Service

Hello family and friends,

Elder Bodine here! This week was all about service. We were able to do things like move a family almost every single day (including one in a hailstorm... see photo [a true Wyoming experience]), help set up a bird farm that even has emus, and most importantly checked tickets for the Toby Keith and Dierks Bentley concerts at Frontier Days. I was very jealous. Yep lots of service. I love serving the people of Cheyenne. 

I have seen so many miracles this week. There are almost too many to even remember. First, a shout out to the Wheatley family for being awesome. This week I just remember feeling this inspiring feeling that I am being prayed for more than I ever have been in my life. That's pretty cool to think about. 

So time to get real, these first 5 weeks I have been in "survival mode". My comp and I have had our disagreements and that is not changing, but I think I have begun to figure it out. I have just been surviving selfishly, not thriving selflessly. My companion called me out for having a loving pride (I have good intentions, but I still am not following the example of Jesus Christ). He reminded me to forget myself and to go to work. Humbled, I recommited to trusting the Lord in faith. 

What is faith? Why is it important? Basic questions we see all the time. I would like to answer them with experience I have had this week:

When your companion decides to fast without telling you and you went for a run in the morning and all you have planned for the day is service, it takes faith. When the time came to go out and work, it was my time to step up to the plate. Be Sam, and carry Frodo. We tracted a whole street, and I was all alone. I talked every time. I stood courageously at every door. We found no success save it be an old widow who just wanted company for a little while. That day, faith meant continuing on. It meant doing the small things like waking up at 6:30, smiling at the people who immediately slam the door, or simply forgiving my companion silently for his weaknesses. Faith meant when our service project that night was taken away from us by another companionship, we kept on working. Faith is important to my mission because it is not possible without it. I do not know why I am in this area. In fact, sometimes I believe we are doing more hurt than good, but slowly and patiently the Lord reminds me that He has a plan. He has a purpose, and that purpose is glorious. He has a plan for all of us. As it says in 2 Nephi 33:6, "I glory in plainess, I glory in truth, I glory in my Jesus for he hath redeemed my would from hell". There is greatness in this work and His plan, be humble and strive to follow it.

Much Love 

Elder Bodine 

Discipleship

Well, might have been the longest week of my life. This week is Frontier Days, biggest rodeo in America, so Cheyenne is popping... the population triples (so the population of Wyoming pretty much doubles for the week). That means lots of service for us, which is awesome. We are teaching a lot of eternagators (investigators who make very little progress), so work is slow, but I see the blessings of patience and fasting.

We got caught in downpour yesterday. It was cold, wet, and AWESOME. Bonding moment for me and the comp as we rode our bikes searching for shelter (which is not to be found in Wyoming). I love the rainbow afterwards, and the lightning and thunder is so powerful here. 

This week has been one of revelation, enlightenment, and balance. 

My first realization: my family is my joy. While reading the Book of Mormon, I had an epiphany. I cannot let my family (i.e. being homesick) get in the way of my missionary work. I love my family, and their love and support allows me to serve at my fullest capacity.

Second: Mission life is full of extremes. This week I am talking about emotional extremes. Within the day, I can go from inspired to gloomy to elated to discouraged to peaceful to anxious to exhaustion to grateful, and each one is felt at a high magnitude that seems to increase every single day. As this takes a toll, I was seeking advice from a returned missionary in the ward. Sister Walker  said that one day on her mission she had a similar realization. She called this bundle of emotions a new and higher emotion: discipleship. As we follow and devote our lives to the Savior, we feel some of the things he felt. However, we don't have the same control nor understanding that He has. Missionary work is a sacrifice. This discipleship was not promised to be easy. It is worth it though. 

I will leave you with a scripture, 3 Nephi 5:13, 

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

Read the Book of Mormon for peace, comfort, and support. 

Much Love,

Elder Bodine 

I love my family calendar and my family.

My comp was a little drenched.

Me smiling... even though I was soaked.

I like to look for rainbows.

The small and simple things

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

Good old scripture to start off the email (Alma 37:6). This week was about the small victories for me. For example, this older couple fed us twice this week. The Olsens are great people; they are foster parents and get the really hard kids. The first dinner they had these huge tomatoes. Then, later in the week we had shrimp. I ate both. It's about the small victories everyone. 

