The Atonement After All We Can Do

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a fantastic week full of the spirit and a wedding that im sure was the greatest thing ever. Our week was long. It was good though. Always filled with the spirit and wonderful experiences that are making us grow. We had trade offs this week and I was with Sister Cluff. We had an appointment with a referral we were able to receive. So we went to her home and she was all sweet and lovely and let us in. Turns out she is a born again christian. So we were in her home for a good hour or so. It was actually a really eye opening experience for all of us. If anyone knows that religion they really believe in the atonement and that we are just saved through the grace of Christ. Which is true but also not. There is more to it. 

After we got out of the appointment we were talking about what just happened and how sad it is that some people think repenting once is enough, that it literally doesnt matter what you do in this life you will automatically be saved because you believe in Christ.

Then there is our church who believes in the atonement and the grace of Christ as well, but we also believe in works. We realized that for us sometimes we focus more on the works instead of our faith in Christ. My companion and I were listening to a talk by Brad Wilcox. Such a powerful talk if you have time look it up. Its called "the atonement after all we can do." Anyway, he talked a lot about our works here on earth and how sometimes we focus too much on what we have to do to get into the kingdom of God and we forget about who we need to become. We are human beings not human doings. A principle he talked about as an example was tithing. He said someone who earns 1,000,000 pays the same percent of tithing as a person who earns 1,000. Sometimes people wish they earn more so they can pay more, but it isnt about the offering its about the offerer. God cares more about who you are and who you are becoming. 

We also had our Stake Conference this weekend. It was so powerful. Our stake president talked about how we all have received a return ticket to heaven and its up to us to use it. He talked about how the sealing in the temple is our passport to the Celestial Kingdom. It was just powerful to know that we all have the same purpose here but our circumstances are completely different. God truly does love us and knows exactly what each of us are going through. So when you are struggling and when you want to give up. Remember God does not expect you to be perfect, he just expects you to try. He did not put us here on earth to fail. Rely on the atonement and strengthen your faith in Christ. Make sure you believe in grace just as much as you believe in works. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week! 

KO2

Sister Boiteux

Pictures:

 

P-day clothes. We love disney.

While you were all at the wedding we were enjoying dinner on the grass by the beach :)

Our two crazy investigators. Love them like my own brothers!

Vina got baptized yesterday! So proud of her. Love her crazy. 

Rainy Sunday. But I love my sweet companion. Miracles happen in the rain!

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE! I love my calling! (my companion trying to be a photographer) ;)

Okay the pictures are done now. Love you all heaps :)

We Finish Each Others.. SANDWICHES

So I had this huge as idea for an email. Then my family sent me stuff about my brothers wedding and my heart broke then was put back together and im just completely excited for Rylee and Dylan to get married. Honestly crying because I want to be there so badly and I want to witness the sealing but alas I am in the greatest country ever doing the greatest work ever so I just have to deal with it. I am so excited for my brother to get married. With the sealing I have witnessed I remember the wonderful spirit that was present and just the good happy vibes that were in the temple and then of course after at the reception. So I am extremely proud of them for making it to the temple so that they can be with each other for eternity. Nothing better than that promise they will be making! Marriage truly is ordained of God, and I know that as you grow closer to the Lord you will grow closer to each other. I hope that all of you are trying to improve on your relationships with others even if you aren't married. Just stop looking inwards and start reaching outwards. Serving others is the greatest way to be happy. Its also a great way to strengthen your testimony and to grow closer to our Saviour Jesus Christ. Strip yourself of all pride and be humble so that the spirit can lead you and guide you every day to someone who needs you. 

This week was tough. My companions first week of having a day of pure rejection. Poor sister. But really we had doors slamming and people ignoring. All the missionary fun just piled onto us. Although it was tough and rejection was real we still received many blessings. We saw Gods hand so much in the work this week. He has prepared so many of his children in our area and as we started to work harder and go find them they started coming to us. I hope you all know that you may not be a missionary with a badge on but you are still a missionary. You are the message of our church to others around us. So I hope and pray that your example is a good one. You never know when someone you have come across will finally be ready for the message of the restored Gospel. I love you all. I know this church is true. I love it with all my heart. Congrats Rylee and Dylan I love you so much and hope that everyone enjoys the wedding this weekend!

