5 months already?

Hello everybody!

 

It is so hard to believe that I've been out for 5 months.  Has it really been that long?  It feels like a month and a half!!  The worst part?  President Haight said that your Mission is divided into two halves: the first 3 months and the last 21.  I sure hope that's not the case!  This whole experience is so surreal and just amazing!

 

Elder Beck and I have survived yet another transfer, so we're together for another 6 weeks, at least.  He has one more transfer after this one, so odds  are good that I kill him off (meaning send him home) and then stay another 6 weeks to get someone used to the area.  I could be here in Cambridge 1st until early September! (Which, by the way, will be Herbie's 82nd birthday.)

 

This week has been relatively calm compared to the other recent weeks.  No deaths in the family, no crazy bombings/manhunts, and no investigators. However, our Elder's Quorum President's wife, Emily, had her water break at 28 weeks, so pray for her.  Given this blow, the EQP and 2nd Counselor are out of commission for various reasons, meaning that the stress on the 1st Counselor and Seceretary is immense!  Elder Beck and I hope to be able to pick up the slack and be a more visible part of this already amazing Elder's Quorum.  

 

More exciting news on this front-our bishop formally delegated all keys pertaining to Missionary Work to Julio, the ward mission leader.  This helps us in so many ways because our bishop lives in Belmont and is a globally-renowned and sought-after plastic surgeon.  Contact with him has been minimal because of these various factors.  However, Julio is now the man with the plan (and keys!) to push this work forward, and given that he lives about 10 blocks from us, this is a HUGE push in the direction we were hoping to go!  This week's agenda includes an overhaul of the Ward Mission Plan, visits with each auxiliary, and probably a lot of helping out with the Elder's Quorum.  Needless to say, we will be BUSY!!!

 

One thing that has really struck me in the past week is how many new insights and ideas we can get from re-studying what we've already studied.  Exhibit a) Conference Talks.  I've printed out some of my favorite talks, and as I cross-reference them and write down my thoughts, I've learned SO MUCH from talks that I already have on CD and have listened to probably 10 times.  This has led me to be rather introspective this week, but I've grown so much as I've retreated to that place inside of me (still trying to figure out what to call it...)  Thanks for all of your love and support, and I can't wait to hear back from you!

 

Love,

Elda Boone

Where can I turn for peace?

Hello friends and family!

 

This week has been one of extreme ups and extreme downs, hasn't it?  I just keep re-reading the bit in the email about Kline's "SALUTE!" and can't help myself from tearing up at that.  What a great tribute to a great man.

 

As far as the week itself goes, the work has been slow.  I think God made it that way so that I have the opportunity to inflect and give myself to serious prayer and pondering.  Upon hearing about Kyle's passing, I asked myself many of the same questions found in Hymn 129-"Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace when other sources cease to make me whole? When, with a wounded heart, anger, or malice, I draw myself apart, searching my soul?  Where, when my aching grows? Where, when I languish? Where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand?" and then the powerful answers contained in the same song:  "He, only One. He answers privately, reaches my reaching in my Gethsemane-Savior and Friend. Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching. Constant he is, and kind love without end."  Then, ironically, the words to a Garth Brooks song got stuck in my head: "There’s a ship out on the ocean, at the mercy of the sea. It’s been tossed about, lost and broken; wandering aimlessly. And God, somehow you know that ship is me. ‘Cause there’s a lighthouse in a harbor shining faithfully; pouring its light out across the water for this sinking soul to see."  Now, I wasn't exactly sinking or anything, but the answers I'd just gotten were reaffirmed so powerfully in that moment; God is always there and is the source to which we can turn in this or any hour of darkness.  Then, as we were listening to a CD by Timothy Goodman (one of the members in a nearby ward), I was looking through the lyric book to read the words to a song that I particularly liked, called "Inside of Me."  (I HIGHLY recommend his CD, by the way.)  What I found first was a quote by James E. Faust: "An important part of the spiritual being within all of us is the quiet and sacred part from which we may feel a sanctification in our lives. It is that part of us wherein no other soul may intrude. It is that part that permits us to come close to the divine, both in and out of this world. This portion of our beings is reserved only for ourselves and our Creator."  With this quote, the "Therefore What?" principle hit me hard: to find the peace and solace that I knew was available, I had to get on my knees and go to that place within me to talk with, walk with, and mourn with my Savior.  With the opportunities I've had to do this, I cannot express the true joy and peace I have felt.  Christ has always been real to me; my Older Brother and Friend at all times, but He is now such a bigger part of my life.  I would rather have had different circumstances in coming to Him, but the bottom line is simple: I am here.  The hope is that in being here, I can begin to enlargen this place's place inside of myself (does that even make any sense...?) so that I can remain close to Him at all times.  Simply put, this place is home.  This place is that harbor that I can always go to.  The light is ALWAYS shining; but it is our responsibility to get there ourselves.  It is in this place that we can feel of God's love and fully utilize the Atoning Sacrifice of His Son.  I'm sure that many of you have retreated to that place this week, but if you haven't, I invite you to do so.  That place inside each of us is the best place to be and the closest I've ever been to Home.

