Monday, October 26, 2015

Switch Up

Saturday, October 24, 2015



SPIDERS AND SNAKES

Dear Family and friends, 
This week has been pretty neat. It's been super bipolar with the weather, really hot and  then really rainy and cold.

Monday- We went to Cloverdale chapel to play some ping pong with a few other elders. Fun, fun. Then we went back and changed to go to J's house. A guy from the ward was supposed to come to be a member present, but he never showed up!! We called him like 20 times and texted, but he never showed up!!

 We went to visit a few less actives. They weren't home, of course. We went to President W's house.  Awesome dude. He made us some grilled cheese sandwiches, and then we had a quick lesson with them and that was the night!

Tuesday- Loooong day, but awesome day! We had a lesson with his Maori girl we met on the street the other week. Her name is M. We had sister V come. We had an awesome lesson. We taught the plan of Salvation. She LOVED it. She really loved the spirit world part, because apparently the spirit world is something big in Maori religion. She committed to come to church (but didn't end up coming) 

We went to our ZLC meeting at the chapel. After the meeting, we went to our next lesson with Brother P. We taught R the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He looks like my cousin Patrick, but he is like Bob Wiley in personality. I love talking/ teaching him!! He said he'd read the Book of Mormon, and come to church ( he came! ) 

We went back to the flat, and the assistants dropped off Elder Macki's lost suit case, and a package for me from Morgan!! Then we had lunch, and then we went finding. We found like 4 solid potentials on this tiny street that came to mind as I prayed!  Half of them were Malaysian. 

Then we did a few potential follow ups and we went to D's house, but he wasn't home!   We tried a few other less actives, but they wouldn't let us in. We went to A's house, and we taught him and the Ks kids the Restoration.  A gave us HEAPS of feed back haha. Then we went on ward split offs. 
We tried to see this one phillipino less active, and he told us he wasn't a member.  We went by P's house and had a quick lesson with him and gave him a scripture study schedule.  Brother C dropped us back off at the chapel, and we rode home!

Wednesday-Super rainy on Wednesday. We had to go to the shops in the morning to get Elder Macki a jacket, because he didn't have one. His credit card didn't work, and I didn't have any money either, but luckily it wasn't too rainy for the rest of the day! 

Then we had lunch, then we went to a less active's house. She didn't let us in, so we went to Sister L's house. We shared a quick message and then our appointment fell through with his guy we met on the street the day before. 

We visited sister Bi in the rest home, and we had to put on all of this sanitary stuff, because they had a break out of gastro there! haha We looked like doctors! We shared a message with her.

 We went and dropped our bikes off and took the bus to a potential's house. He wasn't too interested. Then I realized that a former/ potential investigator lived pretty close, so we walked there and he was home! He let us in. His name Is J, he is from Singapore. He has been having some hardcore depression problems. We shared the Plan of Salvation trying to raise his spirits, but he was still down. He asked heaps of good questions though! We told him we would text him inspirational scriptures throughout the week! We walked to the C's and they weren't home. So we went to the Co's, and they fed us some dinner. It was Maori bread with tomatoes!! Sooooooooooooooooo gooooooooooooooddd!! I could eat that stuff for the rest of my life. We talked about the Book of Mormon for a long time there. It was such a good discussion. Then they gave us a ride home, and that was the night!

Thursday-We had weekly planning, so we didn't get out of the flat until 3:30... so long! 
Then we tried to visit a few potentials that we tracted into on Thursday, but they didn't let us in. 

We tried to see a chinese potential, and as soon as we got to the house, the girl's mom was walking out with these chinese doughnut things... haha so we asked if her daughter was home, she was, but she was studying, so her mom gave us a doughnut. We went by this other potential's house. It just so happened that it was another Singaporean named J. He is part of the Sikh religion. He let us come into his prayer room, and taught us about what he believes. We had to take our shoes off and cover our heads with this cloth thing!   Then he let us tell about our church after he talked about his. He thought the First Vision was super cool. He said we can come back any time to teach him! Nice! We  went to the P's for dinner. We shared a simple scripture and had a discussion. Then we went home for the night to prepare for zone conference!

Friday-The Zone Leaders picked us up at 6:30 to go to Zone Conference. We had a district leader training before the conference at 8. Then we had zone conference. Soooooooo so so good. It was centered around us as missionaries being worthy enough to be baptized again, and going into depth about the armour of God. Awesome. 

After zone conference, we went to the C's for dinner and a lesson. We had Pizza Hut with hot dog stuffed crust!!! So gooooooooood  We had a lesson about the sacrament, and prayers.Then we went to the M's. We talked about the importance of the Holy Ghost with them. Then we rode home and that was the night!