Anyways my message this week is that sometimes it's good to focus on the small things, and sometimes it's not. What really makes the difference is the situation. When thinking about the last five houses that just shut us out, it is best to just move on, but when thinking about that person who smiled back at you... that makes all the difference. The gift of discernment applies to a lot more than one would think. 

Setting goals also helps. Whether it be loving my companion, serving with a smile, or sharing the message of the restoration, they all make me feel successful as a missionary. I love the people of the Buffalo Ridge Ward, and I love all of you. Hope everyone had a good week. 

Oh, and the Fort Collins temple is beautiful. I love the temple.

Much Love 

Elder Bodine 

Cookie dough is a luxury, but I made it anyways.

Turns out half of my area are these hills.

Fort Collins temple is beautiful. I love the temple.

Playing a duet at Zone Conference... It was a struggle with only 3 days notice. Elder Martin is an awesome pianist, but he goes home this transfer. 

The Cheyenne and Laramie Zones

Lots of Work to do

Hello Family and Friends,

For those who didn't make it to the end of my last email, I would love for everyone to send me one of their current favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon. Thank you for everyone who did send them in! Much appreciated. 

Well I'm starting to love Wyoming, or I should say Wyoming in the summer. It's getting warm, but we keep on walking. We are currently teaching 4 investigators, which keeps us busy. The ward here is super helpful and ready to do missionary work. I appreciate their love and support daily. 

This week, we were teaching a girl, and we asked her to read Ether 12. Recently, I've changed the way I mark my scriptures to make it less cluttered and more minimalistic. Anyways, it really helps point out the main idea (I'll add a picture at the end). The girl we were teaching wasn't super confident in her understanding of the scriptures, but the second she saw my copy, she knew that the scripture was about faith. Faith is the first step and continues to be a part of every step afterwards. The great thing is, with each step it grows stronger. In church, we discussed the song "Have I Done Any Good..." With every step I take and every act of service, I literally feel my faith building and my smile showing. The work is great. Wyoming is the place for me, as of now... not too sure about winter. But it's a good thing I'm getting my bearings now because the mission is still hard, and it won't be easier when the wind chill is -52. Can't wait! 

Much Love 

Elder Bodine 

Ether 12 and Faith

My apartment.

A Bronco that made me pretty homesick but was sick too.

PDAY excursions

Outskirts of my area...the National Forest is so random and appears out of nowhere

Companions

First Area

Cheyenne, Wyoming: home of chEYEnne optometry and many other amazing things. My first area is Buffalo Ridge (we just cover the Buffalo Ridge ward). We are a "bike area" without bikes. I think in the first two days I had walked 20 miles. My legs are tired, but the work is good. 

My companion is Elder Stockwell from Payson, Utah. He is amazing at service. He has great patience and looks to be everyone's friend, even all the meth heads on our street. Yep, not the nicest area. 2424 Pattison Ave #A is a special place. It's not quite home yet, but I'm learning to love the scent of weed, cigarettes, and cat pee (which is just a cover up for the meth). So half the people we run into are crazy. It's funny because two blocks down, it is super nice and new.  

Enough about my life... more about my experience on the mission. This first week has been hard. It's hard for everyone. Why? Well for me, I don't just love every person I see or every place I go. So, it was hard to be in a place where you don't know, and you don't love anyone. I did not love the ward, my comp, or the people because I didn't know them. But one thing I have really felt is the ubiquity of the Savior's love. It is everywhere, and through that we can love and serve others. 

I have learned this through my study of the Book of Mormon. While reading, I read Enos 1:27. It reads, "And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father." I felt so much love when reading this verse. The knowledge that we always have a home in Christ is amazing. It's a gift that we take for granted. Even if my apartment isn't my home, it's becoming my home as I let the Savior into my life. 

I encourage everyone to remember what a blessing the Book of Mormon is. Please read from it daily. I promise that you cannot feel alone as you read it. You will only feel uplifted. After reading look for ways to serve those around you. 