 

I love you all and hope that all is going well; have a great week!

 

-Elda Alexander Boone

Alex's reply about the Boston Bombings

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Elder Alexander Boone (alexander.boone@myldsmail.net)

4/20/13

To: Cheryl Boone

• 

Oddly enough, we didn't hear anything about the bombing until about an hour and a half after it happened.  Herbie, of all people, was the one to call and let us know.  We were actually at our apartment in Somerville when the bomb went off in Copley Square (in the actual city of Boston.)  There were Missionaries that saw part of the race, but none who were close enough to Copley to be affected in any way.  No Missionaries were harmed because of the bombs or any of the side effects. 

 

Love you guys and thanks for all of your support!  It's good to know that I've got a family to back me up :)

Reply to news of Kyle's death

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Elder Alexander Boone (alexander.boone@myldsmail.net)

4/16/13

To: Cheryl Boone

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Hello Family and Friends!

 

This week has truly been a humbling one.  For various reasons, including but not limited to the Temple, interviews with President, and now news of Kyle, the Humble Hammer has fallen hard, but I have truly been able to feel my Savior's love for me and for those around me more fully.  For the first time in a long time, last night I knelt down to pray and was completely overwhelmed with gratitude and love. I guess He knew that I would need that support once I heard the news today.  (As a personal note to Ruth Ann, Taylor, Riley, Kennedy, and Emery, know that the entirety of the Massachusetts Boston Mission will be including you in their prayers.)  As fate would have it, I was actually in the Boston Temple at 2:40 pm on Saturday, which would have been the time that Kyle passed on.  To be in that sacred place at such a moment is truly special and something I will remember throughout my life.  

I recently received this quote by Elder Holland from a friend.  Little did I know that I would not need this so much for myself (though it has blessed me and comforted me in this week), but for my family and those I love.  "However dim our days may seem, they have been a lot darker for the Savior of the world. As a reminder of those days, Jesus has chosen, even in a resurrected, otherwise perfected body, to retain for the benefit of His disciples the wounds in His hands and in His feet and in His side—signs, if you will, that painful things happen even to the pure and the perfect; signs, if you will, that pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn’t love you; signs, if you will, that problems pass and happiness can be ours. Remind others that it is the wounded Christ who is the Captain of our souls, He who yet bears the scars of our forgiveness, the lesions of His love and humility, the torn flesh of obedience and sacrifice.These wounds are the principal way we are to recognize Him when He comes. He may invite us forward, as He has invited others, to see and to feel those marks. If not before, then surely at that time, we will remember with Isaiah that it was for us that a God was “despised and rejected … ; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,” that “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:3, 5)  I would also invite all of you to watch (or re-watch) the YouTube video "Missionary Work and the Atonement."  Especially in this time of crisis and grief, understanding the Atonement and how we can grow from our trials, rather than let them cripple us, is vital.  My heart goes out to the entire Bradford family, but he is still here.  Just like Grandpa Ekins has watched over and guided me throughout my life, Kyle will be there for each of you.  Thank you Kyle, for your example of courage, charity, humility, and selflessness.  I hope to someday become something of the man that you are and to help others the way that you have. 

