Weekly update

Hey Everyone,

This week has been super long. This transfer has flown by, until right about now. There are moments when I wake up and wonder if I am dreaming, and other moments that seem to drag on for a long long time. Missionary work is definitely WORK! We have updated probably every single sheet of paper in our area book this week, we have a board to keep track of all we are doing teaching wise and we re-did the whole thing. I have only been in Boise for about 5 weeks and started to wonder how many people we were actually teaching, etc. We have a big list of people who are Less Active or completely In Active. We have 13 investigators and only 2 of them are currently PROGRESSING. There is TONS of work to do, and this week it hit me, that my companion will most likely be leaving me this week. I guess I have a LOT to look forward to. There is plenty of work here.

I think that has been the blessing my entire mission, despite the physical challenges I have had, Heavenly Father has blessed me with the opportunities to witness miracle upon miracle and provide me with areas that have lots of work in them. I have needed it, because when you don't feel like working, it is nice to know there is work that needs to be done, if I wasn't in an area that had a lot of work to do, I think it would be harder to get out of bed to do the work when I am not feeling well. It has been quite a learning experience for me and I am grateful for every minute of it.

This saturday I had the opportunity to go out to Nampa to witness the baptism of two of the girls I taught while serving in Kuna. They are like little Sisters I have never had before. I love those girls so much. Marissa and Hannah were baptized saturday. We also had our very own baptism here in Boise South. Jay was baptized. He has a very beautiful family and wants to be with them forever, and knew this was the first step in getting himself there. It has been a pleasure to witness people change everything about themselves for the gospel and the blessings it provides.

I have learned a lot about repentance and forgiveness as a missionary. It has been amazing to watch how people who have done some pretty horrible things, can change their whole life around and become truly converted to the gospel. This weekend I attended a baptism of a man (not one of my own baptisms) but one of the missionaries in our district taught him. He had been incarcerated and learned about the gospel in prision. While he was there he found a brotherhood that he enjoyed. It wasn't his typical "gang" but he felt a bond that he had been searching for his whole life. He has spent the last 3.5 years working towards baptism, he has had the missionary lessons a few times to say the least, and yet, this saturday, when he did all he needed to, he entered the beautiful waters of baptism and walked away clean---free from ALL that he has done in the past. The Atonement covers all pain, and is for EVERYONE. I have never been so grateful for forgiveness and repentance. Elder Holland has said "It doesn't matter so much where you have been, but where you are going, and with His help, where you are willing to go!"

I really have come to understand that I will never fully fathom the atonement and repentance and forgiveness, but I know it is real, possible, and far reaching.

I love the gospel with all my heart. I love my mission, and I am grateful for miracles! The gospel really is true!!! TRUST ME!!!

Love,

Sister Crysi Wilson

Sister Wilson update

Hello Everyone,

I have been a missionary for 7 months and 5 days...

This week I bought a really cute red polka dot skirt, and I played in the irigation with a little boy (I am not allowed to swim, but I can put my feet in the water) LOL!

Boise South is treating me well. I am learning a lot (it seems to be the case no matter where or who I am with), and I love it. I have had a blast teaching the gospel to several people here in Boise.

I am currently teaching a man whose name is Charles Wilson and that is especially funny because my Dad and Brother, and Grandfather are all named Charles Wilson. He is working on quitting smoking with his wife, and then will be baptized. We are teaching another man named Jay. He is preparing to be baptized saturday (hopefully) depending on interviews and the whole process being complete...He has a beautiful family and really wants to be with them through the eternities. He told us that he doesn't know how he could possibly be forgiven for the things he has done in his life...and honestly, there is ONLY one way. I shared the story of Alma the Younger and how he had done some pretty bad things, but once he remembered that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, he felt the forgiveness he had been looking for. The Atonement is truly for EVERYONE!!

We are also going to start teaching a woman by the name of Toni tomorrow. She got up in sacrament sunday and bore her testimony---GOLDEN!! She said she was grateful for her friends "Sister Wilson, Sister Deschler, and Sister Cope (the Relief Society President)" who have helped her understand that she is a beautiful daughter of God. I don't really know what I did---except serve her, hug her when she came to church, and told her she looked great, but it is truly the small and simple things that touch the hearts of the people. I am excited to start teaching her.

Our most recent converts, the LaRocco's recieved a calling this week. Sister LaRocco will be a 6 year old primary teacher, and her husband has been asked to be her support for now. We were thrilled when she told us she had accepted her first calling. I love the faith of the new members. I hope to always have the kind of faith they have.

I get the privilege of singing at this upcoming Zone Conference on August 19th. I am excited. Our Mission President's wife Sister Cannon will be playing for me. She is wonderful and I love working with her. Transfers will be the 22nd. I am hopeful to be staying where I am at for another couple transfers again...but they do need someone to open a new area this transfer, so who knows what will happen. I know whatever happens is what is supposed to happen.

Another note: I made the goal to read the entire mission library and standard works on my mission...I am currently in Exodus in the Old Testament and Chapter 6 in Jesus the Christ and I have read everything else (the Book of Mormon twice). I love that my mission has taught me to accomplish goals, weather before or during my mission. I know that the gospel changes lives and I LOVE witnessing it in my own, and in the lives of others as well.

This is truly a great and a marvelous work!!!

I could really use some letters!!! :)

Love,

Sister Crysi Wilson

Idaho Boise Mission

1111 So. Cole Road

Boise ID 83709