Ofa Atu,

Sister Boiteux

Pictures:

1. Skyping the familia!!!

Because I love family <3

Is this a german shepherd? am i missing stryder? is this real life? yes to all of them. This dog we named buddy. He was barking his head of and then we mesmerized him with our doggie talk. Haha we are best friends now.

Sister Latu made us pueletahas. Went to come and see and everyone was like "wow you two are matching!" 

Typical companion unity picture

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

Happy Mothers day to all of you lovely women in the world!! Such a wonderful loving holiday that we are lucky to celebrate.

Yesterday was just jam packed with spiritual awesomeness. We walked into the chapel and were just overwhelmed by the spirit that was present. We pretty much have the greatest ward ever. One of our members that spoke talked about how when Christ was on the cross he looked down and saw his mother, Mary. As soon as she said that it just hit me. It hit me to know and realize that mothers sacrifice so much for their children. We had the opportunity to join the young men in their class yesterday and we talked about and shared about strengthening your faith in Christ. My companion invited them all to ponder more on the Saviour through out their week instead of just on Sundays. Which brought me to my favourite story in the Book of Mormon... THE STRIPLING WARRIORS. In Chapter 56 it says 

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

 48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it. 

We connected that to us today. Sometimes we have never shared the gospel we have never had to go out of our comfort zone and invite others to come unto Christ. Once we finally think more upon the Lord's plan and on bringing others unto the Saviour and forgetting ourselves is when we strengthen our faith and can preach the gospel. And we can preach it with power and authority because we truly believe it. We were taught in our youth by our mothers. We were taught to defend Christ at all times to open our mouths and share what we know to be true. What a blessing it is to have wonderful women and fathers and leaders that lead us and guide us and help us know what to do. Do not doubt, the Lord is on your side!! Thank you for everyone who has helped me get to where I am today. I have so much love and gratitude for you. I hope you all have a wonderful Sabbath Day.

Love you heaps,

Sister Boiteux

Pictures!!

Children.. A sister missionaries biggest temptation!! We just want to hold them!

Skyping Sister Fonuas family!! I think i took most of the time talking to them ;) 

 

We <3 our area

Excited cause it's p-day. And I get to skype my family in an hour and a half!!!!!!

Don't Be a Dinosaur

Kia Ora,

This week was filled with miracles on miracles on miracles. Seriously being with a sister who just left MTC has been the best thing ever. She has taught me SOOOO much. Im sure she is dying being my companion but I just love her so much and never want her to leave to Mississippi. Honestly I wish you could have all been here to see the hand of the Lord here in New Zealand. Now is the time to harvest. 

A few days ago we went and visited one of our less active members. He cracks us up. For some reason he looked at me and said "Sister.. Don't be a dinosaur." Hahaha I was so confused, but as I have been pondering on that statement it made me think of our missionary work. Some missionaries are extinct. They just do the same thing every single day. No progression. They just go through the motions. Others they see the target they want and they just go for it. Not afraid of anything around them. Some dinosaurs just eat leaves and others just eat meat. They are picky for the things that they want. I have no idea where im going with this analogy it just made sense in my head haha but i really learned this week is for the missionary work to get done we cant just sit here. We cant just be dinosaurs and be lazy and do the same things we have been doing and be picky about who we talk to. My companion is honestly whipping me into shape right now, the changes we have seen in our area is because of the faith that she has I know it. Im grateful I get to be here and witness what the Lord is doing for us. 

The reason I share all of this nonsense with you is because now is the time for us to do missionary work!!! To be able to hasten the work and bring souls unto Christ we have to invite. Invite every one. For people who may not have any nonmember friends then invite less active members to come back or just love them and serve them and by your Christ like example they will come back! Put your faith in Heavenly Father and do more than you have been. Then you too can see miracles just as we have been. We can no longer be lazy dinosaurs we need to be walking right next to the Saviour and helping him in this marvelous work. There is no greater thing to do then be participating in the greatest work here on earth. I love you all so much. I hope you have a fantastic miracle filled week. 

Love,

Sister Boiteux

Pictures!

We got to see Vina this week!! Miss those ladies so darn much!

Zone training.. we took a hike :)

Beautiful views=photo time

P-day adventures!

When you walk down the road and clean up the side walk with your skirt.. 

Trent! When your miracle of the day is sent all the way down from Kerikeri to cheer up your companion

What is life officially hit half way!

Want to make someones day? Leave a note on their door :)

Mission birthday party.. round two in 3 months cause 9 months only matters for me haha :)