Saturday- Spider and snake day! Haha. We went to the church in the morning to give Sister C a blessing>
Then we went to this house and did heaps of weeding.The man ordered pizza. When he came out to help us, he was putting on his shoes, and there was a Red Back spider on his foot!!!! ( a Red Back is the equivalent of a >Black Widow, but since we are in Australia, it's super deadly!) 
It didn't bite him luckily! But yeah, scary. I saw it. I was freaking out just a bit.  

When we finally finished service, we went to go see this potential that lived ages away. On our way there I saw this snake in the middle of the side walk! It was huge! It was gray and black and had a yellow belly. I didn't get to get a picture of it because it slithered away too fast ;( it was cool though! We finally found his house, but he wasn't home. So we visited the assistant ward mission leader, Brother H. We had a lesson about the Book of Mormon. Then we rode home and called all of our investigators to come to church.

Sunday-It was madness at church. During MCM right before sacrament meeting, R called and said he needed a ride. So Brother P picked him up. We got out of the meeting right as sacrament meeting was about to start. There was no one playing any prelude, so I played until the organist came. The organ wasn't working, But I somehow ended up playing the opening hymn. haha 
We sat in the back with a less active. Then Elder Macki and I taught Gospel Principles. It was on the spirit world. We TOTALLY winged it!  It went decent though.  

After church we went to the zone leader's flat to borrow some umbrellas and jackets for Elder Macki. It was raining hard on Sunday. Then we had dinner and we went to this less active's house. She wasn't home but her partner was, so we had a spiritual thought with hime Nice! 

We went to J's house, and he was pulling out right when we got there. We will go by Tuesday.  We tried the N's and they weren't home. Then we got our bikes and tried a less active/ recent converts house, but we had the wrong address!  We biked home and I correlated and that was the night!

Things have been crazy here lately. Super super busy! So if any of you wrote me hand written letters, just know it will take me time to write back! In fact, it may take months. I love you all though! I keep you in my prayers :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my mission.  I've really come out of my shell with talking to people.  I think Dad would be proud of me with that.  I was in a room with my companion, 3 19 year old boys, and a 32 year old guy, and I was the ONLY one making conversation.  They were sitting back and being super awkward.  I have learned hot to not be shy.  I just go for it now!  HA! I embrace the awkward! I have noticed that I am getting better at articulating myself and relating with others.

Love,
Elder Beeson

Monday, October 12, 2015







Far Out!!! Oct. 11, 2015

K's for Days!!!! October 4, 2015

Dearest family and friends,
This week has been an absolute blur!
We have been riding our bikes so much. It's a good thing we don't have to worry about running out/ keeping track of how many k's we go because we ride ALL DAY EVERYDAY!

Tuesday-we went down to Armadale to play some basketball with a few other elders at a rec center place. After that, we went back to our flat and freshened up then we went to J's house and talked to him for a while we shared a scripture about trusting God. Then Brother M picked us up so Elder Mamea could go on ward visits, and so I could go home teaching with him. We went to the S's house and had a good lesson on enduring to the end. Then we met back up at the church and Brother M shouted us some Nandos!! nice :) We got take out and we ate it at our flat. Then we started our fast for the next day!

Wednesday-We had ZLC in the morning, then we went to sister M's house. We talked to her on her doorstep for an hour because she refused to let us come in and share a message We ended up sneaking a spiritual thought in there though ;) After that we rode to the H's which was ages away. We did an object lesson with talking about the importance of the sacrament. They liked it. Then we went to the P's, but Br. P wasn't home so we couldn't stay. Then we tried the M's, but Brother M wasn't home, so we couldn't stay there very long either. Then we went to S's. S&A and  were there, so we taught A the Restoration! He's a very good listener. We committed him to read the book of Mormon everyday by himself! nice! Then we went to go open the chapel for the sisters.
We were supposed to have dinner at A's, but then he cancelled last minute and said he'd drop it off at our flat. He got us NANDOS!! haha nandos to start and end our fast :) I didn't mind ;) then I mid-week correlated, and that was the night

Thursday-We went and did service until almost 4:00 at a less active's home. They had an orange orchard and they said we could take all the oranges we wanted! We did the service with Elder Brinkerhoff and Elder Suguturanga. It was hot that day too!! I darkened up a little bit. But when I say darkened, I really mean I got quite sunburned, but now it's turning into a tan ;)
It was crazy though because they have this spot in their backyard that looks EXACTLY like my backyard at home looking from the Abel's to the baseball field. I'll send a picture! It was freaking me out haha!
 