On a more "What's up, Doc?" note, this week has been eventful.  Obviously there were the bombs in Boston (no Missionaries were harmed, but we did get Red-Dotted for the rest of the day), but we got to go to the Temple, adopted a plant (and named him Doug), and got the chance to contact outside the Book of Mormon Musical.  Elder Beck, and myself got to hand out copies of the Book of Mormon as people were entering the play, and it was INCREDIBLE!!  We handed out 60 copies of the Book of Mormon in 15-20 minutes.  With us was Liza Morong, a member whose first exposure to the Church came through the Musical.  She became curious, was taught by the Missionaries, and has since been baptized and is looking forward to marrying an RM in the coming months.  Her story is incredible and inspiring.  We hope to hear of some other stories like hers in the coming months!

I feel it only appropriate to share with you my testimony of the Atonement.  I have come to know that God fully intends our lives to be difficult; were that not the case, we could not progress and become better.  "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God." (Zechariah 13:9)  Silver and gold are refined through EXTREME heat.  Though certainly not the most comfortable way to refine these precious metals, it is the best way, and any good smith or craftsman will do this to rid the metals of the impurities that are in them.  Likewise, God knows what He is doing.  Sometimes he cuts us low so that He can lift us higher.  Truly, "it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11), but that means for every sorrow, heartache, or grief we experience, there is an equal happiness, peace, and joy that can come as we draw closer to Christ.  As we live up to our covenants and consecrate ALL of ourselves-heart, might, mind and strength-we will receive Christ.  Christ promises that as we "draw near unto [Him]" that He will "draw near unto [us]."  With that promise is included Luke 1:37-"For with God, nothing shall be impossible."  I bear witness as a representative of Jesus Christ that the Atonement is real yesterday, today, and forever.  As we seek to use it in our lives, not only for our sins, but for our griefs, personal struggles, and trials, we will feel the love of Christ and our loving Father in Heaven.  They will wrap their arms around us and hold us close to them, that we may feel the eternal peace that only They can bring.  Jesus Christ laid down His life, to take it up again that we may all do the same.  "Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ." (Jeffrey R. Holland, "None Were With Him")  Through all and in all, Christ will help us through the trials of this life.  If you do not have this testimony, then I invite you (as did Elder Holland) to lean on mine.  In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Lock down because of suspect chase.

• Missionaries are locked down‏

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Alison Packard (alisonpackard@gmail.com)

4/19/13

To: Alison Packard

This is to confirm that we are aware of the situation in Boston.  All missionaries who are even close to the affected area are locked in their apartments and have been instructed to stay inside until further notice.  Please know that their safety is our highest priority and we are taking all precautions.

 

Love,

 

President and Sister Packard

2nd letter from pres about bombings

• All Boston missionaries are safe‏

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Alison Packard (alisonpackard@gmail.com)

4/15/13

To: Alison Packard

• 

Dear parents,

This is the second e-mail for some of you, but I've been gathering e-mail addresses and would like to keep you in one group.

 

All of our missionaries are safe.  Since it was a P-day today, many of our missionaries were in the city enjoying the Patriots' Day activities.  The Boston Temple invites half our mission to special Monday holiday openings so we also had several out-of-towners coming to the temple and staying for the Boston Marathon. 

 

We did have several missionaries down at Copley Square when the explosions happened.  We are so thankful that none of our missionaries were injured. A few of the missionaries are a little shaken up over what they witnessed so we are staying in close contact with them.  Everyone is going to be fine.

