poem was shared form a member (week 90)

Quincy is great and I'm really glad I get to serve here. This week it got a little chilly again with all the wind that comes through town. It will probably be another month before all the wind dies down. It looks like we might be getting a bit of rain this week but, hopefully we don't get dumped on too much.

This weekend we had a great zone training meeting where we talked about the importance of helping our investigators keep commitments. It was great as our zone leaders lead a discussion on how we can better help our investigators understand the commitments so they will be better prepared to keep them. Our main goal should be helping them to see for themselves the blessings that come from doing what we are inviting them to do. We also need to make sure that the promises that we are extending correspond to the individual. We had some great role plays where we were able to practice extending invitations that were tailor fitted and then following up and getting a good understanding of why they didn't keep the commitment. I loved the role plays and they really got me thinking about how I can take it and apply it to my own missionary work. I look forward to being able see how it affect the work these coming weeks. 

Here is a poem that was shared with us by one of the members. 

Invictus 

"Out of the night that covers me

Black as the pit from pole to pole

I thank whatever Gods may be

For my unconquerable soul

"In the Fell clutch of circumstance

I have not wined nor cried aloud

Under the bludgeoning of chance

My head is bloody but unbowed

"Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade

And yet the menace of the years 

Finds and shall find me unafraid

"It matters not how straight the gait 

How charged with punishments the scroll

I am the master of my fate

I am the captain of my soul"

-William Ernest Hemmingway

I like this poem because it shows that no matter what we decide what becomes of us. 

There wasn't anything else too exciting this past week. I hope the pictures I sent will make up in the lack of writing material I have. I hope everyone has a spectacular week and enjoys their time.

Con amor,

Elder Boren

                          We went and did some service walking dogs at the animal shelter.

                                               Elder Klossner being walked by the dog

I've decided to take time and make a good breakfast every morning

                                                            Our sleeping quarters

Our Kitchen

                                      This is the what we see every time we come in

                                  Maybe I'll add pictures of our study rooms next week.

                Elder Bown, ELder Klossner and I with other members of the zone behind us

                                                            Elder Klossner and I

Another of the two of us

                                           Everything set up to watch General conference

                                            Elder Davis even brought some muffins to enjoy

Elder Bown played the piano before it started

We had a blast (week 89)

This past weekend was a blast. Who doesn't love all those great general conference talks? Before I go too far into my email I'm going to apologize for not including pictures these past few weeks. Some of the computers here don't want to accept my card and I haven't been the best at taking pictures. I'll do better this next week.

I loved all the general conference talks this weekend. I loved the Sunday afternoon session and maybe thats a large part due to the talk given by Elder Joaquin. The four of us elders here were not expecting a talk like that. I also loved President Monson's talk in the Sunday morning session. I loved the way he lovingly extended a commitment as simple as reading the Book of Mormon Daily. It carried so much power and I hope it plays a great effect in helping people gain a testimony of this gospel. I think that talk will be a great one to share with others. I also really liked the talk given by Elder Quentin L. Cook to close out the conference. I thought about the importance of gaining experience, practicing and putting in those 10,000 hours to become and expert. I though it would be amazing if we could put in the time and effort to become experts of the gospel or better yet one specific principle of the gospel. I look forward to the time we have in the coming months to study these talks and truly ponder the meanings. 

This past week we started working with this great investigator. She is a senior in high school and really wants to make sure she finds the right path and is able to draw herself closer to God. We were able to get her invited to the home of some members for the Sunday afternoon session and she loved it. She told us that she got her questions answered. We are going to meet with her tonight and we are looking forward to the progress we get to make with her. 

This past week was also our trip to the temple. That was such a sweet experience. Like always I was able to find members there from previous areas and that was a blessing in itself. I also found so much peace being able to attend the temple. I love being able to take time and have great prayers there. I look forward to having the opportunity to attend more frequently. 

We are looking forward to another great week and I hope everyone has a great one as well. Que les vayan bien. 

Con Amor,

Elder Boren