Sister T fed us lunch, and we took our oranges, and went home. We went to B's house. We shared a quick message and he gave  us heaps of less active referrals! We decided to go to one of them right after that. On our way there, we saw these two kiwis carrying groceries. We passed them then I had this feeling we should go back. We passed them like 5 minutes earlier, so I was doubting they were still going to be there. But they just so happened to be right where we last saw them!! what the heck?! The guy was talking to someone on the phone. Anyways, we got talking to them, and they were the NICEST, COOLEST people ever. They said they would love to have us come over anytime! They were so keen!!

After that we went to the less active's house and it turns out the girl we visited now has a partner. The guy was really cool. We talked to him and ended up teaching him the lesson! He said he wants to see what we're about. nice!! Then we rode to J's house. She was FINALLY home. We went over 2 Nephi 31 with her, because apparently she read it a few weeks ago. Then she said she'd come to church to figure out if it was true! Then we rode home and that was the night! It was a really good day :)

Friday-We weekly planned because we didn't have time to on Thursday. After that we went to try to visit 3 less actives, but none of them were home, and we rode ages to see them.. haha oh well. Then we talked to this lady on the street for a good half hour. She told us we can come back anytime to talk with her! nice! Then we had to book it to our dinner appointment at the N's! The N's are like the Indian/Burmese version of the Meyrings. Super nice house, and everything was super organized. We had some nice curry and really good dessert. They were telling us their conversion story the entire time. It was really cool. Apparently L. Tom Perry's nephew converted them.

We tried to see a less active, but they weren't home, J weren't home either. Then we went to the N's, and they were finally home! We talked about Church and doctrine for a long time, then we shared a scripture that dealt with everything they were talking about. After that we went home, and that was the night.

Saturday- We had a district blitz in the morning. I ran into a Scottish dude who talked to us for a while! hahaha I couldn't take his accent seriously because I was thinking of Dad!
I ate this fruit that was on this tree which tasted like a cross between a mango and apricot, but you had to peel it. That was cool.

We went back home to do 12 week and language study. After we went to sister L's house for lunch. She made a mean meat pie. After that we shared a quick scripture. haha it was funny because the whole day there was like no one on the roads because the footie grand final was happening, which is basically like super bowl sunday, and the local team here in WA was in the grand final. Apparently the west coast eagles got crushed. haha I know it sounds super irrelevant that I'm talking about this, but it really affected the work because everyone was just so ticked off! It was funny.

After that we went to S's. A wasn't home. We read a little bit of Mormon 9 with them. After that we saw Sister R and had a quick lesson on her doorstep about the sacrament.

Sunday-Lbailed on us on church in the morning, so we did 12 week and language study. After that we went to church, had mcm, then sat by S in the back. NONE of our investigators came ;( I was so bugged. Then during the middle of priesthood I got a call from President Fife! He called for news about transfers... and... I'm training!! woah!! haha so I'll find out who my new companion is on Thursday! Elder Mamea is going to Queens park with Elder Cranston. Man, I'm going to miss my companion. He's the best.

After that we went home and tried to visit a few people, no one was home. No one is ever home!! Then L picked us up and we had some dinner. After that she dropped us off at J's house. He's a less active guy. The coolest nicest guy though. He wanted us to bless his home because there has been weird stuff going on. Then he drove us home in his sports car and we took pictures with it! Then he offered us dinner for tonight! nice. Then I correlated and that was the night!

This week was an absolute blur! Each week is going by faster. Something I really learned this week is that if we, "Trust in the Lord with all [our] heart and lean not unto [our] own understanding," that he truly will, "direct [our] paths." I love the Lord. I love the work. I love Australia! Keep doing what you know you should!

love, elder Beeson
G'day family and Friends!
I had an awesome wild week! It's spring time here in WA which is like Utah's summer weather haha!

Wednesday-We went to the temple for p-day!! It was so nice! We were lucky getting there though, because I had no idea what trains and busses to take to get there, but then we saw a couple of other elders, and we just followed them! There were heaps of Elders that came too. It was so nice to be able to go back. I had heaps of different insights.
After that we went straight home, and as soon as we got home we had to go to our appointment at J and C's. We went there and their whole family was there, so they told us to come back the next day. haha we biked like 8 K's as fast as we could to even get there! oh well. Then we decided to have dinner and I needed to mid-week correlate so we went to the flat, and that was the night.