I have one request for those reading. Please send me your favorite verse as of now from the Book of Mormon as soon as possible. I would like to go through a new copy and mark these verses. This will help me bring your love and support here with me everywhere I go throughout Cheyenne. Also, pray for missionaries everywhere. 

Much Love,

Elder Bodine

Friends from the MTC.

My comp and me.after walking ten miles in front of this random statue.

The top of a hill in my district... looks out over Cheyenne.

Sun setting on the Wyoming horizon.

MTC District

I'm Not Throwing Away My Shot

Is that my least favorite song from the show? Possibly. Is that my motto for the MTC? Yep. Am I sad to leave the MTC? Possibly. Am I excited to go out to Colorado? Yep.

This week was interesting to say the least. Pray for all those who reside here for longer than 3 weeks because I am ready to get out. My advice for anyone going into the MTC is to make the most of anything and everything. Sometimes, I did not want to teach J.C. one more thing about repentance, but I have continued to grow by keeping a good attitude. Elder Parker in my district is the best at this. He always smiles at everyone, and it's the best. Smile more!

Since I leave to Colorado this week, I will just share some thoughts on the MTC:

1. My district is the best but also the worst (really the best). The only way to make it through the MTC is to become best friends with the district. The two other districts in our zone are split elders v. sisters, and it's the worst. 

2. Teachers are a mixed bag. We had some awesome ones, but some people just get lucky. All the other teachers who come to our class say we have the best one, so that's cool.

3. Ask good questions. Relationships grow so much quicker if you just ask the real questions. Everyone in my district struggled to get out here in the first place, and by asking questions, we have grown much closer. 

4. Listening is one of the most powerful tools to make someone feel loved. Everyone here just needs a little love. 

5. If anything, I really learned more about people than teaching. People are great but also all different. Love them equally.

6. If your class is only four people make the most of it.

Can't wait to talk again in a week and a half. My pday will be on Tuesday in the field. 

Much love,

Elder Bodine

Still love the district and the temple.

Elder Topham from the zone. He's from Moana, Utah and is headed to Houston. 

Class of four makes for some good memories, and a "dream team".

Shout out to the waterskiing pros for the chip cookies.

Elder Parker really knows how to have a good time. 

Another Week

Week 2 of 3,

The MTC is great. No really it is. If there is one word or phrase, I could use to describe my district it would be: dysfunctional unit. We hit an all time low on Thursday. I won't go into much detail, but we were all hanging on to a short ledge, ready to give up and fall. I really don't know how we have made it through the week, except for the fact that we are all meant to be here. Since it has been a hard week for everyone, I would like to share what has got me through the week:

Gratitude. This principle is so important and more important that I had ever realized. It began during a study session of the Book of Mormon. We were reading Alma 36 (I encourage everyone to read it and look for gratitude, which might seen random but do it) with my teacher Brother Smith. At this point half our district had left to go meet with the new district in our zone, so it was just six of us missionaries reading on the lawn with EFY music blasting in the background wary of the impending crisis of the sprinklers going off at any second. Anyways, here we were discussing the phrase "have mercy". We came to the conclusion that rather than asking for forgiveness and focusing on himself, Alma was accepting Christ and the Atonment, realizing that Christ changes our hearts. The process of change begins with gratitude. Appreciation for the gift we have been given. This week I was lucky enough to have a whole bunch of free time. I was able to relisten to President Monson's talk on the gift of Gratidude. I invite everyone to go to mormon.org and listen/read it. It's great. 

In all honesty this week has not been that hard for me in comparison to the rest of the district. I've been happy. I got a package from the Roddins with coconut clusters and raspberries from the Richards. Everything was going my way. But the negativity of others can be very challenging to deal with. Through gratitude I have found peace. I have been able to increase my patience and understanding. Through gratitude, I have become happier. By commencing everything with thanks and appreciation I know I will be able to get through two hard years. 

Thank you for the support and love. Also big thanks to my father. Happy Father's/Birthday. Thank you for going to the temple with me and being a great example. I love you. 

- Elder Bodine

Food makes me very happy. District sand volleyball. View from my classroom... is that the SWKT?