 

I know that many of you did not receive e-mails from your missionaries today.  After the explosions, President Packard asked the missionaries in the Boston area to return to their apartments and stay in for the night.  The local transportation, the "T," shut down for several hours so several districts were stranded in the city. Everyone is back in missionary apartments now - some spending the night with local missionaries rather than traveling home, but most back in their own apartments.  We've asked all of our missionaries to write home tomorrow.  If you don't hear from your son or daughter, let me know and I will make sure they get in touch with you.

 

We are so proud of the way our missionaries responded to today's events.  As soon as we heard the news, we started calling zone leaders to confirm the safety of our missionaries.  Many of them had heard about the explosions and were already calling district leaders, who already had detailed reports about their missionaries.  President Packard and I were so impressed with the responsibility and compassion that was shown all afternoon by our wonderful missionaries.  We love them dearly and are so grateful that they are safe. 

 

Our thoughts and prayers tonight are with the people who were not as fortunate as our missionaries.  We are praying for the many people who were injured and for the families who lost loved ones today.  We know you are all praying as well. 

 

Thanks for the support you always give us.

 

Love,

 

President & Sister Packard

 

 

 

 

1st letter from Mission President about bombings

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Alison Packard (alisonpackard@gmail.com)

4/15/13

To: Alison Packard

• 

Dear parents,

Some of you may have heard that two bombs went off in Boston. We are still getting information about the explosions, but we have confirmed that all missionaries are safe.

 

Love,

Sister Packard

General Conference

Hello everybody!

This week was so full of ups and downs!  The emotional rollercoaster simply doesn't stop, especially when you're tired.  Let me explain...

There's a former investigator here in the Cambridge 1st Ward named Phil.  He's famous for being so genuinely interested, then flaking out on a baptismal date.  Elder Beck and I had the opportunity to meet with him on Monday, and he looked both of us straight in the face and said, "I believe this is the true Church."  He then proceeded to tell us about the struggles he had to overcome to continue learning about the Church (really quite incredible, by the way)  Everything from a hostile mother (who he used Church literature with to help her understand that the Church isn't a cult)  to a house fire destroying his Book of Mormon, yet he still sought out the truth.  He had a printed copy of 2 Nephi chapter 5 in his pocket that he got from lds.org, his "favorite website."  Not only was Phil ready to resume official investigating, but also to finally be baptized.  He said that he'd pray about his date and come to Conference (with his once-hostile mother), ready to tell us when he's ready for baptism.  Sunday morning, we wake up to a voicemail from Phil, telling us that he feels he is simply not worthy of baptism into the Lord's church and we shouldn't waste our time with him.  ........  Yeah.  It kinda sucks.  We're going to continue to reach out to him in as many ways as we can to help him continue his journey to Christ.

Other than that, Conference was a FANTASTIC experience!  There was an especial focus on Missionary Work (or was that just me?) and service.  Might I also add that the Longfellow Park chapel in Cambridge, MA (the one that Henry B. Eyring mentioned) is one that I routinely visit. And the blogs that were mentioned in Boston are actually the digital Mission that President Packard is trying so hard to emphasize.  (Yes, Mom, when I heard the word 'Boston' mentioned, I heard you freak out all the way across the country.  Every Missionary in the room grimaced, because we all felt our Moms flipping out-it was pretty funny!)  I came to Conference with questions, and I got answers to my questions and more!  God truly was speaking to me and to every other seeker of truth in that Conference.  I also got that being politically correct is a worldly endeavor.  So look out, Boston! haha

I have begun an in-earnest study of Doctrine and Covenants Section 4, which is the basic requirements and qualifications to preach the Gospel.  To Chris specifically and all others who are preparing to serve, I offer this counsel: study this section til your brains fall out, and then do it again!  President Joseph Fielding Smith is on record for saying that this section is (and I paraphrase) as broad and deep as eternity, and that it contains enough material for a lifetime of study.  The more I read and learn, the more I am simply blown away by the complexity and beauty of this short passage. 

I hope this finds you all well and may God bless us all in our endeavors! 

With much love,

Elder Alex Boone