Thursday-Awesome day! We weekly planned in the morning, then we went to follow up to teach Bishop's Son's Friend named I. He was really excited for us to teach him. We went and asked his mom if we could teach him, and she said that it was fine. So we taught him and a few other friends in the park. We taught him the plan of salvation. He had heaps of questions, but that's kind of what you get when you teach kids! He committed to be baptized at the end of the lesson!! He'll be baptized on Oct 23rd! That was cool.
Then we had to walk to Js house but on our way there, we saw this black dude. Elder Mamea complimented the man on his jacket he was wearing, and the guy didn't really hear him, so he turned around after we passed him, and we ended up talking to him for a good 45 minutes on the street. Turns out this guy was from Ethiopia, and he was an Orthodox Christian. He apparently was a former investigator from Midland as well. He was kind of bashing on Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Then Elder Mamea bore his strong and simple testimony about Joseph smith. I bore my testimony about the Book of Mormon. hahahah I was SUPER bold with him. I shared with him 2 Nephi 33:10. He was pretty shut down (in a good way) after we bore our testimonies. It was very powerful. Then we got his information, and he said we can come by and teach him within the next week!! Nice!!!

Then we went to J's house. Their whole family was there. They are from the Phillipines. Apparently, it was the first time they have been together in 6 years. We taught the gospel of Jesus Christ through 2 Nephi 31. After that C said she wasn't interested! What the heck?! I think she'll be baptized later on, she just has so much more responsibility now that her family is here.

Friday-We tried to see Brother T in the morning, but he wasn't home. Then we went by W's house, and he was finally home. We talked with him and shared a quick scripture before we had to go to our next appointment. We went to the chapel to teach D, this Chinese dude. We had , this phillipino guy in the ward come to teach him too! We gave him a chapel tour and we taught the restoration as well. It was so dumb though because he just would not take a Boom of Mormon!! He said he was too busy to read it and that he wasn't going to take a book he was going to be too busy to read anyways! We tried convincing him for a while, but he wouldn't budge. He's a really cool guy. I actually think he will read it though after his studies calm down.
After that we went and taught I again. We had a talk with his mom, and his mom said she didn't want him to be baptized. She just wanted him to learn about religion. She said it's fine if we keep teaching him, but she doesn't want him to be baptized. I feel like we will be able to soften her heart before October 23rd though. :) Elder Mamea and I have the faith!
Then we taught him in his backyard. His mom was inside and listening through the screen door. After that we went to A's for dinner.

On our way there we tried this potential's house. We got there as soon as this lady's expartner pulled up. hahaha he cussed us out pretty bad. hahaha I just wanted to say calm down dude!! or mate haha whatever, but yeah, he hated us with a passion.
Then we got to the K's and played with the K's kids for a while, then they told us A wasn't there, so we had to go home because there wasn't another male. We shared a quick thought, then we rode home, and they dropped us off some pizza. After that we went to J's house, but he wasn't home, then we tried a few others, and they weren't either, then that was pretty much the night!

Saturday- We had a district blitz in the sister's area. The zone leaders couldn't come because they were doing service. We tracted this street and found 3 solid potentials. We had another really rude guy cuss us out again haha!!
Then we talked to this born again Christian for like an hour. Nicest man. Then the zone leaders picked us up and we ate kfc at this really nice park. 
After that we went to our flat, and waited for L&L  to pick us up. Then we went to their house to wash their car and eat. After that we walked to J's and she wasn't home, so that was pretty much the night!

Sunday- I played the Organ for Sacrament meeting!!!  I was so nervous though because I have never played an actual church organ before in my life. I didn't know exactly how the volume worked, so the first two songs were pretty quiet, but by the last hymn, I was blasting it! It was fun. Then we taught primary. 
After Church, we went to the F's house. They are the best people ever!! I drank like 5 glasses of this island drink It had mango, coconut and pineapple and milk in it.  Then I talked with brother F for a while about how the ward needs more excitement for missionary work!! After that we taught a quick object lesson about repentance. Then Brother F drove us home, and then we went to see a few people, but then no one was home as usual, then I correlated and that was the night.

Monday- We had an AWESOME district meeting. I really just let the Spirit guide the meeting. By the end of it, we were all pumped and edified to go to work!! We were all balling! Then we had lunch, then we went to the S's and talked with them for a while. We shared a scripture about faith. They really took it in and agreed. It was really good. Then we went to Sister B's, and S L's house. We found 2 potentials on the way there! We got there like 5 minutes before their home teachers walked in.  So we just testified to what they said, and I shared a scripture out of 1 Timothy relating it to the message they shared.
Then we had dinner at the P's. They are a fun family to talk to. Smart, funny people. They always have super good food too! After dinner we shared a message. Then we tried to go by J's house, but he wasn't home. Then we went to the C's and shared a message with them. They are the best family! Then that was the night!

Good week, very busy and successful week! Thank you for your prayers. I pray for all of you as well!

Love, Elder Beeson