle. Our english class is amazing. They are the first class that I have taught that actual participates in the spiritual thoughts. So I told them how today was a very special day and we taught and explained baptized. And guess what, all 7 stayed for the baptismal service!!! How cool is that? I have never had that many investigators to come to a service. They all loved it. It was just such an awesome feeling there. Then the next miracle. We have some Russian sisters that work in part of our area. They had a lesson set up with an Estonian woman whom they taught in Russian so they wanted to pass her off to us. So Elder Lane and I went to teach with them. The first lady was just hilarious and so confused. She kept thinking that we prayed to the holy ghost and that we thought Joseph Smith was Christ but in his body. She just had some way whacky beliefs. But she was a sweet heart and really wants to learn. She will definitely be a project, but it was a blast. Then afterwards we stopped at another house in the same building and they let us in. We taught them about the Restoration. They liked it, but kept saying they were 'to old to change' ya ya. We have heard that a lot. So it was really fun. We have retrun appointments with both of them next week, so that is exciting. 3 new investigators thanks to the Russian sisters. haha. But the work is going good. The weather is getting better and sunny and warm and people are getting happier. We'll start seeing changes soon. Well I hope you are doing well. You are all in my prayers. Remember to keep Estonia in yours.
Love ya,
Elder Boyce

Monday, March 7, 2011

March 7th...

Hello!
We had one of the coolest lessons of my mission this past week. A russian elder here knows American Sign language, so he contacted a deaf estonian on the bus. Well we ran into him as well and were able to get his number and meet up. So there was the Russian Elder signing in English, the estonian deaf man, my companion and I writing out a lesson to him in Estonian, and us translating it for the Elder back into English. I think that broke some language barrier record or something. It was truly amazing. He is from the Pentecostal church and there are about 30 deaf members. We are going to baptize them all! :) We also taught a guy on Saturday about the Restoration, and he loved it. He committed to be baptized right there for 3 weeks. But then the sadness. We were leaving and noticed that he started to smoke. He says he has been smoking for 40 years and can't quit. So we figured we would work with him, but on Sunday he was drunk and didn't turn up to church. Then he dropped us over the phone saying our commandments were to hard to follow. So that was hard. But maybe we made a difference in his life that when missionaries come a knocking he will be more open. We'll see. We also have been working with a less active guy named Renauld. He is 20. This past week he jaked us and didn't turn out to our lessons and Sunday he didn't answer the phone, but he showed up in a suit and tie and even bore his testimony. So we are really hoping he is ready to come back. Everyone remembered him and were really nice to him. It was good. We have also been playing some gator ball. Way fun sport. We have a blast. So everything is going really good here. We are finding and teaching and getting less actives back. Miracles are still happening. I love it. I love seeing how much Gods hand is in our work and how random things to me are really small miracles from him. We are very blessed as missionaries. The weather is a lot better. hanging around 0 degrees. Its a lot warmer and makes life easier. It is getting slippery though. Ah! I haven't fallen yet, but close. Well I got to go and work. Have a good week, and I will bring more stories for next.
Love
Elder Boyce