Letter #1: Coolidge, AZ Feb 15, 2016

Dear Family,

How are you doing how is Erick James
spencer doing I miss you guys I feel kinda left out here with the
other missionaries and lonely but every time I feel that way I think
of you guys and i know my brothers are counting on me to be there
example and then I don't feel alone thank mom for all you have done I
love you so mu So first day at the mission
home, having the time of my life I love my fellow missionaries and my
mission president. president Toonie is really!! Tall, SEVEN feet and
is just great big teddy bear he love us all like we are his sons and
daughters. That day we went over the rules of bike and car safety that
was "fun" we also got personal iPads there are very useful teaching
tools but I'm an old man when it comes to technology "nothing is
better then paper scriptures" I guess I will have to adjust to the pad
though. I'm being feed like I'm a king and the dorms are nice. I
didn't get any sleep though but I expected that to happen on my first
night, also 15 missionaries one shower I don't even have to explain it
I will let you imagine the chaos. so later that evening we had a group
devotional the leaders ask us one by one interview question then went
around a circle and talk about our feelings towards the mission, and
our testimony. I can testify that the church is true just listening to
what was said that night. The spirt was so strong it was awesome to
heir other people story's and to share mine. It is a blast hanging
with the other elders fresh and as green as I am. I'm the odd ball
sense I'm from here but it's fun telling them story's of Arizona and
about the weather and scorpions and other stuff  the next day we went
to the Mesa temple it's actually been a while since I have went to the
Mesa temple it was a breath of fresh air it is a little strange being
in the same area where I live but I feel at home and I can't complain
and I wouldn't have it any other way. Friday I met my trainer his name
is elder nealison he is great. I then got the info on where I'm going
and I am called to the Coolidge 1st ward way down there in Coolidge.
The people are a little strange but have a great heart. I'm not going
to lie it has been really really hard the first few days trying to
learn trying to teach and trying to with get to know my companion we
get along but we don't haha,  But we taught this recent convert family
they blew me away. After being there with them I was thinking to
myself if the church ain't true I don't know what is his story is
incredible. he was an NFL football player for the sea Hawks in the
early 2000s but got thrown in jail and his life wasn't going any were
then he started taking the lessons with the missionaries, then one day
told the missionaries that he did want to met any more that night he
had a awesome dream about the Book of Mormon and how it was true and
also the church then called the missionaries and told them the church
is true and he wanted to be baptized. He got baptized last week It is
great to see the change in the lives of others we have been teaching
people that have just got out of prison, or have had a bad life very
humble people. I have learned a lot a couple things I have been
learning right now is to be myself, be patient with my self and
others, love yourself and others. They days are long but that only
means more time to preach the gospel. I want you to know that I know
that the church is true but not because I'm a missionary because the
spirit has told me little by little, I have my doughts but I put my
faith in the lord and I know this is were I'm supposed to be. I'm
excited to do the work thank you for your support you really have lead
me to this moment.

                  Love, Elder Boyd